Posted: 23 Feb 2012 05:04 PM PST  If you are an avid reader of our site (or processor nerd like me) this might not come as much of a surprise, but Samsung has finally demoed their quad-core Exynos 4412 processor in public. This upcoming chip was first spotted last November and we were unsure if it would ever see the light of day, but Samsung LSI was previewing it at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference this week. Samsung’s latest mobile application processors are being built with their 32nm High-K Metal Gate (HK/MG) low-power process in their Austin fab. Upcoming Exynos parts include:
Recently got we got chance to see the Exynos 5250 in action at CES, on a tablet running Android 4.0. Again I speculated that this part could be used in the rumored Galaxy Tab 11.6, and we are still waiting to see what happens. The latest addition to the Exynos family that we have not talked much about is the quad-core Exynos 5450. Daniel P. of PhoneArena reported this upcoming part will feature the latest ARM Mali-T658 GPU, but we know nothing of its availability. Samsung already said they would be implementing ARM’s big.Little setup in an Exynos processor this year, but we don’t know which model that will be. I know for a fact it is not Exynos 5250, so it’s possible that it could be Exynos 5450. If that happens, then I wouldn’t expect the Exynos 5450 in product until early 2013. Hopefully we will learn more about Samsung’s roadmap at Mobile World Congress next week. I know everyone is all excited about quad-core, but I’m hoping we see the dual-core Exynos 5250 inside the next Galaxy S III and Galaxy Tab 11.6. As Texas Instruments pointed out, Cortex-A15 is a huge improvement over Cortex-A9. We might not see TI’s OMAP5 in devices until early 2013, but Samsung has said that their Exynos 5250 will go into mass production next quarter. That would be perfect timing for it to appear this summer in Samsung’s flagship devices. And now we wait. |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:57 PM PST  Early last week we reported that HTC would release an early access preview of the Android 4.0 build for the HTC Sensation and Sensation XE to a few hundred users in Europe. Today, the update has been released to the public thanks to the team at InsertCoin. Since we don’t own a European HTC Sensation or Sensation XE, we have not been able to load the Android 4.0 update on any of our devices yet, so we’re not exactly sure what things looks like or what new functionality is included. Keep in mind that loading a leaked RUU does come with a few risks (and may void your warranty). The software builds HTC has made available are still considered test releases, but should be stable enough to be used as every day drivers. If you don’t know what you are doing, we suggest you wait things out for a few more weeks until the official Android 4.0 OTA update is released to all HTC Sensation owners. Below is an email which went out the HTC Elevate members today before the android 4.0 update was released: Who here wants an ICE CREAM SANDWICH? We do! Hopefully you do, too. We're happy to announce the first round of software previews in HTC elevate and you are in the first group of folks who will be able to participate!If you do happen to load the update on your device or are part of the HTC elevate program, leave us a comment below and let us know what you like or don’t like about it. We’re expecting ROM developers to tear the update apart and port it over to a dozen or more devices before Mobile World Congress wraps up next week. |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:33 PM PST  Sometimes LG just can’t contain themselves. They regularly control leaks to the online media in order to hype up their devices and this week they pre-announced their entire Mobile World Congress lineup before the big show. Today we have the Italian blog Telefonino who captured most of the high-end devices on video. The clips are not in English, but check them out if you want a preview of what LG will show off next week in Barcelona. We are particularly interested in the quad-core Optimus 4X, which could come to the US as the T-Mobile G4X. Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below. LG Optimus 4X HD LG Optimus 3D Max LG Optimus Vu Head over to Telefonio for more pics on the Optimus 4X HD, Optimus 3D Max, Optimus Vu, Optimus L7, and Optimus L3. |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:23 PM PST  According to Google insiders that spoke with CNET, the search giant’s music service is not doing as great as expected. Despite the success that Android has, and its seamless experience with Google Music, users are simply not adopting the new service. The situation has Google very disappointed, as they expected a good percentage of the Android population to prefer Google Music over alternatives. The music industry has been experiencing issues since the internet became popular; it’s hard to sell music when users can easily download it (steal it) from popular sharing services. But what is even harder to do is change people’s media consumption habits. Music in the cloud is a fairly new idea, and people have not quite gotten used to it yet to gleefully adopt it. Not to mention that tiered data plans have made it less enticing to use such services, which tend to be data-heavy. Many of those that do use streaming music services tend to lean towards services like Spotify, Rdio and Rhapsody (among others), which are subscription based, but it seems like the majority of the population is still playing music locally. And, sadly, a great percentage of these users probably still buys music via iTunes, especially if they’ve already made quite the investment with iTunes in the past.  Regardless, Google has a strong backbone in the mobile industry, which is why its expectations were not matched. At the time of Google Music’s launch, there were over 200 million activated Android phones and tablets. It wouldn’t take a big percentage of those users to make Google Music a success, right?Google has already integrated music payments to the Android Market, and Google Music is very intuitive and simple to use with Android devices. There is also a great variety of music available on the market, so we do not know where Google is falling short. It seems to us like it is just a matter of breaking habits. Google is not giving up on us, though. We already know that a home entertainment system is coming, and we can be pretty sure that Google Music will be deeply integrated. And we can be sure that more great things will continue to come.  Personally, after using most other music services out there, I have decided to stick with Google Music. Subscription services are great, but I found that I usually stick to the music I already like and own anyways. I was listening to the same playlists all the time and paying a monthly fee to do so. Instead, I just decided to keep everything in Google Music (or locally), and just purchase new albums as necessary.We are interested to see where are readers stand in all of this, though. More specifically, how much Android enthusiasts use Google Music. What music service do you guys use, if any? Do you prefer uploading your music and listening to it in the cloud, or are subscription services better for your needs? Let us know what you think, and let’s see what Google has for the future. Things are looking very promising with Google’s recent approach in hardware. |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:09 PM PST  It’s been awhile since we had a huge blockbuster game to look forward to on Android, but Gearbox Software might be coming to the rescue. This week the Dallas-based developer announced that Borderlands 2, the sequel to their critically acclaimed four-player cooperative shooter-looter, will be coming to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on September 18th. “Borderlands 2 is a passion project, through and through,” said Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. “The result is a sequel that has improved every successful aspect of Borderlands while innovating with an all-new experience.” No mention was made of an Android release, but Gearbox Software has already demoed the game running on a Tegra 3 tablet. Until we hear otherwise, we are going to assume that Borderlands 2 is coming to Android. “The addictive gameplay and shooting and looting mayhem of the first Borderlands is back and better than ever in Borderlands 2, taking the franchise to an entirely new level,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “With more guns, more enemies, more missions, an engaging story and all-new characters, Borderlands 2 promises to bring a new era to gaming this fall.” Just watch the three minute trailer below and let us know if you would enjoy playing this game on your Android device. p.s. Hey Gearbox I’m in Dallas too. Hit me up and I’ll come check out your game :) |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 11:24 AM PST  Box may not have the level of popularity that Dropbox has been able to achieve, but they are sure trying to get people’s attention. We know that Box has been offering free 50 GB of storage to owners of select brands, but not all of us have been able to (officially) take advantage of this until today. Box has just updated its Android application, and every user that downloads the app gets 50 GB of free cloud storage! Oh, and some added features and improvements to the app itself. Enhancements include the ability to view and comment files, invite your friends to collaborate in them, a better uploader, and a cool-looking improved UI complete with Android 4.0 support. I have to say that the UI looks much nicer than the previous version, a much needed update for the cloud storage service. All users need to do to take advantage of the free 50 GB offer is download the app and sign in; it is that simple. But if you need a bit more of an incentive, they are also raising the upload limit. Users are now allowed to upload files as big as 100 MB. To make things a bit more interesting, Box is also giving away 20 Samsung Galaxy Tabs with a year of their premium Box Enterprise service. As you may suspect, this is aimed at businesses and business users, and in order to participate, you must tell them how this tablet and service could improve yours. Check out the Box site for more details. So, if you haven’t yet tried out Box, we say it is about time you get your hands all over it. This offer ends on March 23rd, so make sure to get your free 50 GB before that. Are any of you currently using Box? If not, which cloud storage service do you prefer? |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:32 AM PST  We have to give props to Sony for releasing an alpha Android 4.0 ROM for testing last December, and the Japanese manufacturer has just given us a bit more ice cream sandwich goodness. Today, Sony has released the beta version of this ROM, meaning that the update is just a bit closer to reaching Sony’s Xperia devices. This update comes with much more functionality than its predecessor, but it still lacks very important features. Added features include activated GSM modem, FM radio, updated UI, beefed up lock screen and a quick dialer. Being able to access GSM networks is probably the most important, as those that use this ROM will now be able to make calls which, you know, is what a phone is meant to do. There are important features that are lacking, though, since Sony is still waiting for approval in order to activate them. Such include WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as access to Google Apps including the Android market. Hopefully Google will give them the okay soon, and Android 4.0 will be in the wild before too long. This ROM is aimed at developers, as Sony does not intend this incomplete ROM to be used as a daily driver. Regardless, it could be fun for the more adventurous Android user to check out what Ice Cream Sandwich will be like on Sony hardware. If you happen to be the proud owner of an Xperia Arc S, Neo V or Ray, this ROM is available for your flashing needs (not the regular Arc and Neo). Needless to say that there is a risk of bricking your device, so be careful if you want to try this as no one takes responsibility if something bad happens, and you might be left on your own. With the disclaimer out of the way, you can go ahead try this one out if you need your Ice Cream Sandwich fix. In order to test the ROM, users have to unlock the bootloader with Sony’s official tool, have the latest software version (4.0.2.A.0.42) and follow the instructions at Sony’s developer blog. Check out the demo video to see how this Android 4.0 beta ROM looks, and let’s hope the final version comes soon. Are any of you trying this? Let us know how your experience goes in the comments. |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:26 AM PST  Sounds like our man Sanjay Jha is out. Bloomberg News is reporting that Google will announce Dennis Woodside as the new CEO of Motorola Mobility. Three people familiar with the matter confirmed the news with Bloomberg. Previous rumors had suggested that Google would appoint Nikesh Arora to run Motorola after their acquisition deal closed. In that scenario Woodside would have taken Arora’s job, but it appears that he somehow leapfrogged him. We are learning that Woodside is a longtime employee of Google, having joined the company in 2003. He has held the roles Director of Business Operations, Managing Director of Emerging Markets, Managing Director and VP of Google UK, President of Google Americas, and Senior Vice President of Google. Most recently, Woodside oversaw the merger and reported directly to CEO Larry Page. Omid Kordestani, SVP, Global Sales & Business Development, described Woodside by saying, “Ever since I met Dennis in 2003, I have been impressed by his combination of entrepreneurialism and operational excellence. He's never afraid to try new things and always ready to roll up his sleeves and pitch in.” The United States Department of Justice and Europan Commission recently granted approval for Google’s acquisition of Motorola, but at last count China, Israel, and Taiwan were left to weigh in on the deal. This recent news that Google will replace the CEO of Motorola Mobility could signal that the merger is virtually complete. In a recent interview with The Verge, former Motorola Vice President Marty Cooper had suggested that Google should leave Motorola alone after the deal closed. Marty warned, “As soon as Google starts treating them like their child and puts constraints on them, they’re going to have trouble competing.” It remains unclear what role Sanjay Jha will take, but a report from The Times of India says that he will be working with Woodside. Previous reports said that Jha would receive a $66 million golden parachute as part of the acquisition, so maybe he won’t miss his role as CEO. Developing… |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:12 AM PST  Are you sick of all the teaser videos for Mobile World Congress yet? Today ASUS released another teaser for next week’s show in Barcelona with a message that reads, “Twice The Detail. Twice The Fun.” Some have speculated that this could be for the refreshed Transformer Prime TF700T that we first learned about at CES. The original Transformer Prime TF201 had a 10.1 inch display with 1280×800 resolution, but the newer TF700T model features a reported 1920×1200 resolution. If you do the math, the newer display has twice the pixels of the current model, 1,024,000 vs 2,304,000. That sound pretty impressive, but just remember that Samsung is working on a tablet display with an amazing 2560 x 1600 resolution. An upgraded Transformer Prime will be nice, but I’m more interested in the Asus Padfone. |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 09:56 AM PST  In the last year, Asus has quickly become the leader in delivering timely Android updates to their existing products. Today Asus announced that Android 4.0 had begun rolling out to the original Transformer TF101. The update is available in Korea first, will hit the US tomorrow, and arrive in other regions soon after. On their Facebook page Asus said, “Although we will announce several new innovations at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week, we take great pride in delivering on-going enhancements and support for products that are well into their life cycle. We aim to continue improving the out of box experience with regular firmware updates.” Obviously the big advantage that Asus has with the speed of their updates is the lack of being tied to a carrier, but it’s still impressive to see how fast they move. If you manage to get the update on your Transformer soon, let us know how it performs in the comments below. |
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Update - 49
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