At Dive Into Mobile today, Executive Chairman of Google, Eric Schmidt, confirmed that the company is now seeing 1.5 million Android activations per day, which is up from 1.3 million per day last fall and a slight jump to 1.4 million as of last month. They’re baby steps to the big 2 million, but still are precursors to the already giant Android marketshare.
With April slipping further and further away, it comes to our attention that the Galaxy S 4 is rapidly approaching. That is, at least on AT&T, where the GS4 will be available in White Frost or Black Mist colors. More importantly, it will ship by April 30th and has an off-contract price tag of $639 ($199 w/ two-year agreement) for the 16GB model. Add two-day shipping and you’d see your GS4 no later than May 3rd. Sounds good.
Via: AT&T
Google isn’t holding off when it to Glass, and why should they? That’s why the Mirror API has been released: it’s basically an online resource of comprehensive documentation, complete with example code for developers who want to add apps to the Glass interface. The only weird thing going on here is that the application programming interface is still in a limited developer preview, but still, that won’t stop devoted devs.
Oh, and what is a Glass service called? Google says you should call them “Glassware”. Not bad, actually.
In a quick email to Google Glass developers and Explorer program members, the first Google Glass units are being rolled out in batches and shipped out, within a few weeks. As Google put it in an email to upcoming receivers of Glass, “we’re seeing the first few devices come off the production line right now.”
It’s good news on the Glass front, but still just a small factor in a sea of consumers who want the device available, publicly.
It’s everything that the higher-end F.R.E.Q. 7 is, except it opts for 5.1 surround sound instead of the newer 7.1 surround sound technology. Same build, feel, microphone, equalizer settings, and design, just $50 less expensive than the $200 F.R.E.Q. 7. For pro gamers, the F.R.E.Q. 5 is an excellent headset for those of you looking for great sound quality, with a solid microphone to record commentary. Similarly to the F.R.E.Q. 7, the FREQ 5 is a GameSmart headset — basically, you get a USB cable and a 3.5mm audio jack cable for your computer and phone, respectively.
This way, it remains a universal device, however when used on a smartphone, your power output is takes a slight penalty, so the best sound only comes from a computer. But don’t worry, you’re still being exposed to massive 50mm audio drivers that will blast the living daylights out of you — if you’re not careful.
So, besides being offered to only celebrities and select top-tier Twitter users, the #Music page remains mostly a mystery. However, thanks to some curious minds, we now know that it’s a webpage that integrates with YouTube, Vevo, Spotify, Rdio, iTunes, and SoundCloud; all for the sake of social media and music.
It also turns out that a webpage element called ”.iconmusic-player-btn-buy,” purportedly points out that users will be able to buy songs, while others suggest music charts, artist biographies, and stats. As for a public usage announcement? Expect to hear more in about a week.
Apple has agreed to a settlement of $53 million for water damaged iPhone and iPod Touches, reports Wired. It is pertaining to a tape produced by 3M, which turns pink or red if the device has been exposed to water, in which case Apple would refuse you warranty service.
Turns out, 3M states this can happen simply through humidity, so users of the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, or a first-, second or third-generation iPod Touch who were denied service could be given a payout of nearly $200.
The only course of action needed now is for a judge to approve of the settlement and for Apple to honor it.
Via: Wired
Samsung now has two phones that are larger than the 5.5″ Galaxy Note II: the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3, both bound or release in Europe in May. The Galaxy Mega 6.3 has a 6.3-inch 720p display, LTE connectivity, 8GB or 16GB of storage, and a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, while the 5.8-inch model has a qHD display, HSPA connectivity, 8GB of storage, and a 1.4GHz dual-core processor.
Both have IR blasters for controlling televisions, an 8-megapixel camera, 1.5GB of RAM, a microSD slot, and are running the latest version of Android, 4.2 Jelly Bean with the latest Touchwiz interface; Samsung of which included Air View and Pop-Up Play.
Since these are low to mid-range specs, we shouldn’t exactly expect them to be the replacement(s) of the Note II in the United States, so they’re simply new devices, and that settles that.
It’s just as expected: Google’s Glass Explorer Edition for developers who pre-ordered the gadget will begin to see shipments of it ”within the next month.” It falls in the right timeframe: Google I/O occurs from May 15th to 17th, will include focus on Google Glass, which during or afterwards developers would gain access to, followed by the contestants from the “If I Had Glass” campaign, followed by press and consumers, later this year.
Via: TC, Official Google Blog
People all over the world will see it in the next few weeks, but what matters most is that the new Google Play has a clean, fresh look. So clean in fact, that Google has booted several thousand spam apps, just so that the image is functionally curated and efficient.
Since the Google Play app auto-updates, the only thing you have to do is wait and see when it happens; it’s a mix of magic and waiting, basically.
Have you ever experienced a 3D TV like you get at the cinema? Lightweight glasses, cool effects and a great picture experience? LG 3D televisions bring it right into your home.