Hasta La Gadget!

Continuing its efforts to speed up the way we find things when searching the web from our smartphones, Google is rolling out expandable sitelinks. Instead of wasting time sifting through a website trying to locate a specific page, this new feature generates a list of related quick links that allow you to jump directly to what you’re looking for. Already available in desktop results, expandable links are hit or miss when used on mobile. Not stopping there, Google also announced the release of its new Quick view badges. This experimental project produces highlighted links from Wikipedia, which offer snippets of information relevant to your query. Pictured above are results for different types of poker hands. It won’t stop you from losing your money, but now you’ll always remember a flush beats a straight. As of now Quick view is only available in English search results, but Google is working on adding support for additional languages.

Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Google

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Source: Google

Sony has been friendlier than many of its mobile rivals toward outside code, backing AOSP efforts even when it has had to shoulder most of the responsibilities. It’s only fitting, then, that five of its more recent smartphones just received their first nightly CyanogenMod 10.1 builds, all in one fell swoop. Support for the Xperia Z and ZL is no doubt the highlight, although experimenters who stand just short of the cutting edge can get CyanogenMod releases for the Xperia T, TX and V. As always, nightlies of custom OS code redefine risky — but those who can’t wait for Sony to push a safe Android 4.2 release can now do more than just twiddle their thumbs.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony

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Via: Phone Arena

Source: CyanogenMod (Xperia Z), (ZL), (T)

Despite steadily advancing in version numbers, Skype for Windows Phone 8 has remained in a preview state for the past few months. It’s time for the app to enter the big leagues with its 2.5 update. The release is the first to drop the preview tag, mostly by fixing notable bugs with both video geometry as well as crashes when signing in with a Microsoft account. Frequent chatters may like that message notifications for Messenger friends are now active by default. There is one word of warning for HTC 8X owners: they’ll need the latest firmware to avoid a flaw that silences the microphone. Provided that’s no obstacle, though, we’d suggest swinging by the Windows Phone Store if you’re at all interested in Microsoft’s official mobile VoIP suite.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft

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Via: Skype, Joe Belfiore (Twitter)

Source: Windows Phone Store

We’ve known for a while that April 19th is the big day for AT&T and Sprint versions of the HTC One, yet news of the T-Mobile version’s release has been thin. If TmoNews‘ copy of a staff memo is on target, though, the UnCarrier’s subscribers will only have to wait until April 24th to get their turn. The note tells workers that “select stores” will have the One that day — it doesn’t mention which stores those might be, but it’s safe to say this could mean a launch later than the one Best Buy claimed days ago. When we already know the $99 regular price, about all that’s seemingly left is for T-Mobile to give the final word.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC, T-Mobile

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Source: TmoNews

Look: we know many on Verizon aren’t happy that the carrier has revealed plans to lengthen its upgrade intervals right as smartphone update season is hitting full stride. However, there may be a consolation prize. As of April 21st, “some devices” in its smartphone range, not just the existing tablets, will qualify for a Device Payment Plan that spreads out the full costs over the course of a year, letting those who crave the latest mobile hardware (presumably, you) upgrade without either having to sign a contract or pay everything up front. Sounds like a very UnCarrier thing to do, doesn’t it? Not quite, unfortunately. The carrier tells us that these payments sit on top of existing service plans, not inside them — the base service rate won’t go down in year two. T-Mobile will remain the better bargain for anyone constantly replacing handsets, then, but those on Verizon will at least have a degree of freedom.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Verizon

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Via: Droid-Life

Source: Verizon