As we’ve reported multiple times before, Samsung has big plans to release multiple variants of their newest flagship, the Galaxy S 4, to serve various purposes. The water and dust proof variant just ran through the GFX Benchmark site and we now have more information on the device including its official name, the Galaxy S 4 J Active. There will be two models of the J Active, one presumably for AT&T (SGH-I537) and another for European markets (GT-I9295). » Read the rest
At 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
Last month, Samsung officially announced a 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3, and today rumors are flying that they will soon announce an even bigger version. SamMobile says they have received their first photo of an 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3. As you can see above, it looks very similar to the Galaxy Note 8.0 without a pen, except for a thinner bezel and different camera and speaker placements.
The specs, though SamMobile warns they could change, include a 1280×800 screen with a an 1.3-megapixel camera on the front, and 5-megapixel camera on the back. The Android 4.2.2 powered device is supposed to have an unnamed 1.5GHz dual-core CPU , with 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and a microSD slot. The tablet is expected by the end of June.
Source: SamMobile
Just because the HTC One X is so last year doesn’t mean it’s not going to be treated to some welcome updates, possibly in the near-future. According famed developer LlabTooFeR, HTC is currently working on an extensive update that should not only bring Android 4.2.2, but will update the Sense UI software to version 5.0. Additionally, the new Sense UI update will bring the premium goodies that are Zoe and Blinkfeed as well, which brings enhanced camera capabilities and a brand-spanking new social feed to the device.
Of course everything needs to be confirmed by HTC above anything else, but here’s hoping we see something soon… very soon.
source: @LlabTooFeR
We’ve been trying to pin down Google’s new Nexus 7 specs that’s bound to come out sometime in the next few years, and according to the reliable DigiTimes, we’ve got some confirmation on release date, as well as screen and processor. The release date is expected sometime in July, and the tablet will use a Snapdragon processor with a 1920 x 1200 resolution screen. Best of all, the price isn’t going up.
DigiTimes says Google is planning on selling 6 to 8 million Nexus 7s in the second part of the year. It’s a very realistic goal based on the success of the original Nexus 7 tablet.
source: DigiTimes
While many were disappointed to hear nothing of a new release of Android yesterday at the Google I/O keynote, there is some good news on the horizon. An update is coming, and it will feature Bluetooth Smart support. It would be a bit odd to have an Android OS update for something as trivial as this, so we’re obviously expecting some more new features to come with the update as well.
The Android team could be slowing the pace at which they release updates so that they can give manufactures a chance to can catch up, and so that they can also improve their overall reputation for slowly released updates. Either way, we’ll know what comes of all this in a few months. More to come…
Sources: Android And Me, Vince Mi
Very early reviews of Google Hangouts seem to be mixed. Many people love the new service, but many are also unhappy with the fact that SMS messaging is not integrated. These users have quickly dominated the app’s reviews in the Play Store, pleading for the feature to be added to what is supposed to be a unified messaging system.
However, a quick look at the permissions Google Hangouts requires reveals that SMS support could be coming soon. Among the permissions the app has access to - receiving text messages (SMS), reading text messages (SMS or MMS), and sending SMS messages – none of which the app currently seems to actually be using. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this means SMS support will be added sooner than later (maybe with Android 4.3?), making it even more of a truly unified messaging system. After the break you can read the message permissions Google Hangouts requires. » Read the rest
The Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini has once again appeared online in photos, and some valuable news has also been leaked. The phone will apparently be almost as fast as the Galaxy S 4, as it will be powered by a 1.6GHz Exynos 5210 SoC, backed up by either 1GB or 2GB of RAM.
Rumors also reveal that the phone will feature a built-in IR blaster, meaning it will have remote control capabilities, allowing one to control a TV, set-top box, or a home theater system straight from the smartphone. The Galaxy S 4 Mini is also said to have a 4.3-inch super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 540 by 960 pixels.
The main camera will have 8MP of resolution, and a 2100mAh battery should keep the phone up and running throughout the course of the day. The phone is set for an official announcement on or around May 30th, which is when we should be hearing about the rumored Samsung Galaxy S 4 Activ and Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom as well.
Source: Phone Arena
Google I/O is finally here and we have the first official unofficial confirmation of the day: Android 4.3 is very much real and is on the way. Thanks to what appears to be a major snafu, a search listing on Google’s developer website— clearly indicating that Android 4.3 is of a major focus. Of course Google quickly realized the major gaffe and quickly removed the listing from its developer website, but not before some crafty folks caught hold of it as seen in the below screenshot.
Of course we are still waiting to see what exactly the next iteration of the Android software will bring, but we’ll find out everything soon enough once everything finally kicks off.
source: The Verge
If the Nexus program is any indication, there is a group of people out there that prefer vanilla (stock, AOSP, whatever you feel like calling the pure Google Experience) Android over those skinned versions that manufacturers bloat their devices with. Some have even gone on to wish and hope that there was an ability to turn these user interfaces off and just run pure Google software. Well if current rumors ring true, we’ll see that very thing tomorrow.
The newest rumor is that Google will be showing off a Galaxy S 4 with vanilla Android. You’ve read that right. The newest flagship from Samsung could very well run a pure version of Google’s OS. It’s rumored to be released on T-Mobile’s network in June with no love for any other carrier at the moment. Either way it brings up the question of whether or not this will be a Google Play Store exclusive or be sold in stores.
I love rumors as much as the next person and sincerely hope that this one becomes a reality. This wouldn’t be the first time that Google and Samsung have debuted a product variant running pure Android. Remember the special edition Galaxy Tab 10.1 given out to folks at I/O? Although it would be the first time that such a product would make its way to the general public. We’ll know soon enough.
source: Geek