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Flickr gives all users 1 terabyte to store their photos, Android app redesigned

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:45:37 -0400

Photo-hosting and sharing service Flickr today unveiled a brand new design that lets users store and share full resolution photos. Storing large, high-quality photos can quickly eat up the 1 to 5 GB of data typically offered by free photo-sharing services, but Flickr has raised the bar to supply a terabyte of storage.
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AT&T will enable video calling apps like Hangouts to work over cellular by the end of the year

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:50:54 -0400

AT&T doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to "blocking" video calling apps, and the discovery last week that Hangouts requires a Wi-Fi connection on AT&T's network didn't help matters. The carrier today issued a statement explaining the lack of support, and promised to fix it.
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Google Voice coming soon to Hangouts, says Google

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:59:36 -0400

Despite initial disappointment that Google Voice was not included in the announcement of Hangouts, Google's unified messaging and video calling application, Google today confirmed that phone calls will be added soon.
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Android will always struggle with fragmentation, but Google may have a partial solution

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:27:52 -0400

The Android f-word, fragmentation, has been a thorn in Google's side since the introduction of Android 2.0 left a generation of devices unable to receive the latest software. Google has yet to solve the problem, but the company says it is taking steps to minimize it.
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Google+ Android adds photo enhancements announced at Google I/O, Snapseed, and more

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:01:19 -0400

During last week's Google I/O keynote, Google SVP Vic Gundotra highlighted a number of new photo enhancements made for the Google+ web app. Those features are now available for Android devices, along with new options for locations and related streams.
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Google might let Android users reject specific permission requests from apps

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:31:20 -0400

Android currently has an all-or-nothing approach to permission requests for user data, but Google is open to the idea of letting users maintain more privacy by picking and choosing which requests they will allow.
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Sprint acquires the company that built Tweetcaster and BaconReader

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:14:31 -0400

Sprint today announced that it has purchased Handmark and its subsidiary OneLouder, the company that manages Twitter client Tweetcaster and Reddit app BaconReader. Sprint purchased the companies as a way to improve its advertising and publishing business. Both Handmark and OneLouder will continue to operate under their existing brands and retain its staff, so the company will keep building and maintaining its mobile apps for Android and Apple iOS.
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Jolla shows The Other Half and announces the world's first Sailfish OS smartphone

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:06:31 -0400

After months of showing off its Meego-inspired operating system that also supports Android apps, Jolla today announced the first Sailfish OS smartphone set to go on sale later this year.
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Samsung accidentally confirms Galaxy S 4 Active and S 4 Mini

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:08:43 -0400

Samsung is rumored to be developing several smartphones that use the Galaxy S 4 as a foundation to make adjustments and appeal to a wider audience. Earlier today, the company may have unintentionally confirmed the existence of two such devices.
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Yahoo buys Tumblr for $1.1 billion, promises not to screw it up

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:53:09 -0400

Tumblr, the popular blogging platform and haven of animated GIFs, has been purchased by Yahoo! for $1.1 billion. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer today announced the deal in a newly-created Tumblr blog and outlined how the companies will work together.
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White Google Nexus 4 hands-on photos and videos

Andrew Kameka — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:48:03 -0400

Many expressed disappointment that Google failed to unveil a new Nexus smartphone at Google I/O, but a white Nexus 4 has appeared at the show. Here's a collection of photos and one video showcasing the new white Nexus.
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LG Optimus G Pro Review (AT&T) - Big, blue, and blazingly fast

Andrew Kameka — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:10:37 -0400

Smartphones routinely have 5-inch screens and larger bodies, and the LG Optimus G Pro is a grand device that makes quite an impression. Is this yet another trailing device, or has LG managed to make this new phone for AT&T standout for more than its size?
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Samsung Galaxy S 4 to reach 10 million sales next week

Andrew Kameka — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:35:43 -0400

No one would be surprised to hear that Samsung, the world's largest smartphone producer, expects its flagship product to see a strong wave of early sales. However, few would have expected to see so many sales so soon.
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HTC One demand will be met now that HTC is doubling production

Andrew Kameka — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:22:51 -0400

At a crucial time when HTC faces stiff competition and less-than-optimal production levels, the Taiwanese manufacturer appears to have found a way to rapidly increase the number of smartphones its able to build and sell.
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No new Nexus - why Google was right not to unveil new Android firmware and smartphones at Google IO 2013

Andrew Kameka — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:36:33 -0400

Google was smart to not show off a new Nexus. It was even smarter not to show off a new version of Android, despite the disappointment and complaints from attendees and viewers of the Google I/O Day 1 keynote.
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Hangouts will support SMS integration in future update, says Google employee

Andrew Kameka — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:46:36 -0400

Many expressed disappointment yesterday when Google announced a new messaging client supporting instant messaging and video calling but not SMS. That feature will arrive in a future update according to Google+ Community Manager Dori Storbeck. When asked if Hangouts would support SMS integration, Storbeck confirmed that it will introduce "the most requested feature" later. There's no timetable for the unveiling, but Hangouts will eventually become the unified messaging client that Android and iOS users hoped to see completed in time for Google I/O.
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Apple App Store reaches 50 billion downloads

Andrew Kameka — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:34:08 -0400

One day after Google announced that its Google Play, n�e Android Market, had reached 48 billion downloads, Apple announced that its App Store has reached 50 billion downloads.
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Pebble enables 2-way communication and sheds light on new color shipping soon

Andrew Kameka — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:18:27 -0400

The Pebble smart watch got a little smarter today with the announcement that developers can now take access of new tools that allow the watch to control more areas of smartphones and handle notifications for more activities.
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Windows Phone overtakes BlackBerry as Android and iOS look back in the distance

Andrew Kameka — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:16:07 -0400

Windows Phone and BlackBerry will not challenge the leading platforms of Android and Apple iOS for a long time, but the two operating systems jockeying for third place have switched positions as Windows Phone has moved ahead of BlackBerry in shipments, according to market research firm IDC.
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Google Play Music All Access hands-on: I just canceled my Spotify subscription

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:54:54 -0400

Android's music options grew today with the introduction of Google Play Music All Access. Users can play songs from Google music library, add their personal collection, create smart playlists, and discover new music. Here's our first impression.
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YouTube Windows Phone app under threat as Google demands Microsoft remove app for policy violations

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:23:37 -0400

Google has sent Microsoft a cease and desist letter demanding that Microsoft remove the YouTube app from the Windows Phone Store because of the app makes multiple violations of YouTube's rules.
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Google Maps adds new vector graphics, tablet views, real-time traffic data, and improved search

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:38:40 -0400

Say hello to a new Google Maps application for Android and iOS that switches to a refreshed graphics package with a wealth of search options for discovery and directions. Here's the new Google Maps for tablets and smartphones coming soon.
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Google Now and Knowledge graph introducing "the end of search as we know it" with updates

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:21:24 -0400

At its Google I/O conference, Google's Search team took the stage to showcase how web and mobile devices will soon enhance the way that Google anticipates data, responds to search, and interacts with users.
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Google Hangouts unifies messaging and video call notifications for Android, iOS, and web

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:48:21 -0400

Google today announced that it will end the "fragmented" grid of messaging services and allow users to focus on communication. The new Hangouts app simplifies connections and the way that notifications are handled in its instant messaging and video calling app.
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Samsung Galaxy S 4 with standard Android 4.2 coming to AT&T and T-Mobile

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:07:47 -0400

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is one of the best selling smartphones, but it's not for everyone. Google today announced that it will soon begin selling its own version of the Galaxy S 4, only its edition will run standard Android 4.2 software.
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Google Play Music All-Access launches as a Spotify and Pandora competitor for streaming music service

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:54:11 -0400

Google Music delivers on-demand music streaming to Android and the web, and now Google is launching Play Music All Access to introduce a music streaming service that is more akin to Spotify and Rdio - constantly and automatically adding new music.
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Android tablet-specific apps will be featured more often in Google Play

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:45:54 -0400

Android has been criticized for not having enough tablet-specific apps, something never said about its top competitor in Apple's iOS and iPads. In a series of upgrades to the Google Play web store, Google will add new highlights for tablet apps. There are already recommended sections for tablets, but Google Play executive Chris Yerga announced today that the Play store will soon make adjustments to highlight more apps built for tablets or have screens properly designed to scale to larger devices. The updates will roll out in coming weeks.
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Google introduces new GPS features that are faster and use less battery

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:34:28 -0400

In an effort to fight the drain GPS-based location services can have on battery life and smartphone resources, Google today announced three new location service APIs for Android that are meant to optimize the way that location data is used in apps.
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Google introduces Cloud Save and Google Play Games to sync app data between devices

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:28:19 -0400

Want to know how to save app data or game progress on Android? Don't worry, Google's working on it. At its Google I/O conference, Google unveiled a Google Play Games service that will link app data to a Google account to synchronize between devices.
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Android activations reach 900 million, double in single year

Andrew Kameka — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:12:47 -0400

At its Google I/O developer conference, Google announced that more than 900 million Android smartphones and tablets have been activated since 2008, and it aims to add millions more.
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Pinterest for Android and IOS adds notifications, mentions, and new search

Andrew Kameka — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:38:55 -0400

Pinterest has updated its apps for Android and iOS to add a handful of new features previously unavailable on mobile devices. Mobile users can now receive push notifications when someone comments on a pin or mentions them. Pinterest also added the ability to mention someone with the "@" sign and an auto-fill tool, and an enhanced search menu that shows history and auto-suggestions. Download Pinterest for Android or iOS
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Watch ABC enables live video streaming of ABC network for iOS, Android version launching this summer

Andrew Kameka — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:09:25 -0400

ABC has planted its flag as the first major U.S. broadcaster to enable live streaming of its network in a dedicated app with the new Watch ABC app for Apple iPhones and iPads. Availability is limited, however.
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BBM Android and iPhone apps launching this summer

Andrew Kameka — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:01:53 -0400

A BBM Android app and a BBM iPhone app, long rumored but long absent, are definitely in the works. BlackBerry today confirmed that it will bring BlackBerry Messenger - the app that supports live instant messaging, voice calls, and video chat - to Android and Apple iOS later this year.
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Meet the BlackBerry Q5, the first midrange BlackBerry 10 device

Andrew Kameka — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:36:33 -0400

The BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 are the standard-bearers for the BlackBerry 10 operating system, but both devices have prices that may exclude some of BlackBerry's most popular markets. The priced-to-sell BlackBerry Q5 will fix that problem.
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Nokia Smart Camera: the new camera modes heading to all Windows Phone 8 Lumia phones now seen in new videos and photos

Andrew Kameka — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:52:49 -0400

>Nokia today announced the Lumia 925 and a Smart Camera that features enhancements heading to all Windows Phone 8 Lumia smartphones. Videos of the new shooting modes and some Lumia 925 samples are now available.
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Nokia Lumia 925 looks like the best Windows Phone yet

Andrew Kameka — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:23:09 -0400

Windows Phone 8 has played host to some top-notch smartphones like the Nokia Lumia 920 and Windows Phone 8X by HTC, but the new Nokia Lumia 925, which has a revamped PureView camera and a touch of metal, looks like it will soon become the best Windows Phone yet.
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Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4 launches May 23

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:43:37 -0400

And Verizon makes four. The Samsung Galaxy S 4 has debuted for AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, and the Android 4.2 device will finally make its way to Verizon Wireless beginning May 23. Samsung had originally anticipated shipping the phone May 30, but the company confirmed today that Verizon will sell the Galaxy S 4 for $199.99 on a two-year agreement beginning next week. Be sure to read our Galaxy S 4 review to learn more about the phone and read our Galaxy S 4 page for continued coverage of the device.
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As Astrid app nears shutdown, Any.DO launches import tool

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:00:07 -0400

Android and iOS to-do app Astrid will cease operation following Yahoo's purchase of the company. Later this summer, Astrid users will no longer be able to add and save their task list across the web and mobile devices, but their data won't necessarily be lost. Any.DO - an alternative to-do list app that also supports apps for Android, iOS, Chrome - today announced an import tool that allows Astrid users to transfer data to Any.DO. Astrid users can download Any.DO and click the import button to initiate the transfer and have tasks, notes, and more transferred.Download Any.DO for iPhone / Android
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Google merges Gmail, Drive, and Google+ Photos storage to 15 GB data

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:46:45 -0400

Google has instituted a new change that will unify storage limits faced by users of Gmail, Google Drive, and Google+ Photos. Until today, users have had 10 GB maximum storage for Gmail and 5 GB of combined storage for Drive and G+ photos. Those two allotments will be merged into one 15 GB cap that will enable more flexibility in storage options. Someone who uses only 7 GB of Gmail can now apply the previously unused 3 GB to increase data on Drive and Google+, or the inverse can be true. With Google+ providing the option to store entire photo collections, this should be welcome news to many Google users.
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Sony Xperia ZR is an Android phone and an underwater camera

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:02:59 -0400

Sony today announced another variant of its Xperia Z lineup of smartphones. The latest Android smartphone has features similar to its predecessors, but it increases the durability factor and reaches a new threshold for water resistance.
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Samsung tests 5G network tech that will be 100x faster than 4G

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:17:42 -0400

Millions of mobile phone users in the U.S. and U.K. eagerly await their carriers deploying 4G LTE service, but Samsung is already hard at work developing the next generation technology that will make the fast 4G speeds enjoyed today seem like the old days of dial-up internet.
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Google head of Android says there's no need to merge with Chrome...yet

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:41:30 -0400

Google executive Sundar Pichai, the man tasked with overseeing both Android and Chrome, says there's no need for the two operating systems to converge into one platform in the short term. However, that may not be the case in the future.
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Zact introduces on-the-fly adjustable talk, text, and data plans to become the most flexible carrier you've seen

Andrew Kameka — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:03:39 -0400

What's the best carrier to sign a contract with or pay for prepaid service? Zact, a new carrier eschews both and encourages customers to not sign a contract and adjust their plans so they pay for their activity rather than a predetermined expectation of services.
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AT&T isn't crazy, but media companies subsidizing data costs is still a terrible idea

Andrew Kameka — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:19:50 -0400

AT&T CTO John Donovan once suggested that companies like Netflix or Spotify might pay the carrier to subsidize the data charges consumers accrue using those services. While it seemed greedy at first, ESPN may prove Donovan to be more of a savvy businessman than a fool.
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Nokia Lumia 928 launches May 16 on Verizon for $99

Andrew Kameka — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:33:40 -0400

Nokia and Verizon Wireless will finally pair up to deliver a high-end Windows Phone 8 smartphone instead of attracting midrange buyers. Nokia today confirmed that the Nokia Lumia 928 will go on sale at Verizon beginning May 16.
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Airlines ask passengers to turn off smartphones, but many forget or put the phone in Airplane Mode instead

Andrew Kameka — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:19:45 -0400

In the latest edition of "Duh!" survey results, the Consumer Electronics Association has revealed that despite requests by airlines to turn off personal electronic devices before takeoff, nearly a third of people say they forget to comply. The study also finds that 21 percent willfully leave their device running.
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Samsung's Galaxy S 4 Zoom powerful cameraphone appears on Bluetooth registry

Andrew Kameka — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:45:23 -0400

Samsung is expected to announce a version of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 that strives to be more like the Galaxy Camera. The supposed Galaxy S 4 Zoom, which will have a 16-megapixel lens with 10x zoom, appears to have hit Bluetooth SIG.
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Amazon developing smartphone with "hologram" style glasses-free 3D display

Andrew Kameka — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:09:18 -0400

Amazon's long-rumored smartphone plans to complement its Kindle Fire tablets are still underway, and according to the Wall Street Journal, those plans include a smartphone that supports 3D imagery that doesn't require glasses.
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T-Mobile Nokia Lumia 521 launches May 22 for $29.99 down

Andrew Kameka — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:23:39 -0400

T-Mobile has announced when its retail stores and website will begin selling the Nokia Lumia 521. The previously announced Windows Phone 8-powered Lumia 521 will be sold at Microsoft stores for $149 and Walmart for $129.88 beginning May 11. It will not hit T-Mobile's official channels until May 22 when the phone goes on sale for $29.99 down and $5 for 24 months when purchased on an installment plan. The Lumia 521 features a 4-inch display, a 1 GHz dual-core processor, and 5-megapixel camera.
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AT&T-owned Aio Wireless launches prepaid service, iPhone 5 and other smartphones supported

Andrew Kameka — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:37:56 -0400

Aio Wireless, a prepaid carrier offering unlimited talk and text plans with different data packages, today launched its new 4G service. In addition to offering the Apple iPhone 5 with its prepaid options, the AT&T-owned company will also carry smartphones from Samsung, Nokia, and ZTE.
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