Android Community |
- Google Nexus smartwatch concept has us dreaming for the future
- ASUS Transformer Pad 300 update fixes bugs and improves HDMI
- GALAXY S 4 rooted with ease, available now for quad-core version
- Samsung GALAXY S 4 scratch test has Brando getting out the Drill
- Google Play 4.0.27 inverted black and Holo blue [Download]
- T-Mobile LTE rollout expected to continue next month
- Hit iOS app Mailbox coming to Android “down the road”
- NVIDIA Project SHIELD serves as Parrot AR.Drone quadcopter controller
- LG Cloud global rollout to continue next month
- GALAXY S 4 teardown finds plastic on the inside, too
| Google Nexus smartwatch concept has us dreaming for the future Posted: 26 Apr 2013 04:41 PM PDT I have a confession to make. I’m not a fan of the entire smartwatch idea. Especially after trying out the Pebble, although our pal Robert Nelson loved it in his review. I just can’t see myself actually spending my hard-earned cash on a smartwatch. However, this new concept (not real) video of a Google Nexus watch might change my mind. We’ll just leave this here for you to enjoy for the weekend.
The video comes to us from T3, and gives us a pretty amazing look at the potential behind a Google-made Nexus smartwatch. Imagine using the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean quick settings toggle to flip from watch info, to details and battery stats for your smartphone. Now that’s something I could get behind. Checking Google Now, my phone battery, weather, and more all from my watch that syncs to my Nexus 4 – or 5. Wearable technology is going to continue to be a bigger part of mobile devices as we move forward. Google Glass is a prime example of that, but it itself could potentially replace a smartwatch. So we don’t know what to think. I still have mixed feelings on the idea, but we’ll just let you enjoy the quick video below. Purdy! Right? Unless it came bundled with my Nexus 5 or was under $150 I really can’t see myself actually buying one, but the idea sure is nice. Obviously making a concept device that sleek into a reality is no easy task, but it was fun while it lasted. We could see Samsung, Apple, and possibly Google all jumping on this bandwagon later this year. What do you guys think?    [via Android and Me] |
| ASUS Transformer Pad 300 update fixes bugs and improves HDMI Posted: 26 Apr 2013 04:13 PM PDT If you’re the proud owner of one of those ASUS tablets, you’ve received your fair share of updates for the device. Except maybe the original Transformer. They’ve been quick with Android 4.1 and 4.2 Jelly Bean, and today the Transformer Pad 300 is getting a quick upgrade to fix some bugs. Take a peek at what below.
As we speak the folks from ASUS are pushing out a quick software update for their TF300 that aims to curb a few issues, sadly they aren’t the problems most users are facing. That sleep issue many reported still seems to be forgotten by ASUS, and instead they are focusing on other areas. The update has arrived for many already, and according to AndroidPolice we can expect a slew of fixes. Some of those include improvements and additional support for HDMI devices, improved Gmail compatibility with Splashtop, IME bug fixes, and “other minor bugs.” So it looks like those lag issues weren’t worked on either. ASUS has continued to be one of the best tablet manufacturers in terms of updates, but they do seem to have an ongoing deep sleep issue they need to work out. As usual, head into settings > about tablet > check for updates to get the latest version hitting devices as we speak. Let us know if you have any other outstanding bugs that still need to be addressed. Device Info
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| GALAXY S 4 rooted with ease, available now for quad-core version Posted: 26 Apr 2013 03:07 PM PDT Samsung’s flagship smartphone the GALAXY S 4 is just starting to pick up speed and hit U.S. carrier shelves. While many wait for Verizon’s model to come late next month, AT&T’s arrives in 4 days, and others too. Just in time for the flood of owners getting their shiny new phone we now have a simple root method for the US quad-core Snapdragon version of the GS4.
For those not paying full attention to root methods. Root was achieved for the 8-core Samsung Exynos version last month, but not for the quad-core flavor since it hadn’t quite hit the streets and wasn’t readily available. Now the same developer that cracked and unlocked all of Motorola’s bootloader is back doing the same for Samsung. High Five! Apparently the same one-click “Motochopper” root method will quickly and safely root that shiny new 5-inch FHD GALAXY S 4, and have you ready for whatever you’d like to do. This is according to this XDA thread mind you, so proceed with caution. It’s pretty simple but here’s how to do it yourself. Instructions:
And that’s all she wrote. It should be a simple task for those familiar with these types of things. If you’re new to rooting when you get your GS4, you might want to wait for an even easier solution to arrive. Which one will shortly. This is just about as easy as it comes though. Extract the file and click the file, then you’re ready to rock. Head to the XDA link above if you need a few more tips. As usual, proceed with caution and do this type of thing at your own risk. Are you getting the GALAXY S 4, and if so, will you be rooting? – Thanks to all who sent this in! Device Info
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| Samsung GALAXY S 4 scratch test has Brando getting out the Drill Posted: 26 Apr 2013 02:35 PM PDT Each time a new flagship device hits the streets we get all types of different coverage. Aside from all the reviews, benchmarks, and camera samples there’s those screen scratch tests, drop tests, and even the notorious “will it blend” tests. Today the hardened screen protector company Brando is showing off their GALAXY S 4 tempered glass handling the toughest of tests.
This isn’t the first scratch test, and surely won’t be the last. Everyone ties the latest gadget to their brand name and releases a video, but this one was fun for one simple reason. Brando gets out an electric grill and gives the screen protector and the GALAXY S 4 a run for its money. Obviously they don’t apply too much pressure, but whoa, that’s pretty neat. Samsung’s 5-inch 1080p FHD display handles most abuse quite well thanks to the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for protection, but for those that would rather scratch a new piece of glass sitting on top instead of the real glass, Brando shows us how well their product can handle the job. So when the Samsung GALAXY S 4 hits the streets in the next few days (or next month for those on Verizon) you’ll be able to protect that screen with a variety of different screen protectors. One option is Brando and as we saw above, their tempered glass protector is quite durable. Personally, I just want that GALAXY S 4 Active smartphone that is waterproof, tipped to be coming in July. So, would you dare take a drill to your smartphone? |
| Google Play 4.0.27 inverted black and Holo blue [Download] Posted: 26 Apr 2013 02:00 PM PDT Yesterday our good friends at Google released another update for the Play Store. While you’ll want the latest version for some bug fixes and such, the update covered up that awesome Blacked Out Google Play we posted a few weeks back. We went from the new and redesigned 4.0.25 to 2.6 and then 2.7 last night and for those who want Black back, we have something even better today.
What could that be? This is the latest Google Play that was rolled out yesterday, version 4.0.27, and it has already been completely inverted to a black color theme. Then the awesome developer @B_Boytm took it a step further and changed all the text colors to Holo Blue. This gives you a Jelly Bean and ICS inspired Black and Holo Blue Google Play Store – and it’s pretty awesome looking. Team BlackOut over on XDA have more than just the Play Store, they have 12 other Google apps all inverted, and you can get the Play Store in more colors than just holo blue. They have tons of options. So just like before, if you like what you see above, read on to get it yourself. You don’t install this like an APK or an app, you need to flash it in a custom recovery. Instructions:
If it doesn’t work, use a file explorer that can view system files and make sure your Store is named Phonesky.apk instead of Vending.apk in /system/apps. Rename it if needed and reboot, then follow instructions above. That’s it! Now you have the latest Google Play Store and it has nicely been changed to the black color theme we all use to love, and now you’ll enjoy holo blue text to keep it looking classy. As always you should back up the original, and proceed to flash things of this nature at your own risk. This doesn’t come direct from Google, so proceed with caution. That aside, it looks nice right? |
| T-Mobile LTE rollout expected to continue next month Posted: 26 Apr 2013 01:43 PM PDT T-Mobile launched their LTE network back towards the end of March with coverage for seven markets. While seven markets is fairly small as compared to carriers such as Verizon Wireless and AT&T, T-Mobile had previously announced plans to have LTE available for 100 million users by mid-year and 200 million users by years end.
We have yet to see any specifics from T-Mobile on which will be the next markets to go live, however some details have recently begun showing up online. Basically, it is looking like the T-Mobile LTE rollout will continue in May and then again in June. Neither of these will are expected to be large scale, but it does appear as if things are progressing nicely towards that mid-year goal of 100 million. The May rollout is tipped to include Honolulu and Maui, Hawaii and Richmond, Virginia as well as Minneapolis and Austin/San Antonio. Other markets that are a possibility for launch in May include Stockton and Modesto as well as parts of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Oakland and Fremont. Time will tell if these launches arrive in May as is currently expected. Otherwise, there isn’t as much detail in terms of the June launches at the moment. As of now it is being reported that T-Mobile is planning for as many as 24 LTE market launches in June. All said and done, assuming these locations and numbers hold up, T-Mobile could be looking at around 40 LTE markets by June. [via TmoNews] |
| Hit iOS app Mailbox coming to Android “down the road” Posted: 26 Apr 2013 01:30 PM PDT There’s been tons and tons of hype and excitement around the extremely popular and fairly new iOS mail client simply called Mailbox, and I’m sure a few Android fans were hoping we’d get it too. Well worry no more because according to their Twitter feed an Android version is in the works, it just won’t be here anytime soon.
Mailbox has been rather popular over in iPhone land, and their sign-up wait list was pretty darn long and saw hundreds of thousands of users waiting for an invite. Today the developers confirmed that a desktop version was in the works, one for the iPad, and most importantly Mailbox is coming to Android! They didn’t come right out and say they were planning on releasing Mailbox for Android, but after a few Twitter followers begged for more answers they finally gave us one. Stating that both the desktop and Android version was on their roadmap. Then later confirming other platforms will be “coming down the road – including Android.”
The comments don’t really help us out much though, as it sounds like Android is and will be an afterthought that gets support – eventually. That could mean another 6 months or longer before we even see it arrive. Hopefully we hear more soon. I love Gmail but wouldn’t mind trying out something else that looks as promising as Mailbox. [via TechCrunch] |
| NVIDIA Project SHIELD serves as Parrot AR.Drone quadcopter controller Posted: 26 Apr 2013 12:57 PM PDT More often than not our mentions of Project SHIELD are game related. Today however we are seeing something different. And while the focus is still clearly on entertainment, this time the Project SHIELD controller is being used to control something not on the screen. Well, technically you can see the action on the screen, however the Project SHIELD is being used to pilot a Parrot AR.Drone.
In this case the joysticks can be used to control the rotation, altitude and pitch of the drone as it flies around. While this by itself is not all that surprising given the Parrot AR.Drone has been mobile control friendly in the past, we think some may prefer the physical controls that you would get with Project SHIELD. And thanks to the 1080p cameras on the drone, you can get a look at the action as seen from above as it streams on the 5-inch display on Project SHIELD. Plus, as a little bonus, the video may be a little easier to watch as you are not covering any of the display with your fingers. After all, controlling the drone with a regular smartphone and your display would be doubling as the controller and video viewer. That all looks like it should add up to a solid experience. As mentioned, much of our recent Project SHIELD coverage has been game related. Looking back, some of the recent highlights include demonstrations of games to include The Conduit HD, Dead Trigger 2, Riptide GP 2 and Burn Zombie Burn. With that, make sure to venture down into the Story Timeline below for those links and take note, we will have continued Project SHIELD related coverage moving forward. Hopefully we will see a release date announce soon. [via NVIDIA Blog] |
| LG Cloud global rollout to continue next month Posted: 26 Apr 2013 12:27 PM PDT LG originally announced their cloud storage service just about a year ago. The LG Cloud was initially made available for those in South Korea, Russia and the US on May 1, 2012. Since that time we had known LG was planning to have this service available on a more global basis, however it wasn’t until today when they released the details. In short, the LG Cloud will be available for an additional 40 countries beginning next month.
Therein lies the catch at the moment, while the details of this global rollout are coming direct from LG, they have yet to offer some of the finer points. You know, a specific availability date. Not to mention, all the countries that will be included in that list of 40. With that in mind, so far LG has said the rollout would include parts of Europe, Asia and Central Asia as well as some Latin America regions. For those not as familiar with exactly what the LG Cloud is, or does, here is a bit of a breakdown. The LG Cloud allows users to stream content directly to your smartphone, tablet or television as well as provide 5GB of cloud-based storage for those files you plan to stream. Basically, the LG Cloud is an online streaming/storage solution with a focus on media Some of the perks here include the more obvious such as not having to worry about which device that music or video file happens to be on as well as a resume playback feature that means you can stop playing something on one device and have it start at the same place on another device. All said and done, the LG Cloud looks like a service that may be of interest to those using a mix of LG products. [via LG Newsroom] |
| GALAXY S 4 teardown finds plastic on the inside, too Posted: 26 Apr 2013 12:26 PM PDT The Samsung GALAXY S 4 flagship smartphone is now out and in the wild. Arriving on doorsteps and in reviewers hands this phone is finally here. In the usual fashion the folks from iFixit have a nice little teardown like they do with every device, and so far the GALAXY S 4 sounds pretty good. Finding plenty of plastic on the inside – just like the outside – but more importantly it scored high on repairability.
According to iFixit the Samsung GALAXY S 4 has tons of easy to replace parts that are all wrapped in plastic, easy to get to, and most aren’t glued or soldered in place. With 11 screws in total the device isn’t too difficult to work with, and their guide should enable most do-it-yourself types to fix things with ease. Obviously the removable back and instantly replaceable battery and micro-SD slot for storage gave it huge points in that regard. A place where others fail, but then Samsung had a few things that weren’t too great that dropped the score down to 8 out of 10 – in terms of repairability.
If you break that gorgeous 5-inch 1080p HD display, you might have a tough time replacing it. The protective glass on the front is fused to both the display, and the display frame, which will make it difficult and increase repair costs. They also state you’ll have to break through and tear apart the entire phone to get to the front to replace the screen, since everything is built back-to-front. At least the device is extremely easy to work with, and most components inside are modular and will be easy to replace should that sad day come when you break something. More details at the via below, and check out further S4 coverage below. [via iFixit] Device Info
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