Android Authority

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• Oracle kicks off appeal in Google Android lawsuit
• Leak: LG Optimus L9 for T-Mobile, think of it as a downgraded Optimus G
• Rumor: Everyone will be allowed to make Nexus devices, but there are certain rules
• Confirmed: Google launches Wallet for web content
• Fake iPhone 5 launcher gives you a feel of iOS 6 on your Android phone
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Rumor: 13MP camera module spotted
• Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update “coming soon” to the U.S., official update schedule released
• Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Verizon LG Intuition
• Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2 and 32GB Nexus 7 spotted in Carphone Warehouse’s inventory [Updated]
• Google Maps iOS web app is getting StreetView support soon

Oracle kicks off appeal in Google Android lawsuit Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:39 AM PDT When Oracle took Google to court over Android things didn't turn out so well for it. First of all the jury took just over a week to decide that Google did not infringe any Oracle patents. The company pushed on, but then Judge William Alsup ruled that Oracle Java APIs elements are not copyrightable. The final nail in the coffin of Oracle's payout hopes came in the form of an order to pay Google's legal fees. As you might expect Oracle is not satisfied with an outcome that left them holding a $4 million bill for Google's court costs. The inevitable appeal has been filed with the United States District Court in California. Interestingly the appeal was signed by Michael Jacobs of Morrison & Foerster who worked for Apple in the Samsung case in California which ended with a $1.05 billion payout for Apple. Should Google be worried? Florian Mueller at FOSS Patents certainly thinks so. He points out the difference that the judge and jury can make. Compare the Oracle vs Google trial with the Samsung vs Apple trial and you can see how any new action might not go so well for Google. He thinks there is a real possibility of Oracle winning the API copyright liability part and Google may have to elevate the issue to the Supreme Court. It looks like Google's "fair use" defense might not be rock solid. Of course, Samsung is challenging the Apple case verdict as well with claims of juror misconduct. This one is far from over. Related Posts Zip, zero, nada: Google to pay nothing to Oracle, as Oracle will try to appeal, Oracle to ask around $100 million from Google over the Android / Java lawsuit., Oracle, Google make their closing statements for phase one of their lawsuit This article, Oracle kicks off appeal in Google Android lawsuit , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Leak: LG Optimus L9 for T-Mobile, think of it as a downgraded Optimus G Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:25 AM PDT There’s a Twitter account that you should all be following known as @evleaks. We don’t know who this person is, but they often share photos of devices that have yet to be launched. Their latest leak is the LG Optimus L9 for T-Mobile. For those of you who don’t remember the L9, it was announced in late August, and it can best be thought of as a downgraded version of LG’s flagship device, the Optimus G. The L9 has a dual core 1 GHz processor, versus a quad core 1.5 GHz processor in the G. The L9 also has a 5 megapixel camera, whereas the G has a 13 megapixel camera or 8 megapixel camera, depending on the market. Everything else is pretty much the same. The huge battery, the 4.7 inch 720p display, and so on and so forth. Now for the important questions: When will this thing be officially announced? We don’t know. How much will it cost? Again, we don’t know. Should you buy it? Without even touching it, we’re going to have to say no. The Samsung Galaxy S III has been out for a little over four months, which means it’s cheaper now then it was at launch. It has a better camera, better processor, it’s currently in the process of being upgraded to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and those are just a few of the reasons why you should get one of those instead of an L9. Why are we so down on LG? It’s not because they don’t make amazing products. It’s just that the competition makes products that are just that extra bit more special. When you’re going to blow $600 on a smartphone or sign a two year contract with an operator, we want to make sure you get the best possible device on the market. Anything less would just be an insult. Related Posts [LEAK] LG Optimus U1 – LG’s First Android 4.0 Smartphone, LG Optimus 2X Released on Wind Mobile, Verizon's LG Optimus Vu captured in pictures, plans to take on Galaxy Note on AT&T and T-Mobile This article, Leak: LG Optimus L9 for T-Mobile, think of it as a downgraded Optimus G , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Rumor: Everyone will be allowed to make Nexus devices, but there are certain rules Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:32 PM PDT Chances are that if you love Android, then you love Nexus hardware. What’s a Nexus exactly? It’s Android the way Google intended it to look. No Samsung TouchWiz, no HTC Sense, no Sony Timescape, just pure Google software. The first Nexus device, made by HTC, was called the Nexus One; it came out in January 2010. The second Nexus device, made by Samsung, was called the Nexus S; it came out in December of the same year. In two weeks we’re going to celebrate the one year birthday of the third Nexus device, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Now the Nexus 7 is technically a Nexus device, just look at the name, but it’s a tablet. The question on everyone’s mind right now is when will Google announce the next Nexus smartphone? Earlier this week we heard a rumor that said LG’s Optimus G was going to become the next Nexus, and that it’ll be officially unveiled by the end of this month. Today we have some more details to share about that. First, the date has changed. The next Nexus will be announced in November, not October. Second, the official name of the phone will be the “LG Optimus G Nexus”. That’s a mouthful! And finally third, the best news of all, is that the Nexus program will be opened to everyone. Anyone will be allowed to make Nexus hardware, but there are several rules that companies must adhere to. Obviously they’re not going to be allowed to skin Android. They will however be permitted to make a skin available in the new “Customization Center”. New Nexus devices will also be required to have 64 MB of secure memory, for streaming purposes. That means Google will be heavily pushing people to buy content from the Google Play Store. There are also some additional hardware requirements, but we don’t know what those are at the current moment. Rumor also has it that Android 5.0, the next “major” version of Android, will land in the second half of 2013. Is this stuff credible? It could be, but as always, take rumors with a pinch of salt. [Update] A Digitimes report that quotes the usual “industry sources” also states that manufacturers will have control over the phone’s specs and appearance, as long as the Nexus device runs stock Android. Related Posts Is LG going to make a Nexus version of the Optimus G?, Rumor: Next Nexus device to be announced in October, runs Android 4.2, Rumor: will Google celebrate Android’s 5th birthday with the “Nexus 5″… on November 5? This article, Rumor: Everyone will be allowed to make Nexus devices, but there are certain rules , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Confirmed: Google launches Wallet for web content Posted: 03 Oct 2012 08:55 PM PDT A few days back, we shared a report that Google was planning to offer micropayments via Google Wallet. Google has now confirmed this service. With the project, publishers can now sell articles for small amounts, from $0.25 to $0.99. But one big difference from other micropayment systems is that users get to own the content forever. With Google Wallet, readers can get access to a webpage upon paying the small amount. If a user doesn’t like the page, then there’s a 30-minute refund window. Otherwise, the content is available perpetually (or at least until the website goes down). Google has explained how the feature works: Sell content from your web site. Embed the Google Wallet banner on a web page to allow a user to buy it directly from your site. Give users a free sample before they buy. Google will rank your content based on what you give for free. Users can buy with a single click. Instant refunds help users feel comfortable buying. If the user clicks “Instant Refund” within 30 minutes you take the content back, and the charge is cancelled. Google monitors how much a user refunds to make sure they are only refunding content they don’t like, and not using refunds to get free content. Google advises that if content-creators are planning to charge a dollar or more, then they should use the Digital Goods for Games solution. This option does not come with instant refunds. Personally, I’m a firm believer that content reaches a wider audience when it is free. But if you give users convenient access to premium content for a very low price, then this is one good way to monetize your content without necessarily turning off potential readers. Related Posts Google to start offering micropayments powered by Google Wallet, HTC EVO 4G LTE Google Wallet woes confirmed by Google, software fix coming soon, Save to Wallet feature for Google Wallet also introduced at Google I/O This article, Confirmed: Google launches Wallet for web content , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Fake iPhone 5 launcher gives you a feel of iOS 6 on your Android phone Posted: 03 Oct 2012 05:45 PM PDT With a four out of five star rating and more than 100,000 downloads, the "Fake iPhone 5 Launcher" app provides Android fans a little taste of Apple. Apart from its name, the recently new "fake iPhone 5 launcher" is a real, fully functional app. This bittersweet app offers adamant Fandroids the iOS 6 display on their Android devices without having to buy the iPhone 5. This launcher is completely free to download and can be accessed directly from the Google Play Store. Once activated, your phone's home screen is switched to the iOS 6 format, while giving your apps the appearance of the original iPhone 5 icon design. The fake iPhone 5 launcher has a feature that allows for five screens of apps to feed your appaholic needs. A common question that has been raised is why anyone would want to download this launcher Some download this launcher out of pure curiosity, to fool their friends, or because there are Android users with a yearning for iOS 6. And, how can we blame them? This launcher has the ability to be more beneficial that the actual iOS 6, as rumor has it. Downloading it myself, I've come to find possible benefits from having the fake iPhone 5 launcher: Home screen with icons that cover the necessities: phone, mail, search engine and music (all can be located at the bottom half of the home screen) Supports previously installed apps and wallpapers Compatible with almost all Android phones- worked for a Samsung Gem! So whether you're an Android user with a craving for Apple, or you simply want to boast about having iOS 6 on your Android phone (even if it’s fake), this app definitely deserves its four star rating. Related Posts Mobo Launcher: Split-screen homescreen launcher for Android, Fake Infinity Blade 2 app briefly live on Google Play – do we need some (tiny) walls for our garden?, Claystone Launcher: 3D homescreen launcher for easy feeds and app access This article, Fake iPhone 5 launcher gives you a feel of iOS 6 on your Android phone , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Rumor: 13MP camera module spotted Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:32 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy S3 isn’t even six months old yet, but that doesn’t stop rumors of the Samsung Galaxy S4 from surfacing. Android Authority previously reported on the claim that the Galaxy S4 was coming to Mobile World Congress 2013, just three days after the announcement of the iPhone 5. Samsung quickly shot down the idea, but that certainly didn’t stop the rumor mill from turning for very long. Today’s Samsung rumor is all about a 13MP camera module spotted online that is supposedly meant for the Galaxy S4. The new module is said to shoot images with a resolution of 4208 x 3120, and measures just 8.5 x 8.5 x 5.9mm. This isn’t exactly surprising news, since we’ve heard about a Samsung 13MP camera module in the past. Previously, the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 were going to have this same 13MP shooter but the idea was scrapped in favor of an 8MP module, likely to save on costs. Do we know for certain that this is even meant for the Galaxy S4? Not really. We do know that cameras are becoming a very important part of the smartphone package, so an improved camera from the existing S3 won’t exactly shock us. A 13MP isn’t exactly that amazing or unbelievable either. Heck, the Nokia Pureview 808 Symbian phone even manages a 41MP lens. Take all rumors with a grain of salt, but a 13MP camera on the Samsung Galaxy S4 doesn’t sound all that far-fetched. What do you think? Related Posts Samsung is working on a new back-illuminated 13MP camera for phones and tablets, Samsung to debut Galaxy Note 2 at IFA in August, with Jelly Bean and 13MP camera on board, Fujitsu-Toshiba Releasing Waterproof Android Phone With 4G/Wimax, 13MP Camera This article, Samsung Galaxy S4 Rumor: 13MP camera module spotted , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update “coming soon” to the U.S., official update schedule released Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:15 PM PDT Samsung has now officially released its U.S. Android upgrade schedule for Jelly Bean. The update page isn’t exactly chock-full of information, instead it is nearly barren and very vague. The list mentions that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus has received Jelly Bean already, and then simply tells us that the Samsung Galaxy S3 is getting the update soon. Not much else to see here. I suppose "coming soon" is better than not coming at all. Unfortunately, the words can mean just about anything. Soon can mean ten minutes from now, two weeks or even several months. Considering Jelly Bean is already making its way over to the international version of the S3, we doubt you’ll have to wait too long. Manufacturers tend to be short on information when it comes to updates, so the lack of real info isn’t all that unexpected. Still, you’d think more than just the Nexus and Galaxy S3 would be mentioned. Samsung will likely add more devices to the schedule, so the update page is certainly something to watch for in the coming months. Why can’t Samsung come out and tell us more specifically when the updates are coming? Sometimes it is the handset manufacturer or hardware issues that hold updates back. A lot of it has to do with carriers dragging their feet, though. No matter how long it does take, it will be worth the wait for Jelly Bean. There is a lot to like about Google’s most recent version of Android. The most obvious goodies in Jelly Bean are Project Butter speed improvements and Google Now, but that’s far from everything. Notifications, the camera application and even the calendar are all that much better in Android 4.1. Are you impatiently awaiting Jelly Bean or perfectly fine with ICS for now? Related Posts Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update coming in October as Samsung confirms Android 4.1 status, Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean coming on August 29 alongside Samsung Galaxy Note 2?, AT&T Samsung Galaxy S3 gets minor software update, no Jelly Bean yet This article, Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update “coming soon” to the U.S., official update schedule released , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Verizon LG Intuition Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:08 PM PDT Known to the rest of the world as the LG Optimus Vu 2, the Verizon bound Intuition is, in many ways, LG's response to the commercial success encountered by its compatriot (both LG and Samsung are headquartered in South Korea), with the Samsung Galaxy Note. However, in many other ways, the LG Intuition is, simply put, a weird device that is best considered a very small tablet instead of a large smartphone. In the other corner, we have the most popular Android smartphone ever, the Samsung Galaxy S3. If your intuition (yep, pun intended) fails you, we're here to help you decide with one of these smartphones is better! Not enough time? Jump straight to the Video Comparison or the Pros and Cons. Display The Samsung Galaxy S3 features a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display running at a pixel resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio), thus reaching a PPI of 306. Unfortunately for some, the Galaxy S3 display uses a PenTile pixel arrangement instead of a regular RGB matrix. Plenty argue that the difference between the two technologies is not clearly visible at a "regular" distance, and I tend to agree with them, especially at such high densities. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S3 has a great screen, although not the best around. The LG Intuition features a 5-inch display running at a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution, meaning this is a smartphone display that runs at a 4:3 aspect ratio. Its PPI ratio of 256 is decent by modern standards, but given that most apps (as well as most videos and images) are not optimized for this aspect ratio, LG's decision to go with a 4:3 aspect ratio is nothing if not uninspired. Build quality and design When it comes to the design of the Galaxy S3, plenty seem to agree that lawyers had a bit too much to do with it, leaving too little place for innovation. While not an ugly smartphone, the S3 is surely not the sexiest smartphone of them all (a title that currently rests with the HTC One X as far as I'm concerned). In the other corner, the LG Intuition is probably one of the worst looking smartphones that you're going to encounter on a retailer's shelves. It's not about its lines and curves, but it's all about the weird aspect ratio of the display. If you thought the Samsung Galaxy Note was hard to handle with one hand, just wait until you get the chance to handle the Intuition. This is mostly due to the fact that the LG Intuition is also the widest smartphone to ever see the light of day. Hardware The U.S. version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 System on a Chip (SoC), one that translates into a 1.5GHz dual-core Krait (A15 type) processor and an Adreno 225 GPU. The LG Intuition is also using a Snapdragon SoC, not the newer S4 but its older brother, the S3, one that packs together a 1.5Ghz dual-core A9 processor and an Adreno 220 GPU. When it comes to the amount of RAM memory, the Galaxy S3 wins with its 2GB, while the LG Intuition has only 1GB. It’s safe to say that the Samsung Galaxy S3 is noticeably faster than the LG Intuition, thanks to both the newer SoC as well as the amount of RAM. The Galaxy S3 and the LG Intuition are similarly equipped when it comes to the camera sensors: both have an 8MP primary shooter. When it comes to the secondary sensor, the S3 uses a 1.9MP one, while the LG Intuition uses a 1.3MP secondary camera. Despite the 0.6MP difference in the secondary sensor resolution, expect the quality difference to be negligible (as in: don’t use the secondary camera unless you have to). There is also little difference between the size of the battery: the Samsung Galaxy S3 uses a 2100mAh battery, while the Verizon LG Intuition uses a 2080mAh battery. Both will allow you to get through the day if you don't use LTE too much. Since on the topic of Long Term Evolution connectivity, it should be also mentioned that both the Galaxy S3 and the LG Intuition are LTE capable. Software and ecosystem The Samsung Galaxy S3 still runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, although Samsung has recently announced that the third member of the Galaxy S line will receive its update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at some point in October. Samsung has customized the Android UI and replaced it with its proprietary TouchWiz UI, and have also added a whole slew of smart functions that, although not revolutionary, still represent a useful addition to an already very capable OS. In the other corner, the LG Intuition is also using Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (currently, we have no word on a possible upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean). Given that the LG Intuition uses a 4:3 aspect ratio, many elements of the visual interface have been changed to accommodate this. LG has also redesigned most of the core apps on the Intuition to fit nicely inside a 4:3 screen, but third party apps (as in: 99.9% of the apps available from Google Play) will either be letterboxed or stretched to occupy the entire screen real estate (stretching apps usually leads to a terrible experience, so you're better off letterboxing all of the apps). Video comparison: Samsung Galaxy S3 vs LG Intuition Pros and cons Samsung Galaxy S3 Pros Great display overall (with a regular aspect ratio) Smart Functions Speedy Internal Hardware Samsung Galaxy S3 Cons PenTile might be a setback for some LG Intuition Pros Speedy Specs You can use it as a plate for your food LG Intuition Cons Very odd aspect ratio Hard to operate with one hand Apps will be letterboxed (or stretched to the point where they look awful) Conclusion Let me make sure that I'm sending the right message here: do not buy the LG Intuition! The extra 0.2 inches across the diagonal of the display do not make up for its exhausting footprint. If you desperately want a large screen, go for the original Galaxy Note, or wait for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to come out. The Samsung Galaxy S3, on the other hand, represents the standard for flagship Android devices, one that few other devices are able to match. Related Posts LG Intuition hits Verizon, $199 with two year contract, Verizon-bound LG Intuition to be released on September 6?, Optimus Vu coming to Verizon as the LG Intuition This article, Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Verizon LG Intuition , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2 and 32GB Nexus 7 spotted in Carphone Warehouse’s inventory [Updated] Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:37 PM PDT It's that time of the year, Android fans, when Nexus rumors fly around on a regular basis. Word on the street is that Google will unveil at least one new Nexus smartphone at some point in the following weeks, although there's nothing official from the Search giant yet. Just recently we heard that LG will make this year's high-end Nexus handset, although other Android handset makers are rumored to also release Nexus-branded products, including a Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2 (Galaxy Nexus Plus), a Sony Xperia Nexus, and an HTC Nexus 5. Of those, the Galaxy Nexus 2 rumor has been the most prominent, as we've seen various leaks suggesting that Samsung is working on a Galaxy Nexus successor. The device, model number GT-I9260, has been spotted a few days ago on Carphone Warehouse's website as the Galaxy Nexus Plus. Today, we have one more leak originating from the same UK-based electronics retailer that mentions the device. This time around the handset is called "Samsung Nexus 2;" just take a look at the picture above that lists an accessory for the device, the "Invisishield for Samsung Nexus 2." That's certainly an unfortunate association of terms – Samsung Nexus 2 – a product name the South Korean maker didn't want to use for the Nexus Two (the second Nexus handset in the world, chronologically speaking, after the HTC Nexus One,) as, legend has it, Samsung believed it's second to none in the business. Getting back to the screen image above, we'll also note that Carphone Warehouse lists a 32GB Nexus 7 tablet, which would be a welcomed addition to Google's tablet inventory. The Nexus 7 is currently available in 8GB and 16GB flavors only, with no microSD memory upgrade support – in fact, various reports suggested that the 16GB Nexus 7 tablet was more popular than the 8GB version when the tablet was launched a few months ago. Not to mention that another report suggested in the previous weeks that Google will launch a $99 Nexus 7 by the end of the year. Considering today’s leak, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the existing 8GB and 16GB Nexus 7 versions get significant price cuts in time for Christmas, which would let Google release a budget-friendly 32GB model. However, Carphone Warehouse is yet to reveal when thse two devices will actually be available, so we'll just have to wait and see. Are you looking forward to buy the Galaxy Nexus 2 and/or the 32GB Nexus 7? [Update] As our reader zymo pointed out in the comments, the person who provided this screenshot to Droid-Life came out to clarify that the “Samsung Nexus 2″ entry actually refers to the Nexus S, not to an upcoming Nexus phone. Related Posts Black Samsung Galaxy S3 appears on leaked Carphone Warehouse inventory listing, Carphone Warehouse to release Nexus 2 from Google?, Galaxy Nexus 2 (GT-I9260) sample images spotted on Picasa already This article, Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2 and 32GB Nexus 7 spotted in Carphone Warehouse's inventory [Updated] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Google Maps iOS web app is getting StreetView support soon Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:56 PM PDT There are many reasons to love Android, including the fact that we actually have a functioning map system. For those that happen to have an iPhone or iPad, no worries, Google has you covered. After Apple decided to ditch Google Maps in favor of its less-than-awesome self-ran map service, Google still has the Google Maps web app available to help iOS owners out. Even better, the company is planning on adding Google Street View on Thursday. The upgrade announcement was revealed by AllThingsD‘s Walt Mossberg. Here is what he had to say: In fact, Google plans to announce on Thursday that it is adding its popular Street View feature, missing from Apple's maps, to the Web version of Google Maps accessed from the iPhone and iPad. Pretty straight-forward announcement. He also concluded that the web app is not only better than Apple Maps, but it’s even better than the version of Google Maps that Apple dumped. I have to agree. For starters, the Google Maps for Apple didn’t have automatic turn-by-turn navigation. Is the Google Maps solution perfect? No, but it is worlds better than what users get with iOS 6. Apple is clearly having problems right now. Take a look at just a few issues plaguing the iPhone 5: Wi-Fi connectivity problems, phones easily scratching and the map issues in iOS 6. Despite the iPhone 5′s problems, Apple fans will still find a way to spin a positive on their beloved iDevice. Android might not be perfect either, but at least we have freedom of choice when it comes to phones and the software that runs on them. Related Posts Apple Maps vs Google Maps: #iLost Motorola (Google) ad pokes fun at the iPhone 5 and the iOS 6 Maps issues, Special Google Maps event to introduce 3D support, Google+ integration and other new features, Apple Maps vs Google Maps: Consumer Reports… reports This article, Google Maps iOS web app is getting StreetView support soon , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

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Android Phone Fans

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• Glu Mobile Releases Trailer For Upcoming Game Titled “Death Dome” – Combines Infinity Blade Combat with Borderlands Visuals
• T-Mobile’s Galaxy Note 2 Pictured In The Wild – Is That A Branded Home Button?
• Rumor: Google Changing Up Their Nexus Program, LG Optimus G Nexus Debuting In November, and More
• Google Drive, Wallet, and Music get upgrades
• US Cellular’s Samsung Galaxy S3 gets maintenance upgrade
• Sprint, AT&T getting LG Optimus G
• Pantech Burst and Pantech Element get Ice Cream Sandwich
• NBA 2K13 for Android brings a pretty good mobile basketball experience
• Plume for Android update adds expandable notifications for Jelly Bean; plus more
• Samsung Nexus 2 and 32GB Nexus 7 spotted in inventory system?
• A look at the T-Mobile/MetroPCS combined spectrum and coverage area
• In face of iPhone 5 and patent trial loss, Samsung Galaxy S3 sales still strong
• Xbox Music launches October 26, coming to Android eventually
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2 LTE headed to UK’s Everything Everywhere October 15
• T-Mobile officially announces MetroPCS merger, provides more details

Glu Mobile Releases Trailer For Upcoming Game Titled “Death Dome” – Combines Infinity Blade Combat with Borderlands Visuals Posted: 03 Oct 2012 07:29 PM PDT Never one to rest on their laurels, Glu Mobile has uploaded a trailer for an all new gamed titled “Death Dome.” The video on YouTube shows us exactly what it wold look like Infinity Blade, Borderlands 2 and Rage all climbed into bed with each other and 9 months later… Okay, weird analogy. Just picture a post-apocalyptic setting similar to Rage, combined with the cell shaded visuals of Borderlands 2, and the gesture-based combat o Infinity Blade and — BOOM: Death Dome. Here’s a quick intro to the story: “No one really remembers where it all started…but before long…it was everywhere. The “M” virus… Most people who showed symptoms were dead within days…but others weren’t so lucky. Mutations were showing up all over the city. The infected were quarantined in a bio-dome force field that encased the city of Palamira. Some called it a “safe zone”, but most know it as the Death Dome. The M virus grew stronger inside the Death Dome and eventually became strong enough to live on its own without a host. Strong enough to become…The Behemoths! The only name I know is Phoenix, I have no recollection of who I was before…The one thing I do know is that they will never dismantle the dome while the behemoths are still alive so I must take them all down….myself!” The game will feature light RPG elements used for building up your character’s skill set, with enemies who grow stronger the further you progress. Speaking of enemies, some will have vulnerabilities to specific elements, so equipping the correct elemental weapons and armor will be crucial for staying alive. But enough jibber jabbering, check out the trailer and make sure to let me know what you guys think.

T-Mobile’s Galaxy Note 2 Pictured In The Wild – Is That A Branded Home Button? Posted: 03 Oct 2012 06:33 PM PDT Nah, it’s not. Thankfully, there’s no Verizon-esque branded home button. Maybe it was just my eyes playing tricks on me. What we do get to see is a couple of blurry cam shots of the Titan Grey Samsung Galaxy Note pictured in the wild. Word on a recent FCC filing is that the device will come complete with future-proof’d T-Mobile LTE bands, and a much less horrid Pentile arrangement on its display. Both are completely welcomed specs to a device that’s sure to take the world by storm. Seeing as how I’ll be stuck with a T-Mobile for a few more months, I figure I’ll ride this thing out with the world’s biggest smartphone. Who knows, maybe I’ll stick around for another year. [TmoNews]

Rumor: Google Changing Up Their Nexus Program, LG Optimus G Nexus Debuting In November, and More Posted: 03 Oct 2012 05:32 PM PDT I love a juicy rumor but instead of running to the magazine rack at my local grocery store, I turn my ear to the internets in hopes of finding any information regarding Google’s next Nexus device. As it turns out, our good friend Taylor Wimberly from Android and Me found himself with a wealth of “insider knowledge” dropped onto his lap today, and according to his unnamed sources Google’s got some big plans for the next Nexus(es) with the next Nexus being dubbed the LG Optimus G Nexus. I think the most interesting part of the rumor is the talk that Google could be changing up the way the Nexus program works. Traditionally we’ve seen Google work closely with 1 specific OEM, using only 1 chipset, for a device completely unique to anything the chosen manufacturer has produced. Instead, Google could be enabling strict guidelines that must be adhered to and will allow for any OEM to see one their devices “Nexus certified.” As to be expected, one of those commandments is “thou shalt not alter the stock Android user experience.” Google could still find themselves throwing OEM’s a bone by allowing OEM’s to provide their own UI skin as part of a theme inside of an all new app called “Customization Center.” This will come packed inside the next version of Android 4.2 — still being called Jelly Bean — which will debut on the LG Optimus G Nexus. This will finally allow OEM’s to include their own UI skins that look to enhance the traditional Android experience but is in no way forced upon the user. Other than the the Customization Center, it’s said there wont be many changes from 4.1, other than a slightly retooled “tabbed” launcher. Another Nexus rule: your device must be future-proof. This is to guarantee a future upgrade to the next version of Android will be possible without facing hardware limitations. I think it goes without saying that Android’s biggest criticism has long been its “fragmentation” issue and while this is simply a reality of an open source mobile OS, it’s something Google wants to make sure will never occur on their Nexus devices. When it comes to dates, rumor has it Andy Rubin will be taking the stage at the All Things D: Dive Into Mobile event later this month, with Google and LG hosting a joint event to unveil the LG Optimus G Nexus unto the world in late November. Guess we wont have to wait much longer to find out if these rumors pan out, but it seems Google could have a few tricks up their sleeves in order to give consumers the one thing Apple can’t and wont — options. Let’s cross our fingers for a 5.5-inch Nexus Note!

Google Drive, Wallet, and Music get upgrades Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:56 PM PDT A trio of Google apps have been upgraded in the Google Play Store and we’re sure there’s something here for everyone. For starters, Google Music brings us “minor fixes” that the software Giant apparently isn’t interested in detailing. For Google Drive a whole smorgasbord of changes can be found. These include folder creation, improved editor features, and more. Finally, Google Wallet got an update but the Play Store listing doesn’t list anything specific other than the previous changes. We’d chalk things up to routine maintenance but it’s never safe to assume.

US Cellular’s Samsung Galaxy S3 gets maintenance upgrade Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:52 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy S3 is still awaiting Jelly Bean on many carriers, but that doesn’t mean a maintenance upgrade should be anything to sneeze at. US Cellular’s version has been upgraded to build R530UVXLI4, and while the company hasn’t provided much information on what’s changed Android Police has evidence suggesting Google Wallet is now fully supported. To date, Sprint has been one of the only carriers to officially support Google Wallet. The other big 3 — Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile — are in bed with ISIS so there’s no use in holding your breath for those guys to get it (though community efforts in the past have shown that workarounds are possible). Other changes include a fix for Microsoft Email 365, an update to Polaris, and more. You can grab this one over the air, or download the whopping 756MB EXE file from US Cellular to get started.

Sprint, AT&T getting LG Optimus G Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:07 PM PDT While we knew LG was planning to launch the Optimus G here in America we were’t sure which carriers would be getting it. We had an idea, but nothing concrete. What’s more concrete than a press release, though? They’ve announced that AT&T and Sprint will soon carry the great-looking device in what has to be the OEM’s most ambitious offering yet. The Optimus G boasts a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM, a 4.7 inch True IPS HD display, a 13 megapixel camera, Android 4.0 to start, and more. LG’s press release mentions “13 megapixel or 8 megapixel camera” for their rear camera specs so it sounds like one of these carriers will get the lesser version. It also looks like carriers will be able to offer either 16GB, 32GB, or both. As it stands the LG Optimus G will arguably be the most powerful device to launch in America. We’d consider the Galaxy Note 2, but technically are unable to considering its launch event has yet to take place. It rivals the Samsung Galaxy S3 in pretty much every area, and while it currently bests the American Galaxy S3 in processor type rumor has it Samsung is coming out with an S3 “plus” of sorts that’ll have 64GB of internal storage and a quad-core processor of some sort. But this is about the Optimus G, LG’s greatest attempt to find their footing in the smartphone market the right way. Read on for full press details, and stay tuned as each individual carrier issues press releases of their own. ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics today announced that the high-powered LG Optimus G superphone will be available in the United States on the AT&T and Sprint networks. As the world’s first quad-core LTE (Long-Term Evolution) smartphone with the Qualcomm SnapdragonTM S4 Pro processor, LG Optimus G is not only one of the fastest phones on the market, but also one of the most powerful. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121003/LA86399-a) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121003/LA86399-b) Designed to set a new standard in the industry, LG Optimus G combines LG’s leading LTE, display and energy technologies with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro processor to create an extremely fast and incredible mobile experience. Equipped with a high-density 2,100mAh battery and impressive 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus display, Optimus G users can seamlessly multitask between personal, business and entertainment needs and go beyond the boundaries of traditional on-the-go smartphone capabilities. “LG Optimus G is the culmination of cutting-edge technologies provided by LG’s class-leading global entities,” said James Fishler, senior vice president, marketing and go-to-market operations, LG Electronics USA. “Drawing upon expertise from the LG Mobile Communications Company, LG Display, LG Chem and LG Innotek , we have carefully designed a new superphone  that encourages users to step beyond everyday boundaries and explore a limitless world of power and creativity.” The elegant yet sleek design and the imaginative user experience displayed in the new Optimus G are made possible thanks to a collection of technologies from industry-leading developers in their fields. State-of-the-art display technologies from LG Innotek and LG Display such as True HD IPS Plus and Zerogap Touch, a unibody unit that eliminates the gap between the glass and the LCD panel, harmonize to offer one of the slimmest, sharpest and clearest viewing experience yet. The new battery from LG Chem has a longer life designed for multitasking. An ultra high-resolution, compact camera is employed in the Optimus G to offer super sharp photos without pixilation. Sprint and AT&T will be among the first wireless service providers in the world to offer the LG Optimus G, which is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor – a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU processor with Asysnchronous Symmetric Multiprocessing, which enables each core to power up and down independently to increase performance while saving battery life. Combined with LTE technology, the impressive processor allows users to easily and quickly view a video while running other apps at the same time. All of this power and functionality is housed in a light weight, eye-catching slim body to cater to fashionable lifestyles. LG developed and patented Crystal Reflection to give the back cover the ability to display different patterns depending on the angle and lighting. The intricate pattern gives Optimus G a clean finish reminiscent of a jewel. The Optimus G creates the perfect combination of pleasure and functionality through a unique user experience not seen on any other device. While mobile communication, business, and entertainment are easily accommodated with the Optimus G, the all-new device can also release one’s inner artist with a wide range of features including: The QSlide Function shows two different screens simultaneously on one display so users can quickly send an important work email while playing a graphic-intense video at the same time. QuickMemo allows users to take notes on captured documents or photos with their fingers and instantly share with colleagues as an attachment or URL. Live Zooming enhances viewing experiences by enabling consumers to zoom in up to five times while watching video to see small details normally hidden on the screen. Photographs can be intensified with camera capabilities like Time Catch Shot, which empowers the user to choose the best photo among various shots taken before the shutter button is pressed. Dual Screen Dual Play not only allows mirroring between the smartphone and a TV or monitor, it also has the ability to display different content on each screen. For example, a slide presentation can be displayed on the monitor while the Optimus G shows the accompanying speaking notes. Creativity is also put to the test by the Icon Personalizer, which allows consumers to customize the sizes and images of their most-used apps. Key Features: Advanced 13 MP or 8 MP rear-facing camera with Time Catch Shot, “cheese shutter” and Smart Shutter and Low Light Shot Noise Reduction Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor with 1.5GHZ Quad-Core Krait CPUs and LTE 32 GB of memory or 16 GB of on-board memory and microSD slot pre-loaded with a 16GB SD card that can accommodate up to 64GB of expandable memory 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS Plus Display (1280 x 768 pixels) Display technologies including Zerogap Touch 2,100mAh battery Bluetooth® Version 4.0 Additional Features: 1.3 MP front-facing camera Capable of 2G/3G/ 4G LTE networks Crystal Reflection glass finish DualScreen Dual Play feature that wirelessly displays different content on both a TV and the smartphone Screen Zooming allows zooming in and out of lists in music player, email, text messages and the photo gallery for increased visibility. About LG Electronics USA LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $49 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative mobile phones, home entertainment products,  home appliances, and air conditioning systems and energy solutions, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme.  LG Electronics is a 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.   SOURCE LG Electronics USA PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1p4Yk)

Pantech Burst and Pantech Element get Ice Cream Sandwich Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:39 PM PDT Two devices from Pantech have been given the green light on Ice Cream Sandwich today. The Pantech Burst, the company’s AT&T 4G LTE phone, has finally received Ice Cream Sandwich after a brief delay. It’s not Jelly Bean, but quite honestly we weren’t really expecting Ice Cream Sandwich this fast to begin with. The Pantech Element is the company’s 8 inch tablet for AT&T, and that also got an upgrade to Android 4.0 today. You can expect all the Ice Cream Sandwich specific goods alongside things that AT&T and Pantech have put into the mix. For information on each update and for the download links, hit the links here (Element) and here (Burst). [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

NBA 2K13 for Android brings a pretty good mobile basketball experience Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:32 PM PDT 2K Games has released NBA 2K13 for Android. The release coincides with the launch of the console versions, and while we tend to take the bite-sized versions of these games for granted NBA 2K13 actually looks pretty decent. It’ll run you $8, but it features the full 2K basketball engine with controls to make it easy to play on mobile and tablets. The game lets you play exhibition with any of the 30 teams in the NBA, play Greatest Games moment’s where you try to emulate legendary performances, a full multi-year season mode and more. It won’t quite be the NBA 2K13 you’ll find on the likes of the Xbox 360 and PS3 but for$8 it’ll be a fine portable experience for any basketball fan. Go ahead and check it out in the Play Store.

Plume for Android update adds expandable notifications for Jelly Bean; plus more Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:59 AM PDT Plume for Android, the app formerly known as Touiteur, has gotten a great new upgrade today. The developers have added rich, expandable notifications for those running Jelly Bean. I’m not quite sure what all the functions are, but for mention notifications you can find buttons to respond and retweet right from the notification pane, as well as the ability to read the full tweet itself. They’ve also added support for displaying pictures in full-screen mode, better tablet support, fixes for Facebook, tweet drafts, tweetmarker, and more. As new clients battle their way up the Holo Twitter client ladder Plume is already a very well-established, full-featured client that deserves a second look if you haven’t used it lately. Download the app from the Google Play Store.

Samsung Nexus 2 and 32GB Nexus 7 spotted in inventory system? Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:55 AM PDT We’ve heard rumors of a new Nexus phone for quite some time, but we haven’t quite been able to pinpoint who would be the lucky OEM to take on the job of making the device. The leaked screenshot you see above was reportedly taken from a Carphone Warehouse inventory system in the UK, and it seems to suggest Samsung will be making the Nexus phone for the third consecutive time. The product listing is for an Invisible Shield screen protector so the phone itself isn’t necessarily floating around. After the great job ASUS did with the Nexus 7 many pegged them as the front-runner to make the next Nexus phone, but Samsung has established a reputation for themselves that can’t be denied. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Google sticking with them for the foreseeable future. I should note that this entry could be very misleading. It could simply be a different SKU for a second version of the Galaxy Nexus Invisible Shield, or simply referring to the Galaxy Nexus as the Samsung Nexus 2, in which case we can probably disregard any notion of this being a new phone. Still, the possibility is there. Google and Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Nexus mid-October of 2011 so it wouldn’t surprise us that whatever new version is being readied is close to being unveiled. We’ll keep an eye out on this one. On the tablet front it looks like we might soon see another edition of the Nexus 7. The retailer’s inventory system suggests that 32GB models are in tow. The current offerings are between 8GB and 16GB, and considering the device doesn’t have external storage options it wouldn’t surprise us to see Google offering something for those not satisfied with the current storage options. So, we know we’re due for some refreshes at some point this year, and if history is anything to go by then we should be getting a whiff of what’s on the horizon in about a month. [via Droid-Life]

A look at the T-Mobile/MetroPCS combined spectrum and coverage area Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:34 AM PDT In case you missed it, this morning Deutsche Telekom completed an arrangement that will see the merger of their US branch of T-Mobile with MetroPCS. While the financial and business details have been covered, here’s a look at how the merger will expand coverage area and wireless spectrum holdings for the new venture. As you can see from the above map showing combined coverage area, the two networks overlap in the majority of shared markets. The real gains come in spectrum, which includes AWS and LTE, as can be seen in the maps detailing each network before (below) and after (above) the merger. The strength of MetroCPS coverage in the Northeast could be used to balance T-Mobile’s weaknesses in the same region. Regardless, the two networks operate on different standards, with the CDMA network of MetroPCS eventually shutting down with spectrum repurposed for T-Mobile’s GSM operations. The two companies expect to complete the deal by mid-2013.

In face of iPhone 5 and patent trial loss, Samsung Galaxy S3 sales still strong Posted: 03 Oct 2012 09:13 AM PDT If Samsung’s loss in a landmark patent infringement trial to Apple wasn’t enough to derail sales of their Galaxy S3 flagship, you would think the launch of the iPhone 5 might put a few more nails in the coffin. But no publicity is bad publicity, as they say, and sales of the Android smartphone have actually surged in the weeka following both events, according to analytics firm Localytics. According to their research, the number of GS3 handsets accessing mobile apps tied to Localytics analytics platform has seen a 9 percent increase on average since the beginning of August. Further showing that the patent trial with Apple may have only done more to raise public awareness of the phone, new Galaxy S3 devices were up 16 percent during the week that the verdict was announced. In a similar case, the number of Gs3 phones grew by 15 percent during the week of the iPhone 5 announcement. As BGR points out, perhaps Apple’s trial had the opposite effect intended, painting a picture of the Galaxy S3 as a device so similar to the iPhone that customers wanting a new smartphone decided not to wait for the next version to grace Apple’s mobile lineup. If sales continue to hold steady, they should easily help Samsung recoup some of the $1 billion in damages owed to Apple. [via BGR]

Xbox Music launches October 26, coming to Android eventually Posted: 03 Oct 2012 08:44 AM PDT There are plenty of music subscription options available for Android, but this latest comes with a bit of a twist. Xbox Music will launch October 26th, and, if you haven’t figured it out by the service’s name, it’s coming from a direct competitor to Google’s mobile OS. Microsoft will unveil the service initially their own Windows Phone platform as well as Windows 8 and Xbox 360 (duh), but has plans to expand its foothold to Android and iOS through native apps to come at a later date. Xbox Music picks up where the now-defunct Zune Music Pass left off, allowing users to pay a subscription fee for unlimited streaming music. Likewise, a free ad-supported version of the service will be available. A benefit of Xbox Music is SkyDrive integration, allowing users to store and access their own music catalog in the cloud. No word on when the Android version will be available. [via WinSource]

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 LTE headed to UK’s Everything Everywhere October 15 Posted: 03 Oct 2012 07:37 AM PDT Folks in the UK can already pick up the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on one of several carriers offering the handset, but we can add one more to the list. Everything Everywhere has announced that they will carry the phone come October 15th. So why is it worth waiting a couple extra weeks rather than purchasing the Note 2 now? EE is the country’s first 4G LTE network, and — you guessed it — will carry the LTE-enabled version of the phone. The catch is that the LTE network won’t go live until October 30th, so those wishing to pick up the phone when it launches will have to make do with a service plan from Orange or T-Mobile UK with the option to switch to an EE plan when available. [via PocketLint]

T-Mobile officially announces MetroPCS merger, provides more details Posted: 03 Oct 2012 07:21 AM PDT T-Mobile has posted a news release officially confirming the completion of a deal that will merge the carrier’s operations with those of MetroPCS. The two providers will combine to host some 42.5 million subscribers on an “expanded scale” with the benefit of additional spectrum and financial resources, all while retaining the T-Mobile banner. As reported earlier, T-Mobile will hold a 74 percent stake in the reorganized company, and will provide a $1.5 billion payment for MetroPCS shareholders. Estimates from the company project for $24.8 billion in revenue and $6.3 billion in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. [via T-Mobile]

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