Improved YouTube Hitting iOS, Too
Google has begun pushing a new version of YouTube to iOS devices. It carries over the same new features recently added to the Android version, including a new user interface and playlist search.
Google Adds WebRTC to Chrome for Android
Google today made an update available to Chrome for several different platforms, including desktops and Android devices. All devices will see improved omnibox performance, which will be better at remembering browsing history. The update for Android, in particular, adds better scrolling and startup performance, and WebRTC support that will enable video conversation directly in the browser without a plugin. The update will be made available to all Chrome users over the next few days.
NYC Subways Gaining Verizon Coverage
Transit Wireless and Verizon today announced a final agreement to bring Verizon Wireless service to NYC subway stations. Sprint signed a similar deal in July. Transit Wireless already operates a network offering AT&T; and T-Mobile service in 36 stations in mid-town Manhattan and Chelsea. Verizon service should be available at all 36 existing stations later this year. Both Verizon and Sprint will be included in future expansions, such as 40 new stations coming online in early 2014, including Grand Central.
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MHL 3.0 Adds Support for 4K Video
The MHL Consortium today announced the MHL 3.0 specification. The new spec lets mobile devices connect to more hardware and includes more features. The most significant change in the spec is the addition of support for 4K video (up to 2160p at 30 frames per second). The spec also adds support for simultaneous high-speed data, power charging up to 10 watts, Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound, and a wider range of peripherals, such as touch screens, keyboards, and mice. Other features include newer DRM protections, support for multiple displays, and backwards compatibility with older MHL-spec'd equipment. The spec will be available for download in September.
Google Revamps YouTube for Android
Google today made a new version of YouTube available to the Android platform. The revised video app has a new user interface that makes use of cards for controlling and queueing videos. Videos can be dragged around the screen, as well as minimized/maximized. The app lets users browse for other videos while watching and adds the ability to search for specific playlists. Last, the new version of YouTube includes a new preview screen, a new app icon, and better support for landscape mode on tablets. YouTube for Android is free to download from the Google Play Store.
Motorola Will Not Engrave Moto X at Launch
Motorola today indicated that it will not offer custom engraving for the Moto X once Moto Maker launches later this week. Custom engraving is one of the features touted by Motorola as a way to individualize each Moto X. The company said that its test runs did not produce results with which it was happy. It hopes to offer the engraving feature some time in the future.
HTC One mini Hits AT&T; Stores August 23 for $99
AT&T; today announced that it will begin selling the HTC One mini smartphone on August 23. The One mini will cost $99 with a new contract or $21 per month with AT&T; Next.
AT&T;, Sprint, U.S. Cellular to Sell Samsung Galaxy Mega
Samsung today announced that a handful of U.S. network operators will sell the Galaxy Mega 6.3. The Mega, which was announced earlier this year, features a 6.3-inch HD display, 1.7GHz dual-core processor, support for LTE and HSPA+, and 3200mAh battery. It also features an 8-megapixel main camera and a 1.9-megapixel user-facing camera; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, GLONASS, NFC, and MHL; support for microSD cards up to 64GB; and 1.5GB of RAM. It runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with Samsung's TouchWiz software and applications. It will be sold in the U.S. by AT&T;, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular. AT&T; said the Mega 6.3 will be available beginning August 23 for $149.99 with a new contract or for $24 per month with AT&T; Next. Sprint said the Mega 6.3 will be available "later this year," but did not provide pricing. U.S. Cellular has yet to announce pricing and availability.
from Samsung / AT&T; »
Beats Audio Wants to Ditch HTC
Beats Audio is seeking alternative sources of funding in order to buy out its partner HTC. Beats wants to drop HTC, says the Wall Street Journal, because it is interested in pursuing new product lines and the companies no longer see eye to eye on strategy. In 2011, HTC bought half of Beats Audio for $300 million. HTC saw it as a way to add appeal to its devices, while Beats saw it as an opportunity to expand its brand. A year later, however, Beats bought back half of HTC's investment for $150 million, leaving HTC with a 25% stake in the headphone maker. According to the Journal's sources, Beats hopes to find a new investor in the coming weeks. There's no word on whether or not such a change in ownership would affect the presence of Beats Audio software on HTC's devices.
Sprint Adds Kyocera Kona to Entry-Level Roster
Sprint today announced the availability of the Kyocera Kona, an inexpensive flip phone. The Kona includes a 2.4-inch QVGA internal display, a 1.44-inch external display, a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and a standard stereo headphone jack. The Kona includes a large dialpad for placing calls and large fonts for easier viewing. The Kyocera Kona is available online and in Sprint stores today for $0 with a new contract. The Kona is already available from Cricket Wireless and is sold by Boost Mobile as the Coast.
HTC One Lands in Verizon Stores August 22
Verizon Wireless today announced via Twitter that its variant of the HTC One will be available beginning August 22. Verizon is selling the One for $199.99 with a new contract. The One has been available from other major U.S. carriers since April.
AT&T; to Debut the Moto X On August 23
AT&T; today announced that the Motorola Moto X will be available beginning August 23. The black and white versions will be sold online and in stores on the 23rd, while the customized version can be ordered via Moto Maker beginning the 23rd. Moto Maker lets customers design their own Moto X with different colored back plates and accents, as well as add customized greetings, wallpapers, and signatures on the back. AT&T; is charging $199.99 for the 16GB version and $249.99 for the 32GB version. With AT&T; Next, the 16GB model will cost $27 per month and the 32GB model will cost $32 per month.
AT&T; Pushing System Update to HTC 8X
AT&T; is now delivering a minor system update to the HTC 8X. The update, known as Windows Phone GDR2, adds several new features to the 8X. The update improves the performance of Internet Explorer, XBox Music, and Skype on the 8X, as well as adds an FM radio, and Data Sense. The update can be installed over the air.
from AT&T; / Windows Phone Central »
Motorola Intros Skip, Easier Security for the Moto X
Motorola today announced Skip for the Moto X. Skip is an accessory that makes maintaining device security a little easier. Skip is a wearable, thumb-sized clip that pairs with the Moto X and unlocks it with a tap. The device is paired to the Moto X and set up as a "safe device" with the Touchless Control feature of the Moto X. Motorola is pitching the Skip as an alternative to using passcodes or PIN locks to secure the Moto X. The Skip comes with three "dots" (NFC tags) that can be placed in spots such as an office, car, or nightstand for easy unlocking. According to Motorola, only Skips that have been paired with the Moto X will unlock it, and they can be unpaired at any time. The Skip and Skip dots will only be available directly from Motorola.com. Motorola said that they will be included free with Moto X's that are custom designed with Moto Maker, but only for a limited time. Motorola didn't say how much the Skip will cost.
Nokia Details Amber Update for Lumia Phones
Nokia is pushing out a significant system update to its Lumia smartphones. The Amber update, as it is called, adds a number of features to devices such as the Lumia 521, 820, and 928, which are sold by T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. First, the update adds the Nokia Smart Camera application. This app first debuted on the Lumia 925. It includes features such as Best Shot, Motion Focus, and Action Shot for capturing more artistic images. The Amber update also adds the Nokia Pro Camera application to the Lumia 928. The Pro camera app is the same, powerful app found on the Lumia 1020. It offers granular control over most of the camera's features. Other features added with the Amber update include the Nokia Glance Screen, which populates the display with a clock and status indicators when the phone is locked. The Amber update also adds flip-to-silence and double-tap-to-wake, as well as better controls for managing on-board storage. Timing of the Amber update is up to each carrier involved. Neither T-Mobile (Lumia 521, 820) nor Verizon Wireless (Lumia 928) has said when they will offer the Amber update to their customers.
Review: HTC 8XT for Sprint
Sprint's first Windows Phone 8 device to reach the market is the $99 HTC 8XT. This smartphone is a decent entry-point for the Windows Phone fan who needs a device on Sprint's network.
Google Again Finds Fault with Microsoft's YouTube App
Google has once more blocked the Microsoft-developed YouTube application for violating YouTube's terms. "Microsoft has not made the browser upgrades necessary to enable a fully-featured YouTube experience," said Google, "and has instead re-released a YouTube app that violates our Terms of Service. It has been disabled. We value our broad developer community and therefore ask everyone to adhere to the same guidelines." Microsoft said it is working with Google to resolve the issue. Google blocked Microsoft's YouTube app for Windows Phone earlier this year for a similar reasons. Google did not spell out exactly how the new app is violating YouTube's terms.
Yahoo Brings Weather App to Android
Yahoo today announced that its weather application is now available to Android devices. Yahoo overhauled its iOS weather app earlier this year, and is offering the same app to Android users. According to Yahoo, the new app improves the 4-day forecast view to either to 5- or 10-day views, and it offers better weather predictions over each 24-hour period. The app brings with it new animations and graphics for precipitation, wind, pressure, moon phases, and sunrise/sunset times, and culls imagery from Flickr (also owned by Yahoo). The app includes a home screen widget and supports sign-in for additional Yahoo account integration. Yahoo Weather for Android is free to download from the Google Play Store.
