Sunday, April 15, 2012

Update - 204



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 04:35 PM PDT
From the Forums
If you've been following along with the news today, then you heard the news about Google IO registrations opening up. While we spent most of the day dreaming about what we'll see there, there was plenty of other news that followed. If you're looking to get back in the loop, check out some of the previous posts or head on into the Android Central forums for more discussion:
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 04:23 PM PDT
Locked
We've talked before about how to set up your Android phone with a secure lockscreen, and today we're going to talk about why you should do it. We're all concerned about our privacy and security when it comes to our smartphones and connected devices, and the first step is to take whatever measures are available to us and put them to good use. It's not very wise to sit back and complain about the security issues if we're not willing to take any steps ourselves to keep things private. Ultimately, we as users are responsible for security and privacy on our phones. 
A rally against an application, or our carriers, for privacy concerns is all well and good. It's something we all need to concern ourselves with, and be armed with as much information as possible. But in the end, we have to make the final decisions about what we feel is secure and what isn't. A good start is to keep your private information safe in the event that you lose your phone or it gets stolen. It happens -- it's happened to me, it's likely happened to more than a few of you. You either leave your phone behind somewhere and it's gone when you go looking for it, or some unsavory type takes it upon himself to make your property disappear. A couple years back I was relieved of my laptop and briefcase containing two smartphones in a parking garage, and after the initial period of anger and shock I instantly worried about the fellow having access to my information -- not the equipment itself. Luckily, everything was password locked and I don't think any of my precious data made its way into someone else's hands. The laptop and phones were replaced, and all was well.
That scenario would have played out a good bit differently had the phones been left unprotected. Besides my personal information (which I certainly don't want anyone to have access to) I had business contacts, documents that were covered under an NDA, and other information that would have caused quite a stir if it had ended up in the wrong hands. Companies -- even and especially the one you work for -- take that sort of thing pretty damn seriously, and they should. That means you should. Whether it's some sort of trade secrets, sensitive financial data, or just information about your family, you don't want someone getting hold of it. Would you want someone horrible enough to steal your phone knowing which school your kids attend, or your Mom's address? What about your banking information, or your work email? Just because you have nothing to hide doesn't mean you shouldn't care. If you think cancelling and replacing credit cards and your drivers license is a pain when you lose your wallet, imagine what it's like trying to fix things when your Google account has been compromised. Or your PayPal account. Or even Facebook. 
Yes, it's inconvenient to have to type in a PIN or passcode every time you unlock your phone. It's also inconvenient to pay your car insurance every month. But when the time comes that you need either, you'll be glad you did.



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 02:51 PM PDT
NOOK Comics
The latest update to NOOK for Android has bumped the app into v3.1 and aside from having the normal bug fixes and stability improvements in it, you can now also have access to Barnes & Noble’s collection of comics, graphic novels and manga titles.
With exciting graphics in stunning color that virtually jump off the page, NOOK Comics enables customers to explore favorite super heroes and characters in landscape and portrait and pinch and zoom to dive into even the tiniest details of the action. Barnes & Noble’s vast selection of NOOK Comics features the largest digital collection of Marvel’s graphic novels available through a third party, as well as titles from other leading publishers including Archie, IDW, Dynamite and Dark Horse.
The v3.1 update also includes NOOK Shop enhancements that allow folks to easily add or edit the default credit card associated to their account, as well as  un-archive content with a single tap in NOOK Library. The update is available now in the Google Play Store and you'll find the download link, past the break.
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Posted: 13 Mar 2012 02:22 PM PDT
G-Slate update
The T-Mobile G-Slate is in the midst of getting an OTA update to version 10p, which will bring security fixes, USB controller support, and a fix for an Android Market (Google Play?) update problem. It's not Ice Cream Sandwich, and at first glance it looks like it will be based off Android 3.2. All we're sure about at this moment is that it's version 10p.
Worth noting that you'll need to clear data on the Download Manager app to install the update, which the notice screen reminds you to do before installation. Be sure to back up any files you may have sitting in the Download Manager, just in case they too are deleted. You'll also have to have your G-Slate charged up before you can continue. 
If you're one of the few who picked up the G-Slate, now would be a good time to check for updates.
More: T-Mobile; Thanks, CXENTE!



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 01:57 PM PDT

Ofcom proposal paves the way for first UK 4G LTE
network launch later in the year

T-Mobile
British smartphone users have had to watch from the sidelines as North American and Asian carriers roll out ever faster 4G networks. However, UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has today issued a initial ruling which represents the first step towards two leading networks' 4G plans coming to fruition. The regulator has preliminarily approved plans from T-Mobile UK and Orange (under the "Everything Everywhere" banner) to re-farm their existing 1800MHz spectrum for use with LTE and Wimax.
If this happens, it'll make Tmo and Orange the first UK networks to roll out 4G services. Rivals O2, Three and Vodafone all plan on launching LTE on 800MHz and 2600MHz bands, and these haven't yet been auctioned off. And 800MHz airwaves in particular are still used for analog TV broadcasts in some parts of the UK. Competing networks have until April 17 to respond to the ruling, but as GigaOM ​points out, Ofcom's wording makes it clear they've no worries that the plans will hand Everything Everywhere an unfair advantage.
Ofcom estimates that assuming final approval was given in Q2, EE would be able to light up its LTE network around the end of Q3 -- potentially a full year ahead of the rest of the pack. As we've seen in other LTE markets, major cities will probably see 4G services first -- and we'd expect Mifis and 4G dongles to hit the market before the first LTE-enabled smartphones appear. Nevertheless, the possibility of next-gen networks finally arriving in the UK is a tantalizing one, and we'll be watching EE's plans with interest.
Source: Ofcom; via: GigaOM



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 01:52 PM PDT

DroidDoodle: What's in the box?
Don't poke the iPad.
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Posted: 13 Mar 2012 01:19 PM PDT
HTC One S
Much like the HTC One X that saw root come by way of MoDaCo's Superboot previously, the HTC One S has also been given the same treatment. All the same rules apply here as they did for the One X, meaning you'll be needing a device with S-OFF in order to get this to work and since HTC doesn't ship devices with their bootloaders unlocked, we'll have to wait and see how quick they offer up usage of the bootloader unlock tool. Unless of course, someone takes it upon themselves to beat them to the punch. In either case, whenever S-OFF can be achieved on the retail units you'll only need to load up the MoDaCo Superboot and you'll have root.
Download: MoDaCo



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 12:10 PM PDT
The Telegraph Android App
The Telegraph, long respected British broadsheet newspaper, have announced they are to launch a new application for Android. 
Not content with just pushing their printed content to a mobile app, The Telegraph's offering will also bring with it breaking news, live financial data, picture galleries and video content. 
Perhaps the best feature though -- well for soccer football fanatics like myself -- is how The Telegraph will be handling their football coverage. Live scores, tables, fixtures and results are a given, but subscribers in the UK will also be able to access Premier League highlights courtesy of ESPN. Goals can even be viewed when a match is still being played. 
The usual social network sharing options are on board, so your friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter can see the news stories you want to share with them. A customizable homepage is also thrown in for you to tailor the content you want to see.
Print subscribers -- and iPad subscribers if you're into that sort of thing -- will be able to take advantage of this application free of charge. The rest of us will have to pay a subscription fee, but The Telegraph are offering a free one month trial before you commit. No launch date has been given as yet, but is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. 



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 11:34 AM PDT
Android Central
Are you in the market for a truly exclusive Android smartphone? Money not an issue? Well luxury Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer have just the device for you. Their latest creation is called the Racer, it does run Android, and will cost a staggering €2800 ($3670).
So what does all that money actually buy? No plastic for one. The Racer is constructed from carbon fiber and titanium, protected by a shockproof rubber chassis. With its exposed screws and "avant-garde communication" labeling, the Racer certainly looks expensive. 
Curiously -- and despite having the four buttons on the front -- we're promised the "latest Android software" on the Racer. For the price though you would have to say that a little Ice Cream Sandwich is the least you deserve. Specs are pretty sparse -- read non-existent -- at this stage, but we are promised a "new customizable 3D user interface to fit the individual needs of each owner." 
CrackBerry Kevin's beloved Porsche Design BlackBerry P'9981 has itself some company in the exclusive, ridiculously expensive, designer smartphone market. The Racer is due in July, and to get one you'll be visiting one of Tag Heuer's own boutiques, selected watch and jewelry retailers and luxury mobile boutiques. Definitely no Best Buy on this one. Check out a short promo video after the break. 
Source: Tag Heuer
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Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:33 AM PDT
Input/Output
Google is busy gearing up for its big IO Developer Conference in June (we'll be there!), but what's the point of hard work without a little bit of fun? Today the developers team introduced us to its idea of a good time: Input/Output, a game of strategy, geometry, architecture, and all that stuff that you may or may not consider fun depending on your level of geeky. In order to build the perfect machine, you'll need to arrange (and rearrange, and then rearrange again) pendulums, flippers, elevators, redirectors, tracks, and walls to get your particle from one end of the screen to the next. It's a bit of an acquired taste, but if you're visiting the Google Developers' page in the first place, you probably have at least some interest. And hey, if you're good enough, your machine will be featured front row center during the conference. Fun or not, it's definitely one way to kill the time between now and June 26.
Source: Google IO



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:19 AM PDT
T-Mobile
T-Mobile today announced that it's flipped the switch on its HSPA+ 4G network on eight new cities. They are:
  • Abilene, Texas
  • Amarillo, Texas
  • Odessa, Texas
  • Victoria, Texas
  • Bakersfield, Calif.
  • Eau Claire, Wis.
  • Joplin, Mo.
  • St. Joseph, Mo.
T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray in a blog post also says that the company's priority is now on prepping for an LTE rollout in 2013, and that it'll be "well positioned and ready to move to LTE Advanced" beyond that.
More: T-Mobile



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 09:50 AM PDT
Google IO
Registration for this year's Google IO developer conference in San Francisco will begin at 7 a.m. PDT March 27. And you'd better set your alarm -- the 2011 conference sold out in less than an hour. Here's the pricing breakdown:
  • General attendee: $900 -- up significantly from 2011.
  • Academia (student, faculty): $300
Google's got a few rules to follow, too -- only one ticket can be purchased per person, and it's up to Google to approve any ticket transfers. You'll also need access to Google+ and Google Wallet to register.
It's worth a reminder that you'll undoubtedly be hearing about the hardware Google likes to give away at its developer conferences -- last year it was a Samsung Verizon LTE Mifi and a special-edition Galaxy Tab 10.1 -- but graft is the absolutely wrong reason to go to IO. The giant wall of candy and robots and the big official party and the hours and hours of information from the people that make all this happen? Now that's the reason to go.
The 2012 Google IO conference has expanded to three days and runs from June 27-29 at Moscone West in SOMA. And you can bet your bippy we'll be there for the whole thing.
Be sure to check out our complete coverage of Google IO 2011 for a taste of what we might see this year.



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 09:34 AM PDT
HTC Vivid / Velocity
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the HTC Velocity 4G (that's the international version of AT&T's Vivid) has started to push out to handsets on the Telstra network in Australia, according to reports. Aussie blog Ausdroid.net reports that in addition to ICS, the update brings the LTE-connected phone up to HTC Sense 3.6. That's the same version of HTC's UX layer that arrived on European Sensations last week, including a few tweaks here and there, but not the complete overhaul offered by the upcoming Sense 4.0.
If you're a Velocity owner in Australia, you can get your hands on the latest version by heading to Settings > About phone > Software updates and tapping "check for updates."
Source: Ausdroid.net



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 09:03 AM PDT
Google IO 2011
We're growing ever nearer to the Google IO Developer Conference, this year set for June 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. And just like we've done the past two years, we're bringing each and every one of our readers along for the ride!
What is Google IO? It's where we get an inside look at how things work, be it Android or search or Chrome or any of the number of services Google provides. It's where we meet the developers behind the scenes who make it all happen. And it's where we get sneak peeks — if not full-blow previews — of things to come.
In short, it's nerd Nirvana.
Bookmark this page today. This is your one-stop page for all the latest news regarding the 2012 Google IO conference. It'll update automatically with the latest news, and we'll refresh it as we get closer to the conference. (Click here for our 2011 Google IO coverage.)
Stay tuned, folks. This is going to be a good one.
read more



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 08:26 AM PDT
Xperia Sola
The Sony Xperia Sola has been official for just a few hours, but already an early hands-on video has surfaced, showing the (dual-core) mid-range smartphone's unique profile and "floating touch" technology. As we said in our announcement post, this is an extension of touchscreen technology which allows the device to sense when your finger is hovering over the screen. Sony's been keen to show off how this can allow you to use your finger like a "cursor" in the web browser, but the hands-on video shows a different use -- allowing touch input through clothing (i.e. gloves), even using non-capacitive materials.
We've got no idea what kind of black magic Sony is channeling to make this work, but we'll admit to being impressed. And we're hopeful that many more uses of this tech will present themselves as the Xperia Sola approaches its Q2 release window.
We've got the video embedded after the break.
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Posted: 13 Mar 2012 08:16 AM PDT
For today's ShopAndroid.com Daily Giveaway we'll be checking out the OtterBox Commuter Series Case for Motorola Droid X, Body Glove Fade Soft Touch Case for Samsung Epic 4G Touch, SPE Skin Case for Samsung Captivate, and the Case-Mate POP! for HTC ThunderBolt.
To be eligible to win one of these featured items, leave a comment below stating which accessory you'd like to have for your Android device.  Keep an eye out next Monday to see if you were the lucky winner from today's giveaway!

OtterBox Commuter Series Case for Motorola Droid X


The OtterBox Commuter Case features three layers of protection for your Motorola Droid X.  A clear protective film covers your screen preventing scratches, a durable silicone mid-layer help absorb impact, and finally the one-piece custom molded polycarbonate shell that brings it all together encasing the entire device-- making it an excellent option for the outdoor user.
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Posted: 13 Mar 2012 07:46 AM PDT
Galaxy S II
If you weren't lucky enough to be part of the initial roll-out of Ice Cream Sandwich updates for the Samsung Galaxy S II, then you shouldn't have too long to wait. The long-awaited update started pushing out to Galaxy S II owners in Poland, Hungary, Sweden, and Korea this morning, and more European countries should start to see it from next Monday, March 19.
The news comes from Samsung by way of British tech site Pocket-Lint​, and the good news for anyone in the UK is that it'll apparently be a part of this second wave of countries. Of course, if you're not afraid to tinker with your device, you could always just change your CSC code and update through ODIN. (If you don't know what any of that means, it's probably just best to wait for the OTA.)
Source: Pocket-Lint



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 07:36 AM PDT
The first time we took a look at Nova Launcher, I could only pine away for the day I'd actually have a phone that could run it. Finally that time has come, so after consulting the Google+ populace to make sure I was making the right choice, I installed Nova Launcher and upgraded to the full, Prime-laden version. Let me tell ya, it was so worth it.
If Nova Launcher by itself is a completely superior launcher to the stock Ice Cream Sandwich launcher (and it is), Nova Launcher Prime takes it up to 11. When you upgrade to Prime you unlock swiping gestures for your phone, app hiding in your app drawer, dock swiping, and a whole host of cool scrolling effects.
Nova Launcher by itself is unbelievably awesome because it's so darn fast. Scrolling is fast, menus are fast, screen previews are fast. It's like the Speedy Gonzales of Ice Cream Sandwich launchers. And on my Galaxy Nexus, Nova Launcher Prime absolutely screams.
Nova Launcher Prime is also incredibly customizable. You can change how many homescreens you have, change the amount of icons on the dock, change the screen transitions, the folder background shape, how many docks you have, well, the list goes on and on. If you're a bit OCD about how your launcher operates (or just about what size your grid is), Nova Launcher will help you keep everything in check.
Last but not least, there's also a backup and restore function included, so in the event you lose everything (or get a new phone or do a ROM wipe or something), you can easily restore all of your settings that you so painstakingly put together once and save yourself both the heartache and time. It might seem like a small thing, but once you restore a launcher once, you'll wonder why you ever bothered to manually set one up again.
My final verdict? Nova Launcher Prime is the real deal. It's easily the best launcher for Ice Cream Sandwich that's out right now, and if you're rocking a phone with Android 4.0, at the very least, Nova Launcher (free) should be installed. It's that good. TeslaCoil Software knows how to produce great Android apps, and with Nova Launcher, they've kept their streak going.
Nova Launcher Prime is $4 in the Android Market Google Play Store. We've got download links after the break.
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Posted: 13 Mar 2012 07:29 AM PDT

Deal of the Day Grab the Case-Mate Barely There Case for Galaxy Nexus for $16.95 today only.  That's $8 off the list price!

The Barely There is Case-Mate's new line of sporty cases for the Galaxy Nexus. These cases are designed to help protect the design of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus or Verizon Galaxy Nexus while allowing more of it to show.  They're extremely slim and feature cutouts for the device's ports and screen.  Available in black and pink.  Take advantage of this limited time offer while supplies last!
List Price: $25.00          Today: $16.95



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 07:24 AM PDT
Virgin Mobile Venture
The Virgin Mobile Venture is now official, a day after it went up for preorder. The phone is manufactured by Alcatel and is going for $99. It's got a 2.7-inch touchscreen and full QWERTY keyboard, a 2MP camera and runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It's got the Virgin Mobile version of the Sprint ID pack, so you can theme it out in a number of ways.
Source: Sprint



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 06:42 AM PDT
Verizon network down
Been getting e-mails from a bunch of you folks this morning saying that Verizon's data network is again struggling. Doesn't look like it's a nationwide outage, which is good, but we've heard from enough of you, suggesting that this may be a thing. So who's having issues, and where are you?



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 06:17 AM PDT

Take a closer look at Sony's new Xperia Sola smartphone with this selection of official promo shots.
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Posted: 13 Mar 2012 06:00 AM PDT
Xperia Sola
Sony has today revealed the Xperia Sola, a new 3.7-inch Android smartphone similar to the Xperia P and Xperia U, which were unveiled a couple of months ago. If you've been following the rumors over the past few months, you'll recognize this as the MT27i "Pepper".
The Xperia Sola is packing a brand new technology called "floating touch", which allows the screen to sense when there's a finger hovering over it. The main use case highlighted by the manufacturer is web browsing -- on the Xperia Sola, users will be able hold their finger over a web page like a cursor, before touching the screen to select. It's an interesting concept, but we'll have to spend some time with the device before we're completely sold on it.
The Xperia Sola also sports a different profile to most of Sony's other 2012 smartphones. There's no clear element near the bottom of the device, and the screen protrudes from the base, likely due to whatever extra tech Sony's crammed in behind it to facilitate that "floating touch" feature.
Internally, the Xperia Sola closely matches the Xperia P -- there's a 1GHz dual-core ST-Ericsson chip inside, a 3.7-inch "Reality Display", and all of Sony's usual software stuff on top of Android 2.3 Gingerbread (an update to ICS is promised for "Summer 2012"). You also get NFC support, which lets you use Sony's "SmartTags" to automate certain tasks when they're in range.
The Xperia Solai will launch globally in black, white and red during the second quarter of the year. We've got today's full press release, alongside some introductory videos, after the jump.
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Posted: 13 Mar 2012 05:58 AM PDT
Motorola Motoluxe
Motorola this morning announced the launch of the Motoluxe Android smartphone in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. As you'll recall from our first look at CES, the Motoluxe has a 4-inch display and Android 2.3, with an 8-megapixel rear camera and Motorola's Social Graph feature and widgets that you'll not find on another phone. 
More: Motorola Norway, Sweden, Denmark



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 05:30 AM PDT
Motorola Xoom 2
Motorola this morning announced that its Xoom 2 tablet -- the 10.1-inch version, that is -- is now available in Israel. You can get it today on Cellcom and will hit Orange in the next few days. It looks to be the same as what we reviewed early this year as the Droid XYBOARD, with a Android 3.2 (sigh) powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. 
Pricing, says Motorola, is as follows:
Motorola XOOM 2 is now available in Israel from Cellcom and selected stores and in the next few days at Orange. The price for the XOOM2 in Cellcom is 85 ILS including VAT X 36 months with a discount of 40 ILS for the surfing package and at selected stores for 3,690 ILS including VAT.
Got all that? Good.
Source: Motorola
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