Most Android devices don't have a physical home button like the iPhone or iPad, and while it reduces manufacturing costs and is one less thing to break, sometimes it's nice to have that tactile feedback. So not only does the Dimple give you a real home button, it also gives you three others that can be customized to do whatever you need.
It's the weekend! We know you worked hard all week, and you're ready to chill out, max, and relax all cool. Make sure your smartphone's ready too, with our favorite apps of the week.
Just yesterday, OnePlus unveiled their first phone. This self-proclaimed “flagship killer,” which was developed in collaboration with the CyanogenMod team, features bleeding edge specifications and top notch software, all while undercutting the Google’s much loved Nexus 5 on price. Of course, we’re talking about the OnePlus One.
Naturally, many have asked us to create a set of forums for the OnePlus One, and so we have. So without further ado, head over to the newly created OnePlus One forums and get in on the discussion.
Are you feeling some major device lust right about now? Is the OnePlus One your next device? Let us know in the comments below.
As smarpthone manufacturers push displays to larger sizes, they are also trying to squeeze bezels out to let the screen take as much space as possible. Sharp's latest smarpthone, the AQUOS Xx 304SH, boasts of a deadly screen and bezel size combo that seeks to dethrone the current titleholder.
There was a recent chart made that compares the different smartphones in the market in terms of the actual amount of area used up by the screen versus those occupied by bezels and buttons. At the very top is the LG G2, which has 75.7 percent of the front space dedicated to the display. Now Sharp is unveiling a contender to that title. The AQUOS Xx 304SH sports a 5.2-inch 1080p screen but its bezels are so thin that display itself is believed to occupy as much as 79 percent of the area. If true, then this puts the AQUOS Xx 304SH well ahead of the bezel shrinking race. Of course, the display uses Sharp's power-efficient IGZO technology to make it even sweeter.
Of course, that isn't the only thing going for this Sharp smartphone. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, albeit the slightly slower 2.3 GHz variant. There is 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. The 13 megapixel rear camera has an aperture of f/1.9 and sports a "PureLED" flash, as well the usual camera features you'd find on other high-end smartphones, like HDR, photosphere, and the like. It boasts of an IPX5/IPX7 ingress protection rating and, for residents of Japan, it features the early warning system that was put into effect tsunami of 2011 as well as Full Seg terrestrial digital TV.
The Sharp AQUOS Xx 304SH is scheduled for a May launch in Japan, though it is yet unknown if the company will every bring it to other markets. In Japan, it will have a price tag of 2,800 yen, around $28, with a two-year contract or 69,120 yen, roughly $675, without one.
VIA: Impress Watch
As mentioned before, the Android 4.4.2 update for the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition has started rolling out to owners in the US. now we're getting a glimpse of some of the changes in this update, which are admittedly interesting, if you're the type who have accepted the Samsung TouchWiz way of life.
Of course, we're going to see some of the same changes that run across all Android 4.4 versions, like the monochromatic notification icons. However, unlike other Galaxy devices upgraded to the latest Android version, Samsung is throwing in a lot more in its 10.1-inch S-Pen enabled tablet. Most obvious perhaps would also be related to notifications, Samsung's own custom notification panel. This has been revamped with the flat theme that Samsung is believed to be pushing going forward. The Multi Window bar has also been revamped, pushing it all the way to the right and now taking up two rows, making it quite similar to Samsung's Galaxy Pro tablet line. Another visual change, to more subtle this time, is the new task manager or recent apps list.
But the Android 4.4 update isn't all about fluff. There are also positive changes under the hood that are being reported by users. Performance is deemed faster across the board, including the Samsung web browser. There has been noticeable reduction in lag as well especially in waking up the device and in the S-Pen response time. Battery life has also been improved, partly thanks to the improvements coming from Android 4.4 itself. Some of Samsung's apps and proprietary features have reportedly also been modified just a tiny bit, particularly those related to S Pen functionality.
These are definitely some huge and positive changes, especially for users of some of TouchWiz's more useful features. The Android 4.4.2 update comes in a very large 540 MB files size, so users best be prepared for the occasion when the update notification finally hits their device.
After the security scandals that rocked Snapchat, and later WhatsApp, it is now Viber's turn to get the hot seat. The instant messaging service was discovered to be transmitting images and videos posted by users and storing them on their servers with little security, allowing those with knowledge to get access to those pieces of data with no need for authentication.
This revelation came from security researchers at the University of New Haven. Their setup involved using Windows 7 as a virtual wifi miniport to which mobile devices connect to. This allowed them to monitor and capture Internet traffic going to and from Viber's servers. The findings are quick shocking. It's bad enough that videos and images are transmitted over the Internet without encryption, a security feature that, in this day and age of senseless snooping and privacy invasions, should be a must, especially in popular Internet services. But the data itself is stored on Viber's Amazon servers also unencrypted and requiring no authentication to access. Meaning, anyone who knows how can take a peek at those sometimes personal and private media. The video below demonstrates the process in detail.
To be fair, it is not exactly a piece of cake to accomplish this, but hackers with enough skill and tools, like those using WiFI access point snooping or man-in-the-middle attacks, will be able to use this to their advantage. And there's also the fact that those with such knowledge, tools, and skills might even be coming from our own governments. Regardless of how easy or hard it is to exploit, these are flaws that fly in the face of the most basic security best practices.
The bad news is that there is really no way to fix this from the user's end, except for refusing to use Viber until a fix has been made. The good news is that Viber has been informed of the security hole and has worked on a fix that will be rolling out to the Android app soon.
SOURCE: University of New Haven Cyber Forensics Research and Education Group
VIA: CNET
Most tablets are created for content consumption and games, but NETGEAR and smart home specialist iControl have something different in mind. While the NETGEAR STS7000 still has some features you'd expect from an Android tablet, it's raison d'être is being a gateway to a home security system and more.
If one looks at this tablet's spec sheet, "underwhelming" is the kindest thing you can say about the STS7000. It runs on an unnamed Cortex-A9 processor with only 512 MB of RAM and 2 GB of NAND storage. Display size isn't stated, but the 800x480 resolution and 16-bit color depth doesn't inspire much confidence. It even runs an almost ancient Android 4.0.3 version. This NETGEAR branded tablet isn't all that bad. It is one of the very few tablets that can claim to have a removable battery, for one. And with NETGEAR as the other half of the duo, you can presume some networking prowess. Indeed, the tablet is equipped 802.11N 2x2 Dual Band Switchable connectivity.
That said, the two companies are more interested in turning the STS7000 into a touch-driven control center for the smart home of today or tomorrow. From the tablet, users can control security locks, monitor smart appliances, toggle lights, and so on. But the tablet also goes a bit beyond that basic functionality. It has Google Maps pre-installed, used more for traffic updates than outside navigation. Coupled with INTELLICAST weather forecasting and news reporting, the STS7000 becomes your information hub at home. The music application installed on the tablet also lets users stream their iTunes collection via AirPlay. NETGEAR notes the availability of Android apps, though it isn't sure yet whether they will be coming via Google Play Store or from some other app marketplace.
As one would expect, the NETGEAR STS7000 security tablet isn't available for purchase off shelves and retailers. NETGEAR notes that the tablet can be acquired from service providers, but doesn't exactly detail from whom and for how much.