Sunday, July 29, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

ZTE Flash headed to Sprint with 4.5-inch IPS 720p display and 12.6MP camera

Posted: 28 Jul 2012 11:36 AM PDT

ZTE recently announced the Grand X for Europe and the Asia Pacific in the third quarter, but it looks like they have something else up their sleeve for the U.S. in the 4th quarter. The ZTE Flash will debut on Sprint this October and it sports some pretty decent specs such as a 4.5-inch IPS 720p (1280 x 720) display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 12.6MP rear camera, 1MP front facing camera, 8GB of internal storage, microSDXC slot, 1780mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.0, LTE, Gorilla Glass, and Android 4.0.

Hopefully there’s still a chance that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is onboard by the time this bad boy releases since this sheet was probably printed before Google unveiled it a few weeks ago. ZTE is already putting Jelly Bean on the N880E so it’s a pretty safe bet. These specs do look good, but the question is how good will they look come October?

 

HTC won’t be updating the Desire HD to Android 4.0, explains why.

Posted: 28 Jul 2012 10:34 AM PDT

Fragmentation. The word most commonly used by Android naysayers when they’re looking for some ammunition with which to open fire on the world’s most popular mobile operating system. The problem is that the issue is very real, it’s certainly a large part of the reason why I personally only use Nexus devices these days. Whilst much of the vitriol is aimed at Google, it’s actually the manufacturers and their UI skins that we’re at the mercy of. The latest big player to cause a hullabaloo in the tech world this week is none other than HTC. The Taiwanese giant upset a large group of its customers by announcing that the, barely 18 months old, Desire HD will not be receiving an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The announcement sparked a huge influx of complaints from disappointed Desire HD owners and in turn prompted the following response from HTC:

 

We've heard your feedback on our decision not to update the HTC Desire HD to Android 4.0. We completely understand that this is a controversial decision.

For more background, due to how storage on the HTC Desire HD is partitioned – and the larger size of Android 4.0 – it would require re-partitioning device storage and overwriting user data in order to install this update. While technically advanced users might find this solution acceptable, the majority of customers would not. We also considered ways to reduce the overall size of the software package, but this would impact features and functionality that customers are currently using. Even after installing the update, there were other technical limitations which we felt negatively impacted the user experience.

We believe an update should always improve the user experience and carefully evaluate each update based on this criteria. While we are very aware of the disappointment from this decision, we believe the impact to user experience was too great. We recognize this is a change from our previous statement and for that we're truly sorry.

It’s encouraging that HTC care enough to take the time to explain its actions however I’m fairly sure that the words will do little to soften the blow. Once again it will be down to the developer community to pick up the slack and offer Desire HD owners some Ice Cream Sandwich goodness (Just don’t mention Jelly Bean!)

 

Source: HTC

Jelly Bean Factory Images Now Available for a Few Nexus Devices Including the Nexus 7

Posted: 28 Jul 2012 09:30 AM PDT

Have you been messing around a bit to much with the system files on your Jelly Bean powered Nexus device and want to return it back to its factory state? You in luck my friends as Google just released the factory 4.1.1 images for a few of the Nexus units, including the brand new Nexus 7. The devices with available factory images are as follows:

  • Galaxy Nexus (yakju): Android 4.1.1 (JRO03C)
  • Galaxy Nexus (takju): Android 4.1.1 (JRO03C)
  • Nexus S (soju): Android 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
  • Nexus S (sojua): Android 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
  • Nexus 7 (nakasi): Android 4.1.1 (JRO03D)

As you can see, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus has been left of the list, and the Korean and Sprint Nexus S isn’t available either. This just goes to show that if you want to stay up to date with the latest Android OS it pays to go with a GSM kit. If you see your device listed above and want to grab its factory image, hit up the source link below.

source: Google Developers

Report Claims “Almost Every Device Is Compromised With Some Kind Of Malware”

Posted: 28 Jul 2012 07:50 AM PDT

 

Is it possible that the Android platform has one too many flaws? Well as great as Android may be, there are some notable issues that continue to haunt it such as rampant malware in apps. According to the British Times (via Forbes), more than one-third of all Android apps contain some form of Android malware. Jill Knesek, head of the global security practice at BT and former cybersecurity expert for the FBI, highlights her findings when analyzing 1,000 applications:

 

"We analyzed more than 1,000 Android applications and found a third compromised with some form of active or dormant malware. Almost every device is compromised with some kind of malware, although often it's not clear if that code is active or what it is doing.”

 

While the results are nothing short of surprising, there are a few major issues with Knesek’s findings: no one knows what exactly she means by ‘malware’ and she doesn’t offer concrete evidence to support her argument. We’re only going to assume that ‘malware’ is used in the context to describe items such as apps that send back data without the user's consent and that the apps tested were apps from untrusted developers. Still, these types of studies certainly raise an eyebrow or two and can possibly create fear and pandemonium. Of course we here at Talk Android recommend that you check out our “How To Spot Malware Guide” and always do your homework on both apps and the developers the apps come from, before downloading an app. Oh and it doesn’t hurt to have some sort of antivirus application installed on your smartphone or tablet.
source: Forbes

More Leaked Photos of the Xperia J (ST26i) Surface

Posted: 28 Jul 2012 06:14 AM PDT

Back in May we reported some leaked photos of the Sony Xperia J (ST26i) and as you saw back then, the green Sony Ericsson liquid energy ball was missing from the back. Well more photos have surfaced and confirm the green orb is still gone plus there are some fancy new colors (pink and white)

The Sony Xperia J is rumored to have a 4-inch (480×854) display, 1Ghz single-core processor (MSM7627A) and will launch with Android Ice Cream Sandwhich 4.0.4. The camera on the other hand will more then likely be a 5MP sensor with LED flash. Not very impressive I know, but at least there are some cool colors! I suggest this device will be somewhat of an entry level device. Hit the break to see more. 

source: xperiablog

 

Motorola Infringes on Microsoft’s FAT patent, German Android Devices Banned

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 09:13 PM PDT

The Mannheim Regional Court has ruled in Microsoft’s favor regarding the FAT patent. What is FAT? FAT stands for File Allocation Table, a legacy file system still widely used, mostly for backward compatibility. The German court has granted a request for a ban on all relevant devices, according to Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents. Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, David Howard had this to say.

“Today’s decision, which follows similar rulings in the U.S. and Germany, is further proof that Motorola Mobility is broadly infringing Microsoft’s intellectual property. We will continue to enforce injunctions against Motorola Mobility products in those countries and hope they will join other Android device makers by taking a license to Microsoft’s patented inventions.”

Motorola will have to remove all infringing products from retail and Microsoft will be entitled to an undetermined amount in damages. However, in order to enforce the injunction, Microsoft will need to pay a €10 million bond. Microsoft says the injunction affects all Android devices that use FAT on internal storage, such as the Atrix, Razr and Razr Maxx. Microsoft further explains that the decision bolsters the injuntion it was awarded on May 24th.

“We already have an injunction against Motorola products in Germany as a result of a ruling on May 24, and today's ruling serves to strengthen this injunction. In the long term, if Motorola wishes to sell products on the German market, it must either take a license or stop using the technology covered by our patents including the ones at issue in this week's decisions.”

I have said this before and I will say it forever: Why can’t these companies just win with better products than the other? Probably a pipe dream, but one can hope! I mean, I understand protecting your property, but is there a point where it gets a little overboard? This poses another question: Why didn’t Motorola gain proper licensing? As the quote says “…it must either take a license…” So what’s the issue? Get permission and keep rockin’! Let us know what you think in the comments!

source: The Verge

New imagery released for Google Earth and Google Maps

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:33 PM PDT

Bernd Steinert, Geo Data Specialist with Google, announced on the Google Lat Long Blog today that new imagery has been added to Google's Earth and Maps applications. The imagery consists of new, high resolution aerial and satellite images that cover 25 cities and 72 countries or regions. Some of the locations to get new aerial images include Bryce Canyon, UT; Green Bay, WI; and several locations in Spain to name a few. New satellite images are available for a long list of countries. In addition to the aerial and satellite images, new 45° imagery has been added for locations like Chicago, IL; Idaho Falls, ID; Pittsburgh, PA; and London, UK. Full lists are available by hitting the source link.

source: Google Lat Long Blog

Original Final Fantasy released in Google Play Store

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:09 PM PDT

Old school gamers with Android devices may want to get ready to part with $6.99. That is the price for the original Final Fantasy game just released for Android devices. If you remember what it was like to engage in the turn-based battles guiding the Warriors of Light on their quest, then you will probably appreciate being able to play Final Fantasy again with improved graphics. If you are too young to remember Final Fantasy or only played some of the sequels, now is your chance to try something from the early days of video gaming. Hit the break for the download link if you are interested.

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