Android Central

---

• This week's sidebar poll: Which U.S. carrier will you be getting the Samsung Galaxy S4 on?
• Expand your Google Keep use with this Chrome extension
• US Cellular Galaxy S4 pricing and free accessory announced
• Pocket updated with new send to friend feature
• Google Fiber coming to Provo, Utah
• ACLU wants the FTC to give carriers a kick in the pants over security updates
• Sony Xperia Tablet S Jelly Bean update going live tomorrow
• AOKP hits 1 million downloads as first Milestone is released
• iStabilizer Mount XL - for the less svelte smartphone
• I Am Vegend: A game that doesn't take itself too seriously
• Deal of the Day: Trident Aegis Case for Samsung Galaxy Note 2
• Google apps having issues today
• T-Mobile launching the Samsung Galaxy S4 from April 24
• Sprint Galaxy S4 available April 27 for $249 on contract
• Samsung Galaxy S4 hits U.S. carriers and retailers in the next two weeks
• Samsung Galaxy S4 accessories: Flip Covers, protective case and spare battery 'system' announced
• We take a closer look at the Sony Xperia Tablet Z ahead of its UK launch
• AT&T pushing out Jelly Bean update for LG Escape
• HP Slate 7 launching May 1 in the UK, available for £129
• Photos and unboxing videos start to appear of Google Glass Explorer Edition
• Amazon expanding their Android Appstore to 200 new countries
• Ting account management app now available
• Microsoft partners with SEVEN Networks to update Outlook.com app

This week's sidebar poll: Which U.S. carrier will you be getting the Samsung Galaxy S4 on? Posted: 17 Apr 2013 04:26 PM PDT Sales of Samsung's Galaxy S4 phones will go through the roof, tell us where you're going to use yours All the major carriers in the US are going to carry the Samsung Galaxy S4, and we'll be seeing them hit the streets in the coming weeks. It's going to be a huge seller, that much were sure of. Samsung has taken their winning strategy formed with the Galaxy S3, improved everything on the hardware side, added a bunch of new features, then put it in a smaller case. People will be buying. We're pretty sure this one will be heavily skewed towards Verizon, as there is no HTC One to consider for folks using Big Red. At least for now. But seeing how the spread forms between the different carriers is good data to have, so I'm asking -- Which U.S. carrier will you be getting the Samsung Galaxy S4 on? There's a poll in the sidebar to the right, or you can find it embedded after the break. Let us know! While we're all here, let's look at last week's poll. It looks like most of us choose Android and stick with it. That makes sense, as we're here because we're all fans. But it's still nice to see people coming over from those "other" phones. I'll ask this one again in a few months to watch the trend. read more

Expand your Google Keep use with this Chrome extension Posted: 17 Apr 2013 03:30 PM PDT Quickly add, delete and modify your Google Keep items in a new window We haven't heard a whole lot of news about Google Keep since it was launched just a few weeks ago, but if you are a Keep user then we've got a handy little Chrome extension that may appeal to you. The aptly named "Google Keep Extension" in the Chrome Web Store isn't fancy, but it does provide a pretty neat way to get at your Keep items. Rather than keeping it open in a new tab at all times, this extension gives you the option to open Keep in its own small window either by hitting a quick launch button to the right of the address bar or from a right click anywhere in the browser. Developer Paul Eiche is quick to point out that without a proper Keep API there's not much else that can be done with it, but this is certainly still functionality that Google isn't adding into Chrome itself just yet. Head to the source link below to download the free extension to your browser. Download: Google Keep Extension

US Cellular Galaxy S4 pricing and free accessory announced Posted: 17 Apr 2013 02:49 PM PDT Devices will be available for purchase 'late April' for $199.99 with instant rebate If you're preordering the Samsung Galaxy S4 through US Cellular, you'll be happy to know they just sweetened the pot. Today the carrier announced the giveaway of free S View flip covers to everyone that places a preorder using their official page. Not bad, considering the accessory retails for $59.99. The 16GB phone will be available in White Frost and Black Mist at launch, priced at $199.99 with an instant rebate. We are still waiting for a date to be announced, but we do know that it will be sometime in late April. Hit the break for the full press release. More: Watch our Galaxy S4 hands-on Also: Visit the Galaxy S4 forums read more

Pocket updated with new send to friend feature Posted: 17 Apr 2013 02:22 PM PDT Sharing from the web to your friends just got a little easier with today's Pocket update Pocket, the app that makes it easy to read it later, just got a really nice update in Google Play. If you're not sure what the app is, think of it as a locker where you can store things you find on the web that you want to have a look at later. I use it a lot while surfing on my phone, sending links to Pocket so I can look at them a little closer on my computer. It works well, looks beautiful, and has some pretty savvy developers behind it.  With today's update, a way to specifically share links and snippets with a friend has been added, Open anything in your list from the pocket app, and you're able to send it directly to anyone with an email address, along with a comment. What makes it interesting is that if your friend has Pocket installed, they get a push notification via the app letting them know you've sent them something. The sharing menu also remembers who you've recently shared with, which makes it even more handy. Phil and Alex, get ready for hundreds of ICanHasCheezburger links, because I'm going to love this feature. You can grab Pocket (it's free) or update via the Google Play link above.

Google Fiber coming to Provo, Utah Posted: 17 Apr 2013 01:30 PM PDT Google has announced that the third city to gain access to its Google Fiber service will be Provo, Utah. The announcement comes just a week after the second city, Austin, was announced. In case you're wondering, Provo is the third largest city in Utah and about 43 miles south of Salt Lake City. In the blog post, Google says that they've agreed to purchase iProvo, a fiber-optic network that has been building since 2004. The City Council of Provo will vote on Tuesday, April 23, to approve the deal.Once it is finalized, Google says they intend to start upgrades. No date is set as to when you can officially get the service, however. Once it has been approved, Provo citizens can enjoy all of the benefits of Google Fiber that people in Kansas City and Austin can: For a $30 activation fee, you can get 5 Mbps service for 7 years Gigabit Internet service with an optional TV package Free Gigabit Internet service for local public institutions such as schools and libraries Google Fiber continues to expand. Let's hope for more expansion to drive competition in the Internet service space. Source: Official Google Blog

ACLU wants the FTC to give carriers a kick in the pants over security updates Posted: 17 Apr 2013 01:00 PM PDT Complaint calls 'orphaned' phones 'defective', says carriers should disclose dangers of unclosed security holes The American Civil Liberties Union today published a complaint (pdf) it filed with the Federal Trade Commission, seeking an investigation into the major U.S. carriers' practice of updating -- or, more to the point, not regularly updating -- the smartphones that they sell for security reasons. "Android smartphones," the 16-page complaint reads, " that do not receive regular, prompt security updates are defective and unreasonably dangerous." Chris Soghoian, principal technologist and senior policy analyst for the ACLU on speech, privacy and technology, followed up in a blog post, explaining: Google’s Android operating system now has more than 75% of the smartphone market, yet the majority of these devices are running software that is out of date, often with known, exploitable security vulnerabilities that have not been patched. For consumers running these devices, there is no legitimate software upgrade path.  At issue is the process in which the process works. Google provides the Android code -- including updates for bugs and security fixes -- but it's up to the hardware manufacturers to implement any changes, and the carriers to approve and ultimately get those changes pushed out. It's a lengthy, messy process that nobody has seemed able to improve with any real effect -- at least not to the satisfaction of the ACLU, or a minority but vocal faction of the buying public.   read more

Sony Xperia Tablet S Jelly Bean update going live tomorrow Posted: 17 Apr 2013 11:34 AM PDT Android 4.1.1 OTA update starts April 18th 9-10am PST Sony has just announced through their community forums that Jelly Bean is coming soon to the Xperia Tablet S. Starting tomorrow morning pacific standard time, users will start seeing a System Update notification appear in their Tablet S toolbars. The change log will not be posted until tomorrow, but seeing how this is an upgrade from Ice Cream Sandwich to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, users can expect the usual goodies: Google Now, Project Butter, expandable notifications, and more. Sony is reminding users to make sure they are plugged in to AC power and have a good WiFi connection before starting this update. Check the links below for the official announcement and Sony's update instructions. If your device is among the first to get this update, or if you have any tips on forcing the System Update notification to show, hit the comments. Source: Sony; More: How to update

AOKP hits 1 million downloads as first Milestone is released Posted: 17 Apr 2013 09:55 AM PDT New nightly system will deliver fresh builds every 4 days The Android Open Kang Project has reached two very important milestones. After less than two years, user downloads have now exceeded 1,000,000 -- this makes AOKP second in popularity only to Cyanogen. This is an incredible feat, especially for users that can remember flashing AOKP during its humble beginnings of early Ice Cream Sandwich builds. The second milestone is actually a Milestone -- Milestone 1 to be precise. AOKP JB-MR1 Milestone 1, which represents the first stable build based on Jelly Bean, is now available to download. This is great news for those that do not like flashing experimental nightly builds or that have an aversion to bugs. In the past, sticking to Milestones usually meant waiting many weeks or months between flashes. Thanks to Team Kang's new one-milestone-per-month policy, milestone users can now have almost as much fun as the nightly flashaholics. Speaking of flashaholics -- those that love staying on the cutting edge of AOKP features should know that Team Kang is doing away with their traditional builds. Instead, nightly builds will be created automatically by the AOKP BuildBot every 4 days. This means more builds to flash, but it also means these builds will be posted in untested form. Going forward, users must make sure to follow the first three rules of flashing (backup, backup, backup) because there is now a higher chance that the a posted build will be broken. If you'd like to get push notifications of new builds and/or support Team Kang member Sethyx, AOKPush is now available in the Play Store. Join us for discussion the latest builds in the AC forums, or hit the comments with your feedback of the first Jelly Bean Milestone. Source: AOKP, RootzWiki

iStabilizer Mount XL - for the less svelte smartphone Posted: 17 Apr 2013 08:53 AM PDT The best tools often are the simplest. And that adage rings true for the iStabilizer Mount XL. There's not a whole lot to say about it -- the Mount XL mounts your larger smartphone to anything that connects to a standard 1/4-20" universal thread. Monopods. Tripods. Those little handheld things the kids use to record themselves on skateboards. (That's still a thing, right?) The iStabilizer Mount XL works by clamping onto your phone. Pull up on the little puller-upper handle thingy there at the top -- it's rubber and it's removable, so be careful not to lose it -- and position the phone inside. Slowly lower the puller-upper handle thingy, make sure the phone's pressed against the back supposed, and you're done.  You do have to be a little gentle here -- it's not like you're strapping in your phone with a five-point harness -- but you also don't have to baby it too much. The spring-action has enough weight to it that the phone should stay in place, and you get a good feel for how much you'll be able to throw it around. All in all, a fun little $20 purchase. The iStabilizer Mount XL handles a phone with as much girth as the Galaxy Note 2, and there's a smaller version (sans XL status) for more normal-sized phones. iStabilizer Mount XL iStabilizer Mount We've got a few more pics after the break. read more

I Am Vegend: A game that doesn't take itself too seriously Posted: 17 Apr 2013 07:53 AM PDT A mash-up of games that never steps beyond casual gameplay makes its way into Google Play It's clear right from the start when you look at the Play Store listing for I Am Vegend: Zombiegeddon that the game isn't going to win any awards for a great storyline or plot, but that doesn't mean it can't be an enjoyable game to play. Mashing together aspects from a few different games, I Am Vegend aims squarely at the casual audience with simple but fun gameplay that is easy to stroll through but harder to master. The light-hearted nature of the game continues with the characters and design, which are playful but well illustrated. I Am Vegend delivers something fun and worth a look, so stick around after the break and see what it's all about. read more

Deal of the Day: Trident Aegis Case for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Posted: 17 Apr 2013 06:29 AM PDT The April 17 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Trident Aegis Case for Samsung Galaxy Note 2. This hybrid-style case features a silicone layer on the inside--in direct contact with the Note 2, with a hard polycarbonate shell on outside. The four corners have a double-thick silicone that insulate the Note 2 from everything including light bumps to violent drops. Comes in black, blue, red, green or pink. The Trident Aegis Case is available for just $19.00, 46% off today only.  Grab yours while supplies last! Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts

Google apps having issues today Posted: 17 Apr 2013 06:10 AM PDT If your Gmail account is acting up today, you're not alone. Scores or readers are experiencing issues. And Gmail's not the only product hit with a little wonk today. Google Drive is experiencing errors, as is the admin control panel. Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Presentations have also been added to today's list. The good news is that it doesn't (yet) look like a blanket outage. Some folk shave problems, some don't. Google says the Gmail issues were affecting 0.007% percent of users. Gmail and Google Drive are still in the "investigation" process. Google promises an update on the Google Apps Admin Control panel status later this morning. Source: Google Apps Status Dashboard

T-Mobile launching the Samsung Galaxy S4 from April 24 Posted: 17 Apr 2013 05:43 AM PDT Highly anticipated Galaxy S4 to be available for $149.99 up front plus monthly payments Improving on their initial May 1 release date for the Samsung Galaxy S4, T-Mobile has announced that Samsung's latest and greatest will be available online beginning April 24. The upfront price -- $149.99 with 24 monthly payments of $20 for the phone with their Simple Choice plan. If you're still not so sure on how the 'un-carrier' goes about selling things these days, be sure to check out Andrew's run through. The T-Mobile Galaxy S4 will be packing the 1.9GHz Snapdragon 600 processor as with all other U.S. variants, backed up of course by Android 4.2.2.  The full press release can be found after the break.  More: Watch our Galaxy S4 hands-on Also: Visit the Galaxy S4 forums read more

Sprint Galaxy S4 available April 27 for $249 on contract Posted: 17 Apr 2013 05:39 AM PDT Sprint has just announced that its Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available April 27 for $249 with a two-year contract. If you port your number to Sprint, however, you'll get another $100. Preorders start April 18. Sprint's Galaxy S4 will be available in white frost or black mist, also known as the colors black and white. As is the case with the U.S. variants, it'll be running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor at 1.9 GHz.  More: Watch our Galaxy S4 hands-on Also: Visit the Galaxy S4 forums Source: Sprint

Samsung Galaxy S4 hits U.S. carriers and retailers in the next two weeks Posted: 17 Apr 2013 05:00 AM PDT Individual release date details and pricing to come from carriers and retail outlets themselves Samsung this morning has announced that the Galaxy S4 will be available in the United States by the end of the month. Individual carrier announcements are still to come, but here's what we know so far: T-Mobile: Already announced its GS4 will be available May 1 for a $99 down payment. (Might we see that date shift to meet this April window? Wouldn't surprise us.) Update: T-Mobile will have it available online April 24, in stores May 1. AT&T: We've got a pretty good indication that AT&T will begin to ship out Galaxy S4 orders (and presumably have them on store shelves) on April 30, but Samsung wants to remind everybody that it's going to be awfully easy to get your hands on the new Galaxy S4 in the very near future. Verizon: Still no official date, but the phone did just show up on Samsung's site in black and white. (Not like we didn't know they exist, of course.)  Sprint: Previously said to look for it in the second quarter, so, yeah. Update: April 27 it is, folks. Preorders start April 18. Other carriers: US Cellular, Cricket and C Spire are all on the same April time frame. Retailers: The Galaxy S4 also will be sold at seven retail outlets (Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile, Costco, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, Staples, Target and Wal-Mart). You'll not be able to shake a stick without hitting a Galaxy S4 it seems -- and that's a good thing. The U.S. versions of the S4 will offer the proven powerhouse of the Snapdragon 600, with a new high -res 1080p 5-inch display. That, and 2GB of RAM have been crammed into a package that's actually smaller than the Galaxy S3 by reducing the bezels on either side of the device. The folks who have had the chance to use one are saying some good things, and we're looking forward to getting one of our own to play with and put through the paces.  We'll continue to tell you the official word from carriers and stores as they trickle out, in the meantime hit the break for the full press release from Samsung. More: Watch our Galaxy S4 hands-on Also: Visit the Galaxy S4 forums read more

Samsung Galaxy S4 accessories: Flip Covers, protective case and spare battery 'system' announced Posted: 17 Apr 2013 05:00 AM PDT Samsung knows you like Galaxy S4 accessories, announces a few more If there is one thing smart phone enthusiasts like more than a new phone, it's accessories to go along with it. Samsung knows this, too, and has announced a few of the official Galaxy S4 accessories this morning. While it's not the complete list of things we saw leaked last month, a couple of the favorites should be available soon -- hopefully along side the device itself. First up is the Flip Cover we all know and love, but redesigned to fit the S4 perfectly. Available in seven colors (Black Mist, White Frost, Light Blue, Pink, Green, Orange and Yellow), the Flip Cover will retail for $39.99. A new take on the Flip Cover is the new S View design (pictured above) which has a clear cover so users can see information like SMS messages or the current time. It's available in Black Mist or White Frost for $59.99, and it looks like a new software mode will work in conjunction with the cover to put the information you need front and center of the window itself. Samsung will also offer what they're calling the Protective Cover+. It looks like a high quality protective case, and comes in White, Navy, Green, Blue and Pink. It will retail for $29.99. Beside the cases and covers, Samsung announced a Spare Battery Charging System. Checking in at $49.99, it consists of charging stand, a wall charger, and a spare 2,600 mAh battery. This sounds like a very good price for the dock and the extra battery, and is sure to be a popular seller. Of course, plenty of the existing Galaxy S accessories will work just fine with the S4. Besides the obvious like headphones and wireless media devices, the Smart Dock and Universal Multimedia Desktop Dock will work for various Galaxy S devices, including the S4. See the full fact sheet after the break. read more

We take a closer look at the Sony Xperia Tablet Z ahead of its UK launch Posted: 17 Apr 2013 04:31 AM PDT We take a closer look at Sony's latest 10.1-inch tablet ahead of it's UK launch in May We first went hands on with Sony's latest tablet offering, the Xperia Tablet Z, back in February at Mobile World Congress. With the device set to launch in May, Sony reached out to us again to go and have a closer look at the new device and see what we think. read more

AT&T pushing out Jelly Bean update for LG Escape Posted: 17 Apr 2013 02:22 AM PDT Update to Android 4.1 also includes AT&T Drivemode app, available as an OTA The LG Escape on AT&T is a decent enough offering for the more budget conscious smartphone buyer, but when it launched in late 2012 it still came packing Ice Cream Sandwich. Definitely not unusual, especially for an LG phone at the time, but AT&T has announced an update to Android 4.1 is now available.  Jelly Bean of course brings with it Project Butter, Google Now and expandable notifications, but AT&T is also throwing in their Drivemode app. Drivemode is designed to help prevent phone use and driving -- which, is extremely irresponsible as we all know -- by automatically replying to text, emails and calls once you reach 25mph.  To grab yourselves the update head into Settings>General>About phone>Software Update>Update Now and follow the on-screen prompts.  Source: AT&T

HP Slate 7 launching May 1 in the UK, available for £129 Posted: 17 Apr 2013 02:04 AM PDT HP's first Android tablet now available to pre-order on their UK store We know why you probably wouldn't buy the HP Slate 7 -- in short, an extra £30 gets you a Nexus 7. But, for anyone who does fancy picking one up, we now have a UK release date, price point, and the facility to get your pre-order in now.  The Slate 7 has been listed in HP's UK store for release on May 1, at the pretty low price of £129. You can pre-order one as we speak, but sadly the fetching red one we first saw at Mobile World Congress isn't available. No, UK buyers only looks to be able to get the silver one right now.  If you want one, then great, head on over to HP and place your order. However, considering there's a good chance we'll see an update to the Nexus 7 at Google I/O -- also in May -- the Slate 7 might find itself too late to the party.  Source: HP

Photos and unboxing videos start to appear of Google Glass Explorer Edition Posted: 17 Apr 2013 01:47 AM PDT Unboxings are usually pretty lame, but come on, this is Google Glass! What we have here is an unboxing video -- a rather choppy one, no less -- from Google Glass Explorer Dan McLaughlin. He went down to Google HQ to pick up his Explorer Edition of Google's highly anticipated wearable tech, and kindly decided to share with us, regular non-Glass owning folks.  So, what do you get? A charger and a microUSB cable, a pouch, an attachable shade and clear lens, and of course, Glass. While we're going to have to wait a while to try them out for ourselves, there's no doubt it's an exciting time in the Google world.  Google has also posted a support page for Glass, which offers the full rundown of how to use it, and also offers a couple of screenshots of the user interface.  via Engadget

Amazon expanding their Android Appstore to 200 new countries Posted: 17 Apr 2013 01:24 AM PDT Developers invited to submit applications ahead of the planned rollout, Kindle Fire launches to follow? Amazon has today released news that their Android Appstore will be rolled out to 200 new countries around the world. Currently limited to the U.S, some countries in Europe and Japan, the new list sees markets such as Canada, Australia, Mexico, South Korea and South Africa added for the first time. Even the Vatican City is included. So, even the Pope can get himself a free app every day courtesy of Amazon.  The Appstore itself will launch in the "coming months," although developers can begin submitting applications from today. So, does this mean that the Kindle Fire hardware will follow? Possibly. It happened in Europe and Japan, and it's not at all unreasonable to think that Amazon would launch their own hardware to take full advantage of having their Appstore in so many global markets.  Source: Amazon

Ting account management app now available Posted: 16 Apr 2013 05:37 PM PDT Monitoring usage and managing your Ting account just got easier Prepaid carrier Ting, which is relatively new in the U.S. phone market, has just launched its official account management app in the Play Store. The app, which is both phone and tablet compatible, gives you a quick way to both manage your account and monitor current usage. On the account side, you can view your bills and enable or disable account features such as text messaging or international calling. You can also view complete details of your minute, text and data usage for all lines on the account, all in real time. Ting, if you're not familiar, runs on the Sprint network and operates on a model of prepaid service and subsidy-free handsets. You can learn a little more about Ting at the source link below, and if you're already a customer grab the app from the Play Store link above. More: Ting

Microsoft partners with SEVEN Networks to update Outlook.com app Posted: 16 Apr 2013 04:56 PM PDT Microsoft has updated their Outlook.com application today, bringing a new user interface and a few new features Microsoft and SEVEN Networks have revamped the Outlook.com application for Android, and released a huge update today on Google Play. There's a whole new look  -- a mashup of a strange Holo-esque feeling combined with Microsoft's traditional Windows phone style elements -- and a trio of new features. Users can now have threaded conversations,  use filters for unread and flagged mail, and now have the ability to mark messages as junk.  To build the all-new app, Microsoft partnered with SEVEN Networks. These are the same folks they used to build the Hotmail app on Android, and makers of what Phil calls "an old-school bad-ass Exchange conduit for Windows Mobile".   While most Android users will use Gmail, we can understand why Microsoft cares enough to try and provide a good experience for Android users. Outlook.com is a successful venture for them, and it makes sense to be able to deliver it -- and deliver it with quality and class -- on as many screens as possible. If you haven't tried it yet, and use Outlook.com for email (or are thinking of trying it), hit the Google Play link above. SEVEN's full press release is after the break. read more

You are subscribed to email updates from Android Central - Android Forums, News, Reviews, Help and Android Wallpapers To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610