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Samsung has launched Music Hub on its new Galaxy S III in five countries. The service is touted as the “first completely integrated, all-in-one mobile music service” but it’s not exactly new. Samsung’s Music Hub debuted in 2010 and the company keeps trying to improve it. Read More »

Citing employee preferences and the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement, Cisco is no longer investing in the Cius Android tablet it announced in 2010. I say bull: The product had “fail” written all over it and never gained traction for several reasons. Read More »

 
 

I used to use Bump, the mobile app that wirelessly transfers data between two smartphones, but over time, I uninstalled it. Now it’s not only back on my phones, but has a coveted home screen spot thanks to the latest share-to-desktop feature. Read More »

The first video capture taken with Google’s Project Glass hardware has surfaced, and the quality isn’t bad. Various stills images show camera improvements in the hardware. That’s important. Why? Because the camera could play the most important input role for the Project Glass concept. Read More »

I’m now using Straight Talk, a Tracfone-owned cellular provider that resells service on both AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S. After a few weeks of testing and some questions posed to the company, here’s the skinny: Depending on your data needs, this plan can save money. Read More »

Any remaining doubts of high demand for Samsung’s Galaxy S III can be laid to rest: Vodafone says that pre-orders for the coming soon phone have set records, making the Galaxy S III the operator’s most pre-ordered Android device yet. Carphone Warehouse is seeing the same. Read More »

MetaWatch announced two key improvements for its smartwatch development platform in an effort to better compete with up-and-comer products. The MetaWatch now has support to get wireless data from iOS devices and also aims for better battery life with the addition of a Bluetooth 4.0 radio. … Read More »

After waiting months and finally gaining approval from China on the deal, Google’s $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola closed on Tuesday. While the deal is still about patents to protect Android partners, Google finally has a vehicle to gain control of Android over the long term. Read More »

Supplies of the HTC EVO 4G LTE are reportedly through U.S. Customs and on the way to Sprint stores as well as customers. Thanks to a custom software workaround for an Apple patent, the phones are in Sprint warehouses and will be delivered by May 24. Read More »

Motorola explained why certain smartphones and tablets it makes won’t be getting the Google Android 4.0 software update. Not all Motorola device owners are happy though; especially those that bought a Droid 3 in the past 10 months. These folks are stuck on Android 2.3. Read More »

In this week’s audio podcast, Matt shares a customer service horror story between AT&T and Amazon Wireless while Kevin loves the latest Kickstarter project: A smart home screen for Android tablets. Also: here’s what we know so far about the HTC EVO 4G LTE delivery delays. Read More »

A new intelligent home screen app for Android tablets appears on Kickstarter and for $5, it looks well worth it. Google is finally taking more control by planning several Nexus device partners and more direct sales, plus Samsung’s Galaxy S III is already in great demand. Read More »

More Must Reads

A security hole was found in the ZTE Score, a handset model sold on both by Metro PCS and Cricket in the U.S. The breach appears to be a “backdoor” put in by ZTE, which is already under U.S. scrutiny as a China-based company. Read More »

Apple iPad owners have the $10 AirDisplay app to use their tablet as a second monitor for their Mac, but Android owners aren’t left out in the cold. Mobile app developer Shape offers a similar program for $5 that works with both Macs and Windows PCs. … Read More »

After waiting for Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy S III handset, it’s possible you could be waiting some more: Samsung has 9 million pre-orders for the new smartphone; 3x more than last year’s model. And it says it can only build 5 million each month. Read More »

A new homescreen app for Android tablets called Chameleon is like widgets on steroids, offering multiple home screens based on time and location. Chameleon is raising funds on Kickstarter, and got my backing right away. After you see the software in action, you’ll understand why. Read More »

China is expected to rule soon on Google’s proposed acquisition of Motorola, with the deal already approved elsewhere. Google needs the deal, especially for tablets, says Goldman Sachs, because the costs are too high to be the default search engine on Apple’s iPad. Read More »

With a reported 11 teens killed while texting and driving per day, parents are turning towards apps to limit their kids phone use behind the wheel. SecruaFone offers one for iPhone and Android handsets that diables some features when in motion, but it doesn’t stop there. Read More »

Over the past year as more consumers have adopted smartphones the number of installed applications is up from 32 to 41. Yet the amount of time spent using those applications hasn’t changed much, indicating that developers might be challenged when it comes to increasing application engagement. Read More »

Google may be rethinking its Nexus Android strategy in a big way and addressing two major concerns about the evolution of the software: its proposed deal with Motorola and the slow pace of software updates for Android phones. Read More »

Is your Facebook mobile app slow to update or showing old data on Android or iOS? If so, you’re not alone. I’ve noticed a degradation in the mobile application’s performance for months but I never knew exactly why it was. Until now. Read More »

Mozilla has a new beta version of its mobile Firefox browser for Android. The software is still a work in progress, but shows promise with a redesigned user interface, faster startup and support for Flash. In a JavaScript test, it’s as fast as Chrome for Android! Read More »

The good news: HTC Sensation owners on T-Mobile’s network are getting a software update to Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich along with HTC Sense 3.6. The bad news: It will cost $14.99 monthly to keep using the phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Read More »

As the only major U.S. carrier backing Google Wallet, Sprint is trying to help its cause, releasing the LG Optimus Elite for Virgin Mobile on Tuesday. The $149 Android 2.3 smartphone costs $149.99, putting an NFC-based smartphone in the hands of a wider potential audience. Read More »

The Samsung- and Intel backed Tizen mobile operating system could give both companies an out from using Google Android. But without apps, how successful can Tizen be? Perhaps the platform should look to Android again, but only for the apps, which run on OpenMobile’s solution. Read More »

Google’s Chrome browser is will appear on Apple’s iOS devices this quarter suggests Macquarie (USA) Equities Research, reducing the payments that Google makes to Apple for search results in Safari. That sounds great but Apple’s third-party browser limitations will surely minimize any benefits for Google. Read More »

As the pace of advances in mobile technology accelerates, waves of new smartphones are appearing every few months. That can mean some savings in the form of a price drop on recently launched phones by the carriers. But how long should you wait? Read More »

Facebook users on Android, iOS and mobile browsers aren’t stuck with postage-sized pictures and posts any more. Facebook announced on Monday that it now supports full-sized pictures on all three platforms as well as posts that will automatically scale from edge-to-edge of a handheld device. Read More »

Looking for a basic Android battery optimizer, trash cleaner and a very informative security function that monitors third-party application permissions? Check out Cosmos, a free app that officially launches next week but is available now in a stable beta for Android 2.2 and up. Read More »

There’s quite a ruckus going on over ARM-powered Windows 8 tablets: Mozilla and Google are crying foul over third-party browser restrictions Microsoft has put in place in Windows 8. Here’s why this isn’t really a new problem and why it’s likely to get worse over time. Read More »

Google updated Maps for Android in a way that adds value to brick-and-mortar shoppers. Maps now includes indoor walking directions for stores, malls and such, plus users can find nearby Google Offers and 360-degree panoramic views of buildings and shops as well. Read More »

Flipboard has long been a showcase app for iOS. When Samsung introduced its new Galaxy S III, however, it said that Flipboard would debut on the handset as an Android exclusive. It didn’t take long for the installation file to appear on the web. Read More »

Sprint will launch the HTC EVO 4G LTE handset on May 18, adding another 4G smartphone that will only run on Sprint’s 3G network until the carrier launches LTE in the next few months. Similar to other HTC One handsets, the EVO 4G LTE should impress. Read More »

Google’s open approach to Android has certainly helped build the platform’s user base: Android powers more than half of the world’s smartphones. But how much further can this strategy take Google when the “Wild West show” continues and carriers exacerbate the problem? It’s time for change. Read More »

Verizon announced its latest Android smartphone: it will offer the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE in the coming weeks. This is Verizon’s 23rd LTE smartphone and appears to be a blend of the HTC One S and One X found on T-Mobile and AT&T. Read More »

On this week’s audio podcast, Matt and Kevin share hands on experiences with the HTC One X, which may be the best Android device for AT&T right now. Plus discussion and thoughts about the Galaxy S III, BB 10, and your listener questions answered. Read More »

If you’re an Android user looking for new hardware, this was a good week for you. Both HTC’s One X for AT&T and Samsung’s Galaxy S III arrived. Interestingly, one of the two phones has generated much positive feedback while the other seems to impress fewer. Read More »

One of the new software features on Samsung’s Galaxy S III smartphone is called Pop Up Play; it allows you to watch a video while multitasking on the phone. For a $1.49 in the Google Play store, your Android phone or tablet can do the same. Read More »

Samsung introduced the world to the new Galaxy S III on Thursday, showing off what some may find to be incremental hardware upgrades over the prior Galaxy model. But Samsung spent even more time highlighting the phone’s new software features. Here’s a peek at some. Read More »

What features might your next smartphone have? When you consider new mobile chips, graphics processors, 4G networks, sensors and more, the sky’s the limit. Here’s an overview what you can expect to see in the smartphones of tomorrow, which will top 1 billion sales by 2015. Read More »

Samsung launched the Galaxy S III, its latest Google Android smartphone, at a UK press event on Thursday. The handset offers some expected incremental hardware feature upgrades over its predecessor but the main improvements are seen through software and user interaction, including S-Voice, a Siri-like feature. Read More »

Later today, Samsung is holding a press event in the UK to introduce “The Next Galaxy.” It’s a safe bet that this will be the official introduction to Samsung’s Galaxy S III; here’s what to expect from Samsung and its new Galaxy S addition. Read More »

News and talk radio app Stitcher, is gearing up for the presidential elections with a dedicated election service for users to follow their favorite candidate and get elections news from select sources. The app can even transcribe reports so users can jump to particular topic areas. Read More »

AT&T’s newest LTE phone, the HTC One X, is due to hit stores May 6 for $199. The phone is similar to T-Mobile’s One S, but has a larger screen Super LCD screen. Here are my first impressions after a day with the new handset. Read More »

LG is reportedly focused on Google Android smartphones and not new Microsoft Windows Phone handsets. LG only built two Windows Phones in 2010 and none in 2011 even though it has kind words for the platform. Unfortunately for Microsoft, actions speak louder than words. Read More »

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