U.S. Cellular announces major 4G LTE expansion plans

Earlier today U.S. Cellular announced they will dramatically expand their 4G LTE network to 30 new markets beginning on November 5th. U.S. Cellular also mentioned they plan to have about 58 percent of their customers covered by LTE service by the end of 2012.
Some of the states that will begin to see this expanded 4G LTE coverage include Iowa, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Oklahoma. Additionally, several new 4G LTE markets will be established in cities such as Rockford (Illinois), Medford (Oregon) and Knoxville (Tennessee). This is great news for U.S. Cellular customers. While they might be a smaller carrier, that clearly doesn’t mean U.S. Cellular can’t offer competitive services and plans.
Unfortunately there isn’t a master list of all the cities and markets that will be seeing 4G LTE coverage this year, but the carrier does promise to update its 4G coverage map on November 5th to give its customers a better idea if they are going to get high-speed access in their area or not. Any U.S. Cellular subscribers excited about this news?

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Google Play Store carrier billing for Verizon is live

If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer who has been waiting for Google Play Store carrier billing, the wait is over, as the feature is now live.
While other carriers have had this feature available for some time, Verizon was slower to catch up. We mentioned earlier this month that carrier billing for Play Store purchases was on the way for Verizon customers and, as of today, they can now use this payment method.
You don’t need to do anything special to start using this new payment option. Simply select the “Bill my Verizon Wireless account” option as your payment method for Play Store purchases.
Whether or not Verizon customers will actually want to use this feature depends on their own preferences. Some users prefer to pay for their Play Store purchases immediately, while others would rather receive one monthly bill that encompasses all their wireless-related expenses.
Those on family plans may want to set up a PIN on some phones. This can restrict purchases to keep family members from running up to large a bill. Those who would rather turn off the carrier billing feature can do so through their Verizon account.
This may not be necessary, as we’re hearing that there is a $25 limit on purchases within each billing cycle, but whether this is true and how it would apply to those on family plans remains to be seen. Apparently some Verizon customers aren’t seeing the new payment option in the Google Play Store, so don’t worry if you’re not seeing it yet; be assured that it is on the way.
Are you a Verizon customer who has been waiting for Google Play Store carrier billing? Are you a fan of carrier billing in general, or do you prefer another method for Play Store purchases?

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On why the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is the king of the phablet market

Despite the fact that the original Samsung Galaxy Note was not the first Android device to carry a large display (the Dell Streak carried 5 inch display of its own and was released back in July 2010, but only to limited success), back when Samsung introduced the OG Note back in June 2011, the Android phablet market was basically non-existent.
Taking into consideration the low previous sales figures in the segment, combined with the degree of skepticism with which many have greeted the idea of a phablet (smartphone with a very large display) at the time, the commercial success of the original Note has surprised many, from bloggers and end consumers to market analysts and even other Android manufacturers.
Fast forward a little more than a year and Samsung’s risk has turned into welcomed profit for the top smartphone manufacturer in the world, and not only that, but it has also created a place for phablets in the Android ecosystem. Samsung has proven that phablets can sell well if properly marketed and designed, and as a result, other Android manufacturers are more than willing to take a try at reaching out to this new market (personally, I see it more like a sub-market of smartphone, but hopefully you’ll get the point).
Out of the top Android manufacturers, only LG and HTC currently aim to take a bit out of Samsung’s complete dominance in the phablet market. I’m sure others are about to follow (Sony is rumored to be working on both a 5 inch and a 6 inch phablet, Huawei are also rumored to be working on a phablet), but if nothing out of the ordinary happens, it looks like all phablet manufacturers completely miss out on what defines a phablet.

The LG Optimus Vu series. Or why 4:3 doesn’t work on phablets

LG are really doing their best to copy what Samsung is doing with Android. I get it that the rivalry is as intense as they come between manufacturers from the same country, but LG is currently following Samsung’s footsteps a bit to the extreme.
As far LG’s efforts to copy the Galaxy Note go, it has released a couple of phablets as part of their LG Optimus Vu series (the second one made it to the US as the Verizon LG Intuition). Both of them turned into failures thanks to the insane aspect ratio used by their displays: 4:3.
Although this aspect ratio seems to work on devices that you have to use with both hands (uhm… tablets), LG’s Optimus Vu line is a perfect example on why 4:3 is not a good aspect ratio for phablets, as it makes the device feel too much like a tablet. While the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is 5 mm less wide than the Optimus Vu 2, it uses a display that measures 5.5 across the diagonal, whereas both members of the Vu line use 5 inch displays.
If you’re going to be unable to comfortably use your phablet with just one hand, it should at least have that largest possible display, right?

HTC’s Butterfly has the specs, but lacks the software

Although the HTC Butterfly is in plenty ways a better device than the Galaxy Note 2, i find it difficult to believe that it is a better phablet.
The HTC Butterfly gets it right with the display resolution, PPI, aspect ratio and internal hardware. In addition, HTC is also a company that regularly receives positive feedback from its fan base (not to mention that, in contrast with LG, HTC actually has such a thing), so there is that as well. So why isn’t the HTC Butterfly the best phablet around despite being an awesome Android device?
First of all there’s the fact that the Butterfly is currently standing at just 0.3 inches more across the diagonal when compared to the new HTC smartphone flagship, the HTC One X+ (also bear in mind that most other Android flagships of the fall 2012 season use displays that measure at least 4.7 inches across the diagonal). By comparison, the Galaxy Note 2 uses display larger than the Butterfly by 0.5 inches, thus offering 1.4 times the screen real estate. Another thing that we should take into the consideration is the fact that reading ebooks on a 5.5 inch display is to a certain degree easier than reading ebooks on a 5 inch display.
Then there’s the fact that Samsung’s version of Android comes with a unique set of Smart Functions. Smart Stay is awesomely useful for reading ebooks, while S Beam will allow you to transfer files almost instantly between a pair of Galaxy Note 2 phablets or between a Note 2 and a Galaxy S3 (and God knows there’s an awful lot of those around, right?). In addition, the Note 2 comes with the first Android version of true multitasking, also a feat that no other manufacturer has accomplished.
Samsung has managed to come up with features that are actually useful and has layered those on top of Android. Sure, the Samsung Touchwiz UI is not as pleasing as that of stock Android (or maybe even as the HTC Sense UI), but on the Note 2 there’s a ton lot more things you can do. Maybe they are not all that innovative, but regarded as a bulk, it looks like Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 is running some sort of premium version of Android.

S-Pen: use it or leave it

Despite all the above, what really makes the Samsung Galaxy Note series unique in every sense of the way is its unique accessory – the S Pen.
The S Pen is more than just your basic stylus. Besides being able to recognize hundreds of different pressure levels, it also has a few buttons that can access specific custom functions. But the best part about it is the way that the S Pen works with the software.
And it’s not just Samsung’s software as the South Korean manufacturer (the better one) has played its cards right and has released the S-Pen SDK so that all app developers can start writing code that uses the unique properties of the “overrated stylus”. And, since Samsung sells a whole lot of S-Pen enabled devices (OG Note, Note 2, Note 10.1), these developers can actually write apps that draw in users.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 still rullz

I’m not partial to Samsung, or any other manufacturer, but as far as phablets go, the Galaxy Note 2 is a complete device, not just a spec powerhouse. And until other manufacturers realize that they need to add genuinely useful features and accessories to their devices, the note 2 will still be the best phablet you can buy.
On the other hand, if you’re on the lookout for an Android smartphone make sure you check out my selection of flagship Android smartphones for the fall 2012 season.
Interested in a compact smartphone? You options are quite limited at the moment, but some gems still exist in that market as well.
What do you guys think: is the Note 2 untouchable as a phablet? Let us know what you think in the comment section below, will you?

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Sony Xperia U upgrade to ICS finally available in Canada

The wait for Android ICS has probably been more than a little painful for Canadian owners of the Sony Xperia U. The good news is that Sony has now announced that you can ditch Gingerbread and jump into the Ice Cream Sandwich goodness. The update is available now via Sony’s PC Companion software.
With Android 4.2 recently unveiled this update might seem more than a little anticlimactic for Xperia U owners. While Sony creates high-quality smartphones, they tend to be more than a little behind the times when it comes to bringing out the latest versions of Android. That being said, getting ICS is still worlds better than being stuck with Gingerbread.
Holding out for news about Jelly Bean? Unfortunately, Sony recently listed several devices that the company confirms are definitely getting updated to Jelly Bean and the Xperia U isn’t one of them. The good news is that Sony has already mentioned it is still evaluating potential upgrade possibilities for the Xperia U, so we can at least cross our fingers for the time being.
Have you updated your Sony Xperia U yet, how did it go? Loving the switch to ICS?

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ZTE expects to sell 50 million smartphones in 2013

While ZTE’s smartphone sales for this year are expected to top off at around 25 million, 10 million less than predicted, it seems to take more than that to take the wind out of the company’s sails. ZTE has announced that it expects to sell 50 million smartphones in 2013.
Executive Director for ZTE, He Shiyou, told Reuters that “We think next year will be very good (for smartphones).” That seems to be the case looking at the company’s sale projections for 2013, especially after failing to reach their goal for 2012.
While it may seem like a bold statement, it’s important to keep in mind that ZTE is the world’s fourth largest smartphone manufacturer, with around 7.5 percent market share. Even though they fell short of their goal for 2012, ZTE’s sales have grown dramatically each year.
In 2011, the company sold around 15 million phones, and in 2012 they sold 25 million phones. While the company would still need a big boost in sales to reach their goal of 50 million, it is not completely out of the realm of possibility.
ZTE seems to be putting a lot of faith in its Nubia line of high-end devices. There isn’t currently much known about this line, with the only announced device, the ZTE Z5, still being a bit of a mystery spec-wise. What we do know is that the phone will have a quad-core processor, 5-inch screen and a 13-megapixel camera.
With so little being known about its upcoming devices, whether ZTE will see a boost in sales as a result of the release of the Z5 remains to be seen. ZTE does continue to capture market share, however, so as ambitious as they may seem, the company’s expectations to sell 50 million phones in 2013 may turn out to be well founded.
Do you think that ZTE will reach its goal of selling 50 million phones in 2013? Or do you think that, like last year, they will fall short of their goal? Do you think the Z5 will bolster sales as much as ZTE hopes?

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T-Mobile, AT&T open networks for Hurricane Sandy victims

In a press release today, T-Mobile and AT&T announced that they will be entering a temporary agreement to allow roaming for customers of either network in the areas hit by Hurricane Sandy.
While the worst of the storm has passed, Hurricane Sandy left a lot of damage in its wake, and at one point millions were without power. While a lot of people are working to help get things back in order as quickly as possible, some of the hardest hit areas are still looking at a difficult time ahead. There is no doubt that T-Mobile and AT&T had this in mind when they began their temporary agreement.
Customers of either network don’t have to do anything special to take advantage of the additional coverage. Just place a call as you normally would, and whichever network is working best in your area will automatically carry the call. Both voice and data are covered by this agreement, so there is no need for customers to worry about being hit with hefty fees if their phone connects to the wrong network by accident.
While the press release states that this agreement applies to New York and New Jersey, it may be worth checking to make sure your area is covered before connecting to avoid any unwanted fees.
Are you located in an area that was hit by Hurricane Sandy? Will this roaming agreement make it easier for you to stay in touch with friends and relatives in areas hit by the storm?

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Samsung files for tri-fold flexible display patent for smartphones – what could this mean?

Thought that flexible displays were a long way off before they could start showing up on smartphones? Think again. Samsung is leading the way towards producing the very first such displays that could be part of its next  smartphones generations. This has been a big year for Samsung and its work on flexible displays is another step in the right direction.
The company has already submitted a number of patent applications that detail the intriguing folding display designs for its smartphones. All along, since back at CES 2009, Samsung had presented a prototype of the unit and promised to deliver on it. The new flexible displays are expected to replace the traditional LCD displays by 2015-2016, at least according to a recent Samsung announcement. But in the mean time, it looks like Samsung has filed a new flexible display patent, this time describing a tri-fold panel.
The patent includes a number of representations that clearly show how a tri-fold display unit would work in a smartphone:

If delivered successfully, the tri-fold display could be revolutionary and would likely be the display of choice that allows a smartphone to be expanded into a mini tablet that would let users enjoy surfing the web, watching movies or playing games. It could also allow Samsung to produce the gadget of choice for cool Internet devices and unseat competing Apple products in the products. This would also help clean up Samsung’s image, which has already been marred by the copycat designer accusations and reveal it to be the true innovator in the mobile device space.
Currently, Samsung’s handsets shipments give it a 2-to-1 ratio lead over Apple’s iPhone shipments in Q4. Clearly, the mobile device war is only going to accelerate, especially if the Samsung tri-fold flexible display kicks off.

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Verizon support page reveals HTC Droid DNA before its announcement

Verizon’s upcoming 5-inch 1080p device named HTC Droid DNA has been published as a registered device on its support page before the official announcement.
The screenshot above reveals that the ADR6435 will be known as HTC Droid DNA, a name that was revealed in a MAP listing a week ago. The same leak suggested the device will be sold starting at $199 in the near future. However, such MAP lists are known to change constantly and won’t always offer reliable information. And while Verizon’s support page does list the device, the Droid DNA is still not officially announced.
The device is rumoured to be announced mid-November and feature a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB RAM, an 8MP camera, and run Jelly Bean.
As expected, the HTC Droid DNA is most likely going to be Verizon’s HTC J Butterfly version, which happens to be HTC’s most recently launched device. Waiting for the 5-inch HTC handset to hit Verizon, we have already compared the HTC J Butterfly with the Galaxy Note 2. Which one would you rather buy?

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Get a Windows Phone, says Steve

Here’s to the crazy ones, indeed! Reminiscent of how an iconic ex-CEO once attempted to voice-over an advertisement for his company’s product, Microsoft’s latest Windows Phone 8 ad screams of self-promotion. But this is a different Steve, altogether — someone who does not exactly generate a Reality Distortion Field like the late Steve Jobs. Microsoft’s own Steve Ballmer has narrated Redmond’s latest Windows Phone 8 ad, with highlight on the personal touch.
Steve talks about taking advice from all sorts of folks, from his wife, to his Microsoft colleagues, and even Bill Gates himself. But Ballmer’s own advice: get a Windows Phone.
The ad puts a highlight on communication as a central part of Windows Phone 8 (hey, it’s a phone, after all!). This includes the live tiles on the home screen showing messages and the number of Skype calls and emails.
The ad is pretty straightforward, and does not have any allusions to how groundbreaking their platform is (like Apple’s Think Different ads). Apple eventually went for another voice-over in their “crazy ones” ads, a spot that eventually went to Richard Dreyfuss. Will Microsoft eventually hire other voiceover actors, too?

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T-Mobile will not support WiFi calling on the LG Nexus 4

Google’s recently announced Nexus 4 will go on sale later this month for $299 unlocked and unsubsidized. There is one American operator who will be offering it on a contract however, T-Mobile. They’ll gladly sell you a Nexus 4 with a 2 year contract for $199, which sounds appealing, but the folks at TmoNews have recently learned that WiFi calling will not be supported on the device. Some background: T-Mobile has a service whereby you can make phone calls over your wireless network at home instead of having to go through the cellular network. It’s useful if you live somewhere that has spotty coverage, if you’re traveling abroad, and the best part is you don’t get billed for the minutes you make when on WiFi.
Now that we know the Nexus 4 isn’t going to support one of T-Mobile’s best features, this poses an important question: Should you buy this phone on contract? Buying phones unsubsidized is commonplace in many parts of the world, but for Americas it’s still considered a taboo for reasons we don’t quite understand. The amount of money you can save by going with a prepaid operator and then buying a phone unlocked is startling.
Take Straight Talk for instance, which lets you pick whether you want to use AT&T’s or T-Mobile’s network. They’ll give you unlimited everything for $45 per month. That’s half what the big boys charge. We can’t stress this enough, when using Straight Talk you’re on the same network that your friends and family are paying double to use! How is it so cheap? Straight Talk doesn’t have retail stores, they don’t subsidize phones, their customer service leaves a lot to be desired, and they go out of your way to be a dumb pipe.
When was the last time you called the company that provides you with electricity or water? Exactly. That’s what prepaid operators are like.

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N2A Cards allows your Nook Tablet to dual-boot Jelly Bean

Looking for an easy way to dual boot Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on your Nook Tablet? N2A Cards has a new SD card solution that will allow you to do just that.
To get started you need to buy a pre-loaded special microSD card or you download the file for $20 and put it on an existing Class 4 microSD card. For those that want to go down the pre-packaged route, there will be several card sizes to choose from ranging from 8GB up to 64GB. The pricing will start at $30 for the 16GB microSD and will go up to $90 for the 64GB card. The pre-loaded Jelly Bean cards will start shipping on November 1st, or you can download the file immediately.
This is probably one of the easiest ways to boot Jelly Bean for those that haven’t done hacks or mods like this before, but only if you are willing to pay for something like this. For those that are wondering, the N2A Cards are based on Cyanogenmod, which typically is free and widely supported by an active online community. If you have a bit more technical know-how you could always head over to the XDA developers forum and learn how to prepare a dual boot for your tablet without paying for something that you can get at no additional cost with a bit of little work. The choice is yours.

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LG Nexus 4 will support HSPA+ 42, Google and T-Mobile both confirm

Yesterday Google posted the official specs for the LG Nexus 4 on its Google Play Store and in doing so created more than a little confusion. The problem was that Google’s specs claimed the Nexus 4 would only work with HPSA+ 21. This was in stark contrast to T-Mobile’s press release, which suggested the Nexus 4 did in fact have HSPA+ 42 support. Essentially this meant that either LG had more than one version of the Nexus device or someone had made a mistake. The good news is that Google was at error here, not T-Mobile.
Google has since confirmed that the they had posted incorrect specs and that the LG Nexus 4 did in fact offer 42Mbps support through HSPA+. This is great news for T-Mobile users planning on purchasing the LG Nexus 4. The only news that could be better is if Google and LG announced that the Nexus 4′s lack of LTE was just a typo, too. We can dream at least.
Are you excited for the upcoming LG Nexus 4? If so, are you buying it off-contract from Google or will you get it at a subsidized price?

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Galaxy Note 2 stars in LeBron promo, or is it vice versa?

The Galaxy Note 2 is slowly making its way to North American buyers, so what better way to promote the gigantic phone than by associating it with the gigantic basketball player that’s LeBron James?
That’s apparently exactly what Samsung Mobile USA thought too, and the company has prepared a Galaxy Note 2 clip starring LeBron to be released on YouTube just in time for today basketball event – in case you don’t know, the NBA season starts today, with LeBron to receive his first ever championship ring.
The Galaxy Note 2 commercial, entitled “LeBron’s Day with the Samsung Galaxy Note II” is almost two minutes long and shows LeBron in a variety of instances in which the Galaxy Note 2 can be used. And according to the script it happens apparently all today.
While we won’t spoil it for you, we will tell you that those special edition Nike sneakers he’s wearing today to celebrate that first ring are also part of the story.

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Android 4.2 download available to all, but only contains new Gesture Typing keyboard

We still have no idea when Android 4.2 Jelly Bean will be rolled out to existing Nexus devices, but at least we can tell you that an early version of the new keyboard app found inside Google’s latest Android update is now available to download for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich or higher.
As you may already know, the new keyboard app comes with a new interesting feature called Gesture Typing, which is what Google calls its own Swype-like keyboard. In case you want to experience without having to wait for the actual Android 4.2 roll out to come out, you can do so right away.
The only caveat is that you’ll need a device that doesn’t run stock Android ICS or higher to enable it. Otherwise you’ll have to root your handset before enjoying Gesture Typing.
As always, remember that we’re not encouraging you to install any unofficial software on your devices and you’re the only person responsible for whatever happens with your device during such procedures. But we’ll also remind you to back up sensitive data before doing anything that you’re not entirely comfortable doing.
Have you tried the Android 4.2 keyboard app yet?

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Google previews new Gmail compose interface, focusing on productivity

Even with doomsdayers saying email is dead, the fact is that email is still an essential means of communication. Even with the popularity of IM, SMS and social networking, users still turn to email when signing up for online services.
But email has its inherent disadvantages, and services like Gmail have tried to innovate. For one, Gmail’s threaded view came with a learning curve when it was first introduced by Google. But conversation views made it easier to put emails into context. Google is gradually introducing changes to Gmail aimed at making it easier to communicate.

The latest change involves a new “compose” interface. Gmail developers are turning the compose interface into a popup window, very much similar to chat.

This makes it easy to reference any other emails without ever having to close your draft. You can even do a search or keep an eye on new mail as it comes in. And because the compose window works the same way as chats, you can write multiple messages at once and minimize a message to finish it later.

The new update is still in the works, though, and Gmail developers will be releasing these once ready. But the devs have already given us a sneak peek. Gmail seems to have taken a page out of the IM playbook. Here are a few highlights:

• Popup window. Gmail compose will now be a popup window, which makes it easy to switch back and forth through other email conversations. The window automatically resizes depending on the length and size of the message.
• Recipient avatars. You now see recipient avatars when adding contacts to the To, CC and BCC fields. The names also work similar to how you add names when sharing items on Google Plus.
• Movable recipients. Recipients can now be moved across the To, CC and BCC fields.
• Replying. The reply interface is also being revamped, which will automagically adjust to fit your content.

This update is rolling out in the next few months, as Google finishes up with polishing the new interface. This is for the web interface, though, but Google is probably working on improving its smartphone and tablet interfaces, too.

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Google’s updated search app for iOS poses serious challenge to Siri

When the iPhone 4S was launched last year, one of the most well-marketed features was Siri. The speech-powered interface brought about a change in how users interacted with devices. Sure, voice-control was not entirely new. But Apple wanted to marry interface with content and control. Siri accepted natural speech instead of memorized commands, and users could directly command their iPhones to do their biding.
Android users may actually have a better speech-powered interface than Siri, although with Google being the central platform, the focus here is on search rather than spoken commands. Google Now on Android Jelly Bean uses the company’s Knowledge Graph to put better context to a user’s information, connections and actions through the various Google online services.
With Google’s latest update to its iOS Search application, it might pose a more serious challenge to Siri on its iOS home turf. An iOS Search app review by The Verge reveals that Google’s latest Search app may not be Google Now, but is “still a big step forward.”
Some highlights:

• Fast and accurate voice recognition. The review resulted in a fast and fairly accurate recognition of spoken commands both through a WiFi and cellular network. Search doesn’t try to answer questions in natural speech like Siri, but it offers relevant search results within context faster than Siri.
• Google Now style functionality.  Search does not offer phone-level control, which means you cannot ask it to set appointments for you or accept SMS dictations. But it offers search results in an interface similar to Google Now, particularly the card-style items. The app can read back certain items, such as weather updates, sports scores, flight info, stock prices, and translations.
• Google app integration. The new Search app is well-integrated with Google apps and services like YouTube and Maps. Asking for directions will open Google Maps — within mobile Safari — complete with the route you asked for. You can directly speak to Search when looking for YouTube videos.
• Support for iPad and iPhone 5. The search app supports different displays and formats, particularly the latest iPhone and on the iPad.

What makes Google’s latest Search app attractive is its great combination of interface and content. It’s a polished app that combines speed, good voice recognition, and Google’s vast stores of information, the review says.

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ADzero bamboo smartphone inching closer to release, will pack quad-core CPU and stock ICS

We’ve seen a lot of unusual concepts and prototypes over the years, but nothing looked as crazy as the ADzero smartphone shown off back in February. Crazy original we mean, because there was nothing to put us off at an organic, ultra-light and super-elegant phone made entirely out of bamboo.
Still, we couldn’t help but feel that this might have been a bit ahead of times, so we weren’t exactly shocked when time passed by and we heard nothing about any project developments. Believe it or not though, AD Creative not only went ahead with the idea, but equipped the device with one heck of a spec sheet, being now ready to kick off production.
The current product looks a tad different from the initial concept, but the main design lines have been kept, so the ADzero is still a very handsome little guy. The 4.5-incher measures 11.8 mm in thickness, but for some reason the manufacturers are reluctant to announce the final weight, so we don’t know if they’ll be able to keep their promise of making this half as heavy as an iPhone.

As for performance and speed, the handheld will definitely exceed expectations, sporting a 1280 x 720 pix res TFT LCD display and being powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor coupled with 1 GB of RAM.
There’s no Jelly Bean on the ADzero for now, but the phone looks like a winner in the software department too, coming with stock Android 4.0 ICS and an optional ADAOS (Open Bootloader) OS. Other known features include an 8 MP rear-facing shooter, an 0.3 MP front-facing cam, a 2,050 mAh battery, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and UMTS/HSPA+ connectivity.
Such a winning combination of innovative design and speed couldn’t have come very cheap, but at $700 outright we can’t say the ADzero will be very expensive either. Not to mention that the project is due to hit Kickstarter soon, and early supporters will be given the chance to get the organic phone with a cool 200 bucks off.
Who’s ready to pledge some dough to help make this reality?

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Netflix app now available for UK-based Kindle Fire users

Netflix has been available for those in the UK for some time now. In fact, an Android app launched way back in January of this year. But while a regular Netflix for Android app has been available by way of Google Play, that hasn’t yet been of benefit for those sporting a Kindle Fire. Of course, we cannot fault Netflix all that bad considering the Kindle Fire has only been available for a few days now.
That being said, the Netflix app for the Kindle Fire can be downloaded from the Amazon Appstore. The app is free to download, however you will need a subscription to actually be able to use it. Well, technically speaking, you can get a free trial before you begin to pay.
Simply put, those in the UK with a Kindle Fire can now begin enjoying streaming while on the go. And that means you will be able to watch everything that is available with Netflix UK. With that, those in the UK with a Kindle Fire in-hand, launch the Appstore on your device, search for and download Netflix and you will be streaming in just a minute or two.

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Asustek sees 43 percent year-over-year net profit growth, thanks Android

We suspect many, if not all of the readers are well aware of the popularity of the Nexus 7. Not to mention the Transformer tablet lineup from Asus. But what many come as a bit of a surprise — Asustek has seen a rather significant increase in year-over-year net profit growth. A growth that the company is saying is in part due to strong tablet sales.
In fact, Asus noted that tablet shipments have almost tripled, going from 800,000 up to nearly 2.3 million. As a result, the company has recorded a 43 percent increase in net profits. Or in terms of dollars, $230 million as compared to $160 million from this time last year. The increase is based on the results from Q3 2011 and this quarter, Q3 2012. This is the largest quarterly profit increase from the company in more than four years.
Of course, while Android fans would probably like to think that the increase was based solely on Android tablet sales, the company also had an increase in notebook PC shipments to thank. Those notebook PC shipments — during the third quarter they were up 14 percent from the second quarter, up to five million units
Getting into some of the other numbers, Asus also recorded NT$1.18 billion in one-time foreign-exchange translation gains in the third quarter. That is compared with NT$75 million in losses from this time last year. Finally, revenue was up 9 percent, going from NT$102.04 billion up to NT$111.44 billion.

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NFC sharing is possible between Android and Windows Phone 8

Did you know that you can use NFC to send things like contacts and web page URLs between an Android device and a Windows Phone 8 device? Well you can! In tests between a HTC Windows Phone 8X and a Samsung Galaxy Nexus running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean it has been shown that URLs and contacts can be sent between the devices, in both directions. However, using NFC on Android is a little simpler and requires less taps than on Windows Phone 8.
Near field communication (NFC), which needs a distance of at least 4cm to initiate a connection, has been supported in Android for a while, but it is a new feature on Windows Phone 8. The new mobile OS from Microsoft has a feature called “Tap + Send” which is generally available under the “More …” -> Share menu.
There is a limit however on what can be sent between platforms. Using two devices with the same OS it is possible to share photos and videos between phones. But across the Windows – Android divide you get an error saying that large file transfers aren’t supported.
Although this is all very good news for consumers and opens up some interesting possibilities for NFC use across all smartphone devices (when Apple finally decides to support it), it is sad that the standards aren’t sufficiently well defined that the transfer of photos or other types of files isn’t supported.
Check out the video below and then please leave a comment letting me know what you think!

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