Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean released to Android Open Source Project

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 04:34 PM PDT

Jelly Bean

Android Open Source Project guru Jean-Baptiste Queru sends word that the new version of Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean, is being released to AOSP today. This process is the first step in the official release of Jelly Bean, allowing anyone and everyone to download the Android 4.1 source code and compile their own version of the OS. It's also an important milestone towards getting Jelly Bean out there on existing devices. The exact version number that's being released is Android 4.1.1_r1, so it's likely that this will be the final shipping version of Jelly Bean, just as Android 4.0.1 was for ICS. (We're seeing no OTAs on our Google I/O Jelly Bean devices just yet, though.)

The code being published right now includes proprietary binaries that allows Jelly Bean to be built for the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7, and Nexus S and Motorola Xoom binaries are promised in the near future. As always, note that this source code is for developers only -- you can't download this and magically get Jelly Bean on your device -- it's a bit more complicated than that. Nevertheless, today's release will be exciting for Android devs and custom ROM enthusiasts, as it starts the process of getting popular custom ROMs merged with the Jelly Bean code, and eventually pushed out to eager ROM flashers.

Source: JBQ on Google Groups

Official GitHub for Android app released

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 03:35 PM PDT

GitHub

If you're a code junkie, then you likely dig around GitHub quite a bit. To take it even further, if you're an Android code junkie you've likely looked in the Google Play Store for a GitHub app and found there was nothing official to be found. That changes now though as GitHub has finally rolled out their own Android app for their services and more importantly, it's built using Open Source projects such as ActionBarSherlock, Android-ViewPagerIndicator, Maven and SyntaxHighlighter. So what all can you do with the app itself? Quite a bit actually:

  • The app features a dashboard for quick access to all your created, watched, and assigned issues so you can always stay connected with the discussion and progress. You can also view and bookmark any repository's issue list with configurable filters for labels, milestones, and assignees.
  • Includes support for working with Issues and Gists as well as an integrated news feed for keeping up to date with all your organizations, friends, and repositories.

Also, in keeping with the nature of GitHub if you're looking for the source code of the app, it's available for viewing and download as well. Code Junkies, you'll find the download below so you can get started.

Source: GitHub Download: GitHub for Android

 

Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX gets another ICS leak, bumps to 6.6.214 this time around

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 03:13 PM PDT

RAZR MAXX ICS

Thought all of the fun was going to slow down once the Ice Cream Sandwich update became official for your Droid RAZR MAXX? Leave it to the fine folks of the Android community to ensure that the fun never ends, and here we are back with yet another ICS leak for you to play around with. This time it bumps the device up to 6.6.214, and while there is no official change log with it, rumors are that this is the supposed battery fix. Anything that is supposed to help with battery performance is worth looking into, and if you are feeling brave you can flash this on your device in just a few easy steps.

As always, you will want to proceed with caution, and there are risks involved here. While this may end up being an official update at some point, right now it is a leaked software, and with that comes the chance of a brick or other issues. Head into the forums for some additional information, and instructions of how to update your device if you desire to do so!

Source: DroidRAZR; via: Android Central Forums

Samsung offering $4.08 million in prizes to developers in their Smart App Challenge

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Samsung

Samsung is looking for new and innovative applications in the Android ecosystem in its Smart App Challenge competition. The company is specifically searching for apps that take advantage of the features of two of its main products: the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Tab. In the Note's case in particular, Samsung is trying to find developers who have come up with creative ways of incorporating the S Pen into their apps.

There is a total of $4.08 million in cash prizes available with this amount being divided amongst 80 winners. There are a variety of categories you can win in, including the aforementioned 'best use of S Pen' and 'best game'. Not only would winners receive the cash prizes. but also substantial marketing from Samsung.

So if you're a developer looking to expand the reach of your app or to showcase what you've been able to do, please visit the official Samsung Smart App Challenge web site and submit yours today! We always enjoy new and innovative apps, and competitions such as this one tend to find some that fit the bill.

Please find the full press release after the break.

Source: Samsung

 

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Jelly Bean feature: Camera app tweaks for easier photo management

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:32 PM PDT

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean introduces a couple of new features in the stock camera app, with the aim of making it easier to sort through and prune all those photos you've been shooting with zero shutter lag. Currently only available on the Galaxy Nexus (the Nexus 7 doesn't have a rear camera), the Jelly Bean camera app adds a new animation when photos are being taken, which acts as a visual hint at a new swipe gesture that's been added. Flick to the left at any time, and you'll be able to scroll through all the photos you've taken. From there, you can crop, rotate or share, just like in the gallery app. Alternatively, pinch to zoom out, and there's an expanded view from which you can swipe upwards to discard unwanted photos. And at the front of this photo stream is the live feed from your camera, which can be tapped to go back to shooting stills.

We're not going to pretend the Galaxy Nexus has the best smartphone camera out there -- indeed, that 5MP sensor is looking a little long in the tooth when compared to the latest HTC and Samsung offerings. But nevertheless, it's good to see Google addressing one of the main problems caused by shooting images in rapid succession -- the sheer volume of photos you can quickly find yourself with. Check out our video above for a walkthrough of all these new features, or hit the link below to check out our other Jelly Bean feature articles.

More: Check out more Jelly Bean features

Verizon LTE expands through Georgia and New York

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:26 PM PDT

Verizon LTE expands through Georgia and New York

Verizon has just announced a bunch of new LTE markets around Columbus and Rome in Georgia, and Syracuse in New York. Here's the list of new markets.

  • Syracuse, NY
  • Cicero, NY
  • Clay, NY
  • Cortland, NY 
  • Sullivan, NY
  • Rome, GA
  • Columbus, GA
  • Armuchee, GA
  • Cave Springs, GA
  • Cedartown, GA
  • Rockmart, GA

More LTE is always awesome. Anyone in these areas particularly pumped to be getting access to LTE?

Source: Verizon

Android Central weekly photo contest: Markers

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:20 PM PDT

Markers is fun!

If you follow my antics on Google+, you know that Markers is one of my favorite apps. It's a pressure sensitive drawing application, that's lightweight and thoughtfully done. Fooling around with it is a heck of a lot of fun. That's why this week we're doing something a little different and instead of a photo, we want to see your creations with the Markers app!

The app is free in Google Play, and works equally well with fingers or a stylus. I can promise that you'll keep this one installed. Speaking of a stylus, we'll pick five winners from the contest thread and send them a stylus of their choice from ShopAndroid.com. Entering is easy:

Get the Markers app from Google Play | Enter the contest in the forums

Google to give Q2 earnings July 19

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:04 PM PDT

Google

If you're the kind of person who loves earnings calls -- and, really, who isn't? -- get out your calendars. Google's announced that it'll release its Q2 2012 earnings on July 19, with a conference call to follow at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time. Notable is that CEO Larry Page won't be on the call, which Google previously announced. It's also worth mentioning that we're not expecting any skydiving during the call. But you should hear the world "billion" used a lot, and we might possibly get some more Android info, so be sure to join us in a week and a half.

Source: Google

Endomondo gets big UI overhaul, smattering of new fitness features

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 01:20 PM PDT

 

Endomondo gets big UI overhaul, smattering of new fitness features

If you're thinking of getting in shape this summer, Endomondo has just updated their fitness tracking app with a new look and a whole bunch of new features. The tracker in version 8.0 now has a pause state before full stop, since a lot of users were accidentally stopping their workout. The history page now lets you switch between total distance, duration, and calories sorting for days with more than one workout, along with a revamped summary screen for individual workouts. There's now a rating system for routes along friend tracking and records, so you can pick the best places to run, bike, and otherwise burn off calories. The social news feed has been tidied up so it 's easier to see what friends are up to, as well as being easier to drill into their specific profile.

Endomondo is hugely popular among fitness freaks, and even if you're only casual about your exercise regiment, the free version should be enough to keep you on task. Go ahead and get downloading at the link below! If you're still on the fence, check out our review over here.

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Kobo Vox mini review

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 01:20 PM PDT

Android Central

​Kobo's Android powered e-reader has just gained Google certification. Does that now propel it into the realms of a viable, budget tablet? Or, is it a case of "right place, wrong time?" 

The Kobo Vox wasn't a new idea when it was first launched. The e-reader-cum-tablet space already had two big name players, in Barnes and Noble and Amazon. This alone would make entering the market a difficult proposition, but the Vox suffered other issues too. It launched without a viable app store for one. While marketed as an e-reader, these types of device aren't going to be bought by a consumer who just wants to read -- e-ink devices like the Kindle, or Kobo's own offerings are a much better choice. On a device like the Vox, you'll want to be able to browse, check emails, and yes, download the odd application.

Before, this was a tedious prospect. The average consumer isn't going to be interested in side-loading to get themselves some Angry Birds fun. While there was an appstore on board, it was horribly, horribly limited. Now though, things are different. The Kobo Vox has gained Google certification. And, that means the Play Store is pre-installed, along with the host of other popular Google applications. Not even the mighty Amazon Kindle Fire can boast that. So, does that mean that the Kobo Vox becomes a viable budget tablet offering? Google just raised the bar significantly in the 7-inch tablet space, so how would the Vox stand up against the Nexus 7?

We may have skipped over it before, but we went and got hold of one to take a look, and see if the addition of the Google Apps makes a difference. We'll take you through it after the break.

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Why Nexus devices have no SD card

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 12:13 PM PDT

Nexus 7

The Internet is hard at work debating the merits of the Nexus 7 tablet, and the biggest arguments are about the lack of expandable storage, or an SD card, as you likely know it. It seems like everyone and their brother has a theory about why the hottest tablet to hit Android so far will be shipping without one. The most popular reason revolves around some conspiracy that Google is to forcing you to use its cloud services. While I'm sure Google would love nothing more than users depending on Google Drive or Google Music -- and there's certainly a big push for it -- that's not the reason devices have been trending away from expandable storage.

Wanna know what it really is? Sure you do.

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Get a Verizon Galaxy S III? Better make sure you didn't lose your unlimited data

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 11:57 AM PDT

Verizon Galaxy S III

As you already know Verizon has eliminated their unlimited data plan, and all new lines and upgrades will require you to pick from one of their new data plans. With the Samsung Galaxy S III pre-orders beginning to arrive in the hands of lucky owners, there are a few reports of activation of the device causing their unlimited data plans to wrongfully be removed from their plan. If you placed your pre-order of the device before June 28, the start date of the new Share Everything plans, you should have been locked into your unlimited data plan again. If you placed your order on or after June 28, unfortunately you are stuck with the new plans, and nothing can be done at this point.

If you notice that your plan has wrongfully changed, don't panic. Simply dial up Verizon (*611) and explain to them the error and they will change things back to the way they should be for you. Be sure to let us know in the forums if you had to have your plan corrected, or if activation went smoothly for you.

Source: Android Central Forums

Sprint Galaxy S III getting another update

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 11:45 AM PDT

Sprint Galaxy S III

Don't get your hopes up folks, it's not Jellybean but there will be an OTA update rolling for the Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy S III over the course of the next four days. Unfortunately Sprint hasn't provided too much information about the update other than the fact that it is a "Google Security Update". What exactly that means we are unsure, but hopefully it addresses any bugs or lingering issues that you may have noticed in your time with the device. If you have not already, be sure to check for the OTA update, and if you don't have it today don't freak out -- they plan to have it to 100% of the devices over the next four days.

Source: Sprint; via: Android Central Forums

New at ShopAndroid.com: The Galaxy S III flip case

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 11:44 AM PDT

Galaxy S III flip case

 

Here's a quick heads up for those of you who were eager to snag the Samsung Galaxy S III flip case and wanted to support your favorite Android site in the process. ShopAndroid.com now has the cool little case available in stock. As you'll recall from our first look at the case, it's a replacement battery door with a cover attached that wraps around the side, and then protects the phone's gorgeous 4.8-inch display. And because it's using a stock-style battery cover, it adds the bare minimum of thickness to the phone, and you can quickly flip the case open (thus the name) to get to the phone.

Folks have asked about access to the buttons and cameras. You'll have to flip open the case to get to the buttons and front-facing camera. The rear camera's as available as it is without the case, but you'll still have to flip it open to activate the shutter.

Note that ShopAndroid.com currently has the blue model in stock. The white version will follow.

Rogers pledges LTE coverage to 28 more cities by end of year

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 11:44 AM PDT

Rogers pledges LTE coverage to 28 more cities by end of year

Canadian carrier Rogers will be expanding their LTE network to a bunch of new markets before the end of 2012 in the hopes of covering 60% of the Canadian population in 4G-ish goodness. Rogers promises to launch the Sony Xperia Ion sometime this summer to celebrate the expansion. Here's the full list of new coverage areas:

  • Abbotsford
  • Ajax
  • Barrie
  • Burlington
  • Cambridge
  • Edmonton
  • Guelph
  • Hamilton
  • Kelowna
  • Kingston
  • Kitchener
  • London
  • Moncton
  • Niagara
  • Oakville
  • Oshawa
  • Pickering
  • Regina
  • Saskatoon
  • Sherbrooke
  • St. Catherines
  • Sudbury
  • Waterloo
  • Windsor
  • Winnipeg
  • Trois-Rivières
  • Quebec City
  • Victoria

Rogers kicked off LTE in Canada last fall starting with Ottawa, and has since expanded to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Halifax, and St. John's. Of course, big-name competitors like TELUS and Bell have also launched their shared LTE network, leaving the little regional guys like WIND and Mobilicity to make do with HSPA+. Data isn't that expensive up here anymore - $35/month for 2 GB isn't that bad at all. Of course, you still have to deal with 3-year contracts to get those rates. 

That's a monster of a list of new cities, and combined with the major metropolitan centres already covered, this will put pressure on other carriers to expand. Any Canadians happy to see LTE coming to their town? Any LTE-capable Rogers devices you're itching to get your mitts on? 

Source: Rogers RedBoard

AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket Android 4.0.4 update now appearing

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 11:32 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket

With Samsung pushing out Android 4.0.4 to various other versions of the Samsung Galaxy S II, it looks like they snuck in the Android 4.0.4 update for the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket as well. You'll need to fire up Kies (there is also an update available for it) in order to take the update down and of course, backing up your device is first is certainly suggested but that's a minor hassle in order to get Ice Cream Sandwich on your device. No telling right now if it's a slow roll out or a free for all but it shows up as build IMM76D.UCLF6. If you manage to find it there waiting for you, go ahead and get it loaded up then drop by the Android Central forums and let us know how things are running for ya!

Source: Android Central Forums, XDA

RIM CEO's other phone is a Galaxy S III

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 11:17 AM PDT

Thorsten Heins GSIII

We all know where RIM is right now, and the troubles that the company is facing. But when you find out that its CEO, Thorsten Heins, is also using an Android device on a daily basis ... Well, we'll just let that hang out there for a minute.

Our friend Al Sacco from CIO got to spend some quality one on one time with Thorsten himself and dig a bit deeper into his device preferences and how those choices help him with his job at RIM. 

I know you've been with RIM for a number of years, so I'm guessing you've been using a BlackBerry for some time. Have you ever used another smartphone from a RIM rival?

Yes, I absolutely do [use a BlackBerry], however, just to stay educated about the market, I always have a second device that is a competitor device so I know where I am, in terms of the competition.

What other device or other devices do you use?

I have the Samsung Galaxy S III right now.

No iPhone? You're only using an Android device?

I did iPhone already. I really go across the board, so I had an iPhone before because it was important for me to understand touch devices at the entry level. I had the Samsung Mini for a while. I change them on a pretty regular basis.

Pretty interesting to see the CEO of a company using a competitors platform and device on a daily basis, in hopes of learning from it. So, are you buying it? Is he really using the Galaxy S III as a market research device, or is he using it to fill the void that his BlackBerry device has left in his pocket? Be sure to hop in the forums and let us know what you think!

Source: CIO; via: CrackBerry

LiveShare group messaging app tries to muscle in on crowded turf

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 10:09 AM PDT

Android already has a ton of different messaging options - what can one more really add to the mix?

LiveShare group messaging app tries to muscle in on crowded turf

LiveShare, an instant messaging and photo sharing app for Android, iOS, and the web, was updated recently with a bunch of new features. 

For one, they're getting cozier with Facebook, so not only can users register for an account through the massive social network, but they can also share pictures from their group conversations to their wall. There's a new activity tab so chatters can see all of the latest conversation updates and photos at a glance. A new contact tab pulls in people from both Facebook and a device's local address book, making new additions easier. Lastly, the whole app got a fresh coat of paint by way of a user interface overhaul.

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Verizon: Galaxy S III officially pushed to July 12

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S III

Those of you looking to make a long trek to a Verizon store tomorrow need to change your plans. The carrier has officially announced that the in-store launch of its Samsung Galaxy S III has been pushed back 48 hours, to July 12. 

Preorders are still shipping, though the carrier's website now says to expect delivery by July 19, but we're willing to bet you'll see yours ship sooner.

Either way, it's a disappointing delay for a highly anticipated phone, but at least not everyone's left out in the cold.

More: Verizon Galaxy S III forums

AT&T Galaxy Note Ice Cream Sandwich update coming, with extra sprinkles

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 10:00 AM PDT

AT&T Galaxy Note

We go hands-on with the Android 4.0.4 update for the AT&T Galaxy Note, with Samsung Premium Suite

AT&T will soon be pushing out Ice Cream Sandwich for the Samsung Galaxy Note, and we got a chance to have an early look at the update, with it's own Value Pack of features. The Note was (to everyone's surprise) a very popular device, and Samsung has followed in the footsteps of their last popular device's ICS update -- leaving the UI much the same as it was with Gingerbread. Like the Galaxy S II, Touchwiz is basically unchanged. Nobody really expected Samsung to change the basic UI on a phone in the midst of it's lifespan, and that's a decision we can understand even if we don't like it very much.

The good news is that we do like it very much. All the features you know and love about the Note are still there, as they were, with the API changes and ability to run the latest apps built-in. Updates to the Google apps and others like Chrome for Android make the Note better, and the ICS features like Android Beam and Face Unlock are along for the ride. If you just can't accept TouchWiz, having ICS allows you to install Nova Launcher to get the stock feel. ICS improves the speed and stability of all the software, and those changes do come with the update. 

Along with the ability to run the latest apps and all the under-the-hood changes that come with Android 4.0.4, Samsung has tossed in what they're calling a Value Pack or Premium Suite. Consisting of a revamped S Memo app and the S Note app we've seen and heard was coming to Samsung's future tablets, it's two great pieces of software that you won't be calling bloat. S Memo's great home screen widget make it an app that's easy to use when you need to jot something down quickly, and the extra power that comes with S Note make it one of the best note taking apps we've run across. Check it out in the video and gallery after the break.

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LG apparently working on a 10-megapixel Android device

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 09:52 AM PDT

Android Central

It seems that LG are not completely happy with their latest offering, the Optimus 4X LTE. The Chosunilbo is reporting that the South Korean manufacturer is already working on a quad-core 10 megapixel Android device to compete with the ever evolving market.

LG's sales and market presence have been massively overshadowed by the Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC's One X. The company already has subsidiaries that supply other smartphone manufactures (LG Display, LG Innotek & LG Chem) including Apple but LG's chairman Koo Bon-Moo has stated that they are not "making enough' of the technology.

With LG shipping just 3.7% of industry wide shipments in Q1 21012 they have a lot of catching up to do. Samsung came in at 30.6% which must have really upset LG as they are both South Korean companies.

While this report is more that likely correct, it shouldn't be astonishing news that LG are working on a quad-core phone with a better camera. With the camera being one of the most used features on a smartphone these days all manufactures will be striving to provide the best camera possible, so the LG news isn't really that shocking.

I wonder if Nokia will consider sharing their camera technology with other companies? If the price is right I could handle an Android device with a 41 megapixel sensor for sure. Could you?

Source: The Next Web

Staples to sell the Nexus 7 this month

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 08:22 AM PDT

Google Nexus 7

If for some reason you've got an aversion to ordering online, you'll soon be able to pick up the Google Nexus 7 tablet -- be sure to read our full Nexus 7 review -- in another brick-and-mortar store. Staples today announced that it'll carry both versions of the Nexus 7 (that'd be the 8- and 16-gigabyte versions) later this month, for the same price as Google Play -- $199 and $249 respectively. 

Google Play is still showing a 2- to 3-week shipping time for the Nexus 7, which had preview versions distributed to attendees of the Google I/O developer conference earlier this month in San Francisco. The Nexus 7 is one of the first devices -- and is the first tablet -- to run the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean version of the Android OS.

Source: Press release

Why we don't need another version of Android this year

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 08:02 AM PDT

Android Central

The case for sticking with Jelly Bean until 2013

Android followers, more than most smartphone communities, are constantly focused on the future, be it the next major OS update, or the next big smartphone from HTC, Samsung or Motorola. So with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean due to be open-sourced in a matter of weeks, some are already pontificating on what might be coming in the next version of Android, rumored to be nicknamed “Key Lime Pie.”

Conventional wisdom suggests that, just like Gingerbread in 2010 and ICS in 2011, the next version of Android could make an appearance sometime in the fourth quarter of 2012. But the current state of the Android ecosystem indicates that this might not be the best course of action for Google, its OEMs or their customers. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at why Google should stick with Android 4.1 until 2013, and push Android forward with hardware, not software later in the year.

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Sony launches Xperia Unleashed campaign in UK, win stuff by finding tiny bots

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 08:00 AM PDT

Android Central

As announced last week, today sees the launch of Sony Mobile's "Xperia Unleashed" promotion, which challenges Xperia fans in the UK to track down tiny robots in order to win Sony swag. The story goes something like this -- the tiny Xperiabots seen in this ad have escaped, and instead of devouring the world at a microscopic level until all that remains is a a fine grey powder, the 'bots have chosen to hide out in Manchester and London with QR codes on their backs. These codes can be redeemed for an assortment of prizes, including Xperia NXT phones, Sony TVs and tickets  to DJ sessions, movie premieres and gigs.

Fortunately you won't need to search the length and breadth of the country, as Sony's helping fans out by pinpointing certain Xperiabots on a Google Map. The manufacturer also promises further hints across its social networking channels as the month progresses.

Source: Sony Mobile blog

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Just Mobile AluPen review

Posted: 09 Jul 2012 07:51 AM PDT

just mobile alupen

The Just Mobile AluPen is a unique design among other stylus pens. Designed to mimic an artist's pencil, it is, as expected, a great drawing and painting tool.

The difference is perceivable from a distance, as well as in the hand.  The AluPen is about double the thickness of the typical capacitive stylus. It is slightly heavier than the Kuel H12 but actually feels a bit lighter than the Adonit Jot Pro.

The AluPen more closely resembles a thick artist’s sketch pencil – which certainly helps it in certain applications.  The manufacturer’s web site actually refers to it as a “chunky penciled shape” stylus.

Read on for our full Just Mobile AluPen stylus review!

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