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The Android Overload is where we stash all of the stories/articles/news bits that didn’t make it onto our front page (some, for more obvious reasons than others). In any case, just because they weren’t featured doesn’t mean they aren’t worth taking a look at. In fact, there’s almost always a little something here for everyone. So, take a look around and let us know if you find anything interesting.
- Redbox Instant is now officially open to the public. Unlike Netflix, sole focus will be on movies titles, not TV shows. [GigaOM]
- HTC One will be coming to Verizon Wireless, says a source familiar with the situation. All just rumor for now. [AllThingsD]
- HTC’s CMO Ben Ho joins in on the fun. Bashes the Samsung Galaxy S4 calling it “more of the same.” [Engadget]
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 receiving Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update on Verizon Wireless (software version JZO54K.I915VRBMA3). Thanks, Anon!
- The Samsung Galaxy S4 can easily print documents, photos, and web pages directly to HP printers. Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 will receive this functionality in a software update later this year. [HP Press Release]
- Wanna see what the Samsung Galaxy S4 looks like when completely dismantled? I know you do. [IT168]
- Intel-powered XOLO (not to be confused with YOLO) X1000 offers a 4.7 -inch display, 8MP camera and a 2GHz Intel Atom processor for $370 in India. [XOLO]
- Samsung announced 2 new co-CEO’s, President Boo-keun Yoon and President J.K. Shin. [Samsung Tomorrow]
- Sony Xperia ZL gets FCC certified. Loses the textured backing we saw from the model at CES. [Engadget]
- 35% of Android apps in China are secretly stealing user data. TechCrunch believes it’s another sign of Google’s lack of control, but I don’t see it as a bad thing. Shows Google’s hands-off approach with Android, its open sourced-ness, and is the sole reason it’s dominating smartphone market share. [TechCrunch]
I usually don’t approve of OEM bashing, but they are right. Not much changed between the Note 2 and S4. Granted is a step up from the S3, but I guess it’s hard to expect every major release to be wowing.
not much will happen with note 3 either. Samsung is finally in a comfortable position. They are not wanting to mature their software offering to match a best-selling hardware design. Typically it takes 2 cycles (or more for some OEMs) to have something earth-shattering.
It kind of has to. As fast as tech moves (particularly mobile) you still have to develop, test, etc your product. That takes a lot of time. Especially so with brand new CPUs and GPUs. A huge leap in hardware and design every year is just not very feasible. I think they did right by doing some solid upgrades to the internals and went mainly for software upgrades and innovation. As far as design goes did anyone really expect a drastic change? They just made one of those last year and it has done great for them through several flagship lines. Why take the risk this year? Many people, myself included, still think its a dead sexy look.
The Note3 will at least feature the next Exynos CPU in all variants, just as the Note2 does; no Qualcomm step down. It’ll also be 1080p.
That’s enough for me, all else being equal (which it won’t be)
HTC probably realized they need to let the leak slip about VZW, especially after bashing the S4 release on their twitter. As much as whiners on here don’t like VZW, they do have a healthy amount of customers and if HTC actually ADVERTISES the One , they could pick up a substantial lot from the Tbolt/Rezound/Incredible era, who came off of their contracts recently.
I’m with you… I thought I would’ve see some advertising from HTC by now.
As an Incredible 2 owner that is out of contract as of 3 weeks ago, the only phone I am even considering is the HTC One…
I made the jump from DROID Inc 1 to the S3. Best choice I made.
No sd card slot means no buy for me. I will only support companies that have this as a feature on their products. A key reason I avoid Nexus models as well. I already have Apple devices but they have 64gb storage (about 59gb free).
I used to say the same thing until I realized I’d plop a 32GB SD card in my phone, and 2 years later, take it out and put it in a new one.
Out of curiosity, what exactly do you use the SD slot for?
If the top of the line phones came with 64gb of int storage than the sd card support would not be so important. The problem is many of the top phones just don’t come with that kind of int storage. Until that happens sd card support is important. I am a home builder and work in many areas without strong signals, I like to keep a few great Movies on my phone and lots of music. To have those on my phone and not worry about having a signal is a major plus. On the other hand to get plenty of int storage plus sd card support is a bonus. Having sd card support on any device is a plus. I also take my sd card out of one phone and put in my new one, my sd card has 20 Movies, great Movies on it and plenty of Music and videos. All stuff I wouldn’t want to clog up my internal storage with. I am very much pro sd card support for any phone.
Thanks Chris
The rezound is no where near off contract.. but if this is true, it means I can get the developers HTC one!! I’m going to keep my unlimited data so might as well, right?
“TechCrunch believes it’s another sign of Google’s lack of control, but I don’t see it as a bad thing.”
Really Chris? Would you like it if it happened here? This is the sole reason I don’t use my bank’s mobile app and any kind of apps that impose a threat to my financial well-being. Frankly, ever since Play gift cards were introduced, I’m thinking of switching to that method of payment.
Well, the reason for all this malware is because these apps aren’t coming from the Google Play Store, these are some weird Chinese app stores.
And the reason I see it as a good thing is because I kinda treat open source like free-speech. It’s overall a good thing right? Sure people will use it to say stupid stuff I don’t like, but because it’s “open,” that means I can do the same.
Not sure if all that is making sense :/
Also I do not believe he is saying people getting they’re info stolen is a good thing, just the openness, cause that would just be mean.
Alright! A naked S4! That didn’t take long.
redbox shouldn’t even be news…….. horrible App.. worse than Netflix.