Stefan Constantinescu - Engadget

Engadget Editorial Policies

The unique content on Engadget is a result of skilled collaboration between writers and editors with broad journalistic, academic, and practical expertise.

In pursuit of our mission to provide accurate and ethical coverage, the Engadget editorial team consistently fact-checks and reviews site content to provide readers with an informative, entertaining, and engaging experience. Click here for more information on our editorial process.

Stories By Stefan Constantinescu

0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

Hidden permissions manager found in Android 4.3, lets you set the rules

Installing an Android app brings up a permissions prompt that most folks ignore (though they probably shouldn't). But, what if you could grant applications access to some parts of your smartphone and not others? That's something Android Police have discovered is already baked into Android 4.3, and it's called "Apps Ops." The feature is hidden by default, but can easily be enabled via a third-party app in the Play Store, which brings it to life and allows you to fine tune other apps' permissions to read your contacts, access your location via GPS, or even read your call log. This is a buried feature and we have no idea if and when it'll be officially activated, but it looks like Google's pledge for better privacy could mean more than just an incognito mode.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

Sony names devices that will (eventually) see Android 4.3

With Android 4.3 being less than 24 hours old, it's nice to see manufacturers already addressing concerns about whether all those under-the-hood tweaks will reach their devices. On Sony Mobile's website, the company confirms that the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP and Xperia Z Ultra will get Android 4.3, though a concrete timetable hasn't been provided. Furthermore, if you own an Xperia ZR or Tablet Z, then consider yourself lucky, because you'll see Android 4.2 hit your device next month, making the wait for 4.3 that much more bearable. So yes, a Nexus might get its updates quicker, but can it receive them in the bath?
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Mobile

Mobile By Stefan Constantinescu

Guinness finds NFC's killer app: free beer

After nearly nine years of writing about near field communication (NFC), we honestly thought the tech had maxed out with things like baggage tracking and business cards. Not so, however: Guinness, the company that produces some rather tasty Irish stout, is running a promotion in the UK that gives Android and BlackBerry users with NFC-enabled devices the chance to win a free pint. As a bar patron, you simply tap your phone on the Guinness logo at one of twenty participating pubs, fill out some information on your phone, and if you're lucky, you get one on the house. Technology is rarely this frothy.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity By Stefan Constantinescu

Utah ISP breaks silence over government server installed on its network

When the government comes knocking on your door, you kind of have to cooperate with them or face the consequences. That's the situation Pete Ashdown, CEO of Utah ISP XMission, was faced with in 2010 after receiving a warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Service Act (FISA). The warrant, coming in at just three or four pages, was perfectly clear: install a rack-mount server on your network to track every last bit going in and out from one of your customers, and don't say anything to anyone about this. Ashdown's lawyer said the request was indeed legit, and the box stayed there for a little over half a year. So why talk about it now? Because Pete, like the rest of us, wants a bit of transparency, even if there's a risk the G-Men will come "come back and haunt" him.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

HTC Desire 500 launching in Taiwan next week, boasts 'energy of the young'

Despite HTC launching the Desire 200 and Desire 600 earlier this year, it looks like there's still a bit of room left for the Desire family to grow. According to an invitation we've just received from the anxious Taiwanese smartphone maker, it'll be launching a device called the Desire 500 next week, on July 23rd. The text in the invite has the slogan "Energy of the young, imagination of the boundless," which makes us think this might be a lower-end device targeted at first-time smartphone owners. We saw a leaked document from a European operator referencing the Desire 500 earlier this month, so this phone may very well launch outside of Asia. If it doesn't, though, we'd happily settle for a Butterfly s.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

Alleged Sony Xperia 'Honami' specs reveal beefy 20MP camera sensor

We're a little more than a month away from a flood of gadget news at IFA in Berlin, and we have a sneaking suspicion that an imaging centric flagship smartphone from Sony called "Honami" is going to be there. We've seen hints of what the phone's camera UI looks like, and now a leak from the Taiwanese site ePrice says the device has a 20.7-megapixel ExmorRS sensor that's the same size as the one in the Galaxy Camera and other point-and-shoots. It's also paired with a "Sony G-Lens," though hopefully not one as bulbous as some others we've seen. Other specs include a 5-inch 1080p display with the same Triluminos technology that's in the Xperia Z Ultra, Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 800, 16GB of internal storage that can be expanded with microSD and a fairly massive 3,000mAh battery. If the alleged spec sheet after the jump is to be believed, then the Lumia 1020 and GS4 Zoom might have to face some serious competition.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Mobile

Mobile By Stefan Constantinescu

Sprint's tri-band LTE modems go on sale this Friday

Sprint announced its first tri-band 4G LTE devices back in May, and now the recently acquired carrier says they'll start shipping on July 19th. The Novatel MiFi 500, Netgear Zing Mobile Hotspot and Netgear 341U USB dongle all support the 800MHz, 1900MHz and 2.5GHz bands. The hotspots will set you back $49.99 with a new contract, whereas the dongle is $19.99 -- that's after a $50 mail-in-rebate, of course. The Zing can roam on GSM networks and has a 2,500mAh battery and, while we don't know how big the battery is in the MiFi, Sprint says it should last 10 hours on a single charge. Plans start at $34.99 per month for 3GB of combined 3G/4G data, with an extra $15 doubling that and another $30 on top of that quadrupling your bucket to 12GB. Sadly, there's no unlimited data option.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Google

Google By Stefan Constantinescu

Head of Google China, Dr. John Liu, stepping down after six years

After six years of overseeing Google's operations in China, Dr. John Liu is stepping down "to pursue other opportunities." During his tenure, we've seen the search engine struggle with censorship, almost get banned in the country and let's not forget the Aliyun OS debacle. Google says Scott Beaumont, who currently deals with European partnerships, will take over Liu's role starting in mid-August, though, it admits he has no experience of doing business in China. As for Google's future in the country, it's not the search leader, but Android seems to be well loved.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Big Tech

Big Tech By Stefan Constantinescu

Apple allegedly working with Samsung again on chips for 2015 devices

Samsung has been exclusively making chips for Apple's iOS devices since the first iPhone started shipping in 2007 -- we don't need to tell you that makes for an odd relationship. Several months ago, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple would switch to TSMC for next year's iOS portfolio, but now there's some strange news coming out of Korea. According to a local publication, Apple's 2015 iOS devices will use Samsung's 14 nanometer FinFET technology, starting with the iPhone 7 (not the 6S?). Why would Apple switch to TSMC for just one year and then go back to Samsung? Is Apple planning to rely on both TSMC and Samsung for different product lines? Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until Chipworks breaks out its microscopes to find out what's really going on.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Technology

Technology By Stefan Constantinescu

BLU Dash 4.5 offers quad-core Android 4.2 action for $139 unsubsidized

Cheap smartphones are getting more common, but the BLU Dash 4.5 is redefining the term budget. For $139, unlocked and unsubsidized, you can own an Android 4.2 Jelly Bean handset with a 1.2GHz quad-core chip from MediaTek, 512MB of RAM, 5-megapixel camera, 4.5-inch 854 x 480 pixel display and 21Mbps HSPA+ support for both AT&T and T-Mobile. Though it's not the thinnest device in the world at 11.9mm (0.47 inches) thick, we're willing to ignore that given the price tag. It's $10 cheaper than our current favorite budget smartphone, the Nokia Lumia 520, and you can buy it from online retailers today. We've found an unboxing video in Spanish -- if you're interested, it's just after the break.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

News

News By Stefan Constantinescu

Foxconn's Q2 revenues hit $30 billion, up 0.6% year over year

Hon Hai, better known in the west as the iPhone maker Foxconn, seems to be doing just fine after allegedly losing some orders from Apple to competitor Pegatron in September 2012. According to Bloomberg, the company's second quarter revenues hit $30 billion, up 0.6 percent from the same quarter a year ago. That's far better than the 19 percent drop it experienced during the first quarter. While there's no guidance as to Q3 figures, we've got to think that an iPhone 5S can help fill those coffers.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Google

Google By Stefan Constantinescu

Google brings offline maps back to Android, kind of (Update: More countries get navigation too)

When Google released a new version of Google Maps for Android yesterday, it was quickly discovered that offline mapping support had been removed. You could kind of turn it back on by typing "OK Maps" into the app's search field, but the lack of a dedicated button had users up in arms. Today, Google is announcing that it's adding a "Make this map area available offline" button and that it's rolling out globally later today. There's also a new clickable item in the sidebar called "Where's Latitude?" that'll remind you the service is shutting down on August 9th. Despite these changes, we still can't help but compare the app to Nokia's Here Maps for Windows Phone, which puts particular focus on offline navigation. Update: According to Android Police, a new button isn't the only new thing in Google Maps. Navigation support has been added to an additional 19 countries, including Taiwan and Thailand.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

News

News By Stefan Constantinescu

India's government and BlackBerry reach an agreement, ready to teleport to 1984

After nearly being banned in India in 2010, BlackBerry has finally reached an agreement with the Indian government regarding surveillance in the name of security. According to a leaked document from the country's Department of Telecommunications that was obtained by The Times of India, it'll soon be possible for the government to see who you're emailing, who you're BBMing, the read-states of your BBM messages and even which websites you're visiting (hello!). An unnamed BlackBerry spokesperson is emphasizing that this is all legal, adding that those who use BlackBerry Enterprise Server will not be monitored -- which makes for an eyebrow raising sales pitch. There's no official date as to when this system turns on, but the report says the required equipment is "ready for use."
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Reviews

Reviews By Stefan Constantinescu

SanDisk's Extreme microSD cards promise 80MBps, live up to that claim

No one likes waiting for a file transfer to finish, and thankfully SanDisk is doing something about it. The company's new "Extreme" line of microSD cards (16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities) promises to deliver speeds of up to 80 MBps. Benchmarks done by Android Police have the 64GB card hitting 78 MBps when used in a dedicated card reader. Putting the card in a smartphone, however, yields far different results. Most smartphones, save for the Exynos 5 Octa version of the GS4, don't support the newer UHS-1 standard for increased transfer speeds. When tested in a Galaxy Note II, SanDisk's new card "only" achieved 14MBps read speeds and 14.6MBps write speeds -- that's still between 50% and 100% faster than a previous generation 64GB SanDisk microSD card. So now we just need phones to catch up, and for handset makers who are averse to microSD cards altogether to change their tune.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity By Stefan Constantinescu

Google plugs Android APK security hole, says partners have patched code

Bluebox Security unearthed a potentially devastating Android security issue last week that would allow hackers to turn legit APKs into malware. Less than a week later, Google's Android Communications Manager, Gina Scigliano, told ZD|Net that the bug has officially been squashed and that partners have received the right patches -- Samsung is already shipping devices that are inoculated against the exploit. Play by the rules by installing apps from the Google Play Store and you never have to worry, but if you want to be on the safe side, give Lookout Security a spin.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Technology

Technology By Stefan Constantinescu

Sharp's Serie SHL22 coming to Japan with a fast f/1.9 lens and chunky battery

Cramming 13-megapixels into a phone means nothing if you don't have nice optics to boot. Fortunately, Sharp's Serie SHL22 has an unusually fast f/1.9 lens to go with its high-resolution sensor. Launching on KDDI this Friday, this Aquos Phone runs Android 4.2, has a fairly big 3,080mAh battery, a 4.9-inch 720p screen using Sharp's own IGZO technology, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 clocked at 1.7GHz, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD). The phone is a bit thicker than what we're used to these days, at 9.9mm (0.39 inches), but we're willing to ignore that if it means leaving our charger at home. Marginally informative video after the break.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Entertainment

Entertainment By Stefan Constantinescu

Amiga Games (and our childhood memories) acquired for $500,000

Forget Mac versus PC, there was a time when Amiga reigned supreme -- at least in the heart of many computer gamers of a certain age. The Amiga 500 simply blew other computers from the '80s away, especially in the gaming department. But then the '90s happened (and you know where this is going): Microsoft won, Apple nearly went bankrupt and Sony introduced the world to Crash Bandicoot. So what about all those old classics like Alien Breed and Wings? Amiga Games Incorporated, and its library of over 300 titles, have been purchased for $500,000 by Writers' Group, a company that acquires and distributes digital content. The new owner is promising several announcements over the next few weeks, and hopefully one of them has to do with Overdrive.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

Bluetooth Low Energy coming to select Nokia Lumias via software update

It looks like some of Nokia's Windows Phones have a notable change in store. At a gathering in Hong Kong, as reported by BlogJack, the company said that Bluetooth LE support (part of the 4.0 standard) will come to the Lumia 520, 620 and 720. Strangely absent from that list are the Lumia 820, 920 and the 925 -- all of which are powered by Qualcomm chips that support BT 4.0 at the hardware level. We're also not entirely sure if this update is a part of a more mature Windows Phone release that Microsoft plans on pushing out later this year or whether it's specific to the "Amber" refresh that's tailored to Lumia devices. We've asked Nokia for further details, and we also plan on getting some face-to-face time at its unveiling of a whole new Lumia this Thursday. Update: Nokia tells us that the Lumia 520, 620 and 720 will get Bluetooth LE support via the Amber update. The company's other Windows Phone 8 powered Lumias will have to wait for a "future update."
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

News

News By Stefan Constantinescu

UK watchdog warns of rural broadband delay, blames BT monopoly

Despite receiving hundreds of millions of pounds in government subsidies, the effort to bring high-speed internet to rural parts of the UK seems to be running seriously behind schedule. The National Audit Office (NAO) says the original goal of providing 90 percent of Brits with access to at least a 25Mbps connection by May 2015 will likely be pushed back to the end of 2016 -- and at a cost that's £207 million ($312 million) more than first anticipated. A big part of the problem, according to the NAO, is a lack of competition among those bidding to help with the project. BT has already been awarded more than half of the local contracts and no other company is in the running to scoop up what's left. As well as slowing things down, this effective monopoly may also be adding to the financial pain; whereas before the government expected BT to foot 36 percent of the bill, that's now dropped to just 23 percent. Microsoft's whitespace idea could avoid all these issues, but in terms of schedules it seems just as remote.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

News

News By Stefan Constantinescu

Mt. Gox Bitcoin exchange back in action

As promised, Mt. Gox has reenabled cash withdrawals after taking its system offline to iron out the kinks. The Bitcoin exchange says it's successfully processed over $1,000,000 worth of transactions during these past two weeks of testing, which has given it the confidence to resume business -- despite a backlog on some transactions. Mt. Gox is also announcing that it's signed more banking partnerships "in Japan and around the world," though no specific companies were named. If you want to get into this whole Bitcoin thing, but don't know where to start, we got you covered.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

Nokia 'Eros,' Mars, HTC One Mini and One Max name checked in O2 document

Is the 4.7-inch HTC One not the right size for your hands? Do Nokia's latest Lumia phones not appeal to your design sensibilities? Well, a leaked document from O2 Germany lists four unannounced devices reportedly coming out later this year that just might satisfy your very particular tastes. The HTC One Mini is on there (a 4.3-inch phone we're already well familiar with) as is the One Max, which rumors suggest will have Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 and a 5.9-inch 1080p display. Moving on to Nokia, there's the "Eros," though that might be a typo for the 41-megapixel "EOS" that's expected to be announced on the 11th. There's also the "Mars," which is the first time we've heard that name. Check out the full list after the break.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Technology

Technology By Stefan Constantinescu

Nokia announces the 207 and 208: 3G data and month-long standby for $68

Smartphone sales may have surpassed featurephone sales earlier this year, but that's not stopping Nokia from releasing devices like the 207 and 208. Both feature a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, 3G (HSPDA, up to 7.2Mbps) connectivity, a stand-by time of over 30 days and a $68 price tag before taxes and subsidies. Where they differ is that the 207 has no camera (for security-conscious work places) and only comes in a single-SIM variant, while the 208 features a 1.3-megapixel camera and is also available in a dual-SIM flavor. Nokia wants to point out that these devices use microSIM cards, not traditional full size SIM cards, making them ideal as a second phone for when you want to "leave your smartphone at home." Meanwhile, if you're willing to sacrifice 3G, the 110 and 112 are even cheaper. Or, if you don't mind spending a little more, Firefox OS phones deserve a look too.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

Finnish startup Adaia set to launch $1,300 Android phone in 2014

Nokia's turmoils and subsequent mass layoffs have freed up plenty of smart people in the Finnish workforce to do their own thing. Rovio with Angry Birds, Jolla with Sailfish and now Adaia. The 16-person startup, led by former Nokia employee Heikki Sarajärvi, has revealed that it plans to launch a range of premium Android handsets at some point in 2014 in the US, UK and of course, Finland. By premium, we're looking at anywhere between $1,300 to $6,500, in return for the promise of extra ruggedness and durability as well as potential satellite connectivity. Why Android? Heikki says "there is no alternative," something we assume Stephen Elop would strongly disagree with. While there are no pictures to share today, local publication Digitoday got a chance to play with a prototype. They say the phone has a 4.8 inch screen and features the ability to hot-swap batteries without needing to turn the device off, though that feature hasn't been fully ironed out yet. One thing that might potentially turn some people off, aside from the exorbitant price, is the phone's weight -- final units are estimated to come in at between 240 and 250 grams, which is 60 grams heavier than even Nokia's tank-like Lumia 920. We've reached out to Adaia to request pictures and more info to find out what's the cause of all that bulk, so stay tuned.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

Sony camera UI leaks from 'Honami' system dump, gets ported to existing Xperia devices

We've been hearing stacks of rumors recently about a Sony flagship called Honami, which will supposedly come with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 and a 20-megapixel camera. A system dump, purportedly from a Honami phone, surfaced last week and now XDA developer "krabappel2548" has managed to dissect the camera app and get it working on some existing Xperia devices -- including the Xperia Z, ZL and Tablet Z, so long as they've been suitably prepped for hacking. From the resulting screenshots, it looks like Sony is set to introduce features such as augmented reality, "Time shift" (which sounds a lot like HTC's Zoe feature), live filters and an image search engine dubbed "Info-eye." All of this sounds reasonably in tune with the "One Sony" strategy of focusing on mobile and imaging. If Honami is real, and if it comes with the right hardware to support the updated camera module, it could be a big deal.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Smartphones

Smartphones By Stefan Constantinescu

ZTE Open, the first Firefox OS phone for consumers, launches tomorrow for $90

When Mozilla said devices running Firefox OS would be cheap, we didn't know they'd be this cheap. Telefónica has just tweeted that the ZTE Open will be launching in Spain tomorrow for €69, which translates to around $90 and is a good $30 less than the cheapest developer unit we'd seen until now. And here's where it gets pretty wild: that price includes €30 ($39) of airtime for prepaid customers. When we played with the Open back in February at Mobile World Congress, we weren't exactly blown away by it, but we're arguably not the target demographic. The real question is whether Spaniards will be willing to sacrifice access to Google's services and ecosystem with devices like the Vodafone Smart Mini now selling for as little as €49 ($65). Update: PR after the break.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Mobile

Mobile By Stefan Constantinescu

Renesas to shutter the modem business it acquired from Nokia in 2010

Today, Renesas is announcing that it's going to "discontinue" the wireless unit it acquired from Nokia. Finnish state media outlet YLE is reporting that all 808 of Renesas' employees in Finland will be let go, of which more than two-thirds are located in the northern city of Oulu. Three years ago, Nokia decided to focus on designing and manufacturing mobile phones. It sold its wireless modem division to the Japanese semiconductor firm Renesas for roughly $200 million. The idea was, with wireless modem R&D moved out of the way, the company could concentrate on developing blockbuster handsets. Unfortunately, the sale took place half a year before Android phones outsold Symbian devices for the first time and Nokia announced that it was going to switch to Windows Phone -- this put Renesas in the awkward position of being a modem supplier to a company with collapsing sales. Nokia Siemens Networks has large offices in the same city where most of Renesas' employees are located. Though, engineers looking for a change of scenery might want to head south to Espoo where Samsung just opened its own R&D center.
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More
0

Apps

Apps By Stefan Constantinescu

Bing Translator comes to Twitter's official Windows Phone app

It's not every day we see Windows Phone being used to launch a major new feature, but Twitter has done just that. An update to its official app has just enabled automatic translation if you happen to be reading a person's tweet that isn't in English. The tweet isn't translated in your actual timeline; instead you have to manually click through, but that's nothing to complain about. Microsoft's Bing Platform, also released yesterday, is likely being used as the backend, so this feature could very well come to Twitter's official apps on Android and iOS (not to mention a whole range of other apps) in the near future.%Gallery-192496%
By Stefan Constantinescu Read More