Author: Harrison Kaminsky

According to the 2013 BrandZ list of top global brands, Google ranks second, valued at $113.669 billion. Although the company is still short of Apple’s value of $185.536 billion, they still passed by IBM, who currently rank third at $112.536 billion.

One notable name is Samsung, which is currently ranked at number 30, having jumped up a whole 25 places. This can clearly be pointed to their increased advertising on their Galaxy line and exploding sales figures.

Google’s second-place ranking shows steady growth for the company, but their spot behind Apple says that they’re still the company to beat. Google looks to continue closing in on Apple in the current year.

Source: Marketing Week

Come comment on this article: Google passes IBM to become second most valuable brand, still behind Apple

With the kick-off of SID Display Week 2013 in Vancouver came some pretty neat new concepts from Qualcomm. The company demoed a 1.5-inch panel embedded on the top of an “always-on” smartphone and on the face of a smartwatch.

Perhaps the most interesting display was a 5.1-inch panel with a spectacular 2,560 by 1,440 (577 ppi) resolution. While up close, the images seem much more crisp than on the current top-of-the-line displays, the colors don’t quite pop like they do on other handsets. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. The screen has a 6x power advantage over current LED and OLED displays. This means that your phone could go days without charging. But don’t get over excited, because Qualcomm says that this technology is still a few years from mass-production. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see what else the future brings for smartphone technology.

Source: Engadget 

Come comment on this article: Qualcomm previews next-gen 2,560 by 1,440 Mirasol display

Sprint has recently announced three mobile broadband devices for those now in the vicinity of Sprint’s ongoing LTE rollout. The three devices include Novatel’s MiFi 500 LTE, the Netgear Zing Mobile Hotspot, and 341U USB dongle— they are expected to be available by the summer. Sprint also hinted at tri-band LTE phones from Samsung and LG to follow. Hit the break for the full press release.

Tri-Band 4G LTE Mobile Broadband Devices to Bring Sprint Customers Stronger In-Building Coverage and Better Network Performance

MiFi® 500 LTE by Novatel Wireless™, NETGEAR® 341U USB Modem and NETGEAR® Zing Mobile Hotspot ™ offer connectivity and security without the hassle of searching for a public Wi-Fi signal

LAS VEGAS (BUSINESS WIRE), May 21, 2013 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced the planned summer launch of a trio of mobile broadband devices that will take advantage of three bands of 4G LTE wireless spectrum available to Sprint’s network. These devices are expected to bring customers improved network performance and stronger in-building coverage as LTE is deployed on each of these bands. With the ability to leverage Sprint’s 4G LTE network at 1.9GHz and 800MHz as well as Clearwire’s LTE network at 2.5GHz, these new devices offer Sprint customers ideal solutions to easily stay connected on the go.

The first tri-band Sprint 4G LTE-capable mobile broadband devices will be the sleek MiFi® 500 LTE by Novatel Wireless™, international-capable NETGEAR® Zing Mobile Hotspot™ and the plug-in NETGEAR® 341U USB Modem. Pricing and exact availability dates for the three devices will be provided at a later date.

The three bands of spectrum accessible on these devices will provide Sprint customers a high-quality, consistently fast 4G LTE network experience, whether they are sitting at their desks, catching up with friends at a coffee shop, or riding in a cab in a crowded city:

The 800MHz spectrum that is being added to Sprint’s LTE network beginning later this year excels at in-building coverage. This spectrum is able to be repurposed for LTE as Sprint ceases operations of the Nextel National Network on June 30, 2013.
Using 1.9GHz spectrum as its primary band for 4G nationwide coverage, Sprint is making substantial progress with deployment of its new 4G LTE network. Sprint now offers service in 88 markets nationwide, including Los Angeles, Charlotte, Boston and Dallas. Average performance is in the range of six to eight MB per second for downlink and two to three MB per second or higher for uplink. Many Sprint customers are discovering Sprint 4G LTE in cities that haven’t yet officially been announced, including Washington, D.C., New York and San Francisco. Sprint has announced more than 170 additional markets where LTE will be available in the coming months.
Clearwire’s 2.5GHz spectrum for its LTE network, which excels at broad-based, high speed coverage, is expected to provide Sprint customers with increased speeds and capacity in densely populated cities.
The launch of devices that can operate on three spectrum bands is another milestone in Sprint’s rollout of Network Vision. Network Vision represents a nationwide update of the Sprint network using the newest, most-advanced equipment in the industry. Sprint plans to consolidate multiple network technologies into one seamless network with the goal of enhancing network coverage, improving call quality and increasing data speeds for customers. It will also offer financial benefits for Sprint shareholders.

“We are very pleased to reach another Network Vision milestone today as we continue to be on schedule to deliver a world-class LTE network experience for our customers,” said Steve Elfman, president of Network Operations and Wholesale. “These three devices from our partners at Novatel and NETGEAR provide a clear look at the benefits of consolidating networks and making the best use of our spectrum assets. Best of all, these new mobile broadband devices bring our customers innovative features, including touchscreens and international capability.”

Updated MiFi Packs In Features

Novatel Wireless, inventor of the mobile hotspot category, has updated its award-winning MiFi hotspot with the MiFi 500 LTE, adding connectivity to Sprint’s LTE network as well as 3G CDMA. Offering sleek and compact styling, MiFi 500 LTE makes it easy for families, students or work teams of up to 10 to wirelessly stay connected with the same 3G or 4G LTE connection.

This convenient mobile broadband device requires no software to install and offers advanced on-device security features to keep data and wireless service protected. An easy-to-use, on-device menu and intuitive navigation keys puts important information, such as battery status, signal strength and connected devices, at the user’s fingertips. The web interface provides additional information including data usage and power management options.

MiFi 500 LTE offers a powerful 1,800mAh battery with an average of up to 10 hours of use on a single charge. It also features GPS functionality over Wi-Fi, multiple security protocols and other advanced features required by many corporate customers.

International Sprint LTE Hotspot

Sierra Wireless’ AirCard® mobile broadband devices, including mobile hotspots, USB modems, associated accessories and software, are now part of the NETGEAR® family. Thinner than a hockey puck, NETGEAR Zing Mobile Hotspot is Sprint’s first CDMA/LTE mobile hotspot to boast international roaming capabilities via GSM. It is also Sprint’s first LCD touchscreen hotspot and first hotspot with both the device and packaging meeting Sprint’s stringent environmental specifications.

NETGEAR Zing makes it easy to get work started quickly with access to the Sprint 3G or 4G LTE networks within seconds and real-time access to company resources, networks and data. The entire family can stay entertained on the go with high speed data for up to 10 users on Wi-Fi capable devices, such as laptops, eReaders, gaming devices, music players and tablets.

With a 2,500mAh battery, NETGEAR Zing allows users to remain connected for up to 10 hours of typical use. Users of the device can also manage connections and change network or device settings directly from the touchscreen. Additional settings are accessible through the web user interface.

First Tri-Band LTE USB Plug-In Modem

For those who prefer a plug-in option, NETGEAR 341U USB Modem will be Sprint’s first tri-band LTE-capable USB modem. This small yet powerful device features a built-in LCD screen display to monitor connection status, signal strength and data usage with a quick glance.

With no software to install or start-up delay, NETGEAR 341U USB Modem makes it easy to get work done on the go. Download large presentations, stream video, and keep up with email without having to hunt for a public Wi-Fi network anywhere within Sprint’s expanding 4G LTE or nationwide 3G footprints. Best of all, it provides flexibility for mobile workers who want to configure security and network access to keep their data safe.

Smartphones from Samsung and LG with tri-band capability are expected to be available to Sprint customers before the end of the year.

For the most up-to-date details on Sprint’s 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, visit www.sprint.com/network. For detailed 4G LTE maps, visit www.sprint.com/coverage. Customers are encouraged to check back often because the maps will be updated whenever coverage is enhanced.

 

Come comment on this article: Three tri-band LTE devices announced by Sprint for this summer

Dan Rosenberg sent out a tweet this morning letting his followers know that he had successfully booted a custom recovery onto the Verizon version of the Galaxy S 4 and he is looking forward to the release.

If you’re going to be getting your Galaxy S 4 in the coming days you should keep a lookout for this method. We’ll be sure to update you once it’s public but we don’t know how long it will take for Verizon to issue a patch.

Source: Dan Rosenberg (@drjbliss)

Via: Droid Life

Come comment on this article: Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S 4 bootloader hacked, boots custom recovery

LG has been releasing devices for a while now that have generated a decent amount of buzz, and it looks like the LS720 Optimus F3 is going to be added to that list. This phone will be a budget-friendly LTE handset, with a 4-inch WVGA screen and a dual-core processor. It will ship with Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 and a strong 2,460mAh battery. Expect the phone to hit the shelves within the next few weeks, priced aggressively on contract.

Source: Phone Arena

Come comment on this article: Pictures of LG Optimus F3 released, expected to launch on Sprint in coming weeks

The rumored successor to the HTC Butterfly, the HTC Butterfly S, has been spotted in a User Agent Profile XML file. The document revealed its screen resolution, 1080 by 1920 pixels, the same exact resolution as on the HTC Butterfly.

There’s plenty of room for speculation on other specs as further details have not yet been revealed, but it has been rumored that the phone will come with many features found on the HTC One, such as BlinkFeed, an Ultrapixel camera sensor, and Boom Sound audio with stereo speakers.

We don’t have any information on when the phone may be released, but a Q3 launch wouldn’t be a total surprise.

Source: HTC (XML file)

Come comment on this article: HTC Butterfly S screen resolution revealed, will adopt many HTC One features

This year’s Smart App Challenge by Samsung has arrived, and will focus on creative usage with its Chord SDK. The Chord SDK features quick peer-to-peer sharing, and allows for collaboration and sharing info/media between multiple devices on the fly.

There’s $800,000 in prize money at stake for 10 different applications. The possibilities are essentially limitless for this new technology, and perhaps the most impressive demonstration of what the SDK can do is featured in the surround sound speaker mode. Samsung will take entries from June 20th to August 31st and the winner will be announced this December.

This adds a fresh perspective to what Samsung is trying to accomplish and it will be exciting to see the outcome of the competition.

Source: Samsung Developer Site

Come comment on this article: Samsung’s annual Smart App Challenge has arrived, will focus on Chord SDK

Big Red is about to refresh their pre-paid plans a bit— starting today, existing customers will be able to enjoy raised data caps with no price change on their existing plan. The new plan will effect new customers starting June 6th.

The previous plan had two options, one for $60 monthly and 500MB, and another for $70 monthly and 2GB. Both had unlimited talk and text.

The new plan will keep the same pricing and unlimited talk and text, however the $60 option will offer 2GB of data while the $70 option will offer 4GB of data. Just remember, these plans are for 3G service only so don’t expect to get this bargain on a high-end device. Will any of you be taking advantage of the upped data caps? Let us know about your decision in the comments!

Source: Verizon Wireless

Come comment on this article: Verizon updating pre-paid plans, data caps to increase

According to a GL Benchmark test, a device with the model number GT-P5200 is going to include a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2560 Clover Trail+ processor working with a PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU. The GT-P5200 name seems to code for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, as the GT-P5100 was the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1.

There were reports earlier this month of the same device running a 1.6GHz processor on the AnTuTu Benchmark site, which matches perfectly with the current information. It is rumored that Samsung is working on three variants of this device, one coming with only WiFi capabilities, one with both 3G and WiFi, and another with 4G LTE and WiFi.

We expect the device to launch with a 10.1-inch screen with a 1280 by 800 resolution. There’s no word yet on when the new Galaxy Tab will launch, and how much it will cost.

Source: GFX Bench

Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 rumored to ship with Intel processor

We have some good news for retro game-lovers today, as Sega launched the classic version of Sonic the Hedgehog to Google Play. On the game’s official page on the Google Play store, Sega states that this is the full original version, and includes some pretty neat exclusive features, such as the ability to play as Knuckles and Tails. The game is available for download at only $2.99. Enjoy, gamers! Let us know how you like it. The Google Play link is available after the break, as well as a preview video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

 Play Store Download Link

Come comment on this article: Classic Sonic the Hedgehog by Sega launched to Google Play for $2.99

While we await the imminent release of Android 4.3 and its inclusion of Bluetooth Smart support, some app developers have taken it upon themselves to start adding Bluetooth 4.0 syncing to their apps, including Fitbit, a healthy lifestyle tracking application.

As they added support for the Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II back in February, today they announced that the app will now support the Galaxy S 4, with all of the efficiency improvements that it brings. Obviously since the new Bluetooth support is not yet standard in Android devices, Fitbit says that custom development work is needed for individual smartphones. Obviously Samsung’s new flagship device was an early priority.

You can grab the updated Fitbit app from the Google Play Store after the break.

 Google Play Download Link

Come comment on this article: Fitbit adds Bluetooth 4.0 sync support for Samsung Galaxy S 4 in new update

Panasonic recently decided to launch its first device in Indian markets with the Panasonic P51. The phone will come loaded up with Android 4.2, a 5-inch, 720p LCD screen, and a quad-core 1.2GHz MediaTek processor. The phone is slightly reminiscent of a lower-end Galaxy Note 3, as it ships with a capacitive stylus and a magnetic flip cover. The RAM sits at only 1GB, there are 4GB of expandable storage, and the phone includes an 8MP rear-camera, a 1.3MP front-facing camera, and support for both HSPA+ and dual SIM cards.

The phone will launch in India next week at 26,900 rupees ($517 USD) contract-free which is a little expensive but should be a bargain when compared to its competition from Samsung. Hit the break for the full press release.

Panasonic India Set to Redefine the Smartphone Segment

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, May 16, 2013 — (Business Wire India)

– Launches Smartphone P51

– Eyes 8% market share in the smartphone category

Continuing its strong focus on India, Panasonic India today announced the launch of the P51, Panasonic smartphone, a first in the series of revolutionary smartphones marking the entry of Panasonic into the mobile phone segment in India. This phone is targeted at the young generation – the always-on-the-go college youth, and the premium executive class, who is always on the lookout for better, faster and savvier smartphones on the go!

The Panasonic P51 is a premium AndroidTM smartphone with sleek design and brings HD experience to a 5 inch screen with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. Powered by a Quad Core1.2GHz processor and running on AndroidTM 4.2 (Jelly Bean), the P51 comes with a magnetic flip-cover stylus offering comfort and convenience to the consumer. This Wi-Fi enabled device also sports an 8MP camera (auto focus with flash) and a 1.3Mpxl 720p HD front camera making it an ideal phone

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Daizo Ito, President, Panasonic India said, “Panasonic has a great legacy of being the pioneers of innovation in every segment. Continuing with our legacy, we are now launching our innovative smartphone which will redefine the Indian smartphone consumer experience. India has always been one of our alpha markets in the region and I take great pride in introducing our smartphone to India. We are confident that our product will provide the Indian consumer a great multimedia experience and the ‘best value for money’ proposition”.

Mr. Manish Sharma, Managing Director, Panasonic India commenting on Panasonic’s foray in the Smartphone segment said, “It has always been our endeavor to excel in all aspects of consumer technology. The launch of Panasonic Smartphone in India marks the beginning of our journey in the Indian mobile phone market and will bring together the ultimate smartphone user experience. The smartphone series will come power-packed with features and will cater to the consumers across the spectrum – from mid-tier to the premium class. With an aim to garner a market share of 8% in the first year, this product will showcase the convergence of Panasonic’s pioneering technology and consumer insight. We are hopeful that consumers will embrace our phones with the same zeal and enthusiasm that they have shown for our VIERA and LUMIX range”.

Panasonic has also collaborated with Jaina Marketing as the ‘Strategic Partner for Marketing, Distribution and Customer Support’ for their smartphone series. Speaking at the launch, Mr. Pardeep Jain, Managing Director, Jaina Group, said, “The smartphone market is growing at an incredible pace and is expected to reach 3.9 bn by 2017 globally. India is catching up fast with the smartphone race and with the launch of Panasonic smartphone. I am sure our expertise in the marketing & distribution, and customer care support will add value to an exciting proposition from Panasonic. We look forward to reaping the benefits of the intense smartphone demand in India”.

Panasonic smartphone’s brand ambassador, Varun Dhawan, said, “I am very happy to be associated with Panasonic India especially because of the legacy that Panasonic as a brand enjoys in India. The confidence that the consumers have today on Panasonic’s range of products is evident by the way the company has grown. I feel privileged to be a part of the unveiling of the P51 and as a consumer, I can confidently say that it is not just an interesting smartphone because of its price point and multiple features but it also provides a wonderful user experience”.

Panasonic smartphone will come equipped with amazing features like easy-to-use, ultra-responsive touch displays that allow users to check their social network updates, read SMS’s, check calendar, and answer/reject/mute calls. This phone will be available across national retail chain stores, multi-brand outlets and distributors across India from May onwards.

Come comment on this article: Panasonic launches P51 in Indian markets, packed with 5-inch screen and stylus

Archos introduced another tablet to their Elements series, called the 80 Xenon. The 8-inch device will come with both 3G and WiFi capabilities, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a quad-core Snapdragon S4 1.2GHz processor, and a 1024 by 768 resolution IPS display.

This is shaping up to be a very affordable, mid-range tablet running Jelly Bean and with complete Google Play Store access.

The device will also come with 1GB of RAM and only 4GB of internal storage. The memory will be expandable, however, with a microSD card. The cameras are a little disappointing, as the 80 Xenon’s rear is only 2MP, and comes with a front facing “webcam.” The tablet will launch sometime in June for $199.99.

Source: Archos 

Come comment on this article: Archos officially announces 80 Xenon tablet, set for June launch at $199 asking price

Google I/O 2013 featured a session titled, “Voiding Your Warranty: Hacking Glass,” which was pretty much exactly what you would expect it to be. During the session, Google Glass was successfully unlocked, given root access, and then loaded up with Ubuntu.

Of course most manufacturers wouldn’t encourage people to hack into their devices, but because Google Glass is a developer device, they’re looking for all kinds of experimentation.

In order to install Ubuntu, a few steps (simplified) had to be taken:

• Load Glass with Launcher, Settings, and Notepad APKs
• Pair Glass to a keyboard and trackpad
• Jump into the terminal, unlock and gain root access
• Follow the normal process of installing Ubuntu
• (Load up a terminal emulator, complete Linux installer)

The definition of “hack” that Google would probably use can be found on Urban Dictionary. Check it out after the break.

To program a computer in a clever, virtuosic, and wizardly manner. Ordinary computer jockeys merely write programs; hacking is the domain of digital poets. Hacking is a subtle and arguably mystical art, equal parts wit and technical ability, that is rarely appreciated by non-hackers.

Come comment on this article: Google Glass successfully unlocked, boots up with Ubuntu at I/O

While many were disappointed to hear nothing of a new release of Android yesterday at the Google I/O keynote, there is some good news on the horizon. An update is coming, and it will feature Bluetooth Smart support. It seems a little minor to have an Android-wide update for something as trivial as this, so we’re obviously expecting some more new features to come with the update as well.

The Android team could be slowing the pace at which they release updates so that they can give manufactures a chance to can catch up, and so that they can also improve their overall reputation for slowly released updates. Either way, we’ll know what comes of all this in a few months. More to come…

Sources: Android And Me, Vince Mi

Come comment on this article: Next version of Android to feature Bluetooth Smart support, expected in the coming months

ASUS has already announced the successor to their Fonepad model, which was confirmed to feature a better processor and extra storage. The new phone will ship with an Intel Atom Z2460 chip running at 1.6GHz and a whopping 32GB of build-in storage. It seems as though nothing else has been changed, which means the device will come with a 7-inch 1280 by 800 pixel IPS display, 1GB of RAM, a 3MP main camera, and a microSD slot for additional storage space.

Obviously the key feature of the Fonepad is the 3G radio built-in, allowing this tablet to make phone calls and browse the web without relying on WiFi. The phone has been confirmed to launch in Taiwan for the equivalent of $300 USD, which isn’t too bad when comparing it to the original ASUS Fonepad. There is no news about other markets the phone will be launched in, if any. We’ll update you when any news breaks.

Source: Engadget

Come comment on this article: Upgraded ASUS Fonepad announced, will feature better processor and extra storage

More unconfirmed reports recently revealed that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will not feature any kind of flexible display or metal design. Instead, the phone will maintain a prototype similar to the Galaxy S 4, featuring a plastic body. It seems as though the main reason behind this is because the company cannot mass-product flexible screens and metal materials in sufficient quantities for such a device.

It’s a little disappointing that we won’t get to see some new innovative features in Samsung’s next big phone, but we’re sure they’ll be coming down the pipeline very soon. This is still just a rumor, so we’ll keep on the lookout for more information on the topic and give you updates as they come out.

Source: SamMobile

Come comment on this article: Galaxy Note 3 not expected to offer flexible display or metal design

It looks like Samsung is about to respond to the recent criticism of the Galaxy S 4 that the guaranteed 16GB of internal storage turned out to be about only half of that, due to bloatware and the heavy Touch-Wiz UI. Samsung’s initial response was that users should get expansion microSD cards to get some more storage— obviously this wasn’t an acceptable answer to end-users. If a company promises a certain amount of storage, then the phone should actually have that amount of storage, or at least something close to it.

After an outrage from the Android community, Samsung seems to have taken a complete 180 turn on the issue. Today the company announced that it would be looking to update the phone to optimize software in order to free up space for customers. Whether this means they’ll be removing some bloatware or some of the Samsung “smart” features, we know either way that the company is looking to right their wrong. Check out the press release after the break.

“We appreciate this issue being raised and we will improve our communications,” Samsung spokesperson said for CNET UK. ”Also, we are reviewing the possibility to secure more memory space through further software optimisation.

“Samsung is committed to listening to our customers and responding to their needs as part of our innovation process.”

Source: CNET

Come comment on this article: Samsung planning to free up storage space on Galaxy S 4 for users

With the release of Google Play Games today comes a list of games already being integrated with the service. Hit the break for a list of games already offering all that Google Play Games has to offer— of course more will be added as time goes on, but this is what we know of so far.

Beach Buggy Blitz (Free) (48 achievements)

Chip Chain (Free) (43 achievements)

Eternity Warriors 2 (Free) (29 achievements)

Eufloria (Free/$4.99) (? achievements)

Farm Invasion USA (Free/$5.20) (20 achievements)

Kingdom Rush ($1.99) (? achievements)

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour ($6.99) (49 achievements)

Osmos ($2.99) (? achievements)

Plague Inc. (Free) (54 achievements)

Riptide GP ($1.99) (? achievements)

Super Stickman Golf 2 (Free) (60 achievements)

Triple Town (Free) (26 achievements)

World of Goo ($4.99 $0.99) (22 achievements)

If you know of any other games already integrated with Google Play Games, hit us up in the comments to let us know.

Come comment on this article: Android games begin to integrate with Google Play Games service, more to come

Without an official announcement today at the Google I/O keynote, Google has quietly rolled out a nice looking update to their YouTube app for Google TV. A new UI is featured, which makes navigation a bit easier and more user friendly.

Improved Playback video controls are also included, and subscription options are much easier to use as well. Check out the link to the app in the Google Play Store after the break.

Play Store Download Link

Come comment on this article: YouTube for Google TV updated, features new homescreen UI