Posted: 23 Feb 2012 06:49 PM PST   At the International Solid-State Circuits Conference SSCC event in San Francisco, Samsung was one of the OEM’s in attendance showing off their upcoming quad-core Exynos processors. While these powerhouses are still using the older Cortex-A9 architecture, the quad-core Exynos takes advantage of the 32nm manufacturing process making them smaller, and more power efficient. Boasting a performance boost of up to 26% faster than ’11 chips, these Exynos chips use about 50% less power. As an added bonus, each core has the ability to be shut-off independently, further increasing power efficiency when needed. As we learned earlier this week, it’s not always how fast your processor is if you want your phone to fly, but also has fast the memory is. Samsung’s quad-core Exynos will also support low-power DDR3 memory, to ensure the chip operates at full speed. The GPU on these new chips is also capable of pumping out around 57 million polygons per second. We’re hoping Samsung will unveil a quad-core Exynos device at MWC though we remain doubtful. Samsung recently unveiled their dual-core Exynos 5250′s in November which wont ship until the Spring. If you’re hoping to see a quad-core Exynos device this year, I wouldn’t hold my breath. [EETimes | Via Electronista] |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 04:27 PM PST   Sony Mobile (formerly Sony Ericsson) is one of the few Android manufacturers that will be updating their single-core handsets to the much sought after Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich firmware. Today, they have officially released the beta version of their ICS ROM to the Android developer community (and those familiar with root) to flash, tinker around with and give feedback. This is a preview of what’s to come when Sony officially updates their entire line of 2011 Xperia devices to Android 4.0.3 in the coming weeks. Unlike the alpha version which didn’t have working calls or data, this new beta version has a few more things going for it with functions like FM radio and GSM fully functional. Other improvements from alpha to beta are as follows: There are still a few things missing from the beta like Google apps, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which have to go through a certification process before they can be included in any official Sony ROM. Sony Mobile also mentioned that they will be opening up their source code for developers very soon. You can check out Sony’s beta ICS ROM in the video they uploaded to YouTube earlier today. Download links as well as installation instructions have all been provided on their site, and you will have to have a rooted device with an unlocked bootloader to flash. Sony also strongly warns users that this beta ROM isn’t for everyone, and is simply Sony’s way of including the Android modding community in the development process before they go public with an official release. Gotta love Sony for that. [Developer World Sony Mobile] |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 03:48 PM PST  I’ve been trying my best to keep a “tight upper lip,” as they say, but these Android pins just pushed me over my breaking point. Now, I’m in my office/room, sobbing like a baby that I can’t make it to this year’s Mobile World Congress. And no, it doesn’t have to do with some quad-core phone or cutting edge tech. It’s because I wont be able to get my hands on these guys. Google’s official 2012 Android pins made available to MWC attendees at their Android booth, or “Androidland,” as I like to call it. My only hope is that go on sale soon like last year’s pins so that I might snag a couple. Which one of these little fellers is your fave?  [Twitter] |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:41 PM PST   Android 4.0 is finally rolling out to the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, but it still won’t be available in most parts of the world right away. A post went up on ASUS’ Facebook page informing users that the over-the-air update that brings Ice Cream Sandwich to the Transformer and raises its firmware version to 9.2.1.11 has now begun in Taiwan. ASUS recently informed customers that the update to the original Transformer would be delayed until as late as March, and while that still may be the case for some regions the manufacturer managed to hit their initial release window of February as announced back at CES. [Facebook via Eurodroid] UPDATE: It looks like ASUS has confirmed via their Twitter that the update will begin rolling out for US residents tomorrow!  |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:46 PM PST   Phandroid was one of the few Android blogs to get our hands on the ASUS TF700T — otherwise known as the “Full HD” Transformer Prime — back at CES 2012 and it looks like the high-def tab will be seeing a more formal unveiling at MWC congress. Technically a little higher than 1080p (1,920 x 1,200) ASUS teased the tablet in a video uploaded to YouTube today and I have to admit, they did a great job of explaining or “dumbing down” exactly what more pixels means to the average user — more marbles! Why didn’t I think of that? And I’m not gonna lie, I suddenly have the urge to download a marbles wallpaper complete with sticker themed icons for my Android device. Check out ASUS’s new video below. Oh, and if for some reason you missed my hands-on with the tablet during CES 2012, you can watch that video below as well. Cheers. |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:20 PM PST   After giving iOS users 50GB of free storage for simply existing, Android users are finally getting the same treatment if you download Box’s new and improved app from the Android Market. You only have until March 23rd to call dibs on your special piece of the cloud, so hurry. The steps are easy, simply download the app, log in or create a new account and enjoy your 50GB of online storage. And for those who are truly appreciative, feel free to spread the word using using the hashtag #Box50GB on Twitter to tell the world what you’re going to do with this ridiculous amount of storage. [Market Link] |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:58 PM PST   We’re only a few days away from Mobile World Congress 2012 but some manufacturer’s are already showing their wares before the big event. LG is first out the gate giving some hands-on time to Telefonino.net, who has uploaded a few quick walkthrough videos for the LG Optimus 4X HD, LG Optimus Vu and LG Optimus 3D Max. The Galaxy Note even makes a brief cameo, going head-to-head with the LG Vu. Just as expected, LG has giving their UI a makeover in Ice Cream Sandwich providing for a near stock look to Android 4.0, while still differentiating themselves from the competition with new icons and launcher. I know, I know — we all want that stock Android experience but let’s face it, that’s pretty much reserved for Nexus devices these days. Let me know what you guys think of these devices and LG’s new UI. We’ll most likely have some hands-on time of our own once Rob, Kevin and Quentyn touch down in Spain in a few days. [Via AndroidandMe] |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 09:38 AM PST   Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher Prime
With improved and fine-tuned gestures, customizable folder backgrounds and icons, it’s no wonder so many lucky Android 4.0+ users chose Nova Launcher as their go-to homescreen replacement. The free version of Nova Launcher can be found right now in the Android Market as well as the enhanced Nova Launcher Prime for $4. If you prefer to purchase the paid version using Paypal, you can also do so via the developer’s all new Nova Launcher website here. [Nova Launcher | Nova Launcher Prime] |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 06:49 AM PST   Just a few days after the first images of the phone leaked online, Samsung has officially announced their rugged Rugby Smart handset. The mid-range Android 2.3 handset features a 3.7-inch display, 5MP camera, and 4GB of internal storage and is military spec 810f compliant. The phone can take a dunk under 1m of water for up to 30 minutes, is dustproof, and is capable of withstanding temperature extremes. The Rugby Smart is being touted as 4G, but it isn’t of the LTE variety. The handset is coming to AT&T’s HSPA+ network on March 4th at a price of $99.99 on a two-year contract. SAMSUNG & AT&T DELIVER BRAINS AND BRAWN |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 06:42 AM PST   With HTC still a few days away from announcing their new smartphone lineup for 2012 there is still plenty of time to get a few more leaks in. The latest comes in the form of a promotional render of the upcoming HTC One X. You may recognize the phone from an early leak (back when it was still going by codenames HTC Edge and Endeavor), but our latest look has all the touches of a handset ready for its debut at Mobile World Congress. Note the location on the weather widget. The only noticeable difference from initial renders of the One X is the parsing down of Android soft keys from the four of yesterday to the more Ice Cream Sandwich appropriate three (with multitasking key). We also peep Sense 4.0 one more time. If you were hoping HTC would give a fresh look to their latest offerings, it doesn’t look like they attempted to reinvent the wheel. Unibody styling and typical HTC accents look to continue into 2012. [via PocketNow] |
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:52 AM PST   Because we believe well informed readers are the best kinds of readers, we placed all of the news stories that didn’t get featured on our front page here — in the Android Overload. This is Android/mobile news purgatory and where you can come to further catch up on all the day’s events. Find some of interest? Be sure to let us know in the comments. Night!
|
Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:31 AM PST   With all the hype surrounding quad-core processors, you would think dual-cores were nothing more than last year’s tech. Well, that’s definitely not the case. Just like Intel releases new and improved versions of their desktop processors (Core 2 Duo, Core i, 2nd generation Core i’s, etc.), Qualcomm is doing the same with their dual-core Snapdragons. Their new line of S4 processors (4th gen Snapdragons) will be making their way to a few new handsets in the comings months. Handsets like the T-Mobile bound HTC Ville ( HTC One S) that has posted a rather impressive NenaMark2 benchmark. HTC Ville video as a refresher While I’m excited to see what the Nvidia Tegra 3 brings in terms of performance for the HTC One X, dual-core handsets like the HTC One S shouldn’t be written off just because they’re utilizing less cores. In fact, some benchmarks are showing dual-core Snapdragon S4′s beating out the quad-core Tegra 3′s in some instances. Qualcomm’s S4′s are also utilizing a new, more power efficient 28nm architecture that aside from improving battery life, will make a device breathe flames out the micro USB port. Seems the “core” race is looking like nothing more than the GHz race from a few years back, huh?[TmoNews] |
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 11:29 PM PST   I love a good fight. Well, ones that are equally matched. And the way the Samsung Galaxy Note just creamed the iPhone in their new video, just doesn’t seem fair to me. But that’s not to say I feel sorry for the iPhone. It’s got, you know… that Siri thing. But aside from its gargantuan size, the Galaxy Note has its killer feature too: the S Pen. You can mess around and ‘shop your head on other people, draw notes on things and do all sorts of wacky, zany things. I mean, who wants to talk to their phone all day anyway? You can check out the video for yourself below. Be sure to let me know what you guys think. |
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 09:33 PM PST   After numerous rumors today that the LG X3 would find itself launching as the LG Optimus 4X HD (and later, T-Mobile’s LG G4X) LG has finally taken the lid off their quad-core monster, now officially, the LG Optimus 4X HD. LG hasn’t exactly had the best track record for announcing cutting edge smartphones with matching good looks, but the Optimus 4X could be changing all that. Featuring an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor and 4.7-inch True HD IPS display, the quad-core device will launch with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Gone is LG’s stale pseudo TouchWiz UI, replaced with something more reminiscent of Go Launcher EX than stock Ice Cream Sandwich. The device also features a hefty 2,150mAh battery while still managing to keep a slim figure at only 8.9mm thick. Somebody up at LG is finally listening. We’ll get a better look at this device at MWC 2012 when the rest of the Phandroid team arrives on the scene in just a few more days. I’m hyped. [LG] |
Posted: 22 Feb 2012 08:27 PM PST   No, that’s not the name for my upcoming boy band, 4-Plus-1 is officially Nvidia’s new name for the Tegra 3′s fifth core as announced today via their blog. Known by many names in the past, like “Ninja Core” or “Companion Core,” Nvidia finally decided on something a little more descriptive in hopes that customers know exactly what they were getting when it comes to the Tegra 3′s powerful quad-core processor. The 4-Plus-1 (I don’t care, I’m still going to call it companion core) acts as a low-power core to handle less intensive actions like background tasks, sending emails or when your device fast asleep. Nvidia hinted we’re going to see it in a few devices at MWC and I’m hoping that little fifth core will be enough to keep the HTC One X in standby mode for at least a day — gawd knows HTC devices need it. [Nvidia] |
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Update - 48
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment