From now on you can use a Google Now style voice search on your chrome browser. It is now available in the latest Chrome stable version for the desktop, and all you have to do is get the new update by taking the following steps:

• Launch your Chrome browser and open the settings.
• Click on Help and after a few seconds you will be prompted to relaunch Chrome.
• After you restart Chrome, just head to Google and click the microphone icon in the search box.
• You will have to give permission for Google to use your microphone (look for the bar on top), depending on your privacy settings.
• Then you speak.

Testing it out, we can tell you this isn’t as “fancy” as was shown off at Google I/O. More than likely this is just the beginning, and a more advanced form of the search will arrive a bit down the road.

Have you started using voice search? What do you think of the changes?

[Source]

The post How To Update Your Chrome Browser To Get Google Now Voice Search appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Google Wallet has already been available on a few smartphones and tablets, and now the search giant has announced more phones onto the list. From now on, users of Sprint’s HTC One, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy S4 and US Cellular’s Note II will be able to use Google Wallet to purchase in store via NFC-based contactless payments.

You can download the app for free by heading to Google Play here.

Meanwhile, Google has also announced a way to make sending payments simple, which will be as easy as sending an email. They are integrating Google Wallet with Gmail, and sometime in the coming months US users over 18 years old will be able to send money through Gmail via a $ icon in the attachment options. “It’s free to send money if your bank account is linked to Google Wallet or using your Google Wallet Balance”, but you will be charged a flat fee of 2.9% per transaction for payments using your linked credit or debit card. Receiving money will always be free.

Check out the video below to know more about the upcoming service.

[Source]

The post Google Wallet Available On More Smartphones (Video) appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Think the Samsung Galaxy S4 is pretty great? Things are only getting started, as several variants could be one their way in the near future.  The newest of these rumored devices is the Galaxy S4 Zoom. 

It is a variant of the yet to be released S4 Mini, but this handset’s special niche is the fact is will boast a 16 MP rear facing camera, with 10x optical zoom.  I’ll give you a minute to re-read that, yes 10x optical zoom.  That blows the Nokia 808 PureView’s miniscule 3x zoom out of the water.  According to Unwired View, this variant arrived for certification at the Bluetooth SIG this week under the model number SM-C101.

Samsung is making a run at a majority market share with all its variations of their Galaxy S4s (at least if rumors are to be believed).  They have brought to the table the mini for those that don’t want such a large screen.  Also a variant that is similar to the Xperia Z, made to be rugged and withstand the worst conditions that can be thrown at you, and now the S4 Zoom which will have amateur shutterbugs doing backflips at the possibility.

Thus far optical zoom was really the only thing traditional cameras had over the previously limited point and shoot cameras in mobile phones.  This will pave the way for a new standard in mobile phone cameras if it takes off like I’m sure it will.

This variation is rumored to land soon, maybe even as early as June according to some of the circulating rumors.  Keep your eyes open for more info on this handset.  It will surely be a hit with users serious about photography and those casual snappers alike.  What do you think about the Zoom?  Is this a technology that you would like to see on your phone, or should it be left to the handheld camera market?

[ source ]

The post Samsung Galaxy S4 Variant with Optical Zoom? appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

For those looking for a high-end handset, AT&T certainly has you covered with quite a few devices, such as the HTC One, Galaxy S4, iPhone and Blackberry Z10.

Unfortunately, many of these phones come at a high-cost. Want the best at a good rate? AT&T is rolling out a new trade-in program starting tomorrow, which could get you at least $100 off on any new smartphone.
Don’t want a new smartphone but simply want to get rid of an old mobile device? That’s fine, AT&T actually allows you to use the credit towards your bill or towards new accessories instead.

For those that are wondering about the catch, there surprisingly isn’t much. The device will need to be no older than three years, but beyond that they seem to be taking a wide range of smartphones, feature phones and tablets for trade. It’s also nice that AT&T is giving you flexibility in how to use the trade-in.

If you have a newer device you wish to trade in, the carrier says that it will also take those, and may even value them at a credit rate that is above $100. What do you think, interested in AT&T’s new trade-in program or not?

[ source ]

The post AT&T Trade-In Promotion Starts Tomorrow appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Samsung are once again pushing the boundaries of what can be done with a mobile device. Their latest concept is a brainwave controlled tablet. The idea might sound like the stuff of science fiction, but the Korean electronics giant actually have a working prototype based on the current Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tab.

The current system uses a wearable cap which is studded with EEG sensors. Researchers working with Samsung on the system have found that it is possible for users to open an App and select a contact simply by concentrating and using the blink of an eye. The system is far from market ready though, but with considerable research we could see thought controlled mobile devices entering markets in the near future. 

Imagine the potential for this kind of control system for those with disabilities. If such a control method could be perfected, it could truly be a life-changer for some folks.

[ Source ]

The post Samsung Developing Thought Controlled Mobile Devices appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

As typical, we will cover 5 Android apps, followed by 5 iOS apps. So let’s jump in, shall we?

Best Apps of the Week – Android

Facebook Home

So whether or not you consider this one worthy of being listed as a “best app of the week” largely depends on how important Facebook is to you and if you find it acceptable to essentially run the app as the forefront of your phone experience.

Facebook Home is a launcher that is designed to replace the lockscreen, homescreen and other areas of Android. The app is currently only officially available for a few devices such as the Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, HTC One X and HTC One X+. That said, there are plenty of work-arounds out there to expand support.

You can grab Facebook Home for free through Google Play.

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Cut the Rope: Time Travel

Can you believe it has been two whole years since the last original member to the series, Cut the Rope: Experiments? Since then, there have been plenty of updates to Experiments and the original Cut the Rope, but no sequel. That situation has finally changed with the latest game, Cut the Rope: Time Travel.

Om Nom is back, but this time there is a time travel theme, two on-screen monsters to feed and plenty of new obstacles to get in your way.

In typical fashion, there is a free and paid version for $.99, both available through Google Play.

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Dungeon Hunter 4

Ah, Dungeon Hunters 4, you’ve finally arrived. Last week lucky iOS users had their day in the sun. Android users didn’t have to wait too much longer, thankfully. If you are a fan of action and hack n’ slash games on the mobile, you pretty are guaranteed to already know about this series.

As I mentioned last week, I’m a huge fan of the first two games, though Dungeon Hunter 3 ruined the experience by turning the paid dungeon crawler into a freemium arena brawler. In Dungeon Hunter 4, the freemium app style isn’t gone – but at least the game has both traditional dungeon crawling and arena battles this time around.

I have now had a little time to play with the iOS version, and must say that Dungeon Hunter 4 is a welcome change, though I’d rather have the freemium app approach ended for good. I’ll take what I can get, though.

You can now snag this one from Google Play.

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Real Racing 3

Technically this isn’t a new app, but it is a big enough of an upgrade to make it worthy of this week’s list. Real Racing 3 might turn some folks off due to its somewhat wonky in-app purchasing options, but it is still one of the better Android racing games out there.

The new update adds 100 new events, two new Chevy vehicles and even a new cross-platform save function. It doesn’t end there, a new “hunter mode” also has you tracking down and overtaking a car within a lap.

Get it now from Google Play.

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OfficeSuite Pro 7.1

Once again, this app also isn’t “new”, but instead a massive upgrade. If you have ever done productivity work on a tablet or smartphone, you might already know about OfficeSuite Pro. It is arguably one of the best office alternatives you’ll find.

The new version adds support for Samsung devices with multi-window mode, improved UI changes, Oxford Dictionary to English integration, the ability to insert an image from Camera into Word/Excel/PowerPoint docs, and so much more.

At $14.99, it is probably one of the most expensive apps for Android you will ever run into. Still, if you regularly plan on using your Android device for business – it is worth every penny.

Best Apps of the Week – iOS

Cut the Rope: Time Travel

This one already made the list for the best Android apps, but it is certainly one of the best of the week for iOS as well.

Om Nom is back once more, but this time there is a time travel theme, two on-screen monsters to feed and plenty of new obstacles to get in your way.

The game is just $.99 through iTunes.

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The Thirty-Nine Steps

This unique app is based on John Buchan’s famous novel, turned into an interactive iPad experience. The game has you control Richard Hannay and has you collecting items, exploring scenes and experiencing a wonderful story.

The game is a bit on the higher end of the price totem, but is certainly worth the $6.99 to get it.

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Real Racing 3

Is there an echo in here? Real Racing 3 is not new, and was just covered above for Android. Why are we covering it again then? Because a major update has arrived for both Google Play and Apple’s AppStore.

The new update adds 100 new events, two new Chevy vehicles and even a new cross-platform save function. It doesn’t end there, a new “hunter mode” also has you tracking down and overtaking a car within a lap.

Get it now from Apple’s AppStore.

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Fish Out of Water!

Some of my favorite games of all time are by Halfbrick Studios, such as Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja. This new Halfbrick game is equally addictive. Fish Out of Water has now arrived only for iOS (though hopefully Android users will be able to get it soon enough).

The new game is more casual than previous Halfbrick titles, and has you seeing how far you can fling a fish across the ocean. The score is than calculated and presented by a panel of crabs, yes really.

There are different kinds of sea creatures beyond fish, including the dolphin. Each have their own unique abilities as well.

Fish Out of Water can be yours now for just $.99.

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Twitter #music

Twitter released a new music discovery service called Twitter #music earlier this week, though oddly enough they only released it for iOS users. The new app serves up charts of songs that are currently trending on Twitter, and those being tweeted by people you follow.

It doesn’t allow you to listen to the whole song, but it does make it possible to listen to the rest through Spotify and Rdio, or download it through iTunes.

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Summing it all up….

So ends another “Best Apps of the Week”. Is it every app that released this week for Android or iOS? Of course not, but this should certainly help you on your journey to finding a few great new apps or games this weekend.

Any apps debut this week that you feel we should have covered? Let us and other readers know about them through the comments below!

The post Best Apps of the Week: A Look at New Apps for iOS and Android (4/19) appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Rumors of an ultra-large smartphone line from Samsung have been floating around for a while now. Samsung has finally come forward to confirm that they are in fact pushing the line between smartphone and tablet with their new Samsung Galaxy Mega line.

The Galaxy Mega will have two different models, a 5.8-incher and a massive 6.3-inch model. As for the specs, the Galaxy Mega 6.3 will come with a 720p display, LTE, 8/16GB storage and a 1.7GHz dual-core processor. The smaller Mega will have a qHD display, HSPA connectivity, 8GB storage and a modest 1.4GHz dual-core processor.

Both models come with IR blasters, allowing the handsets to work as universal remotes for your TV. The two Galaxy Mega models also share the same 8MP camera, 1.5GB RAM, microSD and come standard with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

As you might have noticed, these are far from “premium” devices, instead falling somewhere between low and mid-range. Their big displays will certainly mean they won’t come dirt cheap, though. No word on exact pricing, but it seems likely it will fall under the pricing for the Note 2 and Galaxy S4.

When is the Samsung Galaxy Mega line heading to a market near you? It’s hard to say if or when the phones will arrive in the North American market at this stage, but we do know that they are expected to arrive in Europe sometime next month.

Are the Samsung Galaxy Mega handsets too big?

Part of what makes Samsung great is that it offers a little bit of something for everyone. There are tiny-tiny 3-inchers, 4-inchers, 5 and even now 6-inch models. While the Galaxy Mega might be too large for some of us, there is clearly a demand for massive handsets.

The Mega might be a little out of place up against someone’s ear, but for those that use a bluetooth handset and mostly text and use the Internet – the Mega could be exactly what they are looking for.

The beauty of Android is that it is an open-source operating system and vendors are free to put it on any type of hardware they desire. What do you think? Is the Galaxy Mega too big for you or could you see yourself using one of these massive handsets?

[ source ]

The post Samsung Galaxy Mega Officially Announced, Available in 5.8 and 6.3-inch Models appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

One of the best features on the Lumia 920 is its 8.7-megapixel camera which comes with the Nokia’s PureView label. Of course Samsung Galaxy S4 is certainly a big rival with its own stunning camera capabilities. This makes you wonder, which among the two devices is the best when it comes to video stabilization? Let’s take a look.

As you will see in the video, the Nokia 920 and the S4 were mounted on top of a toy car to test the performance of the two devices in capturing video on the move. The video is in Russian, but no need for any explanations as the video shows you what you need to know.

The video recorded on the S4 is pretty shaky and everything is blurry once the guy starts to pull the car. But on the 920, the OIS (optical image stabilisation) is certainly doing its job and the video is much more vivid. Not really a huge surprise but it’s nice to see how the 920 did against Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphone.

So what do you think of the Lumia’s camera versus the S4?

[Source]

The post Nokia Lumia 920 Vs Samsung Galaxy S4 In Video Recording Test appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

UK customers are lucky that the hotly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S4 is available for pre-order from Vodafone, EE and O2, and the luckiest 2000 of them will get to play with a free 7 inch Galaxy Tab 2 also, as we reported earlier. For those of you anxious folks in the US, AT&T has announced that the S4 will be available for pre-order starting April 16 priced at $249.99 with a two-year contract.

The carrier hasn’t announced which model they are offering (maybe the 32GB S4), and no hints on exactly when the device will be shipped. If it’s the 16GB model, the announced price is $50 higher than what the iPhone 5 is currently available for. Head to the AT&T website for signing up to be notified when the S4 will be available.

As for other US carriers, T-Mobile will start offering the S4 on May 1^st (no contract of course), and it is also expected to be available from Verizon, Sprint, as well as MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular and Cricket.

Just to remind you, the S4 is coming with a 5-inch 1920×1080 Super AMOLED screen, a 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor in the US (1.8GHz Exnyos 5 Octa everywhere else), Android 4.2.2. Jelly Bean, and an amazing 13-megapixel shooter.

Do you have plans to order the S4?

[Source]

The post Samsung Galaxy S4 U.S. Pre-Order Details appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Everybody is excited about the arrival of Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphone, the Galaxy S4, and the thrill increases when an online retailer comes out with an awesome offer. Carphone Warehouse has just announced that they will be giving away a free Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7-inch tablet along with pre-orders for the S4.

In order to get in on the deal, you must act fast since the offer will only available to the first 2000 people who order the S4 on a pay monthly order. At the time of writing this the deal is still there, but it probably won’t last long as a free dual-core Jelly Bean powered tablet with the S4 is a great deal and to make things sweeter they have also added an accessory pack with a screen protector, case and car charger into the offer. Carphone Warehouse will ship the device on April 26^th.

So, all of you folks over at UK, are you going to order the device from Carphone Warehouse? Or are you going with Vodafone or EE or O2?

As for those of you in the US, AT&T announced that the S4 will be available for pre-order on April 16 for $249.99 with a two-year contract. Interested? Or are you thinking about Sprint or MetroPCS?

[Source]

The post Samsung Galaxy S4 Pre-Order With Free Tab 7 And More appeared first on Mobile Magazine.