Android Phone Fans |
- Galaxy Nexus Denied Temporary Ban Lift – Samsung and Google Working On Software Patch [UPDATE]
- Steve Kondik Talks All Things CyanogenMod (And Android) In New Presentation Video
- Video: Make “Google Now” App Do A Barrel Roll in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean [Easter Egg]
- Jelly Bean’s Voice Search goes round for round with, pummels 47 questions
- Verizon ends subsidized pricing for tablets
- Sprint’s Nexus S 4G back on Google’s list of AOSP supported devices
- Dead Trigger From Madfinger Games Is Now Officially Available In The Google Play Store For $1
- Verizon confirms July 10 launch for Samsung Galaxy S3
- How Google Could Top RIM In The Mobile Enterprise Market
- Indoor Google Maps available in the UK
- Motorola Photon Q makes a stop at the FCC
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II now available for all Android devices
- Nexus 7 tablet teardown shows very clean innards
- Austrian and German Galaxy Tab 7.7 owners receive Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade?
- Huawei Emotion UI becomes available for Chinese users
| Galaxy Nexus Denied Temporary Ban Lift – Samsung and Google Working On Software Patch [UPDATE] Posted: 03 Jul 2012 06:08 PM PDT
We told you it wasn’t looking good for the Galaxy Nexus. And just like yesterday where US District Judge Lucy Koh denied Samsung’s request to temporarily lift a ban on the Galaxy Tab 10.1, the same request for the Galaxy Nexus has been shot down. Saw this one coming a mile away. But don’t fret. It’s not all “doom and gloom” for Samsung. Apparently, they’ve teamed up with Google and are hard at work developing a software patch that will work around the Apple’s alleged patent infringement claim. Let’s just hope it’s not as much of an inconvenience as that “workaround” HTC came up with in order to get One X’s and EVO LTE’s on everyone’s doorsteps. Ugh, that Apple… they really know how to chap our hides, don’t they? UPDATE: According to The Verge, they’ve just received word from Google that the software patch will, in fact, dumb down the search function found inside Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. In a future update that could begin rolling out as quickly as tonight, Android’s search function will soon only pull search queries from the web — not from your contacts, and not from installed applications. As lame as that sounds, anything Google can do to put Galaxy Nexus’ back on the Google Play’s virtual store shelves, I’m content with. I know I would sleep better at night knowing the world has a chance to leave their dreadful iPhone (and control of their overseer), for a truly innovative smartphone. [Reuters | AllThingsD]
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| Steve Kondik Talks All Things CyanogenMod (And Android) In New Presentation Video Posted: 03 Jul 2012 05:39 PM PDT
During last week’s Google I/O developer conference, Steve Kondik ‘n friends — known collectively as “CyanogenMod” — took the time to meet up, and speak for a pre-I/O presentation on everything CyanogenMod. Mr. Kondik delves into everything from the project’s early beginnings, what CM is all about, some of the challenges they face, and where they plan to take CM in the future. The first half of that video has been uploaded to the YouTube, and for an Android enthusiast, it gives us some great insight on, not just the rooting/hacking/modding side of Android, but the openness of the platform as well. Definitely a must watch when you guys get a chance. The second half of the presentation is said to come a little later. Cheers.
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| Video: Make “Google Now” App Do A Barrel Roll in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean [Easter Egg] Posted: 03 Jul 2012 05:17 PM PDT
In our last post, we showed you guys a video of 47 questions you can ask Google’s Voice Search function in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (otherwise known as Google Now ) to get impressive results. In case you missed it, at the very end of the vid, we were treated to a rather awesome display of barrel rolling maneuvers when the voice search assistant was asked to, “Do a barrel roll.” The results were nothing short of amazing. Yup. I had to give this a go on my Galaxy Nexus and even made a quick video showcasing arguably the coolest feature to ever hit smartphones… barrel rolls. enjoy.
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| Jelly Bean’s Voice Search goes round for round with, pummels 47 questions Posted: 03 Jul 2012 02:49 PM PDT
[via Engadget]
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| Verizon ends subsidized pricing for tablets Posted: 03 Jul 2012 02:26 PM PDT
With the advent of Verizon’s new Share Everything plans comes the end of the subsidized pricing era for tablets. According to a report out of TechCrunch, Verizon will no longer offer tablets such as the Motorola Xyboard and Samsung Galaxy Tab at a discounted rate when signing up for a data plan. The reasoning has everything to do with the the new plans that allow users to tie multiple Verizon devices to a single data allowance. For users with a smartphone activated on Verizon, a tablet can be added for only $10 dollars extra per month. With less of a need for tablet-specific data contracts, the move makes sense from Verizon’s perspective. The carrier has yet to comment on the matter. [via TechCrunch]
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| Sprint’s Nexus S 4G back on Google’s list of AOSP supported devices Posted: 03 Jul 2012 01:32 PM PDT
How about that? After removing CDMA devices including the Nexus S 4G from the list of those officially supported as AOSP developer handsets, Google has reinstated the phone amongst its GSM brethren. Whatever issues existed with the Sprint device, they have now been resolved, and Google is releasing binaries with official support for CDMA and WiMAX. Posed with a questions about whether or not Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus would receive the same treatment, AOSP guru Jean-Baptiste Queru said there are still plenty of issues to resolve with the “toro” build of Android that start with rights to distribute for CDMA/LTE and continue to other technical issues revolving around the phone’s hardware and software. Still, the support for the Nexus S 4G bodes well for the future of CDMA devices in terms of AOSP support. [Google Groups via Reddit]
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| Dead Trigger From Madfinger Games Is Now Officially Available In The Google Play Store For $1 Posted: 03 Jul 2012 01:10 PM PDT
This is the moment we’ve been waiting for, folks. Get your thumbs ready because Dead Trigger from Madfinger Games is now officially available for Android. The same guys that brought you Shadowgun and Samurai II: Vengeance — Dead Trigger drops players into a post-apocalyptic world where zombies are running amok. Lucky for you, heavy weaponry is plentiful and you can blast your way through 40 hours of gameplay, leaving behind a trail of dead, zombified carcasses in your wake.
Originally scheduled to launch yesterday, Madfinger Games experienced a few, last minute technical problems which delayed the games release, but have all since been taken care of. As a “thank you for waiting gift,” Madfinger is giving Android users access to a few new features, not yet available on its iOS counterpart (but coming soon in an update). Booyah, suckas! (Haven’t said that since 4th grade). So, which features, tweaks, and enhancements do Android users get to claim firsties to? Let’s take a look:
Alright, my juices are already flowing and I’m ready to start scoring some head shots. The best part about Dead Trigger? Madfinger has generously included the game as part of their 99 cent app sale. No telling how long this will last so you’d better hurry. Expect a full review/hands-on a little later today. Have fun, and happy 4th of July! [Google Play Store] (Link is a little early and may be broken for a few minutes. Keep trying back)
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| Verizon confirms July 10 launch for Samsung Galaxy S3 Posted: 03 Jul 2012 12:01 PM PDT
After weeks of waiting for Verizon to come clean on a release date for the Samsung Galaxy S3 handset optimized for their network, Big Red has issued a statement today pinning the phone’s launch to July 10th. Mark your calendars. The date is not unknown to those awaiting the delivery of the Galaxy S3, as it has been previously referenced in the shipping information provided with pre-orders. The 16GB version of the device will be available both in stores and online, while the 32GB can only be ordered through Verizon’s site. The larger storage option should hit stores at a later date. Verizon comes a little late to the North American GS3 party, but users can still expect the same great piece of hardware. Pricing starts at $200 on a two-year contract. Hit up the press release for more info.
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| How Google Could Top RIM In The Mobile Enterprise Market Posted: 03 Jul 2012 11:47 AM PDT
We uncovered a recent Google trademark filing for the phrase “Play Means Business,” a trademark that we were hoping to be related to a better enterprise solution. This ended up being nothing but an advertising stunt for YouTube, but the idea made us consider the fact that the topic deserves attention.
Bringing the next best solution for Enterprise isn’t an easy feat to accomplish. RIM built its reputation over many years of work, focusing mainly on BlackBerry’s potential in the business department, something Google and its competitors have found difficult to counter. What will it take for our little green robot to look its best wearing a business suit? Better Software SecurityDue to its popularity, Android is the most targeted mobile platform. Malware and virus developers love having that large amount of potential targets. Most would argue that Android is safe for smartphone users exhibiting caution, but businesses don’t want a single mistake. Especially when delicate information is at hand. With that said, Android has been known to have its security faults. This has been greatly improved, especially since the inclusion of Bouncer. But there are still some kinks to get worked out. There is much more to security aside from encryption, passwords, and PIN numbers. Google would need to add (or remove) some features embedded in Android’s core. For example, a company would probably not want give its workers the ability to side-load apps. Another discrepancy would be the fact that one can root a device, endangering it even more. Unfortunately, a knowledgeable user can always root a device, but a notification system for tampered devices could offset this fear. Enterprise customers would also need to keep their devices much more secured. A good password or PIN for unlocking the device and accessing certain apps is necessary. EncryptionGiven the fact that Android’s “openness” makes it a potentially dangerous software, encryption is a must for Enterprise customers. This would give Android a second security wall protecting information from intruders.
Google hasn’t worked too much on this just yet but recent acquisitions prove that the company is headed in the right direction. Two years ago, Google purchased Widevine, a company dedicated to media encryption. Just a few short days ago, we uncovered that Google filed a trademark for the WideVine brand name, illustrating continued dedication to integrate Widevine’s assets. All signs point to this being an effort to protect multimedia (movies, music and other Google Play products). But it seems like future Google Enterprise projects could also benefit from this new acquisition. Better Hardware ProtectionSoftware security is important, but protecting the physical device is optimal for a company’s security. It is a fact that users are much more affected by lost devices than by hacker infiltration. Those that have experienced losing a smartphone can attest to the fact that it is one of the most stressful situations one can be under. This pain would be greatly multiplied if not only was your information at risk, but your job’s as well. As of now, there is no official way to protect Android devices against theft and loss. One needs to rely on third-party apps like Lookout, Avast and Find My Phone. While these can be very reliable, it would bring more comfort to enterprise users if it came handcuffed to the device itself. The ability to lock a BlackBerry remotely has been one of the most enticing features for Enterprise security. If a device is lost, the company can easily block the the smartphone and secure its information. It would take a good amount of work from Google to replicate this, but such features could determine the outcome and success of the project. Enterprise-friendly Support from the Google Play StoreWith such a large portfolio of apps and content in the Play Store, there is no doubt there are some great tools enterprise users have not taken advantage of yet. Could Google be preparing branded versions of the store for business users? Or maybe a special section for secure, enterprise-ready apps and services? In order to simplify the businessman’s experience, Google could offer a featured page for companies, much like they do for carriers. For example, Verizon users have a section in the Play Store that lists Big Red’s recommended apps. Other manufacturers have also taken advantage of this in the past. Much like this, Google can offer a portal in the Google Play Store that would display an array of company-curated applications that would be necessary for carrying out the worker’s responsibilities. Google could also allow apps to be mass-purchased by the company. As of now, multiple users need separate payment methods for purchasing applications. In a better world, those that enter the Google Play Store under a company-approved e-mail would be able to purchase certain apps under a set company’s credit card. This would be able to be managed remotely by administrators, and it could be limited as seen fit. What else can you think of?Of course, there is a world of enterprise communications options. Most of which many of us have never experienced. We could add push notification for chat messages, read/unread messages (like BBM), document sharing/collaborating and more. The list could go on forever, but we would like to know what you think Google could do to beat competitors like RIM in supporting businesses with an enterprise focused experience. Would you like to see any other features/modifications in Play Means Business? Let us know in the comments!
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| Indoor Google Maps available in the UK Posted: 03 Jul 2012 09:47 AM PDT Google has announced that users in the UK can now get indoor maps on their Android devices. The update to Google Maps allows users to get a map of the inside of several venues.
You can get directions to a certain point within the building, and it’ll even recognize which floor you’re on. Google’s come out of the UK starting gate with 40 different venues to start, and as you can imagine a lot of those venues are train stations, department stores, and airports. Google’s committed to bringing more over time, and they’ll even accept floor plans from store owners who want their store included in the future. You can get to the indoor map of a venue by simply zooming in on its location. Find more information at the Google Lat Long (fancy way of saying Maps) blog here.
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| Motorola Photon Q makes a stop at the FCC Posted: 03 Jul 2012 09:03 AM PDT Another device has made a glorious stop at the FCC, and this time it appears to have been the Motorola Photon Q. Judging by the listing, it looks like this one’s bound for Sprint as it has LTE bands compatible with their network set to go live July 15th.
The device appears to have NFC radios as well. That alone could mean this will be a high-end device to look forward to, but it’s hard to get excited when we don’t know much about the device. We know it’ll have a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and there’s a possibility it’ll come with an S4 processor. Its rumored qHD resolution could also hint to a screen size between 4 and 4.3 inches. In any case, it looks like we might have a Motorola phone to look forward to after what feels like a long drought without much this year. Head to the FCC if you want to take a look for yourself.
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| Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II now available for all Android devices Posted: 03 Jul 2012 07:59 AM PDT
Folks who don’t own a Tegra device and were looking forward to playing Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II can now head over to the Android market. As you know, Sega and NVIDIA have partnered to bring the Sonic 4 series to Tegra devices with a timed exclusivity period. These periods don’t usually last long, though, and Episode II seems to have gotten here right on schedule. Both the Tegra HD and the common version of the game cost $6.99 in the Google Play Store so find your respective version and give it a go if you haven’t played this fantastic game already.
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| Nexus 7 tablet teardown shows very clean innards Posted: 03 Jul 2012 06:50 AM PDT
If you enjoy seeing what devices have under the hood, you may be interested in iFixIt’s latest teardown. The newly unveiled Nexus 7 tablet, due for a release in the middle of this month, was stripped down. This guy had nothing to be embarrassed about at all, though, as it appears ASUS did one heck of a job for assembly. The device received a 7 out of 10 for ease of repair, with 1 being hardest and 10 being easiest. If you want to go deeper into what’s making this thing tick, head over to iFixIt’s website now.
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| Austrian and German Galaxy Tab 7.7 owners receive Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade? Posted: 03 Jul 2012 06:35 AM PDT
Samsung said they’d begin the upgrade to Android 4.0 for select devices in their Galaxy Tab series starting this month, and one of those tablets, the Tab 7.7, seems to be one of the first in line. Users in Germany and Austria are reporting that the upgrade is headed out to their 7.7 inch tablet via Kies. We’re not sure if any other European countries will be getting the pleasure of downloading it soon but we’ll keep our eye on the delightful situation. If you live in either of those countries and have a Tab 7.7 let us know if you’re able to pull it down. [via PocketDroid]
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| Huawei Emotion UI becomes available for Chinese users Posted: 03 Jul 2012 05:53 AM PDT
Huawei unveiled their Emotion UI this past May, and now the upgrade is available to their first crop of users. Chinese users who own the Huawei Honor, Huawei Ascend P1, and the Huawei Ascend P1E are all being directed to download the upgrade to their Android 4.0-enabled devices. This is a huge step up from their current UI which looks like a bad ripoff of SPB Mobile Shell with power controls in the notification pane, though we can’t say for ourselves how well this new interface will perform. Those who apply can download it here, and others may want to wait for word from Huawei for their specific devices. [via Unwired View]
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