Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Qualcomm’s Single-Core Snapdragon Takes On Nvidia’s Dual-Core Tegra 2 For Flash Content Supremecy [Video]

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:02 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

You guys may remember a few weeks back when I posted a video from Qualcomm that many shrugged off as nothing more than hot-air. In the video, Qualcomm explained that their single-core Snapdragon chipsets were superior than the dual-core offerings from their competitors (namely, Nvidia’s Tegra 2). I watched the video, I soaked it all in and when it was done, I immediately called bs.

Well, perhaps I was a bit too hasty in my judgment because I just came across this little nugget from YouTube where Denis Maniti felt the need to conduct the some tests of his own, using devices featuring some of the industries latest mobile processors. He pits the Samsung Galaxy S 4G (Hummingbird), Motorola Atrix (Tegra 2), HTC Incredible S (Snapdragon), Sony Xperia Arc (Snapdragon) against each other in a head-to-head battle to see which processor could render HD quality, 720p Flash video content above the rest. The results were… surprising.

You can see clearly in the video that Qualcomm’s 2nd generation, single-core processor chewed up YouTube’s 720p Flash content without a hitch while the others failed to keep up in a smooth fashion. I’m sure there could other factors involved like Android firmwares, humidity or even the sheer radiance of Michael Bolton. In any case, the guy in the video is NOT on Qualcomm’s payroll and thanks to his video, has definitely opened up my eyes a bit.

But what do you guys think? Could Qualcomm really have tweaked and fined tuned their Snapdragon processors as much as they boasted on their YouTube channel? Like most things, it seems as if there is no easy answer when trying to determine the superiority of one chip vs another. According to this video, “moar coarz” might not always equal better performance.

[Via AndroidBugle]

Funny Craigslist Postings – Come Get Your Lulz [Humor]

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 06:06 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

 

I’m a long time user of Craigslist but I’ll be the first to admit — it’s definitely not for everyone. If you want to find a great deal on a smartphone, or you have an Android device you need to sell quick but don’t want to go through the hassle of shipping it across the country, what could be easier than dealing locally? Yes, there are those buyers who will “stand you up” or try to low ball you into oblivion. I’ve also come to find that no matter what you’re selling, it always feels like a drug deal with both parties looking over their shoulders as they examine each other’s wares.

Then there are these guys (pictured above). Not quite sure why this post made me laugh so hard after reading it. I think it has something to do with the lackadaisical way the seller simply wasn’t trying too hard to sell his G2 or his total disregard for spellcheck. And while it’s not at all a ridiculous request, asking you to meet him at the local Jack in the Box to handle the transaction kinda drove it home for me.

In any case, Craigslist is always an adventure and you’re bound to run into characters. I personally use it more than I probably should. Even had a few peeps recognize me as “that YouTube guy!”

But how about you? Do any Phandroid readers out there use this service to buy/sell your devices? Or have you promised yourself to never use the online service? Leave your thoughts, as well as any horror stories/great deals down below.

Toshiba’s Honeycomb Tablet Gears Up For A Canadian Release This August

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 05:40 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Today, Toshiba has officially announced the August release of the Canadian version of their latest entry into the Android 3.1 Honeycomb tablet scene. ‘Round these parts, we simply know of tablet scene as the Thrive but in Canada, the name has yet to be determined.

The tablet will be available in a variety of memory sizes ranging from $430 for the 8GB version, $480 for 16GB and $580 for 32GB. Keep in mind, these tablets will have the option of using an micro sd card slot so cheap expandable memory is always an option. As a refresher, the tablet will have a 10.1 inch 1280×800 resolution screen, Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, 5MP rear/2MP front facing cameras and Toshiba’s specialty software for video enhancement.

The tablet will be available from all major retailers in Canada like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Staples and Future Shop. There’s also a handful of accessories that will also be available for the tablet at launch, such as an HDMI media dock and a patent-pending Portfolio 360 case that allows the user to rotate the device without taking it out of the case (sounds fancy).

Anyone else looking to pick one of these up or will you be holding out for something with more “punch?”

[Via UnwiredView]

Sony S1 and S2 Tablets Launching As Early As September

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 05:18 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

When we last heard from Sony and their beautifully designed S1 and S2 tablets, they were said to launch this fall. However vague that launch date was, it appears as if Engadget has received a letter from Sony’s marketing team indicating that the devices will be available for pre-order as early as August and will launch sometime in September in the UK. Now, I’m no astrologist but that sounds more like summer to me and I’m definitely okay with that.

Sony’s S1 throws your standard tablet design for a loop with a refreshing “folded” back design. Their S2 is also trying to change things up with a very unique dual-screen clamshell design not too unlike what we’ve seen on the Kyocera Echo. There’s no denying that both devices are uber sexy and will be available from Sony Direct and a select few UK retailers. However, come Christmas, you can expect availability to open up through the usual outlets. As always, we’ll be keeping you posted.

Anyone else excited about, not only the design of the S1, but the possible functionality of Sony’s S2 line of tablets?

[Via Engadget]

Apps of the Day: JimPoke, Lightbox and More

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 03:45 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

 

A lot of weird games on the plate today, but that’s ok – nothing wrong with trying some unusual. We also have Lightbox, the latest up-and-coming social photo network thingy. Yea, I’m not really sure what to call it. But it’s cool and worth a quick look if you enjoy sharing photos with your friends and family. Google Checkout should be back up by the time you read this, so I don’t want to hear any excuses about how you can’t purchase any of these! You don’t have to, of course, be we’re sure a few of you will get a kick out of these. With that, I’ll leave you to it.

Lightbox Photos – Everyone’s favorite social photo sharing application has finally made its way to Android. Take photos, add whacky effects, and upload them to your Lightbox account for all to see. Conversely, you’ll automatically see images from your friends who upload them to Facebook and Twitter. Visit Lightbox’s website here to sign up, and then head to the Android market for the free companion download. Pretty cool stuff here, folks. [Market]

ShakyTower – If you liked to play with building blocks as a kid, give ShakyTower a look. It’s a game that has you entrenched in a world of instability. Buildings and structures look like they can topple in a second, and they absolutely can. Whether you’re building one of those towers or trying to work your way through one, the uncertainty of a building stay upright as you stack that one more block or turn that corner will keep you glued to your phone. Try out the free version in the Android market. [Market]

PokeJim – I love poking. Poking’s fun. I don’t get to do it in real life. I don’t get to do it enough on Facebook. And poking yourself is fun for a while, but gets old. Jim is here to save the day, though, as he’s put himself inside a video game where the objective is to poke him. The more you poke, the more points you get. And if you poke a lot, you get to poke a WHOLE lot more. Crazy, right? It’s a steal at $1.07. Go ahead and try it if you’re as addicted to poking as I am. Poke. [Market]

Pong ‘n’ Balance – It’s a unique take on pong, and one that shouldn’t go unnoticed. In Pong ‘n’ Balance, you’re not playing against another human or an AI opponent. No, you’re playing against yourself, trying to make sure you keep the small ball in the air while making sure the big one beneath you doesn’t fall off its seesaw. Your movements determine whether or not you fail, so you can only blame yourself for losing at the end of the day. Cruel, right? It also makes for interesting fun. Go on and try it for free. [Market]

EVO 4G Said to Get Maintenance Update June 20th; Fixes Netflix, Voicemail Notification Issues

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 03:34 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Getting tired of that damned voicemail icon showing up when you know full well that you don’t have one? And has Netflix been bugging you after the upgrade to Android 2.3? Get ready for an OTA update because Sprint and HTC are fixin’ to, well, fix that. June 20th is the supposed landing date for this much-desired update, so sit tight for five days and we’ll see if those issues can’t fix themselves right up. Good job, Sprint. Let us know if you folks do see this upgrade come next Monday, will ya? [Android Police]

Bill Proposed to Require Users’ Permission Before Enabling Any Geolocation Features

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:57 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Remember that big thing about Google and Apple tracking people? The one that was blown so much out of proportion that you’d think Eric Schmidt was about to become the dictator in a technological police state? Yea, it’s still going. Now, legislators are trying to make sure that Google, Apple and others like them are in their places. They want to pass a bill that requires every OEM be granted users’ permission before enabling location services. Their argument?

Geolocation technology gives us incredible benefits, but the same information that allows emergency responders to locate us when we’re in trouble is not necessarily information all of us want to share with the rest of the world. This legislation would give people the right to know what geolocation data is being collected about them and ensure they give their consent before it’s shared with others.

Here’s the quick rundown of what they want to happen:

  • Google must be granted permission before location services can be used
  • Information must be shielded, meaning it shouldn’t be easy to take a quick look at the location services’ cache file
  • Information must be deleted when it is no longer needed

In some form or another, Google already does all of this. At every device activation, users are asked whether or not they want to enable location services. If they say no, then they simply don’t use GPS or any other applications that use location information to better the experience. Some users may not have witnessed this because they often have the person who sells them the phone set it up for them.

The cache file where Google stores all of this is attainable, but only if a user has rooted their phone. The story is that less than 5% of Android users root their devices. We’re not sure if that’s accurate, but let’s assume that is. Of that low 5%, we’re sure a majority of them know how to safeguard themselves from malicious attacks against any data on their phone, including whatever is inside the location cache files.

Google doesn’t proactively delete cache information at regular intervals, but they give users the option to at will. A quick trip to your settings > applications menu will get you on your way. And whenever, if ever, you decide to turn location services off, those files are deleted with nary a trace.

To go even further, Google doesn’t just allow applications to use location data all willy-nilly without the users knowing at the time they download the application. Users get a full list of permissions the application requests before they install it. It’s up to them to read the permissions and decide whether or not they want to install that application.

Yes, malware scares as of late have all but made this useless with the ability to download and enable code after an application is installed, but Google and the many security advocates they work with do a good job of spotting and removing these applications not only from the Android market, but from anyone’s phones who may have them installed.

The motive behind legislature isn’t entirely clear to me, but I would guess it’s to make sure the mobile industry stays honest no matter who users choose. It’s still silly to me, though, as they’d only be enforcing this on software vendors who have more than 5,000 users.That puts a hell of a lot of Android, iOS, Windows, WebOS, Symbian and Blackberry users into the mix.

What they’re essentially saying is that it’s ok for companies to be reckless with users’ location data if they aren’t popular. It makes me wonder if they’re just doing this to make examples out of the big software vendors. I know most of their actions look to protect and secure consumer data, and believe me, I have no problem with what they’re proposing, but their eligibility guidelines make no sense and it makes the bill look like nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction to all of the fear-mongering that’s been going on.

Rumored Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Said to Have Exynos, But No Honeycomb

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:44 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Rumor mills turn out delicious water, don’t they? This time, Samsung is said to be working on a successor the the original Galaxy Tab, which was a 7 inch tablet. The popular name for this new edition is the Galaxy Tab 7, of course, but you’ll be sad to know that, software wise, it won’t offer much of a jump over the original. Let’s take a quick look at the hardware specs:

  • Exynos 1.2 GHz processor
  • 1Gb Ram
  • 2GB of ROM
  • 16GB of internal memory
  • Micro SD
  • Tab proprietary connector with USB Host capabilities (adapter)
  • 7 inch WSVGA
  • IPS technology for the display
  • Ability to call, video call and send sms
  • Touch Wiz 4.0 on Android 2.3.4

That all sounds sweet (especially that Exynos), but see that last line? No Honeycomb, though considering we don’t even know if this device is real yet, we won’t tear Samsung a new one. If it does turn out to be true, though, we’re hoping Samsung’s just waiting on that sweet Ice Cream Sandwich before stepping the little guy up to a proper tablet OS. [HDBlog.It via CrunchGear]

Samsung Now Selling Tab 10.1 USB Adapter for $20

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:27 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

With all of the cool features in Android 3.1, the one a lot of users were most excited about was USB host support. Unfortunately, those who had their eyes set on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 were heartbroken to find out that the tablet does not have a standard USB 2.0 port. I mentioned this in my review and noted Samsung would most likely be selling an adaptor and, well, here we are. $20 to get it, but it’s worth the price of admission for all the cool things you’ll be able to do. Head over to Samsung’s site to order it now.

Tiger Direct Shipping Tab 10.1 Devices As Of Yesterday?

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:18 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

June 17th is the official landing date for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (that’s if you weren’t able to get one in New York on the 8th), but some folks may see it as early as today or tomorrow (depending on the shipping options you chose). We’re getting reports of the tablet shipping out to users as early as June 14th from Tiger Direct.

Our tipster is expecting his tomorrow, but he chose two-day shipping. If you preordered your tablet from them and ordered one day shipping, it might already be on your doorstep. Check the status on your order to see if they’ve sent any of you folks tracking numbers, as well. And let us know if any other retailers are doing the same. [Cheers, Leo!]

Netflix for Android Gets Updated to Add DROID X (Gingerbread Only) Support

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:01 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Our inbox is chock full of excited little DROID X owners who, upon checking the Android market, were surprised to see that Netflix is now officially available for their devices. The caveat is that you must be on Android 2.3, but that shouldn’t be much of a problem these days, should it? Go on, catch it if you can in the Android market. [AndroidForums.com, Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Google Checkout Going Down for Maintenance 4pm to 5pm Pacific, Get Your Paid App Purchases In

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 12:48 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Just got an email from the folks at Google informing us that they’re taking Google Checkout down today for maintenance. Downtime will be between 4pm and 5pm pacific. If you happen to have a paid app you were planning on downloading within that hour, you’d better get a move on it. Full letter’s below, for your convenience.

Hello,
We’re writing to inform you about a planned service outage impacting Android Market that requires your attention.

On Wednesday, June 15th, Google Checkout will be unavailable from approximately 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PDT due to planned system maintenance. During this time, you will be unable to sign in to your Merchant accounts (http://checkout.google.com) and transactions will not be processed. The Android Market Developer Console (http://market.android.com/publish/) will still be available.

During the outage, users will still be able to view paid applications on Android Market; however, any attempts at purchases will fail. No new orders will be created. After the maintenance has been completed, all normal activity will resume. No action is required on your part.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Regards,
The Android Market Team

T-Mobile Announces Samsung Exhibit 4G and Gravity Smart for June 22 Release

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:18 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

T-Mobile’s Twitter account just confirmed what earlier leaked documents already revealed: the Samsung Exhibit 4G and Samsung Gravity Smart will be available on June 22nd. Both phones round out a lineup of phone that just added the big-boy HTC Sensation 4G to its stables today. The Exhibit 4G is a device best classed as mid-range, while the Gravity Smart is what we might consider “entry level.” Though the release is only seven days away, pricing on either new handset has yet to be announced.

[Twitter via TMoNews]

Glow Hockey 2 Is The Most Beautiful Air Hockey Game Yet [Game Review]

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 08:52 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

Forgive me for reviewing yet another Amazon AppStore exclusive, but it’s too good, and at one point, was free. It’s Glow Hockey 2, a sequel to what many consider the absolute best air hockey game yet. The sequel certainly is beautiful, but is it just as good?

Premise

Air Hockey. ‘Nuff said.

Gameplay

I think everyone knows how to play air hockey, but here’s a refresher: you have a paddle and are set to defend the goal at your side of the table from a puck while trying to get the puck into your opponent’s goal. First one to seven wins, and hitting the puck into your own goal is a score for them. (I’ve always hated that, personally.)

You control your puck with your finger, of course, flinging it around in hopes of getting it around your opponent’s paddle. If you do score, the puck appears on your opponent’s side of the ball, natch, an vice versa. It’s as simple as that, folks: air hockey.

The physics are as realistic as they’ll get for this type of game, though I’ve always said it’s kind of hard to screw up air hockey if you know what you’re doing. The game is quite fun until you realize that your AI opponent can only react to so many different moves. After a while, you kind of own the competition and you won’t be able to tell the difference between easy mode and hard mode.

This is where playing a second player would come in quite handy, and they afford users that option. You can select 2 player mode and get a friend to join you, but you both need to be playing on the same device. This can get quite problematic for folks with smaller screens. We imagine folks will have a much easier time on a tablet. I would have hoped for an ad-hoc wireless mode at least, but there is no wireless/online functionality whatsoever.

I took to championship mode to see if I could get better competition, but it doesn’t appear to be a mode with much substance. Through 10 levels, I’ve been able to beat the last opponent just as easily as the first. At the end of the day, championship mode is quite useless – you’re better off just playing alone.

What I do like about the game, aside from its graphics (which we’ll get to in the presentation section), is the customization. You get a number of different table themes, ranging from street hockey to soccer, an air hockey table to a doodle-inspired one and more. You also get a decent selection of puck and paddle customizations for each table. These are only aesthetically different, though, so don’t expect powerups, special properties or anything of the sort.

Presentation

As I already said, the title is visually pleasing, and that’s about the best thing it has going for it. Sides of the table glow when the puck hits them, with an optional particle effect making things look even prettier. The pucks, tables and paddles are all high in detail and quality. You can get a realistic looking paddle and puck on an actual air hockey table, or dreamy, colorful and glowing pieces on the glow table (hence the name Glow Hockey).

Unfortunately, the game’s looks are pretty taxing on resources. I can’t imagine folks with a G1 or other slow phones will have an easy time. Even with my Galaxy S, the game would stutter after a while. This obviously affects gameplay and makes it difficult to see where the ball is going and even where your paddle is going. You can improve performance by turning off particle effects, fortunately. I recommend turning off services and exiting apps you don’t need before playing.

As for sound, it’s what I said about gameplay – it’s hard to screw up air hockey. It sounds accurate, clean, crisp and true to the tables you’ll find in bars and recreation centers.

Replay Value

There’s not much here unless you’re an air hockey fan, and that’s to be expected. Two player mode is great, but the fun may not last long on small devices as the players will surely get uncomfortable or frustrated trying to work around each other’s fingers. (This could be a blast after a few beers, though.) There’s not much after-market value you can add to an air hockey game, though, so I won’t chastise the developers for a lack of new content. This game will last you as long as you can stand it.

The Verdict

I love air hockey, but no video game will ever be as good as playing it for real. There’s nothing like standing at a table with a paddle ready to take on whoever’s standing across from you. Glow Hockey 2 tries to emulate the experience, but the AI ruins an otherwise fantastic game. It’s way too easy to win games, and the only human opponents you are allowed to have are those standing on the other side of your phone or tablet. Unfortunately, it’s not often you can get someone to play against you if you’re craving a quick game or two.

It’s a beautiful game, but there isn’t much substance and I wouldn’t count on it being the ultimate time waster. It won’t cure your boredom because the predictive AI will certainly bore you after a few short minutes. You can find Glow Hockey 2 Pro for $2 exclusively from the Amazon AppStore. The free version is available on the Android market, but has limited table themes.

Next Nexus to Be 4G LTE Handset with Android 4.0, 720p Display [RUMORS]

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 08:42 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

Our friends over at BGR have quite a scoop on their hands, if news they have picked up from an inside source pans out. According to their report, the next device in Google’s Nexus lineup will be a phone set to beast mode. The handset, which may go by the name Nexus 4G, will feature a multi-core processor, but it supposedly won’t be the quad-core Tegra 3 chipset or even NVIDIA’s dual-core Tegra 2 platform. Instead the third Nexus device would employ an OMAP 4460 or low-power 28nm Krait-based Snapdragon dual-core chip clocked at 1.2GHz or 1.5GHz. The devices display is said to be “monster-sized” (4.5-inch?) and will be capable of outputting images in 720p HD.

Bundled within the handset will be a 4G LTE radio and 1GB of RAM. A 1MP front-facing camera will compliment a 5MP rear camera with an advanced sensor that will more than make up for the seemingly low (for a high-end smartphone) resolution. The whole thing will run on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), which eliminates the need for physical or capacitive buttons anywhere on the device.

While these specs sound quite amazing, we caution to take this all as rumor for now. The Nexus 4G name seems odd considering it could easily be confused with the already released Nexus S 4G though BGR does say this name isn’t necessarily final. They also state the handset may simply be a flagship phone being designed closely with Google for the launch of Ice Cream Sandwich and not the next Nexus at all. It could even launch as a flagship 4G LTE device for AT&T’s network. It sounds like some elements — namely the processor — are still up in the air, but we’ll take any configuration of the above specs, Nexus name or not.

[via BGR]
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)