Saturday, March 16, 2013

Motorola X not a phone, but a brand to rival the Galaxy lineup

Up until recently, the rumors regarding the Motorola X Phone suggested it was a single device that the Google-acquired smartphone maker was working on. However, the online gossip from a Motorola insider says that Mototola X will be brand, similar to the Samsung Galaxy.

Allegedly, this is going to be the first Motorola lineup on which Google is going to have a direct influence. That's why the first smartphone from the X lineup is set to be announced at this year’s Google I/O and hit the shelves in June.

More interestingly, the handset will be available for purchase through the Google Play Store in addition to the usual carrier and retail stores. Motorola will reportedly guarantee at least one full Android version update after the phone has been purchased and will take care of the update process itself, and not the carrier.

Take the next rumor with a grain of salt, as it sounds really unlikely. According to the insider Motorola will allow customers to customize their X-branded phone prior to purchasing it. They’ll be able to specify how much RAM and internal storage they like. Motorola is said to guarantee the custom devices to be delivered in a week.

Additionally, users can opt in to have their bootloader unlocked and SIM configured for use on any carrier. The rumor goes as far as to suggest Motorola will allow you to preload custom wallpapers, ringtones, apps and contacts before the device arrives at your doorstep, much like the HTC Get Started program.

Finally, since the device is said to land in the Play Store, it’s going to be highly subsidized by Google, matching the base Nexus 4’s price of $299. Google I/O 2013 starts May 15, so we’ll have to wait and see for ourselves what Google and Motorola have got in store.

Source | Via


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_x_not_a_phone_but_a_brand_to_rival_the_galaxy_lineup-news-5715.php

Samsung Galaxy S4 US price revealed, 16GB model to cost $579

At the official Galaxy S4 announcement in New York on Thursday, Samsung Mobile chief JK Shin mentioned the phone will hit store shelves at the end of April, but didn't say anything about the pricing.

Well, the beans have been sort of unintentionally spilled by the company’s website in the terms and conditions of an ongoing giveaway. There, each of the 48 Galaxy S4 phones that are up for grabs has been listed with an “approximate retail value” of $579.

However, the price is most probably before taxes, which are added at the point of sale. Still, the 16GB Samsung Galaxy S4 would be cheaper than the Apple iPhone 5, which currently retails for $649 SIM-free.

The official pricing of the S4 hasn’t been confirmed by Samsung yet so don't take it for granted, but $579 isn’t too far off what the Galaxy S3 cost last year when it was officially launched so.

Source | Via


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_us_priced_revealed_16gb_model_to_cost_579-news-5714.php

Google to enter digital newspaper business with Google Play News?

Google to enter digital newspaper business with Google Play News?
Google unearthed its Magazines section last year.

Google looks like its planning to launch a digital newspaper store for Android devices through the Google Play Store.

A Google Play News service has been discovered within the JavaScript of the web-based iteration of the shop.

The find by the Android Police site suggests that users will soon be able to access digital newspapers through "Issues" and "Subscriptions" bought through the Play Store.

It's likely that upon launch, the News section will sit alongside Apps, Games, Books, Magazines, Music and Movies as content categories within Android app store.

Google Reader replacement?

Some of the wording unearthed within the JavaScript hints at Google Play News being a replacement, of sorts, for the Google Reeder RSS service, which was controversially axed during the week.

However, it's probably more likely to take a similar form of Apple's Newsstand app, which sells and delivers digital newspaper issues and subscriptions to users. The language gleaned from the complex code includes:

  • To read Google Play News, you must have a supported Android phone or tablet.
  • Please sign in to get this News edition.
  • Please sign in to purchase this News Issue.
  • Please sign in to purchase this News Edition Subscription.
  • Subscribing you to this news edition...
  • You have subscribed to this news edition. It is now available on your device.

Perhaps we'll see this rolled new feature out at Google I/O on May 15, where the company usually unearths its new Android additions.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/google-to-enter-digital-newspaper-business-with-google-play-news-1138179

THX sues Apple over iPhone, iPad and iMac speaker technology

THX sues Apple over iPhone, iPad and iMac speaker technology
THX wants compensation or royalties from Apple

Apple has been accused of stealing patented speaker technology from THX for its line of iOS devices and iMac computers.

The audio company, founded by Star Wars mastermind George Lucas, has filed suit in California claiming Apple has infringed upon a patent granted to THX in 2008.

The patent in question is called "narrow profile speaker configurations and systems" and relates to how speaker units can be connected to flatscreen televisions and desktop computers to boost output.

THX is seeking compensation or royalties from Apple, in its filing to the San Jose federal court, saying the infringement has caused "monetary damage and irreparable harm."

Resemblance

Examining the patent and the suit, AppleInsider commented that speaker configurations within iOS devices did resemble those outlined in the THX patent, but were more obvious within iMac computers.

"Looking at the patent claims, there appears to be some correlation with the configurations used in Apple's products," the report claimed.

"Perhaps most compelling is the latest iMac's speakers, which features an extremely thin profile with channeled acoustics exiting down-facing apertures that are more narrow than the speaker faces hidden within the machine. It is unknown if the speaker housings actually employ '483 patent's designs, though the structure looks to be similar to those described."

Neither Apple, nor THX have commented further on the matter, while Apple has until May 14 to reach a settlement before court proceedings commence in June.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/thx-sues-apple-over-iphone-ipad-and-imac-speaker-technology-1138162