Android Central |
- AC's OUYA username contest winner is ...
- US Cellular Galaxy S3 getting a minor update that might have Google Wallet on board
- Sprint and AT&T getting the LG Optimus G
- Pantech Element and Pantech Burst get Ice Cream Sandwich update
- Plume for Twitter updated with expandable Jelly Bean notifications
- A 32-gigabyte Nexus 7? Nexus 2? Carphone Warehouse thinks so
- Samsung Galaxy Note 2 initial photo and video samples
- Manage your business cash flow with Xero accounting for Android smartphones
- Deal of the Day: Krusell Donso Mobile UnderCover for Samsung Galaxy S3
- Lockitron announces new NFC, Bluetooth, and SMS-friendly door unlocker
- PlayStation Mobile game store starts trickling out to select Android devices
- T-Mobile, MetroPCS merging in $1.5 billion deal
- EE to launch UK's first 4G network on Oct. 30
- Nest Mobile for Android updated with tablet compatibility and stability improvements
- Widespread UK 4G roll-out set for spring 2013 as networks reach agreement with regulators and government
- HTC One X+ headed to UK from Oct 22, priced £474, says retailer
- EE's new 4G LTE network put through its paces with more speed tests
| AC's OUYA username contest winner is ... Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:45 PM PDT
A couple weeks back we decided to look to the wisdom of our readers for help in picking a username for Android Central's OUYA username. The response was overwhelming, and after looking through all of them we have come u with a winner. An awesome site like AC needs an awesome username, so here's your winner: LloydOfTheRings, picked by AC reader glazedfaith. Besides the admiration of all of us here for thinking up such a great gamertag, you've got a couple goodies headed your way. Namely an OUYA console of your own, and while your waiting for the spring delivery date, a Nexus 7 to keep you busy. Be sure to check your inbox! Let's all congratulate glazedfaith, and be sure to keep en eye out for more contests from your pals at AC. We love them as much as you guys do! 
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| US Cellular Galaxy S3 getting a minor update that might have Google Wallet on board Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:50 PM PDT
US Cellular is gearing up an update for the Galaxy S3 (Galaxy S III), and while it's not Jelly Bean, it could be a pretty big deal. Besides the normal tweaking things, fixing old bugs, and introducing new ones that a maintenance release always brings, there's some evidence that this update will bring Google Wallet officially to the phone. This would mark the Galaxy S III as the first carrier approved device outside of Sprint to have official support. First, let's talk about the update. It's definitely coming soonish, as it's already listed at US Cellular's Android downloads page. The new baseband will be R530UVXLI4, and be available OTA or via Samsung's Simple Upgrade Tool for Windows. There's no official change log, and the download isn't live from Samsung just yet, but the information is there and can't be unseen. We're pretty sure it is coming, and if we suggest you get ready and start checking for an OTA. Now, about that Google Wallet. Android Police has a leaked internal document showing that Google Wallet will be included in the update, and that it's going live today. That's a big deal, as it's the first time a carrier besides Sprint decided to give Google's NFC payment process a chance. Other carriers have been putting time and effort into the ISIS payment system, and Verizon has actively attempted to keep users from keeping and updating Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus, doing everything short of blocking the app through Google Play. What this means for the future of Google Wallet is anyone's guess, but it's a move towards wider adoption ad that's a good thing. Are you a US Cellular subscriber? Have you seen the update yet? Be sure to shout out in the comments and in the forums to let others know your experience. Source: US Cellular; Android Police 
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| Sprint and AT&T getting the LG Optimus G Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:01 PM PDT
LG today announced that Sprint and AT&T will carry the Optimus G, the 4.7-inch Android smartphone we saw announced last month. (See our hands-on from the launch in South Korea.) AT&T will get the version of the Optimus G that sports an 8-megapixel camera. (Other regions are getting a 13MP shooter.) That makes a difference, because the 8MP camera is flush with the body of the phone, whereas the 13MP lens sticks out slightly. Sprint says it'll carry the 13-megapixel version. (See our pre-production Optimus G camera test.) Both phones will run on their respective carriers' 4G LTE networks and sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 pro processor at 1.5 GHz. They've got 2 gigabytes of RAM and a 2100 mAh battery. AT&T's phone will have 32GB of storage, as will Sprint's. No word on pricing or availability yet for either carrier. We've got hands-on video and more pics after the break. Source: AT&T, PR Newswire 
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| Pantech Element and Pantech Burst get Ice Cream Sandwich update Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:36 PM PDT
Happy ICS day, Pantech Burst and Pantech Element, owners! The update to Android 4.0 for Pantech's smartphone and tablet are currently available through home page, or you can dig around in your on-device system settings to see if you can initiate the upgrade from there. So, what's new?
Anyone using either of these devices and itching to download? You can hit up Pantech's front page to get started. Thanks spudaj! 
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| Plume for Twitter updated with expandable Jelly Bean notifications Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:47 AM PDT
One of the leading Twitter clients on Android, Plume, has updated into the Jelly Bean era with expandable notifications. New in Android 4.1 is the ability for app developers to make dynamic notifications that can show more information when swiped down to expand. Plume takes advantage of this by giving you reply and retweet options right from the notification when expanded, also showing the number of tweets/mentions/messages you have. Even though Jelly Bean is only running on about 1.8 percent of devices, this is the kind of thing we hoped to start seeing from the big app developers at this point. It's good to see Plume taking the lead, and with quick updates like this you can see why it's one of the more popular Twitter clients out there. Also with this update, Plume has added the ability to view pictures full screen and fixes for draft, tweetmarker and facebook. Plume is the go-to client for many of us, and definitely worth a look. It's free in the Google Play Store at the link above, with a premium version to remove ads at just $4.99. We've got a couple shots of the new notifications after the break. 
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| A 32-gigabyte Nexus 7? Nexus 2? Carphone Warehouse thinks so Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:41 AM PDT
Might a 32-gigbyte Nexus 7 Android tablet be on the horizon? British retailer Carphone Warehouse apparently thinks so, as seen in this inventory shot obtained by Droid-Life. The Nexus 7 currently is available in 16- and anemic 8-gigabyte versions, and we'd very much love to see some more storage. Much as Google doesn't want to admit it, there are times when we're not online -- and Android games aren't getting any smaller. That said, we've seen screwy inventory shots before. Could be a typo on someone's part, if not more malicious. So we'll wait until we see it hit Google Play before we count these chickens. We will, however, speculate on price. The 8GB Nexus 7 is $199. The 16GB version is $249. Would make the 32GB version $299? $349? Or, let's just throw this out there: Given that we're probably getting really close to seeing another "mini" sized tablet hit the market, might Google have a price drop waiting in the wings? We'll see. Oh, right. and it mentions a "Samsung Nexus 2." Which could be anything, but we're really hoping for a 2-inch phone. Because things have completely gotten out of hand with the Galaxy Note. :p Source: Droid-Life 
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| Samsung Galaxy Note 2 initial photo and video samples Posted: 03 Oct 2012 09:53 AM PDT
We've been spending the past few days getting to know the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and we'll be publishing our full review soon. In the meantime, we've got a selection of photos and video from the phone's impressive 8-megapixel camera. Like the Galaxy S3, the Note 2 packs a rear camera with a BSI (backside illuminated) sensor and f/2.6 aperture. The camera software also shares many of the characteristics of the S3's, including rapid-capture capabilities and a HDR shooting mode. And it packs some impressive macro shooting capabilities, as you'll see in our samples after the break. Click through for a gallery containing some of our sample images, along with some 1080p video footage. 
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| Manage your business cash flow with Xero accounting for Android smartphones Posted: 03 Oct 2012 09:20 AM PDT
This one is for you business owners out there. If you fancy keeping a close eye on cash flow all from within your smartphone the new Xero app may well be the perfect solution. Already a big success on iOS the app is designed to track your finances whether they be check bank balances, invoice customers, upload receipts or submit expense claims – all while you’re on the go. The Xero Touch app for Android contains unique features that give users instant insight into where their business stands – a mere screen tap allows users to check account and credit card balances, as well as detailed descriptions of transactions. Benefits that small business users can gain from using the Xero Touch app include:
Other features of the app include:
Xero is free to download from Google Play - yes, that does sound too good to be true, but it's the truth! Business owners should check this one out for sure. 
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| Deal of the Day: Krusell Donso Mobile UnderCover for Samsung Galaxy S3 Posted: 03 Oct 2012 08:26 AM PDT
The Krusell Donso Mobile UnderCover is available for just $16.00, 47% off today only. Backed by 60-day return policy and fast shipping. Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts! 
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| Lockitron announces new NFC, Bluetooth, and SMS-friendly door unlocker Posted: 03 Oct 2012 07:56 AM PDT
Lockitron has recently announced their latest and greatest smart deadbolt access system, complete with remote door unlocking, per-user access control, access via SMS or NFC, and a knock sensor. There's a dedicated Android app to handle everything, while the door unit itself connects over your home's Wi-Fi network. This model is an iteration on the considerably clunkier, more expensive model launched last year. While RFID access control has been available in business situations for a long time, Lockitron is clearly way more viable for home situations. With Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility, Lockitron can unlock automatically as you approach the door, which is great for when your hands are full with groceries. Lockitron has already blown way past their funding goal, but you can still preorder one for an early-bird special of $149. The first batch should be shipping in March 2013. What do you guys think? Totally awesome, or are there way too many potential security issues with a system like this? 
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| PlayStation Mobile game store starts trickling out to select Android devices Posted: 03 Oct 2012 07:13 AM PDT
Today's the day that PlayStation Mobile launches, and not just on Sony's own Xperia devices. Keep in mind that the list of non-Sony phones compatible with PlayStation Mobile is still pretty short. Even if you have a compatible device, you'll need to live in Japan, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, or Australia to get in on the action. I still can't download it here in Canada, but you can expect the switch to be flipped soon. The initial selection of games in the new store isn't great, but Sony promises that new titles will be added every Wednesday.
Once purchased, these games can be played on up to three devices. More info on PSM can be found at Sony's landing page. Are any of you guys able to get into the new PlayStation Mobile store? Are any of these games really catching your eye, or are there particular titles that you'd like to see make the leap from PS3 to Android? Via: PSNStores Source: PlayStation Mobile 
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| T-Mobile, MetroPCS merging in $1.5 billion deal Posted: 03 Oct 2012 06:11 AM PDT
T-Mobile this morning announced that it's merging with MetroPCS in a $1.5 billion deal. The two companies will unite under the T-Mobile name, with current TMo parent company Deutsche Telekom to keep a 74 percent stake. The rest goes to MetroPCS shareholders, who also get the cash. There's a conference call scheduled for this morning, and we still have to find out exactly what this'll mean for consumers. But MetroPCS already has LTE up and running -- a technology sorely lacking from TMo's current U.S. offerings, so we'd expect that's part of the impetus behind all this. But it'll take a little time to get all that worked out. Stay tuned. This should get interesting. Update: OK, a few important points from the conference call:
Source: T-Mobile 
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| EE to launch UK's first 4G network on Oct. 30 Posted: 03 Oct 2012 04:04 AM PDT
The UK's first 4G LTE network, operated by EE, will kick off in just under four weeks on Tuesday, Oct. 30, alongside EE's new fiber broadband network. The news was revealed in a statement from EE CEO Olaf Swantee this morning. No details of pricing were made available in today's announcement, but EE did confirm that the 4G network will cover ten major UK cities at launch. The carrier's coverage checker is now live, showing 4G availability at launch in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Sheffield. The news follows an agreement between EE and rival networks, brokered by Ofcom and the British government, which accelerates the launch of rival 4G services. Today's full statement from Swantee reads --
4G Android launch devices include the HTC One XL, Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE and Galaxy Note 2 LTE. 
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| Nest Mobile for Android updated with tablet compatibility and stability improvements Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:52 AM PDT
If you've bought yourself a fancy Nest thermostat, you'll want to go ahead and grab the latest software update for it that is currently rolling out. If you're an Android user though, Nest has gone a step further and addressed some of the concerns from owners looking to access their thermostat on the go. Previous versions of the mobile app were not compatible with tablets or even later versions of Android for that matter but a new version has been released and brings a whole slew of changes:
If you're a Nest owner, go ahead and give it a go and let us know how it's working out for you. If you're looking to learn more about Nest and the recent updates, hit the source link below for further details. Source: Nest 
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| Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:26 AM PDT
O2, Vodafone and EE have reached an agreement with UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom and the British government to significantly accelerate the roll-out of LTE services on 800MHz and 2600MHz bands across all of their networks. Previously EE, which had re-farmed some of its 1800MHz spectrum for use with LTE, was expected to be the only operator to run 4G services before late 2013. However the new agreement could see Three, Vodafone and O2's 4G services being deployed by spring instead. The agreement means the perpetually-delayed auction of 800MHz and 2600MHz bands will take place earlier than expected, and the spectrum will be cleared for use more quickly, to allow services to be more rapidly deployed. According to BBC News, Vodafone and O2 have also agreed not to use legal action to block EE's 4G roll-out, and as such, EE should make an announcement on when it'll launch its 4G services "imminently." Previously the carrier had stuck to a rather vague statement indicating the launch was still a few weeks away.
So it seems it's good news whichever network you're on. EE gets to go ahead with its early 4G roll-out, and other carriers won't be as far behind as previously thought. And with the threat of imminent competition, EE might think twice before passing too much of the cost of its early launch onto customers. Source: BBC News 
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| HTC One X+ headed to UK from Oct 22, priced £474, says retailer Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:11 AM PDT
Hot on the heels of yesterday's HTC One X+ announcement, British retailer Clove Technology brings the first news of pricing and availability in the UK. Clove says it expects to begin stocking the refreshed version of the One X from Oct. 22, and is currently taking pre-orders for £474 inc. VAT (that's £395, or $630, ext. VAT). That's a lot of money, to be sure, but at least prices aren't advancing north of £500, as has been the case for devices like the Galaxy S3 earlier in the year. As ever, pre-order prices are subject to change, but with the One X+ UK launch just a couple of weeks away, we feel fairly confident these numbers will be accurate. Tempted by a One X+ at this price, or are you holding you holding out for a cut-price original One X? Shout out in the comments. Source: Clove, More: Hands-on with the HTC One X+ 
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| EE's new 4G LTE network put through its paces with more speed tests Posted: 02 Oct 2012 09:57 PM PDT You may have seen our recent coverage of the EE (Everything Everywhere) event, where the company announced the UK's first 4G LTE network. That was pretty exciting stuff, as us poor Brits have been left behind in the LTE race compared to many other countries. Luckily EE's 4G roll out is now imminent, and although we don't have an actual fixed date as yet, we're told it should be within the next few weeks. Once again, we had the chance to play with a few 4G devices this week, including the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE, HTC One XL, Huawei Ascend P1 and the iPhone 5. But what we were also interested in was the speed of the network. As you'll see from the video, the speeds are mighty fast. It was great to see that as well as fast download speeds, the upload too was quick. In fact, the highest download speed of the session we managed to get was just over 42Mbps, which is faster than most UK home broadband connections. Looks like EE are on to a real winner here -- not just because of the speeds they can offer, but because they will be the first UK mobile network to launch LTE in the country. So once the new EE service rolls out, they'll have a huge advantage over the other carriers. All signs point to a huge marketing campaign in the run up to the holidays.
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