Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

End of the road for Motorola Xoom and Nexus S, wont officially receive Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:57 PM PST

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Looks like it could be the end of the line for the Motorola Xoom (WiFi) and Nexus S. That is, if Google’s AOSP lead Jean-Baptiste Queru statements are any indication. Seems Google has finally put out both devices out to pasture, packing as many jelly beans as they could into the legacy devices. When announcing the availability of Android 4.2 into AOSP, JBQ brought sad tidings about the fate of the Nexus S and Xoom:

“There is no support for 4.2 on Nexus S and Xoom. Those devices should 
continue using 4.1.2. I can't comment about the future of Nexus S and Xoom, sorry.”

The only reason this is so surprising to some is because both devices were recently allowed to taste the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. While a tiny .1 jump doesn’t sound like much on paper, apparently those new features in 4.2 were just too much for these devices to handle. If you still have a Nexus S or Xoom WiFi in your possession, may you find solace in knowing these were some of the most well supported Android’s history and quite honestly, I didn’t think they had it in ‘em.

Just because these devices wont see an official update to 4.2, we wont put it past the Android modding community to cook something up. Now might be a good reason to root. Anyone with either one of these devices sad by today’s news?

T-Mobile stores will sell the Nexus 4 tomorrow for $200 with a 2-year agreement, or $500 off-contract

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 05:05 PM PST

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Missed out on Nexus 4 frenzy that took place earlier this morning? No problem, there’s still a chance for you to nab one and as early as tomorrow. Looks like “select” T-Mobile stores will have an available stock for sale bright an early tomorrow morning, but depending on how you feel about carrier contracts, you could be paying a higher price just to be the 1st kid on the block with a sexy new Nexy.

T-Mobile will be offering the Nexus 4 16GB for only $200 with a 2-year agreement and a $50 mail-in rebate (Classic Plan), or $500 straight up (off-contract). While that sounds like a hefty premium to pay, keep in mind you’ll be saving a few dollies by not having to pay Google Play’s shipping costs. Okay, well at the very least, maybe it’s a good time to hit up that T-Mobile family member for their employee discount. Anyone planning on picking on up tomorrow at their local T-Mobile store?

Thanks, Amaurys!

[T-Mobile via TheVerge]

Nova Launcher 1.3.3 update now available, adds Android 4.2 compatibility and icons, new themeing option

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:30 PM PST

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Time and time again, the developer TeslaCoil reminds me that the little cash I invested in Nova Launcher was money well spent. Today, Nova Launcher saw an update in the Play Store to version 1.3.3 and this will be your go-to homescreen replacement if you’re looking to give your Android device that stock Jelly Bean look.

While there was the usual bug fixes that accompany most updates, Mr. TeslaCoil was thoughtful enough to included the all new Android 4.2 icons from the very latest version of Jelly Bean (that was fast). Now you’ll notice a new camera and clock icon when apply the built-in stock Jelly Bean theme. Schnazzy.

New Themeing Option

The feature I’m most excited over is the new enhanced themeing option. Before 1.3.3, you’d have to apply the entire stock Jelly Bean theme and hope for the best. Depending your device, there were still a few icons that were left behind, taking up residency on your homescreen in all their custom manufacturer UI ugliness.

Always keeping an open ear to customer feedback, TeslaCoil has added a personal request of mine that allows for the themeing of individual app icons using the built-in Jelly Bean icon pack. Now, you’ll no longer have to go through the trouble of downloading a separate stock Jelly Bean icon pack just to theme those fugly Sense or TouchWiz icons to the “stock look.”

Simply long press an icon (but don’t move it) and release. Select Edit > Icon Pack > Stock Jelly Bean and choose from the list of built-in stock icons. Easy peasy.

Again, this is perfect for those icons from manufacturer UI’s that aren’t detected when trying to apply the entire theme to your device. Even better, you can change icons like QuickPic to a stock Gallery icon look. No, potentially malicious icon downloading necessary, and that makes me a happy camper.

The 1.3.3 update also added fixes for Android 4.2, which is good news for the few people with Nexus 4′s, or those running 4.2. custom ROMs. You can download Nova Launcher for free from the Google Play Store. Don’t forget, you can supercharge the app by picking up the Nova Launcher Prime for the price of a happy meal.

[Nova Launcher Free |Nova Launcher Prime]

Sprint adds nine more LTE cities to its list

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 02:23 PM PST

It looks like Sprint is adding more cities to its list of cities set to receive 4G LTE in the months to come. A good chunk of you will enjoy the super fast speeds Sprint’s network provides to phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the HTC EVO 4G LTE.

Those added to the party today reside in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn; Oakland/Fremont/Hayward, Calif; Key West, Fla; Fort Smith, Ark; Michigan City/La Porte, Ind; Bloomington, Ind; Eau Claire, Wis; Ardmore, Okla; and McAllen/Edinburg/Mission, Texas.

We’re happy to see that the company isn’t being lethargic in announcing its plans, but actual rollouts have been few and far between. Last I checked with a Sprint representative, most of the cities in its current list of 125 and counting will be getting lit up with LTE by the end of this year, but Sprint seems to be waiting for… something.

We’re not sure if testing is taking longer than anticipated or if they are waiting to have a certain number of towers up and running before letting the network run loose, but it’s certainly getting a bit annoying to see new cities added to a list when a vast majority of cities on that list have been there for months, and have yet to see a shred of high-speed LTE data.

Sprint’s still confident in its goal of getting most of its network up and running by the end of 2013, though, so you’ll just have to trust that they’ll make nice on that. And after the WiMax debacle, getting a list of targeted cities — at the very least — is something to be very grateful for at this point. Raise your hands (or comment below) if you’re in any of the aforementioned cities confirmed to be getting blazing fast 4G LTE, and be sure to read on for full press details.

Sprint Adding 4G LTE to Nine Additional Cities in Coming Months

Power data users in several cities will soon enjoy a 4G LTE experience with the only truly unlimited 4G LTE plans from a national carrier

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 13, 2012 – Continuing its aggressive push to deliver an enhanced top-tier network experience for customers, Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today that its 4G LTE network build is progressing in nine additional cities within its nationwide 3G footprint.

Work has begun on the 4G LTE Network in the following additional areas:

- Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. - Fort Smith, Ark. - Ardmore, Okla.
- Oakland/Fremont/ - Michigan City/ - McAllen/Edinburg/
Hayward, Calif. La Porte, Ind. Mission, Texas
- Key West, Fla. - Bloomington, Ind.
- Eau Claire, Wis.

"We're committed to providing improved 3G and 4G LTE as quickly as possible, and keeping our customers informed as to when and where they can experience the new network's superior performance and speed," said Bob Azzi, senior vice president-Network, Sprint. "Our customers depend on their mobile devices as their primary source of communication, business connectivity and entertainment. We're delivering all of that functionality at a very competitive price."

During the pre-launch phase, Sprint customers with capable devices may begin to see 4G LTE coverage in these areas and are welcome to use the network even before it officially launches. Sprint plans to announce commercial availability of 4G LTE in these cities in the coming months, followed by continued enhancements in coverage, performance and reliability. Ultimately, Sprint's 4G LTE coverage is expected to largely match the existing nationwide 3G footprint.

Sprint has announced more than 125 cities where Sprint 4G LTE is on its way, including Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Memphis, Tenn.; Miami; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C. To find out more about which markets currently have Sprint 4G LTE and which markets are coming next, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.

Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and currently offers service in 32 cities1. As part of its overall network strategy, Sprint is also doing a complete overhaul of its 3G infrastructure so that customers can enjoy better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage, and fewer dropped/blocked calls. These enhancements are now available to customers in several markets across the country, with significant deployment in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., and will continue to improve in the weeks and months ahead. With these enhancements to Sprint's 3G network, the company's prepaid customers, on Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, will also benefit and can expect to see better coverage, improved network reliability and voice quality resulting in up to 20 to 30 percent fewer dropped and blocked calls.

Unlimited + Sprint 4G LTE = Game-changing wireless offer for customers

In today's competitive wireless market, the value of unlimited has never been more apparent and Sprint is clearly a leading choice in wireless. Customers with capable devices can combine Sprint's all-new 3G and 4G LTE networks and enjoy unlimited data while on the Sprint network. Data usage continues to increase and consumers value Truly Unlimited data because it's simple and straightforward – while on the Sprint network there is no metering, no throttling, and no need to share data, which increases the likelihood of a surprise monthly bill because of overage charges.

Coupled with unbeatable plans and fast devices, Sprint has been working hard to deliver the best customer experience in the past few years. The 2012 American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries measured, over the last four years. And Sprint has been ranked Highest in Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full-service Wireless Providers three times in a row by J.D. Power and Associates.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served nearly 56 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company.

1 Atlanta, Ga.; Athens, Ga.; Baltimore, Md.; Barnstable-Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Calhoun, Ga.; Carrollton, Ga.; Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, Ill.; Gainesville, Ga.; Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; Gary, Ind.; Granbury-Hood County, Texas; Houston; Huntsville, Texas; Hutchinson, Kan.; Lawrence, Kan.; Kankakee/Bradley/Bourbonnais, Ill.; Kansas City, Mo.-Kan.; McPherson, Kan.; Manhattan/Junction City, Kan.; New Bedford/Fall River, Mass.; Newnan, Ga.; Rockford, Ill.; Rome, Ga.; San Antonio, Texas; Sedalia, Mo.; St. Joseph, Mo.-Kan.; Topeka, Kan.; Waco, Texas; Waukegan-Lake County, Ill.; Wichita, Kan.; Wichita Falls, Texas.

Verizon to begin preloading Amazon ecosystem on Android devices, Droid DNA is first

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 01:24 PM PST

Beginning with the newly announced HTC Droid DNA, Verizon will be partnering with Amazon to offer the digital retailer’s content ecosystem on upcoming Android devices. In addition, Amazon will serve up Verizon subscribers with a digital storefront for the purchase of physical goods.

The experience will be integrated into Android devices such as the Droid DNA and provides full access to a users library of digital purchases, from books to music. A single sign-in and one-click buying makes acquiring new content from Amazon’s collection of over 22 million books and songs all the easier. Everything is compiled into a single application that can access Amazon’s suite of services seamlessly.

The new app, which actually looks pretty slick, will be exclusive to Verizon devices for the time being and brings about an interesting Android Market alternative by copying the all-in-one approach of Google, not that we are complaining. It will be interesting to see what, if any, effect this could have on Verizon’s position on the Google Play Store. This is the company that bypassed Google search in favor of Bing on select Android handsets, after all.

 

CyanogenMod 10 now available in stable form

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 01:00 PM PST

While folks are now craving the Android 4.2 flavor of Jelly Bean, those of you faithful to CyanogenMod will be happy to know that the custom ROM finally has a stable build of Jelly Bean to sink your teeth into. It’s a long time coming, but if you know CyanogenMod then you know they don’t like to put the stable stamp on something until it’s just that — stable.

Many devices are receiving treatment today, though some have been delayed due to some build issues that the CyanogenMod team is working to eradicate. Regardless, if your favorite device was in line for Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean then you should have this treat in a matter of hours.

I know, I know — it’s tough to get excited when you know other developers are going to turn the Android 4.2 code around almost right away, but the stability of the CM experience should prove more valuable for those who don’t want to stray from what they know best. The CyanogenMod servers look to be getting hammered right now as folks are likely checking for news about the team’s plans on getting 4.2 out, but if you happen to get a download going be sure to let us know how you’re liking CM10 after you’re finished flashing it.

[CyanogenMod, Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Phandroid Holiday Gift Guide: Top 10 Phones and Edgar’s favorite picks!

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 12:37 PM PST


It’s that time of the year again, and we are getting ready to do our holiday shopping! Some of you non-procrastinating folks already have, actually. But if you are looking for a gift for that Android geek in the family, looking for the perfect item must be a bit hard. That’s why we are putting together a handy Phandroid Holiday Gift Guide for you!

We are releasing the Holiday Gift Guide gradually, with sections for all types of personalities. So far we have published sections for gamers and tech gurus. That covers it for those special niches, but what about those that want to invest a little more and buy an Android smartphone?

I have put together a list of the best smartphones of the year, from high-end super phones to great deals. Of course, we have included devices like the Samsung Galaxy S3, the Galaxy Note 2 and the LG Nexus 4, but there options for those with other priorities can’t be left unmentioned.

There are options for keyboard lovers, like the LG Mach and the stunningly affordable HTC ChaCha. Or if you want an affordable phone with a stronger punch, you can go for the Motorola DROID RAZR M or the HTC One VX. All are great phones, so definitely go ahead and check out the Top 10 Phones section of our Holiday Gift Guide.

Aside from the main categories, we also have our Staff Picks. This is where all of your favorite Phandroid team members bring you the best gift ideas for this holiday season. Quentyn had some great gifts on his list, which includes the MOGA gaming controller (my favorite controller) and the NEST smart thermostat. I have some great gift ideas for you too, so let’s jump in and check out a few of them.

Keep your devices powered with a Powerbag

I fell in love with these bags at CES 2012. Powerbags have a built-in battery and cables, allowing you to charge your Android (and other) devices on the go. Sure, we can all get just a normal backpack and an external battery, but it is surprising how convenient the Powerbag can be. Not only does it make the process of charging seamless, but they work very well as bags, by themselves.

These are stylish and very well-built. They are also made for all kinds of users: there’s the regular Backpack, the Sling, the Instant Messenger and even an array of briefcases. I personally recommend a Powerbag to anyone, it has seriously changed my daily life. You can go ahead and get them from Amazon, or you can stick around and check out my Staff Picks page for more gift ideas.

ANDRU Charger: not just another charger

We find ourselves in a very polarizing time for mobile. iOS and Android are at their best, while we have Windows Phone closing in, but one thing is for sure – we tend to take sides. Android users are very passionate about their favorite mobile OS, which is something they love to show.

If you have an Android fan in the house, you can’t go wrong with the ANDRU charger. This little guy doubles as an Android figurine and a smartphone charger. Its eyes light up when plugged in and you can dock it in a base to make your desk look just a little better with it. For $25 on Amazon, it is not a bad deal!

Sony SmartWatch

Those that have seen my work around here know that I am a sucker for gimmicks. Not in a bad way, though. What I mean is I love nerding out on new technologies that have potential. A smart watch may not be necessary right now, and these products still need to evolve a bit more, but they can already bring some great functionality to your life.

One of my favorite smart watches is the Sony SmartWatch. Checking your messages, getting notifications, reading your social networks and checking your phone book has never been more convenient! All you have to do is sync this watch to your smartphone via bluetooth and voila. Many of your smartphone features will be accessible right from your wrist.

Oh… and it tells you the time, too. It is now available for almost $50 less than its original price, so you might want to check out Amazon if you are interested!

Enjoy the holidays!

There is more to see, but you should check out my Staff Picks and the Top 10 phones to read more on these awesome gifts. We will continue to roll out more Holiday Gift Guide sections throughout the week, so stay tuned to our homepage and the official Phandroid Holiday Gift Guide page.


ZTE Flash now available from Sprint for $129

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:50 AM PST

The ZTE Flash, officially dubbed the Sprint Flash, has launched on the Now Network. Available for $129.99 on a new contract, the Flash features Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and touts a “best-in-class” 12MP camera. Aside from the impressive number of megapixels lurking behind the Flash’s lens, the phone also features a solid array of specs including a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU, 4.5-inch HD display, and LTE connectivity.

Features, as well as pricing, match what we saw in previous leaks. Users can also expect NFC support, 8GB of internal storage with microSD expandability, and a 1780mAh battery. The phone appears to be running stock ICS and gets Sprint ID for added support. Check out Sprint’s site for more details or to pick up the handset for yourself.

[via Sprint]

Latest YouTube update for Android sends videos to Google TV devices

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:23 AM PST

Remember YouTube Remote? It was a standalone application that offered users the ability to send YouTube videos from their Android phone to a Google TV device for playback on a larger screen. It also provided the ability to control playback using the Android interface. Now the functionality has been rolled into the main YouTube app as part of its latest update.

The app allows multiple Android devices to pair with Google TV, offering uninterrupted playback of videos that any user can queue up. A TV icon is now present in the app. One touch enables playback on a larger screen.

The update continues Google’s half-hearted push to integrate the mobile Android OS with it’s TV counterpart, but with little in the way of innovation for the Google TV platform we’re left wondering why the tech giant is even bothering. Don’t get us wrong. We have always felt fondly about Google TV and have hoped for its success, but Google spent more time recently developing the ill-fated Nexus Q than it did making any effort to provide users with a great internet-connected TV device.

We’ll take the apps now, but a Nexus TV priced as affordably as the recent run of Google’s branded Android products could go a long way in establishing Google TV as a serious contender for powering the connected living room.

[via Mashable]

[UPDATE: SDK, too] ROM developers be damned: Android 4.2 headed to AOSP right now; factory images available

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:00 AM PST

Well that didn’t take long, did it? Shortly after the launch of the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 here in the United States Google is already delivering the latest and greatest version of Android to the Android Open Source Project. What does this mean for users? Well, not much unless you also happen to be a developer. This code will make it possible for some of your favorite ROM makers, like the CyanogenMod team, to begin work on the next major iterations of their Android 4.2-infused wares.

There’s no telling how long it’ll take each individual ROM to incorporate Android 4.2, but you’ll want to keep your eyes and ears close to the development street by visiting XDA and RootzWiki. Some will take longer than others (we’re just now getting CyanogenMod in stable Jelly Bean form starting today) but just know that your favorite developers will most likely be grabbing this code as soon as they can and begin work right away.

In very related news, you can find factory images for the “takju” Galaxy Nexus and both Nexus 7 variants on Google’s developer site, as well as drivers for the all Nexus devices starting from the Galaxy Nexus up. Finally, Jean-Baptiste Queru reminds folks that there’s no ETA on an OTA — news on that will have to come later. Go ahead and start preparing to full those files, developers, and us mere flash-happy ROM addicts will be patiently awaiting some good news.

[via Google Groups]

[Update]: developers can now download the Android 4.2 SDK. New changes that developers can implement include lockscreen widgets, renderscript rendering via the GPU for the Nexus 10, support for external displays and more. Be sure to head to the Android Developers site for details on how to get it.

The Nexus 4 and 10 are now officially available in the Google Play Store [UPDATE: Still trickling in]

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:36 AM PST

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It’s here, folks. That moment you’ve all been waiting for. After hours of persistently jamming the F5 button on your computer, the time is finally upon us — the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 are now officially available for purchase from the Google Play Store. That is, if you hurry. They only went live moments ago and just like our Android brothers in Australia, we expect the Nexus 4 16GB to be the first to sell out of stock. Here’s some quick links for those that haven’t been glued to their comp all night.

Nexus 4: 8GB | 16GB

Nexus 10: 16GB | 32GB

Nexus 4 Bumper

I can only hope you were quick enough to squeeze in an order before the shark frenzy gobbled ‘em all up. For those that were able to snag a Nexus for themselves, congrats! And if you’re new to the Nexus program, welcome! We have cake. Okay, maybe not cake but we’re definitely guaranteed pie, or another tasty dessert at some point down the road.

Don’t forget to check out our newly opened Nexus 4 Forums where potential and new Nexus 4 owners such as yourself can chat it up and discuss everything from apps, to switching plans, to general technical issues. Now comes the hard part of waiting for the delivery man. Gaaaah…

Official: HTC and Verizon announce the Droid DNA with 5-inch 1080p display

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:27 AM PST

And it’s official. The HTC Droid DNA has just been announced for Verizon and will be available for purchase starting November 21st for $199 with contract. The Android 4.1 smartphone boasts some pretty impressive specs, starting with a 5-inch SLCD display with a resolutuon of 1920×1080. Yes, that’s full 1080p resolution right in your hand. But the power of the handset goes deeper with a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, and 16GB of internal storage (sorry, no microSD).

The Droid DNA carries an 8MP camera with HTC’s ImageChip technology. This 28mm wide-angle lens can capture video with resolutions up to 1080p, and an 88-degree ultra wide-angle 2.1MP front-facing camera can do the same. A 2,020mAh battery seems a bit light, but wireless charging capabilities still provide plenty to talk about when it comes to powering the new handset.

The Droid DNA is a Beats Audio device. The Droid DNA is an LTE device. In other words, name a spec that you were hopeful to see in your next handset and this phone probably has it. NFC? Check. MHL? Check. Bluetooth 4.0? Check.

Those interested in picking up the latest collaboration between HTC and Verizon can start placing their pre-orders today. It might be a good idea if you hope to avoid the holiday shopping rush.

Wake-up call: Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 go on sale 12pm eastern in the United States

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:25 AM PST

Wake up, wake up, it’s Christmas! Wait… no, that’s not right. It certainly feels like it though. It’s cold outside, my stomach is growling and the gift unwrapping ceremony (ie the launch of a certain crop of devices) is just hours away. I’m talking about the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10, of course, and while our friends across the pond and down under have already sucked the Google Play Store well dry of its stock, us folks in the United States are still waiting on our chance to order one.

Google didn’t confirm what time the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 would be available before today’s date so we’ve been feverishly checking since late last night. Nothing ever came of our efforts, of course, but that’s because Google’s going for a 12pm eastern launch (which would be 9am for those of you in the pacific time zone).

You’ll still want to be back well before that time to prepare for the feeding frenzy that’s sure to go down because there’s no telling what’s going to happen when these go live. For starters, Google might very well release it a few minutes earlier than scheduled, and you certainly won’t want to be even a second late.

Secondly, if you know the crowd that typically gets excited for Nexus devices and everything Google, then you’ll know that they don’t play around. More than 5,000 tickets for Google I/O sold out in under half an hour, remember?

Consider the fact that those tickets cost some people almost $1,000, and if you factor in travel… well, let’s just say there’s a dedicated bunch that’s going to be looking for this thing. Judging by the UK and Australian sellouts so far we’d say you won’t have long to lollygag because the difference between getting your order in and coming up short could be one missed click, one wasted minute and one server overload error.

Get your credit cards ready — tape it to your display if you have to. Hell, you might even want to memorize it if you haven’t already. Set your autocomplete forms up so you won’t be snagged up by the dreaded shipping and billing information Google will inevitably ask for. Make sure your Google Wallet account has your card all set up and verify that you’ll be ready to purchase this thing once it goes live by trying it out on a cheap app.

You can never be too prepared for this sort of thing, so god speed and good luck to all those looking to add yet another Nexus device to their lives. Be sure to keep an eye out on the official Phandroid Twitter, Facebook and Google+ accounts for notifications of its arrival — we’ll be feeding you the links the moment it goes live. And don’t forget to check out the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 sections at AndroidForums.com for great and healthy conversation among enthusiasts like yourselves!

Nexus 4 sells out within minutes of its UK release

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:53 AM PST

Folks in the US cursing those in foreign lands already able to purchase the highly-anticipated Nexus 4 are a bit luckier than they think. While it sounds like a few more hours will pass before the latest Nexus handset goes on sale in the States (signs point towards 9AM PST), some will be waiting even longer in the UK. Though the device went on sale in that country during the wee hours of the morning, reports are saying it sold out within a matter of minutes.

Both the 8GB and 16GB Nexus 4 are once again unavailable for purchase, and you can add the 32GB Nexus 10 to the list of out-of-stock items as well. Google is only offering a non-response, stating that they will not remark on sales figures for the devices at this time.

The LG-made smartphone and tablet by Samsung were released without a pre-order period and will hit several more regions by the end of the day. While we were expecting the low-cost mobile options to be a hit, we must speculate as to whether shortages have more to do with a lack of supply than with an overwhelming demand. Still, if you live in a location where the devices will soon be available, you will want to act quickly lest you are left Nexus-less.

[via TechCrunch]

T-Mobile letting you beat the Black Friday rush with free Samsung smartphones this weekend

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:50 AM PST

T-Mobile has published some very interesting findings regarding Black Friday shopping, particularly how people view the experience and tend to want to stay away due to all the chaotic goings-on usually associated with the day. Long story short, T-Mobile pretty much found that people are getting tired of the long lines, rude shoppers and potentially dangerous situations that can arise during such heated shopping events, so it’s doing something about it.

While the company will still likely offer Black Friday specials of its own, T-Mobile is featuring a pretty killer sale ahead of time for some of you Samsung fans to get your devices sooner than usual. For this Friday and Saturday only, T-Mobile customers can get almost any 4G Samsung phone (notably missing is the Samsung Galaxy Note 2) for the low cost of absolutely nothing. There is a catch, however, so bear with me.

For starters, you’ll be subject to submitting a mail-in rebate before that price tag gets down to $0.00. That means if you want a $200 Samsung phone for free, you’re going to have to pay $200 for it up front and wait for a mail-in rebate to take effect. It’s not quite the immediate satisfaction we like, but a deal is a deal.

Secondly, T-Mobile expressly mentions that this deal is for “well-qualified” customers several times throughout its press release. We’re not sure what “well-qualified” means just yet, but we’ll be pinging T-Mobile to find out. It could go based on customer loyalty (how long you’ve been a T-Mobile customer), how reliable you are paying your monthly bill or other factors that we’re unaware of. We’ll update this post to let you know what T-Mobile tells us.

Both classic and value plan customers will be able to get in on these deals, and each respective set of customers will have different up-front prices, as usual. The classic customers will still need to sign new two-year contracts, while the value plan customers will be subject to a monthly installment agreement to pay off the rest of their phones.

And just in case you needed a reminder of what 4G Samsung phones T-Mobile has to offer, you can get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G, Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G and the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit 4G. Get your shopping fingers ready for this Friday and head to T-Mobile’s site if you are interesting in taking advantage of all this. Read on for full press details.

T-Mobile Gives Shoppers Opportunity to Beat the Holiday Rush With Special Offer

 

New Survey Says Nine-in-Ten Americans Find Winter Holiday Shopping Stressful, While     72 Percent Would Make a Sacrifice to Get a Good Deal

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Nov. 12, 2012 — Shift your holiday shopping into high gear with T-Mobile® this November and get ahead of the Black Friday rush. For two days only, Nov. 16– 17, customers can purchase a Samsung 4G smartphone, including the wildly popular Samsung Galaxy S® III, for free with qualifying plans.

A new survey1 by Kelton Research uncovered that holiday shoppers don't feel that Black Friday is worth their time, with 51 percent reporting that nothing could entice them to stand in line. Yet 72 percent responded that finding reasonable prices is most important to them when shopping during the winter holidays. This holiday season, T-Mobile is helping consumers combat the stress of Black Friday while they enjoy great value with its pre-holiday sale. For more information and an infographic on how consumers view holiday shopping, visit http://t-mo.co/Us8jEv.

"If getting a great deal on your gift purchases is important, and you prefer to limit your time in holiday checkout lines, then this T-Mobile promotional offer could be for you," said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA. "We think this offer will be particularly attractive for families who would like every member to have a mobile device but don't think it fits their budget. This promotion will make it easier for consumers to join the smartphone revolution by making the best devices and data plans more affordable."

New and existing eligible customers can take advantage of this pre-holiday sale. Customers will receive their device for free, after a mail-in rebate card2, when they sign up for a new two-year contract on any qualifying unlimited Classic plan, or for a $0.00 down payment (after a mail-in rebate card) when signing up for a new two-year contract on a new qualifying Unlimited Value® plan with an Equipment Installment Plan (EIP).3

 

Consumers often worry about making the wrong device choice or paying too much for data. This holiday season, data-hungry smartphone customers can enjoy "Unlimited Cheer" with T-Mobile's Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan. Offering customers the ultimate worry-free experience, unlimited data plans feature no data caps, no speed limits and no overages on T-Mobile's network, as well as fast, dependable nationwide 4G coverage. For more details about T-Mobile's Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan, visit http://www.T-Mobile.com/unlimited-data-plan.

 

The Samsung Galaxy S III is one of T-Mobile's fastest 4G (HSPA+ 42 technology) smartphones. With an intuitive design, the Galaxy S III enables customers to effortlessly share photos, videos and more to a compatible TV or other Galaxy S III devices. Featuring a beautiful 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED® screen, the Galaxy S III packs a powerful entertainment experience, which allows customers to watch HD movies and TV shows, download apps, and securely browse the Web.

The following is a sample of device pricing and mail-in rebate amounts included in the Samsung pre-holiday 4G smartphone sale if well-qualified customers choose to sign up for a two-year Classic Plan™:

Device

(Classic Plan™)

Total Out-of-Pocket Cost (Classic)

Mail-In-Rebate

Card

Net Cost

(After Rebate)
Samsung Galaxy S III

$299.99

$300.00

$0.00
Samsung Galaxy S® Relay™ 4G

$199.99

$200.00

$0.00
Samsung Galaxy S II

$199.99

$200.00

$0.00
Samsung Galaxy S® Blaze™ 4G

$149.99

$150.00

$0.00
Samsung Galaxy Exhibit™ 4G

$99.99

$100.00

$0.00

If well-qualified customers choose to sign up for an Unlimited Value™ plan, the following is a sample of device pricing and EIP monthly payments:

Device

(Unlimited Value™)

Total Out-of-Pocket Down Payment (Value)

Mail-In-Rebate

Card

Net Down Payment

(After Rebate)

Value EIP Monthly Payment
Samsung Galaxy S III

$199.99

$200.00

$0.00

$20.00
Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G

$74.99

$75.00

$0.00

$20.00
Samsung Galaxy S II

$99.99

$100.00

$0.00

$20.00
Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G

$74.99

$75.00

$0.00

$15.00
Samsung Galaxy Exhibit 4G

$49.99

$50.00

$0.00

$15.00

 

This pre-holiday sale will be available at participating T-Mobile retail stores nationwide. For more information about T-Mobile's pre-holiday sale and details about qualifying plans and services, visit http://t-mo.co/REeges.

 

1 Source: Kelton Research Holiday Survey, October 2012–Nov. 2012 of 1,013 respondents, sponsored by T-Mobile.

2 No mail-in rebates in RI, CT and Miami-Dade County.

3 Equipment installment plans: On approved credit and 0 percent APR. Down payment and unfinanced portion required at purchase. Remaining balance paid in 20 monthly installments. Not available in D.C.

 

About T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCQX: DTEGY). By the end of the third quarter of 2012, approximately 131 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group — 33.3 million by T-Mobile USA — all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS and additionally HSPA+ 21/HSPA+ 42. T-Mobile USA's innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche Telekom, please visit www.telekom.de/investor-relations.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Deutsche Telekom management with respect to future events. These forward-looking statements may include statements with regard to the expected development of revenue, earnings, profits from operations, depreciation and amortization, cash flows and personnel-related measures. You should consider them with caution. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond Deutsche Telekom's control. Among the factors that might influence our ability to achieve our objectives are the progress of our workforce reduction initiative and other cost-saving measures, and the impact of other significant strategic, labor or business initiatives, including acquisitions, dispositions and business combinations, and our network upgrade and expansion initiatives. In addition, stronger than expected competition, technological change, legal proceedings and regulatory developments, among other factors, may have a material adverse effect on our costs and revenue development. Further, the economic downturn in our markets, and changes in interest and currency exchange rates, may also have an impact on our business development and the availability of financing on favorable conditions. Changes to our expectations concerning future cash flows may lead to impairment write downs of assets carried at historical cost, which may materially affect our results at the group and operating segment levels. If these or other risks and uncertainties materialize, or if the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, our actual performance may materially differ from the performance expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We can offer no assurance that our estimates or expectations will be achieved. Without prejudice to existing obligations under capital market law, we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to take new information or future events into account or otherwise.

In addition to figures prepared in accordance with IFRS, Deutsche Telekom also presents non-GAAP financial performance measures, including, among others, EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EBIT, adjusted net income, free cash flow, gross debt and net debt. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-GAAP financial performance measures are not subject to IFRS or any other generally accepted accounting principles. Other companies may define these terms in different ways.
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