Latest Android news, applications and forum discussion

Feb

6

2012

White Galaxy Nexus To Hit The UK Next Week

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by Josh O'Donnell
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Those of you in the U.K. can mark your calendars because the white Galaxy Nexus has been officially confirmed by Samsung for release on Monday, February 13th — just in time to buy one for your special someone on Valentine’s Day. The sleek looking Samsung flagship model comes with the same color scheme as yester-years’ white Nexus S, a white chassis and a black glass face. The internals remain the same.

It’s disappointing – to say the least – that nothing has been hinted thus far at any North American release to satisfy our white GNex hunger, though one can still hope, right?

Press release after the break.

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Categorized as Android News, Android Phones, Google News | Full Post

Feb

6

2012

2.25% Demanded By Motorola in Apple’s Sales For Use of Licensing Patents

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by Jack Holt
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Well it appears Motorola is growing some stones in regards to its injunction against Apple’s iCloud and MobileMe software. Motorola is apparently looking into receiving 2.25% of Apple’s sales in return for licensing FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms) patents. Right now Apple is currently battling in its use of the Qualcomm-Mot0r0la license agreement for its defense. They are trying to show the court that the patent has already been exhausted, which would safeguard Apple from also being sued by Qualcomm. They just happen to be its supplier and a license already exists between the two. They are also trying to disclose terms of the agreement in order to prove that 2.25% is an exaggerated amount.

They are also asking for documents that contain the agreements between Motorola and other manufacturers, like Ericsson, HTC, LG, and Nokia. Apple hopes that these agreements show the court that 2.25% is exaggerated as was said before and that it exceeds the amount agreed upon with those other OEMs.  The ruling could go either way. One thing is for certain, Apple isn’t steam rolling over Android OEMs anymore in their patent suits.

source: FOSS Patents
via: PocketNow

Categorized as Android Carriers, Android Development, Android Lawsuits, Android News | Full Post

Feb

6

2012

SFR France Outs Android 4.0.5 Existence, Hits Galaxy Nexus in March?

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by Stacy Bruce
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Just days after learning about the unofficially leaked build of Android 4.0.4 for the Galaxy Nexus, French mobile site SFR has outed the existence of Android 4.0.5 and claims that the GNex and Nexus S should be seeing it rather soon. SFR also made mention about which devices would get an ICS update, and when. According to the chart, the 4.0.5 update will arrive OTA to the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S in March, while the Galaxy SII and the HTC Sensation will finally hit 4.0.

As far as the 4.0.5 update goes, I wouldn’t expect any drastic changes to the OS. Based on the numbers, you can expect a more fine-tuned ICS experience and probably a few minor bug fixes and software tweaks, nothing too major. Now the question is, “is this chart reliable?” Tell you your thoughts below.

source: SFR
via: PocketNow

 

 

 

Categorized as Android Carriers, Android ROMS, Android Updates | Full Post

Feb

6

2012

Wirefly Reviews Motorola DROID 4 Smartphone

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by Roy Alugbue
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In case you haven’t noticed yet: the DROID 4 isn’t out yet nor do we even know of its release date. That hasn’t stopped a lucky few from actually getting their hands on the device anyways and actually giving it a review. Wirefly goes over the features of the DROID 4, picture and video quality and other miscellaneous tests in a nice review. The latest on the rumor mill shows the device will be on track to arrive in Verizon stores on the Thursday, February 9th or Friday, February 10th. This means the wait will soon be over for the hottest 4G LTE slider phone of the year folks.

You’ve already seen our hands-on with the phone. Now checkout the in-depth video review of the DROID 4 found below.

 

 YouTube Preview Image

 

source: Wirefly (YouTube)
via: Phandroid

Categorized as Android News, Android Phones | Full Post

Feb

6

2012

Google Snatches Up Apple Senior Director For “Secret Project”

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by Roy Alugbue
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Well this certainly isn’t going to help with Apple/Google relations. We’ve just learned Google just hired Simon Prakash… better known as Apple’s former senior director of product integrity. In his 8 years at Apple, Prakash was most recently responsible for product quality control across all of Apple’s product lines. He now moves on to Google to work on an unspecified “secret project” and of course we have no idea of what this project might be. What’s significant is while employees and talent go back and forth between Apple and Google all the time, Google’s hire of Prakash is the first such hire of a senior-level executive directly from Apple.

Who else is excited about the when this “secret project” is finally revealed?

source: Venture Beat
via: The Verge

Categorized as Google News | Full Post

Feb

6

2012

Motorola DROID Bionic Soak Test Arriving As Early As Tonight; Possible Android 4.0 Update? Probably Not

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by Roy Alugbue
tagged , , , , , ,

 

 

Motorola has yet another soak test on its way out, this time for the DROID Bionic smartphone. It is perhaps the mysterious 5.9.902 update we heard about previously? It’s highly unlikely this update is the anticipated Ice Cream Sandwich update you owners are yearning for, as the DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX would likely be the first MOTO phones to see the ICS update, so it’s probably the 5.9.902 update. Word on the street the mysterious update is finally headed out to the beta testers as early as tonight. Stay tuned with Talk Android for any updates on this update.

source: Droid Life

 

Categorized as Android News, Android Phones, Android Software, Android Updates | Full Post

Feb

5

2012

Check Out the 90 Second Galaxy Note Commercial Complete With The Darkness!

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by Jack Holt
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While Samsung hinted at something awesome with its 45 second teaser nothing says amazing like the full version. In case you missed our reminder earlier today in regards to the Galaxy Note and you even missed the full commercial itself in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI, worry not, we have it here for you in all its glory. While most folk on Twitter are referencing this as a Palm Pilot due to its stylus everyone seems to forget its amazing screen size. So if you missed your chance to watch it, hit the break below to check out the full 90 seconds of awesomeness complete with The Darkness’ lead singer Justin Hawkins, Australian Supermodel Miranda Kerr, Football star Brian Urlacher and professional skateboarder Paul Rodriguez. Also you can head on over to Samsung Mobile USA’s site to check out all the cool stuff you can win from the commercial. Enjoy!

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Categorized as Android Manufacturers, Android News, Android Phones, Android Retailers | Full Post

Feb

5

2012

Here’s My Perfect Android Smartphone, What’s Yours?

15

by Jack Holt
tagged ,

Everyone has an idea of what their perfect android phone would be. While I would say that the Galaxy Nexus running Codename: Android would be as close to a perfect Android experience yet; I have found that I am wanting and missing various aspects that other Android phones have or need. I often contemplate what that phone would be like if I had a say and while I do not have Samsung, HTC, or Motorola on speed dial I’ve decided that I will share my opinion with you. So without further digression here it is, my perfect phone.

Design/Form Factor:

I do like the Galaxy Nexus phone factor. The curved class works well and the phone holds well. However I do have to say that I liked the way the Rezound felt in my hand. That phone felt solid and not overly heavy. I like the Nexus and it feels sleek but the plastic is definitely apparent. I would say that the design of the phone would be perfect if it had Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus sleekness and it were coupled with HTC’s smooth metal finish and solid structure. » Read the rest

Categorized as Android Customization, Android Manufacturers, Android Phones, Android Software | Full Post

Feb

5

2012

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note Officially Available for Pre-Order, Delivers on February 17th

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by Stacy Bruce
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For those of you in the US who have been dying to get your hands on the awesome Samsung Galaxy Note, well you can officially place your pre-order today. Assuming you’re OK with service from AT&T, you can now spend $299 to get one set aside for you and should arrive on your doorstep on or before Feb 17th, two days before they arrive in stores on the 19th.

You will have the choice of either Ceramic White or Carbon Blue colors, and for those who wish to purchase the device off-contract, it will run you $749.99 before tax. If you’re like me and are always looking to get a little more bang for your buck, may I recommend pre-ordering through Best Buy. All pre-orders made from BB will include a flip cover for the device. It’s pretty sweet and doesn’t add much bulk at all.

If you’re a person who knows what they want and are ready to take the plunge, hit up one of the links below. For those who need a little more enticing, I suggest checking out our hands on and previous write up, both of which contain very informative and persuasive video. If your lucky enough to score one of these bad boys, please… rub it in my face in the comments below! Don’t worry, I wont take it personal. :-)

AT&T
Best Buy

 

 

Categorized as Android Carriers, Android Phones | Full Post

Feb

5

2012

Review: World of Goo sticks your fingers to the screen

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by Josh O'Donnell
tagged

If you could sum up World of Goo in one word – and you didn’t want to use awesome, magnificent or fantastic – magical would work just fine. The developers at 2D Boy, a team of two (that’s right, two!) ex-Electronic Arts employees working out of San Francisco, have brought us an incredible world to escape in as we rescue goo balls from the evil World of Goo corporation. The Android world waited a long time for this game to hop on over to the Android Market, though the wait is most definitely worth it. The game has been flawlessly ported, giving us the incredible soundtrack and immersive environments we’ve come to expect from the World of Goo.

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