Android Atlas

After failing to appear at Google I/O, evidence that Android 4.3 is forthcoming soon has been leaking out slowly. Now, the first photos of the next sweet iteration of the mobile OS running on a device have been spotted. It looks to be a new flavor of Jelly Bean rather than the whole slice of Key Lime Pie.

Photos that appear to show a Nexus 4 running Android 4.3 at the 2013 Thailand Mobile Expo have surfaced on the xdadevelopers forum, home to many an Android leak, hack, and more.… Read more

Rosetta Stone touts itself as one of the fastest and easiest ways to learn a new language. However, its learning system also carries a rather steep price tag: $300-$500 for the complete set. Of course this price is without any specials/discounts the company may be running at any given time. Still, if you're going to spend that kind of money on a language course, you might want to try it first.

The Rosetta Stone Web site offers a free demo of its software. Though, if you're thinking of learning in your free time, you might consider … Read more

iPhone and iPad owners can now use Verizon Cloud to back up key information from their devices.

The cloud-based system debuted late last month for Verizon subscribers using specific Android devices. As of yesterday, an app is also available for iOS users.

Owners of Samsung's Galaxy S4 and HTC's Droid DNA can also now access Verizon Cloud through its Android app via Google Play. Verizon provides a full list of compatible devices via the Check your Device button on its Verizon Cloud Web site.

Before you can tap into the app, you first need to sign up for … Read more

Consumers looking for an iPhone or certain Android phone may want to check out the latest sale at Best Buy come Sunday.

Starting May 26, buyers can save $50 off the price of an iPhone 5, 4S, or 4 with the usual two-year contract through Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or Sprint.

Those interested in an Android phone instead can score deals as well. Starting Sunday, the retailer will chop $50 off the Samsung Galaxy S3, selling the phone for $49 with the standard two-year agreement through AT&T or Sprint. The HTC Droid DNA will sell for $49 … Read more

HTC is planning to take a page out of Samsung's book by launching a "Google Edition" of its One smartphone.

That's the word, at least, from unidentified sources for Geek.com, who claim that HTC is planning to launch its flagship handset, the One, with a stock version of Android 4.2.2. The current model available to customers is running an HTC-modified version of the software.

By launching a Google Edition, HTC would be following the lead of the company it's chasing in the mobile space, Samsung. At the Google I/O conference earlier … Read more

LAS VEGAS -- When it comes to emerging tech, crazy accessories, and carrier news, you can always count on a mobile conference to deliver.

CTIA 2013 was a much quieter show than in years past, with the biggest carriers and manufacturers largely opting out to focus on their own launch events.

While this confab felt the brunt of companies' shifting strategies, the absence of the brightest stars meant that we had time to scope out other finds that would usually be drowned out in the din.

Future shows are expected to regain CTIA's breakneck pace and vigor. A move … Read more

Though the official 2013 hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, the news earlier this week out of Moore, Okla., is a sobering reminder that dangerous weather comes in many forms, and you often don't know where the next disaster may strike. Even now, many states are being pounded by heavy storms as the cleanup from the tornado in Moore is still under way.

Recently, I collected a few weather apps that are great for a quick glance at the weather, but those apps won't help you much in severe weather conditions. For more-serious weather activity, … Read more

Do you keep the receipts for everything you buy? Like me, you've probably noticed that the ones printed on thermal paper can begin to disappear over time. Soon, you're left with only a blank piece of paper that can't act as a proof of purchase or help you at tax time.

Wednesday's update to Google Drive on Android lets you easily store all of your receipts and even search through them. Doesn't a nice digital archive sound better than piles, folders, or boxes of receipts all over your home? Here's how to … Read more

AT&T's rivals could start seeing red over the carrier's exclusive lock on the Samsung Galaxy S4's latest hue.

The Aurora Red shade of the 16GB Galaxy S4 goes on sale to AT&T customers starting June 14, though pre-orders begin May 24.

AT&T seems to have a special affinity for red shades; just about a year ago it also scored exclusive U.S. rights to sell the GS4 predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S3, in a shade of red. Later, that color and others became available globally.

While AT&T may have … Read more