Thursday, July 19, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Swiftkey update brings Jelly Bean compatibility

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 02:39 PM PDT

The stock Android keyboard continues to go from strength to strength, the steady progress was further reinforced with a pretty solid update baked into Jelly Bean 4.1. The latest update to the stock keyboard brought with it improved auto-correction as well as a nifty auto-prediction feature that learns your typing habits and appears to know what you’re writing even before you do. Interestingly enough, we first saw these features over a year ago via replace keyboard extraordinaire SwiftKey. Unless you have a preference for the swipe style keyboard, SwiftKey is the consensus king of the replacement Keyboard and was even the keyboard of choice for this writer; until recently. SwiftKey initially didn’t support Jelly Bean, an issue that the developers have rectified today with a much needed update. The question is, does SwiftKey still offer a Unique Selling Point that will convince the average Android owner to part with their pocket money now that the stock keyboard offers a similar experience?

You can bag the latest update by clicking the link below. Let us know your thoughts on how the new stock keyboard compares to SwiftKey’s latest update in the comments below.

 


Google Play Store

National Ice Cream Month Receives Wallpaper by Andrew Bell

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 12:47 PM PDT

Did you know this month is National Ice Cream Month? Andrew Bell is celebrating by releasing a tasty treat for your desktop. The man behind the Android Series 3 Collectibles made a wallpaper showing Androids eating and serving ice cream cones. Jelly Bean has been the hot topic this month, but Andrew Bell decided to honor Ice Cream Sandwich with this wallpaper.

Click on the source link to get the wallpaper in different sizes.

source: Android Foundry
via: Phandroid

Indie Gala 2 Now Live With Three Games Plus Extras, Name Your Own Price

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 11:35 AM PDT

Indie Gala, similar to the widely known Humble Bundle is here again for mobile devices! You can unlock three games for any price you’d like to donate. Donations have been set at a minimum of one dollar to get rid of the not-so generous people along with shady characters. As you would with the Humble Bundle and the last Indie Gala, you choose who your donations go to. You can choose a charity, the developers or even the Indie Gala creators.

The three very basic games you can unlock are:

  1. The Lost Souls
  2. Battle Group
  3. Ichi

If you pay more than $3.99 in donations you’ll also gain access to four more games:

  1. Xelorians
  2. Call of Cthulu
  3. Wasted Land
  4. Little Stars for Little Wars 2

You’ll also be able to access the PC game Tiny Plumbers and a couple of Desura-unlockable games.

Lastly, anyone who donates more than $5.47 will be getting secret bonuses in the second week when they are unlocked.

source: Indie Gala
via: Android Police

 

ZTE Announces Their First Single Chip Device, the Grand X LTE

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 11:17 AM PDT

ZTE just announced the Grand X (T82), a phone that will only need one chip to connect to an LTE network. Walcomm’s MSM8960 makes the Grand X LTE ZTE’s first single-chip LTE device. If hardware specs are more concerning to you, the Grand X has a 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU, an 8-megapixel rear camera and it comes stocked with Android 4.0. It’s bascially the Minimosa X with a few design changes and a new name.

Details on the pricing and release date are minimal. It should release in Europe and Asia Pacific in the third quarter of this year. Could this be the smartphone they were talking about on the ZTE twitter page a couple days ago?

Press release after the break.

ZTE Launches Grand X LTE (T82), Company’s First Single-Chip LTE Smartphone

Product to be available in APAC and Europe in Q3 2012

CommunicAsia2012
SINGAPORE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, announced the launch of the company’s first single-chip LTE smartphone, the Grand X LTE (T82), at CommunicAsia2012.

“We are the first company to use the single-chip solution in a handset”
The Grand X LTE (T82) will be available in Asia Pacific and Europe in third quarter 2012.

The Grand X LTE (T82) phone uses the latest MSM8960 chip from Qualcomm, which is based on advanced 0.28nm technology. When compared to most phone models available in the marketplace, the single-chip model is faster and more energy efficient.

The Grand X LTE (T82) is WiFi capable and uses Android 4.0. It has a 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU, an 8 mega-pixel main camera that supports 1080p HD video shooting and playback and a front camera that supports 720p HD video calls. The phone has a maximum download rate of 100M, and a 1900mAh large-capacity battery. The Grand X LTE (T82) also has a unique buttonless design resembling a mini tablet PC.

“We are the first company to use the single-chip solution in a handset,” said Mr. He Shiyou, Executive Vice President, and Head of the Terminal Handset Division, ZTE. “The Grand series products are our high-end flagship offerings this year. ZTE aims to enhance its profile in the high-end market with the Grand series of smart terminals.”

In addition to the Grand X LTE (T82), ZTE is also displaying other LTE products at CommunicAsia. These include the V96A LTE tablet; the world’s first TD-LTE/EDGE multi-band UFi product, the MF91; and the MF821 LTE wireless network card.

The V96A will be available in Europe and Asia Pacific in third quarter 2012.

ZTE began investing heavily in LTE devices in 2008. The company now holds 7 per cent of all global LTE patents among vendors. In addition, ZTE recently won the Best LTE Device Award at the LTE World Summit 2012, the highest industry honor in that field. All ZTE LTE terminal products displayed at CommunicAsia2012 will also appear at the Mobile Asia Expo 2012 on June 20-22 in Shanghai.

“The telecommunications sector is changing rapidly,” said Mr. He. “LTE is growing very fast in Asia and ZTE emphasizes technological development in this area. We believe 4G communications provides a tremendous opportunity for the telecommunications industry in Asia.”

 

Apple must publicly admit that Samsung didn’t copy the iPad both on their website and in print.

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 10:46 AM PDT

Apple haters get ready to scream, “In your face!” Remember when we reported last week that a U.K. judge ruled that Samsung didn’t copy Apple’s iPad design? Well you’re going to love this. Apparently Judge Colin Birss said that Apple must publish a notice saying that Samsung didn’t copy their registered designs, and this must be done on Apple’s U.K. website for six months and published in several newspapers and magazines. The reason is to obviously correct any damaging impression that consumers might have that Samsung simply copied Apple.

I think this is awesome news. In a sense Apple will be “advertising” Samsung’s tablets with these announcements. All I can say is, “What goes around comes around baby.”

source: bloomberg

 

 

 

France joins short list of European countries to get Google Play Books

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 10:30 AM PDT

Google announced today that they are adding books to Google Play for users in France. Joining Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK, France will be the fifth European country with access to books through Play. The availability of books in France was made possible after a settlement was reached in litigation between Google and French publishers.

Google Play offers millions of book titles, including hundreds of thousands of French titles. Google claims this makes them the largest ebookstore in France. The service can be used on Android phones and tablets as well as your personal computer. Once purchased, users can begin reading instantly using the Google Play Books app or in a web browser. Because the books are stored in the cloud, your last location in a title is maintained as you move between devices.

source: Google European Public Policy Blog

Verizon Expands LTE Network Coverage and Launches 33 New Markets

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 09:33 AM PDT

Verizon Wireless is by far the leader with 4G LTE by offering coverage in six times the number of cities it’s competitors offer combined. Verizon told CNET today that the company will be launching 33 new markets tomorrow bringing its total markets to 337. The company is getting closer to reaching its goal of 400 markets by the end of the year.

Verizon was the first one to launch LTE service and has since then kept their coverage lead. Speed is becoming one of the most important factors of the network on smartphones as people begin using apps that require a consistent connection. As an example, Apple’s next iPhone is rumored to be LTE compatible.

Hit the break for the full list of new markets.

  • El Dorado/Magnolia and Russellville, Arkansas
  •  New London County, Connecticut
  •  Fort Pierce/Vero Beach and Melbourne/Titusville, Florida
  •  Columbus and Rome, Georgia
  •  Burley, Idaho; Mattoon, Illinois
  •  Anderson and Muncie, Indiana
  •  Manhattan/Junction City and McPherson, Kansas
  •  Lafayette/New Iberia, Louisiana
  •  St. Joseph, Missouri
  •  Bozeman/Livingston, Kalispell and Missoula, Montana
  •  Goldsboro/Kinston, Roanoke Rapids and Rocky Mount/Wilson, North Carolina
  •  Zanesville, Ohio
  •  Meadville and Punxsutawney/DuBois/Clearfield, Pennsylvanian
  •  Orangeburg, South Carolina
  •  Sherman/Denison, Texas
  •  Cedar City and Logan, Utah
  •  Rutland/Bennington, Vermont
  •  Lynchburg and Winchester, Virginia
  • Bellingham, Wash.; and Beckley, West Virgina

Aside from the new markets, Verizon has expanded its coverage in 32 of its current markets in:

  • Mobile, Alabama
  •  Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco
  • Washington, D.C
  •  Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida
  •  Hilo, Honolulu and Kahului/Wailuku/Maui County, Hawaii
  •  Blackfoot/Idaho Falls/Rexburg, Idaho
  •  Peoria, Illinois
  •  Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Wichita, Kansas
  •  Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  •  Baltimore, Maryland
  •  Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri
  •  Akron, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo, Ohio
  •  Allentown/Bethlehem, Harrisburg and Scranton/Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
  •  Columbia and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina
  •  Provo/Orem and Salt Lake City/Ogden, Utah
  •  Fredericksburg, Virginia.
  •  Seattle, Washington

 

On the flip side, AT&T recently added a few markets making it a total of 47 markets. Sprint Nextel just launched its first 15 LTE markets. T-Mobile USA plans to launch their LTE network next year, and they believe they have the largest 4G Network because of its speedy HSPA+ network.

soruce: CNET

Ringtone Editor In Jelly Bean Changelog Trashed or Forgotten?

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 08:57 AM PDT

Take a look at the above listing on Google. A ringtone editor you say? For a moment, I was so excited, then after looking at the changelog for Jelly Bean, it wasn’t there. Apparently they planned on releasing one, but they must of either trashed the idea or forgot about it, I hope it’s the latter one. Instead of having to do a bunch of editing on my computer to get a decent ringtone I could potentially do it all on my smartphone? Now that sounds helpful!

Android Police posted this image of a decompile:

Look at all that data just in the Music APK. There’s tons of files that are all based around the ringtone editor, so I wonder why we didn’t get it? My last phone, the LG Optimus V, had something similar in that you could select a song, touch and hold, and then set it as a ringtone. Apparently in the Jelly Bean update they were going to do that, except it would be an option next to something like “Add to playlist” or “repeat song” and etc.

I really wonder what happened because I would have loved this tool. Hopefully it shows up in the next version of Android.

source: Android Police

Motorola Avoids U.S. Import Ban Of Smartphones & Tablets

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 08:05 AM PDT

 

 

Looks like Motorola Mobility has recently been proactive in avoiding a ban of the imports of its various devices. According to reports, there was a recent International Trade Commission ruling that specified certain MOTO devices infringed on technology that makes it possible for MOTO device users to use the devices in order to generate meeting requests and schedule gatherings. The devices named are: the Atrix, Backflip, Bravo, Charm, Cliq, Cliq 2, Cliq XT, Defy, Devour, Droid 2, Droid 2 Global, Droid Pro, Droid X, Droid X2, Flipout, Flipside, Spice and the Xoom tablet. While Apple immediately comes to mind for most Android users, it’s actually Microsoft who believes MOTO infringed on certain patents, as highlighted by spokeswoman Becki Leonard:

 

“While we can’t share specific details, we have employed a range of proactive measures to ensure there is no continuing infringement under the ITC’s interpretation of this single Microsoft patent”.

 

For those of you unfamiliar, here’s a quick rundown to help refresh your memory: Microsoft accused Motorola Mobility of infringing nine patents in a complaint filed in October 2010. Both companies ended up in a quiet, but significant legal battle in which MOTO was found not guilty on infringement of all but one of the patents. Fast-forward to May and we find the ITC ruled that Motorola Mobility infringed on the one patent, which leads us to MOTO now trying to avoid a ban of imports for its different devices.

The infringement claim is indeed a serious one, MOTO at least knew there was an easy workaround in order to keep its devices on retailers’ shelves. The main option is simply removing the meeting-scheduling technology from its smartphones and tablets since Microsoft originally believed MOTO should have licensed the technology.

source: Latinos Post

 

 

Sony Announces New Walkman Powered by Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 07:18 AM PDT

Looking for a new MP3 player but simply refuse to use an iProduct? Sony has you covered. Just announced today, the Sony F800 Series Walkman sports a 3.5-inch display, runs Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box and comes in 8, 16, and 32GB configurations. Since the new Walkman is Android powered, it has full access to Google Play and even serves as a portable video player. Playback time is rated at 20 hours for audio and 4.5 hours of video but I suspect if you listen to audio via the built-in xLOUD speakers the battery life would be less. No details on pricing or availability at this time but as soon as we hear more we will let you know.

source: Sony

 
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