Saturday, December 1, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Ice Cream Sandwich Rolling out to Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 3G

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 12:50 PM PST

Most of us by now are a little spoiled having enjoyed at least Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for a while now. However, there are still numerous owners with devices that still haven’t been officially upgraded to the newer Android OS. You can now put a check beside the 3G version of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 8.9 (GT-P7300) as being officially on the list of devices with Android 4.0. Updates are beginning to roll out via OTA and reportedly are available through Samsung Kies. The update should definitely make your tablet run more efficiently, quicker, and also boost battery life.

source:  SamMobile

[Wishful Thinking] The latest ASUS tablet (ME-172V) to show up in GLBenchmarks is NOT a $99 Nexus 7 tablet

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 12:11 PM PST

A couple of months ago there were reports that a $99 Nexus 7 tablet might be in the works, but after the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 was announced, the news on that all but disappeared.  Some sites are now reporting that it’s coming sooner rather than later because an ASUS made 7-inch tablet just showed up in the GLBenchmarks under the model ME-172V. On the surface, it looks plausible as this tablet has lower specs than the Nexus 7. This one sports a 1024 x 600 display, a 1GHz processor (cores unknown), 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and a 4270mAh battery.

Here’s the problem: the ME172-V has already been announced for the South African market and will sell for R2000, which is approximately $224. The rest of the specs include a 1GHz single-c0re ARM cortex-A9 (VIA WM8950) processor, Mali 400 graphics chip, 1MP front-facing camera, and a microSD card slot for expanded storage. Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble, but on the other hand this doesn’t mean Google isn’t working on one. We already have $99 tablets made from lower end manufacturers and the way pricing is going, I won’t be shocked if Google or one of the main OEM’s releases a decent $99 tablet some time next year. In fact, a variant of the ME-172V could very well be in the works and could be shown at CES this January.

sources: GLBenchmark / iafrica

 

 

Special Edition, Frankie Frost, Dyzplastic Collectible Available December 6

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 11:51 AM PST

By now, we’re sure you’ve heard of the Dyzplastic Android collectibles. If not, go ahead and get caught up on these awesome little figures. After all, you do need to let folks know what you want for Christmas, right? The folks at Dyzplatic have a nice little habit of releasing special edition figures that go along with the seasons, and it looks like this Christmas is no different. Thursday December 6th, their latest addition, Frankie Frost, will go on sale through Dyzplastic’s website at 11AM (EST) and again that evening at 11PM (EST) for $10. This is something Android related that even your significant other may approve of on the shelf.

 

source:  Dyzplastic

Cablevision customers can now control their TV with new Optimum app (if your device is compatible)

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 11:16 AM PST

In our smartphone saturated society, more and more companies are releasing apps that allow your smartphone to control their hardware. Today cable television provider Cablevision jumped on the bandwagon and released their new Optimum app which allows subscribers to control their TVs and even stream shows directly to their devices via the app. Besides being able to control your DVR box, schedule recordings, and stream shows, watch on-demand movies, there is also a useful channel guide built in with the ability to search for shows by name or category. You even have the option to rate programs after you’ve watched them. According to the Cablevision’s site, to use the app you’ll need to be connected to your home network through an “Optimum authorized modem”.

Currently, the Optimum app is only compatible with a handful of devices, so only a few of you will be able to take advantage of its features.  For more information and to see if your device is compatible, click the source link below. If it is, use the Google Play link or QR code to get the app and let us know how you like it!

 

Cablevision_Optimum_01 Cablevision_Optimum_02 Cablevision_Optimum_03 Cablevision_Optimum_04 Cablevision_Optimum_05 Cablevision_Optimum_06

QR Code generator

Play Store Download Link

Source: Cablevision

Jelly Bean 4.1 gets approval from Verizon, will release on DROID RAZR HD and MAXX HD

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 09:38 AM PST

Time for the news that owners of the DROID RAZR HD and MAXX HD have been waiting for: Jelly Bean has been approved for those devices and will begin rolling out in phases beginning next week per news straight from Verizon:

Friday, Nov. 30: DROID RAZR HD and DROID RAZR MAXX HD by Motorola are the next smartphones to be upgraded to Android 4.1, Jelly Bean. The software upgrade will be pushed out to customers in phases starting next week. Customers can visit the support page for more information about the Jelly Bean upgrade.

Along with all the stock Android 4.1 goodies like Google Now and improvements to notifications, Verizon has purportedly improved voice and data connectivity as well as made ‘improvements’ to the stock calendar. They’ve also tweaked the Back Up Assistant. The update comes in at a hefty 276MB, so be sure you’re prepared when you get that prompt to update.

 

source:  Verizon 

Bend The Brand Loyalty Like Beckham: Busted With An iPhone [Update]

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 09:11 AM PST

Worse than Devine Brown, worse than Monica Lewinsky. worse than whatever her name is with the Director of the CIA: you had to cheat with the iPhone!  Just a few short months ago David Beckham and Samsung were two lovebirds frolicking about London. Their video homage to the Galaxy Note was much hotter than anything put out by Paris or Kim. And now the soccer star has been caught with another smartphone manufacturer. At least he had the good sense to say, “It's not a Samsung, sorry.” We’re hopeful the two can put this indiscretion behind them.

Hit the break to see Beckham caught red handed.  The phone rings during an LA Galaxy press conference for the MLS Cup on Saturday. He jokes about answering but must remember he signed a contract to promote Samsung NOT Apple handsets.

Update: It turns out Posh Spice has nothing to worry about. Number 23 is NOT a cheater. The iPhone belonged to a member of the press. Beckham is still true to Samsung.

Click here to view the embedded video.

VoLTE: Massive Battery Drainer?

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 08:43 AM PST

With all new technology, there also comes compromise. Such seems to be the case with VoLTE (voice over LTE) technology. In news that’ll have nearly all smartphone owners cringing; a recent test that consisted of an unknown device making both CDMA and VoLTE calls over an unnamed carrier revealed some interesting results. It was found that VoLTE calls generated 100% more current drain on the battery which in turn resulted in 50% less battery life. Granted, this is just the beginning stages of VoLTE technology, and we aren’t 100% sure of all the variables in the test. However, I think we can assume that much of 2013 will be spent by engineers making sure we don’t lose 50% of our battery life with this technology.

source:  Droid Life

Clock Plus DayDream App Adds Additional Features to Android 4.2, Brings DayDream-like Features to non-4.2 Devices

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 08:05 AM PST

One of the cool features included in Android 4.2 is the DayDream Clock feature. This feature, if you’re not familiar with it, essentially turns your 4.2 device’s lock-screen into a desk clock screensaver. There are a few canned features that you can add to the screen to go along with the clock such as a Google Currents feed and a photo slideshow. However, Clock Plus DayDream makes it a little more robust by providing more options. These additional options include unread Gmail, texts, and displays missed calls. The good news is that you don’t have to be running Android 4.2 to get the benefits of this app, but you do have to be running 4.0 or above. You can grab the free app from the link below.

Play Link

 

 

HTC Releases Source Code For DROID DNA Smartphone

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 06:26 AM PST

 

HTC’s DROID DNA has earned tons of praise from the Android community, but it’s certainly apparent that all the hardcore tinkerers out there have been itching to get down and dirty into the real guts of the device— and HTC has delivered by releasing the open source code and binaries to the masses. The code is based off Android 4.1 and is specifically meant for developers and should allow for some slight ‘modifications’ improvements to the device and subsequently, the various custom ROMs out there. This should especially be of major importance to those of you who went ahead and unlocked the DROID DNA’s bootloader as well.

Interested parties can grab the source code (version 1.15.605.4) at the source link below.

source: HTCDev

New Variant Of Samsung Galaxy Camera Sneaks Past FCC Hallways, Comes Dressed In Verizon 4G LTE Colors

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 06:04 AM PST

 

It’s no secret that many of you may find the Samsung Galaxy Camera interesting, but loathe the fact that it’s currently limited to AT&T for now and it’s faux-g speeds as opposed to something else a little ummm, faster. Well potential customers may finally have a reason to smile, especially if you’re on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Samsung recently sent a new variation of its camera called the A3LEKGC120 through the FCC hallways and we now know it will come decorated with a unique difference from the original variant. According to the FCC filing, the EKGC120 variant of the Galaxy Camera will feature an LTE radio on a 700MHz frequency, giving the clear indication it will likely land come dressed in Verizon colors. Of course Verizon (and Sammy for that matter) will be mum about whether or not a camera is headed for 4G LTE glory, but in the meantime— let’s just hope we see this device sooner than later. Maybe we’ll see this toy headed for Verizon stores sometime this holiday season? Perhaps.

source: FCC

 
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