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It's nice that you don't have to choose between cheap and good-looking anymore

Sat, 25 May 2013 02:25:00 EST

Something I’ve been noticing over the past couple of years, and something I once thought would never come to fruition, is that prepaid carriers are finally starting to pick up the pace when it comes to cheap plans and newer smartphone availability.

Prepaid carriers and plans previously carried a stigma with it that basically meant you could cut a decent enough deal on your plan each month, but your phone is about as attractive as a cinder block. You could never get an iPhone on a prepaid carrier, and for a long time Androids were out of the question as well. However, as time went on lower-end Androids started appearing across these carriers and it was the start of a beautiful, budding relationship between prepaid carriers and having a decent selection of smartphones.

Setbacks for prepaid carriers didn’t stop at the fact that you were sacrificing features and a good-looking device in order to save a few bucks every month, but often times you also had to pay full-price for a device that was often depicted as being “free” or sold at a significantly lower price on postpaid carriers. And yes, sometimes it does put a damper on the entire experience knowing that you’re putting $100-$300 more down on a device that you could easily get cheaper somewhere else simply because you’re willing to bind yourself to a two-year contract; you won’t really see any real savings by going to a prepaid carrier for several months, but none-the-less you will eventually be saving yourself from a lot of potential grief down the road.

I bring this topic up because it was recently announced that both Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile will be carrying the Galaxy S III in June, and although we don’t have exact details on the pricing just yet I’m going to assume that just like every other phone that Virgin and Boost carries you’ll still be getting a decent discount on the device compared to how much you would have to shell out full price from a postpaid carrier. For example, the iPhone 4S (16GB) on Virgin Mobile is on sale for $382.49, while if you wanted the exact same device brand new from Sprint you would be paying $549.99. What is up with that?

Not only can you get these phones for a significantly cheaper price from prepaid carriers, but newer smartphones seem to be catching up with prepaid carriers really quickly as of late. In 2012 the Galaxy S III was released at the end of May for several postpaid carriers. Boost Mobile began offering the previous model, the Galaxy S II, the following September; that’s a four month difference between the time the new model being released and the old model being available to a prepaid carrier. Moving forward to 2013, the Galaxy S 4 was released in April and the Galaxy S III is reported to hit Virgin and Boost’s shelves by the end of June. That’s a two month time frame between the releases. If this trend continues, by next year we should see the Galaxy S 5(?) release for postpaid carriers and the Galaxy S 4 released for prepaid carriers at the same time.

Even the almighty and once very exclusive iPhone is getting in on the action by allowing carriers like Straight Talk and Cricket Wireless, among other prepaid carriers, to sell their next generation iPhones just months (or even weeks) after the phone arrives on postpaid carrier shelves.

As a somewhat frugal spender who enjoys shiny things I appreciate this movement from the mobile industry. It shouldn’t have to be a choice of getting a cheap phone or a pretty phone, or even sacrificing your freedom to change carriers in the name of one or the other. Even if prepaid carriers are always left in the shadows of last year’s models, it has still progressed quite a long way and it’s nice to see that phones as remarkable as the iPhone or the Galaxy S III are available to people who might not have necessarily wanted to sign a two-year contract in order to have one.

But what are your thoughts, readers? Do you think that prepaid carriers are taking a step in the right direction for the better? Have you ever or would you ever consider moving to a prepaid carrier if they started offering newer models sooner? Share your opinions with me in the comments!

Images via Apple, Virgin Mobile

Did Fairphone just change my life?

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:10:00 EST

It's very easy to look at your smartphone and forget how it came to be. Often times, I stare in awe of certain design cues and finishes which make me realize how hard manufacturers work to deliver such stellar products. However, it's what makes up the product's materials and how it was made that goes unnoticed. If this matters to you, a company called Fairphone is about to change your perspective of the mobile industry entirely.

How much do you really know about what goes into making your smartphone, tablet, or PC? If you knew you were funding an arms race in parts of the world, would you still buy your smartphone? Is it your responsibility, or the manufacturer's responsibility to make sure ethical business practices are employed?

Fairphone aims to take a socially responsible approach to supply chain management by letting consumers know they're making an ethical and safe purchase. In other words, the Fairphone is redefining the market's supply chain management and the entire economy behind how each smartphone is built.

"You can change the way products are made, starting with a single phone. Together, we're opening up the supply chain, and redefining the economy - one step at a time."

This is the message on the homepage of Fairphone's website. Fairphone's marketing ploy begins on an honest to goodness plea to the mobile market. It's "made with care," says Fairphone, and truly differentiates itself in an unknown world of supply chains of smartphone manufacturers by making the process completely transparent. Fairphone takes the guessing out of what happens behind the scenes of what makes up the smartphone. They claim to have "long-term relationships with suppliers to ensure good working conditions and safe recycling."

Fairphone also puts a wager on its "smart design" which is led by the company's manifesto of "if you can't open it, you don't own it." The term "open" is central to both the hardware and software experience of the Fairphone. The Fairphone's hardware includes a removable battery, dual-SIM capabilities, minimal packaging, and eliminates chargers and accessories in each package. The software experience is an Android affair which has some enhancements from Kwame Corp to provide an "uncluttered, user-friendly interface." Some enhancements include energy-consumption indicators and the ability to turn off notifications to "give yourself a break." Most intriguing of Fairphone's "smart design" is their desire to offer the device with other operating systems like Ubuntu OS for Phones and FireFox OS upon purchase, though details are few and far between on when or for how much it would cost for a choice in operating system on a Fairphone.

Fairphone is also making the bill of material and a breakdown of what you're paying for by making Fairphone a "clear deal." By providing a transparent price breakdown, Fairphone is betting there is value in knowing that you're also getting fair pricing. "We want the cost of a phone to reflect the actual cost of each step, including materials and labor. In order to show the phone's true value, we are not offering any marketing discounts."

"Lasting value" is another differentiator in Fairphone's marketing of the device. Three euros goes to a foundation called Closing the Loop which coordinates projects to safely recycle e-waste where such a process has yet to be implemented.

Saving the best for last, Fairphone is committed to "precious materials" by highlighting their transparency with industry standards. They've joined initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo to guarantee profits do not fund illegal armed forces. Some of their initiatives including the conflict-free tin itiative and Solutions for Hope Project highlight Fairphone's goal of delivering a high-performance smartphone with conflict-free tin and coltan from mines around the world.

The Fairphone is in the running for being the first smartphone which you can truly connect with on the human level. It's a beautiful concept and is an honorable effort at making devices rewarding to purchase. I would not recommend Fairphone do anything differently with their beliefs or approach. Such a mentality is truly noble and marks a very important humanitarian effort at increasing accountability in the making of our gadgets. My eyes were opened by the Fairphone homepage, and I suggest you take the time to pay a visit.

Fairphone needs 5,000 preorders in order to begin production next month and retails for around $436 including taxes. Fairphone ships with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with Kwame Corporation's UI, a 4.3-inch qHD display, a quad-core MediaTek CPU, Dragontrail glass, 16GB internal storage, an 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.3-megapixel front-facer, 2,000mAh removeable battery, and is factory unlocked and GSM/CDMA ready. A full run-down of the specifications can be found here.

Do you wish you knew more about how your smartphone was made? Do ethical business practices matter to you? What do you think Fairphone means for the mobile industry? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Images via Zeit and GSMNation.

Verizon's Kyocera Hydro Elite leaks out again, tipped for launch in late June

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:25:00 EST

Remember that "Kyocera Elite" that leaked out with Verizon branding last month? It's back again today, and now we've got a bit more information on when it'll make the jump from our screens to our pockets. A new image of the Kyocera Hydro Elite has been posted by @evleaks this morning, and in addition to sharing a higher-quality image of the device, the leakster claims that the Hydro Elite will be hitting Verizon's shelves in late June for $50 on contract. Spec details for the Hydro Elite are still a mystery.

Kyocera recently introduced a pair of new Hydro-branded Android phones for Sprint and U.S. Cellular, dubbed the Hydro Edge and Hydro XTRM, and so it makes sense that this new Verizon-bound unit would be part of the Hydro family as well. That means that it'll likely sport a waterproof design like the Edge and XTRM, but it's not clear what other features it might include. However, considering the specs of the Edge and XTRM as well as the Elite's rumored $50 price tag, I wouldn't expect anything too crazy high-end.

Via @evleaks

Is Lenovo too late to make it big in the US?

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:15:00 EST

Today I have come across several news articles that reveal that tech company Lenovo plans to move in on the U.S. market to offer their brand of smartphones. While Lenovo is mostly known for its person computers in the U.S., they are the second most popular phone company in China, right below Samsung (who also happens to be the top contender in the U.S. as well). While most of us wait for the next Samsung, HTC, Nexus, or Apple device, is there any room left for Lenovo to squeeze in there?

I wrote an article a few months ago regarding the Lenovo IdeaPhone K900, which we saw displayed during CES 2013. The device has a stunning build quality and is made out of stainless steel and Gorilla Glass 2. It sounds almost like a kitchen appliance with that description, but just by looking at the device I would place the look of it even over the HTC One, which I am very fond of. It runs on a 2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom processor, has 2 GB of RAM, and sports a 13-megapixel rear shooter and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Interestingly, the device outperforms the Galaxy Note II, which runs on a 1.6 GHz Exynos 4412 processor.

The Lenovo K900 is the device that made me wish that we had Lenovo phones here in the States – but now that my wish seems to be coming true I can’t help but wonder if customer loyalty to the phones and manufacturers that we already have will get in the way of a successful launch in the U.S.

Despite all the hype that we as tech bloggers give to phones like the Galaxy S whatever, the HTC whatever, the iPhone whatever, and the Nokia Lumia whatever, there are a few other manufacturers that can give a lot of oomph to a phone if you venture outside the box. You’ve got LG, Sony, and dare I say it Motorola (who may not be as relevant today as it was a few years ago, but at one point they were right up there with everyone else). There’s already a competitive market out there and getting a late start never helped anybody.

Although my concern for Lenovo’s success is moderately high, I also think that they might have the spark that could make it the next big thing here in the U.S. They’ve got the specs, they’ve got the look – heck, they even seem to have the whole marketing thing down. Have you guys seen the commercial for the IdeaPhone K900? If you haven’t, you should check it out.

Seriously, I don’t even know what the backstory on that commercial is but that guy looks like he’s about to get into some serious business, and he’s taking this wicked hard core beast of a phone with him. I mean yeah, maybe after the fact you’re like, “What does any of this have to do with the actual phone?” but in retrospect, the Lenovo commercial at least told you more about the phone than any of Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 prelude commercials. I’m glad that eager little boy got to take one little peek at the Galaxy S 4 but I kind of wanted to see what it looked like too if it’s all the same to you.

I would love to see a new manufacturer step in and show us what they’ve got. You can’t go wrong with more options (unless all of the ‘options’ are coming from one company – not naming any names, Samsung) and hopefully Lenovo can bring us a fresh perspective of Android, or whatever other platform they decide they might want to pursue. I just know that I’m open to all options at this point, because as fun as it is to talk about the phones we have on the market today, there’s only so much you can say about TouchWiz and iOS and the like before it all starts to sound repetitive, and sometimes you just need to divert your attention elsewhere for a while.

And I would like to divert my attention to Lenovo, so I hope that they’re able to pull of something great when they decide to show us what they’ve got.

Readers, what’s your opinion on Lenovo? Do you have high hopes for them or do you think it’s too late for them to progress very far in the U.S. smartphone market? Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!

Images via The Verge, Lenovo

Here's why HTC shouldn't make a phablet yet

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:40:00 EST

When it comes to smartphones with large displays, there's a polarizing effect which quickly sends fans into a frenzy. On one side, there are arguments for increased productivity with software additions and a more immersive experience for media consumption. But the other camp draws the line and denounces the idea of such a large device when tablets and PC's are still more complete options if you're looking to "do work."

The latest rumor from Pocket-lint suggests HTC wants to enter the argument. Rumor has it an HTC One variant with a display larger than anything they've ever delivered in a product could be in the cards. While this is a shaky rumor at best offering little to no detail on why HTC would consider it, or how they would market it, I find the whole thing shady and a terrible idea.

For starters, HTC has never been the sort of company to follow a known recipe of delivering something people want. They do their own thing.

Look back at the original EVO 4G on Sprint as an example. It was the first 4G (WiMax) device in the world. It was also a tank which had a build quality unlike anything from Apple, Motorola, and Samsung. HTC made it a point to even offer a kickstand to highlight the media you'd be consuming with those blazing download speeds and luscious 4.3-inch display. And the list goes on.

These additions made the HTC EVO 4G an icon of Android, and it's why the Taiwanese company etched the EVO brand into the wall as one of the most successful of its time. But EVO is gone and yet to be replaced.

So, why wouldn't an HTC One with a large display be a good idea?

HTC markets the One brand on many fronts, but display size is not one of them. BlinkFeed, BoomSound, the UltraPixel camera with HTC Zoe, and its zero-gap construction are what they want you to notice about its flagship. The average consumer and the tech community are just beginning to grasp what HTC offers as compared to Samsung. These are hardware-centric features, but none of them coincide with what the market has come to define as "phablet necessities."

At the present time, Samsung's Galaxy Note line has an expansive set of features which have solidified it as the penultimate large-screened device. If you want a phablet and you've got productivity in mind, it's an easy choice. I wouldn't recommend anything else, but that doesn't mean no other manufacturers should try to gain a foothold in the market in a similar manner. Personally, I think LG is doing a great job with their UI gracing the Optimus G Pro, but it's just not the right time for HTC to get involved in the phablet race.

The phablet genre is all about delivering the most complete product with little to no compromises. It's why they all have large, removable batteries. They have additional note-taking features and software advantages which make use of the extra real estate. Phablets mesh smartphones and tablets and are expected to deliver the best of both world's in a size which can pass as a "phone".

But if HTC were to enter this market, they'd need a significant overhaul on multiple fronts due the term "phablet" etching out a definition of itself in the short two years it's been around.

...and the last thing HTC's developing brand needs is to broaden its target market by shifting focus to revamping hardware and software features when it just concocted a successful recipe.

I think we can all agree HTC Sense 5.0 is not the best software experience available. It's all a matter of opinion. But I think it's nearly unanimous when you put it like this:

HTC Sense 5.0 drives the software experience of HTC's smartphones.

HTC has just recently become a contender for Android smartphone of the year, but phablets are a completely different game, and so is HTC Sense 5.0. It's a polished, fluid, and intuitive interface with BlinkFeed and graceful operation (for the most part). But it's far from offering utilities that Samsung's TouchWiz UX has so easily defined as necessities of jumbo phones. It's also hard to commit to the updates HTC Sense 5.0 would require to add additional functionality when you look back at their track-record for software updates.

HTC has a clear lead in build quality and premiumness. These hardware advantages of HTC are only important if you can let removable batteries and expandable storage take the backseat in your darkest phablet desires. Sure, HTC has a shot at convincing you a phablet with the One's build quality is a wonderful option as compared to LG or Samsung's offerings, but it's just not the right time to get distracted. They do smartphones right now.

Let this not be a reflection of what I want from an HTC One-esque device with a screen in the 5 to 6-inch range. I think it would be a wonderful experience especially if HTC's impeccable build quality and displays are in tow. I just know HTC is capable of great things with the One and think their attack against Samsung's Galaxy S 4 is going pretty well. Build on that, boys.

Yet I'm only one guy in a large world of smartphone fans. Do you believe HTC is in the right state of mind to attack the phablet market with its own HTC One variant? Should they market it with hardware or software features in mind? What recommendations would you give the Taiwanese company? What should they name it? Let's talk this one out in the comments below!

Images via Droid-Life and Digital Trends.

LG Optimus L9 for MetroPCS shown off in new image leak

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:00 EST

After first appearing on T-Mobile late last year, it appears that the LG Optimus L9 is now headed for Big Magenta's new subsidiary. An image has been shared by Phandroid that purportedly shows a new version of the Optimus L9 that will launch on MetroPCS. There's no MetroPCS branding to be found on the hardware, but the home screen shows Metro's Visual Voicemail app icon, just like the one found on the LG Connect 4G.

The MetroPCS version of the Optimus L9 is expected to be fairly similar to the T-Mobile-flavored model. That means that we can expect a 4.5-inch qHD (960x540) touchscreen, 1GHz dual-core processor, 5-megapixel camera, microSD slot and a 2,150mAh battery powering the whole package.

There's no word yet on exactly how much this MetroPCS variant of the Optimus L9 will cost or when it'll launch, but it's said that an official announcement regarding its availability will be made in the coming weeks. While the Optimus L9 may not the most high-end handset ever, especially now that it's been available on T-Mobile since October 2012, it could still be a solid handset for MetroPCS customers in the market for a new smartphone that won't make their wallet cry tears of pain. Do any of you already own the T-Mobile Optimus L9? If so, how has it been treating you?

Via Phandroid

Nokia Lumia 928 Video Review Part 2

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:50:00 EST

The Lumia 928 may be Nokia's most successful flagship. At $99.99 with a two-year agreement, the Lumia 928 brings a high-end Windows Phone to the nation's largest carrier. It sports a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 4.5-inch HD display, 8.7-megapixel camera with 1080p HD recording, 1 GB of RAM, 2,000 mAh battery, and 4G LTE connectivity. It offers Windows Phone 8 out of the box with Nokia's value added applications like Nokia Music, HERE Maps, and more.

It's a great addition to Verizon Wireless, and with their status as the largest wireless carrier in the US, it brings much needed visibility to Nokia and Microsoft. Is it worth it and more importantly, can it compete in the mobile battle against the hot devices like the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S 4, and Apple iPhone 5? Part 2 of 2.

View video here

Nokia Lumia 928 Video Review Part 1

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:45:00 EST

Nokia has released the Lumia 928 Windows Phone on Verizon, and it's not a mid-range phone - it's a high-end Windows Phone for the nation's largest wireless carrier. At $99.99 with a two-year agreement, the Lumia 928 offers a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 4.5-inch HD display, 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD recording, 1 GB of RAM, 2,000 mAh battery, and 4G LTE connectivity. It packs Windows Phone 8 with Nokia's value added applications like Nokia Music, HERE Maps, and more.

It's a great addition to Verizon Wireless, and with their status as the largest wireless carrier in the US, it brings much needed visibility to Nokia and Microsoft. Is it worth it and more importantly, can it compete in the mobile battle against the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S 4, and Apple iPhone 5? Part 1 of 2.

View video here

AT&T confirms GoPhone support for HSPA+ and LTE data access

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:00:00 EST

Just as expected, AT&T announced today that its GoPhone prepaid users can begin using iPhones and other HSPA+/LTE-capable devices starting today, May 24. AT&T spokesperson Mark Siegel confirmed the news to FierceWireless, explaining that GoPhone customers can use AT&T's HSPA+ or LTE networks by bringing their own device or buying a new one at full retail price. A recently-leaked memo noted that existing GoPhone users will receive an update to enable HSPA+/LTE network data access on June 21, though customers that don't feel like waiting that long may be able to contact AT&T to gain access sooner.

AT&T's GoPhone service offers a special $65 plan targeted specifically at smartphone users that includes unlimited talk and text as well as 1GB of data. There are also $25 and $50 options available that include unlimited texting and either 250 minutes or unlimited minutes, but those packages require a separate data add-on. GoPhone users that need a data pack can select a 50MB plan that's priced at $5 per month, a 200MB option for $15 or a 1GB add-on for $25 per month.

AT&T has been steadily expanding its LTE network lately, and the service is now available in 224 markets. Meanwhile, AT&T's HSPA+ network covers 292 million people, meaning that most GoPhone customers should have some speedy new service to play with after getting their update for high-speed data network access. AT&T's GoPhone service may not be ideal for heavy data users since its highest data package is only 1GB, but if a user can stick to Wi-Fi for monitor their cellular data usage, GoPhone could be a prepaid option worth looking into.

Via FierceWireless, AT&T GoPhone

Should Apple return to releasing iPhones in the summer?

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:55:00 EST

With May about to turn over to June and summer just around the corner, many people are eager to get outside and soak up the sun for the few precious months that we have before the hot summer once again turns into a harsh winter. Some are gearing up to go swimming, play sports, take vacations, and just enjoy the nice weather. Others are eagerly waiting to see what Apple has to say during WWDC 2013, which kicks off on June 10.

Guess which group this girl falls in?

WWDC takes place in just two and a half weeks, and speculations are once again high in the industry as people wonder what to expect from Apple. Over the past couple of years we’ve mostly seen software aspects discussed from the Cupterino-based company without any murmur of the next generation iPhone happening until later in the year during the fall. The last phone to be announced during the summer was the iPhone 4, which was announced on June 7 during WWDC 2010. The iPhone 4S was the first to begin selling in the fall season, followed by the iPhone 5.

Could the seasonal change in releases be part of the reason that Apple has been falling short of their own goals?

Thus far I’ve attributed much of Apple’s fall from the money tree primarily to the fact that iOS is boring and could use a refresher. Recently fellow Contributing Editor Chase Bonar has made suggestions as to what he thinks should change in the next iPhone in order to make it better. In fact, I’m pretty sure here at PhoneDog we’ve all made suggestions to help boost Apple in keeping iOS and the iPhone from becoming a sinking ship – readers included. And who wouldn’t? iOS was the beginning of a smartphone revolution and it’s always sad to see a familiar face get trampled over by newer and more exciting things. But that’s just it; iOS has become the old friend that you can rely on, but your habits and hobbies have altered for different needs. Customization, bigger screens, open developer support – all parts of newer and constantly refreshing platforms.

But I digress. Back on point, I feel like a stale iOS isn’t the only thing keeping the iPhone from progressing; changing the release date to fall was probably a huge mistake in the first place, especially for the iPhone 4S, which was only a continuation device. Nothing huge or fantastic, no LTE, and not even HSPA+ speeds. Just a dual-core processor and Siri smashed into an iPhone 4 shell. People who were waiting those extra few months to get their hands on an iPhone 4S were probably highly disappointed – I know I would have been if I was specifically waiting for the device. If I was waiting for four months longer than I normally did I would have probably expected something a lot… more. But I can’t speak for everyone.

You also have to consider that the beginning of summer is probably a perfect sweet spot to release any kind of high-end phone. As I mentioned before, people like to take vacations and spend time with family and friends in the summer. Kids are out of school, the weather is nice – it’s a perfect opportunity to take billions upon billions of pictures, and what better device to do it with than your trusty smartphone? At the time the iPhone 4S was released, I imagine having an iOS device sporting an 8-megapixel camera would have been a huge hit for those summer months. Even August or September would have been good because school was starting, and I’ve noticed a growing trend of kids getting new phones before the school year starts. But October? It seems like awkward timing. With no real commercial reason to purchase a phone until after Thanksgiving, October just seemed like a slow month to release the once-a-year iPhone. Except for that one really rich guy that hands out iPhones to trick-or-treaters on Halloween because he just has to one-up that neighbor who’s handing out the full-size Crunch bars.

I’m hoping to see the release of an iPhone 6 or an iPhone 5S during WWDC 2013. I’m not making any bets on it, but I feel that maybe at this point Apple should factor timing of the release into the equation if nothing else. It doesn’t sound like iOS is due for any major changes other than “flat” aesthetics, so perhaps a summer release could boost those sales just because aside from the holiday season, summer is the only other time during the year that people look for reasons to blow their money.

It’s 98 degrees today, and boy is it humid. You know what sounds like fun? Dropping $200 on a new gadget in an overly air conditioned mobile retail location.

I know I’m not the only one that frequently has this thought every summer.

If Apple isn’t willing to change iOS, then they should use time to their advantage. I think it might help. It also might not, but hey, what have you got to lose?

Readers, what say you? Do you think that Apple should stick to their new fall schedule, or should they move back to a summer release? Do you think one way would help over the other? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Image via ArsTechnica

Microsoft and Google teaming up on new YouTube app for Windows Phone, launching 'in the coming weeks'

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:30:00 EST

Microsoft and Google haven't exactly been the best of friends as of late, especially when it comes to YouTube, but it looks like the two companies have managed to find a way to work together. Google has told The Verge that YouTube and Microsoft will be collaborating on an update for the new YouTube app for Windows Phone that will be released "in the coming weeks." The update will make the app compliant with YouTube's API terms of service, meaning that users can expect to being seeing ads in their videos.

Microsoft released a major update to its YouTube app for Windows Phone earlier this month, replacing the old app that was basically just a bookmark to the mobile web version of YouTube with a fully-functional app. However, the updated YouTube app was missing ads and allowed users to download clips, two things that didn't sit well with YouTube. Microsoft's move appears to have gotten it the help in creating the YouTube app that it's wanted for some time now, though, and the fact that these companies are coming together to create a new YouTube app update is great news for Windows Phone users. Stay tuned and we'll give you a shout once the update app officially goes live.

Via The Verge

Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4 Unboxing

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:50:00 EST

Aaron unboxes the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4. It's packing the usual 1.9 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU, along with the 5-inch 1080p HD display, 13-megapixel camera with 1080p HD recording, 2,600 mAh battery, 4G LTE, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with TouchWiz. The Verizon version packs a Verizon logo (with "4G LTE" also listed) on the back, and that pesky Wi-Fi notification makes an appearance yet again. Otherwise, this is the same device that you can snag on the others, but it's officially available on the nation's largest carrier. It's available now in black mist and white frost for $199.99.

View video here

Lenovo hopes to begin selling smartphones in the U.S. 'within a year'

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:45:00 EST

Even though Lenovo computers have been sold in the U.S. for some time, most consumers here probably don't realize that the company also makes its own smartphones. Lenovo hopes to change that soon, though, as CEO Yang Yuanqing has revealed that his firm hopes to begin selling its smartphones in the U.S. "within a year."

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Yang said that Lenovo is looking for new methods to grow and that smartphones provide an opportunity for the company to do just that. Lenovo is currently the second-largest smartphone seller in China, following Samsung, but the company's handset business is basically non-existent in the U.S. Yang is aware that marketing will help his company to change that, comparing the smartphone industry to the fashion industry and saying that Lenovo plans to strengthen its marketing efforts.

The exec also said that Lenovo is open to acquisitions, including in the smartphone business, if it will help his firm to grow and gain sales channels. However, Yang wouldn't say whether or not Lenovo has any potential acquisitions in the works.

It's always good to see more competition, and I think it'd be great for Lenovo try its hand at the U.S. smartphone market. As I mentioned before, the company is big in China, and it's been responsible for some high-end smartphones. Its newest handset is the Lenovo K900, an Android device that was recently released in China with a 5.5-inch 1080p display, 2GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2580 processor and 13-megapixel camera, all packed into a body that measures 6.9mm thick. We'll just have to wait and see what kind of hardware Lenovo decides to bring stateside, but at least we know that the company is capable of producing some impressive kit. You can check out Aaron's hands-on with the K900 below.

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Via The Wall Street Journal

Android 4.3 purportedly spotted on a Nexus 4 as new Gmail app spied in Google I/O presentation [UPDATED]

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:10:00 EST

Ready to wrap up the week with some juicy Android rumors? First up, XDA-developers forum members "chaleen" and "innocent36" claim to have spotted a Nexus 4 at the Thailand Mobile Expo that's running Android 4.3. The Nexus 4's "About phone" screen lists it as running software build number JWR45B with a kernel from mid-May. The Jelly Bean Easter egg also lists the Android version as being 4.3. However, the only noticeable changes in these images are found in the camera software, with the controls set off to the side above the shutter button rather than around the focus area.

We've heard rumblings of Android 4.3 in recent months, and we even spotted "Android 4.3" in some AOSP search results in the hours before Google I/O. However, Google hasn't actually announced what the next version of Android will be or what new features it will contain. It's kind of strange to see that an unannounced version of Android may be running on a Nexus 4 at a mobile conference, and as is usually the case with leaks like this, it might be wise to take these photos with a grain or two of salt. That said, the jump from Android 4.1 to 4.2 didn't contain a ton of major changes, and I wouldn't be surprised if a small camera control tweak is one of a handful of alterations that'll be made in what will likely be a small-ish update from 4.2 to 4.3.

The second leak today is one for the Gmail lovers out there. During a Google I/O session titled "Structure in Android App Design", a new version of the Gmail app for Android was apparently included in a Google employee's presentation slide. As you can see below, the new app contains three small ticks in the upper left corner that can be used to slide out the new navigation panel. This panel slides out over the list of emails and provides the user with access to the Inbox, Priority Inbox, Recent Labels and All Labels sections. We can also see that the action bar at the bottom of the current Gmail app is gone, with the Compose and Search buttons moving up to the top action bar next to the user's email address.

While this new Gmail app isn't a total redesign, it does appear to feature some new navigation that could make jumping around to different Gmail functions easier. Of course, it's possible that this is just a mockup that was thrown together for the presentation. Android Police, which originally spotted this new Gmail app, argues that this is indeed the real deal because of the other tweaks found in the screenshot (like the missing bottom action bar and resized stars on the side) as well as the fact that a dogfood version of the Google Play Store was shown in screenshots from earlier in the presentation. To check the app out for yourself, you can find it at the 23-minute mark in the presentation below.

UPDATE: And now a video showing Android 4.3's new camera controls in action has been posted by Google+ user Theogusper George Philip Piccadilly. As we saw before, the camera controls are can now be popped up near to the shutter button by pressing the settings key that's right next to that soft shutter key. Users are also still able to access the controls by tapping and holding on the display. Finally, Droid-Life notes that there's a countdown timer included in the settings that doesn't appear to be present in Android 4.2. You can check out the brief clip below.

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Via Droid-Life (1), (2) XDA-Developers forums (1), (2), (3), Android Police, YouTube, +Theogusper George Philip Piccadilly

HTC One 'Google Edition' rumors continue

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:05:00 EST

Hot on the heels of a rumor that said that HTC is prepping a "Google Edition" of its One flagship running stock Android, more reports have surfaced that back up the original claim. Both Android Central and MoDaCo now say that HTC is indeed working on a version of the One that runs vanilla Android rather than HTC's Sense 5 overlay. The sites claim that the device will be announced within the next week or so.

Details on this Google Edition HTC One and its availability are still light, but Android Central claims that the phone will enjoy the same speedy updates that were promised with the Google Edition Samsung Galaxy S 4. One of the sources of today's reports claims that HTC and Samsung will be subject deadlines when it comes to prepping updates for their Google Edition models. Meanwhile, MoDaCo says that the hardware of this Google Edition One will be similar to the regular model.

While the Google Edition HTC One is still far from official at this point, the odds of HTC releasing such a device do seem a bit higher than they did just a day or two ago. As I mentioned previously, it remains to be seen exactly how the HTC One would perform without the enhancements that Sense brings to the table, especially when it comes to the One's UltraPixel camera and BoomSound speakers. I'm sure that there are plenty of folks that'd be willing to open their wallets for a unit to find out, though.

Via Android Central, MoDaCo

Nokia files more suits against HTC, targets One and other devices

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:40:00 EST

The battle between Apple and Samsung may be the most well-know legal war currently taking place in mobile, but it's certainly not the only one that's happening. Nokia has confirmed to AllThingsD that it has filed new suits against HTC in the U.S., including one in California as well as a second complaint to the U.S. International Trade Commission. According to FOSSPatents, the California lawsuit includes three RFID patents and targets many HTC devices, including the One, First and DROID DNA. Nokia's ITC complaint includes the HTC One as well, though it focuses on different patents.

In all, Nokia is asserting 50 patents in the different cases that it's involved in around the globe. Concerning its battle with HTC, the Finnish phone manufacturer said that even though a German court found HTC to have infringed on Nokia's patents, "HTC has shown no intention to end its practices; instead it has tried to shift responsibility to its suppliers."

These latest suits show that Nokia isn't afraid to keep its litigation train humming along if it feels that HTC is continuing to infringe upon its patents. Whether or not HTC will be found in violation of Nokia's patents in these cases remains to be seen, but one thing that we do know is that anyone hoping for a decrease in the number of wireless legal battles won't be getting their wish any time soon.

Via AllThingsD, FOSSPatents (1), (2)

Could a One with stock Android be HTC's swan song?

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:05:00 EST

It isn’t looking good for HTC. Some might tell you that it was inevitable. Some may even say you could have seen it coming from a mile away. While others may try to convince you that this is just a slump, another hump in the road, but that HTC is going to overcome their troubles and bounce back. Sure, it may look like, right this second that the whole wide world is working against them, but the company has survived this long, and it’s certainly not been all rainbows and butterflies the whole time.

So, some might tell you that this just another hurdle, but not an impossible one. That, my friends, is looking at the glass half full! And there’s nothing wrong with that at all. In truth, I’ve got my fingers crossed for HTC, too. You’d be crazy to actually want HTC to go out of business. That just wouldn’t be cool, and that’s putting it nicely.

But the tea leaves are drifting around. People are making their estimations for what the future holds. Of course, the news isn’t helping much.

Hopefully you didn’t miss the recent reports, or you’d miss that reference. Well, we should probably go over it again anyway, just to cover our bases. HTC confirmed to AllThingsD that Chief Product Officer Kouji Kodera has left the company. That’s big news by itself, but it’s a snowball-turned-avalanche when you add it to the other departures: Jason Gordon, VP of global communications; Rebecca Rowland, manager of retail marketing; John Starkweather, director of digital marketing; and Eric Lin, product strategy manager. That’s a lot of talented executives jumping ship.

What’s more, Eric Lin threw in some color commentary on his way out the door, too. He went as far as to say that his friends working at the company should “just quit,” and that they’d be “so much happier” if and when they did. Ouch, Eric Lin. Ouch.

It isn’t good news, no matter how you look at it, but it is what it is. It’s a reality that HTC has to live with, and one that they’ve got to work with. They have to figure out how to change plenty of different things, both internally and with the consumer, and they have to figure all of it out pretty quickly. Our own Anna Scantlin suggested that HTC should “take a breather,” and essentially “go dark” while they try to figure all these things out.

But HTC has to keep making phones if they want to try and make money. Probably not phones like the HTC First, mind you, considering all the negativity swirling around that device these days. But, more devices like the One? Yes. Yes please, HTC. Your flagship device is only struggling due to component issues, and hopefully that gets figured out sooner, rather than later. Then maybe those five million units you’re sitting at right now can see a bigger boost in the next couple of months.

That gets me to the meat and potatoes. The One. The device that I, and many others, believe is simply the best Android-based piece of hardware around. And, if there are negative points against it, they come from the software. Specifically, the changes that HTC made to their proprietary Sense UI. So when a rumor starts to float around that HTC could be considering launching a One-like device with stock Android, there’s an obvious uptick in excitement.

This is the Nexus-branded device a lot of people have been waiting for. This is a Nexus One to replace the old Nexus One. (Please don’t call it the Nexus One, HTC.) This rumored device would immediately gain plenty of traction, especially if Google could sell it in the Play Store, and for something cheaper than what that stock Galaxy S 4 is going for.

If HTC is indeed planning a stock HTC One, could it be the company’s swan song? Could this be the device that they go out on? Like I said, I don’t like the idea of HTC going anywhere anytime soon at all, but the news keeps traveling downhill, and that can’t be good year-in and year-out. Would a device like a stock One be able to turn it around? That depends. It would depend on a lot of things, like marketing for instance, but also availability.

I’d love to see HTC stick around. Keep “kickin’ it,” or whatever the saying is these days. But there’s obviously a lot that the company has to figure out, work on, and get better before that can happen. Before they can really compete against Samsung and/or Apple. Both. Just one. Whichever.

Here’s a question that I’d like you to answer for me: even if HTC can make a phone that’s sitting high atop the Android pile like the One, but still be faced with all this downtrodden negativity, what would it take for the company to make a real, lasting comeback? Let me know what you think.

More rumored iOS 7 details surface, including Notification Center changes and redesigned apps

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:50:00 EST

Rumored details of iOS 7 and its "flatter" design have been trickling out in recent months, and today some more information on what Apple executive Jony Ive has been busy with has leaked out. 9to5Mac claims to have details on some of the changes coming to iOS 7, and according to the report, Ive and Co. have made alterations to nearly every aspect of Apple's mobile OS that focus on black and white UI elements and a flatter overall look.

The changes start at the lock screen, which while expected function similarly to the way it does today, will reportedly exchange its shiny time bar up top for a simple black look. The sources also claim that lock screen notifications could gain more manipulability.

Speaking of notifications, Apple's Notification Center is allegedly set to gain a new look as well, losing its dark linen background for a simple dark-colored background with white text. Apple is also said to be testing new widgets similar to the existing weather and stock feeds. Those include "localized news feeds" and a quick access panel with toggles for system settings like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Moving on to the home screen, we're told to expect home screen app icons that are shaped in a similar way, but without any shine or shadows. Many of Apple's own app icons are said to be getting redone, with the Camera and Photos apps becoming "flatter" and the Game Center app icon dropping its green felt. Another big home screen change that's reportedly coming is panorama wallpapers that will pan as the user moves between home screens, similar to how Android's home screens work.

Finally, many of Apple's own apps are expected to receive new looks that go along with the focus on black and white colors and flat design. Many apps are said to feature a white base with a theme color that's unique to that app. The Notes app will allegedly ditch its yellow notepad in favor of a clean white look, while the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore are said to be getting makeovers to become flat and white. We're also told to expect animated images in the Weather app, a Game Center without its casino feel and a dedicated FaceTime app.

We've been hearing for months now that iOS would be receiving quite a makeover with Jony Ive at the helm, and today's report certainly makes it sound like that is indeed the case. While iOS 7 will likely retain much of the same basic look and functionality in order to keep things simple for users, these latest rumors suggest that it could also be one of the biggest iOS updates that Apple has shipped to date. The Cupertino firm is expected to offer the first glimpse at iOS 7 during WWDC next month, followed by a launch this fall. So, what do you make of the changes detailed in today's report? Do you like the sound of the makeover that iOS is reportedly receiving?

Via 9to5Mac

Hello Moto, come back to mobile

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:40:00 EST

Variety is what makes the smartphone market as competitive as it is. No matter how you swype it, certain folks prefer certain strokes of the keyboard. Nearly every manufacturer has tried to get in on the action as of late. Prying away at Samsung's stellar lead in the Android realm has proven a daunting task for everyone else. But Motorola has been absent in the race to your face and pocket for so long that it's nearing a point where I'm wondering if they have a back-up plan if rumors of Google's loss of interest in the X Phone project turn out to be true.

I sure hope it is just a case of ravenous gossip because Motorola has proven their hardware can rival the best in the smartphone market. While Apple was selling its one millionth iPod in 2003, Motorola was setting up its slamdunk clamshell masterpiece for sales glory, the original Razr. Over its four year tenure, the Razr and its variants sold 130 million devices - a record that remains in this form factor. With its external glass screen, slender build, and electroluminescent keypad, the Razr became an icon and even spawned its own brand later down the road.

Along the way, Motorola has seen much success with its DROID handsets a la Verizon, too. They continued their pledge to a sturdy construction with what (at the time) seemed like a trivial addition to its RAZR line - a Kevlar back - which has become a selling point of their devices.

However, Motorola now finds itself without a flagship smartphone on any carrier since early of last year. And in mobile, their flagship smartphones are nearing memento status. In fact, their lack of devices on carriers is really hard to believe seeing how much of a role they played just ten years ago.

Without dwelling too much into the past, Motorola's diligence at what it did best with its original Razr is what mobile needs right now. No one questioned its build; they lauded it. Not a soul was worried about its technology; it had two LCD panels. It had solid cellular reception and held a charge for long enough to avoid raising flags. At the time of its launch, it turned heads with these traits, and I believe Moto could also reassert itself as a leader if it delivered a device with as solid an overall package as it has in the past.

Apple, Samsung, and only recently, HTC, are the only manufacturers to offer a single device on all (with HTC's One absent on Verizon) carriers. These are top-tier hero devices. For a smartphone afficionado, these flagships have a presence like Gatsby. And Motorola is on its way to doing the same with its X Phone. But as you've gathered, Motorola's X Phone is likely far off from a hero device with its rumored 720p panel and dual-core processor. Yet a variation of the X Phone has passed through the FCC for all major carriers in The States less T-Mobile.

The last time I checked that was a main ingredient in the recipe of success for a handset.

What I find most interesting about the possibility of a Motorola device with mediocre specs on three out of four major carriers in the U.S. is its target market. This is presumably a mid to upper-mid range device not meant to challenge the reigning kings of Android: the Galaxy S 4 and HTC One. It's almost safe to bet that Moto will be below the subsidized price points of both HTC and Samsung's offerings, too.

So, what would Motorola do for mobile right now?

Believe it or not, there's a heated battle for the third place role of Android manufacturers in the U.S., and in the world, it's just as close. At the end of the day, it's Motorola, LG, and HTC who are vying for third place in the Android realm no matter your opinion of any of them. It's anyone's for the taking.

And Android is what Motorola is committed to.

Whether by miracle or spontaneity, Motorola Mobility gave into Google's $12.5 billion purchase just a year ago, and rumors of their device have ebbed and flowed so much I could have rumor vertigo.

Android has made it a point to solidify their presence in the latest Motorola smartphones running their custom UI. The days of Motoblur have long gone, but do people really want as close to a stock experience of Android on their smartphones?

Google has taken it to heart and released a Samsung "Google Edition" Galaxy S 4, and there are rumors (from the same source at Geek.com) that HTC is also nearing a release for their One with Jelly Bean aboard.

So, if Motorola has been paying attention (and it's likely they are seeing that Google is behind the wheel), they ought to know how valuable stock Android can become with each Google Edition smartphone. As much as Android may seem unintuitive or tough to learn, it's at the forefront of mobile right now, and with Motorola's UI tweaks including quick settings, toggles, and sweet home screen widgets, it might be just what Android needs to convince consumers of the speediness of the stock Android experience.

Android smartphones may be everywhere, and although I've been a fan for a while, I'm really getting tired of hearing the same arguments.

While HTC and Samsung are bickering over build quality, I'm thrilled Motorola will soon be in the mix with its rubberized backings and creak-less construction. Motorola might be sitting in fourth place in total U.S. subscribers according to comScore, but they've done so with relatively little exposure.

Imagine what a little bit of marketing could do for the calm, cool, and until recently, coy, Motorola if they had another recipe like the original Razr.

:Grabs popcorn:

What is your favorite Motorola smartphone? Do you feel there's a place left for Motorola in 2013? Let me know in the comment boxes!

Images via Mikeshouts and Techtage.

AT&T's GoPhone prepaid brand reportedly gaining support for iPhone and other HSPA+/LTE devices

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:05:00 EST

AT&T's GoPhone prepaid brand has been around for some time, but as it stands today, the service doesn't officially support iPhones or LTE/HSPA+ connectivity. However, some new reports suggest that that'll all be changing tomorrow.

According to Engadget and MacRumors, AT&T's GoPhone brand will launch support for iPhones, LTE/HSPA+ and Visual Voicemail starting tomorrow, May 24. A leaked memo explains that customers will have the option of bringing their own iPhone or HSPA+/LTE-capable device or buying a new one without a commitment. Those users will then be able to sign up for a $25, $50 or $65 GoPhone plan. All three plans include Visual Voicemail support, but any customers signing up for the $25 or $50 plans will need to buy a separate data package.

The internal memo also notes that existing GoPhone customers with an iPhone or HSPA+/LTE-enabled device will automatically receive an update on June 21 that will enable this new GoPhone data access. Thankfully, any subscribers that don't feel like waiting for June 21 to roll around will be able to contact AT&T Customer Care and gain data access before that date.

AT&T's GoPhone service currently offers a $65 per month plan that includes unlimited talk and text as well as 1GB of smartphone data. There are also $25 and $50 options that include unlimited texting and either 250 minutes or unlimited minutes, respectively, but those require a data package for smartphones that are priced at $5 for 50MB, $15 for 250MB and $25 for 1GB. These plans may not offer much data, but for people that nibble on megabytes or are frequently near Wi-Fi, AT&T's GoPhone service may be worth considering. The change is reportedly taking place tomorrow, so stay tuned and we'll give you a shout if it does indeed go down.

Via Engadget, MacRumors

Why is Nokia the only manufacturer to take WP8 seriously?

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:20:00 EST

Let’s talk about Windows Phone 8 for a minute. When I look at Windows Phone 8, I kind of have a certain admiration for the software. It has come a long way from the early days of Windows Mobile, which was probably one of the most complicated platforms I’ve ever had to figure out. I find it interesting that Microsoft has found a way to make the Windows Phone 8 platform an advancement from Windows Mobile, yet used an extremely minimalist design. It might not be the platform with the most apps, but it does offer a lot of mainstream apps and it is certainly more unique looking than Android or iOS.

So why is it that Nokia is the only one to take Windows Phone 8 seriously?

You could say that HTC also somewhat takes the platform seriously, but by releasing only one “high end” phone since the release of Windows 8 as oppose to Nokia’s continuing support of the platform I have to wonder why Windows Phone 8 doesn’t see as much support as it should. Is it really that big of a downer for developers and consumers? I don’t even use the platform and I get excited when I read about a new Nokia Lumia device being released – but usually it’s only Nokia Lumias because every other phone release seems to be some haphazard attempt at keeping the platform alive.

Take Sprint for example. I’ve been interested in Windows Phone 8 since it was announced, and seeing as Sprint only ever had one Windows Phone 7 device I was hoping that we would see a little more support from Windows Phone 8. Naturally, I was wrong. It’s been nearly seven months since the release of Windows Phone 8 and although Sprint has addressed (and even has a splash page) that they will be selling Windows Phone 8 devices, I’ve come across no evidence that Sprint will be getting any high end Windows Phone 8 devices. It sounds like they heard that some of their customers want to see Windows Phone 8 on the shelves of Sprint, so they throw us a bone in the form of two mid-range Windows Phone 8 devices. I say if that’s the case, don’t even bother releasing two of them. Just release one. Why do we need two mid-range devices that practically do the same thing? Thanks, but no thanks.

But I can’t necessarily blame Sprint alone, because perhaps there’s something between Nokia and Sprint that prevents them from selling Nokia Lumia devices. However, I still think it shouldn’t be up to Nokia and Nokia alone to bring a good name to the Windows Phone 8 family. It’s not failing because it’s necessarily a bad platform – it’s not. It’s a decent platform and offers features that iOS and Android currently cannot, like Microsoft Office and Xbox Live features. It has potential, it just needs more attention from more people.

I’m probably making this sound simpler than it really is – I’m sure it’s not easy for any company to just drop whatever Android project they’re working on to try and pick up the pace with Windows Phone 8. With Android being at an all-time high when it comes to popularity and sales why would you give up that dream in favor of something like Windows Phone 8? I wouldn’t want to give up that potentially high amount of success, either. But at the same time, companies like HTC could benefit from creating another Windows Phone 8 device because although their latest flagship Android, the HTC One, is certainly well-received it’s still overshadowed by Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 and even Apple’s iPhone. HTC has wiggle room to put their eggs in more than one basket, and I think they could benefit by creating another high-end Windows Phone 8 device.

I’m mostly just tired of only getting excited for the Nokia Lumia releases. I loved the Nokia Lumia 920 for AT&T, I like the subtle changes in the Nokia Lumia 928 for Verizon, and I’m excited for the release of the Nokia Lumia 925 for T-Mobile. I was happy to see that HTC released the 8X, which made it seem like more manufacturers might be interested in making Windows Phone 8 more successful than Windows Phone 7; but it seems that the road ends there. The only company that seems interested in continued development for Windows Phone 8 seems to be Nokia with their Lumia line. I truly think Windows Phone 8 could benefit from the support of more manufacturers.

Readers, what do you think? Do you think Windows Phone 8 would see more success by having more manufacturers make WP 8 devices or not? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

HTC rumored to be prepping new version of One with stock Android

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:45:00 EST

Google took most of the mobile world by surprise with its recent announcement of a "Google Edition" of the Samsung Galaxy S 4, a device that features the same hardware as a regular Galaxy S 4 but is loaded with vanilla Android 4.2.2 rather than a TouchWiz-laden version of Jelly Bean. Now the rumor mill is claiming that we may soon see a similar device from HTC.

According to sources speaking to Russell Holly of Geek.com, HTC is considering launching a version of its One flagship smartphone with a vanilla version of Android 4.2.2. Details on the HTC One Google Edition itself and the way that it would be sold are light, but the tipsters suggest that an announcement is "imminent," possibly as soon as two weeks from now, and that the U.S. would get first dibs on the device.

While still very much a rumor at this point, Holly accurately predicted the aforementioned Google Edition Galaxy S 4 the evening before its announcement, and so his latest claim of a similar HTC One model carry a bit more weight than a typical rumor. HTC is also known as being one of the more developer-friendly manufacturers, offering users the ability to unlock the bootloaders of many of its devices and making them easier to tinker with.

Shortly after the Galaxy S 4 Google Edition was announced, HTC said that it had no plans for a similar version of its One. Of course, we've certainly seen companies shoot down rumors and then turn around and turn them into reality in the past, and that could be what happens here as well. It'd certainly be interesting to see how a vanilla Android-powered HTC One would work without HTC's custom software, and I'm betting that there are several folks out there that'd be more than happy to find out. For now, though, it may not be a bad idea to take this rumor with a grain or two of your favorite salt. Would you buy a version of the HTC One with stock Android 4.2.2?

Via Phandroid, Geek.com

HTC One becomes first business-ready HTCpro Certified smartphone in U.S.

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:45:00 EST

The HTC One already touts a feature list that includes a 4.7-inch 1080p display, UltraPixel camera and aluminum-clad body, but today the flagship handset's spec sheet has gotten one bullet point longer. HTC has announced that the One is the first HTCpro Certified product in the U.S., meaning that it offers high-level security with a combination of Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certification and 256-bit encryption. There's also VPN functionality, with multiheaded Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC) VPN support coming to HTCpro in the future, as well as MDM APIs that allow for several mobile device management options.

More and more people are gaining the option of bringing their own device to work with them, and now that the HTC One has all of these new business features, it's likely a much more attractive option for anyone that's at a job with a BYOD option. The fact that the HTC One is now HTCpro Certified won't be big news for everyone out there, but it is important to people that use their phones for business, and it could certainly help in HTC's effort to keep sales of the One chugging along now that it's passed the five million sold mark. More details on HTCpro can be found by hitting up the link below.

Via HTCpro

No more social network phones, please

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:00 EST

Following the successful release of the HTC One, we were able to catch a glimpse of the latest project that HTC and Facebook teamed up to create – the HTC First. My immediate reaction was unfavorable towards the phone, because although I knew there would be a niche market for it I feel like any phone that’s designed to center around one “feature” – in this case, Facebook – won’t be one of those timeless phones that we’ll forever remember in our hearts. It’s a fad, and like every other fad it’s bound to fade out sooner rather than later.

It doesn’t help that Facebook, as a social network, is hardly receiving any praise lately. In my experience, the social networking platform has already gone the way of MySpace. Why did people move from MySpace to Facebook? Because simply put, MySpace went from being all about us and keeping in touch with our buddies to being about how many sponsored products they can shove down our throats each time we visit the site. I used to be able to go to Facebook and scroll down the page and see what my friends were up to – that was it. Now I scroll down the page and I get “Suggested Pages”, “Sponsored Posts”, and pages that commented on some celebrity that I might have liked at some point in my life. Who cares?!

I’m sure that the HTC First was just an attempt to encourage users to keep using the social network in their everyday lives, but as I mentioned before: That ship has sailed. Even when Facebook was still remotely relevant the HTC ChaCha flopped in sales as well. It’s not just Facebook that does it; we’ve seen it happen with Helio for their “MySpace Phone”. Where are Helios today? Exactly.

I don’t want to see any more of these smartphones that come out with a single purpose – we’re beyond that. Our smartphones are a lot more useful than just for social networking, and I’m sure most people realize this. I love – or used to love – social networking. There was a point in my life where the majority of my time on my phone was spent on Facebook, but it was at my own bidding. It was a part of my phone, not the entire idea behind it.

The thing about it is, the First is actually a decent stock Android phone once you disable Facebook Home – especially for $0.99 on a two-year contract. I honestly think this could have pushed sales more than advertising it as a “Facebook Phone”. I personally would be much more interested in purchasing a mid-range stock Android device that has the opportunity to use Facebook Home if I wanted than a “Facebook phone” that many people don’t realize can be turned off with a single tap.

I feel like Facebook Home should have only ever been released as a launcher option for Android devices. Don’t shove it in people’s faces in the form of an entire phone. Perhaps that’s where this whole idea went wrong. They released Facebook Home for Android at the same time they launched their phone. So really, anybody who wanted a Facebook-centric Android device would only have to download the app available on the Google Play store. They could have at least waited a few months after the release of the HTC First, in my opinion. Maybe then the phone would have seen a little more profit. But in the end, I still don’t think that the Facebook phone was a good idea in the first place.

I think if any more social networking sites get the idea that they should make an entire phone devoted to revolve around their social network, they should stop and take a look at Facebook’s abysmal past with the idea. Twitter, don’t do it. Google+, don’t do it. LinkedIn, definitely don’t do it. Just don’t do it. Create a launcher, and only a launcher. That’s it.

Readers, what are your thoughts on social network-centric smartphones? Could the HTC First have ever had a chance even without the release of Facebook Home for Android launcher? What are your thoughts on Facebook Home? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Huawei Ascend P6 leaks out in both black and white, still super thin [UPDATED]

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:10:00 EST

Remember that Huawei P6-U06 device that leaked out earlier this month with a 6.18mm-thick body? It's back again today, showing off its super-thin frame in couple of different image leaks. The renders, which were posted to Chinese microblogging service Sina Weibo by @evleaks, show the device in both black and white. The phone looks fairly similar to the one that we saw in the wild a couple of weeks ago, including the line of buttons and slots on its side. The handset is referred to as the "Ascend P6," suggesting that that may be its final name.

According to previous rumors about this Huawei P6, the device will come to market with a 4.7-inch 720p display and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean beneath Huawei's custom Emotion UI. Interestingly, Engadget says that Huawei Device Chairman Richard Yu put up his own post on Sina Weibo saying that the device in these leaked images is indeed a P-series device and that it'll be unveiled at an event on June 18. Yu deleted the post shortly after it went live, but the good news is that the we learned all that we needed to know before it was. Now we just have to wait for June 18 to roll around so that we can get the full rundown on this extremely svelte handset.

UPDATE: The Ascend P6 leaks keep coming, as @evleaks has posted a new image showing the device in pink. Check it out below.

Via @evleaks (1), (2), (3) Engadget