Let’s be honest, notification toggles should have been built into Ice Cream Sandwich. Custom ROMs have had them for months, plus OEMs have even started building them into their skins. For whatever reason though, Google left them out and non-rooted users who own stock devices are stuck looking for options. One of those is Power Control Plus, an app that I was a huge fan of pre-ICS. This used to be a go-to app for customizing home screens as it gives you a ton of options for making the ultimate power widget. Once Honeycomb (Ice Cream Sandwich too) was released though, the app was given the ability to dock itself in the notification bar.

You don’t need root or a custom ROM – this can be installed with the tap of a couple of buttons. Colors, toggles and other goodies can be added thereafter.

Market Link ($1.99)

Cheers TheAndroid1!

After Friday’s bombshell concerning the LTE Galaxy Nexus losing official AOSP “support” from Google was barely addressed, a somewhat deeper explanation as to what this means has finally been delivered. According to Android engineer Dan Morril, the device is still a supported “Nexus” device for “everyday use” and will receive updates and all that jazz. Google is just now making it public that they can’t lock down licenses for CDMA binaries like they do with GSM, therefore they cannot distribute them. So to have their developer pages represented appropriately, they have to say that “no CDMA devices are supported.”

Full message below.  

Hi, all! Thanks for all the questions. Here’s a quick omnibus to answer the questions folks have asked…

First, just to be clear this change is only related to AOSP support for these devices — that is, personal custom builds. These are obviously still officially-supported Nexus devices for everyday use, they will receive official software updates, and so on. Similarly, these are still fully-supported development devices for app developers.

Second, as I noted at the top of the thread, Nexus devices will still have unlocked bootloaders, and we’ll continue to make available as many of the closed-source binaries as we can. CDMA support in AOSP has always been more challenging than GSM, and this change is a reflection of that reality.

On that topic, here’s a quick clarification on the core issue. Every device has a number of closed-source software packages included on it. Though Google distributes some of these binaries for Nexus devices for use with AOSP, Google does not own the software. Rather, this software is variously owned by the device manufacturer, the carrier, and their suppliers. We try to get distribution rights for as many of these binaries as possible, but in some cases it is difficult or impossible to obtain these rights. (CDMA specifically has a tricky history of intellectual property.) Combined with the technical issues of needing to sign the apks correctly, this has prevented us from obtaining the distribution rights we need to support these devices in AOSP.

Finally, we will of course continue to work on improving support. If we can resolve these issues, we’ll certainly restore CDMA support to AOSP. In the meantime, we’ve updated our docs to be more accurate about the degree of support.

Again, CDMA is simply a pain in the ass.

But what about our custom ROM community? This shouldn’t ruin the experience for our ROM developers either in case you were wondering. From what I have been told, these CDMA binaries are usually pulled from the devices themselves, so if Google isn’t distributing them, things should still be fine (as long as they know what they are doing). When new source is dropped, it can still be used for the LTE Nexus (“toro”). The thing here, is that the title of being “supported” isn’t there for now. I think we can all live with that as long as we continue to receive support like we expected when we bought this phone.

If you want even more technical details on this CDMA licensing issue, Jean-Baptiste Queru has you covered.

Funny thing is, a blog post over at their Android Developers site before they made this change would have solved this all. We can talk about the action bar and the death of the menu bar, but not talk about a pretty massive re-classification of what it means to be an AOSP device? Interesting.

Via:  Google Groups

Cheers Angelo and Pete!

On Friday, a company called Carrier Coverage reached out to us with a new app that they referred to as being like Carrier-IQ, only it aims to help consumers rather than carriers. Using the term “Carrier-IQ” was an odd way of framing their position, but they had a snazzy video and what seemed like a decent enough idea that we gave it a look.

So what exactly is it? Carrier Coverage wants to have enough data to be able to tell you which carrier and phone is the best in the areas that you visit most frequently. Actually, it goes beyond that. Let’s say you plan to take a vacation or move into a new house – this app will eventually tell you if your particular carrier and phone will be able to perform at the level you need it to. By gathering data through their app (location, carrier, signal strength, and more), they should be able produce some useful info, assuming they get enough users. 

How are they gathering data? They will obviously need access to some pretty important and private info. The good news is that they acknowledge that they understand the importance of security and allow you to choose whether or not you participate (find the options in Settings). They also let you choose how often your phone is pinged so that it isn’t a complete drain on your battery.

Rooted users.  If you are rooted, they have said that they can’t use your data (initially) as it may compromise their intent. That doesn’t mean you can’t still utilize the app and its benefits, it just means that they can’t use the info you send. Sort of makes sense.

Here are some additional features that they plan to introduce:

• 3G vs 4G comparison
• Heat maps
• Specific address/radius support
• Data speed tests
• International support

Sound interesting enough? I can definitely see the long-term benefits of an app like this, assuming that enough people decide that it’s secure and worth their time.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Market Link

The latest t-shirt design from our favorite Android t-shirt designers is known as “ANDROID WINNING.” It’s a slide redesign of their Andy vs. shirt, omitting the late Steve Jobs and including some additional green power. I’d have to agree that Android is winning this battle. As always, the shirt is $17 and is printed on high-quality American Apparel cotton. Another to add to your growing collection.

Buy.

The ability to rent Redbox movies on your Android device is just around the corner, thanks to a join venture between Redbox and Verizon that was announced this morning. It’s not exactly clear how they plan to make movie magic together, as they would only mention that details of their product portfolio will be revealed in the coming months. We do see a mention of “mobile” in the press release though, and a time frame of “second half of 2012,” so before long these companies will be “freeing people to spontaneously enjoy the entertainment they want, whenever they choose, using the devices and media they prefer, at home or away.” 

Verizon and Coinstar’s Redbox Form Joint Venture to Create New Consumer Choice for Video Entertainment

Joint Venture Will Offer the Best of Both Worlds – Physical and Digital – to All Consumers Nationwide

NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Verizon and Coinstar, Inc. today announced the formation of a joint venture that will create a new choice for quality- and value-conscious consumers seeking a simple and affordable way to access the video entertainment they crave.  The venture’s services will offer all of the convenience, simplicity and value of Redbox^® new release DVD and Blu-ray Disc^® rentals combined with a new content-rich video on-demand streaming and download service from Verizon.

The joint venture plans to introduce the product portfolio in the second half of 2012.  It will offer subscription services and more in an easy-to-use, flexible and affordable service that will allow all consumers across the U.S. to enjoy the new and popular entertainment they want, whenever they choose, using the media and devices they prefer.  Additional brand and product information will be revealed in the coming months.

“When you consider the core elements the parties bring to this venture – our powerful brands; our national rental kiosk footprint; our anytime, anywhere network presence; and our mutual commitment to customer-focused innovation – it’s clear that Verizon and Redbox are a powerful entertainment team,” said Bob Mudge, president of Verizon consumer and mass business markets.

“Consumers rely on Redbox for the latest new release movies at a great value, and our joint venture with Verizon will enable us to bring them even more value by offering expanded content offerings and greater flexibility for how and when they enjoy entertainment,” said Paul Davis, chief executive officer of Coinstar, Inc.  “This alliance is the result of a deliberate and strategic process to identify a partner who shares our commitment to delivering innovative solutions to consumers.  We look forward to rolling out the shared benefits this venture will bring to consumers, retailers, and shareholders.”

This venture between Verizon and Redbox will create the kind of national multi-platform product that customers are demanding from video entertainment service providers.  It will leverage Verizon’s industry-wide relationships with entertainment content providers, its advanced cloud computing technologies and state-of-the-art IP network infrastructure to distribute video on-demand content to its customers.

“The joint venture will combine the accessibility and value of Redbox with Verizon’s vision for a borderless lifestyle – where consumers easily accomplish what they want or need to do, on their terms, through the power of the network,” said Mudge.  “Together, we are erasing old technology boundaries, freeing people to spontaneously enjoy the entertainment they want, whenever they choose, using the devices and media they prefer, at home or away.”

By offering instantly available online and mobile content with immediate access to physical media through rental kiosks, Verizon and Redbox will be uniquely positioned to deliver the best of both worlds – digital and physical – to consumers across the country.

The joint venture is a limited liability company with Verizon holding a 65 percent ownership share and Redbox holding a 35 percent ownership share at the outset.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with nearly 109 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 194,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About Redbox
Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTR), offers new-release DVD, Blu-ray Disc^® and video game rentals through its network of conveniently located, self-service kiosks.  Redbox has rented more than 1.5 billion discs and is available at more than 35,400 kiosks across over 29,000 locations nationwide, including select McDonald’s restaurants, leading grocery, drug and convenience stores, select Walmart locations and Walgreens locations in select markets.  For more information, visit www.redbox.com.

Motorola has released its full changelog for the 6.12.173 update that will arrive on DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX handsets in the coming days (soak test members only). This list differs slightly from the one that Verizon released a week ago, providing a few additional details into the new MotoCast, battery life increases, and camera enhancements. Seems odd that these two companies would produce such different lists or view pieces of the update as more important than others, but that’s what we’ve got. The more details the better, right?

And remember, you can manually upgrade to this software using our instructions if you are not interested in waiting for the update to become available.

Full list below.  

Software Update for the DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX by MOTOROLA

Introduction We are pleased to announce the new software update for DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX by MOTOROLA. The software update (Motorola Version.6.12.173.XT912.Verizon.en.US) includes numerous fixes and enhancements.

For more information on Motorola updates and product support, visit us at http://www.motorola.com/mydroidrazr

Who Can Use This Release ALL DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX by MOTOROLA users

Enhancements and Fixes:

MotoCast:

• Added new auto-upload feature for sending pictures and videos back to your computer
• Improved installation steps for easier use

Smart Actions:

• Added new Smart Action triggers (docks and calendar events) and actions (VIP caller, auto text reply and voice announcement)

Enterprise:

• Added new features (Password enabled Encryption Key Protection, Simplified Corporate Email Setup, Email sorting enhancements, Cisco and Juniper SSL VPN support)

Data:

• Improved data throughput performance in low-signal 4G environments
• Improved stability of data connectivity during after Airplane Mode is disabled

Battery:

• Increased overall battery life
• Improved battery life when using Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) Bluetooth® enabled headsets

Camera:

• Improvements in camera performance and user interface enhancements

Apps:

• Updated VZ Navigator® with the latest 3D map improvements
• Added V CAST App
• Updated Google applications including new versions of Music and Talk, as well as added Google Videos

Visual Voicemail:

• Resolved issues so messages can be marked as read
• Improved message playback to resume when audio is switched to speaker
• Updated to allow subscription or unsubscription while connected with Wi-Fi
• Eliminated error associated with pressing back key after playback

Mobile Hotspot:

• Improved security
• Updated permissions to successfully allow other devices to connect to all Internet websites

User Interface:

• Updated email icon for better visibility.
• Included new icon graphics on the Homescreen and Application tray
• Improved device stability when moving between home screen panels

Other:

• Updated multimedia ringtones to permit saving
• Updated favorite contacts widget
• Resolved issue to correctly show the remaining download time when performing an Over The Air (OTA) update

Additional Information There is no charge for this upgrade other than the usual data connection charges. Subject to change without notice. If you have difficulty with this upgrade, visit us at http://www.motorola.com/mydroidrazr

Certain features, services and applications are network dependent and may not be available in all areas; additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Specific functionality and features with each software version of Android may vary. Contact your service provider for details.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. DROID is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. and its related companies. Used under license. The Bluetooth trademarks are owned by their proprietor and used under license. Google is a trademark of Google, Inc. All other product and service names are the property of their respective owners. ©2012 Motorola Mobility Inc. All rights reserved.

Cheers Droidzilla!

Well, the Swype team promised us ICS action at the end of January, but mid-February will have to do. According to their Twitter account, we are just “days away” from an update that brings with it Android 4.0 support and a number of other “goodies.”

Most of you have been enjoying Swype in a variety of colors on your Galaxy Nexus for weeks already, however, it appears as if many if not all of those files have been removed from the internet altogether. As much as we love Swype, they continue to be sticklers on the modification front. They do have IP to protect, but if they would just give us the ability to theme in a new update, the Swype Black Market would come to a screeching halt.

Ready for official ICS-supported Swype?

Via:  Twitter

According to the Financial Times, Facebook will begin showing advertising to mobile devices in March as a way to tap into a new revenue stream. The wording on this new news indicates that ads may not be your typical bottom or top locked banner, but may instead be worked in as a “featured story” through your feed. So rather than just seeing your friends’ life story spamming that no one cares about posts, you may also see something labeled “featured” that would essentially be an ad.

We aren’t sure if this will also apply to the Facebook Android app, but you can imagine that it will at some point.

Via:  Reuters

Arguably the coolest video of 2011 was Corning’s “A Day Made of Glass.” It racked up over 17 million views and gave us a look into a future that includes nothing but touchable surfaces, almost Minority Report style. It could be years and years before we see anything close to a world like this, but after watching this new version, you will again wish that it was happening now. Fully touch-capable walls that can share in real time with tablets and are interactive? Yes, please. Changing the theme of your car through a tablet and a swipe? Mmmhmm. How about live augmented reality video using a tablet in something like a state park? Corning believes in it.  

“A Day Made of Glass 2″:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Story behind Corning’s vision:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The original “A Day Made of Glass”:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  Pocket-Lint

This weekend’s Android 4.0.4 update for the Galaxy Nexus was a welcomed surprise, except for the fact that many of you had issues regaining root afterwards. Thankfully, we have amazing developers (adrynalyne specifically) that produced a new su.zip that can be flashed to give you root in no time. If you updated to 4.0.4 and have been banging your head against the wall trying to get root back, head past the break for instructions.  

Instructions:

1.  Download this su.zip to your internal storage.
2.  Download Clockwork Recovery and place in in your SDk/Tools or Platform-Tools folder.
3.  From you Tools or Platform-Tools folder, open a command prompt.

 *Wherever your adb.exe and fastboot.exe files are.

4.  Type the following commands:

adb reboot bootloader
–wait for your phone to boot to the bootloader
fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro.img
–wait until the command prompt tells you it has finished  

5.  On your phone, scroll down to “Recovery Mode” and press the power button.
6.  Your phone should boot into Clockwork Recovery.
7.  Select “install zip from sdcard.”
8.  Find the su.zip file that you downloaded earlier. Choose it and flash it.
9.  Reboot your phone and you should now be rooted.

Enjoy!