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The Android team now has its own Twitter account

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 04:09 PM PDT

Android on Twitter

If you're using Twitter and reading Android Central, here's a quickie for you -- the Android team now has a dedicated Twitter account.  Follow them here, and be sure to follow Android Central as well for the latest news, reviews, and tips!

Via @Tim Bray

Ice Cream Sandwich statue arrives on Google campus [updated with video]

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 03:46 PM PDT

Android Central

As is the tradition with each new version of Android, a new dessert-themed statue has appeared outside Building 44 on Google's Mountain View campus. This time it's an Android-shaped Ice Cream Sandwich, that's joined other tasty treats on Google's lawn, in a photo uploaded by Google software engineer Michael Soland.

Not long now, folks. We'll very likely have more Ice Cream Sandwich goodness in the next week at the rescheduled Samsung Unpacked event, along with a shiny new Nexus device, too.

Update: Andy Rubin has posted the video of the event, and you can find it after the break.

Source: +Michael Soland

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Google opening their own MP3 store? [rumors]

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 03:36 PM PDT

Lloyd can jam

According to the New York Times, Google executives have claimed that they will be opening a Google Music MP3 store in the coming weeks.  Likely to be connected to the current Google Music Beta offering, the service would compete with Apple and Amazon to allow users to purchase and store music files in the cloud.  (Cue the lawsuits in 3, 2...).  While Google officially declined to comment to the Times, as did any of the Music labels, the idea makes perfect sense.  We know Google wanted to get content agreements for music, and after publicly criticizing the music industry Google decided to follow the route taken by Amazon and offer users storage for their own files.  In addition, the songs that are offered for free on the existing service certainly aren't royalty-free, so some arrangements have to be already standing.  If the rumor is true, this may be something we hear about on Oct. 19 at the Ice Cream Sandwich event.  We'll keep you posted if anything further develops.

Source: New York Times; via CNET.  Thanks, Derek!

 

 

Google Q3 earnings conference call [audio]

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 03:05 PM PDT

Google

Missed out on the call but still want to hear it? No problem. We got you covered. You can listen to the audio from the call below or simply download the file for later.

 

Amaze 4G buyers, ICS Incredible [From the Forums]

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 02:59 PM PDT

From the Forums

Nothing quite like an earnings call from Google to help break up the day. Long story short -- Google is making a lot of money and Android is doing amazing, plus -- Ice Cream Sandwich is going to be incredible. If you missed out on any news from today, make sure you get caught up either here on the blogs or in the Android Central forums:

If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.

Larry Page: "We're serious about protecting the Android ecosystem."

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 02:21 PM PDT

Android

Google is in the middle of their Q3 earnings call, where they have announced that they are doing very well. During the Q&A, someone asked about the patent issues currently going on and what Google is going to do about them.

Larry Page, CEO, had a few things to say regarding the patent issues:

  • "We see our partners and our ecosystem growing hugely. Ultimately other companies actions will alienate their customers."
  • "We're serious about protecting the Android ecosystem."

Another question later on was pointed directly at Microsoft and the licensing deals they have been reaching with companies such as Samsung. Here is what he said:

  • "Rather than seeing Microsoft compete in the marketplace with their own phones, they continue resorting to legal measures to hassle their own customers. We haven’t seen the details of those agreements and I assume our partners are making good deals for themselves. We see Android growing Gangbusters and we don’t see anything that will stop that."

So, Android is growing remarkably well and he doesn't see Microsoft or any other company slowing that growth down any time in the near future.

Source: Google

Larry Page on Ice Cream Sandwich -- it's incredible

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 02:20 PM PDT

Larry Page

While on the Google Quarterly earnings call, Google CEO Larry Page let slip a little bit of his enthusiasm for Ice Cream Sandwich.  With words like "You won’t believe what we have managed to do in this release", "I'm super excited", and "incredible" being thrown around, it's easy to see he's pumped about the ICS release.  We are, as well, and I'm sure a good many of you guys are, too.  Oct. 19 can't come soon enough!

Google Translate for Android introduces speech-to-speech translations for 14 languages

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 02:03 PM PDT

Google has now taken the covers off their latest Google Translate update and it's a big one. In an effort to help bring down language barriers, Google Translate has brought  speech-to-speech translations for 14 languages to Android.

We began with just English and Spanish, but today we’re expanding to 14 languages, adding Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Russian and Turkish.

To help with speech translations, Google Translate now also allows you to correct entries before sending them off for translations. Now when you speak, fluffy bunny with a mouth full of marshmallows and it turns out to be "funny money" you'll be able to correct it to ensure correct translation.

Translated text gets a tweak as well, you can now pich-to-zoom on text to view it better as well enter unrecognized words to your personal dictionary. The update is now live in the Android Market, you'll find the download past the break for you all.

Source: Google Mobile Blog

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HTC Hero S now available from US Cellular

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 01:58 PM PDT

HTC Hero S

The HTC Hero S is now available from US Cellular, and it looks like a great upgrade from it's older namesake.  Sitting right on the cusp between mid-range and high-end, the Hero S rocks a 4-inch qHD super LCD, a single core 1.2GHz Qualcomm CPU, dual cameras (5MP in the back, 1.3MP around front), and what appears to be HTC Sense 2.1 built on top of Gingerbread.  The Hero S will cost $199 after a $100 rebate for new customers, or Belief plan members.

With an older version of HTC Sense, and a high clock speed single core CPU, this thing will probably rock your socks off.  And if you're not into great big phones, it looks like a great choice.  As an original Hero owner lover, I think it's a great way to carry on the name.  All it's missing is the trackball.

Source: US Cellular

Google+ is home to 40 million users and 3.4 billion image uploads

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 01:46 PM PDT

Google Plus

40 million users, and 3.4 billion photo uploads through Google+. Take a moment, let that settle into your system. Those are some pretty large numbers considering that Google+ was in closed beta for a while, and only went public a few weeks ago. While many seemed to question Google+, and wonder if it would take off and / or be able to stick around for the long haul, the numbers look pretty solid, and we hope to see more growth as Google continues to support it and make enhancements.

Oh, and you are following us all, right?

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