Sony Xperia Z smartphone receives minor software update

by Roy Alugbue on
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A quiet software update has surfaced for you Sony Xperia Z smartphone owners out there. The firmware update keeps the Android software version at 4.1.2, but brings the device to version firmware number 10.1.1.A.1.253 and brings performance tweaks, along with the display calibration tool, new software key and navigational bar colors going from grey to black and the ability to disable the pesky notification light. For now, it’s looking like devices in the French markets are getting the update first, but devices in other markets should follow sooner than later.

source: Xperia Blog
via: Phone Arena

Google planning to launch subscription-based music service to compete with Spotify

by James Gray on
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Google is planning to introduce a new subscription-based streaming music service to compete with Spotify and other similar services. The feature will be integrated into Google Play and could be introduced as early as this morning at Google I/O, Google’s annual developer-centric conference.

The service has been in development for some time now, and when launched will put Google at an advantage over competitors like Apple and Amazon, who have yet to launch an integrated streaming music service to their platform. And with the lackluster sales the Play Music Store has accrued, this could be the jump-start to help them catch up with iTunes, the largest retailer of music in the United States. » Read the rest

TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 13, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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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

Quiz of Seers [Brain & Puzzle]

WeVideo – Video Editor [Media]

Google

Android’s Sundar Pichai teases Google I/O 2013 plans

Google Play developers now able to reply to user reviews

15GB of free storage now offered between Drive, Gmail and Photos

Apps

TuneIn Radio gets updated to allow Google Play Music Store purchases

» Read the rest

Sony unveils Xperia ZR, a mid to high-end waterproof device made for underwater photography

by James Gray on
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Sony released specs today regarding its newest addition to the Xperia Z family today in the form of the Xperia ZR. The ZR packs many of the same components and waterproof capabilities as the Xperia Z, putting it in the mid to high-end range. Sony’s putting a lot of emphasis on the ZR’s higher IP rating (IP55 and IP58 as opposed to the Z’s IP55 and IP57), which makes it perfect for those HD recordings of your underwater adventures.

Powering Sony’s new aquatic handset is the Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5 GHz quad-core processor also found on the Xperia Z and ZL. Rounding out the internals are 2GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a microSD slot. The display measures out at 4.55-inches with 720p resolution. On the back they put a 13-megapixel Sony Exmor RS camera with an LED flash and “burst mode” capable of taking 15 frames per second.

» Read the rest

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for May 6 – May 12, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. Google I/O is next week and we have the full scoop on the new and improved Nexus 7. Rumors say the Motorola X phone is scrapped for the time being, but a recent FCC filing seems to indicate it might actually be sooner rather than later. We weren’t expecting to see it announced next week, but could we get a surprise? Google Babel is expected to be unveiled under the “Hangouts” name, and recent developments support that Google will unveil an updated Nexus 4 with LTE.  Lastly, Google will unveil cloud sync gaming with Play Games. There were a lot of new apps, including a couple of reviews as well. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Guides

How to remove apps from the Google Play Store ‘My Apps’ list

How to make a Drama Shot or Sequence Shot on the HTC One

Reviews

Boulder Dash XL [Brain & Puzzle]

» Read the rest

TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 10, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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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!!

Guides

How to make a Drama Shot or Sequence Shot on the HTC One

Apps

Facebook Home support appears for Samsung Galaxy S 4, HTC One, Sony Xperia ZL

Gameloft adds ‘Blitz Brigade’ FPS to Play Store, action-packed and fun-filled excitement

Angry Birds Seasons update called Abra-Ca-Bacon, coming next week

New app brings Google Now wallpapers to any compatible device

Google

Google prepping an Androidbook, smartwatch, and ‘over-the-top’ TV box, but neither will appear at Google I/O

Google cancels plans to unveil Google Wallet credit card at next week’s I/O

» Read the rest

Sony tries to lure developers by waiving the $99 PlayStation Mobile licensing fee

by Spencer McClendon on
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If you have a game and would like to port over to PlayStation Mobile devices, but can’t afford the $99 license fee Sony usually charges developers, then I have some good news for you. For a limited time this summer, Sony has decided to open its Mobile Development program up to all new developers, and waive the license fee.

This could turn out to be a fantastic opportunity for both Sony and developers. If this plan works Sony could see an upswing in development while developers add another platform to launch their games on. This isn’t only limited to Android certified devices either, it also includes development for the PS Vita as well. Let’s hope this plan works out better than expected and Sony makes it a permanent deal.

Check out the video for the PlayStation Mobile Development Program after the break. I feel like the guy in it myself, how many of you can relate?

» Read the rest

Facebook Home support appears for Samsung Galaxy S 4, HTC One, Sony Xperia ZL

by Jeff Causey on
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If you recently got your hands on one of the latest and greatest smartphones to hit the market, like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 or the HTC One, you were probably wondering how great it would be to slap the Facebook Home launcher on it. Not really, but it does seem Facebook is hoping owners of those devices might give their Home launcher a try despite the generally poor reception it has received since hitting the market. Although the Facebook Home app still shows its last update as being April 22, 2013, some users have discovered a new screen popping up on their devices asking if they would like to “Use Home Anyway” when they hit the unsupported device screen when launching the app. This appears to be true on both the Galaxy S 4 and the Sony Xperia ZL. Meanwhile, owners of the HTC One don’t even get the unsupported device screen, instead going straight into the launcher. » Read the rest

MediaTek quad-core MT6589T benchmark yields positive results

by Robert Nazarian on
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MediaTek jumped into the quad-core game a couple of months ago with the announcement of the MT6589. MediaTek has always been known to be in lesser known brands in China, but the likes of Sony are realizing the potential that MediaTek offers. For instance, the turbo version of the MT6589 (MT6589T) was just benchmarked with some very positive results. Now you guys know I am not a fan of benchmarks because they don’t translate to everyday use, but they do give you a good idea for comparing one chip to another.

The latest AnTuTu result was 14,525, which isn’t Snapdragon 600 levels, but then again this is isn’t for high-end phones. It’s right on par with the Snapdragon S4 Pro, which makes this chip a worthy contender in the budget game.

source: GizChina

5-inch Sony Xperia A drops by the FCC with a removable battery

by Jared Peters on
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2013 is shaping up to be a great year for Sony’s mobile division. The Xperia A has slid through the FCC, and it appears to be a cousin of the Xperia Z, except for one key difference; a removable battery. Aside from that, the rest of the device looks the same, including the five inch screen and the sturdy power button, as well as most of the internal specs, including the 13 megapixel shooter and 16 GB internal storage. It’s obviously a bit thicker to allow that removable battery, but close enough. One thing that wasn’t mentioned, however, was the processor. I’d be a little surprised to see Sony launch a flagship variant like this with the Xperia Z’s S4 Pro, especially if they’re trying to compete with Samsung, HTC, and LG. Regardless, as soon as anything shows up on the radar, we’ll be sure to let you know.

source: FCC

via: Engadget