Sunday, April 15, 2012

Update - 207



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 02:58 PM PDT
samsung-galaxy-note-white
When the Android community puts their minds to something, it gets done. Putting Android on devices that don’t support the OS (like the HP TouchPad)? Done. Getting updates out to unsupported devices (that supposedly can’t run the latest versions of Android), and beating manufacturers to the punch with devices that are supported? Double done. Getting a carrier branded device like the AT&T Galaxy Note to properly function on T-Mobile, with HSPA+ to boot? Piece of cake.
Over on the XDA forums, a bounty was posted just over two weeks ago in hopes of tempting a developer to put some time into finding a way to get the AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note functioning on T-Mobile. Yesterday, that bounty was claimed.
XDA user tomin.fhl has posted the necessary files to get an unlocked and rooted Galaxy Note up and running on T-Mobile HSPA+. After a bit of trial and error, tomin.fhl found that a simple modem flash will get the Note working without error on T-Mobile’s network. Other developers have been close, but this is the first time everything has been in working order. According to tomin.fhl’s post about the hack on XDA, signal strength is weak, but calling and data work without freezes or random reboots.
Rooting and hacking your device can be tricky, and should only be attempted once you have fully researched everything associated with the process, but if you’d like more info on where to get started to make your AT&T Galaxy Note T-Mobile compatible, head on over to XDA now.
Does anyone out there plan on giving this a shot? Let us know how it works in the comments below.


Posted: 13 Mar 2012 02:46 PM PDT
samsung-mwc-630
When the new iPad (3rd generation) debuted a week ago, anyone who went hands-on with the slate went gaga over the high-resolution Retina display. The “Mac Press” sang the usual praises about how Apple has done it again, and how they’ve raised the bar to another unachievable high for rival manufacturers. But that’s not quite how it really works. You see Apple doesn’t totally manufacture their own hardware. Both the display and processor could only come from one company on the planet right now, and they just so happen to be making some of the best Android devices available.
Bloomberg is reporting today that according Vinita Jakhanwal, a senior manager at iSuppli IHS, Samsung has been the only company capable of meeting Apple’s quality standards for the new Retina display. Both LG and Sharp haven’t been able to maintain the level of quality desired by Apple. For the time being, Samsung will be the only manufacturer supplying displays to Apple for use in the new iPad.
Samsung also manufactures the processor in the new iPad, along with other iOS devices like the iPod Touch and iPhone.
So why should the fact the Samsung is making the display and processor for the new iPad matter to an Android user? It’s essentially a glimpse into the future of Samsung’s tablet line. If Samsung is the one manufacturing parts for the new iPad, you can bet similar parts are being developed for Samsung branded products that will undoubtedly run Android.
Rumors that Samsung is working on an ultra high-resolution tablet have been around since as early as last December. According to the latest whispers, Samsung’s newest Tab will feature an 11.6-inch display with a 2560 x 1600 WXQGA resolution, along with a 2GHz Exynos 5250 (2x ARM Cortex-A15 CPUs, quad-core ARM Mali-T604 GPU). Sound familiar?
The Galaxy Tab 11.6 will boast a similar pixel density to the new iPad, along with a faster processor and quad-core GPU. It will be the Android rival to the new iPad, with hardware that matches, if not exceeds, anything and everything stuffed inside Apple’s tablet.
If you’ve been drooling over the new iPad with 4G LTE, quad-core graphics and the high-res Retina display, just wait. Samsung isn’t just giving away their best stuff without keeping a little something for themselves.


Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:24 AM PDT
htc_velocity_android4
With the Android 4.0 update for the Samsung Galaxy S II, HTC Sensation and Sensation XE currently making its way across the globe, the HTC Velocity in Australia now joins the Ice Cream Sandwich party. HTC Velocity owners in Australia are reporting that Android 4.0 is currently being pushed out over the air, though there has not been any official confirmation from HTC regarding the update.
As with the HTC Sensation and Sensation XE Android 4.0 update, the HTC Velocity will be getting HTC Sense 3.6, which was specifically built with Android 4.0 in mind. If you’re not familiar with the Velocity name, you may know the phone as the HTC Raider in Asia or the HTC Vivid 4G in the US. The HTC Vivid is on the official HTC Android 4.0 update list, but we do not know when the update is scheduled for release.
If you’d like to see what Android 4.0 looks like on the HTC Velocity, be sure to check out the video below. How much longer are you willing to wait to get Android 4.0 on your HTC device?



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:23 AM PDT
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It’s been available on iOS for quite some time, and now Square Enix has decided to spread its wings and release Final Fantasy III for the Android ecosystem. The only (and major) issue is that it’s not available for everyone just yet. In fact the Final Fantasy classic can only be played by Japanese Android device owners.
You may have played the old school Nintendo version, like me. This game will not resemble the classic game very much. It has been enhanced with better graphics and 3D effects. It will look very different from what you remember. But it is fun, and the faces are more recognizable. (I like seeing my characters).
It seems we’ll have to continue using emulators to play this game. At least for a while. But it sure would be nice to have a native version available. And as of now, we have no idea when (or if) this game will be hitting other countries. But we sure hope Square Enix can give us the treat.
If you’re a Squaresoft fan, you may also like to know that Final Fantasy (1) and Chrono Trigger classics are also available. Once again, only for the Japanese market. We’ll just have to wait our turn. Check out the iOS trailer and let us know what you think. How many of you want to see these games coming to the US (or any other country)? I’m still waiting for a native Android version of Final Fantasy VII!



Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:20 AM PDT
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HTC was the first to update a phone to Android 4.0, but not by much. Samsung has started pushing out its Android 4.0 update for the Samsung Galaxy S II in Korea, Poland, Hungary and Sweden with a UK release scheduled for the week of March 19. Naturally, the Android 4.0 rollout “will be dependent upon each network's own software approvals process.”
The upgrade will begin in European countries including Poland, Hungary, Sweden, as well as Korea today and gradually roll out to other markets,Samsung
Samsung notes that the Android 4.0 upgrade for the Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 will be available soon, along with a new Android 2.3 update for the Galaxy S, Galaxy Tab 7", Galaxy S Plus, Galaxy S SCL and Galaxy W. This update will start hitting devices by the end of March and includes features like Face Unlock, Photo Editor and Snapshot.
Samsung made no mention as to when the Android 4.0 or Android 2.3 update will be available for the Galaxy S and S II variants in the US market. For now, all we can do is wait.
How long do you think it will be before we see Samsung’s Android 4.0 update for the Galaxy S II hit our shores?


Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:18 AM PDT
xperia sola featured
Sony was expected to unveil three devices at MWC last month. According to a leaked roadmap, the Japanese manufacturer was releasing three smartphones this April. Only two made it to the stage in Barcelona (Xperia P and Xperia U). But here comes the third one, which has just been announced by Sony. The Sony Xperia Sola.
This is the same device (code named the Xperia “Pepper”) we saw in yesterday’s leaked official image. But we didn’t think an announcement would come so quickly. It’s a good looking smartphone. Albeit, it has some differences from from the other Sony devices released recently.
It is lacking that translucent bar at the bottom, which you may love or hate. It also has a bit of a raised screen, which may make the device prone to bad scratches. And many are complaining about the rather large space below the capacitive buttons; this could have been utilized for something else.
But that’s all aesthetics, and hence, based on personal preference. If you’re more focused on functionality, Sony has a couple of new features up its sleeve.

Floating Touch

The most interesting is “Floating Touch.” This feature allows the user to navigate and browse without directly touching the screen. In the video demonstration, the user need only to hover and move his finger above the screen to interact with it.
Sure, it sounds a bit gimicky. But If you hate leaving fingerprints on your screen, this might be a good move. Sony will continue to work with developers, so this feature will be evolving with time.

NFC SmartTags

NFC has been around in Android devices since the Samsung Nexus S was released. But it’s a feature that, to date, hasn’t completely taken off. Sony is taking it to the next level by introducing SmartTags and including two of them with your NFC-supported Xperia Sola.
Settings and actions can be pre-configured and executed upon tapping on the SmartTags. For example, hang one in the car and set it up so that GPS turns on and navigation is opened. This is just one example; you can do whatever you want with them.

Sony Xperia Sola Specifications


  • Android 2.3 (“Upgradeable” to Android 4.0)
  • 1 GHz dual-core processor
  • 3.7-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine (854x480p)
  • 8 GB of internal storage / microSD slot supports cards of up to 32 GB
  • 5 MP camera capable of 720p HD recording
  • 1,320 mAh battery
As expected, the Xperia Sola followed the Xperia P and U’s footsteps by featuring Android 2.3 Gingerbread instead of Ice Cream Sandwich. But the Android 4.0 update should be coming in the “near future.” The specs are good, but not great. It has a small screen (which you may like), and the rest is what we are used to seeing in most mid-range devices.
Sad news is that the device does not come with a front-facing camera, as you may have noticed. While many of us don’t really use the front shooter, it has become an expected feature for smartphones nowadays. But if you don’t care too much for the downsides and love the new features, the device should be released during Q2 2012.
Let’s stay tuned for more details. What you think? Do the new features sound cool? Personally, it would be cool to have access to SmartTags. I could think of many ways to use them.

1_Xperiasola_black_front 2_Xperiasola_black_sidehoriz 3_Xperiasola_black_left 4_Xperiasola_black_back 5_Xperiasola_black_group 8_SmartTags_Group 9_SmartTags_Bedroom_PIU 10_SmartTags_Car_PIU xperia sola featured


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