TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 24, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged

TalkAndroid_Daily_Dose

With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!

Apps

BBC iPlayer app now adds support for 10-inch tablets, refined UI for smartphones and 7-inch tablets

Screenshots of redesigned Gmail app leaked during I/O session

Chrome Beta for Android updated, adds better translation and full screen options

Google Glass

Samsung to provide OLED screens for consumer version of Google Glass

» Read the rest

New screenshots of Android 4.3 surface; shows slightly different camera software UI

by Macky Evangelista on
tagged , , , ,



181445_483349705071053_1673607493_n

Thanks to XDA user chaleen, new screenshots of a Nexus 4 in Thailand’s Mobile Expo 2013  running Android 4.3 have surfaced. So far nothing too interesting in the screenshots as it just shows the build and kernel info, but one of them was fairly interesting as it shows a slightly re-designed UI for Google’s stock camera UI.  You can check out that screenshot right below.

» Read the rest

AUO set to provide display panels for next-generation Nexus 7 tablet

by Roy Alugbue on
tagged , , , ,

Nexus_Logo_Nexus_7

 

We know that Google’s second-generation Nexus 7 tablet is on the way, but not much about the device is known— especially since we didn’t see much of a tease at Google I/O this year. Fortunately, it appears that we’re finally getting some long-awaited information about the venerable device as news has surfaced that it’ll not only arrive this summer with high expectations, but it will come with a brand-new display unit. According to the hit-or-miss Digitimes, Google and ASUS are turning to AU Optronics (AUO) to develop a 7-inch, low-temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) panel at a 1,900 x 1,200 resolution. Also reaffirming what we’ve previously heard, shipments are expected to begin as early as Q2 and the tablet is expected to see the 8 million unit mark, which should more than certainly help Google keep eating away at that tablet market share.

source: Digitimes

Qi wireless charging solution for Samsung Galaxy S 4 now available for pre-order

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged , ,

qi-samsung-galaxy-s4-wireless-charging-cover-black

So you already own the Galaxy S 4, but want a wireless charging solution. Samsung still hasn’t released their version yet, but Mobile Fun in the UK has a solution for you that is available for pre-order now. The charging pad goes for $53.99 and is already available now. It will actually work out of the box with other Qi compatible phones such as the Nexus 4 and the DROID DNA.

If you own a Galaxy S 4, you will need to also buy their wireless charging cover that will replace your current back battery cover. This goes for $37.99 and is available in both black and white. The good news is that these covers will work with any Qi charging pad, so if you already own one, you will only need to buy a cover. Unfortunately they aren’t in stock yet, but if you pre-order now, it should arrive at your doorstep in about 4 to 6 weeks. Hit the break for a short demo video and links to get your order in.

» Read the rest

TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 21, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged

TalkAndroid_Daily_Dose

With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!

Reviews

Bowling Paradise [Sports]

Apps

Flickr launches new Android app and hands out 1-terabyte of free storage

Webkit-powered Opera browser now available in the Play Store

Ingress game gets update with new features

Carriers

Three tri-band LTE devices announced by Sprint for this summer

Verizon and Samsung hosting Galaxy S 4 promotional event Thursday in New York City

» Read the rest

Featured Android Game Review: Bowling Paradise [Sports]

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged ,

Bowling_Paradise_Splash_Banner

There certainly is no shortage of bowling games in the Google Play Store. We recently reviewed Concrete Software’s PBA Bowling Challenge, which is a cool game, but if you are looking for something a little more mellow, you might want to check out Bowling Paradise from InnoLab. You won’t find any tournaments or power-ups in this one, it’s just pure bowling in a zen-like atmosphere.

Bowling Paradise gives you eight locations to choose from: Beach (peaceful and relaxing), Garden (fresh and relaxing), Slope (exciting – ball rolling down a wavy path), Camping (quiet camping night), Dome (classic, luxury), Space (high impact – ball can fly in the air), Mushroom (imaginary land), Lights (special light effects). As you can see, each area gives you not only a completely different look, but can also impact gameplay.

» Read the rest

Did the new and improved Nexus 7 make an appearance at Google I/O?

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged ,

nexus-7-tablet-google-io-appearance

We knew that Google I/O was going to be concentrated on development, but we were still surprised that the updated Nexus 7 was missing in action. Turns out the new tab might have made an appearance, but we just didn’t know it at the time. The image above is a slide that was shown during a session on high performance audio. You can clearly see the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 10, and right smack in the middle is what appears to be a Nexus 7, but it doesn’t look like the current model. The bezel looks smaller and the top and bottom edges are curved.

The first assumption is that it could be a placeholder, but why would they bother with a placeholder? They could just insert the current Nexus 7 in that spot. Just in case you think the image could be fake, we provided the video of the presentation after the break. The slide shows up at the 38:27 mark. Let us know what you think.

» Read the rest

Google’s latest media player hits the FCC

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged ,

Google_FCC_Media_Player_H840

We know that Google is going to introduce a new TV set-top box of some sort, and we are hoping that it will get released by the end of the year. It looks like that may happen since a new media player just passed the FCC. Unfortunately we don’t have too many details at this point, but the device is called the Google H840 and it “functions as a media player”. It also supports WiFi 802.11 b/g/n. The name of the device is obviously a codename, but the model number is H2G2-42. No pictures were filed, so this is all we have to go on.

I know a lot of people have been holding out on buying a Google TV box with the hopes that Google will introduce something soon. Sounds like everyone’s prayers are about to be answered. Lets just hope it’s not another bust like the Nexus Q.

source: FCC
via: Liliputing

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for May 13 – May 19, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged

TalkAndroid_Weekly_Recap

We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. Google I/O was this week, so it’s no surprise that it dominated the headlines. Google officially unveiled their new unified messaging service called Hangouts and their new gaming service called Play Games Services. They also unveiled their new streaming music serviced called Play Music All Access. The only hardware announcement was the Galaxy S 4 Google Edition. All in all, it was an exciting event that featured a lot of new stuff for development, which is what Google I/O is all about. Even though I/O was the focal point for the week, there was still a lot of other news, so it’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Guides

Best Android music playing applications [May 2013]

Reviews

Quiz of Seers [Brain & Puzzle]

WeVideo – Video Editor [Media]

Google I/O

Re-experience all three exciting hours of the Google I/O 2013 keynote right here

Google I/O 2013 Keynote: Android activations account for nearly 1/7th of the world’s population with 900 million total activations

Google I/O 2013 Keynote: Play Store will bring more personalized recommendation, apps that will be “Designed for Tablets” and new All Access music subscription service

Google announces unlocked Samsung Galaxy S 4 with stock Android coming June 26 for $649

Google Play Developer Console gets a major injection of new features

Google announces Google Play for Education at Google I/O 2013

New Google Maps makes the Map the UI just a little better and easier for all

Google Search gets expanded functionality for users, brings new cards and improved Voice Search abilities

Google Hangouts officially announced at Google I/O, now live in the Google Play Store

Google Hangouts requires permissions to receive, read, and send SMS messages, could support be added soon?

Google Hangouts “easter eggs” revealed, include ponies and dinosaurs

Gmail and Google Wallet can now help you get money to people in your life

Google TV gets bumped to Android 4.2.2 and the latest version of Chrome

Hands on with the Map Diving simulator

Hands on with NVIDIA Shield

Quick look at the Google Street View Trekker

Hands on with WeVideo’s video editing solution for Chromebooks

» Read the rest

HTC employee hints at an HTC One with stock Android

by Aditya Thawardas on
tagged ,

HTC_One_Front_Main_TAAt the I/O, Google announced that a version of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 running stock Android will be for sale later this summer. Could a “Google experience” HTC One with stock Android follow? Leigh Momii, a Developer Evangelist at HTC posted a tweet possibly suggesting exactly that, stating “So you can pay $649 for a piece of plastic running stock or… You can wait.” Trusted developer LlabTooFer said on Twitter he was positive that the tweet meant that “this summer we will see HTC One Google Edition” or something similar.

HTC employee Jeff Gordon replied to Android and Me, who initially reported Momii’s tweet, saying “HTC is not currently planning a ‘Nexus Edition’ of the HTC One.”  The key word in that statement is “currently,” as confirming a new version of their flagship phone would definitely hurt current sales for HTC. » Read the rest