Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Android Central

Android Central

Latest Nexus 10 commerical may be the best one yet

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:50 PM PDT

Google is learning how to do commercials really, and we mean really, well. Their latest for the Nexus 10 hits home with any couple who has had a child, as well as pulls the heartstrings of everyone who watches. And it does it by showing us what the Nexus 10 can do, like Google Now and video chat via Google+ Hangouts.

Everyone here already knows about the Nexus 10, but we often forget that there are a great many people who don't care about processors or benchmarks. Commercials like this, showing things they do care about, will hit home and people will remember. Click the embed and have a look.

Via: +Nexus

RadioShack cuts Sprint Galaxy S3 price to $49.99 on contract

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 04:38 PM PDT

Sprint Galaxy S3

Now that the Samsung Galaxy S4 is announced and ready to head to stores, the flood of Galaxy S3 price drops have begun with RadioShack and Sprint. For new customers signing a 2-year contract, the Galaxy S3 has dropped down to just $49.99 from its original on-contract price of $199.99. If you bring in an old device to trade in with the "Trade & Save" program, you could get that down to $0 quite easily as well. As is usually the case, line upgrades will be charged a $50 premium over new sign-ups.

Now the smart money would say that you should wait for the Galaxy S4 to hit your carrier of choice before you make your decision. But if you're in dire need of a new phone and don't want to break the bank, be on the look out for these price drops.

Source: RadioShack

Light Flow updated with Gmail crash fix

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 03:42 PM PDT

Light Flow

Today we got a badass update to Gmail, giving users the much awaited feature of being able to reply, delete and archive right from the status bar notifications. Many ran out to the streets to rejoice. Others, particularly those with the LED control app Light Flow installed, were stuck inside trying to figure out why their notification bars were being bombarded with error messages.

Andrew Moore of Rage Consulting has told us that some Google insiders were nice enough to give him a heads up of this issue weeks in advance, which is why he was able to respond so quickly with an update. Light Flow v3.6.0 is now live in the Play Store, and has been confirmed to play nice with the new version of Gmail that was released earlier today.

While this update has fixed the problem for us, there are many different phones and software configurations out there. If anyone is still having problems after this update, or if you want to check in with a phone that is working, let us know in the forums.

Jelly Bean update coming soon to a Droid 4 near you

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 03:34 PM PDT

Android Central

Update: Updated information from Verizon actually pegs the update as pushing out in phases, beginning Tuesday March 19. Even better news!

Those of you rocking a Droid 4 might want to gather round at this point. Seems Verizon has approved a pretty special software update for the QWERTY slider that will bump it up to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and all the goodness that comes with it. 

The rollout hasn't actually got underway yet, nor do we know exactly when it will. But, support documentation over on the Verizon website confirms the bump to Jelly Bean so Droid 4 owners will soon be able to experience that buttery smoothness of Project Butter and of course, Google Now. 

Aside from bumping up to Android 4.1, the update package will also include some device specific improvements. These include improved voice and data connectivity, improvements to mobile hotspot connectivity, and the removal of the pre-loaded MOG and Sling applications. 

Droid 4 owners will naturally be excited by this, so be sure to head on down to the Droid 4 forums to share it with us all. 

Source: Verizon

Samsung Galaxy Grand in India seeing Group Play update pushing out

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 03:00 PM PDT

Android Central

The Samsung Galaxy Grand is an interesting device. Despite having a 5 inch display -- the current standard for the high-end -- the Grand is definitely aimed at the mid-range market. It carries all the software bells and whistles of the current lead devices in the Samsung stable, with Android 4.1.2 and the latest version of Touchwiz, but has a dual-core CPU and a WVGA display. But, in India, the Galaxy Grand is reportedly seeing an interesting new update pushing out. 

The small OTA, weighing in at just 27.86MB, brings with it a version of the new Group Play feature recently announced on the brand new Galaxy S4. We've previously heard that Samsung plans on bringing elements of the Galaxy S4 software to the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 in particular, but that a mid-range device such as this is seeing some love is fantastic news. 

Group Play on the Galaxy Grand allows users to share music, documents and videos across devices when connected to the same WiFi network or via WiFi direct. 

Anyone out there snagged this update for themselves? Be sure to hit up the comments below and share it with us. 

Source: BGR.in

Chromebooks now available Down Under

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 02:11 PM PDT

Acer C7 Chromebook

Two very popular Chromebooks, the Acer C7 and Samsung Series 3, went on sale today in Australia. Interestingly enough, Google will not be selling them directly to consumers online through the Play Store. The only way to pick these bad boys up is through one of the two exclusive Chromebook retailers, Harvey Norman and JB Hi Fi. Stock of these Chromebooks will be limited to the WiFi versions only, with no announced plans to sell the 3G models. Both the Samsung and Acer come with 100GB of Google's cloud storage and a 12 month warranty.

Harvey Norman has priced the Acer C7 at $299, and the Samsung Series 3 at $349. They also plan on carrying the HP Pavilion 14 in the coming weeks, which will set you back $399. Prices from JB Hi Fi are still yet to be confirmed.

Source: Ausdroid

New Android Central Lloyd cases are on the way!

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 01:22 PM PDT

Lloyd Cases

Just a quick heads up that ShopAndroid.com has some new Android Central Lloyd cases on the way. They'll hit the store in the next day or so, and we'll update you on availability then.

Being Android Central readers, you can recognize those phones by their cameras, right? So we won't bother listing them for you.

read more

Gmail updated with actionable notifications for Jelly Bean users

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 12:50 PM PDT

Gmail notification

Google has just updated its Gmail app to include new actionable notifications for incoming email on devices running Jelly Bean. This means that incoming email can be archived, deleted or replied to directly from the notification pane, rather than by entering the app first. Since being introduced in Android 4.1, actionable notifications have been seemingly underutilized compared to simple expandable notifications. It's good to see Google putting the new functionality to use in its own apps.

Many users are unfortunately reporting that this update to Gmail is causing Light Flow -- which controls LED flashing for notifications -- to crash uncontrollably. The only fix seems to be to uninstall the app for the moment, and hopefully the developer can be quick with a fix.

The update also enables faster search on devices with Ice Cream Sandwich, and performance improvements for users on Froyo and up. You can grab a download or update of the official Gmail app from the link above.

Source: Official Gmail Blog

T-Mobile LTE network ready for late March, Galaxy Note 2 update starting today

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 11:45 AM PDT

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2

T-Mobile has previously stated that its LTE networks in Las Vegas and Kansas City are complete, and now it's saying that the network is ready to launch for consumers by the end of March. Testing the new network via a local macro site with no other users on it, the speeds seem to fall right in line with what we've seen from other carriers. Keeping in mind that these are pretty much maximum theoretical speeds, LaptopMag was averaging downloads in the 30 to 50 Mbps range and uploads in the 20 to 25 Mbps range.

The nation's fourth-largest carrier is hoping to have the network launched in "late March", so we should be seeing more official announcements soon. Following the same line as before, T-Mobile says that its new LTE network will cover 100 million people by mid-2013.

Coinciding with this announcement, the carrier has started pushing out an update to its Galaxy Note 2 that enables the use of LTE. The T-Mobile support site indicates that the T889UVBMB4 update is pushing out both OTA (Over The Air) and via the Kies desktop software. At this point in time, the only two supported LTE devices announced for T-Mobile are the BlackBerry Z10 and the updated Galaxy Note 2.

Seeing the update on your Note 2 yet? Head to the forums and let other members know your experience.

Source: T-Mobile Support; LaptopMag
More: T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 Forums

Purple Galaxy S3 rumored for Sprint in April

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 10:26 AM PDT

Purple Galaxy S3

Maybe a white Galaxy S3 isn't your thing. Perhaps Blue gives you the blues. Perpetual leaker evleaks is back again with an oddly purple Galaxy S3, which he says is destined for Sprint in April. It does sort of look like a washed-out blue GS3, but they are decidedly different colors. The timing also would be a little weird, given that Sprint expects to be selling the Galaxy S4 by the end of the second quarter. 

Source: @evleaks

Announcing the winner of 'The World's First Samsung Galaxy S4 Contest!'

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 09:11 AM PDT

Announcing the Winner of 'The World's First Samsung Galaxy S4 Contest!'

Judging by the number of entries in 'The World's First Samsung Galaxy 4 Contest', most of you can't wait to get your hands on the device, and I can't blame you. I'd like the S4 in my arsenal as well, after checking out the Samsung Galaxy S4 Hands-on, and Galaxy S4 Forums. It's good stuff, but I digress. 

It's time to announce the winner of our contest. Our winner is:

MAJOR PAYNE

Congratulations!

While we're at it, we'll toss in a few cases to help you protect your new S4. :) We will be in touch via email and PM to get things sorted, and will ship the device as soon as we get our hands on it!

THANK YOU to all who entered (over 16,000 entries, AMAZING!). Be sure to keep it locked here at Android Central for the latest news and developments on the Samsung Galaxy S4!

Google Drive wonky? You're not alone

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 08:10 AM PDT

Google Drive

Google Drive has an issue, Google says this morning. And ... that's it. Fact is it's slow as hell on the web -- if it loads at all -- and mobile's only slightly better.

Google now says service should be restored by 1 p.m. EDT. Here's the official word:

Google Drive service has already been restored for some users, and we expect a resolution for all users within the next 1 hours. Please note this time frame is an estimate and may change.

read more

Bowling Blocks: physics puzzle fun

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 07:24 AM PDT

Bowling Blocks

We're always on the lookout for well-made puzzle games and time-wasters, and Bowling Blocks hits that area perfectly. It's a game that's low on frills but has a solid set of fundamentals and an original gameplay idea. The graphics are funky and unique, with a fitting soundtrack that ties it all together as well.

While it's certainly fun, it's also a little physics lesson every level. Hang around after the break to see what Bowling Blocks is all about.

read more

Start your week with a double shot of the Android Central Podcast!

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 06:31 AM PDT

Android Central Podcast

Not sure if you noticed, but last week was a bit ... insane. Not only were we (and we still are) knee deep in the HTC One, but we hit New York City for the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S4. And somewhere in there we managed to squeeze in not one but two podcasts. The first, catching up on things that needed catching up on. And the second, a Galaxy S4 special edition straight from New York.

That's a whole lot of podcast awesomeness, folks. Get on it. 

The Android Central Podcast is your weekly peek into the world of Android, where we break down the news that really matters, and explain what's just a bunch of hype. Plus, we answer your e-mails and voicemails. You don't want to miss it. Check out the Android Central Podcast.

Deal of the Day: Amzer Skin Case for Motorola Atrix HD

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 06:24 AM PDT

Deal of the Day The March 18 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Amzer Skin Case for Motorola Atrix HD. Made out of 100% premium silicone, the Amzer Skin Case is a great lightweight option for protecting your Atrix HD while adding little bulk. This skin absorbs shock from drops and provides additional grip to your device. Comes in a variety of colors to choose from.

The Amzer Skin Case is available for just $5.00, 67% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last!

Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts

Monday Brief: Android craziness, BlackBerry madness and more!

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:27 AM PDT

Mobile Nations

 

Samsung Galaxy S4 UK SIM-free price emerges - £530 inc. VAT

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 04:19 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S4

The first Samsung Galaxy S4 pricing details are starting to emerge online, with retailer Unlocked Mobiles being among the first to confirm how much Samsung's new flagship will cost in the UK. In news that should surprise no-one, the S4 comes in at £529.98 inc. VAT (£441.65 exc. VAT), which is the same ballpark figure you'll pay for other high-enders like the HTC One or Sony Xperia Z.

If you're thinking of importing the international Galaxy S4, that means you'll be looking at around an $800 price tag before shipping. Steep, yes, but the U.S. versions should be considerably cheaper when they eventually become available. 

Unlocked Mobiles says it'll begin shipping the Galaxy S4 from Apr. 26, which fits with some of the other dates we've been hearing.

More: Hands-on with the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 forum

Source: Unlocked Mobiles

Sony announces Xperia SP and Xperia L - new mid-range and entry-level handsets

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 04:01 AM PDT

Xperia SPXperia L

Without much in the way of fanfare, Sony Mobile has announced new mid-range and entry-level Android handsets, the Xperia SP and Xperia L. The subjects of many pre-release leaks, these new Xperias were expected to make an appearance at Mobile World Congress, but were no-where to be found on the show floor.

As rumored, the Xperia SP is a 4.6-inch, 720p-screened device with an aluminum trim that incorporates elements of both the Xperia Z and Xperia U. Like the former, it's uses on-screen keys and has big, stylized metal power button; like the latter, it's got a customizable light bar down below that can tie into certain apps like the music player. It's also Sony's first mid-range phone with 4G LTE support. On the inside, the SP is powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip, so there’s plenty of horsepower to go around.

The Xperia L is Sony’s new leading entry-level device for 2013, and the manufacturer’s highlighting its 8-megapixel Exmor RS camera, a component it shares with the Xperia SP. The L is powered by a 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus CPU and packs a 4.3-inch FWVGA (854x480) display. Visually, it’s a close match for last year’s Xperia T, with a chunky convex chassis.

Both phones run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box, and are due for release during the second quarter in red, white and black color options. We’ve got spec lists and a couple of videos after the break.

read more

Samsung Galaxy S4 launch event: A view from the outside

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 07:06 PM PDT

While Samsung, the press, and a handful of celebrities were busy unveiling the Galaxy S4 at the Unpacked event in Radio City Music Hall, things we're jumping nearby in Times Square. Videographer Martin Reisch (@safesolvent) was there, braving the chilly March New York weather to catch the highlights -- swing dancers and all.

While the over-the-top presentation may not have been everyone's cup of tea, Samsung has reason to be proud, and we expect to see a lot more of the Galaxy S4 advertised on TV and in print. We're looking forward to it!

Samsung Galaxy S4 Forums | Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S4 | Samsung Galaxy S4 Details
Posted by at 6:34 AM

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