Friday, April 27, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

Ask AC: Taking screenshots on the Transformer Prime and HTC Vivid

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 03:28 PM PDT

Transformer Prime

Kinghthawk321 asks in the Android forums, 

OK, folks, one thing I really don't know how to do is snagging a screen shot, either on my Transformer Prime or my Vivid. I appreciate all help in bringing me up to speed on these techniques. Thank you, very much.

You're welcome, and we're glad you asked! Android is an open platform, which means manufacturers can implement things however they like -- including the ability to capture the screen. Of course, that means they all do it differently. Both the Transformer Prime and the HTC Vivid have the utility built in, and it's fairly easy.

On the Prime, just press and hold the multitasking button. After about a second and a half it will grab the screen and save it to the device internal storage. If yours isn't doing it, make sure this is turned on in the settings. Open the settings and choose ASUS customized setting and it is the second item in the list/

On the HTC Vivid, you press and hold the power button then tap the Home soft key. A screen capture will be saved to the device. This is pretty standard across all newer HTC phones.

Of course, there is the old fashioned way of using the Android SDK for screen capture. After installing the SDK, the USB driver for the device (if you're using Windows) and the Java JDK you can use the bundled ddms tool to capture the display. Thank goodness for the easy way, right?

Have a question you need answered? (Preferably about Android, but we're flexible.) Hit up our Contact Page to get in touch!

Leak details ICS update and testing phases for several Verizon devices

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 02:59 PM PDT

ICS Verizon

Verizon, some would say, leads the pack for the amount of Android devices they have available. As such, that also means they lead the pack in terms of the number of people inquiring about Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich updates and now, the latest leak (oh, by the way, Verizon leads in those, too) may put some folks' minds at ease. A slew of devices are headed into testing or are already past testing stages for Ice Cream Sandwich updates and are now just awaiting approval before the OTA updates are sent out:

Also mentioned are the Droid Bionic, HTC Rhyme, LG Spectrum and LG Revolution but those devices are separated and not related to the ICS list which, may mean they'll release other software updates to address some bugs before moving on. Considering this leak came from, Reddit does that make up for all the fake previous Samsung Galaxy S III stuff that "leaked" there before?

Source: Reddit; thanks to everybody who sent this in!

Twitter for Android updated with improved search, push notifications and new discover feature

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 01:57 PM PDT

Twitter for Android

Twitter has now unleashed their latest update to Twitter for Android though, the verdict is still out on whether or not it's for the better. Rather then just a bug fix release, this one introduces some improvements overall to the app. Search has been improved across the board so that it is now easier to find people you follow as you type, providing a better user experience for auto-completion. The discover tab has also been improved in the fact that Twitter has made particular trends and news articles easier to be found. To round it all off, Push notifications will now let you know when you've got a new follower or have been retweeted or favorited -- all of which can be enabled and disabled as do you so choose.

Source: Twitter

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Kindle Fire grabs over half the US Android tablet market share

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 01:42 PM PDT

Kindle Fire

Data released today by comScore shows that the Amazon Kindle Fire has garnered over 50-percent of the Android tablet market in the U.S. With a 54.4-percent share as of February 2012, it sits alone at the head of the pack by a large margin, with the second place Samsung Galaxy Tab almost 40-percent behind at 15.4-percent of the growing Android tablet market. While it looks to be bad news for Android OEMs, it comes as no surprise to us. 

The Kindle Fire, like the leader of the overall tablet market the iPad, has one big thing going for it -- a unified "ecosystem" for content. We're mostly advanced users, who read blogs and forums to learn the different ways to use our devices and all the associated tricks that go along with, but for many they just want an easy way to purchase and consume content on their tablet. Amazon offers that in ways that Google does not, at least for folks in the U.S.

We're thinking Google aims to rectify that situation, at least in part, with the launch of the Google Play store, and a mystery tablet device of some sort this summer. Google I/O will be an exciting time, that's for sure.

Source: comScore

Don't forget: You could win this brand-new Samsung Galaxy Nexus!

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 01:28 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

What's this, you ask? Why it's a brand-new Samsung Galaxy Nexus, fresh off the truck from the Google Play Devices Store. That means it's the brand-new Takju build, with Google Wallet official and ready to go.

How to enter? We've got your details right over here.

Skype updated with faster start up times, video bug fixes and newly styled messaging

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Skype

The latest update for Skype has now landed in the Google Play Store and has some nice changes in it that may make you want to go and hit that update button. Aside from the listed faster start up times for the app as a whole, Skype has addressed the issue where video would not rotate on some devices as it should plus, they also went ahead and added a new instant messaging view for chats. If you're already a Skype user, you can update from within the Google Play app or if you're looking to give it a shot, find the link below.

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Review: Samsung Battery Charger Stand for Galaxy Note

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:45 AM PDT

Samsung Battery Charger Stand

While digging around for accessories for my Samsung Galaxy Note I wasn't really looking for anything specific. I knew that I wanted to pick up a spare battery due to the fact that I always enjoy knowing I have a spare ready to go but other than that, I wasn't sure what I really wanted until I noticed the Samsung battery charger stand. One small product that actually has quite a few uses all things considered.

When you open the package and get it all unwrapped from the plastic that Samsung chose to wrap it in, the first thing you'll notice is that the stand itself is incredibly light, yet not light enough to say swipe off the side of your table without some force behind it. Basic stuff really, it's made of plastic while the bottom is made of rubber and has rubber soles at the bottom to avoid it sliding around on things that may be slippery.

It's also slim enough that when not using it as a stand for your device, you can close it up toss in your bag or purse and not really worry about it taking up too much space. Also included in the package is a standard microUSB wall charger for the port on the back or you could just simply use it as a spare charger for your device. In addition to that, you also get a standard 2500 mAh battery that sits nice and snug into the slot it was meant for.

 

As a stand, it works as it should. Simply pop up the door to the charger portion and just sit your device in there, be it portrait or landscape. Both will work just fine though landscape will require some adjustment of the plastic door to ensure that it holds your device up. The stand portion has a rubber liner in it so that it grips your device and prevents it from moving about, it passed my test which is to go ahead and bang my hands on my desk to see if it would tip or fall over with any sort of ease -- it didn't so that's a win.

Given its thin profile, it also looks great sitting there. Also, I found it pretty easy to navigate around with my Galaxy Note in the stand. I mention that because you know you're going to do it anyway, be it on your desk or beside your bed watching some Netflix or whatever -- you're going to want to touch it at some point and knowing it won't tip over is good.

Overall, for the $39.95 you'll pay for it in the ShopAndroid Store you're essentially killing off multiple accessory purchases. You're getting a spare charger, a spare battery, a spare battery charger and a stand. If you were to buy them all separate, you'd be paying out a bit more then $39.95 that's for sure.

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Tripit update now shows trips you've already taken

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:11 AM PDT

Tripit for Android

I've long raved about the merits of Tripit for those of us who travel frequently. It's indispensable for keeping track of flights, hotels, car rentals -- everything, basically. (And it's available in free or paid form, which is a plus.) But until now it's only really kept track of upcoming trips. And that's certainly the most important thing to keep track of. But there are plenty of times when I'd like to look back on past trips and know where I stayed and how I got there.

Tripit's taken care of that in its latest update. You can now see past trips and all of the attached itineraries. So if you stayed in a great hotel but can't remember the name, you don't have have sort through e-mails. Or maybe you want to give kudos for a particularly good flight. (Or maybe you just can't remember what city your were in. It happens.)

Me? I'm totally going to use it for bragging rights. But hopefully your use will be a little more humble.

More: Tripit Blog

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Mid-range Samsung Galaxy S Advance launches in the UK

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:18 AM PDT

Android Central

First announced way back in January, the Samsung Galaxy S Advance has today launched in the UK, bringing a respectable list of mid-range specs to the table. Inside its curved Galaxy S II-style chassis there's a 1GHz dual-core CPU, 768MB of RAM and a 4-inch SuperAMOLED display, with a 5MP camera on the back and 8GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD card). On the software side, the S Advance packs Android 2.3 Gingerbread (yeah, we know) and Samsung's TouchWiz 4 UX.

SIM-free prices start at £322.80 including VAT, and Three UK's also offering it for free on monthly plans starting at £23 per month.

Source: Three UK, Clove Technology

Greatest Android Podcast in the World at a special time this week

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:10 AM PDT

Android Central Podcast

Hey! You! Faithful Android Central Reader! Tonight you shall be a faithful Android Central Watcher and Listener as the Greatest Android Podcast in the World returns yet again. It's been a couple weeks since we last met, so we've got a lot to cover, including the launch (and our review) of the HTC One S. We'll preview what we're expecting from Samsung's event in London next week. Plus, more of you e-mails and voicemails.

So join us tonight at 2 a.m. BST / 9 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. PDT / as we get it done. We'll see you at AndroidCentral.com/live!

ShopAndroid Daily Giveaway #59: Incipio NGP Case for RAZR MAXX, Krusell DONSo Leather Pouch & more!

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 09:34 AM PDT

Today's ShopAndroid.com Daily Giveaway will feature some fantastic Android accessories such as the Incipio NGP Semi-Rigid Soft Shell Case for Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX, Krusell DONSo Mobile Leather Pouch, Motorola Skin Case for XOOM, and the Samsung Horizontal Leather Pouch.

To become eligible to win one of these featured accessories, just leave a comment below stating which item you'd like for your Android device.  One winner will be selected at random and announced next week.  Good luck!

Incipio NGP Semi-Rigid Soft Shell Case for Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

The NGP Semi-Rigid Soft Shell Case safeguards your Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX with a semi-ridi polymer shell. Featuring custom-cut holes, you'll have access to your RAZR MAXX camera hole and other functions. The touchscreen of your RAZR MAXX is left exposed for complete access.  The NGP wraps the front edges of this device giving it added protection and an extra lift.  As sleek as it is functional, NGP makes a great choice.

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Enter to win an Acer Iconia A510 or ASUS Transformer Prime prize pack from AC, NVIDIA, and Phosphor Games

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 09:07 AM PDT

Tegra 3 contest

What better way to kick off the launch of what's bound to be one of the years best games for Android? How about NVIDIA, Phosphor Games, and AC getting together to give away a pair of Tegra 3 powered beasts! Dark Meadow: The Pact is a mind-blowing adventure and we're excited to help two of you guys or gals get a chance to find out for yourselves. The prizes --

When the prizes are two of the hottest Android tablet available, you're probably thinking winning involves something difficult. You'd be wrong -- it's as simple as jumping into the contest forums and dropping a line letting everyone know that you'd love to have one of these beauties. We'll sort through them and pick a winner for each at random this Saturday (April 28) at 11:59 PM Eastern and announce the winners the next day right here on the blog.

Good luck!

Enter to win an ASUS Transformer Prime or Acer Iconia Tab A510

Dark Meadow: The Pact now available for Tegra 3 devices, and it's incredible

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 09:03 AM PDT

Dark Meadows

Admit it. Part of the reason you bought a Tegra 3 powered Android device is because of the gaming. We're all friends here, and I'll be the first to stand up and say that I get into some gaming on my Transformer Prime. It's easy to do when Tegra optimized games kick enough ass to fill a wheelbarrow, and here's one that does. I'm talking about Phosphor Games new title Dark Meadow: The Pact, and it's arguably the best Unreal Engine 3 game ever made.

Those are big words, especially with a little something called Infinity Blade on iOS. But Android has a secret weapon -- NVIDIA's Tegra 3 and their special relation with developers in the TegraZone. When combined with the great story, excellent voice acting, and random acts of humor Phosphor brings to the table you have the fixings of a real winner. Dark Meadows: The Pact delivers.

You wake up in an abandoned hospital. Right away you'll notice the beautiful game textures, together with smooth animations, high frame rates and poly counts which makes for a sense of being in the game world. Play this one in the dark with headphones and you're in for an experience mobile just hasn't seen yet. Above all the great game graphics, you're hearing a tale from your aged benefactor, telling you how to go about your escape. Pay attention to him, and between his moments of wisdom and bouts of insanity you'll hear some hilarious dialog. Spoiler alert: he likes bacon bits. It's over the top in a way that fits an old fellow trapped in a decrepit Insane asylum. He'll warn you of the creatures that stand in your way, which you'll soon meet. They're incredibly detailed, and grotesquely beautiful in their own right. 

Of course you'll have to fight your way past them, which leads us to the game mechanics. It's an open style map, meaning you can see where you are as well as everywhere you may need to explore, and character movement is a breeze. Tap a glowing ring and you move to it, and you can look around a full 360-degrees to search for treasure, secret compartments, and bits of documents that will help you on your way. It's perfectly suited for touch-based gameplay, as is the combat system.

One of the disfigured minions will appear in a puff of dark smoke, and your trusty crossbow appears in your hands. By pulling back the string you get to see the arc the bolt will fly and use it to aim. Maneuver it so it crosses paths with your foe and let go. Once the creatures get close, your ranged weapon is replaced with a melee weapon and you have a tap and hold blocking function or a swiping attack function. The whole time you're also able to tuck and dodge left or right by tapping an on-screen arrow. There are no confusing controls to learn, and you'll be proficient in just a few minutes -- leaving more time to enjoy the exceptional look and depth of the game. As you progress you'll level up and assign points into skills, as well as find gold to trade at the store for better items. You'll need both, because "the witch" does not fool around. You have been warned.

This is how mobile gaming was meant to be. If you have a Tegra 3-powered device, it's simply a must-have game. Hit the break for some gameplay footage and screenshots, as well as the all-important download link.

More: NVIDIA; Phosphor Games

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Dual-core Galaxy S3 to be offered in some territories with Snapdragon S4 and LTE

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 08:41 AM PDT

Android Central

In addition to the quad-core HSPA+ version of its upcoming Galaxy S3, Samsung will launch a dual-core variant with LTE connectivity and a Snapdragon S4 chip for LTE markets outside of Korea. Reports from The Korea Times, which match what we’ve been told by our own sources, indicate that the the quad-core Exynos/HSPA+ version will see broad international availability, while the Snapdragon S4 model will launch in other countries with LTE, including the United States. KT reports that inside of Korea, Samsung will offer a CDMA/LTE model based on its own quad-core chip, though we haven’t been able to verify this specifically.

According to our sources, LTE radio compatibility was behind the decision to move to the S4 chip for the international 4G version of the Galaxy S3, and this makes sense if you look at the differences in LTE frequencies between the U.S. and Korea (and much of the rest of the world, in fact).

So it appears the situation will be similar to that of the AT&T HTC One X, where the manufacturer opts for a dual-core S4 instead of a competing quad-core chip, for the sake of LTE connectivity. This is nothing new, however -- we saw a similar situation last year with LTE variants of the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S II, which used Snapdragon S3 chips. So once again it’s a choice between LTE and quad-core. But despite “only” being a dual-core chip, Qualcomm’s S4 is based upon the newer (and speedier) ARM Cortex A15 architecture, compared to Exynos’s A9, and we’ve already been impressed by the chip’s performance in the HTC One S.

Be sure to keep watching AC over the next week, as we rapidly approach the Galaxy S3’s London launch event.

More: Samsung Galaxy S3 forums

via: The Korea Times

Android 4.0 now available down under on Telstra's Galaxy S II

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:43 AM PDT

Galaxy S II

Good news for our friends in Australia today as the official Ice Cream Sandwich update is now available for Telstra's  Samsung Galaxy S II. The update to Android 4.0.3 is available OTA through either an update prompt or a manual pull, though if that hasn’t hit your phone Kies will do the trick. The update is around 200 MB, and comes fully equipped with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI. Galaxy S II 4G owners are still out of luck, but if you’re a proud owner Telstra’s OG GSII, be sure to let us know below how the update process is going for you.

  Source: Telstra forums via Ausdroid

Deal of the Day: Mobi Products Hard Shell Case for HTC ThunderBolt

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:09 AM PDT

Deal of the Day The April 26 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Mobi Products Hard Shell Case for HTC ThunderBolt. This Hard Case from Mobi Products is designed specifically for the ThunderBolt, offers full-body protection, and has cut outs for all of the devices features while leaving the screen exposed for full functionality. 

The Mobi Hard Shell Case is available for just $2.95 today only, 85% off the regular price.  Grab yours while supplies last!

Ice Cream Sandwich now available for the Sony Tablet S

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 06:42 AM PDT

Sony Tablet S

Sony announced today that, as promised, its Tablet S is now receiving its Android 4.0 update. Beginning today, owners should see a popup notification prompting the update, which will be delivered over the air. Among the goodies your Tablet S will soon be enjoying include:

  • Enhanced lock screen (Direct access to Notifications; Unlock direct to camera)
  • New panoramic camera mode
  • Enhanced Gallery media viewer (Direct SD card access + photo editing tools)
  • Exclusive “Small Apps’ for multi-tasking (Calculator, Browser, Remote Control)
  • New Home Screen actions (Drag icons together to create folders; Add names to folders)
  • Enhanced web browser (Switch from mobile to desktop web sites; Save pages for offline viewing)
  • Access files directly from SD card
  • Native screenshot capture

If this is your cue to grab the Tablet S, you’re in luck: from now through May 12, Sony will offer a $50 instant rebate and a free cradle accessory, knocking the pricetag down to $349 for the 16 GB model and $449 for the 32 GB model. Hit the break to see ICS on the Tablet S in action.

Source: Sony Blog; thanks Derek!

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Motorola preparing Photon 4G update, looking for test participants

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 06:26 AM PDT

 

Photon 4G

Motorola Photon 4G owners haven't had a whole lot of updates come across for their device though, that may be all the more reason Motorola is seeking out participants for their latest soak test. As posted today, Motorola is looking for some fine folks to help out with the process:

4/25/2012

Motorola and Sprint are happy to announce a future pre-release* update opportunity for PHOTON 4G, before it is officially released to all customers. We are recruiting 1,000 PHOTON 4G owners to test and provide feedback on a future update.

Please register for the Motorola Feedback Network to be considered.

Motorola and Sprint Community Managers

At this point, it's hard to say what the update will be exactly considering Motorola hasn't exactly been pumping out those ICS updates but it's an update and updates are good for everyone. You can hit the Android Central forums link below to discuss it some more or head on over to the source link to get yourself hopefully signed up for the update. Remember, only 1,000 slots are open.

Source: Motorola, via: Android Central Forums Thanks, SandersJC64!

Motorola RAZR MAXX hits UK in May

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 05:13 AM PDT

Android CentralMotorola has announced that the RAZR MAXX will be making its way to the UK from next month. We'd already heard the MAXX was headed to Europe in the weeks ahead, but today it's official -- British buyers will get the chance to pick it up starting in May. With the same 3300mAh battery as the Droid RAZR MAXX and a more battery-friedly UMTS/HSPA radio setup, we're eager to see what kind of battery life we can get out of the GSM RAZR MAXX. Moto's promising 17.6 hours of continuous talk time, if you're into using your phone for actual phone calls.

Besides the battery boost (and the accompanying increase in thickness), the specs are identical to the GSM RAZR -- Android 2.3 on a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU with 1GB of RAM, an 8MP camera and a qHD SuperAMOLED display. A quick glance at UK retailers reveals a price point of £430 including VAT.

Check past the break for the full press release.

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Purported Samsung Galaxy S3 service manual and device render leak online

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 03:28 AM PDT

Android Central

Another day, another batch of tantalizing Samsung Galaxy S3 details. Today it's a scan from the service manual for the device, along with a purported list of specs, which comes from unofficial Samsung blog SamMobile. If you've been following all the various leaks, the image above will be instantly recognizable from a handful of leaked photos we've seen over the past couple of weeks. Specifically, it's the spitting image of what one of these devices might look like with its plastic dummy shell removed. The phone's profile is also an exact match for the shape teased by Samsung Denmark on Facebook last week. So it's entirely possible this is our first look at the real, actual, final design for Samsung's new flagship phone.

What's particularly interesting is the inclusion of physical buttons -- absent in some leaked images we've seen, but alive and well in others. However, we've heard rumors that Samsung was considering both buttoned and buttonless designs for the Galaxy S3, so it makes sense that prototypes of both sorts might exist. Besides that, it looks like a thin, sleek phone, not a million miles away from the Galaxy Nexus.

As for the spec list, there's nothing too surprising there. A quad-core CPU had been rumored (and has now been confirmed by Samsung), though the 1.5GHz number seems a little off to us. The reported 4.8-inch screen is also interesting, as earlier leaks had indicated a 4.6 to 4.65-inch panel.

Despite the genuine appearance of the image, and ​SamMobile's​ strong track record when it comes to leaking this sort of thing, we're still inclined to take things with a pinch of salt for the time being. With many different pre-release leaks floating around, the actual Galaxy S3 design remains shrouded in mystery, and there's no guarantee this isn't just some intermediary render. In any case, there's not long to wait now -- we'll be live from London in just seven days to bring you full coverage of exactly what Samsung unveils.

Source: SamMobile

London Science Museum goes mobile with an augmented reality app

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 11:10 PM PDT

Science Museum

Using your Android phone in a museum might not be your first thought, but if you head to the London Science Museum that is exactly what you should do. Featuring well known British TV personality, Top Gear's James May, their Science Stories app takes advantage of augmented reality technology to bring the museum alive. 

May will be your own personal guide to 9 of the best exhibits in the "Making The Modern World" gallery. By pointing the app at relevant points throughout the exhibits, your very own James May will appear on your screen and talk you through what you see in front of you. While not necessarily a completely new idea, it is refreshing to see an institution such as a famous museum moving into the mobile experience. Better still, at £1.99 in the Google Play Store, it's likely cheaper than those awful headphone tour guides you can purchase. Download links can be found after the break, and at the source link you can find a trigger for the app that you can try at home. 

Source: London Science Museum

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Samsung announces the Exynos 4 Quad, coming to the 'next Galaxy'

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 08:46 PM PDT

Android Central

Samsung couldn't contain the excitement, and just had to let us know the details about the chip powering the "Next Galaxy" that's coming on May 3.  It's called the Exynos 4 Quad, and it looks impressive. What, exactly, makes it so special?  It's built on a 32nm HKMG process, which is geek talk for high-performance with low power consumption. How good is the performance? Samsung claims it's twice as fast as it's predecessor, the 45nm Exynos 4 Dual, while consuming 20 percent less power. To further help power consumption, each core can be turned off when it's not needed, and the ones that are running can adjust their clock speed to match the demands of what you're doing.

Each core will be running at 1.4 HGHz, and are based on the Cortex A9 architecture. It has the other essentials as well, with support for 1080p/30fps recording, boasts an embedded image signal processor, and has support for HDMI 1.4 output. They didn't give any specifics as to what GPU they are pairing it with, though, but it's sure to be impressive. Excited yet? I know some of you are.

Discuss it in the Android Hardware forum!

Source: Samsung

N.O.V.A. 3 announced by Gameloft, more sci-fi shooting on the way

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 07:04 PM PDT

Nova 3

In not wholly unexpected news, Gameloft have confirmed the existence of the third title in their sci-fi shooter series, N.O.V.A. The title, N.O.V.A. 3 has been formally announced, and will be coming soon to Android.

Otherwise, details are pretty much non-existent. Gameloft  have been holding press events, and have said that more information will be revealed soon. In the meantime, check out the teaser video after the break. It doesn't give much away, but it still looks pretty incredible all the same.

via Pocket Gamer

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Ask AC: Looking for a full-screen agenda widget for the Galaxy Note

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 05:47 PM PDT

Pure Calendar

Chucky1 asks in the Android forums,

I've been looking for a full screen or close to a full screen agenda widget for the Note. Has anyone come across one by chance?

Thanks

There's few things we can all agree on here at Android Central -- listen to a podcast or two and see what I mean. But this, we have covered. We love Pure Calendar widget. It comes with about a million different sizes and configurations (including a full screen version), and themes will make it fit in with any setup you could dream up.

Besides your calendar entries, it will sync tasks with Astrid, Ultimate To-Do List, TaskSync, CalenGoo, DGT Gtd, gTasks, Got To Do, Task Organizer, Due Today, TouchDown, and Pocket Informant. To top it all off, it's scrollable on supported launchers or Ice Cream Sandwich, and the configuration options for syncing and calendar views make it easy on your battery. It's one of the first apps we install on a new phone. It's $1.99 in the Play Store, and there's a link after the break.

Have a question you need answered? (Preferably about Android, but we're flexible.) Hit up our Contact Page to get in touch!

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Microsoft to announce 'Woodstock' cross-platform music service at E3?

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 05:12 PM PDT

Android Central

Are you missing Zune and looking for a Microsoft flavored replacement? According to The Verge, ​Microsoft will be announcing their new music service at E3 this year. Code named 'Woodstock,' the service is allegedly going to be cross-platform, including Android, via an in-browser music player. 

The replacement for the Zune service, won't require any browser plugins and is said to integrate deeply with Facebook. While expected to be shown off at E3, the service isn't expected to be launching until later on in the year alongside Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. The bigger question remains, is there room for another music service on Android? 

Source: The Verge via WPCentral
Posted by at 6:09 AM 0 comments

AndroidGuys

AndroidGuys

Verizon software schedule leaked, lists coming ICS updates

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 01:58 PM PDT

If you're rocking an HTC Rezound, Droid Razr, Droid Razr Maxx, or a 3G/4G Motorola Xoom, today is your lucky day. A Verizon software upgrade schedule, shown above, has been leaked, and the juiciest of the information is listed at the top. According to the schedule, the Rezound, Droid Razr, and Razr Maxx are all getting some Android 4.0 love next month, with the Xoom's upgrade date to be determined. More specifically, the Rezound is scheduled (if the information is viable, that is) for a May 9th update, and the Razr/Maxx are scheduled for the 23rd of the month.

While this is exciting, the dates are based on successful testing for each device, so they may change if major bugs are found with the OTAs. The Rezound's soak testing is set to end on May 7th, and the Razr tests on the 17th. Hopefully all goes well, so owners of these respective devices can get their hands on some ICS.

If you don't have one of the aforementioned Androids, fret not. There are a few others (listed below) that have updates in testing, although it's not specified if the updates are to Ice Cream Sandwich.

  • HTC Thunderbolt- update in testing, OTA scheduled for May 10th
  • Droid Bionic- update in testing, OTA scheduled for May 3rd
  • Xperia Play- update in testing, OTA scheduled for April 30th
  • Galaxy Tab 10.1- update in testing, OTA scheduled for May 3rd
  • LG Revolution- update in testing, OTA scheduled for May 16th

With any luck, we'll see some of these updates being rolled out over the next few weeks. I'd be willing to bet that at least one of them gets pulled because of bugs, but we can't all be perfect. More on this as it develops.

So did you see your device on the list? Anyone excited to finally get some ICS? Drop a comment below!

Source DroidDog

Verizon software schedule leaked, lists coming ICS updates originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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In Brief: TripIt, Skype, and Twitter update Android apps

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 12:22 PM PDT

Three of our favorite Android applications have been updated today, adding new features and enhancements across the board.  The headline gives the names away but Skype, Twitter, and TripIt each have new versions of their respective apps in the Google Play Store this week.  Here's a quick primer on what is new for the three apps.

Skype

  1. Restyled instant messaging view
  2. Video rotation support for many more devices
  3. Faster app start up

Twitter

With this update, you can see Activity (stream of updates that shows which Tweets are favorited or retweeted by the people you follow and which accounts those people follow or add to lists). Activity appears below the redesigned stories in Discover. 

Search is now simpler: See suggestions for different spellings and related terms for your queries...In the Connect tab, you can start typing the first or last name or username of the person you're looking for and the name will autocomplete for people that you follow. 

Lastly, we've added push notifications for Interactions, so you can know immediately when your Tweets have been retweeted or favorited, or when somebody new follows your account. You can manage your push notifications settings to stay as connected as you'd like. 

TripIt

That's why we're so excited to debut past trips on the latest version of TripIt's Android app. No matter where you are, you can now get all the great info stored in your past itineraries.  So whether you want to share that great hotel you stayed at during your travels to Beijing, or get a cost estimate for a past business trip to Atlanta or if you simply want to show off your road warrior record, all that information is now available at your fingertips.

In Brief: TripIt, Skype, and Twitter update Android apps originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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Surprise! Latest round of Galaxy S III details differ from previous rumors

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:03 AM PDT

Of all the Android releases we've covered, the Samsung Galaxy S III has been the most talked about.  With an almost Apple-like secrecy, the Samsung phone has been the product of few actual leaks but tons of rumors and conflicting reports.  Such is the case today as yet another batch of hardware details arrives online.  As is with nearly everything we've seen these past few weeks, the hardware differs slightly from other stories.

Unofficial Samsung blog SamMobile has obtained what they claim to be a scan from the user manual of the lusted-after handset.  What's more, they have a fresh set of details to go along with it.  The deets match up (for the most part) with what we've heard but aren't a perfect fit. They're source advises a 1.5GHz processor which flies directly in the face of Samsung's brand new 1.4GHz CPU  Other specs include an 8-megapixel camera as opposed to rumors of  an admittedly lofty 12-megapixel shooter, and a 4.8-inch screen, differing from a 4.7-inch screen.

So what's to believe and what should be relegated to the trash bin?  We suppose it might not be all that hard to consider that multiple hardware iterations are being tested and leaked across the internet.  Remember that not every Galaxy S II was the same across the board.  Why should it be the case for its successor?

Thankfully we are but days from finding out what's really going to happen with the Galaxy S III.  We just hope that the U.S. models are announced at or around the same time as we can't take much more of this rumor mill stuff.

Surprise! Latest round of Galaxy S III details differ from previous rumors originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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U.S. versions of Galaxy S III likely to feature dual-core CPU

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 09:30 AM PDT

If you heard the news of a 1.4GHz quad-core CPU in the "Next Galaxy" and thought, "Perfect, that's my next T-Mobile handset!", you might want to sit down.  Chances are good that the LTE versions of the Galaxy S III will be dual-core chipsets.  Much like the way the AT&T version of the HTC One X has a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, the GS3 we get on our local carriers will have the same treatment.

Samsung plans to release its Galaxy S III smartphone according to different specifications and different markets. For European consumers, it will use 3G and the company's own quad-core mobile APs, while its own solution that combines LTE, 3G and quad-core mobile APs will be used for the Korean version. But only in the United States, will Samsung use Qualcomm chips,'' said one Samsung executive asking not to be identified.

Things could be much, much worse when you stop and think about it.  "My phone only has a Snapdragon S4 chip" sounds funny when you hear it out loud.

In a related note, we discussed this very possibility last night while doing the AndroidGuys podcast.  Listen to episode #119 and you'll hear @androinica @htcsource and@swebster77 talking about what happens with LTE models in the U.S.

Korea Times

 

U.S. versions of Galaxy S III likely to feature dual-core CPU originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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Verizon to offer Galaxy S III, HTC ‘Note’, and Droid Razr HD this summer

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 08:46 AM PDT

The first details of Verizon's upcoming roadmap has landed online courtesy of Boy Genius Report.  Not the whole roster mind you, just a few tent-pole releases that are sure to garner much of the attention.

As it appears, Verizon has decided to offer the Galaxy S III as part of their summer/fall Android lineup.  This is notable if only because the carrier passed on the Galaxy S II last year and focused on the Galaxy Nexus instead. BGR also advsises that multiple iterations of Droid Razr models will be arriving over the coming month, including the tentatively titled Droid Razr HD.

Perhaps the most notable smartphone on the list is a 5-inch HTC handset said to feature a quad-core Krait CPU and Adreno 320 GPU.  Expected to debut in the fall, this one is listed with a 1080p HD  non-PenTile display, Scribe pen support, and HTC Sense 5 UI.  Sounds like a Galaxy Note competitor/killer to us, how about you?

BGR

Verizon to offer Galaxy S III, HTC ‘Note’, and Droid Razr HD this summer originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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Samsung announces new 1.4GHz quadcore Exynos processor, to power next Galaxy handset

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:01 AM PDT

There's this little company you probably haven't heard of called Samsung. Anyway, apparently they had a couple of good phones over the past couple of years that sold a few units and...yeah, I can't keep that up. Long story short, those of you like myself that have been looking high and low for real information on the upcoming Galaxy phone can at least glean one piece of fantastic information: it'll be running that rumored Exynos 1.4 quadcore processor. In a press release and a shiny video (which we've got below, thanks The Verge) Samsung announced both the specs of the new processor and the fact that'll be powering their next Galaxy line " that will officially be announced in May". Beyond being ridiculously fast, the processor manages to buffer battery life 20% better than the previous Exynos line, which is not a small feat. The processor is also "pin to pin compatible" with the last gen Exynos, allowing manufacturers to use similar boards with less cost. Check out the press release and video below and I gotta know: Are you as excited as I am? Let us know in the comments!

Source Engadget, The Verge

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Samsung's New Quad-Core Application Processor Drives Advanced Feature Sets in Smartphones and Tablets

Designed on 32nm HKMG process, new energy-efficient chip exceeds 1.4GHz per core

SEOUL, Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced the industry's first quad-core application processor built on the High-k Metal Gate (HKMG) low-power process technology. With unprecedented performance capabilities exceeding 1.4GHz based on the ARM® CORTEXTM A9 quad-core, the powerful, yet energy-efficient Exynos 4 Quad, allows system-level architects to integrate maximized power efficiencies into smartphones and tablets which enables double the processing power at a 20 percent lower power bill over its predecessor, the 45nm process-based Exynos 4 Dual.

"The quad-core processor offers phenomenal multitasking abilities surpassing any single or dual application processor. Since all the cores must share a single battery, the power management and efficiency in the limited battery capacity are indispensable for mobile computing devices," said Taehoon Kim, vice president of System LSI marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. "Given the diverse functionalities consumers are demanding from their mobile devices today, the Exynos 4 Quad meets those high-performance needs while keeping power consumption very low."

Multi-core processing delivers enhanced performance, enabling users to accomplish more tasks in a shorter period of time. For example, a task such as streaming video can run on one core while the other cores update applications in the background, connecting to the web and scanning virus-check simultaneously.

Benefitting from a use case where the parallel processing and workload sharing among the four cores is necessary, the Exynos 4 Quad is particularly well-suited for heavy-load applications such as 3D games, video editing, and calculation-intensive simulation.

Due to its 32nm HKMG low-power process and power-saving design, the Exynos 4 Quad has two times the processing capability over the 45nm process based Exynos 4 Dual while consuming 20-percent less power. To improve power efficiency, Samsung adopted hot-plug functionality to support on-off switching for each core as well as the per-core dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), which offers a dramatic reduction in power consumption by adapting different levels of voltage and frequency when changing workloads.

Having identical form factor measurements (12mm X 12mm X 1.37 mm), the Exynos 4 Quad is pin-to-pin compatible with the 32nm process based Exynos 4 Dual, allowing mobile device designers to immediately adopt the new solution without additional cost, engineering or design efforts.

In addition, the new processor incorporates a full HD 30 frame per second video hardware codec engine for high resolution 1080p video recording and play-back, an embedded image signal processor interface for high-quality camera functionality and an HDMI 1.4 interface for sharp and crisp multimedia content transmission.

Samsung developed a power management IC (PMIC), the S5M8767, as a companion chip to power the Exynos 4 Quad processor. By integrating various circuitry such as nine highly efficient and programmable buck converters and 28 low-dropout regulators (LDOs) into the small package of 5.0 mm x 5.0mm x 0.4mm, the S5M8767 is designed to scale up or down the dynamic voltage depending on the clock speed in 6.25mV step for managing power delivery and maximizing battery life at the system level.

Already in production, the Exynos 4 Quad is scheduled to be adopted first into Samsung's next Galaxy smartphone that will officially be announced in May. Samsung's Exynos 4 Quad is also sampling to other major handset makers.

"The application processor is a crucial element in providing our customers with a PC-like experience on mobile devices. Samsung's next Galaxy device, which will be officially announced soon, offers uncompromised performance and ground breaking multi-tasking features, thanks to Exynos 4 Quad's powerful performance and efficient energy management technology," said Hankil Yoon, Senior Vice President of Product Strategy Team, Samsung's Mobile Communications Business.

Last year, Samsung introduced a new online hub dedicated to its Exynos processor. Designed to facilitate easy communication with industry partners and end users, the new micro-site takes you a step closer to the ultimate experience Exynos delivers; product information, user experience and information on promotion events. More information can be found at http://www.samsung.com/exynos.


Samsung announces new 1.4GHz quadcore Exynos processor, to power next Galaxy handset originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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