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T-Mobile HTC One S review
Apr 18th
The international version of the HTC One S has been available for a few weeks already and now customers in the U.S. will soon be able to purchase the phone from T-Mobile when it goes on sale on April 25th. HTC was kind enough to send us a demo unit a few weeks early so that we could give you a detailed look at what to expect from the HTC One S. Early reviews of the international version of the HTC One S were favorable, but does T-Mobile’s software tweaks and HSPA+ network allow the One S to live up to its full potential?
1. Hardware design
Since the introduction of the HTC Magician, HTC has focused on delivering handsets which feature a unique personality and standing apart from the indistinguishable plastic slabs pushed out by the competition. The HTC One S takes HTC’s design language to the next level while bringing back many of the characteristics which give the phone that recognizable HTC look. To say that the design of the HTC One S is minimalistic would be a gross understatement.
The HTC One S is an astonishingly elegant phone made of a single piece of aluminum which wraps around the entire device. The front of the phone features 4.3-inch display, three capacitive buttons, a front-facing camera and micro-drilled speaker holes. The One S features an MHL enabled microUSB port long its left edge, volume rocker on its right edge and the phone’s power button and 3.5mm headphone jack can be found along the top. The back of the phone is accented by a blue ring around the camera lens which is paired with an LED flash, an HTC logo in the middle and a Beats Audio logo towards to bottom. The back of the phone features two plastic panels which house the antenna, speakerphone and microSIM card slot.
2. Build quality
With the exception of a few select devices, the majority of smartphones produced these days are made of cheap, glossy plastics. These phones may look nice in a display case, but once you get your hands on them, you can feel that very little thought was actually put into the production material and you find yourself constantly looking for ways to clean the phone from the smudges left behind by your greasy fingers.
Fortunately, the HTC One S is one of the few devices where the design of the phone is just as important as the materials used to make it. HTC has been milling aluminum casings for their phones since the HTC Legend was introduced in 2010, but HTC has taken things one step further this time by giving the aluminum a gradient finish on the HTC One S. The color of the phone fades from dark to light. The color fade is present on all sides of the device, but it is more noticeable when looking at the back.
The HTC One S measures 130.9 x 65 x 7.8 mm, making is the thinnest phone ever produced by HTC. Though the handset only weighs 119.5 grams, its balance and aluminum shell give the device a solid feel.The attention to detail on the One is is pretty remarkable. Rather than cutting out a hole in the aluminum and fitting it with a cheap speaker grill, HTC used a micro drill to create 76 holes in the aluminum.
HTC has also stepped up things up when it comes to the glass which covers the display on the One S. While most phones have a glass panel which covers the front of the phone, the glass on the One S flows over the sides, accentuating the slight curve on the back of the phone. But HTC did not stop there. A closer look reveals that the glass panel features a raised edge which keeps the glass from making contact when the phone is placed face down on a surface.
3. Display
The HTC One S is the first phone from HTC to feature a Samsung Super AMOLED display. HTC dabbled with AMOLED displays from Samsung a few years back, but made the switch to Sony’s Super LCD panels when supply issues caused production delays for the original HTC DROID Incredible. Since then, the technology has gotten a lot better and it seems as though Samsung has been able to boost production enough to keep up with demand.
The 4.3-inch qHD display on the HTC One S should be a familiar size for those’s who are familiar with the HTC Sensation or the EVO 3D from last year. The size of the display may not be as impressive as the 4.7-inches of the HTC One X, but it does allow single hand use of the phone without re-positioning your grip to reach the far edges of the display or pull down the notification bar.
The display on the One S is optically laminated to its Gorilla Glass covering, reducing the space between the glass, producing some pretty amazing viewing angles. Unfortunately, the optical lamination does not make up for the fact that the pentile matrix display looks inferior to the Super LCD displays HTC has used in the past. The traditional RGB subpixel layout is swapped for a RGBG configuration, causing noticeable discoloration in high contrast situations. The issue is easily noticeable in the application drawer where white application icons show a green hue on their left edge and a magenta hue along the right side.
Another down side to the Super AMOLED display on the one S is its outdoor performance. We wouldn’t suggest taking your phone out of your pocket to check your email in direct sunlight, but you will be able to use the phone on a cloudy day or if you’re in a shaded area.
4. Software
Besides the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the HTC One S is the first new phone to be released by a U.S. carrier with Android 4.0 pre-installed. Unlike the Galaxy Nexus, the HTC One S does not come with stock Android. Like the overwhelming majority of Android phones, the One S comes with a custom skin – HTC Sense 4.0. In the past, HTC Sense offered some amazing advancements, but things got a little stale last year when HTC introduced Sense 3.0 on the HTC Sensation. The software build got a lot heavier that it needed to be with 3D animations and glossy buttons that didn’t add any real benefit to the end user.
Fortunately, HTC listened to consumer feedback and gave birth to Sense 4.0. The latest version of HTC’s UI is intended to allow users to customize the look and feel of their device while making interaction with the OS slightly easier. But HTC Sense is a lot more than just a skin. HTC has modified or replaced the majority of the stock Android applications on the phone is order to give users a consistent look and feel.
One of the first things you’ll notice when you turn on the HTC One S is the new lock screen. Users can choose between a variety of lockscreen styles which display the weather, calendar events, stock quotes, pictures or even social media updates from friends. But the customization doesn’t end there. While stock Android allow users to unlock the device or launch directly into the camera, the Sense 4.0 lock screen allows users to launch whichever application or folder is placed in the launcher dock on the home screen.
HTC has also taken the liberty of customizing the multitasking menu in Android 4.0. Rather than displaying a vertical list of applications with cropped images, Sense 4.0 features application cards (similar to those in webOS) which scroll horizontally and must be flicked up to be removed from the list.
There are many who think HTC and other OEMs should be forced to produce phones with stock Android. Unfortunately, we don’t see that happening any time soon. Sense 4.0 may not be as sharp as stock Android, but it’s the best custom skin we’ve used in quite some time.
5. Performance
The Android ecosystem is made up of some amazing devices, but when it comes to performance – the HTC One S takes the crown. Inside the HTC One S is a dual-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm MSM8260A Snapdragon S4 processor (paired with an Adreno 225 GPU) which runs laps around the competition.
Those who love to play games on their Android phone will certainly enjoy using the HTC One S. The phone was able to tear through games like Temple Run, Dead Space, Shadowgun and NBA Jam without missing a beat and we wouldn’t be surprised if the phone’s power is able to keep up with the newest titles for at least a year.
When it comes to regular use, the HTC One S is as smooth as silk. We didn’t experience any lag within the UI and launching applications is faster than ever.
To give you an idea how much power the HTC One S has under the hood, we run the phone through a few benchmarks. The HTC One S came out on top in most benchmark tests – even beating out the quad-core Tegra 3 powered HTC One X on several occasions. Naturally, you should always take benchmark score with a grain of salt since they don’t really tell you how a phone will perform in day-to-day situations, but we were blown away.
| Benchmark Test | Score |
| AnTuTU | 7020 |
| Quadrant | 5057 |
| Linpack | 104.8 (single-thread) 221.4 (multi-thread) |
| Nenamark 2 | 60.3 FPS |
| Vellamo | 2426 |
| SunSpider 0.9.1 | 1833.7ms |
6. Cameras
The HTC One S may be the thinnest and most powerful phone ever made by HTC, but one of the main selling points is the handset’s advanced camera and ImageSense technology. HTC’s focus with the One series is to give users “the power of a true digital camera on your phone.” In order to pull that off, HTC has equipped the HTC One S with an 8 megapixel BSI (back side illuminated) imaging sensor, f2.0 lens and a dedicated imaging chip which work seamlessly and deliver some of the most stunning images we have ever seen from a camera phone.
But HTC didn’t just add amazing hardware components and call it a day. HTC completely redesigned the camera application on the HTC one S, giving users quicker access to more settings. The most noticeable difference in the camera application is the camera shutter and video capture button which are shown at the same time. This simple change allows you to launch the camera application and record a video or snap a shot without having to dig through the menu switch between video or camera mode.
What’s even more interesting is that you can capture images while recording video in 1080p HD. While recording, you can press the camera shutter button and the One S will extract the frame from the video and gave it to your gallery. The system isn’t perfect since pressing the button while shooting video can cause the phone to move slightly, but we doubt most people will notice since most people have a hard time holding their phone still while recording video as it is. If you forget to snap a picture while recording a video, you can always go back and extract the image you want after the fact. Images extracted from video will match the size of the video resolution, producing 2 megapixel images while recording in 1080p.
Capturing a picture at the right time has gotten a lot easier with the HTC One S. Rather than going into setting and selecting Bust Mode, simply press and hold the camera shutter button and the One S will capture four pictures every second (up to 99). Once you are done shooting, the interface shows you all the images you captured and you can choose to save as many as you want or just the one shot which captured the moment just right.
The flash has also been improved with an LED Smart Flash with 5 power levels which automatically adjust based on lighting levels. The new flash settings do a better job than most LED flashes we have used in the past, but the BSI sensor on the One S allows you to snap pictures in very low lit situations.
The front-facing camera on the HTC One S is capable of capturing video and pictures in VGA (640 x 480), a dramatic reduction from what the main camera is capable of. The resolution may sound like a drawback since there are devices on the market with feature 1.3 megapixel front-facing cameras capable of recording video in 720p, but we’ve found that the only thing we really use the front-facing camera for is the new face-unlock feature in Android 4.0.
7. Battery
The HTC One S features a an average sized 1650 mAh battery which is built into the phone. Those who are used to carrying around an extra battery or two to make sure they can make it through the full day have voiced their concern with HTC’s decision, but we really don’t see too much of an issue. In the few days we have spent with the HTC One S, we observed better than average battery life which is most likely due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chip used to power the device and the Super AMOLED display.
The longest the battery has been able to keep the HTC One S up and running has been a little over nine and a half hours. In that time period, I used the One S to stay on top of multiple email accounts, browse the web, listen to Pandora for a good hour, tweet, run benchmark and network speed tests several times, capture 100+ pictures and record 10 minutes of video. If that’s not considered heavy use, I don’t know what is.
Under regular use, I expect the HTC One S will easily make it through an entire work day (12-14 hours) without needing to be recharged. I’ll be updating details about the battery performance in about a week so that I have a better representation of how long the 1650 mAh battery inside the HTC One S will last.
8. Call quality and sound
Even though the HTC One S can do some amazing things, at its roots, it’s still a phone. Call quality on the HTC One S isn’t as remarkable as the new HD Voice feature which will be available on the HTC EVO 4G LTE, but it is on par with other Android phones currently on the market. Call quality does improve when using T-Mobile’s WiFi calling application which routes voice calls over WiFi.
Like most other HTC phones these days, the HTC One S features Beats Audio integration for an “authentic sound experience.” Unlike previous iterations of Beats on HTC’s phones, HTC Sense 4.0 integration with Beats Audio brings the audio enhancement to all audio and video applications on the device. Beats Audio doesn’t make a dramatic difference if you have a good pair of headphones, but I did conduct a “blind test” with several people and 6 out of 8 people claimed they enjoyed the audio tones better with the Beats Audio equalizer turned on.
9. 4G
When it comes to 4G speeds, LTE reigns supreme. T-Mobile’s has outlined its 4G LTE rollout plans, but the first LTE markets are not expected to go live for at least another year. Consequently, the HTC One S is equipped with a radio which is capable of taking advantage of T-Mobile’s 42 Mbps HSPA+ 4G network.
While I typically don’t have any issues with T-Mobile’s 4G network, the HTC One S has presented some curious issues. Speed tests on the device have been very inconsistent, ranging from 14.3 Mbps down and 2.1 Mbps up to 350 kbps down and 105 kbps up. I’ve also encountered issues with web pages not loading and application download errors in Google Play. I may have a faulty unit, but the issue most likely stems from a faulty radio which will probably be fixed through an update from HTC and T-Mobile.
The times when the HTC One S had a good connection, data speeds were impressive. At one point I was able to download and install a 24 megabyte game from Google Play in less than 15 seconds. While all the major networks are caught up in the 4G game, most consumers still don’t know the difference between HSPA+, LTE or WiMax. T-Mobile’s network may not technically be 4G, but it usually delivery consistent data speeds which are faster than most people’s home internet connections.
10. Multimedia and accessories
When buying a new phone, you always want to make sure there are accessories which can be used to enhance the phones functionality or protect it from your clumsiness. HTC has pledged full accessory support for the HTC One S with screen protectors, cases (some with built-in kickstands to prop up the device) and even desktop and car docks. But HTC didn’t stop there. The HTC One S comes with support for the new HTC Media Link HD and Car Clip so that you can enjoy your phone while in the car of just sitting at home on the couch.
HTC Media Link HD is a DLNA dongle which connects to a display via HDMI and allows dual-screen and mirroring capabilities from the HTC one S over Wi-FI. As you might expect, the device allows you to use any application on your big screen TV, browse the web, play games and a lot more, but the real magic starts when you start up a movie. Rather than being forced to put down your phone so that everyone can enjoy a full length film, the HTC Media Link HD allows you to press the home button and continue using your phone and even make a call or two while the movie continues to play on the big screen.
HTC Car Clip allows users to integrate the HTC One S into their car via the stereo’s 3.5mm auxiliary input. A new intuitive interface on the phone surfaces your music, maps, contacts, messages and more so that users can easily access all their information on the HTC One S without the typical distractions of the traditional Android UI. There’s always the option to just buy a $5 3.5mm audio cable to connect the phone to your car stereo, but where’s the fun in that?
HTC One S8.5 / 10
Every phone we have reviewed has had its own set of issues. Some have buggy software builds while others simply don’t have enough horse power to accomplish simple tasks or play a few levels on Angry Birds. Fortunately for T-Mobile and HTC, the One S is beautifully designed, bug free (from what we can tell), features the best camera phone we have ever come across and has enough processing power to muscle through anything you can throw at it.
That being said, some people will shy away from the HTC One S due to minor issues with the display or the fact that it runs a custom skin on top of Android 4.0. Others will choose to wait things out to see what the competition has in store. There will never be a perfect phone which appeases every single consumer, but if you’re looking for the best T-Mobile phone that money can buy, the HTC One S is the phone for you.
HTC One S product page on T-Mobile’s website reveals $599 price tag
Apr 18th
T-Mobile’s web team is a little trigger happy today, updating the HTC One S product page with the phone’s price before the New York city press event which is scheduled to kick off in just one hour. The only new detail revealed on the product page is the $599.99 price tag for those looking to purchase the HTC One S without signing a new two-year contract.
Paying $599.99 for an off-contract device isn’t ridiculous, but we find it odd that T-Mobile would charge more than the current $549.99 price tag most retailers are charging for the unlocked international version of the phone. Keep in mind, the T-Mobile HTC One S does come with AWS band support for T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network software tweaks which gives users access to various T-Mobile services like WiFi calling and T-Mobile TV.
T-Mobile’s on-contract pricing details and the launch date for the HTC One S should be available very soon. We’ll keep you updated as more information is made available.
Official: AT&T’s HTC One X to launch on May 6th for $199 – pre-orders start April 22nd
Apr 18th
AT&T has finally announced that the HTC One X will launch on May 6th with pre-orders kicking off on April 22nd. The price of the HTC One X is set at $199.99 with a two-year contract, matching Sprint’s asking price for the slightly better equipped HTC EVO 4G LTE. The press release does not mention what color options the HTC One X will be available in, but images on AT&T’s site show both the white and black versions of the device.
While AT&T is calling their phone the HTC One X, it is in fact the HTC One XL which features a dual-core Qualcomm S4 processor instead of the quad-core Tegra 3 chip used to power the international version of the One X. HTC has chosen to use the Qualcomm chip on HTC’s version of the One X since it features integrated LTE support, boosting battery efficiency.
Will you be pre-ordering the HTC One X on April 22nd or will you take your chances and head to an AT&T store on launch day to pick the phone up in person?
HTC One X Available Exclusively From AT&T Beginning May 6 For $199.99
4G LTE Entertainment Superphone features Amazing Camera and Beats Audio Experience, Runs on Android 4.0 and HTC Sense 4
DALLAS and BELLEVUE, Wash., April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –
Key Facts
- The first smartphone from AT&T* to launch with the latest version of the Android operating system (4.0), the HTC One X, will be available from AT&T beginning May 6 for $199.99.
- HTC One X is AT&T’s first smartphone with Beats by Dr. Dre™ Audio built-in to the hardware and software.
- HTC One X is the first smartphone from AT&T to offer HTC Sense™4 to deliver an amazing camera with improvements to the lens, sensor and software, an authentic sound experience with Beats by Dr. Dre Audio, and long-lasting battery performance to accommodate heavy mobile use.
- Pre-orders for HTC One X will begin April 22. Customers can visit any company-owned retail store orhttp://www.att.com/onex for more information.
An all-around workhorse with unique customer benefits, the HTC One X is the flagship of HTC’s One line of smartphones. Combined with the nation’s largest 4G network, with 4G LTE backed by AT&T’s HSPA+ network, the One X becomes the complete package for Android users.
AT&T customers have access to the nation’s largest 4G network, covering nearly 250 million people. As 4G LTE expands, AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you’re on a much slower 3G network.
Sound at its Finest
HTC One X is the first device from AT&T with HTC’s authentic sound experience featuring Beats by Dr. Dre Audio integration, offering rich, full sounds with professional-grade sound engineering to play the music how the artist intended. Beats Audio provides a distortion-free sound at higher volume and rich bass at all levels whether you are watching movies, playing games or streaming music. HTC One X is custom tuned for the best audio performance when used with Beats by Dr. Dre accessories,** including the Beatbox (AT&T exclusive), Wireless HD Stereo Bluetooth Headphones, Beats™ Solo™ HD Headphones, and UR Beats™ In-ear Headphones.
With built-in software on the HTC One X, customers can connect it to a computer and HTC’s Sync Manager software automatically installs to your computer and once connected, makes it easy to move music and playlists to your phone from your music library.
Entertainment Everywhere
Consumers’ ability to incorporate their smartphones into every aspect of their lives continues with the HTC One X. Watching TV shows or movies will be even more enjoyable on its 4.7-inch 720p HD screen with sharp images that appear detailed and visible from every angle – even angled up to 80 degrees. HTC Watch gives you access to thousands of Hollywood blockbusters and offers companion content to find out more about the film. You can begin watching the movie moments after it starts downloading and wirelessly share the content on any HD TV using HTC’s wireless HDMI Media Link HD adapter.**
The laminated cover glass and touch layer significantly reduce light reflection for superior sharpness and clarity, and is protected with Corning® Gorilla® Glass. HTC One X is made with a beautifully crafted polycarbonate unibody design that showcases its clean lines and seamless construction.
Superior Camera
For many consumers, their smartphone doubles as their camera. HTC One X’s 8MP HD camera features ImageSense and rivals traditional digital cameras with improvements to every part of the camera including the lens, sensor and software, while integrating HTC’s new ImageChip to make quality picture taking a breeze.
Fumbling with the menu and settings on your smartphone is frustrating when the perfect shot is right in front of you. Within seconds, you can launch the camera from the lock screen and the camera quickly autofocuses and zeros in on your subject. Zero shutter lag also lets you take continuous shots simply by holding the shutter button. HTC One X takes beautiful photos under low-light, no-light, and back-light conditions. The Video Pic feature allows the capture of still pictures while recording video in HD as well as the ability to capture a still image from previously recorded video.
The HTC One X’s next-generation 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 dual-core processor allows customers to run heavy duty tasks such as creating and editing homemade videos smoothly without any lag, while the 1,800 mAh embedded battery, and software enhancements that improve battery performance by 50-100 percent over previous HTC phones, offers hours of uninterrupted entertainment time.
HTC Sense 4
HTC One X will be one of the first devices in the U.S. with the simple and intuitive HTC Sense 4 user experience. It helps make the Beats Audio experience possible while listening to any audio component and features camera enhancements including a quick launch feature for the camera on the HTC One X – dramatically cutting down the time needed to move from the lock screen to snapping a picture.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
**Accessories sold separately.
Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available. Deployment ongoing. Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network.
Limited-time offer. HTC One X requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo) and min monthly data plan ($20/mo). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req’d. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges/line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, fees and charges for other gov’t assessments. These are not taxes or gov’t req’d charges. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services from AT&T.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.
About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC’s portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense™, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.
© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Android Gaming Weekly: Deer Hunter Reloaded, Cordy Sky, Shake Spears, Death Rally
Apr 18th
Welcome back to our regular column Android Gaming Weekly, where we recap all the new releases and highlights every Wednesday. We post small bits throughout the week related to Android games, but readers have requested a condensed summary that makes it easier to keep up with all the latest news. Read on for this week’s best in Android gaming.
New Games This Week
Cordy Sky jumps to Android
If you have never played a game from SilverTree Media, then you are missing out. This week they released Cordy Sky, the sequel to the 1-million-installs-plus Cordy. On this new journey to Planet 2, Cordy crash lands on a mysterious sky planet, where he meets a stranded robot named Volt. Together they take to the sky to refuel their rocket ship and head toward undiscovered planets.
Reload your rifles for Deer Hunter Reloaded
I love Glu Mobile’s Deer Hunter series, and this week they released the latest episode in the saga. Deer Hunter Reloaded is a freemium game, but I haven’t spent enough time playing it to see if that kills the experience for me. New features include an X-ray mode to target specific organs, the ability to move between strategic vantage points, and customizable player avatars with a variety of jackets, vests, boots, and hunting glasses.
Start a devastating chain reaction with Demolition Inc.
Demolition Inc. is a new game for TegraZone that is designed to show off the physics capabilities of Tegra devices. Nothing is predetermined, and nothing is pre-animated. Your actions alone decide what happens and what you see. I purchased the game, but it kept force closing on me and I didn’t play it much. A recent update fixed those problems, so I need to return and check it out. The early average review score is only 3.7, so you might want to hold on to your $3.99 until more reviews come in.
Become a valiant knight in Shake Spears
Shake Spears is a popular iOS title that was just ported to Android. You play the role of a knight in a jousting competition. Features include upgradable skills, armor, and weapons, battles in 20 cities, and challenging bosses.
Conquer 3 Kingdoms
I haven’t had a chance to play it yet, but Conquer 3 Kingdoms looks like an awesome action RPG. The title uses the advanced game engine of Golden Feather Awards King Pirate and promises a touching story on an enormous scale. The game is free and features an average review score of 4.4, so check it out if you need a new action RPG to waste your time on.
Are you ready to return to Mysteryville?
This week Nevosoft released the sequel to their hit game Mysteryville. The game follows journalist Laura Winner as she joins the hunt for her missing friend Bill. You will have to search for and find all the clues to help you solve the case. The game is free to play, but you will be prompted to upgrade to the paid version in order to finish the mystery.
Death Rally races onto Android
Remedy, renowned developer of Max Payne and Alan Wake, makes their Android debut this week with Death Rally. The game is an action packed combat racer with cars, guns, and explosive fun. The promo video reminded me of the old-school Rock-n-roll Racing, so I went ahead and downloaded it. The developer says it will remain free to play for as long as you like.
Become a high velocity donut in a beautiful world of hills
Hit tip to Tim from Droid-Life for suggesting this game. Hot Donut is a simple platformer game that reminds me of Dragon Fly. The free version includes 10 levels to try out and the paid version will unlock 75 levels for $0.99. Try the demo and buy the full version to support the developer if you enjoy it.
Snapdragon GameCommand comes to new devices
Snapdragon GameCommand is Qualcomm’s response to NVIDIA’s TegraZone. The app showcases all the games that are optimized for Snapdragon processors and includes a feed of gaming news. Previously, it was limited to only Snapdragon devices, but a new update lets you install it on non-Snapdragon devices to preview what you are missing. Some new devices that are supported include the Galaxy Nexus, HTC One X, Nexus S, and more. Head over to the Google Play Store to see if your device can get it.
Games Coming Soon
Space Command
If you enjoy the 8-bit style game of Kairosoft, then you might want to keep an eye on Space Command from War Balloon. They just released a trailer for the space action sim, and it looks awesome. No release date has been announced, but we will be on the look out for one.
Plight of the Zombies
DroidGamers reports that SparkPlug Games is bringing their new title Plight of the Zombies to Android by mid-2012. In this game you take the role of the zombies as you try to help them stay alive by killing the humans. The game will feature 30 brainy puzzles and be free to play when it arrives.
Monster of Puppets
Developer NuOxygen should be releasing their next game Monster of Puppets by the end of this month. This 3D action-arcade game will feature well known game mechanics that are easy to pick up and play, a wide expandable set of weapons and abilities, and frequent updates will add new contents and challenges.
North & South Bluecoats
PocketGamer reports that developer Anuman will be remaking the classic game North & South. The game takes place during the American Civil War and features a mix of turn-based strategy, real-time battles, and silly action mini-games. The game will debut for iOS on May 10th, and the Android version will follow later in the year.
Games I’m currently playing
Radiant Defense: We have already covered this game extensively, but I’m still wrapped up in Hexage’s Radiant Defense. I like that the game is so hard, which keeps me coming back. I don’t know if it will hold my attention, but I keep coming back to it.
What Android games are you playing?
Find any great new Android games this week? Share your favorites in the comments below so we can check them out.
Rumor: Samsung stops production of 10 inch Tab 2 to add quad-core chip?
Apr 18th
According to Netbook News, Samsung has stopped production of the upcoming Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) tablet to beef up the innards of the device. Previously set for an early-May release with a dual-core processor, Samsung apparently wanted the Tab 2 to better compete with upcoming quad-core tablets. The rumor cites their source a Korean Samsung insider.
If the rumor proves true, the Tab 2 10.1 could be the first tablet to feature Samsung’s quad-core Exynos chipset, hopefully the 32nm Exynos 4412 chip which also features a quad-core GPU. Unfortunately, the inclusion of a quad-core chip would likely impact the pricing of the 10″ slate, which was initially reported to be around $400 for a 16GB storage model. The move could also push back the early-May release date for the Tab 2, unless Samsung is somehow able to ramp up production quickly.
We certainly like the idea of a quad-core Galaxy Tab making its way to the US in the next few months, and will be watching the developments closely. Of course, today’s report is just a rumor, and production of the less-beefy Tab 2 could still be in full force.
What do you think? Do you want to see a quad-core 10″ Galaxy Tab? Would that entice you to buy a Galaxy Tab over the upcoming Google/ASUS tablet or Transformer Prime?
AfterFocus wins week 2 of #thenextinstall, 10 new apps try to knock it down
Apr 18th
Can our community help discover the next great Android app? Welcome to a new experiment called #thenextinstall where we try to see if we can find an Android app in the rough, and boost its installs and exposure to new highs.
Last week our community selected Minimal Reader, which is a great little widget for reading RSS feeds. After it was featured on our site, the daily installs spiked to a 30-day high. The developer listened to the feedback from new users, and he tells us an important update is in the works.
This week the goal remains the same:
- Find an app with less than 100k installs
- Come up with a one or two sentence pitch that encourages users to install it
- Submit your suggested app in the comments below or in this weekly thread
Browse over the new app suggestions and let us know if any of them make it onto your device.
Week 2 winner: AfterFocus by MotionOne
This week’s winner was an easy choice. AfterFocus crushed all challengers and came out on top with the most buzz. The app racked up over 10k installs since it was released last week, but we think it has the potential to reach 1 million installs in the coming months. If you haven’t tried it yet, this simple camera app allows you to edit photos and create DSLR-like photography by faking the depth of field. There is an auto mode that produces great results, but we prefer the manual mode that allows more control.
Check out some of the early reviews:
- “I found myself wanting to go out and take more pictures just to play around with it. Even crappy pictures came out great!”
- “Beats instagram by a long way.”
- “This is Saweeet! I love the auto and manual focus options.. aperture.. the filters.”
- “Just wow! This app is amazing! Filters are better than instagram! Editing is better than picsart! So happy ive discovered this app!”
- “I was left speechless after watching what this application can do!!”
Week 3 Challengers
Fetchnotes
Pitch: Cloud-based note taking service that Twitter users will love. Hashtags allow you to let your creativity run wild while we organize your notes for you. It’s so easy our dog could use it.
Suggested by: Stigy
Carrier Coverage
Pitch: Which carrier is best for your location? Carrier Coverage helps answer that question.
Birthday Calendar
Pitch: Never miss another birthday again!
Connect by Quickoffice
Pitch: An all-in-one app to view & edit documents that sync across all your devices.
SnapNPlay
Pitch: Take a picture of sheet music and play it back on your android device.
Placeme
Pitch: Placeme always remembers the places you visit. With Placeme you can enjoy your mobile life while the app automatically records all your place visits for you.
StorageAnalyser
Pitch: Unsure what kind of data is consuming the space on your drives? StorageAnalyser can help.
Suggested by: LKuech
Boid
Pitch: Boid is the new Twitter client for Android 4.0 that is designed for beauty and simplicity. We put a big focus on the stock Ice Cream Sandwich style to bring you a pure Android experience while browsing Tweets.
Pepperplate
Pitch: Manage your recipes, create menus, shop with ease and cook like a pro. Pepperplate is the only way to seamlessly manage your recipes, menus and shopping lists on the web, Android Tablet and Android Phone.
Suggested by: Canterrain
Karma
Pitch: A new service for in-the-moment gifting. Karma lets you send a thoughtful gift from anywhere, at anytime. It’s as easy as sending a text.
What’s next? How can I participate?
If you want to play along, then join the league of app addicts.
- Join Android and Me and suggest new apps in this weekly thread
- Download AppAware and let it track your new app installs
- Share this post with a friend who has an Android device and ask them to try out one of the apps from the list
Over the coming week, we will continue to monitor all the apps and see which generate the most buzz. We will be watching the installs, download clicks, review scores, coverage on other sites, and more to see which app comes out on top.
Next week we will name the winning app, and then put it up against 10 new apps to repeat the process.
HTC One X receives first OTA update with battery life and performance enhancements
Apr 18th
If you own the European HTC One X, you might want to go check for software updates. HTC just pushed out a new update over the air (OTA) that upgrades the firmware to version 1.28.401.9. We don’t have a full changelog yet, but we think this is the update that includes the fix that increases battery life by up to 20%.
Some press units of the HTC One X shipped with firmware 1.26, that had some issues with battery life and this was reflected poorly in some early reviews. HTC updated some devices to 1.27, which improved the battery life and fixed some bugs, and it’s nice to see an official OTA hit the European units now.
A quick check of the software settings shows this latest 1.28 update includes a new baseband version (1.1204.103.14) and new kernel (2.6.39.4-g86aa44d). The build date of the release is April 14th, so this is hot off the presses.
We hear that performance scores have also gone up in the latest software release, but we have yet to run it through all the benchmarks.
If you have the One X, let us know if you grab the latest update.
The Big 4 shootout: Who has the fastest network speeds?
Apr 17th
If you pay attention to the different ad campaigns that AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon keep in their everyday arsenal, chances are you’ve heard every single one claim they have the fastest network on the block. Whatever they use to calculate those claims, it doesn’t always translate into real world use for every individual on that network. So how could you possibly pinpoint who really does have the fastest network?
PC World has put eight different Android phones to the test, including a 3G device and a 4G device from each major carrier in the US. They selected 13 cities for their, “varying population densities, physical topography, and cellular environments.” Each network was tested at ten locations in each city, five times indoors, and five times outdoors.
When it comes to which carrier in the US posted the best 3G download speeds, T-Mobile took the crown. Thanks to HSPA+ 21, T-Mobile’s average 3G download speed was 3.84 Mbps.
T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 managed to keep a slim distance when it came to 4G, but AT&T and Verizon’s LTE networks couldn’t be held back. AT&T had the best download speeds, coming in at 9.12 Mbps. Verizon was a close second at 7.35.
The absolute worst carrier if you care about download speeds is Sprint. Their WiMax 4G test numbers were lower than T-Mobile’s 3G numbers. And their 3G numbers were enough to drive any sane man mad, at a pathetic 0.59 Mbps.
Of course these tests still don’t paint an entirely accurate picture of whose networks provides the fastest network speeds, but it does give you a good idea. What kind of speeds do you get with your service? Let us know in the comments.
Gallery
Android Rumors Report: RAZR HD to AT&T, Galaxy S III minor update, Tab 2 delay, Tegra 4
Apr 17th
Welcome back to our weekly column where we round up all the Android-related rumors and discuss the validity of each one. Everyone seems to love our original rumor reports, but we thought it would be fun to examine the rumors from around the web and share our thoughts on the possibility of them coming true. Read on for this week’s latest Android rumors.
Motorola RAZR HD coming to Verizon and AT&T?
Rumor: The Motorola RAZR HD (Vanquish/Fighter/MB886/qinara/Atrix3?) is coming to Verizon and AT&T.
Our thoughts: Last week a trusted source was telling me they played with the Motorola Vanquish (aka Droid Fighter) and said it featured Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 processor. We already knew from previous rumor reports that the Vanquish/Fighter was an upgraded version of the RAZR MAXX, with a 720p display.
This week a new benchmark result appeared for a Motorola device with the model number MB886 and product name Qinara. This device also features a Snapdragon S4 processor and 720p display. AT&T released the Motorola Atrix (MB860) and Atrix 2 (MB865), so this leads us to believe that the MB886 is also headed to AT&T, possibly as the RAZR HD or Atrix 3.
You could say I’m stretching the facts, but it looks pretty likely that the “RAZR HD” will make an appearance on both AT&T and Verizon this summer. Specs for the devices should include a 4.6 inch 720p HD display, 13 megapixel camera, dual-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, and massive 3,300 mAh battery.
Probability: 75%
Galaxy S III is a minor update?
Rumor: Andrew Royal of CNET UK reports the Galaxy S III will be a minor update compared to the Galaxy S II and says an unnamed source told him, “It’ll be like the iPhone 4S was to the 4.”
Our thoughts: This is just dumb. The next Galaxy is going to be Samsung’s flagship device, and they will do everything in their power to make sure it tops the upcoming iPhone 5. It’s looking more likely that the next Galaxy will feature the first processor with ARM Cortex-A15 CPU cores, which would easily make it the most powerful phone to date.
Samsung execs have also been talking up all day battery life, so we think the next Galaxy will have a few surprises. CNET UK also mentions that the device will feature eye tracking technology that can detect when a user looks away from the display. This could be used to turn off the display when not used, which would help extend the battery life.
Finally, to compare the next Galaxy to the iPhone 4S upgrade is just silly. The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S featured identical design on the outside, and all signs point to Samsung doing something different. Rumors suggest the next Galaxy will have a ceramic case and wireless charging, two unique features not found in the Galaxy S II.
Probability: 0%
Samsung stopped production of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1?
Rumor: Sascha Pallenberg of Netbooknews reports that Samsung stopped the production of the GT-P 5100 aka Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 so they could upgrade the tablet to a quad-core CPU.
Our thoughts: Multiple rumors have been suggesting that the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 had been delayed, and Samsung has a history of changing product specs after they announce them. Last year Samsung revealed the original Galaxy Tab 10.1 at Mobile World Congress, then redesigned it one month later to make it thinner than the iPad 2.
When the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 was first announced at this year’s Mobile World Congress, many questioned if this product even earned the “2″. It featured the same old dual-core 1.0 GHz processor, and the rest of the specs were underwhelming.
Samsung said they would release the Tab 2 10.1 for $399 in early May, but other products like the quad-core Transformer Pad 300 have already outclassed it at the same price point.
We know Samsung has their quad-core Exynos 4412 ready to use, since Meizu is shipping it in a phone in June. Samsung could use that same processor in the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, or they could also use the even newer Exynos 5250.
Sascha has been in this business a lot longer than me and I trust his sources, so look for the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 to be delayed.
Probability: 85%
Tegra 4 has 4 CPU cores
Rumor: Technology news site VR-Zone reports that Tegra 4 will feature a quad-core Cortex-A15 design.
Our thoughts: When NVIDIA first showed us their Tegra roadmap, they said Wayne (aka Tegra 4) would be coming at the tail end of 2012. Given the history of delays with the Tegra 2 and Tegra 3 launches, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Tegra 4 launch was moved to early 2013.
NVIDIA has yet to share any official details about Wayne, which puts them behind their schedule this time last year. We first learned of Tegra 3 in February of 2011, and the first devices began shipping last December. We are now in April, and I don’t think NVIDIA is in any rush to talk about Tegra 4.
The leaked roadmap posted by VR-Zone shows that NVIDIA will go with a 4-PLUS-1 configuration, using ARM Cortex-A15 CPU cores. NVIDIA already hinted they would use A15 in the next Tegra and they seem pretty committed to the 4-PLUS-1 architecture, so this doesn’t come as a surprise.
We also see a new part SP3X, which might be the chip called Grey spotted in previous roadmaps. This should be NVIDIA’s first chip to integrate their Icera modem, which will bring LTE connectivity to mainstream phones. An earlier leaked roadmap placed this part at Q1 2013, but it now appears to have slipped to Q3 2013.
Overall we don’t see a lot of new information to report with this latest leaked roadmap. Tegra 4 will likely feature quad-core A15s, an improved GPU, and arrive in devices by early 2013.
Probability: 95%
Chrome Beta for Android now available in more countries and 32 languages
Apr 17th
If your device was recently updated to Android 4.0 and you haven’t installed the Chrome Beta browser, now is a good time to check it out. Today Google updated Chrome Beta for Android with a bunch of requested features and made it available in 31 additional languages.
Now Android 4.0 users in all countries where Google Play is available can install the app. New features include:
- You can now request the desktop version of a website, in case you would rather not view the mobile version.
- You can now add bookmarks as shortcuts on your home screen, so you can get to your favorite sites faster.
- Choose your favorite apps to handle links opened in Chrome.
- Have a proxy setup for Wi-Fi access? You can now use Chrome with the system proxy configured in Android settings.
I started using Chrome as my alternative Android browser, but I recently gave up on it because I couldn’t request desktop sites. It’s nice to see that has been fixed, so I’ll give Chrome another chance as my default browser and see how it goes.
If you use Chrome on your desktop, you might also want to check out the latest Chrome Beta that now lets you access tabs on “other devices” including your phone and tablet. The mobile version of Chrome could already access tabs open on the desktop version, so it’s nice to see this feature finally included.
For the 97% of users with devices not on Android 4.0, you will have to keep waiting. Google sometimes updates their apps to support older versions of Android, but there are no signs that will happen with Chrome.
