Android Central |
- Chrome for Android updated
- Jelly Bean 4.1.2 leaks for the original Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000
- Google apps package updated today, just in time for the new AOSP ROMs
- Sailboat Championship all but gets wind in your hair and saltwater in your veins
- Latest Google Drive app update brings native spreadsheet editing, home screen shortcuts and more
- HTC gets new marketing chief in executive switcheroo
- Adobe Photoshop Touch updated and optimized for 7-inch devices
- Angry Birds Star Wars to be updated starting Nov. 29 with new Hoth levels
- Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Note 2 available Nov. 29
- Motorola Electrify 2 - US Cellular's best budget-friendly holiday pick
- Amazon Appstore now available in Japan
- Nexus 7 3G now available from Three UK
- Google Play Books gets preorders, allowing you to preorder books
- Nexus 4 get its first CM10.1 nightly build
- QuickBooks Mobile now fully optimized for Android tablets
- EE increases data caps for 4G mobile broadband plans, introduces SIM-only 30-day option
- 32GB Nexus 7 price down to £179 in the UK
- Vodafone UK offering handset discounts on PAYG plans for the holidays
- Save $50 on a Samsung Galaxy Camera from Daily Steals
- Daily news roundup: November 27, 2012
- Samsung Galaxy S3 is the third most searched piece of technology on Bing
- Galaxy Nexus (takju) starts to get its Android 4.2.1 update, manual update available now
- Jelly Bean OTA for Canadian Samsung Galaxy S3's to start arriving Dec. 3
- Rdio rolls out 2.0 update with a new look and new features
| Posted: 28 Nov 2012 04:04 PM PST
Chrome for Android has been updated to fix some stability issues, says Google. This news comes on the back of Google’s announcement last week on their Google+ page that it will bring mobile Chrome version numbers up to speed with desktop versions by early next year. With desktop Chrome at version 23 right now and mobile Chrome at 18, we can expect releases to be streamlined eventually. For reference, the stable channel for the latest Android Chrome release for ARM devices is 18.0.1025469 and 18.0.1026322 for x86 devices. Thanks to everyone who sent this in! 
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| Jelly Bean 4.1.2 leaks for the original Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 Posted: 28 Nov 2012 03:20 PM PST Folks with the OG Galaxy Note (the world version GT-N7000 -- the one with the home button) are in for a treat, as SamMobile has a leak of 4.1.2 for the big gal. Be aware that this is a testing version, and may not be up to release standards. Known issues are the lack of S-Pen features. The list of enhancements and what is working is a good read though. According the the source, here's what to expect.
As for when to expect this one to become official, the sources think that will happen near the end of he year or early 2013. There's no word on when we may see anything for the US versions of the Note. For more instruction and the download links, hit the source link below. Source: SamMobile 
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| Google apps package updated today, just in time for the new AOSP ROMs Posted: 28 Nov 2012 02:30 PM PST The folks who do this sort of thing have updated the Google Apps package today, handing you a shiny new flashable to go with that 4.2.1 AOSP ROM you're about to download. Technically a grey area, Google doesn't release their closed source applications for redistribution. Instead, they get sucked out of a phone running the current version, and blood, sweat, and scripts are used to create a package that gives you all the Googley services you would expect from an Android phone. Yesterday's 4.2.1 updates didn't bring about any new versions of the Gapps, so we imagine this update is more along the lines of streamlining and enhancing the installation process -- the biggest step in the whole process. Grab em from the source link below so you have them the next time you need them. Download gapps-jb-20121128-signed.zip from Goo.im 
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| Sailboat Championship all but gets wind in your hair and saltwater in your veins Posted: 28 Nov 2012 12:47 PM PST Sailing is one of those things that can be explained in a couple of minutes, but it really takes a lifetime to master. Sailboat Championship (from Infinite Dreams) marries the fundamentals of being on the water with excellent Android gameplay. You've got to pay attention to where the wind is coming from, first and foremost. That affects your course, of course. Depending on the difficulty level, you might only have to worry about steering -- and the wheel has a good bit of travel to it, adding to the realism of steering. Or, you might have to handle the lines, and that's where things get intricate. The graphics are pretty stunning and gameplay is fast and smooth -- and it's also pretty hard. Or maybe it's just that I've spent too many years as a landlubber and I'm rusty. There are enough races to keep you interested long past the time the sun drops below the mast. And for its special introductory price of $1.99, it's a game you're not going to want to pass up. 
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| Latest Google Drive app update brings native spreadsheet editing, home screen shortcuts and more Posted: 28 Nov 2012 11:31 AM PST If you're the sort of person who likes to edit spreadsheets on the go, then you'll be pleased to learn that the latest version of the Google Drive app for Android allows you to do just that. A new update to the Drive app released today introduces a half-dozen fairly significant features that should make mobile document editing a little easier. Previously limited to a slightly janky web-based interface, spreadsheets have gotten their own native UI, complete with the ability to zoom, directly edit formulae and resize and re-style cells. The same applies to tables in the Google Docs editor, which can now be similarly manipulated. There are also a few minor changes, like the ability to maintain formatting when copying and pasting within Docs, and the ability to add home screen shortcuts to specific files or folders. To grab the new version of Google Drive, you can use the Google Play shortcut at the top of the page. We've got the full changelog after the break. 
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| HTC gets new marketing chief in executive switcheroo Posted: 28 Nov 2012 11:02 AM PST HTC has announced that a new head of marketing will join the company from January, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. Benjamin Ho is a former CMO of Motorola currently in charge of marketing at Taiwanese carrier FarEasTone. He will report directly to HTC CEO Peter Chou. HTC's current marketing and sales chief Jason Mackenzie will focus on sales strategy, the WSJ reports, while current CMO John Wang will be stepping down.
The past year has seen HTC lose ground to rivals Samsung and Apple, and suffer financially as a result. Samsung dominated the Android smartphone space over the summer with marketing efforts tied into the Olympic Games in London. With these top-level changes, HTC will be hoping to set the stage for an improved marketing performance, and greater public mindshare, in the new year. Source: The Wall Street Journal 
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| Adobe Photoshop Touch updated and optimized for 7-inch devices Posted: 28 Nov 2012 10:31 AM PST Following the launch of Adobe Photoshop Touch a couple of weeks ago for the Amazon Kindle Fire, the app has been updated today in the Play Store with optimization for 7-inch devices. The one caveat is that the screen resolution must be at least 1024x600, but that puts the Google Nexus 7 right on deck. Besides this there's a smattering of other new features included, one of which is new ways to share your creations to Facebook and Twitter. Additionally to this there's some new effects, and enhancements to both performance and the visual side with an improved grid layout. The update is now live in the Google Play Store for current owners, and if you're picking it up for the first time it'll cost you $9.99/£6.99. 
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| Angry Birds Star Wars to be updated starting Nov. 29 with new Hoth levels Posted: 28 Nov 2012 10:04 AM PST By now, you've most likely catapulted, slashed and shot your way through the first two worlds in Rovio's latest Angry Birds title, Angry Birds Star Wars. But, good news for those patiently awaiting the next set of levels, an update is due to drop starting tomorrow with more bird flinging fun. Following on from Tatooine and the Death Star, next up is the ice planet of Hoth. So, expect snow, snow, more snow and some AT-AT Walkers thrown in for good measure. Rovio has released a teaser trailer which we can see here, but we'll know more tomorrow. Source: Rovio Mobile (YouTube) 
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| Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Note 2 available Nov. 29 Posted: 28 Nov 2012 09:42 AM PST After a month of preorders, Verizon just dropped word that its version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 -- differentiated by that not-at-all gaudy Verizon logo on the home button -- will be available online and in stores tomorrow, Nov. 29. The 5.5-inch oversized phone with its excellent Wacom S Pen will run $299 on contract. But you also get that Verizon-branded home button for free, so it's really a bargain if you stop and think about it. The Note 2 is running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with a quad-core Exynos processor at 1.6 GHz, with 2 GB of RAM. It's also got an 8MP rear camera and 1.9MP shooter out front, plus all the usual Samsung software bells and whistles. Plus, Verizon has put its logo on the home button. You won't get that anywhere else. Source: Verizon 
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| Motorola Electrify 2 - US Cellular's best budget-friendly holiday pick Posted: 28 Nov 2012 08:21 AM PST We’re officially in the thick of the holiday season, and carriers are hoping now is the time you’ll sign away your wireless soul for the next two years for the promise of a shiny new device. But before you head to the mall, take a deep breath and weigh your options closely — just because it’s that time of year doesn’t mean you have to do anything rash. For U.S. Cellular customers, 2012 just may be the best holiday season so far. Over the past year, the carrier has been steadily adding more high-end devices to its portfolio. If you’re ready to sign a two-year contract, you’ve got plenty of solid choices: The Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy S3, and the new Motorola Electrify M are all good devices with best-in-class specs. But at $300, $100, and $100 respectively, these three heavyweights might be just a bit too rich for your blood, especially if you’ve got to fill more than a couple stockings this year. But fear not, USC has some budget-friendly options, the best of which being the Motorola Electrify 2. 
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| Amazon Appstore now available in Japan Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:31 AM PST It's been nearly two months since Amazon started accepting submissions for its Japanse appstore, and today it's gone live. The usual suspects are all there -- Amazon singles out Cut the Rope, Fruit Ninja and Yahoo! Headline, among others. You can get to the Japanese wing at amazon.co.jp/apps. 
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| Nexus 7 3G now available from Three UK Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:29 AM PST Three UK has announced that it's begun stocking the 3G/HSPA version of Google's Nexus 7. The ASUS-made 7-inch tablet will be available from today at Three retail stores and the network's website -- although the device isn't anywhere to be found on Three's site at the time of writing. Three says it'll sell the 3G Nexus 7 for an up-front fee of £49.99 on a £19.99 per month contract, which includes a 5GB monthly data allowance. Spec-wise, you're looking at the same Nexus 7 we've known since June -- stock Jelly Bean on a 7-inch display, with 32GB of storage. The 3G Nexus 7 has proved successful in the short time it's been available. The device was briefly sold out on the UK Google Play Store before more stock arrived this Monday. Source: Three 
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| Google Play Books gets preorders, allowing you to preorder books Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:18 AM PST Google Play now allows you to preorder books from its "New and coming soon" section. That, uh, allows you to order books before they go on sale. Can't tell if there's any sort of discount for doing so, but at least the mechanism is in place, allowing for a smooth and orderly transaction. Smooth and orderly, Google. That's how we like it. Thanks to everyone who sent this in! 
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| Nexus 4 get its first CM10.1 nightly build Posted: 28 Nov 2012 05:50 AM PST If you're already got your Nexus 4 (or if you've recently had one ship) and are eagerly awaiting some CyanogenMod 10.1 love with Android 4.2, the first nightly build has been released. As a quick reminder, nightly builds are the bleeding edge, aren't the same as "stable" builds, and likely have a bug or three. But they're damn cool, too. Have at it at the link below. Download: CM10.1 for mako; source: +CyanogenMod 
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| QuickBooks Mobile now fully optimized for Android tablets Posted: 28 Nov 2012 05:21 AM PST Intuit has updated the QuickBooks Mobile app for Android, making the app fully optimized for use with Android tablets. With almost 400,000 companies and over 1 million people using QuickBooks Online, there is a real need for a comprehensive companion application that's built to take advantage of the screen real estate a tablet offers. Of course, the app still offers all the same features to help users manage their finances it always has. Intuit also recognizes the market swing and how Android is quickly gaining share. The number of mobile users is expected to surpass the number of computer users by mid-2013, and a significant number of those will be running Android. Simply put, these folks will need to have access to the programs they want and need -- including productivity software. QuickBooks Mobile is free in Google Play, but requires access to QuickBooks online or other Intuit services which may be subscription based. Read through the break for the press release from Intuit, and a few screenshots of the app in action. 
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| EE increases data caps for 4G mobile broadband plans, introduces SIM-only 30-day option Posted: 28 Nov 2012 05:15 AM PST EE, the UK's only 4G LTE mobile network, has announced that it's increasing the amount of data available to its mobile broadband customers -- that's anyone using one of EE's data-only plans with a compatible device. Customers on a 2GB allowance will see that increased to 3GB, 3GB users will get bumped up to 5GB, and 5GB customers will have their data cap increased all the way to 8GB. Monthly fees will remain the same. EE is also launching a SIM-only data-only plan on a rolling 30-day contract, which offers 5GB for £15.99 per month. EE doesn't currently sell any 4G-capable Android tablets, but if you've already picked one up (and it supports LTE on 1800MHz), you'll be able to use it with this new price plan. To sweeten the deal, EE says the first month of service will be free for those signing up before Dec. 23. Unfortunately the new price plans don't extend to EE's smartphone SIMs, which require a minimum commitment of 12 months on SIM-only, or 24 months if you include a phone. More details in the presser after the break. 
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| 32GB Nexus 7 price down to £179 in the UK Posted: 28 Nov 2012 02:51 AM PST Google and ASUS' Nexus 7 has been one of the budget tablet success stories of the year, and today it's an even more tempting buy for customers in the UK. British retailer Carphone Warehouse is selling the recently-launched 32GB version of the 7-inch Nexus tablet for £179, £20 below the Google Play Store asking price of £199. Both prices exclude delivery charges, though Carphone does offer a free delivery service, as well as in-store collection. For that price you'll get a quad-core Tegra 3-powered tablet running the latest version of Android, with plenty of storage to boot. That's pretty good value considering not long ago you'd have spent a similar amount to get the now-discontinued 8GB Nexus 7 model. More details at the source link. Source: Carphone Warehouse Thanks @DarrenDoc, @keridel 
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| Vodafone UK offering handset discounts on PAYG plans for the holidays Posted: 28 Nov 2012 02:21 AM PST The holiday season is upon us, and that means that the deals keep on coming. Over in the U.K., Vodafone is offering some pretty solid discounts on devices to go along with its PAYG (Pay As You Go) plans. It will be offering the Samsung Galaxy SIII (S3) for just £399, which is £100 off. The Xperia Miro, a mid-ranger, is just £100 instead of £130. You can also save a few on the Desire C if you're looking for a budget option. There's also a decent assortment of sales on BlackBerry and Windows Phone handsets, you know, if that's your kind of thing. Hit up the source link below to see more. Source: Vodafone 
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| Save $50 on a Samsung Galaxy Camera from Daily Steals Posted: 27 Nov 2012 11:30 PM PST Not everyone is sold on the idea of a mobile data-connected point and shoot camera, but for those of you who are, you deserve to save a few dollars on it. When Samsung and AT&T partnered up to sell the camera in stores, the retail price was a little shocking at $499 -- but after all its pretty much a Galaxy SIII (S3) with a big lens on the front. Deals site Daily Steals is offering the Galaxy Camera for $49 less than AT&T, just $450. There's also free shipping and you often won't be paying sales tax as well. Overall you could come out pretty far ahead when compared to buying directly from AT&T. Interested? Hit the source link below. Source: Daily Steals 
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| Daily news roundup: November 27, 2012 Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:31 PM PST
Another big news day is done, and I sit here with a frosty beverage winding down for the evening. I like to do that by catching up on all the stuff on the Internet I might have missed through the day. If that sounds like you, cheers! I'll make it easier for you. Here's the highlights of today's events. Hardware stuff
Software stuff
Absolutely awesome stuff
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| Samsung Galaxy S3 is the third most searched piece of technology on Bing Posted: 27 Nov 2012 09:15 PM PST It's getting to be that time of year where we everyone starts looking back at the year that was 2012. Microsoft's Bing is no exception to this, and already they've posted their "Bing Top Searches of 2012" list. Coupled in that list is a category for technology and consumer electronics. Unsurprisingly Samsung has found their way into that consumer electronics section with the Samsung Galaxy S3 being the third most searched piece of technology on Bing. Guess that's what happens when you push over 30 million devices worldwide. And just in case you were wondering, the iPhone 5 and iPad captured the first and second spots respectively. Source: Bing 
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| Galaxy Nexus (takju) starts to get its Android 4.2.1 update, manual update available now Posted: 27 Nov 2012 07:07 PM PST With Android 4.2.1 hitting the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10, then the Android Open Source Project, and then the Nexus 7, we've kept one eye open for the venerable Galaxy Nexus. This one gets a little trickier because of the various versions out there, but first out of the gate is the "takju" variant, which is what you've got if you purchased from Google Play (or flashed that factory image, anyway). The update was spotted by dmapr at XDA, and the usual download and flashing methods apply. Download it, reboot into recovery and sideload this sucker, and you've got today's minor update. Huzzah! All you other Galaxy Nexus owners, hang tight. Especially those of you on Verizon and Sprint. We're sure an update is coming ... eventually. Download: Android 4.2.1 for Galaxy Nexus takju; via XDA Developers 
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| Jelly Bean OTA for Canadian Samsung Galaxy S3's to start arriving Dec. 3 Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:50 PM PST *Update* Make that December 3rd. See, this is what happens when Google removes December. If you're the proud owner of a Canadian Samsung Galaxy S3, you're wait for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will soon be over. Samsung Canada has now taken to Twitter to let it be known that Jelly Bean OTA's for Canadian variations will begin to roll out starting Monday, December 3rd. Sadly, no carriers were noted in the announcement so there is no telling where it will arrive first but at least we know when to start checking for updates. We'll be keeping our eyes on this one and let you all know when we start seeing them arrive. Sidenote: Samsung says they're still waiting to hear about the Galaxy Note and Galaxy SII update. Source: Samsung Canada 
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| Rdio rolls out 2.0 update with a new look and new features Posted: 27 Nov 2012 05:58 PM PST After having done its rounds in some beta testing, Rdio v2.0 has been deemed ready for the masses and is now available for download in the Google Play Store. We're used to seeing frequent updates to Rdio but this release is a whole lot more than simple bug fixes. Aside from a whole new user interface, Rdio has added a few other welcomed additions:
Overall, the additions and improvements are nice though in my time with it, I did find it a little bit laggy -- maybe it just needs some to settle in. If you're an Rdio user, go ahead and grab the update and let us know in the comments how it's working for you. 
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