Android Community |
- LG Spectrum 2 tipped for Verizon 4G LTE
- OUYA will offer rooting instructions to consumers
- Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean update presents GPS bug
- MIUI MI-2 phone rumored to have Qualcomm quad-core processor
- Googler proposes to his girlfriend with a Nexus 7
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ad targets business professionals
- Huawei Fusion 2 hits the FCC – headed for AT&T
- HTC turns down the music, gives back half of Beats Audio shares
- Samsung SPH-L300 leaks – compared to HTC One X
| LG Spectrum 2 tipped for Verizon 4G LTE Posted: 24 Jul 2012 11:23 AM PDT It would appear that the LG Spectrum 2 (or LG Optimus 4X HD if you happen to be reading this from somewhere other than the US) is headed straight for Verizon. Renders of the phone have been spotted by TechnoBuffalo, and the phone looks primed to take advantage of Verizon’s 4G LTE services. Not only that, but a list of specs has surfaced as well, and it appears that the LG Spectrum 2 will be able to hold its own against some of the other higher-end Android phones that have been released this year.
First up, the phone features a True HD IPS displays that measures 4.7-inches. It comes equipped with a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor clocked at 1.5GHz and 1GB of RAM. You’ll have 16GB of storage are your disposal, as well as an 8-megapixel camera. Finally, the LG Spectrum 2 comes with Android 4.0.4 installed, but we’re hoping that will be upgraded to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean shortly after launch (whenever that may be). All things considered, this is a pretty big leak. Sadly, a release date didn’t accompany the leaked list of specs or the renders, so we’ll have to wait for Verizon and LG to make an official announcement before we can find out more. Keep an ear to Android Community for more information on the freshly-outed LG Spectrum 2! Device Info
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| OUYA will offer rooting instructions to consumers Posted: 23 Jul 2012 04:20 PM PDT The OUYA team has a lot of promises to fulfill once they actually deliver the console, one of the big ones being the promise that OUYA will be the first completely open console. Previously, OUYA developers were given the option of receiving a rooted console (when it eventually releases, that is), but the OUYA team has just sent out an update saying they’ll be providing instructions for rooting to everyone. This means that consumers will be able to root their machines at their leisure, with OUYA also offering “builds and instructions” to get consoles back to their “unrooted” factory settings.
That’s pretty big news, because even though Android is all about the open source community, we don’t often see manufacturers offering the tools required for rooting or pre-rooted devices like OUYA plans to do. Rooting the console, of course, means that OUYA users will have access to all of the Android software on the machine, allowing for the first truly open console, just as OUYA promises on its Kickstarter page. The fact that OUYA will be an open platform comes with some controversy, however. Some are concerned that making OUYA open will allow for rampant piracy, and indeed, developers of apps and games frequently report higher piracy rates for Android than for other platforms. It’s unclear how OUYA will combat this, and we’re left wondering if some developers will be dissuaded from developing for OUYA knowing that the company is delivering rooting instructions to consumers. Despite the mystery surrounding OUYA’s future as an open console, one thing is for sure: OUYA’s continuing development just got a whole lot more interesting. Stay tuned. [via SlashGear]
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| Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean update presents GPS bug Posted: 23 Jul 2012 03:17 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Nexus was one of the first devices to get the update to Jelly Bean (at least on some carriers), but that may not necessarily be a good thing. Apparently, Jelly Bean didn’t come as bug-free as we’d hoped it would, with some Galaxy Nexus users reporting a bug that messes with the phone’s GPS capabilities. The bug can make it difficult for your Galaxy Nexus to get a proper GPS fix, which could complicate things if you’re trying to get somewhere and were planning to rely on your phone’s GPS to do so.
Thankfully, there seems to be a pretty easy fix for this particular bug. Before you can fix it, though, you have to find out if you’re actually affected by it. Android Central suggests opening any app that uses the GPS to track your location, such as Google Maps. If the notification “Searching for GPS…” appears without a flashing icon and you know you have satellites in view (something that can be easily tested through apps like GPS Test), then your Galaxy Nexus has fallen victim to the bug. In order to fix it, you simply need to go into Settings and select “Location Services.” Once you’ve done that, just uncheck and re-check “Google’s location service” and you’ll more than likely be good to go. See? We told you it was an easy fix. Affected users have confirmed that this fix works for them, so the bug doesn’t appear to be too particularly nasty in that respect. At the very least, it’s good that we’re only getting reports of an easily-fixable GPS bug when the update could have brought on bugs that are far worse. Device Info
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| MIUI MI-2 phone rumored to have Qualcomm quad-core processor Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT The smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi released an impressive MIUI MI-One smartphone last year. Complete with top end specs, MIUI’s ROM pre-installed, and all for a great price. Today however we are now seeing reports of their next-generation smartphone rocking even better specs — yet still keeping an awesome low price.
The Chinese companies first handset sold quite well, and if the rumors pan out this second release should do the same. The MIUI MI-2 is rumored to have a 720p HD display, and rock a quad-core processor from Qualcomm all for around $313 USD. It will most likely run on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Sounds impressive right? According to M.I.C.Gadget the blurry photo above is the new phone. It appears to have a pretty unique two-toned design, and even a dual-LED flash for that 8 megapixel rear camera. The phone will obviously run the heavily customized MIUI version of Android, and we are hearing it will be announced next month. If these details all pan out this will be the cheapest, and probably best quad-core Android smartphone in China. [via Unwired View]
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| Googler proposes to his girlfriend with a Nexus 7 Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:50 PM PDT Google’s brand new Nexus 7 tablet can do many things. It rocks a quad-core processor for hours of intense gaming. It’s small and portable and Google’s recently shown it being used while camping. And now today they’ve shown you can do even more with the new slate. Recently a Google employee proposed to his girlfriend by giving her a Nexus 7 tablet pre-loaded with love — and a proposal video.
Our good friends at Google posted the news and video over on Twitter, so we figured we’d share it with our readers looking for a tablet, or to get married. The video below might be cheezy, but it’s awesome and “cute” to watch anyways. This Googler gives his girlfriend the Nexus 7 tablet completely pre-loaded with everything she loves. Her favorite movies, music, books and more all from the Play Store. Then the added bonus is the video he’s made asking her to marry him. Pretty impressive right? Looks like Raj has been planning this for months and had tons and tons of help getting people to pose for photos with hearts. Google’s first and only commercial for the Nexus 7 tablet went live this weekend and shows a father and his sons enjoying some backyard “camping” but this video really shows the personal side of things. Pretty neat way to ask, and it’s a great way to promote a new product. Congrats to Raj and his new fiancé Aditi. Device Info
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| Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ad targets business professionals Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:30 PM PDT Ready for some more Galaxy Note 10.1 media? Samsung has released a new 30 second spot for the incoming tablet, and it’s aimed squarely at business professionals, with the company obviously hoping to grab a larger percentage of that market thanks to the Galaxy Note 10.1′s included stylus. Indeed, the stylus is essentially the main focus of this advertisement, with our clean-cut business hero using it to collect signatures, draw graphs, and give his boss an impromptu presentation on all that he’s accomplished in the last 30 seconds.
We still don’t have a solid release date for the Galaxy Note 10.1, but it should be arriving any day now. Samsung reportedly delayed its release in order upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich and a quad-core processor, but that has yet to be confirmed by the company itself. With these new advertisements hitting the Internet, however, it makes us feel like the tablet’s launch has to be just around the corner. Check out Samsung’s new Galaxy Note 10.1 advertisement below. The Galaxy Note news doesn’t just stop at tablets, however, as Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy Note 2 for North America soon. The company has a Galaxy-related reveal coming up on August 15, which is leading some to believe that the device in question is the Galaxy Note 2. With Samsung ramping up the advertising campaign for the Galaxy Note 10.1 and seemingly on the verge of announcing the Galaxy Note 2, it’s a pretty exciting time to be a Samsung fan, so stay tuned. Be sure to check out Android Community’s hands-on with the Galaxy Note 10.1 for more information! Device Info
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[via SlashGear]
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| Huawei Fusion 2 hits the FCC – headed for AT&T Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:00 PM PDT Huawei and AT&T have teamed up again to offer another extremely cheap and basic smartphone for their AT&T GoPhone pre-paid customers. The device was seen clearing the FCC earlier today, and is indeed headed for AT&T. Those looking for a pre-paid budget Android device could be in for a treat.
The folks from PhoneScoop spotted this budget offering, complete with Android 2.3 Gingerbread on board. According to the FCC the Huawei Fusion 2 is extremely similar to the original in all ways. We have Gingerbread, a 3.2-inch display, a 3.2 megapixel rear facing camera, micro-SD support for extra storage, as well as the nifty Swype keyboard. While this device isn’t anything special or top end, it will be an excellent entry-level smartphone for those aboard AT&T’s GoPhone prepaid services. With a decent OS and a low price this could be a decent device. We can clearly see the AT&T branding and apps pre-installed, so we’ll just have to wait for an official announcement. We’ll update when we hear more, and you can expect this phone to be dirt cheap when released.
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| HTC turns down the music, gives back half of Beats Audio shares Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:46 AM PDT HTC has turned down the music in what appears to be a scale back of their plans with the music company Beats Audio. I’d be lying if I said I was surprised, as I wasn’t too sold on the idea to begin with. In what HTC is calling "a realignment of their business agreement" they’ve sold 25% of their 51% stake back to Beats, and now is no longer the majority stockholder.
Just under a year ago last August HTC purchased half of Beats Audio for a whopping $300 million dollars. While their new smartphones are doing rather well, their Q2 earnings report wasn’t as great as expected. In less than a year HTC has decided to change their route and will only own 25% moving forward. Both companies however have stated they still intend to work together. We knew this was coming when back in April reports confirmed HTC was planning to reduce or not even include Beats in upcoming phones — although that was later denied by their CEO. With HTC still owning 25% they’ve agreed to own exclusive rights to the technology. This means no other smartphone manufacturers can include Beats Audio in their devices. It will be interesting to see how they continue with Beats Audio, or audio in their smartphones in general. We’ll be sure to keep our ears listening for more busted beats. [via SlashGear]
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| Samsung SPH-L300 leaks – compared to HTC One X Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:22 AM PDT Samsung apparently has a few new budget friendly mid-range smartphones in the pipelines because today news of two new smartphones have hit the interwebs. What we see below is a new smartphone from Sammy that looks like a fine blend between the Nexus One and the HTC One X, and will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
According to the folks at BriefMobile the Samsung SPH-L300 will be known as the Samsung Goph. And I seriously hope they change that name before launch. It’s being reported as a non 4G LTE device headed for the Now Network, and has some decent specs that should make it a great budget device. While it appears to have an aluminum design, reports are suggesting a brushed aluminum looking plastic body, and the design is a fine blend of the One X and the older Nexus One if you ask me. We’re hearing a 4.0-inch AMOLED display, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm S4 processor, 5 megapixel camera and NFC capabilities. More photos of this phone and the odd font used in Android 4.0.4 can be seen from the source link above. We’ll report back when we learn more details on this new phone.
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