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. 

A team of developers have worked the ROM to be compatible with Galaxy S3 devices on all four major carriers, so there’s no discrimination going on here. Naturally, if you are interested in flashing any ROM, you will need to be running a custom recovery on your device. Below, we have taken a few of the major highlights of SynergyROM and listed them below.

Features:

• Jelly Bean 4.1.2
• Fully Deodexed, Zipaligned, Busybox, Superuser, Debloated
• Multiwindow with free-floating windows, created exclusively by Team Synergy!
• Team Synergy’s custom init.d scripts for insane performance
• Blocked Samsung’s “root checker” and screenlogger services
• 23 notification toggles
• 4-in-1 reboot menu
• Fully rotating homescreens
• Wifi Tether app working right out of the box
• Customized mounting scripts (see Q&A)
• Custom boot animation support
• 4G and WiFi speed tweaks
• Verizon OTAs blocked
• Customized SystemUI interface
• Tons more tweaks and enhancements

To download SynergyROM for your Galaxy S3, hit up their XDA thread here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheers everyone who submitted a ROM yesterday!

Custom ROM Friday: SynergyROM for the Samsung Galaxy S3 is a post from: Droid Life

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. 

That does sort of imply they created the idea, but with Samsung being the only OEM currently making any real money off of Android, I don’t think Google cares what they do at this point. Apparently, the source stated that Samsung Orb will be even better than Photo Sphere, thanks to the “S4′s amazing camera.”

So, with Photo Sphere-like features possibly confirmed on the S4, we can also throw some money down on the device shipping with Android 4.2, unlike someone else’s flagship that was announced recently. Attention OEM’s, if you are making a flagship currently, you best be using Android 4.2+.

Via: Android Geeks

Cheers ItsASamsung!

Galaxy S4 to Feature Samsung Orb, Their TouchWiz Version of Photo Sphere is a post from: Droid Life

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. 

OPTIMUS G PRO, LG’S FIRST FULL HD SMARTPHONE, LAUNCHES THIS WEEK IN KOREA
LG’s 5.5-inch Full HD IPS Display Device to Make Appearance at MWC

SEOUL, Feb. 18, 2013 — Hot on the heels of the success of Optimus G, LG Electron-ics (LG) today introduced the newest addition to the G family to the Korean public. With the largest display yet to appear on an LG smartphone, the 4G LTE-equipped Optimus G Pro with 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display and new UX features was developed to meet the growing demand for smartphones with large screens.

The Full HD IPS display on the Optimus G Pro — developed in partnership with LG Display — delivers 1920 x 1080 pixels at 400ppi. The smartphone offers the largest battery capacity in its class at 3,140mAh, allowing for Full HD viewing enjoyment for hours on end. And with an improved 13MP rear and 2.1MP front camera, users can also capture images and videos in Full HD, the same quality found on high definition TVs.

The Optimus G Pro also comes with advanced UX features developed specifically for the device, such as Dual Recording and Virtual Reality (VR) Panorama. Dual Recording allows users to capture video with both the front and rear cameras simultaneously for a unique picture-in-picture experience. And VR Panorama allows shots of entire horizontal and vertical environments for a full 360o view. Creative and innovative UX features popular with Optimus G users have been added to the Optimus G Pro, such as an upgraded QSlide, Live Zooming and QuickMemo.

“The Optimus G Pro was developed specifically to deliver vivid and superb picture quality in a large display smartphone form factor,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We will continue to expand our position in the premium LTE smartphone segment with our superior display technology and unique user experience.”

Visitors to 2013 Mobile World Congress (MWC) can experience Optimus G Pro and its advanced UX features for themselves at LG’s Booth in Hall 3.

Optimus G Pro Key Specifications:
• Chipset: 1.7GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm? Snapdragon™ 600 Processor
• RAM: 2GB DDR
• Memory: 32GB / microSD (up to 32GB)
• Display: 5.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels / 400ppi)
• Camera: Rear 13.0MP with LED Flash / Front 2.1MP
• OS: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
• Battery: 3,140mAh (removable / wireless charging capable)
• Size: 150.2 x 76.1 x 9.4mm

# # #

LG Optimus G Pro Finally Fully Detailed – 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 Processor, 2GB RAM, and 1080p 5.5-inch Display is a post from: Droid Life

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. 

In addition, the developer has removed the permanent WiFi notification from the notification bar, removed the NFC icon that never goes away, removed all of the bloatware, added in the stock Jelly Bean dialer and contacts app, and whole lot of other great goodies.

I sometimes stress that custom ROMs are not as useful as they once used to be, but for this device and some of the fixes this ROM brings, I am still thankful to the countless developers out there that make these devices better. If you want to give it a try, you can follow the via link down below. And as always, don’t forget to make a backup.

Update: As a friend over on Google+ pointed out, the developer only switched the build.prop to Android 4.2 to get Photo Sphere working. Other than that, it is running Android 4.1.1. Sorry for the confusion.

Via: XDA

Cheers Matt!

Super Charged Hatka ROM For DROID DNA, Brings Android 4.1.1 and Photo Sphere (Update) is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

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.

Video: Google Looks to Reinvent the Holiday Family Photo is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

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!

Video: LG Posts Up Two Minute Nexus 4 Commercial is a post from: Droid Life

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. 

To get your hands on the new camera apk from 4.2, check here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

To see the 3D image I took, visit my Google+ post right here. 

Video: Hands-on With Photo Sphere and Camera App From Android 4.2 is a post from: Droid Life

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. 

To me, this is an interesting way for Google to allow their own users to make their services more robust. Soon, there will be Street Views of almost every place on earth and it just makes their services even better for everyone.

Good move, Google.

Via: Google Maps

Upload Your Photo Sphere Images With Google Maps and Share With The World is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

One of the most exciting features that Google just announced for Android 4.2 has got to be Photo Sphere. This is Google showing that it is already moving far beyond simple panoramic shots. In fact, Photo Sphere lets you do more than sweep from side to side – it lets you take photos in all directions, seamlessly merging them into one big beautiful “sphere.” This video is the perfect demonstration of it.

Cheers Giorgio!

Video: This is How Google’s New Photo Sphere Camera Works is a post from: Droid Life