Android Central |
- Coming up Thursday night: We're answering all your Verizon Galaxy Nexus questions live!
- Secure tokens will cause issues with NFC and battery swapping on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus
- Required reading: Carrier IQ around the web
- Market apps on ICS, Unknown icons [From the Forums]
- Holiday gift guide: What to get the fitness nut
- GTA III finally gets priced and dated, not everyone can play just yet
- Future Shop drops the price of the Rogers Samsung Galaxy S II LTE to $20
- Financial Times finally arrives on Android, beta tag in tow
- Ice Cream Sandwich coming to Archos G9 series in Q1 2012
- Best Buy getting its Galaxy Nexus stock starting today (but don't tell anyone)
- US Cellular tells its employees it doesn't use Carrier IQ
- Verizon says it's not blocking Google Wallet, it just doesn't have it because of an integration thing
- Google officially announces 10 billion app downloads, more 10-cent apps to come
- DroidDoodle - Quad-core
- Samsung Galaxy Nexus in Verizon stores on Dec. 9, Droid 4 on Dec. 8, according to leaked screen
- Deal of the Day: Seidio Innocell 3200mAh Super Extended Battery for LG Thrill 4G, Optimus 3D
- Google's 10-cent app sale part of 10 billion downloads promo
- Verizon announces Droid RAZR in white
- Verizon officially announces pair of XYBOARD tablets
- A slew of popular apps suddenly are 10 cents in the Android Market
- C Spire gets the Xperia Play
- Facebook app apparently poised for a bit of a refresh
- Google adds Arabic and Hebrew to Voice Search
- Google confirms no Google Wallet on Galaxy Nexus
- Verizon Galaxy Nexus coming Dec. 9? These documents seem to say so
Coming up Thursday night: We're answering all your Verizon Galaxy Nexus questions live! Posted: 06 Dec 2011 04:58 PM PST Here's the deal. We're just as excited about you are about the Samsung Galaxy Nexus finally hitting Verizon this week. It's about damn time, even if Verizon still hasn't officially said anything. No matter. It's coming this week. (It better come this week.) So on Thursday night's edition of the Greatest Android Podcast in the World, we're only going to talk about the Galaxy Nexus. But even better than that, we're only going to answer your questions. Yeah, the user manual's floating around. Yeah, you've read the prelease theads. But we've got two people who have been living the Galaxy Nexus for weeks now, and more who have been swimming in Ice Cream Sandwich. It's time to really pick our brains. Here's how to ask us about the Galaxy Nexus, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, or anything else having to do with Verizon, galaxies or the odd celestial nexus:
This is going to be fun. Or end with someone in tears. But it won't be me, because I know to get to the settings by pulling down the notification bar. And knowing is half the battle. |
Secure tokens will cause issues with NFC and battery swapping on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Posted: 06 Dec 2011 03:55 PM PST One of the little bombshells dropped from the Verizon Galaxy Nexus training materials concerns NFC and the swappable battery. Because the NFC chip resides on the battery itself, the hardware changes when you change the battery. Not only does your replacement battery have to have NFC capabilities, but the system and NFC chip use a token to match things together for security. We're speculating that ISIS requires this sort of extra layer, but that's just an educated guess. Note that this doesn't mean things won't work, Verizon simply says:
Less than optimal may mean different things to different people, so this may mean that it takes a bit longer for the system to initialize, NFC settings will need adjusted, not all apps will work properly, or the whole enchilada may not work. We'll know more when the Verizon version hits the shelves. Hopefully, that's soon. Thanks, +Butch Yon for the heads up! |
Required reading: Carrier IQ around the web Posted: 06 Dec 2011 03:00 PM PST
Our mantra around here is that you should aways start and end your day with Android Central -- we're the center of the Android Universe, after all. But when we're not busy stroking our own egos, we're busy stroking other people's and reading everything we can get our hands on. And there's been some damn fine work regarding the Carrier IQ saga from people we respect that you must read. Here's a recap:
Take some time and give 'em a read. You'll be smarter for it. |
Market apps on ICS, Unknown icons [From the Forums] Posted: 06 Dec 2011 02:58 PM PST With Galaxy Nexus news creeping out everywhere, we've been keepin up-to-date on it all so, if you missed any of the news -- make sure you skip on back a page or two and get caught up. If you're looking for more Android discussion jump on into the Android Central forums.
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today. |
Holiday gift guide: What to get the fitness nut Posted: 06 Dec 2011 02:32 PM PST
With the holidays right around the corner, we're staring down the ugly double-barrel of gifts and the inevitable New Year's resolutions. Finding the right gifts for the fitness freak in your life can sometimes be a chore, but here at Android Central, we've got you covered. And what about those folks who'll pledge to be more active and exercise more in the new year? Well, there's gifts for them on this list, too. Join us after the break for the whole shakedown of what'll get yours (or their) blood pumping. |
GTA III finally gets priced and dated, not everyone can play just yet Posted: 06 Dec 2011 01:40 PM PST It's been teased for sometime now, but it's now been revealed that the 10 year anniversary mobile edition of the epic Grand Theft Auto III shoots it's way onto selected Android handsets on Dec. 15. It'll set you back a measly $4.99, way less than we paid for it 10 years ago but sadly, at launch at least, not everyone will be able to enjoy this masterpiece. Supported devices at launch are:
There are going to be a lot of disappointed people out there, not least anyone who's just bought or planning on buying a Samsung Galaxy Nexus. But, our guess is that more devices, especially the Nexus, won't be far behind. Meanwhile if you're fortunate enough to own one of these devices, salivate over the Android version screenshots after the break, and try to wait patiently for the next 9 days. Source: Rockstar Games |
Future Shop drops the price of the Rogers Samsung Galaxy S II LTE to $20 Posted: 06 Dec 2011 12:46 PM PST While Rogers is still looking to charge you $150 for the Samsung Galaxy S II LTE online, Future Shop is a little more forgiving on your bank balance and is now offering the device for only $20 in retail locations across Canada. That won't save you from the 3-year contract required but hey -- getting the device cheaper is better then a swift kick in the arse, right? Source: Future Shop |
Financial Times finally arrives on Android, beta tag in tow Posted: 06 Dec 2011 12:10 PM PST The Financial Times may have parted company with the iOS App Store, but they haven't given up on native applications completely as the financial news powerhouse brings their Android offering to the table. First things first, if you own a shiny new Galaxy Nexus, hold off a moment as the beta available for download isn't yet compatible with Ice Cream Sandwich. If you're somewhere above Android 2.2 on phones and 3.1 for tablets then you're in luck, and it promises to automatically optimise for your device's screen size for the best user experience. Auto-downloads of the latest edition for offline reading are also along for the ride. The app is free to download, but the FT does operate as a subscription service. The free registration allows access to eight articles per month, so it's at least possible to try it out without ponying up the cash first. |
Ice Cream Sandwich coming to Archos G9 series in Q1 2012 Posted: 06 Dec 2011 11:47 AM PST Archos sends word that its G9 series of tablets, which includes 8-inch and 10-inch models, will be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich during the first quarter of next year. The Archos 101 G9 and Archos 80 G9, which launched with Honeycomb (version 3.2 to be precise), were unveiled earlier this year as Archos' first products to ship with the Android Market. With a dual-core OMAP CPU inside and an update to ICS now assured, we have to admit that £199 (around $279 in the US) price point is looking ever more tempting. Check out our hands-on coverage for more on both G9 tablets. |
Best Buy getting its Galaxy Nexus stock starting today (but don't tell anyone) Posted: 06 Dec 2011 11:39 AM PST Shhhhh. Don't tell anybody, but Best Buy's starting to get its Samsung Galaxy Nexus stock today. And don't bother asking, though, cause they can't tell you that it's starting to get its Galaxy Nexus stock today. But we can, and we did. Now only if we knew when it was going to be released. Hmmmmmmmm. Thanks, anon! More: Galaxy Nexus forums |
US Cellular tells its employees it doesn't use Carrier IQ Posted: 06 Dec 2011 11:16 AM PST Chalk up another carrier in the "No" column when it comes to Carrier IQ, apparently. Regional carrier US Cellular, in an internal memo, USC says unequivocably, "None of our devices have this software/applications embedded." Here's the full skinny:
We've got the full memo after the break. |
Posted: 06 Dec 2011 10:56 AM PST We're just going to let this one from Verizon hang out there:
Whether it's Verizon doing the blocking, as 9 to 5 Google's anonymous source reportedly said, or if it's just not allowing the app, or whatever -- or if it's the current deal with Sprint that's keeping Google Wallet off every other Nexus device -- it's still bad for Google Wallet in short term, not to mention disappointing for those who don't want to hack their phones. Will Google Wallet survive in the long term? Just have to see. Source: Verizon |
Google officially announces 10 billion app downloads, more 10-cent apps to come Posted: 06 Dec 2011 10:16 AM PST Our intrepid readers figured it out a little early this morning, but Google's just made it official: The Android Market has surpassed 10 billion downloads. And as you can see from the chart above, the numbers have skyrocketed over the past several months. And the really good news: Google's not just promoting the same 10-cent apps for the next week and a half. Check back each day over the next 10 days for all new 10-cent apps. It's a great gift from the maker of the world's best damn mobile OS, that's for sure. Source: Google+; more: Android Market |
Posted: 06 Dec 2011 09:33 AM PST |
Samsung Galaxy Nexus in Verizon stores on Dec. 9, Droid 4 on Dec. 8, according to leaked screen Posted: 06 Dec 2011 08:53 AM PST We have been waiting, and speculating, and hoping that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus launch date would get confirmed by Verizon, and while it hasn't, Engadget received a nice tip. It appears as though all the merchandising materials will be showing up for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Dec. 8 -- just two days away -- and also on that day the Motorola Droid 4 will be launching. Unfortunately their source tells them that Thursday won't be the launch day for the Galaxy Nexus, and we will have to wait a whole 24 hours more until Dec. 9 to get our paws on it. Here's to hoping for an official Verizon announcement! Source: Engadget; More: Galaxy Nexus forums |
Deal of the Day: Seidio Innocell 3200mAh Super Extended Battery for LG Thrill 4G, Optimus 3D Posted: 06 Dec 2011 08:38 AM PST The Dec. 6 Deal of the Day brings us the Seidio Innocell 3200 mAh super extended battery for the LG Thrill 4G and Optimus 3D. That's more than double the stock battery that comes with the Thrill 4G and Optimus 3D. The extended battery also comes with an extended battery door, featuring Seidio's signature soft-touch coating. The entire kit also is compatible with Sidio Innodocks. And best of all, it's available today only for just $44.95 -- that's 36 percent off! Get yours while supplies last! |
Google's 10-cent app sale part of 10 billion downloads promo Posted: 06 Dec 2011 08:16 AM PST Looks like Google's taken the lid off of this 10-cent app thing. The Android Market's now promoting 10 days of offers -- top premium apps -- 10 cents per app. Dive into that Market page and you see the "10 billion promo" page. That 10 billion's got to refer to app downloads -- a milestone if we've ever heard one. Here are the 10 apps on the 10-cent promotion for the next 10 days:
Figure we'll see some sort of announcement from Google at some point. In the meantime, hit the links above and get downloading! More: Android Market |
Verizon announces Droid RAZR in white Posted: 06 Dec 2011 07:54 AM PST
Verizon this morning also announced that the new Motorola Droid RAZR (read our complete review) will be available in white for the winter holidays. No availability date was given other than "this month," but it'll cost $299.99 with a new two-year contract. You'll also have to have a $39.99-a-month voice plan and $30-a-month data plan. |
Verizon officially announces pair of XYBOARD tablets Posted: 06 Dec 2011 07:49 AM PST Verizon this morning officially announced it will carry the Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition as the XYBOARD 10.1 and XYBOARD 8.2, respectively. Both tablets will launch with Android 3.2 Honeycomb but will be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The XYBOARD tablets also both feature 1.2 GHz processors, 1GB of RAM and have Gorilla Glass on their displays. They each have 1 5MP rear-facing camera and a 1.3MP shooter up front. No actual release date was announced, just "this month." As for pricing: The XYBOARD 10.1 will be available in a 16GB version for $529.99, a 32GB version for $629.99, and a 64GB version for $729.99. The XYBOARD 8.2 will cost $429.99 for the 16GB version and $529.99 for the 32GB version. Also, you'll have to sign a two-year contract with a (minimum) $30-a-month data plan. However, Verizon will take off $100 and throw in $50 worth of accessories if you also buy a new Droid RAZR on contract. Full presser's after the break. |
A slew of popular apps suddenly are 10 cents in the Android Market Posted: 06 Dec 2011 07:10 AM PST Something interesting is going on in the Android Market this morning. A bunch of our favorite apps are suddenly going for a dime, with no real rhyme or reason for the discount. @dirkyd3rlc and @Pat_Huey on Twitter alerted us to SwiftKey and Minecraft on sale for 10 cents, and we've found others. (Update: And in the UK, the apps are going for 10p each, not 6p, which would be converted from 10 cents U.S. We definitely smell a trend here.) Here's the list as it stands.
There may be others. (Sing out in the comments if you spot any.) Can't tell if this is a glitch (which seems a tad unlikely), or some sort of coordinated effort. Regardless, might as well take advantage. via @dirkyd3rk, @paul_huey |
Posted: 06 Dec 2011 05:44 AM PST U.S. regional carrier C Spire (former Cellular South) announced today that it's carrying the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play for $49.99 on contract (and after $50 rebate). The so-called Playstation phone -- nicknamed for its Playstation-like slide-out controls -- is the same as we've crawled all over for the past year or so, with a 4-inch display, 1GHz Snapdragon II processor, 5MP rear camera and a slew of available games. We're not yet seeing the Xperia Play on C Spire's website, but you can call telesales (855-277-4734) or get it in a C Spire store. Source: Press release |
Facebook app apparently poised for a bit of a refresh Posted: 06 Dec 2011 05:35 AM PST Looks like Android's Facebook app is getting ready for an update, according to some screen shots leaked to Engadget. Codenamed "Katana" (which was, for as long as we can remember, always been the code name for the app -- it's in the com.facebook.katana package name), navigation, menus and search are getting revamped, and check-ins may get their own standalone icon. No word, exactly, on when it will drop, or how long it'll take the inevitable bugfix update to follow. Source: Engadget |
Google adds Arabic and Hebrew to Voice Search Posted: 06 Dec 2011 05:27 AM PST Good news for many of our readers in the Middle East: Google has announced that its Voice Search service now recongnizes Hebrew and Arabic if you're in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, the UAE and Israel. It'll understand Gulf, Levant and Egyptian dialects. And the more people use the service, the better it'll recognize voices in the future. (Google says it used 1 million "utterances" to train the system.) If you're running a phone with Android 2.2 or above, you're good to go. Otherwise, you'll need to download the Voice Search app from the Market. We've got download links after the break. Source: Google Mobile blog |
Google confirms no Google Wallet on Galaxy Nexus Posted: 06 Dec 2011 04:44 AM PST We already knew that Google Wallet wasn't going to be on the Galaxy Nexus, but until now, it was purely speculatory. Unfortunately, Google has confirmed themselves that Wallet won't be on Verizon's Galaxy Nexus, and it was at the behest of Verizon themselves (shocker, I know). Says Google:
Yeah, we know it's probably because of that whole ISIS thing, but still, is it too much to ask for a pure Google phone these days? Source: CNET |
Verizon Galaxy Nexus coming Dec. 9? These documents seem to say so Posted: 05 Dec 2011 09:49 PM PST While we can't guarantee the validity of this document and e-mail leaked to RootzWiki, if they are true we should be seeing the elusive Verizon Galaxy Nexus this Friday, Dec. 9. The e-mail and PDF file state that stores will start receiving stock on Dec. 6, which we know is true, and they will have them on the shelves along with whatever fancy promotional materials there are to display Friday. Match that up with the fact that some Verizon stores are already selling accessories, and you have a very plausible situation. We hope it's true, you all hope it's true, but until we hear someone from Verizon say it on the record we have to go on hope alone. Hit the jump to see one more image you'll love. Source: RootzWiki. Thanks everyone who sent this in! |
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