Android Central |
- Microsoft wins initial ruling on one patent in their fight with Motorola, loses on six others
- Kindle Fire update, Verizon acting weird [From the Forums]
- Myriad planning to bring Android apps to your TV by way of the Myriad Alien Vue
- Supposed Ice Cream Sandwich battery bug seems hit or miss, but something is up
- HTC releases kernel sources for a slew of devices
- Droid Bionic gets a mysterious OS update
- Dropbox update preview showing off its ICS optimization
- Sony Ericsson Xperia Active review
- Naughty by Nature down with Android app
- Adobe AIR receives its own update, now supporting ICS
- SB Nation app finally comes to Android
- Mobile Nations 12: 2011 Year in Review
- Super Bowl to be streamed to the NFL Mobile app on Verizon devices
- Help Android Central on a new feature (Part II)
- Archos announces the 70b Internet tablet, Honeycomb priced under $200
- Sphero rolls into consumers' hands, if you're lucky
- Deal of the Day: Incipio Feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case for HTC Inspire 4G, Desire HD
- NFL Pro 2012 from Gameloft hits the Android Market
- Google being sued by BT over alleged patent infringements
- Samsung's ICS upgrade list a predictable one: Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note, Galaxy R, late-model tablets
- Contest Winners: Isotoner smarTouch gloves!
| Microsoft wins initial ruling on one patent in their fight with Motorola, loses on six others Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:12 PM PST Microsoft has won a partial victory in their dispute with Motorola over patents, but it's far from the outcome they would have liked. The International Trade Commission has ruled that some Motorola products infringe on one of Microsoft’s patents. The same judge found no infringement of the six other Microsoft patents. This is just like the outcome of the Apple v. HTC mess that was decided just yesterday, and while on the surface it looks bad for Moto, in reality it invalidates 6 of Microsoft's patent claims. Claims that others, such as Samsung, are currently licensing for their products to avoid. This initial ruling is still subject to the final determination by the ITC, expected to happen before April 20, 2012. In their press release, which you'll find after the break, Motorola makes it clear that they still plan to pursue their claims against Microsoft:
Like all the other legal battles, in the end it's just a matter of money changing hands. Starting with more from your hand as devices get more expensive. 
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| Kindle Fire update, Verizon acting weird [From the Forums] Posted: 20 Dec 2011 03:45 PM PST We're getting ever so close to the holidays now but that hasn't had much of an impact on the Android news happening around the world seemingly. With the Galaxy Nexus and ICS still making their way into consumers hands it's generated a lot of buzz here on the blogs and in the forums -- if you're looking for more discussion, check out some threads below.
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today. 
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| Myriad planning to bring Android apps to your TV by way of the Myriad Alien Vue Posted: 20 Dec 2011 02:51 PM PST Looks like the folks from Myriad are cooking something up to show off fully at CES. The makers of the Myriad Dalvik Cache that allows Android apps to run such things a iOS and MeeGo have now taken the covers off their next venture. The Myriad Alien Vue is a system that allows TV and set-top box manufacturers to bring Android and HTML5 apps to their existing products with no decrease in performance. By offering OEMS this functionality along with a branded app store, Myriad is hoping manufactuers will be enticed to integrate their services to offer end users a better overall experience. The concept is interesting and it looks rather nice but adoption is a key thing here -- if manufactuers don't adopt the technology then it really isn't all that useful to anyone. Either way, we're not really seeing a slow down in the efforts of folks looking to win the war of the living room but it's a fun battle to watch and we'll be keeping our eye on all the action. Jump on past the break for a quick look at Myriad Alien Vue in action and expect more when CES kicks off. Source: Myriad 
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| Supposed Ice Cream Sandwich battery bug seems hit or miss, but something is up Posted: 20 Dec 2011 01:52 PM PST By now you've heard a lot of scuttlebutt about the Ice Cream Sandwich battery bug, and how it's affected the Nexus S and the Galaxy Nexus. Or not. Either way, we've heard it, too. Since we happen to have several of each phones possibly affected, I decided to do a little independent research of my own. Tested were:
Hit the break for an explanation of what the bug is supposed to be, and the results of our testing. 
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| HTC releases kernel sources for a slew of devices Posted: 20 Dec 2011 01:25 PM PST HTC has released the kernel sources for a list of devices (one that's too long to fit in a blog post title even):
If you're rocking and rolling one of these phones, devs now have some source to build new kick-ass goodies. Be on the lookout for them, and show them some love when it happens -- this sort of thing can be pretty rough on the nerves to do! If you're one of those developers and itching to get at it, hit the link to HTC-Dev and grab what you need. Source: HTC Developer; via @HTCDev 
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| Droid Bionic gets a mysterious OS update Posted: 20 Dec 2011 12:55 PM PST We love updates. That is, we love updates when we know what they are and what they do. Such is not the case with the Motorola Droid Bionic, which is in the midst of getting an update to system version 5.9.901. Verizon's yet to post a changelog, and the OS version is still Androidr 2.3.4. Though AC reader Jim does note that there appears to be a new "Emergency Alerts" app, which might or might not be a part of that emergency alert system Verizon accidentally cookied off early a few weeks ago. We've hit up Big Red in hopes of unraveling this one, and we've got more pics after the break. In the meantime, hit the forum link below to see what everyone else is seeing. More: Droid Bionic forums; Thanks, Jim! 
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| Dropbox update preview showing off its ICS optimization Posted: 20 Dec 2011 12:09 PM PST The guys over at Dropbox have slipped a preview of a forthcoming update to their Android application out into their forums, complete with optimization for Ice Cream Sandwich. Besides looking pretty sweet on ICS, there are also a couple of other nice additions that are forthcoming with this release. These include single tap access to all file and folder actions, ability to favourite files for quick offline access, and bulk upload for photos and videos. This release isn't yet available in the Android Market, so if you want to try it out, the download and full changelog can be found by hitting the source link. Source: Dropbox 
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| Sony Ericsson Xperia Active review Posted: 20 Dec 2011 10:35 AM PST The idea of tougher, water-resistant electronics is nothing new, but this year we’ve seen rugged smartphones becoming increasingly more mainstream. Motorola has had a go at this type of product with its DEFY line, while Casio gave us the ridiculous G’zOne Commando, a phone you could probably drive a tank over. The Xperia Active sees Sony Ericsson enter this arena with a water-resistant, aluminum-framed device, aiming to strike a balance between ruggedness, aesthetics and pocketability.
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| Naughty by Nature down with Android app Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:40 AM PST
Naught by Nature has been around for 20 years. We'll let that sink in for a minute. But they're also cooler than you in that they've got their own Android app. Photos, music videos, behind-the-scenes videos and social networking -- the holy trinity of any app -- are all there. And photo captions are narrated by Vin Rock. (And dude's pretty excited about that.) Check out the video review above, and we've got download links after the break. 
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| Adobe AIR receives its own update, now supporting ICS Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:27 AM PST Hot on the heels of Flash Player 11, Adobe have today updated AIR to include support for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich. More good news for those of you with a shiny new Galaxy Nexus but even more so now that we're starting to see ICS roll out to other devices. Hit up the source link for the full changelog, and the download links below to grab it in the Market. Source: Adobe 
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| SB Nation app finally comes to Android Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:17 AM PST SB Nation, a popular sports site has finally released an Andriod app. It's been on iOS for quite some time, so it's nice to see some Android love. With the app, you can:
SN Nation is available for free from the Android Market. Please follow the links after the break for the app. 
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| Mobile Nations 12: 2011 Year in Review Posted: 20 Dec 2011 08:51 AM PST
Kevin, Phil, Derek, Daniel, Georgia, and Rene take at look at the year in mobile, from BlackBerry to Android, webOS to Windows Phone, iPad to iPhone. Highs, lows, great new devices, frustrating delays, devastating losses, and a look ahead to 2012. This is Mobile Nations! 
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| Super Bowl to be streamed to the NFL Mobile app on Verizon devices Posted: 20 Dec 2011 08:33 AM PST The NFL on Thursday announced that Super Bowl XLVI will be streamed to the web and mobile devices -- including the NFL Mobile Android app available on Verizon devices. Additionally, the wild-card games and Pro Bowl also will be streamed. You'll get the same features we've long enjoyed on Sunday night games, including additional camera angles, in-game highlights and live statistics. Souce: Associated Press 
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| Help Android Central on a new feature (Part II) Posted: 20 Dec 2011 08:28 AM PST We’d like to thank everyone who took part in the first community feedback session. The excellent comments we received all played a part in the next design iteration. We’re now calling on you to share your thoughts again. We are hard at work designing the Android Central phone comparison tool. By clicking on the image below you’ll be able to see the full screen version of our Buyer’s Guide. This will of course be fully interactive once it is live. Want a sneak peek? Head on past the break. 
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| Archos announces the 70b Internet tablet, Honeycomb priced under $200 Posted: 20 Dec 2011 08:07 AM PST Archos has been around for quite a while, but they are looking to break into the Android tablet market in a big way with their 70b Internet Tablet, which features Honeycomb and checks in at $199. We don't have all the details when it comes to specs, but what we know puts this one squarely at odds with the likes of the Kindle Fire or HTC Flyer:
Starting at $199 and coming in January 2012, it's certainly worth a look, which we'll be doing come CES -- which is right around the corner. Hit the break for the full press release. 
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| Sphero rolls into consumers' hands, if you're lucky Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:35 AM PST For some while we've been hearing about Sphero -- the magical robotic ball controlled by your Android device and now they're finally reaching customers hands (floors, tables, backyards etc.) if you're lucky. Shipments are slowly moving out but the folks at Orbotix have more coming. In addition to the actual Sphero devices shipping, all of the apps are showing up in the Android Market as well.
If you've never got your order in on the first go, the folks from Orbotix are now taking preorders for the January 2012 and from the previous amount of orders placed -- we're guessing the price tag of $130 isn't stopping people, so likely best to get your order in as soon as possible. Jump on past the break to catch a video of Sphero in action. Source: Sphero 
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| Deal of the Day: Incipio Feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case for HTC Inspire 4G, Desire HD Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:25 AM PST The Dec. 20 Deal of the Day brings us the Incipio Feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case for HTC Inspire 4G and Desire HD. Availble in black, magenta, red or purple, the Featherlight case is less than 1mm thin, has a soft-touch matte finish and is light as a feather. And for today only, it's available for just $13.95 -- that's 44 percent off! Get yours while supplies last! 
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| NFL Pro 2012 from Gameloft hits the Android Market Posted: 20 Dec 2011 06:21 AM PST Gameloft has released NFL Pro 2012 to the Android Market, latest in a series of big releases from Gameloft, following Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation. As you can expect from the title, NFL Pro 2012 is a football game. With this game, Gameloft is testing their freemium model. The game itself is free, but you can purchase advanced plays and strategies once inside the game. If you don't feel like paying, you can unlock them by winning challenges. Some of the highlights of this release include:
NFL Pro 2012 can be downloaded from both the Android Market and Gameloft HD Games Shop. For the Market download, please find links after the break as well as the official press release. 
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| Google being sued by BT over alleged patent infringements Posted: 20 Dec 2011 05:58 AM PST The Android world is no stranger to lawsuits, but the latest one coming from British Telecom goes right to the top. It's suing Google in the U.S. over claims that six of its patents have been infringed on by technology found in Android, from the system itself through to Google+, Maps, Docs, Gmail and other Google services. The six involved patents are based around location based technology, navigation and guidance, and personalised access to content and services. One such example is said to be Google Maps' ability to display different information at different zoom levels. While BT claims it are acting in the interest of protecting their "intellectual property rights and innovation," Google has come out with the full intention of fighting the lawsuit. What isn't clear yet is whether or not BT intends to take similar action against Google in the European courts. Source: BBC 
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| Samsung's ICS upgrade list a predictable one: Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note, Galaxy R, late-model tablets Posted: 20 Dec 2011 05:12 AM PST Samsung has given in sneak preview into some of its devices that will receive updates to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in 2012. They are:
That's an international list, of course. For those of us in the United States, we'll probably be waiting on announcements from the individual carriers. Par for the course, but no less frustrating. Samsung says the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note will be the first to be updated, starting in the first three months of 2012. Source: Samsung 
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| Contest Winners: Isotoner smarTouch gloves! Posted: 19 Dec 2011 06:10 PM PST If you're a registered member here at Android Central then you know our forums always have a contest happening. And if you're not registered, well -- now is as good a time as any. This week's winners are as posted after the break, and if you were chosen watch your email as we'll be following up shortly. Stay tuned for more upcoming contests folks. Congrats to this week's winners! 
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