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Online orders of the new higher storage capacity version will ship by July 3

Verizon has made an update to its Galaxy S4 availability post indicating that the larger capacity 32GB version of the device will become available starting tomorrow, June 29th. As you would expect, the price takes the usual $100 jump up to $299 with a 2-year contract for the increased storage. The post doesn't indicate which colors will be available, but we have to assume it'll be the same white and black varieties as currently offered for the 16GB model.

The post specifies that the device will go on sale at Verizon's online store tomorrow, with devices shipping no later than July 3rd for those who order on day one. No details on in-store availability at the moment, but we would expect them to become available there soon also. Keep an eye out on the Verizon site late tonight if you want to be the first to get your order in.

Source: Verizon

Via: Verizon Galaxy S4 32GB available for $299 starting tomorrow

First glimpse of the next version of Android looks a lot like what's come before

There's a leaked Android 4.3 Jelly Bean ROM out in the wild this morning, in the form of a pre-release build for the 'Google Play edition' Galaxy S4. It's also been ported to the European LTE Galaxy S4 (GT-i9505) in the form of a custom ROM, courtesy of the original source of the leak, Samsung fansite SamMobile.

We've fired up that ROM on our European GS4 and shot a quick hands-on video, giving an early glimpse of the next version of Android. And, well, it looks an awful lot like the current version of Android, supporting earlier reports that 4.3's changes are mostly under-the-hood, rather than user-facing. That means for the most part, we're dealing with the same user experience found on the current Google Play edition GS4.

Check out our video after the break, along with a list of behind-the-scenes changes we've noticed.

Under-the-hood changes

Here's a quick run-down of some of the new stuff we've spotted in the leaked 4.3 ROM. Starting with the nuts and bolts

• We're seeing "android.hardware.bluetooth_le" listed as a feature in the Android System Info app, suggesting Bluetooth Low Energy support is on-board in Android 4.3, as previously reported. (This feature isn't listed on our Google edition GS4 review unit running Android 4.2.2).
• Similarly, Bluetooth tethering is present in the 4.3 ROM, while it's absent (bizarrely)on our 4.2.2-based GS4 GE review unit. Other phones like the Nexus 4 have it on 4.2.2.
• A new checkbox under Advanced Wifi settings allows Google's location service to scan for Wifi networks even when Wifi is turned off and not being used for wireless networking likely part of Google's new approach to battery-friendly location services.

In Developer options...

• Multiple options under "Monitoring > ProfileGPURendering," as seen in thisGoogle I/O video. This lets you view a graphical representation of the time taken to generate a frame, and see whether you're hitting the 60 frames per second target or not. This should help devs create more buttery apps.
• New debug options for the new non-rectangular clipping feature. This is a new graphical capability for devs in Android API level 18.
• A newoption to "Use experimental WebView" this likely changes the browsing engine used to handle websites within apps, but we haven't been able to nail down exactly what it does.
• There's also a button that lets you "Revoke USB debugging authorization."This deletes the RSA key generated for USB debugging authorization from the phone itself previously you had to do this from the computer side.

Phone and Messaging...

• By pressing menu in the phone app, you can now add two-secondpauses in your dialing string (denoted by a comma) or longer waits (denoted by a semicolon.)
• In Settings in the phone app, you can now enable dial-pad autocomplete and change DTMF(dual-tone, multi-frequency) tone lengths.
• In the Messaging app, there's now an option to use MMS messaging for group messages.

Other bits...

• There's thenew camera appwe talked about in our earlier post.
• Long, multi-wordSSIDnames now wrap properly down to a second line in the quick-settingspulldown.
• When you take a screenshot and share it via email, the Subject field is automatically populated with the date and time of the shot.

Via: Hands-on with leaked Android 4.3 ROM for the Google edition Galaxy S4 [Updated]

Audio-only stream below

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Thing 1: Google Play experience devices

• First look: Google Play edition HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4
• New stock camera app debuts in Google Play edition GS4 and HTC One
• Google Play edition HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 now on sale!
• Android 4.3 leaks for 'Google Play edition' Galaxy S4
• Hands-on with leaked Android 4.3 ROM for the Google edition Galaxy S4
• What is Stock Android?
• This week's sidebar poll: Are you ordering a Google Play Edition phone?

Other things ...

• Google Play Movies gets a new look, drives another nail in Nexus Q's coffin
• Google reportedly working on Android-powered watch, game console and next-gen Nexus Q
• Facebook introduces Android app beta testing via Google Groups
• HTC unveils 'glamor red' HTC One
• Sony Xperia Z Ultra hands-on
• Sony's next-gen SmartWatch adds NFC

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The AndroidCentral Podcast is sponsored by the AndroidCentral Store. And thanks to these great artists for providing their music under the Creative Commons license:

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Via: Android Central 140: Inside the Google Play experience phones

Sceptre's newSB301524W sound bar brings Android and a pre-packaged sound system to your existing HDTV

There's plenty of ways to bring Android to your big screen television, but until now they have all been stand alone appliances designed to work with your existing equipment. But maybe you want an inexpensive way to marry Android to that spare TV in your house, and don't want to fool with A/V receiversor other "premium" methods to provide something that sounds a little better than the tinny speakers built into the TV itself. That's where something like Spectre'snew Android-powered smart TV sound bar comes in.

At $299 it offers a plug and play solution to get Android and Google Play on your TV, with zero set-up or hassle. Complete with touch-sensitive controls and a LED screen to display all your settings, you'll be able to access content like games, music and movies from Google Play without any wires or assembly.

The Spectre sound bar features Android 4.0 running on a 1GHzARM processor, with 1GBof RAM, with two USB ports and an SD card slot for expansion and accessories. The unit itself features SRS WOW HD audio technology, delivered through two front-facing speakers and a 35 watt subwoofer. Designed for 42-inch or larger televisions, it looks like an easy way to turn that old TV into something smarter and more fun. Look for it at retailers like Newegg, Amazon, Walmart, Tiger Direct, Sears and K-Mart. Hit the break for the press release.

Sceptre Turns your Big Screen HDTV into a Smart TV with a Sound Bar 2.1 with Android

Sound Bar 2.1 with built-in subwoofer and Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 enables users to connect to the internet and download apps from Google Play Store

City of Industry, CA June 27, 2013 Sceptre, superior manufacturers of world class LED and LCD HDTVs and PC displays, unveils the SB301524W Speaker Sound Bar 2.1 with built-in subwoofer, Android platform and Wi-Fi connection to turn your ordinary HDTV into a smart TV through plug and play technology, enabling users to access movies, music, apps and games.

Sceptres newest Sound Bar 2.1 includes Androids interactive media operating system to create the perfect entertainment atmosphere with the support of Wi-Fi and Android Platform. With the Android OS, users can access the Google Play Store to download thousands of songs, games, movies and apps to enhance their TV experience.

The SB301524W Sound Bar 2.1 incorporates a variety of technologies and components to produce room filling surround sound, including a 35W subwoofer with passive radiator, SRS WOW HD audio technology and dual front facing speakers. SRS WOW HD, developed by DTS technologies, improves the audio by widening the sound field, raising the vertical sound image and retrieving lost audio information during the mixing process to create a more natural surround sound experience.

Elegantly designed to complement HDTVs 42-inches and above, the SB301524W sound bar features a trendy touch sensor control panel to easily adjust volume, preset modes or sound sources, an auto-dimming LED screen that displays current settings and a remote control compatible with multiple Sceptre HDTVs. It is also the ideal replacement for expensive and bulky surround sound systems, eliminating unsightly wires, expensive adaptors and the need to have a separate subwoofer.

The Sound Bar 2.1 with built-in subwoofer and Android Platform turns your traditional HDTV into a Smart TV at a fraction of the cost, said Cathy Chou, Sceptres vice president of operations. Our newest addition to the family of sound bars not only enhances your HDTV experience, but also brings people closer by giving you access to the same applications as a computer, including Skype, Facebook, Instant Messenger and more.

To enhance the overall experience, Sceptre offers an optional smart remote control that replicates the functionality of a traditional mouse and keyboard. The SB301524W sound bar can be easily wall-mounted using only two screws and is currently available for $299.99 at Walmart, Amazon, Tiger Direct, Sears, K-Mart and NewEgg.

Via: Sceptre releases an Android TV sound bar

ZEN & TECH is our Mobile Nations lifestyle podcast, focused not just on the gadgets and apps that we use, but how we can use them to make our lives happier and better. It's centering for our inner geeks!

Windows 8 made us want our Start button back. iOS 7 caused icon strife. BlackBerry 10 was a huge departure. Going from TouchWiz to Sense can be stressful. And that's just technology! Imagine changing jobs, partners, and places in life! Georgia and Rene discuss the challenges of change!

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Via: ZEN & TECH 54: Change aversion

Get together with thousands of like-minded Android nerds October 10-12

It's that time of year where tickets become available for the Big Android BBQ, the top yearly gathering of Android hackers, enthusiasts, friends and families. The BBQ returns to the same Hurst Convention Center, outside of Dallas, as last year but runs a little earlier in the month from October 10th to the12th.

Tickets start at just $55 for general admission, and there are $100, $175 and $250 ticket levels as well if you want some extra perks with your BBQ experience. You can check out all of the details and buy your tickets at the link below.

More: Big Android BBQ

Via: Big Android BBQ 2013 tickets now on sale!

A couple of days back we got our first look at what could be Sony's upcoming 20-megapixel "cameraphone," the Xperiai1, or "Honami." In addition to a beastly rear camera, alleged specs for the future Sony flagship include a Snapdragon 800 CPU and a 5-plus-inch display.

Today we're seeing fresh images of the device cropping up on Just Another Mobile Blog. The site shows a device matching the earlier "Honami" leaks, while revealing new hardware details, such as a microSD slot, an Xperia Z Ultra-like magnetic charging port and a dedicated camera key (natch). The report also claims the final version device will ship with a Xenon flash rather than the LED flash pictured.

Aside from the specs,Sony's clearly still utilizing its "Omnibalance" design language in its latest product, and the device pictured would look right at home alongside the manufacturer's current line-up. We've heard through our own sources that a Q3 launch is likely for the product, so hopefully we won't have to wait too long to find out more.

Source: Just Another Mobile Blog; via: GSMArena

Via: Fresh Sony Xperia i1 'Honami' leak shows more hardware details