Latest Gear Live Videos
Video: Introducing Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Videos,
Earlier we gave you the details about the monstrous Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone, the first to sport Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Now get a look at its main features in the teaser video above. Who's getting one?
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6 awesome Android 4.0 features you should be excited about
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Software,
Google has finally unveiled Ice Cream Sandwich to the world, and we thought we'd compile the stuff that made us sit up and take notice. The Android update sports a myriad of updates, but we've distilled that down to six that we thought really stuck out. Here's a breakdown of what's new with Android 4.0 (and remember, the first Android 4.0 device wil be the Samsung Galaxy Nexus):
A new lockscreen. Ice Cream Sandwich is ditching passwords for facial recognition technology to unlock phones. Unfortunately for Google, this particular feature failed badly during Tuesday's Hong Kong demo. The new Face Unlock feature did manage to lock out a non-owner of the demo phone, but somewhat comically, it wouldn't let the legitimate owner in either.
Google has done a couple of other things with its lockscreen and homepage with Android 4.0. You can now swipe a locked phone directly to the camera function and begin taking pictures from your smartphone immediately. Android 4.0 also features some pretty cool screensaver art for the homepage and a new San Serif typeface built just for Ice Cream Sandwich called Roboto.
Click to continue reading 6 awesome Android 4.0 features you should be excited about
Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 4.65-inch HD display, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds,
Google's next iteration of its mobile operating system has officially been dubbed Android 4.0 and it will be available for the first time on Samsung's new Galaxy Nexus smartphone.
The two companies lifted the curtain on the OS affectionately known as Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus smartphone that will be the first to run it in Hong Kong late Tuesday evening (promotional video after the break.) Google said Android 4.0 would be immediately available to developers. Samsung will begin shipping the Galaxy Nexus worldwide in November.
And here's what you need to know about Samsung's Galaxy Nexus:
A slim and curvy design. The Galaxy Nexus is 8.94 millimeters thin with a 4.29-millimeter bezel and a wider screen than on earlier Samsung smartphones that's achieved "without the phone feeling any thicker in your hand," according to the company. The next-gen handset has a curved back that's contoured for a "softer, more natural look and feel," while the buttonless design and slip-resistant hyperskin backing are also highlights.
Click to continue reading Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 4.65-inch HD display, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Motorola Droid RAZR: 4G LTE, 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED screen, $299 this November
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds,
Today Motorola announced the return of their most popular brand ever when they unveiled the Droid RAZR smartphone. The RAZR isn't just another Android handset, and you know they Motorola wouldn't just slap that name on any average device. This one has a Gorilla Glass covered 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display (this has not been seen on any other mobile phone to date,) and a body made of Kevlar, making it lightweight, water-resistant, and durable. On the inside you've got a dual-core 1.2GHz TI OMAP4430 chip, 8 megapixel camera that records 1080p video, 1 GB RAM, and 16 GB flash storage onboard (and another 16 GB on the included microSD card.) It also runs on Verizon's 4G LTE network.
Motorola's also tried to make the phone as thin as they could, touting that it's just 7.1mm thin, but that doesn't take into account the thicker bottom area. Who's counting, right? One other nice feature is the addition of something Moto's calling SmartActions. It's meant to preserve and optimize battery life by doing things like turning off Bluetooth when you get home, or clocking down the processor while you're on a phone call.
You'll be able to squeeze out 12.5 hours of talk time when this bad boy hits Verizon this November 6th, and it'll cost you $299 for the priviledge. Pre-orders start October 27th.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0 set to launch October 19
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Rumors, Software,
Android fans, set forward your alarm clocks next Monday: the rumored Nexus Prime (or, Galaxy Nexus) is rumored to be launching on October 19!
According to Engadget, Google and Samsung will unveil the so-called Nexus Prime on Oct. 19 during All Things Digital's first Asia conference in Hong Kong. Android VP Andry Rubin and Samsung EVP of product marketing Won-Pyo Hong will be in attendance.
Rumors about the Nexus Prime (or Galaxy Nexus?), Google's third Nexus smartphone, have been circulating all year long. According to the latest rumors, it'll come with a curved glass touch-screen display, Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich," a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, an 8-megapixel camera, and support for 4G LTE networks.
Click to continue reading Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0 set to launch October 19
Google and Samsung delay Android 4.0, Galaxy Nexus event out of respect for Steve Jobs
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Google, Handhelds, Software,
In what can be described only as a truly classy move, Google and Samsung have decided to delay the launch event for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus smartphone. The event was originally scheduled to happen on October 11 at CTIA, three days before the launch of the iPhone 4S, and one day before the launch of iOS 5 and iCloud:
"Samsung and Google have decided to postpone the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event during the CTIA in San Diego, previously scheduled for Oct. 11. Under the current circumstances, both parties have agreed that this is not the appropriate time for the announcement of a new product. We would ask for the understanding of our clients and media for any inconvenience caused. We will announce a new date and venue in due course."
"We believe this is not the right time to announce a new product as the world expresses tribute to Steve Jobs's passing."
Nice job, guys.
Amazon Kindle, Kindle Touch, Kindle Fire wrap-up
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals, Software,
Today Amazon announced a slew of new Kindle hardware, and we covered it all extensively. We wanted to make sure you knew where to find the details on each new device, as well as how to order (or pre-order, depending on the device you want) the new goods as well. Here's what went down today:
Amazon Kindle Fire
Announcement: Kindle Fire: Amazon's $199 tablet e-reader
Pre-order: $199 at Amazon, ships November 15th
Amazon Kindle Touch
Announcement: Amazon Kindle Touch: Multi-touch, 3G, $99
Pre-order: $99 at Amazon, ships November 21st
Amazon Kindle
Announcement: Amazon launches new $79 Kindle
Order: $79 at Amazon, available now
In addition to all that new hardware, the company also announced its new Amazon Silk web browser.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Player 4.0 and 5.0 revealed
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video,
Samsung on Monday offered the first glimpse of a new 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab tablet with Google's Android 3.1 Honeycomb that will be available Oct. 2, as well as two new media players, the Galaxy Player 4.0 and Galaxy Player 5.0.
"These three additions to the Galaxy family of products are impressive examples of our commitment to offering consumers an unrivaled array of choices for entertainment and information on-the-go," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile, in a statement.
"People want their mobile device to fit their lifestyle and the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and Galaxy Players offer unparalleled power and portability to meet the widest consumer needs."
The Wi-Fi-only Galaxy Tab 8.9 (pictured above left and below) comes in two flavors, a 16GB tablet priced at $469, and a 32GB version priced at $569, the company said at its Samsung Experience event in New York. Samsung's Galaxy Player 4.0 is priced at $269 and the Galaxy Player at $229—b;oth; are set for U.S. release on Oct. 16.
Click to continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Player 4.0 and 5.0 revealed
Amazon Kindle Fire tablet will be revealed in two days
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds,
Looks like Amazon has decided to call their upcoming tablet the "Kindle Fire." That news comes from MG over at TechCrunch, who was given then info by unnamed sources. In addition, our pal Ryan from GDGT has posted information about why the Kindle Fire will so closely resemble the BlackBerry PlayBook. As it turns out, the group that typically handles the Kindle design, Lab 126, wasn't used. Instead, since Amazon wanted to get this thing out for the holidays, it was outsourced to Quanta, the same original design manufacturer that designed the PlayBook. Amazon will be holding a press conference on Wednesday to announce the Kindle Fire, and we'll have all the details right here as it happens.
Amazon set to reveal Kindle tablet on Wednesday?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Rumors,
Amazon has been working on a new Kindle tablet for quite a while, and it looks like its set to reveal it to the world in just under a week. The Android-powered device is set to take advantage of all of Amazon's services--not just eBooks, but video on demand, music, the store, and all the rest. We're guessing that in addition to a tablet or two, we'll also see an updated e-ink version of the Kindle as well. Of course, we'll let you know what happens when it all goes down this Wednesday at 10:00 am Eastern!
