Tag: Android

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Nokia Here Maps BETA on Samsung (and Other Androids if You Like to Tinker)

***Updated: See HERE Maps in action on video at the end of this post!***

First off, a little shoutout to the fanbois and “I don’t like things which are different than I currently use” crowd. If you have to ask

“Why would I want this on my Android?”

I’m going to counter with “You must not be very good with tech stuff”. You sound like Tomtom users did back when Google started developing their own mapping app. Stop it. You’re better than that.

Nokia recently made the announcement that they would be slowing development of their HERE mapping suite on Windows Phone to focus on supporting Android. We’re now starting to see the fruits of this labor with a really solid BETA effort soon available on Samsung handsets through Samsung’s proprietary app store. Of course in AndroidLand (and dealing with the more open nature of the OS) apps can leak, and it’s pretty easy to side load an app without the aid of an official app store. Such is the case with the HERE Maps BETA APK, and of course, just to be a snarky butt, I installed in on an LG G3. W?BIC!

Continue reading “Nokia Here Maps BETA on Samsung (and Other Androids if You Like to Tinker)”

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New Moto G with 5″ Display set for $179 Off Contract Price

moto g teaser vidAlongside the Moto X refresh, the Moto G is also getting an update.

Keeping a similar shell, and the front facing speakers from the X, the new G will step up to a 5″ 720p screen paired with a low power 1.2GHz quad-core and 1GB of RAM. Depending on region it will receive 8 or 16GB of storage with a MicroSD slot to add more. A 2070 mAh battery should keep the device running all day thanks to the low power internals.

While the G wont have the same breadth of customization options through Moto Maker that the X will have, there will be a variety of backplates for consumers to choose in a variety of colors. Happily, for people shopping entry level devices, Moto stands with LG and Nokia in providing inexpensive phones which look very similar to their flagship counterparts. That simply because they aren’t spending as much, doesn’t mean they should get saddled with boring or “cheap” looking phones.

The new Moto G is available starting today off contract for $179.99 at Motorola.com. You can see Moto’s teaser for the new G below.

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New Moto X Debuts with Larger Screen for $499

moto x teaser vidMoto is refreshing their line up of smartphones, and the X is getting a top to bottom makeover.

Their flagship steps up to a more premier spec sheet. Moving up to a 5.2″ 1080p OLED powered by a Qualcomm 801 quad-core with 2GB of RAM. It will come in 16GB and 32GB variants, and a 2300mAh battery is on board. The Moto X also joins HTC in providing front facing stereo speakers.Customers will also still have access to Moto Maker, which allows them to customize the colors and materials used to build their phones.

The camera is now being supplied by Sony, and it’s the same sensor which was used on phones like the GS4 and G2. That might feel a little mid-pack by today’s standards, but it should be a welcome improvement from the mediocre 10MP shooter on the OG Moto X.

Motorola’s focus is on optimization, and this new X looks to be continuing in the tradition of pairing a lean build of Android (little to no skin running on top) with software services designed to make the experience a bit more ergonomic. Voice control seems to play a larger role in this generation, and better interaction with voice commands and 3rd party apps will be a welcome improvement.

This new Moto X should be available later this month, and Moto Maker customization will be available for AT&T and Verizon. Pricing is set at $499 off contract and will likely hit $99 on contract. Catch Moto’s teaser vid below.

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Glass Explorer Edition Now Available in Google Play Store

google glass in google play storeGlass is taking another step towards being a commercial product. Google is now offering the Explorer Edition in the Google Play store.

They’re slowly walking away from the previous invite system, and they’ve flirted with selling Glass at events and kiosks, and recently had a limited time open invitation for new Explorers. Now anyone who wants to jump on board can grab Google’s wearable eye-level computer. They are also selling frames and earbud accessories alongside Glass.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t come with any pricing breaks, and you’ll still drop $1500 to own a Glass of your very own. Still, we can consider this progress, and some small sign that Google still has faith in the project while we wait out a more reasonably priced consumer edition.

Google Glass in the Google Play Store.

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Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Crushes “Mini” Smartphone Competition

06_Xperia_Z3_Compact_White_GroupI try not to editorialize TOO much while covering press releases, but I am bothered by the “bigger is better” trend in smartphones. Flagships are starting to blur the boundaries between “regular” sized and “phablet”. Mini phones are almost always hamstrung versions of their larger stablemates. In Android land, there is exactly one mini phone which still retains higher-end specs, and Sony just gave it a refresh.

The Z3 Compact steps down to a 4.6″ display with a 720p resolution, it loses 1GB of RAM (down to 2GB), and it packs a smaller battery at 2600 mAh versus its big brother’s 3100 mAh. Besides those, it retains almost all of the hardware from the larger Z3. You’ll find the same Qualcomm 801 Quad-Core processor. Both have stereo speakers, and water submerge-able builds.

30_Xperia_Z3_Compact_White_BackThe Compact has the same 1/2.3″ camera sensor packing 20MP, 4K video, and optical image stabilization. Plus Sony will be bringing PS4 remote play to both the Z3 and the Compact for you console gamers out there.

It’s a largely premier specs sheet. At a time when even Apple will be moving up in screen size, and with the mid-range market getting hammered, Sony is providing a shot in the arm to a segment of the smartphone market which is often ignored. Pricing and availability will follow soon, and you can read Sony’s full PR below.


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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Edge Brings a Different Bend to the Curved Screen

galaxy note 4 edge front and backSamsung’s Unpacked event at IFA this year saw a couple of exciting announcements. Of course most were on tap to see the release of the newest member to the Galaxy Note series. Rumors were flying about a curved AMOLED display. We’d seen previous attempts from Samsung with the Galaxy Round, and LG released a banana curved G Flex, but toying with the popular Note could have been a risky proposition.

For the Note 4 Edge, Samsung has done something a bit asymmetrical. The right hand side of the screen tapers off giving the device a screen which wraps around that corner. It’s a dramatic effect, and Sammy is using it for a variety of functions. It can act like a dock for app shortcuts, it can display time and notifications. It handily houses settings for the camera app (keeping the viewfinder free). Scrolling widgets can be housed on the edge, and while the main screen area is off, the side can still display time allowing it to act like a bedside clock.

What’s a little curious is that Samsung hasn’t made both sides taper off. It could have been our first side bezel-less phone. Hopefully this doesn’t affect the usage for left handed folks. Otherwise, the Edge very much resembles the Note 3 in terms of general design, but thankfully the guts of this phone are getting an upgrade. Continue reading “Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Edge Brings a Different Bend to the Curved Screen”

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Lenovo Offers Up New Android Tablet and Windows Gaming PC’s

Lenovo TAB S8_1Lenovo has led the PC market in sales for five consecutive quarters, while also making substantial gains with their tablet offerings.

At IFA in Berlin, Lenovo took the wraps off of their first Intel powered Android tablet and some new gear for gamers.

The Tab S8 has an 8″ full HD screen (1920×1200) powered by an Intel Atom quad-core processor. The screen is bordered by tiny bezels with front facing stereo speakers, there’s an 8MP rear shooter, and features 2GB of RAM with 16GB of storage.

Base model will be available in September for $199, and there will be an LTE enabled model released later.

Also announced were a pair of gaming PC’s.

Continue reading “Lenovo Offers Up New Android Tablet and Windows Gaming PC’s”

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App Review: Protect your Android Phone or Tablet with Device Manager

We recently covered the news that California will become the second state to mandate a smartphone kill switch on all new smartphones sold after July 1, 2015.

Of course, that’s almost a year away, and for you folks using an Android here’s how you can better protect your phone or tablet today!

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