Five for Friday: Staff app picks of the week

Every Friday we round up Five of our Favorite picks of the week

Roll It

OS: Chrome

Price: Free

This is a Chrome Experiment involving a rather unique experience in a popular boardwalk game that allows you to use your phone running Chrome to control the action on your desktop that is also running the Chrome browser. Pair up the two devices and 'flick' the phone to roll the ball into the holes to score points. Tons of fun! More info on how it works here. (Jesse Mendoza)

Blaq

OS: BlackBerry

Price: $2.99

This is the essential Twitter application on BlackBerry 10. While the default Twitter app will get the job done, Blaq offers all the features you have come to love from a Twitter client. The native Cascades application is fast, smooth, and has a beautiful interface. Blaq offers a real time feed of your timeline and a nice drag to the right access to all your options. It also has large, high quality avatar images of all your contacts. (Andrew Allen)

YNAB You Need A Budget

OS: Mac & Windows

Price: $60

Everyone should budget their finances. YNAB aka You Need A Budget helps to not only make budgeting easy, but its techniques will help you get out of debt and manage your finances better. YNAB offers free classes to help you get the most out of your purchase. A 34 day full Trial Demo is available. People who have used YNAB have had on average a $200 turnaround in one month! (Will Lassalle)

Juice Defender Ultimate

OS: Android

Price: $4.99

I use Juice Defender to get the most out of my battery by being able to control what has connections to the data and when. I have seen significant battery savings in upwards of 4-5 hours extra per charge. There is a free version in the Google Play store, but it has limited controls versus the Ultimate version. It's worth trying the free one to see if Ultimate is something you would like to drop five bucks on. (Rick Nelson)

Hangouts

OS: Android

Price: Free

I need to stay in constant contact with a ton of people, and sometimes email just doesn't cut it. Hangouts (the new Google Talk app revealed at Google I/O) is very good in how it functions, and I love how well it translates from computer to phone and vice versa! It functions beautifully, and free? YEAH! (Patrick Campanale)

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HTC One with "Nexus User Experience" confirmed, launching June 26

The rumored pure stock Android version of the HTC One was confirmed today by Android head Sundar Pichai on-stage at the D11 conference. The "Google Edition" of the HTC One running the "Nexus User Experience" will hit the Google Play store on June 26, priced at $599. This unlocked version of HTC's flagship smartphone will run on both AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.

The specs are as follows:

• Memory: 32gb
• Color: Silver
• Unlockable Bootloader: Yes
• SIM Unlocked: Yes
• Bands: HSPA/WCDMA/GSM/GPRS/EDGE/LTE
• OS: Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2
• Price: $599
• Available: June 26 via Google Play store

Free of any pre-loaded manufacturer skins and apps shipped on the carrier versions, the Google special edition of the HTC One joins the special edition Samsung Galaxy S4 announced at Google I/O on May 15.

Customers purchasing either of these two devices direct from Google means they can enjoy timely software updates free of any carrier intervention.

Source: Android Central, HTC Blog

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Verizon now taking preorders for BlackBerry Q10; to ship June 6

Verizon has officially opened the gates to preorder the first BlackBerry 10 QWERTY device. The Q10 can be yours for $200 with a new 2 year contract. If you're the rare bird that purchases off contract, then you should budget for the $600 range. The new king of the keyboards will be available in black and, a Big Red exclusive, white.

Preorders are set to ship by June 6. So, if you've been waiting on BB10 for the physical keyboard experience, hit the Verizon source below to reserve your Q10. Will you be getting one, or is the keyboard phone a dying breed? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Verizon Wireless

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Verizon offers "text-to-donate" relief program for victims of Central Oklahoma storms

Verizon Wireless is stepping up to help the newest wave of relief efforts for the victims of the devastating tornadoes that tore through Central Oklahoma this month. The carrier has teamed with the Red Cross and Salvation Army to allow customers to donate via text message to help those in need. Donations will be made for each text in the amount of $10, and the charges will apply to the customers next billing period. Prepaid customers will have their donations withdrawn from their prepaid balances.

You may contribute to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999 or the Salvation Army by texting STORM to 80888. All proceeds from donations will be awarded directly to those who need them most via the services you choose. Verizon has also pledged to match 1-to-1 for every donation from their own employees. All of the TechXaminer team would like to extend our deepest sympathies and wish a speedy recovery to everyone in the area.

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Tuesdays at the Polls: Size does matter

In this weekly feature we want to give our readers the opportunity to provide some point-and-click style input on some of the questions we have been pondering. Got a great poll idea? Drop us a note!

One thing I have learned when it comes to smartphones, is that different people have different preferences on their handsets. Specifically, we tend to vary on what screen size we want. I much prefer a device closer to the 4-inch variety, but several of our team are fond of the 4.5 and up phones. When it comes to consumers, and us nerds, choosing new device is all about preferences, and size plays a huge role in that decision.

In this weeks poll, we would like to know your perfect handset size. Do fall into the giant Samsung Galaxy Note 6-inch range? Or do you find yourself wanting for the new iPhone, and it's assumed 4-inch chassis? Perhaps a "just right" 4.3-inch smartphone is your device of choice. Vote, and let us know, in this weeks Tuesdays at the Polls.

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BlackBerry Z10 sees leak for OS 10.1.0.2342

One of the awesome things about the BlackBerry scene is leaked OS versions, and hybrids, built by the community. Today has seen the latest leaked build for the Z10 models STL100-2, 3, and 4. Full OS 10.1.0.2342 is now available for download.

Much like flashing custom built ROMs on Android, your discretion is advised. We are not responsible loss of data, bricking of devices, or voiding one's manufacturer warranty.

The rules are fairly simple:

• Fully backup your current system with BlackBerry Link
• Download 10.1.0.2342
• Extract Autoloader .exe
• Be sure to close BB Link
• Run .exe
• Connect your Z10
• If not happy with the leaked OS, restore from backup or system restore using BB Link

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Memories through a lens, the connected age

This past Friday night I went to a recital for my daughter's dance school, and I saw a familiar phenomenon. There were parents in the stands of a local gym pouring over with pride to see their little princesses have all their hard work pay off. However, there was an oddity in the way they were visually taking in the event that evening. I would estimate one third of the parents viewed the entire recital through the display of their smartphone.

Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy recording my daughter from time to time, but most of the time I never watch the recording. Instead the video ends up, not for my use, but for social networking. It made me wonder just how many of these parents were recording snippets of the recital for someone else. I'm sure there are other family members that will view the video via Facebook who couldn't be there in person. Either way, it makes for an odd paradigm surrounding the way we view live events.

People witnessing events in person may no longer have a first hand recollection of the event itself. They will, however, remember the recording of the occasion. Instead of enjoying being completely in the moment, the viewer may be thinking of what they will do with the video clip. Will it end up on Twitter, or maybe Facebook? How many likes will it get once I post it? I'm not saying we do these things consciously, but one has to wonder.

I will be the first to admit that I am a gadget addict. I have a hard time unplugging at times, and I am not afraid to say that aloud. However, I can't help but feel that many of us just don't enjoy the life in front of us more often. Instead we are seeking some sort of online social status. Sometimes you just need to create memories for you, and you alone.

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Splashtop 2: Now available for Windows Phone! FREE

Windows Phone has been struggling in the marketplace to get big named applications for a while. Slowly but surly it has been gaining them, from the recent Instagram client, Itsdagram, to Pandora with a free year of ad-free radio, to now having Splashtop 2 land officially!  And not only did Splashtop land, but it is among the first big named remote desktop applications to come to Windows Phone.

News of this release came from our favorite, Joe Belfiore on Twitter.

Microsoft has been doing everything they can to bring users to the platform. Pandora is offering one year for free, and now Splashtop 2 is free until August. With Splashtop ranging from $2.99 to around $9.99 for the Mac versions, getting it free for Windows Phone is fairly nice, and I say, sign me up!

So, do you have your Windows Phone device handy? I sure hope you do. Why not head on over to the Marketplace and pick up Splashtop 2 today! Free until August according to Mr. Joe!

Source: Twitter, via The Windows Phone Blog

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Already got your Verizon Galaxy S IV? Here's how to root it.

open1your1eyes0 has posted a guide to rooting the S IV over on XDA.  We've reposted them here for your convenience.  Got your S IV?  Sick of not having root already?  Buckle up, brew a cup of java, and free yourself from the tyranny of user-level access!

Disclaimer: This could brick your phone, kill your cat, and possibly bring Hitler back from the dead.  If nothing else, you'd probably be better off skipping this whole root thing and going for a nice walk.   A little fresh air can be very good for you.  Follow this procedure at your own risk!

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients.

1. Download and Install Samsung Official USB Drivers - Link
2. Download and extract ODIN v3.07 - Link
3. Download the VRUAMD2 Prerelease Kernel - Link
4. Download the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel - Link
5. Download and extract the Motochopper Root Exploit Tool - Link

Step 2: Flash the VRUAMD2 prerelease kernel.

1. Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to)
2. Flash the VRUAMD2 Prerelease Kernel using ODIN v3.07 ***in PDA section only*** (See here for guide on flashing)
3. Boot back to Android and verifying everything is still working and kernel has flashed successfully.

Step 3: Root it!

1. Verify in Security setting on your device that you have "Unknown sources" checked.
2. Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "USB debugging" checked.
3. Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "Verify apps via USB" unchecked.
4. Connect your phone to your computer and open "Run.bat" file from the location you have extracted motochopper to.
5. If successful, after your phone reboots, check if SuperSU has any update in the Play Store
6. Open SuperSU app and let the binary update itself to the latest ***VERY IMPORTANT OR YOU WILL LOSE ROOT ON STEP 4***
7. Once complete, just open a root application and verify that is able to access root properly.

Step 4: Restore the stock S IV VRUAMDK kernel.

1. Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to)
2. Flash the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel using ODIN v3.07 ***in PDA section only*** (See here for guide on flashing)
3. Boot back to Android and verifying everything is still working and kernel has flashed successfully.
4. After your phone boots back to Android, you should now be fully rooted and on the fully original stock firmware as the device came.

You should now have a rooted Verizon Galaxy S IV!

Source: XDA Developers

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Verizon Galaxy S IV launch day is here... Bootloader unlock coming soon?

Well, launch day for the Galaxy S IV on Verizon is here at last, and it hasn't disappointed. Predictably, the device has already been rooted. We know Dan Rosenburg has a bootloader unlock ready and waiting to go, too.

Now that the S IV is out in the wild where big red can't patch it without an update, we can expect him to release this any time now. Add to this the upcoming AOSP version of the S IV we discussed yesterday, and this is looking like the device to have if you're looking for a high-end AOSP friendly pocket rocket!

As anyone who uses Verizon is painfully aware, such things are never a given when you run with the big V. The Droid DNA continues to be difficult to work with, the RAZR series is locked down tight per usual, and the Galaxy S III is on its way to being yesterday's news. (I still love mine though).

Google has made it pretty clear that they've no immediate plans to release any CDMA devices, so for Verizon customers... this is our Nexus, right here.

Anyone get theirs yet?  If you haven't, order it here.

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Will the AOSP Galaxy S IV impact overall S IV sales figures?

Arguably one of the most exciting announcements at IO this year was the AOSP version of the Galaxy S IV. For our unaware readers, AOSP stands for Android Open Source Project and is the stock, unmodified version of Android.  Completely open source, free to be inspected and modified. It is the core of all Android devices, but since the early days of Android, it only could be found pre-installed on Nexus devices. So what we have here for the very first time is a GSM version of the same Galaxy S IV sold in stores, but equipped with pure AOSP - 100% Touchwiz free - sold on the play store for full price. This is amazing, right?

Well... yes and no.

You could easily say I'm a fan of AOSP. My S III had Touchwiz for about ten minutes. I'm the co-founder of CarbonDev. The idea of Touchwiz, Blur, Sense, or whatever LG calls their nonsense on my phone makes me want to throw it in the trash. So yeah, I pretty much live and breathe AOSP. For me, this announcement is exciting. It means that even on Verizon, the s4 is going to have support that is just that much better than the S III had. GPS, bluetooth, video... all the components that plagued the S III will have working AOSP examples. That's exciting.

More importantly, it's evidence that Google is working that much harder to get high-end devices running AOSP into our hands. Unlike the Nexus 4, it has a removable battery, SD card, and LTE. Obviously many of us hope that this is just the first example of what will hopefully be a trend other manufacturers will follow.

But it won't affect sales of the S IV one bit. First, there's the price. Granted, many folks who purchase their phones wholesale will be tempted. Many of those people may even purchase this device. The majority of S4 devices sold, however, are sold in places like Best Buy, or Amazon, or carrier stores. People just aren't flocking to the (Google) Play store to buy their devices.  Many of those who do have had poor experiences - devices out of stock, trouble getting support, etc. The Play store experience has not yet translated very well into physical device purchases.  That said, they're strengthening their Play store device offerings, and as we all know, Google plays the long game.

The other reason is simply that most people don't care. Out of all the people I know in the real world with Android devices, only a handful care about AOSP. What is, for me, a profound difference in the way I use and enjoy my phone amounts to a shrug and a blank look for most. The vast majority are hard pressed to recognize the difference between iOS and Android, let alone why it's important that the status bar icons look different.

So it's not important to 90% of Android consumers and won't drive sales.  But it's proof that the big G knows what is important to their core group of fans and that our cries have not gone unheard. It indicates that stock Android is still a priority for Google. The stock experience, though once limited and in need of manufacturer tweaks, has improved to the point where Google is throwing some weight into getting it into the hands of users. I don't know about you, but my hands are very eager for it.  Stock Android is still true Android - and Google plays a very long game.

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TecTiles 2: Now available at Samsung.com

We were a little dissapointed to find out that the original TecTiles weren't compatible with the Galaxy S4, but Samsung has done something about that. They have released TecTiles 2! The next generation in TecTiles, the little NFC tag that allows you to do specific things with your Galaxy device. 

We have a set of TecTile 2s and will be doing a review of them as soon as we can, so stay tuned!

Full PR release and fact sheet below.

Starting today, Samsung customers can take advantage of TecTiles 2, the next generation of Samsung’s original TecTile NFC programmable tags launched last summer. Fully compatible with all Samsung NFC-enabled smartphones, including the Galaxy S 4, TecTiles 2 and the new TecTile mobile app allow users to simplify smartphone actions and connect to the world around them using NFC technology.  

TecTile 2 programmable NFC tags are available at Samsung.com beginning today and will be at other retailers nationwide in June.

Samsung TecTilesTM 2 are the next generation and evolution of TecTiles, programmable NFC sticker tags that allow users to automate everyday functions of a smartphone through a single tap. TecTiles 2, paired with the new Samsung TecTileTM app, allow consumers to program the tag for various functions, including sending text messages, silencing the phone when entering a meeting, playing a specific song and dimming the display before going to bed.
Samsung TecTile Mobile ApplicationThe TecTile mobile application can program TecTiles 2 to perform the following tasks:
   Settings

• Change phone settings (Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, ringer/media volume, screen brightness, etc.)

• Create “Tasks” and customize modes like “Home,” “Work,” and “Car”

   Phone

• Make a call

• Send a text message

• Share a contact 

   Application

• Show an address on a map 

• Open a web page

• Launch an app

   Social

• Follow a Twitter user

• Update a status on Facebook or Google Plus o Check in on Foursquare or Facebook

NFC Compatiblity

•  Samsung Mobile offers several NFC-enabled AndroidTM smartphones, including the recently available Galaxy S® 4 

•  TecTiles 2 programmable NFC sticker tags are compatible with all Samsung NFC-enabled Android smartphones

• Pricing & Availability 

•  Priced at $14.99 for a pack of five 

•  Available for purchase beginning Friday, May 17 at Samsung.com and other major retailers in June 

•  Samsung TecTile mobile app is available for free in the Google PlayTM marketplace

Microsite

• For a detailed list of features and enhancements offered by TecTiles 2, as well as pricing and availability, visit http://www.samsung.com/us/microsite/tectile/ 

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Samsung Galaxy S III coming to Boost and Virgin Mobile this June

Do you use Boost Mobile or Virgin Mobile? Maybe you thought about switching to pre-paid carrier to save some money and reap the unlimited data. Whatever the reason I'm sure you wish you could get an awesome device like that of the Samsung Galaxy S III. Well this June you can on Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile as seen through this press release below.

 Sprint’s industry-leading prepaid brands Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA – along with Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) – will add Samsung Galaxy S^® III to both brands’ expansive lineups of smartphone devices.  Launching in June, the high-end Android smartphone will operate on the Sprint 3G and 4G LTE networks, with 4G LTE available to Boost and Virgin Mobile customers in 88 markets. Pricing information will be available from both Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile at a later date.

“Samsung Galaxy S III is a premium smartphone designed to deliver one of the hottest handset experiences to consumers,” said Jeff Hallock, senior vice president, Marketing-Sprint. “Offering this device on both Boost and Virgin Mobile with the value, choice and flexibility of their no-contract[1] wireless plans makes moving from a long-term contract a simple decision. This is another stellar handset that further validates both brands’ leadership in this space, a nationwide network[2] with unlimited no-contract offers.” 

With the super-fast 4G LTE network from Sprint, Galaxy S III brings the user to a whole new level of sharing capabilities and delivers the ultimate postpaid experience without a contract. A 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED^TM touchscreen – the largest available in both the Boost and Virgin lineups – and an 8-megapixel rear-facing, zero shutter-lag camera combined with a powerful 1.5GHz dual-core processor elevates how customers can stay connected with family and friends.

Additional key features of the Samsung Galaxy S III include:

• Android™ 4.1.2, Jelly Bean
• Dual mode 3G/4G LTE
• 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera 
• AllShare Play gives you access to your content anytime from anywhere

·         S Beam™ enables you to share photos, videos, documents and other DRM-free content with other S Beam-enabled devices

• Wi-Fi and GPS enabled
• Bluetooth^TM wireless connectivity
• Wired earbuds

Flexible No-Contract Service Options

Samsung Galaxy S III 4G can be paired with Boost Mobile’s no-contract¹ $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile’s Monthly Unlimited plan shrinks by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month for unlimited nationwide talk, text and picture messaging, Web[3], email and calls to 411. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.

Because of the innovative technology of Samsung Galaxy S III, Virgin Mobile customers will appreciate the real savings over postpaid service of our monthly no contract plans which offer unlimited data and messaging starting at $35 per month. These Beyond Talk plans are especially designed for data-savvy customers, who tend to surf the Internet, send emails, instant messages and post to social networks more than they use their phones for calling.  As Sir Richard Branson asks in his Virgin Mobile USA video manifesto for A Higher Calling, “Why pay for minutes when it’s unlimited data you really want?”

Does this news make you want to switch to Boost or Virgin Mobile? Are you already on one of these networks and happy to see the Galaxy S III coming down the pike? Let us know in the comments below.

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Tuesdays at the Polls: What's your messaging app of choice?

In this new, weekly feature we want to give our readers the opportunity to provide some point-and-click style input on some of the questions we have been pondering. Got a great poll idea? Drop us a note!

With this past week holding two major developer conferences, there seemed to be a theme at both of them. That theme was that messaging in mobile has become a very big deal. BlackBerry decided to open up their messaging platform and will bring BBM to Android and iOS. Meanwhile, Google has revamped Google Talk into Hangouts, and for now, it will become a little more proprietary in nature.

These two changes are met with very stiff competition, in a crowded space, when it comes to mobile messaging services. Whatsapp is arguably the current king and is available pretty much everywhere other than the desktop. Facebook has made a big push recently with their Home UI suite and the HTC First smartphone. There are also the old favorites of Skype and iMessage still soldiering on with millions of users.

In this week's poll, we would like to know what service you have chosen. Do you use the Skype because it's pretty much everywhere, or does everyone you need to contact own an iPhone with iMessage? Is Whatsapp your messenger of choice? Vote below to let us know your favorite and hit us up in comments if you need to voice your opinion of why you use said service.

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Tech News Roundup for Monday, 5/20/13: Google I/O Wrap Up

In this series we round up the technology-based articles from around the web that have caught our eye in the last week. Have something we should know about? Send us a note!

This week we wrap up all of the news from Google I/O keynote from around the web. Google's 3+ hour keynote took place on May 15, 2013. It can be found here.

News from Google I/O

Using Google Now for Reminders [Lifehacker]
A detailed guide on using the new Reminders tool in Google Now, including using Location Services for Reminders, which is a favorite personal feature of mine!

Google Glass becomes more useful with new Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr apps [The Verge]
Several new apps for Google's Glass were announced at Google I/O including Twitter, Facebook, Evernote, and Tumblr among others. Twitter for Glass, for example, allows Google Glass wearers to post photos to their timelines that are automatically tagged with #thoughtglass.

Google I/O Keynote Reveals Google’s Master Plan [Mashable]
"...Google’s worldview is finally coming into focus. The tenuous threads that connect these dozens of different applications and services are strengthening and gradually being pulled closer together. Underneath it all is Google’s vast web of information and smarts, which is all about us. What Google is about to do with all of it is either a thrilling or very scary prospect." - Very well put by Lance Ulanoff

Google reveals unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 running stock Android, coming to Google Play for $649 on June 26 [The Next Web]
We didn't see another Nexus device announced last week, but what we did get caught many by surprise. Google revealed an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 loaded with pure Android Jelly Bean. It goes on sale June 26.

Google Now Gets New Cards For Reminders, Music, Public Transit, TV, Books And Video Games [Techcrunch]
Along with Reminders, Google Now gets new cards for public transit, music, TV shows, and video games that may be of interest to you.

Here’s the real theme of Google I/O: Service unification between Chrome and Android [Gigaom]
Kevin Tofel breaks down the commonalities of Google's newly announced services across desktop, laptop, and mobile devices and how it's all tied together.

Google Play Music All Access hands-on: should you switch from Spotify or Rdio? [The Verge]
After giving it a spin for a few days, it's been a real treat to use Google's new streaming music service on my Nexus 4, but the lack of a version for iOS has me sticking with Spotify for now. The Verge goes hands on with the new Google Play All Access. How does it compare with giants Spotify and Rdio?

Take action right from the inbox [Official Gmail Blog]
Google continues to improve on Gmail for the web. Now, you can various actions from within Gmail including responding to Google Calendar invites and flight confirmations. Developers can also add their own actions to emails. Click the link for more info.

Live from Google I/O: Mo’ screens, mo’ goodness [Google Official Blog]
A brief summary of the announcements from Google's Official Blog: Android and Google Play, Chrome, Google+, Search, and Maps.

Redesigned Google Maps hands-on: vector-based, more personal and coming soon to mobile [Engadget]
Google Maps is getting set for a complete overhaul. Initial impressions are positive, indicating the new Maps is faster, sexier, and more informative with Google+ integration. That in itself may be a crippling factor for the new Maps. Read on for Engadget's walk through.

Google adds 'Send Money' option to Gmail and Google Wallet [Androidcentral]
If you use Google Wallet, it's now easier to send money from within Gmail. It's set to roll out in the coming weeks to anyone over 18 in the U.S. I'm a big fan of using Wallet when the opportunity arises. I don't know if this will tear me away from using Paypal to send money via the web, but it's a nice alternative.

A multi-screen and conversational search experience [Official Google Search Blog]
Details on improvements to Search from Google. Details here include those for Knowledge Graph - Google's "map" of real-world people, places, and things to help services along like the newly enhanced Google Now.

Google shows off Chrome improvements for better, faster mobile browsing [PCWorld]
Chrome now has 750 million active users world-wide, up from 300 million users last year. The fact that the Chrome browser is available for both Android and iOS only helps those numbers. Google introduced improvements to the browser that will help to complete online purchases faster by synchronizing a users payment and shipping information across devices.

Google+ completely redesigned, now automatically enhances photos and highlights your best shots [The Verge]
If you're a fan of Google Plus, then you probably noticed a complete redesign after the keynote last week. A big part of the redesign revolves around new tweaks available for your photos.

Google Play Game Services Takes on Apple's GameCenter [PCMag]
A large part of the newly introduced Google Play Game Services is the ability to save game progress in the cloud allowing you to sync games across devices. Leader boards and Achievements will also be possible via a new API available to game developers.

Full Google I/O Recaps from around the web

• Google I/O 2013 Recap, Microsoft vs Google, & More [LogicLounge]
• Google I/O 2013 Keynote (Ongoing Updates)! [Gadgetsteria]
• Android this week: Google I/O recapped; Better Bluetooth; Galaxy S 4 Google Edition [Gigaom]
• Google I/O 2013 day one recap [Androidcentral]
• Google I/O: Music, Maps, Messaging and More [All Things D]
• Everything announced at the Google I/O 2013 keynote in one handy list [The Next Web]
• Google I/O 2013: everything you need to know [The Verge]

Odds and Ends

Now that all of the fun that was Google I/O is over, what better way to celebrate than by opening a cold one? I can think of one or two ways to open a beer, but these guys are way over the top (pun intended)

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Jolla announces pre-orders for first Sailfish OS handset

The OS that rose from the ashes of what was Nokia's Meego, now has a tentative handset launch. Jolla has announced its first official handset. Currently, the device doesn't have a name, but it does have some pretty standard specs. The unit will feature a 4.5" display, dual-core processor, 8 mega-pixel camera, assorted back cover colors, LTE(select markets), and 16GB of internal storage with micro SD expansion. The OS also claims to have an Android compatibility layer of some sort.

For those that don't remember, Jolla is a startup company who decided to expand on the development of the Meego operating system from Nokia, when the Finnish OEM partnered with Microsoft on Windows Phone. Jolla runs the base operating system of Meego, but sans Nokia's proprietary Harmattan UI. Instead, Jolla has developed its own advanced, gesture-based UI called Sailfish OS.

The Jolla smartphone has no set launch date, but is expected to ship by the end of the year with a price tag of 399€(around $510). Jolla has taken a slightly different pre-order path as well. Similar to a crowd-funding campaign, there are three tiers to choose from when placing your order. The lowest tier won't cost you a thing and you reserve a handset for purchase when available. You can add priority status, and a Tshirt for 40€. The most expensive tier, 100€, will get the Tshirt, priority status, an exclusive back plate color, and the 100€ goes towards your purchase price.

With a late 2013 launch, it will be interesting to see how Sailfish matches up to an ever crowded space. Ubuntu phone will be ramping up for release, alongside FireFox. One could also assume they will be targeting emerging markets where a very similar OS in BB10 will soon be available, as well as their Finnish brethren, Nokia, will be launching its new Asha lineup. I do love a good competition!

Source: Jolla

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Yahoo making a move to purchase Tumblr? (Updated)

Marissa Mayer is determined to make Yahoo relevant again. The Yahoo CEO has been on a spending spree as of late, and now it seems she has her sights, and purse, set on acquiring Tumblr. AllThingsD is reporting that Yahoo and Tumblr are in serious discussions of a buyout estimated at a value of $1 billion. It has also been heavily rumored that Yahoo has a growing interest in some sort of buyout of Hulu as well.

Yahoo has taken an active initiative to become more nimble and add new, younger users since Mayer has taken over the company. They have specifically targeted a core user age from 18 through 24 as their goal going forward. I can't imagine a better takeover to accomplish that at this point than Tumblr. It has an ever growing market share in the social landscape and offers a very personal blogging platform with a customizable, sleek interface.

This is a developing story, and we will be taking a diligent post on keeping you updated on this one.

Update: Yahoo now has an event planned Monday, at 5pm EST, surrounding a "product-related" announcement. According to CNBC, the event will be held in New York City and CEO Marissa Mayer is expected to speak. This could be non-Tumblr related, but the rumors have been loud enough over the last few days that we would not be surprised for this buyout to become reality.

Source: The Verge, AllThingsD, CNBC

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What I'd like to see at Google I/O

Ever since moving from Windows Phone to Android a little over a year ago with the Galaxy Nexus, I've been all in with Android since then. Up until that point, I'd been looking for a replacement to all of the wonder that was webOS. I thought I'd found it in Windows Phone using the HTC Radar, but it was not meant to be- that's another article for another day. Then came Jelly Bean on the original Nexus, and then the beautiful Nexus 4 was released- unlocked and carrier free - I was all in on Android.

Last summer, I purchased a Samsung Chromebook 550 to backup my work-issued Lenovo Laptop with Windows 7. The Lenovo has horrible battery life, and the full-sized iPad I was using at the time just didn't cut it with the limitations it had. The Chromebook has everything I need in one package- great keyboard+touchpad, dual monitor support, great sound, and 5 to 6 hours of battery life. I was a bit skeptical about having Chrome OS replace Windows, but it's been a refreshing experience, and I can do pretty much all I need to do on the web with Chrome OS.

With a Nexus 4 and a Chromebook in tow, I have surrendered my life to all things Google.

Here's what I'm hoping will come out of Google I/O this week:

On a new Nexus phone

The Nexus 4 has been my daily driver since its release last November and consider it the best phone I've ever owned to date. If a new Nexus is announced, I'd like to see a better camera, since it's my primary shooter. Google Now has been a real treat to have around, and I hope we see it improve with a version 4.2.x update.

On Android OS

I don't hesitate to compare Jelly Bean to webOS with its implementation of a great notification system and deep integration to Google services (read Synergy). Rather than seeing a full version update of Android (Key Lime Pie), I'd like to see Google improve on Jelly Bean and services like Google Now and perhaps some sort of synergy between JB and Chrome OS.

On Google Wallet and mobile payments

Yes, I'm that nerd that enjoys paying for his stuff by waving his phone in front of cash register machines. The confused look I get when I do that is priceless. It's convenient to not have to fumble with my wallet and credit cards. I'm hoping Google will continue to develop in this area. More NFC terminals at popular shops wouldn't hurt either... just saying.

On Chome OS

Since using the Chromebook full time, I've come to believe Chrome OS is setting itself up to becoming the OS that will overtake Windows on desktops (there, I said it!). The simple fact that I can sign into my Google profile on Chrome OS and have all of my data in front of me in seconds is reason enough to keep it around. I'd like to see more offline apps make a showing. New packaged apps like Google Keep run well with or without an Internet connection. I'll be keeping my ear tuned to any news related to Chrome OS.

On Google Talk, Voice, Notifications and Google+ Hangouts

It's rumored that Google will announced its new unified chat platform named "Babel" at I/O this week. This will integrate Google Talk and Google+ Hangouts into a single service complete with notifications across the Chrome browser and Chrome OS. I currently use all of these services separately and would like to have a central point to have access to them all. Improving the notification system in the stable build of Chrome OS would be a big plus.

On the Chrome browser

I feel the Chrome browser is as good as it can get right now. The ability to access my open web pages and bookmarks across all of my devices has been a God send. I still, however, have issues with Chrome stealing CPU and memory from my desktop causing it to crash on occasion. Granted, it has gotten a lot better, but it's still an issue for me.

On Google Glass and wearable accessories

I've been intrigued with Google Glass since it was demonstrated to the world at Google I/O 2012. I don't think it's something I'd wear myself, but if its current price of $1,500 was brought down to more reasonable terms if and when a consumer version is released, I may jump on it. A smart watch, however, is something I'd seriously consider. Consumer wearables are big this year and I'd like to see Google develop in this area.

I could probably go on, and on. Considering all that Google and company have announced leading up to the event, it's going to be an exciting week!

For information on Google I/O events visit this link, or stay tuned to TechXaminer for updates!

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BlackBerry Live: Day 1 Roundup

As we speak, BlackBerry is wrapping up day one of a 3 day event for developers in Orlando, FL. Many missteps and poor decisions have been made in previous years, but it seems Thorsten Heins is determined to turn the ship around. I know that this revamp can't be made in one event, and BlackBerry still has a tough road ahead, but I do feel they made a good effort to regain some market share at todays keynote.

BlackBerry 10.1 Update 
Since the emergence of details surrounding the first BB10 QWERTY, one of the things that most Z10 owners have wondered was when they would receive the bump in operating system versions to the, Q10 exclusive, 10.1 edition. Well, today saw the release of that update to the Z10 in normal rolling fashion. As usual, the arrival of the update will depend on your carrier, and region, of choice, but it is currently available for some European and Canadian models.

BlackBerry Handset Family Has a New Addition
Two hardware related items were revealed in Orlando. First, a new member of the BlackBerry 10 family was brought to life. The BlackBerry Q5 was shown off in public for the first time in five different colors of black, white, red, and pink. This new smaller QWERTY smartphone will essentially replace the Curve line, and will be intended for emerging markets worldwide. The Q5 is slated to be available in select regions of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa starting in July.

The other big hardware news is the Q10 is soon to be in carrier stores. The new king of QWERTY from BlackBerry will be available on all four major US carriers in June. This will include Sprint, who decided to pass on adding the Z10 to it's lineup back in January.

BlackBerry Messenger Goes Cross Platform
One of the cornerstones of the BlackBerry ecosystem has been BlackBerry Messenger. As a pioneer of non-text based messaging in mobile, it helped BlackBerry hold on to many customers in the past, and many felt once the tide started turning against RIM, that the logical move was to open the service to competing operating systems. Well, that idea is soon to be a reality.

The roll-out to Android and iOS is tentatively scheduled to happen this summer, and brings with it many of the BBM essentials. You will have the ability to multi-person, group chat, and share pictures with all your contacts via the service. This is a huge move by Thorsten Heins to bet on BBM being able to compete directly on competitor's handsets, while still presenting itself as a selling point of BlackBerry 10. BBM will also face some stiff competition in market shares with the likes of iMessage, Whatsapp, Skype, and Google Talk.

BBM Goes Social 
BBM is not just taking on mobile instant messaging. It will also be taking a swing at social networking. BBM Channels will allow you to create a channel on BBM that you can update your status and other users can then "follow" your online happenings. This new feature is more focused towards brands and celebrities, but it is an interesting take on what BBM is capable of, and may be a Google+ style move from Waterloo.

Conclusion
As I said in the intro, BlackBerry is not going be the top dog in mobile any time soon. However, I think they did prove that they are not going to allow themselves to fall back into the same stale patterns of the past 3-4 years. They are actively trying to pursue the 3rd roster spot behind Android and iOS. Given their current status I would say that the first day of BlackBerry Live 2013 was a success for BlackBerry, and CEO Thorsten Heins. They have definitely peaked my interest on the direction of BB10. Unfortunately, Google begins their own developer conference tomorrow. So we will quickly know just how well BlackBerry closed the gap today in Orlando.

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New: Nokia Lumia 925 for T-Mobile

Nokia sure has been on a kick with releasing new phones. From the Verizon Lumia 928 to now the Lumia 925 for T-Mobile.

The Lumia 925 comes packed with a dual-core 1.5 GHz chip, 4.5-inch AMOLED display, 1GB RAM,  no wireless charging (built in), and sadly no Xenon flash. On the plus side, there are contacts on the rear of the device for a non-intrusive cover to be attached so you can use that wonderful wireless charger we all love! The 925's specifications are similar to both the Lumia 928 and Lumia 920, each with its own list of strengths and weaknesses.

We do not yet have a pricing point for either the Lumia 928 or the 925, but as soon as we get them we will update with the pricing. We will also do our best to round up some more information on the 925/928 as well as some new software announced at the Nokia conference today in London.

But until then, here are the Tech Specs as well as a video:

• Networks: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900, WCDMA, 2100, 1900, 850, 900, LTE 2100, 1800, 2600, 900, 800

• Memory: 1GB RAM, 16 GB user memory (32GB on Vodafone)

• Display: 4.5-inch AMOLED WXGA (1280×768)

• Processor: 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon

• Camera: PureView 8.7-megapixel with OIS, Autofocus, dual LED flash. 2nd camera: HD 1.2MP wide angle

• Size: 129 x 70.6 x 8.5* mm (*volumetric). Weight: 139g

• Connectivity:  USB 2.0, BT 3.0, NFC, WLAN a/b/g/n, A-GPS and Glonass, 3.5mm audio connector

• Battery: 2000 mAh

• Audio: -IHF speaker, 2 microphones, HD voice compliant, 3.5mm AV connector

We will have more information on the Lumia Amber update and the Lumia 925/928 devices soon!

Source: WPCentral, Nokia

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Tuesdays at the Polls: BlackBerry Live versus Google I/O

In this new, weekly feature we want to give our readers the opportunity to provide some point-and-click style input on some of the questions we have been pondering. Got a great poll idea? Drop us a note!

This week marks huge developer conferences for both BlackBerry and Google. In Orlando, FL BlackBerry will be holding their Live conference to host developers interested in their new BlackBerry 10 platform from May 14-16. One day later, across the country in San Franscisco, Google will play to mobile app builders in much the same way at Google I/O, running May 15-17.

My question to you is simple. Is this a calculated failure by BlackBerry to schedule a developer event that overlaps with their biggest competitor? What was so urgent under the realm of BB10 that couldn't be revealed either earlier or later? Let us know what you think in this weeks Tuesdays at the Polls.

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Galaxy S4 will launch on Verizon May 23rd

The Galaxy S4 has been launched on other carriers for a few weeks now, and is finally making its way to Verizon.

Originally slated for a May 30th release, the S4 has now been announced to be available both in-store and online starting May 23rd, a week sooner. To many this is a relief, to most, it's still a few weeks too late. Below you will find the updated press release info, along with some links.
Something interesting to note though, the Verizon website still shows the device as shipping on May 30th, not the 23rd. Is this a mistake on Verizon's part? Or is there a big inconsistency there?

UPDATE - Monday, May 13: The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available for purchase online and in Verizon Wireless Stores starting May 23.

The Samsung Galaxy S^® 4 is now available for pre-order online for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. The smartphone will be available for purchase online and in Verizon Wireless stores starting May 30.

The Galaxy S 4 introduces new photo features like Dual Shot, paired with a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera to take professional looking photographs. Dual Shot allows the use of both the rear and front facing cameras at the same time and lets phone users to include themselves in pictures or videos.

The Galaxy S 4 is Global Ready and can travel overseas with anyone, but the software may make it an essential item for the world traveler. S Translator™ operates as a multilingual pocket dictionary native to the phone, translating words and phrases when typed or spoken into the app.

Other apps on the Galaxy S 4 include WatchON™, which turns the smartphone into a home entertainment remote and personal TV guide. Air View™ and Air Gesture let users interact with their smartphone without even touching it. Hovering a finger over the screen lets users preview emails and waving a hand over the phone can scroll up and down a webpage.

Customers can choose between two color models, Black Mist or White Frost. Additional product information can be found here. 

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Tech News Roundup for Monday 5/13: Google I/O edition Part 1

In this series we round up the technology-based articles from around the web that have caught our eye in the last week. Have something we should know about? Send us a note!

This week we highlight recent developments from Google ahead of its I/O developer conference on 5/15/13.

News from Google

"Google Play Games" Leaks Out In All Its Glory Ahead Of Google I/O - Hello, Cloud Game Saves [Android Police]
Android Police digs into the new Google Play Services APK to reveal a massive update to Google Play Games for mobile devices rumored to be revealed at Google I/O this week. A large part of the reveal will allow for cloud game saves with heavy integration to Google+.

Google adds push alerts to Chrome for more efficient apps [The Verge]
The Chrome team has added support for push alerts for apps in the Chrome browser and Chrome OS. Google Cloud Messaging is designed to allow apps to send notifications more efficiently and only run when they're needed instead of needing to check back to the server using up data and power.

Ahead of I/O, Google Wallet Drops Plans to Introduce a Physical Card [AllThingsD]
Google planned to reveal a physical credit card to compliment Google Wallet at Google I/O this week but has since then tabled the plan, according to sources. This may be in response to Google Wallet head Osama Bedier leaving the company last week.

Analyst: New Nexus 7 to Have Android 4.3, WUXGA Display and Snapdragon S4 Pro for $199 [Android Headlines]
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with KGI Securities, has released a research note allegedly revealing specifications for a new Nexus 7 tablet due in time for Google I/O. Specifications include a 7 inch display with 1920x1200 resolution, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 4000mAh battery, and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

YouTube launches paid channels starting at $0.99 per month [The Verge]
On May 9th, YouTube launched a $.99 per month paid subscription option on a small number of shows including Sesame Street and UFC. More paid channels will be rolling out in the coming weeks for qualifying partners.

We’re going live from Google I/O [Official Google Blog]
Click the source link for a list of various sources to receive real-time updates of Google I/O happenings including live streams and video of all keynote sessions. The festivities begin May 15th and 9 a.m. PT.

Google going to revamp its Maps interface at I/O? [CNET]
Google is rumored to be revamping its Google Maps interface in the coming days, concentrating on interactive elements, and doing away with various navigational buttons and sidebars. A purported demo of the new interface can be seen here.

Google pushes out software update for Glass [Computer World]
An update was pushed out to Glass - Google's glasseslike wearable computer. The update was pushed out on May 7 and includes integration with Google+ and Google Hangouts.

More hints of Google Now for the desktop appear before Google I/O [9To5Google]
More evidence of Google Now for the desktop show up in recent Chromium builds. This has been rumored for months and may show itself in time for Google I/O this week.

Google offers iOS developers a way to treat Chrome almost like the default browser [iMore]
The Chrome browser has been available for iOS for quite some time now, but one annoyance has been that links opened up in the default Safari browser on mobile devices with no option to open them in Chrome. Google has made code available to developers that will allow apps to do just that.

Google+ adds instant replay, rewind to Hangouts On Air [CNET]
Google+ Hangouts keeps getting better, now with the ability to replay and rewind live broadcasts within the browser.

Google adds notification center to Chromium for Mac in preparation for porting Google Now to OS X [The Next Web]
Evidence has been uncovered that indicates Google may be bringing its Notification Center and Google Now to OS X. Google Now was recently added to the Google Search app in iOS. Is OS X next?

Everything you need to know about Google Glass (FAQ) [CNET]
CNET has put together a neat FAQ that may answer any questions you may have on Google Glass - Google's wearable glasses.

Gmail for iOS update lets users automatically open links in Chrome, YouTube, or Safari [The Verge]
A recent App Store update has added the ability for the iOS Gmail app to open links in the Chrome browser - or any browser of choice for that matter. Settings for this can be tweaked in the app settings menu.

Weekly Roundup

Tech news you may have missed

• Nokia Lumia 928 for Verizon announced, available May 16th for $99.99 [The Verge]
• Microsoft reportedly trying to buy Nook ebook ecosystem for $1 billion [The Verge]
• Nokia teases global event for Thursday [CNET]
• Facebook in talks to buy Israel's Waze for up to $1 billion: report [Reuters]
• Spotify's nightmare realized: Chrome extension allows MP3 download of any song [The Verge]
• Windows Phone 8's YouTube app goes from glorified bookmark to full application in latest update [Engadget]
• Rovio: Pick up your game where you left off - across devices! [Rovio]
• Fitbit now shipping its first-ever Bluetooth 4.0 wristband for $99 [9to5Mac]
• Hulu Plus arrives on Windows Phone as Microsoft's game of app catch-up continues [The Verge]

Odds and Ends

I couldn't help but add another geeky wedding proposal video. This time, app developer Rovio gets in the game by helping place the proposal in an Angry Birds game level for the unsuspecting bride-to-be. Again, you're allowed to cry.

Rovio Helps Fan Propose Through Custom 'Angry Birds' Level [Mashable]

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