Thursday, July 5, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Google’s New Voice Search Survives a 47 Question Barrage

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 12:26 PM PDT

Google’s new Voice Search and Google Now has gone through numerous tests by various users ever since Google announced them. Thus far, no one has given Google Voice Search such a long and informative test like this YouTube user by the name of JLishere on his Samsung Galaxy Nexus. He goes through various types of questions and I felt like Google’s Voice Search was really up for the challenge and performed very well. Take a look at the video yourself and let us know what you think about the tests that he ran.

Click here to view the embedded video.

There’s Only 5 Days Left to get in on Kickstarter Project Pocket TV

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 11:42 AM PDT

Wouldn’t it be awesome to be able to turn any high-definition TV into an Android running Smart-TV?  That’s exactly what Project Pocket TV does and they need your help to get their project started. We have written about Pocket TV and during that time there was 31 days left for consumers to “pledge” money to the program. Now there’s just 5 days left and even though the company has already surpassed their goal of $100,000 with a total of $409,111 in pledges, you are still welcome to pledge. Of course, if you get in now, you can save up to $50 rather than waiting until it’s released. Hit the break for all the details. 

PLEDGE $5 OR MORE

Show your support and stay updated: By pledging $5 dollars we will add your name along with that of all other backers to our website as those who helped us kickstart the Pocket TV. We’ll also keep you updated with our latest news.

 

PLEDGE $99 OR MORE

Help us get started with this early bird special #1: One Pocket TV with Standard IR Remote. This package will retail for over $160. (Please add $10 shipping for US & Canada and $15 for international shipping).

 

PLEDGE $110 OR MORE

One Pocket TV with standard IR Remote. Choice of Black, White or Red colors. This package will retail for over $160. (Please add $10 shipping for US & Canada and $15 for international shipping).

 

PLEDGE $119 OR MORE

Help us get started with this early bird special #2: One Pocket TV + one Air Remote. This package will retail for over $190. (Please add $10 shipping for US & Canada and $15 for international shipping).

 

PLEDGE $135 OR MORE

One Pocket TV + one Air Remote. Choice of Black, White or Red colors. This package will retail for over $190. (Please add $10 shipping for US & Canada and $15 for international shipping).

 

PLEDGE $280 OR MORE

Two Pocket TV + two Air Remotes. Choice of Black, White or Red colors. (Shipping costs included).

 

PLEDGE $650 OR MORE

Mega Pack: Five Pocket TV + five Air Remotes. Choice of Black, White or Red colors. (Shipping costs included).

 

PLEDGE $1,250 OR MORE

Distributor Pack: Ten Pocket TV + ten Air Remotes. Choice of Black, White or Red colors. (Shipping costs included).

 

PLEDGE $6,250 OR MORE

Super Distributor Pack: 51 Pocket TV + 51 Air Remotes. Choice of Black, White or Red colors. (Shipping costs included).

Interested in pledging or learning more about this product? Head over to the source link or our post pertaining to the project for a detailed description (including several videos) on the project itself.

 

source: Kickstarter

Samsung Galaxy Nexus No Longer Available from the Google Play Store

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 11:20 AM PDT

There it is folks, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is no longer available via the Google Play Store and is now deemed as “Coming Soon.” One can only guess the reasons why Google has pulled their iconic device temporarily off the shelves, although I’m sure we all can assume it’s due to a certain injunction that recently passed. Either way, the Nexus is now currently unavailable and Google didn’t give a time table as to when it will be available for purchase once again. I would expect this to be available once Google finishes a software “work-around” to comply with Apple’s complaint on a patent infringement on the Nexus.

This certainly is a frustrating time for customers that were looking to purchase the Nexus, especially after Google just dropped the price on the device to $349.99. If you would like to be notified by Google as soon as the Nexus is once again available in the Play Store, you can enter your email so that you can be notified. Of course, we will also have your back and inform our readers as soon as the Nexus is back.

source: Google Play Store

Samsung Denied Request to Lift Galaxy Nexus Ban; Software Update From Google Could be a Workaround

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 11:03 AM PDT

Despite Samsung's best efforts, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will, at least for now, remain banned from any future sales. The Galaxy Nexus is already unavailable in the Google Play Store and is listed as “Coming Soon.” Judge Lucy Koh denied the Korean company's motion to have the preliminary injunction overturned, which Apple was granted last week. All Apple needs to do now is post the $96 million bond and the injunction will be all set. Google and Samsung will now most likely go the same route that HTC did when Apple went after their One X and Evo4G LTE. A software update for the Galaxy Nexus will likely be made as a “work-around” to the patent that Apple claims Google and Samsung are infringing upon with the Galaxy Nexus.

According to a Google spokesperson, the alleged software update will “essentially dumb down the quick search bar on the Android homescreen, limiting its results to just those from the web. No local searches on the device will be performed at all, taking on-device apps, integrated Gmail, and other search results out of play. Voice search, which has been a point of contention in the trial, isn't going anywhere — but it will be restrained to the same set of limited search results.” Thus, current Galaxy Nexus owners that are running on stock should expect some sort of an OTA update with this implemented in the near future.

I know this hits such a personal and soft spot in the Android community, and its saddening that there’s literally nothing Google nor Samsung can do about this other than comply and work on an update to work around the patent issue. I personally root my devices and I’m hoping that this “work around OTA” won’t be in Google’s AOSP so that custom ROM’s are still able to retain the search functionality that Apple is complaining about. What do you all think about the “dumbed down quick search bar” that the Google rep was alluding to? Is it a feature that you’ll direly miss or something that you rarely use at all? Sound off in the comments on how you feel about this, we would love to hear your input.

sources: Reuters and TheVerge

Verizon Galaxy S III Officially Available on July 10

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 10:50 AM PDT

We previously mentioned that you should expect the official launch of Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S III to be on July 10th. Verizon has now made that official with their press release. Pricing is at $199.99 for the 16GB version, and $249.99 for the 32GB model. You should be expecting the same great internals (dual-core S4 Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, 4.8-inch Super AMOLED) all on Verizon’s nationwide 4G LTE network.

Not much more can be said about the most hyped phone currently available, but you can always check out our review of the Galaxy S III to learn more about it! Any of you guys that didn’t pre-order the phone planning on heading to your local Verizon store on July 10th to pick this bad boy up? Here’s Verizon’s official press release after the break:

Samsung Galaxy S® III Available On The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network Starting July 10

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and DALLAS, July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that the 4G LTE-powered Samsung Galaxy S ® III will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online atwww.verizonwireless.com/galaxys3 starting July 10.  Galaxy S III customers will have access to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network which is available in 304 markets across the United States.  Verizon Wireless 4G LTE will be in 400 markets covering 260 million people by the end of this year.

Customers can take advantage of 4G LTE-optimized apps like Color to share live video broadcasts of life’s special moments with their Facebook® friends.  Sharing live video with audio is an exclusive feature of the Color app on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.  Customers can broadcast real-time footage of a newborn’s first step with family members who are miles away or share a beautiful view of a vacation spot to make friends at home jealous.  Combining America’s largest 4G LTE network with the Galaxy S III’s 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED™ display creates the perfect duo to watch movies, television shows and other video content with apps like viewdini.  Viewdini brings the power of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network to the screen by streamlining access to videos from a wide range of content providers, including cable operators, websites and other popular video sources.  The viewdini app can be downloaded from Verizon Apps and Google Play.

Additional features:

  • Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Mobile Hotspot – Share a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
  • 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 2 GB RAM
  • Share Shot – Create a temporary photo sharing network with a group of friends who are nearby at the same party or event; photos can be taken by any member of the group and shared with the entire group
  • S Beam – Share pictures, videos, documents and more by simply touching two Galaxy S III devices’ backs together
  • S Voice™ – Featuring natural language recognition, you can control the apps and services used most with words instead of touch
  • Pop Up Play – Videos can be played in a small window while customers use the rest of the display to complete other tasks such as typing emails, organizing calendars and updating their social networks
  • Evolved camera capabilities – Burst Shot mode instantly captures 20 continuous shots and Best Photo feature selects the best shot to display
  • Enhanced camera – 8-megapixel rear camera with zero-lag shutter speed and a 1.9-megapixel front camera so customers can capture pictures and videos of themselves or video chat with family and friends
  • microSD™ card slot for expandable memory

The Samsung Galaxy S III is available in 16 GB and 32 GB models for $199.99 and $249.99 respectively with a new two-year customer agreement.  The 16 GB model will be available in stores and online startingJuly 10 and the 32 GB model will be available online starting July 10 and will be in stores in the coming weeks. Customers will also have the choice of the Galaxy S III in two colors: Marble White or Pebble Blue.  Customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/galaxys3 for more information on the Samsung Galaxy S III for Verizon Wireless.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 93.0 million retail customers, including 88.0 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

About Samsung Mobile
Samsung Mobile (Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC), a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

Pre-order Google Nexus 7 in UK through Dixons group retailers

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 09:45 AM PDT

UK buyers waiting to place their pre-order for a Google Nexus 7 device can do so now through Dixons Retail group stores. These include PC World, Currys, and Dixons. All of the sites indicate they expect availability of the Nexus 7 to be July 19th. The only version available on the store sites is the 16GB model. It is unclear whether the 8GB model will be made available through retail outlets or whether the retailers just don't anticipate enough demand for the storage deprived 8GB model. The shopping cart systems do not give buyers the option to pick-up in store and expedited shipping does not appear to be an available option, so it is unclear as to when buyers would actually have their hands on a Nexus 7.

source: androidcentral

Get full tablet UI on Google Nexus 7

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 09:17 AM PDT

While reading all the reviews and hands-on articles about the Google Nexus 7 revealed last week at Google I/O, readers may have noticed the device runs the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean phone interface. That seems to be an odd choice for Google to make and has prompted users to work on getting the tablet UI onto the device. XDA forum member SladeNoctis has figured out a relatively simple way to accomplish this task as outlined in the source link after the break.

The first step in obtaining the tablet-optimized UI on a Nexus 7 is to root the device. Once rooted, use a simple editor to modify the contents of /system/build.prop. The setting is in the line for ro.sf.lcd_density, where one reduces the value to 170. Reboot the device and you should have the tablet UI on your Nexus 7. Some minor tweaks to things like some font sizes may still be needed to get everything looking right.

Is the tablet UI a modification you would perform on your Nexus 7?

source: XDA Developers forum

Google Maps U.K. Update Brings Indoor Maps To The Party

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 07:41 AM PDT

Google has finally granted Great Britain VIP access to its Google Indoor Maps treatment. This means Android users of all can enjoy the complete indoor maps of around 40 U.K. venues, which includes everything from art galleries to sporting venues to airports to give users an inside look of their buildings. The neat thing about the recent expansion to Great Britain is the fact building owners can upload their own maps by contacting an independent Google Trusted Photographer—- which should ultimately allow the feature/service grow immediately. Looks like folks in that part of the Commonwealth are about to have their lives just a little bit easier.

source: PCMag

 

Rooted Devices Can Now Enjoy Full Features Of Play Store, Regardless Of Location In The World

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 07:27 AM PDT

It’s no secret that Google’s Play Store is getting bigger and better— well for users in the U.S. that is. Those of us here Stateside have been able to enjoy different apps, games, books, music, movies, TV shows and of course our trusty mags— all in a cloud-based experience of course. However, those trying to use the awesome features outside of the U.S. are only held to the use of apps and games at this time. But you know that it was only a matter of time some crafty and ambitious individuals would jump in and make all those wonderful features available for all— regardless of where you are in the world. Thanks to XDA Senior member kishankpadiyar, users of Play Store worldwide will now be able to access all of the same wonderful features enjoyed here in the States— though users must have both a rooted device and Play Store version 3.7.11.

Jazzing up your personalized Play Store isn’t exactly rocket science for those of you who are a little concerned. You’ll need to install something called Market Enabler directly from the .apk and then install DROIDvpn from the Play Store. Hit the break in order to see the full instructions and source links.

 

Well what you need is rooted phone and Play store 3.7.11 or 3.7.13.. you can download it here

Firstly, Download Market Enabler and install it.., and download DROIDvpn from play store and signup for an account.

Now, go to App manager and delete play store data and cache.

Then Open market enabler and choose any us carrier… like Tmobile, but anything should work.. for choosing, tap and hold on the carrier name and select ‘fake this provider now’..

Now open DROID vpn, login and press start..

Open Google play store and you must now be able to access Google music, Google books etc through Play Store and download everything.

 

Market Enabler
DROIDvpn Play Store link

source: XDA Forums

Nexus S 4G AOSP issues resolved, now fully supported

Posted: 03 Jul 2012 08:51 PM PDT

Readers may recall back in February when Google dropped full AOSP (Android Open Source Project) support for the Nexus S 4G model due to problems with CDMA files. Google indicated the .apk files for CDMA binary files from carriers required non-standard signing keys. As a result, Google was not able to provide support for these and dropped them from AOSP.

According to Jean-Baptiste Queru, Technical Lead for the AOSP, the issues have been resolved as indicated in the Google Groups post below:

We’ve been able to resolve the issues around Nexus S 4G, and we can now properly distribute its CDMA and WiMAX binaries. That allows Nexus S 4G to work with AOSP just as well as Nexus S.

As a result, we now consider Nexus S 4G to be fully supported in AOSP, with no restrictions. Overall, Nexus S is the preferred platform for AOSP work.

I’ve updated the set of IMM76L binaries for Nexus S 4G to include WiMAX support. They’re available at their usual location: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/drivers

Readers may note the resolution covered both the CDMA binaries as well as the WiMAX binaries.

source: Android Building Google Group
via: androidcentral
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