Saturday, February 4, 2012



Posted: 03 Feb 2012 03:48 PM PST
While most of us aren’t surprised by this move, I’m certainly not, Google has dropped official support for the CDMA (Verizon) Galaxy Nexus as a developer device. They did the same for the LTE Xoom and Nexus S 4G as well. At first folks thought was in regards to Google Wallet not being officially supported by Verizon however it was for a more in depth reason. It was first discovered by Droid-Life earlier this afternoon and while everyone was in a buzz and crying foul about the change,  what we needed to do was wait.  After many tech blogs reached out for comment, Dan Morril, an Android engineer had this to say:
Hello! This is a quick clarification about support for CDMA devices.
For various technical reasons, recent CDMA Android devices implement core telephony functionality in .apk files provided in binary form by the carriers. To function correctly, these .apk files must be signed by the so-called “platform” key. However, when an individual creates a custom build from the AOSP source code, they don’t use the same signing key as these CDMA flies were signed with.

The result is that these files don’t work properly, and pure AOSP builds running on these devices can’t place calls, access mobile data, and so on. Because we aim to make sure that we are as clear as possible about the degree of support that devices have, we updated the docs over at source.android.com to reflect this reality.
We will still make available as many as possible of the closed-source binaries for these devices, and Nexus devices will continue to have unlockable bootloaders. And, of course, GSM/HSPA+ devices are still supported, as are any other devices we’re able to support. We’ve simply updated the documentation to be clearer about the current extent of CDMA support.
We are of course always working to improve support, and we’ll keep everyone updated as we make improvements. Thanks as always for your interest in AOSP!
- Dan
So yes, because CDMA isn’t the majority, and that apk files use a different signing key than that of true AOSP software Google is officially dropping CDMA support to an extent. For most people this won’t be an issue as you will still be able get updates quickly as Google has mentioned that devices will still receive them in a timely fashion. However, if one were to compile a true AOSP build of Android it wouldn’t be signed correctly and functionality could very well be hindered on a CDMA device. The reason for this hindering is that Signing keys can run a muck if not worked out and matched properly.
As Google has no control over CDMA files they can not officially give them support because they cannot manipulate the files themselves as they are carrier held. Google does not want to be responsible for your phone or tablet not working correctly. To prevent the headache that can be caused if things are mismatched, they’ve dropped official support in some capacities.
At the core, these devices are still Nexus devices. They still have bootloaders that are easily unlocked. The Android source will still be made available. The only difference is that the ways that the binaries are redistributed have changed. It just means that developers for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, LTE Xoom and Nexus S 4G will have to make changes in how they build software for these devices. Trust me, there is a reason why the development community is so awesome and if anyone can find a way, it would be those folk.
via: Droid-Life 1, 2
Posted: 03 Feb 2012 01:29 PM PST
Okay, I’ll admit it. I love anything and everything that is Android. I have the figurine, key chain and the Dark Knight Andy tee shirt and even went and purchased a new Android mousepad last night. Well I feel bad for my wallet because the folks at Droid Loot have created some really awesome tee shirts with our favorite green guy. (A big thank you to my editor, Robert Nazarian for finding this). This site has tees that that include a good list of pop culture references mixed up with your favorite little Android. There is even an Android tablet web app that will allow you to put one of these designs on your own product. If you aren’t in completely in love with these designs you can get your money back as Droid Loot offers a 100% money back guarantee; however I challenge you not to fall in love on the spot. So I will conclude this with saying that you can head on over to the source link below to snag your own collection of Android tees… I know I’m going to. Also you can look forward to a contest here in the near future where you can win one of these awesome tee shirts! Stay tuned!

source: Droid Loot
Posted: 03 Feb 2012 12:24 PM PST
It’s time for another Talk Android contest and this one is sponsored by androidslide, makers of Camera ZOOM FX, which we just reviewed. Since Camera Zoom FX is all about photos, we’re asking you guys to send us your photos showing your NFL team pride. It can be a photo of yourself (and friends) wearing your favorite team wear or maybe it’s a picture showing off all your memorabilia. The Super Bowl might be all about the Giants and Patriots, but this contest isn’t. We’re looking for fans of all 32 NFL teams.
You will have a chance to win a free copy of Camera ZOOM FX, and the top photos will get Amazon gift cards. Here are the rules:
  1. Tweet us your photo to @TalkAndroid using the hashtag #superbowlphotos
  2. Entries are accepted starting at the time of this post through the final second of Super Bowl XLVI
  3. The Talk Android staff will vote on the best photos. 1st prize will be a $30 Amazon gift card, 2nd prize will be a $15 Amazon gift card, and the top 20 photos overall will each receive a free copy of Camera ZOOM FX.
  4. We will announce the winners on Monday, February 6, 2012. Winners will receive a direct message from us with instructions.
Good luck everyone!!!
Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:33 AM PST
Web-based file storage titan Dropbox has released a new beta upgrade of it’s Dropbox Android app, offering the ability to earn a whopping 5 extra GB of storage for your uploading pleasure. Among the awesome new features being implemented, automatic uploading of your photos and videos (in the background, yum!) as well as the demise of the 180MB limit, are the most enticing.
Interested in swallowing up the offered 5GB? You’ll have to get your photo journalism swag on, as subsequent to the first 500MB earned by your first automatic upload, you’ll recieve 500MB of storage for every 500MB of your photos and videos you automatically upload. Keep in mind however, that both the desktop and mobile earnings contribute to the same pot. Release notes after the break.
• Automatically uploads photos and videos in the background using Wi-Fi or data plan
• 500MB of free space on first photo uploaded automatically
• Upload files of any size (no more 180 MB limit!)
• Support for resuming file uploads when there are network issues
• Various performance improvements & bug fixes
Source: Dropbox
Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:21 AM PST
It seems every month we’re getting different statistic reports on which mobile OS has the highest market share. A couple weeks a go, Neilsen released a report showing that Android is still top dog when it comes to Apple vs. Android, and to no surprise Android took the lead by 16%. Just yesterday, comScore released a new study that corroborates with Neilsen’s, and actually shows Android jumping up 1% a month over a 3 month average (keep in mind Nielsen’s report reflected new smartphone buyers in Dec. only) Despite the iPhone’s massive increase in sales recently, it just isn’t enough for them to gain much ground in the battle for #1.
As you can see, it’s kind of a loosing battle when you are competing against Android and iOS as they continue a trend of stealing market share from BlackBerry, Windows, and Sybian.
As far as OEM’s go, Samsung continues to dominate the hardware sector, claiming 25% of all mobile phones ‘used’ in the third quarter. LG and Motorola complete the top 3 with Apple hot on their heels. RIM on the other hand is just barely holding on while dropping down to 6.7%.
In other exciting comScore news, 75% of US mobile subscribers used text messaging on their phones while 48% downloaded applications. Games were played by 31% and only 24% listened to music. Keep in mind this is across all OS’ and not Android alone. I bet if you were to survey Android users you would get a much higher percentage in all categories. I mean, we are cooler than the rest, aren’t we? :-D
For more stat-filled facts hit the source link below.
source: comscore
Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:02 AM PST
The stock camera app for Android has gotten better over the years, but if you really want the best camera app for your phone, you need to get Camera ZOOM FX. From taking photos to adding over 90 effects, Camera ZOOM FX does it all. It’s really mind boggling what you can do.
When you take a photo, you have options for stable shot, timer, burst mode, collage, or time lapse. There’s even a voice activated mode which means you can set it to take a photo when you clap or shout.
After you take a photo, the fun really begins as you can immediately start adding enhancements from the following categories: FX, Overlays, Effects, and Colors. They even have a “Ready Made” option which includes a variety of different enhancements from the four categories. Some of those include Old Film Reel, B&W Classic, Picture Postcard, Dark Night, and six others. As you’re adding effects, you can long press on the photo to see it in its original state. Removing enhancements is also a breeze. You can also save a copy at any time, which means you can archive different versions of your photo.
How about if you already have an image on your phone? You can easily import it. That also means if you have a photo sitting on your computer that you would like to enhance, then you can copy it to your phone and import it to Camera ZOOM FX. Who needs photoshop anymore?
Still want more? How about free fun packs that you can download that gives even more cool effects? These include the Buddy Pack, Buddy Pack Request, Picture Frames, Halloween Pack, and Cool Borders. For example with the buddy pack, you can add famous “buddies” like President Obama to your pictures. These are all available in the Android Market.
This is by far the only camera app you will ever need. Right now it’s on special for $2.99, which is 40% off the regular price of $4.99. Don’t forget, once you buy it, it’s yours to use on any device you buy in the future. Checkout the video showing off all the features, and hit one of the download links to get started. Also, stay tuned because the folks at androidslide we’re nice enough to give us 20 FREE copies for a contest we will run celebrating the Super Bowl.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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Posted: 03 Feb 2012 10:34 AM PST
Well you have to give it to Apple. If anything, they are relentless. Rather than admit defeat in regards to their recent lawsuit in Australia against Samsung being overturned they’ve come at the Korean company a second time. This time, Apple is expanding its lawsuit to inclue 278 claims that spans across 22 patents and covers 10 new products.
This news was reported by The Australian and according to them, Apple has widened its claims in New South Wales Federal Court today. Samsung’s lead barrister confirmed that Apple expanded its patent lawsuit “enormously” from the three patents regarding features that were packed in the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Also the barrister, Neil Young, states that Samsung was only given a day’s notice of Apple’s legal bid against Samsung being amended to include over 200 claims against smartphones and tablets that haven’t even been seen in the country. Given the short notice Samsung won’t even be able file a defense against Apple until mid-May. 
Samsung is looking to turn the tables on Apple in attempts to ban the iPhone 4S because of Apple’s infringement of their 3G patents. They are requesting that the courts split the hearing into two parts in order to speed up the process and get their case heard later in February. Of course Apple is opposing this stating that the case would "become chaotic with witnesses being cross-examined while still preparing evidence for the second component of the case".
In regards to ruling on the patent complaints, Justice Bennett has voiced her eagerness in settling both matters before the year is done. This is to match the pace of the cases in other courts across the globe and both companies are to deliver plans for hearing dates next week. So keep it locked here as we will surely update you on this never ending struggle between the two tech giants. As we saw another Apple defeat in Germany yesterday, things are certain to heat up!

source: The Australian
via: TNW
Posted: 03 Feb 2012 09:03 AM PST
Starting February 5th, Sprint customers should check their account to see if they are eligible for a fantastic deal.  On an individual basis, Sprint will select some accounts to receive a discount of $25, $50, $100 to upgrade to a new phone with a standard 2-year contract.  This discount is in addition to the normal upgrade prices.  If you’re flagged in Sprint’s system, you will receive an email or paper mail notification.  The special will run from February to March 21st, so if you’re coming up on an upgrade, you should definitely look into this.
Sprint is certainly trying to keep their customers loyal.  Perhaps this is an attempt to offset a possible policy change.  Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
source: sprintfeed
Posted: 03 Feb 2012 08:35 AM PST
Hypocrisy is one of the only things we absolutely despise in other people yet staunchly defend in ourselves. That’s the very definition of the word. Of course we can rationalize our own hypocritical behavior because we understand why we’re behaving a certain way.
What does this have to do with fanboyism? Let me tell you about how I became an Android enthusiast (ok, fanboy) and you’ll understand.
Tinkerability
Ever since I chose to use IBM compatible PC’s as a youngster, I’ve had an almost irrational feeling of negativity toward Apple as a company. Even back then I understood that the more open PC architecture was more in line with my way of thinking. I wanted to be able to open up my own computer and tinker with it, and the PC platform allowed for that. Apple, on the other hand, owned everything from the hardware to the software to the level of “tinkerability” with its more closed, proprietary system.
This closed system allowed Apple to develop a more highly polished end product since they didn’t have to worry about being compatible with anything other than themselves. From this walled garden arose a symbol of solid usability, security, and style. For many, that’s more than enough. For me, it was too rigid and limited. Tinkerability factor close to zero.
iWon’t. Ever.
In 2007, all my friends and co-workers were getting iPhones and praising its simplicity and usability. It irritated me, mostly because I knew they were right and their phones were way better than my Windows Mobile Moto Q9c. But I would not budge on principal alone. In my head, Apple was evil and I would never give in, ever. So, for a little while I was running around with a sub par phone experience telling myself that it was perfectly functional and totally usable. The growing iPhone fanaticism was also really getting on my nerves and added greatly to my negativity toward Apple and iPhones.
My Hero
Then, in October of 2009, Sprint released the HTC Hero and my life changed. Sure, I had seen the G1 before, but it felt unpolished and, frankly, too “bricky” for my tastes. But the Hero sparked something in me that I can only now see as a reaction to my disdain for anything from Cupertino. Suddenly, I felt there was a true competitor to Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market. And since it was the ONLY viable competitor, I literally jumped at the chance to get on board. So much so that I over-swung and became exactly what I hated most about the iPhone scene…a fanboy. I wear Android shoes. I have several Android t-shirts. I have Android figurines and wind up toys. I have a stuffed Android, Android notebooks, a laptop sleeve, an Android bumper sticker…the list goes on. I even design my own Android products! Yes, I’m an Android Fanboy in every sense of the word.
Passion and Warfare
I have no problem with my fanaticism since I don’t see it as anything but the expression of my enjoyment of the platform. But if I mentally reverse it and I think about an iPhone user in my place, I have a hard time with it. I know it sounds ridiculous. They have just as much right as I do to express their devotion to their platform of choice. Who am I to judge them?
Urban Dictionary defines fanboyism as “the collective outlook and behavior of a group of people concerning a subject…which when challenged results in an antagonistic, passionate, and unreasoned response.” Because of the disproportionate amount of devotion to a fanboy’s subject of choice, any opposing viewpoint is magnified and seen as a challenge to what they hold dear. This is human psychology. Our brains are just wired this way. From a neutral 3rd party’s point of view, both sides are exactly the same…both hypocritical and defensive, and both simply protecting what they feel passionately about. Sometimes our fanaticism can run so deep that our hatred of opposing beliefs becomes irrational. This is how wars get started.
Recognizing You Have a Problem
It’s only recently that I’ve come to realize that I’m just as bad as the hipsters I mentally berated. Both sides of this issue have every right to feel what they feel. Sure, I’ll still never buy an Apple product, but I have nothing against those who do. I still participate in jab sessions with iPhone friends and co-workers, but it’s all just good-natured ribbing. Besides, we all know in the end that Android rules and everything else drools. Fact.
Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:51 AM PST
Ah yes, the iOS vs. Android debate is a seemingly neverending battle. Each has it’s pros and cons when it comes to both hardware and software. It’s no secret that iOS is a seemingly stable, an aesthetically stunning and a beautiful OS, while its simplified nature has won over the masses. As popular and successful as iOS is, we all know it’s all about its sheer number of apps. It’s no secret the number of iOS apps is far greater than what is available for the Android platform. It’s also no secret Android users complain about certain apps crashing perhaps because of compatibility or an app being far from a finished product. But what about iOS users, why hasn’t anyone complained about the iOS apps and those subsequent apps crashing? So let’s ponder this question: “Do iOS apps crash more than Android apps?” Well there are some people who have been pondering that very question and sought out to answer it. A recent study was completed by independent mobile app monitoring research firm Crittercism that yielded some surprising results. While additional testing needs to be done, Crittercism’s preliminary findings suggests that iOS apps do crash more than Android apps.

Keep in mind that both platforms have their fair share of crashes, but iOS crashes more. Crittercism conducted a one month study testing apps on both platforms and in the first quartile, found while Android apps crashed 0.15% of the time upon being launched, iOS apps crashed 0.51% of the time upon being launched. Forbes then highlights Crittercism found in the second quartile of apps, Android apps crashed 0.73% of the time and iOS apps crashed 1.47% of their launches. In the third quartile of apps, Android apps crashed 2.97% of the time, while iOS apps crashed 3.66% of the time.
While iOS crashing more than Android is a bit of surprise, Crittercism does highlight one key fact. By providing a breakdown of crashes by OS, it finds iOS 5.0.1 has the most crashes of all iOS versions, coming in at a whopping 33.93%. Conversely, Android 2.3.3 has the most crashes coming in at 24.76% of all Android versions. So it’s possible that because iOS 5.0.1 is a new operating system and developers have yet to tweak codes in apps, it’s causing for some incompatibility and thus crashes. The results and findings could possibly change once Android 4.0 is thrown into the mix and we see more apps and updates for ICS devices. Also keep in mind that developers for iOS have it rougher than the Android platform. According to Forbes:
“Android, it should be noted, allows developers to push updates faster than Apple. With Android developers can just send an update to its code, which can show up almost in real-time. But for iOS it can takes days or a week for an update to show up. That means there can be more crashes while those updates are waiting to happen. Whereas with Android, presumably if developers know there's a bug they can immediately fix it.”
So in essence, the Android platform allows for bugs in apps to immediately be identified and thus, fixed almost immediately. The iOS platform on the other hand does not allow for apps to be fixed on an immediate level— so perhaps it contributes to a big part of why iOS apps encounters more crashes than Android apps.
So there you have it folks. This study needs to be conducted again at another time to verify and confirm the results, but we may end any sort of discussion that claims Android apps crash more than iOS apps… for now.

source: Forbes


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