Monday, July 23, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

[Humor] This American Psycho parody is a scarily accurate representation of our times

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 11:34 AM PDT

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I’m not going to say much here. Just watch, and enjoy. If you’d like to check out the original scene from the movie, head over to Gizmodo.

Samsung announces sale of over 10 million Galaxy S III handsets

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 11:23 AM PDT

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Yep, the Samsung Galaxy S III was always going to register huge sales, but exactly how large were they? The Korean company announced to reporters that over 10 million handsets had been bought, and that they were expecting to have shipped 20 million by the fall.

[BriefMobile]

Uniquely Android: AirDroid

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 10:55 AM PDT

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Uniquely Android is a series we started last week to shine the spotlight on those apps that take advantage of the unique capabilities of the platform and provide an experience that you wouldn’t find in most other phones. Last week we featured Plug In Launcher. You can read about it here.

If I had to pick out a set of apps that I can’t live without, AirDroid would most certainly be amongst them. It isn’t the only one to provide the functionality that it does (I’ll just get to that), but is by far the most polished in its category. So, what exactly is it?

AirDroid is an app that allows the user to control several aspects of their Android device from another device, via the browser and a common WiFi connection. Just switch on the app on your phone or tablet, launch web.airdroid.com, and type in the pass code displayed on your Android device or (my personal choice) scan the QR code displayed in the browser.

After that, you’re displayed with a “desktop” within the browser through which you can perform several actions such as sending and receiving messages, transfer files over WiFi, view the media on your device and transfer it if you desire, install apps, browse through contacts, push URLs and even add text to the clipboard.

Personally, my main uses are file transfer (I don’t remember the last time I connected my phone via USB for a file transfer) and sending messages when I’m working, and would rather not pick up my phone and type it out. Though it’s not perfect, I sometimes even connect my phone to my tablet, particularly when I’m reading a book or something. It’s an amazing little tool to have.

You can download AirDroid over here.

 

[Opinion] What I really want on (or before) November 5th

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 08:21 AM PDT

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Developers outnumber us all.

No device manufacturer can hope to write all the software that a person could conceivably need. We need third-party developers to write the apps users want, so the Android Open Source Project aims to make it as easy and open as possible for developers to build apps.

-Partner’s page on Android.com

We’re just a few months away from the 5th Anniversary of one of the most significant day in our digital lives: the announcement of the Open Handset Alliance, and the birth of Android as we know it. And, rightly so, there’s a lot of excitement in the build up to the day.

However, most of the excitement is related to the rumors of 5 Nexus devices being announced as part of the celebration. However awesome that sounds, it’s not what I really want on November 5. What I want, more than anything else, is an attack on the biggest issue that has plagued the platform during it’s existence: updates.

Google has acknowledged the problem before, and even announced the Android Update Alliance at I/O 2011. Unfortunately, that was all we ever heard of the Alliance. It’s too early to tell if the Platform Developer’s Kit would prove to be a useful tool.If yesterday’s rumors about a Jelly Bean update for S III coming as soon as next month has anything to do with it, we’re finally on the right track.

However, maybe I’m just greedy but I want something more. When I read about HTC saying no to a Desire HD ICS update, it riled me up. As I’ve said in the past, the phone is more than capable of running ICS. I use a T-Mobile myTouch 4G, or the HTC Glacier as it was codenamed, which has the exact same internals as the DHD. I’m running an ICS ROM from XDA and despite some issues (the camera’s still not perfectly fine) it is far better than their stock Gingerbread ROM or even CM7. I went back to Gingerbread for a while when I felt I couldn’t live without a fully functional camera, but I missed the snappiness of ICS and returned to it. And I’ve been using it since mid-March.

This is where the quote at the beginning comes into it. While Google’s statement was in context with app developers, the same can be said of ROM developers. The manufacturer’s need to realize this and do one simple thing that could significantly improve the situation: when announcing that a device will not receive the latest version of Android, they must commit to releasing all proprietary code, primarily drivers, that can be used by developers to create their custom ROMs.

The way I see it, manufacturers have nothing to lose from this, and it greatly helps the community that has been struggling to reverse engineer several drivers that are necessary for smooth running ROMs. Users who are comfortable with flashing their own software can then choose to do, and would typically not bear any ill-will towards the manufacturer for having failed to provide an update on their own. If the manufacturer wishes, they can even use any of these ROMs as a base for their own update if they realize that the 3rd party developer has successfully tackled a problem they weren’t able to themselves.

I’d like to say that they must commit to future-proofing devices for at least a particular duration (say the length of the contract for $150+ device, a year for those that cost less), but that would be difficult to enforce, and I’m pretty certain Google wouldn’t want to go down that route. But this problem needs to be tackled, and as early as possible. Preferably, the release of these important bits of code should be done immediately, because what I would really like to see on November 5th is as many users on the latest versions of Android as possible.

What can we expect from the next Nexus smartphone?

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 08:24 PM PDT


With the Nexus 7 and Nexus Q released and out of the way, we can’t help but think about a certain topic we have been very quiet about for quite some time. Let me break the ice and say it, because I am sure these rumors are going to start making rounds across the internet anytime soon – what’s the deal with the next Nexus smartphone?

For those unfamiliar to the subject, a Nexus device is a smartphone (now tablets and media streaming devices, as well) built by a manufacturer in cooperation with Google. There is usually one released per year, with each becoming an official Google device. Originally meant for developers, these devices are supposed to be the first to get the newest Android updates, as it is supported by Google, carries to manufacturer UI overlays and is not limited by the carriers’ decisions (until the Verizon Galaxy Nexus came to be). These are also said to be a representation of where Android is headed.

With that out of the way, we can get to the juicy parts. If it all goes as usual, this device should be announced sometime during the last quarter of the year or the beginning of next year. The Nexus One, Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus have all followed this pattern.

Many of us believe the Nexus 7 may have shaken things up a bit, though. Mostly because we have seen no major leaks and rumors ever since the talks of 5 Nexus devices coming from different manufacturers (now that would be crazy).

Regardless of what the outcome will be, we have a certain set of standards. We must also remember that Nexus devices usually don’t come with the best of the best specs, something that tends to let us down. We tend to over-hype Nexus devices to a point where pleasing us would be nearly impossible. We must keep in mind that we don’t exactly need amazingly stunning specs. Nexus smartphones get updates in a timely fashion and run stock Android, making the experience as smooth and fast as can be.

With that out of the way, here is what I would like to see in the next pure Google smartphone(s):

A 1080p screen?

No. A 1080p display simply does not make a difference in a 5-inch or smaller display. Sure, it would be great marketing material. But seriously, those talking about wanting a 1080p display on a smartphone need to reconsider.

We are talking about 440 pixels per inch; this is for a 5-inch display with 1920x1080p resolution. Apple’s Retina Display features a pixel density of 326 ppi. This makes individual pixels practically invisible to the naked eye (you have to really try to look for them).

A display with such resolution would only be a waste of processing power. Your smarpthone would function much better running a 720p screen, which looks just as amazing on a sub-5-inch display.

Quad-core Processor?

We have seen dual-core processors out-perform quad-core chips. The most notable example is the Snapdragon S4 compared to NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 processors. An operating system could ultimately take advantage of extra cores, though, and Google could optimize Android to do so.

Tegra 3 processors are getting LTE compatibility later this year. NVIDIA’s lack of LTE compatibility is the main reason why manufacturers have been opting for S4 processors lately. When more processors start becoming LTE capable, competition should start getting fierce, especially in the US.

Also in line for LTE capabilities is Exynos Quad-core processors. This has been nothing but rumors and leaks up to now, but we are sure Sammy is cooking something up for all Exynos fans out there (which there are many of).

Regardless of the chip maker, we should definitely see some very good power under the hood. As mentioned above, though, remember Nexus devices don’t need too much power to run better than most high-end smartphones out there.

Larger Display

I must say, I am more than happy with the Galaxy Nexus’ 4.65-inch display. It is not small, it is not huge. But I do happen to be a fan of monsters like the Galaxy Note. With that said, I would definitely like to see a Nexus device with at least a 5-inch display. That is a personal preference, though, and a touchy subject for many. I am sure those with smaller hands would not appreciate it.

Regardless, size is not as important as quality. As mentioned above, I would like to see a 720p display. I would prefer to stick with AMOLED (and its variants), but I would also be happy with a good Super LCD display.

Wireless Charging

Google is all about the future of Android. Whether inductive charging is currently a gimmick or not, it happens to be a very convenient technology that will take off in the near future. I would love to see the next Nexus devices being officially capable of inductive charging. Preferably with accessories like the charging station being sold separately. This definitely needs some more attention.

Larger battery instead of thinness, please!

Manufacturers have been moving towards thinner designs, giving battery life and removable batteries less focus. This is a big issue for many Android users, yours truly included. I like being able to keep my device alive, so please do not start making Nexus devices with a non-removable battery and please give us a larger battery (even if that means keeping the device a bit thicker).

This is a personal preference, you might love thin devices. But even if that is the case, look at the Motorola RAZR Maxx; a super-thin device with the largest battery in the smartphone market. It is definitely possible to please the majority of us, so I would like to see some good options here. Make my next smartphone with a larger battery, if that is not possible, don’t stop me from going back there and changing things my way.

The Next Android Version

This is where it gets tricky. Nexus devices are usually released along with a major Android update, to which they hold exclusivity for a while. The reason why we believe the Nexus 7 may have pushed things back is because it was released with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which is a major update. Unless Google has some good plans for Android 4.2 coming that soon, the next Nexus device might very well come with a very small update.

Wrap Up

Looking through my personal preferences, I guess my only advice would be to keep it simple and not have any over-expectations of the next Nexus device(s). It is nice to dream and be a nerd, but this also makes us upset when devices are finally announced.

We do need to move forward, though. The next Nexus should be better than the current one, and if we are lucky, it should come with some new awesome features. Something else I would like to see is Android@Home. I did not mention this because it is not exactly exclusive to the next Nexus (or Nexi), but seeing some Android@Home accessories and features built into Android would keep me more than happy.

Regardless, the device will rock, it will be awesome and it will even be the best Android phone available for at least a few months.

With that said, let’s jump into the fun part – what do you expect from the upcoming Nexus? Do you think Google will actually release multiple devices? Do you agree with my points? Is there something I didn’t include that you would like to have?


Posted by at 7:48 AM 0 comments

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Google Android News Android Forums

Samsung prepping to roll out Android 4.1 to Galaxy S III, possibly other models

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 01:17 PM PDT

Insider reports from Samsung indicate testing and preparations to rollout Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to their Samsung Galaxy S III devices are underway. No date has been established yet, but it is believed late August or early September is the target.

The status of a Jelly Bean update for other devices is less clear. If testing on the Samsung Galaxy S III goes well, that may be good news for development of an update for the Samsung Galaxy S II and possibly the Samsung Galaxy Note. Reports indicate Samsung is considering a strategy of updating high-end devices more than they have in the past. This would be consistent with Samsung's new CEO's desire to improve the user experience on their devices.

source: Sam Mobile

16GB Nexus 7 Currently Sold-Out on Google Play, Listed as ‘Coming Soon’

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 12:11 PM PDT

Ever since Google dropped the N7 bomb that’s all people have been talking about lately. The new tablet from Google has received overwhelming response from tech blogs and consumers alike, and sales of the device reflect its high demand. Nexus 7 orders from the Play Store went from a 3-5 day shipping period to the 16GB version being completely sold out. Currently, the higher priced 16GB Nexus 7 is listed as “coming soon” and those who are interested in purchasing the device are asked to enter their email to receive an update when more stock becomes available.

At the time of writing this, the 8GB version was still listed as available and will ship in 3-5 days. For only $50 more I can see why the larger version is much more appealing but unless you already jumped on the bandwagon it looks like you will have to wait for the next batch to arrive. This may not be a bad thing, though. If anything, hopefully the screen issues will have been sorted out by then. We will keep you posted.

source: Google Play

Legacy Play Store Allows You To See A List of Your Purchased Apps Again

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 10:37 AM PDT

Before the Android Market switched over to the Play Store the Market allowed you to see a list of your purchased apps under a “Not installed” section. After the transition to the Play Store, at some point along the update line, the list of paid apps went away. If you’re wanting the ability to see that list again, Paul O’Brien over at Modaco, has solved the problem. You can get the Legacy Play Store app that will solve your problem by bringing back the “Not installed” list of apps.

Paul was able to get the old version of the Play Store client and with some tinkering around, he was able to make it run alongside the official Play Store. Once again, in the Legacy Play Store your apps will have a My Apps screen with a list of all the paid apps you’ve purchased that are not installed on your device. The current version of the Play Store has a tab for all of your apps that are installed or you’ve ever installed, and lumps these together with any apps you’ve purchased. If you’ve purchased a  lot of apps, you may find yourself having trouble finding the small handful of paid apps you want for your respective devices.

You’re able to download the APK from the source link below. You might be able to install it on it’s own on Jelly Bean devices, but he recommends installing it under root and pushing it to  /system/app and chmod it to 644.

source: Modaco

HTC Desire HD Not Getting an ICS Update After All

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 08:36 PM PDT

After all the confusion on whether the HTC Desire HD will be getting an update to Android 4.0 or not, we finally have a solid answer from HTC. It’s now official that the HTC Desire HD will not be getting the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update. The manufacturer has said that the HTC Desire has the best software experience possible for it’s current hardware on Android 2.3. Here’s the companies full statement:

“After extensive testing, HTC has determined that the current version of HTC Sense with Android provides customers with the best experience on the HTC Desire HD.  When we consider new versions of software, we weigh a number of factors, but ultimately the customer experience on the product is the deciding factor. We apologize for any confusion this change may have caused our customers.”

If you’re wanting to try and get Ice Cream Sandwich for the Desire HD, owners will need to rely on the custom ROM community. If you’re willing to root your device, the community has already put together several unofficial 4.0 ROMs.

source: Android Central
Posted by at 5:46 AM 0 comments

Android Central

Android Central

Internet rumor mill says Jelly Bean coming to Samsung Galaxy S III 'soon'

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 02:24 PM PDT

Galaxy S III

According to the fine folks at Sammobile, we might be seeing the Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy S III as soon as August. We're certain that Samsung is in the process of figuring out the update schedule, but it's always nice to see the insiders mention that things are moving along. Of course, Jelly Bean on the Galaxy S III will not look like the Jelly Bean we've seen so far, but that's not a bad thing. Samsung has a pretty good handle on their TouchWiz operating system, and whether you love it or hate it you can't deny it's feature rich and runs pretty damn well on the SGSIII's blazing hardware.

We're excited to try Android 4.1 and "the butter" on some handsets with better hardware under the hood. The Galaxy S III is sure to impress us even more with the new features and polish that comes with Jelly Bean. We'll keep an eye on this one closely.

Source: Sammobile

 

From the Editor's Desk: Bad timing for Batman, Nexus 7 shipping (or not), and other odds and ends

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 09:44 AM PDT

Phil Nickinson

Hey there, everybody! Took a week off from this column last week, as my fingers (and the rest of my body) could hardly move after installing some hardwood floors. Don't let those TV shows fool you -- that stuff is hard. On the plus side, I've decided to wear kneepads 24/7, which should do wonders for those broken joints of mine, previously abused by too many years (and one ACL replacement) on the soccer field, and currently by a few too many inches on the ol' waistline. Don't knock it till you try it.

A few thoughts as we head back into another work week:

  • As I said atop our news post last week announcing the release of Gameloft's The Dark Night, we're all painfully aware of the shooting in Aurora, Colo., just outside Denver. It's a nice little suburb I've been to a number of times, when my maternal grandmother was alive. My question: Should Gameloft have postponed the release? There are arguments on either side of that, certainly. 
  • Oh, and you'd be amazed at how quickly I can (and have, and will again) ban people who think they're leaving funny comments in regards to a dozen people getting shot.
  • So the 16-gigabyte Nexus 7 tablet is back to "Coming soon" status on Google Play. Obviously, something weird happened with fulfillment. For my part, I got the one I ordered on July 3 (though the Nexus Q I ordered with it isn't shipping yet). What's odd is that the two 16GB Nexus 7s I ordered on June 27 -- during the Google I/O keynote, actually, as soon as they hit the store -- are still in limbo. The UPS label has been printed, but that's it. For what it's worth, this is the first time I've ever had an issue ordering a device from Google Play. Countless Galaxy Nexus phones have made it without issue. Is it a Google thing? An ASUS thing? Is the Nexus 7 just that popular?
  • I picked up the Kindle Fire this weekend for the first time since getting the Nexus 7 -- only so I could watch "The West Wing." Amazon created a nice little niche for itself with the Kindle Fire and streaming video, but it's time for the company to open things up onto non-Kindle devices. And a releasing a better Kindle Fire (which we fully expect to happen later this year) isn't the answer. Want to put a hurt on Netflix? Get on the iPad. And on Android tablets. And push hard on all the new Windows gear.
  • Some great thoughts from Rene Ritchie on the Nexus 7. The whole "save state" thing doesn't bother me nearly as much as it does him, though, but that could that while I frequently use an iPad, I don't use it as thoroughly and completely as he does. (Or maybe it's just difference in the way we think.)

So what's coming next? Samsung's doing something on Aug. 15. (Good lord, it's almost August already?) We'll be at the IFA conference in Berlin in late August/early September, so there's that, too. And we're already looking ahead to the CTIA conference in San Diego in October.

This week I'll be meeting up with the other Mobile Nations editors in Winnipeg, which I'm told is in Canada. (Hey, I just get on the plane ya know?) Exciting things are afoot, and those of you who frequent CrackBerry might have seen the Mobile Nations Passport teaser. This is good stuff, folks. 

Apps of the Week - Shine Runner, SMod Forever, Camera Launcher and more

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 02:24 PM PDT

Apps of the Week - Shine Runner, SMod Forever!, Camera Launcher and more

Android Central's editors have once again picked their favorite apps for the week. We've got a lot of games this go around, but also a few utilities you might find handy. Anyone who picked up a Google Nexus 7 will definitely want to check out our picks this week. Dig in after the jump!

read more

Samsung to show new Galaxy device at Aug. 15 event

Posted: 20 Jul 2012 02:54 PM PDT

Android Central

"Save the date" e-mails are landing for a special event to be held by Samsung Electronics America next month, where the manufacturer promises to show off its "newest Galaxy device." The e-mail sent out today indicates that this will be a "major product announcement," but gives no real clues as to what exactly will be unveiled.  We're pretty sure the Galaxy Note 2 is on the horizon, but all indications are that that device will instead be making its debut at the IFA show in Berlin in late August. That aside, other candidates for the August 15 event include the newly-announced T-Mobile Galaxy Note, and the Galaxy Note 10.1, which we first saw at Mobile World Congress, and which is said to have recently undergone some hardware changes.

So we'll probably be in for a bit of a surprise, but our money's on some sort of tablet announcement, whether or not it's a model we've seen at a previous event. If you've got any wild theories, let us know down below...
Posted by at 5:43 AM 0 comments
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