A report from Digitimes has suggested that ASUS and Google's highly anticipated follow-up to the Nexus 7 could be launched as soon as late this month, with the tech blog citing "Taiwan-based supply chain makers" in forecasting a July-August release frame. The second-gen slate could, continues the report, feature a 7-inch 1980x1200 resolution display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 SoC and unlike the first version, a rear-facing camera. More details can be found right after the jump.
Motorola's next, and possibly most anticipated smartphone ever, the Moto X, is currently in the middle of a rumor perfect storm that has seen the Google-owned hardware maker give out just enough information to be almost useless whilst the technology news industry manages to pick little tidbits up here and there. The latest photos to show up are considerably more than a tidbit, however.
The act of YouTubing has become almost synonymous with checking out the latest viral videos the Web has to offer, and as such, seldom would you find any digital device bereft of a native or at least third-party YouTube app. As well as smartphones and tablets, the major consoles also include their own YouTube apps, and the PlayStation 3 client has just been dealt a minor update by Google. Full details on the new release can be found after the break.
When it comes to Android smartphones, only the Samsung Galaxy S range can stake a claim to being more keenly sought than a new Nexus handset, and while talk of an LG-manufactured Nexus 5 has been rife for a good while now, a Korean site claims the device will arrive in October. Notably, the Nexus 5 will run on Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, and with a high-end spec list to match, could be a killer device to challenge the collaborative effort from Motorola and Google.
Google isn't shy when it comes to killing off its services, and having recently knocked Google Reader on the head, the company has announced via its official blog page that Google Latitude will be discontinued as of August 9th. The Big G now feels that the antiquated service has run its course, and will instead look to extend its check-in and location services on Google+. The announcement was made alongside the release of version 7 of Google Maps for Android app.
Google not only vends the Android operating system, but also a lot of quality apps for smartphones and tablets running the said OS. Time to time, Google keeps bringing a much-anticipated and completely radical update to one of its apps that usually prove to be a game changer in most cases. This time around, the app to receive such an update is the famous Google Maps, pushing the version number to 7.0 and gradually rolling out globally for Android (iOS update still to follow).
As many of you will know, I recently broke the habit of a lifetime by switching from iPhone to Android - or specifically, the HTC One - as my daily runner. Although I’d had plenty of interaction with Google’s mobile OS under my belt prior to picking up the One, I hadn’t used a Droid for any substantial length of time, so the experience has certainly been new to me in that respect. I’ve heard from many of you who’ve noted of your apprehension about making the switch because you’ve become so accustomed to using iOS and the Apple ecosystem, so I’ve thrown together a little manual for anybody making the leap.
It's a phenomenon that few had dare to predict, though certainly one that we all hoped for. The best Android smartphones on the planet getting special Google editions, free of carrier and manufacturer bloatware? It's like the Holy Grail of mobile technology, and this week it became reality as both the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 made the transition from unique-selling-point-filled behemoths to sleek, Google-powered monsters.
When considering a future smartphone purchase, few take into mind the importance of a decent battery life. Bamboozled by the megapixels, dots per inch and multiple core processors, it's amazing how little regard folk give to the battery life, which has to go down as one of the most important features because without it, any exciting hardware is basically useless. Which.co.uk, a prominent observer of the mobile industry, has thrown together a rather interesting infographic on the battery retention levels of the foremost handsets on the market and, suffice to say, the results may shock you.
According to a fresh report published today; Google is planning a Nexus Q sequel, an Android powered gaming console and a smartwatch. We've got more details right after the break.
