Monday, February 6, 2012



Posted: 05 Feb 2012 04:39 PM PST
Everyone has an idea of what their perfect android phone would be. While I would say that the Galaxy Nexus running Codename: Android would be as close to a perfect Android experience yet; I have found that I am wanting and missing various aspects that other Android phones have or need. I often contemplate what that phone would be like if I had a say and while I do not have Samsung, HTC, or Motorola on speed dial I’ve decided that I will share my opinion with you. So without further digression here it is, my perfect phone.
Design/Form Factor:
I do like the Galaxy Nexus phone factor. The curved class works well and the phone holds well. However I do have to say that I liked the way the Rezound felt in my hand. That phone felt solid and not overly heavy. I like the Nexus and it feels sleek but the plastic is definitely apparent. I would say that the design of the phone would be perfect if it had Samsung's Galaxy Nexus sleekness and it were coupled with HTC's smooth metal finish and solid structure.
Speed/Processing:
While it is general progression of technology and others will question my sanity for suggesting this, I am perfectly fine with dual-core technology or at least if we stopped at quad-core.  We should be working on efficiency now that we have an OS and tech designed for speed. My Nexus hums along perfectly with no lag at all and that's on an underclocked OMAP processor. So I would be perfectly happy with just a dual-core processor of even staying with the Tegra 3 quad-core for my quick game of Shadowgun.
Battery:
The most important feature in my opinion of the phone is the battery. Battery life on 4G is just abysmal. Seriously, even phones on 3G these days have crappy battery life on stock software. While yes, Motorola released the RAZR MAXX and Samsung is tweaking software, this is an issue that should have been fixed a long time ago. While the MAXX has shown us that a 4G phone can have a day of heavy use, but only if we have a giant 3300mAh battery. If anyone could make it work, it certainly would be Motorola.
Screen:
I have to say while I love the crisp clear Super AMOLED display of my Galaxy Nexus I find that my favorite screen to look at is the 720p display on the HTC Rezound. While some would argue that it's pales in comparison to the Super AMOLED screens I enjoyed looking at that screen. Movies, emails, texts, games and so on, just looked crisp even with the lack of brightness I complained about in my review. It could have been the whole pile of pixels per inch that HTC packed into that phone but I find that display being the best. If we could get a super AMOLED with that kind of pixel density, things could not look sexier.
Radios:
4G is in and 3G is out, at least according to Verizon’s statement, and so be it with the speeds you can achieve from using it. When we get to the point voice over LTE being a staple I will have to reevaluate but until then I am putting my money on Motorola's radios.  Every phone I've used from Motorola has never dropped a signal in areas that either my HTC or Samsung phone has. Their speeds are beyond exceptional and even if my Galaxy Nexus is reading signals correctly, downloads are stupidly slow. So again, my money is on Motorola in this department for the time being.
Camera:
The HTC Rezound in my opinion has the best camera for an Android phone to date. Why Samsung put a 5MP camera on their current generation device I will never know but 5MP is extremely last year. It's not bad, but unlike my HTC phones of old I wouldn't consider just relying on my Nexus camera as my main memory capturing device on a vacation. Even with all the camera apps out there, you can only do so much with the hardware.
Audio:
I like the idea of Beats Audio. Now before you jump on my case as it being a gimmick hear me out. Given that we are using our phones for almost everything from productivity center to mobile media center the idea of having a decent sound output isn't too far fetched. HTC's move to add Beats to their phones has spurred others to do the same, like Samsung partnering with Jays, and I certainly like the idea.
I found that I used my iBeats headphones on the Rezound a lot more than I did with any other phone and if others had great sound with great headphones I would certainly believe people would get onboard. However, unlike Beats, I would throw in the ability to mix up equalizers, change how music sounds and make it work with other music programs like Pandora or Spotify. With Beats it's just the Beats EQ that works in just the specialized music player.
Software:
Ice Cream Sandwich is a heck of a leap forward to that of even Gingerbread. It's not short of its quirks but so far it's the most polished Android OS to date. With it, there isn't even a need for manufacturer skins like Sense or TouchWiz. There is enough flair that the OS feels shiny and new whether it's your first day or your 1000th. However things I would like to see that Sense has would be the ability to automatically connect multiple profiles of the same profile rather than manually having to do so. Plus it would be nice to see more social networking integration.
The Sense Widgets are awesome. I love the flip clock, the people widget and the weather widget. While they aren't actual widgets in a Sense (see what I did there) if HTC made these actual widgets and allowed them on stock ICS they would have a solid product. There are programs that render this moot, like Beautiful Widgets, HTC’s have a polish to them that is hard to duplicate. HTC, Motorola, and Samsung can make stock ICS their own by doing little things like widgets or applications, and not taking away the hard work Google engineers have done to polish up the OS the way they have.
Updates/Pure Google Experience:
While this is something that should be under software I feel that it warrants its own section. Google Nexus devices are known for their timely updates. Being the first to receive updates is a perk and the real reason why I bought the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon in the first place. Even as an unofficial developer device it will still receive more timely updates. Plus the ability to unlock the bootloader with ease should be a staple in every smart phone (hear that Motorola).
Google did make an attempt at getting OEMs onboard with more timely updates and most agreed but it appears it was all for show. Given the current time tables for current Gingerbread devices seeking ICS you're almost better off finishing your contract and getting a phone built for Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean depending on your contract time frame. OEMs need to work on getting updates out more timely rather than abandon support for phones replaced by new versions a month after, but that's a rant for another time.
Conclusion:
So to break it down, my perfect Android phone would consist of following:
  • Form Factor: HTC's solidity with Samsung's sleekness.
  • Speed: I am perfectly okay with dual-core.
  • Battery: A 4G phone that can last a full day on stock software without the need to be plugged in and without a bulky battery.
  • Screen: Super AMOLED with HTC's pixel density.
  • Radios: Motorola's Radios but with Samsung's up and coming battery life tweaks.
  • Cameras: 8MP at least, 5MP is no longer the norm, seriously. 8MP Minimum.
  • Audio: Decent audio for those that use their phones for everything.
  • Software/Updates: An Android OS that makes productivity, organization, media and gaming work more efficiently for us. HTC widgets work and act like actual widgets would be nice too. Things that are tedious, like combining contacts, should be automated. Updates should be timely and UI skins should be a thing of the past thanks to ICS.
While this is all wishful thinking and make believe it's something to think about. If we combined all the best parts of the best devices by all the OEM's we'd have one heck of a machine. Manufacturers need to start releasing phone in less varieties and make the user experience on fewer devices more important. Focus on updating the phones we have and don’t release an incremental version a month later with a better OS then drop support for the previous phone. Release phones in less flavors. Get 4G battery life to be better, and bring us a stock experience. Let us have the option of how we want to experience our phones. One could say that if I didn’t like a certain phone go buy another but each manufacturer does this. We all know what we want out of an Android phone and I will conclude with asking, what would your perfect Android smartphone be?
Posted: 05 Feb 2012 01:58 PM PST
For those of you in the US who have been dying to get your hands on the awesome Samsung Galaxy Note, well you can officially place your pre-order today. Assuming you’re OK with service from AT&T, you can now spend $299 to get one set aside for you and should arrive on your doorstep on or before Feb 17th, two days before they arrive in stores on the 19th.
You will have the choice of either Ceramic White or Carbon Blue colors, and for those who wish to purchase the device off-contract, it will run you $749.99 before tax. If you’re like me and are always looking to get a little more bang for your buck, may I recommend pre-ordering through Best Buy. All pre-orders made from BB will include a flip cover for the device. It’s pretty sweet and doesn’t add much bulk at all.
If you’re a person who knows what they want and are ready to take the plunge, hit up one of the links below. For those who need a little more enticing, I suggest checking out our hands on and previous write up, both of which contain very informative and persuasive video. If your lucky enough to score one of these bad boys, please… rub it in my face in the comments below! Don’t worry, I wont take it personal. :-)
AT&T
Best Buy
Posted: 05 Feb 2012 01:06 PM PST
If you could sum up World of Goo in one word – and you didn’t want to use awesome, magnificent or fantastic – magical would work just fine. The developers at 2D Boy, a team of two (that’s right, two!) ex-Electronic Arts employees working out of San Francisco, have brought us an incredible world to escape in as we rescue goo balls from the evil World of Goo corporation. The Android world waited a long time for this game to hop on over to the Android Market, though the wait is most definitely worth it. The game has been flawlessly ported, giving us the incredible soundtrack and immersive environments we’ve come to expect from the World of Goo.

Your objective when playing World of Goo is to traverse the various stages while you rescue balls of goo, the very same balls of goo that you must stick together in structures to solve the various puzzles. This is where the game really shines. Although the premise of the game never changes, it’s hard to notice. The puzzles have you climbing over obstacles, up narrow(ing) passages, bulding a goo ball tower in a spinning machine as well as out of the mouth of a weird cartoon… thing, and thats just the start. It’s hard to bring to mind another game that has included such innovation when it comes to using logic and cognitive procedure to solve fun, exciting and even heart-warming problems. It’s this absolute sense of achievement and stimulus that will provide hours of fun through the 48 different levels.
The World of Goo itself completely brings your Android device’s screen to life, and I mean it. Every single stage is full of life; color, animation, characters and moving objects all existing inside a impeccably designed cartoon world. It really is magical, and I’ve even caught myself exploring the screen with my fingertips in admiration, thinking to myself "how did they come up with this stuff?". Every stage you encounter serves some sort of theme surrounding the evil World of Goo corporations mysterious and devious plan, which is hinted at every level you begin by the Sign Painter; an unknown entity that leaves signs with a small quote, some of which are designed to help you complete the task at hand.
The controls for World of Goo need no introduction. This game must have been designed with touch screen controls in mind. It’s completely natural and organic, and I can’t imagine any other control scheme to play around with. Even someone new to touch controls will have no issue at all handling what’s presented before them. As with any app, though, I found at least one qualm with the controls. I feel that a further zoom out would be a great help for some of the levels, but given the quality of the rest of this incredible piece of art, I won’t complain too much.
 
When you’ve completed the entire game (which is a feat unto itself), you’ll find that the balls of goo that you’ve successfully rescued have been delivered to World of Goo corporations HQ, which you can then use to try and complete the tallest tower. Although a true multiplayer feature is absent, you can compare your tower to the towers that other players have created, giving a sense of competition and further achievement.
All-in-all, World of Goo sets a standard for games in general. I thoroughly believe that World of Goo will reach out to even the most modest of mobile gamers. A thoughtful and enveloping offering, heart-warming and magical, World of Goo is a must have for any touch-screen device. A word to the wise, however: if you haven’t already tried it, do so right now!
Posted: 05 Feb 2012 11:35 AM PST
The year’s biggest sports event takes place today and apparently Verizon isn’t the only carrier willing to beef up wireless coverage to keep the fans happy. AT&T has also rolled out a bunch of new equipment and decided to let the public know just exactly how they planned to implement the upgrade.
According to the video below, AT&T pulled out all the stops for this year’s Super Bowl to assure that fans get good cell signal anywhere in the near vicinity of  the Lucas Oil Stadium. From CoW’s (Cell tower on Wheels), to increased coverage in/around hotels, it seems that AT&T wants you to be able to call and brag to your friends from almost anywhere you go during your visit to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis this year. Not only will traveling fans get to reap the upgrade benefits, AT&T plans on leaving the equipment behind for all of Indianapolis to enjoy. I wish the Super Bowl would come to my home town!
Jump past the break to see AT&T’s explanation video and official press release.
Click here to view the embedded video.

AT&T Launches Wi-Fi Hot Zone in Downtown Indianapolis, Expands and Upgrades Lucas Oil Stadium DAS to AT&T 4G LTE

Indianapolis, Indiana, January 24, 2012

As more than 150,000 people converge on Indianapolis for football's biggest game of the year, AT&T* has made a significant investment in permanent and temporary wireless network enhancements to support increased network traffic. Many of the network improvements are permanent additions that will continue to benefit Indianapolis-area residents and visitors after the big game.
AT&T has launched an AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zone, the company's seventh major-market hotzone, serving parts of downtown Indianapolis. The new hotzone will provide fast and reliable Wi-Fi near many popular locations along Capitol Avenue, Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets as well as East and West Georgia streets near the center of town, which consistently see high customer traffic and mobile data use. AT&T customers with high speed Internet, smartphone or LaptopConnect plans get unlimited access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zones at no additional cost. From most AT&T smartphones and devices, customers will be able to automatically connect and switch seamlessly between AT&T's Wi-Fi andwireless networks. Wi-Fi use doesn't count toward customers' smartphone data plans.
AT&T has also launched an expanded Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at Lucas Oil Stadium, which is among the largest of its kind in the U.S., enabling 4G LTE coverage within the stadium and carrying more traffic than 10 cell sites. In addition, AT&T has expanded its 4G LTE network to its DAS for media accommodations and has plans to enhance or install DAS systems in a number of other venues before the big game.
“We appreciate that AT&T is making this substantial investment in Indianapolis, both for the big game and for AT&T’s many customers who live here,” said Scott Miller, president, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.  “Technology is vital to the way we live and work every day, and investments like the one AT&T is making help our business community and local economy continue to thrive.”
"Events like the big game generate memorable experiences that our customers will want to share with friends and family through text messages, photos, status updates on social networks and calls from their mobile devices," said Brian Ducharme, Vice President and General Manager, AT&T Indiana and Michigan. "We're excited to provide significant network improvements – like our AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zone and expanded or new DAS throughout the city – that will enhance the network experience for our customers in Indianapolis before, during and after the game."
Further preparations for the big game include deploying nine Cells on Wheels (COWs) to support Lucas Oil Stadium, the downtown area, practice facilities and other places where large crowds are expected to accommodate increased wireless network demands from high concentrations of smartphone users. The company has also added capacity to nearly 200 cell sites throughout the Indianapolis market. The augmentations will help improve reliability and offer faster data speeds.
"This investment is about more than just one football game, it is about making Indianapolis a world class city for future economic growth," said AT&T Indiana President George S. Fleetwood. "We look forward to a continued partnership in the years to come as we look for opportunities to enhance our customer experience and create jobs here."
The permanent and temporary enhancements are part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to prepare for and provide the best possible mobile experience for customers. In addition, AT&T recently launched its ultra-fast 4G LTE network in Indianapolis, providing mobile broadband speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.
AT&T's mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T has the broadest international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 225 countries and data service in more than 200 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on more than 135 major cruise ships, as well as mobile broadband services in more than 130 countries.
AT&T also operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with more than 29,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 190,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. As of January 2012, AT&T has more than 220 Wi-Fi hotspots in the Indianapolis area. In the third quarter of 2011, Indianapolis visitors and residents made more than 3.7 million connections to the AT&T Wi-Fi network.
For more information about AT&T's coverage in Indianapolis or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit an AT&T Coverage Viewer. The online tool can measure the quality of coverage based on a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit our AT&T network news page.
Posted: 05 Feb 2012 09:42 AM PST

The big day for football fans has finally arrived, but we’re excited for more reasons than just watching the New England Patriots collide with the New York Giants. AT&T is releasing the Samsung Galaxy Note on February 19th and we don’t want you to forget to look for the first ever Samsung Super Bowl commercial during the fourth quarter. It’s a full 90 seconds long and we expect director Bobby Farrelly to bring us some good laughs. The 45 second teaser clip was an exciting start, so keep an eye out for the other half later today.  
The phone is sure to be a best seller with its amazing 5.3 inch capacitive touch screen and stylus. Be sure to let us know what you think of the Galaxy Note commercial in the comments below.
Posted: 05 Feb 2012 06:18 AM PST
Ever since I got my first handheld device (hello, Palm Pilot) I've been trying out different methods of keeping myself organized. It all boils down to choosing one platform to manage your To Do list, whether it's Microsoft Outlook, Remember the Milk, or Google Tasks.
Since switching to Android, I've wanted to try using Google Tasks but I could never quite commit to making the switch since I couldn't find an app that I felt comfortable using daily. Until now. Tasks N Todos by Handy Apps, Inc. won me over with simplicity and elegance.

The User Interface
Simple UI's make for a more enjoyable user experience. One of the great things about Android is that it gives every developer the freedom to build their app however they want, but it also has its cons. This double-edged sword called openness leads to inconsistent user interfaces between different apps. Handy Apps, Inc. took a cue from Cupertino and created an elegant and simple to use app that is a joy to use.
My Task Lists
When opening Tasks N Todos you are presented with your task lists. Each list is like a category of tasks. This is a great way to keep tasks organized into appropriate buckets. You can drag and reorder the lists however you want, and creating a new list is as easy as typing a name in the field at the bottom of the screen and clicking the + sign.
All Tasks
The top list is All Tasks, which always displays all tasks from all lists. Each task is shown with a checkbox to the left, title and description in the middle, and the due date on the right. The checkbox allows you to mark the task complete. By default, the tasks are sorted by due date, but a menu click later brings up a variety of sorting options.
 
Syncing
Tasks N Todos can be used as a standalone todo list manager, but the real power is syncing to the cloud with Google Tasks. This gives you access to your todo lists from any Android device as well as any device with a browser that can access Google Tasks. Sure, Google Tasks isn't nearly as feature rich as some of its competitors (come on, Google…let's see some task love) but its ubiquity makes it arguably the most useful, at least for Android users.
Tablet support
I downloaded Tasks N Todos on my Evo 3D (see screenshots above) and decided I liked it enough to install on my Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi tablet. Wow, was I pleasantly surprised.
With full support for Android 3.x (Honeycomb) and Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Tasks N Todos instantly becomes the frontrunner for my task management. Since I usually take notes on my Xoom during meetings, it becomes a great tool for adding new tasks and organizing my work at a glance.
The tablet support makes great use of the larger screen and typing notes within a task is much easier on a tablet than on a phone.
Widgets
There are a few different widget sizes to choose from, including Honeycomb/ICS specific resizable widgets. The widgets are scrollable and configurable to show any task list you want.
Features
The description in the Android Market lists the following features:
  • Full synchronization support with Google Tasks using official Google Tasks API
  • Setup task reminder notifications for one-time as well as repeating tasks
  • Tasks can be set to repeat automatically with flexible recurrence schedule
  • Send urgent tasks to the top of the list with one quick action
  • Filter and sort your task and to-do lists in anyway you want
  • Drag and drop your task/to-do lists to reorder them any way you like
  • Calendar-style date picker with quick date pickers for Today, Tomorrow and Next Week.
  • Navigate between task lists easily using swiping gestures.
  • Task management made easy with quick action menus
  • Even faster access with homescreen widgets with quick shortcuts to add or view tasks
  • Backup/restore data to SD card
  • Fully optimized for both Android tablets and smartphones
  • Sync your task lists on your tablet with the following non-tablet optimized todo apps via Google Tasks: Astrid, Any Do, Taskos todo list, Checkmark, Google Tasks Organizer and gTasks.
Versions
The version I am reviewing is the free, ad supported Tasks N Todos – ToDo List Mgr. Handy Apps, Inc. also sells Tasks N Todos Pro for $4.99. The Pro version adds the following features:
  • Backup and restore your tasks to and from your SD card
  • Adjust the ‘Look Ahead’ to choose when a repeating task will be populated
  • Choose a custom ringtone for reminders’ notifications
  • Add Photos to your tasks
  • Add Location to your tasks
Conclusion
For an app to make me switch todo list platforms, it has to be good. Tasks N Todos is simple, easy to use, and elegant in presentation. If you want to stay organized and synced up on all your devices, I highly recommend Tasks N Todos. Download the free version from the market link or QR code below.
qrcode
Posted: 04 Feb 2012 06:02 PM PST

What does a tablet mean to you? To most, it’s something that lets you have productivity on the go— emails, social communication, reading articles and e-books, etc. Of course consumers realize it’s possible to do all that with a notebook computer or netbook. However, it’s no secret that notebooks are losing in popularity because people understand in this day and age, “less is truly more”. You could have a netbook as well, but then some individuals would be graced with keys far too small for big hands like yours truly, a small screen that’s sometimes just slightly bigger than that of a smartphone or the fact netbooks just aren’t powerful enough even to do the bare minimum like check emails, do some online chatting, etc. Manufacturers have realized consumers want something that can bring the best of both worlds and that’s why tablets have been developed now.
While Apple’s iPad is leading the revolution, it’s obvious there are many other successful tablets. There are many of you who own a tablet now and then there are many of you who will be looking to purchase a tablet in the near-future. The great thing about Android tablets is that they are a direct reflection of the Android platform in general. The Android platform allows for a variety of manufacturers to make unique and “customized” versions of the Android devices which are best suited for each user’s tastes. While there are popular options such as the ASUS Transformer Prime, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and of course the record-selling Amazon Kindle Fire, there’s one tablet that has won my heart and will continue to win my heart for the next year or two (or three or four). That tablet is the Motorola Xoom Wifi tablet. Introduced at last year’s CES, the tablet is still literally the model for which other Android tablets are developed and shaped. I will share with you all my thoughts and experience of owning this tablet. Of course many of you will disagree and want to throw in your two cents, but I just want to give you all some insights as to what the device means to me and how it fits in my lifestyle.

Let’s start with the Xoom Wifi’s internal specs. The tablet features an Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 32GB of internal memory and of course was the first tablet to feature pure, unmolested Honeycomb 3.0 (and now Android 4.0). You may laugh at the specs especially considering the Transformer Prime has a Tegra 3 quad-core processor, but the Xoom Wifi can still hold its own. As a person who’s not focused on benchmark scores, but rather a fluid and smooth-running tablet, the dual-core processor is more than sufficient for me. I can play my games such as Dead Space or Shine Runner and experience not a single hint of lag or delay. Furthermore, the device transitions between screens is smooth and switching between apps is almost instant. All this is achieved by a sweet-running, optimized and pure Android OS because it’s got Google’s direct backing in addition to Motorola’s quality hardware.
In fact, one of the more important draws and distinctions is the Xoom Wifi tablet being a developer device, placing it in the same category as Google’s Nexus line of phones. In case you didn’t hear or read before, the Xoom Wifi was the first tablet to feature Honeycomb 3.0— which was Google’s first tablet-optimized OS. That means the tablet plays a major role in not only how software for Android tablets should be modeled and developed, but it plays a huge role in the direction of the Android platform in general.
And that’s important because the Xoom Wifi features things that most tablets don’t such as an unlocked bootloader and software updates directly from Google instead of the OEMs. While I am not big on ROMing such as my colleagues here at Talk Android, I found I was able to easily flash a custom ROM or tweak my device as freely as possible, because of no resistance or opposition from an unnecessary bootloader. Moreover, I am one of a lucky few who not only has an official Ice Cream Sandwich build on my tablet, but on any Android device, period. Other premium tablets such as the Transformer Prime has a locked bootloader and of course a notorious number of tablets with major issues out there. And of course devices such as the Galaxy Tab 10.1 are cursed with custom “enhancements” such as TouchWiz. My Xoom Wifi has had no known issues or unnecessary customizations.
Finally there are the accessories. Motorola has a great assortment of accessories such as the wireless Bluetooth keyboard that can pair with my tablet. And that’s important too because I can position my tablet to stand upright using my custom portfolio leather case and act as if I am working on a basic computer (save for a few missing features of course). Moreover, I can connect my device to a speaker dock which not only allows me to hear my music in high quality, but I also have the ability to view content whether it’s Hulu or YouTube in full HD on my TV screen. Other tablets like the Transformer Prime can be converted into an attractive notebook-style setup with a custom dock which is a big draw for most— but not me. I’m not looking for another notebook; If I wanted a notebook, I’d buy one. I just want a device that fits me and my needs, and the Xoom Wifi tablet does just that. Heck, I’d argue that consumers should buy something they need— whether there’s “hotter” devices out there or not.
And that’s the bigger picture I’m trying to get at with this brief rant folks. Sure my tablet is so last year. Sure my tablet is a bit of a chubby lumpkins. Sure my device is incredibly expensive. Despite all the drawbacks, I love my Xoom Wifi because it has features which will keep me from needing to upgrade anytime soon: great internals, it’s a developer-friendly device featuring direct updates and support from Google and specific accessories tailored to my needs. Some of you all may like custom UIs, a thinner or smaller form factor or something that’s as inexpensive as possible. Keep in mind that whatever you have or will end up getting, it’s got its own drawbacks and appeals. It’s just for me the positives of the device far outweigh the negatives.
Posted: 04 Feb 2012 06:00 PM PST
A user over at Android Central received an OTA notification on his Verizon Galaxy Nexus, and managed to pull the file and make it available for download. Apparently the update contains Android 4.0.4 IMM30B.
This seems to be a limited release, most likely for internal testing, so if you decide to flash this, don’t be surprised if you see some weirdness. Keep in mind that this is only for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, and will only install on a completely stock unit.
No word yet on what this update fixes or changes, so if you are brave enough and fit the requirements above, download the file here and let us know what you find!
Posted: 04 Feb 2012 05:46 PM PST
An FCC application filed by Google, Inc. suggests the possibility of a Google entertainment device is in the works. The application requests permission for a six month window in which this mystery device can be tested at the Google HQ as well as in Google employees’ homes in four different cities: Mountain View CA, Los Angeles CA, Cambridge MA, and New York, NY. The description of the device and purpose of operation describes what sounds similar to Android @Home, which was announced at last years Google I/O. Excerpt from the application after the break.
Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:
Google is developing an entertainment device that requires testing outside the laboratory environment. The device is in the prototyping phase and will be modified prior to final compliance testing.
Please explain the purpose of operation:
Testing throughput and stability of home WiFi networks using an entertainment device. Testing will include functional testing of all subsystems, including WiFi and Bluetooth radio. Users will connect their device to home WiFi networks and use Bluetooth to connect to other home electronics equipment. This line of testing will reveal real world engineering issues and reliability of networks. The device utilizes a standard WiFi/Bluetooth module, and the planned testing is not directed at evaluating the radio frequency characteristics of the module (which are known), but rather at the throughput and stability of the home WiFi networks that will support the device, as well as the basic functionality of the device. From this testing we hope to modify the design in order to maximize product robustness and user experience. Utilizing the requested number of units will allow testing of real world network performance and its impact on applications running on the device, so that any problems can be discovered and addressed promptly. All devices will be used by and registered to specific individuals (all Google employees), and Google will maintain a record of each device, so that they can be easily recalled at any time during testing and when testing is complete. The devices will be tested at Google facilities and within employees residences in the following areas: Mountain View, CA: 37.421265 N, -122.085314 W; Los Angeles, CA: 33.995388 N, -118.477035 W; Cambridge, MA: 42.362754 N, -71.088023 W; and New York, NY: 40.741872 N, -74.004579 W.
You can read the rest of the technical details of the application by visiting the source link below. If it isn’t Android @Home, what could Google possibly be cooking up now?

Posted by at 10:00 AM

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