T-Mobile to crack down on use of unlimited data for P2P

If you’ve been having a grand ole time tethering your T-Mobile and using your unlimited data for some marathon torrent downloading, your happy days just might be over. The US carrier will be cracking down on those users that have been “abusing” the fast network by engaging in peer-to-peer file sharing, as it violates the terms and conditions stated when you signed up with them.

You did read that right? Well, if you’re like the majority of mobile subscribers, probably not. But apparently the contract clearly states that P2P and tethering are outside of the terms and conditions. T-Mobile has already sent an internal memo stating that they have already identified the customers who have been causing a slowdown in their relatively fast network, affecting those who are just simply browsing through the net or using the apps installed in their smartphones.

So starting August 17, the identified customers who are under the unlimited high-speed data will be forcibly throttled by the network. Those who are using the other plans, like the $70/month unlimited and the $80/month Simple Choice will just get a verbal warning if caught abusing their data plan. But if they continue with their P2P-loving behaviour, then eventually they will also be throttled.

T-Mobile isn’t the first carrier to take action to address data congestion. Verizon was in the news last week after the FCC expressed concern regarding their plan to slow down the speed of the unlimited LTE data plan holders when the network gets too congested. But the carrier replied by saying this is “a measured and fair step” so that all their consumers will fairly get the network resources during times when there is a high demand for data. Do you think T-Mobile and Verizon are justified in their bid to give “equal rights” to their unlimited data consumers? Or are customers entitled to get what they pay for, regardless if you're a heavy user at the expense of the not-so-heavy ones?

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Verizon set to throttle LTE speeds on unlimited data users


• Verizon responds to FCC concerns regarding LTE data throttling

Humble Bundle app moves out of beta, gets a facelift

With all the Humble Mobile Bundle campaigns past, present, and future, you'd think that the Humble Bundle Android app would be in better shape. Though that was not exactly the case, the latest update to the app pretty much pulls Humble Bundle's Android presence forward to the current decade, shedding off the Beta moniker and falling in line with other Android apps.

The Humble Bundle app now adheres to conventional Android design and looks prettier to boot. Colors have been splashed around giving the app some semblance of life. The side navigation panel, which now houses a few more items that we'll get to later, now appears and disappears with grace. There is even a cute placeholder at the top of that panel that tries to mimic account info boxes like you'd see in the Google Play Store app, for example. It doesn't have anything there yet, but it looks like a start. Unfortunately, the app's migration to Android standards still isn't complete, like many Android apps for that matter. While Google's own apps have mostly eschewed expanded menus (the three vertical dots on the app's action bar) in favor of placing everything in the navigation panel, Humble Bundle still gives users 2 places to look through when trying to wade through the app's various options.

The changes to the Humble Bundle app isn't just skin deep, however. For some time now, Humble Bundle has been offering things other than games, like soundtracks to go with those games as well as books, particularly comic books. Now Humble Bundlers, if that's a term, can now download those too from one convenient app. That said, while the update promises improvements and bug fixes, downloading games and other items still seems to be a hit or miss situation, with some downloads just giving up without explanation nor indication.

The app does come with a few conveniences when it comes to those downloads. Once a download is done, tapping on the little green box will launch the appropriate app for the job. For comics, depending on the format you chose to download, it will open up the associated reader or the Complete Action Using window if there are multiple choices available. For music, since they come in ZIP files, they are automatically extracted and copied to your configured Music folder. After that, every time you tap on the green box, you will be taken to your music app to play those tunes.

Download: Humble Bundle on Google Play Store

Story Timeline

• Humble Bundle beta app arrives on Android


• Humble Mobile Bundle 6 brings 6 into the fold


• Humble Mobile Bundle 6 adds three more games to collection

Endomondo now supports Samsung Gear Fit and Gear 2

Fitness enthusiasts have helped make wearables the gadget du jour this year. With the proliferation of fitness apps in the market, one consideration for consumers is how the app can be used in connection with their gadgets and smartphones. One popular app for the physically active crowd is Endomondo, and the latest update now includes support for Samsung Gear Fit and the Gear 2, as well as compatibility with 17 of Samsung’s Android smartphones.

When you’re doing your workout or running 5km and you want to stop and rest for a while, you can pause, stop or restart the Endomondo app without even having to bring out your phone due to this new connectivity feature. So all you need to do to control it is to use your fitness band or your smartwatch. You can also use the Gear 2 to display how much distance you’ve already covered or how many calories you’ve already burned. You can even view the app’s built-in heart rate monitor through the smartwatch. You can also choose to set the display to the lightness or darkness that you prefer, depending on where you’re running or exercising.

Samsung believes that working together with Endomondo is essential as it is “one of the most popular fitness networks” and Gear users can now enjoy the features that the app has to offer. Meanwhile, Mette Lykke, the CEO and founder of Endomondo says that it is but logical to sync with the Samsung devices as part of their goal to be the fitness app of choice for the wearable market.

You can make Endmondo your digital personal trainor, even if you don’t have either the Samsung Gear Fit or Gear 2. You can download the app for free from the Google Play Store.

SOURCE: Endomondo

Story Timeline

• Endomondo Sports Tracker app reaches 20 million users


• Endomondo update adds Bluetooth LE, lock screen widget, more


• Endomondo update adds stats for premium users


• Endomondo will bring Pebble support to Android "later this year"

Motorola is holding an event on September 4th: Moto 360 and X+1 likely

Motorola will hold an event on September 4th in Chicago, where the company is expected to officially launch the MOTO 360 smartwatch and potentially take the wraps off the much-rumored Moto X+1 smartphone. Invites for the press event hit inboxes this morning.

Along with the invitation there's an animated teaser, a screenshot of which is shown above. The graphics for the Moto X, Moto G, a watch, and a Bluetooth headset certainly suggest a fairly broad range refresh.

The MOTO 360 will be no great surprise, given the Android Wear timepiece was previewed at Google I/O earlier in the year. Still, Motorola is yet to confirm final specifications or - most importantly - how much the round-screen smartwatch will cost and when it will go on sale.

As for the Moto X+1, that's expected to be an update to the Moto X, and stick with Motorola's recent tradition of eschewing the very fastest - and thus most power-hungry - components in favor of making the most out of more energy frugal chips.

We'll know more when we head to Chicago to join Motorola on September 4th, and see whether the company has what it takes to overshadow the Samsung and other announcements expected at IFA 2014.

Story Timeline

• Moto 360 with ambient light sensor, first in Android Wear


• Possible pre-production Moto X+1 photos leaked


• Leaked Moto 360 pictures show smartwatch’s secret charger


• Possible new Moto X benchmarked, to launch late September

Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 certified by TENAA, has faux leather design

It’s been more than 1 year since the last announcement of Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Galaxy Mega 5.8, it looks like Galaxy Mega 2 will be announced soon according to the latest certification info from TENAA in China. The Galaxy Mega 2 has already passed through FCC with a model name SM-G750A, the TENAA model is SM-G7508Q, basically the same phone but supports China’s TD-LTE network.

The upcoming Galaxy Mega 2 has the same purpose as its predecessor – serving an extra-large phablet size with its 6-inch display, or 5.98-inch to be exact. Its size is measured at 163.6 x 84.9 x 8.6 mm and 194g, sitting in between the previous Galaxy Mega 6.3 and 5.8.

There is also bits of other hardware specifications listed on the TENAA filing. The hardware includes 6-inch 720p display, quad core 1.2GHz processor, 2GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, microSD card slot, GPS, 13 megapixel camera and a 5 megapixel front facing camera. Unfortunately, specific processor model is not revealed in the filing, though, it was rumored to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 – a 64bit processor announced late last year.

Other than the hardware specs, the Galaxy Mega 2 has at least one design change – the back cover with faux leather design. Samsung seems to be slowly bringing the faux leather design to lower end model, which was first introduced in Galaxy Note 3.

It is not sure if Samsung will introduce the Galaxy Mega 2 in the IFA 2014 event next month. Samsung has planned to do a major announcement for the new Galaxy Note 4, which is on September 3rd . Remember to follow our IFA 2014 coverage for latest info!

SOURCE: TENAA

VIA: PhoneArena

Story Timeline

• First Galaxy Note 4 phone pictures leaked


• Galaxy Alpha announced with new metal frame that you wanted


• Samsung further teases "wall huggers" with airport outlet ads

HTC Zoe hands-on: an attempt at a new kind of sharing

As part of its attempt to expand its reach beyond its own hardware and software products, HTC is releasing its Zoe app for the whole world to see and use. But more than just a fancy way to stitch up photos together into a memorable video reel, HTC is pushing Zoe to become something much more: a social networking platform for sharing such reels, but with a spin on "collaborative editing".

The premise of HTC Zoe is quite simple. You select a few photos from your gallery, pick out a theme that determines the visual effects and filters used for the video clip, and in case you're not satisfied with the music that comes with the theme, pick out your own tune. You have the option to mix and match different parts and shuffle, but not manually reorder, photos. You then tap on the small icon on the upper right corner of the screen to push your brand new Zoe clip to your own feed.

But Zoe's highlight, it's selling feature, and probably a point of confusion is in it is unique "Remixes". In theory, you will be able to take someone else's Zoe, mix in your own clips and sounds, and push them back up on the network for others to do the same. Be warned, though, that, naturally, others will also have the ability to remix Zoe's that you posted as well. This results in a rather unique flavor of collaboration, less like editing a single document and more like building a never-ending train of montages.

The app itself is quite straightforward though it can be easy to get lost in it sometimes. It is like a mix of Facebook and Twitter, HTC style. You have a Zoe Feed where you see your Zoe's and other people's Zoe's, a Discover section for finding other people and their Zoe's, as well as pages for community members you follow and those who follow you. Most of your time, however, will most likely be spent making Zoe's. Here you have a dedicate screen all for weaving your next masterpiece, with sections like Themes and Music just a swipe away. The app brings over the Sense 6 aesthetic from HTC to whatever device you're on, a visual language that matches Google's own Material Design to some extent.

As for device compatibility, HTC is starting out small, which isn't surprising for its first foray outside of its comfort zone. For the initial beta, devices running Android 4.4 are theoretically supported, but the official list is limited to a few, particularly those running HTC's own Sense 6 UI, the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S 4, and Galaxy Note 3, the LG G2 and G Pro 2, and the Nexus 5. Of course, HTC plans to expand that roster quickly, though the Android 4.4 requirement will likely stand throughout.

The biggest question about HTC Zoe is "why?", or rather "what for?". Imagine attending a concert or a family gathering, with everyone and anyone bringing their own camera or smartphone and getting their own unique angle of those memorable moments. Imagine being able to stitch them up together, with each clip reflecting not just the photographer's unique vantage point but also their personalities. There are indeed many video clip sharing social networks today and the list just keeps on growing. Zoe, however, brings a fresh new concept to the table, focusing on an even deeper community dynamic than most social networks can give you. HTC envisions Zoe to be not just a photo or video sharing service but also a literal "zoetrope", a real "life turning" experience for people whose memories and lives get shared.

Sony D2203 shown to be a low-spec budget 6.1-inch giant

Most of the attention in Sony's world might be focused on the upcoming Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact, but naturally the mobile world, even Sony's, doesn't just stop there. The manufacturer is now believed to be preparing another 6-inch phablet, but this time, this D2203 comes with specs that might leave some wanting or even walking away.

Sony isn't a stranger to phablets, even the larger ones that the sit at the extreme end of the line. It's highly marketed Xperia Z Ultra reaches 6.4 inches and the more recent Xperia T2 Ultra does clock at 6.0 inches. So the 6.1-inch display of this Sony D2203 doesn't really come as a surprise. The spec sheet that comes with it, however, might seem a bit baffling, falling lower than the Xperia T2 Ultra, which can already be considered a mid-range beast at best.

Most glaring, perhaps, would be resolution of this supposed phablet, a measly FWVGA, meaning 854x480 pixels. On a 4.7-inch or lower smartphone, it might be forgivable. On a 6-inch screen, almost incomprehensible. It runs on a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400, definitely the low end of the spectrum, but probably still fortunate not to be a dual-core processor. RAM is at 1 GB and internal storage is at a very cramped 4 GB. It will probably come as no shock that rear and front cameras max out at 5 and 0.3 megapixels, respectively.

The specs wouldn't sound as bad on a midget smartphone, but it might be quite difficult to think of places where this giant would do well except as a Sony-branded contender in budget markets. Even so, there are quite a few contenders in that segment already, and some with both strong brands and stronger hardware. Sony might be hard pressed to find a spot on shelves but we'll have to wait and see for the real D2203 to come out from the woodwork before we can judge it with finality.

VIA: >Xperia Blog