Friday, February 17, 2012



Posted: 16 Feb 2012 04:04 PM PST

LevelUp, is supposedly "the better way to pay" and while that may be true, not many people have had the chance to use it. Well, they just doubled your chances by opening up in four new cities. Starting off a year ago with only two cities, Boston and Philly, LevelUp is now available in 8 cities across the country.
LevelUp is now available in  Atlanta, Seattle, Chicago and San Diego.
And, as a sweet bonus, users in those four cities can sign up with a special promo code and get $10 to spend at any business on LevelUp:
  • Atlantians, use promo code: ATLANTA
  • Seattlites (is that right?), use promo code: SEATTLE
  • Chicago-ians (?!), use promo code: CHICAGO
  • Residents of San Diego (we give up), use promo code: SANDIEGO
One of the larger aspects of LevelUp is being able to pay for things using your Android phone. The application is free in the Android Market and works using a QR code. Once you create an account and link your credit card information, you are presented a QR code to use at participating locations. Simply scan your QR code to pay for things, with instant receipt tracking and more. You can get the application below
Source: MarketWire
LevelUp paves it’s way to 4 new cities originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:43 PM PST
A couple weeks ago we learned all about US Cellular's plans to get in the 4G LTE game. Today they announced future plans for the second half of the year. An additional 3,600 cities and towns spread across urban and rural areas will have access to 4G LTE speeds. Offering data at speeds up to 10x faster than 3G, the goal is to have this accessible to over 50% of their customer base by the end 2012. Not among the top 4 major carriers in US, we love to see these guys push forward with the 4G deployment. While we'd like them to offer some higher end Android devices, some of the recent promotions they have been running still make them a viable option.
"We're excited to bring access to 4G LTE speeds along with a growing line-up of cutting-edge 4G LTE devices to more customers across the country later this year," said Mary N. Dillon, president and CEO of U.S. Cellular. "With this 4G LTE network expansion, customers will have faster connections to the people, information and entertainment that enhance and simplify their lives and help them stay organized."
By the end of 2012, 54 percent of customers will be able to enjoy the faster 4G LTE speeds. The additional markets include select cities in Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Some of the cities included are in the areas of Rockford and Peoria, Ill.; Columbia and Jefferson City, Mo.; Manchester, N.H.; Wilmington and Jacksonville, N.C.; Tulsa, Okla.; Medford, Ore.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Roanoke and Lynchburg, Va.; Yakima and the Tri-Cities, Wash.; Morgantown, W. Va. and LaCrosse and Beloit, Wis.
The Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot provides Internet connectivity for up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. Users will have the freedom to connect any Wi-Fi enabled device, including laptops, tablets, e-readers and smartphones, to the 4G LTE network for instant access to the fastest speeds on-the-go. At only 2.7 ounces, the Hotspot is small enough to fit in your pocket but has the power to bring the Internet at 4G LTE speeds to friends, family and co-workers wherever you need it. Additional 4G LTE devices will be announced at a later date.
The 4G LTE network builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier's nationwide network. U.S. Cellular has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier, along with the only points-based rewards program in wireless. For more information about the 4G LTE experience, visit uscellular.com/4G.
Source: USCellular
Future plans unveiled for US Cellular 4G LTE network originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 10:39 AM PST

GAMEVIL released a pair of sequels to two of their most popular Android titles this week with the debut of Baseball Superstars 2012 and Zenonia 4.  Both are available in the Android Market immediately and carry that  ever attractive price tag of zero.
Zenonia 4 has been optimized to take advantage of the HD displays found in many of today's top Android smartphones and features new gameplay mechanics.  Look for transformations, beast summons and touchscreen-gesture combat combos among other goodies.  Additional details include  new 2-on-2 battles, a mercenary-for-hire system, and an even deeper storyline than in the past.

We always look forward to a new Baseball Superstars release as it typically signifies the approaching new baseball season.  Like Zenonia 4, Baseball Superstars 2012 takes advantage of the HD screens on Android handsets and looks gorgeous.  Check out the instant replays and moving crowd to see how much different a little high definition does to your game.
New to this year's version are a strengthened My Pitcher and My Batter modes, new special hitting abilities, and network (worldwide multiplayer) play.  Like any good game with computer opponents, the AI has been improved and for smart and effective plays.

New optional tilt and gesture based controls offer deeper immersion in the game. Combined with a new roster of Super players and interactions in Story mode, more Missions, and upgraded overall gameplay systems, Baseball Superstars 2012 is the ultimate baseball experience on the go.
GAMEVIL releases Zenonia 4, Baseball Superstars 2012 originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 09:06 AM PST
Sony has announced that they have officially completed the acquisition of the "Ericsson" half of the conglomerate and have emerged with a new name.  No longer will we see Sony Ericsson branding on smartphones and tablets as they should all bear the SONY likeness we've become familiar with over the decades.  That's not to say, however, that some 2012 models won't have the logo or brand on them.  With Mobile World Congress coming in but a few days, it stands to reason that we'll still see a model or two with the old stuff.
Sony Completes Full Acquisition of Sony Ericsson
February 16, 2012, Tokyo, Japan - Sony Corporation ("Sony") today announced that the transaction to acquire Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson's ("Ericsson") 50% stake in Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB ("Sony Ericsson") has been completed as of February 15, 2012 (Central European time). This marks the completion of the transaction jointly announced by Sony and Ericsson on October 27, 2011, and makes Sony Ericsson a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony.
Sony will rename Sony Ericsson "Sony Mobile Communications", and further integrate the mobile phone business as a vital element of its electronics business, with the aim of accelerating convergence between Sony's lineup of network enabled consumer electronics products, including smart phones, tablets, TVs and PCs.
Sony
Sony Ericsson is dead; Long live Sony Mobile Communications originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 08:51 AM PST
Three years after making its initial debut in the world, Bump 3.0 arrives in the Android Market.  Touted by the developers as a "brand new" Bump, the application has been completely overhauled and simplified.  After examining the usage habits of its millions of users, the app now focuses on sharing contact information and photos first.  That's not to say that they got rid of all the other stuff, they just simply hiding them behind swipable layers.  Bump 3.0 also puts added emphasis on the mutual friend discovery feature that made its debut in the 2.0 release, something the team is quite fond of.
So what's next?  With Bump 3.0, we think we've built the absolute best way to share contacts or photos in-person with others, in a way that is simple and delightful.  But our goal is to build tools that make all your device-to-device connections and interactions as meaningful and as simple as possible, so we have a lot more coming down the pipe.
 
Bump blog
Download Bump 3.0 from the Android Market
“Brand new” Bump 3.0 arrives in Android Market originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 08:51 AM PST
One of the responsibilities of the HTCdev team includes providing a method to unlock the bootloader on several HTC devices. They now allow users to unlock the bootloader on over 30 devices worldwide. Last month we saw them unlock six more handsets on devices near 2 years old. This time around, they continue to open more devices around the same age and some even older.
Recently added to list are the:
  • HTC Hero
  • HTC Legend
  • Droid Eris
  • MyTouch 3G
  • MyTouch 4G
As far as i know, there are already methods of obtaining S-OFF (unlocked bootloader) on all these devices without having to jump through the hoops at HTCdev.com. I would recommend methods like unrEVOked for devices like the Hero or Eris.
From my personal experience working with an HTC EVO 3D, the provided method from HTCdev doesn't even give you S-OFF. This means the bootloader is still locked down, and its forcing people to use Fastboot methods when flashing custom ROMs and kernels.
While it's nice to see these OEM's make an effort to appease the dev community, they still aren't letting us have full control of the device. Someday they might learn what we really expect from them, but until then we are stuck with this.
Visit HTCdev.com to learn more
Let us know your experiences with the HTCdev bootloader unlocking methods.
HTCdev adds several devices to Unlocked Bootloader Menu originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 08:13 AM PST
Image source: http://dead-ant.deviantart.com/
Speaking on the company's earnings call yesterday, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang advised that quad-core Tegra 3 smartphones would begin shipping later this quarter.  Given that Mobile World Congress is only a few days off and a number of OEMs are expecting to announce quad-core handsets, this isn't all that earth-shattering.  Still, it's nice to know that the phones that make their debut later this month should push out the doors in but a few weeks time.  There's nothing more aggravating than a device announcement followed by months of waiting... and waiting... and waiting.
"This quarter we are expecting to ship Tegra 3 based superphones," Huang said. "At Mobile World Congress is when we expect to announce these devices, and we expect to announce and ship them this quarter."
NVIDIA also mentioned that their 3G/4G LTE system on a chip will be arriving in devices sometime later this year.  As some of you techie types know, current LTE phones and tablets use separate radio chips from the CPU.  Combining them into one chip could lead to thinner and lighter devices, even if we're talking grams and tenths of millimeters.
TheVerge
NVIDIA says quad-core smartphones to ship this quarter originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 07:33 AM PST
We may still be a few days away from the Galaxy Note hitting AT&T stores around the country but that doesn't mean Samsung is sitting around twiddling their thumbs.  A new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich ROM for the Galaxy Note has leaked online this week which looks to be the real deal.  According to a number of folks at XDA-developer forums  the ROM appears to be fully functional, including camera and Bluetooth.  It stands to reason that this is a final build as it's already expected to roll out in March.
Of course this is strictly for the international flavor of the handset and not the carrier-branded AT&T model.  We cannot imagine, however, that it will be very long before it gets ported over.

Android 4.0 for the Galaxy Note?
Respect knuckles to MobilityUpdate.com for the heads up!
Has official Samsung ICS ROM for Galaxy Note leaked already? originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 07:18 AM PST

A new report out of DigiTimes advises that we're going to see Android 5.0 Jellybean launch in but a few short months.  According to their sources, OEMs are not happy with the adoption of Android 4.0 and will debut a tablet-oriented 5.0  operating system.  Yeah, why don't we wait a few months before we start talking like that, huh?
Given that 4.0 is barely even out, we cannot help but consider this a bunch of "lost in translation" stuff.  What's more, it would be very silly to go back to forking Android after just one unified release. Even more strange here is that 5.0 is said to allow for dual-booting of operating systems, pairing with, say,Windows 8 on a tablet.   Android has already been used in similar capacity as other OEMs have adopted a dual-boot system for select devices.
Android 5.0 will be further optimized for tablet PCs, while Google will also integrate its Chrome system functions to push dual-operating system designs. Brand vendors can either choose to adopt only Android 5.0 or add Android 5.0 to Windows 8 devices with the ability to switch between the two OSes without the need to shut down the computer.
If we were to venture a guess we would say that we may "see" Jelly Bean at Google IO but not roll it out for a few more months.  It would not surprise us to learn that whatever "J" build they go with also keeps a 4.x release.  Think in terms of Donut, Eclair, Froyo, and Gingerbread and all the 2.X and you'll see what we mean.
Keep in mind that while DigiTimes has been known to get a rumor or two correct, they've been way off the mark, too.
DigiTimes
DigiTimes: Android 5.0 Jellybean to launch in Q2 originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 06:05 AM PST

If you've been passing up the 16GB GSM Galaxy Nexus for the larger 32GB that's been looming around the corner, you may want to rethink your decision. Rumor has it that Samsung has halted production of the 32GB GSM Galaxy Nexus, possibly due to production costs. XDA forum member and Expansys USA employee Corey L recently posted the following on the XDA forums:
We've just been notified this morning that Samsung have dropped the Galaxy Nexus 32GB from production. At this time it looks like they will not be releasing it. Not good news at all.
Given the niche audience the Nexus line generally attracts, it's not that far fetched. Though, still sad if true. Of course, you can also take this with a fair serving of salt pending an official word. Until we hear it directly from Samsung themselves, nothing is for certain.
Have you been holding out for the 32 Gig unit? Would you settle for the 16GB model if this turns out to be true? Let us know your thoughts below.
Source: XDA, via nexus404
Say it ain’t so: Samsung to axe the 32GB GSM Galaxy Nexus? originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 06:01 AM PST

When people are searching for a new smart phone they usually head to one of the four major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile). Oftentimes the smaller regional carriers are forgotten, even though in some scenarios they may be the better choice. Many factors should go into deciding which carrier is best for you, and considering the fact you're likely signing a two year contract it's best to do some research first. That being said, U.S. Cellular has a couple of deals that you may want to check out. 
The company is notorious for it's Android promotions. Free phones on turkey day... $100 off here, $100 off there. It comes as no surprise, as US Cellular seems eager to continue their push towards success. Promotions are a great way to continue the buzz and keep your name in the headlines. Here is the latest.
For prepaid, the carrier is also offering the HTC Wildfire for $99.99 and the HTC Hero S for $299.99.
So are these deals worth it? Let us know what you think in the comments!
U.S. Cellular offers sweet deals for new customers originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2012 06:00 AM PST

In 2011 we saw tablet sales figures rise, particularly in the 4th quarter around the holidays. Motorola moved over a million units last year. Hoping to capture the hearts and minds of the budget-conscience techies, Archos has engineered a new device known as the Arnova 9 G2. With a $250 price tag, it looks to be a viable option for those not wanting to spend a ton of money. Specs listed below.
  • 9.7 inch (1024 x 768) IPS display
  • 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor
  • 4GB of internal storage
  • microSD card slot
  • USB port (nice!)
  • Front-facing camera
Now for the bad news. Out of the gate, the Arnova 9 G2 will be running Android 2.3 Gingerbread with no mention of a software upgrade at a later date. Beyond that, the tablet will have Archos' own AppsLib app store instead of the usual tried and true Android Market.
Still for those looking for a basic tablet for internet browsing and media, this would be a pretty sweet option, particularly for the price. If you're interested, you can pick up the Archos Arnova 9 G2 at B&H or at PC Richard & Son, who currently has the tablet on sale for $229.99.
Think it's a good buy? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Source: nexus404
Archos Arnova 9 G2 tablet arrives in US for buyers on a budget originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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Posted: 15 Feb 2012 07:03 PM PST
In a somewhat surprising turn of events, PayPal has doubled back on their initial support of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, dropping the development of their NFC mobile point of sale transaction plans. David Marcus, PayPal's VP of mobile, clarified this move by stating, "By the time NFC catches up, we'll be in a world that will move away from the point-of-sales terminal." To this end, they are refocusing their efforts instead on a different sort of payment system wherein your mobile phone number is attached to your PayPal account with a pin code. In a point of sale situation, the PayPal user would choose PayPal at the checkout area and enter their mobile number followed by their pin number; following payment a receipt would be sent to the mobile device attached to the account.
The theory here would promote convenience for the buyer because they wouldn't have to pull out their wallet or mobile phone, and convenience for the seller because it would require mainly a software update, rather than installing new hardware. As a perk, users of PayPal's new system would also get a credit card to use when the default payment method was not available.
Here's my issue with this system. When using a credit card, NFC, or any physical payment system, in order for a thief to use what's yours at a point of sale, they have to somehow physically take something from you, be it your wallet or your phone. With PayPal's new system, the thief only needs information: your phone number and your pin. I'm sure there will be safeguards against this sort of thing, but people are already wary of NFC, an arguably secure system (in most situations). Giving them even less control may be a bit much, even for something as splendid as convenience. Time will tell, of course, both for NFC and PayPal's new system, but this writer won't be forsaking his wallet anytime soon.
Source: Wall Street Daily, via PhoneScoop
PayPal backs out on NFC, focuses on mobile transactions originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
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