Saturday, September 15, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority

4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update rolling out to Xperia Ion LTE

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:46 AM PDT


Very recently, the Sony Xperia S received its official update to Android 4.0.4. This is great news for a few reasons, most of which involve all of the fun, new features that come with Ice Cream Sandwich. However, 4.0.4 is the last version of Ice Cream Sandwich, which means the next update could be Jelly Bean. Xperia Ion LTE users, meanwhile, have been waiting for an update to Android 4.0.4, and the wait has just ended.

Mobile Syrup has been discussing that Sony is already preparing the 4.0.4 update. Almost everyone was sure the update would occur sometime this week, but the exact date was only speculation. Thankfully, the wait wasn’t a very long one, as Sony has reportedly begun to roll out the update as of yesterday, September 14.

What’s in the official update?

For starters, Ice Cream Sandwich is a wholly different operating system than Gingerbread. Xperia Ion LTE owners will be treated to a new user interface, most of the features that come with Android 4.0.4, and likely some features that Sony has baked in themselves. The Xperia Ion LTE should also get performance improvements and better battery management that many have been hoping for.

For most users, a notification for upgrade should already appear. If not, you can likely force the update by going into the settings screen, navigating to the About Phone option, and then tapping “check for updates.” According to Xperia Blog, the Xperia Ion update is rolling out to Hong Kong and Taiwan customers now. Other regions should experience their updates in the very near future.

The new version number is 6.1.E.1.19 and it should be a pretty big update. So be sure to be near your phone charger in case you need to plug in during the download and install processes. Since the update is so fresh, there aren’t any reports out yet as to how the update is working.

If you have the Xperia Ion LTE and have already updated, we’d love to hear from you. How is the update? Are there noticeable improvements? Let us know in the comments below.

This article, 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update rolling out to Xperia Ion LTE , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Samsung is working on a new back-illuminated 13MP camera for phones and tablets

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:45 AM PDT

According to its own website, Samsung is now working on a next-gen 13MP back-illuminated sensor, called S5K3L2, that’s meant to go into phones and tablets sometime next year. The news comes after we have already heard that Samsung has been working on a 12MP sensor (S5K3L1) that’s currently in production for upcoming devices.

The new sensor will be a pretty standard 1/3.2″ format, with a pixel size of 1.1ยต. The picture resolution will be 4208×3120, and will shoot videos at 30 FPS. According to Samsung, the images will be able to maintain high contrast even when shot at those high frame rates. Their camera sensors are also the most energy efficient in the industry, so that should help with battery life too, when shooting a lot of pictures in a row. We won’t be able to put these affirmations to the test for a while, though.

As far as megapixels go, phone cameras seem to be moving into point and shoot territory, and at this rate it won’t be long until they go into low-end DSLR territory as well, but with much less overall quality than those devices, of course. The problem with increasing the megapixels is that the pixels have to be smaller and smaller, especially if the manufacturers try to maintain the size of the sensor, or make it even smaller. And when the pixels are smaller, it means they capture less light and the pictures are of less quality.

Now does this mean a 13MP picture will look worse than an 8MP picture? Not necessarily, and most likely it won’t, because manufacturers also come up with other improvements. But my point is those improvements would have an even bigger impact if the number of pixels was maintained rather than increased, especially if they aren’t going to increase the sensor size.

When they increase the megapixel size, they have to work that much harder to increase the quality of the picture. And at this point having a ton of megapixels on a camera doesn’t make much sense, unless you want extreme zooms on your PC. But otherwise even a 2MP photo is enough to cover a Full HD display (which has around 2 million pixels).

Speaking of sensor sizes, although I would never have bought Nokia’s PureView 808, because it ran Symbian, and I wouldn’t have been interested in it if it ran WP8 either. I am still hoping Nokia will pursue that camera strategy and continue to use such large sensors in more of their flagship phones. We could even see it become a trend; a trend that I am hoping other manufacturers from the Android world pick-up on.

Unfortunately, even Nokia seems to have given up on that, and now it is only pursuing low-light performance and stabilization. These are still very worthy goals, and I hope other manufacturers try to beat the Finnish company on this, but the quality of the pictures will be much, much lower than what they were on the PureView 808.

Am I asking for all their phones to have extremely large sensors? No of course not, but seeing how Samsung, HTC and others want to release several “flagships” a year, I think they could make at least one of them have highly superior phone cameras, for those of us who really care about taking good pictures with our phones.

But now that dream may have died with Nokia refusing to pursue that strategy, so I wouldn’t expect huge advancements from either Nokia, Samsung or Apple in terms of picture quality, other than some incrementally improvements every year, in the next few years. From the looks of it neither Samsung’s 12MP camera, nor the 13MP one will have optical stabilization, although hopefully they will put it in the latter one now that they saw Nokia doing it!  They are already using this technology on the recently announced Galaxy Camera with Jelly Bean.

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This article, Samsung is working on a new back-illuminated 13MP camera for phones and tablets , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Conan O’Brien says no to the Amazon Kindle Fire and recommends Amazon Wendell

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:37 AM PDT


The Kindle Fire set the stage for the next generation of Android-powered tablets. It has a convenient and portable form factor mixed with decent specs. Its very low price made it a very attractive selection for people who wanted a good tablet at a low cost. Since the Kindle Fire release, tablet manufacturers across the grid have been making smaller, cheaper, more powerful tablets to compete with the Kindle Fire.

This has created a market of well equipped tablets that are also cheap. People are buying them and Android has a name in the tablet industry. However, that isn’t good enough for Conan O’Brien. Instead of the Kindle Fire, Conan O’Brien believes you should check out Amazon’s new project: the Amazon Wendell.

You can get the Amazon Wendell for a very wallet-friendly $5 USD. He can be used for gaming, homework help, social media, and as an e-reader. Amazon Wendel also sports a five o’clock shadow. Thanks to visionaries like Dr. Gregory House, the five o’clock shadow has become very fashionable. So you won’t be embarrassed to be seen in public with him.


Okay, so we’re making this out to be a little better than it actually is. The Amazon Wendell comes with a plethora of great features, but there’s things about it we don’t like. For one thing, he’s a middle aged man. If you happen to be a young person, people may confuse Amazon Wendell for your father or grandfather. He is also running last generation’s hardware. Thus, you might want to wait for newer hardware to be released.

Of course, there are some hidden features as well. If you choose to pay an extra $5 USD, Amazon Wendell will provide services of a more adult nature. Whether Conan O’Brien enjoys the hidden features, we cannot say for sure. If you’d like to learn more about the Amazon Wendell, you can check out the promotional video.

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This article, Conan O’Brien says no to the Amazon Kindle Fire and recommends Amazon Wendell , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

ISIS mobile payment system delayed again

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 08:36 PM PDT

After much fanfare surrounding the new mobile payment system being put forward by carriers, ISIS is encountering delays anew. A venture launched by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, the service aims to reduce consumer dependency on plastic credit cards and instead pay through NFC-enabled smartphones.

While the group had targeted a launch by September 21, the consortium has again decided to delay release of ISIS. According to ISIS head of marketing Jaymee Johnson, the group is still ironing out details of the system. “We are wrapping things up and finishing that final punch list of items,” Johnson said, adding that the consortium’s members are still actively pursuing the payment system.

According to the marketing executive, ISIS will have hundreds of merchant partners by launch, and the group expects this to grow into the thousands as it expands beyond launch cities by 2013.

It may be noted that Android smartphone manufacturers, such as Sony, Samsung and the like, have released handsets that support near-field communications. However, while consumers and analysts had eagerly expected Apple to support NFC in its latest-generation iPhone, Apple decided to exclude the protocol in the iPhone 5. Analysts have actually put their hopes on an NFC inclusion in the iPhone 5, which would have broadened the audience base of the ISIS payment system.

Does ISIS have chance at gaining traction even with the lack of support from Apple and the iPhone? Will support from Android devices be enough to popularize this mobile payment initiative?

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This article, ISIS mobile payment system delayed again , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Apple wins patent case filed by Samsung with the ITC

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 08:21 PM PDT

It looks like Samsung’s legal woes are not over. After a California district court decided in favor of Apple this August and charged Samsung $1 billion in damages, Samsung’s pending case with the International Trade Commission (ITC) has also been ruled in favor of Apple.

According to ITC Judge James Gildea, Apple did not violate Samsung’s rights in any of the four patents in question. In the decision, Judge Gildea said Samsung was not able to prove that Apple infringed on the patents, and that Samsung was unable to prove that it had a domestic industry that used the patents in the first place.

The domestic business aspect is a pre-requisite for the ITC acting on such complaints. Meanwhile, the ITC, as a collegiate body, can enforce import restrictions on products that infringe on U.S. patents.

The decision is still subject to review by the Commission en banc, and Samsung says it is confident that the ITC will still decide in its favor. Samsung spokesman Adam Yates says the company will continue to pursue its intellectual property claims.

We remain confident that the full commission will ultimately reach a final determination that affirms our position that Apple must be held accountable for free-riding on our technological innovations. We are proud of our long history of innovation in the mobile industry and will continue to defend our intellectual property rights.

Apple has declined to comment. The company has another pending case against Samsung lodged with the ITC, which is set to be decided upon by October 19.

Analysts have observed that it is difficult to get traction against Apple at the ITC. “Apple at the ITC is bulletproof,” says lawyer Rodney Sweetland in a statement to Bloomberg. “The lesson is, if you want to get relief against Apple, it's going to have to be in a foreign forum where it doesn't have the clout or the cachet it has at the ITC or the northern district of California.”

Does Samsung stand a chance against Apple? Are authorities biased in favor of Apple because of its American origins, as compared to foreign companies like Samsung?

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This article, Apple wins patent case filed by Samsung with the ITC , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean pre-release firmware available via new leak – I9300XXDLI7 [Download]

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 07:45 PM PDT

A few days ago we heard from two official Samsung sources that the Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update will be available at some point in October, which is not that bad, but not ideal either considering that the Android maker promised that some of its 2012 flagship devices including the newest Galaxy S version will get Android 4.1.1 soon after the IFA 2012 Unpacked event.

Since the event we saw a remarkable number of Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean pre-release firmware leaks, most of them compatible only with the international Galaxy S3 version, but also some leaks that were made available to U.S. variants of the handset.

Today we hear that a pre-release Android 4.1.1 ROM dated September 13 is available for the masses, as Samsung seems to continue to iron out any existing bugs and inconsistencies in the Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean build before releasing the final one into the wild.

As always, we advise you not to manually update the firmware of your device, no matter how well-versed you are in all things Android. However, since it's up to you to decide which way to go when dealing with such leaks, make sure you backup everything before performing the update.

In case you are already on one of the previous Android 4.1.1 builds for the international Galaxy S3 then here's what version I9300XXDLI7 brings to the table, according to Sam Mobile:

  • VSync now working again
  • UI Framerate has increased (Silky Smooth Transitions)
  • All Keyboard issues are now fixed
  • Wi-Fi connectivity improved a lot (Way faster then before!)
  • UI is smoother and faster
  • No FCs

The I9300XXDLI7 leak is, as expected, "the most stable leak EVER [sic]," which is how the publication described a slew of recent Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean builds.

Of course, since we're just about to pass the middle of September, there's plenty of room left for Samsung to keep releasing test Jelly Build ROMs for its 2012 flagship device, so don't be surprised to see a few more of these get leaked in the following weeks, each one more stable than its predecessor.

Have you installed Jelly Bean – leaked version or Android 4.1.1-based custom ROM – on the Galaxy S3 yet?

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This article, Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean pre-release firmware available via new leak – I9300XXDLI7 [Download] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Conan’s iPhone 5 stolen by Samsung ahead of launch day, probably to check its weird specs and features

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 06:43 PM PDT

The Apple vs Samsung patent-based legal conflict doesn't need any more introductions as, no matter whether you followed it closely like we did or not, you have probably heard about the South Korean's huge defeat in one of the U.S. cases between them.

The jury found that a variety of Galaxy-based devices infringed on several Apple patents and that Samsung has to pay Apple $1.05 billion in damages. Even Conan O'Brian made fun of Samsung during the trial in one of his shows, clearly suggesting that Samsung is indeed following Apple’s lead. Fast forward a few months and it looks like everything worked out against Conan, as Samsung took direct action against him and his iPhone 5 hands-on preview that should have taken place a few days ahead of the phone’s official launch day. Just check out the video below to see what happened:

So why was Conan's iPhone 5 stolen by Samsung? Well, the Android maker may have been interested in the new iPhone's specs and features, at least those presented by Conan's Team Coco. Here's what Samsung may be interested in finding out more details about when looking at the device:

  • During the iPhone 5 unveiling in San Francisco, a gentle hush descended across the Earth. Dogs and cats snuggled, doves wept with joy, and mortal enemies everywhere briefly set aside their differences and commenced feverishly swapping spit.
  • The new iPhone is 18% thinner and 20% lighter than the 4S, making it the first smartphone with specs one can measure in Triscuits.
  • Apes that touch the glowing new mini-monolith are suddenly able to turn basic tools into weapons.
  • You will still probably have to stand in line for four hours outside an Apple Store next to a lumberjack who just discovered dub-step and two bloggers wearing Atticus Finch glasses narrating their Tumblrs to each other.
  • The new iPhone 5 magically induces people with the iPhone 4S to bite the insides of their cheeks until they tasted blood.
  • Siri has been upgraded; the “intelligent personal assistant” will tell you sports scores, and automatically place bets with your bookie.
  • The iPhone 5′s 8MP camera is slimmer than before, and can make that can of Beefaroni look like Mario Batali is your personal chef.
  • The elongated display is newly optimized for those with freakishly nimble asparagus fingers.
  • Apple’s new battery promises 225 hours of standby and is powered by the tears of Chinese laborers.
  • The iPhone 5 is made out of a nanomorph mimetic poly-alloy, which means if you smash it against your desk in a frothing rage, it will reduce itself to a pool of liquid metal, then quietly reform back to its prior shape.
  • The iPhone 5 has 4G-LTE network connectivity, so you’ll be able to download alt-folk dirges off of iTunes nanoseconds before they’re cool.
  • The iPhone 5 will sprout spider legs and use digestive acids to liquify any Samsung Galaxy 3′s in the vicinity.
  • Price: 199.99 for 16GB, $299.99 for 32GB, $399.99 for 64GB with two year contract signed in bone marrow.

Yes, this all of the above, including video and the weird iPhone 5 characteristics, is parody and should be treated accordingly. And no, Samsung didn't steal any iPhone 5. They have enough cash to buy one when it comes out next week and explore it themselves.

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This article, Conan's iPhone 5 stolen by Samsung ahead of launch day, probably to check its weird specs and features , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

AT&T Galaxy Note 2 release date set for October 21?

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 05:57 PM PDT

The Galaxy Note 2 is Samsung's latest addition to its high-end Galaxy-branded smartphone lineup, but we still have no idea when the device will hit stores. A recent leak revealed that German customers may get the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note 2 LTE version in October and November, respectively, confirming what Samsung said on stage during its special Unpacked IFA 2012 event that we attended a few weeks back.

Samsung also confirmed that the U.S. Galaxy Note 2 versions will hit U.S. stores by the end of the year, but, again, it did not provide any launch dates. Meanwhile, we spotted a variety of leaks that seemed to confirmed that every major U.S. mobile operator, including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, but also U.S. Cellular, will get the phablet at some point in the coming months.

Now we hear that the AT&T Galaxy Note 2 may be launched on October 21, precisely one month after Apple's iPhone 5 hits stores in the U.S. and several other markets, although the new phablet's release date is yet to be confirmed by the carrier:

BGR has confirmed with a trusted source that AT&T's (T) upcoming flagship smartphones for the holidays — besides that flagship smartphone, of course — will be launching on October 21st. This will include the Nokia(NOK) Lumia 920 and the Samsung (005930) Galaxy Note II. An AT&T spokesperson had no comment.

We'll be back with more details on the matter as soon as we have them. In the mean time, let's hear it from you, AT&T subscribers, are you buying this device first chance you get?

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This article, AT&T Galaxy Note 2 release date set for October 21? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Deal: Motorola DROID RAZR M currently on sale for only $50 with contract

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 04:22 PM PDT

Though it was only released yesterday, you can already pick up the new Motorola DROID RAZR M for only $50 with a two-year contract. That’s half off the price you’d pay to buy it from Verizon, and probably very irritating if you already bought it yesterday.

As we mentioned yesterday, one of the the main selling points of the DROID RAZR M is its small size. At $99, there are many devices in the same price range with better specs. At $50, that number drops dramatically. With a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 2,000mAh battery, the DROID RAZR M suddenly becomes much more attractive when you knock off half of the price.

Amazon Wireless is currently offering both the black and the white models of the Motorola Droid RAZR M for $50 with a new contract from Verizon, or $70 if you’re already a Verizon customer, which is still as cheap as you’ll find them anywhere. Both phones are currently listed as backordered, but if you can spare a little patience, it may be well worth the money you will save.

Is the Motorola DROID RAZR M worth $50 to you? Are you one of the early birds who bought it yesterday?

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This article, Deal: Motorola DROID RAZR M currently on sale for only $50 with contract , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Tetris Android app free through Amazon AppStore, today only

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 04:10 PM PDT

Tetris is one of the most iconic mobile games in history. That may be a bold statement, but it’s no less true.

While titles like "Angry Birds" are some of the games that truly made smartphone and tablet gaming big, the OG Gameboy and Tetris had even more of a long-term impact on the handheld gaming industry.

Tetris was actually developed primarily by Russian computer programmer Alexey Pajitnov, and it originally belonged to the Soviet government. In 1986, it made its way over the United States and truly became a hit sensation when Nintendo brought it as a pack-in title with their Gameboy handhelds.

Now you can get the Electronic Arts published version of Tetris for free, but only today. Tetris is September 14th’s free app of the day and is certainly worth picking up if you want to reminiscence on the good ole’ days. For the one person reading this that has never played Tetris, it is very addicting and worth giving a try.

Normally EA sells this title for $2.99, so this is actually quite a steal. It is worth noting that this isn’t the ‘best’ version of Tetris out there. It’s enjoyable enough, but don’t expect it to be the exact same as the NES and Gameboy versions many of us know and love.

Even so, it’s hard to complain when something is free. Would I pay the full price for it? Depending on how nostalgic I was feeling.

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This article, Tetris Android app free through Amazon AppStore, today only , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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