Android Central |
- 5.7 inch ZTE P945 leaked and bound for China
- Samsung pushing update to fix Exynos security exploit
- Corning announces Gorilla Glass 3, will show it off at CES
- Jelly Bean now on 10 percent of all Android devices
- LG teases CES devices, reminds us it's nearly Vegas time
- Facebook Messenger update adds quick voice message option
- Android Central Podcast - Live!
- Archos announces TV Connect, bringing Android to your existing HDTV
- Google agrees to change business practices as FTC closes investigation
- Google TV YouTube control coming to more devices in 2013
- Polaroid launches 7-inch kid-focused tablet at $150
- Mobile Nations Live!
- Catch the first Android Central Podcast of 2013 this afternoon!
- Kobo Arc review
- What I used in 2012: Jerry Hildenbrand
- T-Mobile USA to sell Nexus 4 in all stores in January
- LTE-toting HTC One SV now available SIM-free in the UK
- Those 'glitterless' Nexus 4 stories are bullshit
- Is 2013 the year of the smart appliance? LG thinks so, and is bringing them to CES
- Dailymotion app updated with new UI and features
| 5.7 inch ZTE P945 leaked and bound for China Posted: 03 Jan 2013 04:40 PM PST
First came the 5 inch Nubia Z5, then the seemingly CES bound Grand S, and it seems ZTE isn't done there. These leaked images have surfaced courtesy of the folks at @evleaks of an even larger device from the Chinese OEM bound for its native China. Known so far only by its codename, P945, this 5.7 inch device is approaching the supersized -- and as yet, unofficial -- Huawei Ascend Mate. While the screen is larger than the Nubia Z5 and the Grand S by over half an inch, the other purported specs place this one firmly below the other two. The screen isn't 1080p as you might expect, instead the P945 has 'only' a 720p display. Inside is supposed to be a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, an 8MP rear camera and the whole package has a thickness of sub-9mm. Software is said to be "ICS or above" which at this point we'd say is a given. Powering that massive screen will take some battery power, and the device is said to contain a 3000mAh battery. It's supposed to be hitting China Mobile sometime in late Q1 or early Q2, with no hint at any availability beyond this. Seems the screen size wars are well and truly on. Source: @evleaks (Unwired View) 
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| Samsung pushing update to fix Exynos security exploit Posted: 03 Jan 2013 04:18 PM PST
Samsung has started pushing out an update for the Exynos security issue for users in the UK. You might remember, there is a critical "bug" in the Exynos 4210 and 4412 powered Samsung phones including the world versions of the Galaxy S3 and other models. This bug allows any application to read the devices RAM, leading to all sorts of potential mischief. A third party patch was quickly made available by Supercurio that fixed the issues, and Samsung told us they would be addressing the situation as quickly as possible. For folks in the UK using a Galaxy S3, it appears that means right now. The update is 4.1.2 (build JZO54K) and was signed off on December 22. It's available as an over the air update, and is currently rolling out. Remember, you need to be running all stock software to accept and install any OTA updates, this one included. There's also some speculation that this update will fix the seemingly random issue of hardware failure in the Galaxy S3 main boards, but I think it's a bit too early to suggest this. The fix to the Exynos exploit, however, is included in this update. No word on when to expect updates for other areas where folks are still in need of this critical patch, or other phones that need this update. Via: SamMobile 
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| Corning announces Gorilla Glass 3, will show it off at CES Posted: 03 Jan 2013 02:34 PM PST
Corning has just announced that they have released the latest version of their hardened glass, and Gorilla Glass 3 will be shown off at CES. They haven't told us a lot about the product in their press announcement, but we expect to see scratch-resistance glass that's thinner and more optically clear than the first two iterations of the popular Gorilla Glass line.
Corning labels Gorilla Glass as "tough, yet sophisticated". Electronic manufacturers seem to agree, as you'll find Gorilla Glass on all manner of products from big screen TVs to the smartphone in your pocket. Their technique makes the surface of the glass clearer and harder to scratch, without adding any bulk or weight. Anything that keeps nasty scratches away from our precious Android phones and tablets. Corning will have hourly demos that test the toughness of the new Gorilla Glass 3 at their booth at CES, as well as large format multitouch displays for a more hands on look at the new product. We'll be sure to have a look as we mosey through. A demonstration video and the full press release is after the break. 
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| Jelly Bean now on 10 percent of all Android devices Posted: 03 Jan 2013 02:16 PM PST
Android 4.1 and 4.2 each up 50 percent over last month's talliesThe latest numbers are in, and things are continuing to move in the right direction: The "Jelly Bean" version of Android -- that's Android 4.1 and 4.2 -- is now on 10.2 percent of all active devices, as of the two weeks ending Jan. 3. For the two weeks ending Dec. 3, 2012, Jelly Bean was on 6.7 percent of all active devices. Ice Cream Sandwich numbers were up slightly as well, from 27.5 percent to 29.1 percent. Devices on Android 2.3 Gingerbread are trending down, from 50.8 percent last month to 47.6 percent today. Breaking down the numbers, you'll see that both Android 4.1 and 4.2 increased about 50 percent over last month. But It's Android 4.2 that's on more phones and tablets -- thanks in no small part to updates to the Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X and One S, and Motorola's RAZR line. Android 4.2 means Nexus, of course (and custom ROMs), and remains significantly lower. Source: Google 
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| LG teases CES devices, reminds us it's nearly Vegas time Posted: 03 Jan 2013 01:52 PM PST
We'll be live in Las Vegas to bring you full coverage of Android at the show, including LG's press conference at 8am Monday morning Vegas time. In the meantime, if you've got any wild theories about what the manufacturer might be preparing for us, you can shout out in the comments. 
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| Facebook Messenger update adds quick voice message option Posted: 03 Jan 2013 01:46 PM PST
Facebook's popular Messenger service, which has its own standalone app, is getting a voice message feature in its latest update. The service has relied on the combination of text and picture messages, as is the case with most instant messaging platforms, but is now aiming itself squarely at the likes of Voxer and other voice messaging apps out there with this latest addition. You can send short messages back and forth quickly, and the UI is very simple. The feature is accessed from the "plus" button on the side of the text box, the same way you add pictures and smilies. Just press and hold the record button to start talking, then release it to let the message send. It wouldn't have been a bad idea to let you cancel a message if you happen to have misspoke, but you can see why Facebook made it auto-send to keep the "walkie talkie" type of feel. The app is free at the Google Play link above if you're interested, and it's something fun to play around with even for a little while until the novelty wears off. 
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| Android Central Podcast - Live! Posted: 03 Jan 2013 12:19 PM PST
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| Archos announces TV Connect, bringing Android to your existing HDTV Posted: 03 Jan 2013 11:26 AM PST
Will 2013 be the year we see Android truly infiltrate the living room? It's possible, and Archos has come out swinging with their new TV Connect device unveiled today. In simple terms, the TV connect puts an Android based Smart TV experience onto your existing, non-smart, HDTV. Kind of like Google TV, except, it isn't Google TV. Confused yet?
What this is, is the first "multitouch Android on TV" experience, or so says the press release. Naturally there's a specially designed remote control included, and as you'll no doubt see here, it's not aimed at one handed use. It promises the ability to play games, video chat, browse the web, stream videos, basically turn your HDTV into a gigantic Android tablet. The TV Connect will be on show at CES next week in Las Vegas, and will go on general release in February for a pretty reasonable $129.99. Spec wise, the TV Connect is packing Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, has a HD capable video camera on board, and full multitouch gesture capabilities. The onboard storage is 8GB, expandable via microSD card, 1GB of RAM and a 1.5GHz multi-core processor. It's an interesting idea, and taking a very different path to Google TV. What about you guys though, is this something you'd be interested in? Sound off in the comments below. Source: Archos 
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| Google agrees to change business practices as FTC closes investigation Posted: 03 Jan 2013 11:13 AM PST
Google has agreed to change a couple of its business practices following an anti-competitive investigation by the Federal Trade Commission over the past several months. There are two main parts to this agreement -- online search and standards-essential patent licensing. For the former, Google has agreed to change its policies to both let advertisers more freely manage advertising campaigns on both Google and other search engines simultaneously, as well as not give its own sites any preferential treatment in results in specific categories such as Travel and Shopping. Beth Wilkinson, outside counsel to the FTC, had this comment on the search findings:
As for the patent side, Google has agreed to license its portfolio of standards-essential patents (technologies necessary to make phones work, like a 3G radio for example) in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner -- that's the FRAND acronym we see thrown around. This means that if any company that wishes to use these patented technologies in their devices Google should be forthcoming on letting them do so for a reasonable price and set of associated terms. The FTC argued in its investigation that when Google acquired Motorola Mobility -- and its portfolio of over 24,000 patents and patent applications -- it reneged on its FRAND commitments and instead attempted to pursue injunctions against other companies with the patents. FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz had this to say:
Now folks are spinning this one every which way. As consumers, this doesn't really have much tangible effect on us. But on the surface this seems like a pretty non-threatening result to Google. The FTC seems pleased with Google's initial commitments and compliance terms, and we'll just have to wait and see in the future how well Google actually follows up on these commitments. These compliance terms are enforceable, which means it's in Google's best interest to follow them closely. If you happen to be a lawyerly type, you can take a look at the full statement from the FTC at the source link below. Source: FTC 
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| Google TV YouTube control coming to more devices in 2013 Posted: 03 Jan 2013 11:09 AM PST
YouTube rolled out updates to both its Android and Google TV apps to let users control their TV YouTube experience from their phones in just one tap a while back. Users can essentially pair and control their Google TV viewing experience with any number of devices and manage a queue of upcoming videos. Be it your own devices or a friends, as long as they're on the same Wifi network as the Google TV box, the phones or tablets can be a controller for managing a playlist of videos on the big screen. It's a pretty neat feature to help with the social watching of videos in the living room, assuming that you or someone you know actually owns a Google TV. Google is trying to fix that problem by announcing new partners for Google TV that will include this quick device pairing at CES 2013. Devices from Bang & Olufsen, LG, Panasonic and Sony will be shown off next week, with partnerships announced between Google and Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio and Western Digital as well. These are really neat features provided people actually get to use them, and with a partner list like that we surely hope we see some compelling new devices. Source: Official YouTube Blog 
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| Polaroid launches 7-inch kid-focused tablet at $150 Posted: 03 Jan 2013 10:35 AM PST
Polaroid (yes, that Polaroid) is launching a durable, kid-friendly 7-inch tablet today at a pretty great price point. The tablet, which doesn't seem to have a proper name, is designed to be rugged enough to be handled and controlled by a young child as you can see with the large buttons and bezels. The device is actually running Ice Cream Sandwich -- though you'd never know it -- and is pre-loaded with 35 "premium apps" out of the box, with more available in a kid-friendly App Shop. It's probably best not to give a little kid Google Play access right from the get-go anyway. There's 8GB of storage and some moderate specs here, so for $149.99 it may be a compelling option if you're looking to get a young child in your life a "my first tablet" kind of device. The tablet is on sale now from Polaroid directly or in stores later this month. Source: Polaroid (BusinessWire); Polaroid Store 
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| Catch the first Android Central Podcast of 2013 this afternoon! Posted: 03 Jan 2013 09:16 AM PST
We're back, boys and girls! It's a new year, and we're ready to kick this podcast into high gear. Coming up this afternoon -- at a special time of 3:30 p.m. Eastern -- we'll be recording Episode 121 of the Greatest Android Podcast in the World! On tap today -- our predictions for the year, a preview of what we expect next week from CES in Las Vegas, and more of your e-mails and voicemails. Not at a computer? Pick up the free UStream Viewer from Google Play [link] and search for Mobile Nations a little before the show (it won't appear until we go live). We'll see you there!
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| Posted: 03 Jan 2013 07:44 AM PST
Kobo's latest Android tablet is a marked step up from previous efforts, but does it make for a compelling purchase in an increasingly crowded space?The small tablet space is becoming increasingly populated of late. The Google Nexus 7 undoubtedly sets the bar pretty high, but recent months have seen respectable releases from Amazon, Acer and on the other side of the fence, Apple. Now, along comes Kobo. A Canadian company better known for e-Readers and their eBook store, they have dipped their toe in the Android tablet space before. The Kobo Vox wasn't the greatest tablet on the market by any stretch of the imagination. Quite chunky, a less than impressive touch response and Gingerbread sadly overshadowed a cheap, and -- unlike Amazon's Kindle Fire -- fully Google Certified tablet. Fast forward though, and things are quite different. First unveiled to a small group of press in Berlin at the annual IFA conference, the Kobo Arc is the company's latest attempt at an Android based, content focused tablet device. Immediately it was clear that this was something much more interesting than its predecessor. Better software, better hardware, and a competitive price point. But, looks can be deceiving, as we all know. We've had one for a little while now, so click on past the break and we'll take you through it. 
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| What I used in 2012: Jerry Hildenbrand Posted: 03 Jan 2013 07:15 AM PST
It's the end of one year and the beginning of the next, and that means lots of lists covering all manner of tech stuff. I like reading lists. Everything laid out in an easy-to-read format fits my analytical side, and helps me process more information faster. I don't much like writing lists though, because that leaves less space for me to ramble and drift away from the topic at hand. Sort of like now, huh? Anyways, back to my list. I used a crapload of mobile stuff this year, most of it some flavor of Android. I'm not even going to run through them all, just what I use everyday while working for AC or as a general technophile. A lot of you will disagree with my choices, and that's a good thing. The world would be pretty much a suck-fest if everyone were like me. Jump through and have a read. 
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| T-Mobile USA to sell Nexus 4 in all stores in January Posted: 03 Jan 2013 05:26 AM PST
If you're in the U.S. and weren't able to bag a Nexus 4 through the Google Play Store -- and let's face it, many of us weren't -- then your other option was to pick one up from T-Mobile. But not all T-Mobile stores were offering the handset, and the carrier's online store quickly sold out of stock. So in 2013, it seems T-Mobile will address these availability concerns by offering the Nexus 4 from all of its retail locations. A leaked internal screen obtained by TmoNews indicates that all T-Mo retail stores will sell the LG-made Nexus in January. As TmoNews points out, the carrier could only support such an expansion with a hefty influx of new inventory, which could bring hope of the device becoming more attainable in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, there's still no hint of the Nexus 4 becoming available through Google Play anytime soon. The device was back-ordered by several weeks in December, and remains sold out at present. Source: TmoNews 
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| LTE-toting HTC One SV now available SIM-free in the UK Posted: 03 Jan 2013 04:56 AM PST
HTC's mid-range 4G LTE phone for Europe and Asia, the One SV, has begun making its way to British shores today, first dropping by online retailer Clove Technology. Clove has the One SV in stock today, and is selling the device unlocked and SIM-free for £350 (approx. $569) in white and blue color options. In addition those 4G data capabilities, the One SV packs a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip, 1GB of RAM and a 4.3-inch WVGA SuperLCD2 display. Around the back, it's packing a 5MP HTC ImageSense camera. Unfortunately it's not running Jelly Bean, and instead comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box. So the HTC One SV is a mix of high-end and low-range tech, but what you're really paying for here is the ability to pick up an unlocked 4G LTE device without breaking the bank. The One SV will also be coming to EE, the UK's only LTE carrier, in the near future. Right now, though, there's no mention of the device on EE's site. Source: Clove Technology 
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| Those 'glitterless' Nexus 4 stories are bullshit Posted: 02 Jan 2013 10:04 PM PST | ||||
| Is 2013 the year of the smart appliance? LG thinks so, and is bringing them to CES Posted: 02 Jan 2013 09:32 PM PST
LG is a big ass company. Like Samsung, another Korean electronics giant, they make a little of everything -- if you plug it in, chances are LG makes several different models of it. Of course they make appliances, and their new breed of "smart appliances" look to be pretty damn cool if you're an Android fan. Get your fridge, or oven, or dryer (you get the picture) installed and turned on, then touch your LG Android smartphone to it and the magic of NFC sets it up so that your phone controls your appliance. You have a Smart Control app to use if you like, or you'll be able to use your voice -- "Home-bot, start cleaning" starts up the Roboking cleaning unit, or "Have you got a few minutes, washer?" will tell you the status of the load of laundry you've got washing. As long as you're on the same Wifi network, you're in control. While it's not quite the level of automation control we see from Hollywood movies, it sounds awful damn cool (and expensive). You bet your ass we're going to look at these next week at CES. Source: LG (Korea) 
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| Dailymotion app updated with new UI and features Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:59 PM PST
Dailymotion Streaming Video, an app that is the second largest video provider on the internet, has just updated its app substantially in both design and functionality. This newest version -- 3.0.1, to be exact -- has a completely overhauled UI that fits nicely into Android 4.0 and above's holo design, taking advantage of the new tabbed interface, overflow settings button and UI fragments. As if that wasn't enough, there's also a lot of new behind the scenes fixes to improve overall responsiveness of the app. The video player is quicker, there's a new offline mode and improved search suggestions. The latest small update brought many bug fixes to keep everything smooth as well. If you want to know a little more about Dailymotion you can take a look at the press release after the break, or just head straight to the app at the Play Store link above. 
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