Back To Stock: Tired of a those gimics cluttering your Android phone? The Verge has you covered.

For most Android users, your phone's User Interface (UI) isn't as clean and simple as the nice folks at Google intended. What you have is what the maker of your particular phone thought the UI should look like to stand out from all the other Android phones out at the time. Now I happen to like the version of HTC Sense that came with my HTC Inspire a year and a half ago when I bought it (yeah, almost time for an upgrade) but an update about six months ago changed the lock screen, and I hate it.

Thankfully Android allows you to change the UI yourself, and lots of software makers have come up with solutions to your interface issues. The good people at The Verge have some cool tips to fix a few of the most common gripes with manufacturer altered UIs (including Lock Screens and Keyboards) and a lot of them are free!

Check it out at The Verge ... Full Story

Gaming Review: EA's Real Racing 3

I noticed, a days ago, that EA Games (makers of Need for Speed: Most Wanted) have a new driving game for Android. (Okay, I'm waylate on this, but A.) Nobody tells me this stuff ahead of time and B.) It's a 1.7 Gb download and I have DSL so it takes forever.)

Anyway, I got around to downloading it, because I love racing games, and I was curious about the claim that it was a realistic racing game with no Nitrous, no Slow-mo, no gimics. Well, after the lengthly download, the game loads up and the opening animatic plays. Already the graphics look great (Haven't messed with the settings to see just how high is up, yet). Maybe not top of the line new console great, but really great for a mobile game. Once gameplay starts, it lives up to it's claim. You can upgrade the cars and buy new cars with in-game cash, but unlike other past EA titles, you also have to maintain the cars you have by changing the oil, replacing the tires and repairing in-game damage.

Also, this game uses Time Shifted Multiplayer. This feature lets you race against the times of other racers though the game does adjust their performace so that you can interact with the other cars.

Overall, after just an hour or so of gameplay, I have to say it's a good game, good graphics, fun gameplay.

That said, there is at least one thing I found annoying. When you do required maintenance, there's a time delay. what I mean is when you select change oil from the maintenance menu you have to wait 5 minutes while the oil is being changed, or sacrifice in-game rewards points to have it done now. That would get old fast if you have alot of maintenance to do.

Other then that, good game, I can see it being alot of fun on a slow tuesday night. BTW, did I mention that it's FREE! For that price, lets call it awesome!

AT&T, T Mobile, and Sprint list new HTC ONE as coming soon.

No Release date is given on the product page, but HTC's new flagship device is coming to AT&T Wireless. Features mentioned on the page include HTC's new BlinkFeed which looks to be a tiled live home screen similar to the interface on Window 8 phones, HTC Boomsound enhanced audio with BEATS technology to compliment the dual stereo front speakers, and HTC ZOE live photo album.

To help keep loyal customer (Since HTC's sales have slumped in recent months) HTC is offering an interesting trade-in program for the HTC ONE. If you send in a HTC phone for the trade-in, HTC will give you market value for the phone or $100 towards a new HTC ONE, which ever value is greater! You have to purchase you new HTC ONE by March 31,2013 and mail the old device back by April 30 to get the trade-in but that's a not a bad deal if you've got an aging HTC phone laying around. HTC's Official Page

HTC One

Smartphone maker HTC debutes it's new Flagship device ahead of the Mobile World Congress to get a jump on the competition. So far experts and reviewers seem to be impressed. With specs including a 4.7 inch 1080p screen, dual speaker Beats Audio sound, a 1.7 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Processor, 2 GB of RAM and either 32 or 64 GB of storage wrapped in a sleek all aluminum unibody chassis this looks like a monster performer.

While first impressions are positive, reviewers are already worried that the HTC One will be immediatly overshadowed by the upcomming announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S4, which is expected shortly after MWC. This wouldn't be the first time HTC has released a world class smartphone, only to have buyers completely overlook it. As an HTC fan, I'll be watching this one closely.

Visit HTC

Rumor Mill: More Galaxy S4 rumors, Plus LG and Google...

With the Mobile World Congress about a week away, there are a lot of rumors going around but very few facts to back them up.

Russian analyst Eldar Murtazin speculated on Sammobile that Samsung could officially announce the next Galaxy S phone around March 14. Samsung has already stated that will not be unvieling it's newest flagship phone at Mobile World Congress, prefering instead to host a seperate event to launch the next Galaxy S. So the timing sounds about right.

Murtazin's report also speculates on some of the upcoming devices specs, and if they're right the new S4 will be the new gold standard for Android devices (just like it's predecessor). Rumored specs include a Exynos 5 Octa (8-Core) processor coupled with a Mali-T678 (8-Core) graphics chip, 2GB of RAM, a 13 Mega-pixel camera with 1080p capability, and a  4.99-inch SuperAMOLED screen, and Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2. With specs like that we would also expect the new S4 to be one of the first devices to get Android 5.0 (Key Lime Pie) when it comes out later this year.

In other news, LG has released details for it's upcoming Optimus G Pro. Headlining the spec for this beast are a 1.7Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, a 1,920x1,080 pixel 5.5 inch AMOLED screen, 2 GBs of RAM and a 13 Mega-pixel camera.

On the Google front, Senior VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra, said on Google+ that Google is "committed to making Nexus phones insanely great cameras. Just you wait and see." So far, while the Nexus 4 has been a great and affordable option with the amoung the most up to date software, it has not been known for outstanding camera quality. It looks as though Google is planing to change that reputation and maybe take some of the camera spotlight away from makers like Apple and HTC who are famous for the imaging capabilities of their devices.

Sources: Google+, CNET, Sammobile

Wikipad 7inch gaming tablet set for Spring 2013 launch

With all the news about gaming tablets in the last few months, I don't know how I missed this. The Wikipad is a 7 inch Android tablet built with gamers in mind. Specs will include a Nvidia Tigra 3 Quad+1 processor with a 12 core graphics chip, a 5 point multi-touch 16:10 IPS screen, 16 Gb of built in storage with Micro SD expansion, and best of all, a sled style dock with D pads, analog Joy Sticks and triggers for serious gaming. With a price tag of around $249.99 and more then enough muscle for both game and business use, I'll be keeping my eye on this on!

(A few more bonus factoids: The Wikipad will be on the first device enabled with Sony's Playstation Mobile service, allowing user to download versions of some popular PS titles. The divice is also supposed to boast 7 hours of continuous battery life (while playing video) for all day gaming and feature HDMI out via cable or wireless for gaming in full 1080p on a big screen.)

For more info check out Wikipad site

Samsung's Galaxy S4 may blow away the competition on Processing power (Rumor Mill)

Rumors are starting to circulate that the new Galaxy S4 (S IV, S IIII, whatever), which may debute as early as this months Mobile World Congress, may feature the first production model 8 core processor!

According to some rumors, Samsung has expanded on the companion core technology already in use in Nvidia's Tegra series (Quad+1) by sandwiching four ARM A7 processors to four ARM A15 chips. The idea is that the A7s do all the boring everyday task that don't and shouldn't use much battery power, while the A15s handle the computational heavy lifting.

If this pans out to be true, Samsung will have a major jump on it's competitors when the S4 hits stores (not that Samsung needs it, they already dominate the Android phone market).

One glitch in this rumor so far is that Samsung isn't really expected to reveil the new S4 at the Mobile World Congress since they are planning a seperate event for the official product launch (like they did last year with the S3).

Smartphones for Better Health Care?

Dr. Eric Topol, a pioneer in the emerging field of "Wireless Medicine", has said that iPhones and other smartphones may be the key to better individual health care in the future. Wireless monitors on patients, and linked to apps in there smartphones can monitor vital signs and even detect heartattacks. Dr. Topol says, "The smartphone will be the hub of the future of medicine."

sources: Apple Hot News, NBC News

iPhone users pay more for Wireless

It appears that iPhone user's don't just pay a premium for their phones, they may be paying top dollar for there phone and data plans too. A new study shows that 59% of iPhone user pay over $100 a month for celular coverage and data. Conversely, it appears that 53% of Android user spend that much and Windows Phone and Blackberry users pay even less.

The best theory to explain the cost difference is that the iPhone cost more then all but the highest priced Android phones and that carriers raise the price of their data plans to recover the cost of subsidizing the expensive devices. To get more on the story, Click Here...

Library of Congress says you don't have the Right to Unlock your Phone

Bad news for consumers who want to unlock there mobile phones so they can be used on other networks. As of Saturday, January 26 2013, it's is now illegal to unlock an exclusive (carrier specific) phone and use it on another network. The decision came from the US Library of Congress's Copyright Office, which is responsible for reviewing and overseeing the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, back in October of last year. The Copyright Office gave people a 90 day grace period to unlock there phone before it officially became law. That grace period expired yesterday...

The new restrictions against unlocking phones do not extend to Jailbreaking phones, such as the iPhone, to allow them to run applications not supported in the App Store.

The LOC decision was based on evidence that consumer do have alternatives (such as purchasing an unlocked phone from Amazon), and what they considered a failure by opposition to prove that this will adversely affect consumers or the phone market.

Many feel that this new ruling will however limit consumer choice and hurt resale value for individuals looking to sell their old phones.  Entreprenuer Sina Khanifar has started a petition to the White House, asking the LOC to reverse it's decision and support a bill to legalize unlocking phones.

Read my Editorial Article on Digital Rights Here...Articles Section

While We're At It...

In hardware news this week, at long last, the Microsoft Surface Pro will hit stores on Febuary 9th. Some 7 months after it was announced. Still not sure what the difference is between the new Pro model and the RT model that has been out for months? The biggest difference for consumers is that the Surface Pro will run Windows 8 Pro, which allows you to run full regular and legacy Windows programs, were as Windows RT runs only programs made specifically for it. Prices will range from $899 for the 64Gb version and $999 for the 128Gb model. (Btw, these prices do not include the nifty Typecover that's been in all the commercials. Add another $130 for that or save some cash and use your own keyboard)


Seagate's Wireless Plus 1Tb wireless storage drive could the answer to your mobile media library prayers. With a terrabyte of storage, 10 hours or more of battery life, and the ability to connect to up 8 wireless clients (seperate wireless devices) you can take a huge library of images, documents and video with you almost anywhere. For a detailed review check out Cnet HERE

And while you're there. Check out this cool article on ways to hack your Netflix account. There are some interesting tricks to get the most out of your Netflix membership, but the easiest and maybe most useful is this website. Instantwatcher.com lists what's new and interesting on Netflix more quickly and simply then Netflix own site, and even tells you what videos are about to expire so you can't check them out before they're gone! Read the rest of the story at CNet  

All the News thats Fit to... Ehhh.

Okay, so it's a slow tech news week so far. CES is over and we're nearly a month from the next big technology showcase. But this is good time to go over some old news that may still be relavent...

During the playoff game this past weekend (GO RAVENS!) I noticed an ad for the Samsung made Google Chromebook. Don't know if it was new ad, but it was the first time I'd seen it. The ad reminded me of a incident shortly before Christmas when someone asked me what exactly a Chromebook was, and to be honest, I didn't really know.

A Chromebook looks like a standard laptop, but instead of running Windows or Mac OS, it runs Google's Chrome OS. What makes this different is that Chrome OS is designed to be largely web based. While it does store data in interal memory and it is based on a Linux kernal, like Android, Chrome stores application and user data on the internet. This has two main advantages, the first being amazingly fast boot up time. Turning on a Chromebook is reported to take only 7 seconds or less, compared to 30 seconds to several minutes with other operating systems. I can see quick boot ups as a major selling point with many potential buyers. The second big avantage is that by using system on a chip technology and web based applications, the Chromebook itself will be cheaper and mechanically simpler then a traditional laptop, while the applications will automatically update more quickly and easily then other system based apps.

So what's the catch? Well, with many of it's applications and saved data saved on a server in the Cloud somewhere, many functions are likely to have limited functions or not work at all when not connected to a network. To combat this obvious shortcoming, at least two of the three models already out from Acer and Samsung have built in 3G wireless. Google has made plans with Verizon so that Chromebook buyers who opt for the 3G models will receive 100Mb of free data a month for the first year of ownership, with additional data available for an additional fee. Not sure yet how I feel about so much of my data and applications sitting on someone else's server, but if 90% of what you do on a computer involves the web anyway, a Chromebook could be an economical solution to your computing needs.

More News and an Update...YAY

Okay, so I just posted my first article on the new site. It's about buying your first tablet. Hopefully, Tablet shoppers out there might find it helpful. If I didn't answer your questions, then at least I may have found a new name for the problem. LOL. So please check it out!

As soon as I finish posting the article, which has a section covering budget model Tablets,  I come across news that Archos will be releasing a new 8 inch model and they're aiming for a $169 price tag. The new tablet will be dubbed the Archos series 80 Titanium. while it's most likely an update of the Archos 80 Cobalt it does have a features list that should get some attention. Check it out, a Dual core 1.6 Ghz processor, Front and Rear cameras (lower resolution cameras mind you but hey, my last Archos didn't have a camera at all), Quad core graphics chip, and 1,024x768 screen that's on par with the iPad Mini for less then half the price! This should be one to watch folks. I have a 2 year old Archos 5 internet tablet and even though it may not be state of the art anymore, it still runs pretty good. LOL

And while I'm on the subject of Archos and since my last post (sorry it took so long) was about mobile gaming I just happened on this little beauty on Archo's site. They call it the GamePad and what it is is simple but brilliant! A 7 inch tablet with a heavy duty graphics processor and physical control buttons (plus two analog control sticks) made just for gaming, but it still has full tablet functionality! Plus Archos has built in software to map the controls to older existing games that were never intended to use physical controls, now that's awesome. No word on price yet but if it's around $200 to $250, they may have a sleeper hit! For more info on the GamePad and other Archos Tablets and products click here

And The Name Of The Game Is... Um, Gaming. Actually.

One of the biggest suprises at CES this year was the anouncement of new gaming hardware. NVidia, the famous graphic card manufacturer anounced it's up coming Project: Shield! This will be Nvidia's first game console offering and a radical departure from the usual game console. Shield (who's name may change before release) will run Android, making it not only capable of non-gaming tasks like web browsing, but fully compatable with Google Play and hundreds of Android based game titles already on the market. The self contained unit will feature an HDMI output and have the ability to stream some Windows PC based games from PCs equiped with NVidia's newest chipset! This one could be a game-changer (no pun intended) or a major flop, but I'll be keeping my eye on it because either way it should be interesting!

Another interesting entry will be the Razer Edge, a high-end Windows 8 tablet built specially with gamers in mind. This one is estimated to set you back $900 to $1400 depending on Processor options and packaged accesories.

News- Or something like it!

Trying to Live a Jettson's Lifestyle On a Flintstone's Budget...

 Hello, and welcome to Mobile and Broke! You may be wondering what his blog is about or why you should bother reading it. Well, like many of you, I am a fan of technology. I've wondered the stores staring at the latest and greatest modern technology has to offer... Which usually ends with the thought, "Thats really cool, but I can't afford that". I've put out money for magazines and read articles and reviews, and done my homework before I throw down more of my cash on a new gadget. And I have amassed a small collection of gizmos and gadgets, tablets and smartphones, to make my life easier. So i thought I'd share what I'd learned (and am still learning) because there really are alot of products and apps out there and it really can be confusing...

So, thats the point of this blog. Not just to show you whats new ('Cause the major magazines and TV shows will always beat me to that), but to help you make up your own mind about what's worth spending your hard earned cash on...


CES, Of Coarse...

So, of coarse, the big tech story this week has to be the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. If you are a geek like me, you know that each year the electronics industry's best and brightest show up for CES to show off their up coming products. The newest Smartphones, Tablets, and Desktops plus accessories, peripherals, and prototypes on display here will keep nerds and consumer correspondants busy for months. So far, from what I gather, there are a handful of stand out products, and a whole lot of the same old same old.

Cornings New 'Willow Glass' May Be The Future Of Displays, But don't Hold Your Breath...

Dow-Corning, makers of the Gorilla Glass (the highly durable scratch and shatter resistant chemically altered glass that covers many higher end smartphones and tablets) anounced their new Gorilla Glass 3 a week before CES, but the big story at Corning's booth this year was unboubtedly a new product called Willow Glass.

Willow Glass is an ultra thin (100 microns, or about 1 human hair thick) piece of glass that has been chemically fiddeled with so that it's actually flexable (see above photo). Amazing, but it does have it's flaws. It's not as flexable as, oh lets say, plastic wrap or cellophane. It does have a breaking point. So all of the demo pieces seen at CES have had a plastic cover on them, just in case the attendees get too rowdy with it. Corning admits that, while justifiably proud of this accomplishment, it's not quite ready for your new smartphone as they are still trying to make 'Willow' a bit more of a 'Gorilla'.

Not to be out done, Samsung turned up with prototype devices, sporting their own flexible glass display technology called Youm (see below). This technology allows displays to be curved or bent around the edges of a device to allow information like Text messages or RSS feeds to be shown on the edges of the display. Pretty cool, actually. Samsung says samples are being sent to manufacturers and there may be devices in the hands of customer by 2014.