Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,578
Likes: 322
From: Orange County, CA
That's grabbing the market. Market penetration.
Google is at the point where they can afford projects that don't gain them any profit. But indirectly it can profit.
Google is at the point where they can afford projects that don't gain them any profit. But indirectly it can profit.
Last edited by mdkxtreme; Apr 6, 2013 at 05:48 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
For the people who like taking Photospheres and viewing/sharing them:
http://sphereshare.net/#!/gallery
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ub.sphereshare
I put some up on my G+ on our trip to the Getty Center yesterday. They came out okay considering I was rushing to take them not to annoy people who were there. Lol.
http://sphereshare.net/#!/gallery
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ub.sphereshare
I put some up on my G+ on our trip to the Getty Center yesterday. They came out okay considering I was rushing to take them not to annoy people who were there. Lol.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
Yea I have that app, takes forever to load pics though haha, but its cool nonetheless.
edit: also does anyone want to check the ingress map again, which one is the underdog near usc?
edit: also does anyone want to check the ingress map again, which one is the underdog near usc?
Last edited by speedemon90; Apr 8, 2013 at 04:49 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Overall, Enlightened and Resistance are equal in Mind Units at the moment. In the USC area, a quick glance seems to show more Resistance than Enlightened at the moment.
They're planning to have some kind of event at the Magic Castle on April 24:
https://plus.google.com/105211554081...ts/HFFhuPBnwF7
Wonder how that's gonna work out.
They're planning to have some kind of event at the Magic Castle on April 24:
https://plus.google.com/105211554081...ts/HFFhuPBnwF7
Wonder how that's gonna work out.
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,086
Likes: 3,701
From: Vancouver BC
^^^
yeah, here in Vancouver, the first month or so when I started playing was dominated mainly by the Resistance (the side I picked), but it's pretty even now... and changes daily actually. One day, it might look like the entire DT area is covered in green, and then the next day is shifts to blue
yeah, here in Vancouver, the first month or so when I started playing was dominated mainly by the Resistance (the side I picked), but it's pretty even now... and changes daily actually. One day, it might look like the entire DT area is covered in green, and then the next day is shifts to blue
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
Man, I knew the Internets were filled with some crazy hateful people, but I never knew just how insane they were until today... what a scary world of anonymity.
Not related, Mike did you see this?
:p
Not related, Mike did you see this?
:p
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
^Yeah I saw that. I'm on AT&T but Sony is bringing that device way too late now. The HTC One and S4 are already coming out and the Z hasn't even been officially announced here. At this point, I'm not even sure why Sony is bringing it out to the US any more. Also, a lot of reviews say the display is lackluster, which would be the main reason I'd upgrade my phone so I've scratched the Z off my list for the time being unless it magically becomes cheaper than the other devices out there.
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,086
Likes: 3,701
From: Vancouver BC
Went to the movies Saturday night and there was a HTC kiosk displaying the ONE (with a couple hotties working the promotion 
) but my gf and I wanted to make sure we got good seats so I asked them how long they were going to be there, they told me pretty much all night, but when the movie ended, they were gone. But for the few seconds I held the demo, it felt very well built
) but my gf and I wanted to make sure we got good seats so I asked them how long they were going to be there, they told me pretty much all night, but when the movie ended, they were gone. But for the few seconds I held the demo, it felt very well built
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
But what do you think the avg consumer will think about it. It definitely looks better than the SGS4 aesthetically and I'm sure is of higher quality.
Now IMO just because its not stock android doesnt mean its a deal breaker for the average consumer, shouldnt even be for us as long as they nailed the experience properly. I still havent read a review haha, I'll go do that right now.
Now IMO just because its not stock android doesnt mean its a deal breaker for the average consumer, shouldnt even be for us as long as they nailed the experience properly. I still havent read a review haha, I'll go do that right now.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Samsung is on top now because they spent lots of money in advertising their phone no matter how plasticky it is. HTC doesn't have the money to even match that advertising campaign and unfortunately that may really be all that makes the difference. I've talked to quite a few people who are looking to upgrade phones and the first thing that pops up in the conversation is the new S4. Mention the HTC One to them and they've never heard of it even though it launched a few weeks before the S4. Once they saw the build of the One, they wanted it. So really the problem for HTC is having people know its even available before worrying about anything else. Samsung floods the market with their ads and hate it or love it, they're the new "cool" at the moment despite making plastic phones.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
The new Play Store redesign is rolling out today!
http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/...ogle-play.html
I hope Android Police gets a hold of the APK so we don't have to wait it out.
http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/...ogle-play.html
I hope Android Police gets a hold of the APK so we don't have to wait it out.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
New 4.0 Play Store APK:http://www.droid-life.com/2013/04/09...-store-4-0-25/
No root needed. Install like any other APK!
EDIT: The new Play Store is pretty damn sexy! Makes Jelly Bean look old and outdated now. Lol. I hope Key Lime Pie brings a lot of these new designs.
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; Apr 9, 2013 at 11:36 AM.
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
Samsung is on top now because they spent lots of money in advertising their phone no matter how plasticky it is. HTC doesn't have the money to even match that advertising campaign and unfortunately that may really be all that makes the difference. I've talked to quite a few people who are looking to upgrade phones and the first thing that pops up in the conversation is the new S4. Mention the HTC One to them and they've never heard of it even though it launched a few weeks before the S4. Once they saw the build of the One, they wanted it. So really the problem for HTC is having people know its even available before worrying about anything else. Samsung floods the market with their ads and hate it or love it, they're the new "cool" at the moment despite making plastic phones.I heard someone say, "I'm waiting for the new Galaxy" the other day and something died in me.
and a word of caution about installing the leaked APK for the new Google Play:
https://plus.google.com/115963387846...ts/5wv5YDWgVWu
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/09/a...exas-official/
Only took 3 months for Google to get what they want: competition towards a better future for everybody.......or something like that.
Huzzah!
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
True. I know HTC is having pop up stations to educate and promote people of the One in select cities, but they really have to ad blitz the heck out of everyone. Not to mention Samsung will now be in most Best Buys.... 14,000 stores sure seems like overkill but damn if it isn't effective.
I heard someone say, "I'm waiting for the new Galaxy" the other day and something died in me.
and a word of caution about installing the leaked APK for the new Google Play:
https://plus.google.com/115963387846...ts/5wv5YDWgVWu
I heard someone say, "I'm waiting for the new Galaxy" the other day and something died in me.
and a word of caution about installing the leaked APK for the new Google Play:
https://plus.google.com/115963387846...ts/5wv5YDWgVWu
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
True. I know HTC is having pop up stations to educate and promote people of the One in select cities, but they really have to ad blitz the heck out of everyone. Not to mention Samsung will now be in most Best Buys.... 14,000 stores sure seems like overkill but damn if it isn't effective.
I heard someone say, "I'm waiting for the new Galaxy" the other day and something died in me.
I heard someone say, "I'm waiting for the new Galaxy" the other day and something died in me.
and a word of caution about installing the leaked APK for the new Google Play:
https://plus.google.com/115963387846...ts/5wv5YDWgVWu
https://plus.google.com/115963387846...ts/5wv5YDWgVWu
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
AT&T Samsung Skyrocket and T-Mobile S II Jelly Bean update.
One of the things to commend Samsung with is their updates. The AT&T Skyrocket and T-Mobile S II are getting Jelly Bean udpates starting today via Kies:
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/Su...5&fm_seq=51638
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-3029
This update will not be OTA! You have to get it via Kies. I'm guessing the Sprint and Verizon versions will be coming soon. The original Note will probably follow in the next few weeks.
HTC needs to step up its update process. They used to be amongst the best, now they're one of the worst which is one of the things making me do a double take on the HTC One. Just need CyanogenMod and I'll be good.
Also, dev version of HTC One will NOT have S-Off. AT&T version will have a locked bootloader and no official unlock method has been announced. Hopefully, the dev version will be useful in both regards.
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/Su...5&fm_seq=51638
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-3029
This update will not be OTA! You have to get it via Kies. I'm guessing the Sprint and Verizon versions will be coming soon. The original Note will probably follow in the next few weeks.
HTC needs to step up its update process. They used to be amongst the best, now they're one of the worst which is one of the things making me do a double take on the HTC One. Just need CyanogenMod and I'll be good.
Also, dev version of HTC One will NOT have S-Off. AT&T version will have a locked bootloader and no official unlock method has been announced. Hopefully, the dev version will be useful in both regards.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
google babel info, I wonder how well the messaging thing on multiple devices will work. I use fb with friends, used to use G+ messenger but fb allows use on comp so we switched our group to that. Probably switch back to this as I wont be on fb anymore and keep getting people messaging me at random times
Whenever Google Babel does arrive for public consumption, we’re starting to believe it will be everything we have ever asked for in a unified messenger service. We’re talking synced notifications, cross-platform conversation experiences, a new UI, photo sharing, quick access to live video chats, and on-the-record chat history viewing from anywhere. According to sources of ours who have shared new information with us (including a feature list), we’re getting all of this and more.
Google Babel as a product is a collaboration of work by the Google+, Android, Chrome and Apps teams. Through their combined efforts, as was previously reported by us, we’ll see this unified service launch in Gmail and as Android, iOS, and Chrome apps. What’s particularly interesting, is that Google is talking about the iOS app as being the first time they have built a “first class iOS experience” when it comes to a messaging service. I can’t say that I’m familiar with their current iOS offerings, so I’ll leave the iOS experts to weigh in on the quality of Talk (if there even is an app) and G+ Messenger.
We’ve also learned that Google Voice support is “eventually” coming to Babel, however, the service initially only brings together Talk, Hangouts, and Messenger. This was an inclusion we were hoping to see from the beginning, but won’t, from what we understand. No specific details on how Voice will blend into Babel were given, just that it’s coming later on down the road.
Continuing on – there will be notification syncing across devices and platforms. For example, if you have a browser open on a desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone that are all attached to Babel and receive a message, once you check that message on any of the devices, the notification will disappear from the others. As someone who operates a half-dozen devices at any time throughout a day, I can’t tell you how important this feature is. It may be the most important.
We’ll also see a brand new UI that promotes conversations and is applied across all versions of Babel. You’ll be able to send photos, use 800+ emoji (not an exaggeration), look back at any on-the-recrod conversation from any device, group chat, and of course, carry all conversations with you to and from any device.
Here is a feature list according to a Google memo (colorful commentary is theirs, not ours):
Brand new UI. We’ve designed a new UI that’s applied across all clients and promotes conversations.
Stay in sync. With just one conversation list and experience across mobile and desktop, everything is always in sync. Install the Chrome app, the Android app, and iOS app.
Desktop app. Stop laying whack a mole across blinking browser tabs. With the new Chrome app your conversations continue outside of the browser.
Keep a group conversation going to coordinate with your team, and start a Hangout with a single tap whenever you need to talk face-to-face.
Be notified…just once. Get notifications on your two phones, tablet, laptop, and desktop. Open it on one and watch the others disappear. If you’re actively using your computer or phone we’ll even intelligently notify you on just one of those endpoints. Magic!
Message more than just text. Add a photo to the conversation and/or send some of the 800+ emoji to your coworkers. Kittens and poop are particularly helpful in explaining complex issues.
Get nostalgic. Scroll back in time and relive any (on-the-record) conversation, on any device.
More ways to talk. For the first time we are building a first class iOS experience. Try out our very early preview on your iPhone or iPod Touch.
I will say that the screenshots posted yesterday by TechRadar appear to me to be the real deal. From what I have seen, the emoji box does slide up from the bottom, though I’ve also seen the box with a black background. Conversations will look the same – threaded with profile pictures of the participants.
Still no word on a release date.
Google Babel as a product is a collaboration of work by the Google+, Android, Chrome and Apps teams. Through their combined efforts, as was previously reported by us, we’ll see this unified service launch in Gmail and as Android, iOS, and Chrome apps. What’s particularly interesting, is that Google is talking about the iOS app as being the first time they have built a “first class iOS experience” when it comes to a messaging service. I can’t say that I’m familiar with their current iOS offerings, so I’ll leave the iOS experts to weigh in on the quality of Talk (if there even is an app) and G+ Messenger.
We’ve also learned that Google Voice support is “eventually” coming to Babel, however, the service initially only brings together Talk, Hangouts, and Messenger. This was an inclusion we were hoping to see from the beginning, but won’t, from what we understand. No specific details on how Voice will blend into Babel were given, just that it’s coming later on down the road.
Continuing on – there will be notification syncing across devices and platforms. For example, if you have a browser open on a desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone that are all attached to Babel and receive a message, once you check that message on any of the devices, the notification will disappear from the others. As someone who operates a half-dozen devices at any time throughout a day, I can’t tell you how important this feature is. It may be the most important.
We’ll also see a brand new UI that promotes conversations and is applied across all versions of Babel. You’ll be able to send photos, use 800+ emoji (not an exaggeration), look back at any on-the-recrod conversation from any device, group chat, and of course, carry all conversations with you to and from any device.
Here is a feature list according to a Google memo (colorful commentary is theirs, not ours):
Brand new UI. We’ve designed a new UI that’s applied across all clients and promotes conversations.
Stay in sync. With just one conversation list and experience across mobile and desktop, everything is always in sync. Install the Chrome app, the Android app, and iOS app.
Desktop app. Stop laying whack a mole across blinking browser tabs. With the new Chrome app your conversations continue outside of the browser.
Keep a group conversation going to coordinate with your team, and start a Hangout with a single tap whenever you need to talk face-to-face.
Be notified…just once. Get notifications on your two phones, tablet, laptop, and desktop. Open it on one and watch the others disappear. If you’re actively using your computer or phone we’ll even intelligently notify you on just one of those endpoints. Magic!
Message more than just text. Add a photo to the conversation and/or send some of the 800+ emoji to your coworkers. Kittens and poop are particularly helpful in explaining complex issues.
Get nostalgic. Scroll back in time and relive any (on-the-record) conversation, on any device.
More ways to talk. For the first time we are building a first class iOS experience. Try out our very early preview on your iPhone or iPod Touch.
I will say that the screenshots posted yesterday by TechRadar appear to me to be the real deal. From what I have seen, the emoji box does slide up from the bottom, though I’ve also seen the box with a black background. Conversations will look the same – threaded with profile pictures of the participants.
Still no word on a release date.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
^I wish they'd integrate SMS as well on top of GTalk, Hangouts, Messenger and Voice. Although, maybe it will be integrated. Messenger apparently already works with SMS as I wasn't aware of it.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/11436237...ts/RSLaBV1rKm4
Would be nice if they integrate Hangouts into the dialer as well kinda like how FaceTime works but maybe Apple wouldn't like that. Lol.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/11436237...ts/RSLaBV1rKm4
Would be nice if they integrate Hangouts into the dialer as well kinda like how FaceTime works but maybe Apple wouldn't like that. Lol.
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
google babel info, I wonder how well the messaging thing on multiple devices will work. I use fb with friends, used to use G+ messenger but fb allows use on comp so we switched our group to that. Probably switch back to this as I wont be on fb anymore and keep getting people messaging me at random times
And I think SMS integration into Babel will come when they integrate Google Voice with it. They need to get MMS working on Voice first before starting all that though. Although with everyone forcing unlimited voice and texting on their phone plans now, the cost saving perk is pointless
HOLY facepalm HTC! I just realized that the HTC First aka Facebook phone will come out the week BEFORE the HTC One. WTF?!
I guarantee more people will go into the stores asking for the Facebook phone than the One, if they even know about it.
Last edited by TSXy Luster; Apr 10, 2013 at 12:24 AM.
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,086
Likes: 3,701
From: Vancouver BC
...so, after picking up the N4 back in Feb, I still kept the GNex... I think I'm just going to sell it on CL. Anyway, I was curious and wanted to do some side by side comparisons, and the GNex is actually about the same speed, at times faster when uploading pages.
for me, one of the true tests is loading one of my own photos from Flickr in the largest size res. and the GNex actually loads faster than the N4
this would be a typical page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6327158...n/photostream/
for me, one of the true tests is loading one of my own photos from Flickr in the largest size res. and the GNex actually loads faster than the N4
this would be a typical page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6327158...n/photostream/
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
...so, after picking up the N4 back in Feb, I still kept the GNex... I think I'm just going to sell it on CL. Anyway, I was curious and wanted to do some side by side comparisons, and the GNex is actually about the same speed, at times faster when uploading pages.
for me, one of the true tests is loading one of my own photos from Flickr in the largest size res. and the GNex actually loads faster than the N4
this would be a typical page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6327158...n/photostream/
for me, one of the true tests is loading one of my own photos from Flickr in the largest size res. and the GNex actually loads faster than the N4
this would be a typical page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6327158...n/photostream/
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,086
Likes: 3,701
From: Vancouver BC
I mean... it's very close with random pages (like AZ, or FB) but when I get to that test of loading that page of the large size res. of that Camaro, that's when the GNex finishes loading a LOT faster 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
^The Galaxy Nexus is still a pretty a good phone. On my end, the RAM seems to be my bottleneck. I have too many apps running in the background now that I'll see a redraw more often than I would like. Compared to my Nexus 7, which is also 1 GB of RAM but has a little bit more usable RAM because it doesn't have a radio and it doesn't share RAM with the GPU, so the redraws are less frequent. If the devs can somehow squeeze that little bit of RAM I think I'd be good for a while. (Similar to how they did it with the Galaxy S by removing 720p recording from the camera.)
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,086
Likes: 3,701
From: Vancouver BC
Anyway, whatever... I just wanted to point that out. IMO, for people getting into smartphones late, used Galaxy Nexus' are probably one of the best bangs of the $$.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
True, my guess is that the Gnex possibly has a better wifi radio than the N4
I just realized, did you guys ever end up having that meet. Realized I completely forgot although I've just been swamped. School ends May 2nd for me though
I just realized, did you guys ever end up having that meet. Realized I completely forgot although I've just been swamped. School ends May 2nd for me though
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,086
Likes: 3,701
From: Vancouver BC
The next morning tried getting a temp passport at the US Consultant and almost pulled it off. The process took about 3 hours and by the time they issued me the temp passport I had missed my bus to Seattle by about 15 minutes (I was flying home from Seattle SeaTac). So I ended postponing the trip until June
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
I ended up not coming home. Long story short, the night before I was suppose to come back I couldn't freaking find my passport The next morning tried getting a temp passport at the US Consultant and almost pulled it off. The process took about 3 hours and by the time they issued me the temp passport I had missed my bus to Seattle by about 15 minutes (I was flying home from Seattle SeaTac). So I ended postponing the trip until June
The next morning tried getting a temp passport at the US Consultant and almost pulled it off. The process took about 3 hours and by the time they issued me the temp passport I had missed my bus to Seattle by about 15 minutes (I was flying home from Seattle SeaTac). So I ended postponing the trip until June
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
So Samsung is releasing their Galaxy Mega line now. (Ridiculous name btw.):
http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/11/s...-mega-6-3-5-8/
6.3" and a 5.8" midrange devices. Someone on Twitter posted that Samsung devices now cover the following sizes:
I see they can still fill in the 8.1-9.9 range. They're really trying to cover every size or something and they say HTC makes too many devices. Lol.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/11/s...-mega-6-3-5-8/
6.3" and a 5.8" midrange devices. Someone on Twitter posted that Samsung devices now cover the following sizes:
2.8
3.14
3.2
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.65
3.7
3.97
4
4.2
4.27
4.3
4.5
4.52
4.65
4.8
5
5.3
5.5
5.8
6.3
7
7.7
8
10
10.1
3.14
3.2
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.65
3.7
3.97
4
4.2
4.27
4.3
4.5
4.52
4.65
4.8
5
5.3
5.5
5.8
6.3
7
7.7
8
10
10.1
Карты убийцы
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 8,264
Likes: 125
From: Cochabamba, Bolivia
HELP... please???
Got the new computer and downloaded Kies. Plugged it into to G2 Skyrocket and said new firmware is availiable (never said this crap on the old system). So what the heck. I update and go from ICS to JellyBean. So I'm high fiving for a few seconds, then I realize none of my email accounts work or the widget or app or whatever that will put contacts picks on the screen has been scaled to 1, 3, or 9. The pics are small too.
1) Does anyone know the app from ICS so I can restory that screen, and
2) Does JB treat email accounts differently? Should I delete them all out and reinstall them?
Thanks
Got the new computer and downloaded Kies. Plugged it into to G2 Skyrocket and said new firmware is availiable (never said this crap on the old system). So what the heck. I update and go from ICS to JellyBean. So I'm high fiving for a few seconds, then I realize none of my email accounts work or the widget or app or whatever that will put contacts picks on the screen has been scaled to 1, 3, or 9. The pics are small too.
1) Does anyone know the app from ICS so I can restory that screen, and
2) Does JB treat email accounts differently? Should I delete them all out and reinstall them?
Thanks