Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

TeliportMe panorama app completely overhauled in latest update

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 05:00 PM PST

TeliportMe

The photography app space is a crowded one, and increasingly so since Android 4.0 because of the improvements in the stock camera app. Even with Android brining its own panorama -- and now Photo Sphere -- features, a popular panorama app TeliportMe (aka Panorama app: 360) has stuck around. Today we're seeing the latest iteration of the app -- a version 3.0 update -- and it brings a complete overhaul of the UI from top to bottom, as well as some new features.

The new update brings a completely "holo" UI, integrating all of Google's design guidelines such as overflow menu buttons and standard navigation paradigms. Version 3.0 also brings a "stitch later" functionality, which lets you capture these full 360-degree panoramas when your battery is low, and do the processing of them later when you have more charge. TeliportMe is also working on building the community aspect of the app, letting you follow users and easily search for pictures by location or keyword. This is one area where the app is working to stand out from the crowd.

We've got several screenshots of the new UI for you to check out after the break. If you're interested in trying out the new version, you can find it at the Google Play Store link at the top of this post.

read more

Verizon flipping on 4G LTE in more cities on December 20th, including many in the southwest

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 04:17 PM PST

Verizon 4G LTE

Verizon has announced that it will be flipping on its 4G LTE service in more cities on December 20th.

Here is the list that will accompany those that were announced earlier this month:

Congrats to everyone in those cities and towns that will now be able to enjoy Verizon's blazing fast 4G LTE speeds in time for the holidays!

This week's sidebar poll: Are you traveling with your Android device this holiday season?

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 03:50 PM PST

Travel

This time of year plenty of people are away from home, visiting family or friends for their respective year-end holidays. We understand travel around these parts, because so many of us do it so often. We also know that having the right device and the right apps make it a much better experience. The right apps for navigation, making your way through the airport, or finding the right place to stop and eat or stretch your legs help make a trip easier and more fun.

What about you guys and gals? Hitting the road (or the rails, or the airways) this year? We've set up a poll to find out. You'll find it in the sidebar to the right, or you can click past the break for it. Let your voice be heard, and fill the comments with ideas and suggestions about apps to make it better!

Before we go, a look at last week's poll.

Are you gifting an Android device to someone this holiday season?

Sidebar Poll results

It looks like a good many people will be getting a new Android device this year for the holidays! That's news we love to hear.

read more

CyanogenMod 10.1 nightlies go live for limited devices

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 03:16 PM PST

CM 10.1

The CyanogenMod team has started cranking out 10.1 nightly images for a select group of devices, and for many it may be the only way to get Android 4.2 on your phone or tablet. Built off the 4.2.1 AOSP code base, CyanogenMod brings a stock Android look with plenty of customizations to separate it from the vanilla Android experience. 

Phones and tablets currently being supported with 10.1 nightly builds are:

  • GSM Galaxy Nexus
  • Sprint Galaxy Nexus
  • Verizon Galaxy Nexus
  • Nexus 4
  • Nexus 7 (Wifi)
  • Nexus 7 (HSPA+)
  • Nexus 10
  • Transformer Infinity TF700
  • Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
  • Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
  • Galaxy S (some models)
  • Galaxy S II (some models)
  • Galaxy S III (some models)

That's a nice list of supported devices, and we're sure it will grow every day. If you're currently a user, you know where to go and what to do, but if you haven't tried it just yet, hit the forums with any questions and give it a whirl.

Source: CyanogenMod

UK Ministry of Defence to auction off disused radio spectrum

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 02:55 PM PST

Android Central

The ever developing LTE saga in the UK is potentially about to get another chapter. Following a 2010 Government spending review, the Ministry of Defence was forced to sell off at least 500MHz of public spectrum. In summer of 2014 200MHz will be auctioned off, and will be expected to raise around £1 billion. Better news for mobile users is that the spectrum will give the UK mobile operators more opportunities to strengthen their LTE offerings. 

The MoD will begin to clear users from the spectrum to be vacated by the end of 2013, ahead of the auction. LTE is still in its infancy in the UK, with impending spectrum auctions being awaited by rival carriers to EE, which currently offers 4G services un-challenged. 

Source: Cellular News via The Next Web

Reminder: Get Your Video Submissions in for The Mobile Nations 2013 CES Experience!

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 02:51 PM PST

The Mobile Nations 2013 CES Experience!

Well folks, the response so far has been tremendous in The Mobile Nations 2013 CES Experience. The list of entrants is growing steadily, and we would like to thank ALL that have entered thus far.

That said, if you haven't submitted your entry yet, what are you waiting for??? If you're selected, you could join us and NVIDIA at CES 2013. Airfare, hotel and a pass to the show is all included… along with 'insider access' to some cool events, and even a few nights out with the Mobile Nations and NVIDIA teams. It's going to be a blast.

For all the details, check out the official post. Keep those submissions coming in!

Amazon once again rumored to be building their own smartphone

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 02:23 PM PST

Amazon

It has been about six months since we heard rumor of Amazon building their own smartphone, so naturally it's time to hear it again. Making the rounds today on the Internet is news that Amazon has partnered with Foxconn and the new Amazon phone is already being built. Supposedly coming in the middle of 2013, it would bring yet another player to the mobile OS race, one with deep pockets and who likes to win.

If these rumors pan out -- and they could very well be true -- what can Amazon bring to the table that we don't already see from current competitors? Google has already delivered high-end hardware and rock-bottom prices, and Apple has a superb content library and delivery method with iTunes. It makes sense to think that Amazon is trying to do both.

As we see with the Kindle Fire line of tablets, Amazon can marry low prices and a great ecosystem together. It is reasonable to think that they would do the same with a smartphone. We can see a low priced, decently spec'd generic looking smartphone from Amazon, running some variant of Android, that is fully tapped into Amazon's content library.

For a lot of folks, this would be a compelling option. But until we see Mr. Bezos announce something, we only have rumors. This one is just getting interesting, folks.

Source: CENS; via Engdaget

UberConference app now available on Android

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 01:54 PM PST

UberConference UI UberConference UI 2

UberConference is launching an app today on Android (and iOS) that lets users quickly and easily set up conference calls from their cellphone. The app is focusing on ease of use, letting users simply select the contacts to be invited to the call and letting the app do the rest. UberConference will automatically send out dial-in details to contacts or even call out to them individually when the call is started.

The app also integrates to social networks, letting you view more information about the contacts -- via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ -- in the call while it is ongoing. The call screen even shows which contact is talking at that time so you don't get lost in a call that has several people involved.

The app is available now in the Google Play Store via the link above, and is free to boot.

Source: UberConference

Dead Trigger 'Merry Christmas' update brings North Pole arena, new boss

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 01:06 PM PST

Dead Trigger Christmas Update

Dead Trigger is keeping in the holiday spirit of joy and cheer today by bringing a "Merry Christmas" update to its game. You'll continue to kill countless hordes of undead, but now they'll be festive with Santa hats on. This update brings a new North Pole arena, as well as a new boss named "Zanta." There's some holiday-agnostic updates as well, including a new grenade launcher, price discounts on upgrades and new story missions. There have even been some memory optimizations for low-end devices.

We'd venture to say most of us don't normally associate the holidays with killing zombies. But if that happens to be your cup of tea, go grab Dead Trigger at the Google Play link above and get to work.

Google Play's 'surprise calendar countdown' starts today

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:54 AM PST

Google Play

Google is kicking off a new promotion on Google Play starting today called "Surprises." This holiday-themed offering -- at least today -- is giving users that download an app a specific deal to go along with that app. This is kind of a mash-up of Google Play and Google Offers, another sign that Google is trying to integrate all of its different properties. There are lots of eyes on Google Play every day, so they have a good chance at success putting it on the front page of the Play Store.

Today's deal is a $35 gift certificate to put towards a hotel room when you download and use the app "Hotel Tonight." If you're interested in the app or deal, hit up the source link below.

Source: Google Play

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 getting multi-window support starting Dec. 19

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:20 AM PST

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2

Despite a little bump in the road, Samsung has been on a bit of a roll with updates lately and next in line appears to be the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2. According to new documents on the T-Mobile site, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is all set to receive an update starting December 19. The list of changes isn't huge but it's sure to make quite a few people happy:

Improvements

  • New multi-window feature
  • Resolves Exchange calendar events not appearing on device Calendar
  • Resolves issues with being unable to swipe through Gmail messages

Yup, that multi-window feature we went hands on with back in October will be included and we're pretty sure we're not only ones who are digging that news. The update, when it arrives, will be available via OTA as well as Kies and will show as version Android 4.1.1/T889UVALK8. Need more info? The link to the T-Mobile documents can be found below.

Source: T-Mobile, via: TMoNews

U.S. Cellular Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update set to arrive Dec. 21

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 10:57 AM PST

U.S. Cellular Samsung Galaxy S3

If you're a U.S. Cellular Samsung Galaxy S3 owner, you've no doubt been wondering when Jelly Bean will arrive for your device. Wonder no more. U.S. Cellular has now announced the update will indeed start rolling out as of Friday, December 21. As highlighted on the information page, the update will arrive OTA in addition to being available via Kies and bring along with it many improvements to the camera, browser, user interface, notifications, calendar and widgets and more.

Source: U.S. Cellular

Enter the Nexus 7-a-day giveaway for a chance at a Nexus 7 and a $25 Google Play card

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 10:35 AM PST

Nexus 7

To end the year with a bang, we're (in partnership with Google) giving away a 32-gigabyte Nexus 7 tablet and a $25 Google Play gift card every day this week!  

The Nexus 7 is one of this year's hottest devices, and with good reason. The 7-inch size turned out to be a popular favorite (even Apple has to agree), and the Nexus 7 packs the specs for high-end gaming and entertainment. This makes it just about perfect for relaxing with on the couch, watching a movie, browsing the web, or playing a killer Tegra 3 game. Ask anyone who has one and they'll likely tell you that they just love it. 

Combine a great tablet like the Nexus 7 with the Google Play ecosystem steadily getting better; signing new music artists and expanding into other countries, and with a developer program that works together to make the best apps. Added all up and you have a great experience right in you hands. 

It's hard to make that experience better, but we think a free Nexus 7 and $25 Google Play gift card has got to be as close as it gets. You get to enjoy your tablet, and have enough credit to rent a few movies, buy a great book or two, and buy the great games. Here's your chance to make it happen.

Head into the forums, and get yourself entered into the daily contest drawings. Since the Nexus 7 is sans rear camera, it is going to be a photo contest with a twist -- we want to see your goofy mug. Take a self-pic with whatever look you want to go for, and upload it. We'll pick a winner for each day and ship out a N7 and gift card to each winner. You don't want to miss out on this one!

Enter the Nexus 7 day one giveaway in the forums

Amazon Wireless offering great deals for new Sprint customers

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 10:12 AM PST

Sprint Amazon

For a limited time, Amazon Wireless is offering some of Sprint's top devices for cheap. This deal only applies to new customers, so if you're already on Sprint, this doesn't apply. But if you've been considering switching carriers, this may be a good time to do so.

For a short time and with a new 2-year contract, you can get deals on the following devices:

If you're interested in the deals, head on over to Amazon Wireless.

Source: Amazon Wireless

The Consumer Electronics Show

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 09:04 AM PST

CES

We're headed back once again in beautiful Las Vegas for the 2013 International CES. (That's Consumer Electronics Show for you noobs.) It's an insane amount of all things tech, from phones, to TVs to cars to tablets to -- well, just about anything you can think of, and a number of things that defy logic.

Some CES basics:

  • CES doesn't officially start until Tuesday, Jan. 8. That's when the show floors open.
  • But Monday, Jan. 7, is Media Day. Press conference after press conference. It's a little insane, actually.
  • And stuff's actually going down on Sunday, too. 
  • Unlike years past, the Adult Entertainment Expo isn't taking place at the same time, adjacent to some of the same venues. There shall be no (or at least not quite as much) accidental mixing of nerds and nipples. (We can't be held responsible for what happens in Vegas after hours, though.)
  • We're going to have more liveblogs than you'll be able to follow. It'll be epic.

The latest Android CES news

How best to keep up with the Android news? Start right here, on this page. All of our CES stories will land here, and we'll update this top section with the most important stuff. So bookmark it. Also be sure you're one of the more than 121,000 people locked in on the @AndroidCentral Twitter feed, and don't forget about our 24,000-strong Google+ page as well.

Android Central @ CESIf you're looking for some behind the scenes coverage, follow Phil (Twitter, Google+); Anndrew (Twitter, Google+), Alex (Twitter, Google+) and Andrew (Twitter, Google+) from ground level. It could get messy.

And look for this little Lloyd logo in all of our CES 2013 stories. It's an easy way to find the breaking CES news. And click on it to get back to this page.

We've got more than a month's worth of work to cram into a few short days, and the news starts long before the show even gets under way. So we'll compile every damn CES 2013 story here for easy reading.

Strap it on, folks.

read more

Android Central 2012 Gift Guide: Alex's holiday wish-list

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 08:51 AM PST

Android Central

The holidays are just a week away, and as our thoughts turn to celebration, food, drink and gifts, we're here to bring you a run-down of some of the top Android-centric gift ideas from around the web. Phil, Jerry and Richard have already delivered their gift guides, and now it's my turn to write up an Android-themed holiday wish list.

It's a mix of the shiny, the useful, the cheap, the expensive and the delicious. And you'll find it all after the break.

read more

First Xperia Jelly Bean updates due Feb/Mar 2013, but some 2012 phones will be left behind

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 08:25 AM PST

Android Central

Sony Mobile has provided another update on the progress of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean updates for its 2012 Xperia smartphones.

First up, the company confirmed that its high-end late 2012 devices, Xperia T, TX and V, are on target to receive Jelly Bean in February and March. Once those updates are out the door, Sony will upgrade the Xperia J, Xperia P and Xperia Go in late March. The remaining devices, Xperia S, Xperia SL, Xperia ion and Xperia acro S, will get Jelly Bean in the weeks following.

However, there's bad news for owners of the Xperia U, Xperia miro, Xperia tipo, and Xperia sola, as Sony has confirmed that it will not upgrade these devices beyond Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. That's particularly disappointing considering all these devices are less than nine months old.

So, as is often the case with Android software updates, it's a mixed bag. Sony has shipped more mid-range phones than ever in 2012, however it's been unable to provide upgrade support for these devices just a few months after release. On the other hand, at least all the more expensive devices are accounted for, although there's no official word on the fate of U.S.-specific phones like the AT&T Xperia Ion and Xperia TL.

On a more positive note, Sony says it's excited about some Xperia-specific functionality in its upcoming Jelly Bean software, so Xperia owners who do get upgraded will likely get some new stuff to play with. Sony is expected to unveil a new high-end smartphone at CES in Las Vegas next month, so it's likely that's where we'll get our first look at the company's new Jelly Bean-based firmware.

Source: Sony Mobile Blog

Samsung audio dock images leak out, could be seen at CES

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 07:54 AM PST

Android Central

Audio docks are pretty common over in the iOS camp, with a wide array of OEM's getting behind Apple's devices to create such accessories. Over here in Androidland, things aren't quite so plentiful. Samsung seems set to make a change to that if the leaked images we see here ring true. 

The leak was obtained by the guys over at Sammobile -- usually known for their firmware leaks -- and they claim it could be seen in the wild at either CES, next month in Las Vegas, or at Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona in February. They look pretty good, but with a speaker of course, that's only half the story. The images were accompanied by a set of leaked specs: 

  • USB Audio Class
  • Universal dock station
  • Bluetooth version 3.0
  • Power: 6W (3W x 2)
  • Power volume button
  • Charging Port
  • 3.5mm Audio Plug-in

The beauty of course, is that any Android device with a bottom mounted microUSB charging port will be able to take advantage of the charging facilities. 

Source: Sammobile

Samsung 'conducting an internal review' on Exynos kernel vulnerability

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 07:09 AM PST

Android Central

There was potentially worrying news for Samsung phone owners this weekend, as a serious kernel security vulnerability was identified in Android devices running Exynos 4210 and 4412 chips. The list of affected devices includes some of the most popular Samsung phones, like the international Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S3, and all Galaxy Note 2 models. The exploit in Samsung's kernel could give a malicious app free reign over a device's memory, allowing it to take complete control of it.

We reached out to Samsung for comment, and the company has today informed us that it is "currently in the process of conducting an internal review" into the matter. That's not a whole lot of information, but it at least confirms that Samsung's aware of the issue and is looking into it.

We'll keep you apprised of any further developments. In the meantime, if you're concerned about whether your own phone could be affected by this security vulnerability, check out our full report from yesterday.

More: The Samsung Exynos kernel exploit - what you need to know

Sprint to buy 100 percent of Clearwire for $2.2 billion in spectrum play

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:31 AM PST

Sprint

Sprint this morning announced that, as rumored, it will pick up the rest of Clearwire for $2.97 a share, or about $2.2 billion. The purchase of the rest of Clearwire's shares (remember that Sprint already had a controlling stake) paves the way for "better strategic alignment and the full utilization and integration of Clearwire's complementary 2.5 GHz spectrum assets," Sprint said in a news release. That'll boost its LTE service -- but it'll take some time (and regulatory approval) before we see any real-world benefits.

Source: Sprint

Applorer adds friends and groups to game discovery app

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:03 AM PST

Android Central

Applorer, a free game discovery portal for Android, updated today with a whole bunch of new social features. Users can now see which titles their friends and other users have installed, create groups (dubbed circles, appropriately enough) for those with common interests to keep tabs on one another, and leave comments, mark favorites and share screenshots with the community at large. Applorer also provides tailored app recommendations based on what's installed on your device and what's popular among your friends. 

read more

Monday Brief: A high res look at the BB10 L-Series, Google Maps hits the App Store, and more!

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 05:27 AM PST


Mobile Nations



Start your week with the Greatest Android Podcast in the World!

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 05:21 AM PST

Android Central Podcast

Two weeks to go until the end of the year, but that's not slowing us down one bit. If you missed Thursday night's live show, you missed Alex getting all giddy over the Samsung Galaxy Camera. Phil reviews the Samsung Muse MP3 player (and even gave a couple away after the show), and Jerry strokes his beard. That long, luscious beard.

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.

 

Expansys UK removes HTC Butterfly from listings, won't be flying into Europe after all

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 03:49 AM PST

Android Central

Following the announcement of the 5-inch, 1080p HTC Butterfly for China, a lot of people -- including us -- started getting a little excited when some signs of the device appeared on European retailers websites. HTC confirmed to us at the time that the device was officially only launching in China, leading us to believe that any purchases made in Europe would be of grey imports.

Seems that even this many not be the case anymore. The chaps over at the UK based site Coolsmartphone, actually went and pre-ordered a Butterfly from UK based Expansys. Granted, there was no price, no mention of when they would become available, but a definite intent it seemed that they would be offering the device for sale. Over the weekend they received this email from Expansys, detailing that in fact the device would not be coming to the UK at this time: 

Thank you for your recent interest and preorder of the HTC Butterfly. Unfortunately, we have now been informed by HTC that this device will not be available in European markets, and as such we have had to remove it from our website and cancel your preorder.

We're not all that sure where the Expansys stock may have been sourced from in the first place, but it's pretty clear cut that we won't be getting any. But, then again, Mobile World Congress takes place in just a couple of months, so who knows what the future may hold. 

Source: Coolsmartphone

Nexus 4 once again sold out in UK, Germany

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 03:49 AM PST

Android Central

After a couple of weeks of being on sale with lengthy waits for delivery, the LG Nexus 4 is officially sold out on the Google Play devices store in the UK and Germany. While the 8GB model sold out within hours of the second batch of stock going on sale, it had been possible to order the 16GB model, albeit with a 6-7 week shipping estimate. Today both flavors of Nexus 4 are marked as "sold out," in Britain and "ausverkauft" in Germany.

The news follows difficulties in getting some orders out to customers. Some who'd received 3-5 day shipping estimates had not received their orders as of Sunday, leading to Google UK & Ireland boss Dan Cobley getting involved. In a Google+ post made over the weekend, Cobley apologized for the delayed orders, and said stock from LG had been "scarce and erratic." Orders with pre-Christmas shipping estimates, he said, should be processed this week.

Did you manage to bag a Nexus 4 while it was available to order? Has yours arrived yet? Let us know about your Nexus 4 ordering experiences in the comments.

Source: Google Play
Posted by at 6:49 AM

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