HTC Sense 3.0 Style Unlock Ring App Perfected in Agile Lock

So you’re all about that unlock screen you saw on the HTC Sensation 4G, right? You saw how awesome it was to bounce around a ring that’s able to open either the whole of the phone or a single app at your command, and you’re pumped up about having access to such a lockscreen asap! Your wait is over, unofficially, with Agile Lock, an app made by the developers at SunPengfei, as they’ve created an app version of the lockscreen so similar to the original, you’ll want it on all your devices.

What you’re actually looking at above and below is the app installed on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – this is done because the tablet has instant screenshot capabilities which made taking such photos quite easy, but also to demonstrate how capable this app is of working on any Android platform. Agile lock is available on the market [as a free download on the Android Market] or you can get the paid version as well. What you’ll get with the paid version is a trade of one dollar and fifty cents for all the options under the sun.
There’s even a bug fix for those using CyanogenMod 7 – that means these developers are in the know, if you know what I mean. This lockscreen allows for four app shortcuts to be set above the unlock ring, each of them dragged into the ring resulting in them instantly launching. This is the same as the HTC version – where it differs is in the multiple options you’ve got for the screen above the shortcuts. You can add widgets galore – widgets that can be placed anywhere WITHOUT a grid restriction like the rest of Honeycomb, mind you.
You’ve gotta go grab this app right now. It works right out of the box to replace whatever lockscreen you’ve got, or you can easily shut it off, and it works on every Android version under the sun from what we can see at the moment: [Agile Lock on the Android Market] – go forth and unlock!

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[Deal Alert] HTC EVO 3D $99 With A New Two-Year Agreement From Amazon Wireless

The EVO 3D is easily one of the hottest phones on Sprint right now, and with good reason. It's fast, functional, fluid, and brings a lot of incredible features to the table, like 3D and Sense 3.0. If you've been waiting for a good deal to come along before dumping your current carrier and switching to The Now Network, now is the time, as Amazon Wireless is letting this 3D shooter go for $99 with a new two-year agreement. The deal is not as sweet for current Sprintsters, though, as the price is nearly doubled for a contract renewal ($180), which will still save you a bit of change versus the retail front.

  

Specs:

• 4.3 Inch qHD Super LCD glasses-less 3D display


• 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor


• 1GB RAM


• 5MP rear shooter with 3D photo and video capabilities, 2MP front camera


• 1GB built-in storage


• Android 2.3 with Sense 3.0

To take advantage of this deal, head over to Amazon Wireless, and don't forget that we're on the panel of judges for their current video contest, so make sure to check that out while you're at it!

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Vodafone becomes the first in Europe to offer operator billing for Android apps

You buy a new fancy smartphone from the shops, take it home, and then after you get all your data on there you start looking for applications to make your shiny toy unique to your individual needs. If said smartphone was an iPhone, then all you need to purchase apps is your iTunes username and password. If you picked up an Android device … then you’re going to be put through the hell of having to enter your 16 digit credit card number, expiration date, security code, and more, just to be able to get your Angry Birds fix. Now there’s a way to get around this called operator building, which is exactly what it sounds like, your apps are put on the same bill as the one that comes in the post every month from your operator. It’s been available in America since November 2009 via T-Mobile, and with time it’s expanded to the other American operators, but what about Europe?
Vodafone just became the first operator on the continent across the pond to offer their customers operator billing in the Android Market, but it’s currently limited to the UK and Germany. Considering those are practically the two largest mobile markets in Europe, that’s not a bad start. The bigger question here is are Android owners willing to spend money on applications when the studies show that you’re better off trying to milk iPhone owners of their nickels and dimes? That’s something you as a developer have to ask yourself, because what’s the point in wasting all that time writing “Java” (read: Dalvik) code if it isn’t going to put food on your table?
Anyway, there are some restrictions on this so your 14 year old doesn’t force you to file bankruptcy. The most expensive app you’ll be able to buy will be capped at £30, which we doubt you’ll ever see in the Android Market, and you’ll also be limited to £250 per month. That should stop a lot of toddlers from going crazy in whatever game Disney comes out with that has far too many in-app purchases to be considered anything other than a scam attached to a cute and lovable brand.

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Samsung Mobile Releases Official Unpacked IFA App

If for some reason you’re just going crazy over Samsung Mobile Unpacked set to take place in just under a couple of short weeks, Samsung’s got more goods for you. If you’re planning on attending IFA and Samsung Mobile Unpacked, there’s an app for you. And even if you aren’t, this app’s for you. It’s the official Unpacked app and it well help you stay up to date on everything Samsung announces and shows at the conference.
For those attending, an event map and schedule will come in handy. And for everyone else, you’ll get new product updates, press releases and a live stream of the event right on your Android handset. A free download so take care of that in the Android market and be on the lookout for an update on September 1st (the day everything is set to be “unpacked”).

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LG Optimus Sol Brings “Ultra AMOLED”, Supreme Battery Life in Thin Package

Our friends at LG have announced a new addition to the Optimus line of devices. It’s the LG Optimus Sol set to go to Europe and Central/South America this fall. While this one looks like another entry-level Optimus phone at first glance, it’s got a lot of compelling features. The biggest will be what LG is calling the Ultra AMOLED display.

Said to boast superior levels of clarity and contrast, the 3.8 inch Ultra AMOLED display is also an integral part of why LG’s boasting this phone’s battery life. They use idle battery management technology and their Dark UI user interface to get the most out of the phone’s battery by minimizing the amount of light colors used. The device isn’t bad under the hood with a 1GHz processor, 5 megapixel rear camera, 512MB of RAM and Android 2.3. Read on for full press details.

LG DIVERSIFIES SMARTPHONE LINE-UP WITH USER-FRIENDLY OPTIMUS SOL
New Phone Boasts Elegant Design, First-Class Display, Great Multimedia Connectivity
SEOUL, Aug. 22, 2011 - LG Electronics (LG) today announced the latest addition to the LG Optimus smartphone series: the LG Optimus Sol (LG-E730). Running on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform, the LG Optimus Sol offers 9.8mm slimness with a brilliant 3.8-inch "Ultra AMOLED" display. Sol is aptly named for its high clarity display which makes content easy to see even in bright and sunny conditions.
"The Optimus Sol stands out from its competitors as the most affordable 1 GHz Android smartphone with an AMOLED display," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "By introducing a no- nonsense phone that boasts one of the best displays on the market, we think we have a real winner for consumers looking for a subtle but visually stunning phone."
With a depth of only 9.8mm, the LG Optimus Sol boasts a sophisticated design, solid feel and enhanced user experience. Users can enjoy a great web browsing performance thanks to the 1GHz CPU, as well as enhanced Flash 10.1. on a 3.8-inch WVGA Ultra AMOLED display with a superior color gamut. The new and improved Ultra AMOLED display has a two-fold advanced reflection rate compared to standard AMOLED displays, and reduces image quality degradation.
The device uses an enhanced idle-based power management system that boosts battery life by 20 to 30 percent. With the Dark UI selected, the Optimus Sol utilizes less white light in order to extend the battery life performance. The phone includes a 5.0MP camera for fast auto-shuttering, auto-focusing and shot-to-shot. Users can also take full advantage of multimedia connectivity via onscreen links to DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct.
This new handset will be introduced in Europe beginning mid-September, followed by roll-outs in Central and South America. The Optimus Sol will be available in black, titan and white, availability depending on the region.

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of KRW 55.8 trillion (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units - Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1TM. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, visit www.LGnewsroom.com.
About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

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Sony Ericsson unveils ‘Live with Walkman’ Android phone

Sony Ericsson on Monday unveiled its latest Android smartphone, dubbed “Live with Walkman.” With a name almost as catchy as Nokia’s failed “Comes with Music” offering, the new Live with Walkman smartphone is powered by Google’s Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system and a 1GHz processor. Other spec highlights include a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, a 5-megapixel camera, Sony’s xLOUD audio and a Walkman music experience featuring integration with various social networks. “Consumers want smartphones to deliver a rich and social entertainment experience. Rather than a one dimensional music experience, they want instant and seamless access to new content, combined with the ability to share and connect with their friends,” said Sony Ericsson’s head of product marketing Nikolaus Scheurer in a statement. ”The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman provides exactly this, in a powerful package with great style.” Sony Ericsson’s full press release follows below.

Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman delivers unique social music experience for smartphones
22 August 2011

• Smartphone with Walkman™ on the latest Android platform (Gingerbread 2.3)


• Unique Facebook™ integration enables instant music and media sharing


• Content services from Sony provide access to the latest music and video titles

22 August 2011, London, UK – Sony Ericsson today announced Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman™, an Android smartphone that delivers a unique social music experience. A dedicated Walkman™ hardware button provides instant access to the music player and consumers can also like, share and discover content through a deep Facebook™ integration. The infinite button lets the consumer explore even more and the *Qriocity service from Sony provides music and video content for the consumer to enjoy.
With attractive curved design, a glossy finish and a mineral glass display, the phone has a 3.2” screen and a powerful 1Ghz processor. A front facing camera is enabled for Skype video calling, while a 5MP AF camera can capture 720p HD video recording. *Sony’s xLOUD™ enhances audio output, while the latest Android platform for smartphones (Gingerbread 2.3) provides access to over 250,000 applications on the Android Market™.
Nikolaus Scheurer, Head of Product Marketing, Sony Ericsson said: “Consumers want smartphones to deliver a rich and social entertainment experience. Rather than a one dimensional music experience, they want instant and seamless access to new content, combined with the ability to share and connect with their friends. The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman™ provides exactly this, in a powerful package with great style.”
A perfect combination of social networking and music entertainment:

• Deep Facebook™ integration: Allows users to instantly access Facebook through the most used areas of the phone such as the picture gallery, music player, phonebook and calendar.


• Media Discovery Application: A dynamic application placing the world of music and videos at consumer’s fingertips including Facebook™ recommendations from their friends.


• Infinite button: Tapping it within the media player enables consumers to have instant access to new content about their favourite artist, such as music videos, artist information and lyrics search.


• Qriocity music and video content services from Sony: Consumers can access millions of songs from all major labels and watch thousands of movies from all major studios. Only Sony Ericsson Android smartphones provide consumers with unique access to the entertainment services from *Sony.


• *Sony’s xLOUD™ technology: Enhances audio output of the inbuilt speakers at high levels.


• TrackID™: Identifies the music track you are listening to within the FM radio and music player. The track can then instantly be shared or downloaded.

Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman™ will be available globally in selected markets from Q4 2011.
For full details all products news, please visit the press room and the product blog:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/press/pressreleases/latestnews
http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman™ at a glance.
*Please note that all services mentioned may not be available in every market.
Colours

• Black and White

Facts

• Size: 56.5 x 106 x 14.2 mm


• Weight: 115 g

Camera

• 5 megapixel camera


• 8x digital zoom


• Auto focus


• Face detection


• Flash/Photo light


• Flash/Photo flash


• Flash/LED


• Front-facing camera (VGA)


• Geo tagging


• HD video recording (720p)


• Image stabiliser


• Red-eye reduction


• Scene detection


• Self-timer


• Send to web


• Smile detection


• Touch capture


• Touch focus


• Video light


• Video recording

Music

• Album art


• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)


• Music tones (MP3/AAC)


• PlayNow™ service


• Stereo speakers


• TrackID™ music recognition


• Walkman™ player


• xLOUD™

Internet

• Android Market™


• Bookmarks


• Google™ search


• Google Voice™ Search


• NeoReader™ barcode scanner


• Pan & zoom


• Web browser (WebKit)

Communication

• Call list


• Conference calls


• Facebook™ application


• Google Talk™


• Polyphonic ringtones


• Skype


• Sony Ericsson Timescape™


• Speakerphone


• Twitter™ (Timescape™ integration)


• Vibrating alert


• Video chat ready

Messaging

• Conversations


• Email


• Google Mail™


• Handwriting recognition


• Instant messaging


• Multimedia messaging (MMS)


• Predictive text input


• Sound recorder


• Text messaging (SMS)


• Type & Send widget

Design

• Auto rotation


• Four-corner Home screen


• Keyboard (on-screen, 12-key)


• Keyboard (on-screen, QWERTY)


• Live wallpaper


• Picture wallpaper


• Touch screen

Entertainment

• 3D games


• Media browser


• Radio (FM radio with RDS)


• Video streaming


• Video viewing


• YouTube™

Organiser

• Alarm clock


• Calculator


• Calendar


• Document readers


• Emanual


• Flight mode


• Google Calendar™


• Google Gallery 3D™


• Infinite button


• Phonebook


• Setup guide


• Event


• Timer


• Widget manager

Connectivity

• 3.5 mm audio jack


• aGPS


• Bluetooth™ technology


• DLNA Certified™


• Google Latitude™


• Google Maps™ for Mobile


• Google Maps™ with Street View


• Media Transfer Protocol support


• Micro USB support


• Modem


• Native USB tethering


• Synchronisation via Facebook™


• Synchronisation via Google™ Sync


• Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync


• Synchronisation with computer


• Synchronisation via Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®


• Synchronisation: Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® via Moxier client


• USB mass storage


• USB High speed 2.0 support


• USB support


• Wi-Fi™


• Wi-Fi™ Hotspot functionality


• Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation

Display

• 3.2 inches


• 16,777,216 colour TFT


• 480 x 320 pixels


• Capacitive touchscreen (multi-touch)


• Scratch-resistant

Memory

• Phone memory (user-free): Up to 320MB


• Memory card support: microSD™, up to 32GB

Battery life

• Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 14 hrs 15 min*


• Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 600 hrs*

• Talk time UMTS: Up to 6 hrs 42 min*


• Standby time UMTS: Up to 850 hrs*

• Music listening time: Up to 17 hrs 30 min


• Video listening time: Up to 6 hrs 30 min

• *According to GSM Association Battery Life Measurement Technique. Battery performance may vary depending on network conditions and configurations, and phone usage.

Networks

• UMTS HSPA 850 (Band V), 1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I)


• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

• UMTS HSPA 900 (Band VIII), 2100 (Band I)


• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

In the kit

• Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman™


• 1200 mAh battery


• stereo headset


• 2GB microSD™ memory card


• Charger


• micro USB cable for charging


• synchronisation and file transfer

• user documentation

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Android, iOS gain U.S. market share in Q2 while BlackBerry slides, NPD says

Android’s lead in the U.S. smartphone market was extended further in the second quarter of 2011 according to leading market research firm The NPD Group. The firm on Monday released its second-quarter Mobile Phone Track report, which shows that Android devices accounted for 52% of smartphones sold in the U.S. last quarter. Apple’s iOS-powered iPhone showed slight gains in the second quarter as well, representing 29% of smartphone sales. RIM’s BlackBerry platform slid in the quarter according to NPD, dropping to an 11% share of the U.S. smartphone market, while Windows Phone 7, Windows Mobile and webOS sales were flat at less than 5% each. NPD also believes that Google’s planned acquisition of Motorola Mobility will not deter its major Android partners, as some have speculated. “Google’s acquisition of Motorola shifts the balance of power in the handset-patent conflict between Google and its operating system competitors,” said Ross Rubin, The NPD Group’s executive director of industry analysis, in a statement. “Android’s momentum has made for a large pie that is attractive to Motorola’s Android rivals, even if they must compete with their operating system developer.” NPD’s full press release follows below.

The NPD Group: As Android Solidifies Lead, Google Acquisition Has Potential to Revitalize Flagging Motorola
Patent-rich handset pioneer’s second quarter share fell to gains by Apple, Samsung and LG.
PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, August TK, 2011 – According to The NPD Group, a leading market research company, Google’s Android operating system (OS) continued to dominate U.S. smartphone market share, accounting for 52 percent of units sold in the second quarter (Q2) of 2011. Like Android, Apple’s iPhone OS (iOS) experienced slight quarterly gain rising to 29 percent in Q2; however, BlackBerry OS share fell to 11 percent, as Windows Phone 7, Windows Mobile, and webOS held steady at less than five percent of the market each.
“Google’s acquisition of Motorola shifts the balance of power in the handset-patent conflict between Google and its operating system competitors,” said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD. “Android’s momentum has made for a large pie that is attractive to Motorola’s Android rivals, even if they must compete with their operating system developer.”
Motorola’s overall mobile phone market share declined 3 percentage points, from 12 percent in Q2 2010 to 9 percent in Q2 2011. The company’s share of the smartphone market also declined from 15 percent to 12 percent. Motorola’s year-over-year unit share of Android OS sales halved from 44 percent in Q2 of last year to 22 percent in Q2 of 2011, as Samsung and LG both experienced substantial gains.
“Much as it did in the feature phone market in the RAZR era, Motorola is experiencing increased competition from Samsung and LG in the smartphone market,” Rubin said. “Closer ties to the heart of Android can help inspire new paths to differentiation.”
Growing opportunity in prepaid smartphones
Beyond the four largest national carriers, Motorola can also make up ground in the rapidly growing pre-paid smartphone market. Based on the latest information from NPD’s “Mobile Phone Track,” one in five new handsets acquired in Q2 was on a prepaid plan, and carriers offering prepaid mobile phones continued to grow their smartphone portfolios. In Q2 2010 just 8 percent of prepaid phones were smartphones, but in Q2 2011 that number jumped to 22 percent.
“Android is also leading the charge in the rapidly growing prepaid smartphone market,” Rubin said. “This was once a key segment for Motorola that the company has an opportunity to reclaim as prepaid carriers build their smartphone portfolios.”

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Samsung Unpacked Event at IFA 2011 Trailer 2 Revealed [Video]

The big event in Berlin is soon approaching, IFA 2011 for all your tech desires – and Samsung is gonna be there with something big! What we’ve seen so far is one leaked trailer for this “Unpacked II” event, it inspiring quite a few guesses surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S II and what new version this Unpacked might reveal. Of course there’s no guarantee that we know what they’ll be revealing at all at the moment, especially since this Unpacked doesn’t have quite as obvious a tagline as the one we attended at CTIA 2011 which was “What’s your Tab Life?”

This video, the second one revealed but very possibly the first Samsung WANTED to have revealed, as the first was certainly leaked, we see a summer sky, shiny trees, sunlight all around, waves washing in from a lovely ocean, two people: one a lady moving in slow motion with wind blowing her hair, another a fellow with hair blowing as well, then the line “Sketches of Your Desire.” This line comes before “Something Big is Coming”, both of these sets of words appearing in the other video we’ve seen as well. Have a look at both here:
Here’s the second video first:




Then the first video next:




The first time we saw an Unpacked event this year it was at CTIA 2011 and we were given a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Tab 8.9 which we’d seen up close and personal the night before. What we’re still thinking might be thinking is going on here is a Samsung Galaxy S II upgrade of some sort, maybe a 4.5-inch screen like the Infuse 4G, maybe some sort of mega-announcement we can’t even guess! What do you think?
)

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Play spotted dressed in Orange, Arc wearing White

We have seen both the SE Xperia Play and the Xperia Arc more than a few times. Today they’ve both been spotted in different flavors than we are used to. First off is the Xperia Play wearing a fancy Orange outfit and then the Xperia Arc is dress in White. These pictures are coming out of a SE launch conference in Asia so they could just be special devices, or we might see these flavors hit the shelves in select regions.

Last time we saw the Xperia Arc it was unlocked and for sale in the US but only with Blue or Silver color options, but now photos are showing they might also have a White model for those in need. While these aren’t anything special or new it’s always fun to see new colors. Just think, an Orange Xperia Play rocking CM7 sounds nice right?

More details on both of these phones can be seen over on the Xperia Blog who is also covering the conference where these phones were spotted. While the Orange colored Play might just be a unique device someone brought to the show we did see a Xperia Play with HDMI-Out a few months ago back in June, so it’s pretty possible they’ve still been making changes although that was a developer model. Either way these are fun and new, so thought we’d share. Enjoy your weekend!

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : XPERIA Play

Manufactuer : Sony

Carrier : Verizon

Announced Date : February 13, 2011

Release Date : April 01, 2011

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 4.00 Inch


• Resolution : 480x854


• Screen Type : TFT

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 4.69 Inch


• Width : 2.44 Inch


• Depth : 0.63 Inch


• Weight : 175 Grams

Battery & Power

• Battery Type:


• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 1500 mAh


• Talk Time : NA


• Stand By Time : 425 hours

Software

• Android OS:


• 2.3.x

• Audio Playback:


• AAC


• MP3

• Video Playback:


• MPEG-4 (MP4)

• Messaging:


• SMS


• MMS

Hardware

CPU : Snapdragon

CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz

Core : 1

Ram : 512 MB

Internal Storage : .4 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution :5 MP

• External Storage:


• MicroSD


• MicroSDHC

• Camera Features:


• Auto focus


• Flash


• 720p Video Recording

• Sensors:


• Accelerometer


• Ambient light


• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

• Network Technology:


• GSM

• GSM Band:


• 850


• 900


• 1800


• 1900

Device Connectivity

• Wi-Fi:


• 802.11b


• 802.11g


• 802.11n

• Bluetooth:


• Bluetooth 2.0

• Location Features:


• GPS


• Cellular location


• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

[via PocketNow]
)

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