Thursday, June 6, 2013
Snapchat 5.0 for iOS brings a swipe-based interface, in-app profiles
Snapchat is reportedly one of the biggest media sharing services outside of Facebook, so it's only fitting that the service's iOS app just got an equally big update. The 5.0 revamp switches to a cleaner, swipe-driven control scheme that leaves more room for all those short-lived pictures. It's likewise possible to peek at profiles within the app, reply through a double-tap and send images to address book contacts. We don't know if the new Snapchat will be enough to make Facebook worry about its sharing supremacy -- again, that is -- but it's likely worth hitting the source link for the update.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
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Source: App Store
Engadget UK Giveaway: win a Nexus 4 courtesy of Mobile Fun
Didn't win the HTC One from last week's UK giveaway? No problem, we're back with another. This time all thanks go to our friends at Mobile Fun, who've handed over a brand-spanking new Nexus 4 for us to pass on (possibly) to you. Sound like something you could be interested in? Well, if you're a UK resident, and meet the requirements in the fine print after the break, make sure you're in it to... well, you know the rest.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
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Source: Mobile Fun
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8- and 10.1-inch versions to launch worldwide early June
In addition to the Galaxy Tab 3 with a 7-inch display we've known about for a while, Samsung's announced the slate will come in 8- and 10.1-inch varieties, too -- something rumors and FCC filings have long suggested. The 8-inch model has a TFT display sporting a 1,280 x 800 (WXGA) resolution (189 ppi), a 5-megapixel rear camera and 1.3-megapixel front-facing shooter. It's got vaguely respectable internals: a 1.5GHz dual-core processor (no word on the manufacturer), 1.5GB of RAM and 16 or 32GB storage configurations. A microSD slot is present, supporting up to 64GB cards, and a 4,450mAh battery provides the necessary juice. Android 4.2 is OS of choice -- no surprise there -- and when it arrives, you'll have the choice of WiFi-only (dual-band, a/b/g/n), 3G (HSPA+) and LTE variants.
The 10.1-inch version stretches that same WXGA resolution across its display (149 ppi), and carries a smaller 3-megapixel rear camera and the same 1.3-megapixel front-facer. According to Reuters, the 1.6GHz dual-core CPU in this larger slate is provided by Intel, confirming a previous rumor. Unfortunately, it's saddled with only one gig of RAM, and the storage options are the same as the 8-inch model, with a microSD slot also supporting up to 64GB cards. Also running Android 4.2, the 10.1-inch Tab 3 packs a 6,800mAh battery, and comes in WiFi-only, 3G and LTE variants. Both tablets will be available worldwide at the "beginning of June."
Filed under: Tablets, Samsung, Google
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Source: Samsung, Reuters
Eye-Fi's Mobi SD card sends images straight to a phone or tablet
When Eye-Fi first launched its wireless SD cards back in 2006, most of us weren't carrying smartphones, much less tablets. At the time, the idea was to send your photos straight from your camera to your PC, where you could run slideshows or upload them to the cloud (if you were already into that sort of thing). Lately, though, Eye-Fi has been forced to rethink its product: the company just announced the Mobi, a $50 Class 10 card that sends images directly to your mobile device, bypassing the computer altogether. Designed for people already used to storing pics on phones and tablets, it works with a free iOS / Android app that acts as an image viewer. To set it up, you enter a 10-digit activation code included in the packaging, which you can use with as many gadgets as you like. After that, the card will continuously send photos and video to your device. And because the Mobi is a hotspot unto itself, your gear doesn't all need to be on the same network, or even in range of a router.
The Mobi is available today, priced at $50 for 8GB and $80 for 16GB. For those of you who expect to do some heavy-duty editing, you can still buy Eye-Fi's existing X2 cards, which send images to PCs, and can handle both RAW and JPEG. Additionally, those pro-level cards can be configured to send different file formats to different locations. If that seems like overkill, though, the Mobi might be the better option -- it's not like you can't eventually get those photos off your phone, right?
Filed under: Storage
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ASUS launches dual-band router with combined 1900Mbit/s speeds
Some of ASUS' big Computex 2013 launches today involved the latest 802.11ac WiFi flavor, and since you'll need to feed them with a router packing the same tech, ASUS has also announced one of those: the RT-AC68U. The company claims it's the first dual-band 802.11ac router with AC1900 data rates up to 1900 Mbit/s, thanks to AiRadar beamforming, which helps bring a stronger connection and 150 percent better range, too (if accurate). You'll also be able to share files between ASUS routers with USB-attached drives thanks to a router-to-router sync mode, negating the need for a switched-on PC or other device. There's no word on pricing or availability, but the previous RT-AC66U flagship ran about $200 or so -- so we'd be surprised if it came in under that figure.
Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless, ASUS
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Vine finally arrives on Android
Better late than never, right? It's already become its own verb for plenty of iOS users looking to shoot the next hot six second video, and now Twitter's service is finally making its way to Android users running 4.0 or higher. Vine's hitting Google's operating system roughly four months after arriving on Apple's mobile OS, bringing with it the familiar video creation and social networking features, as well as a new zoom enhancement that's coming first to Android. Twitter's promising further updates to help get it up to speed with the iOS version, including hashtags, mentions, search, Facebook sharing and the ever-important use of a front-facing camera. In the meantime you can download the current version now from Google Play, or click the source link below to find out more.
Filed under: Software, Mobile
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Source: Twitter Blog, Vine, Vine (Google Play)
HTC One coming to Verizon later this summer
Verizon just announced that the HTC One will finally make its debut on the network later this summer. Pricing and exact availability -- not to mention unique features or other specifics -- are yet to be determined, but this is a solid confirmation to a rumor that's been floating around for the last few months, ever since the One officially launched worldwide. Its availability on all four US carriers should be refreshing news to HTC, as this puts it on level ground (stateside, at least) with the immensely popular Samsung Galaxy S 4. The fight between these two flagships is far from over, but having the largest carrier in the US onboard certainly makes that battle much more interesting.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, HTC, Verizon
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Source: Twitter
Gmail 4.5 for Android rolling out today with multiple tabs, slide-out navigation
Gmail's desktop inbox just went through some pretty significant UI changes, and we've just been waiting for Google to update its mobile apps with many of the same elements. The Android app, which Android Police reports is beginning its rollout today, reflects the new multiple-tabbed interface we've had the opportunity to play with for the last week -- it offers the same five tabs that are found on the desktop version, in addition to a new slide-out navigation interface. We're still waiting to get official word from Google about the update, but we'll let you know as soon as we have it. In the meantime, if you feel daring enough to try the new APK, head below to the source link to find a selection of available mirrors.
Update: it looks like the update is starting to appear in the Play Store. Head here to see if it's available for your device. We've had the chance to download it, and can confirm that it offers swipe to refresh in addition to the features mentioned earlier.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Google
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Source: AndroidPolice
Zynga to shutter New York and LA studios, cut 18% of workforce
Social game monolith Zynga plans to shutter its New York City, Dalles and Los Angeles game development studios. Sources at Zynga confirmed the closures to Engadget, and also confirmed reports of layoffs affecting 520 employees (around 18 percent of the company's total workforce), and now CEO Mark Pincus published his internal letter to employees on the company's website. Apparently the ousted employees will receive, "generous severance packages" for their time; we've published the full letter below the break.
It's unknown how this will impact games and services from those offices, but it is said to cut $80 million from staff costs. The move is part of a larger restructuring at Zynga with a focus on mobile, which Pincus says will make, "mobile gaming truly social by offering people new, fun ways to meet, play and connect." The studio suffered similar closures late last year, which included Boston, UK, and Japan locations.
Update: We've also added Zynga's official press release below.
Filed under: Gaming, Software, Mobile
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Source: Zynga
Sony's Laser Light Source Projector with 3LCD to be available in August
It wasn't too long ago that Sony kind of introduced us to its inaugural Laser Light Source Projector with 3LCD technology, but now it's time for the company to let us know a little more about the device. For starters, Sony's officially dubbing it VPL-FHZ55, and it's also emphasizing that it's indeed the world's first laser projector to be powered by 3LCD imaging tech. Just as we'd heard back in January, the lamp-less VPL-FHZ55 can deliver 4,000 lumens of color light at a maximum resolution of 1,920 x 1,200, which Sony says should be more than enough steam to "deliver bright and vivid color reproduction." The VPL-FHZ55 is expected to be available later this August, however there's no word on how much you'll have to spend to add one of these to your setup. But, while we wait for those details to come to light, perhaps you'd be interested in perusing the gallery below.
Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
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Source: Sony
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