Android Central |
- Toshiba Thrive gets ICS update earlier than expected
- Nexus 7 makes the best in-car entertainment system ever
- Now might be a good time to check out the NASA app for Android
- A quick look at Sense 4.1 on the HTC One X
- Apple removes Youtube app in iOS 6, but it's not a shot at Google
- Megatroid review - close enough to Metroid
- iBolt ProDock Alumina review
- Special Android sales event starts at 11 a.m. EST Tuesday
- Pix’n Love review - a fresh take on retro platforming
- Batdroid, Dr. Zoidroid and more! Start your week off with some new wallpapers
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Gallery
- AT&T's shared data plans available Aug. 23, online tool helps choose the one for you
- Monday Brief: iPhone 5 event, Samsung unpacked and Microsoft ditching Metro name
- Start your week with the Greatest Android Podcast in the World!
- InvisibleSHIELD Full Body for HTC One X review
- Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case (with Metal Kickstand) for HTC One X
- Buying a Galaxy S2, S3 or Note? Samsung's offering cash for your old phone
- Sony: Xperia P Android 4.0 update coming Aug. 19-25
- Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note rumored for Jelly Bean updates in Q4
- Kernel source code available for Korean Galaxy Note 10.1
- Samsung showcases Galaxy Note 10.1 features in introductory video
- Samsung: Galaxy Note 10.1 available globally this month
| Toshiba Thrive gets ICS update earlier than expected Posted: 06 Aug 2012 04:36 PM PDT
The last we all heard from Toshiba about the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Thrive (AT100), was that it wouldn't be showing up until this fall. Toshiba missed their mark, but in a good way -- the Android 4.0.4 update is rolling out now to the 10-inch tablet. Besides all the greatness that comes with Ice Cream Sandwich, the update for the Thrive also has a few performance improvements.
There's no detail on the rollout itself, but we know it's available as a reader sent in a pic through the old Android Central app. With Jelly Bean being released already it's a bit late to the party, but it's nice to see Toshiba coming in earlier than expected. Still waiting for the update? Or did you get it and want to discuss? The best place to do either is in the Thrive forums. Source: Toshiba; via Android Central forums 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nexus 7 makes the best in-car entertainment system ever Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:41 PM PDT The folks at SonicElectronix have just built my dream car. Not because it's a big gas-guzzling Dodge RAM, or because it has black leather interior. Those are both great things, but they took the double-din head unit out and replaced it with a compartment to hold a Google Nexus 7 tablet to drive it over the edge for me. Using an Audison bit one signal processor to drive the sound to the speakers, they have turned what many feel is the best tablet for the money into an information and entertainment device in the Dodge's ample dash. Of course you can use Google Navigation (though a Wifi connection from your phone or a hotspot), but more importantly you can use any of the numerous streaming services provided through the Play Store. While driving alone, I could jam to some Google Music, or while my wife is riding with me, she could watch a movie on Netflix. Or I could let her drive, grab a Bluetooth controller, and play Riptide GP. Of course we've seen tablets built into cars and trucks before, but with Google's 7-inch offering in the Nexus 7, the project has a completely built-in OEM look and feel. Check out the video, then dream with me. Source: SonicEletronixTV 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Now might be a good time to check out the NASA app for Android Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:59 PM PDT
Mars. Pictures of Mars. Video from Mars. You know, that planet next door.Now, we don't wanna get all up in your business here, but if you've yet to download the NASA Android application, perhaps this is the time to do so. See, there's this red planet out there. It's called Mars. And there's this little robot guy who touched down on the surface last night. We'll call him "Curiosity." And he's currently snapping some pictures and basically casing the joint. And 14 minutes after the shutter snaps, NASA's looking over the pictures -- and uploading them for the rest of us to see. (And that's a damn sight faster than NBC can manage to get news out of London. Just saying.) The app's more than just that, of course, with video and mission profiles, among other trivial parts of blasting into space on top of a giant rocket ship. So, yeah. If you've yet to check out the NASA app for Android, perhaps now's the time to do so. 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A quick look at Sense 4.1 on the HTC One X Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:43 PM PDT
We told you over the weekend about Football's Sense 4.1-based ROM for the HTC One X. Today, we're taking it for a quick spin. And, as expected, it's still got the look and feel of the HTC One X. The homescreens are the same. The app drawer is the same. The settings menus look and feel the same. So HTC hasn't reinvented the wheel here, but neither did we expect them to. You'll want to read through the maXimus ROM changelog for all the goodies. But for our purposes, there are a couple to focus on. One is the updated functionality of the recent apps button. Just like in the update we've seen for the HTC One S and the AT&T One X, it can now serve as a menu button, and it's still entirely optional. The other big change is the addition of Quick Settings in a tab in the notification bar. And it couldn't have come too soon. That feature has been sorely missed ever we made the leap from Sense 3 to Sense 4. You'd think that it would have made the transition, but things happen. One way or the other, we'd look for it to hit the HTC One line of phones at some point. Check out our video after the break. Download: maXimus ROM 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple removes Youtube app in iOS 6, but it's not a shot at Google Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:26 PM PDT
If you're connected to the Internet, you've probably heard that Apple has dropped support for their Youtube app in the upcoming version of iOS. You might have even heard that it's part of the vast thermonuclear nonsense that the late Steve Jobs started against Android, and other eye-grabbing headlines. It's not. Youtube has been one the the most popular applications for iOS since the beginning, and was even featured in the first round of iPhone commercials. Everyone loves Youtube, even Apple. We poke a lot of fun at Apple, but they would never remove a feature and user favorite from iDevices. This isn't part of the feud between Apple and Google, it's a way to provide a better experience with less work. Previously, Apple wrote its own Youtube app and bundled it into iOS. And when compared to the Android version, it sucks. There was no monetization (ads), which means plenty of content was missing -- music videos from Vevo, for instance. As Rene mentions over at iMore, many users preferred to use Google's web player over the bundled app. If users (hey, that's you and me!) would rather use mobile Safari than your app, it's time for some changes. If those changes mean less work for the iOS development team, that's a win all around. There is a bit of weirdness surrounding today's news though, and that's the part where Apple says they had to stop because their license expired. We aren't privy to what goes on between Apple and Google, and there surely is some sort of agreement between them concerning Youtube, but you don't need a license to make a Youtube app. A quick peek at Google Play will show you that anyone can build one using the public APIs, and plenty of folks with less resources than Apple have done just that. Apple is pretty hush-mouthed over this sort of thing, so we're not going to read too much into it, but they could make a Youtube app if they wanted to, with no strings attached. Thankfully, they aren't. They're leaving it up to Google to make one and put it in the Appstore, where it can be downloaded by anyone who wants it -- which we're guessing will be everyone. A quick look at the Google+ app for iOS tells us Google can make an app that showcases HD content and looks beautiful, just like the latest Android app, and we're glad to see it happening. In the meantime, iOS 6 beta users can use Safari, and be glad that Apple did the right thing this time. More: iMore 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Megatroid review - close enough to Metroid Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:40 AM PDT
Megatroid came to Android recently, offering what will likely be the closest thing to a Metroid game we’ll ever see on mobile. There are a few things that make Megatroid much more than that though, including procedurally-created levels which ensure a fresh play-through every time, and a wide variety of high-tech weaponry than can be acquired through the course of gameplay or through in-app purchases. For a free game, the graphics and action in Megatroid are excellent, rich with neon lighting and plenty of 3D models (despite the game’s side-scrolling nature). 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:58 AM PDT
Driving hands free is not only safe; it’s the law in many places. The iBolt ProDock Alumina keeps your phone in view so you can stay focused on the road.Your new Samsung Galaxy S III (S3) or other Android phone can serve as a great navigator or in-car entertainment center. You can control lots of the functions with S voice or other voice control software, but you still need to be able to see your phone. 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Android sales event starts at 11 a.m. EST Tuesday Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:57 AM PDT
If you haven't yet made the jump to the "red hot" Android device of the moment (hint, hint, it's SSSuper…) then you might want set your calendars and come back here tomorrow at 11am EST sharp when we'll present you with an absolutely great offer with the lowest price available online for this phone that comes in multiple flavors on the big red network. This offer is presented by the Android Central Phone Store in association with Best Buy Mobile Solutions and will be limited to the first 100 people who place their order. The additional bonus is that thanks to Best Buy Mobile's new "Buy it today, get it today." capability you will not only be able to buy it online quickly and at a super price but even (in most instances) be able to pick it up on the very same day! So set your watches and get ready for 11am EST tomorrow … 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pix’n Love review - a fresh take on retro platforming Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:28 AM PDT
Pix’n Love Rush is currently being featured in the Google Play store, and it’s hard to ignore that delightfully retro pixellated devil in the app icon. The dead-simple platforming game has been available on Android for a long time now, bundling together a wide variety of mini-games in a distinct, slightly-warped pixellated package. 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batdroid, Dr. Zoidroid and more! Start your week off with some new wallpapers Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:43 AM PDT
Tired of that old wallpaper that you set for yourself last week? The Android Central Wallpaper Gallery is a great place for you to find many new wallpapers, but since we know Monday's are busy we picked some out for you. The gallery is always growing, and we hope that you will continue to help us by adding some of your own. Make something great, and share it with the Android Central community. Sharing your favorite wallpapers with us, and creating some of your own can earn you some prizes, so get to uploading, and let's grow this gallery! 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Gallery Posted: 06 Aug 2012 08:55 AM PDT
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T's shared data plans available Aug. 23, online tool helps choose the one for you Posted: 06 Aug 2012 08:29 AM PDT
AT&T today announced that its new shared data plans will be available starting Aug. 23. The new plans are not -- repeat, not -- mandatory. So if you have one of those grandfathered unlimited data plans now, you'll can still have it on Aug. 23. Here's the breakdown of what the plans will cost you:
So, for example, if you had two smartphones on a 6-gigabyte plan, you'd pay $160 a month. Voice calls and text messaging -- as well as tethering -- are included. AT&T's also rigged up a little tool that will help you figure out which of these shared data "buckets" would be right for you. (Hit the link below to check it out.) Source: AT&T; Also: Shared data plan tool 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monday Brief: iPhone 5 event, Samsung unpacked and Microsoft ditching Metro name Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:57 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start your week with the Greatest Android Podcast in the World! Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:54 AM PDT
Believe it or not, we're at 104 episodes of the Greatest Android Podcast in the World. Miss the live show Thursday night? Then you missed us trying to make sense of Samsung's fall releases. You missed us morning the delay -- or is it the untimely death? -- of Google's Nexus Q. And, as always, we answer more of your e-mails and voicemails. The Android Central Podcast is your weekly peek into the world of Android, where we break down the news that really matters, and explain what's just a bunch of hype. Plus, we answer your e-mails and voicemails. You don't want to miss it. Check out the Android Central Podcast. 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| InvisibleSHIELD Full Body for HTC One X review Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:10 AM PDT
You bought the HTC One X because of its looks and you don’t want to cover it up in a case.If you don’t want to put it in a case but you want to protect it from getting scratched, look into the invisibleSHIELD Full Body protective film. Protective films aren’t new, but they do offer another way of protecting your smartphone. As long as you realize that a protective film won’t protect against drops and hard hits to the phone – it is worth considering if your main concern is scratching your phone. 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case (with Metal Kickstand) for HTC One X Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:07 AM PDT
The Seidio SURFACE Case (with metal kickstand) is available for just $17.95, 49% off today only. Backed by our 60-day return policy and fast shipping! Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts! 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Buying a Galaxy S2, S3 or Note? Samsung's offering cash for your old phone Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:58 AM PDT
If you're on the fence about whether to drop your hard-earned currency on a new Galaxy smartphone, Samsung Mobile USA is hoping to sweeten the deal with a option to take your old phone off your hands. On its official Facebook page, the manufacturer offers customers picking up a Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note the option to exchange your aging handset for up to $300 in cold, hard cash. If you've just upgraded to a Note, S2 or S3, you can head to the Samsung Facebook page linked below and enter the details of your old phone, along with proof of purchase for your new one. You'll then be given a quote for your old handset, which is valid if you send your phone off to Samsung within 30 days. As is always the case with buyback schemes like this, you're unlikely to make back a huge amount of money on a year-old handset, and even a newer devices like the iPhone 4S will only get you around $250 back. Nevertheless, if your old phone is just sitting around collecting dust, and you don't want to deal with the possible minefield of selling on eBay, Samsung's new upgrade program might be worth a look. Source: Samsung Mobile USA on Facebook; via: The Verge 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony: Xperia P Android 4.0 update coming Aug. 19-25 Posted: 06 Aug 2012 04:42 AM PDT
It looks like the Xperia P will be the next Sony handset in line for an upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Sony Mobile India has taken to its official Facebook page to announce that ICS will start hitting Xperia P handsets from the week of Aug. 19-25. It's unclear whether this release window applies to India alone, but even if it does, other territories shouldn't expect too much of a delay given Sony's track record. As we mentioned in our review of the Xperia P, it's a decent handset that was held back by the inclusion of Android 2.3 Gingerbread out of the box. With the much-needed bump up to ICS, the Xperia P will represent better value for money in an increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The news also bodes well for owners of the Xperia U and Xperia Sola, as these handsets are powered by the same internal hardware and run an almost identical ROM. Source: Sony Mobile IN on Facebook; via: XperiaBlog 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note rumored for Jelly Bean updates in Q4 Posted: 06 Aug 2012 04:27 AM PDT
Latest unconfirmed reports suggest Galaxy S3 also well on its way to Android 4.1, Note 2 currently running ICSSamsung's Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note could be on track to be updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean before the end of the year, according to the latest online rumors. The reports come from Samsung fansite SamMobie, and though they're unconfirmed rumors at this point, the site has proved fairly accurate with this sort of thing in the past. Samsung's flagship Galaxy S III (S3) is said to be well on its way towards Jelly Bean, with internal testing proving successful, and "public" builds apparently now being put through their paces in anticipation of a late Q3 or early Q4 launch. Meanwhile, last year's leading Samsung phones, the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note are apparently being tested on Android 4.1 too. It's reported that the manufacturer currently plans to update both to Jelly Bean, though the decision isn't yet set in stone. Assuming these updates happen, the site suggests a release before the end of the year. Looking forwards, there's uncertainty as to which version of Android the Galaxy Note 2 will ship with. The Note 2, which will be unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event in Berlin on Aug. 29, is said to be running Ice Cream Sandwich right now, and the site's sources didn't know whether the final shipping firmware would be based on Android 4.0 or 4.1. Assuming it ships with ICS, it's suggested a Jelly Bean update will ship in the fourth quarter also. We're well within unconfirmed rumor territory here, but the dates posited here certainly sound realistic. It's no surprise to see the S3 and Note 2 first in line for Jelly Bean, but today's reports might provide some hope for S2 and original Note owners that Samsung hasn't forgotten about them. Source: SamMobile 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kernel source code available for Korean Galaxy Note 10.1 Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:55 AM PDT
The code won't be of much use to regular consumers, but it should kick-start the custom ROM community surrounding the stylus-wielding slate, which is due to go on sale globally later this month. To grab the bits for yourself, head to the source link below, then type either of the Korean Note 10.1 model numbers -- "SHW-M480K" or "SHW-M480S" -- into the search box. Source: Samsung Open Source; via: SamMobile 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung showcases Galaxy Note 10.1 features in introductory video Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:37 AM PDT With the Galaxy Note 10.1 confirmed for an international launch later this month, Samsung's taken the wraps off its latest Android tablet, showing off its compliment of S Pen-based drawing and multitasking features in an official introductory video. The five-minute demonstration, which appeared on the Samsung Mobile YouTube channel, shows off five major software areas -- multitasking, note taking, education, information and photo editing. Starting with multitasking, the Note 10.1 expands on Android's traditional task-switching and the Galaxy S3's picture-in-picture video viewing with the ability to run multiple apps side-by-side on the same screen. As for note-taking, we get a tour of apps like S Note and S Memo, which have evolved somewhat since they first appeared on the original Galaxy Note. And the tablet's educational credentials are boosted by its ability to translate formulae from written text into characters. You'll find the full Galaxy Tab 10.1 introductory video embedded above. As we mentioned earlier today, the tablet itself goes on sale this month in Wifi and HSPA models, with LTE expected to follow later in the year. 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung: Galaxy Note 10.1 available globally this month Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:13 AM PDT
The Galaxy Note 10.1 will finally arrive on store shelves internationally this month, Samsung has announced. The stylus-toting tablet has received hardware and software upgrades since we first saw it at Mobile World Congress in February, and now has a 1.4GHz quad-core Exynos processor, 2GB of RAM and a jazzed up version of Samsung's TouchWiz UX. The tablet's chassis itself has also been upgraded since we first saw it in Barcelona, and now features a slot to hold that pressure-sensitive "S Pen." In today's announcement the manufacturer also highlighted capabilities like the "S Note" note-taking app first seen on the original Galaxy Note, as well as the ability to run multiple apps on a single screen. Samsung seems keen to target the Note 10.1 as a more practical tablet for students and business professionals, on account of the combination of pen input and a larger 10.1-inch screen. The tablet's certainly had an interesting path to release. As we said, it appeared at MWC earlier this year before being sent back to the drawing board. And in the U.S., the tablet remains unannounced ahead of an event in New York City on Aug. 15. Despite this, one retailer already has stock, and says it's currently shipping out to customers across the country. No pricing or exact release dates were specified in today's presser -- we'd expect these details to be worked out on a country-by-country basis. However, we do know the Galaxy Note 10.1 will be available at first in Wifi-only and HSPA flavors, with an LTE version due to arrive later in the year. We've got today's full press release, and a complete spec list for the Note 10.1, after the break. 
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Android Central - Android Forums, News, Reviews, Help and Android Wallpapers To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment