Motorola Atrix 2 Update Rolling Out Now – Improves Performance, Removes Carrier IQ Posted: 02 Feb 2012 05:57 PM PST Motorola ATRIX 2 users have something to look forward to with a new software update rolling out to their devices starting today. The update will bring the Atrix 2 up to software version v55.13.25 and Motorola cleverly mentions greater device security — otherwise known as the removal of Carrier IQ’s spyware. Users can also look forward to improved performance which is always a plus. If you haven’t yet been prompted for the update, you can manually check for one by jumping into your device’s Settings > About Phone > System Updates. As always, make sure you’re on WiFi and you have more than 50% battery before starting. Let us know once you’ve received the update and if you noticed any improvements! Thanks, Nick! [Motorola]

Google Wallet Now Available On Nexus S And Galaxy Nexus for AT&T – Verizon Galaxy Nexus Also Makes The Cut Posted: 02 Feb 2012 05:29 PM PST Sprint Nexus S 4G users no longer have a reason to gloat after Google Wallet — once exclusive to that device and carrier — has finally been made available for those on AT&T. The app can be installed on either the Nexus S 4G or GSM Galaxy Nexus without Ralph de la Vega or his cronies standing in your way. Just jump into your Market app or use the link below to be taken straight to Google Wallet. Now, I know we have many a reader who is wondering if perhaps the Verizon Galaxy Nexus was included in this celebration. Well, kinda — things are a little more tricky but it can be done. A workaround has been discovered allowing for LTE equipped G-Nex’s to install Wallet all on a completely stock device. No root. No funny business. Just a bit of trickery. Directions below. 1.  From your phone open the browser and head to http://market.android.com. 2.  Search for "Google Wallet." *If your browser prompts you to open the Market, don’t. Just stay in the browser. 3.  When the results come back, tap on the Google Wallet icon. 4.  Tap the "Install" button from within the browser and then sign into your Google account. *Again, this is all from the browser, not the Market app. 5.  Once you have signed in, you should be redirected back to the Market page in the browser. 6.  Obviously, you will not have the option to install there since the VZW Nexus is not supported. 7.  Tap the back button until you are prompted for the Market or Browser again, this time choosing the Market. 8.  The Android Market should open to the Google Wallet page with an option to install. Anyone excited to finally try out Google Wallet for yourself? Maybe you already have a list of retailers and Quick-E-Marts in your area that are NFC/Google Wallet ready? [Market Link | Via Droid-Life]

Rhapsody for Android Update Brings Tablet UI Posted: 02 Feb 2012 03:14 PM PST Rhapsody has just gotten an update in the Android market. It’s a pretty big one as it brings a tablet user interface for Android 3.0 tablets and higher. Unfortunately those with screens smaller than 9 inches will not be able to get the full tablet experience but hopefully a future update will change that. We also have a wealth of bug fixes that we’re always happy to see. Get the application and the full list of changes in the Android Market here.

DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX’s OTA Update Version 6.12.173 Details Appear On Verizon Site Posted: 02 Feb 2012 01:58 PM PST It’s been almost two weeks since a leaked update for the DROID RAZR appeared. That update was  6.12.173 and was found to be signed for an official release even though it wasn’t known whether or not it was a final, official build. It looks like that build was indeed final, however, as details regarding the update have been posted on Verizon’s site. Visual voicemail has been upgraded, VZ Navigator gets an update for 3D map functionality and V Cast Apps now come preloaded. Read the rest in the document here. Look for this one to hit sometime very soon. [Thanks Kris!] [Update]: It appears the same exact update is going out to the MAXX.

Facebook for Android App Fixes Bugs, Brings Better Memory Management Posted: 02 Feb 2012 01:46 PM PST Facebook has released a quick update for their Android application, and while it wasn’t immediately know what was different (no changelog in the Android market) the details have been found on their site. I would call this a minor update any other day but ever since Facebook updated their user interface it’s been as buggy as I’ve ever seen it. The “all kinds of bug fixes” part should be greatly welcomed by every user, as should the improved memory management code they’ve implemented. Find the small update in the Android market.

RIM Offering Free Blackberry Playbook to Android Developers Who Repackage Their Apps for Blackberry Posted: 02 Feb 2012 01:26 PM PST RIM’s trying to get things rolling on the apps side of things and are enticing any and all Android developers to repackage their Android applications as Blackberry Apps to be used on the new Blackberry Playbook 2.0 update. The offer? A free Blackberry Playbook. With RIM’s compatibility layer for Android applications developers can have their applications up and running on Blackberry in no time. RIM employs three methods for users to do so and they’re all very straightforward. Simply repackaging the APK into Blackberry’s format isn’t enough, though, if your application references Android in any way. Changing a few strings of text to remove references to Android may be required but that’s probably a small price of time to pay for most developers. If you get your apps submitted by February 6th they’ll be included in the App World following the update but you have until February 13th to submit your apps in order to receive the free Playbook unit. Not a bad deal at all, I’d say. Get started here. [Twitter, Blackberry Dev Blog via Android Central]

ASUS TF300T Unveiled? Posted: 02 Feb 2012 12:57 PM PST As if we didn’t have enough Transformer tablets, rumors are suggesting that another one could be on the way. Chinese blog cool3c got their hands on what definitely looks to be an ASUS tablet with a red chassis. They’re calling it the ASUS TF300T, and while it’s not entirely consistent with the TF101 and TF201 names of the Transformer and the Transformer Prime, it’s certainly very close. Even with a name and supposed photos we have no clue what this device brings to the table but we can’t imagine it’ll be anything less than stunning. Take a look and decide for yourself. And fingers crossed that we might see this thing officially unveiled in the near future. [via Androinica]

Google Introduces Bouncer, the Malware Busting Tool for Android Market Downloads Posted: 02 Feb 2012 12:43 PM PST Malware in the Android market has become a bit of an issue in recent months with a new potential scare that might be affecting millions of users. It seems we can’t go more than 2-3 weeks without hearing of new malware in the Android market. Google already takes action against these malicious applications by removing them from the Android market, from users’ phones and banning the developer but that’s not enough, apparently. Google’s introducing “Bouncer,” a tool that will automate a scan for suspicious code in every single application that is uploaded to the market. The tool works in just a few seconds and doesn’t delay the submission process for developers whose code is clean. Developers also need not worry about their app being accidentally removed from the market. If Bouncer flags your application, Google has to manually investigate the application and determine whether or not it’s malicious. It’s a great measure and an important maturity step for the Android market. Google also reminded us that several security measures are in place to ensure that the Android market’s integrity is upheld. Take a look below and head to their blog for more information. As for those downloading applications elsewhere, well, you’ll just have to be a bit more careful about what you’re downloading. Sandboxing: The Android platform uses a technique called "sandboxing" to put virtual walls between applications and other software on the device. So, if you download a malicious application, it can’t access data on other parts of your phone and its potential harm is drastically limited. Permissions: Android provides a permission system to help you understand the capabilities of the apps you install, and manage your own preferences. That way, if you see a game unnecessarily requests permission to send SMS, for example, you don’t need to install it. Malware removal: Android is designed to prevent malware from modifying the platform or hiding from you, so it can be easily removed if your device is affected. Android Market also has the capability of remotely removing malware from your phone or tablet, if required.

LG P700 and P880 to be Announced at Mobile World Congress? Posted: 02 Feb 2012 11:51 AM PST Even more devices could be coming to Mobile World Congress from the LG camp. We’ve got the LG P700 and the P880 – let’s begin with the latter. It’s said to be positioned for the high-end market. It’ll reportedly have an HD display, though screen size wasn’t mentioned. Due to its screen size we imagine nothing less than a dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM will accompany it. It’s said to be running Android 4.0. The other device will have a TI OMAP 4430, apparently, alongside 1GB of RAM. Its peculiar resolution – 640×480 – means this device could have a portrait hardware keyboard. That’s not for certain, of course, nor is the notion that we might see these devices at Mobile World Congress but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled. [HDBlog.It]

Gameloft LIVE! Brings a Social Network for Gamers Posted: 02 Feb 2012 11:33 AM PST I wonder how Microsoft feels about this one. Gameloft has launched their own social network for Android gamers. It’s called Gameloft LIVE! and will bring a mini Xbox Live, of sorts. You can create avatars, chat with friends, get discounts on games and level up by playing Gameloft LIVE! enabled games. This has been tried a few times before – ScoreLoop and OpenFeint come to mind – but Gameloft’s name might give them an interesting leg up over the competition. Hit the “Get the Game” button at the link ahead. [Gameloft]

MetroPCS Brings $40 Rate Plan to 4G Customers Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:54 AM PST Affordable carrier MetroPCS has announced that their $40 rate plans will now be available to customers using 4G phones. Folks who opt for this cheaper plan will get unlimited text, talk and unlimited web data. The “web” part is emphasized because anything other than that will go against a 100MB cap. It’s great for folks who don’t do much on their phones but visit the web and use minor applications. Customers will still have the option of going with either $50 or $60 rate plans with got you 1GB of multimedia streaming and unlimited multimedia streaming, respectively. Head to MetroPCS’s website today if you want to take them up on this offer. Here’s one last look at what you’re getting: Includes unlimited talk, text and 4G Web browsing so consumers can surf the web as much as they’d like Includes 100MB of multimedia streaming access for consumers making the shift to mobile broadband and discovering new ways to access their multimedia content A good option for users who can occasionally connect via WiFi since multimedia access – streaming content and downloads – over WiFi does not count toward the 100MB allowance

Verizon deploys Samsung Galaxy Tab, 4G LTE network to aid high schoolers in SAT prep Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:30 AM PST You don’t have to look far to see that the landscape of education is changing. Schools everywhere are struggling to keep up with emerging trends in technology and to leverage new tools such as internet-connected tablets. Evidenced by Apple’s recent announcement of iBooks 2 with fully interactive textbooks, tablets offer a range of capabilities that can make learning not only engaging but also fun. Dr. Barney Wilson, principal of Baltimore’s Reginald F. Lewis High School, sees the potential these new devices offer, calling them “game-changers” for education. Thanks to his enthusiasm for such technologies and with the aid of Verizon Wireless, the students at Reginald F. Lewis are getting an inside track on preparation for the SAT. Since the beginning of the new school year, Verizon has been deploying its Mobile Learning Lab, a retrofitted bus stocked with 4G LTE-connected Samsung Galaxy Tabs and staffed by students from nearby Morgan State College, to Reginald F. Lewis. The Galaxy Tabs come pre-installed with apps such as Study Island, a suite of educational tools geared towards a particular state or city’s school system and standards, to take their studying to the next level. Not only are students excited to get their hands on the high-powered Android devices, but Verizon points to data that shows a link between mobile learning devices (tablets and smartphones) and greater academic proficiency. At Reginald F. Lewis, the link between technology and academic achievement goes beyond the Mobile Learning Lab and into the classroom, where Verizon again has supplied the high school with Galaxy Tab devices for use in Spanish classes from the beginner level through advanced placement. Students can interact with the tablets to help better understand the language in a way that would not be possible otherwise. The tablet won’t replace practice with a native speaker of the Spanish language, but the real time feedback it provides is invaluable to students. Reginald F. Lewis isn’t the only school to benefit from Verizon’s Mobile Learning Lab and the power of the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Other Baltimore-area high schools have worked with the wireless provider to help students prepare for their standardized tests. Big Red’s bus makes frequent visits to schools throughout the Maryland and Washington DC metro region as well as nationwide. It’s a strong commitment to education on Verizon’s part and the sort of program we’d like to see expanded to more and more schools. Not only are students preparing to take the next steps in their academic lives, but they are doing so while using the tools that will reshape the face of education.

Phandroid Logo: To Change or Not To Change? [POLL] Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST Way back in November, we held a $1,000 logo contest. As you’ve probably noticed, our logo hasn’t changed although we did announce a winner. So… what gives? We’ve grown a bit attached to our current logo, but since we’re eager to print up some T-Shirts, it’s time to make an ultimate decision. With your help, we’re hoping we can decide what direction to go. So we pose the question to you: which logo should we use? Take Our Poll Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Ice Cream Sandwich now on 1% of Android devices, Gingerbread still growing Posted: 02 Feb 2012 09:23 AM PST The Android platform version distribution chart has received its monthly refresh, and the results are much the same as last month. Gingerbread still holds the lead, with Android 2.3 appearing on 58.6 percent of devices. That’s an increase from last month’s 55 percent. Froyo still comes in at second but its share continues to shring, now down to 27.8 percent from last month’s 30 percent. Honeycomb has never boasted a huge presence and still hovers around 3.4 percent, showing little movement since the last report. With the release of Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 3.0′s chance to flourish has likely ended. The latest version of Android is currently installed on 1 percent of devices, up 0.4 percent since last month. The growth isn’t drastic just yet, but expect Android 4.0′s grasp to steadily increase as manufacturers push updates and new handsets begin shipping with ICS. [via Android Developers]

Official: 7-inch ZTE Optik headed to Sprint February 5 for $99 Posted: 02 Feb 2012 08:18 AM PST Sprint has made their $99 ZTE Optik tablet official, announcing that the device will go on sale on February 5th. The details match those that were leaked last week with the 7-inch slate featuring Android 3.2 Honeycomb, a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of onboard storage. The Optik is immediately appealing for its low price, but judging from the aforementioned specs it won’t lack in power, although users will miss out on any sort of 4G connectivity (LTE, WiMAX, or otherwise). The device ships with a 3G-only radio. Data plans start at 1GB per month for $19.99. For those wishing to avoid a long-term commitment, the Optik will be available for $349.99 outright. [via Sprint]