Android Tablet Update

New rumors surface on Nexus Experience HTC One

Dustin Earley — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:50:57 +0000

Despite being denied by executives after rumors originally surfaced, the stock, Nexus Experience HTC One “Google Edition” is making headlines again today, after the source who originally leaked information on the Samsung Galaxy S4 with stock Android is saying a “Senseless” One is on the way.

Russell Holly of Geek.com is reporting that sources tell him the launch of a Senseless HTC One, complete with stock Android, is “imminent.” Apparently, the chatter that has been getting louder surrounding the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S4 running stock Android was the final push needed to get HTC on board with the idea. HTC’s Senior Global Online Communications Manager, Jeff Gordon, reached out to Android and Me to say that, “HTC is not currently planning a ‘Nexus Edition’ of the HTC One,” shortly after the original rumor on the such a device was started on Twitter, but things can change.

According to Holly, the stock HTC One could be announced as soon as the next two weeks. The device could see a summer release, right around the time production of the One is scheduled to double, and an update to Android 4.2.2 is delivered to the original handset.

As for how this device would be sold and updated, that’s still a mystery. One of the big selling points of the Nexus Experience Galaxy S4 is that it will be sold unlocked through Google Play, and updated directly by Google. We’ll be keep our ears to ground for more information.

In the meantime, which would you pick: a stock Galaxy S4, or a stock HTC One? Let us know in the comments.

Raining.fm: I paid two dollars to listen to the rain, and I don’t regret it one bit

Dustin Earley — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:16:01 +0000

There are few things in this life I find more relaxing than a thunderstorm. There’s nothing quite like the rhythmic pounding of rain on your roof accompanied by the low rumble of thunder in the distance. Unfortunately, I have yet to master the art of summoning the weather at my leisure, so when I’m craving the soothing sounds of rain, the new Raining.fm app is the next best thing.

Raining.fm is a website that exists for one purpose: to serve you with the sound of rain. It’s incredibly simple, and works incredibly well. The website is clad in neon-pastel colors, and easy to understand buttons. You can adjust the amount of thunder and lightning sounds, use a built-in break or sleep timer to automatically regulate the rain and use the image button to enable background scrolling, or pause on an image you like.

Released just this week on Android (and iOS), the Raining.fm app is a perfect translation of the website into app form. The same colors, backgrounds, options, features and icons are used, keeping things simple and consistent across platforms. While it may have a bit of an iOS look to it, with buttons across the bottom, the way it functions (with vertically-sliding panels) works well, and fits in nicely on Android.

Raining.fm for Android is $1.99, but it’s well worth it. My favorite part about the app is that it plays in the background, and with other audio tracks. Paired with Google Play’s new All Access Music, Raining.fm is a relaxation machine. Just last night, I was lulled to sleep by the sound Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata over a gentle storm (more rain, less thunder and lightning). I can’t think of a better way to end a hot, muggy spring day.

If you aren’t sold on the app, visit the website and let the rain wash over you. You can come back and use the download widget below when you’re done.

View in Google Play

Gallery

Top 10 Android games released this week: Blip Blup, Fast & Furious 6, Combo Crew

Taylor Wimberly — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:23:53 +0000

Welcome back to Android Gaming Weekly, our weekly recap to focus on new releases. We still plan to cover upcoming releases and games we’re playing, but this column is dedicated to new games you can install and start playing right now. Check out our top picks and let us know if you have any suggestions for next week in the comments below.

Blip Blup

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Description: BLIP BLUP is an addictive conundrum of coloration that will consume your thoughts and occupy your dreams. You must carefully consider each move in order to fill every tile with color – 120+ perplexing puzzles await your brainpower! Adapt your thinking to overcome 9 different packs of challenges. Compete with your friends to see who can three-star every level and climb the leaderboards to become the BLIP master.

View in Google Play

Tetris Blitz

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Description: Race against the clock in a two-minute blitz to clear lines and rack up as many points as possible before time runs out! With all-new features, stunning visuals, and innovative controls, this twist on the world-famous puzzle game is a must-have on your Android phone or tablet.

View in Google Play

Combo Crew

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Description: In a world where a fist to the face is a perfectly viable solution, Mr. Boss has it all. Now he wants to break the greatest fighters ever! Trapped in his giant tower, you must fight your way to the top to take him down! Inspired by classics like Streets of Rage, Final Fight, and Street Fighter, Combo Crew is pure rumble with no virtual buttons to mess up your moves.

View in Google Play

Fast & Furious 6

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Description: Step into the world of Fast & Furious 6. Earn cash and the respect of the “Fastest” drivers as you drift and drag through the London street scene. Join the Fast & Furious crew as they prepare to take on a series of jobs in an all new heist mode. Fast & Furious 6: The Game takes the mobile racing genre to greater heights with stunning graphics, new game modes, addictive challenges and intense full-throttle missions that dare you to exceed all limits.

View in Google Play

Arma Tactics THD

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Description: Arma Tactics is a turn-based close-combat strategy game, where the player takes control of a four-member Special Forces team. There are no given strategies, rails to move on, or paths to follow; it‘s up to the player to decide how he will play through both the story-driven missions and generated missions with randomized objectives. Whether using stealth or a more direct approach, players will need to use their strategic thinking and use both basic and advanced weaponry while facing many different opponents – ranging from unorganized local militia to smart and skilled mercenaries.

View in Google Play

Eyelord

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Description: The overloading, eye-popping, heavy rocking pop ‘em up! It’s ear-splitting loud, retina-burning bright, and finger-breaking frantic. The soundtrack is outrageous heavy rock opera recorded just for this game, and the power-ups are some of the most megalithic ever! Our lightning strikes THREE TIMES! (Take that, you wimpy, wussy, regular lightning bolts!) There is also boost gear that makes you rock even harder, and power-up upgrades to take destruction up to eleven.

View in Google Play

Race Illegal

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Description: Finally the true street racing experience has arrived on your phone. Starting your career as a rookie; you need to earn respect out there before you can challenge the best, work your way through an intense and engaging storyline to prove yourself top dog. With 20 tracks to race, 9 cars to choose from and a whole host of customisations there’s plenty here for the petrol-head to tinker with. Real driving physics, insane drifts and nitrous boosts and some of the most visually stunning locations to drive around, Race Illegal has it all.

View in Google Play

Men’s Room Mayhem

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Description: Take toilet gaming to a whole new level with this frantic line drawing game! Warning: contains punch in the face gameplay and some serious swiping action! In Men’s Room Mayhem you’re hired as the janitor of your very own chaotic men’s room. You’re responsible for directing patrons, keeping everywhere sparkling clean and steering patrons away from trouble!

View in Google Play

Jump Out!

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Description: They are captured within 4 walls! Their only hope is the cap they are holding onto, as if trying to catch a straw in a hurricane! Surrounded by cunning traps, they look ahead and see… the exit. These bugs have nothing to fear; they always look dangers in the face and keep on crying Jump Out!

View in Google Play

Diner Dash

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Description: Play the world’s #1 hit time management game for FREE on your Android! Love it? Upgrade within the game for more levels of fun! Help spunky Flo grow her signature diner from a greasy spoon to a five-star restaurant. Delight eager customers by seating, serving, and clearing tables quickly to earn big tips. Soothe impatient guests before they get angry and skip out on the bill. Seat and serve your way to the top of the restaurant ladder in this worldwide hit game!

View in Google Play

Finding Teddy

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Description:

A little girl was sleeping peacefully with her Teddy bear, when suddenly, a monster popped out from her cupboard then stole her favorite plush. When closing the door, the little girl awoke then got inside the cupboard. She’s projected in a magical world, full of monsters and oddities where she has to discover the place and help their beings and find back her Teddy. Still one question remain : will she be able to go back to the real world ?

View in Google Play

Pocket Rally

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Description: Pocket Rally is an attempt to combine the best of both old school rally racing games and smart device experiences. Stunning visual graphics, realistic yet fun to drive car physics, all in the palm of your hand. Take the rally racing anytime, anywhere with you! Carefully tuned car physics to be both realistic and fun. Multiple ground surface properties including tarmac, gravel and grass. Each car has unique driving characteristics, and will evolve through the winning of races.

View in Google Play

COMING SOON

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HTC One sales reach 5 million as Samsung Galaxy S4 clears the 10 million threshold

Nick Gray — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:47:09 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, an unnamed HTC executive has revealed that the company has sold roughly 5 million units of the HTC One since the device went on sale in late March. At this time, orders for the HTC One still exceed HTC’s production capacity, but that issue is expected to be resolved by the end of May.

Orders are pretty good so far and are still more than what we can supply. This is partly due to the shortage of components. When the issue is resolved next month, we will have a better idea if it's doing really well or not,Unnamed ExecutiveHTC

Shipping 5 million HTC Ones may sound impressive, but we expect Samsung is unimpressed. The Korean manufacturer has announced that they have already shipped 10 million Galaxy S4s, breaking the 50 day record it took Samsung to ship the same number of Galaxy SIIIs. To celebrate this grand achievement Samsung will be launching the S4 in four new colors later this summer (Blue Arctic, Red Aurora, Purple Mirage and Brown Autumn).

It’s obvious that HTC and Samsung are in different leagues, but we are left wondering where sales of the HTC One would be right now if HTC hadn’t run into component issues which forced a staggered global release cycle. We expect sales of the HTC One to pick up as we move into the summer, but it would be nearly impossible for HTC to gain the momentum that Samsung currently has.

Show Press Release

Samsung GALAXY S4 Hits 10 Million Milestone in First Month
(SEOUL–Korea Newswire) May 23, 2013 — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that global channel sales of its GALAXY S4, a life companion for a richer, fuller, simpler life, has surpassed 10 million units sold in less than one month after its commercial debut. Launched globally on April 27, the phone is estimated to be selling at a rate of four units per second.

The GALAXY S4 sets a new record for Samsung, generating sales quicker than any of its predecessors. Sales of the GALAXY S III reached the 10-million mark 50 days after its launch in 2012, while the GALAXY S II took five months and the GALAXY S seven months to reach the same milestone.

“On behalf of Samsung, I would like to thank the millions of customers around the world who have chosen the Samsung GALAXY S4. At Samsung we’ll continue to pursue innovation inspired by and for people,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of the IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics.

The GALAXY S4 was developed to enhance the meaningful moments in our lives through its innovative features and superior hardware. It has the world’s first Full HD Super AMOLED display that showcases images at their very best on a 5-inch screen with 441ppi. Equipped with a powerful rear 13MP camera, the GALAXY S4 also boasts a Dual Camera function that allows simultaneous use of both front and rear cameras. The GALAXY S4′s new and innovative software features include Air View and Air Gesture for effortless tasks, while it also keeps users up-to-date with information about their health and wellbeing using S Health.

Samsung GALAXY S4 is available in more than 110 countries and will gradually be rolled out to a total of 155 countries in cooperation with 327 partners.

Samsung is planning to introduce more color variations to meet various consumer tastes and preferences. In addition to the currently available White Mist and Black Forest, new color iterations will be added this summer, including Blue Arctic and Red Aurora, followed by Purple Mirage and Brown Autumn.

Internal turmoil spells bad news for a struggling HTC

Dustin Earley — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:42:05 +0000

Insider reports and public displays of displeasure from recently departed employees are pointing towards a growing rumor that HTC is coming apart at the seams. According to The Verge, all is not well at HTC. Peppered between supply issues, underwhelming sales of the One. a disastrous launch of the First and stiff competition from Samsung, employees are flocking en masse to greener pastures; or so they would have you believe.

Recent departures from the Taiwanese manufacturer include HTC’s Chief Product Officer, Kouji Kodera, vice president of global communications, Jason Gordon, global retail marketing manager, Rebecca Rowland, director of digital marketing, John Starkweathe, and product strategy manager, Eric Lin.

A source speaking with The Verge has said that, “Anyone who’s heard of them in Seattle doesn’t want to go work for them right now. They’re like T-Mobile two years ago. … They’re in utter freefall.” After leaving HTC, Eric Lin echoed words from The Verge’s source, taking to Twitter to say, “To all my friends still at HTC- just quit. Leave now. It’s tough to do, but you’ll be so much happier, I swear.”

With HTC’s future on the line with the One, this couldn’t come at a worse time. By all accounts, the HTC One is an absolutely great device. It certainly trumps the Samsung Galaxy S4 in terms of sheer build quality, but Samsung’s momentum seems to be unstoppable right now. Anyone with an appreciation for competition and options in Android today is undoubtedly rooting for HTC to pull through this — regardless of whether or not you buy their products.

Chrome, Google Drive and Play Magazines all receive updates

Dustin Earley — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:51:10 +0000

Google is continuing its recent streak of updating core apps and services on Android today, rolling out updates to Chrome, Google Drive and Google Play Magazines.

Following major updates to Talk (Hangouts), Google Play Music and Google Plus over the last week, a new batch of Android apps, including Chrome, Google Drive and Play Magazines, are getting the revamp treatment today. Major highlights include a card style UI for both Drive and Play Magazines, a full screen mode for Google Chrome, and bug fixes all around.

The breakdown of exactly what each update contains is as follows:

Chrome

Fullscreen on phones – Scroll to hide the toolbar
Simplified search – View and refine your query directly in the omnibox
Tab history on tablets – Long press the browser’s back button to view your tab history
Several stability improvements

Google Drive

New grid view makes it easier to find your files
New quick preview lets you view photos and other files from within the app
Scan documents, receipts and letters for safe keeping in Drive; then search by contents once uploaded
Download a copy of files to your local device (Honeycomb+)
Spreadsheet editor now supports changing fonts, colors and cell alignment
View properties of files from within the editors
Bug fixes and visual improvements

Google Play Magazines

Completely redone magazines library UI
Bug fixes

We’ve already discussed how Google used I/O to show off how their core services and apps are now separated from Android, allowing them to update your Android experience without updating the OS itself. Today’s round of updates further enforces this. Including these latest updates, Google has been able to update messaging, cloud storage, social networking, music and web browsing, all without updating Android itself.

To grab the updated versions of Chrome, Drive and Play Magazines, hit up Google Play on your device now.

Fresh Meat: 10 new Android apps worth checking out

Taylor Wimberly — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:03:38 +0000

New apps need lovin’ too, right? Every day there are thousands of new entries on the Google Play store, but many go unnoticed and never receive the attention they deserve. We have shown in the past that this community can discover great apps and launch them to new heights. So, we’re bringing back our weekly column Fresh Meat that highlights new apps with less than 100k installs. Browse our new Android app picks below and let us know which ones you enjoy.

Textra

Pitch: Let’s face it the stock Android Messaging app really sucks! So time for something new, something pretty damn special, right? It’s here! It’s called Textra; a feature rich complete SMS and MMS replacement app. Textra is a seriously beautiful way to text.

Textra SMS FreeDelicious Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Whisper

Pitch: Whisper is an anonymous social network that lets you share confessions, express yourself and meet new people. With Whisper you can connect with other people who think & feel the same way you do about things. Whisper is a great place to meet people, whether you’re looking for new friends, searching for your soulmate, or just someone to laugh with!

whisper FreeWhisperText LLC PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Listen & Speak

Pitch: Speak the foreign language like a native with “Listen & Speak”. It uses an advanced learning technique where short language patterns are read, understood, and pronounced in sequence. The application then analyzes your pronunciation, telling you how well you have done. You can also directly compare your recording to the reference version. By going through the set of such patterns you quickly built up the necessary skills and become proficient in speaking freely the language of your choice.

Listen & Speak Free9Spikes.com PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

EasilyDo

Pitch: EasilyDo gets you the right information and gets things done. It tells you when to leave to arrive on time, monitors for important emails and friends’ news, warns you of bad weather, tracks packages, files receipts, and even helps you celebrate birthdays. Information automatically appears when you need it – no more digging through multiple apps!

EasilyDo Smart Assistant FreeEasilyDo Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

TasteFilter

Pitch: What if you could navigate the vast musical universe by swiping your fingertip across a screen? To get started, all you have to do is enter an artist or music genre. Then Taste Filter springs into action, delving into a database that includes thousands of musicians and millions of songs to instantly suggest similar music that you may enjoy.

TasteFilter FreeTaste Filter PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

ParkMe

Pitch: Park your car smarter and faster with ParkMe, the world’s largest and most accurate database of parking info. View informative maps of parking lots and garages in your area. Check parking rates, see prices laid out on the map and compare costs. See real-time info on exactly how many spots are open in a particular garage or lot.

ParkMe FreeParkMe PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Fraction Plus

Pitch: I’m Fraction Calculator Plus and I’m the best and easiest way to deal with everyday fraction problems. Whether you’re checking homework, preparing recipes, or working on craft or even construction projects, I can help.

Fraction Calculator Plus Free FreeDigitalchemy, LLC PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Clueful

Pitch: Clueful for Android is a free product that shows you how installed apps use, and possibly abuse, your personal information and treat your privacy. You’d be surprised how many things an app can learn about you. Without you ever knowing it. Clueful is like your own personal “Privacy Consultant” giving you detailed info as to what your installed apps are doing in the background without your knowledge.

Clueful FreeBitdefender PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

CellMaps

Pitch: With CellMaps Mobile Coverage, you can quickly map network coverage by operator and technology on your Android device. This application does not use crowd-sourced data or your device’s current signal strength for displaying cellular information; it provides a view of each operator’s marketed coverage area and the ability to check and compare networks in the premium version.

CellMaps Mobile Coverage FreeMosaik Solutions PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Soundhalo

Pitch: Soundhalo is an evolutionary new platform that allows music lovers to buy, share and own artist endorsed live video and audio recordings as it happens. Fans can now purchase and download the actual performance as it unfolds, whether they are at the gig or on the other side of the globe.

Soundhalo FreeSoundhalo PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Jennifer Lopez and Verizon announce Viva Móvil

Taylor Wimberly — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:08:04 +0000

Today at CTIA in Las Vegas, Jennifer Lopez and Verizon Wireless announced Viva Movil, a retail brand that will offer Verizon’s services and cater to the Latino market. Jennifer Lopez is the Co-founder and majority stakeholder, and she will also play the role of Chief Creative Officer.

Viva Movil will offer the same devices and plans as Verizon, but they will have premium retail stores that are better designed to serve the Latino customers. This includes employees that speak Spanish, kid-friendly areas in all of their stores for parents who shop with their children, and a unique social shopping experience through its Facebook page. Viva Movil will also offer exclusive accessories designed by Jennifer Lopez.

The first Viva Movil store will open June 15th in New York City. Additional retail stores will be coming soon to Los Angeles, Miami, and other locations.

Verizon fans were hoping to hear about the rumored launch of the HTC One, so this news is a little disappointing. If you are an Android fan who happens to be Latino, let us know what you think of today’s announcement in the comments below.

Watch on YouTube

Tune in live to Verizon’s CTIA 2013 press event

Taylor Wimberly — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:43:51 +0000

The CTIA show is almost irrelevant to Android fans, but Verizon Wireless has a press event scheduled for today, and there is some mystery around what will be announced. One of our sources said we could hear about a new no-contract offering, but others are saying there might be something HTC related or even details about VoLTE (Voice Over LTE). Tune in at 1 PM ET to see what happens.

AT&T to enable video chat over cellular connection on all applications by year end

Nick Gray — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:59:22 +0000

While Google Hangouts has a few flaws, there are countless things it does right. Besides group messaging, video calling is probably one of the most compelling features of Google’s new messaging app. We’ve taken video calls out for a spin a few times and it’s worked flawlessly in nearly every situation. The only time the service did not work was when we tried a video call with a friend who owns an iPhone on AT&T. We could take a jab at Apple, but the issue lies with AT&T’s policies regarding video calling on its 3G and 4G network.

As of now, Apple, Samsung and Blackberry are the only companies which have approved pre-installed applications which can operate on AT&T’s Mobile Share or Tiered plans. But things are about to change. Starting in mid-June, those same applications will also be able to make video calls on unlimited LTE plans with all pre-loaded video chat apps gaining access to AT&T’s network by the end of this year.

It’s nice to see AT&T change its stance on video calling, but we’re sure you’d agree that they’re a little late to the game.

Show Press Release

For video chat apps that come pre-loaded on devices, we currently give all OS and device makers the ability for those apps to work over cellular for our customers who are on Mobile Share or Tiered plans. Apple, Samsung and Blackberry have chosen to enable this for their pre-loaded video chat apps. And by mid-June, we’ll have enabled those apps over cellular for our unlimited plan customers who have LTE devices from those three manufacturers.

Throughout the second half of this year, we plan to enable pre-loaded video chat apps over cellular for all our customers, regardless of data plan or device; that work is expected to be complete by yearend.

Today, all of our customers can use any mobile video chat app that they download from the Internet, such as Skype.