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More details of the upcoming Google “X” phone surfaces including a smaller variant and the inclusion of “Droid Blast” technology

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by Roy Alugbue on
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Perhaps we shouldn’t think that the mysterious “X” phone by Motorola we’ve been hearing more and more about lately is just limited to one model after all. If you recall, we casually mentioned the possibility of Google introducing the “X” phone as potentially a new line of smartphones– not just one smartphone. Well, it appears that particular rumor may hold up more weight than we thought before. According to an anonymous tipster, at least two versions of the Motorola X are being developed behind closed doors: a main “X” phone and an “M” model— similar to the DROID RAZR M variant from the DROID RAZR line of smartphones. Specs-wise, the main phone will feature a 4.8-inch HD display, 2 GB of RAM and feature Android 4.2.2 (as of now).

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Updated Nexus 7 specs revealed by analyst

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by Robert Nazarian on
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We are expecting to see an updated Nexus 7 next week at Google I/O, and although we already had a pretty good idea of the specs, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed everything but the kitchen sink. Now before you start wondering if Ming-Chi Kuo is worthy, he ironically has a darn good track record when it comes to predicting Apple products. On the other hand, it’s not like he is revealing anything earth shattering.

As expected, the display is going to be 7-inches and have a resolution of 1900 x 1200, which is a very nice upgrade. We already knew that Qualcomm was the chosen one for the CPU, but which one? Sadly it looks like the Snapdragon S4 Pro instead of the Snapdragon 600. This is a little disappointing to me, but this is a price tablet and the S4 Pro is more than enough for the average consumer. Another interesting spec is that it will sport a 5MP rear-facing camera which was absent in the original Nexus 7. Lastly the battery is 4,000mAh, which is actually smaller than the original Nexus 7 (4,325mAh). I was never all that thrilled with the battery life on the Nexus 7, so this is a little concerning. Nothing was mentioned on a 3G or 4G version, but with the Snapdragon in place, I am hopeful they will offer an LTE version at some point.

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Portland tech startup Instrument teams up with Google to create Map Diving, a realistic skydiving simulator

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by James Gray on
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Google I/O is always a place for innovation and next week’s event will be no different. Those lucky enough to attend will get treated to some of the greatest breakthroughs in technology at Google’s annual event, including a lifelike skydiving simulator based on Google Maps. Using data gathered over the years by Google’s Maps and Earth teams, Instrument has created an extremely advanced skydiving simulator game.

Unfortunately it appears that I/O is the only place Map Diving can be experienced for now, but Instruments has hinted at a possible slimmed down take-home version in the near future. Video demos after the break.

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Google abandons X Phone project according to analyst

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by Aditya Thawardas on
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Last month we informed you that the X Phone’s release date was pushed back, and just last week we showed you leaked photos of a supposed prototype of the device, but today we have more news on the phone. According to Chinese technology analyst Sun Chang Xu, Google as given up on development of the X Phone.  Per Xu, Google has returned the project to Motorola for further development, citing a lack of innovation and technology in the device.

Now if this is true, this does not signify the end of the X Phone.  The X Phone seems to be a significant project for Google, and what seems likely is that Google was not  satisfied with the prototype of their future flagship phone, so they sent it back to Motorola for some more work.

This is all according to an analyst, but when that analyst has 18 years of experience in the electronics industry in China, and nearly a million followers on Weibo (China’s version of Twitter), there could definitely be some truth to this. Stay tuned to Talk Android as we learn more information.

source: Weibo
via: GSMInsider

New Google Translate update allows users to take Phrasebook on the go and brings camera-to-translate function to 16 new languages

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by Roy Alugbue on
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Google certainly pulls no stops when it comes to making life easier for those of us that happen to travel abroad and that’s why it has announced the next great additions to its Translate app— Phrasebook on the go the addition of 16 new languages for the translate by camera function. The latest addition to the app allows users to save common phrases such as “Where can I find a museum?” and automatically sync the phrases in your Phrasebook to your various Android devices using the Google Translate mobile app— allowing you to carry the more useful phrases on the go. All that’s need are literally a few simple taps, sign into your Gmail account and bam— you’re in business.

Also, users will now be able to utilize camera-input to find translations in 16 additional languages: Bulgarian, Catalan, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Croatian, Hungarian, Indonesian, Icelandic, Lithuanian, Latvian, Norwegian, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, and Swedish. You can check out more details when you hit up the source link.

source: Google Translate Blog

Google Fiber gets green light in Grandview, Missouri

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by Jared Peters on
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Google is trying to bring its Fiber service to as many places as possible in 2013, and next on the list is Grandview, Missouri. While there’s no actual build out yet, it’s received the green light for planning and eventual deployment. They didn’t announce any official date for availability, but I wouldn’t expect it to take too long at Google’s pace. We’ll be sure to keep you updated.

source: Google Fiber Blog

Google planning on opening stores just for Google Glass

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by Jared Peters on
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Recently, we heard from a source that Google was planning on launching retail stores by the end of 2013. These stores were supposedly being set up to sell all kinds of Google ware, but now we’re hearing some clarification that those stores are going to be specifically for Google Glass. Google is obviously trying to spur up some interest for the device, and the best way to do that is to demo the device and get it into potential customers’ hands. And according to Business Insider, Sergey Brin himself is helping to plan out the stores.

Obviously you should take this with a grain of salt. Google has been to known to pick up and drop ideas at the drop of a hat, so this may or may not happen, and it might end up just being a full Google store like we’d originally heard. Either way, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear anything.

source: Business Insider

Benchmark for mysterious “Obake” smartphone for Verizon surfaces, does its best to remind us of the XT1055 smartphone in the process

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by Roy Alugbue on
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Yes friends… when it rains— it pours. You all remember that one sexy and mysterious Motorola phone we mentioned recently? You know— that mysterious Motorola XT1055 smartphone we’d told you about last week is very much the real deal and on its way? Well it appears that the mysterious device may very well arrive out here in the States dressed in Verizon clothing. While nothing is concrete yet, benchmarks for an unknown obake_verizon device recently appeared on the AnTuTu benchmarking site, posting an impressive score of 18,218, while coincidentally— the XT1055 scored a 18,252. Additionally, each device features the same Snapdragon quad-core chip and the Android 4.2.2 flavor of Jelly Bean— which suggests that each device may very well be the same.

As with most leaks, it is important to note that the scores and devices may be faked, so there’s a possibility that this the possibility of some super-powerful Google MOTO devices may be a product of false hope. Then again— the beat is certainly beating louder and louder at the XT1055/obake_verizon, so we have no doubt that many of you out there are super excited at this puppy being a reality.

 

European Commission looking at Motorola Mobility’s potential abuse of patents against Apple

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by Roy Alugbue on
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It looks like Google’s Motorola unit may be in some potentially hot water because of Motorola abusing some of its advantages and power over Apple. According to some objections made the European Commission, Motorola may be abusing some of its extensive patent portfolio, not allowing Apple to have a fair opportunity or chance to at least agree on some sort of licensing terms. Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia highlights:

“I think that companies should spend their time innovating and competing on the merits of the products they offer – not misusing their intellectual property rights to hold up competitors to the detriment of innovation and consumer choice.”

So in other words, the EC believes that Motorola is well… “pulling an Apple” and abusing its patent portfolio so that Apple can’t get any bigger in Europe than it is now. What’s unknown at this point is which exact patents are identified as ones where Motorola is exerting its heavy hand and power, but we’re sure we will see more details of this potentially serious case soon. Naturally this is in the early stages now, but it will be interesting to see how the EC will move forward based off of its investigation and findings.

source: Reuters

Google Babel to be called Hangouts and might not have SMS/MMS support

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by Robert Nazarian on
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We have been hearing a lot about Google Babel in recent weeks, which means it will probably be unveiled at Google I/O. The Verge was able to get their hands on a working version of it, and according to them it will be called Hangouts and it will of course have the Holo design. One other interesting tidbit is that it will not have support for SMS/MMS messages, so technically this won’t be a unified messaging system. It might be for Google services, but not as a whole. The last thing that was mentioned was that the icon looks similar to messenger, but it will be green.

I’m sure Google will unveil lots of new stuff next week with Android 4.3, but it appears that Gmail will get the Holo design and location based reminders is coming to Google Now. These are much needed additions, and I am looking forward to what else Google has up their sleeve.

source: TheVerge

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