Saturday, June 2, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

LG Optimus L7 coming to Rogers and Fido according to Future Shop

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 02:56 PM PDT

LG Optimus L7

The LG Optimus L7 has already made its way to Europe and Asia and now it has appeared online for Canadians via the Future Shop website. There is still no actual release date listed for the high-end model of the L series phones but we do know with it you'll be getting 4.3-inch screen and running a new Android 4.0 based Optimus UI. We'll keep our eyes on this one and let you all know when they fully go live on Rogers and Fido. Until then check out our hands on with the device from Mobile World Congress.

Source: Future Shop via: Mobile Syrup

Galaxy S III torn down, found to have smartphone parts inside

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 02:43 PM PDT

Galaxy S III teardown

Now stop us if you've heard this one before, but here's the Samsung Galaxy S III, stripped to its guts. And guess what! There are smartphone parts inside! But, hey, you get a cool look at the Exynos processor up close (processor pr0n!), and note how the glass is actually connected to the frame of the phone. That's gonna make replacing a broken one veddy expensive, we gather. Also interesting is that iFixit notes how the camera is "basically the same unit found in the iPhone 4S."

The big question we've got at this point is how different will the U.S. versions end up looking?

Source: Chipworks, via iFixit

 

Samsung Galaxy S III for T-Mobile USA appears, looks unchanged from Euro versions

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 02:25 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S III

By now, we've all got a good look at the Samsung Galaxy S III and know it will eventually be making its way to carriers across the U.S. The Verge though, has been slipped what appears to be the T-Mobile U.S. version. Aside from the T-Mobile badging, however, you'd never know this version from the European versions. It's a spitting image of the same one we crawled all over at the announcement in London a month ago.

And that's the weird part. Normally, U.S. carriers like to add their own swing onto devices (for better or worse). A button change here, a button change there. But if these images are accurate then T-Mobile -- and quite possibly likely every other U.S. carrier -- has left the Samsung Galaxy S III untouched and we'll see very little variation across the board. That folks, is a very good thing to have happen and hopefully a trend that will continue.

Source: The Verge

Madfinger Games introduces Dead Trigger - A zombie inspired first person shooter

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:40 PM PDT

Dead Trigger

Following up on the success of Shadowgun, the folks from Madfinger Games have now taken the covers off the latest addition to their game catalog aptly named Dead Trigger. The zombie inspired first person shooter will bring console like quality gaming thanks to its optimization for NVIDIA Tegra 3 devices. So what's it all about? Glad you asked:

The world has collapsed due to a strange infection that turns regular people into zombies, and it’s up to you and your arsenal of weapons to take down the undead masses.

In other words, you shoot the hell out of those friggin' zombies and have a whole hell of a lot of fun doing it! Dead Trigger will be available near the end of June on the Google Play Store and the NVIDIA TegraZone until then, you can check out the game and the graphics power in the trailer below.

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Android Central 97: Intel goes all San Diego, more on the Galaxy S III

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:27 PM PDT

Podcast MP3 URL: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/acpc97.mp3

Thing 1 - The Galaxy S III is here! Sort of!

Thing 2 - The Intel era is upon us

Thing 3 - Other odds and ends

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II gets Ice Cream Sandwich on June 11

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:02 PM PDT

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II

Hey, how about that. T-Mobile today on Twitter announced that its Galaxy S II will be getting an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich starting June 11. It'll be done via the Samsung Kies desktop application, which is a bummer. But it's better than no update at all. More on this developing breaking updating news as it develops. 

Source: @TMobile

Huawei Ascend P1 review

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 12:32 PM PDT

Huawei Ascend P1

Thin, fast, and light, Huawei is poised to make waves with the Ascend P1 -- but is it enough to gain a foothold in new markets?

Huawei is certainly a bit of an anomaly to me. They're huge in some markets but struggle in others (like the States), because the hardware they've released here has always been less-than-stellar. Then they go and release a phone like the Ascend P1 and turn my whole notion of them on its head.

To parrot what was said about the Epic 4G Touch, the Huawei Ascend P1 could simply simply be described as thin, fast, and light. (As a matter of fact, the P1 S is supposed to be the thinnest smartphone around.) With a pentaband radio inside, you'll be chatting and surfing the 'net the whole world over.

I can't give all the good stuff away so early, though! Is Huawei's latest entry into the high-end smartphone market enough to propel them into the markets they're after? Let's take a look after the break.

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Verizon Motorola XOOM ICS update has begun rolling out

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 12:02 PM PDT

XOOM

Update: When we said "Has begun rolling out," that should be pronounced "Coming June 4," as just stated by Verizon. Let the beatings begin.

If you're a Motorola XOOM owner on Verizon, we've got great news: The 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) update has begun rolling out is nigh. We saw the Verizon update roadmap a couple weeks ago, suggesting that the ICS update could drop at any time, so it's nice to see it hit not too long afterwards.

There are a lot of enhancements that come with this update. The four features that Verizon is taking the most time to point out are:

  • The Launch Bar, which allows you to drop applications, shortcuts and folders into and access from any homescreen
  • Usage Center, which Verizon has been highly touting as of late. It lets you keep track of your data usage
  • Notification Pop Up Box, which contains all of your inboxes and notifications in one streamlined box
  • Folders, you've all seen ICS folders by now, so you'll get to create and use them on the XOOM screen as well

There are many other benefits from the update though. Here is a list:

  • 4G LTE upgrade issues resolved
  • Exchange/Activesync policy improvements
  • EAS security and sync fixed
  • Email search
  • Updated browser with faster rendering
  • Updated People application
  • Improved text input
  • Improved stability
  • App launcher has been redesigned to allow app dragging to uninstall or disable
  • Launch camera from lockscreen option
  • Single mode panorama mode
  • Photo editor added in Gallery application
  • New font (Roboto)

There is lots to like about this update, so if you have a XOOM, keep an eye out. If you haven't received it yet, sit tight, it's rolling out gradually. It is an OTA update, so all you have to do is go to Settings -> About Tablet -> System Update to check to see if you can get it.

If you have it and want to brag about the new features or just want to see how others are liking the update, sing out in our Motorola XOOM Forum.

Source: Verizon Wireless

Google showing off 'next dimension' of Maps at event next week

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 09:45 AM PDT

Android Central

Press invites are going out for a Google Maps press event next Wednesday, June 6, where the company says it'll show off the "next dimension" of Maps. That'll be some sort of 3D offering then, we'd imagine. Right now the Google Maps web interface supports 3D features through WebGL, while the Android app can show 3D buildings and Street View images. So presumably whatever's next will be an expansion of these features, possibly bringing in elements of Google Earth, too.

Little solid information is presented with the invite, though attendees are promised a "behind-the-scenes look at Google Maps," as well as a demo of "some of the newest technology" and "upcoming features." These will apparently "help people get where they want to go -- both physically and virtually." So new 3D functionality is certainly a safe bet.

The event will take place just five days before the start of Apple's WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference), where Google's arch-rival is expected to unveil its own iOS maps solution. Right now Maps on iOS is powered by Google Maps, and recent reports have suggested Apple will look to re-vamp Maps with new 3D features, and a new non-Google back-end. (Thus depriving its foe of the associated ad revenue.)

The natural place for this kind of Google Maps announcement might've been the Google IO Developer Conference, which takes place in late June. But by strutting its 3D stuff a few weeks earlier, Google will be hoping to beat Apple to the punch. Whatever's shown off next week, you can bet Android will account for at least part of it, and so we'll be watching with interest next Wednesday.

Source: TNW

Another huge win for Google as judge throws out the copyright claims by Oracle

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 09:19 AM PDT

Team Android

U.S. District Judge William Alsup made a key decision on Thursday in the Google v. Oracle case. He dismissed Oracle's claims that the APIs that Google used were copyrightable.

Just last week, a jury found that Google did not infringe on Oracle's patents, which was a big win in itself. The copyright claims were one of the key issues though as Oracle was seeking $1 Billion dollars from the software giant for 37 Java APIs. Oracle has predictable promised to be appeal, but it looks like they've all but lost at this point.

This is a big win for Google, but as we've said before, it's a shame that these trials have to happen in the first place. Millions of dollars will continue to be poured into legal fees until the software patent issue is resolved.

Source: The Guardian

US Cellular launches new prepaid plans

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 08:10 AM PDT

US Cellular

Regional carrier US Cellular this morning announced some new prepaid plans that range from $35 a month to $65 a month and include a number of Android devices. 

The new plans are:

  • Nationwide unlimited voice, unlimited messaging, 2GB smartphone data - $65/month
  • Nationwide unlimited voice, unlimited messaging, 1GB feature data - $50/month
  • Nationwide 400 minutes voice, 400 text messages, 400 picture messages - $35/month

Devices compatible with the new plans include the Samsung Galaxy S II, Motorola Electrify, HTC Merge, Samsung Mezmerize, Huawei Ascend II, HTC Wildfire S and the Samsung Repp.

Site updates

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 07:37 AM PDT

June 1, 2012 (9:36 a.m.) - We're investigating malware report that's causing Google to block forums.androidcentral.com. The blog is currently unaffected.

  • Update (10:24 a.m.) - We've identified the issue and have ordered a Sentinel strike.
  • Update (11:25 a.m.) - Google decided to treat one of our ad partner's javascript code as suspicious. The code has been removed and we have requested Google to rescan the site. We have no reports of the ad partner actually serving malware, and the site should be safe to visit.
  • Update (2:30 p.m.) - We're seeing occasional malware warnings on the blog side now. Again, there's no malicious code -- we're just waiting on Google to rescan things. You can visit the site without worry.
  • Update (5 p.m.) - Per Google: A review for this site has finished. The site was found clean. The badware warnings from web search are being removed. Please note that it can take some time for this change to propagate.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2012 comes to Android, start swinging today!

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 07:12 AM PDT

Tiger Woods 2012

Electronic Arts has released the popular golf game Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2012 for Android, so if you've been itching to swing the club on your Android device, you can rest easy.

The cost of the game of the $4.99, but that comes with solid graphics and a slew of features including:

  • Playing on PGA courses such as St. Andrews and Pebble Beach
  • Choosing the golfer you play as and competing against other scores
  • Playing alongside other pros to see how your score stacks up
  • Customizing your own golfer to make them look however you want
  • Playing head-to-head against a friend (WiFi or Bluetooth)
  • Playing the Tiger Challenge, which is a bunch of mini-games to test various skills

So if you're an avid golfer, you're definitely going to want to check out this game to start testing your skills on your Android device. The game is available for all Android devices 2.1 and up. It is available for $4.99 from the Google Play Store. Please find links after the break.

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Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case for Motorola Droid RAZR

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 06:39 AM PDT

Deal of the DayThe June 1 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio SURFACE Case for Motorola Droid RAZR. The SURFACE Case provides a thin layer of protection with two interlocking top and bottom pieces that fit snugly around the RAZR, and the soft touch coating provides a firm grip. Comes in black, blue, red, and amethyst.

The Seidio SURFACE Case is available for only $16.95, 43% off the regular price. Get yours today while they're in stock!

Samsung Galaxy S III gets a Flipboard update

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 05:40 AM PDT

Galaxy S III Flipboard update

Galaxy S III owners starting up Flipboard this morning will notice a new update coming their way, bringing the social magazine app up to version 1.8.4 beta 1 -- the same beta version that started rolling out to testers a couple of days ago. According to the official list of changes, there isn't much new stuff in this initial update, just a couple of bug fixes. Crashes while editing the table of contents or changing the content cache settings should now be remedied, so that's good news if either of those glitches were giving you trouble.

To grab the latest update, which weighs just 2.5MB, simply fire up Flipboard and it should be pushed out automatically. 

Three UK launches HTC Desire C, available on PAYG for £150

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 05:27 AM PDT

Android Central

British network Three is the first mobile operator to launch HTC's latest budget handset, the Desire C. Announced just a couple of weeks ago, the Desire C is the successor to HTC's budget-busting Wildfire range. It's got a 600MHz CPU, a 3.5-inch HVGA display and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. And being an HTC Sense 4 phone, it also ships with Beats Audio software enhancements. There's also a 5MP rear camera, though no front-facer, so video calling is out of the question. So it's not going to set the world alight, but the Desire C looks like a decent little budget handset.

Three's offering the Desire C for free on contracts starting at just £13 per month, or if you want to buy it outright, the PAYG price is an equally reasonable £150, when purchased with an initial £15 top-up. The network's selling the Desire C in black and white, and the phone is available to order online and in-store from today.

Source: Three UK; More: HTC Desire C gallery

Samsung Galaxy S III kernel source released

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 05:11 AM PDT

Galaxy S III

As required under the GPL, Samsung has released its kernel source code for the (international) Galaxy S III -- the Linux core upon which Android is based. The code's available right now from the Samsung open source repository, and while it won't be of much use to regular users, custom ROM makers will undoubtedly be pouring over the code in the days and weeks ahead. 

The emergence of kernel source for a newly-released device isn't surprising, but it is great to see code appearing online just a day or so after the official street date. Community developers now have plenty of time to get to grips with Samsung's kernel, which will hopefully result in better custom ROMs for Galaxy S III owners.

To grab the kernel source for yourself, hit the link below.

Source: Samsung Open Source

Android Central Podcast - Live!

Posted: 31 May 2012 05:53 PM PDT

Android Central Podcast

It's Android Central! It's a podcast! It's the Android Central Podcast! And it's happening live, right this very second! (Or will be very shortly!)

Watch the Android Central Podcast!

No, Pandora's latest update doesn't refer to Jelly Bean or Key Lime Pie

Posted: 31 May 2012 05:26 PM PDT

Pandora for Android

Oh, my, folks sure got themselves into a tizzy this afternoon, didn't they? See, the Android Pandora application got itself a sizable update today. And the third item in the changelog was (and still is) "Compatibility support for upcoming Android OS."

ZOMG! A new, unannounced version of Android?!?!? Jelly Bean, perhaps?!?!? Key Lime Pie?!?!? Licorice?!?!? Meringue?!?!? Newton?!?!?

Not so much. As we suspected, it's just a bit of future-proofing, and isn't referring to any specific and as-yet-unannounced version of Android. In fact, that's exactly what Pandora told us.

"That line just refers to some minor code cleanup that had hard-coded functionality to the current version of Android - Ice Cream Sandwich. This update just future-proofs the Pandora app for the upcoming versions of Android." 

Now, that's not to say there's nothing of note in this update. More and better settings? Sweet. Better and easier sign-up? Excellent. Plus a host of other fixes, including the removal of the "change network state" permission, which should help the tinfoil-hat types sleep better at night.

But no new version of Android was tipped tonight, folks. That'll have to come another day.

Download: Pandora for Android
Posted by at 5:41 AM

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