Sony Teams Up WIth HTC For PlayStation Mobile Gaming On Android

Games. I love em. But you already knew that :-D Sony is naturally one of the biggest movers and shakers of the gaming industry, and this week at E3, Sony announced that it would change its Playstation Suite platform to the name “Playstation Mobile” in order to put more emphasis on the “mobility of the Playstation experience”. Not only that, but to the utter delight of Android gaming fans, Sony has also officially welcomed HTC as the first “non Sony group partner” for their new Playstation Mobile platform.

Sony went on to say that "Very soon we will be bringing the PlayStation experience to Android tablets and smartphones in a major way. We have many PS Certified phones coming to market this year." It would appear that Sony is seeing a huge possibility in gaming on Android tablets, as gaming on such devices has literally took a significant chunk of Sony revenue recently. This move could also be something that could possibly help HTC get back in the game, as the company has recently struggled in terms of sales and revenue. 

This is pretty good news for gamers who like to get down on Android tablets. The selection of games continues to get better and better on the Android platform, and with Sony in Android’s corner via a new partnership with HTC, I’m sure that selection is about to get a whole lot better.

Hotstagram Allows You to Rate Instagram's Hottest Users

An anonymous 27-year-old has created a website called Hotstagram, allowing the Internet to answer the old question, "which dude / girl is hotter?" Just like Mark Zuckerberg's first social networking project Facemash, Hotstagram splits pics of different guys and girls and lets the anonymous hive mind act as judge. The only difference is the pictures can be uploaded directly from users' Instagram accounts.

It's easy enough to submit a photo to the site. All you've got to do is add the hashtag #hotstagram to your Instagram photo uploads and await the public's judgement. I'm not sure if I'd ever submit myself or anyone I know to such scrutiny, but playing on the public's narcassism is never a bad business decision.

The project was launched by a San Francisco-based entrepenauer under the pseudonym "Captain Kirk." Rumors say he may or may not work at a start-up called Tracks.by

Given the fact that the site has been down due to ridiculous traffic ever since its announcement, I'd say it's already off to a smashing start. Kirk told Business Insider the site was ranking 150 photos a second before it crashed and I have no doubt that number will have skyrocketed by week's end.

If your photo somehow ends up on Hotstagram without your approval, you can easily remove it – which should help with the inevitable backlash.

Amazon Now Selling Verizon Galaxy Nexus For One Cent

Yesterday when I got home from work, my girlfriend's cousin stopped by the house so that I could help her set up her newly purchased Galaxy S3. Although I have had a significant amount of hands on time with the device, playing with the phone at my apartment yesterday, I realized something. Although I really love the phone and agree the Samsung has done a remarkable job with it, I simply don’t think I would willingly give up my Galaxy Nexus for Samsung’s newest flagship. Now I naturally have my reasons for forming this opinion, and if you’re still really impressed with the Galaxy Nexus as much as I am, you might want to head over to Amazon, as the GNexus is currently being sold for the stupidly low price of 1 cent.

That’s right folks. If you’re willing to sign up for a 2 year Verizon contract, you can pick up a brand spanking new Galaxy Nexus for a penny. That’s a hell of a deal, especially when you consider that just a few months ago it was selling for $299.99 with a new contract. So if you’re in the market for a new phone, get it while it’s hot.

Now I’m in no way saying that the Galaxy Nexus is a better phone than the Galaxy S3. Simply put, it’s not. Hardware wise, the GS3 is superior in almost everyway, with a bigger processor, bigger screen, better camera, more RAM (in the US anyway), and with the exception of my rooted and overclocked Transformer Prime, it literally spanked every device I threw at it in benchmarks. That being said, in day to day use (which is most important to me), I found the GNexus to be just as fast as the GS3, and in many cases, even faster.

The bottom line is that if you don’t play games, the GS3’s massive power won’t bring huge performance increases in day to day use. As I prefer gaming on my Xbox360 and on my tablet, it’s hard for me personally to justify purchasing the device right now. If it were running stock Android, it would tempt me more, which is why I will hold on to my GNexus until the next Nexus device is unveiled. Sure I want to get on the quad core bandwagon, but I can hold off a bit longer :-D

So if the Galaxy Nexus is still appealing to you, you can pick up the phone for a penny on Amazon here. However, if you are an existing Verizon customer and have to shell out $149.99 for the Nexus, THEN I would highly consider waiting a few weeks for the GS3.

But hey..that’s just me :)

Google Now Warns You Of Government Eavesdropping

Whether they're letting Iranian Internet-users know that their search results could get them into trouble or telling Chinese users in China when their searches might be censored, Google's been toeing the line pretty carefully between for-profit company and government watchdog. Now, the company has launched a new program that will notify users when their accounts have been compromised due to "state-sponsored attacks."

If your account has been threatened, a slim red warning will pop up at the top of your account which reads, "We believe state-sponsored attackers may be attempting to compromise your account or computer. Protect yourself now." Clicking on a link will guide you  to a webpage which recommends creating stronger passwords ("with punctuation marks and numbers") and updating your software to the newest version. It should be clear, we're talking not only about hacks but also malware or phishing attacks.

As far as how Google determines when an account has been compromised, the company is frustratingly obtuse, saying "We can’t go into the details without giving away information that would be helpful to these bad actors." We wonder whether the company will also tell U.S. users when their accounts have been hacked or if the messages only apply to those living outside the country. Given that the "flame virus," created by the same entity as the Suxtnet virus, was just discovered to have been spying on computers in the Middle East for the last four years, we'd say this is a welcome development.

Pinterest vs. Reddit: An Epic Medieval Battle Video

When it comes to cat videos, memes, rants and freaky world news, Reddit is king. Pinterest, on the other hand, trades primarily in asparagus recipes, interior decoration ideas and fashion tips. The real question is, which of these crowd-sourcing sites would win in an epic medieval battle: the stylish ladies of Pinterest or the über-informed athiests of Reddit?!? FIGHT!!!

Here are some funny comments from Reddit commenters:

im a fat guy who is currently eating a green popsicle... this was a little too accurate for me.

I am wearing medieval armor and riding a Nyan cat while wielding a spear. You have no idea what it's like being me.

lets be honest, if 4chan/reddit/misc decided to destroy pinterest and make it all dude stuff, it would take like 3 hours.

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!! MEMES

Oh, Reddit. You can hide in my birthday cake and surprise kill me anyday.

Today's Most Ridiculous Tech Rumors

(Slow news day)

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and barely any news is breaking. Today is a slow news day, so I've decided to make s**t up.This is the kind of news I wish would break on totally chirping cricket days like today.

This morning. Apple infiltrated Android headquarters with a secret Suxtnet virus that destroyed Google Play and sent malware trojans into every WhatsApp account, stealing user contact info and taking photos of their private parts while they were sleeping! Reached for comment, an Apple PR representative said, "They deserve it. Android is a stolen product! Instagram was better before Android had it because iOS users are sexier! Neener neener neener."

Samsung unveiled a new Galaxy S4 with T-Voice, which sounds like T-Pain and answers every question with the phrase, "all i do is f**king win." Unlike S-Voice, which is semi-functional, T-voice will be completely useless, and will actually insult users when they try to ask the voice automated service a serious question. Samsung has responded, "We're trying to reach out to the urban community" (weren't these music videos enough?)The company has also announced a 6" phablet called the Galaxy Trapperkeeper you're supposed to hold to your ear like a normal phone but that looks like a frickin' binder and makes YOU look like a frickin' idiot.

In other tech news, ASUS has just unveiled their latest innovation: the padtop, a combination tablet, phone, laptop, tabletop, blender, ice cream machine, sandwich maker, babymaker, garden hose and jumper cable. The device will be able run Windows 8, MeeGo, Symian, Android 1.9 and iOS. Reached for comment, ASUS tweeted, "It's also got a really sexy ass," before deleting said tweet five minutes later.

Last but not least, Facebook has introduced new profiles for babies, in an effort to increase their relevence among the young. Today the first status update, "Harrmf Mommghny," was sent by little Jane Dumphry, age 6, who also posted a picture of a Cheerio, with the subtitle "Kmnjdjskl" The post was "liked" 600,000 times. The new profiles allow youngsters to list their favorite animals, bedtime stories, brand of diapers and religious views (oddly enough, the only option was "Mark Zuckerberg").

Sony Xperia sola Review - A Decent Budget Phone

 

We've already had the chance to test a plethora of Sony smartphones, but this time we've got our hands on one of the latest Sony Xperia devices that also happens to be a fit for most people's budgets. The Sony Xperia sola may be pretty tiny, but it performed surprisingly well during the test.

Networks: Quad EDGE/GSM/GPRS 850, 900, 1800, 1900; W-CDMA Band I, II, V and VIII.OS: Android Gingerbread 2.3, 4.0 update planned shortlyScreen: 3.7 inches, 480 x 854 pixels, Sony Mobile BRAVIA EngineMemory: 512 MB RAM, 8GB internal memory, microSD slot up to 32 GBProcessor: Dual-core 1 GHz ProcessorBattery: 1320 mAHDimensions: 116 x 59 x 9.9 mmWeight: 107 gPrice: $349.99

The phone is extremely light and fairly thin, made out of soft touch plastic that sits nicely in the hand. The outer shell comes in three traditional Sony colors: black, red and white. Having tested the phone in black, I think it looks way better than the white version, but that's a matter of personal taste.

From a design standpoint, I wasn't very happy about the step-like protrusion at the bottom of the phone. Not only does that design make the screen look smaller than it actually is, but it also seems like an unconventional use of space. At the same time, I've had several people tell me that the little step makes the phone look stylish. I'll let you be the judge on that one.

The phone comes with three physical buttons: power button, camera shutter and volume adjustor. All of them work perfectly except for the camera button, which gave me some difficulty. As with previous Xperia models, Sony has decided to implement a two-step camera shutter. First, you have to press the button down halfway to focus the shot before you can push down all the way and take the shot. Unfortunately, the button tends to stick, so you end up with blurry pictures. I basically gave up trying to photograph with the physical button and used the on-screen shutter button instead.

Generally speaking, the 3.7 inch display with 854x480 resolution doesn't really bother me given the small size of the phone. The screen is easy-to-read even in direct sunlight. When comparing the phone with the Xperia S, the Sola surprisingly has better viewing angles than Sony' flagship despite having a lower quality screen overall. If you're used to using smartphones with large screen surfaces, it may be a bit difficult to adapt to the relatively puny Sola, although it didn't bother me personally.

One thing about the interface: not everyone may be a fan of the Sony UI, but the smooth animations, cute icon symbols and stylish live wallpapers make you forget that the phone is still running Gingerbread. For the moment, that is, since an Android 4.0 update is coming soon.

Surprisingly, there isn't really all that much to say about Sony's supposedly groundbreaking Floating Touch technology, which allows you to control the screen without touching it (from a 22mm distance). Since the technology is not supported by app developers, Floating Touch really only works with the built-in browser. To test the responsiveness of the technology, I tried using the phone while wearing gloves. It turns out the phone can only deal with your bare fingers. All in all, I got the impression that Floating Touch was more of a gimmick rather than a useful feature. Highlighting links in the browser from 15mm away? Like anyone will actually do that. But we can always wait and see how the technology develops over time.

The Sony sola comes with two NFC tags ready for use. Integrating these tags into your daily life can be pretty fun and useful, actually. You program up to 10 settings on each NFC tag, which are then activated every time you touch the phone to the tag. You can, for example, keep an NFC tag in your office programmed to turn your phone's WiFi and set the phone to silent or keep a tag in your car that, upon contact, turns on your phone's GPS. Now there's an innovative technology that I could actually see myself getting used to.

Should you happen to need more tags: a set of 4 NFC tags costs $20.

Battery life is pretty standard, the phone tends to last about 24 hours on a single charge. It may be possible to squeeze a bit more life out of the phone with minimal use. It should be noted that the battery charges back up very quickly.

As you've probably already noticed, the Sony Sola doesn't have a front camera, which is guaranteed to scare some people away (especially those that are into video chatting). The main 5MP camera takes some pretty amazing shot, but the shutter button problem is a bit of nuisance.

I have to admit that the Sony Sola is a pretty decent phone for people on a budget. It's got all of the basic smartphone functions (all of which work perfectly) and a couple of additional, innovative features that other budget phones are missing. Given the relatively affordable price of the phone, I think the Sola is a great option for Android newbies and people looking for a simple, yet dependable device.

ASUS Taichi: Business Up Front, Windows 8 Party in the Back

You've got to hand it to ASUS (sexist Tweet nonewithstanding) for they sure know how to experiment. Some of their ideas fall flat, like the ASUS Padfone, but at least they spend money on R&D rather than simply churning out more of the same. Take, for example the Windows 8-enabled ASUS Taichi, a sleek gadget that combines "the power of an ultrabook with the flexibility and portability of a tablet."

This futuristic device features a Windows 8 touchscreen on the outside and a full-fledged Windows operating on the inside. Turn the laptop so the tablet side faces you and you've got a Windows 8 tablet with a handy stand. Turn it so the laptop faces you and you've got a full-fledged ultrabook running Windows 8. There's even a mirroring function, allowing you to share what you're seeing on your laptop with the rest of the world via the outer-facing tablet. Close the laptop, and you've got a handy portable tablet: no detaching or twisting of screens necessary.

The gadget is available in either dual 11.6-inch or 13.3-inch displays, and both screens include built-in cameras, full 1920x1080 displays, Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor and 4GB RAM. The laptop is promised to be as light and then as the 2.86 pound, 0.71-inch ASUS Zenbook.

Windows is out to steal whatever paltry marketshare Android has attained in the tablet scene and, with innovative devices like this, I have no doubt they will represent a huge threat in the coming future. Android will have to work hard to be able to compete with a device that switches so effortlessly in a way only Windows 8 can.  Be afraid, Android. Be very, very afraid.

 

Gameloft Announces New Android Spiderman Game For Upcoming Movie

While I’m still not sure how I feel about the upcoming Amazing Spiderman film, I certainly welcome the addition of a new Android game featuring everyone's favorite web slinger! Gameloft announced that the new title, The Amazing Spiderman, would be released alongside the upcoming film, with Marvel and Gameloft working side by side (as with the original Spidey Android title) on its development.

The new title is expected to have improved 3D visuals over its predecessor (Spiderman Total Mayhem), along with lots of missions. You will naturally be able to web sling through the city and protect its citizens, all while improving your skills and beating up super villains! As Lizard is the villain Spidey faces in the movie, I’m guessing you will also face him as the end opponent in the game.

The movie is being released on July 3rd, and although not officially confirmed, it just makes sense that the game will launch on the same date. Until then, you can always satisfy your web slinging needs by checking out Spiderman Total Mayhem, which can be purchased here. 

Below is the official press release, courtesy of Droid Gamers.

Thinner Than Thin: New Nano-SIM Just 0.67mm Thick!

 Does the acronym ETSI sound familiar? Probably not, but it stands for the European Telecommunications Standards Instituze, which is in charge of creating global standards for communication. With little fanfare and media attention, the ETSI committee has just recently agreed on a new SIM card standard that will be 40% smaller than the micro-SIM. Dubbed the nano-SIM, the card is so small you'll need to put on your glasses to see it. 

In the age of nano technology, even the tiny micro SIM card appears to be taking up too much space. With manufacturers and chip makers striving to pack as many features as possible into slicker and lighter devices, every nanometer counts. After much deliberation between industry leaders such as Motorola, Apple, Nokia and the dying-yet-still-kicking RIM have put their differences aside with the ETSI decision on single design for the thinnest SIM card ever built. The fourth-generation SIM card will be just 12.3mm high, 8.8mm high and 0.67mm thick. Despite its minuscle dimensions, the nano-SIM card will have exactly the same features as its predecessors.

Having been adopted by the ETSI committee (which includes all EU countries as well as the US, China and others as associate members) during their meeting in Osaka, the official design model will be published shortly on the institute's official website. Smaller and thinner phones may be a plus, but one thing remains unclear: how will users be able to switch SIM cards if they can barely see, never mind hold, the darn thing?

Dual Core Samsung Galaxy S3 Hitting The US In June **Sigh**

While many of our US readers might not care about this, I would be willing to bet that A LOT of them will. If you remember back in April, I reported on the US version of the Galaxy S3 likely featuring a dual core processor. Well, I have good news and bad news for our US readers. The good news is that the Galaxy S3 is coming to Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and U.S Cellular. The bad news is that it will indeed have a dual core chipset, and not the quad core Exynos 4412 that many had hoped for.

I normally love it when I write a rumor that turns out to be true, but in this case I really wish I had been completely wrong. While it’s great that the 5 biggest US carriers will be receiving the device, it’s really kind of disappointing that it will feature the same 1.5GHz dual core Snapdragon S4 processor (just like the US version of the HTC One X). While the processor certainly is powerful and more than capable to provide you with a good experience, it certainly is disappointing for the people who were hoping on some quad core goodness. So why did it happen?

I can answer that in 3 letters: LTE. While we don’t have 100% confirmation that this is the reason, it’s being reported that the incompatibility between the quad core Exynos 4412 and the US LTE data networks was the reason for the “downgrade”. The HTC One X ran into the same issue, and even though it shipped with a quad core Tegra 3 internationally, the US version also featured a dual core chip due to LTE networks.

But remember that quad core doesn’t always mean faster, and the Snapdragon S4 chip is certainly not slow. All additional features and specs should remain the same as the international version, minus the chip. While I had hoped the US version might feature Samsung’s newest Exynos 5250 2Ghz dual core chip, it seems that this chipset is being saved for another device. But there IS something that the US version will feature that I'm honestly pretty jealous about...

On a VERY positive note, the US Galaxy S3 WILL feature 2GB of RAM, which could possibly provide an even better daily use performance boost than the quad core processor, so it's not all bad! I would have LOVED to see 2GB of RAM in the international version that we reviewed, and I'm very curious to see how the RAM upgrade will affect performance. 

How do you guys feel about this? Does this turn any of our US readers off from buying the device in the States? Are you more tempted to buy an international version now? Or is the 2GB of RAM in the dual core US version in a way more interesting?

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Google Bites Back at Microsoft with QuickOffice Aquisition

Solidifying their already solid mobile word processing chops, Google has bought QuickOffice, the leading developers of on-the-go word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. QuickOffice is known as being way better than Google Docs or Microsoft Office on Android. Both QuickOffice and Google Docs are able to work on documents created in Microsoft's Word, Excel and Powerpoint, which could mean trouble for Microsoft in the future as they attempt to break into the mobile apps environment.

Quickoffice makes devices compatible with Microsoft Office even if the software isn't installed on the device and it's expected that the features of QuickOffice will make their way to Google Apps, Google's paid app suite for businesses.

Hopefully this acquisition will lead to even better versions of Google Drive on Android, as well as better compatibility for Android tablets. At the very least, it was a strategically smart acquisition given the looming release of Windows 8. Hooray!