Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Android and Me

Android and Me


HTC devices including One X, Evo 4G LTE clear for sale in US

Posted: 29 May 2012 06:46 PM PDT

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Last week, HTC released a somewhat cryptic update regarding their little customs problem, stating that some models had been released to carriers.

This left us with more questions than answers, as they did not specify which devices had been released. It also left us questioning whether the holdup, which was believed to only affect the One X and Evo 4G LTE, was in fact hampering the importation of additional devices.

Well it appears we might never have a straight answer. HTC sent out an e-mail this afternoon indicating that the Customs review is complete and all devices have been released.

HTC has completed the review process with US Customs, and HTC devices have been released, as they are in compliance with the ITC’s ruling… Future shipments should continue to enter the US, and we are confident that we will soon be able to meet the demand for our products. HTC Public Relations

HTC is still working with Customs to get the devices to retailers and did not have a firm timeline for that as of yet. Suffice it to say that the wait should not be long.

This has been an unfortunate distraction for what most reviewers (including our own Taylor Wimberly) have said are the best Android phones currently available in the US. Not to mention that HTC has to be hoping to ring up as many sales as possible before Samsung’s Galaxy S3 can land stateside as early as next month.

Motorola would do well to pay attention. This could be a glimpse of the future, if the company doesn’t act on the ITC exclusion order that was issued following the finding that it infringed on Microsoft patents.


Jelly Bean is Android 4.1, to debut on “Nexus 7″ tablet

Posted: 29 May 2012 04:58 PM PDT

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Google’s $199 “Nexus tablet“, that we first reported on back in March, appeared online this week in Rightware’s Basemark ES 2.0 Taiji benchmark test. Most of the details revealed in the benchmark match up with what was previous reported. The device will be made by ASUS, feature a 7-inch display with 1280×768 resolution, and use NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 processor.

What’s new in this benchmark result is the Android version 4.1. Rightware tells us this is the only device they have ever seen to include Android 4.1. The device also featured a software build number JRN51B, which is important because J represents Jelly Bean.

The device also has the model name listed as “Nexus 7″, which could be the final product name.

Some of us had speculated that Jelly Bean would be a major release and become Android 5.0, but this new evidence suggest it will be more of a minor update and be labeled Android 4.1. We reached out to a second source who claims to have seen the Nexus tablet, and they also said it was running Android 4.1.

Details are still limited, but we are told that Android 4.1 will feature a user experience very similar to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. The device will feature multiple home screens that are dedicated to different types of content (music, movies, books, etc).

We are just a month away from Google IO, when this “Nexus tablet” is expected to be revealed, so look for more details to leak over the coming weeks.


Verizon approves Android 4.0.4 update for Galaxy Nexus, could be rolling out soon

Posted: 29 May 2012 04:36 PM PDT

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After months in testing, Verizon has finally approved the Android 4.0.4 update (build IMM76K) for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The news comes from Verizon’s support page that details the benefits of the software upgrade. We haven’t received the official word from Verizon that the update has begun pushing out, but this is a sign that it should start going out in batches any day now.

For those of you that are curious, this is the exact same build that was leaked in early May and appeared on Google’s servers again just last week. If you already flashed that version, you have the same version that is going out to normal customers soon.

Verizon Wireless and Samsung encourage users to download this update. Fixes that we know of include:

Email, Messaging & Data

  • Email messages will display properly when the text size is set to large.
  • When sending a multimedia message to an Outlook email address, the file extension will send, allowing the recipient to successfully open an image.
  • Successfully deleted emails on the device will be deleted from the desktop as well.
  • Successfully send text messages without experiencing network connectivity issues.

Applications

  • When viewing a Calendar reminder or appointment, you will now be able to view the full notes associated with the appointment.
  • A down arrow has been added in the Calendar application that will expand the calendar message body, allowing you to view the entire message.

Device Features

  • Successfully turn on Wi-Fi using the Power Control widget.
  • Updates have been made to prevent the display from freezing or becoming unresponsive.
  • Complete calls without experiencing choppy audio, clicking noises and one-way audio noises.
  • Successfully access Voicemail and other automated systems without error.

I’m glad that Verizon finally got this update approved, but Galaxy Nexus owners should expect more of the same with future updates. Google will announce their Android 4.1 upgrade next month and it will hit the GSM Galaxy Nexus shortly, and then Verizon subscribers with the CDMA/LTE Galaxy Nexus will be left waiting for months before Verizon approves it.

Give us a shout out if you happen to receive the latest update on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Did it resolve the issues you were experiencing with the device?


Samsung Galaxy S III now available

Posted: 29 May 2012 06:32 AM PDT

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That’s right, despite rumors of delays, the Samsung Galaxy S III is now available in 28 different countries scattered across the globe. The handset is now available in the United Kingdom, France, UAE, Saudi Arabia and a handful of countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa – but things will heat up in July when the Galaxy S III will be available in 145 countries around the world and will be found at 296 service providers.

The U.S. debut of the Samsung Galaxy S III has yet to be announced, but Samsung is rumored to be working with all major carriers to bring its new flagship device to as many customers as possible. If you’re not willing to wait, you can order the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S III, but be prepared to pay a hefty price.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S III in your future or will you wait to see if Google officially announces its new Nexus strategy at I/O next month?


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