release

89 'release' stories September 2011 - May 2014

LG teases the laser-focus camera, design, and display of the G3 (Video)

Jonathan Kizer May 23 2014 - 7:34 am PT

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGR34U76QiU]

We’ve seen its unofficially official specs. We’ve seen its updated UI. We’ve even known about its announcement date (May 27th) for some time now. And now, LG is teasing its upcoming G3 flagship device with three new videos posted this morning to YouTube. The “Design” video below also gives us the best look yet of the device’s metallic-looking back, as the camera slowly pans around it.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Android 4.4 update brings some sweet new features to the Sony Xperia Z, ZL, ZR, and Tablet Z

Jonathan Kizer May 21 2014 - 7:37 am PT

0 Comments

Sony today released Android 4.4 KitKat for some of its Xperia line of devices, including the Z, ZL, ZR, and Tablet Z. The update is rolling out based on location, as well as by carrier, so it may still be some time before you see the update notification on your particular device.

The release includes the performance optimizations and tweaks found in stock Android 4.4, but also carries various Sony enhancements.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Popular iOS game Monument Valley arrives on Google Play for $3.99

Jonathan Kizer May 14 2014 - 9:37 am PT

0 Comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC1jHHF_Wjo?list=UUadEYJR8MgdLjzmFDuMuzeQ]

Monument Valley, a popular and critically-acclaimed game that was released recently on iOS, is now available for Android devices. The game, available today for $3.99, features beautiful graphics and an interesting storyline.

In Monument Valley you will manipulate impossible architecture and guide a silent princess through a stunningly beautiful world.

Monument Valley is a surreal exploration through fantastical architecture and impossible geometry. Guide the silent princess Ida through mysterious monuments, uncovering hidden paths, unfolding optical illusions and outsmarting the enigmatic Crow People.

While somewhat expensive for an Android game, Monument Valley is well worth the cost. It’s one of the best games I”ve played on a mobile device in the past year. My only complaint is that it’s relatively short — hopefully now that the game is available on both major platforms, the developers can start adding additional levels.

Moto G Cinema leaks on Motorola’s website, possibly arriving May 13?

Jonathan Kizer May 8 2014 - 3:30 pm PT

0 Comments

Motorola’s website has been the source of various leaks in the last few weeks, and today we have another one. Captured in an image after the break by the @evleaks Twitter account, the website leaked only the name — no image or details are available. The device has also so far slipped by under the radar, with basically nothing being known about it.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung’s Swarovski Galaxy S5, Galaxy Gear collection launches today

Jonathan Kizer May 8 2014 - 11:12 am PT

0 Comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTLBCACEX2k]

Samsung’s “Crystal Collection” Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Gear line are available on the company’s online store starting today, though only in Korea. The devices are also available for pre-order for the Chinese market.

The sparkly device will eventually be make its way to Samsung’s UK retail stores in the UK in the coming weeks. If you’re in the United States and hoping to get your hands on this handset, start looking into importing it. Chances are, Samsung will never officially release the device in the North American, as no plans have been shared thus far.

The “Swarovski for Samsung” collaboration comes on the heels of a successful accessory partnership between the two brands during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York this past season. The collection marks the first time in more than 100 years that Swarovski has participated in a collaboration of this scale, where it fully integrates its branding into the collection.

With technology and fashion so deeply intertwined, Samsung is more dedicated than ever to supporting self-expression through technological innovation and meaningful partnerships,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung. “Collaborating with Swarovski on this stunning collection of device accessories reflects our commitment to providing people with user-experiences that express their distinct personalities and taste.

LG says flagship G3 coming within two months (Update: shot of the device leaked?)

Jonathan Kizer Apr 29 2014 - 9:36 am PT

1 Comment

LG has confirmed that the G3 will be made available in the second fiscal quarter of this year. That means that the device will be available within the next two months — much sooner than some were expecting, as the LG G2 launched in September of last year. The launch window was confirmed by LG in its earnings press release. The company expects “higher revenues” in the second quarter due to this flagship launch:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Galaxy S5 “Prime” reportedly coming this June with quad-HD display as model number leaks

Jonathan Kizer Apr 28 2014 - 8:57 am PT

1 Comment

The Galaxy S5 may have just hit store shelves and the hands of users, but it seems as if Samsung is already planning an upgraded version of its flagship device. According to a report from SamMobile (via Phandroid), the Galaxy S5 Prime will launch in June. In addition to the quad-HD (2560×1440) display, the device would also feature higher-end specs than the Galaxy S5:
Expand
Expanding
Close

More LG G3 specs appear, 16 MP camera comes along for the ride

Jonathan Kizer Apr 22 2014 - 6:10 am PT

0 Comments

More specs of LG’s upcoming G3 have leaked from Sprint’s device database (via PhoneArena). While a quad-HD display, 2.3 GHz SnapDragon, and 4.4.2 version of Android are all still in the cards, the profile has been updated to reflect that the device will have a 16 megapixel camera.

Until this, rumors have pointed towards the G3 having a 13 megapixel camera — LG has either upgraded the glass, or the camera will change depending upon the region the device is sold in. Either way, LG’s devices have had excellent cameras for the past year, and the G3 isn’t likely to break that trend.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Twitter announces photo tagging, multiple photo uploads per tweet rolling out to Android users

Mike Beasley Mar 26 2014 - 2:17 pm PT

0 Comments

Twitter has announced a few new features for its Android app today. Users with the latest update to the Twitter for Android app will soon see the ability to select up to four photos at a time to upload when composing a tweet. These photos will be displayed as a collage on the tweet’s detail screen.

Along with the multi-photo support, users are also now able to tag other people in their photos. A new “who’s in these photos?” button allows you to add the username of other people in the picture. Photo tags won’t take up any characters in the body of the tweet, so the full character count will be available for composing a message.

Expand
Expanding
Close

T-Mobile to begin Galaxy S5 pre-orders on March 24 with special introductory pricing

Mike Beasley Mar 20 2014 - 3:49 pm PT

0 Comments

T-Mobile announced today that it will begin offering pre-orders of Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy smartphone on Monday, March 24th. The phone will hit stores on April 11th, and those who pre-order will be guaranteed a phone on that day.

The company is also offering a special introductory price on the S5. For those who pre-order before March 31st, the phone will only cost 24 payments of $27.50. T-Mobile has also dropped the price of the Galaxy Tab 3 by $120 until March 31st as part of the pre-launch savings event.

The complete T-Mobile press release can be found below. Pre-orders for the Galaxy S5 will be available on the carrier’s website next week.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Google launches new G+ auto-backup utility for Mac and Windows with latest Picasa update

Mike Beasley Dec 29 2013 - 10:33 am PT

2 Comments

The latest version of Picasa includes an additional bit of software called Google+ Auto Backup, as reported by Google Operating System. The new software can be used to automatically backup photos and videos from user-selected directories to your Google+ account. Interestingly, the app has nothing to do with the Picasa service, even though it ships exclusively with the Picasa app.

The app can save unlimited 2048px photos to your account, or upload full-quality versions at the expense of Google Drive space. It can also intelligently copy media from storage cards and other devices that are attached to the system. Furthermore, the app can be configured to backup all media to a designated location on the local hard drive, putting all of your backed-up media in one convenient place.

You can get the Google+ Auto Backup app by downloading the latest version of Picasa.

Google officially unveils Android 4.4 KitKat, available on Nexus 4, 7, 10, Galaxy S4 & HTC One GPE in coming weeks

Jordan Kahn Oct 31 2013 - 11:16 am PT

2 Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sONcojECWXs&list=PLWz5rJ2EKKc-2quE-o0enpILZF3nBZg_K&index=1]

Update: Google has released a full list of what’s new in Android 4.4 KitKat. We’re digging in and we’ll bring you more details as we discover them.

Alongside the official release of its new flagship Nexus 5 on Google Play today, Google is also of course officially taking the wraps of 4.4 KitKat, the latest version of Android that will ship on the new Nexus 5. When will you be able to get your hands on the new OS? Google said KitKat 4.4 updates will arrive for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and the Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play Editions in the coming weeks.

Google confirmed that the update will not be coming to the Galaxy Nexus. Since it’s two years old, it now “falls outside of the 18-month update window when Google and others traditionally update devices.”

In the YouTub playlist above, Google walks through some of the new features of KitKat for developers and also highlights a number of user-facing features such as a new “immersive mode” that allows users to automatically hide onscreen controls for a truly full-screen experience. In a blog post, Google took sometime to explain the performance improvements it’s made in KitKat, noting that Android can now “run comfortably on the 512MB of RAM devices”:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Best Buy inventory shows Aug. 29 release date for Verizon’s Moto X

Jordan Kahn Aug 13 2013 - 10:30 am PT

0 Comments

While previous leaks have pointed to an August 23rd release date for the majority of US carriers, the latest leaked shot from Best Buy’s inventory system (via AndroidCentral) shows that you might have to wait a little longer to get your hands on the device. Nothing’s official, but the image above shows the Verizon version of the Moto X will arrive on August 29. Motorola hasn’t confirmed an official launch date other than “late August/early September”, but we know the $199, 4.7-inch device will be landing on all four major US carriers, as well as in Canada and Latin America, by early next month. However, the device’s big new selling point– the Moto X online tool that allows users to choose from over 2000 customization options– will be exclusive to AT&T until sometime later this year.

Chrome for Android updated with password & autofill sync, performance enhancements

Jordan Kahn Apr 3 2013 - 2:06 pm PT

0 Comments

Following releasing the features to Beta channel users, Google announced today that it has started rolling out an update (26.0.1410.58) to all Chrome for Android users. It includes the ability to access saved password and autofill entries.

Users logged into both Chrome on the desktop and Android will now be able to get access to saved autofill entries and passwords when using the Android app:

To try it out, make sure you’re signed in to Chrome on both your desktop and mobile device, and let sync take care of the rest.

Password Sync
Autofill Sync
Fixed issue where blank page would be loaded rather than URL
Performance and stability improvements

The updated Chrome app should be available through Google Play soon, but Google noted it could take a couple of days for the feature to roll out to everybody.

Samsung announces Galaxy S IV with 5-inch inch display, Octa-core processor and late April release

Alex Allegro Mar 14 2013 - 4:19 pm PT

0 Comments

The curtain was just pulled off the Galaxy S IV at Samsung’s Unpacked event in New York City tonight. Confirming the leaks and teasers we’ve seen over the last week, the Galaxy S IV’s design is similar to the Galaxy S III aside from a few minor aesthetic tweaks.

The Galaxy S IV weighs just 130 grams and it’s only 7.9MM thick. In terms of specs, it will come in two colors at launch—Black Mist and White Frost. It’ll also include 4G LTE and HSPA+ 42MB, like the S III. It will also feature a 5-inch inch super AMOLED HD display at 441PPI, and, at launch, it’ll ship with Android 4.2.2 Jellybean and be available in 155 countries on 327 mobile carriers by the end of April.

Other specs include a 2,600mAh battery, as well as a 13MP back camera, 2MP front, an IR blaster, and 8 sensors including a temperature and humidity sensor.

The Galaxy S IV will ship in three available models—16GB, 32GB, and 64GB —each with 2GB of RAM, and it boasts a 1.6GHz Exynos Octa-core chip or a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm depending on the market.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Chrome Stable release will make tabs, browser preferences accessible everywhere

Élyse Betters May 15 2012 - 8:56 am PT

0 Comments

[youtube=http://youtu.be/-WCASaYzUYs]

This morning’s Stable release of Chrome will soon allow access to open tabs across multiple devices in different locations.

The feature has been available in Chrome Beta since early April. It enabled users logged into Chrome to open browser tabs on one device while permitting access to them on separate devices from within the “Other devices” menu on the New Tab page.

“Say you’ve found an awesome recipe on your work computer while… ahem… working hard at the office. But when you get back home, you can’t quite remember if it was two teaspoons of baking soda or two teaspoons of baking powder,” wrote Software Engineers Raz Mathias on the official Google Chrome Blog while detailing the latest feature. “Wouldn’t it be cool if you could pull up the same recipe on your home computer with one click?”

Expand
Expanding
Close

Archos confirms pricing and release dates for Honeycomb G9 tablets

Jordan Kahn Sep 16 2011 - 9:17 am PT

0 Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJfuMETQLqs&feature=player_embedded]

We hadn’t heard much from Archos in the past few months regarding their upcoming Honeycomb-powered slates, until today. Archos just put out a press release confirming release dates and official pricing for their Android G9 tablet lineup, originally unveiled back in June.

The 1024 x 768 resolution, 8-inch Archos 80 will start at $299 with 8GB of storage and a 1GHZ dual-core processor and be available for pre-order starting September 20 from ARCHOS.com. Sometime in October, you’ll be able to bump that up to a 1.5GHz OMAP 4 dual-core and 16GB of storage for $329, or 250GB of hard drive-based storage for $369.

Also coming in October is the 1280 x 800 resolution, 10.1-inch Archos 101 G9 that packs in the same 1.5Ghz processor as the higher-end Archos 80, starting at $399 for 16GB, up to $469 for 250GB of hard drive-based storage. Both models are capable of spitting out 1080p via the built-in HDMI port and support for a $50 standard PC 3G stick provides 3G network connectivity.

From the press release:

Expand
Expanding
Close