Devices By Manufacturer - 6/532 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

May

The Galaxy S III Is StraightTalk's First LTE Phone, Available Now For $439.99 - Uses Sprint Network

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Galaxy S III, News, Samsung

StraightTalk has become a popular alternative for those who don't need all the bells and whistles of flagship smartphones, or don't want the sometimes ruinous cost of keeping them connected. But even budget carriers move with the times, and the Wal-Mart partner looks like it's finally ready to embrace LTE. The Samsung Galaxy S III is now available for purchase on StraightTalk's website, and should be at your nearest Wal-Mart soon. The phone is unbranded and comes with a reasonable sticker price of $439.99 unsubsidized.

There's just one fly in the ointment: It's a Sprint-compatible phone. The retail packaging for the GSIII popped up on HowardForums earlier today, and the LTE-S badge in the lower corner indicates that this model runs on Sprint's CDMA-LTE network.

May

Will A Samsung Galaxy S4 "Google Edition" Be Unveiled At I/O 2013?

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Galaxy S4, News, Samsung

Among dedicated Android fans, there is a consensus that stock Android is the best experience. That being said, not everyone is smitten with the Nexus hardware. A new option for conflicted users is rumored to be dropping tomorrow at Google I/O. A version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 – dubbed the Google Edition – could be released with the latest version of stock Android on board.

If this is indeed true, it wouldn't be the first time Google has created a new variant of a Samsung product. Back at I/O 2011 Google handed out a special edition Galaxy Tab 10.1 with stock Honeycomb.

May

The Verge, WSJ: Google Strikes Music Streaming Deal With Sony and Universal, Spotify-Like Service Imminent

Posted by Kyle Wiggers in Google, News

On the eve of I/O, Google managed to finalize deals with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment to bring a music subscription service to both YouTube and Google Play, according to a report by The Verge that is now being corroborated by The Wall Street Journal. If everything goes smoothly, a preview or launch of the new service tomorrow isn't out of the question. The Journal similarly says the streaming solution could launch "as soon as this week." That would give Google a substantial leg up over Apple, which is still in the process of negotiating contracts for its own music streaming solution.

May

[US/Canadian Giveaway] Win One Of Six V-Moda Metallo Galaxy SIII Cases ($101 Each)

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Contests / Giveaways, Galaxy S III

A few weeks ago, we highlighted the sexy new V-Moda Metallo Galaxy S III case that takes an incredibly stylish approach to protection. The all-metal frame changes the shape of the GSIII to something a bit more Nokia-ish, as the case sports much sharper edges in comparison to the phone's stock form factor, and the overall look is much more radical than a traditional case.

The Metallo also allows for a unique "headphone amplifier/digital-to-analog converter/battery pack" accessory called the Vamp Verza. This interesting addition matches the overall look of the Metallo case perfectly, though it will cost you a cool $598 if you wish to add that functionality.

May

[Deal Alert] Unlocked International Galaxy S4 (i9500) On eBay Daily Deals For $640

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Deals, Galaxy S4, News

Move fast boys and gals – the unlocked international variant of the GS4 (I9500, Exynos chip) is available for $640 on eBay Daily Deals again today. These deals usually sell out pretty quickly, so if you want to get your hands on The Next Big Thing without a contract (or paying full retail price) you better jump on this now.

May

BLU Announces The Studio 5.0, Studio 5.0 S, and Studio 5.3 S: Jelly Bean, Big Screens, And Small Prices

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in BLU Products, News

BLU isn't yet a household name in the realm of smartphones, but the company has been quietly releasing hardware for the last few years, letting the remarkably low pricing do the talking. Today they've pulled the cover off of three new models, all aimed at the new "phablet" craze, or at least the lower end of it. The new Studio GSM smartphones start at 5 inches and just $149, and all three feature Android 4.1, the Google Play Store, and dual SIM slots. Specs are low, but these phones look like ideal budget devices or travel companions.

The Studio 5.0 is the cheapest of the lot, at $149 unsubsidized.

May

PSA: Removing Or Adding Sports Teams Or Stocks In Google Now Currently Causes It To Crash Endlessly

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Applications, Google, News, Tips & Tutorials

Listen up, Android users. If you're using Google Now, don't go to its Settings -> My Stuff and try to modify sports teams or stocks right now, as doing so completely borks the whole app. As soon as you go back to the main screen or click into Search, you will experience a force close. Repeated attempts to restart it will result in a crash as well:

The only thing that works is clearing out Google Search's data in Settings -> Applications, after which you need to re-enroll into Google Now. Changing your Home or Work locations does not seem to trigger the issue - it's just sports teams and stocks.

May

Google Plays Breakout With Image Search Results For 37th Anniversary, Works On Android Too

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Games, Google, News

Sometimes you have to assume that there are entire teams at Google whose sole job is to think up fodder for nostalgic technology bloggers. Case in point: for the 37th anniversary of the classic arcade game Breakout, Google has thrown together another one of its elaborate Easter eggs. Do a Google Image Search for "atari breakout", and the results will turn into the smashable blocks, with your mouse working as a control for the paddle. It even works on Android, assuming you use a compatible browser in desktop mode.

Interestingly, the prototype version for the original 1976 Breakout hardware was designed with help from Apple's future dynamic duo, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

May

Archos ChefPad Tablet Appeals To The Clumsy Cook Who Is Too Lazy To Search Google Play

Posted by Bertel King, Jr. in ARCHOS, News, Tablets

I like to cook, and sometimes I bring my tablet into the kitchen with me to look up a recipe. For some of you, this might not be dedicated enough. You demand a dedicated kitchen tablet, and Archos is ready to deliver. Their new ChefPad is "a tablet for the cooking enthusiast." It comes with a selection of cooking oriented apps and a silicone case that makes it a dream come true for the four of you who could not settle for anything less.

The Archos ChefPad comes with Chef Apps Zone, which filters through the Play Store to present a curated selection of cooking apps.

May

Verizon Moves Up Samsung Galaxy S4 Launch To May 23rd

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Carriers, Galaxy S4, Samsung, Verizon Wireless

Verizon certainly likes to take its sweet time getting new phones out there, but this time it's at least making an attempt to speed things along. Big Red has announced that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available a week earlier than previously stated. May 23rd is now the big day.

The Galaxy S4 has already launched on the other big US carriers, and AT&T has even announced the availability of a 32GB version of the device. Verizon is late to the game, but it's probably going to push this 5-inch 1080p smartphone hard. Verizon's 16GB GS4 will be going for $199.99 with a new 2-year agreement (after a $50 mail-in rebate).