Yesterday, we took submissions for Custom ROM Friday and got an overwhelming response to check out SynergyROM for the Galaxy S3. SynergyROM brings your basic Galaxy S3 skin look, but with lots of performance tweaks and optimizations such as re-sizable floating windows, Photo Sphere abilities, and other goodies. 

Even though it may not work as well as some would either expect or hope it to, Photo Sphere is still one of my favorite additions to Android 4.2. According to a report from Android Geeks, who supposedly have a friend on Samsung’s software engineering team, Photo Sphere will most certainly be present on the upcoming Galaxy S4 from Samsung. Naturally, they are renaming it to Samsung Orb, which throws me off, but I wouldn’t put anything past Sammy at this point. 

LG finally fully unveiled the Optimus G Pro yesterday. The device will be on display at Mobile World Congress next week before it makes its way to the U.S. in Q2 of this year. The official specs, which we mostly knew, are now confirmed as a 5.5″ FHD (1080p) display (400ppi), 2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage (expandable SD slot to 32GB), 13MP rear camera  2.1MP front camera, 3140mAh battery, is only 9.4mm thick, runs Android 4.1.2, and is powered by the brand new Snapdragon 600 processor clocked at 1.7GHz.

Beyond specs, the Optimus G Pro will feature “advanced UX features” that were developed specifically for this device. Two of them are Dual Recording mode and Virtual Reality Panorama. Dual Recording allows users to capture video with both the front and rear cameras at the same time in a picture-in-picture experience. VR Panorama sounds a lot like Google’s Photo Sphere, in that you can pan horizontally and vertically to grab full 360-degree shots.

The device sounds incredibly impressive on paper, especially with the new Snapdragon processor and 1080p 5.5″ display. We don’t know pricing or carrier partners at this time. 

Been craving to try a new ROM on that DROID DNA of yours? Well, we have one that might deserve a look from you. Super Charged Hatka from developer MustafaHadaKing over on XDA brings your DNA up to Android 4.1.1, while also delivering one of Android 4.2′s most popular features, Photo Sphere. On top of that, there is also a working stock “vanilla” theme to make sure you aren’t having to deal with HTC’s Sense software. This, in and of itself, is a #win for some people. 

Google just published a spot for the Nexus 4 on YouTube, showing off that lovely Photo Sphere feature yet again. This time, Google is out to change the way we shoot our holiday family photos, which is just fine with me. Good luck getting the kids to stay still though.

And of course, the stitching comes out perfect when Google does it.

Today, LG posted up a 2 minute spot for the Nexus 4, showing off some of its killer hardware and software features. Naturally, it gives us a look at Photo Sphere, that gorgeous HD IPS+ display, Google Maps, and a whole lot more. Surprisingly enough, when they are showing off that shiny backside, their’s doesn’t have a crack down it though. Weird.

Now, if this commercial has you sold and you need to buy this phone, good luck! The device is still marked as “Sold Out” on Google Play for both size options.

Cheers Damian!

Today, we posted up the camera apk from Android 4.2. We have finally pulled ourselves away from the desk long enough to go outside and try out Photo Sphere which we’re very happy with so far. Down below, I go over the basic enchantments that Google has done with the app’s UI and then after that I take Photo Sphere on a test drive. Check it out. 

Much as we assumed yesterday and heard rumors of, after taking a Photo Sphere image on your Android device, users can then choose to upload the images via Google Maps for use in Google’s Street View application. Awesome, right? It marks the GPS location of the photo and then makes it available for others to view on Google Earth, Google+, and even Google Search.