Android Phone Fans |
- Sprint Galaxy Nexus Arrives Early For Some Lucky Pre-Orderers
- Samsung Galaxy S III Pops Up On Amazon – Reserve It Now For Only 600 Euros
- Motorola devices get universal root method
- LG Optimus M+ launches at MetroPCS
- Expect fewer HTC phones with QWERTY keyboards in the future
- HTC One X now available in Canada through Rogers
- Casio G’zOne Commando to receive C771M110 update, bug fixes incoming
- Download This: Fast Facebook takes the bloat out of social networking, looks good doing it
- Tegra 3+ and Tegra+LTE coming soon; latter due in Q3
- Google+ now supports SMS support in 43 countries
- Amazon’s “Sprint through Spring” sale gives you Sprint 4G phones for one penny until April 30th
- Unlocked Galaxy S II in the United States receiving Ice Cream Sandwich
- NVIDIA Tegra to reach Xbox 360-Like performance by 2014
- Samsung Galaxy S III (GT-I9300) Finally Caught On Video
- Android Overload: Google/Oracle Courtroom Drama, FCC Combats “Bill Shock” With Alert System and More
| Sprint Galaxy Nexus Arrives Early For Some Lucky Pre-Orderers Posted: 20 Apr 2012 06:38 PM PDT
I love a good surprise. Next to waking up to a warm plate of breakfast in bed, this would have to come in close second. If you were one of the lucky few Sprint customers who were able to squeeze in a pre-order of the Galaxy Nexus (before it sold either due to overwhelming demand or short supply) you may have noticed a little surprise today from the delivery man. Looks like the Galaxy Nexus is showing up a full 2 days early, for some and is something not to uncommon for those that pre-order a handset and have it delivered to their home. Anyone else get their Galaxy Nexus today? More importantly, anyone receiving some of Sprint’s brand new 4G LTE in their area?
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| Samsung Galaxy S III Pops Up On Amazon – Reserve It Now For Only 600 Euros Posted: 20 Apr 2012 05:40 PM PDT
We received a Phantip from one of our readers that the Samsung Galaxy S III has popped up on Amazon’s German site, carrying with it a 600 euro price sticker. The listing shows the phone will come with a 12MP camera, 4.7-inch display and 16GB of internal memory. Wouldn’t take those specs as “Bible,” but you can pre-order it right now if you’d like. More of a placeholder than anything, it looks like the device will be fulfilled by Amazon and not a 3rd party retailer. Thanks, Frank! [Amazon.De | Via AndroidNext]
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| Motorola devices get universal root method Posted: 20 Apr 2012 02:25 PM PDT
XDA Forums member rodrigojfuentes has developed a universal root method for Motorola devices running Android 2.3. While the new method isn’t necessarily the simplest way to go about gaining superuser access (it’s far from a one-click root), it does provide a common base from which developers and enthusiasts can work with Motorola hardware. To gain root, users must be running Linux (or a Linux virtual machine within Windows or Mac). The process requires obtaining and altering several files and then flashing the Android device. Like we said, not the most straight-forward method but given the range of phones it covers we’ll let that slide. Good thing Motorola doesn’t seem to pressed push out that Ice Cream Sandwich update, as it could break the universal root method. I kid, I kid. But rooting a Gingerbread phone and installing a custom Android 4.0 ROM is a heck of a lot quicker. [via XDA]
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| LG Optimus M+ launches at MetroPCS Posted: 20 Apr 2012 01:07 PM PDT
The LG Optimus M+ has launched as yet another affordable smartphone option at MetroPCS. The handset, which features a 3.5-inch display, 800MHz CPU, and Android 2.3, comes in at an easy to swallow $129.99. Lacking is access to Metro’s new 4G LTE network, but also absent is the premium price associated with it. The Optimus M+ comes as the followup to MetroPCS’s first Android phone the LG Optimus M, which launched back in 2010. Head over to the source link below for all the details. [MetroPCS via AndroidForums | Thanks, alfick3!]
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| Expect fewer HTC phones with QWERTY keyboards in the future Posted: 20 Apr 2012 12:20 PM PDT
Though the QWERTY keyboard has had a special place in HTC’s Android lineup going back to phones like the T-Mobile G1, the form factor looks to be phased out by the Taiwanese manufacturer in the future. Speaking at a press event in Seattle, HTC creative director Claude Zellweger said that HTC will be “moving away from [the QWERTY keyboard] in general.” He explained that the extra effort placed in refining physical keyboard design would detract from other areas of devices and that time is better spent improving HTC’s software input methods. The physical keyboard has been on the decline, with fewer handsets sporting a slider form factor. The QWERTY persists mostly with BlackBerry devices and those designed to emulate them. The move towards increased input area via larger screen sizes and thinner phones utilizing unibody design makes the full QWERTY keyboard an expendable option. [via Android and Me]
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| HTC One X now available in Canada through Rogers Posted: 20 Apr 2012 11:52 AM PDT
Canada will be the first North American country to see the HTC One X, as Rogers has launched the handset just a couple days short of its debut on AT&T in the US. Like AT&T, Rogers will offer the LTE-equipped variant of the One X, which features a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor in lieu of the quad-core Tegra 3 chip found in the HSPA+ model. Those that didn’t pre-order the device can now purchase it direct from the carrier for $169.99 on a three-year contract. The crew at Rogers’ RedBoard blog has taken the opportunity to give us a quick video rundown of the latest flagship smartphone from HTC. [via Rogers]
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| Casio G’zOne Commando to receive C771M110 update, bug fixes incoming Posted: 20 Apr 2012 11:37 AM PDT
Casio’s ruggedized g’Zone Commando has an updated prepped for delivery in the coming days. Verizon posted the changelog for software version C771M110, an update with plentiful bug fixes and enhancements, which include GPS improvements, email and messaging tweaks, and more. Updates usually kick off within a week of Verizon posting software revisions, so those rocking the durable Commando can expect it just about any day now. For more info, head over to Verizon’s site. [Verizon via AndroidPolice]
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| Download This: Fast Facebook takes the bloat out of social networking, looks good doing it Posted: 20 Apr 2012 10:52 AM PDT
Though Facebook for Android has seen a series of improvements over the past year or so, added features and a revamped user interface have taken their toll on the app’s performance. For those looking to make a break from the social network’s official Android client a new alternative might just be the best. Fast Facebook takes nearly all the features users found in Facebook for Android and rolls them into a tidy Ice Cream Sandwich-inspired package. Don’t take the app’s name lightly, either. It’s fast, alright (though in fairness, anything is fast compared to the current official build). Fast Facebook currently sits in beta and is available as a free download. It’s lacking in a few features such as event invites and push notifications, but you will have no problem updating a status, browsing a friends profile, or responding to messages. Furthermore, you can make adjustments such as default image resolution to further cut back on load times. Head over to Google Play to give it a whirl. Google Play Link: Fast Facebook [via Lifehacker]
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| Tegra 3+ and Tegra+LTE coming soon; latter due in Q3 Posted: 20 Apr 2012 09:18 AM PDT NVIDIA general manager of mobile business Mike Rayfield was on hand at the HTC Frequencies conference in Seattle this week and he let loose some very interesting details regarding the immediate future of Tegra 3.
For starters, it looks like we’ll be getting LTE-enabled Tegra phones starting Q3 of this year. We knew NVIDIA was working on it and had samples ready for testing earlier this year, but manufacturers have to be given time to research, develop, and manufacture their devices so that’s why the wait seems longer than it should. In any case, Tegra 3 lovers can soon stop compromising processor speed for radio speed and get both in one package. That’s not to say that LTE-ready options such as the S4 and OMAP4 aren’t nice, but we love options. Rayfield also mentioned one “Tegra 3+” but was apparently quick to let everyone know that it won’t go by that final name. We didn’t get many details, but he was able to say that it would definitely be a significant boost over the current Tegra 3 chipset. It’s unclear if NVIDIA will classify this as a new generation of Tegra, but we’re almost willing to bet there’ll be some architecture optimization and a nice processor + GPU speed bump. We won’t know until it’s official, though, so we’ll just have to wait until they’re ready to make those announcements. Oh, and for added bonus, we now know the codenames of their 2013 mobile chipsets: Wayne and Gray. Nananananananana Batman! [via PCMag]
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| Google+ now supports SMS support in 43 countries Posted: 20 Apr 2012 08:52 AM PDT
Users of Google+ in the United States and India have long had the ability to post status updates and respond to comments via SMS, but Google knows that a lot more people could use these features. Today, they’re announcing the addition of 41 new countries, many of which lie in the Middle East in Africa.
Users can either post new status messages, or receive alerts and respond to those to leave comments as if you were responding to a text message. You’ll get new comments on those threads, as well. You’ll have to enable your phone number in the Google+ settings page, and you need to make sure your carrier supports the service. For details on how to get started, head to Google India”s blog. [Thanks Raveesh!]
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| Amazon’s “Sprint through Spring” sale gives you Sprint 4G phones for one penny until April 30th Posted: 20 Apr 2012 07:33 AM PDT
Amazon Wireless is hosting a nice sale for anyone looking to continue doing their business with Sprint. They’re calling it the “Sprint into Spring” sale, and the cleverly-titled ordeal will bring all of Sprint’s 4G phones to your doorstep for just one penny. Of course, this won’t last forever — you have until April 30th to get in on the deal. And most of you know by now that you’ll need the mandatory $80 for their everything data plan ($70 service plan + $10 data fee). We’re not sure if the LTE-enabled Galaxy Nexus will be included in this deal once it launches this Sunday, but we’ll be sure to check. Get started here if you’re interested.
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| Unlocked Galaxy S II in the United States receiving Ice Cream Sandwich Posted: 20 Apr 2012 06:56 AM PDT While a high majority of Galaxy S II variants in the United States have yet to receive Ice Cream Sandwich, users of the unlocked GSM version will be happy to know that they”re among the first owners in the country to be graced with the sweet upgrade.
A 216MB upgrade, you should still see much of the same you’re used to with TouchWiz, but you’ll surely notice a lot of new Ice Cream Sandwich-specific stuff, including new security features, new data usage tracking, certain redesigned apps and more. Samsung warns that the update does wipe some critical files such settings for music playlists, homescreens, APNs, and more. This one is headed to you over-the-air so check for it in your settings menu be sure to find yourself a WiFi connection before downloading. [via Engadget]
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| NVIDIA Tegra to reach Xbox 360-Like performance by 2014 Posted: 20 Apr 2012 06:15 AM PDT While many vendors have promised console-quality graphics for the future, none of them have yet to actually hit that milestone. (Unless, of course, you are thinking about the PS1 or PS2.) A new graph shows how Tegra might eventually be powerful enough to produce graphics better than the Xbox 360 by 2014′s end. Sure, the Xbox 360 did come out in 2005 but even some of its launch titles look a lot better than what you normally see on the Google Play Store today.
It would be a remarkable achievement in the mobile realm, and it would be exciting to see what developers do with such power. Tegra 3 likely has the ability to get close to that quality, but the sad truth is that most games are developed for the common folk, and most of them don’t have hugely-power GPUs inside their phones. It’s just like getting a multi-platform game on console: the PS3 might be able to handle more than the Xbox 360 can (given the right developer). But no third-party, multi-platform developer would dare miss out on sales for an Xbox 360 version, and, as such, they wouldn’t dare spend their budget and time toward making a version fully optimized just for the PlayStation 3. I digress, however: the mobile world is different and developers definitely are willing to make versions of their games optimized just for Tegra. Hopefully, if the SoC line does eventually get to that point, we’ll be seeing some great games taking advantage of all that console-like juice. [via Anandtech]
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| Samsung Galaxy S III (GT-I9300) Finally Caught On Video Posted: 20 Apr 2012 03:06 AM PDT
Okay, we’ve seen the leaked pics, we’ve heard the rumors from insiders, now comes the time we get to actually take a look at a Galaxy S III prototype on video. Keep in mind, Samsung has gone the extra mile when it comes to security on the Galaxy S III, housing it in a sort of generic casing that, while admittedly pretty bland, is not representative of the final product. Let’s hope Samsung still has an ace up their sleeve when it comes down to debuting the device on May 3rd in London.
The video does show off a few specs of the device, namely the quad-core 1.4 GHz Exynos processor with Mali 400 GPU, 1GB of RAM, 8MP camera, 720p HD display, and NFC. Pretty much everything I was hoping for in a Galaxy S II sequel. You’ll notice Samsung has done their best to theme up Ice Cream Sandwich but from the little we’ve seen here, doesn’t seem to anything a good launcher replacement can’t fix. Enough jibber-jabberin’, let’s get to the video. What did you guys think? Does the Samsung Galaxy S III mop the floor with the HTC One X? Or do you think this leaves a lot of room for the device to be bested not only by rival Android devices, but possibly the iPhone 5 later this year? Thanks, Jogge!
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| Android Overload: Google/Oracle Courtroom Drama, FCC Combats “Bill Shock” With Alert System and More Posted: 20 Apr 2012 01:30 AM PDT
We got a healthy Android Overload here for you tonight. While some of these stories are more distantly Android related, others are right on the money. These are the stories we came across from throughout our day that didn’t manage to get posted on our front page. Have a look around and you’re sure to find something of interest.
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