Android Central

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• Latest Tweet Lanes update brings direct messages, notifications coming soon
• OTA Update Center brings over-the-air updates to any ROM developer
• Intel to bring wireless charging to smartphones and ultrabooks in 2013
• LG Optimus Vu review
• Raved review - turning Facebook likes into business discovery
• Amber Alert GPS review - if you can't hide yo' kids, at least track 'em
• Google brings Google Earth 3D maps to Seattle and Denver
• Gameloft teases Unreal-powered Wild Blood
• Asus Transformer Pad TF300 LTE headed to Germany and Austria
• UK Sony Tablet S receiving maintenance update
• T-Mobile UK removing tethering for new Full Monty plans, backtracks on 'truly unlimited' data
• FlightTrack offers free version with new design; paying customers have to wait
• Ouya pre-orders now open to everyone
• Amazon Cloud Player now available on Sonos
• T-Mobile Galaxy S Blaze Q press shot appears, Aug. 15 release rumored
• Sony Xperia Tablet leaks once again, aluminum shell shown up close
• Deal of the Day: Krusell ColorCover Case for Samsung Galaxy S3
• CyanogenMod 9 gets stable for the Galaxy Nexus
• Google Translate v2.5 adds image translation and more
• Motorola Xoom 3G finally gets Ice Cream Sandwich in the UK
• Sony Xperia GX now available in Japan on NTT Docomo
• International Galaxy S3 gets OTA update with new baseband
• Android 4.1 for the T-Mobile G1 probably won't be your daily driver...
• Cablevision Optimum TV streaming app now available on the Kindle Fire

Latest Tweet Lanes update brings direct messages, notifications coming soon Posted: 09 Aug 2012 03:57 PM PDT While much of the Android world still waits on Carbon making its long awaited appearance, its continued absence leaves  room for others to try and capitalise. One such Twitter client is Tweet Lanes, which unlike Carbon is conducting its beta testing in public. It still isn't finished yet, but developer Chris Lacy has been working his socks off and is producing a really nice application.  We reviewed Tweet Lanes a few weeks ago when it first started making the headlines, but what a difference a few weeks can make. Our conclusions were that Tweet Lanes is a new twist on Twitter, but definitely still a work in progress. Since that review much has changed, with the most significant visual change being the addition of a much welcomed dark theme. Additionally the developer has been working on supporting the Nexus 7, and adding the features that were lacking when it first arrived. It's also much faster, and much less bug prone than those early builds, testament to the devs hard work over the last few weeks.  The latest update to be pushed to the Play Store brings yet more additional features, notably the inclusion of direct messages. Along with notifications, DM access was the big thing missing from Tweet Lanes which possibly prevented its use as a main Twitter client. They're here now though, and according to the developer, notifications are next. Chris Lacy is one of those developers who really engages with the community, constantly posting updates and early access to new builds from his Twitter account. This latest build was released to users willing to test well in advance of pushing it to the Play Store, and the feedback prompted a number of bug fixes before the official update was pushed out.  The latest build doesn't just bring DM access either. There's now a really nice pinch-to-zoom functionality in the image viewer, further layout optimizations, and a heap of bug fixes. Full details of the changelog can be found at the source link below. If you're using Tweet Lanes though and you like it, definitely give the developer a follow on Twitter and join in with the early testing.  Source: Tweet Lanes, More: Chris Lacy (Twitter)

OTA Update Center brings over-the-air updates to any ROM developer Posted: 09 Aug 2012 03:00 PM PDT Nothing pleases Android fans more than a notice that they have an update. Millions of words have been spent on countless blogs and forums discussing OTAs (or the lack of them) and we get a little giddy when we see the notice that one is available. The folks at the OTA Update Center have worked out the supporting infrastructure and methods to offer a free OTA service to any ROM developer, so that hackers and modders can enjoy that fuzzy feeling an update brings as well. It' not really anything new -- hackers and ROM devs have been doing custom ROM OTAs since the days of the HTC Hero, and we see similar services offered from ROM Manager and Goo.im Manager. The OTA Update Center will work in a similar fashion, where an app will be installed into the system that communicates with the servers to pass out OTA updates to anyone using the ROM. For the end-user, it's a simple and impressive way to keep the OS on your phone up-to-date. The real difference here is to the developers. They no longer need to host files or insert framework for an FOTA system into their ROM, and instead can use the supplied tool with a few edits. This will get everything up and running with  minimum of extra code, and provide a sort of standard that all developers can follow. We like standards. Developers like standards. Users like things that "just work", and standards allow that to happen easier. If you're an end user, you'll have to wait and see if your ROM development team decides to use the OTA Update Center. If you're a developer, you should check out the source links and think about giving it a try. Be sure to give us a shout if you incorporate this into your ROM, we'd love to give it a look! Source: OTA Update Center, via XDA-Developers

Intel to bring wireless charging to smartphones and ultrabooks in 2013 Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:38 PM PDT According to DigiTimes' "upstream supply chain," Intel is readying technology that will wirelessly charge Intel powered smartphones via over-the-air induction. To put it in layman's terms, hardware inside the phone will be able to grab low power electricity from mid-air and charge the battery. It's safe, and already has a standard in the Wireless Power Consortium's Qi method, which we've seen in action with contact induction charging on the Thunderbolt. The real barrier, according to the sources has been cost. Both Sharp and NTT Docomo have launched devices that charge wirelessly via the Qi standard in Japan, but prohibitive costs have kept it from becoming the norm. Samsung was expected to release a similar product this summer, but the project has been delayed until the end of 2012 or early 2013.  What's different about Intel's rumored offering is the power "source". Supposedly to debut on ultrabooks, a chip inside the laptop will transmit power through the air to an Intel powered smartphone, like Orange's San Diego model. Intel's resources and software group can likely bring the price point down to more reasonable levels, which other OEMs could integrate into their hardware.  Hopefully options that consist of a wall socket that works stand-alone with the correct smartphone hardware will follow soon, then we can stop worrying about battery life and just buy a sub-station for home and the office. It's one way to address battery life issues that smartphone users suffer from on every platform, and with Intel behind it, it becomes a real possibility now. Source: DigiTimes

LG Optimus Vu review Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:00 PM PDT Oh Optimus Vu, what an odd little device you are. Developed as a less than subtle knee-jerk reaction to Samsung’s Galaxy Note, the Vu went on sale in Korea earlier this year, and it’ll soon be making its way to Japan on NTT Docomo, too. Stateside, a Verizon launch is rumored, though far from certain. In any case, this is LG’s 5-inch, stylus-using, 4:3 aspect ratio squarish slab. It ran Android 2.3 at launch, but it’s recently received a substantial update to version 4.0 and the new LG Optimus UI 3.0. Shaped more like a placemat than a telephone, the Optimus Vu is one of the most outlandish-looking devices to have ever passed across our desk. The Vu’s internal specs closely match the device it emulates, and the recent ICS update has done a lot to unlock the potential of that hardware. But considering the 5+ inch phone space is dominated by Samsung, is there space for a second device in this product class? And with the Galaxy Note 2 expected in a matter of weeks, is there any reason to consider LG’s offering? Find out in our full review of the LG Optimus Vu. read more

Raved review - turning Facebook likes into business discovery Posted: 09 Aug 2012 01:50 PM PDT Raved recently launched on Android in an attempt to translate your friends' Facebook likes into a tangible, unified business discovery app. It's a particularly handy, free way to see if there are any places in town that more than one friend personally endorse, even if they weren't explicitly suggesting anything to you.  read more

Amber Alert GPS review - if you can't hide yo' kids, at least track 'em Posted: 09 Aug 2012 12:10 PM PDT With back to school season around the corner, some parents may be getting antsy about having their young ‘uns out in the big wide world. Luckily, thanks to phones and stand-alone GPS units, mindful moms and dads can track the little buggers every moment of every day. Amber Alerts, the long-standing organization built with the express purpose of preventing child abduction, has launched their own companion Android apps.  read more

Google brings Google Earth 3D maps to Seattle and Denver Posted: 09 Aug 2012 12:04 PM PDT Back in June Google announced they would be improving Google Earth substantially by adding 3D mapping to the mix and we even managed to get a good look at it during Google I/O. Now, only a few short months later Google has managed to add Denver, Colorado and Seattle, Washington as destinations that you can view on Google Earth in 3D. All the work is done using advanced image processing and 45-degree aerial imagery as noted on the Google Lat Long blog. The data is live and viewable right now, if you want to take a fly-over Seattle or Denver. Just make sure you're on the latest version of Google Earth and you're all set to go. Source: Google

Gameloft teases Unreal-powered Wild Blood Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:36 AM PDT Gameloft has been having a bit of fun with video game fans using their next action adventure game as bait. As revealed, the game is called Wild Blood and makes use of the Unreal Engine. The freshly revealed trailer shows off some pretty interesting footage but Gameloft isn't ready to give up all the goods just yet. Hints given out tell us the IP based on a well-known character from history and that's about it. In order to unlock the next hint, you have to hit up their Facebook page. If you're not all into that and just want to check out the trailer, you'll find it embedded below. More Info : Gameloft on Facebook read more

Asus Transformer Pad TF300 LTE headed to Germany and Austria Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:57 AM PDT Coming a little out of the blue, it seems that an LTE version of Asus' Transformer Pad TF300 is 100% real and is to be released in Europe this month. A German press release issued today indicates that Germany and Austria will be seeing the TF300 LTE in the middle of August. That's pretty close to now.  Available in red and blue in both countries, a white version can be had only on O2 and without the docking keyboard. Prices without the keyboard are set to be €529 ($651), and with the keyboard €629 (about $774). It's a little pricey, especially given the other Asus tablets available. But, it's got LTE and for some that's enough to warrant parting with their hard earned. There is no mention of prospective availability outside of these two countries at the moment. Prospective German and Austrian buyers should be sure to check out our full review of the WiFi only TF300. Source: Techfokus via The Verge

UK Sony Tablet S receiving maintenance update Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:37 AM PDT The world may be forgetting about the Sony Tablet S, but Sony isn't. And that's a good thing. UK based Tablet S owners should be seeing an update pushing out to them right about now.  The update doesn't bump the Android version any further than the current 4.0.3, and at only 9MB isn't bringing anything massive to the tablet. But, the fellas over at Coolsmartphone are reporting that they're seeing a considerable improvement in performance. Overall they're seeing a distinct change in navigating through the tablets UI and menus, although app performance hasn't changed.  In any case, bug fixes and optimizations are as good a reason as any to update a device, so if you've got a Tablet S let us know in the comments below if you're seeing any changes.  Source: Coolsmartphone

T-Mobile UK removing tethering for new Full Monty plans, backtracks on 'truly unlimited' data Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:23 AM PDT Truly unlimited mobile data is something of a rarity in the UK, so imagine our delight when the Full Monty plan first appeared from T-Mobile. No fair usage limits, and perhaps best of all, all variants of the Full Monty included free and unlimited tethering. Now though, it seems T-Mo UK is quickly backtracking on their "truly unlimited" moniker and taking away tethering from the package. Speaking to Techradar, a T-Mobile spokesperson had the following to say:  "From 8th August, tethering is not permitted for new customers under the terms and conditions of the Full Monty. "We have a range of smartphone and mobile broadband plans that include tethering for customers who want to stay connected on other devices." So as of yesterday tethering is no more. The spokesperson also declined to comment further on why the U-turn had come about. As it stands now, Three UK once again looks like the best deal to be had, with their One plan still offering unlimited data and inclusive tethering. With Everything Everywhere -- the T-Mobile/Orange UK partnership -- looking to try and offer LTE before the year end, removing tethering from their flagship plan is sure to be a bitter blow to those who may have been holding out.  Source: Techradar

FlightTrack offers free version with new design; paying customers have to wait Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:52 AM PDT Some news out of the Mobiata camp today. FlightTrack -- which long has been one of our go-to travel apps -- now has a free version, with a beautifully revamped design. If you've previously purchased FlightTrack, however, you'll not see the redesign just yet. Included in the free version of the app, though, are the redesigned UI, including flight details and a rough tracking map (other apps give a more detailed flight path), real-time departure and arrival info, gate numbers and baggage claim details. Plus, there's viewing on Google Maps, and the whole shebang covers more than 16,000 airports and 1,400 airports. So is the free version of FlightTrack the way to go? Probably not if you're a road warrior. It's lacking the all-important Tripit integration, you can only track a single flight at a time, you're missing weather info, plus other features. But if you travel only once in a blue moon, it's definitely worth checking out. Let's just hope those of us who have paid for the app see an update shortly.

Ouya pre-orders now open to everyone Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:43 AM PDT If for whatever reason you didn't back Ouya's efforts on Kickstarter when it was live, no matter. Starting right now, you can head on over to the Ouya website and place your pre-order for an Ouya console and controller. Ouya has set up several options for ordering, so if you need more than one controller you can order it directly with your package. The price list looks like this -- U.S. Orders 1 Console = 1 Controller = $109.99 1 Console = 2 Controllers = $139.99 1 Console = 4 Controllers = $199.99 International Orders 1 Console = 1 Controller = $119.99 1 Console = 2 Controllers = $149.99 1 Console = 4 Controllers = $209.99 The pricing includes $10 for shipping in the U.S., and $20 for international shipments. The expected time of delivery is listed as being April 2013. That's still quite a wait, but if the funding was any sort of indication, you might want to get your pre-order in while you still can. Full disclosure -- Android Central is one of Ouya's Kickstarter backers. Source: Ouya

Amazon Cloud Player now available on Sonos Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:22 AM PDT Amazon has been busy making improvements to its Cloud Player. The company recently announced the ability to scan and match music and now it has made the service available on Sonos. So now if you store your music through Amazon, you can register and start playing your collection anywhere in the house, directly from your Sonos system. To get started, you'll need a five-digit code from your Sonos controller, which will allow you to register through Amazon.com. Once it's registered, to find your collection on your controller, just select 'music' and then 'Amazon Cloud Player'. There is a Sonos app available for the Kindle Fire and for other Android devices from the Google Play Store. Full press release after the break. More: Amazon Appstore, Amazon read more

T-Mobile Galaxy S Blaze Q press shot appears, Aug. 15 release rumored Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:19 AM PDT A press render for the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q (gasp) has emerged, seemingly confirming rumors of an Aug. 15 release for the upcoming QWERTY slider. The device, which we'll mercifully call the Blaze Q from now on, is rumored to rock a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 720p screen and Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. Essentially, a Galaxy S3 with a full physical keyboard, which is exactly what it looks like in the shot above. Today's render, obtained by TmoNews​, hints at a possible release next Wednesday, Aug. 15. The date is mentioned in the clock and weather widget on the phone, and last month a leaked internal screen claimed that's when the Blaze Q would launch. As you may have noticed, certain manufacturers like to include launch and announcement dates in promotional photos -- for example, the Galaxy S3 press renders all showed May 3, the date of that phone's unveiling in London. It's far from conclusive, but the evidence is certainly stacking up in favor of a Blaze Q launch in just under a week. Tmo customers, anything here catch your eye? Let us know in the comments. Source: TmoNews

Sony Xperia Tablet leaks once again, aluminum shell shown up close Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:17 AM PDT Following the huge leak just over a week ago that revealed its existence, the Sony Xperia Tablet has emerged once again today, in the form of leaked press renders. The renders obtained by ​XperiaBlog show the Tegra 3-powered, Xperia-branded tablet up-close, allowing a more detailed view of the new aluminum back and folded magazine style chassis. The trademark wedge, while not as pronounced as in last year's Tablet S, is plain to see. Sony's Tablet S was one of the more unique Honeycomb tablets to emerge late last year, and the Xperia Tablet is shaping up to be a worthy successor, with Android 4.x, a quad-core CPU and software aesthetics influenced by Sony's smartphone range. Sony's new tablet is expected to make an appearance at the company's IFA press conference later this month, with a launch rumored in time for the holidays. Tentative pricing is purported to start at $449.99 for the 16GB version. 32GB is set for $549.99, and 64GB for $649.99. We've got a couple more leaked renders after the break. Source: XperiaBlog read more

Deal of the Day: Krusell ColorCover Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 Posted: 09 Aug 2012 06:38 AM PDT The August 9 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Krusell ColorCover Case for Samsung Galaxy S3. This lightweight case brings vibrant colors to your device and protects against drops and scratches. There are cutouts for the GS3's features while keeping the screen exposed for full functionality.  Comes in black, blue, orange, pink and white. The Krusell ColorCover Case is available for just $12.95, 48% off today only. Backed by our 60-day return policy and fast shipping. Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts!

CyanogenMod 9 gets stable for the Galaxy Nexus Posted: 09 Aug 2012 05:21 AM PDT Just a quick heads up that CyanogenMod 9 has hit stable build status for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. (That's the GSM Maguro version of the GNex.) That means you'll be running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and not the newer Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. But if you've got a hankering for some stable CM9 on the GNex, you're ready to go. If you do choose to download and are comfortable with torrents, be sure to seed. You'll be doing the world a favor. Download: CyanogenMod 9 (stable) for the Galaxy Nexus; thanks, @zacharystern

Google Translate v2.5 adds image translation and more Posted: 09 Aug 2012 04:40 AM PDT Looks like there's a big update for the Google Translate Android app going out this morning. The big addition in the new version 2.5 is the ability to translate parts of images using your phone's rear-facing camera. This feature can be used by tapping the camera icon, tapping the screen to take a picture, then highlighting what you want to translate. It takes a little getting used to, but with a bit of practice it's pretty easy to tag certain sections for translation, which should be useful for signs and other short messages when traveling. Note, however, that you'll need at least Android 2.3 Gingerbread to use image translation. Other changes include the ability to specify preferred dialects for speech input, instant, as-you-type translation similar to the Google Translate web interface, and improvements to the way Japanese characters are handled. Specifically, the app can now recognize multiple Japanese characters at once. We'll definitely be taking this app with us to IFA in Berlin, Germany later this month. If you're traveling anytime soon, you'll probably want to do the same. Hit the Google Play link to grab the latest version of Google Translate.

Motorola Xoom 3G finally gets Ice Cream Sandwich in the UK Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:38 AM PDT More than a month after the European roll-out of Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich for Wifi-only Motorola Xoom tablets begun, the British 3G version of the Xoom is finally getting its ICS update. That's right -- until recently, the UK 3G Xoom was two versions behind the U.S. Wifi version, which recently got bumped up to Jelly Bean. We'll just let that sink in for a second. In any case, ​Eurodroid​ is reporting that those who've stuck it out with the 3G Xoom for the past year or so have been rewarded with an OTA update to Android 4.0.4, and with it the knowledge that they're only one major version behind Xoom owners across the pond. If you've got a 3G Xoom, head to Settings > About tablet > Software updates and finally kiss goodbye to Honeycomb. Now begins the wait for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, though given the timing of this most recent update, we certainly wouldn't hold our breath. If you're feeling brave (and impatient), you may want to check our friendly Motorola Xoom forums for tips on rooting and flashing a Jelly Bean ROM on there manually. Source: Eurodroid

Sony Xperia GX now available in Japan on NTT Docomo Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:10 AM PDT Right on schedule, Sony's new flagship smartphone, the Xperia GX, has today launched on NTT Docomo in Japan. The slim-line device is the spiritual successor to last year's Xperia Arc, and it comes with a spec list that should tantalize Android fans after a relatively tepid early 2012 showing from Sony. The GX boasts a 4.6-inch 720p Sony HD Reality Display, a dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU at 1.5GHz, 1GB of RAM, a 13MP rear camera (based on Sony's new CMOS sensor for smartphones). On the software side, there's Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, backed up by Sony's UXP NXT software, and all the proprietary Sony Entertainment Network and PlayStation functionality you'd expect. Android purists will be pleased to hear that the GX sports on-screen buttons, including a dedicated multitasking key. If you're in Japan, you can view pricing details and other info at the source link below. If not, you'll have to wait until later this month, where Sony's expected to unveil an international version of the GX at its IFA press conference in Berlin. Source: NTT Docomo

International Galaxy S3 gets OTA update with new baseband Posted: 09 Aug 2012 01:52 AM PDT Owners of the international Samsung Galaxy S III (S3, GT-i9300) are waking up to a new over-the-air update this morning. This tiny update weighs in at under 1MB, and comes labeled as a "stability improvement" patch. As far as we can tell, the only thing this version changes is the phone's baseband (radio firmware), bumping it up version XXLH1. The rest of the system image, where the remainder of the software is housed, doesn't seem to have been touched at all since the last OTA. So it looks like this is just a minor OTA to address some issues with the radio firmware, which will be welcome news to S3 owners still experiencing the elusive "cell standby" battery drain issue that's been reported on forums. Though we've yet to receive confirmation that the update fixes this issue, it's the most likely reason for a quick radio update like this. We should also mention that local search is alive and well in this version, after it was restored a few weeks back. If you're rocking an unlocked international Galaxy S3, you'll probably have already received the notification for this update. If not, head to Settings > About device > Software updates on the phone, or fire up Samsung's Kies desktop software to grab the new OTA. Carrier-branded phones may have a little longer to wait before they get this latest update.

Android 4.1 for the T-Mobile G1 probably won't be your daily driver... Posted: 09 Aug 2012 01:42 AM PDT ... But damned if it isn't cool to see the original Android phone from late 2008 getting some custom Jelly Bean love. Yes, it's slow (sloooow), unstable, and the hardware's prehistoric, but it's Jelly Bean -- based on a port of CyanogenMod 10 -- and it's running on the T-Mobile G1 (aka HTC Dream). See the full preview video from the developers above, or check the forum thread linked below if you fancy firing up your G1 for old time's sake and flashing this custom ROM. Source: XDA

Cablevision Optimum TV streaming app now available on the Kindle Fire Posted: 08 Aug 2012 10:17 PM PDT If you current needs for streaming content on the Kindle Fire are not really working out there is a new option out there if you're a Cablevision subscriber. Cablevision has now released a revised Optimum app for the Kindle Fire. This app differs from the one currently available in the Google Play Store that simply allows you to control your DVR and browse listings. The new app has a whole new set of features built into it that will make those stuck with the Google Play version a bit jealous: Live TV and On Demand – customers can experience the channels they receive as part of their home cable television service, live, when connected to their home network, as well as all the On Demand programming that is part of their monthly service. Enhanced User Interface and Channel Guide – customers can review and search through program listings, filter listings across a variety of categories and then choose to watch on the Kindle Fire or use the device to control conventional television sets in the house. DVR Management – customers can use the Optimum App to manage previously-recorded DVR content, or schedule new recordings. Program Ratings and Recommendations – customers can use the app to rate programs they are watching, and receive viewing recommendations that become more accurate based on previous ratings. Parental Controls, Closed Captioning and other options in settings. Yep, direct streaming of shows and movies over Wi-Fi is offered on the Kindle Fire version. The press release which can be found below makes no mention of an update coming to the Google Play version so alas, Kindle Fire and iOS users are the only ones who get in on this action. Hopefully though, Cablevision will roll out an update to bring all their apps on the same level. Source: Cablevision, Download: Amazon read more

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Android Community

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• T-Mobile Galaxy S Blaze Q leaks, rumored for August 15th
• Original HTC G1 Android phone gets 4.1 Jelly Bean
• Gameloft’s next-gen game “Wild Blood” preview trailer unvealed
• Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE could launch August 19
• Samsung Galaxy Note II rumored to have flexible AMOLED screen
• Samsung Galaxy S III 64GB quad-core version available now – only $1200
• Bank of America check deposits coming to Android app
• Google Now voice search heads to iPhone
• Android climbs to 68.1% market share in Q2 2012
• Motorola backtracks, no new phone coming Friday

T-Mobile Galaxy S Blaze Q leaks, rumored for August 15th Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:11 AM PDT A press image of a new Samsung Galaxy device headed to the folks at T-Mobile has appeared, and along with it comes decent specs and a QWERTY keyboard. The ridiculously long name is the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q and we are even hearing this device could launch as soon as August 15th, but that looks pretty unlikely at the moment. Motorola recently announced the PHOTON Q 4G LTE QWERTY slider for another carrier, and now T-Mobile and Samsung are following suite with a similar option. Adding Q in the name to signify a QWERTY hardware keyboard just like their myTouch Q. If you ask me, these long names are starting to get out of hand. Back to the device though, the Galaxy S Blaze Q looks to be an overall mid to high-end smartphone for T-Mobile, and we first spotted it back in June. This appears to be a slightly improved Galaxy S Blaze 4G, only with a keyboard of course. The specs include a 720p HD display of unknown size (likely 4.0 inches) and the same 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor as the powerful Galaxy S III. It features 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is on board too. Then on bottom is the 5-row slide out QWERTY keyboard that most either love, or hate. We don’t have any further details but being mid-range it will most likely offer a 5 megapixel rear camera too. T-Mobile seems to still be big supporters of the hardware keyboard, and this will make an excellent budget friendly back to school smartphone should they release it this month. We’ll be hearing more soon so stay tuned. [via TmoNews]

Original HTC G1 Android phone gets 4.1 Jelly Bean Posted: 09 Aug 2012 10:24 AM PDT Say hello to the HTC G1, the first of its kind original Android smartphone. The “when will my phone get updated” story is an overplayed one, but today the G1 has most of you already beat. Today we have a neat video showing the HTC G1 running on Google’s latest Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean. Pretty impressive for such an old phone. The HTC G1 just won’t die, and we don’t want it to either. After managing to get Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich running on it, those fancy developers at XDA have done the same again with Google’s latest OS. It’s time to dust off that aging and ancient G1 and enjoy some Jelly beans. What you see above is a “somewhat” working version of CyanogenMod 10. Obviously with the internals of the G1 things will be slow. You don’t have hardware acceleration or any of the many many things needed to be smooth, but I still enjoyed it. Obviously with a phone of the G1′s old age we didn’t expect much. It is slow, laggy, choppy, and for the most part broken. The key here is it happened. Someone was able to successfully get it up and running, and usable. Just as the video says, you’ll never use this for your main phone, but it’s fun to dust off the old OG Android and give her a spin. This is one of the many reasons we love Android, and the entire developer community. Well done guys! [via XDA]

Gameloft’s next-gen game “Wild Blood” preview trailer unvealed Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:35 AM PDT Gameloft unleashed the rumor mill last week after posting an awesome picture of their upcoming next generation title for Android and iOS. The game had no name, but we can now confirm is called “Wild Blood” and is their first game to use the wildly popular Unreal Graphics Engine. Unreal is behind the iOS hit Infinity Blade, and multiple games like Gears of War, and now is finally coming to Android full steam. The first Android game with the Unreal Engine powering the impressive graphics was Dungeon Defenders, but Gameloft’s upcoming bloody battle game will be their best game yet. In what is surely going to be one of their most “Epic” games to date, here’s the first teaser trailer: Think God of War mixed with a little Infinity Blade, and this is what you get. Although the trailer didn’t reveal much. Epic Games, the developers behind the Unreal Engine have been powering some of the biggest games to date. From all the Tom Clancy games, Gears of War, Batman Arkham Asylum and City, and tons of others I can’t think of on consoles. Bringing their evolving and extremely visually impressive graphics to Android has been something I’m sure many gamers are excited about. Gameloft hasn’t shared any details on this upcoming game, but hopefully we’ll know more soon. After waiting almost a week since the first teaser image we now have an actual video. Our initial guess of “Wild Blood” turned out to be right after all. The graphics aren’t quite what I was hoping, but still look impressive. Gameloft teases there is a hint hiding about the story line in the preview. Can any of you spot it? Who’s excited about the just announced Wild Blood? Story Timeline Gameloft's N.O.V.A. 3 for Android Review Gameloft announces Asphalt 7: Heat, and Spider-Man for Android [Video] Gameloft teases next-gen Infinity Blade rival for Android Gameloft promises simultaneous launches across Android and iOS

Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE could launch August 19 Posted: 08 Aug 2012 04:07 PM PDT Some new rumors are floating around this afternoon regarding Motorola’s upcoming 4G LTE device for the Now Network. And no this isn’t the announcement coming Friday. Motorola’s PHOTON Q 4G LTE was announced late last month along with a QWERTY keyboard but now we are hearing it might finally hit the streets in just a few weeks. For those fans of the original PHOTON 4G, or wanting a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and 4G this could be the phone for you. The PHOTON Q 4G LTE has way too long of a name but lets talk about it for a minute. New rumors are now floating around from PhoneDog that Motorola will indeed be releasing more details, or launching the phone come August 19th. The new PHOTON is supposed to be the first phone from Motorola that will have a bootloader that can be easily unlocked. For those unfamiliar, Motorola has been the most up tight manufacturer on this front for years and it looks like the Google acquisition might finally be changing that. The PHOTON Q 4G LTE will rock a 4.3-inch HD display, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and be powered by the same 1.5 GHz dual-core processor in the Galaxy S III and many other smartphones. If everything pans out for Motorola we could see the new phone arrive for the Now Network come Sunday, August 19th. For now stay tuned for additional leaks or details. Story Timeline Motorola Slider leaks - could be rumored Photon Q LTE Motorola promises unlocked bootloaders coming soon Motorola Photon Q gets official Motorola finally unlocking bootloaders - for real this time

Samsung Galaxy Note II rumored to have flexible AMOLED screen Posted: 08 Aug 2012 01:22 PM PDT Samsung is expected to reveal the Galaxy Note II soon, but such a reveal not happening until the end of the month, so there’s plenty of time left for new rumors. This time around we’re told by Korea IT Times that Samsung will be including a 5.5-inch flexible AMOLED screen for the Galaxy Note successor. This screen will apparently be combined with unbreakable plane display technology (UBP) and a plastic substrate, which will allow it to be tougher than your typical smartphone display. Don’t let the word “flexible” fool you however, as you won’t be able to actually bend the phablet. Using a flexible display will allow Samsung to bend the screen ever so slightly, and with that UBP backing it, it’ll be more resilient than other glass smartphone screens and will also save a bit of space. The new screen reportedly allows Samsung to cut 0.4mm off the total size of the phone, and while that doesn’t seem like anything to write home about, it will be enough to space to house a larger battery than the one found in the original Galaxy Note. Speaking of the original Galaxy Note, have a look at our reviews for the both the AT&T and T-Mobile versions. We’ve heard whispers of the Galaxy Note II’s AMOLED display before, just as we’ve heard about its UBP tech. It makes sense that the Galaxy Note II will feature a semi-flexible screen, as Samsung has been talking about including such a display in its devices for most of the year. In other words, it seems likely that this rumor is true, but it would still be a good idea to take it with a grain of salt just in case. We don’t have much longer before we find out about the specs of the Galaxy Note II, however, provided Samsung does indeed reveal it at its event on August 29. We’ve been hearing some exciting things about the Galaxy Note II, so be sure to check out our story timeline below for more information on the current rumors. As always, keep an ear to Android Community, as we’ll have all the details about Samsung’s press event shortly after IFA 2012 kicks off. Story Timeline Samsung Galaxy Note 2 tipped with 5.5-inch screen Samsung Galaxy Note II rumored with 12 MP camera coming in September Samsung Unpacked IFA invite hints at Galaxy Note 2 - and Magic Samsung confirms Galaxy Note 2 debut on August 29th [via SlashGear]

Samsung Galaxy S III 64GB quad-core version available now – only $1200 Posted: 08 Aug 2012 01:22 PM PDT I saw this price and almost had a heart attack. It looks like some select e-tailers now have Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S III, the quad-core international version available for sale in the 64GB storage option. US carriers opted for the 16 or 32GB flavors, but now those wanting 64GB of storage can get it. Only it will cost you an arm and a leg. The folks from Mobile Syrup spotted the international 64GB version being offered up for sale for the low low price of $1167 CAD. Basically only $1,172 USD for those interested. Hey, at least we get free shipping right? That price gets you the same 1.4 GHz quad-core smartphone available internationally but with tons of storage, then of course you can also insert a micro-SD card for even more. This option is rather amazing if you ask me. Why anyone on earth would pay over $1,100 for a Galaxy S III seems crazy to us. Just get the 32GB option with a 64GB micro SD card and you are set. For those that truly need additional storage (for some unknown reason) I guess this will have to do. As a reminder the US Galaxy S III features a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, this version for sale is the international flavor with Samsung’s own quad-core instead. We’ve reviewed them both and you can see those links below. Who’s buying? Story Timeline Samsung Galaxy S III gets full SlashGear review Samsung Galaxy S III Review Samsung Galaxy S III AT&T and T-Mobile Review Galaxy S III with quad-core and 4G LTE heads to Korea July 9 Samsung hints at new Galaxy S III color options coming soon Samsung Galaxy S III sales hit 10 million Device Specifications and Information Device Info Device Name : Galaxy S III Manufactuer : Samsung Carrier : NA Announced Date : May 03, 2012 Release Date : May 29, 2012 Also Known As : The Next Galaxy, SGSIII Display Screen Size : 4.8 Inch Resolution : 720x1280 Screen Type : Super AMOLED HD Dimension & Weight Height : 5.37 Inch Width : 2.77 Inch Depth : 0.33 Inch Weight : 133 Grams Battery & Power Battery Type: Lithium Ion Battery Capacity : 2100 mAh Talk Time : NA Stand By Time : NA Software Android OS: 4.0.x Audio Playback: AAC AAC+ AMR MID MP3 WAV WMA Video Playback: h.263 h.264 / AVC MPEG-4 (MP4) Messaging: SMS MMS Hardware CPU : Exynos 4 Quad CPU Clock Speed : 1400 Mhz Core : 4 Ram : 1024 MB Internal Storage : 32 GB Front Facing Camera : Camera Resolution : 8 MP External Storage: MicroSD MicroSDHC Camera Features: Auto focus Flash 1080p Video Recording Sensors: Accelerometer Ambient light Proximity QWERTY : Cellular Network Network Technology: GSM GSM Band: 850 900 1800 1900 Device Connectivity Wi-Fi: 802.11b 802.11g 802.11n Bluetooth: A2DP Bluetooth 4.0 Location Features: Compass GPS Cellular location Wi-Fi location FM Radio : NFC :

Bank of America check deposits coming to Android app Posted: 08 Aug 2012 12:50 PM PDT The wait for Android users to enjoy features such as mobile check cashing is finally coming to the Bank of America Android app. These features have existed for a long time, especially on that other platform, but anytime this week we can expect check deposit features to arrive for BofA users on Android. This is nothing new. iPhones have been enjoying this feature for a long time from other banks, and even Chase’s Android app has the feature. Sadly one of the biggest banks in the US still never did. This week they’ve promised updates for Android, iOS, and yes even Windows Phone that will allow smartphone and tablet users the capability. The feature is rather simple. Just take a picture of the front and back of a check using your smartphone camera and the newly updated app (once it arrives) and then you can instantly deposit the check into your account. They’ll even offer options to distribute the deposit however and wherever you’d like. According to Mybanktracker the update for Android smartphones should have arrived for Android earlier this week, yet still hasn’t. Bank of America has rolled out this feature for iOS as of yesterday so we are expecting Android to get the update any day now. If using your smartphone to deposit checks from your couch or anywhere is of any interest, stay tuned for an update to arrive soon.

Google Now voice search heads to iPhone Posted: 08 Aug 2012 11:53 AM PDT Google’s extremely impressive voice search feature, Google Now, that was revamped and released with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is headed to iOS – wait what? Yup, you read that title right. Obviously the entire amazing feature set and “cards” of Google Now won’t be hitting the iPhone, but it comes close and is set to rival Siri on her own playing field. Today over on the Google Blog they’ve announced that their voice search capabilities on iOS have been revamped to closer resemble those of which Android users now enjoy. Web voice search from Google on iOS has been available for some time, but not to this extend. Nor did it have the awesome speed and user interface of Google Now. When Google showed off Google Now at Google IO it was rather amazing. The knowledge graph and vocal responses are great, but it won’t tell you a joke. Although I don’t really need it to. Here’s the official video released today from Google: To be clear this isn’t Google Now for iOS, this is a new and improved “enhanced voice search” for iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. Simple things like “How’s the weather in San Fransisco,” or “will it rain today” all work like a charm on Android. While this isn’t available for iOS yet, Google states it is coming soon. My two questions that I’m sure many of our Android readers also have is: Why would they offer that awesome and impressive feature on iOS too? The answer is very clear though. It doesn’t matter what OS, it’s all about Google Search — as that is their true bread and butter. My second question is when will this be available for all Android devices, not just Jelly Bean. If you want to see all the amazing things that Google Now can do, check out our impressive Google Now hands-on. What do you guys think about seeing this on iOS?

Android climbs to 68.1% market share in Q2 2012 Posted: 08 Aug 2012 11:35 AM PDT The International Data Corporation has released its Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker results for Q2 2012, and things are looking great for the little green robot. IDC says that in all, 154 million smartphones were shipped in quarter 2 alone, and of those, 104.8 million were Android handsets. That gives Android a whopping 68.1% market share for quarter 2, and it appears that we have Samsung to thank for that. That’s because 44% of all Android smartphones shipped in Q2 were manufactured by Samsung. True, that isn’t quite a majority percentage, but 44% is not a small portion by any means. In fact, that number is large enough for Samsung to be able to claim that it sold more smartphones than its seven biggest Android competitors combined. Obviously, the new Galaxy-branded devices introduced recently contributed greatly to this boost for Samsung, so don’t expect the company to lay off the Galaxy line anytime soon. Android’s success is compared to the number of smartphones Apple managed to ship in quarter 2, which comes in at 26 million. That’s 16.9% market share for iOS, and even though Apple saw double-digit growth in the quarter, IDC points out that it isn’t managing to keep up with the overall market. This means that we may see Apple begin to slip before long, but it doesn’t have much to worry about at the moment – iOS and Android make up 85% of the smartphone market, and Apple’s numbers for the quarter were good enough to put it in a solid (if not distant) second place. As is usually the case, Android’s growth in the quarter comes at the expense of BlackBerry and Symbian. Both were very popular mobile operating systems at one time, but in Q2, both slipped below 5% market share. Indeed, with BlackBerry sitting at 4.8% and Symbian sitting at 4.4%, things aren’t looking so good for either of them, and if Android keeps growing, they’re likely to lose even more market share. So, Android is looking great and iOS is still pretty healthy, but everyone else is suffering at the end of quarter 2. Android is likely to keep on growing as time goes on and more and more people begin making the switch to smartphones, so keep it tuned here to Android Community for more news about the robot’s climb to the top!

Motorola backtracks, no new phone coming Friday Posted: 08 Aug 2012 11:32 AM PDT The little game Motorola started yesterday appears to be going south already. After announcing a mystery 4G LTE smartphone would be unveiled on Friday, they’ve now backtracked on that to clarify that it won’t be a “new” phone, but they will unveil something after all the clues are figured out. So those expecting to see a new device, sorry for the bad news. Basically this isn’t about a new phone, instead it is about brand awareness. After having a nice little hidden square and asking everyone to “guess the smartphone,” we all figured it was a new device. Why would we guess on something we already know. Either way here’s what they had to say: Let's play a game, Guess the Smartphone. We'll give a clue each day all week and make the big reveal on Friday. I have the power of 4G LTE. Which smartphone am I? After all the leaks of Motorola’s upcoming DROID RAZR HD, everyone assumed (us included) that we’d be seeing that new smartphone. Today however Motorola has spoiled the fun and changed the tune. Either they’ve decided not to unveil a new smartphone, or they never were planning on it to begin with. Here is the hint from today: I browse the Web, multitask and power through emails with my 1.5 GHz dual-core processor. And just a note, I'm in market in the U.S. from Motorola already." Yup, you guessed it. That would be the Motorola Atrix HD on AT&T — see our review. Motorola’s Atrix HD is a great smartphone on AT&T, especially for $99. Why they are running this little promotional guessing game this late after launch has us confused. Either way an update was in order. Sorry folks, we won’t be seeing the DROID RAZR HD on Friday. We’ll update when we know more on that device, because the Atrix HD is old news. [via Motorola]

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