Tag Archives: announced

Twitter and Facebook for Google Glass announced

Leave a reply

Glass, Twitter

Two major social networks get official apps for Google's smart glasses

Following the start of this year's Google I/O developer conference, Twitter and Facebook have announced official apps for Google Glass. If you're among the lucky few people packing "explorer edition" Glass devices, you can enable Twitter and Facebook by heading to your MyGlass page at google.com/myglass and enabling the app you want.

While the Facebook app for Glass is primarily focused on sharing pictures you've taken on the device, the Twitter app offers much of the functionality of a full-blown Twitter app, including the ability to send and receive regular tweets, images retweets and direct messages.

If you're rocking Glass already, be sure to hit the comments and share your thoughts on these new apps.

Source: Twitter, Facebook

    




Android Central – Android Forums – News – Reviews – Help and Android Wallpapers

ZTE Grand X 2 In announced, launch scheduled for Q3

Leave a reply

Grand X 2 INSecond-generation Intel handset from ZTE, running Atom Z2580 CPU

ZTE has announced a new Intel Atom-powered smartphone, the Grand X 2 In. The somewhat clumsily-named handset is the successor to last year's Grand X IN, which saw a limited global release late last year.

It's powered by a 2GHz Intel Atom Z2580 CPU — that's CloverTrail+ for those of you keeping track of platforms. The x86 number-cruncher is backed up by 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. On the front there's a 4.5-inch 720p display and 1-megapixel front-facing camera, around the back an 8-megapixel camera.

On the software side you're looking at "Android Jelly Bean" — we're guessing 4.1, since ZTE isn't saying which exact version is on there. That's lightly skinned with ZTE's own MIUI-like user interface.

The ZTE Grand X In 2 is due for release in Europe during the third quarter.

Source: Press Release

    




Android Central – Android Forums – News – Reviews – Help and Android Wallpapers

Google Play Music All Access streaming service announced

Leave a reply

Google Play Music All Access

Google Play Music All Access has been announced at Google I/O and will be available in the U.S. starting today.

Rumored some time ago and then reported to launch at Google I/O, the service has been officially introduced  by Google’s Chris Yerga. It will allow you to explore and discover new music, based on what you already listen to, and you’ll be able to do so whether you’re on your smartphone, tablet or computer.

The service, described as a Google approach to subscription music services, offers you the possibility to start a radio station from any track you’re listening to, filled with related songs and artists. You can remove tracks or reorder them at all times, and you’ll also get expert recommendations and playlists so you can find new stuff you might like.

Your library can include tracks you’ve uploaded, as well as tracks from the service (for example, an album you already own and have uploaded, as well as the latest one from the respective artist).

Google Play Music All Access has been built with the philosophy that it should be a music service focused on music, with technology being in the background, because choosing music shouldn’t be a chore, according to the presentation. Judging by the first look, that’s what’s been achieved.

google-io-google-play-music-all-access-7

We’ve reached the most important section, the price of the new service. Google Play Music All Access will be available for $ 9.99 a month and, as I mentioned, is launching in the U.S. today, offering everyone a 30-day trial. If you sign up for the trial by June 30, the price will be $ 7.99 a month.

Google has promised to bring the service to more countries soon.

U.S. readers, do you plan on signing up for Google Play Music All Access?

    




Android Authority

Android Studio announced, developer console updated with new features

Leave a reply

Document1 - Microsoft Word 24 000308

Google I/O is primarily a developer conference, though it’s easy to forget it, given that consumer focused announcements are often made in the keynotes.

Today, Google’s Hugo Barra presented some of the work that Google has been doing to make the life of Android developers easier.

One big announcement is Android Studio, a Google-made integrated development environment (IDE) based on the popular IDE IntelliJ. While Bara didn’t reveal many details about this new tool, developers in the audience seemed pretty impressed. Some of the highlights of the Studio presentation include real-time previews of changes and adaptable layouts (an app can be simultaneously tested on different resolutions and form factors – smartphones and tablets). More features are said to be coming to Android Studio in the future.

Google also revealed some substantial updates to the app developer console. The changes include:

  • A new section for app optimization, including tips on how to adapt an app for tablets
  • App translation services – a way for developers to simply get translations for their apps
  • Referral tracking – monitor ads, integrates Google Analytics
  • Revenue graphs – visualization tools
  • Beta testing and staged rollouts

We’ll keep you posted with more details. Stay tuned.

    




Android Authority

Sony Xperia ZR announced, allows underwater photography to five feet of depth (video)

Leave a reply

Sony’s ratcheted up its water-resistant device tech a notch with the launch of the Xperia ZR, a new 4.6-inch, 720P Android smartphone that’s waterproof to 1.5m (5 feet). Sony claims the new addition to the Xperia Z line will let film your snorkeling adventures in full HD quality with HDR in video or 13-megapixel stills thanks to the Exmor RS image sensor. The handset also boasts a Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core 1.5GHZ CPU, 2GB RAM, LTE, NFC, Sony’s Walkman album and movie apps and an OptiContrast OLED screen with Bravia tech to reduce glare “even in bright sunlight.” There’s no word yet on pricing or availability, but as soon as we here more, we’ll try to prep you ahead of that next beach-bound holiday. Meanwhile, you can check the galleries, PR and video after the break for more.

Gallery: Sony Xperia ZR

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Sony (Facebook)

Engadget RSS Feed

Sharp AQUOS 206SH announced, promises two-day battery life

Leave a reply

sharp-206SH

Today’s high-end smartphones pack quite a few impressive features, including quad-core (or even octa-core) processors and 1080p 5-inch displays. Despite these advancements, there is one area where feature phones still have smartphones beat, battery life.

Imagine a handset that packs a big display and fast processor, yet still offers enough power efficiency to make it through two days of use. That’s exactly what the new Sharp AQUOS Phone 206SH sets out to accomplish.

The latest Sharp handset features a 5-inch 1080p display, a 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB RAM. Other specs include a 13.1MP back cam, 2.07MP front cam, and an impressively large 3,080 mAh battery. The handset also comes with Android 4.2.

sharp-206SH-2

Now for the downside. The phone might get up to two days of battery power, but it requires you to turn on Sharp’s “Eco Tech” setting, which involves some level of processor throttling. This means that there will be at least some sacrifice in performance to get the full two day’s life, though that’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, as the feature can easily be turned off and on.

The AQUOS 206SH’s battery power is certainly its biggest “claim to fame”, but it also has a few other cool tricks up its sleeves.

The Sharp handset boasts its own multi-window functionality, allowing you to perform tasks like browsing the web while watching videos. The 206SH also has a water-resistant design, with a rating of IPX5/IPX7. That means you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in the rain, and you’d even be safe emerging the handset in up to a meter of water for about thirty minutes.

So when is the 206SH coming? Likely never, unless you live in Japan. The phone is exclusively arriving to Japanese carrier Softbank, and goes on sale in late June. It’s a shame that Sharp doesn’t release this handset outside of Japan, as I could see myself considering this one, thanks to its great combination of durability and battery life.

What do you think of the AQUOS 206SH, would you consider buying the handset if it was made available outside of Japan?

    

Android Authority

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 announced, joins the Android tablet line-up with a 7-inch screen

Leave a reply

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 announced, joins the Android tablet lineup with a 7inch screen

If an 8-inch stylus-enabled Galaxy Tablet wasn’t your cup of tea, perhaps Samsung’s new seven-inch model will do the trick. The Galaxy Tab 3 has gone official and the third iteration of the company’s first Android tablet arrives with a 1.2GHz processor, 8GB or 16GB of storage (with expansion up to 64GB), a 3- and 1.3-megapixel camera array and a substantial 4,000mAh battery. That 7-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) TFT display suggests it’s likely to be a keenly-priced slate, although we’re still waiting to hear on specifics. Samsung’s loaded up the Galaxy Tab 3 with Android 4.1 and says that the WiFi version will launch “globally” in May, while an incoming 3G model (no LTE at this point, but it’ll be able to make calls) will follow in June.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: Samsung Mobile

Engadget RSS Feed

Oppo R809T officially announced, won’t be world’s thinnest smartphone after all

Leave a reply

oppo

Earlier this month rumors cropped up suggesting that Oppo was preparing to break another record by introducing the R809T as the world’s thinnest phone. The mid-range R809T became official today by way of Sina Weibo (China’s equivalent of Twitter), though a record breaker it is not.

At the time the rumor suggested the phone would manage to be just 6.13-mm thin, the reality is that the phone is actually 6.93mm. Quite a difference. Is this really the end of the world? Of course not. It is still a relatively thin handset and for fans of Oppo looking for a good mid-range handset, it could be exactly what you were waiting for.

Oppo R809T

The Oppo R809T features a 4.7-inch 720p display and is powered be a quad-core 1.2Ghz processor accompanied by 1GB of RAM. Other specs include an 8MP rear cam, 2MP front cam, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean right out of the box. The addition of Android 4.2 makes this one of the few non-Nexus phones out there to feature the latest version of Jelly Bean.

So when can you expect the R809T to touch down in China? While we have no official date, the previous rumor surrounding the handset points to April 26th, so we have to wait just a day to find out if this release date proves true.

Android Authority

HTC One announced for China, comes with dual-SIM and microSD support

Leave a reply

samsung galaxy s4 vs htc one one back in hand aa

The HTC One has just been announced for China and will arrive on all of the countries major carriers with microSD and dual-SIM support.

HTC’s flagship device will arrive on all of China’s major carriers — China Unicom, China Telecom and China Mobile — but the device has been slightly modified to include a removable back cover, dual-SIM and microSD support. At the time of this writing, there’s been no carrier subsidized pricing announced, but those that are eager to get the device will be able to do so directly through HTC on April 26.

China’s international counterpart features a 4.7-inch 1980 x 1080 468ppi display, 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 2300mAh battery, a 4-Ultrapixel rear-facing camera, a 2.1-megapixel front-facing shooter and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. On the software side of things, it’s running Sense 5 with BlinkFeed atop of Android 4.1.2.

If you’re unfamiliar with the HTC One or are on the fence about the device, be sure to check our review by Android Authority‘s very own Kristofer Wouk!

Android Authority