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Nexus 7 32GB exists, purchased at Staples
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Google, Handhelds, Rumors,
Rumors have been circulating that a 32GB Nexus 7 tablet is imminent, and now those rumors have materialized to be factual. First, what you see above is an image of the sticker from a Nexus 7 32GB box. Need more proof? The Verge has received proof of purchase from a tipster and posted the receipt. Google has yet to announce any official news of the bump in storage capacity for the Nexus 7, and our hearts go out to early adopters of the tablet as, based on the receipt, it sells for the same price that the 16GB version currently sells for. Also, it appears that it doesn't come with the $25 Google Play gift card as was offered when the product first debuted.
If you're itching to get a tablet and enjoy (pure) Android, this Jelly Bean tablet isn't a bad deal. Try your luck and call your local Staples to see if they have 'em in stock. Make sure to holla back at Gear Live and tell us about it if you find one! We expect Google to officially unveil this one at its October 29 Android event.
Click to continue reading Nexus 7 32GB exists, purchased at Staples
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| The Verge
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French authorities nab Android Trojan horse maker
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Google, Misc. Tech, Mods / Hacks, Software,
Yet another case of malware found on Google Play. A 20-year-old man suspected of an elaborate Android Trojan SMS scheme was arrested in France. The alleged hacker tallied over 17,000 Android users that installed malicious software posed as copy cat apps. The scheme works by sending SMS messages at a premium cost. The hacker then earns a micro-transaction fee, leaving the unsuspecting user with an unexpected hefty monthly bill.
The hacker informed French authorities that he was more motivated by the technical aspect than monetary gain and had goals of becoming a software engineer. Cyber criminals have made inroads into making malware in the Android platform partly because the Google Play Store is open and is not curated and vetted for security like Apple's App Store. Hackers have created clone malware of popular apps like Skype, Instagram, and Angry birds. Some of these apps steal personal information and passwords and can capture pretty much anything you type.
Computer venders Security, like Sophos, strongly advise Android users to be vigilant and also install their free anti-virus security suite.
Read More | The Register
Google sets the table for an October 29th Android Event
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Google, Rumors, Software,
The rumor of the Google Nexus event on October 29th is all but confirmed. The search giant has sent out invitations to the press for the event being held in New York City. The invite details are limited to time, date, and place but there's some additional written text in the search field. Could it mean an open API for Google Now?
With a high degree of certainty, the event will centered around the LG Nexus 4. However, there might be additional hardware announcements, like the one that appeared on the photo sharing site, Picasa, of the Sony Nexus X smartphone, and possibly a revamped Nexus Q. Perhaps some chatter of Google TV; we doubt it though. Could Google be planning to release yet another version of Android? Key Lime Pie anyone? The event will be live streamed on Youtube.
Click to continue reading Google sets the table for an October 29th Android Event
Mysterious images of Sony Nexus X smartphone pop up in Piscasa
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Rumors,
Rumor has it that Google may release two new Nexus devices: one made by LG, and the other by Sony. Two photos have popped up on the Piscasa photo sharing site, and they seemingly reveal an angled image of a device with Sony and Google branding on the back. This could be a hoax, but from a competitive perspective, two Nexus devices are better than one. The idea could propel the Nexus brand from a niche market to the mainstream; much like what Samsung did with the Galaxy line. Also, the image details shows that it was taken with a Samsung Galaxy Nexus. We caught a screenshot of it before the author decided to remove that piece of important detail. More images after the break.
Click to continue reading Mysterious images of Sony Nexus X smartphone pop up in Piscasa
Read More | Mutul Yeter
LG Nexus 4 announcement coming October 29th?
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Rumors,
It appears that the next Google Nexus smartphone iteration is set to be announced on October 29th, according to French newspaper Le Figaro. The Nexus 4 is being manufactured by LG, a switch from Samsung and HTC, which have built past Nexus devices for Google. A quick run down of the specs: the Nexus 4 sports a whopping 4.7-inch IPS720p display, 8GB or 16GB of storage space (What? No 32GB or 64GB version?), 2GB RAM, 8-megapixel rear camera, and NFC, all powered by a Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor. Since this a "pure Google experience" device, it will ship with the latest version of Android, Jelly Bean.
Read More | Le Figaro
Samsung announces Galaxy S III mini with 4-inch Super AMOLED display
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds,
We knew that the Samsung Galaxy S III mini was coming, and now it's official. The 4-inch smartphone was announced earlier today in Frankfurt, Germany, sporting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, 1GB RAM, and a 1GHz dual-core processor. Other specs include the ability to choose between an 8GB and 16GB model (both are expandable with an extra 32Gb microSD card,) 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 5-magapixel rear camera, VGA front camera, and a bunch of wireless support (802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, FM radio, and NFC. Aside from pricing and availability, which is nowhere to be found just yet, we're wondering--when did 4-inch smartphones became referred to as "mini"?
Microsoft Office coming to iOS and Android in March 2013?
Seems the rumor reported about a native port of Microsoft Office to iPad is alive and kicking. On the eve of 2012, The Daily reported that it was present for a demo of a working version of Office for iPad but the rumor was somewhat shot down by Microsoft PR with a non-denial, saying that the leaked photos were not a real Microsoft software product. However, Microsoft didn't go as far as to deny that the iOS Office suite ever existed. Almost a full year later, IHNED has reported that Peter Bobek, a Microsoft Product Manager, has spilled the beans during a press event in Czech Republic.
Allegedly, Mr. Bobek has affirmed that Office for iOS and Android will be released around March 2013. There's also some noise about Office Web Apps, but nobody seems to care about those. So, if you're an Office user, but your preferred mobile platform is iOS or Android, don't get your hopes up just yet. If the past is any indicator, this latest rumor might not become a reality. Until then, iWork and Google Docs are not a bad alternative. Now, if you're the daring type, you may want to jump platforms altogether and go with the Microsoft Surface tablets and Windows Phone 8 to get your Office fix.
Read More | IHNED via The Verge
Samsung TouchWiz bug erases all of your Galaxy S data (update: fixed!)
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Mods / Hacks,
There is an SMS exploit in the wild that can cause a Samsung Galaxy device (including the latest Galaxy S III) running TouchWiz to be completely reset. This exploit was first discovered by tech security researchers and proof of that concept was shown on YouTube. There are many vectors where this could be distributed and executed such as SMS, email, and QR codes. This is practically on the same level as a Zero Day attack. However, the interesting aspect is that this was mostly likely implemented by carrier request and designed by the OEM, which is Samsung. We at Gear Live have not yet independently confirmed this exploit, but other tech publications have confirmed the legitimacy of the hack. Some refer to this as a feature? As always, use of safe computer and internet practices is advised.
UPDATE: Samsung has released a patch for this exploit, and recommends that all of its users download the latest software update, which eliminates the problem.
Click to continue reading Samsung TouchWiz bug erases all of your Galaxy S data (update: fixed!)
Amazon Kindle Fire HD review (7-inch)
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Handhelds, Product Reviews,
When Amazon announced the new Kindle Fire HD, it took a firm step into its transformation into a major player in the consumer electronics space. Jeff Bezos sold the fact that Amazon was in the unique position that allowed it to create a device that was about more than just the gadget itself--Kindle Fire is all about the services that are tied to it, and the Fire HD in particular is the cream of Amazon's tablet crop. Then the price was announced, and at $199 heads turned and ears perked. A high quality tablet that is completely tied in to Amazon's ecosystem with a great display, rock solid Wi-Fi, and stereo speakers for $199? Is it too good to be true, or is the Kindle Fire HD the king of the 7-inch tablet roost? Read on for our full Kindle Fire HD (7-inch) review.
Click to continue reading Amazon Kindle Fire HD review (7-inch)
Giveaway: Samsung Galaxy S III
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Features, Google, Handhelds,
The Samsung Galaxy S III is currently the hottest-selling phone in the US. Want one? Good, because we have one to give away! We've teamed up with TRENDOY!, the daily gadget newsletter to give away a Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone, and we've made it super-easy for you to enter to win. All you need to do to enter is head on over to our TRENDOY! page and subscribe! We'll choose a winner of the Galaxy S III from our subscribers in a week. Good luck!
Oh, and be sure to subscribe to the Gear Live Newsletter too - we've got a few fun holiday giveaways planned there!
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