Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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Google Android News Android Forums

Android Will Be More Secure With Jelly Bean

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Ever heard of ASLR? It’s a security feature that is used in many different opearting systems such as Windows XP or iOS6. For quite a while Android has been avoiding it and then used a little bit of it in Android 4.0. Now with the release of Jelly Bean it is being used to its fullest, but this implementation of ASLR still lags behind the security of the soon to be released, iOS 6.

Wikipedia defines ASLR quite well:

“Address space layout randomization (ASLR) is a computer security method which involves randomly arranging the positions of key data areas, usually including the base of the executable and position of libraries, heap, and stack, in a process's address space.”

“Address space randomization hinders some types of security attacks by making it more difficult for an attacker to predict target addresses. For example, attackers trying to execute return-to-libc attacks must locate the code to be executed, while other attackers trying to execute shellcode injected on the stack have to find the stack first. In both cases, the related memory addresses are obscured from the attackers. These values have to be guessed, and a mistaken guess is not usually recoverable due to the application crashing.”

Changing the way security work’s in OS’s can be worrisome because they could just mess something up and all your data could be easily exploited. Your data is more at risk now on Gingerbread or Ice Cream Sandwich because it’s easier to exploit. If you stay away from unofficial sites that want to download apps to your device though, you should be fine. Otherwise, this added feature in Jelly Bean is great!

There are some stuff out there that sneaks past the Google Play Terms of Use, I would try my hardest to be careful as to what you install on your device and what permissions you allow from apps that you install on your device.

For now though, we sit and wait for Jelly Bean devices to release.

source: Cool Smartphone

DROID Incredible 4G LTE review: It could have been a contender

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 12:36 PM PDT

When HTC unveiled the One Series back in February, they were looking to simplify things with their hope that the carriers would buy into the models without any carrier-specific customization. T-Mobile took on the One S and AT&T took on the One X. Sprint took on the One X as well, but made changes and marketed it as the EVO 4G LTE. That left Verizon Wireless, who decided to do something completely different. They wanted to continue the DROID Incredible line and basically started with a One S, but made so many changes that it really couldn’t be classified as a One Series phone.  Will it satisfy the appetite from previous Incredible owners? Hit the break to find out, and you can also check out our initial hands on review.

Design

The One X and One S seem like 2012 phones, but the DROID Incredible 4G LTE seems so 2011. I guess that’s not necessarily a bad thing as many consumers are comfortable with your basic slate sans hip styling. I will say that I like the rubberized back as it provides a very nice grip. Too many phones are just too slippery these days, so this is a nice touch. It’s also on the smaller side as it only has a 4-inch display. It’s actually amazing that 4-inches is considered small. I remember the original DROID was 3.7-inches and I can’t imagine how I was happy with it now that I’m using phones that have close to 5-inch displays.

If you’ve ever held a One S, you noticed how thin it is, at 7.9mm. The DROID Incredible 4G LTE comes in at 11.7mm thick which is a big difference. Fortunately it doesn’t feel all that bad, probably because the screen size is smaller by 0.3-inches.

Now I mentioned that Verizon started with the One S in concept, but made changes from there. The basic differences between the One S and the Incredible is the smaller screen size (4.0 vs 4.3), the addition of a microSD slot, a removable battery, and the lack of ImageSense, which I will get into later. The removable battery and microSD slot are welcome additions, but I still feel they are overated as most people only require about 16GB of storage and they rarely switch out batteries.

The top of the phone has the power button to the right (just like other One Series phones) and the headphone jack to the left. The right side has the volume rocker and the left side has the microUSB port for charging and connectivity.

Hardware

The specs include a 4-inch qHD (960 x 540) Super AMOLED display, a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 8GB of storage, microSD slot for an additional 32GB of storage, 1700 mAh removable battery, GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, and 4G LTE.

Performance

The processor performance is slightly inferior as compared to the One X and One S since it’s clocked at 1.2 GHz as opposed to 1.5 GHz. This is not something that translates into “real world” use for the casual user, but for you hardcores that want comparisons via a benchmark, I ran the AnTuTu, and it came in at 5996, while the One X was 6772 and the One S was 6993. As you can see it’s about 10 to 15% lower, but again let me stress that the casual user using this phone will be very happy as it’s very snappy.

The display is about the same as the One S as it’s Super AMOLED at qHD (960 x 540). It’s PenTile, which I know will scare a lot of you, but don’t be. With the screen size being 4-inches, it’s barely noticeable. It certainly isn’t as jaw dropping as the gorgeous Super LCD 2 that we love on the One X, but again this phone is geared towards the very casual user. Even with that said, it’s decent in sunlight and the viewing angles are fantastic.

Beats Audio is on board and I found the sound to be very similar to the One S and One X. Beats is a just a way to turn up the bass and treble, but hey, I’m not going to complain that it’s there. Louder is always better.

Battery

The battery is only slightly smaller than the One X, but has a lot less pixels too push. I did my usual rundown test in which I ran continuous video while the display is turned up to about 2/3′s. Now for the Incredible I was able to do it while connected to LTE and I got just about 7 hours 45 minutes. That really is pretty good when you consider I was only able to get a little over 7 hours from the One X connected to HSPA+(not LTE).  It’s no even close to the performance of the DROID RAZR MAXX, but for those wanting a compact phone, this should satisfy.

Software

Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich and Sense 4.0 is on board so it’s identical to the One X, One S, and EVO 4G LTE. I won’t get into it too much here, but you can hit those links to see more. Overall I do feel Sense has improved with Ice Cream Sandwich. I’m still not a Sense fan, but I can live with it. If there is anything I dislike most about it is the keyboard, but that’s easily changed with a quick trip to the Google Play Store. Other than that, all the features in the other One Series phones found their way to this phone, so if you’re a Sense fan at heart, you will feel very comfortable.

As far as bloatware you get a lot of the same old stuff which includes Amazon Kindle, Amazon MP3, Apps (V CAST), facebook, Let’s Gold 3 HD, My Verizon Mobile, Notes, Real Racing 2, Slacker, Slingbox, V CAST Tones, Verizon Video, VZ Navigator, and Watch. It’s actually pretty toned down for a Verizon phone.

Camera

As I have mentioned before, the biggest disappointment here is the lack of ImageSense processing that is on all One Series phones, but it’s not all about that. The lens is also a little inferior as the One Series gets an f/2.0 lens, while the Incredible gets an f/2.2. Even with both of these issues, the Incredible performs very well, and you will find all the software features of the One Series on the Incredible like HDR, Panorama, and all the effects. For more on those features, see my One X review or Joe’s One S review. You can also check out my experiences with the One X camera on my recent vacation.

The one major item missing in action is burst mode, which lets you take up to 99 pictures per minute. I guess a lot of people might never use this feature, but trust me it’s awesome for toddlers.

I don’t claim to be a photography connoisseur, but I think image quality is pretty close in most situations when comparing them to the One X (and One S). Below are example shots taken from both the Incredible 4G LTE and the One X. With the exception of the first set, the Incredible is fairly close. One thing ImageSense does is perform better post processing so you can clearly see the One X handles colors slightly better, but it’s not a complete shellacking.

 

DROID Incredible 4G LTE HTC One X

Closing

The DROID Incredible 4G LTE is a little bit of a disappointment to me as I was hoping for a One X-based device. An obvious second choice would have been the One S, but we really didn’t get that either. We did partially, but the screen is smaller and the design isn’t as attractive. On the plus side, it does have a removable battery and microSD slot. At $149 it appears to be a great deal considering it’s Verizon, but when you look at the Samsung Galaxy S III priced at $199, it’s hard to recommend this one over that. The GSIII is only $50 more, but then again there are people who just don’t want the bigger screen. If it’s a smaller phone you’re looking for and you are tied to Verizon, then this is the phone for you. If you want the best bang for the buck, you have to go Galaxy S III.

Kyocera Hydro Headed To Boost Mobile On August 3rd

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 11:45 AM PDT

The underwater resilient phone, the Kyocera Hydro, is headed to Boost Mobile for release on August 3rd. The phone is going to be stocked with Android 4.0 with a 3.5′ screen. It’s going to cost $129 and be able to withstand at least 30 minutes below the surface. I wonder how good the signal strength will be under the water? It sounds like it’s going to be more of a protection thing than usability though.

Full press release after the break.

IRVINE, Calif. & SAN DIEGO – July 17, 2012 – Boost Mobile, a leader in the no-contract wireless industry, makes a splash this summer by unveiling the Kyocera Hydro, the first IPX5- and IPX7-level water-proof Android™-powered smartphone that doesn't require a contract. Kyocera Hydro is "oops proof," with innovative technology built to withstand sprayed water like rain (IPX5) or even being submerged in three (3) feet of fresh water for up to 30 minutes* (IPX7).

Boost Mobile and Kyocera recognize that mobile phone accidents happen, but unlike cracked screens or broken keypads that can be replaced, water damage is usually irreversible. In almost all cases, water damage results in nothing more than a good-looking paperweight. According to industry statistics, more than 82.5 million mobile phones nationwide have been destroyed by water or moisture. Water damage also drives more than 20 percent of handset insurance claims during the summer months as consumers look to stay cool and connected by the pool.

Kyocera Hydro will be available starting Aug. 3 for $129.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile's exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. The lightweight 3G smartphone, weighing only 4.16 ounces, will be available in select national retail locations later next month.

"With other water-soaked smartphones, consumers instantly move into MacGyver mode attempting to beat the odds with dry rice, Ziploc bags and other home remedies that rarely work," said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. "With the Kyocera Hydro, consumers can eliminate the panic of water damage and just enjoy their affordable Android-powered smartphone paired with Boost's award-winning no-contract service with payments that shrink over time."

Kyocera Hydro is paired with Boost Mobile's no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile's Monthly Unlimited plan shrinks by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month for unlimited nationwide talk, text and picture messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.

"Kyocera Hydro offers a great value for a sleek, fully featured smartphone – and being waterproof is really the icing on the cake," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications, Inc. "Wireless devices and water generally are not a good combination, but with Hydro you finally get the peace of mind to know that they can peacefully coexist."

Features of the Kyocera Hydro include:

  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system
  • 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon® processor
  • Access to more than 600,000 Android Apps as well as music and movies on Google Play™
  • 3.5-inch touchscreen display
  • Wi-Fi® and GPS enabled
  • 3.2MP camera with flash and video camera
  • Eco Mode for better battery management

Anyone up for trying to make a call below the sea?

source: Boost Mobile, Kyocera

Android Series 3 Collectibles, a First Look

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 11:19 AM PDT

A reader over at droid-life went to Comic-Con last week and was able to walk away with five different Android Series 3 collectibles after hanging out with Andrew Bell, the creator of these collectibles. It’s been said that these collectibles are launching sometime in late July. I personally can’t wait to get one of them.

I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on the see-through Bugdroid. That collectible is pretty nifty. These are only 5 of the 16 Series 3 collectibles that will be released. I can’t even begin to imagine what the rest will look like. Hit the break for a couple of more shots.

Which one are you looking forward to the most?

source: Droid-Life

Sonos Controller update adds support for all tablet devices

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Audiophiles who use the Sonos Controller app and a tablet received some good news today when Sonos added support for all 7-inch and 10-inch tablet devices. Previously, the app would only work on a limited selection of tablets. Check the download link after the break to grab the app.

In addition to the improved tablet support, Sonos also added landscape mode and tweaked the album artwork display so covers would be larger. The Sonos Controller app lets users control music in every room where they have set up devices to play.  Users can manage their library, connect to music services, shows, podcasts, and online radio stations.  All of this music can be streamed to individual rooms or all rooms. The app is free but does require a SONOS compatible player.

QR Code generator
Google Play Download Link

T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G Getting Updated, Unfortunately No ICS Just Yet

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 09:31 AM PDT

T-Mobile will be updating their Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich in the future. Right now the device is in the process of receiving updates for 2.3.6. With it already running Gingerbread this isn’t a huge update. However, when Ice Cream Sandwich is released that is going to be a huge overhaul for the phone with all the changes to the UI and software.

Since Jelly Bean was announced, it’s very frustrating to hear that companies are just now releasing ICS for phones since everyone want’s to grab the latest and greatest of android technology. Before we know it, 4.2 will be out and most phones will only be getting Jelly Bean.

ICS 4.0 will be a good update for the Galaxy S Blaze as it is a mid-range phone and not a high-end phone. Hopefully we can expect to see it shortly.

Today’s update to 2.3.6 should be coming out to you through an OTA download. Otherwise, you can download 2.3.6 by plugging the device into your computer and installing it via Kies.

You can read more information about the update to 2.3.6 along with installation instructions by clicking on the source link.

source: T-Mobile

CyanogenMod 10 Preview Build 4.1 For AT&T Samsung Galaxy S III is Now Available [Update: for T-Mobile and Sprint versions as well]

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 08:21 AM PDT

An early preview of CyanogenMod 10 loaded with Jellybean 4.1 has been released for the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S III (UPDATE also for T-Mobile and Sprint versions as well). It’s in a very early state so you won’t be seeing a lot of CM9′s features merged over yet, but hopefully soon.

Some known issues being worked on include:

  • Overlay for UI (extra butter)- We’re waiting on CodeAurora to publish, UI is a little janky.
  • Camera preview turns green during animations and may crash.
  • MMS downloading doesn’t work but sending & retrieving does work, use a 3rd party SMS/MMS app that can download them. (For T-Mobile)
  • All the things.

Hit the break for download links and instructions.

Installation instructions:

  1. Install the ClockworkMod Recovery for “d2att”. CM can’t provide support for other recoveries. Other recoveries may work fine though but not a guarantee.
  2. Grab the appropriate preview build for the carrier brand you have AT&T  / T-Mobile / Sprint
  3. Reboot your device into recovery mode and install from there.

Google Apps is not in this ROM so you can grab them elsewhere. Also the build contains a lot of patches that have yet to be committed to the repositories.

As this is a early build, you can expect to see a few bugs in it. For more information and to get in on the conversation hit up the source link.

sources: xda - AT&T / xda – T-Mobile / xda – Sprint

ClockworkMod Recovery Now At Version 6 For The Samsung Galaxy Nexus Smartphone

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 07:12 AM PDT

 

The greatest custom recovery has just gotten its latest update for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone. ClockworkMod Recovery has just hit version 6 and is available for both the GSM and CDMA flavors of the phone. As expected, the new update will be some changes which includes the following features too:

 

  • New backup format that de-duplicates data between backups.
  • Faster backups.
  • Fixed restores > 2GB.
  • Minor UI tweaks (new background, animated Android)

 

If you’re rooted and itching to get in on some custom recovery action, you’ll find additional details once you check out the source link below.

source: Koushik Dutta+

 

[Deal] Amazon Wireless brings mid-summer sale with Sprint Galaxy S III, EVO 4G LTE, DROID RAZR, DROID RAZR MAXX, and Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 07:09 AM PDT

Amazon Wireless has a mid-summer sale going on that you might want to check out. They have the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S III, the HTC EVO 4G LTE, the Motorola DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX, and the Verizon Galaxy Nexus all on sale. These deals are only for new lines, whether individual or adding one to an existing account. If you’re upgrading your current contract, pricing will be more. Hit the break for the both sets of pricing.

Amazon didn’t specify an expiration date on these deals, just that it’s for a “limited time.”

 

Google Begins Shipping Nexus 7 Pre-Orders to U.K. and Canada

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 07:05 AM PDT

Last week Google began shipping out the Nexus 7 to lucky customers in the U.S. while our friends up north and across the pond had to sit back and wonder when they would get their turn. Well, it looks like your up to bat folks! If you live in the U.K. or Canada and have placed an order for a N7, be on the lookout for a shipping notice from Google. We are getting reports from people who say they had gotten the notice late last night and Google has even added the following message to the Google Play support page:

We’re now shipping Nexus 7 preorders. All US and Australia preorders are scheduled to ship by July 17th. UK and Canada preorders have also begun shipping in waves.

If you consider the two-day shipping for the device, I would expect N7′s to land in the U.K. and Canada on Thursday and Friday of this week. One thing to keep in mind, though. Shipments are being sent out in waves so if you didn’t place your pre-order soon after the announcement I would guess your device hasn’t shipped quite yet. The folks who placed an order on day one and two are probably those who will see the device this week, but I imagine all orders should be on doorsteps by end of next week. I know, the wait is killing you, huh?

Do you live outside the U.S. and have received a shipping notice? Let us know in the comments below!

source: Android Central
Posted by at 5:53 AM

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