Saturday, March 10, 2012

Update - 36

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Android Central

Posted: 22 Feb 2012 04:33 PM PST
From The Forums
With this morning starting off rough for Verizon 4G LTE users, we're rolling into the evening on a some better notes. There was quite few app updates coming from various places today and announcements coming from all corners. So if you missed out on anything, get yourself caught up. Once done there, hit up the Android Central Forums, you dig?
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 04:29 PM PST
Ubuntu for Andorid

Check out our Ubuntu for Android forums!

Many a sleepless night has been spent by Android hackers getting Ubuntu to run natively on our Android devices. It's hard work, but fun and the end result is something super-functional as well as super-cool. The folks at Canonical, the minds behind Ubuntu, think so, too. That's why they did it the right way, and have announced Ubuntu for Android.  This isn't some janky, twisted hybrid designed by the people who make your phone. We've seen that, and went away still wanting. This is software, from the people who write the software, specially tailored for our devices.
Imagine one device that goes with you all day, safely in your pocket, and when you stop for a while you can plug it in to an external display and have a full-blown desktop operating system, ready and able to be used as you would a normal desktop computer. All the things most folks do -- surf the Internet, answer and send e-mail, view, edit and share pictures -- it all can be done with a keyboard and mouse on the big screen. Nerds and geeks will take things to the extreme (we always do), but the average home PC user will have everything they need, without buying another expensive piece of electronics.
Since it's Linux and open-source, it's also a building base for any number of great projects. Use Ubuntu's vast software library to install all the programs you would need to have a home entertainment center running from your phone. Or use programs like Open Office to edit and share spreadsheets and all the other document you would need for work. As the hardware in our Android devices gets better and faster, you'll be able to do even more. One day, people will be able to use their Android phone running Ubuntu to write programs and apps for Android and Ubuntu. The possibilities are endless, limited only by what the hardware can handle.
There will be a learning curve involved, as most folks aren't very familiar with Ubuntu yet. That's where we come in. We have Linux geeks on staff who know the ins-and-outs and we're champing at the bit to get our hands on this one. We'll be there to answer questions, and to work out the bugs as they appear. Just keep an eye on Android Central and you can stay up-to-date on all things about Ubuntu for Android.
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 03:57 PM PST
US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S II
US Cellular's Samsung Galaxy S II may hit stores on March 1, according to an internal document sent to Android Central. The memo, titled "Samsung Galaxy S II Equipment Launch Announcement" is dated Feb. 20 -- the day before the regional carrier actually announced the device. The memo reads as follows:
The Device Launch Management team is pleased to announce the forthcoming launch of the Samsung Galaxy S II on March 1, 2012.
Samsung and US Cellular are proud to launch the Samsung Galaxy S II a high end 3G Android-powered device. Based upon the success of the Samsung Mesmerize, we have worked with Samsung and [are] now able to offer our customers another great 3G Samsung Galaxy product. Maintaining a strong 3G portfolio is critical to our device line-up and the Samsung Galaxy S II is a perfect fit.
All stores are expected to have the Galaxy S II by March 1, according to the memo, but it also sounds like some may see it sooner. As always, nothing's official until it's official -- we've seen these sorts of things change before. And there's no still mention of an upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. 
Thanks, anon!
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 03:33 PM PST
Toshiba Thrive
A fine bit of news for those of you out there who happen to have a Toshiba Thrive 10-Inch. When questioned on Twitter when a release of Ice Cream Sandwich would be available, Toshiba USA surprisingly replied stating they were targeting a Spring release for ICS. No mention was made of the Toshiba Thrive 7-Inch but alas, maybe Toshiba will clairfy further now that this information is out there. Anyone been waiting on this news?
Source: @ToshibaUSA
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 02:28 PM PST
Ubuntu on Android
You probably heard the big news about Canonical's plans to build Ubuntu for Android devices. It's something I'm extremely excited about and have been tinkering with myself since the days of the Nexus One. This latest -- and finally official -- iteration resembles (and is being compared to) something we've seen before from Motorola -- Webtop. We got to sit down and talk to the folks at Canonical for more information about Ubuntu for Android this week, and I'm here to tell you, chances are this won't be like Webtop at all.
It won't suck. And here's why:
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 02:24 PM PST
For today's ShopAndroid.com Daily Giveaway we'll be featuring the Samsung 2100mAh Extended NFC Battery w/ Door for Verizon Galaxy Nexus, OtterBox Commuter Case for Samsung Skyrocket, Seidio ACTIVE Case for Motorola Droid RAZR, and the Seidio CONVERT Combo for HTC EVO 4G.
Leave a comment below indicating which featured accessory you'd like to win, and we'll announce the lucky winner of today's daily giveaway next Monday!

Samsung 2100mAh Extended NFC Battery w/ Door for Verizon Galaxy Nexus


Significantly increase the talk and standby time of your Verizon Galaxy Nexus with the Samsung 2100mAh Extended Battery. This lithium-ion battery fits perfectly in the back of your device and features the NFC capability. The battery also comes with an extended battery door to replace your stock cover.
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 01:47 PM PST
Android Central
While it may not be the most popular application among the Android faithful, Google Books is still a pretty solid e-reading app. A small update has sneaked out into the Market today, although at present it doesn't seem to be showing up in your my apps -- kind of like how YouTube went un-noticed. 
The version numbers vary across devices, but has been bumped on the Gingerbread and below version, and the Honeycomb and above versions. What's confusing is to exactly what this update is for. 
The changelog on the Honeycomb upwards version -- and indeed the web market -- touts accessibility support/TTS, ability to remove a downloaded book from your device (pretty sure we already could?) and improved stability.
Over in the Gingerbread and below camp, the changelog reads very differently. Here we get fixes for download error messages. In both cases the version numbers are bumped only very slightly, so we'll go out on a limb and say its a bug fix update. Either way, you'll find download links after the break. 
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 01:02 PM PST
Guitar Tab Pro
If you're a guitar player, then chances are you're already make use of your Android device in some way to help you with your music. Be it as a instant guitar tuner, to download tabs or even record quick little jam sessions here and there and now, you can exapand on that usage with the release of Guitar Pro Tab Player to the Android market. This a mobile version of the Guitar Pro tab editing program available for Android devices 2.2 and up, and it's pretty feature-packed:
  • Supporting GP3/4/5 and GPX (Guitar Pro 6) formats,

  • File import through web server and file browser,
  • Integrated library with search, filter, and favorite,
  • Multitrack playback with soundboard: volume, solo-mute, soundbanks,
  • Metronome and visual countdown,

  • 3 levels of zoom,

  • Guitar or bass fretboard (for right- and left-handers), and virtual keyboard.
Now, you can view, hear, and learn guitar, bass, or drum scores wherever you go and even share your files with others if you do so wish. The app is available in the Android Market right now as a paid app, you'll find the download past the break. Maybe, you can get as good as this guy?
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 12:59 PM PST
 
With our very own Mobile Nations Fitness Month almost at a close, we'd be remiss if we didn't bring you some of the hottest accessories made for the walking, jogging, calorie-burning, Android-loving health junkie. For those of you sporting an HTC EVO 3D, you'll definitely want to take a look at the Seidio ACTIVE Case for the HTC EVO 3D.
Combining the rubberized, gripping skin we've all come to know and love with a six-prong, hard plastic skeleton, the Seidio ACTIVE gives your phone the loving embrace it needs to stay safe without adding too much bulk.
On the top bezel, you're looking at the typical uncovered 3.5mm headphone jack, but otherwise, everything is all nice and covered up. That makes sense, since your phone's first line of defense is an all-inclusive rubber skin, but be aware if you're going to be getting sweat, dirt, or dust anywhere, it's going to be in the headphone jack.
Moving to the volume rocker bezel, expect the same protective treatment; if it doesn't need to be uncovered, it won't be. As a matter of fact, the only thing that isn't covered is the 2D/3D slider, so don't worry about your volume rocker or dedicated camera button.
On the opposite bezel, the microUSB port is open, which one the one hand means easy access to charging, but on the other hand means the potential for gunk to get in there. It's a tough compromise, but considering this isn't the full protection Seidio case, I'd say it's still doing pretty well.
The six-prong plastic skeleton fits nicely in the back of the rubber skin, so much so that you can't even tell it's a separate piece sometimes. It sits so nicely flush against the skin and the phone, you'll instantly recognize it's quality.
More pictures are after the break.
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 12:58 PM PST
Android Central
The Google Docs app for Android has received a substantial update today, adding some significant new features which to bring the phone and tablet app in line with the full desktop version.
First up is collaborative editing, which allows multiple people to work on the same document in real time -- this has long been possible on the desktop, but has been lacking in the mobile app. And it's also possible to set document permissions and invite others in your address book to work on a document alongside you.
In addition, rich text controls are included for documents, and pinch-to-zoom now fully functional too, making possible to manipulate text, undo and redo just like in the desktop version. Unfortunately these new features only work in documents, not spreadsheets, but regardless, it's a big step forward for the mobile version of Docs.
We've got Android Market links, and an official introductory video, after the jump.
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 11:48 AM PST
Droid RAZR MAXX Red Carpet
The Academy Awards are this Sunday, and the nominees and select presenters will be sporting a special Red Carpet edition of the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX. It's the same phone we reviewed a couple weeks ago, only it's red. And it'll be held in far more beautiful hands than ours. The men get high-end shaving kits along with the phone, while the women get a gold sequined pouch.
For those of you who aren't up for an Oscar this year, you'll have a chance to win one of theses special editions on Feb. 23 (that's tomorrow) on Motorola's Twitter account. 
Source: Motorola
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 11:27 AM PST
Android Central
Japan may be the among the next countries to get the LTE verison of Samsung's Galaxy Note, according to the latest rumors from Japanese tech blog Gpad. The site's notes that a device carrying the model number "SC-05D" recently received Bluetooth certification, and later appeared in a leaked Modaco product catalog alongside the name "Galaxy Note".
The reported spec list would place the Japanese version on equal footing with the Canadian and AT&T LTE models, with a 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3 CPU, 1GB of RAM. Scoring the Galaxy Note would be a big win for Japan's largest carrier, which already has its own version of the Galaxy Nexus, and many other leading Android handsets.
We'll have our review the AT&T Galaxy Note up soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out our write-up of the international version from last year.
Source: Gpad.tv
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 11:24 AM PST
Iconia Tab Ice Cream Sandwich
Good news for those of you patiently waiting for Acer's April release of Ice Cream Sandwich for its A100 and A500 tablets: the good people over at XDA seem to have found stable leaks of the update ready for your flashing. XDA forum member vache posted the files today, and says that the leak is running quite nicely on the A500. A quick look through the forum posts indicates that the leaks are smooth and relatively bug free, though the upgrade will indeed remove root access on your device.
Despite the good reviews, keep in mind that the files are not Acer's final build, and thus can come with a hidden bug or five. If you're feeling brave, you can grab the files at the source link; to flash, you'll need to rename the file to update.zip, place it on the root of your SD card, and boot into recovery. If the process sounds like gibberish to you, you might want to sit tight for another month for Acer to roll out the official OTA.
Source: XDA Forums (A100, A500); Thanks Tom!
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 09:24 AM PST
HTC at MWC
Ah, yes, folks are noticing HTC's little teaser on Facebook, pointing to something new coming down the pike on Sunday, saying "You'll discover something fast." Hey, guess what else is on Sunday? HTC's Mobile World Congress press event. And guess who's gonna be there? We are! And that means you'll be there along with us. Things get going around 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, for those of you in the States.
So what will we get, and how fast will it be? Phones on the wheel of possibility include the One X (aka Endeavor), One S and One V. Or maybe all of them.
And if you haven't checked it out already, be sure to read through Alex Dobie's Mobile World Congress preview to see exactly what we're expecting from everyone else in Barcelona.
Source: HTC on Facebook
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 09:03 AM PST
NBA live wallpaper 1
If you're a fan of the NBA and live wallpapers, you'll want to check out the NBA All-Star Live Wallpaper app, which enables you to customize your background with your favorite NBA team.
The app is what we call freemium, which means that it is free to download the initial app, but you'll have to pay up for each team you decide to download from then on. Each team's live wallpaper is $1.99 with an in-app purchase, or you could buy every team for a flat fee of $4.99. You can also purchase team ringtones, but they come with the $4.99 package.
Once the app is installed, you'll need to go to the wallpapers gallery to find the NBA options. Once you click on it, you'll be able to customize:
  • Team (only those you've paid for)
  • Court (Home Court, Team Clubhouse, or Blacktop)
  • Ball Type (NBA Official Ball, Team Ball Black, Team Ball Two-Tone, Red White and Blue, All-Star)
  • Number of Basketballs (1 - 5)
  • Ringtone (you'll also be able to access team ringtones if you purchase those)
Once the wallpaper is set, you'll see the basketballs that you've chosen bouncing around. Tapping one of them will make it bounce and tilting your phone will move them, all the while seeing your favorite team's logo in the middle of the screen. The wallpapers are all nicely designed and they're perfect for NBA fans who want to show off their fandom all of the time.
As I mentioned above, the initial download is free from the Android Market. We've got links after the break as well as more screenshots.
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Posted: 22 Feb 2012 09:03 AM PST
Android Central
The latest round of pre-MWC rumors has Japanese manufacturer Fujitsu launching its own quad-core phone for Europe. According to UnwiredView, Fujitsu's mystery device will sport an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, and will be paired with a 4.6-inch screen and an impressive 13.1MP camera. Other notables supposedly include Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a fingerprint sensor and water and dust resistance.
According to today's reports, samples of the device will be on show at Mobile World Congress next week. If it's there, we'll bring you full coverage.
Source: UnwiredView
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 07:55 AM PST

Youtube link for mobile viewing
With the LG Optimus Vu getting it's official unveiling ahead of Mobile World Congress, there is plenty of folks out there looking to get their hands on the device to get a better look at it. Luckily, the device has been making its rounds and most recently was caught on video.
In it, we get a good look at the 5-inch (1024x768) IPS display and a better feeling for the 4:3 aspect ratio plus, a look at the tools that will be used for hand written notes -- just like the Galaxy Note, though there is no stylus present in the video. We'll hold off our full commentary until we get our own hands-on with it but what do you all think of it?
Source: NetBookNews
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 07:50 AM PST
Samsung Galaxy Mini 2
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 07:45 AM PST
Samsung Galaxy Mini 2
  • 3.27" HVGA display (320 x 480)
  • Dimension (NFC): 58.6 x 109.4 x 11.9mm (106.8g)
  • Dimension (Non-NFC): 58.6 x 109.4 x 11.6mm (105.3g)
  • Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS
  • 800MHz single-core Processor
  • 3MP (rear) camera
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Accelerometer, digital compass, proximity, NFC (optional)
  • 4GB memory
  • 512MB RAM
  • MicroSD (up to 32GB)
  • 1300mAh Li-Ion battery
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 07:35 AM PST

T-Mobile 'G4X' also rumored ahead of Mobile World Congress

Android Central
LG's next big thing, the "X3", will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress next week as the LG Optimus 4X HD, according to reports from PocketNow. If true, the branding would give weight to what's already been rumored -- that LG's next flagship phone will sport a quad-core Tegra 3 CPU and a 720p dispay. Based on recently leaked-benchmarks, LG's looks set to deliver a beast of a phone, with early scores dwarfing current high-end handsets (and we'd expect no less from Tegra 3).
The site also reports references to a T-Mobile G4X, possibly based on this design. It'd makes sense that the 4X HD might become Tmo's latest G-series handset, as we've seen screenshots of near-vanilla Android running on one version of the device very recently. Whatever the phone(s) end up being called, we're sure to see them in a few days at Mobile World Congress.
Source: PocketNow
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 07:28 AM PST
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 07:23 AM PST
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 Specs
  • 800MHZ dual-core processor
  • Dimensions: 62.2 x 118.3 x 10.5mm
  • Weight: 122g
  • 3.8" WVGA display (480 x 800)
  • Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS
  • 5-megapixel (rear) camera
  • Front-facing VGA camera
  • Video playback/recording @ 720p
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 4GB memory
  • 768MB RAM
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • Accelerometer, digital compass, proximity, NFC
  • microSD (up to 32GB)
  • 1500mAh Li-Ion battery
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 07:13 AM PST
Motorola Cliq 2
It's retro week here aet Android Central, first with the Samsung Continuum getting an upgrade to Android 2.2 Froyo, and now the Motorola Cliq 2 on T-Mobile. You heard that right. T-Mobile apparently is seeking out 1,000 people who still use the Cliq 2 (and hang out in T-Mobile support forums) to test the upgrade before it goes live to the other four or five people who haven't ditched the device already.
If you're interested, the link below.
More: Cliq 2 Gingerbread update; via TMo News
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 07:04 AM PST
Seidio SURFACE Case for Samsung Galaxy Nexus / Verizon Galaxy Nexus
The ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day for Feb. 22 is the Seidio SURFACE Case for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. This case fits the GSM and Verizon verisons of the Galaxy Nexus and is crafted from a hard yet flexible material that provides an amazingly thin layer of protection without adding the excessive bulk of other cases. It's available in amethyst, garnet red, royal blue or black today only for just $16.95. Get yours while supplies last!
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 05:47 AM PST
Verizon network down
Here we go again. Looks like Verizon's 4G network is refusing to wake up this morning. We've got multiple reports in multiple forums, e-mails in the inbod, and threads on Verizon's own support forums. Sit tight, folks. We've been here before.
More: Android forums, Verizon Support



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