Author: Jeff Causey

Vivid Games S.A., developer of the Real Boxing title, released the official FIM Speedway GP 2013 game to the Google Play Store today. The new racing title promises console-quality graphics, lifelike physics, and improved controls. Players race against computer generated opponents, which are supposed to be smarter in this update for the 2013 season, modeled on real-life riders across 16 different real-world tracks. Along with traditional views, the new title adds a “Helmet Cam” that provides a first person point-of-view. Hit the break for some screen shots and short video highlighting game features. If you want to try Official Speedway GP 2013, use one of the Google Play download links to grab the $1.99 title that required Android 2.3 or higher.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Google Play Download Link

Come comment on this article: Official Speedway GP 2013 brings motorcycle racing action to Google Play

South Korean manufacturer Pantech is reportedly on the verge of releasing a new high-end device that will run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core chip. The device will come with a 5-inch screen and a “bezel-less” design to help keep the overall device size down. The smartphone is model number IM-A870 and will be part of the Vega R Series of devices. According to sources, the device will support “giga Wi-Fi” at speeds equal to four times normal WiFi. The only other detail provided is that the device is expected to run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

The new phone is Pantech’s attempt to compete with the Samsung Galaxy S 4. No pricing or market information was provided, although the device is expected to be released by the end of April.

source: etnews
via: phoneArena

Come comment on this article: Pantech working on new flagship device based on Snapdragon 600

Fans on the Worms franchise will be pleased to know that Worms 2: Armageddon is now available on the Google Play Store. The appearance of this new title is thanks to developer Team 17 Digital Limited who managed to get the title back from EA. Worms 2: Armageddon is full of authentic Worms gameplay using a turn-based-strategy model. The new title includes 30 single player missions taking place across 5 themes. The developers threw in some new weapons like a Sentry Gun and Super Sheep to go along with classics like the Holy Hand Grenade and Concrete Donkey. Players can compete against other online players from around the globe and choose from one of twelve different game styles, including new Crazy Crates and Fort Mode.

If you want to try Worms 2: Armageddon, you will have to dig up $4.99 for the title that will run on Android 2.2 and higher. If you are interested, check out some screenshots below and then hit the download link to grab it from the Google Play Store.

Google Play Download Link

Come comment on this article: New Worms 2: Armageddon blasts its way onto the Google Play Store

While many wait for the new Samsung Galaxy S 4 release date to arrive, Samsung is busy working on their efforts to remind buyers that their new device is a “life companion.” To that end, today some videos were released on YouTube for the new Galaxy S 4. Three of the ads focus on specific features and functions of the device, including the Sound Shot feature, the S Translator app, and Group Play. These three videos are about a half minute in length each, so we can probably expect to see these show up on television. These three short videos were all released by Samsung Mobile’s Netherlands account, so there may be some changes in other markets or they may not even show up elsewhere. The fourth video, coming in at a minute long and not limited to the Netherlands, is an overall teaser for the new device that reminds viewers of several selling points for the device. Hit the break to check out all of the videos.

Galaxy S 4 Teaser

Click here to view the embedded video.

S Translator

Click here to view the embedded video.

Group Play

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sound Shot

Click here to view the embedded video.

source: phoneArena

Come comment on this article: Samsung ads for Galaxy S 4 surface on YouTube

When we last reported on PlayJam’s Gamestick project, they had started to take pre-orders for the $79 device after their successful Kickstarter campaign. Unfortunately, it appears that success has come at a price as PlayJam has announced they have delayed delivery of the Gamestick until June. PlayJam opened their Kickstarter project in January with a goal of $100,000 to be able to start delivering devices in April. However, they ended up pulling in $650,000 via pledges from around 5,700 backers. The Kickstarter fundraising effort was so successful, PlayJam was able to add a goal to provide a fourth color option for buyers. All of the additional units to be produced have resulted in some changes to production and shipping methods. According to PlayJam,

“Initially we had hoped to deliver GameStick to you at the end of April. We now expect to complete mechanical tooling about 4 weeks later at the end of May. Then the units are assembled, tested and assuming there are no issues, packed prior to shipping to each territory. We expect to ship around the 10th June. The volumes are now too large for us to be able to afford to air-freight them, which was our plan, so now we are going to have to use sea freight to deliver them. That’s going to take around 2 weeks. Then we have fulfillment in territory – which we estimate will take between 1 and 5 days depending on where you are located. This means we think the likely date of arrival of your hand crafted GameStick will be at the last week of June.”

Although it is always disappointing to see delays for any product, especially one that has garnered as much interest as the Gamestick, at least backers can take heart that the reason is due to more demand than anticipated instead of a lack of demand.

source: TechCrunch

Come comment on this article: Gamestick delayed, release slated for June

Last week the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 went on sale in the U.K. Fans of the Galaxy Note devices in the U.S. will be glad to know the WiFi only version of Samsung’s latest tablet will be available on Thursday, April 11th at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, h.h. gregg, Newegg, P.C. Richard & Son, Staples and TigerDirect.com. The Galaxy Note 8.0 will be Samsung’s first device with their Samsung WatchON software that is supposed to make it easier to channel surf both live TV and streaming video sources. The Galaxy Note 8.0 also comes with a built-in IR blaster, meaning the tablet can be used as a remote control.

Similar to the U.K. deals, Samsung is throwing in some extras for initial buyers of the device. Pick one up for $399.99 and you can get access to 50GB of DropBox storage for 2 years, a free month of unlimited music streaming in Samsung’s Music Hub, and for a limited time buyers will receive a $25 Google Play credit when they register their device.

Check out our hands on video of the Galaxy Note 8.0 from this year’s Mobile World Congress and the full press release after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Samsung Brings Power and Portability to the U.S. with the Galaxy Note® 8.0 Tablet

In stores April 11, the Galaxy Note 8.0 delivers an unparalleled tablet experience for work and play

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – April 9, 2013 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announces that the Galaxy Note 8.0 is coming to the U.S. market on April 11. Unveiled globally at Mobile World Congress in February, the Galaxy Note 8.0 will be available in stores and online at retailers including Amazon, Best Buy/Best Buy Mobile, h.h. gregg, Newegg, P.C. Richard & Son, Staples and TigerDirect.com.

A mid-sized addition to the Galaxy Note family of products, the Galaxy Note 8.0 has the power and advanced technology to enable multi-tasking at home, at work or on the go. The Galaxy Note 8.0 is the perfect size for entertainment and productivity, with unrivaled multimedia performance in a compact format. The S Pen has evolved to improve everyday usability with Air View; and Multi Window now supports more apps to perform tasks simultaneously allowing users to do more.

“The Galaxy Note defined an entirely new smartphone category and the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet redefined the tablet experience for consumers,” said Travis Merrill, vice president of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “With the Galaxy Note 8.0, we fully expect to ignite the mid-size tablet market Samsung pioneered with the first Galaxy Tab. The Galaxy Note 8.0 is small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and packs the power needed for full mobile entertainment and productivity.”

Galaxy Note 8.0 at Play

The Galaxy Note 8.0 will be the first product to feature Samsung WatchON, a new search and recommendation service that alleviates the chore of channel surfing and makes finding TV shows and on-demand video content faster and easier. Samsung WatchON simplifies the process of discovering new content to watch by searching across multiple content sources, such as live TV and streaming video-on-demand sources such as Samsung’s Media Hub*, to recommend movies and TV shows. It also provides complementary content including actor bios, reviews and related information.

With the built-in IR blaster, the Galaxy Note 8.0 acts as a powerful universal remote, eliminating the need for multiple remotes to control the TV viewing experience. Users can browse for content then change the channel on the TV or cable box directly from the search window.

For entertainment on the go, the Galaxy Note 8.0’s screen is great for everything from content viewing to reading. With its dazzling 8-inch WXGA screen, the Galaxy Note 8.0 is perfect for watching HD content, packing 1280 by 800 pixels. The Galaxy Note 8.0 also has Reading Mode, which adjusts color and brightness to an optimal level for reading. It provides the ability to customize fonts and themes so select books, magazines, documents and Web pages are easier to read. Combined with Smart Stay, which keeps the screen awake while you are reading, the Galaxy Note 8.0 is customized to ensure the best reading experience.

Galaxy Note 8.0 at Work

The tablet is quickly becoming a primary computing device for employees. The Galaxy Note 8.0 offers multi-tasking and productivity features, making users more efficient at everyday tasks, whether working at the office or on the go:

• Multi Window: The Galaxy Note 8.0 offers true PC-like multitasking, so you can use two apps side-by-side. Multi-Window now supports 20 apps, including Polaris Office, Google Chrome and Facebook.
• Air View: Conveniently preview your content without opening files or folders.  The S Pen held above the screen allows you to preview pictures in the Gallery, open menus on Web sites, and preview a message or an attachment in an email.
• AllShare® Play: Pass content to the TV or remotely access files on your desktop computer.
• Polaris Office: View, create, and edit Microsoft® Office Word® documents, Excel® spreadsheets and PowerPoint® presentations right on your tablet. With the Galaxy Note 8.0, you can add handwritten notes and drawings to your documents.
• Awesome Note: A note-taking application and to do list manager, Awesome Note enables you to customize folder icons, colors, fonts and backgrounds for quick reference and visual organization.
• Group Play: Share and collaborate on content, including documents, which allows users to work together.

For those using tablets for work, Samsung offers improved security levels for IT managers and employees. SAFE, or Samsung for Enterprise, is the security standard to provide enterprise- and consumer-friendly devices to businesses and their employees. With SAFE, the Galaxy Note 8.0 supports the needs of IT managers while providing businesses with the functionality needed to enhance productivity.

Powerful Performance

The Galaxy Note 8.0 features a powerful 1.6GHz Quad Core processor and 2GB of RAM to ensure optimum performance. Wi-Fi technology with dual-channel bonding offers more efficient connectivity for faster loading of Web pages and video streaming.

With a large, 4,600 mAh battery, the Galaxy Note 8.0 offers long battery life to work and play all day. Beyond the 16GB** of internal memory, the Note 8.0 can handle microSD cards up to 64GB, for a combined possible 80GB of storage. The 5-megapixel camera on the back can shoot 1080p video, and the 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera can handle video chats at 720p resolution.

Preloaded with Content and Services

Buyers will enjoy pre-loaded content and services valued at over $200, including 50GB of free Dropbox storage for 2 years***, 1 month free of unlimited music streaming in Samsung’s Music Hub, Samsung’s Smart Remote, Awesome Note, and more. For a limited time, they will also receive a $25 Google Play credit with the purchase of a Galaxy Note 8.0, when they register their device.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 will be available in white for $399.99 MSRP. Accessories will be available beginning mid-April. These include Book Covers in white, grey, pink or green, as well as USB and HDMI adapters, and a travel charger that connect via the device’s microUSB port.

Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 coming to U.S. on April 11

Yesterday we reported on rumors that Google may be looking to purchase the popular messaging app WhatsApp. According to WhatsApp business guy Neeraj Arora, sales talks with Google are not being held. Arora says there are no plans, or even discussions, at this time around Google buying WhatsApp for approximately $1 billion. Other than denying the rumors, Arora provided no other information. Next week WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum is schedule to speak at a conference in New York City. Hopefully he will be able to share some new information about the future direction and plans of the company in light of these recent rumors as well as last December’s rumored buyout by Facebook.

source: AllThingsD

Come comment on this article: WhatsApp says no deal with Google is in the works

Over the weekend we shared the news about the release of the SphereShare.net Android app that helps you find and view Photo Spheres submitted by users from around the world. If you were wondering what to do with a Photo Sphere that you find particularly nice, you might want to check out Photosphere Live Wallpaper. With this new app from Kittehface Software, you can use a Photo Sphere for the wallpaper background on your Android device with support for viewing by swiping or tilting your device between screens.

Photosphere Live Wallpaper only requires Android 2.2 or higher to run and is a free download. If you want to give it a try on your device, use one of the download links below the screenshots.

Google Play Download Link

Come comment on this article: Photosphere Live Wallpaper lands in Google Play Store

As Android smartphones become more powerful with each successive generation, more people are finding them capable of running games they enjoy playing. Depending on a device’s capabilities, it is easily conceivable that it can serve in the same role as a traditional game platform like a PlayStation, complete with a connection to a flat screen TV and dedicated controllers for players. We have seen many companies come to market with controllers for Android devices that replicate the controllers found with leading game systems in pursuit of such a setup. It appears that Sony has decided to get in on this market with the introduction of native support for their PlayStation DUALSHOCK 3 controllers on some devices.

Over the weekend a video surfaced showing a new setting on a Sony Xperia SP that allows for the connection of a “DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller.” Initially, a USB-OTG cable is needed to make the first connection, but once mated, the devices can connect using Bluetooth. Once the controller is connected and running, the smartphone functions as the display and the controller can be used as expected to navigate menus and then control the action.

As mentioned, the discovery of this built-in function was found on a Sony Xperia SP. It seems likely that Sony would want to add this to the rest of their PlayStation Mobile compatible devices as well, especially a top device like the Sony Xperia Z. Sony is mum on the subject, but now that the news has leaked it probably won’t be long before an official statement is issued.

Click here to view the embedded video.

source: Xperia Blog

Come comment on this article: Native DUALSHOCK 3 support may be coming to Sony Xperia devices

Over the past 18 months or so, we have watched HTC’s financial deep dive as it keeps setting record-low quarterly profit numbers. HTC was banking on the HTC One leading a rebound for the company. That could still happen, but after delays, the HTC One was not able to ship in any meaningful numbers during the first quarter of 2013, leading to more disappointing financial results for HTC. According to HTC’s just released report, net income for the first quarter was NT$85 million ($2.84 million USD), a mere pittance compared to the NT$10.9 billion ($363 million USD) for the same period a year earlier.

In addition to yet another disappointing quarter, HTC also missed analysts’ revenue forecasts. HTC was expected to post net income of NT$467.5 million on first quarter revenue of NT$50-$60 billion. Instead, revenues were only NT$42.8 billion. The delay of the HTC One is expected to reverberate throughout 2013 for HTC. Despite opening against the Samsung Galaxy S 4, analyst Dennis Chan with Yuanta Securities thinks HTC will experience a rebound in the second quarter. However, that will be short-lived as it will “be very difficult to push on the mid- and low-end phones when HTC launches them in Q3-Q4.” Daiwa analyst Birdy Lu is also skeptical that the recently announced partnership with Facebook will be of much help because Facebook Home will only be sought by “Facebook addicts, and the distribution channel for HTC First is very limited.”

source: Reuters

Come comment on this article: HTC profits continue in wrong direction in record-setting fashion

Sources are indicating that T-Mobile is in the process of testing the Sony Xperia Z, which could result in Sony returning to the T-Mobile portfolio. TmoNews reports three different sources over the past two weeks have all confirmed Sony is testing the device. The Xperia Z is a 5-inch 1080p display smartphone powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chip, a 13MP camera with Exmor RS for mobile and HDR video, and is dust and water resistant. Although it may not be garnering all of the attention that the Samsung Galaxy S 4 or the HTC One are grabbing, the Xperia Z is still a top tier device and should be a welcome option for consumers on the T-Mobile network.

Just because T-Mobile is testing a device does not guarantee it will be offered to consumers. This happened last fall with the HTC One X+ which was never picked up by T-Mobile. Still, the fact that the device is getting put through the paces by T-Mobile is a good sign.

source: TmoNews

Come comment on this article: Sony Xperia Z could be on the way to T-Mobile

One of the more popular features of Android 4.2 is the Photo Sphere function in the camera app. While many users continue to wait for Android 4.2 to roll out to their device, they can only look on with envy as their friends with Nexus devices post Photo Spheres to Google+ or they stumble upon one on Google Maps. Meanwhile, Nexus owners are only able to share their Photo Spheres with those in their Google+ Circles, which may make it a challenge to compare work with others. Developer Jakub Kinst hopes to address these limitations with a new app, SphereShare.net, which is now available in the Google Play Store.

SphereShare.net acts similar to photo gallery apps for traditional images, like Flickr or Picasa. Users can post their Photo Spheres to the service, which then makes them available for other users to check out. Even if you don’t have a Photo Sphere capable device, with at least Android 4.0 or better you can still install the app to view Photo Spheres posted by others. Options are available to share to popular social networks.

Use one of the download links below to grab the free app and start checking out what folks have been able to create with Photo Spheres.

Google Play Download Link

Come comment on this article: New SphereShare.net app provides gallery for Photo Spheres

One of the big challenges for any consumer buying cellular service is trying to figure out whether the service really is better than what they currently have. Invariably it seems that no matter what network one is on, there is always that friend or family member that seems to have better coverage with their carrier, but researching the matter usually yields conflicting information. Wireless carrier U.S. Cellular hopes to address this problem with a new program that lets potential customers test their coverage for a week with no strings attached.

In announcing the new program, the U.S. Cellular web site indicates:

“You deserve to know what to expect from a wireless network before you sign on the dotted line. That’s why, for a limited time, you’re invited to test-drive the U.S. Cellular network for a whole week without signing up for service.”

There is no cost and no commitment for the “test-drive.” The U.S. Cellular web site indicates the offer is only available at participating locations. You can hit the source link to enter your zip code to see if there is a store near you.

Would you like to see more carriers offer the ability to test cell service in the places you use your phone and in the ways you use it?

source: U.S. Cellular

Come comment on this article: U.S. Cellular launches unique program to let customers test network

Samsung announced today the availability of the Galaxy Note 8.0 at the Samsung Experience Store in Westfield Stratford City. More locations will follow, but at least for today this is the only location where you can grab the new 8-inch screen device. The WiFi only version is selling for £339.99 ($517 USD). To help entice buyers, Samsung is pre-loading the devices with some special offers and apps including AVG Anti-Virus Pro, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2, and limited-time access to The Times newspaper, Samsung Music Hub, and 50GB of DropBox space. This special offer will be available through April 15th.

In case you missed the specs for this latest Galaxy Note device, it comes with a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of memory that can increase with a microSD card, and a 5MP rear-facing and 1.3MP front-facing camera. The tablet will come loaded with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Hit the break to read the full press release.

GALAXY NOTE 8.0 AVAILABLE TO BUY NOW FROM THE SAMSUNG EXPERIENCE STORE
Free content and services bundle worth £60 available with every purchase from 15th April for a limited time

5th April 2013, London, UK: Samsung Mobile UK has today announced that customers in the UK are now able to buy the Galaxy Note 8.0 from the Samsung Experience Store at Westfield Stratford City with other channels to follow. Ultra portable thanks to its 8” screen size, the Galaxy Note 8.0 comes pre-loaded with a suite of new content and services worth over £60, at no extra cost to the customer*.

The new mid-size tablet, together with a suite of intuitive features and an evolved S Pen, gives you the ease of using a traditional pen and paper with speed, efficiency and accuracy. Features include a suite of S Note templates and tools that allow you to create, edit, manage and share documents, as well as seamless multi-tasking thanks to Quick Command, continuous text input and Multi-Window View which means the portable 8” screen can be split and used to access a number of live applications at the same time.

A range of S-Pen apps, including Paper Artist and Photo Note, mean you can be creative wherever you are, whether on the commute to work, on holiday or sat on your living room sofa. The new Reading Mode makes it easier to read e-books, magazines and newspapers as you can optimise the settings to create the most comfortable reading experience, plus you can annotate, highlight, cut and paste text.

For a limited time from 15 April 2013*, the Galaxy Note 8.0 will also come pre-loaded with the following content and services;

–          A £20 voucher to spend in the Samsung Learning Hub
–          A Two Month Free trial subscription to The Times newspaper worth £32.00
–          AVG Anti-Virus Pro
–          Access to the Samsung Music Hub for free for 1 month
–          Need for SpeedTM Hot Pursuit
–          Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2
–          50GB DropBox free for 2 years

Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 now on sale in the U.K.

HTC announced via their Twitter account last night that they would start taking pre-orders for the HTC One Developer Edition today. The Developer Edition comes with 64GB of memory, an unlocked SIM and bootloader, and comes in silver. The special edition version of the HTC One will be available for $649 and can only be purchased by customers with a US Zip Code. According to HTC’s site, the Developer Edition will be ready to ship on April 18th, the day before the new device is scheduled to be available from both AT&T and Sprint. If you are ready to try to grab one of these limited quantity versions of the HTC One, head over to their pre-order page at http://htconeprereg.com/brands/HTCPreReg/homebrands/index.htm. As a bonus, HTC is throwing in a free case and free shipping.

source: @HTCdev

Come comment on this article: HTC One Developer Edition pre-orders now open

Owners of Google TV platforms have a nice addition to the Google TV Remote app in an update that was released yesterday. The app runs on a user’s Android device and when the device is connected to the same WiFi network that a Google TV is connected to, it gives the user remote control capabilities.

The latest update to the app makes some tweaks to accessibility and changes the D-pad from a gesture based version to one that mimics hardware remotes. The big change though is the ability to do a voice search using the app. Google has added the necessary code for this function directly into the remote app, which opens the door to this functionality being available on more devices.

If you have a Google TV device, you may want to hit one of the download links below to grab the remote app.

Google Play Download Link

Come comment on this article: Google TV Remote app now includes voice search

Earlier today Facebook announced their new “Facebook Home” launcher app that will be available for most Android devices and the HTC First, a new smartphone that will be loaded with Facebook’s new launcher out of the box. If you were not able to watch the live announcement while it was streaming, it is now available for review. In addition to getting more insight from Zuckerberg on Facebook’s reasoning for pursuing this path, the video includes lots of screencasts of the new features and functions of the launcher. Along with Zuckerberg and other Facebookers, Ralph De La Vega, President of AT&T Mobility, and Peter Chou, CEO of HTC, also make appearances to showcase the new HTC First smartphone. If you want to see how the Coverfeed or Chat Heads will work, hit the break to view the whole 40 minute video of the event.

Come comment on this article: Watch the Facebook Home announcement

Fans of online music and radio streaming service iHeartRadio may have noticed an update was available this week. Clear Channel Radio added a couple new features to help keep pace with other popular music service apps. The first of these is a “Perfect For” function that lets users pick a mood or activity and get suggestions from a list of curated stations. iHeartRadio will provide four stations to select from based on choices like “A Traffic Jam” or “Drinking Coffee” or “Chilling Out.”

The second new feature is an alarm function. In its traditional function, the app’s alarm clock works just like a clock radio, enabling users to have their favorite station awaken them from their slumber. The alarm clock is smarter than that though. It can also be programed to turn on when specific shows on certain radio stations start. One use for that function could include turning on the app when a particular call-in contest is running so as not to miss your chance.

If you want to give iHeartRadio a try, use one of the download links below to grab the free app.

Google Play Download Link

Come comment on this article: iHeartRadio update adds “Perfect For” and alarm clock functions

Last month Google CEO Larry Page announced Android founder and team member Andy Rubin was moving on to something new at Google. In his place, Sundar Pichai will be taking over the lead on Android. While all parties have been pretty mum on the subject of what Google was up to, that has not stopped the rumor mill from cranking up and trying to read between the lines. Recently, some folks with Business Insider spent some time speaking with insiders and former Google employees to see if they could piece together a better understanding of the situation.

The first issue addressed was whether Rubin had been transitioned away from the Android team because of his temper and general gruffness. The sources indicate that while it is true that Rubin could sometimes be difficult to interact with, that was not a reason for Page to give him the axe. They point to Nikesh Arora, chief business officer at Google, who supposedly has a similar temperament, but is not going anywhere.

Rather than issues related to interpersonal technique, some think it has more to do with where Rubin saw Android going and how that fit in with Google’s overall strategy. Apparently Page sees Google as a services company, built on products like Search, Maps, Mail, and YouTube. Android is really just a means to get those services into the hands of customers. You may recall back in February when there were suggestions of friction between Samsung and Google driven by comments Rubin had made about Samsung getting too big and becoming a threat to Android. Such a view is not consistent with a company that sees itself as a services provider since they would not necessarily care what platform is used or what it is called. So, it may be the case that Page did not like Rubin stirring the pot and potentially chasing away an “access point” for Google services.

This concept of Android really just being a way to get Google services into the hands of consumers is bolstered by the selection of Pichai. Pichai made a name for himself by convincing computer makers to install the Google Toolbar on their products. This effort involved the establishment of partnerships with many different players in the market and would not have been successful if Pichai had been choosy about who got the Toolbar, since the Toolbar was also a means to an end. If the conjecture is right, Page is hoping Pichai can guide Android in the same way to land on as many devices as possible regardless of the name or who controls the platform.

The last piece that some may be wondering about is Motorola. Why would Google need a device manufacturer in-house if the platform does not really matter? Two possible answers exist. The first is the ever popular patent portfolio that Google can leverage. The second has to do with what Motorola does well – hardware technology development. Apparently Page is not so interested in seeing Motorola, or Google branded, devices as much as he is in seeing smartphones in general continue to improve so the Google services can run better and do more things. Pushing Motorola along in this direction is more important than creating an Apple-like integrated platform.

source: Business Insider

Come comment on this article: Sources speculate as to why Android’s Rubin is starting new chapter

According to reports, Samsung is working on a new generation Galaxy Ace device to succeed the Galaxy Ace 2 released last year. The third generation in the Ace line will have a 4.0-inch display, a 5MP camera, 4GB of internal storage and will run Android Jelly Bean. No information on a processor is available yet, but some are guessing it may carry a 1.2GHz dual-core chip. Samsung is expected to release the new Ace device in four colors – Metallic Black, Metallic Blue, Pure White, and Wine Red – sometime in June. The device’s model number is GT-S7272.

source: SamMobile

Come comment on this article: Samsung working on new generation Galaxy Ace device