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American Red Cross releases an earthquake awareness app

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The American Red Cross have released an app that could one day help out families if an earthquake were to happen. The application will notify you once an earthquake happens and helps prepare you and your family for such an event. Here’s what the app can offer you:

  • Step-by-step instructions let you know what to do even before/during/after an earthquake, even if no data connectivity.
  • Get notified when an earthquake occurs; see the intensity impact to your area or those of loved-ones with notifications generated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
  • Let family and friends know you are okay with the customizable “I’m Safe” alert for Facebook, Twitter, email and text.
  • Find open Red Cross shelters in your area when you need help.
  • Stay safe when the lights are out with the Toolkit, including a strobe light, flashlight and audible alert functions.
  • Prepare for the worst by learning how to assemble an emergency kit for your family in the event of power outage or evacuation.
  • Empower your family to stay safe and remain calm in an emergency by learning how to make and practice an emergency plan.
  • Earn badges that you can share with your friends and show off your hurricane knowledge with interactive quizzes.
  • See an illustrated history of earthquakes in your area.
  • Know how to what to do about food and drinking water when your area has been impacted by floods and power outages.

The application is free and if you live in earthquake prone areas, this definitely can’t hurt to download. Download links and a QR code will be available after the break!

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I535VRALHD ROM leaked for the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

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A new ROM labeled as I535VRALHD has leaked for Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S III. This new ROM includes a new baseband radio that is supposed to improve 4G signal strength and includes several other improvements such as battery life. Sadly, the ROM is still ICS 4.0.4 and not a Jelly Bean build, but any improvement is still good nonetheless. If you’re interested in installing this onto your device then follow the instructions in the source link provided.

Also, let us know your experience with the new version and if you’ve noticed any noticeable improvements!

source: Phonearena

SwiftKey 3 Keyboard now 75% off to celebrate 25 billion downloads on Google Play [Video]

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Finding a nice keyboard that fits your needs and desires is one of the greatest things on Android in my opinion. Certainly something that’s lacking in the iOS department. One of my favorite 3rd party keyboard is SwiftKey 3, while it doesn’t have the crazy customizations and theme-ing such as other keyboards like Smart Keyboard Pro, it does offer one hell of a great experience.

To celebrate Google’s 25 billion downloaded apps, the guys over at SwiftKey are having a fall sale where the app is 75% off with a price of just $0.99. Not a bad deal right? If you’ve been looking for a great keyboard replacement, this is your chance!

You can watch the quick video below for more info and download links will be provided after the break!

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Google’s Eric Schmidt continues to speak for the people and opposes “patent wars”

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Is it just me, or do you guys see Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt as the mobile worlds essential “white knight?” He seems to always say the right things and gives respect where its due. In a recent interview during his tour in Korea, Schmidt had several pleasing things to say about their rival Apple:

Apple is actually a very good partner. Our two companies are literally talking all the time about everything. With respect to Apple patents, the best thing we can tell there are plenty of prior arts and I don’t want to go beyond that…

Such a far cry compared to Apple’s late founder (Steve Jobs) who publicly waged war against Android, don’t you think? Schmidt also added in several of his opinions on the current patent wars that Apple and a couple of Android’s biggest vendors are currently in:

Literally patent wars prevent choice, prevent innovation and I think that is very bad. We are obviously working through that and trying to make sure we stay on the right side of these issues. So ultimately Google stands for innovation as opposed to patent wars. I think one of the worst things that happened in the last few years has been the belief that somehow there are so many patents in the mobile phone world, an estimated 200,000 patent that are overlapping and complicated and so forth, that one vendor can stop the sale of another vendor’s phones or devices.

In ending, Eric took some time to commend Samsung while he was in Korea. He raved on their ability to reach the top when just 3 years ago Samsung had zero smartphones to offer. Now Samsung is obviously Google’s number one vendor for their Android operating system and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon with their impending release of their Galaxy Note 2 in the US.

What do you guys think about Eric’s words? Do you agree or disagree with anything he said, or is he pretty much spot on on what the general public thinks. Let us know!

source: 9to5Mac

Swedish retailer ousts Xperia V release at December 3rd

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Thus far, Sony has been giving vague answers as to when the Sony Xperia V would launch. While Q4 was the general answer given, it looks like something more specific has surfaced as the Swedish retailer Dustin.se has recently put the phone up for pre-order with a 3rd December 2012 release date. At current exchange rates, you can expect it to cost £404, €508 and $656.  If you’ve forgotten what this device offers, here’s a rundown of its specs:

  • 4.3” HD Reality Display powered by the Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for razor sharp clarity
  • 13 MP fast capture camera with full HD video recording.
  • Latest generation 1.5GHz dual core processor for improved battery life, fast performance and ultra sharp graphics
  • LTE for the fastest data download speeds (in markets where technology is available)
  • Easy connectivity with One-touch ‘One-touch’ enabled by NFC
  • Clear audio+ for the highest level of sound quality
  • PlayStation™ Certified
  • Android version 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Will be upgraded to Android version 4.1 (Jelly Bean) following launch. Detailed timing to follow
  • Highest levels of dust and water resistance in a smartphone (IP55/57+) ensure protection from the effects of immersion up to 1m for 30 minutes
  • MHL connectivity for viewing content on a big screen without the need for a charger
  • Available in Black, Pink and White colours

Would this be a device our European readers would consider pre-ordering?

source: Xperiablog

Google’s Sergey Brin thinks self-driving cars for the average person will be available in 5 years

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It’s no secret that Google and their engineers love to push the envelope and make things that seem improbable happen. One of Google’s smartest minds, Sergey Brin, stated that we should all expect self-driving cars within the next 5 years. He envisions this to be much safer and adds, “Forty thousand Americans and 1 million people worldwide are killed in automobile accidents every year.” In theory, this certainly seems like a great idea and would be more efficient on paper considering it eliminates a lot of the human element into driving that causes most of these accidents.

At first I though this would be an impossible feat to achieve in the next 5 years, but Brin added that Google and their engineers have already been working  on such a thing.

The Google cars use on-board cameras, lasers, radar and other sensor equipment to monitor road conditions and operate themselves. Proponents say the use of computers and other equipment will make them safer than having humans drive, since people sometimes make errors, lose concentration, fall asleep or drive drunk.

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Due to current iOS Maps failures, Apple is now aggressively recruiting ex-Google Maps engineers

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It’s no secret that Apple’s iOS Maps is currently a failure, and that’s probably putting it lightly. In the past days since iOS 6′s release, I’ve seen countless memes, gifs, blogs, posts, etc. all poking fun at it’s failures. Even Motorola joined in on the fun with their “#iLost” ad campaign. With that said, you better believe that Apple has been listening and isn’t just going to sit back and have themselves continuously ridiculed and embarrassed. After all, we know the high pedestal that Apple puts themselves on.

I’m sure Apple sat back and thought to themselves, “what’s the quickest and most effective way to improve iOS Maps?” I’m sure it didn’t take them long enough to turn to Google’s ex engineers that were so instrumental in creating Google Maps, which is hands down better in every way than iOS Maps. According to sources, Apple is targeting plenty of Google’s ex employees who rigorously worked on Google Maps, more specifically a certain contractor that worked closely on Google’s much popular “Street View” feature. According to this engineer, once Street View was mostly finished, this made Google direct their attention to indoor mapping, thus things started to become less interesting for him and his colleagues and thus prompted them to look for work elsewhere. Here’s how he described the situation via Techcrunch:

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More previews for Dyzplastic’s Series 3 Android figurines

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Still can’t get enough of Dyzplastic’s Series 3 Android figurines? No need to worry as there’s even more for you to preview. These 1/16 aspect ratio figurines never gets old, and with Dyzplastic’s countless amount of designs, you’ll always have a plethora to choose from or collect.

These next two is a cool looking Android warrior dressed up in chain mail, and a green Android Owl. These figurines will be available soon in shops so get them while they’re hot!

Check out the source link for more information.

source: Dyzplastic

LG Optimus G coming to some of Canada’s major carriers

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Any of our Canadian readers out there excited for the LG Optimus G? Looks like you have a reason to be as the device has now been confirmed for some of Canada’s biggest wireless carriers. Bell, Rogers and TELUS have all confirmed that the Optimus G will be available for their customers sometime in Q4 of this year.

I know LG doesn’t exactly have the best rap when it comes to updating their devices, but there’s no doubt that they make some high quality products. I just hope they decide to stay true to their updates this time around. If you’ve forgotten what the Optimus G offers you, here’s a quick list of its specs:

  • Chipset: 1.5 GHz Krait CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
  • Quad-Core and LTE
  • Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Network: 2G / 3G / LTE
  • Display: 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPSPLUS (1280 x 768 pixels) / 15:9 ratio
  • Memory: 32 GB
  • RAM: 2GB DDR
  • Camera: 13.0MP or 8.0MP rear / 1.3MP front
  • Battery: 2,100mAh (570Wh/L) / Talk time: 15 hours / Standby: 335 hours
  • Size: 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45 mm
  • Weight: 145 g
  • Other: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, USB2.0 HS, A-GPS, MHL and DLNA, NFC

Will you be getting this device once it hits your carrier?

source: Newswire

According to Sprint, over 1 million Sprint LTE devices have now been sold

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According to Sprint’s Chief Executive Officer Dan Hesse, the company has reached a milestone of over 1 million LTE devices sold. Sprint offers some great LTE devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC EVO 4G LTE. Sprint offers their LTE service in 19 (and counting) different metropolitan areas.

I know Sprint hasn’t exactly always had the best rap when it comes to their 3G service, or their service in general. From our Sprint readers, how has LTE been for you guys?

source: Sprint

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