Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority


Could Google Fiber go nationwide?

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 03:04 AM PST

Since Google rolled out its high-speed internet and cable service in parts of Kansas City there has been lots of speculation about whether the search engine giant might look to take the service nationwide. The response from people eligible for the service seems to have been pretty positive so far. Here's a full breakdown of the Google Fiber service on offer, the top tier plan offers a 1Gbps Internet connection with Fiber TV and a Nexus 7 as remote for $120 per month.

The tech press has also generally been impressed with Google's Fiber proposition, as the company appears to be offering a better quality service than the ISPs everyone is currently stuck with. There have been some "come to my city" pleas popping up across the web, but Google execs are not in the habit of sharing their long term plans. Is Google Fiber an experiment, or the first wave in Google's move to completely control and own every aspect of your online experience?

A recent report from Goldman Sachs is looking to throw a big spanner in the works as it claims that building a cable network is prohibitively expensive and it could cost over $140 billion to cover the whole country. The report discusses how many homes Google could hope to cover and what it would cost, claiming that covering even 50 million households would cost $70 billion. There's also an estimate that Verizon has spent $15 billion to cover 17 million homes with its FiOS fiber network.

It's really no surprise to learn that building the network would be expensive, but who would expect Google to cover the entire country overnight? Why would the company have to outlay $140 billion straight away? Surely the sensible plan would be to cover populous urban areas first and build up the income from customers to fund further building. Google has $45 billion in the bank, it saved another $2 billion just last year by avoiding paying taxes, and we're pretty confident getting credit would not be a problem.

Realistically there always comes a point with networks where serving a small number of people in rural areas does not offer enough of a return for a company to support the infrastructure. Usually they simply don't bother, but often government will step in with subsidies that make it worthwhile. The benefit of building out Google Fiber goes beyond the subscriptions to the service for Google – it would benefit their entire empire. No doubt the company will crunch the data on Kansas and gauge public demand before it makes another move, but don't be surprised if Google Fiber spreads.

What do you think? Hands up if you want Google Fiber to come to your home.

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International Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Note 2 LTE now getting Android 4.1.2 update

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:48 AM PST

The three-month old Galaxy Note 2 has been Samsung's first device to run Android 4.1, so it was only natural to expect it to be the first to get 4.2 as well. And while that's still in the cards, it seems that we're all going to have to wait for a bit longer because the GNote 2 is being upgraded right now, but only to 4.1.2.

This is not a major shocker however, because the maintenance update for the second-gen phablet got leaked just last week, previewing the official bump that's going on as we speak. We've also seen a couple of Galaxy S3 models getting the same 4.1.2 upgrade, so it was all building up to this.

For the time being, we have only been informed about two specific GNote 2 versions getting Android 4.1.2, but it's obvious the rollout will increase in intensity very soon – at least across Europe. Poland is once again the icebreaker, with the Note 2 on carrier Play (model number GT-N7100) getting the update a few hours ago.

Sweden is number two on the list, but the phablet upgraded there is an LTE-enabled version (model number GT-N7105), so you can say the Swedes are road-openers as well. Both countries are getting the same software package though, with a JZO54K build number and a November 26 build date.

The upgrade's changelog is pretty massive, but at a first glance there aren't as many new features to get excited about as on the Galaxy S3. It's no wonder though, because the piece de resistance on the S3 was definitely Multi-View, a feature that the Note 2 packed for a while. Here are some of the tweaks, though we're not sure the list is an official and complete one:

  • New additions in Notification Toggles
  • Notification Panel can now be customized
  • Brightness Slider in Notification Panel can be disabled
  • Multi-View can be disabled
  • Smoother browser
  • Status Bar has been changed from Grey to Black
  • Continues Input in Samsung Keyboard
  • New Ink Effect on Lockscreen
  • New Group Cast app

As usual, expect the update to be available both OTA (over-the-air) and through Samsung Kies and to generally hit unlocked phones before carrier branded versions. As for North American GNote 2s, those should themselves get the new software package "soon", though if we were to speculate we would say you're faced with at least one more week of waiting.

Now, who’s got the upgrade already, where and how? Are there any new features or tweaks you’d like to add to the above list?

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HTC One SV: Think of it as the 4G LTE enabled One S, but with a worse screen

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:44 AM PST

HTC has just announced a device for the UK market called the One SV. If you go back to February of this year, when HTC announced announced the One S, they pitched that device as a highly competent 4.3 inch Android smartphone. And it was, but it didn’t have 4G LTE. The One SV fixes that, but at a cost. Whereas the One S had a 960 x 540 pixel display, this new handset only does 800 x 480. The camera has also been downgraded from 8 megapixels to 5 megapixels, though admittedly it still has that awesome f/2.0 lens. The One SV comes with 8 GB of storage which can be expanded via a microSD card slot, it’ll come in two colors (blue, white), and we’d like to tell you the price, but that information wasn’t provided.

What should you think of this phone? It’s yet another HTC device that shouldn’t have seen the light of day. Why couldn’t HTC have waited just one month until CES or two months until Mobile World Congress to announce a midrange phone that featured the company’s new 2013 design language? The Droid DNA (Butterfly in Europe/Asia) offers us a sneak peak as to what HTC’s portfolio is going to look like next year. The One SV on the other hand, it looks like a cross between the two year old Desire and the one year old One X.

And then there’s the more important question: If you’re in the UK, should you buy a 4G LTE phone? Not really. Coverage is horrible, there’s only one operator (EE), and worst of all the pricing plans are expensive. The One SV is basically a device that was tailor made to make one operator in one country happy. We don’t like when handset companies to that.

Go global or go bust.

Update: The One SV hit Australia in November.

Update: The German website BestBoyZ has hands-on photos; one is below.

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Twitter adds photo filters to Android app after Instagram split

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:17 AM PST

Twitter has improved its photo support for Android devices by updating the official app to include basic tools for editing and eight filter effects. You can crop any image and there's an auto-enhance button. You'll also find a pretty familiar batch of filters including Vignette, Black & white, Warm, Cool, Vintage, Cinematic, Happy and Gritty.

The simple interface has three buttons at the bottom and you can preview your photos in a grid format. When you select a filter it's easy to just swipe the touchscreen to see the next one. The filters were designed by Aviary specifically for Twitter. Here's a video that explains the update.

It's no accident that these new features pop up just a couple of days after Facebook removed support for Instagram images to be shown in Twitter via Twitter cards. If someone posts an Instagram image in Twitter now it just appears as a text link, though CEO Kevin Systrom said last week, “we will always be integrated with Twitter in a way that you can tweet out from Instagram to Twitter,” and went on to claim it was nothing to do with Instagram's acquisition by Facebook.

Instagram is also about to roll out a big update for its Android app which will add a new "Willow" filter, a handful of features, and make some interface tweaks. It will also be integrating Foursquare data.

Could these moves signal growing antipathy between the social media giants Facebook and Twitter? Any Instagram fans out there? What do you think about the split with Twitter? Are these additions to the Twitter app enough for most people or do you want more photo tools?

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EA’s Dead Space now on sale on Google Play for $0.99

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:24 AM PST

If your idea of a relaxing evening after a hard day's work is to load up some action games on your Android devices, you must have heard of Dead Space, the third-person shooter from EA that takes place in a Necromorph-infested space station.

Dead Space has garnered a lot of praise for its console-like visuals and gaming experience. If the game has been sitting idle on your Wish List, it’s time to hit the purchase button. As part of EA's Daily Deal promotion, the cinematic horror game is now offered for only $0.99.

Aside from the great graphics, Dead Space also boasts "a fully voice-acted stereo soundtrack, plus a movie-quality score and sound effects." One of the best aspects about the game is that you don't have to worry about making in-app purchases in order to advance, as it features no such thing.

Get Dead Space now from Google Play right here if you’re in North America. For international gamers, you'll have to cough up $1.29 to download the game. Better move fast because the deal could end at any time now.

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Google hands over Motorola’s factories in China and Brazil to Flextronics

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:12 AM PST

Google, which officially acquired Motorola Mobility in May of this year, has just announced that Flextronics will acquire Motorola’s factory Tianjin, China. Flextronics will also “assume the management and operation” of Motorola’s factory in Jaguariuna, Brazil. Who exactly is Flextronics? You know how Foxconn is the largest company that spits out consumer electronics? Flextronics is the second largest. Assuming both companies get all the required approvals, this deal will close during the first half of 2013. Financial terms were not disclosed, though we expect them to be leaked rather quickly.

What should you make of all this? Let’s look at Apple. They design the iPhone, but then pay Foxconn to do all the dirty work. Let’s also look at Nokia, who used to have massive factories in Germany and Romania, but then they closed them because it was cheaper to rely on Chinese labor. When put in that context, Google getting rid of Motorola’s factories makes a lot of sense. Why have dedicated factories when you could just outsource? Here’s what Mark Randall, Senior Vice President or Supply-Chain and Operations at Motorola Mobility had to say about the deal:

“The agreement with Flextronics is an important step forward for us in transforming our overall supply chain into a competitive advantage for Motorola Mobility. Flextronics has been our partner for many years, and their expertise and experience in manufacturing will enable us to focus on other areas of the supply chain where we can add the most value.”

When will we see what Google has in store for Motorola? Again, we can’t stress this enough, the acquisition closed in late May. That’s barely half a year ago. It takes time to think up, design, and then mass produce new devices. We’re hoping to see Motorola’s first “Google Phone” during the second half of 2013, but if we don’t then we’re not going to be surprised.

Update: Motorola’s factory in Chennai, India to be closed; 76 people impacted.

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Google avoided paying $2 billion in taxes last year by moving money to Bermuda

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 12:20 AM PST

In case you haven’t noticed by now, the global economy isn’t exactly doing too well. Countries are struggling to pay off their debts, which means they’re being really anal about making sure everyone is paying their taxes. Large companies, by the very nature of the fact that they’re massive, make a ton of money. Do they store that money where the bulk of their employees live? Nope. They often use what’s referred to as “tax shelters”. In other words, countries where taxes are so low they might as well not even exist.

Bermuda is just such a shelter, and according to Bloomberg, Google moved $9.8 billion there in 2011 to avoid paying $2 billion worth of taxes. They continue by saying $9.8 billion was roughly “80 percent of Google’s total pretax profit in 2011.”

Who’s most angry about all this? Europe. Algirdas Semeta, the European Commission’s Commissioner for Taxation told members of the press that the EU is losing about 1 trillion Euros a year because of the kind of stuff that companies like Google routinely do.

Which brings up a good question: Can the government stop companies from avoiding their taxes? Technically what Google did is perfectly legal. The European Commission wants to create some new rules to prevent these sorts of things from happening, but you know how lawyers work, they’ll just figure out some other way to hide their client’s money.

Now we’re not exactly economists, so we’re not going to pretend like we have an answer to all this, but why don’t countries levy a financial transaction tax? If Google wants to move close to $10 billion to Bermuda, then let them, but tax that wire transfer up to the hilt as to make it seem like an undesirable course of action to take.

And in case you’re wondering, we’re not singling Google out. Starbucks is downright criminal.

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HTC gets three more of its devices PlayStation Certified, including the HTC EVO 4G LTE

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 11:00 PM PST

HTC
The history of PlayStation Certification is brief. Initially, only the Sony Xperia Play had it. That allowed the Play to access PlayStation’s exclusive Android content and play PlayStation games. It was pretty cool, but people really wanted it on other devices. HTC was the first to listen by getting three devices certified. Now, three more are getting certified.

Some time ago, HTC got the One V, the One S, and the One X certified. This gave HTC devices the ability to access the PlayStation content for the first time. However, over the last couple of weeks, HTC has gotten PlayStation Certification for three more of their top tier devices. These include the One XL, the new One X+, and the insanely popular EVO 4G LTE on Sprint.

What will PlayStation Certification do for HTC devices?

It will allow them to play exclusive PlayStation games from Sony’s PlayStation Mobile store. There aren’t a lot of games in Sony’s PlayStation Mobile store yet, but the number is growing. It will be a lot better as time goes than it is right now.

Interestingly, the three devices don’t show up on Sony’s compatibility list yet. However, Phone Arena reports that everyone is working on making it happen as quickly as possible.

HTC owners, are you excited about getting PlayStation mobile? Or is the lack of quality games make it not a big deal?

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Live Wallpaper Daydream finally makes Android 4.2′s Daydream feature awesome

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 10:15 PM PST

Daydream
There are a lot of features that came with Android 4.2 that got a lot of press. Multiple users, quick settings, and lock screen widgets among them. There was another feature that didn’t get so much press. It’s called Daydreams. While it may sound really cool, it’s essentially just a screen saver. Not a very useful one at that. There is now an app that will make it much better.

The app is called Live Wallpaper Daydream and it allows Android fans to use their favorite Live Wallpapers as a Daydream. While it doesn’t really add to the usefulness, having a pretty screen saver is a lot better than many of the stock Daydream options.

According to Android Police, the app is very simple to use. You simply apply your favorite live wallpaper and the app will make it your screen saver.

Where can I get Live Wallpaper Daydream?

It’s currently available free of charge over at App Brain or the Google Play Store. This may finally give users a reason to actually use Daydreams.

Do keep in mind that not all live wallpapers are compatible with Daydreams. Live wallpaper developers will have to make it compatible first. To try it out, follow the App Brain and Google Play links above. Who is going to give this a try?

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Verizon says they’re not “blocking” Google Wallet, they’re just restricting access to the secure element

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 09:41 PM PST

Google unveiled a mobile payments service to the world called Google Wallet back in May 2011. It’s been over a year and a half since that press conference and it’s pretty obvious that Google Wallet has failed to take off. Why? It’s not a technological issue, it’s pure politics. Whenever you pay for something using your credit card or debit card, the company that’s handling the transaction takes a slice. If companies start letting people pay for things using a mobile phone, then who is going to take a cut of the transaction? Is it the company that made the phone? The company that made the OS powering the phone? The operator that subsidized the phone? You can quickly see how complicated this gets.

An XDA forum member by the name of “Joshua” complained to Verizon about the inability to use Google Wallet on his Android powered smartphone. Verizon sent him a letter saying they’re not “blocking” Google Wallet, and that many other applications such as Square, PayPal, and the Starbucks card work just fine. Google Wallet is special because it wants access to the secure element inside the phone in order to authenticate users. The “secure element” Verizon references is more often than not the SIM card.

Can Google do anything to get operators and handset makers to get onboard the Google Wallet train? We hate to say it, but the answer is no. Visa, the largest payment processor in the world, has already created their Google Wallet competitor. It’s called V.me. Banks have to sign up for it so that they in turn can offer it to their customers. One of America’s largest banks, Bank of America, has already said they’re going to offer their members V.me.

You didn’t honestly think that your bank would just sit on the sidelines and watch the mobile industry fight over mobile payments, did you?

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Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Twitter updated with Instagram-like filters, Instagram updates with new filter

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 04:53 PM PST

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For those unaware, Twitter and Instagram have been going at it for quite some time now. The social networking behemoths have been distancing themselves from each other ultimately leading to Instagram pulling picture previews off of Twitter completely. Yeah, things are gettin’ rough out there.

Today the feud continues with Twitter introducing their own photo filters into their app, allowing tweeters to get apply retro style filters to their uploads, compliments of Aviary. Because smartphones outfitted with top of the line 8MP sensors is great and all, but they just aren’t low quality enough. Unfortunately, there’s only 8 filters currently available and, not to sound like a hipster but… all of them pretty much suck. Also, if Twitter thinks this is the single reason users flock to Instagram in the first place, they’re sadly mistaken.

Instagram isn’t taking the Twitter update laying down, rolling out an update of their own update almost simultaneously as Twitter’s. Instagram’s latest addition? Not the much requested ability to add a collage of images, or even display the app in landscape mode — it’s a filter. A single, solitary filter named “Willow.” How does it look? Well, it’ s simply a less contrasty black and white filter. Good one, IG. Way to stick it to ‘em.

[Google Play Links: Twitter | Instagram]

Nexus 4 can pick up on AT&T 4G LTE via very limited Band 4

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 03:16 PM PST

Chalk another loss up for the “Nexus 4 will never, ever gain LTE access” folks — yet another group of people have proven that notion to be utterly false. It appears that the Nexus 4′s Band 4 LTE radios are actually compatible with a very, VERY small amount of spectrum on AT&T’s network.

It appears AT&T owns the bands in a few select markets — including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Raleigh, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and more — and uses it to fill coverage in spots where needed. The coverage area for their share of the Band 4 spectrum is so small that the amount of Nexus 4 owners that might be able to access the LTE network would likely come out to 1% or less.

It’s not the wide-spread coverage we’d want, of course, but there it is. It’s likely AT&T won’t gain much more of that spectrum in the near future as T-Mobile is said to be eyeing it for deployment of its own LTE services. If that were to happen then the Nexus 4 certainly could be up and running on a major LTE network in some official capacity by 2013′s end.

AT&T users can try their luck and see if they can pick up an LTE signal just for giggles, but as it stands the coverage is so minuscule that it won’t be a practical solution for anyone at all. Have a look around XDA to see how you can go about enabling your device’s 4G LTE radios to see if your area has a sliver of 4G coverage over Band 4.

[XDA via Android Police]

15 Minute Challenge: $16 Next Launcher from the GO Launcher Dev Team [VIDEO]

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 03:14 PM PST

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A wise man once said, “You can never have too many options.” Or maybe that was just me. Anyway, that’s the beauty of the Android OS. When it comes to customizing, there are almost countless methods at an Android user’s disposal, making for devices where no 2 are ever the same. One of the easiest ways to change things up is simply to swap out your stock launcher (you know, your homescreen where you dump all your app icons) for another. Instead of releasing another of the same old traditional Android launcher you’ve come to expect, the boys at the GO Launcher Dev Team are it again. This time they’ve released a re-imagined launcher into the Google Play Store called Next Launcher.

First things first — let’s talk about that price. Next Launcher is one of a very elite group of “premium” launchers to launch in the Play Store at the $16 mark. While I’m all for paying good money for great software, you really gotta bring something new to the table to warrant box-o-Ferrero-Rocher-pricing. The GO Team attempts to accomplish this by injecting an incredible amount of flare and pizzazz into Next Launcher. But does it really make for anything new or intuitive? Well, yes and no.

Initial Impressions

Unlike TSF Shell that threw the traditional Android launcher for a loop, Next Launcher behaves very much in the same way you’d expect a typical launcher to behave. You have your homescreen, app drawer — all of which can be customized with various animations, shortcuts and widgets. Nothing new there. However, you have a bit more freedom in how to display your icons on your homescreen. Using a 2-finger gesture, icons can be rotated 360 degrees, allowing for a fun, and unique layout.

Everything in Next Launcher is fluid and animated beautifully. I haven’t seen a launcher hitting a constant 60fps since TSF Shell. But alas — that’s where the eye candy ends. The stock “theme” on Next Launcher is a sort of mix of glossy, glass looking icons with neon highlights. Yes, neon. This (aside from its ridiculous pricing) will no doubt be the biggest turn off for most Android users. I understand Matias Duarte’s “Holo UI” may not be for everyone, but for heaven’s sakes, the GO Dev Team could have gone with the traditional GO Launcher icon set/theme. Something less Fast and the Furious and more minimal. To call Next Launcher simply “inspired by” SPB Shell 3D Launcher, is an understatement. It’s clear what the Go Team was trying to accomplish here (even in pricing).

Widgets n’ Things

Like GO Launcher, Next Launcher has specific widgets and live wallpapers that will only work 100% on NL. Not yet available, the GO Team did mention that “fancy 3D widgets” will be coming soon, so we’ll have to wait and see how impressive those turn out. The first live wallpaper for NL, Next Honeycomb Live Wallpaper, is truly a sight. While you can get it to display on other (cheaper) launchers, it wont have the same special effects as when displayed through NL.

15 Minute Verdict

Of course, it’s going to take a whole lot more than fancy live wallpapers and snazzy animations to get anyone to plop down $16 on a launcher replacement. In fact, in its current state, I can honestly say there is absolutely nothing offered by Next Launcher that really deserves such a ludicrous price tag. $5? Sure. $7? Maybe. $10? Easy, tiger. $16? STAHP. While I normally love almost anything the GO Team releases in the Play Store (no, not because it’s free), when it comes to Next Launcher, your money could be better spent supporting smaller devs like Tesla Coil’s Nova Launcher.

[Next Launcher on Google Play]

Verizon says it blocks Google Wallet due to secure element requirement

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 01:46 PM PST

The saga of Google Wallet on Big Red’s airwaves has been an interesting one to follow. The mobile payments app was initially allowed on Verizon’s network, but was later blocked by the carrier through the Google Play Store and within the app itself. Well, an FCC complaint was filed and it caught Verizon’s eye, so much so that America’s largest carrier ended up responding to the complaint with haste.

In its response, Verizon reiterates that it would not be blocking Google Wallet on NFC devices if the app didn’t require access to the devices’ secure element. The company goes on to state that alternate payment apps — like Starbucks, Square and Paypal — aren’t being blocked because they don’t require access to the NFC chip’s secure element.

This is no doubt a move to dispel any anti-trust allegations that may arise thanks to Verizon’s conflict of interests with its mobile payments provider ISIS. ISIS is expected to make full use of the NFC chips inside Verizon’s phones whenever it launches, and it sure wouldn’t look pretty in the eyes of the FCC should the development take place without any explanation from Verizon.

Verizon states ”Google is free to offer its Google Wallet application in a manner that doesn’t require integration with the secure element, and many payment applications do just that.” Verizon apparently won’t grant an application access to the secure element until it goes through a “special process,” one that we’re not surprised to see go unexplained in the text sent to the FCC.

Whether or not there actually is a special process that Google could go through to get Wallet approved for full NFC use is an entirely different beast of a story yet to be told. You can be sure we’re hunting down official word regarding that bit. Whatever the case may be, though, one thing is clear — Verizon thinks it’s in the right, and is not the least bit afraid to express that.

[XDA via Droid-Life]

Google shuttering Motorola’s Korean branch, 500 jobs to be cut

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:41 PM PST

As part of continued efforts to trim down the operations of Motorola Mobility after acquiring the company last year, Google has confirmed it plans to cease the majority of the division’s operations in South Korea in 2013.  The move, which Google described as “difficult but necessary,” will see the end of Moto’s R&D and mobile device marketing departments and result in the loss of around 500 jobs.

The news comes just months removed from a proposed restructuring that would cut some 4,000 jobs as efforts shifted toward refocusing Motorola Mobility’s product offerings. There has also been talk that Google is shopping Motorola’s Home division to potential buyers in hopes to further lighten the $12.5 billion load.

Google points towards slimming margins as reason for the closures. The tech giant hopes cutting expenses will lead to greater profit, but warns investors to expect “significant revenue variability” in the meantime.

Motorola’s wide patent portfolio was a driving force behind what many analysts have called a knee-jerk reaction on Google’s part. The deal hasn’t paid off for the two companies just yet. As evidenced by these downsizing efforts, Google may have bit off a bit more than they could chew.

[via AllThingsD]

ASUS Padfone 2 receives Jelly Bean

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:32 PM PST

While the Padfone 2 might not be one of ASUS’ most marketable devices there is, there’s no doubt ASUS wants to maintain the reputation it has built for itself in the way of timely Android upgrades. That’s why ASUS has started pushing Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out to the device starting today. The over-the-air process should be initiated over WiFi in order to avoid data charges, of course, but once you find your way to a hotspot you should be cruising to the wonderful world that is Jelly Bean.

We’re not quite sure how this works just yet. We know that the “Fone” part of the PadFone will definitely run Jelly Bean (with ASUS’ custom interface still sitting atop the core Android elements) but it’s unclear whether or not the “pad” part is getting the same treatment. We’d hope so, but without a PadFone of our own to apply the upgrade to we’ll have to wait on word from ASUS.

Regardless, Jelly Bean is available in some capacity and should bring with it all the goodies you’d expect. Nothing much has changed on the ASUS side of things, but in all you’re getting Google Now, Project Butter and all that lays in between. If you own a PadFone 2 be sure to check for the upgrade in the About Tablet menu. In the meantime we’ll be reaching out to ASUS to find out how this interesting convergence of phone and tablet will handle such a unique over-the-air upgrade situation.

[via Engadget]

Google and Facebook lead group seeking stricter guidelines for tech patents

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 11:04 AM PST

As the US Patent and Trademark Office mulls the validity of Apple’s multi-touch patent, a group of tech companies led by Google and Facebook is asking that the courts reconsider granting such rights for vague tech concepts. Their plea was submitted as an amicus curiae brief as part of a current dispute between CLS and Alice in which CLS argues that Alice’s patents for computer-based financial intermediation are too vague.

The case is in the appeals process after an initial ruling landed in favor of Alice and the company’s portfolio of patents. Now Google and company hope to use their weight to sway a decision by backing CLS’s claims with documents that detail a lack of innovation in patents that fail to describe specific implementations of technical ideas.

Here is the general argument set forth by Google, Facebook and a group consisting of Zynga, Dell, Intuit, Homeaway, Rackspace, and Red Hat:

“Many computer-related patent claims just describe an abstract idea at a high level of generality and say to perform it on a computer or over the Internet. Such barebones claims grant exclusive rights over the abstract idea itself, with no limit on how the idea is implemented. Granting patent protection for such claims would impair, not promote, innovation by conferring exclusive rights on those who have not meaningfully innovated, and thereby penalizing those that do later innovate by blocking or taxing their applications of the abstract idea.”

We’d say that just about hits the nail on the head when it comes to the bountiful number of tech-related lawsuits involving patent litigation. It would seem that the US patent system has not kept pace with the very technologies it was designed to protect, and in turn numerous companies are taking advantage by patenting vague concepts and ideas. The ultimate result is the stifling of innovation, not the encouragement of it.

If the court sides with CLS with consideration to the brief submitted by Google and its cohorts, it would set a precedent for judges sitting on other patent-related trials. Don’t be surprised if we see a huge shakeup in the patent system should we continue down this road, though any meaningful changes likely won’t come for several years.

[via TechCrunch]

 

Coverlight aims to add LED flash to devices which don’t have one [VIDEO]

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 10:20 AM PST

It’s hard to believe that there are still phones that ship without LED flashes in this day and age, but you’d be surprised how many phones there are without this seemingly basic addition. In fact, the original phone that started the current Samsung craze — the Samsung Galaxy S — was one such device. An interesting solution has been thought up to take care of that oversight, though, and it exists as a project on IndieGoGo.

It’s being called Coverlight, and the engineer — Stefano Emidi — has done an excellent job constructing this one. It’s a battery door replacement that has a built-in LED flash. It’s been carefully built to steer clear or blocking other elements like the camera (of course) and speaker, and also does well to steer clear of causing any issues with radios.

The door includes a button to turn the flash on and off. It obviously won’t be able to provide a quick flash as it doesn’t interface with the Galaxy S’s hardware or software in any capacity, but it’s a lot better than not having the option at all when you need to take those tough pictures in the dark.

The only problem with Coverlight is that it has only been built for this specific device. The idea is noble, but at this point the Samsung Galaxy S has lived out the typical two-year lifespan that devices tend to have thanks to the nature of mobile contracts. There are sure to be a few strays here and there, but the device has been antiquated for the most part. This means Coverlight is going to have a tough time raising the funds it needs to get off the ground.

A better idea might be to provide a line of cases for a multitude of devices with this functionality built-in. Still, the problem with that is most popular devices these days already come with LED flashes built-in. If nothing else, though, Coverlight serves as a great reminder that the most simple ideas can perhaps turn out to be the most useful, and perhaps this hardware mod can inspire more people to solve the problems OEMs force us to solve with glaring omissions.

We’ve contacted Stefano to get his thoughts on how he could take this project further, but if you happen to own a Galaxy S and find yourself needing something like this be sure to pledge some funds to the project on IndieGogo. It’s already racked up a modest $700+ so there’s some interest there, but only time will tell if this ends up becoming something that members of the crowd-funding community find themselves wanting in droves.

Google Now could be coming to Chrome browser, would be perfect iGoogle replacement

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 08:40 AM PST

Code discovered within Google’s Chromium project has started speculation that Google Now’s predictive cards system could soon migrate from Android handsets to the desktop version of the Chrome browser. Backend commands were uncovered for the purpose of “creating a skeleton for Google Now for Chrome implementation” using Chrome’s notifications extension.

While the discovery does little to reveal Google’s actual plans, the implementation of the popular Jelly Bean feature into more Google products makes sense. Last week we asked readers how they felt about Google Now, with a majority of those responding to our poll saying they like the concept, but feel improvements are needed. Perhaps one of those improvements is ubiquity. Having access to Google Now in more places via more Google services would not only improve its usefulness but also increase the service’s data set, allowing for cards with more accurate and relevant information.

Google Now as part of the Chrome browser seems like the perfect replacement to the soon-to-be defunct iGoogle homepage. That service, which already uses a card-like system to provide info on weather, sports scores, email and appointments, and more, will cease to exist on November 1st, 2013.  Bringing Google Now to the forefront of the Chrome experience could go a long way. As things stand, the service is tucked away in Android devices. If you weren’t looking you might not be able to find it.

Having said all this, there is no guarantee we will see Google Now as part of Chrome. If we do, it could be months or more down the road. But the idea has us intrigued. Let’s just hope Google Now is a bit more useful by then.

[G+ via BriefMobile]

 

Bango brings carrier billing services to Google Play for Australians

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 08:18 AM PST

Carrier billing in the Google Play Store has been something that US carriers have enjoyed for quite some time, but did you know that a ton of the world still doesn’t have this functionality? It’s unfortunate, really, because carrier billing is one of the most convenient tools one can have.

Imagine being able to pay for everything you download when your monthly bill arrives instead of racking up tons of smaller purchases at a time. It may not mean much for many of you, but there are a lot of us who just can’t stand to look at a long monthly bank statement filled with smaller, irrelevant purchases.

Well, it looks like that problem is set to be solved in more countries soon with the latest news from Bango. The company has announced that it would begin rolling out its carrier billing services to the Google Play Store. The first partner on-board is Telstra in Australia. Our friends down under can buy all that weird music they like without having to pay for it until their bill is due!

Fun quips aside, it should be exciting news for those who aren’t on Telstra, too. Bango has deep roots in the UK (that’s where its homebase is, after all) so hopefully we can Play Store carrier billing in more European countries as Bango continues striking up partnerships with the various carriers of the world.

In fact, Bango’s blog post on the matter suggests that more carriers are already lined up, but it is not yet ready to disclose which other carriers are set to receive the service. Bango says it’s too early to know how this new development will affect the level of business generated, but the general idea is that easier payment options equals more sales. Be sure to try it out if you’re on Telstra, and let us know how smooth things are in the comments below!

[via Bango]

[Update] Verizon Galaxy Note 2 bootloader unlock said to be achieved

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:22 AM PST

Many were worried how things would pan out for the development scene of the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 2. As you know, Verizon requests OEMs to keep bootloaders of its phones locked and encrypted for one reason or another. The community has grown to expect and accept that, so there’s no shocker there.

As a result, however, development tends to crawl along until someone can figure out a way to get the bootloader cracked. The Verizon Note 2 has already been rooted and a couple of ODIN-flashable ROMs have sprung up, but things like a custom recovery haven’t been achieved due to the locked bootloader, and developers will surely steer clear until deeper access has been achieved.

Well, it looks like the wait might soon be over as one developer has claimed to achieve a full bootloader unlock on his own personal Galaxy Note 2. The beneficiary is Adam Outler, an active and trusted developer around the scene (XDA, in particular).

He says he has already gotten Verizon’s bootloader unlocked on his own personal device, and will soon be sharing that method with the rest of us lowly non-developer types soon enough. Testing has to be done to make sure this won’t bork anyone’s device, and he likely wants to make sure that the method is as painless as possible for anyone looking to apply it.

Going a bit deeper, it seems Outler tricked the Galaxy Note 2 into thinking it was a Galaxy S3, and has been able to unlock its bootloader that way. The video above says he hasn’t found a way to flash a PIT file in this state, but an update on Google+ suggests he has gotten past that particular issue and has been able to revert the phone’s identity after applying the unlock.

This news should soothe the nerves of many as it’s possible we could have been waiting a long time for an unencrypted bootloader to leak from the development heavens. Thankfully Samsung’s bootloaders are known to be easier to crack than most other OEMs’ so it’s refreshing to know that someone has already started to prepare a method.

Following Adam Outler’s Google+ page is like the tech geek’s most awesome bedtime story. The developer has shared many steps of the process, from the roadblocks and pitfalls to the eventual satisfaction of finding his way around them.

The developer has found several exploits, and while some won’t be as “community friendly” as others it’s nice to know that there will be something for folks to sink their teeth into in due time. Be sure to add him to your Circle if you want to follow along, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for even more great visuals to behold as he turns his Verizon Galaxy Note 2 into “anything but stock.”

[Update]: we’ve learned that the exploits used might require a mod chip. As it stands, a vast majority of us would be unfit to apply said unlock method. Nevertheless, the bootloader has been unlocked and Adam Outler continues to dive deep into his device to dig out a method fit for all to enjoy. Stay tuned!

Samsung teases ‘something new’ for CES 2013

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:13 AM PST


Ladies and gentlemen, start the speculation. Samsung has dropped a short teaser for whatever it is they are planning on unveiling at CES from January 8th through 11th, but if you were hoping for any insight as to what that might be you’re out of luck.

The short video offers the promise that we will see “something new” at the yearly trade show encompassing all of the consumer electronics industry (with an increasing focus on mobile). If you have ever been to CES or followed our coverage of the event you will know there is no shortage of new things to be found, so the “innovation, ideas, wonder, technology,” etc. that we all await do not offer any specific hints.

It could be that Samsung is merely teasing all that they will offer at CES, from televisions to smartphones. Or they could be teasing a specific product, which most will immediately assume is the the Galaxy S4. Rumors have already pegged CES as the venue for the debut of new OLED technology that will enable full HD displays in future Samsung smartphones. This display has been linked to the GS4, so there is a chance we will see the phone at CES.

But Samsung typically has a small mobile showing at the Vegas show, saving the bigger announcements for February’s Mobile World Congress. Could that change this year? Or is Samsung’s video merely a red herring of sorts, leaving us frothing at the mouth over nothing specific at all?

[via SamsungTomorrow]

LG moves 10 million L-series phones worldwide, calls achievement ‘modest’

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 06:44 AM PST

LG has announced that its L-series of Android smartphones — including the Optimus L3, Optimus L5, Opitimus L7, and  Optimus L9 — has totaled a combined 10 million units sold globally. LG referred to the accomplishment as a “modest milestone.”

The range of smartphones was first introduced in February at Mobile World Congress 2012. L-series phones share in common a focus on stylish design at an affordable price, with each handset featuring an increasingly high-end set of hardware. While it is true that sales don’t quite match the likes of flagship phones like Samsung’s Galaxy series or Apple’s iPhone, with LG focused on bigger releases such as the Optimus G and Nexus 4 the number of low-cost L-series devices sold is still impressive.

Overall, LG hopes to ship over 35 million smartphones by the end of 2012. Considering the number already sold plus high demand for the Nexus 4, we’d imagine they should meet their goal easily.

[via LG]

Android and Me

Android and Me


Day 10: Win a Lenovo IdeaPad A2109

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 10:00 AM PST

Back on Day 10 with another chance to win. We’ve paired up with @NVIDIATegra to give away a new prize daily til Christmas, as part of our 25 Days of Tegra. To enter today, all you’ve gotta do is leave a comment below! The Prize: Lenovo IdeaPad A2109 It’s free and it’s...

Visit our site to read the full article.

Single day sale: Amazon Kindle Fire 8.9 gets a $50 price cut

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 09:55 AM PST

With only fourteen more shopping days until Christmas, Amazon wants to make sure that the new Kindle Fire HD will be a part of your holiday celebrations. For today only, Amazon is offering a $50 discount of the Kindle Fire HD 8.9, bringing the total price of the 16GB model down to $249. If [...]

Visit our site to read the full article.

Android Central

Android Central


This week's sidebar poll: Are you gifting an Android device to someone this holiday season?

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 05:07 PM PST

Nexus 7

'Tis the season in most of the western world, where we're spending time with our loved ones celebrating the year-end holiday. It's also the time when we traditionally exchange gifts, so that is the focus of our poll this week.

Google is knocking it out of the park price-wise with their Nexus devices, and OEMs are offering phones and tablets that do some amazing things. I know a lot of people would love to see a new phone or tablet with their name on it this month, but we're asking the folks doing the giving -- are giving someone an Android device this holiday season?

Hit the poll in the sidebar to the right or after the break, and let us know if you're handing out some sweet Android hardware, have everything covered without it, or just plain can't get one from Google. We'll let it simmer for a week then tally up the numbers.

Speaking of numbers, last week we asked who has seen a Google Play Gift Card in the wild. The vote was a mixed bag.

Poll

Looks like we're not the only one not seeing them in the store. Keep vigilant, or just enter to won one in our Stocking Stuffer contest.

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The 2012 Android Central Awards - voting is now open!

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 04:32 PM PST

2012 Android Central Awards

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the 2012 Android Central Awards. You've been listening to us go on and on and on and on (and on!) this year about Android smartphones and tablets and apps. Now it's your turn to have the definitive say in what's the best of the best from 2012 and have bragging rights going into 2013.

For the hardware side of things, we pared down the suggestions to what we think will be the most popular choices. But if we missed your favorite smartphone or tablet, no worries. Just give us your write-in candidate in the "Other" choice in each question. Apps of the year are completely up to you.

Voting for the 2012 Android Central Awards will remain open until 5 p.m. EST Dec. 21. We'll tally up the winners over the holiday break, then announce them shortly after the new year, so stay tuned for that. (And for those of you who rock the forums on a daily basis, be sure to vote in our Community Awards.)

Enough preamble.



Official Twitter app updated with photo filters

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 03:36 PM PST

Twitter filters

The official Twitter for Android app just got a heck of an update, bringing a full set of photo filters built-in to the client. We all heard this would happen before the end of the year, but few expected anything this soon. The included filters are vignette, black & white, warm, cool, vintage, cinematic, happy, and gritty; also included are standard editing features like cropping and zooming.

Created by Aviary, the filters and tools promise to help you share the world around you in the style that's become popular with smartphone users. You can also preview your photos in a nice grid layout, and your photos are viewable directly from your timeline. 

It's looking to be a great update for folks who like to share photos on Twitter, and should balance out the loss of Instagram sharing we saw last week. Hit the break for a short video from Twitter and some screen shots, and grab the app at the link above.

Source: Twitter

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T-Mobile pushing update to the HTC One S, but you might not need it

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 03:02 PM PST

HTC One S

T-Mobile today started to push a 31-megabyte update to the HTC One S. If you don't get it, though, it might not be a big deal. The new version, 2.35.531.10 is only for devices that are on 1.53.531.16 or 1.84.531.4, according to T-Mobile's support site. If you're on 2.235.531.7, as a lot of you are after the update a couple months ago, you're still considered up to date and won't need this version.

If you did get today's update and have found yourself at Android 4.0.4, you can expect fixes for data connection delays and signal fluctuations, Wifi issues, crashes and restarts, e-mail links not opening, screen lag and skipping music.

And if you're still holding out hope for some Jelly Bean action, a little more patience is required.

Source: T-Mobile; More: HTC One S forums;
Thanks, Quincy!



T-Mobile 1900MHz HSPA+ now live in Seattle, Atlanta and Minneapolis

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:48 PM PST

T-Mobile SIM

With all of the big T-Mobile news that hit last week, one story that may have been buried was the carrier's continued rollout of 1900MHz HSPA+ markets. We like when carriers can give us a good idea of where exactly service improvements are happening, rather than a general "market." T-Mo has just put out a release indicating the granular areas around these three new markets that have the service available today:

  • Atlanta, including the surrounding cities of: Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Covington and Conyers
  • Seattle, including the surrounding areas of: Lynwood, Bothell, Mill Creek, Edmonds, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, Kenmore, Mercer Island, North Bend, SeaTac, Burien, Tukwila, Renton, and Lake Stevens
  • Minneapolis, including the nearby cities of: St. Paul and St. Cloud
    Additional Bay Area cites include: Fairfield, Monterey, Napa, Petaluma, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and Vallejo

That brings the total of 1900MHz HSPA+ markets up to 18 nationwide, with more on the way. T-Mobile says it is currently working on the upgrades in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, the New York metro area, Philadelphia, and San Diego. It makes sense that the carrier would be rolling out to the most densely populated areas first to get the most bang for their buck.

Source: T-Mobile



Pandora launches fully in Australia and New Zealand

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:34 PM PST

Pandora

Pandora has been trialing its service in Australia and New Zealand via a web-only trial, and now it has launched the service fully in both countries. Users down under can now sign up and have fully-functional Pandora accounts, including the apps on both Android and iOS. Pandora says that 75-percent of its traffic in the U.S. comes from mobile apps, so this is a big deal to be offering complete access to the new countries as well.

Australia and New Zealand are the first countries outside of the U.S. to have full access to Pandora, and hopefully the deals can be made to let the rollout continue to other countries also. Eager Aussies can grab a download of the app at the Google Play Store link above.

Source: TechCrunch; Pandora



Android Central Stocking Stuffers Week 1 winners

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:11 PM PST

Android CentralWe're into the second week of our month long Stuff Your Stocking contest here at Android Central, and that means that we've got a handful of winners to announce.

Last week we had random drawings from the forums, and we've tallied things up, consulted the random number generator, and picked winners for each day's contest. Each winner will need to check their inbox for all the details, but there's a $10 Google Play gift card with your name on it. I imagine everyone wants to know who those winners are, so let's get on with it!

A big holiday congrats goes out to each of you from all of us here at Android Central, and we know you'll find something great in Google Play to spend your gift cards on. Plus, you're automatically entered to win a Nexus 4 from us!

Don't forget that this week (we still have 23 gift cards that need a home) to enter you'll need to subscribe to our Youtube channel and leave a comment on a video. Read the full details here. Good luck, congrats to last week's winners, and thanks everyone for entering!



New at ShopAndroid.com: Andru 1A USB Charger in green, black or white

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:53 PM PST

Andru charger

If you're still on the hunt for a cool stocking stuffer this Christmas, ShopAndroid.com now has all three colors of the Andru 1A USB charger in stock. That's the traditional Android green, black, and white, available for $24.95 each. So put that beautiful Bugdroid to work and let it charge your favorite device. Get your now at ShopAndroid.com.

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Payment processor Bango bringing carrier billing to Google Play

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 11:40 AM PST

Google Play Logo

Bango, a mobile payments and analytics company, works with carriers (and other companies) as a middle-man to help set up payment systems and has now started offering Google Play billing as well. Carrier billing for items on Google Play is something that many carriers around the world are looking to get involved with. It's not always practical (or profitable) at the start to get it set up, however. Effectively outsourcing the payment processing and setup to another company makes sense for many companies out there trying to get into this game.

The first carrier on board with Bango for their mobile payments is Telstra in Australia. Given some of the big names that Bango currently does business with, we could see more carriers rolling out Google Play carrier billing with them soon. You can check out the full press release after the break.

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Android revamps in-app purchasing

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 11:02 AM PST

In-app purchases

The Android developer blog has just unwrapped a nice little present for developers -- Version 3 of in-app purchasing. This is mostly back-end stuff that us civilians might not notice, but that doesn't make them any less important. Here's what's new:

  • Streamlined code. Google says what used to take several hundred lines of code can be done in as few as 50 now. 
  • A more robust architecture.
  • Local caching, so API calls happen faster. That means part of the legwork is being done on your phone, without the need to call into Google Play.
  • And "the ability to consume managed purchases and query for product information."

OK, so that's all good for us, the user, too. Google says Version 3 will work on Android 2.2 and up, which means 90 percent of active devices should be good to go.

Source: Android Developers blog



HTC One X+ (AT&T) Review

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 09:44 AM PST

HTC One X+ (AT&T)

HTC’s fourth-quarter refresh of the One X is good, but is it good enough to keep you from waiting for the next tier of hardware?

When first holding an HTC One X+ (or any One device, for that matter) in your hand, it's hard to believe that the company has had such abysmal sales figures the past several quaters. It arguably has one of the best screens on the market, paired with an upgraded Tegra 3 processor and bumped up internal storage of 64GB. On top of all that, the device is downright gorgeous. It really does seem like it checks all the boxes.

The One X+ seems every bit a capable high-end device as its competition, much the same way as the original One X from earlier this year. Should it be considered as your next device? Read on and you may have a better idea if it's the right choice for you.

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Gmail is down, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it [Updated]

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 09:00 AM PST

Gmail

Have you ever felt so helpless before in all your life?

Update: GMAIL IS BACK! GMAIL IS BACK. PRAISE LLOYD ALMIGHTY, GMAIL IS BACK.

Update 2: OMG IT MIGHT BE DOWN AGAIN. HOLD ME.

Update 3: Looks like anything connected to Google is failing. Ads. Google Play Store. Basically, it's Judgment Day, people.



Playing around with clip on lenses: Part 1

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:26 AM PST

Android Central

Magnetic clip on lenses aren't new. They've been around for a while, often marketed as an accessory for the iPhone. Our buddies over at Windows Phone Central started playing around with some on the new Nokia Lumia 920, but we couldn't sit back and let them have all the fun, could we? 

A quick trip to eBay later and a pair of clip on lenses were on their way. They're a pretty inexpensive accessory, the 2 that I ordered cost me around £10 ($16) for the pair. As with real camera lenses, there seems to be plenty of choice out there over what to get, but I went with a Fisheye and a Wide Angle. I'm planning a week of goofing around with these and my LG Nexus 4, so part 2 of the post will drop next week. This week, a look at the lenses themselves. Next week, the results. Let's take a look.

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Monday Brief: T-Mobile gets the iPhone, BlackBerry 10's Hub, the Nokia Lumia 620, and more!

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 05:28 AM PST


Mobile Nations



Another week, more LTE locations for AT&T

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 04:48 AM PST

AT&T LTE

AT&T's march toward a network full of 4G LTE data continues, with three four new cities announced (so far) this morning. They are:

  • Wilkes-Barre, Penn.
  • Nashua, N.H.
  • Grand Rapids, Mich.
  • Auburn-Opelika, Ala.

So, that's three more to go along with the dozens we've seen go live in the last few months. If you're still waiting, hang in there. The ball's a-rollin'. And if you've got an LTE-capable device, keep your eye on that data indicator.

Source: AT&T



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

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 04:43 AM PST

Android Central Podcast

It's Monday. Again. Dammit. But we're starting you off right this week. If you missed Thursday night's live broadcast of the Greatest Android Podcast in the World, you missed a mouthful. Three mouthfuls, actually, as Phil and Jerry were joined by none other than Ashley Esqueda to catch up with the week that was, and the week that will be. Plus, some great e-mails and voicemails.

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. You don't want to miss it. Check out the Android Central Podcast.



Nook Video UK launch announced with UltraViolet support

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:00 AM PST

Android Central

Good news for Nook HD and HD+ early adopters in the UK -- Barnes & Noble has announced the launch of its Nook Video service for British Nook owners. The move brings B&N's tablets up to speed with the latest Amazon, Google and Apple tablets, all of which offer their own on-board video services.

The move is made possible through new, expanded UK licensing deals with content owners such as BBC Worldwide, HBO, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, STARZ, and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Barnes & Noble says. Individual TV shows and movies highlighted by B&N in today's press release include --

Sherlock, Call the Midwife, Game of Thrones®, True Blood®, Ted, The Bourne Legacy, The Amazing Spider-Man™, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Men in Black 3, Spartacus, Party Down, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Happy Feet Two.

Both high and standard-definition video content is available through Nook Video, with streaming and downloading supported on the service. Downloads are linked to the Nook Cloud service, allowing them to be played on other supporting devices.

What's more, Nook Video will also tie into the UltraViolet video system, allowing those who've purchased Blu-ray or DVD versions of titles to view a digital copy of this content on their Nook tablets.

You'll find more details in the presser after the break. If you've picked up a Nook HD or HD+ tablet in the UK recently, let us know how you're getting on in the comments.

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Sony Xperia E + E Dual get priced in Europe

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 01:24 AM PST

Android CentralWhen Sony announced the Xperia E in both single and dual-SIM flavors last week, it said the device would be affordable, however so far pricing info has been difficult to track down. Today that changes, as price details for the Xperia E and Xperia E Dual have emerged in a press release from Sony Mobile Germany.

Sony's priced the new entry-level Xperia at €159 (£128) with single SIM support, or €169 (£136) for the dual-SIM variant. Other Xperia E specs include a 3.5-inch HVGA screen, a 1GHz CPU and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on the single-SIM version (the Xperia E Dual will ship with ICS and get an upgrade later.)

One of the first Sony phones to ship with Jelly Bean, the Xperia E is due to go on sale during the first quarter of 2013.

Source: XperiaBlog



Samsung demos their Premium Suite upgrade headed to the Samsung Galaxy S3

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 06:13 PM PST

Update: Samsung has now shown part 2 of the Premium Suite update, and you can find everything after the break. 

Just as we saw when Android 4.1.2 rolled out to international Samsung Galaxy S3's starting with Poland, the Premium Suite upgrade adds quite a few features and enhancements for Galaxy S3 owners. To show off those goods, Samsung has now posted up part one of a series of demo videos that highlight the changes headed our way. In short, it's a mixture of stuff from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 as well as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. Here's what you can expect:

 Contextual Awareness

  • Page Buddy: Your phone will smartly predict what you intend to do according to your actions. For example, when you plug in your earphones, the device automatically opens up a page with the music player.
  • Contextual Menu:  When you list up apps, you can now choose to see the most frequently used ones first. Especially convenient when you’re looking through apps  to find files to attach.
  • Contextual Tag:  When you take a picture on the phone, you can tag the weather, date, and place immediately.

Enhanced Features

  • Multi Window: You can open two different apps at the same time into two different windows on the mobile screen.
  • Auto Share Shot Pairing using NFC: By setting the camera to ‘Auto Share Shot’ mode, you can quickly share your photos and videos by simply tapping their GALAXY S III with other NFC and S-Beam enabled devices
  • Reader Mode: You can easily control the size of the text on your browser! Also, you can just click the webpage to share it!
  • Facebook Lock Ticker: The easiest way to see your Facebook News Feeds – set your phone to show it on your lock screen.

It's a pretty awesome pack to have arrive on an already great device but alas, the typical disclaimer applies here. Samsung notes that availability and timing of the Premium Suite upgrade will vary depending on the country and mobile carrier.

Source: Samsung Tomorrow

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