Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

United Airlines Android app lands in Google Play

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 02:59 PM PDT

United Airlines Android App

The United Airlines Android app favors function over form - but is that really a surprise?

United Airlines now has its own Android application. That's good news for you folks who fly the airline reborn from the merger with Continental in 2010, and who have been waiting for United finally poke its head into the tech of 2012.

The app is full of functionality, which is good, because visually it's as poor as United's full website. (Then again, if you fly United on a regular basis, you're probably already used to that.) But you can search and purchase flights (the latter half of that equation isn't something all U.S. airlines offer). You can get flight status, airport maps, check your existing reservations and, perhaps most important, get mobile boarding passes.

Just don't expect it to look good, or even attempt to follow Android design guidelines. And you'll need to be patient if it decides to chew on some data for a few minutes -- there's no way to cancel an action without force-quitting the app.

The app is free, as you'd expect. We've got a slew of screen shots after the break.

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Sony releases binaries to support JBQ AOSP project

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 11:55 AM PDT

Android Central

Last month Google’s Android Open Source Project lead Jean-Baptiste Queru (JBQ) announced the launch of an “experimental” project to bring the latest open-source Android to the Sony Xperia S (LT26). Sony quickly confirmed its support of the project, and today it’s followed through with the release of closed-source binaries to allow the project to continue. These are blobs of compiled code (e.g. graphics firmware) that cannot be open-sourced, but which must be built in advance in order for any AOSP build to work on Xperia S hardware.

In addition, Sony has reaffirmed its commitment to open-source Android “and the innovation it brings.” The company says that with the help of the proprietary files that have been provided, it expects the AOSP build should be capable of booting up and reaching the home screen.

The binaries are available to download from Sony’s developer world site at the source link. While the binaries won’t be of any use to custom ROM enthusiasts, they just might result in the quicker arrival of more stable AOSP builds for the Xperia S. There’s a long way left to go before Xperia S owners will be able to download and build open-source Android for their devices, but this is an important step along the way. We’ll be watching with interest in the months ahead.

Source: Sony Developer World

Rovio teases next installment in Angry Birds saga, something PIG is coming

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 08:13 AM PDT

Rovio Mobile has released a teaser trailer for what will be the next installment in the Birds v Pigs saga. Only this time, it looks like the boot is on the other foot. Something PIG is coming. 

Otherwise, we don't get to see much. There's no hints on potential gameplay, release date, anything at all. After such a long old time though, it looks like it's time for the little green pigs to fight back.

Source: Badpiggies via iMore

From the Editor's Desk: Laboring away on Labor Day

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:01 AM PDT

Phil Nickinson

So today's the Labor Day holiday here in the states, which I'm told celebrates people who work by giving them a day off. It's also the unofficial end of summer (though here in Florida, that usually doesn't happen until sometime in October), and the signal that school's about to start for many. So with that, a few Labor Day thoughts:

  • Back to that school thing for a second. Kids are going to be walking to the bus stop. They're not paying attention to you. You're in a hurry, possibly with your own kids in the back seat. Leave your damn phone alone. If you still can't help yourself, there are a number of apps to treat you like a grade-schooler to lock it out while your car's moving. Sprint and AT&T have been champions of that for a while now. But above all, put down the phone.
  • Fun fact: There's an HTC One XC and One XT, Chinese variants, both. I didn't know that.
  • Alex and Richard killed it at the IFA conference in Berlin last week. (And I'm still a little jealous that I didn't go.) My highlights? No surprise, really -- the Samsung Galaxy Camera and Galaxy Note 2. Can't wait to play with them. Catch up on all the IFA news here.
  • It's smartphone hell week this week. Or tech heaven, depending on how you look at it. We've got the Motorola-Verizon event in New York, the Amazon event in California, a Sony event in London, some other stuff going on, plus our pals at WP Central have a Nokia-Microsoft thing laid on. This is going to be a good (long) week.
  • Oh, and I'm in New York City this week on HTC's dime for the second Frequencies event, for some more candid conversation with some of the top names in tech journalism. (Seriously, it's humbling to be in this group). If you've got anything you want me to pass on, leave a note in the comments. (But, no, I won't be asking them about ICS for the Thunderbolt. HTC knows it's late.)
  • And believe it or not, this is just the start of an unusually busy fall season. We've got the fall CTIA event coming up in a little more than month. It's been renamed "MobileCon" (from "Apps & Enterprise"). Not sure if that'll make it any more worth the trip (last year was pretty slow), but, hey, it's the job. I also can already taste the tacos in San Diego. Nom.

That's enough for now. It's a holiday, after all. See y'all on the flip side.

First signs of SIM free pricing emerge for Sony Xperia J

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 06:03 AM PDT

Android Central

We've already had the first wave of information on when the new Sony devices announced at IFA will be available, but any information on price is still somewhat lacking. At least one British retailer has tagged a price on the entry-level Xperia J, despite not being able to offer it themselves until October. 

Clove Technology has come out and priced the Xperia J at £190, but will not have stock available until late October. This is a little after the September 5 release date previously supplied by other retailers, but it's the first indication we've received of a UK RRP for the new device. 

Clove also intends to stock the full range of colors for the Xperia J, but notes that the first units will only be available in black or white. 

Source: Clove Blog

Monday Brief: IFA 2012, BB10 Hardware, a WP8 Lumia Leak, and more!

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 05:47 AM PDT


Mobile Nations



Why the Samsung Galaxy Camera makes perfect sense

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 04:40 AM PDT

Android Central

While much of the buzz leading up to last Wednesday’s Samsung Mobile Unpacked event focused on the Galaxy Note 2, it could be argued that the real star of the show was the Galaxy Camera, Sammy’s new Android-powered point-and-shoot. Sure, the Note 2 is an impressive piece of kit, but it is essentially an incremental upgrade of a device we already know. The Galaxy Camera, on the other hand, could represent the future of point-and-shoots, or an entirely new class of product altogether.

There’s been much talk of Samsung the copycat over the past month or so, but the Galaxy Camera is an example of the Korean manufacturer using its experience in multiple product categories to introduce something really new. Like the original Galaxy Note, it’s a new spin on an existing category of device that’s just crazy enough to succeed. And if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Read on to find out why.

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Labor Day Weekend Sale: Save 15% on all Android Accessories from ShopAndroid.com!

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 04:32 AM PDT

Android Central

It's the final day of the holiday weekend for us here in the States, and our pals at ShopAndroid.com are sharing the savings with everyone! Through midnight tonight, you can save 15 percent on your entire order when you use the coupon code LDAY12 at checkout.

That's 15 percent off all Android cases, headsets, memory cards -- everything! And don't forget that ShopAndroid has all-new international shipping options as well. Hope everybody has a great weekend, and enjoy the savings!

Eyes on the new Hisense Pulse Google TV set-top box

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 01:56 AM PDT

Android Central

Officially unveiled prior to the annual IFA 2012 show in Berlin, Hisense were on hand at the show in to demonstrate their first Google TV box for the first time. The Pulse as it goes by name, is the latest product of a Google TV partnership, and packs a potentially killer feature. Its price. Like the low priced competitor, Vizio Co-Star, the Pulse is priced to move at just $99. But, even at such a low price point, it still needs to deliver the goods. Whilst on the ground in Berlin, we tracked down the Pulse and took a first look at this latest entrant into the Google TV arena. 

In terms of hardware, the Pulse is a rather un-assuming black box to look at. It's relatively small though, and should fade into a front room set up with very little effort. It won't stand out, but it won't look out of place either. It's all glossy plastic, which doesn't give off the impression of a high quality product, but at $99 we wouldn't really expect that much more. The expected ports are all present, a solitary USB port on one side of the box, with the HDMI, ethernet and power sockets all on the rear. Also to be found on the rear is a connector for an IR blaster.

The Remote too doesn't exactly strike the same impression as that of a high end TV, but importantly it offers full functionality. On one side is a full QWERTY keyboard packed with rubber keys. Typing isn't too difficult, the keys feel just like a regular old TV remote. There seems to be ample space between keys so as to avoid hitting the wrong ones. 

Flipping round to the main side of the remote, we're treated to a bevy of controls and a touch sensitive trackpad. The trackpad is quite small though, and we had some definite troubles using it to zoom in whilst using Google Chrome. This could have been -- and likely was -- an issue with Chrome though, as it seemed relatively responsive when being used to direct the on screen cursor. 

The remainder of the keys are pretty much standard Google TV fare, although the Pulse Remote does have dedicated buttons for YouTube and for Netflix. 

A quick look at the performance of the device highlights similar issues reported from early purchasers of the Vizio Co-Star. It isn't massively smooth in some areas, and when navigating around the menus there was some noticeable lag. In particular, Google Chrome seemed pretty slow to respond. However,  we shouldn't forget that this is a trade show with pre-release hardware and software the norm. 

All in all though the Pulse isn't a bad little box. It will be launching in the U.S. sometime during the fall, but Hisense did confirm to us that they have every intention of bringing the Pulse to Europe in 2013. As Google TV is still in its infancy on European shores, a set-top box in this price category could be what's needed to give it a little kick start. 

Be sure to check out our photo gallery of the Hisense Pulse after the break.

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'Nexus 7 3G' rumored for launch within weeks

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 01:51 AM PDT

Android Central

Google and ASUS' Nexus 7 tablet has been met with considerable success over the past couple of months, but so far it's only been available with Wifi connectivity, with no cellular data option offered to consumers. But that may be about to change if the latest round of rumors from veteran mobile blog MoDaCo​ are to be believed. 

According to ​MoDaCo's​ Paul O'Brien, a "very well-placed source" is saying that a "Nexus 7 3G" is indeed in the works, with a launch due in around six weeks time. Interestingly, such a launch timeframe could put the device up against Apple's 7-inch iPad (or 'iPad mini'), which is expected to be announced  on Sept. 12 and released in mid-October.

MoDaCo's source says there are "no other hardware changes," besides the addition of a cellular radio, and that territories for launch, as well as the exact release date, have ye to be confirmed. Pricing, too, remains unknown at this time, but Nexus 7 buyers can probably expect to pay a small premium over the Wifi-only version.

Would you be willing to fork out a little more for 3G connectivity on your Nexus 7? Let us know down in the comments!

Source: MoDaCo

O2 UK blocking ICS updates for Xperia Arc, Ray and Neo

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 11:20 PM PDT

Android Central

While Sony may have created some excitement in the last seven days with all their IFA announcements, for owners of some of the 2011 Xperia devices on O2 UK there is less cause for celebration. 

The British carrier has decided to block the update to Ice Cream Sandwich for three Xperia devices, the Arc, Ray and Neo. Despite Sony themselves having already released the updates for unlocked versions of all three devices, O2 claims that performance issues have caused them to block the update for their customers. 

They claim that Android 4.0 affected the devices' speed and performance, and since it didn't meet their requirements, O2 customers with one of these devices will remain on Gingerbread. 

Source: O2 Blog
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