Android Central

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• Why Plume is still my Twitter client of choice
• Android-powered Ca-Fi Dashlinq infotainment system coming in January
• First images surface of Verizon employee exclusive Droid DNA
• Google 'winter cleaning' is coming, Google Sync and Calendar features are going away
• Photoshop, Snapseed and the best photo editing apps for Android
• Carphone Warehouse expects Xperia E for Feb. 2013 release
• Google Play Gift Cards get one step closer to UK availability
• Verizon Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update now available!
• Motorola Atrix HD gets Jelly Bean
• Major Google+ app update launches, including new photo + event features [updated]
• Android Central 119: Things that are not phones (but still excite us)
• Android 4.1.2 and 'Premium Suite' update hits Korean Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy Camera (LTE) now available on Verizon
• EE announces plans to sell Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE, Nexus 7 tablets
• Daily news roundup: December 14, 2012
• Metago offering older version of Astro File Manager for sideloading
• Verizon set to launch several new LTE markets on Dec. 20
• Facebook SDK 3.0 for Android comes out of beta
• Official Nexus 7 audio dock gets unboxed on Youtube
• Walmart improves Android app to help holiday shoppers
• Android Central Podcast - Live!

Why Plume is still my Twitter client of choice Posted: 14 Dec 2012 04:26 PM PST It seems like there's a new wizz-bang fancy Twitter client released every week. Every single time you hear claims that it's the next best thing. Every once and a while those claims actually hold some merit, but it seems like more often than not these new clients just fade off into the ether and everyone goes back to their previous choice. For me, that choice is Plume and I've yet to find a client that can pull me away. I've been using Plume exclusively since about February of this year, and it's only improved since then. After trying it out for about a week -- coming from the official Twitter app -- I paid $4.99 for the "Premium" version and never looked back. I initially chose Plume because not only did it ditch the legacy menu button, but also followed Android's new "holo" design guidelines extensively. There's something refreshing about apps that fit in nicely with the rest of the OS. Plume doesn't cut any corners in features or functionality to get "holo" either -- you have full customization of refresh, notifications (although not push, unfortunately), backgrounds, colors, display, URL shorteners, picture hosting and multiple accounts. You also get three extremely functional widgets -- 2x1, 4x1 and 4x2 to 4x4 expandable. The largest is information dense and offers scrolling, tabs for tweets/mentions/messages and dedicated tweet/search keys. I interact with Plume through the widget a majority of the time, and it really is a joy to use. The developers are on top of updates for the widgets as well, offering an Android 4.2 lockscreen widget just days after the code released. It's hard for me to consider using any other client when there's nothing I find in my use of Plume to drive me away. I'm not using it because it's the least broken out of the clients available -- I'm using it because I think it's the best available. So what is your Twitter client of choice, and what has kept you from switching away? Let us know in the comments.

Android-powered Ca-Fi Dashlinq infotainment system coming in January Posted: 14 Dec 2012 03:44 PM PST We've seen Android put in a lot of devices that aren't phones or tablets -- appliances, robots, light bulbs -- and car infotainment systems seem to be a good fit for the OS. Ca-Fi is set to release a new line of "Dashlinq" car head units running Android, with all of the features you'd want or need jammed in. It's running Android 2.3 -- as you can see by the navigation buttons on the right side -- with an 800x480 6.95-inch multi-touch screen, SDcard slot, optional Wifi and 3G, a USB port, bluetooth and GPS. This unit doesn't skimp on the car integration either. It has full steering wheel control support, dual zone support, a 9 band EQ setting, Digital Sound Processor (DSP) and full radio support. It handles both calls and audio streaming over bluetooth as well. Ca-Fi is setting the Dashlinq pricing at $649, and it will be available in January. There's a few more images of the unit and interface at the source link below. Source: Ca-Fi

First images surface of Verizon employee exclusive Droid DNA Posted: 14 Dec 2012 03:00 PM PST It's kind of teasing posting up photos of a device most people can't buy, but when it looks like this it's definitely worth a mention. What we see here is the first shots of the Verizon employee exclusive Droid DNA, obtained by the guys over at Droid-Life. It's a regular old DNA at heart, but instead of the black back on the regular one, Verizon staff get theirs in a pretty impressive shade of red. And, since Verizon devices aren't short on logos, this DNA is absolutely no exception. In addition to the usual stuff, it also comes stamped as a “Verizon Employee Limited Edition.” It's not likely to hit everyone's tastes, but it sure stands out in a crowd.  Source: Droid-Life

Google 'winter cleaning' is coming, Google Sync and Calendar features are going away Posted: 14 Dec 2012 02:08 PM PST We're nearing the end of 2012, and that means Google is doing some "winter cleaning" around the office and some less-popular services are going away. Google will be shutting down several services related to sync and calendar, all within the next month. First, several Google Calendar features are going away -- reservable times can no longer be created in appointment slots, but currently set slots will remain for one year. Two calendar "labs" features are going away as well: "Smart Rescheduler" and "Add gadget by URL." Google is also removing features that let users check and make appointments via SMS.  Next, traditional Google Sync is going away -- this was the protocol that let users sync their mail, contacts and calendar to devices via the Exchange ActiveSync protocol. With the introduction of CardDAV and CalDav, Google can now offer much the same service with the IMAP protocol instead. Google Sync will shut down to new users on January 30, 2013, but will remain active for anyone that sets it up prior and all Google Apps users. It sounds like a doomsday scenario of Google services getting shut down, but most users won't notice. Android syncs natively with Google Apps and therefore won't be affected by the Google Sync shutdown. You may want to take a look if you happen to use any of these Google Calendar tools, though. Source: Google Official Blog

Photoshop, Snapseed and the best photo editing apps for Android Posted: 14 Dec 2012 01:13 PM PST Fixing pictures on your phone has become a pretty big deal lately. Big players like Facebook and Twitter are starting to bundle photo filter and adjustment tools into their apps, but there’s still a home for the dedicate photography app. There are a ton of popular ones that continue to thrive and offer armchair photographers the opportunity to share some really slick shots. As a point of comparison, I’ll be using three pictures and sending them through each of the apps to give you an idea of what to expect: one portrait, one close-up, and one landscape shot. Here are the originals. So, in order of personal preference, my top photograph editing apps are... read more

Carphone Warehouse expects Xperia E for Feb. 2013 release Posted: 14 Dec 2012 12:06 PM PST Sony hasn't given any date other than "Q1 2013" for the launch of the upcoming Xperia E, but U.K. phone retailer Carphone Warehouse says it expects the handset by February 2013. We got some pricing and spec info for the mid-range handset in the last week, but one thing left out was the release time. This is shaping up to be a nice looking handset for the budget-conscious among us -- at a price of about £130 SIM free -- when it finally becomes available. Source: Xperia blog

Google Play Gift Cards get one step closer to UK availability Posted: 14 Dec 2012 09:47 AM PST Following yesterday's discovery of a redeem page on the Google Play website for Gift Card codes in the UK, we took that to mean that the Gift Cards were on their way to British shores. Today we have further reason to believe that their arrival may well be imminent. Tucked away in the menu in our UK Play Store apps is a "Redeem" option which brings up the page we see here. Google Play balance is in the correct currency, and besides linking to redeeming your codes, there's also a link to the Gift Card TOS page. We've still not seen any UK currency gift cards in the wild as yet, but with Christmas just around the corner, these would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who uses an Android device.

Verizon Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update now available! Posted: 14 Dec 2012 09:15 AM PST The Verizon Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update. We've got it. Some of you have got it. We're installing now.  ... And we're up and running. The 400MB update takes a few minutes to install. Once you're done, you're at Android 4.1.1, build JRO03L.I535VRBLK3. As is usually the case with updates, you're not going to see a huge visual change. TouchWiz is still TouchWiz. But you now have features like Google Now, which you access by long-pressing the menu button, and improvements to the notification area. The camera's gotten some improvements as well, including, of course, filters. Plus, the GS3 is now ready for the ISIS mobile payment system, but that only does you any good if you're in Austin, Texas, or Salt Lake City. Update: And now we've got a quick video after the break. More: Verizon Galaxy S3 forums read more

Motorola Atrix HD gets Jelly Bean Posted: 14 Dec 2012 08:32 AM PST Mark it, Dude. The AT&T this morning announced that the Motorola Atrix HD is getting an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean starting today. That means you get cool things like Google Now, that Project Butter smoothness, plus all the other bells and whistles AT&T and Motorola have added in.  You can get the update now by going to Settings>About Phone>Software updates. And we suggest you do. Source: AT&T; More: Atrix HD forums

Major Google+ app update launches, including new photo + event features [updated] Posted: 14 Dec 2012 06:35 AM PST    Update: The new version of the Google+ app is now live on Google Play. Go get it! Google's been on a roll with software and feature updates this past week or so. And so when Google social boss Vic Gundotra remarked that he "couldn't sleep" last night, we suspected there might be big Google+ news coming today. And it seems that's exactly what we're getting, as Google prepares to roll out version 3.3 of Google+ for Android, along with updates for the web version. Highlights in this release include new photo features, including better Photo sphere support, and integration with the newly-launched G+ Communities feature. The new Google+ app will land later today, along with new features for the desktop version of Google's social network. Here's what we can expect from the new app -- New photo stuff -- Instant upload now offers up to 5GB of  full-sized photo backups. Photo sphere panoramas recorded on Android 4.2 can be viewed on devices running Android 2.2 or higher. Events and communities -- Communities support for the mobile app. And it's now possible to send messages to individual event guests and see who's opened invitations. Hangouts -- Now only 150kb of bandwidth is required to participate in a hangout. General improvements -- The ability to edit your profile on-the-go, new "subtle" notices when new posts arrive, and improvements to the posting menu.  Google Now integration -- Birthday notifications through cards on Google Now, including G+ links to wish the person a happy birthday. Other goodies -- Animated GIF support and a lock screen widget for Android 4.2. Also, new "mood" posts based around a gallery of emoticons. Several other updates for the web version of Google+ are expected to be rolled out today too, including improvements to solo broadcasts via Hangouts on Air, the ability to easily create duplicate events and easier RSVPing. You'll find more details over at Google's full feature breakdown, linked below. We'll keep you posted with further details when the app update drops later today. Source: Google

Android Central 119: Things that are not phones (but still excite us) Posted: 14 Dec 2012 04:28 AM PST Podcast MP3 URL:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/acpc119.mp3 Thing 1: We review Samsung things that are not phones Samsung Muse review: The S Pebble cometh Samsung Galaxy Camera initial photo and video samples Thing 2: Updates galore Verizon Galaxy S3 gets Jelly Bean starting Dec. 14 EVO 4G LTE - Jelly Bean update - NOW!!! International Galaxy Note 2 models get Android 4.1.2 update with new TouchWiz features Facebook finally releases a native Android app Youtube app updated with new 10-inch tablet layout Instagram update brings new filter, performance improvements Official Twitter app updated with photo filters Thing 3: Other stuff Verizon Galaxy Note 2 bootloader unlock now available Nexus 4 factory images, binaries disappear from Google site The best Android smartphones on U.S. carriers [late 2012] Samsung reminds us that new things are coming at CES 2013 The 2012 Android Central Awards - voting is now open!

Android 4.1.2 and 'Premium Suite' update hits Korean Galaxy S3 Posted: 14 Dec 2012 04:08 AM PST U.S. Galaxy S3 models may have just received their Android 4.1.1 update, but international versions are already moving ahead with the new "Premium Suite" upgrade, which includes Android 4.1.2 and new features like full-screen multitasking. The update started pushing out in some European countries earlier in the week, and now it's landed in Sammy's home territory, as SamMobile reports that South Korean S3 models have started to receive the new software over the air and through the Kies desktop app. So if you're running any of the four Korean Galaxy S3s -- SHW-M440S, SHV-E210S, SHV-E210K or SHV-E210L -- then it's time to head to Settings > About device > Software update, or if you're feeling particularly masochistic, plug your phone into Kies. The "Premium Suite" upgrade introduces a bunch of new features from the Galaxy Note 2, including "multi-window," which allows two full-screen apps to be run on-screen at once, a re-vamped Gallery app and "page buddy," a context-sensitive home screen tile that offers different widgets and shortcuts based on what you're doing with your phone. Check our earlier post for more details on other features of the upgrade. Source: SamMobile

Samsung Galaxy Camera (LTE) now available on Verizon Posted: 14 Dec 2012 03:50 AM PST If you'd like some 4G LTE with your Android-powered smart camera, you'll be pleased to hear that Verizon's version of the Samsung Galaxy Camera is now on sale, with support for Big Red's 4G service. Aside from the radio switch-up, the Verizon Galaxy Camera is more or less the same as its international cousin. It's got a 16MP sensor and a 23mm lens with 21X optical zoom, and it's powered by a quad-core Samsung Exynos CPU with 1GB of RAM. On the software side, it's Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and Samsung's TouchWiz interface running the show. Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Camera sells for $549.99, $50 more than the HSPA+-capable model offered through AT&T and sold internationally. However, a Verizon promotion will allow customers to add a Galaxy Camera to their "Share Everything" plan for $5 per month instead of the usual $10. Surprisingly for Verizon, there's no red version of the Galaxy Camera, though it does have exclusivity over the black color option in the U.S. You'll find more details at Verizon's store page, linked below. If you're curious about image quality, we've got  big ol' gallery of photos and videos from the Samsung Galaxy Camera, too. More: Samsung Galaxy Camera photo and video samples Source: Verizon Wireless

EE announces plans to sell Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE, Nexus 7 tablets Posted: 14 Dec 2012 03:27 AM PST British 4G mobile network EE has announced that it'll branch out from phones, iPads and Mifis, and begin offering contract-subsidized Android tablets directly for sale. The first two Android tablets to be sold on EE will be the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE and Google Nexus 7, the latter being offered with a 4G Mifi. All of EE's tablet contracts run for 24 months. The Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE should be more or less identical to earlier Note 10.1 versions, with the addition of European LTE support. So we're looking at a 10-inch tablet with S Pen stylus capabilities and a quad-core Exynos chip. There's no mention of specifically which version of Android it'll run out of the box, but we'd hope it'd be Jelly Bean. Prices and data bundles for the Note 10.1 LTE are -- £25.99 monthly and £249.99 up-front for 3GB £30.99 monthly and £199.99 up-front for 5GB £35.99 and £99.99 up-front for 8GB Meanwhile the Nexus 7 will give you a bit more bang for your buck, as it comes bundled with a Huawei E589 LTE Mifi. EE doesn't confirm this specifically, but it looks like it's offering a Wifi-only N7,with mobile days available only through the bundled hotspot. (That'd make sense, as there's no Nexus 7 with built-in LTE.) It's also a good deal less expensive than the Note 10.1 -- £25.99 monthly and £49.99 up-front for 3GB £30.99 monthly and £29.99 up-front for 5GB £35.99 monthly and £25.99 up-front for 8GB EE's prices remain comparatively high though, and you'll be locked in for 24 months. But at least it's starting to expand its tablet line-up outside of Apple's iPad range. The Nexus 7 and Note 10.1 on EE are due to go on sale starting this weekend. EE says it'll have 4G up and running in some 18 British cities by the end of 2012, with that figure rising to 35 by next March. Don't forget to check out our reviews of the Note 10.1 and Nexus 7 if you haven't already.

Daily news roundup: December 14, 2012 Posted: 14 Dec 2012 12:19 AM PST       In case you missed any of the days news here's a wrap up of everything you need to know. Everything was covered, from LTE in the UK to LTE from AT&T, devices, and of course software. Have a read and see how it all went down. Hardware news Nexus 4 now available from Three UK The YotaPhone and its e-ink display gets shown off on video for the first time ZTE to unveil 5-inch Grand S at CES on January 8 Nexus 10 Pogo charger sighted, release rumored Dell officially exits the smartphone market Barnes & Noble makes the Nook HD and Nook HD+ available at Walmart Official Nexus 7 audio dock gets unboxed on Youtube Update all the things!! Sprint EVO 4G LTE Jelly Bean update: We're all patiently waiting this morning EVO 4G LTE - Jelly Bean update - NOW!!! Verizon Galaxy S3 gets Jelly Bean starting Dec. 14 Facebook finally releases a native Android app Google Calendar adds more actionable notifications, location improvements Facebook SDK 3.0 for Android comes out of beta Football Manager Handheld 2013 released into Google Play for $9.99 Elf on the Shelf gets a new Android game BBC iPlayer app updated with new UI, higher quality video and Android 4.2 support Walmart improves Android app to help holiday shoppers Metago offering older version of Astro File Manager for sideloading Industry news AT&T announces six new LTE cities EE announces next wave of 4G cities, 17 more due by March 2013 Google reportedly not keen on building out apps for Windows Google Play gift card redemption page live in UK, cards still unavailable Google introducing confirmed clicks into all mobile advertising banners T-Mobile announces another 5 markets with 1900MHz HSPA+ Leap Wireless and MetroPCS starting handset financing programs Verizon set to launch several new LTE markets on Dec. 20 Contests The 2012 Android Central Awards - voting is now open! Want to attend CES 2013 for Free? Now's your chance, thanks to the The Mobile Nations 2013 CES Experience!

Metago offering older version of Astro File Manager for sideloading Posted: 13 Dec 2012 11:11 PM PST Metago, the folks behind the uber-popular Android app Astro File Manager, has reached out for us to pass along a bit of news. They are busy with Astro version 4.0, and realize that a lot folks just aren't ready to make the change. For those folks, version 3 can be directly downloaded from Metago's website.  Truth be told, I think the version 4 update is pretty awesome, and love the direction the app is headed. The new included gallery, the cloud connections with SkyDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox are awesome, and swiping three-pane interface works really well. Fortunately, Metago realizes not everyone feels that way. If you need your old version back, grab it at the link below. More: Metago

Verizon set to launch several new LTE markets on Dec. 20 Posted: 13 Dec 2012 10:11 PM PST It's hard to find cities that don't have Verizon LTE coverage at this point, but they're still rolling it out. Big red is taking its new high-speed network to several new cities and towns, all expecting to launch on December 20th: Lamar And LaJunta, Colorado Price And Richfield, Utah Jackson Hole, Teton Village, Kemmerer And Pinedale, Wyoming Port Angeles, Port Townsend And Sequim, Washington Kennewick, Pasco And Richland, Washington Klamath Falls And Roseburg, Oregon Just one week away from seeing LTE go live in these places if you happen to live there. The few of you not yet covered by LTE should be seeing it soon at this rate. Source: Verizon; (1); (2); (3); (4); (5)

Facebook SDK 3.0 for Android comes out of beta Posted: 13 Dec 2012 09:13 PM PST Alongside its release of a native Android app, Facebook is bringing its SDK 3.0 for Android developers out of beta today. The Facebook SDK for Android lets app developers on the platform integrate social functions into their apps by calling Facebook API's and embedding their functions. This means simple actions like connecting a Facebook account to another app or calling up a friend or location list will be easier to implement and use. For example, users will be able to log-in to their Facebook account without ever leaving the primary app -- really cool stuff. Facebook says the beta version of the SDK was downloaded over 80,000 times since it was released, so let's hope that some of those developers give it a closer look and use the tools to their advantage. This isn't something most end-users will be dealing with, but we all want this regardless. When developers have better tools, they provide an improved experience for all of us. Source: Facebook Developers

Official Nexus 7 audio dock gets unboxed on Youtube Posted: 13 Dec 2012 08:28 PM PST Here's a look at the elusive Nexus 7 docking station live and in color on Youtube. We don't have a lot of information here, just that the fellow posting the video bought it at Yodobashi Camera in the Akihabara district in Japan. He had the opportunity to buy it a day early, and like any of us would, he jumped on it.  It looks to be the same dock we saw in late November, utilizing the pogo pons for charging and audio. That dock is no longer "coming soon" on the Asus Japan site, but it is listed as out of stock. There is no listing on the ASUS America site or the Global site.  We're not sure of what the availability will be, or if it is even coming to the states. We assume that it will, as the demand for the Nexus 7 is still very high. The dock would make for a great holiday gift, so hopefully we see it offered very soon. Discuss it in the Nexus 7 forums Source: Youtube; via  +William Gunther!

Walmart improves Android app to help holiday shoppers Posted: 13 Dec 2012 07:30 PM PST Walmart has made some subtle updates to its app -- now v1.4.1 -- that should help customers looking to ease the headaches of shopping this holiday season. Now in addition to online ordering and shopping cart management, you can view the localized ads for specific stores in your area. After letting the app view your location, you can see the newspaper circular for each store, and see if there are any special deals. You can swipe through the pages casually, and if something catches your eye you can tap into a certain page and get a simple list of the items on it. The app with the updated UI is out now, and can be downloaded at the Google Play Store link above.

Android Central Podcast - Live! Posted: 13 Dec 2012 05:41 PM PST Show starts at 9 p.m. EST (or thereabouts) The Android Central Podcast is recorded live in front of a live studio audience, so you can catch us in the act. Watch us live from your phone with the UStream app. (Search for MobileNations.) Miss a show? You can listen to every episode of the Android Central Podcast online. Web | RSS | iTunes | Stitcher

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