Android Phone Fans |
- Is This A Clue That The Samsung Galaxy Note Is Coming Soon To Sprint?
- HTC One X “Screen Flaw” Discovered – Is It Really An Issue?
- Netflix for Android gets an update, sees new volume control UI
- Minor update prepped for the HTC Rhyme, still waiting on Ice Cream Sandwich
- Xperia S launching in Canada April 17, to be sold exclusively through Sony Stores
- Adobe Reader 10.2 brings signature support to mobile devices
- Manually update your Nexus S 4G to Ice Cream Sandwich [How To]
- AT&T’s HTC One X put through the benchmark gauntlet, dual-core processor holds its own
- Chrome OS Update Transforms Browser-Based OS Into Traditional Style
- Sprint Stores Begin Receiving Signage For Galaxy Nexus LTE To Be Displayed This Sunday, April 15th
- Tapatalk 2.0 for Android Now Available
- Amazon Enables In-App Purchases for Developers
- Android Design Guidelines Updated for Settings, App Navigation
- Vodafone Galaxy S II Ice Cream Sandwich Update Coming April 12th (Hopefully For Real, This Time)
- earHero Headphones May Make You Look Like a Secret Agent, But They Are Just Really Cool and Safe [Video]
| Is This A Clue That The Samsung Galaxy Note Is Coming Soon To Sprint? Posted: 10 Apr 2012 06:32 PM PDT Call it a simple marketing mishap or foreshadowing of things to come, but cruise by Sprint’s official website and you may notice a large, Note-like device in an ad highlighting Sprint’s parental controls app. Maybe we’re reading a little too much into this, but the device is obviously a Samsung handset with dimensions matching up perfectly with the 5.3-inch G-Note’s. When it comes to carriers advertising services on their official website, more than often you wont find something like say a Sidekick being shown off instead a phone currently in their lineup. You can take this with a grain of salt, but our inside sources here at Phandroid have been whispering in our ears that a Galaxy Note is indeed heading to Sprint, with technical reps already receiving training on the device (around the same time as the Galaxy Nexus). Any Sprint customers clamoring for a chance to pick up the Galaxy Note on Sprint?
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| HTC One X “Screen Flaw” Discovered – Is It Really An Issue? Posted: 10 Apr 2012 05:24 PM PDT When it comes to handsets (or just about any consumer device), design flaws unfortunately, most often come with the territory. It seems like no matter how much planning or testing that goes on with a device, there’s always something that could have been overlooked or missed. Yes, it’s pain in the butt — especially when you forked out your hard earned money on a fancy new device that must be held a specific way without losing reception (we wont let Apple live that one down). HTC is no stranger to the “design flaw phenomena.” In fact, you may remember when the world freaked out over the Nexus One multitouch issue, or when the EVO 4G suffered from screens not properly mounted, resulting in cracks around the plastic housing. Things like this always manage slip through the cracks and now, HTC could be facing an all new issue — this time with their One X flagship. As reported by Cnet today, apparently the HTC One X could be suffering from poor build quality that — under extreme circumstances — can result in screen discoloration when a finger is pressed ever-so-forcefully, along the side of the screen. This isn’t too unlike a laptop screen that when pressed, causes the screen to touch the LCD layer of the display, resulting in a trippy, rainbow like trail effect wherever you slide your finger across the screen. At first, I didn’t think much of the issue. I mean, I barely touch my screen to make selections or even when playing an intense run-n’-gun game like Shadowgun. Not only that, if you press down on just about any device’s display with enough force, you’ll see something similar. But Cnet’s Natasha Lomas went on to describe how simply gripping the device tightly, can result in unintentional screen selections, without ever having to touch the screen. I’ve noticed something similar with my Nexus S 4G back in the day and yes, it annoyed the hell out of me. You can see a little on what Natasha’s talking about in Cnet’s video below. When Daniel Hundt, creative director for HTC design consultancy was presented with the issue, he mentioned that the company would “never let that ship.” I guess the only question that remains is if the issue is only affecting demo units sent to press, or if the death grip “design flaw” can be found on shipped retail units as well. You guys notice anything funny going on with your HTC One X? Will this discovery have any affect on your decision to purchase the One X at launch?
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| Netflix for Android gets an update, sees new volume control UI Posted: 10 Apr 2012 01:56 PM PDT Netflix for Android just received a refresh in the Android Market with a few tweaks that should make using the app a bit easier. A new volume control UI makes it easy to adjust the volume of streamed content on the fly while other bug fixes and stability improvements won’t be immediately noticeable on the surface. You can give the latest version of Netflix a spin by downloading the app from the Google Play Store. Google Play Link: Netflix [via Engadget]
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| Minor update prepped for the HTC Rhyme, still waiting on Ice Cream Sandwich Posted: 10 Apr 2012 01:15 PM PDT The HTC Rhyme is in line to receive a minor update that will bring its version number to 2.20.605.3. The 67.8MB update won’t bring any major changes but does tweak a few things here and there. Pressing the menu key while on the device’s homescreen will now provide users with an “Edit Home” option, dock behaviors have been modified, an unread mail counter has been added to the Mail shortcut. Users hoping for Ice Cream Sandwich will have to keep waiting. More details can be found at Verizon’s support site. [Verizon via AndroidPolice]
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| Xperia S launching in Canada April 17, to be sold exclusively through Sony Stores Posted: 10 Apr 2012 01:07 PM PDT The Xperia S will launch with Rogers compatibility in Canada, but those that wish to get theirs hands on the new smartphone will have to do their shopping at the Sony Store. The Xperia S will be available April 17th but pricing on the Android 2.3 handset hasn’t been revealed. From the sound of things, the handset looks to get a fully unsubsidized price tag. The Xperia S features a 4.3-inch 720p HD display and 1.5GHz dual-core processor. Check out the press release below for more info. [MobileSyrup via Engadget]
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| Adobe Reader 10.2 brings signature support to mobile devices Posted: 10 Apr 2012 12:17 PM PDT Few things can be as irritating as being sent a digital form or document that requires an actual signature. The process typically involves printing the document out, signing it, then scanning/faxing/mailing a copy back to whoever sent it. Adobe Reader 10.2 should eliminate some of that hassle with the introduction of signature support. With an integrated Ink Signature tool users can now create a digital copy of their John Hancock and stamp it onto any document requiring it. The update also adds free-hand annotation, comments, the ability to fill out PDF forms, and a whole boatload more. The Adobe blog has all the details, so hit up the source link for more information. The new version of Adobe Reader can be found in the Google Play Store now. Google Play Link: Adobe Reader [via Adobe]
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| Manually update your Nexus S 4G to Ice Cream Sandwich [How To] Posted: 10 Apr 2012 12:08 PM PDT Sprint’s Android 4.0.4 update for the Samsung Nexus S 4G should be making its way to handsets any day now, but for the impatient out there Ice Cream Sandwich can be yours now. Google has posted the update’s factory image to their code bank and uploaded the official update file to go along with it. The file has been tracked down and can be installed to the stock Nexus S 4G without root or other modifications. Here’s how:
It’s worth nothing that updating via this method will afford you the same results as those that wait for the file to be pushed by Sprint. This is the official software release all users will receive. If you have any apprehensions it may be best to wait until Sprint officially launches the rollout of ICS. [via AndroidCentral]
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| AT&T’s HTC One X put through the benchmark gauntlet, dual-core processor holds its own Posted: 10 Apr 2012 10:58 AM PDT
[via WirelessGoodness]
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| Chrome OS Update Transforms Browser-Based OS Into Traditional Style Posted: 10 Apr 2012 09:54 AM PDT This isn’t Android news, but we found it interesting and it may have some relevance to the topic. The latest Google Chrome OS update has substantially changed the way the cloud-driven operating system works. Before, there was just a browser filling the entire screen with as many tabs as it could handle. Now, you’ve got a concept of windows and taskbars, not unlike the interfaces you see on Windows, Mac OS, Linux distributions and more. Google calls the engine that drives it “Aura.” At the bottom of the screen are shortcuts and bookmarks to your favorite web apps and sites. Offset to the right is the status bar, which houses information like time, connection status, battery life and more. It’s an interesting change, all things considered. The original idea of Chrome OS was to be a simple, web-based, lightweight, power-efficient operating system. Having a single browser window populated with tabs made a lot of sense for its purpose — since everything is done on the web and in the cloud, you only needed one window. It makes very little since to introduce a multiple window interface. If each “window” is little more than another instance of the browser, then what’s the point? It’s not like any of the web apps can’t coexist in the same instance. So what’s the reasoning? I’d venture to guess Google was having trouble selling the common consumer on the original idea and concept. It didn’t look or feel like a normal OS so average users probably didn’t want to take a chance. And that’s totally fine – Chrome OS simply isn’t for everyone. But it seems like Google is doing this just to conform to style and to attract eyes who simply aren’t ready for change. If you’re going to do that, I’ll just ask one thing: why not just focus on adapting Android to desktops? It exposes users to an already-bustling ecosystem of apps which are likely to be more comfortable to get used to than relying solely on web-based interfaces and services. I hate to say it, but it wouldn’t hurt to go the Apple route — it’s clear that they’re trying to transform Mac OS into iOS for desktops, and I don’t think it’d hurt to do the same with Android. In any case, this is your new Chrome OS and it makes absolutely no sense. [via ChromeSpot] PS: There were still some good changes, though, including support for .tar, .gz, and .bzip2 formats, as well as improved multi-monitor setups.
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| Sprint Stores Begin Receiving Signage For Galaxy Nexus LTE To Be Displayed This Sunday, April 15th Posted: 10 Apr 2012 09:47 AM PDT You know when your store begins receiving signage with a cold, hard, street date listed on them, that things are looking pretty official. Take this Sprint store for example, who has begun receiving posters for the Galaxy Nexus LTE which, according to the bold print on the packaging, will be displayed in store windows this Sunday, April 15th. It has been rumored that the device could launch on April 22nd, and with posters going up a week before then, we’re inclined to believe that date more than ever. What’s interesting is the poster makes no mention of the device being LTE capable. Something I’m guessing Sprint wants to keep on the “DL” until it can roll it out in more markets. You can shake the higher-end specs of the HTC EVO 4G LTE at the Galaxy Nexus all you want, but there’s no denying the appeal of having a device loaded with the latest and greatest version of stock, vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich (with the higher probability of timely updates). Of course, only a handful of you will actually be able to enjoy Sprint’s LTE at device launch. The first cities ready for a handset that can tap into the 1900Mhz frequency have been announced as Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and San Antonio. Any Sprint customers out there excited about this news? Will you be picking up the G-Nex this Sunday? Maybe the HTC EVO 4G LTE is a little more your style? Or maybe, just maybe… you’ll hold out a little longer for the rumored release of the Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note? Thanks, _Epic!
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| Tapatalk 2.0 for Android Now Available Posted: 10 Apr 2012 08:41 AM PDT
Those of you who hate rummaging around vBulletin-enabled sites will be happy to know that Tapatalk, the app that makes all of that easy, has gotten a refreshed user interface and other changes in its latest update. With theme support and better conversation views, Tapatalk doesn’t have to be the eyesore that it once was. I’m just being honest here. Although the changes aren’t overwhelming, it looks well enough to look at without getting a headache now. There is also account sync, forum recommendations, and more. It’ll cost you $3 to play, but that’s a small price to pay for convenience. Find it in the Google Play Store here. [via Android Central]
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| Amazon Enables In-App Purchases for Developers Posted: 10 Apr 2012 07:50 AM PDT Amazon has finally enabled the in-app purchase system they’ve been working on for a while now. It allows developers to sell paid content. It’s more convenient for all parties involved, especially developers who won’t need to come up with a content distribution system of their own to sell additional content after a game’s release. Of course, they have the option of declining to use Amazon’s purchase system if they don’t like the 70-30 split their way. We’re sure most developers would’t mind, though. In any case, it’s now available for any developer to implement. Have at it! [via Amazon]
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| Android Design Guidelines Updated for Settings, App Navigation Posted: 10 Apr 2012 07:30 AM PDT Google’s added a couple new tidbits to the Android Design Guidelines website to help developers design and develop their apps with best practices in mind for Android 4.0. New content includes tips on how to setup your settings and preferences menu, as well as how you should allow users to navigate your OS from launching it via a widget on the homescreen, within your app or via notifications. Users can read through this content if they’re interested, but this one’s mainly for the developers. Be sure to read through and adapt your practices to make a better Android experience for all! Head here and here to get started. [via Google+]
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| Vodafone Galaxy S II Ice Cream Sandwich Update Coming April 12th (Hopefully For Real, This Time) Posted: 10 Apr 2012 06:23 AM PDT It looks like we may finally have ourselves a solid date for Ice Cream Sandwich on the Samsung Galaxy S II for Vodafone. They have confirmed that the update has been approved for release via Samsung Kies starting April 12th. They warn that the date is provisional, but unless they find something between now and then I don’t think we have much to worry about. If that date happens to change be sure to take it up with Vodafone, but keep it peaceful, folks. [via Vodafone, thanks John!]
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| Posted: 10 Apr 2012 05:43 AM PDT We were just tipped to a product called earHero, a new line of headphones which promote stealth, but safety at the same time. earHero uses a tube-based audio system that can go up your back and around your head into each ear. If you’ve ever seen a secret service agent, an FBI agent, or an agent of any other cool government or private firms, you’ll know what I’m talking about. These aren’t meant to be micro-communications devices, however – they’re just your run of the mill headphones. Alongside the fact that they look cool, they are also designed to be safe. Runners, bikers, and others who enjoy outdoor activities are encouraged to wear headphones which won’t completely block sound so that they may hear their environment. earHero provides just the thing for those of you who require that sort of functionality. They’re promoting best-in-range quality, though I wouldn’t be able to confirm or deny that notion at this point. Check out a demo of the product above, and if you like what you see be sure to check it out in more detail over at their site.
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