Android and Me |
- Google lists HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus as the first to get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- SwiftKey 3: out of beta, into awesome
- Developers can now respond to your comments in Google Play
- Samsung going all out on Galaxy S III launch
| Google lists HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus as the first to get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Posted: 21 Jun 2012 01:47 PM PDT  Did Google just out the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus as the first device to get Jelly Bean (which is apparently coming “soon”), confirm that it will indeed by Android 4.1 (not 5.0) and give us a small, blurry look at what to expect with the next major update? Yes, yes and it looks like yes.
First spotted by an XDA member, I was not able to recreate the screenshot showing Jelly Bean in association with Android 4.1. But Kellex of DroidLife has been able to confirm that when purchasing the Galaxy Nexus through his account, the final confirmation page lists the device as, “the latest smartphone from Google, soon the first phone with Android 4.1 Jell…” I was able to view a new icon for the Galaxy Nexus showing a modified Google search bar (the same one featured in the listing for the I/O 2012 app), assumed to be a part of Jelly Bean, lending even more credibility the the accuracy of today’s discovery. At this point, we had already assumed that Jelly Bean would end up being Android 4.1, and that the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus would be the first device to receive the update. If anything, this is just a little bit of confirmation that we were thinking in the right direction. Will we see Android 4.1, Jelly Bean unveiled at Google I/O next week? I think we can confidently say yes. As for when the update will actually reach HSPA+ handsets, “soon” could mean anything. Could be during the announcement, could be a month from now. Verizon and Sprint users, who knows how long it could take for your device to finally get the update. Hopefully it won’t be another six months like last time, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the wait extend into the 4th quarter of the year. Either way, we should know more in just a couple more days now.
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| SwiftKey 3: out of beta, into awesome Posted: 21 Jun 2012 12:37 PM PDT  I’ve spent a healthy amount of time with just about every software keyboard imaginable. From dozens of alternatives on Android (some as good as Swype, and some as different as 8pen), to other operating systems like Windows Phone and iOS. And none of them come close to my absolute favorite, SwiftKey. Why bring this up now? Because SwiftKey 3 has just come out of it’s beta phase, and is available now on Google Play and the Amazon Appstore, where it’s half off for a limited time. If you haven’t used SwiftKey in the past, the keyboard’s main selling point is that it not only predicts the text you’re currently typing, but what will come next. SwiftKey learns your typing habits from your Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, RSS and text messages to provide customized suggestions. A lot of work has gone into making SwiftKey the best version yet. It’s faster, more refined, has a handful of new customization options and boasts a long list of new features, including several suggestions from users who were involved in the SwiftKey 3 beta:
To try SwiftKey 3 for yourself, head on over to either Google Play or the Amazon Appstore (where the discount is not available yet) where you can buy it now for just $1.99. Once you give it a shot, be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below.
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| Developers can now respond to your comments in Google Play Posted: 21 Jun 2012 10:58 AM PDT  Checking the overall rating and reading through recent feedback on an app or game in Google Play can be a great way to get a feel for what to expect from it. This is all the more critical for paid apps, as 15 minutes isn’t really enough time to get a solid impression of an app. This leaves you dependent on what those that have gone before you have to say and user comments are one of the best sources of information since you can usually find someone that uses your specific device. Well until now those comments were a one way system with users complaints, questions or compliments available for the developers to read, but unable to respond publicly unless they work it into the app description. Starting today, developers with a Top Developer badge will be able to respond inline to user comments and assuming this goes well the feature will be rolled out to more developers going forward. When the developer does reply to a comment it will automatically send an email notifying the commenter and from there they can either get in touch with the developer directly or amend their review if they feel that is appropriate. Here’s a sample of what the new feature will look like in the developer console. I’d love to hear from both sides on this. Do you developers appreciate the ability to respond to feedback (be it good or bad) in public or does that not seem productive to you? And for users will this maybe make you more cautious about what you post in a comment on an app knowing that you may actually get a direct response?
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| Samsung going all out on Galaxy S III launch Posted: 21 Jun 2012 06:37 AM PDT  The Galaxy S III is available nationwide today. Sort of. Demand for the Galaxy S III has outpaced the supply from Samsung, leading Sprint to delay its in-store launch of Samsung’s flagship. Still, T-Mobile and AT&T should have at least some Galaxy S III units on hand today, and Samsung has unveiled its official marketing plan for the flagship device. Going along with its “Inspired by nature, designed for humans” theme, Samsung will be giving $1.5 million to the World Wildlife Fund, an organization aimed at creating a future where humans and nature can coexist peacefully and harmoniously. And yes, before you ask, they will be handing over cash to the World Wildlife Fund; you won’t be seeing too many videos of the Galaxy S III being used by an elephant. Last night in New York City, fans were treated to appearances by NBA stars Steve Nash, Kevin Love and Stephen Curry, and a special performance by Skrillex at the Galaxy S III launch event. There will be a series of launch events over the next few days, but details are sparse thus far. Finally, Samsung has announced their biggest ever marketing campaign, with several initiatives that leverage technology to engage users with the Galaxy S III device. Their strategy is as follows:
With an aggressive marketing campaign, it’s clear Samsung hopes the Galaxy S III will drive even stronger sales than the Galaxy S and Galaxy S II lines that preceded it. They have every right to be excited about the Galaxy S III, which is arguably the must-have Android device at the moment. We’ll have our full review of the Galaxy S III up soon. In the meantime, who out there is planning on picking up the Galaxy S III? Show Press ReleaseNew York City — June 21, 2012 —The Samsung Galaxy S® III has officially launched in the U.S. The premium content sharing smartphone is available online starting today on T-Mobile's Web site and in select retail stores. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular will have the Galaxy S III in-store and online within the next several weeks. The Galaxy S III celebration kicked off in New York City last night with a star-studded event hosted by actress Ashley Greene. Five hundred Samsung fans were granted access to an experiential event held at Skylight Studios in the trendy SoHo district to test drive the sharing capabilities of the Galaxy S III, get their picture taken with NBA stars Steve Nash, Kevin Love and Stephen Curry and share those once-in-a-lifetime experiences thanks to the Galaxy S III. Capping the night off was a special surprise performance by Skrillex. Taking its inspiration from nature, Samsung Mobile designed the Galaxy S III features to respond intuitively and naturally to human use and interaction. It balances ergonomics with intuitive use so that the device becomes an extension of the user. To celebrate the launch of the Galaxy S III, Samsung Telecommunications America will donate $1.5 million to benefit the World Wildlife Fund (www.wwf.org), which strives to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. Samsung fans can share with the world which animal species they love by voting atwww.facebook.com/ The launch of the Galaxy S III is being supported by the largest and most innovative marketing and advertising campaign ever conducted in the U.S. by Samsung Mobile. The campaign leverages technology to engage consumers in new and interactive ways and reward Galaxy S III owners.
"Once again, we are putting the 'Next Big Thing' in consumers' hands. The Galaxy S III introduces a completely new way of sharing and socializing that no other mobile phone can," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications. About The Galaxy S III SHARING & SIMPLICITY The sharing services and capabilities of the Galaxy S III connect people to the experiences and content that influence their daily lives. This smartphone harnesses the potential of Samsung's diverse ecosystem of consumer electronics by enabling sharing of content with multiple devices, among large groups or with another device. The process of pairing the Galaxy S III for these sharing services takes little to no set up.
NEW SMARTPHONE STANDARD The Galaxy S III creates a true industry first by delivering the same design and user experience across the carrier variants while also offering the customized services of each of the five U.S. carriers. Design highlights include:
ACCESSORIES PORTFOLIO A host of premium Galaxy S III accessories, including convenient docking options, convergence solutions and an array of colorful cases and covers, will be available for all Galaxy S III smartphones.
Available now:
Available in the coming weeks:
For more information on Samsung Galaxy S III, visit www.facebook.com/
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