Saturday, October 6, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority


Nissan NSC-2015 drives and parks itself, uses LTE connectivity to communicate with your smartphone

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 07:35 PM PDT

It seems Google is not alone in developing self-driving cars. Take for example the Nissan NSC-2015, which is making its rounds — literally! — at the CEATEC 2012 Smart Mobility 2012 exhibit in Japan. At first glance, it looks just like any ordinary Nissan Leaf electric car. A closer look shows you that it’s not your run-of-the-mill Leaf.

This particular concept car from Nissan can run without a driver, as it drives itself and can even park. The car uses servos built into its steering wheel, shifter and pedals. The car senses road markings to keep it driving along its path, and it even stops at pedestrian crossings.

The NSC-2015 communicates with its owner through LTE connectivity, which offers  remote-access features, such as seeing a 360-degree view of the car’s surroundings while parked, and being alerted on your Android smartphone when someone is tampering with the car. Users can even set off the car alarm remotely.

Check out the video demonstration below. The Nissan NSC-2015 may not yet be available on streets anytime soon, although Nissan hopes to make the technology commercially available by 2015 (hence the name).

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This article, Nissan NSC-2015 drives and parks itself, uses LTE connectivity to communicate with your smartphone , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


New research cuts Li-Ion battery charging time in half

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 06:20 PM PDT

Power is usually a big concern for mobile devices, and finding ways to improve efficiency is the holy grail for smartphones, tablets and even other applications like electric vehicles. This is why developers have been coming up with ways to improve the use of batteries on these devices, which includes alternative sources, such as solar, inductive and even motion-based charging.

Researchers at the Jacobs School of Engineering at University of California San Diego are focusing on a different means to improve efficiency, though. Their technology involves an improved algorithm that enables phone batteries to charge two times faster than conventional Li-Ion batteries. These power packs also run more efficiently, and cost 25% less to produce.

The team actually got a $460,000 funding from the DoE’s ARPA-E project, as part of a $9.6 million grant to develop more efficient battery tech.

In gist, the new algorithm moves away from using voltage to determine battery charge, which is a crude way of measurement. Rather, the researchers’ new algorithm actually tries to determine charge in each of the cell’s particles.

Check out the press release below for a (semi) technical explanation of how the new technology works. This will not only find its way to mobile phones, mind you, given the mention of battery-powered automobiles and other devices.

Show full PR text

New Sophisticated Control Algorithms Poised to Revolutionize Electric Battery Technology

San Diego, Calif., Oct. 3, 2012 — Engineers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed sophisticated estimation algorithms that allow lithium-ion batteries to run more efficiently, potentially reducing their cost by 25 percent and allowing the batteries to charge twice as fast as is currently possible. In one instance, electric batteries could be charged in just 15 minutes.

The researchers at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego are sharing a $9.6 million grant from ARPA-E, a research agency within the Department of Energy, with automotive products supplier Bosch and battery manufacturer Cobasys to further develop the estimation algorithms and the technology they will drive. UC San Diego’s share of the grant is $460,000 for the research group of Professor Miroslav Krstic and UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow Scott Moura in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Jacobs School.

“This research is bringing the promise that, with advanced estimation algorithms that are based on mathematical models, batteries can be charged faster and can run more powerful electric motors,” said Krstic, who is also associate vice chancellor for research at UC San Diego.

“This technology is going into products that people will actually use,” said Moura, the co-lead researcher on the project.

Krstic and Moura are taking a unique approach to making lithium-ion batteries more effective. Instead of monitoring voltage and current, they have designed sophisticated algorithms that can estimate what is physically going on inside the lithium-ion battery.

“We have the unique ability to address the difficulties in estimating the battery’s state of charge heads-on, at the electrochemical level,” said Krstic.

Current technology

Manufacturers usually rely on voltage and current to monitor the battery’s behavior and health. But those are very crude measures, said Krstic. Relying on these measures leads to over-designed, oversized batteries that weigh and cost more. They also take a long time to charge, compared with gas-powered vehicles. Toyota recently canceled mass production of its second all-electric car, the eQ, citing concerns over the viability of electric vehicle technology, including the amount of time vehicles take to charge.

Lithium-ion batteries are cylindrical and made of three sheets rolled together, very much like a jelly roll. One layer is the anode, another layer acts as a separator and yet another layer is the cathode. When the battery is fully charged, the lithium ions are stored at the anode. The battery is designed so that the ions want to move from the anode to the cathode, powering the device it’s connected to in the process. To know whether the battery is functioning properly, it’s important to know where the ions are in the anode. But that’s very difficult to measure, even with sophisticated equipment. The ions are usually lodged deep inside irregularly-shaped particles within the anode.

Trying to estimate the particles’ charge by measuring only the voltage on the battery is similar to having the person that collects tickets at the entrance to a movie theater try to estimate which of the seats the patrons are taking by watching the speed at which the line at the entrance is moving, Moura said. In this analogy, the ions are patrons making their way to seats within each row, which represent the particles.

Enter the estimation and control algorithms Krstic and Moura developed. The algorithms allow researchers to estimate where the particles are. So the movie theater can now be filled to capacity safety and efficiently. The model can also estimate how the health of the battery evolves over time-the equivalent of which seats are breaking down in the theater and need to be fixed or replaced.

The grant will allow researchers to refine the algorithms and to test them on actual batteries on testbeds developed by Bosch and Cobasys. They will estimate the charge distribution within the battery. Then they will estimate its state of health. Finally researchers will devise a strategy to find optimal rates of charging and discharging batteries.

By testing their algorithms on electric vehicle batteries and comparing their performance to an electric battery run with existing technology, Krstic, Moura and colleagues plan to formulate a strategy to charge and use batteries to their maximum potential-safely.

“We monitor these crucial states directly,” said Moura. “It allows us to operate right at the battery’s limits without damaging it.”

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This article, New research cuts Li-Ion battery charging time in half , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Android Authority On Air – Episode 32 – No LAG Edtion

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 06:11 PM PDT

We love the fall. The leaves start to turn, the summer heat dies down, Halloween costume parties, and Nexus rumors. As we move into October the Nexus and Android rumors will run rampant until we see an official announcement from Google. This week was nothing out of the ordinary. We saw more and more leaks about the next version of Android, which will most likely be Android 4.2, Key Lime Pie. With Android 4.2 we might see a new, revamped Nexus program where anyone can enter, pending you meet the hardware requirements. Rumors are putting the new version of Android to include a customization center, improved power management, better battery life with Project Roadrunner, homescreens might be replaced with tabs, a new Google Play and the groundwork for Android 5.0.

Besides Android rumors, Nexus device rumors leaked and speculated all over the place too. On the show we went over LG’s rumored first Nexus, the Optimus Nexus. Will we see it by the end of the month? Rumors are saying ‘yes’. Not a fan of LG? That’s okay. Additional rumors slate Google to have their portfolio of Nexus devices ready for Thanksgiving. We even talked about some of these rumored devices on the show.

Now let’s back up a minute and talk about Jelly Bean….and sadly Ice Cream Sandwich updates. If you’re rocking the first line of Acer Iconia tablets, you’re going to be unhappy. If you’re rocking a newer Acer tablet, you can expect Jelly Bean soon. Besides Acer tablets, ASUS continued their mission to Jelly Bean all the things. Even the OG Transformer will get Jelly Bean in the very near future. The Korean SGS3 is getting JB along with the international variants of the HTC One S and X. If you opted to save money and go for the cheaper One V, you won’t be getting Jelly Bean.

Over at Rootin’ and ROMin’, CyanogenMod drops ROM Manager, a closed source application, for their own OTA updater and a few new devices show up for CM10 nightlies.  T-Mobile and MetroPCS are merging and EE released their plans on UK domination. And finally  last but not least, Judge Koh came to her senses, slightly.

Miss the show? Tune in or watch below:


YouTube
SoundCloud
Stitcher
iTunes
RSS

Links
Google sends Android developers email about FBI investigation
Google passes Microsoft to become second largest tech company behind only Apple
The HTC One X+ is now official: Android 4.1, Tegra 3 and LTE, bigger battery
CyanogenMod says goodbye to faithful ROM Manager in favor of built in updates
MetroPCS gets the merger they were looking for with T-Mobile from Deutsche Telekom for $1.5 billion

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This article, Android Authority On Air – Episode 32 – No LAG Edtion , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Star Wars Angry Birds mash-up in the works?

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 05:49 PM PDT

Star Wars Angry Birds

Those pesky piggies have certainly caused problems in some pretty strange places, from outer space to the setting of the movie Rio. They even now star in their own game, Bad Piggies. One place we have yet to see them in is the Star Wars universe. Starting Oct. 8th, we may finally see the angry birds and bad piggies get their hands on lightsabers after all.

The idea of Jedis, labersabers and Sith pigs might sound strange but it is very likely that Rovio is planning such a mash-up. Rovio recently tweeted out a link to its Angry Birds Tumblr page. The page showed of a picture of what was likely an angry bird in a Jedi robe with a lightsaber beside it.

It remains unseen whether this would still have the exact same bird-flinging style. It is also possible that this could finally see the birds doing something completely new. Perhaps light saber battles?

The reveal event will take place at the New York City Times Square at Toys R Us, bright and early at 8am EST. This isn’t the first time that Star Wars has adapted to a strange setting, as seen in the LEGO series. I can already imagine one of the piggies dressed as Darth Vader, suggesting to the birds that somehow he is really their father.

Are you interested in seeing a Star Wars Angry Birds mash-up or not? May the Force be with you!

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This article, Star Wars Angry Birds mash-up in the works? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Did the rumored LG Nexus just pass through the FCC?

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 05:43 PM PDT

LG Nexus

Multiple rumors have been spreading about the possibility of an LG Nexus device in the works. Up until now, there has been little evidence for or against the idea. Could a new FCC filing for the LG-E960 actually be the proof we’ve been looking for?

The filing passed its way through the FCC recently and details a device that is Tri-Band only, designed for the 850/1900 GSM bands. Several blogs and forums believe this patent might actually be the LG Nexus. If it is true, then this goes against the earlier idea that the flagship LG Optimus G and the LG Nexus were the same devices.

How does the filing prove that? The LG-E960 doesn’t seem to have LTE, while the Optimus G is already said to be on its way to AT&T with LTE technology in tow. Not much else is revealed through the patent, although a diagram does mention that NFC will come aboard the device. Not that surprising, considering near field technology has become quite commonplace on modern mid and high-end smartphones (except for the iPhone).

Rumors aside, it is entirely possible that this is just another LG smartphone and nothing more. For one thing, why would Google and LG only put an AT&T radio into a Nexus device? Until we have a more substantial information leak — or better yet official news — this will likely remain a mystery. Does the idea of an LG-based Nexus interest you, or would you rather get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus Plus instead?

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This article, Did the rumored LG Nexus just pass through the FCC? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Plague Inc. now available in the Google Play Store

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 01:00 PM PDT

If you are a fan of strategy gaming on your Android device, you might want to take note: Ndemic Creations’ Plague Inc., already popular on iOS devices, is now available for download in the Google Play Store.

Unlike a lot of games, the goal of Plague Inc. isn’t to save the world. Actually, it’s the complete opposite:  your goal in the game is to wipe human kind off of the map. This won’t be easy, however, as they will constantly be coming up with ways to fight your plague, so you’ll need to help it evolve if you want to stay on top.

Plague Inc. boasts 10 different disease types, over 50 countries to infect, thousands of “world events,” and hundreds of traits to use as you evolve your pathogen. The game also features save/load functionality, scoreboards and achievements.

Though Plague Inc. is already a complete game, there is more content on the way. The developers have stated that they plan to update the game with a new plague type soon, and that they “have lots more cool stuff planned! (think Zombies).”

The trailer for Plague Inc., embedded below, is actually from the point of view of the “enemy” in the game–the people you’re trying to infect. While it doesn’t show any gameplay, it does give you a good feel for the general atmosphere of the game.

Plague Inc. runs on Android 2.1 and up, and is available as a free download in the Google Play Store. It maintains a 4.3 out of 5 rating, and with over 1,000 ratings already, that’s a sign that people seem to be enjoying it.

Are you planning to give Plague Inc. for Android a try, or have you already downloaded it? What do you think of the game?

 

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This article, Plague Inc. now available in the Google Play Store , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung, Amazon, and Apple are becoming household names according to Interbrand

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Interbrand
There are some names that everyone just knows. Band Aids, Coca Cola, Pepsi, General Electric, Disney, and others that we have known practically our entire lives. They are household names and they are companies that we’ve known about for decades. There is a company out there that rates household names on their value called Interbrand.

Essentially, Interbrand rates companies based on a number of factors. Of course, the heaviest qualifier is how much money they make which really shouldn’t surprise anyone. Every year, they come out with a top 100 brand name list. Most of them are household names we’ve known about our entire lifetimes. It appears that this year, some of our favorite smartphone and tablet OEMs have made the list in pretty high places.

Samsung has taken the ninth overall, overtaking such popular brands as Toyota, Pepsi, and Disney. Amazon hit the top 20 for the first time, ousting Honda. Unfortunately, the big name that lept up is Apple. Apple took second place after finishing eighth last year. They’ve passed Google, McDonald’s, IMB, GE, and Microsoft in the process.

So Interbrand says mobile technology companies are becoming household names?

All of these companies do more than just sell mobile technology. Apple sells overpriced computers as well as overpriced phones. Amazon runs a big giant website along with their Kindle Fire sales. Google doesn’t even sell mobile phones. Samsung sells everything from mobile phones to dishwashers. So one thing these companies all have in common is they are multifaceted. A housewife may own an iPhone but use a Samsung vacuum cleaner. So the short answer is yes, they are becoming household names. The long answer is a bit more complicated.

There are also mobile companies that took a hit. Nokia fell from 14th to 19th, Microsoft went from 3rd to 5th, and poor Blackberry dropped from 56th to 93rd. So not all mobile tech brands had a great year in the eyes of Interbrand. It makes sense, though. When was the last time your family had a nice long talk about Blackberry? Interbrand says it has been awhile.

Despite the mobile tech companies gaining and falling, the overall message is clear. Mobile tech brands are the fastest rising genre out of all brand names. Interbrand states that of the top five highest risers, three of them are mobile companies. Additionally, Interbrand states that out of the top ten, five are from the technology sector.

Mobile technology has more clout in the world market than ever before. Smart phone brands are now in the same class as our favorite beverage and fast food companies. Also, congrats to Facebook for actually making the list this year.

Is mobile technology going to eventually surpass our favorite brand names entirely? Let us know your thoughts. If you’d like to check out Interbrand’s full report, you can find it here.

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This article, Samsung, Amazon, and Apple are becoming household names according to Interbrand , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Legends of the Fall sale on Google Play Music lowers 48 albums to $2.99

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 11:15 AM PDT

If you’re still itching for more cheap stuff in the Google Play Store after the recent sale celebrating 25 billion app downloads, you’re in luck. Google has lowered the price of  ”Great Autumn Albums” to just $2.99

With music in various genres spanning over 30 years, it’s pretty likely that you’ll find something you like among the 48 different albums on sale. From Beck to David Bowie, Kanye West to Stevie Wonder, there is an awful lot of variety represented here.

We have no idea how long this sale is going on for, so if you see something you want, you may want to act fast. Check out the Google Play Store for the full list of albums on sale.

Does anything in this autumn-themed Google Play Music sale catch your ear? What are you planning to pick up? Do you have any recommendations you’d like to share?

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This article, Legends of the Fall sale on Google Play Music lowers 48 albums to $2.99 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Could Snapseed for Android be nearing release?

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 09:51 AM PDT

A photo posted to Google+ by Senior Engineering VP for Google Vic Gundotra may be a hint that Snapseed for Android will arrive some time in the near future.

At first the photo just looked like a picture of a sunset, albeit a nice picture of a sunset taken from an airplane. Then people start to notice that the information at the top of the post indicated that the picture was posted from Snapseed, which currently only has an iOS client. Seeing that Gundotra has been with Google since 2007, it would be extremely odd (to say the least) if he was posting a picture from an iOS device.

It isn’t such a stretch to assume that we’ll be seeing Snapseed for Android sooner rather than later. After all, Google did acquire Nik software last month, and even before that, Nik had announced that they were working on a version of Snapseed for Android tablets. The question wasn’t if Snapseed was coming to Android, but when. This photo suggests that we may soon know the answer to that question.

We speculated that Snapseed’s technology might find it’s way into the Google+ app at some point, and while that is still a possibility, it may be better if Snapseed remains a separate entity while adding Google+ integration. Snapseed has a lot of fans, and they may not be thrilled with the prospect of figuring out how to use the features they already know in a different app.

Do you think the Google+ post is proof that we’ll be seeing Snapseed for Android released soon?

 

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This article, Could Snapseed for Android be nearing release? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


LG Optimus G Nexus specs and features leaked, release date set for mid-November

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 09:49 AM PDT

Just earlier today we looked at a report detailing an LG Optimus G Nexus early hands-on experience, and now we have a new leak. This time around we're looking at leaked specs and features for the handset, but considering that the smartphone is based on the high-end Optimus G, we won't act so surprised.

After all, it's only logical to assume that the Optimus G and Optimus G Nexus will share a variety of specs and features. Until the latter is confirmed, we'll take a look at today's specs sheet provided by MoDaCo.

According to the publication, here are the confirmed specs of the smartphone:

  • The device is based on the Optimus G but doesn’t look the same
  • Updated Android release (currently 4.2)
  • Quad Core Snapdragon S4 processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 1280 x 768 True-HD IPS screen
  • On screen soft keys (of course)
  • 8 Megapixel Camera
  • No microSD slot
  • 8GB and 16GB versions only (at least initially)
  • Non-removable battery
  • Wireless charging built in
  • The retail name of the device is yet to be decided.

As you can see for yourself, there clearly are a few interesting revelations in the list above, assuming the list is correct. But considering that the device is said to be released in mid-November, chances are that we're going to see more and more leaks as we move closer to the launch window.

An image of the LG Optimus G Nexus (which is what we're going to continue calling it for lack of a better alternative) is not yet available, but we can only expect for both blurred and official images to get leaked in due time.

Anyone excited about this first LG Nexus handset? Are you planning to buy one, or are you waiting for other Nexuses to be unveiled?

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This article, LG Optimus G Nexus specs and features leaked, release date set for mid-November , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Android 4.2 rumors heat up, already running on Motorola devices?

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:21 PM PDT

Some new rumors have surfaced pertaining to the next build of Google’s mobile OS, Android 4.2 in relation to both new features and devices possibly running the new version of Jelly Bean. In terms of what we can expect from Android 4.2, Android and Me has heard from inside sources to expect enhancements to Google Now, battery improvements thanks to something dubbed Project Roadrunner (think Project Butter), and a new version of Google Play in addition to an updated video player.

On the hardware front, Android Police has done some sleuthing to discover a few mystery devices from Motorola that could already be running Android 4.2. One, a phone, is cleverly codenamed the Occam, a reference to Occam’s Razor, which suggests the phone may be a Nexus-branded RAZR variant. A tablet codenamed Manta (manta ray, in the style of the stingray and wingray codenames of previous Moto tablets) also seems to be running the new OS.

For now all is rumor and conjecture, and it still looks like LG will be the first to launch a new Nexus device, unless of course Google surprises us with a new lineup of hardware from multiple manufacturers (as other rumors suggest). According to the latest reports, we’ll know by the end of the month.

 


RAZR i, RAZR HD added to Motorola’s bootloader unlock program

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 01:23 PM PDT

Motorola has added two new handsets to its bootloader unlock program in the form of the global RAZR HD and Intel-powered RAZR i. This covers RAZR HD handsets in Europe, Australia, South America, and the Canadian cariant on Rogers and the RAZR i in all regions. The bootloader unlock program offers a path to modifying the software of these Motorola phones without putting it on consumers to purchase an unlocked “developer edition” of the handsets, as will be the case in the US for the Droid RAZR HD.

[Motorola via DroidLife]


Report: Google and LG to jointly announce next Nexus device at end of month

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:48 PM PDT

After new rumors surfaced today all but solidifying the details of the next Nexus device to be launched jointly by Google and LG, CNET is reporting that we can expect an announcement at the end of the month. The new wrinkle follows suit with what we have been hearing. The phone is rumored to launch on the retail level during mid-November, which times well with a late October unveiling.

While many expect the phone to be called the LG Optimus Nexus, the final name has yet to be decided. As we learned earlier, the device should launch as a modified version of LG’s flagship Optimus G handset running a stock version of the latest version of Android.

[via CNET]


Verizon announces Ice Cream Sandwich update for Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:23 PM PDT

Good news for owners of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 on Verizon’s network: the update to Ice Cream Sandwich has been approved and is ready to roll out to the slate. Users can expect Android 4.0.4 for the Galaxy Tab 7.7 to bring such features as multi-tasking and facial unlock as well as other enhancements in software version i815.LP10. The official changelog has been posted to VZW’s support site, which lists the update at a sizeable 289MB. You might want to get connected to a WiFi network before downloading. The rollout should begin shortly.

[Verizon via TalkAndroid]


Open webOS port finds its way to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 11:58 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus was always intended to be a prime developing platform for the Android operating system, but who would have guessed that Palm’s webOS (by way of HP) would find new life on the handset? After open sourcing the operating system (and subsequently changing its name to Open webOS), the platform has been finding a home on several Android devices, including the ASUS Transformer Prime. Now a version is available for the Ice Cream Sandwich flagship Galaxy Nexus.

Installing the build isn’t necessarily an easy task, and can only be accomplished after compiling code available via XDA forums. Otherwise, we’re sure there is still plenty of work to be done to get the build working up to snuff. Is this sounds like sort of high-level tinkering for you, head over to the source below. If not, it’s still a rather intriguing project to keep an eye on.

[XDA via DroidLife]


HTC One X+ up for pre-order through Expansys USA, pricing TBA

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 11:28 AM PDT

Expansys USA has the HTC One X+ up for pre-order, but if you are looking to reserve the updated version of the highly-regarded HTC flagship you’ll have to do so without knowledge of final pricing or release date. The One X+ features an upgraded processor and bigger battery for even better performance than the original, as well as all the enhancements of HTC Sense 4+.

Pre-ordering through Expansys guarantees you will be among the first to get your hands on the unlocked version of the phone, but it will come at a higher cost than picking the phone up via a mobile provider. That pricing, however, is TBA.

[via Expansys]


New LG Nexus rumors seem to have some sturdy legs

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 08:38 AM PDT

We’ve been trying to figure out who, exactly, is the front-runner to make the next Nexus phone. Everything has been rumored — from Samsung continuing its phone streak to a whole revamping of the Nexus program that would give any OEM a chance to make a Nexus device.

But Paul from Modaco seems to have reason to believe that LG will definitely be coming out with a Nexus phone. The latest rumor apparently comes from more than one source, and considering Paul’s trustworthiness and his track record there’s little reason to doubt him. His ear to the street tells him that the following device is to be expected:

  • The device is based on the Optimus G but doesn’t look the same
  • Updated Android release (currently 4.2)
  • Quad Core Snapdragon S4 processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 1280×768 True-HD IPS screen
  • On screen soft keys (of course)
  • 8 Megapixel Camera
  • No microSD slot
  • 8GB and 16GB versions only (at least initially)
  • Non-removable battery
  • Wireless charging built in
  • The retail name of the device is yet to be decided.

A few sore spots in that list include the exclusion of a microSD card slot (not again!) and only up to 16GB of internal storage (again, not again!) Beyond that, the device seems to fit that mold Google is rumored to be forcing on those who want to make a Nexus device. Its specs are certainly nothing to sneeze at as this thing closely resembles LG’s Optimus G.

Paul’s source says the device doesn’t look quite like the Optimus G, however. He also couldn’t confirm whether or not LG was going to be the sole Nexus OEM.

Launch is apparently targeted for mid-November, and that would put it almost exactly one year since the Galaxy Nexus launched in Europe. The timing is right, the details seem plausible, and the source is credible — what say you on this one, folks?


Google Play Music Flash Sale brings top albums for $3

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 07:57 AM PDT

Google Play is having a flash sale on music albums, which means you’ll need to act fast before you miss out. This sale includes top full albums from the likes of Lil Wayne, Nelly Furtado, Rihanna, Guns N Roses, Kanye West, Radiohead and more for just $3. Personally I’m going to support the greatest band in late night (The Roots, FYI) and introduce myself to the world of Radiohead. There’s something here for everyone so get over to the Google Play Store and get your wallets out before these return to their usual prices.


Pinterest update brings bigger images, easier pinning from the web, and more

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 07:32 AM PDT

Pinterest for Android has been a very great experience for many, and it’s only getting better today. A new update brings some great new changes, including tall images being bigger and easier to see, pinning things from the web being easier to do, and the ability to see where a pin has been repinned.

More small changes have been made to round out the experience, but that’s about the extent of it. Perhaps I’ll actually try the service out again — let’s just hope my account doesn’t get hijacked this time. You’ll no doubt want to grab the 4MB app update from the Play Store as soon as possible.


Friendcaster update brings video posting to groups, profiles, and events

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 06:54 AM PDT

While we await an upgrade to the official Facebook upgrade that should improve the experience 10 fold, OneLouder-developed alternative Friendcaster has gotten itself a great new upgrade in the Play Store. One of the biggest changes is the ability to post videos to groups, profiles, and event pages.

They’ve also streamlined the photo and video upload dialogs, disabled the “save news feed position” option by default, updated the Facebook Chat API for changes to private messaging threads, fixed the bug that caused users to view the wrong photo from the news feed, and more. Not a bad update at all, I’d say, and it’s awaiting you in the Google Play Store.


Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Impressions [Forum Talk]

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 06:47 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is out in the UK and much of our beyond-the-pond readership has finally gotten their hands on it. While us American folks aren’t yet capable of buying this thing outside of important unlocked options, our UK counterparts are holding us down with some early impressions over at AndroidForums.com. Here are just a few of the discussions going on over there:

And many more great discussions are taking place at the greatest Android forum in the lands. Sign in and partake in all the fun, and if you don’t have an account then now’s as good a time as any to make one and be part of a great, friendly community. Let us know in the comments section below how things are going with your new 5.5 inch wonder.


Samsung Galaxy Note 2 update brings awesome multi-window feature

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 05:51 AM PDT

Samsung was supposed to launch the Galaxy Note 2 with a great little feature called multi-window, but the feature wasn’t quite ready for consumption the moment the device went on sale. It’s only been a short couple of days, though, and they’ve delivered an upgrade to bring us the functionality in timely fashion.

Multi-window allows you to use two different apps at the same time. Think of it as rudimentary desktop multi-tasking, except on this awesome, gigantic phone. The screen is certainly big enough for such a feature, and it actually does work pretty well. We still aren’t sure whether or not this feature can be used with apps from the Play Store but we’re working to find out.

In the meantime, you can see how multi-window works in the video above. Fast forward to 2:04 and tell me with a straight face that isn’t one killer feature that you’d love to have. If you have an unlocked Galaxy Note 2 you should be seeing a notification letting you know an update is available any moment now. [via SamMobile]

[Update]: once again, a video we embed from YouTube has been removed; talk about bad luck. We’re hot on the trail for another one.

 


Motorola wins decision against Microsoft in Germany for at least one patent

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 05:03 AM PDT

Motorola hasn’t exactly fared well against Microsoft in Germany in these patent wars, but it has won at least one decision against the Seattle-based company. German courts ruled that Motorola didn’t infringe on a certain Microsoft patent that we are still trying to identify, and Motorola won’t be faced with any injunction woes for the patent in question

Motorola has already been subject to two injunctions in the country, with a third injunction being prepared. It’s good for Motorola which quickly seems to be finding itself in hot water after deciding to fight this Microsoft thing instead of settling like many others.

Motorola has elected to sue Microsoft for patents of its own in the region, though the company has faced very limited success in comparison to its foe. Motorola has also been battling Microsoft here on both their home turfs, but neither has been able to gain much traction in the way of any juicy injunction action.

It would appear that Motorola is seeking a cross-licensing deal with Microsoft instead of having to be subject to the unfortunate “Android fee” that many OEMs have to pay for each Android device sold, but Microsoft isn’t budging an inch. It isn’t clear whether or not Motorola needs more firepower or if its patents simply don’t hold much weight.
Either way, the company was long overdue for even just a sliver of good news and this is as good as it’ll get for now. We’ll see how long this strategy can hold up. [via WSJ]


Android Overload: Apple vs Samsung Jury Foreman Speaks Out, Moto RAZR i Smokes RAZR M In Battery Life, and More

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 01:19 AM PDT

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  • Google updates updates Google Play Movies, Google Street View, Google Play Music, Google Drive and Google Wallet in the Play Store. Mum on exact details.
  • Facebook scans your private messages. “Likes” pages you’re discussing. One more reason to move to Google+. [TNW]
  • XDA member starts “Update My Moto” campaign. Begs Motorola for Tegra 2 compatible Ice Cream Sandwich, and/or Jelly Bean kernel. [UpdateMyMoto]
  • Parrot shows off Android-based Asteroid Smart in-dash car infotainment system. But is it better than using your own smartphone? [Engadget]
  • Intel’s chip in the Motorola RAZR M gives 72 hours of battery life, vs. Qualcomm’s paltry 1 day. [TheVerge]
  • HTC Jetstream gains S-Off with software hack. AOSP ROMs to follow? [XDA]
  • Google Gesture Search updated. Now compatible with the Nexus 7. [Google Play Store]
  • Researches find algorithm that can reduce battery drain by 25% and double recharge rates. [UCSD Jacobs]
  • Acer Iconia Tab A100, A200, and A500 wont be seeing an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. [Notebook Italia]
  • Google settles copyright case with book publishers for undisclosed amount. [WSJ]
  • Gingerbread malware can take control of your phone’s camera, snapping pics every 2 seconds. [ComputerWorld]
  • Firefox Beta updated with ARMv6 support (old school phones). Looking for testers. [Play Store]
  • Sony Xperia Tablet S pulled from store shelves due to faulty water resistance. [Reuters]
  • Apple vs Samsung jury foreman responds to Samsung’s allegations of wrongdoing. [Bloomberg]


Here’s A Firsthand Account of Google’s LG Optimus G Nexus [Rumors]

Posted: 05 Oct 2012 01:09 AM PDT

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By now, you know the drill — everything discussed in the post is in no way based on factual or tangible evidence of any kind. It’s all hearsay. All rumor mill. But still kinda fun. Now that we got that out of the way, it’s time for some late-night Android gossip.

Yesterday we told you guys about some alleged “insider information” regarding Google’s plans on handling Nexus devices from here on out. Supposedly, big G will allow for multiple Nexus devices, as long as they abide by Google’s “Nexus commandments.” It was also whispered that LG will be first out the gate with a Google flagship device they’re calling the LG Optimus G Nexus (terrible name, we know). This will essentially be a rebranded LG Optimus G, only with stock Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and direct updates straight from the mother ship.

Today, we’re hearing some more “leaked” details on LG and Google’s joint device, making it sound just a little more believable than before. Taylor at Android and Me has once again nabbed the exclusive, receiving a sworn testimony from someone who was able to get a little hands-on time with the device. Here’s his full account:

"I can confirm the next nexus is LG Optimus based. The phone looks surprisingly like the Galaxy Nexus and does not have sharp corners like the LG Optimus we already know. It has a silver ring like the iPhone 3G around the outer edge of the screen which seemed to be similar to the Galaxy Nexus in size but was much better in brightness.

I couldn't have said if it was larger in the few minutes that I had the phone. Also, it has Nexus written on the back like the Nexus 7 except there is a color element to it. The 'X' is in four colors. There was also the LG logo on the back.

Android 4.2 in its current state looked exactly like the 4.1.1 we love. There were no tabs on that build version for home-screens as you suggested from your other tipster. What I was amazed by is how fluid everything seemed to be from exiting apps, switching, etc. It seems like they've increased the number of transitions and their types. It still had the hodge-podge mess of multiple communication tools: Messenger, GTalk, Voice and SMS."

When it comes to the camera on the device, some of you might be disappointed to know that a picture was taken with the device, but the EXIF data revealed it was only an 8MP photo. Keep in mind the LG Optimus G comes in 2 varieties, one featuring an 8MP shooter, the other with a 13MP one. It looks like Google opted for the lesser one. But don’t fret, as long as Google/LG gets the sensor tech nailed down, 8MP is fine enough for me.

So what do you guys think of this newly “leaked” information, bogus? Are you excited about what’s to come? I’ve played with more than a few LG devices, and I must say they have a great build quality to them (we just know LG’s reputation when it comes to firmware updates). Once again, we wont have to wait much longer to find out what Google has in store for the world and the next revolutionary Nexus.