Google just announced that both the 2012 and 2013 Nexus 7 tablets and the Nexus 10 are going to get KitKat starting today. Google doesn’t usually announce new updates so late in the day, so I would imagine devices will see the update during the night. In fact there are already reports that a few devices are receiving the update. Let us know if you get it.
source: +Android
Well what do we have here folks? A special offer has just appeared on the Play Store highlighting a $100 bill credit from Ma Bell when purchasing an HSPA+ version of the Nexus 7 tablet. As with most special deals— this one initially aims to save AT&T customers an extra dollar or two when signing up for a 2-year contract. Of course customers will quickly realize that they will likely pay far more money in the long run because they are not only paying full price for the 32GB version of the tablet (currently priced at $299), but they will also be stuck paying for a monthly data plan starting at $15 bucks— which really adds up in the long run.
Of course users can always splurge for a WiFi-only option or get the HSPA+ model and look for alternative monthly data options by going the prepaid route, but hey— it’s always nice to have the option of going down the carrier route, right?
source: AT&T
One of the more stunning revelations at CES has been the intriguing, yet attractive Alcatel Scribe X HSPA+ smartphone. Right off the bat, you can see the device’s large, but gorgeous 5-inch 1080p display which demonstrates the fluidity of the quad-core MediaTek processor in all its wonderful glory. In addition to seeing the gorgeous (and welcomed near-stock Android UI), we can see one of the big features that’s highlighted as the device is fitted with its special smart cover accessory.
The Scribe HSPA+ is due to arrive in stores and retailers shortly, while the Scribe HD-LTE will land on shelves by year’s end. To see the humble, but impressive device– hit the break to check out the video.
Sure we’ve seen some other chipmakers working on a few budget processors for the masses recently, but other manufacturers seem to have their sights set on the ever-growing budget market as well. And so following its earlier onslaught of mobile processors, Broadcom recently announced its BCM21664T chip, which is a specialized SoC featuring a 1.2GHz dual-core ARM Cortex A9 processor, a VideoCore GPU which can support 720P video recording and full 1080P video playback. The chipset is also optimized for faux-g HSPA+ technology and should be able to haul in downstream speeds of up to 21.1Mbps and upstream speeds of up to 5.8Mbps. Oh and best of all— Broadcom’s new SoC is specially optimized for Jelly Bean— specifically the newest Jelly Bean version. Very exciting news indeed.
So now that the chipset has been announced, we’re sure that many of you are eagerly awaiting the development of new budget-level devices featuring Jelly Bean running the show. Hopefully we don’t need to wait too long to see the first devices start to trickle down.
Hit the break the see Broadcom’s full presser.
We unfortunately don’t have the privilege of seeing the new Nexus devices in person, but that hasn’t stopped Google from announcing its newest additions to the Nexus family. Google went ahead and announced one of the worst kept secrets and announced the 3G HSPA+ Nexus 7 32GB model. The device will come bearing HSPA+ bands, so those of you on AT&T or T-Mobile’s network here in the States or on various GSM networks abroad should be able to fully utilize and enjoy the tablet— albeit on slower data speeds and all. It’s going to be released to the masses on November 13th for a meager $299— so the wait shouldn’t be too bad for those of you who’ve been looking forward to this version of the device.
It was only a matter of time before we saw the first batch of Google devices get the anticipated Jelly Bean update since you know— it had just released Android 4.1 to the AOSP and all. And so just when you thought life with the GSM/HSPA+ version of the Galaxy Nexus couldn’t get any better, it just got better as it is officially getting the smooth and buttery update. According to its Nexus+ page, Google highlights owners of the HSPA+ variant of the Galaxy Nexus will receive an OTA prompt indicating the update will happen “over the next several days”.
Google also took some time to reiterate its other developer devices including the CDMA versions of the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S and Motorola Xoom WiFi are next in line to get that VIP treatment.
source: Nexus – Google+
Excited for the Samsung Galaxy S III, but don’t want to wait additional months before it arrives in the stores on American shores? Well you may want to visit Amazon ASAP. It has officially listed the 16GB pebble blue and white versions of the device as available for pre-order. That means if you want to be the cool kid on the block, you’ll have the opportunity to be among the first to own the quad-core-powered, unlocked HSPA+ beast once it’s shipped on June 1st.
Naturally you will have to pay a premium price in order to be the first to own this premium device. Interested parties will have to pay a measley $799.99 in order to own this puppy, so be prepared to spend a pretty penny. Or of course you can you know… wait for your carrier of choice to launch their version of the device.
source: Samsung Galaxy S III Pebble Blue | White
O2 is ready and primed to have best network in the UK by beginning the first stages of rolling out an improved HSPA network. More specifically— Crave is reporting O2 has begun rolling out DC-HSPA for major cities in the UK (think London, Manchester and Birmingham for example). This new ”dual-cell high speed packet access” format will double the topline speed currently found in HSPA+ to a theoretical maximum output of up to 42Mbps, though real world speeds will be much more down to earth than that.
DC-HSPA is no doubt exciting, but there’s still room for growth and expansion– especially as LTE is set to arrive by 2013. For example, while the new and improved speeds offered by DC-HSPA are exciting, there are only a handful of devices which currently support the new network type. As it currently stands, the only devices that currently support the DC-HSPA standard is the new Apple iPad, Nokia Lumia 900 and the HTC One X smartphone, so there will be an increased need for more devices that support the DC-HSPA standard. In addition, O2 is the only mobile carrier rolling out the technology for now, though it will grow within the coming months. Three UK will roll out DC-HSPA by this summer, while Everything Everywhere’s Orange and T-Mobile brands will launch DC-HSPA by the 4th quarter of this year. Not to be outdone, Vodafone UK has already had DC-HSPA over the last year or so, though its DC-HSPA speeds are limited to just 28.8Mbps— with no plans to upgrade to 42Mbps in the near future.
source: Clove UK
via: Android Central
Huawei’s Ascend D1 dual-core smartphone, announced at this year’s Mobile World Congress in February along with its two Ascend D Quad siblings, is the first of the three to pass through the FCC. The documentation confirmed quadband GSM and pentaband HSPA+/WCDMA. This means the unlocked version should work on AT&T and T-Mobile, but as to any official carriers, we won’t know until an announcement. The Ascend D1 seems to be on schedule for a Q2 release, but no word on whether its siblings are still on track. Let’s cross our fingers.
Just announced today you will be able to purchase the Galaxy Nexus directly from Google for $399. That is a great price for anyone wanting to pick-up the GSM version of the Gnex. Making your purchase in this way will give you a Galaxy Nexus “unlocked and contract free”. The limit is five devices per customer, and this offer is currently only available in the US.
Details from the Google Blog state that you can buy this device in the Play Store under a new section called ‘Devices’. As already mentioned this is a unlocked GSM device so you can chose your favorite compatible carrier, which includes T-mobile and AT&T of course. You’ll get access to Google Wallet with a $10 credit upon activation, and all the great features of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
source: googleplay