Android and Me

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• Nexus 7 16GB now back in stock at Google Play
• VIZIO struggles to keep up with demand for $99 Google TV box
• Beat the heat with Nest Learning Thermostat

Nexus 7 16GB now back in stock at Google Play Posted: 30 Jul 2012 09:09 AM PDT The Nexus 7 may well be the perfect 7″ tablet, but a few glaring omissions can potentially create issues. Most notably, the lack of a microSD slot leaves you stuck with a finite amount of storage, making the 16GB option the better buy especially for those of us who enjoy gaming on our devices (FIFA 12 was a massive 2GB by itself). Unfortunately, the 16GB Nexus 7 was hard to find, with retail stores selling out of the device and Google Play out of stock with nary an availability date given. It seems Google has gotten another shipment from ASUS, and currently has the 16GB Nexus 7 back in stock on Google Play. Like the 8GB model, anyone who orders the 16GB Nexus 7 today should have the tablet on their doorstep in 3-5 business days. To get your hands on the 16GB Nexus 7, head over to Google Play and put in an order.

VIZIO struggles to keep up with demand for $99 Google TV box Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:47 AM PDT America’s #1 LCD HDTV company can’t keep their new Co-Star Google TV box in stock. VIZIO began the $99 pre-order for the device last week and then reported it sold out of the first batch within 12 hours. Pre-orders were briefly back online two additional times, but they are currently unavailable. We expect the demand is high, but VIZIO could be limiting the supply to create some online buzz. History shows that consumers are willing to throw down $99 for a Google TV box. Last year Logitech reduced the price of their Revue Google TV box to $99 and it quickly sold out after hundreds of you purchased it. VIZIO has several active online campaigns to promote the Co-Star pre-order and it is currently plastered on the front page of their website, so I doubt they are constraining the supply on purpose. However, we still don’t know how many units VIZIO has sold in the pre-order. Details are still scarce on the in-store availability of the Co-Star. VIZIO’s products are found at Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, BJ’s Wholesale, and other stores nationwide, but the company has not revealed their retail plans. Some pre-orders are expected to begin shipping in August, so more details should be coming soon. We reached out to VIZIO to see if they could provide additional details on the pre-order or retail launch, but they have yet to respond. If you missed out on the pre-order and you are still interested in purchasing a Co-Star, your best bet is to follow VIZIO’s Google+ page for updates. For those that did get in on the pre-order, please let us know when your order ships.

Beat the heat with Nest Learning Thermostat Posted: 29 Jul 2012 08:22 PM PDT Growing up in South Texas, I became used to hot summers and high electricity bills. A winter electricity statement might only run $50, but it could easily climb to $200-300 in the summer months. Studies show that your thermostat controls half your energy bill on average, so it could be a wise investment to purchase a smart thermostat that learns your schedule and provides energy saving tips. This month I finally decided to purchase the Nest learning thermostat. Last year I got one for my parents and then I read a ton of positive reviews, so I felt I should give it a try as we entered the warmest months in Dallas. Normally I would wait a couple of moths before reviewing a product such as this, but I was so impressed with Nest that I decided it was time to share my thoughts. The Good Fast installation: I installed my Nest thermostat in less than 30 minutes, and I could probably do it in under 10 the next time I move. The package includes a universal mounting brace, screwdriver and screws, and optional wall plates. Videos are provided to help you check compatibility before you purchase and show you how to complete the install if you run in problems. For those that want a professional to install the device, Nest offers a concierge service for $115. Ease of use: Before I purchased the Nest for our place, we gave one to my parents last Christmas. They had no problems using it and told me they love it. I have found that basic operation is no different than most thermostats. Anyone can operate the Nest. Build quality: Nest is sleek and stylish. It looks and feels like a high end product. The rotating dial is so smooth and the clicking action feels solid. Estimated savings with Nest. Saves money: The Nest thermostat has multiple ways to save you energy and cut down on your monthly energy bill. Auto-away allows Nest to turn itself down when you’re out so you don’t wast energy cooling an empty home. With the help of Airwave, your AC can run up to 30% less. When your home’s humidity is low, Nest can turn off your compressor and keep cooling your house by running the fan and blowing air over your cold evaporator coil. Convenience: Does your wife or significant other always complain about the temperature? With Nest, you will no longer have to climb out of bed in the middle of the night to adjust the thermostat. Just reach for your phone and you can easily turn the temperature up or down. It’s also really convenient to turn on your AC a couple of minutes before you get home after being away. Nest learns your schedule within within a week, so no programming is necessary. Monthly energy reports: I haven’t completed my first month yet, but the sample reports look pretty cool. Envery reports include detailed info about what your thermostat has been up to and pointers on how to save more. Every month you will get a new, personalized tip on how to save more energy. It gets better: Just like your Android phone or tablet, the Nest thermostat receives firmware updates over the air. They just released Version 2.0 in April that added a ton of new features, and more updates are planned in the future. The Not-so-good Android app doesn’t work with tablets: I tried installing Nest mobile on several tablets. I was greeted with a message, “Nest Mobile doesn’t work with your Android device’s screen size and resolution.” Nest app running on an Android phone. Price: Nest retails for $249, but I doubt the bill of materials is no more than $100. They don’t exactly have a lot of competition in the smart-thermostat-that-connects-to-your-phone department, so Nest can charge a premium for their product right now. Hopefully the price will come down as sales start to take off. Not all HVAC systems are supported: Most of the negative reviews I have read on Nest are related to customers with heating or cooling systems that were not compatible. Make sure you visit the compatibility checker before you purchase. Final Words To put it simply, I love my Nest and I’ll never return to my old thermostat. Even though I have only used it for a couple of weeks, I can already tell it is going to save me money. I’ve always been a forgetful guy, so having the auto-away feature is a big help. Now I check my energy reports each day and review where I could make small adjustments. I’m looking forward to my first energy report to find additional ways to save. As mentioned above, I think the asking price is a little high, but Nest should pay for itself in under two years. I’m already pleased with the product as is and I can’t wait to see how it is improved with the next software update. It’s unfortunate that the mobile app doesn’t work with Android tablets, but I expect that will eventually get fixed (you can use the browser in the mean time). If your home is compatible and you can afford it, I would definitely recommend Nest. They are starting to appear in several retail stores, but the easiest way to grab one is on Amazon. As I keep using Nest, I will return to this review and continue to update my experience.

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Android Phone Fans

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• Court Docs Reveal 11.8-Inch Samsung Tablet With Retina-Like Display
• Samsung: Fighting Over Rectangles Is Unreasonable – We’d Have To Agree
• Strategy Analytics: Android market share drops to 56% in the US in Q2
• WikiPad gaming tablet specs revealed
• Casio G’zOne Commando receives build C771M120
• Archos 97 Carbon with Android 4.0 now available for $250
• So long, Sidekick 4G (and hope for a replacement?) [Early Retirement]
• Samsung Galaxy Beam brings portable projection to the UK
• Best Buy offering Verizon Galaxy Nexus free on-contract
• Motorola DROID Bionic gets alpha build of CyanogenMod 10
• Google Talk video chat to be replaced with Hangouts in Gmail
• Samsung Galaxy Note coming to T-Mobile August 8 for $249
• No Ice Cream Sandwich for LG’s Optimus 2X?
• ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity receiving OTA update
• 16GB Nexus 7 back in stock at Google Play

Court Docs Reveal 11.8-Inch Samsung Tablet With Retina-Like Display Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:40 PM PDT The Apple vs Samsung trial has already uncovered a few buried nuggets from Apple’s camp, revealing early iPad prototypes that never made it into production. Today, with the Apple vs Samsung trial kicking off in full effect, court docs are giving us details on tablets coming down the pipeline, this time from Samsung. Looks like ‘ol Sammy is prepping a tablet codenamed the “P10,” and it’s claim to fame will no doubt be its 256 ppi, 2560×1600 super high resolution Retina-like display. It will be interesting to see how Android will handle a resolution higher than 1080p (I’m wondering if things will look stretched out like in Android’s pre-tablet days). Court docs don’t reveal too much in terms of a release date, citing only a vague 2012 launch. It’s possible Samsung could be announce the P10 during their launch event on August 15th — they did mention something about a new Galaxy — but I’m still placing my bets on a Note 2 unveiling. How do you guys feel about an Android tablet, of this size, with that high of a resolution. Excessive? We’re gonna need a bigger gun- er, better processor. [TheVerge]

Samsung: Fighting Over Rectangles Is Unreasonable – We’d Have To Agree Posted: 30 Jul 2012 05:56 PM PDT The Apple vs Samsung trial kicked off today here in California and both sides are lighting  up their cannons, preparing for  war. In my head, this has all been playing out like those Spy vs Spy comics from back in the day, with both sides making strong arguments against one another, tossing around a lot of legal mumbo jumbo. If it’s been hard for you to follow along thus far, Samsung’s Chief Product Officer Kevin Packingham breaks it all down — real down — in an interview he did today with Wired. His view? It all comes down to rectangles. His opinion is that Apple is trying to claim a patent on things that they never owned. You know, that almost square shape with rounded corners that Moses held when returning from Mt. Sinai. Here’s what Packingham had to say: “In terms of patents, we have a made lot of contributions in the design space as well. I would say the patents we’re struggling with -- where there’s a lot of discussion and litigation right now -- are around these very broad design patents like a rectangle. For us, it’s unreasonable that we’re fighting over rectangles, that that’s being considered as an infringement, which is why we’re defending ourselves. “ Now, his opinion of course with just a little bit of bias (just a little) and even though I’m currently writing this post wearing a “Team Samsung” shirt, I’d lying if I said the original Galaxy S didn’t look just a little like the iPhone 3GS. Still, you gotta admit, it’s pretty ballsy for a company — no matter who they are — to try and patent a simple rectangle. If you guys want to check out the full interview (it’s a good read), visit the source link below. [Wired]

Strategy Analytics: Android market share drops to 56% in the US in Q2 Posted: 30 Jul 2012 03:36 PM PDT Strategy Analytics released some new numbers today regarding smartphone market share in the United States. In Q2 2012, Android market share ended up at 56%. This is four points less than what they did in the same quarter 2011. Meanwhile, their biggest competition – iOS – actually gained 10% this quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. They now command 33% of the market share. SA’s Neil Mawston says it’s clear Google is nearing its peak in market share, and while these numbers can’t be indicative of a forthcoming free fall from space it’s alarming to know just how much Apple has shot back up. In all, smartphone shipments didn’t do so well as they fell 5%. 24 million smartphone units were sold in all. Android’s 56% is still a pretty big share of the pie, but with Apple’s yearly iPhone release coming up in the 4th quarter of this year we can’t say we’d be surprised if their market share didn’t suffer just a bit more by the time 2013 rolls around. We’ll definitely keep our eyes on this one. [PCMag]

WikiPad gaming tablet specs revealed Posted: 30 Jul 2012 02:32 PM PDT WikiPad is a company making a tablet that will double as a gaming console. It will ship with a wireless controller for traditional gaming, and we now have an idea of what to expect for specs. VentureBeat was told in an interview that the device would feature a 10.1 inch IPS display with 1280×800 resolution, NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM,  at least 16GB of storage (this number could change by the time it ships), an 8 megapixel rear camera, a 2 megapixel front camera, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and more. There’s a possibility that later revisions of the WikiPad could get 3D displays but there are no certain plans just yet. While any of these powerful devices rival OUYA when it comes to power, the aforementioned company’s gaming console attracts attention due to its low price of $99. It’s noble to think of this as a tablet and a gaming console all in one, but the truth of the matter is I could pretty much call any modern Android phone a gaming console and dismiss the advantages of OUYA. But the WikiPad gaming console with its wide detachable controller (something that doesn’t look bad, I should say) gives this one a unique angle that I’m sure many will consider once it’s up for sale. The only problem is we don’t have a solid date just yet, but the device should make its way to the market by the end of the year for an undisclosed price. [via VentureBeat]

Casio G’zOne Commando receives build C771M120 Posted: 30 Jul 2012 01:54 PM PDT The Casio G’zOne Commando, Verizon’s rugged phone with a very bizarre name, seems to receiving another software upgrade. The changes include improved stability to decrease power cycles during PTT calls, the ability to automatically shut off the speakerphone following a PTT call, the removal of “Mobile IM,” an bug fixing update to the Desktop Cradle app, and more. This device will cost 14.9MB of your bandwidth so be sure to get on WiFi if you don’t want that to go against any data caps you may be under. Find instructions to apply the upgrade here.

Archos 97 Carbon with Android 4.0 now available for $250 Posted: 30 Jul 2012 01:31 PM PDT Archos is now shipping the Archos 97 Carbon, an Android 4.0 tablet with a 9.7 inch display and a 1GHz processor. 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (expandable up to 32GB), and dual-cameras round out the major specs of this device. You could do much better for $250 if you don’t mind going lower in screen size. The Nexus 7 is one such route to take with its quad-core processor, 7 inch display, 1GB of RAM, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and most importantly updates directly from Google. But if screen size is a concern for you and you need an iPad-sized tablet at an affordable price point, then I guess this is as good as you’ll bet. Head to Archos to order one now.

So long, Sidekick 4G (and hope for a replacement?) [Early Retirement] Posted: 30 Jul 2012 01:23 PM PDT Welp, it’s finally official. We’ve known for a long time that T-Mobile was beginning to phase the Sidekick 4G out of its line-up, and now it’s official: a T-Mobile rep has confirmed to PhoneScoop that the Sidekick 4G has been retired. The device was introduced early last year as a continuation of the Sidekick line. It would mark the first time that the smartphone was not based on Danger, a company and line of products (both hardware and software) that would eventually get swallowed up by Microsoft. T-Mobile pegged Samsung to create the Sidekick 4G, and Samsung put their Android expertise to good use on this rendition. It took a sharp turn from Samsung’s usual user interface, of course, as Samsung tried to incorporate elements from Danger’s software while introducing some new ones of their own. Long story short, the device enjoyed a pretty decent run but it has run its course. Is the Sidekick line dead? Absolutely not. When we first learned that the Sidekick 4G was being phased out we’d questioned whether or not the line was dead. It wasn’t clear back then, but it is clear now: the rep confirmed that the retirement of the Sidekick 4G “doesn’t mean we are discontinuing the T-Mobile Sidekick line.” So yes, there is hope that the Sidekick family could live on, but there’s no telling whether or not it will live on with Android.

Samsung Galaxy Beam brings portable projection to the UK Posted: 30 Jul 2012 12:03 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Beam was introduced this past February at Mobile World Congress and it has finally made its way to the UK. It’s a 4 inch device with a 1GHz dual-core processor and Android 2.3. Hardly exciting, right? Well Samsung’s banking on the gimmicky mini projector that the device gets its name from to generate interest. The 15-lumen projector makes this thing little more than a novelty feature for those who can’t resist a cool, unique feature, but those who need it for professional work might want to look for other options. But as it stands, if you absolutely must have both a phone and a projector in one this is going to be your best bet. Carphone Warehouse has the goods for free on a two-year contract through either Orange or T-Mobile.

Best Buy offering Verizon Galaxy Nexus free on-contract Posted: 30 Jul 2012 11:11 AM PDT Looking to get one of the most widely-supported Android handsets (via third-party developers, anyway) on the planet? You’ll definitely want to consider Best Buy’s attractive offering. They’ve been selling the device at Best Buy Mobile locations for free on new two-year agreements. Both new customers and those upgrading will be able to get in on the deal so no one should have anything to worry about when they walk into the big yellow ticket store. Check in with your local Best Buy to see if they’re mirroring the deal. [via PhoneArena]

Motorola DROID Bionic gets alpha build of CyanogenMod 10 Posted: 30 Jul 2012 10:56 AM PDT The Motorola DROID BIONIC may have been put into a bad situation on Verizon but there are still a ton of people who like the phone. With uncertainty in regards to a Jelly Bean-filled future we’re sure many are willing to go along unofficial routes to get it. CyanogenMod 10, the AOSP ROM that everyone’s craving, is only available in alpha form for certain devices right now, and Bionic users will be happy to know that their phone has been added to the list. As usual, an alpha build is not meant to be used for daily drivers. Many things won’t work, and in the specific case of the DROID Bionic one of those things is a biggie: the camera. But if you don’t mind giving it a shot just to see what’s in store for the future then get your nandroid backups going and grab the download here. [via Droid-Life]

Google Talk video chat to be replaced with Hangouts in Gmail Posted: 30 Jul 2012 10:37 AM PDT Google Talk was the official video-chat service for Gmail users for quite some time, but since Google+ and its 10-person Hangouts now dominate the former’s feature-set the latest out of the Google camp is nothing surprising. Google Talk’s video chat service, which allows members to chat one-on-one with their friends and family, will now be replaced by Hangouts in Gmail. No longer will users be confined to talking to just one soul at a time, though that option is obviously still available if you so choose. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the unique sharing features such as watching embedded YouTube videos anyone posts into the chat. Gmail users will need to sign up for a Google+ account to do more than the one-on-one bit, but that should be no issue considering your current Gmail account will also act as your illustrious new Google+ account. The service is available today for those with personal Google accounts while those on a Google Apps account will begin to see it in the coming weeks. What’s next? YouTube? (That would be an AWESOME combination especially if Google allowed the ability to record Hangouts.) Head on over to Google’s blog for the full details.

Samsung Galaxy Note coming to T-Mobile August 8 for $249 Posted: 30 Jul 2012 09:15 AM PDT T-Mobile has announced the availability of the Samsung Galaxy Note for August 8th after months of speculation and lead up. With rumors all but confirming the release of the phone, TMo came clean about the upcoming device a couple weeks back without detailing price or exact availability. Now both questions have been answered. The August 8th date applies for select retail stores and online purchases. The Note will cost $249.99 after $50 mail-in rebate with a standard two-year voice and data package. A Value voice and data plan sees the price drop to $199.99 up front with an additional $20 fee spread out over the first 20 months of the contract thank to T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan.

No Ice Cream Sandwich for LG’s Optimus 2X? Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:47 AM PDT According to LG Canada, the Optimus 2X won’t receive an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich as originally stated. The statement was issued on response to a tweet asking about the status of the update, or what we assume is asking about the status of the update — the actual phrasing doesn’t make much sense in terms of standard English. Regardless, LG Canada offered no explanation for the change of heart, only stating “the original announcement was a general statement issued from HQ.” If we want to find a silver lining in those words, we may be looking at a situation where the update isn’t currently planned for versions of the device tied to Canadian carriers, but that a rollout in other locations might still be on the table. This seems unlikely, however, as it makes little sense for LG to spend the man hours developing the update only to not deploy it on all compatible handsets. Things aren’t looking good for Optimus 2X owners at this point, but manufacturers have been known to flip-flop on these decisions in the past. The 2X certainly has the hardware credentials to support Android 4.0. [via Twitter]

ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity receiving OTA update Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:21 AM PDT ASUS is continuing its streak of providing frequent and timely updates for their line of Android tablets, the latest of which is headed to the newly released Transformer Pad Infinity TF700. A full changelog was not provided alongside the software refresh that seems to be rolling out on a staggered basis, but users already receiving the update claim enhanced touchscreen responsiveness, support for 64GB SD cards, and an updated camera app. It sounds like some of the same enhancements that were included in a recent Transformer Pad TF300 update. The update brings the TF700′s software version to 9.4.5.26. You can check to see if it is available for your device by navigating to “System Firmware Update” under “About Tablet” in the settings menu. [via AndroidCentral]

16GB Nexus 7 back in stock at Google Play Posted: 30 Jul 2012 07:38 AM PDT Holding off on picking up the Nexus 7 in favor of the larger of the two storage options? Good news. The 16GB model of Google’s first Jelly Bean tablet is back in stock through Google Play. The site once again lists the slate as shipping immediately and arriving in three to five days. While Google has done a better job of keeping the lower priced 8GB model in stock, the $249 version of the Nexus 7 had been on backorder for the past couple weeks. Those with orders already placed can expect their tablets to start shipping soon and new orders look to be processed at the time of purchase. Head on over to Google Play to place an order now before stock dries up once again. [viaDroidLife]

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