Droid Life

Wireless Tether Updated, Now Works With Rooted Galaxy Nexus LTE

Kellen — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:19:54 +0000

The title pretty much tells you all that you need to know with this one. Many of you were looking for a tethering option, and the folks behind the ever-famous Wireless Tether have released their latest experimental version that works flawlessly with a rooted Galaxy Nexus on Verizon. If you still haven't rooted, you can find the instructions in our Guide to the Galaxy Nexus. Download: wifi_tether_v3_1-pre110.apk | More info Install just like you do any other app that isn't from the market. Download, tap to install, and install. Cheers Steve!

LED Notification Light App for the Galaxy Nexus is Called Light Flow LED Control

Kellen — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:04:43 +0000

Since the Galaxy Nexus has big and beautiful notification light, we need to make sure you are getting the most out of it. In one of our previous Ice Cream Sandwich videos, we showed you an app called Light Flow that allows you to customize, but have had enough readers ask about it over the last couple of days to give you a quick reminder. This app, is awesome for the G-Nex. If you were looking to utilize the multi-color functionality of your phone, I'm not sure there is a more intense app to do it with. There are both paid and free versions of it, with the full giving you the ability to customize a number of additional notifications. So as you can see in the screenshots below, this goes even beyond just giving yourself a custom color. You can set up vibrate patterns, notification tone patterns, have a different color per email address or phone contact, etc. I recommend the paid because it gives you the opportunity to customize so many more notifications, but you may want to test the free version first for a bit.

*Note - In order to use the app, you have to enable Light Flow in accessibility on your phone. You will see a pretty scary warning about how Light Flow can collect every single key stroke or piece of personal info about yourself. The good news is, that this LED Control app does not have internet access, and the developers for it are up front about that. So just know that the app has a warning - proceed at your own risk. Market Links: Full ($1.99) | Free

Download: Google Wallet Apk for Galaxy Nexus LTE, All Users - No Root or Zip Flashing Required

Kellen — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:24:23 +0000

On Friday, a flashable zip file was made available that would put Google Wallet on your LTE Galaxy Nexus. The process was not all that fun, and even after completing it, some were still running into issues. Well, guess what? An .apk has been released that apparently works flawlessly on any Galaxy Nexus device running Android 4.0.2. There is one thing to note though - if you previously flashed the .zip file from Friday, you may have to return to a backup pre-Wallet or this .apk will not work. For those that were waiting and have not messed with any of the Wallet builds, feel free to give it a go. Download: com.google.android.apps.walletnfcrel-2.apk Install just as you would any other 3rd party app. Via: XDA Cheers Seth!

Contest: Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra #5 – Win a 32GB WiFi Motorola XOOM (Updated: Winner Picked!)

Tim — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:00:50 +0000

It's Day 5 of DL and NVIDIA's Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra. We have been handing out tablets all week long and here is this week's last chance to win a Tegra 2 powered device. But don't worry, starting next Monday we have a whole week more of tablet giveaway madness. The Motorola XOOM is the first Android device to rock Google's Honeycomb operating system. When updates roll out, this device is the first to get them. The XOOM comes loaded with 32GB of storage, a dual-core processor, and dual-cameras. With an easily unlockable bootloader and plenty of developer support, you can be sure to remain happy with the XOOM for a long time. Update: And the winner of the Motorola XOOM is...

Roady672 who has a New Year's resolution to slim his "fat a$$ down!"

Hopefully planting yourself on a couch to game with this new tablet will help get you to your goal. :) Prize: 1 (one) Motorola WiFi XOOM. How to enter: 1. In the comments, tell us one of your New Year's resolutions. 2. Follow @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 3. Tweet the following message:

Need a last minute X-Mas present? Win a WiFi Motorola XOOM from @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra – http://goo.gl/2CyW8 #android

4. U.S. residents only. Winner: At 5PM Pacific, we will randomly chose a winner from the comments. This post will be updated, comments closed, and the winner notified. Prizes will be shipped at the end of the week.

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 12/16/2011

Tim — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:46:24 +0000

What a week. Verizon launched the Galaxy Nexus and people could not be more relieved. It has definitely been a long road, folks. Thanks for remaining patient, here's the full list of events if you missed them.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Matias Duarte Talks Ice Cream Sandwich, Android Skins And Fragmentation

Dan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:17:49 +0000

The man behind Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich, Matias Duarte recently took place in a Google+ Hangout hosted by The Daily Beast. During the conversation Mr. Duarte focused on Ice Cream Sandwich and the future of the mobile operating system. The latest version of Android is incredibly polished and when compared to previous versions it is simply stunning. Unfortunately, manufacturers won't think twice about putting custom skins on their devices and changing a user's experience. We have already seen early builds of these skins from Sony and Samsung, both of which bring little of the Ice Cream Sandwich joy to light. You would think the big man himself would be disappoint with the concept of OEM skins, however he isn't. Mr. Duarte embraces the skins, even claiming that himself and the rest of the Android team have learned from them. Additionally, he mention that without the Nexus program he would be more bothered by the idea of OEM customization.

Well, it would bother me more if we didn’t have programs like the Nexus program. The idea behind the Nexus device is to do exactly that – to give consumers an option to use the baseline work that we do if they choose…the philosophy of Android, the idea that partners can customize Android if they want to, is really important to making Android successful.

With Ice Cream Sandwich, Mr. Duarte hopes OEM skins will become less-intrusive and let users experience more of a what Google intended.

I think as we see more and more of the basic UI, the basic operating system – the home screen, the notifications system – kind of meet all of the needs that the customers want, you’ll see that OEM’s invest less time trying to fill in the features maybe that were missing there and more time adding completely new features to differentiate each other. Or taking the baseline Android experience and trying to transform it to create something completely different that is more of a niche product like the Kindle Fire. And I think that’s good; I’m excited for that future. i hope that with Ice Cream Sandwich, we’ve done a lot to deliver that baseline so that OEM’s are going to feel less like they need to fill in the holes that Android left behind and actually focus on adding value…I think with the new Asus Transformer [Prime], you’ll see that the level of customization they’ve provided on top of the base Android is much less than has been provided in the past. In fact, they even allow you to turn off all of their customizations and revert to the stock Honeycomb UI, which I think is a really cool development, too.

Lastly, the dreaded F-word was discussed - fragmentation. As both critics and fans have pointed out, fragmentation is a major problem in the world of Android. Duarte explained that fragmentation is the "price you pay" with open-sourcing a project like Android. Manufactures can decide which version of software to run on their devices, however Google has worked with OEMs, pledging to continue to update their devices for an 18-month time period. Additionally, the OEM's software version will be kept closer to current builds released by Google. The idea of being able to shut off skins is something Android fans have been pleading for. Whether you are a developer or just a user looking for the pure Android experience, you shouldn't be required to flash a custom ROM to do so. Being able to shut off the small tweaks provided from ASUS on the Transformer Prime and revert to the stock UI is a concept that should be followed by others. Via: Androinica

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus LTE Gets Cracked Open And Torn Down

Dan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:30:55 +0000

When a new device is launched it must go through the ritual of getting torn down. Whether it happens a day after the launch or a few weeks, almost every device is cracked open and examined. It is no surprise that when it comes to the Galaxy Nexus it receives the treatment only a day after its launch. While Verizon's Nexus may look similar to the one our friends have across the pond, it is quite different on the inside - thanks to the LTE radio. Unfortunately likes its cousin, Verizon's variant will be quite difficult to repair if the display is cracked or damaged.

Via: ZDNet

Google Wallet For Verizon Galaxy Nexus Now Available For Rooted Users

Tim — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:50:59 +0000

Been hoping you could have access to Google Wallet on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus? Well you are all in luck. The hard working folks over at XDA have released a flashable file for rooted and ClockworkMod running Galaxy Nexus devices. If you still need to get your phone unlocked and rooted, then begin at this post here. Down below we have the basic list of instructions, but we do suggest heading over to the full thread for any support. Good luck and have fun. The instructions are not too hard to follow as long as you already have adb set up and working. Here is the short list of instructions. To access the files to flash, follow the link to the thread and download them from there.

You should be in ClockworkMod Recovery for the following steps.
Check you have the adb executable in your path.
Run adb shell mount /data
Run adb pull /data/system/packages.xml packages.xml
Open packages.xml (this will be in the directory you just run adb in) in an editor
Copy and paste the entire contents into http://guy.deserves.a.hug.at.lukegb....xml_fixer.html
Click the "Fix it" button
Copy the packages.xml file back to the original path (the one you were running adb in)
Run adb push packages.xml /data/system/packages.xml
Reboot your phone!

There is a ton of useful info at the XDA thread on making this work, so please head on over there and read up before attempting. Via: XDA

Android 4.0.3 Announced: Better Social App Integration to Contacts, Camera Capabilities, and Polish

Kellen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:47:54 +0000

Say bye, bye to Android 4.0.2. In the coming weeks, the Android team will roll out the next version better known as Android 4.0.3. Through the new API that has also arrived, developers will have the ability to integrate their social apps into contacts like Google has done with G+ and Google Talk. You can imagine that this likely means Facebook and Twitter updates showing in you friends' contact pages as well. In other goodies, apps will now be able to access more camera and calendar capabilities while additional polish was added to graphics, the database, spell-checking, etc.

Social stream API in Contacts provider: Applications that use social stream data such as status updates and check-ins can now sync that data with each of the user’s contacts, providing items in a stream along with photos for each. This new API lets apps show users what the people they know are doing or saying, in addition to their photos and contact information.
Calendar provider enhancements. Apps can now add color to events, for easier tracking, and new attendee types and states are now available.
New camera capabilities. Apps can now check and manage video stabilization and use QVGA resolution profiles where needed.
Accessibility refinements. Improved content access for screen readers and new status and error reporting for text-to-speech engines.
Incremental improvements in graphics, database, spell-checking, Bluetooth, and more.

More: Android 4.0.3 Platform Highlights | Blog

[Deal] Galaxy Nexus Extended Battery is Half Off at VerizonWireless.com, Just $25

Kellen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:26:53 +0000

It is tough to tell, but the extended battery for the Galaxy Nexus is on the left in that picture. It adds just a slight amount of thickness to the device that is hardly noticeable and will definitely be my daily battery going forward. At 2100mAh, it may not add 4-5 hours of extra battery life or anything wild, but knowing that this is an LTE device, won't you take any extra juice that you can get? And what if you could snag it for $25 rather than the full $50? Verizon's online shop is offering it up for just that. When you click on the link below, you will see it appear as $49.99, but once you add it to your cart and checkout, it should show up as just $24.99. Yeah, you will want to get on this one right away.

Buy. Cheers Jul and KLY412!

Nova Launcher Takes the Ice Cream Sandwich Launcher to New Levels

Kellen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:53:58 +0000

It was only a matter of time before the stock Ice Cream Sandwich launcher was improved upon. Many of you were not excited to see that long pressing on the home screen no longer gives you a widgets menu and that you could only add them through the app drawer. Those frustrations will be tossed aside if you load up the newest launcher on the block called Nova Launcher. It's Ice Cream Sandwich-based (meaning you have to be running ICS in order to use it), and simply builds upon the stock launcher by adding in a ton of customisable options. You will find a 3D cube transition between home screens, compatibility with ADW icon packs, long press menu from home screens, grid adjustments, and the removal of the locked Google Search bar up top. Download: APK | Zip (install) | Zip (uninstall) To install you have a couple of options. If you want the widgets menu to work from within the app drawer, the app has to be installed in /system/app which cannot be done by simply installing the .apk. Option 1 (widgets menu non-working): Install the .apk file like you normally would an .apk. The Widgets menu in the app drawer will not function this way though. Option 2 (widgets menu working): You need to download and install the "Zip (install)" file through Clockwork recovery. Download to phone, reboot into recovery through ROM Manager, "install zip from sdcard," and choose the NovaLauncherUpdate.zip. If you want to remove it, repeat the steps but select the NovaUninstall.zip instead.

Via: XDA Cheers Samuel!

How to: Unroot the Galaxy Nexus, Re-lock the Bootloader and Return to a Factory State

Kellen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:54 +0000

Unlocking the bootloader and rooting your Galaxy Nexus is really only half the battle. There may come a time when you need need to lock everything back up, including that bootloader. Thanks to the Android team, we have the factory images that can not only fix a bootlooping or soft-bricked device, but make it look like you just pulled it out of the box.

Instructions:

*Note - These instructions will work for any Nexus device, you just need to swap out files and filenames in the command lines.

1. Download the newest factory images to your PC.

[Download (4.0.2)] [Download (4.0.4)] [Download (4.1.1)]

2. Unzip the file and its contents into your SDK/Tools folder (wherever your adb.exe and fastboot.exe files are).

*Make sure they are not in their own folder, but have all been extracted to Tools.

3. From within your Tools folder, open a command prompt (SHIFT + right click - "open command prompt here"): 4. Type the following commands, allowing each to finish before moving onto the next:

*If flashing 4.0.4 or newer files, you will want to swap out to matching file names in the commands below. adb reboot bootloader fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-toro-primekk15.img fastboot reboot-bootloader fastboot flash radio radio-toro-i515.ek02.img fastboot reboot-bootloader fastboot flash radio-cdma radio-cdma-toro-i515.ek05.img fastboot reboot-bootloader fastboot -w update image-mysid-icl53f.zip fastboot reboot-bootloader fastboot oem lock

5. Reboot your phone by highlighting "Start" and pressing the lock switch. 6. It really is as simple as that. Your phone is now back to a 100% stock, unrooted and locked state.

Contest: Win One of Six Christmas Themes From Tha Phlash and Koveleski for the Holidays (Updated: Winners Picked!)

Tim — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:26:04 +0000

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than by decking the Android halls. If you have been looking for some good decorations to throw onto your mobile device, then look no further. Today we have been granted the power by Koveleski and Tha Phlash to give away 6 premium theme licenses to readers who give us a little look into what they would do if they were the Grinch. Sound fun? Thanks everyone for having fun with this contest! It was great! Here's the winners: DanThompson87 - "Go around telling everybody that Christmas is really about JESUS and not getting GIFTS and getting hammered!" IceHunter - "If I were the Grinch I would put Carrier IQ on the Nexus and lock the bootloader." Lewis McGeorge - "I would grinch people by getting rid of Android and leaving people with the choice of i*crap, Blackberry, or Palm?! Man that made me sick just thinking about!!!" Justin Brown - "If I were the Grinch I would bring down both amazon and newegg. Not only does it screw a ton of consumers that are lazy and don't want to go shopping it hurts the shipping companies too." LiterofCola - "I'd drop liquid ex-lax in the punch bowls of holiday parties everywhere!" Towelie420 - "To spoil Christmas, I would buy you a droid eris, and then make you watch me play with my galaxy nexus." How to enter:

~~In the comments, tell us what you would do to spoil Christmas if you were the Grinch.~~
~~Tell us which theme you would like: Tha Christmas Balls or Tha Candy Canes.~~

Winners will be chosen today at random by 3PM PST. Good luck. Thanks goes out to Koveleski and Tha Phlash for offering up the themes. Tha Christmas balls

Tha Candy Cane

HTC Thunderbolt Update 2.11.605.9 is Ready, Minor Bug Fixes Included

Kellen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:01:11 +0000

Still rockin' the HTC Thunderbolt? An update for it has been approved by Verizon that should improve issues with contact ringtones, notification volume, and local streaming playback. The Twitter API for Peep has also been updated, the clock app will now show up in your app list, and Exchange ActiveSync will see improvements. It's not Ice Cream Sandwich or anything major, but hey, who doesn't love a good update? More info.

Looking for Accessories for Your New Galaxy Nexus? May Want to Pass on the Car Dock from Verizon

Kellen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:27:11 +0000

When the entire Galaxy Nexus accessory lineup was unveiled in a series of videos a couple of weeks back, the Android world was abuzz over the car dock which had a 3-pin connector and charging ports that were mounted in the base attachment. This would allow for you to dock your device, charge it, use an AUX cable to get audio in your car stereo, and also not have cords dangling out the back like most other car docks force you into. It was a beautiful design. As the device went on sale yesterday, many of you were extremely interested in picking this accessory up as one that Verizon had plenty of. Some of you picked it up and quickly realized this was not the same dock that we saw featured on video and was essentially a $40 piece of plastic. There were no pin connectors and the back end has been opened up so that your AUX cable and mico USB charging can be inserted through there rather than the base piece. So you aren't getting the full pin charging experiencing, but you also have to drag your cords up and out of the side of the mount, making your dashboard look like Lindsay Lohan's life - a mess.

It's tough to tell if we will ever see the nice version of the car dock here in the states, but places like Amazon UK and Expansys are doing their best to get them. You may be waiting a few weeks though. Cheers Nathan, Muffnman, Alex, and Eric!

DROID RAZR Maxx is Real, Pops Up in Verizon System

Kellen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:07:53 +0000

Remember those pictures with EXIF data found on Picasa that led us to believe there was another version of the DROID RAZR on the way called the RAZR MAXX? It looks now like it may not be that far away. While the date above is not a release date, this does show the world that the phone has made its way into Verizon systems and should be in the hands of testers at some point soon. Rumors of specs for the device are completely unknown, but with HD variants of the RAZR already making their way to China, you can imagine that this could be one of those upgraded versions for the U.S. The term "MAX" tends to give off some sort of an upgraded vibe, so a 4.5" 720p HD display and better on-board audio would fit the bill. Ready for Moto's next device? Or should I say, their next after their next? After all, the DROID 4 should be here by December 22. Cheers ___!

How to: Root the Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE, Flash a Custom Recovery and Make a Backup [Verizon]

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:01:33 +0000

Time to root your Galaxy Nexus now that @Koush has released official Clockworkmod Recovery for the LTE version. We have gone ahead and posted the manual instructions for you, because well, if you have a Nexus you should probably know most of these standard adb and fastboot commands. It's not hard by any means, especially knowing that you all have the SDK set up after unlocking your bootloader. Should take all of 5 minutes, maybe less. Ready?

Rooting and flashing a custom recovery:

*Unlock your bootloader first. [Instructions]

1. Download ClockworkMod Recovery for the G-Nex. [Download] 2. Place that file in your SDK/Tools folder (same place as your adb.exe). 3. Download the superuser file aka the root file. [Download] 4. Place that file in your SDK/Tools folder. 5. Open a command prompt from within your Tools folder and type the following:

adb push su.zip /sdcard/

6. Then reboot into the bootloader:

adb reboot bootloader

7. When the boot menu loads, flash the new recovery image:

fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro.img

8. When that finishes, use the volume keys to highlight "Recovery mode," press power to select it. 9. From recovery, scroll to "Install zip from sdcard." 10. Then "choose zip from sdcard." 11. Choose the "su.zip" file and install it. 12. When that finishes, back out of recovery and reboot the system. 13. Enjoy being rooted with a temporary recovery. (Permanent instructions below) Afterwards, you will want to install ROM Manager from the market and have it re-flash recovery for you.

Make your first backup:

1. Now that you are rooted and have a custom recovery, it's time to make your first clean backup. 2. In ROM Manager, flash Clockwork recovery again (it's the first option up top). 3. Then tap the option to reboot into recovery just below that. 4. Once in recovery, scroll down to "backup and restore." 5. Choose "backup" and let your phone create a backup. 6. When finished, back out of recovery and reboot the system.

If you want permanent Clockwork Recovery (via XDA):

1. Install Root Explorer from the market and delete /system/reboot-from-recovery.p - *Mount as R/W first* 2. Reboot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your device and (Power + Volume Up and Down) 3. Flash CWM (fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro.img) 4. Reboot into OS (fastboot reboot) 5. You now have CWM recovery permanently installed

Cheers @davekover!

Contest: Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra #4 – Win a 16GB Toshiba Thrive (Updated: Winner Picked!)

Tim — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:00:11 +0000

Day 4 of DL and NVIDIA's Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra is now up. We have already given away three tablets to some great people, but we know there are many others that want a free X-mas present. Counting today, you still have 6 chances to end up with a free Android tablet powered by NVIDIA's Tegra 2 processor. Today, we have a Toshiba Thrive up for grabs. With its rugged design and extremely durable construction, the Thrive is one heck of a Honeycomb tablet. The tablet boasts 16GB of storage, dual cameras, gyroscope, removable battery, and a full USB and HDMI port. Have at it and good luck! Update: And the winner of the Toshiba Thrive is...

jseah114 who received his favorite gift 3 different times, those being his children.

Congrats! Prize: 1 (one) Toshiba Thrive. How to enter: 1. In the comments, tell us what your favorite received gift of all time is. 2. Follow @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 3. Tweet the following message:

Need a last minute X-Mas present? Win a Toshiba Thrive from @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra – http://goo.gl/LZmdj #android

4. U.S. residents only. Winner: At 6PM Pacific, we will randomly chose a winner from the comments. This post will be updated, comments closed, and the winner notified. Prizes will be shipped at the end of the week.

Complete Guide to the Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE [Verizon]

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:11:59 +0000

It has been a year packed full of Galaxy Nexus news, so we thought we would bundle everything that went down into one post for you as a recap and wiki of sorts. We also made sure to toss in the previous Ice Cream Sandwich videos that highlight some of our favorite features. Now that you all have the device in your hands, it's time to get everyone up to speed on all things Android 4.0 and unlocking that Nexus. Rooting, Bootloaders, Recovery and Backups:

How to: Unlock the bootloader - Video | Full Instructions
How to: Root the G-Nex, flash a custom recovery, and make a backup
How to: Flash your first custom ROM
How to: Unroot and re-lock the Galaxy Nexus
Download: Easy unlock and root or unroot and relock tool
Factory images for download: Android 4.0.1 | 4.0.2 | 4.0.4 | 4.1.1 | 4.2.2
Download: New EKO6 and EK04 radios
How to: Root Android 4.0.4

Device overview:

Galax Nexus Review
Galaxy Nexus LTE Specs
Video: Quick hands-on and device walk-through
Hands-on gallery: Extended battery and GSM comparisons
Download: Galaxy Nexus user guide
Comparison: Galaxy Nexus vs. original Motorola DROID
Comparison (screens): Galaxy Nexus vs. Rezound vs. DROID RAZR
Comparison: Galaxy Nexus vs. the competition
Galaxy Nexus teardown: A look inside the device
Video: A look at the full accessory lineup

Accessory reviews:

Hands-on: Seidio 3800mAh extended battery with NFC
Review: Portrait HDMI Desktop Docking station
Review: POGO landscape docking station
Case review: Ringke SLIM case (LTE and extended battery version)
Case review: Ringke SLIM case (regular version)

Ice Cream Sandwich tips:

Video: Ice Cream Sandwich features Part 1
Video: Ice Cream Sandwich features Part 2
How to: Use Android Beam and NFC
Video: New ICS keyboard is like BlindType
How to: Take screenshots
Android 4.0.2 update: Full details
Android 4.0.3 update: Full details

Other stuff:

How to: Turn your Nexus into a white Nexus
How to: Customize the soft keys of your Galaxy Nexus
Recovery: Touch-based Clockwork Recovery
Download: 4G LTE toggle widget
Download: Working Wireless Tether for the Nexus
How to: Install Google Wallet from the Android Market even though it's blocked
Download: Google Wallet for Nexus running Android 4.0.2+
Apps: Custom color the notification light with Light Flow
How to: Turn off 4G LTE

Commercials:

Commercial: Beatboxing through Google+ Hangouts
Commercial: Bohemian Rhapsody sung between friends over G+ Hangouts
Commercials: Two new spots from Google and Verizon
Commercial: Panormic photos are beautiful

Adobe Flash Player Updated For Ice Cream Sandwich And Galaxy Nexus

Eric — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:57:53 +0000

What is one way to make your new Samsung Galaxy Nexus better than it already is? How about adding Flash onto it? That's right, head on over to the Android Market now and you can download the application that was one of the biggest Android selling points as an OS. There was some fear that Flash would never make it onto the new Nexus after Adobe's closing of it in the past couple weeks, but everyone that got on the Android 4.0 train should be set to go now. Adobe has made good on their promise to provide us with an application that works with ICS and we are going to enjoy it.

Market Link

Video: Hands-on with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:10:01 +0000

Had a chance to pickup the Galaxy Nexus from Verizon yet? If not, maybe this quick video walk-through of it will motivate you to get your behind into a store. Assuming stores haven't sold out that is, since many Big Red shops were running out within an hour this morning. The phone is as good as you would expect it to be. It's sleek, light, has a vibrant screen, feels great in hand, and performs like it has been optimized to perfection. OK, that might be a strong word after only having it for 4 or 5 hours, but as someone who has been toying with the GSM variant of the phone, I can say with a clear mind that there are very few flaws here. Check out the video below to see for yourself.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZOUEjxI87M[/youtube]

How to: Take Screenshots with the Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:11:13 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKG-fRhQew[/youtube]

Power button + volume down. Snap! Perfect for our next Show Off Your Home Screens post.

Rockstar Games Releases Grand Theft Auto III For Mobile, Available In Android Market Right Now

Tim — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:53:16 +0000

Fans of Grand Theft Auto, our day has come. Rockstar has officially launched Grand Theft Auto III to the Android Market. We were fortunate enough to get our hands on the game early and will say that it is one of the smoothest ports of an any console game to mobile we have ever played. It brings back plenty of memories of stealing cars, running from the cops, and building up a deadly arsenal for tearing down Liberty City. The app runs $5 in the Android Market and that's a "steal." You won't be disappointed in the quality or gameplay. Again, this is not a dumbed-down version of the game we played a decade ago. This is the actual game we all obsessed over and fell in love with. A note from Rockstar was added in the Market, saying that support for the Galaxy Nexus is right around the corner. Market Link

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VxoWT0MyLE[/youtube]

More Factory Images Released for Verizon Galaxy Nexus [ICL53F]

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:24:38 +0000

And two hours after releasing the Android 4.0.1 factory images for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, Google drops the Android 4.0.2 images on us. The build for 4.0.2 is ICL53F and is the build your phone will be on once it updates shortly after activation. Just like the other the file, you will want to tuck this one away for safe keeping in case you ever run into issues with your phone. We will have instructions on how to flash these files at a later date. Download Link Via: Google

Two New Commercials: Verizon Introduces the Galaxy Nexus, Google Shows Off Face Unlock With Cute Kid

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:20:46 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSSulYcE47Y[/youtube]

For those that cruised into a Verizon shop this morning to pick up a Galaxy Nexus, did you notice any signage? The downtown store in Portland had absolutely nothing except a massive window poster for the RAZR. Seemed a little odd, but most are expecting the serious marketing push to happen after X-mas. Anyways, to get the phone at least a little buzz in households that don't read Droid Life religiously, VZW has released their first TV ad for the phone. It talks up Google+ and Circles like none other, which seems sort of odd for a phone that is so much more than just a social tool. Could be the right approach to selling it to the masses though. Google on the other hand, is all about winning our hearts. In their latest self-made spot, we get to see a cute kid try and trick Facial Unlock. He fails, but his dad is kind enough to walk by and do the trick for him. Awwwww.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l4D2tn_-kQ[/youtube]

Netflix App Adds Ice Cream Sandwich Support, Facebook Rolls Out Extra Features For Newly Designed App

Tim — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:51:21 +0000

Two major apps have received updates in time for some folks to enjoy them on their recently acquired Galaxy Nexus devices. Coincidentally or not is Netflix with its newly added support of Ice Cream Sandwich devices. Down in Palo Alto, Facebook keeps making the application better and better with a bunch of hot new features to allow for much easier navigation through the completely redesigned app. Down below we have added the changelogs for both apps and links for you to go grab the newest versions from the Android Market. Enjoy. Netflix:

What's in this version:

Support for Android 4.x devices.

Bug fixes.

Facebook:

What's in this version:

Navigate anywhere, fast: Get to your groups, apps, pages, and settings with a single press

Search and you will discover: Look through friends, subscribers, apps, and pages

See your friends tags on pictures and zoom: New photo viewing experience

Faster notifications: Get alerted in real time with new push notifications

Games & Apps: Play games and access your favorite apps on the go

Access to mobile timeline (If you already have a timeline)

Access to friend lists and subscriptions

Factory Images Released for Verizon Galaxy Nexus [ITL41D]

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:19:53 +0000

If you just unlocked your bootloader and are planning to go beyond that with root or a custom ROM, then get to download the factory images that were just released by Google for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. These files will allow you to return your phone back to stock at any moment no matter what you do to it on the software side. Tuck them away and tell the Android Team that you love them. Download Link - ITL41D (Android 4.0.1) Via: Google

Video: How to Unlock the Bootloader on the Galaxy Nexus [Verizon]

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:01:06 +0000

If your Galaxy Nexus future includes custom ROMs and kernels, you should stop what you are doing and unlock the bootloader of the device first. With an unlocked bootloader, your phone is opened up for you to essentially do as you please. Not only that, but you get that sweet little unlock icon on the boot screen. To help you with this process, we tossed together this quick video. For the full written instructions, you will want to check out this post.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC9DmgtE80A[/youtube]

Quick Hands-on Gallery: Verizon 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus - Extended Battery, GSM Comparisons, and More

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:37:32 +0000

We finally have the Verizon 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus in hand and the "how to" videos of fun are already processing. But before we get to those, we thought we would toss out a glamour photo shoot of the device, since it is just so beautiful. And for the heck of it, we compared it to the GSM version, which as you can see from the pictures is basically identical. The icon for the lock switch is slightly different and it's about .54mm thicker - other than that, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them. After that, we took some shots of the device with the extended battery inside. All I can say, is you may as well pick one up since it adds almost zero thickness to the phone, but could get you another hour or so of use out of it. Oh, and we tried to swap the "Google" branded GSM back onto the LTE version and failed miserably. They are just slightly different, although with a little scraping, we may be able to get it. Will report back after a littler hackery. Versus the GSM version:

With extended battery:

Pickup any accessories? Extended battery a must have?

Final Day of Google's 10 Days of 10 Cent Apps: Heavy Gunner 3D, Camera ZOOM FX, and More

Tim — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:51:10 +0000

Today is the last day of Google's 10 cent app promotion. We have had a great time, but as we all know, all great things must come to an end. Here is your day 10 list.

Camera ZOOM FX
Shine Runner
TileStorm HD
Star Chart
Talking Ben the Dog
Apparatus
Color & Draw for kids phone
Hyper Jump
Sentinel 3: Homeworld
Majesty: Fantasy Kingdom S
Puffle Launch
HEAVY GUNNER 3D

Hope everyone was able to snatch up all the deals while they were hot.

Within 2 Hours of Activation, Your Galaxy Nexus Will Receive an Update - Here are the Details

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:03:36 +0000

Once you have your Galaxy Nexus up and running for a couple of hours, an update will become available that brings you to Android 4.0.2 and build ICL53F. This is the update we showed you yesterday that doesn't include anything extremely noticeable up front, but it will improve your 3G/4G and WiFi connections, tweak the lockscreen somehow, and improve visual effects while using the front camera. Updates, something we will see quite frequently. More info. The update is 10.7MB.

Today is Galaxy Nexus Day at Verizon

Kellen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:51:53 +0000

It's almost hard to believe that the day has finally come, but today is indeed Galaxy Nexus day at Verizon! Many of our east coasts crew probably already has the device in hand, while those of us out west are waiting patiently for those first doors to crack in just over an hour. There isn't much else to say other than, we would love to hear your first impressions down in the comments once your phone is up and activated. There will be a flood of coverage, tips, tricks and so forth later on, but we all know that your initial reaction is one of the most important. A variety of sites have the device up for sale as you may already now. We have them listed below:

Verizon Wireless: $299 on contract, $649 full retail. You may see it available for $249 if you are upgrading.
Amazon: $149 if you are a new customer, $249 for upgrades.
Target: Seeing $219 for new customers, $249 for upgrades.

Go get some Nexus!

[Deal] Galaxy Nexus Available from LetsTalk for as Low as $155 for New Customers, $175 for Upgrades

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:21:06 +0000

Tonight at midnight, LetsTalk.com is opening up their store to future Galaxy Nexus deals with quite the deal. Using their $75 off VZW coupon, you can score one as a new customer for $154.99 and $174.99 through an upgrade. That's essentially half of what Verizon stores will charge you. Head to this link at 12:01 PST and plug in the code $75VZN. Update: Some of you noticed that their system appears to try to switch you over to a tiered data plan. I have reached out to LetsTalk to get some clarification on this. Hoping to hear back shortly. Update 2: LetsTalk has confirmed that they have a 'keep unlimited' option when you add the Galaxy Nexus to your cart. That should take care of any worries out there for unlimited data Verizon customers. The coupon code comes from their Facebook page.

Contest: Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra #3 – Win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (Updated: Winner Picked!)

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:00:25 +0000

Day 3 of DL and NVIDIA's Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra is here! We knocked out two of our ten tablets on Monday and Tuesday, but this is only the beginning. Counting today, you have another 7 chances to walk away as a new Tegra 2 powered tablet owner. What do you say we give away a shiny new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 to celebrate? As one of our favorite Android tablets to date, there aren't many this thin or with a display as beautiful. If there was one tablet to get your Tegra Zone gaming fix on, this would most definitely be it. And speaking of Tegra, you may want to consider Zen Pinball THD as your first Tegra-built game. Who doesn't love pinball? So who wants it? Update: After spoiling every underage DL reader's dreams with your 2,700+ Santa stories our contest has come to a close. A winner has been picked!

Mwalker267 found out that Santa wasn't real because he caught him in bed with his mom...not even santa is that giving.

Congrats! Be sure to check back in the morning for tablet 4. Prize: 1 (one) Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 16GB. How to enter: 1. In the comments, tell us how and when you found out that Santa wasn't real. (Wait, he isn't?) 2. Follow @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 3. Tweet the following message:

Need a last minute X-Mas present? Win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 from @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra – http://goo.gl/Ul9eX #android

White DROID RAZR Poses for its First Photo Shoot

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:04:30 +0000

The white DROID RAZR is the other phone hitting store shelves tomorrow and we have the first set of pictures of it for your viewing pleasure. We have all seen the official press renders a number of times now, but these multi-angle shots give you a great view of the added white edges in a real life setting. I'll have to admit that this phone is incredibly sexy. While the Galaxy Nexus is the phone of choice for the majority of you, it's impossible to deny the beauty of the RAZR design. Say what you will about Motorola and their stance on carriers and bootloaders, but they still build some of the best phones on the planet.

Cheers adreday!

Verizon Will Flip The 4G LTE Switch In 11 New Markets Tomorrow

Tim — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:07:58 +0000

With word breaking within the last hour that the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon is official for tomorrow, this news that more LTE markets will also get lit up is simply icing on the cake. If you have been waiting for 4G LTE speeds to make their way to one of your towns, then check the list below of areas receiving the love from Big Red. With these additional 11 markets getting the green light, the total reaches 190 for the year, an impressive mark to say the least. New Markets:

Dover, DE
Lafayette, IN
Fitchburg/Leominster, MA
Duluth, MN
The Rochester Area, MN
St. Cloud, MN
Manchester/Nashua, NH
Poughkeepsie, NY
Findlay/Tiffin, OH
Youngstown/Warren, OH
Indiana, PN

Expanding Markets:

San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Washington D.C.
Savannah, GA
Chicagoland, ILL
Baltimore, MD
Hagerstown, MD

X-mas came early this year, folks.

Official: Galaxy Nexus on Verizon Launches Tomorrow for $299

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:21:55 +0000

Yep, it's official - word just came out from Verizon. The Galaxy Nexus will be available online and in stores for $299 on contract starting tomorrow, December 15. Online sales will begin at 1AM EST. All stores will have them as well though in case you don't want to wait that extra day for it to ship. /pops the bubbly. Press release below.

GALAXY™ NEXUS™ BY SAMSUNG NOW AVAILABLE ON THE VERIZON WIRELESS 4G LTE NETWORK

First Smartphone to Combine Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the Power of America's Fastest, Most Reliable 4G Network
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless, Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) and Google™ announced Galaxy™ Nexus™ is available starting today in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers can browse the Web, stream music and more at blazing speeds using the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. Galaxy Nexus customers can enjoy access to the 4G LTE network in 190 markets covering over 200 million people across the United States, and fly through the Web with fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within the 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage area. Galaxy Nexus runs Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, which brings an entirely new look and feel to Android. Galaxy Nexus offers customers a redesigned user experience with improved multi-tasking, notifications, Near Field Communications (NFC) sharing with Android Beam™ and a full Web-browsing experience. The lock screen, home screen, phone app and everything in between have been rethought and redesigned to make Android simple, beautiful and useful. Galaxy Nexus also features an ultra-thin 9.47mm design with a 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED™ Contour Display to watch movies, view pictures and play games that come to life in 720p (1280x720) resolution. Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) features:

Redesigned user interface – software navigation buttons, a first for Android smartphones, and a dedicated recent apps button to make multi-tasking easy

Face Unlock – use state-of-the-art facial recognition to unlock Galaxy Nexus

Android Beam™ – quickly share Web pages, apps, contacts and YouTube™ videos with friends by simply tapping two compatible phones together

Redesigned Camera – introduces panorama mode, 1080p video capture, zero-shutter lag for instant photo capturing, and effects such as silly faces and background replacement

People Application – browse friends, family and coworkers, see their photos in high-resolution and check their latest status updates from Google+ and other social networks

Cloud Services – keep email, contacts, photos, music, browser bookmarks and other data synced to the cloud, available across multiple devices so customers never lose important data

Google Music – upload up to 20,000 songs to the cloud, discover and buy new music from Android Market™, and stream it instantly on Galaxy Nexus and from the Web for free

Google+ – Create a Google+ account right from the phone and check status updates, manage circles, quickly share updates and photos, video chat with up to ten friends with Mobile Hangouts, and chat with groups of friends with Google+ Messenger

Support for Google Mobile™ Services – Gmail™, Google Maps™ with 3D maps and free turn-by-turn navigation, Google Earth™, Movie Studio, YouTube, syncing with Google Calendar™, a redesigned Google+ app and access to more than 300,000 apps, millions of eBooks, thousands of movies to rent, and millions of songs available to download from Android Market

Additional features:

Dual-core 1.2 GHz application processor and HTML5 Web browser – optimized dual-core processing with Android 4.0 combined with lightning fast 4G LTE connectivity for fast downloading of graphics, applications processing and Web browsing

Mobile Hotspot capability – share 4G LTE or 3G connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices

5-megapixel rear-facing camera with zero-shutter lag for instant photo capturing, autofocus and LED flash with full 1080p recording

Front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chat

Textured soft-touch back cover – enhances the ergonomic feel and makes the phone slip-resistant

Bluetooth® 3.0 technology – support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, human interface device (HID) and object push for vCard and vCalendar

1 GB RAM and 32 GB on-board memory (actual formatted capacity will be less)

Pricing and data packages:

Galaxy Nexus is available now in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

Customers that purchase a Galaxy Nexus by Samsung will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

Customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/galaxynexus for more information on the Galaxy Nexus. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Premium VZW Retailers Sending Out Galaxy Nexus Emails - It's "DELICIOUS!" and "Arrives Tomorrow" (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:00:42 +0000

Update that matters: Verizon has made it official. Hands down the best Galaxy Nexus ad to date. Reminds me of a used car spot out of Kalispell, MT. Or better yet, a weekly mattress blowout sale from 1 of the 180 Mattress World locations here in Portland. Would have been nice to see the actual Verizon LTE G-Nex on there though instead of the GSM version. "Android OS now even sweeter with Ice Cream Sandwich!" "DELICIOUS!!!" "ARRIVES TOMORROW." Classic. Everyone realizes the hilarity in all of this madness now, right? Bravo on the viral marketing job, Verizon. Update: The image below also just came across the wire. If we are just now seeing merchandising emails with 12/15 on them pop up this late in the day that all reference tomorrow as being the day, I'd say tomorrow is almost guaranteed to be the day. I know that we have been surprised enough times to not expect anything until it happens, but man, this looks good, does it not?

Cheers Eugene and Sheldoneous!

Android 4.0.2 Rolling Out to Verizon Galaxy Nexus Units

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:29:28 +0000

Last week, we found out that the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon would be receiving an update within hours of activation. That update, will apparently be Android 4.0.2 according to the demo unit we have pictured above. A number of sources reached out this morning to let us know that their devices were receiving a bump, and here is your proof. Build number is ICL53F and is newer than the 4.0.1 (ITL41F) that the GSM version has. There may not be a ton of cosmetic changes over 4.0 or 4.0.1, but according to our source, the radio/baseband has changed from EK01 to EK05 which usually means better network connectivity and call quality. Here is a look at the 4.0.1 About screen. Cheers Jason Kline in Indianapolis!

Holy TAT Home Kang, TSF Shell Pro Wants to be the 3D Launcher of the Future

Tim — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:17 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYzYQ6YtepU[/youtube]

What happens when you combine the top 3rd-party launchers of Android, ~~kang~~ borrow some famous UI aspects from TAT Home, and squeeze them all into one? Well, it might look something like this. The app is called TSF Shell Pro and it is still a work in progress, but boy does it look swell. With heavily implemented 3D looks and tons of customizable features (including lasso-esque selection tools, double tapping, etc.), if the price is right, we might be looking at the next big thing in the launcher world. I mention price because I'm sure you all remember the name SPB Mobile Shell. It's another top notch 3D launcher, but at $15, it was tough for many to justify shelling out that much for it. We are hoping for great things from this release and as soon as we hear more about a launch we will post it up. Assuming the company is not bought out like TAT was just when we thought we were about to see a release. Does this look awesome, or what? Via: Android Police, TSF UI

The Dark Meadow Powered By The Unreal Engine 3, Headed To Tegra Devices Early 2012

Tim — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:15:36 +0000

Be on the lookout during the first quarter of 2012 - you are in for a treat. Dark Meadow is making its way to Tegra powered Android devices. This creepy first person game is out to haunt you. Powered by the Unreal Engine 3, it brings console-like graphics and an exceptional plot for people who love a scary challenge. This game is already a huge hit for iOS devices, so there is no doubt that Android owners will love it just as much. It looks genuinely frightening. A mix of Left 4 Dead and DOOM. Below is the teaser trailer for the game. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSrvQz8BCYY[/youtube] Dark Meadow Website

Galaxy Nexus Simulator Spotted on Verizon's Site, Get Your Device Overview Early

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:40:16 +0000

Want to get your virtual hands all over the Galaxy Nexus early? Jump past the break and click the link to Verizon's simulator page for the device. You'll find it all...well, except for a release date. It's almost like using the phone in a cruel chalkboard scratching sort of way. And is this a sign that the landing page for the device has been built and is about to go live? Maybe. Simulator Page Via: Android Forums Cheers Mooem!

Google+ Hangouts Now Initiated on Mobile Devices After Update, New Galaxy Nexus Ad Shows It Off

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:28:59 +0000

You have had the ability to join Google+ Hangouts from a mobile device for some time, just not initiate them or "Go live." An update is in the works that will address this issue, giving you the power to video chat with your friends from any time or any place. You should see the new version pop up within the next few days. iOS versions are also in the works, just in case you know someone with one of those devices. And to show you how amazing it will be to kick start Hangouts with your Galaxy Nexus - whenever you finally get one - this new ad has been released. Bohemian Rhapsody is go.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc_o_Y-QHt4[/youtube]

Via: Google Blog

PopCap's Plants vs. Zombies Lands Officially On Android Market

Tim — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:00:35 +0000

Electronic Arts has published Plants vs. Zombies to the Android Market, finally. Previously, if you wanted to have this classic game on your Android device, you would need to go through Amazon's Appstore. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but having apps through the official Market is sometimes easier to manage. The application will run you $2.99, but who knows. Maybe we could see it tomorrow as a 10 cent app? Market Link

Verizon: Galaxy Nexus Still Coming This Year, Will Announce When It's Ready

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:29:13 +0000

Look, a new statement has been released from Verizon regarding the Galaxy Nexus!

The Galaxy Nexus is still on track to launch this year. We will definitely send a press release to announce availability. Feel free to visit www.verizonwireless.com/galaxynexus to sign up for email alerts to be one of the first to know.

So basically, this is what they told us back in October, only now we know they will at least send out a press release for it when the time comes. Are we still ready to go tomorrow? Every single store on the planet sure seems to think so, but then again, they all thought that last Friday as well. This is pure speculation, but doesn't it seem odd that they would release this statement the day before the phone is supposed to arrive, if indeed it was suppose to arrive tomorrow? Seems like at this point, we should have heard, right? Or am I just going all tinfoil hat on you? Add Friday to the list of potential dates, as well as every other day next week. I'm not saying that tomorrow isn't happening, but am just trying to prepare you for the situation that went down last week. :) Via: Android and Me

Day 9 of Google's 10 Days of 10 Cent Apps: Deer Hunter 3D, Tanks Riders, and More

Tim — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:00:03 +0000

Only two days left, folks. This has been a great promotion so far from Google, it's too bad it has to come to an end. You won't see too many repeats today which is great. So head on in and pick up the newest deals.

Tank Riders
SwiftKey X Keyboard
Sleepy Jack
ezPDF Reader
Guns'n'Glory
Icebreaker Hockey
COLLAPSE!
ZENONIA
Toddler Tapping Zoo
DEER HUNTER 3D
MX Moto

Tomorrow is the last day and we are sure to see a bunch of sad faces. Insert obligatory, "You sad bro?"

Download: New Android Market Version 3.4.4

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:32:26 +0000

The newest version up the Android Market has popped up thanks to a long time friend of the site, bringing you all up to version 3.4.4. There aren't a lot of new features from what we can tell, but you will see a new option to "Auto-add widgets." It's still unclear exactly what that means though. We downloaded an app that most definitely has widgets included and were not prompted to load them nor did it auto-load them. (Could be just the renamed Auto-add apps box, as has been suggested in the comments) Speed improvements are also supposed to be noticeable. Download: Market.apk Cheers 0mie (2)!

Verizon Announces Shiny New 4G LTE Phone for December 15 and It's Not the Galaxy Nexus, White DROID RAZR Incoming

Kellen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:33:05 +0000

Well, we know that at least one phone is guaranteed to launch this Thursday, and it's the white DROID RAZR. Just announced within the hour, you can pick up this special edition version of the world's thinnest 4G LTE phone online or in stores for $299 on contract. It's exactly the same phone as the original RAZR, but it has a white rim around the outside. Yep, this Thursday - as in tomorrow. The same day the you-know-what is supposed to drop, but has yet to be confirmed by you-know-who.

Contest: Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra #2 – Win a Lenovo Tablet K1 (Updated: Winner Picked!)

Kellen — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:00:04 +0000

Day 2 of Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra is here! Yesterday, we handed out an Asus Eee Pad Slider and are now ready to open up entries for today's tablet contest. The prize is a Lenovo Tablet K1 which is one of the lesser known Tegra 2 tablets, but is one that shouldn't have missed your radar. As expected, is powered by NVIDIA's Tegra 2 processor, has 1GB of RAM, dual cameras, a 10.1" HD screen, has all of your favorite ports including HDMI, and comes standard with 32GB of storage. And not only that, but this is one of the prettier tablets you will find. So who wants one? Update: With more than 3,700 entries in under 10 hours for the second day in a row, you guys are proving to be wild animals. Lovin' the enthusiasm! I'm also hungry now after reading through your favorite holiday dishes. We have a winner though! And the Lenovo Tablet K1 goes to...

ss2 who can't wait to dive into a cheese steak on Christmas Day.

Congrats Mickey! Prize: 1 (one) Lenovo Tablet K1. How to enter: 1. Follow @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. Tweet the following message:

Contest: Ten NVIDIA Tegra 2 tablets up for grabs from @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra – http://goo.gl/npSmG #android

3. In the comments, tell us what your favorite holiday food is. 4. U.S. residents only. Winner: At 5PM Pacific, we will randomly chose a winner from the comments. This post will be updated, comments closed, and the winner notified. Prizes will be shipped at the end of the week.

Skype For Android Receives Update - Sharing of Pictures, Files and Videos Added

Tim — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:13:13 +0000

Skype users, you may want to head on into the Android Market to pick up the latest release of the app that just went live. You will find things like a more polished UI and better video quality while chatting on Tegra devices, but the real show stopper here is the newly added ability to share things. And when we say "things" we mean files, pictures and even videos with your closest friends from across the globe. The sign in and out process has also been simplified, along with improvements to voicemail. Market Link

Is the Android Team Building a Siri Competitor Codenamed Majel?

Kellen — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:21:13 +0000

According to our pals over at Android and Me, Google has spent much of the year putting in work on a newly revamped Voice Actions software, which they have codenamed Majel. You could consider this their answer to Apple's Siri and will go far beyond what the current crop of Android Voice Actions can accomplish. The limits of specific commands (navigate to, listen to, etc.) will soon be gone and the times of speaking in natural language may be upon us. Confused by the codename? The word Majel comes from the name of the woman who acted as the voice of the Federation Computer on Star Trek for years. And it just so happens that Matias Duarte (the ICS architect) mentioned Star Trek back in October around the time that Android 4.0 was unveiled. He was quoted as saying that their approach to voice actions "is more like Star Trek, right, starship Enterprise; every piece of computing surface, everything is voice-aware. It’s not that there’s a personality, it doesn’t have a name, it’s just Computer.” Fitting. It's anyone's guess as to when we might see this new voice activated software, but there is a chance it could be out within the next couple of months. If Google wants to step into the voice actions game in a real way, it would be in their best interest to not wait around while Apple works to take Siri out of beta. Is everyone ready to start talking to your phone like it's your best friend? Via: Android and Me

Special Toy Soldier Android Mini-collectible Goes on Sale Tomorrow

Kellen — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:49:23 +0000

Android mini-collectibles make great stocking stuffers, in case you were lacking some ideas this year. If you don't believe me, look no further than this special edition Toy Soldier version that will go on sale tomorrow morning at 11AM EST for the holidays. Cute, isn't he? The quantities will likely be limited as usual, so jump on into the Dead Zebra shop as soon as you can tomorrow morning to start hammering F5. You are allowed to buy two per address.

Via: Dyzplastic

Verizon Looking To Acquire Netflix For $4.6 Billion?

Tim — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:40:55 +0000

As reported by Bloomberg, Verizon might be starting the process of purchasing another "big red" giant in the United States. Netflix. According to an investment banker with ties to Verizon, they are beginning to look at ways of snatching up profits and cutting costs from video streaming services such as Netflix and move beyond just their Fios service. As stated in their report, if the deal takes place it is said to possibly take place in April of next year. Will Netflix be better than ever if owned by Verizon? Could this mean Verizon devices will all come pre-loaded with the app? And what does this mean for non-Verizon phones? There is always a chance that this move would keep the mobile product unchanged too. Via: Bloomberg

DROID Incredible 2 Update 5.10.605.9 Rolling Out - Security Enhancements, New Clock Features, and Airplane Video Playback Included

Kellen — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:07:26 +0000

A surprise DROID Incredible 2 update has popped up over at Verizon's support document section as version 5.10.605.9. A handful of security bugs have been addressed, as well as the ability to play local videos while in airplane mode. You will also notice improvements in the clock and alarm apps, plus better signal strength representation. To check for the update, head into Settings>System updates>Check new. The update is 29.35MB in size. More info. Cheers Eddie!

Is the Galaxy Nexus a "True Nexus" When Attached to a Carrier? Depends on Your Definition (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:30:24 +0000

Yakju. That's a name you are about to hear come up a lot over the next few weeks as we approach the arrival of the Galaxy Nexus here on Verizon. The name - as pointed out by Jean-Baptiste M. Queru (an Android software engineer) in a post over at the Android Builders group - refers to the retail software configuration for the the GSM version of the G-Nex that is controlled directly by Google. If you read that sentence again, you probably get the feeling that there are other software configurations out there that aren't 100% controlled by Google, right? That's exactly the case. Within the last couple of days, the question has been raised, "Is the Galaxy Nexus still a pure Google or Nexus device?" The answer depends on your own definition. As JBQ also points out in his clarification on yakju, he mentions that if you see alternate builds of yakjusc or yakjuxw (basically any form of yakju with extra characters on the end), just understand that Google is not directly controlling every aspect of them. In fact, as there are "per-country or per-operator software customizations" for essentially the same hardware, carriers and manufacturers are going to have final say in some of these software builds. That's right, depending on the version of the Galaxy Nexus in your pocket, it could receive updates that have been altered by Samsung or a carrier. By most Android enthusiasts, that is not the definition of a Nexus. So before we all freak out for a second let's talk about this some more. As many of you know (since we pointed it out in disgust), the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus will have bloatware, which prompted many of you to ask if Google would still provide direct and untouched updates to it. Our initial reaction was, "of course, it's a Nexus," but now that a Google engineer has made it clear that carrier-specific versions are pushed out, that quote needs to be tweaked slightly. Let's continue on though. But does this really mean that the LTE version of the G-Nex is not a Nexus? If your definition is that the device has to receive updates that have been touched only by Google or it isn't, then I think we know your answer. If you define it as a device that launches with the newest version of Android before anything, will receive updates faster than any non-Nexus phone on the planet, is unlockable at the bootloader, and is about as hacker-friendly as it gets, then technically it still is a Nexus. To help clarify this situation, I'll bring up the Motorola XOOM that is attached to Verizon. This device was released as the first with Honeycomb and with an unlockable bootloader. It's basically a "Nexus" tablet. In fact, even though it is branded by Verizon, it still receives it's updates directly from Google. Have they been slower at times than say the WiFi-only XOOM? Indeed it has. But, it's still receiving stock builds from Google, only they have likely been slightly tweaked to meet the carrier's needs. This post is a great example of that. If you hover over the download link for build HMJ37, you will see that the update is still coming from Google's servers. Basically what I'm saying, is that Google is still going to send you updates to your Nexus (if history holds up, that is). Will they have Verizon's input? Of course they will, it's running on their network and sold through their stores. I'm not sure you will find a company on the planet that would allow you to sell your product in their store without giving them at least some control - after all, it is their name on the back and their reputation on the line. If there is a problem with the phone, no one is running to Google's front door to complain, they are headed straight into a VZW shop. Bottom line here, is that the LTE Galaxy Nexus is still a Nexus. Since it is tied to a carrier though, it's not going to be exactly the same as say an unlocked (non-carrier attached) Nexus would be, and that makes sense. It should by all means still receive constant updates directly from Google after Verizon gets to take a look at them. It will still be everything that you have been waiting for. Will there be times when Google releases say Android 4.0.5 and the non-carrier GSM variant receives it first and we all sit back and wonder where our update is? You betcha. But you can also bet that we will see it well before any non-Nexus phone will. No need to freak out here, folks. Update: Our buddy Jigga_Z pointed out the continuation of this conversation with JBQ that we missed and wish we hadn't. According to what he was told directly by Google, the Verizon G-Nex will fall under the name "mysid" rather than "yakju" and will be supported in AOSP. He is also under the impression that "mysid" versions of the phone will receive updates directly from Google just as we had stated up above. So there may be bloatware, but it's still a Nexus and is still getting updates directly from Google. Via: XDA, Google Cheers to everyone who sent this in!

Day 8 of Google's 10 Days of 10 Cent Apps: FlightTrack, HD Widgets, and More

Tim — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:20:51 +0000

We are getting pretty close to the end of Google's fantastic 10 cent apps promotion. Only 2 days left after today. Here's the day 8 list for all you app fiends.

Where's My Water?
HD Widgets
All By Myself - Little Critter
FlightTrack
SlideIT Keyboard
Instant Heart Rate - Pro
Train Conductor 2: USA
Shazam Encore
SketchBook Mobile
Flick Golf!
Christmas HD
Color & Draw for kids HD

There is definitely some repeats, but that's good for people who missed them the first time around.

Video: Ice Cream Sandwich Boots Up on the DROID RAZR

Kellen — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:47:32 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udp0uRQJpdg[/youtube]

Motorola phones on Verizon may be locked up forever, but that hasn't stopped the dev community from continuing on in their quest to produce ROMs for all of them. We saw pre-alpha ICS ports for both the DROID 3 and Bionic already that made many of you smile. Today, the DROID RAZR joins in on the fun. While this particular Android 4.0 ROM isn't available publicly yet as it needs a lot of work still, you can bet that droidth3ory is puttin' in the time to get it there. Via: DroidRzr

Costco Still Expects the Galaxy Nexus to be $289 on Contract, Available "As Early As December 15"

Kellen — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:09:43 +0000

Again, December 15 is by no means official and is simply the current target date that we may see the Galaxy Nexus on. Costco has made that even clearer with their wording in the screenshot above that reads, "Nexus launches as early as Thursday, 12/15." By no means is this Thursday 100% finalized. Even retailers are second guessing this situation. At this point, we should all just think about the number of chances you have to win a tablet through the DL and NVIDIA 10 Days of Holiday Tegra contest to get our minds off of the phone for a minute, so that maybe we could be surprised when/if it does show up on Thursday. What do you say? Oh, and pricing is still $289 at Costco - at least through the 20th of December.

Cheers ___!

DROID Bionic 5.5.893 Bug Fixer Started Rolling Out Last Night, Check Your Phone Now

Kellen — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:56:06 +0000

Last night around 9PM Pacific, the major update for the DROID Bionic that should tidy up most of its bugs, went live. If you were not prompted for it, you should check for yourself as it should be available to everyone. Head into Settings>About phone>System updates. To view the full changelog for the update, check out this post. Cheers Crusteez, Jason, brian, Nate, Charles, Mark and everyone else!

Contest: Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra #1 - Win an Asus Eee Pad Slider (Updated: Winner Picked!)

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:20:49 +0000

To kick Droid Life and NVIDIA's Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra, we thought we would start with Asus' other Tegra 2 tablet, the Eee Pad Slider. It's all of the goodness you want and expect from the original Transformer, but with a sliding keyboard attached. You will find a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, 1GB of RAM, a beautiful 10.1" display, dual cameras, and all of the hot ports including HDMI. Yep, it's a winner. Update: A winner has been picked! The Eee Pad Slider goes too...

EC8CH whose favorite holiday tradition is "finding a few moments that make you realize all the stress is worth it."

Congrats Eric! And must I say, "Holy 3,800 entries in about 5 hours time." You guys are the best. Nine more tablets to go! Prize: 1 (one) Asus Eee Pad Slider tablet. How to enter: 1. Follow @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. Tweet the following message:

Contest: Ten NVIDIA Tegra 2 tablets up for grabs from @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra - http://goo.gl/JbpIk #android

3. In the comments, tell us what your favorite holiday tradition is. 4. U.S. residents only. Winner: At 6PM Pacific, we will randomly chose a winner from the comments. This post will be updated, comments closed, and the winner notified. Prizes will be shipped at the end of the week. Good luck everyone! And be sure to check back in just over 5 hours for the winner.

Video: Verizon's Galaxy Nexus Poses With Extended Battery Inside

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:13:47 +0000

The Galaxy Nexus extended battery is no secret. At 2100mAh, it's not going to extend your life like the 2750mAh beasts that HTC makes available, but it will certainly help over the stock 1850mAh that comes preloaded in the phone. One thing people tend to worry about with extendeds though, is the bulk they can add to the phone. We can safely say after looking at these pictures and video that one of our readers sent, that you won't have to worry about Joe and Larry making fun of your "brick" at the bowling alley. This puppy still stays slim. And yes, that is the phone with the extended battery installed:

Video evidence:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J34VPPXVlo[/youtube]

Cheers Christopher!

Otterbox Lovers, Here is Your Galaxy Nexus Defender Series Case

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:22:49 +0000

Otterbox cases are some of the more famous of all smartphone accessories. For those that are hard on their phones, drop them constantly or have kids, these are essentially "must haves." Little was known about there being one for the Galaxy Nexus though, well until now. One of our readers cruised into a Verizon shop this afternoon and found himself a Defender Series Otterbox case for none other than the G-Nex. Funny thing here, is that Otterbox doesn't even have pictures of it on their own site, but VZW has them available to purchase. Feeling safer already? Cheers Jason Kline in Indianapolis!

DROID RAZR Soak Test in the Works, Doubtful That it's Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:25:55 +0000

The DROID RAZR may only be a few weeks old, but Motorola is already jumping on bugs that shipped with it. Reports out of the Motorola Support Forums indicate that a soak test has been prepared and will be out in the very near future. The chances of it being Ice Cream Sandwich are well, less than zero. That's right, according to Motorola, we are a good 4-6 months way from seeing it on any of their devices. Actually, it would make sense that the XOOM would see it very soon, but phones with Blur on top, not so much. Expect this to be a bug fixer. We'll update this post as we see more details roll out. Cheers D and C!

Adobe Flash App Updated, Still No Ice Cream Sandwich Support - Adobe AIR Does Though

Tim — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:50:23 +0000

We know that further development of Flash for Android is dead, but that doesn't mean they won't continue to make the already existing app better and more secure for current users. Plus, they have told us that there will be an updated version for Ice Cream Sandwich available. Today, Adobe has just released an updated Adobe Flash complete with some more security fixings and patches. In other news , looks like Adobe Air is working just fine on the Galaxy Nexus with Ice Cream Sandwich now. Adobe's projections of having Flash and Air available for ICS this month is half way complete.

Market Link

Sony Xperia PLAY with 4G on the Way?

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:08:32 +0000

The Sony Xperia PLAY sort of came and went without much attention from Android enthusiasts here in the States. It was supposed to be the mobile gaming machine of the century, but with lower end specs and no 4G, it struggled to take off. Well, what would happen if it was re-released with 4G? According to training that one of our readers is about to take this afternoon, there could very well be a new version on the way. No word yet on if the processor or RAM has been upgraded, but this would at least give on-the-go gamers a chance to play online titles more freely. Once we know, we'll be sure to pass it on. Cheers ___!

Update on the Galaxy Nexus Situation? Not Much has Changed

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:45:55 +0000

A weekend passed and according to our Twitter timeline and inbox, many of you noticed that we had nothing to post on the status of the Galaxy Nexus that is headed to Verizon. There is a reason for that - nothing has changed as of last Friday. But since so many were looking for an update on the situation today, we thought we would just toss out a quick post. The current date we are all looking forward to remains December 15. There are no guarantees that it will launch that day, but the majority of stores have been told to target that date for now. Just remember that December 9 was essentially a lock and something happened, so again, we'll just wait for that day to arrive and see what happens. We told you that the rumors of a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday launch were just that, massive unsubstantiated rumors. Sure enough, two of those days have passed without even a beep from Big Red, Google or Samsung. As far as reasons why the device has been pushed back, let's just say that we will likely never know the true reason and to tell you the truth, that's the way it should be. Verizon told us that it would be out by the end of the year because they obviously understood that the device needed to pass through testing and did not want to make anything official until they knew everything was 100% ready. I know that we all want this device now, but try to give them at least a little bit of a break. I would rather this phone pass all of their tests and hit shelves with zero bugs than watch the world bitch about them releasing a buggy, beta product too early. We have seen sites blame the Google Wallet situation over the delay, but have not heard from any of our sources that that has even been in the discussion. Remember that the Nexus S on T-Mobile still to this day does not have Wallet and likely never will, so I doubt this would be the reason for this hold up. If you really need a reason to ease your brain pain, just consider the fact that Verizon's LTE network went down in a major way last week, that not all stores have inventory yet, and that LTE chips have been a pain in every phone manufacturer's rear all year. Pretty tough to launch the phone of the year if you don't have enough to sell and you also have a shaky network on your hands, wouldn't you say? And on a related note, let's talk about comments on Nexus posts and DL in general. Keep it classy, folks. We had a troll battle over the weekend that has since been taken care of, but we would appreciate it if you would all try to breathe for a second and think about what you are about to type before posting. Is it going to offend or insult someone? Probably shouldn't post it. The DL community has been one of the friendliest places on the internet for 2 years now, let's not allow one phone and a couple of trolls to change that.

Video: Motorola Takes You on a Tour of the New DROID XYBOARD Tablets

Tim — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:18:49 +0000

Motorola has just released a video taking viewers on a small, but detailed quick look at the new DROID XYBOARDs. Motorola has put plenty of emphasis on their new splash guard coating, Gorilla Glass, and the ability to sync wirelessly with your PC. All of which are features that should be considered must-haves for today's tablet buyers. I think our favorite part is when they dump the entire glass of water on the tab. Don't try that at home, folks. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arza0j1eV-0[/youtube] Via: Motorola

NVIDIA and Droid Life Present Two Weeks of Holiday Tegra, 10 Tablets Up for Grabs

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:57:39 +0000

November's Gobbler Gaming Giveaway was a heck of a 4-week contest and nothing short of a huge success. Any chance we can top it this month? That is exactly what we are about to attempt to do as we have teamed up with NVIDIA, Zen Pinball THD and the Tegra Zone once again to hand out Tegra 2 powered tablets to the beautiful community here at Droid Life. How many tablets? How does 10 (ten) sound? Starting today and finishing up next Friday, we will hand out a brand new Tegra 2 powered tablet each day (excluding the weekend) to a lucky DL reader. Background: As you have heard us mention time and time again, NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone are doing wonders for Android gaming. The Tegra 2 chip was built with mobile gaming in mind, especially on big screens, which is why tablets powered by their processor are so amazing. With the Tegra Zone, you get all of their Tegra-optimized games in one place. One of those is Zen Pinball THD who just so happens to be one of the sponsors of this post. They offer one of the more realistic, yet beautifully designed pinball games you will find anywhere. Did we mention that it's free? Prizes: There are 10 Tegra 2 powered tablets to be given away over the next two weeks. Each day will be different, but the list looks like this: Toshiba Thrive, Motorola XOOM, Sony Tablet S, Lenovo ThinkPad, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Acer Iconia Tab, Lenovo Tablet K1, Asus Eee Pad Slider, and an Asus Transformer bundled with a laptop dock. Prizes will be shipped at the end of each week to winners. How to enter: A new contest will be posted each day with specific instructions on how you can enter. By the end of that day, a winner will be chosen and announced. Everyone ready? The first contest will go up within the next hour. Happy holidays!

Nielsen Report: Facebook Most Popular App Among All Age Groups, Followed By Angry Birds

Tim — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:57:29 +0000

In Nielsen's newest age-based report on app usage among Android users, you won't find many surprises. Besides the pre-installed Android Market, Facebook is the most popular app with an overwhelming 80% statistic. Following Facebook, you will find Google apps, Angry Birds, and even Task Killers high up on the list. Task Killers? Haven't these people read our site? Scrolling down the list we see that Words with Friends is highly popular among more mature Android users, and also that no person can go without The Weather Channel app. Does Nielson's report reflect what your app list looks like? I have a feeling that Nielson would find more superuser apps if they surveyed Droid Life. Via: Nielsen

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 with 4G LTE Headed to Verizon

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:06:42 +0000

Just in case the Galaxy Tab 10.1" with LTE, both XYBOARDs at 10.1" and 8.2", the XOOM, or the iPad weren't enough tablet options, you may be adding Galaxy Tab 7.7 with LTE to the list. This device was originally announced back in September for Europe, but rumors of it finding a spot in the states soon emerged. Since Verizon is the biggest LTE carrier here, it only makes sense that they would carry it. Some think that 10.1" tablets are too big, so this may be the sweet spot that those folks are looking for. The original Galaxy Tab 7 never really stood a chance thanks to it lacking Honeycomb - can this one succeed? Not many carrier-branded Android tablets have to this point. We'll see if this will be the first. Oh, and 12/7 is not a release date. That's when the device made its way into VZW systems.

Cheers ___!

LG Spectrum Pictures Spotted, Formerly Known as the Revolution 2

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:31:25 +0000

Hello official renders of the LG Spectrum, the latest 4G LTE behemoth to make its way to Verizon. Well, it's not there yet, but we most certainly know that it will be here before too long. We first reported it as having ditched the "Revolution 2" nickname back at the beginning of November, but the folks over at PocketNow have discovered some press shots of it with "Spectrum" attached to help confirm that. Specs are obviously unconfirmed, but we were told long ago that it would sport a 4.5" HD display, dual-core processor, and be extremely thin. LG has already released an HD phone on AT&T as the Nitro HD - this looks to be a similar phone. Willing to give LG another shot? Via: PocketNow

Day 7 Of Google's 10 Days Of 10 Cent Apps: Flick Soccer, Doodle Jump, and More

Kellen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:22:44 +0000

We are now seven days into Google's celebration of 10 billion downloads in the Android Market, has everyone been keeping up? There are a couple of repeats in today's list which we find odd, but there are 8 new ones that have yet to make a list. At 10 cents, you might as well at least check them out.

Beautiful Widgets
When I Get Bigger
Blow Up
Roll in the Hole
Block Breaker 3
Flight Control
Flick Soccer
Doodle Jump
Sound Hound
Super KO Boxing 2

Favorite app so far?

Some Verizon Employees Risking It All to Sell You a Galaxy Nexus Early

Kellen — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:26:28 +0000

From what we have heard, Verizon does not want anyone to have the 4G LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus in their hands yet. It was supposed to go on sale Friday, but as you all know now, something came up and the release date was pushed out until this coming week (we hope). Since the majority of stores already have them in stock though, that meant that plenty of our readers were going to make it their mission this weekend to try and find a VZW store or Best Buy that was either out of the loop or just didn't care if they sold one. At least one of them came out a winner. As you can see in the photo up top, our buddy Stache got one along with a SIM card and appears to have been able to activate it. Mighty fine work. We are also hearing that a couple of folks made it into Best Buy stores and walked out with smiles as well. Brave sales associates, that's for sure. Cheers Stache!

Verizon Preps DroidDoes.com for Arrival of the DROID 4

Kellen — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:15:53 +0000

Even without official word on the DROID 4 from Motorola or Verizon, we all know it should be here before the end of the month. Current word has this dual-core slider with 4G LTE coming somewhere around December 22. It's essentially what the DROID 3 should have been, but what can you do about it? Thanks to one of our readers though, we can see that Big Red has begun prep work for the droiddoes.com landing page for the device. If you cruise onto the D3's page, you'll find a D4 logo down bottom. Also, after a bit of extra digging, we were able to uncover this image of the device matched up with specs and other features. Everything that we reported a few weeks ago is on here, like the Smart Actions app, edge-lit keys in the keyboard, and a front facing HD camera.

And to top that off, we received this MP3 that covers everything you would want to know about the D4. We are assuming it will go on its droiddoes.com page at some point after Verizon announces it. [audio:http://www.droid-life.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/QUICK_SPECS.mp3|titles=QUICK_SPECS] If there is anything else you need to know about this phone, we have it for you here. Cheers Keith!

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 12/9/2011

Tim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:00:58 +0000

The date is December 9. I had plans of writing this post from my Galaxy Nexus, but alas, the phone has been delayed. We have to remember that these things do happen. It is a real bummer when it's the device of the year and you have been waiting for months to touch it. We as Android lovers are going to have to remain patient and know that when the device is finally released, it will have been worth the wait.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Astro File Manager Update Adds Themes, Amazon MP3 Adds ICS Support

Eric — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:15:50 +0000

A couple of all time favorite apps are receiving updates in the Android Market right now. Astro File Manager, one of the longest running file managers out for Android is adding themes and icon sets into their application. No need to fear though, if you like the classic look of Astro, the "Classic Astro" theme will make everything look nice and familiar for you.

The Amazon MP3 app also has an update waiting for you, one that promises compatibility with the Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in general. They also threw in the ability to move to SDcard, but only if it is not factory installed on your device. There are a few other bug fixes, but it is a solid update in general.

Astro Market Link | Amazon MP3 Market Link

DROID Bionic Bug Fixer Update Rolling Out To Some, Start Checking Your Phones

Tim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:39:18 +0000

We are starting to receive reports from soak test members that are successfully retrieving the massive bug fixer update on their Bionics. Even non-members are getting in on the action so now is the time to check your Bionics to see if you are next in line. The update is a pretty big and includes lots of fixes, so if your device says the update is available then just sit back and let the phone do its thing. You can check update availability by going into settings>about phone>system updates. Good luck! Cheers everyone who sent this in!

German Court Rules in Favor of Motorola, Possible iOS Device Ban Throughout Europe

Dan — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:18:23 +0000

File this one under surprising, a German court has ruled in favor of Motorola in their lawsuit with Apple. Back in April, Motorola filed two patent-infringement lawsuits against the Cupertino based company's iOS devices. The mobile giant claimed Apple had infringed on one of their core cellular communications patents related to data packet transfer technology. If the ruling is upheld (we all know there will be an appeal), Apple will be forced to either remove the technology or pay a hefty licensing fee to Moto. Motorola now has the option to enforce a Europe-wide iOS ban immediately, or wait until after the appeals process is through. If they opt to enforce the ban right away, Motorola must cough up $134 million bond - in case the verdict is overturned in appeal. In less than 48 hours, Apple has been hit with three devastating court rulings. The Australian High Court ruled that Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 did not infringe on any patents, a U.S. court rejected Apple's case to ban Galaxy devices stateside and now the German courts have ruled in favor of Motorola. Is this the definition of irony?

German Court Rules in Favor of Motorola Mobility in Apple Litigation Court grants Motorola Mobility’s requests for injunction and damages Dec. 09, 2011 LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Dec. 9, 2011 - Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) ("Motorola Mobility") today announced that the court in Manheim, Germany (the “Court”) has ruled that Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) European sales company, Ireland-based Apple Sales International, is infringing one of Motorola Mobility’s core cellular communications patents related to data packet transfer technology (GPRS) through its sales of the iPhone and iPad devices. The Court granted Motorola Mobility’s requests for an injunction and damages. “We are pleased with the court’s ruling. Today’s decision validates Motorola Mobility’s efforts to enforce its patents against Apple’s infringement,” said Scott Offer, senior vice president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility. “Motorola Mobility has worked hard over the years to build an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio that is respected by the telecommunications industry, and we are proud to leverage this portfolio to create differentiated innovations that enhance the user experience. We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our intellectual property, as the Company’s patent portfolio and licensing agreements with companies both in the U.S. and around the world are critical to our business. We have been negotiating with Apple and offering them reasonable licensing terms and conditions since 2007, and will continue our efforts to resolve our global patent dispute as soon as practicable.” Business Risks This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future actions with respect to this litigation and other future actions. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to our successful protection of our intellectual property in this litigation and in other pending and future matters; and the other risks and uncertainties contained and identified in Motorola Mobility's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof Motorola Mobility does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or update the reasons that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
About Motorola Mobility Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Via: Gizmodo, Motorola

Exodus Live Wallpaper Brings Custom 3D Blocks to Your Homescreen

Kellen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:25:22 +0000

One of our favorite live wallpapers of all time is still Light Grid by Joko Interactive. The number of customizable options that were included made toying with your wallpaper an entertaining art form. So when we were informed that they had a new release on the way, but with 3D elements, we jumped at it. It's called Exodus Live Wallpaper and it brings a lot of the joy you experienced through Light Grid, only with 3D blocks that can be tweaked to your liking. It's interactive to touch, meaning the blocks change direction with your swipe. Live wallpapers, another reason we love Android so much. Market: Free | Full

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPYSQ3u29iw[/youtube]

Google's Androidify Update, Bringing The Holiday Cheer To All Fanboys And Girls

Tim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:48:03 +0000

Time to update your Android-selves with Google's newest additions to the Androidify application. Reindeer antlers, mittens, scarves, and even candy canes can be found for your fashion-savvy Android character. Looks like there is some New Year's items to decorate yourself with too. Fun times! As an added bonus, did we mention these make great Twitter avatars? Market Link Via: Google Blog

Download: DROID XYBOARD Wallpapers

Kellen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:26:37 +0000

One thing you can say every time Motorola releases a new device, "Damn do they know how to make some nice looking wallpapers." As is the case with the new XYBOARD tablet are available today online and in stores December 12. There are 11 total - a couple you have seen on previous devices, but most are completely new and gorgeous. You can grab the whole pack after the break or download the individual samples that we have pulled that stuck out. Download: xyboardwallsDL.zip Here are a couple of samples in case you don't want the entire pack:

ShadowGun Previewed On Tegra 3 Device, Running Smoother Than Ever

Tim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:00:15 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmvJxbHWZSU[/youtube]

There is no doubt that ShadowGun can make even the best dual-core processors run a bit laggy. But what do you get when you try it on a Tegra 3 quad-core device? You get epic gaming annihilation filled with guns and bacon. The developer of ShadowGun has been working hard to make sure their game is at tip top shape when NVIDIA's Tegra 3 launches for the masses. And from the demo video above, looks like they're doing a great job. Your first chance to scoop up a Tegra 3 device will be with the Transformer Prime, which is set for some time this month. As the excitement builds, so does John Slade's muscles. Via: NVIDIA

New DROID RAZR Commercial Brags Up MotoCast

Kellen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:25:01 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KPKQP0FPCY[/youtube]

The DROID RAZR campaign that has been in full effect for the last month is very nice. It's back to being all about the device itself and not some ninja chick, the features it has over others, and how the brand means more than just "oh hey another Android phone to add to the pile." In this latest spot, MotoCast is featured. I know that many of you hate bloatware as much as I do, but this app is actually useful. You can access your music collection, movies, documents and files, and pictures that you have stored on your home or work computers from anywhere. Props to Moto for this one. You can view the previous RAZR spots here and here.

Day 4 Of Google's 10 Days Of 10 Cent Apps: Shazam Encore, Jelly Defense, And More

Tim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:50:08 +0000

It's day 4, folks. Google has a new list of apps for your downloading pleasure at just 10 cents a pop. Sentinel 3, Spirit HD, and Jelly Defense are all tons of fun and are completely worth the 10 penny asking price for each.

Shazam Encore
Sentinel 3: Homeworld
Baseball Superstars® 2011
Spirit HD
Jelly Defense
Paper Camera
My Beach HD
Farm Frenzy
Toddler Spanish: 100 words
Game Dev Story

You can find all the apps grouped up on the Android Market, here.

Again, the DROID XYBOARD in Two Sizes is Available Online Today and Via Direct Fill, In Stores December 12

Kellen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:15:24 +0000

As a Droid Life reader, you probably knew yesterday that the DROID XYBOARD tablets would be up for sale online and via direct fill starting today. Verizon has made it officially official as of this morning though. The in-store rollout will happen on Monday for those that wish to get their hands on these two new tablets before making a purchasing decision. Both tablets feature top notch specs with 1.2GHz processors, 1GB of RAM, dual cameras, 4G LTE radios, and Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). We wish the prices were a bit lower (starting at $429 on-contract), but this seems to be the method for whatever reason. Buy.

DROID XYBOARD Tablets Available Today on America’s Fastest, Most Reliable 4G Network
12/09/2011 The DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and DROID XYBOARD 8.2 by Motorola are available online starting today at www.verizonwireless.com. Both tablets will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Monday, Dec. 12. For a limited time only, customers can take advantage of a special promotion and receive $100 off a DROID XYBOARD tablet with the purchase of a DROID RAZR™ by Motorola with a new two-year customer agreement. Lighter than a paperback book and thinner than an AAA battery, the DROID XYBOARD tablets feature Android™ 3.2 Honeycomb, the blazing speeds of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network, enterprise-grade security and the power of dual-core 1.2 GHz processors. Both tablets will be upgraded to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Plus, they are equipped with MotoCast™ for remote access to non DRM-protected music, pictures, videos and documents stored on work or home computers’ hard drives. DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and 8.2 customers can soar through the Web at blazing download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage areas. Pricing:

The DROID XYBOARD 10.1 will be available in three models: 16 GB for $529.99 and 32 GB for $629.99. The 64 GB model will be available online for $729.99. All three with a new two-year customer agreement.

The DROID XYBOARD 8.2 will be available in two models: 16 GB for $429.99 and 32 GB for $529.99, both with a new two-year customer agreement.

Customers that purchase a DROID XYBOARD tablet will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data plan starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

Customers can visit www.droiddoes.com/xyboard for information about the DROID XYBOARD tablets by Motorola. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Yes Folks, December 15 is Verizon's New Target for the Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:02:29 +0000

We reported this yesterday, but will say it one more time for those that missed it in the random XYBOARD post. Verizon is telling ALL employees, stores, managers, and indirects that December 15 is the new target just like they did with December 9. Not much else to say, cross your fingers that we have zero 4G outages and inventory levels pick up between now and then. Rumors of this Sunday or Monday or Tuesday are flying around forums, but that’s not what stores are being told. If those happen, you should be surprised.

DROID Bionic Soak Test for Massive Bug Fixer Begins Today

Kellen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:56:36 +0000

If you are signed up as a member of the Motorola Feedback Network with your DROID Bionic, you may receive notification to update your phone today. The massive bug fixer that was unveiled yesterday is ready to rock and will start to hit the test group within the next few hours. This should be final software, so assuming that all goes well and a major flaw is not discovered during the next few days, you should all be seeing this very soon. Here is word out of Moto's camp:

Starting tomorrow (today) at around noon ET, you will get the update pushed to your phone. You will likely see comments on the public forums from owners who receive the update but are not providing feedback here, where we want your input. We will block your ability to post in the public community, but you will get it back in a day or so. And please remember that this project is confidential. I want to make a few things clear so we don't have misunderstandings later: We're testing final software. A group of some thousands of Droid Bionic owners will receive the software upgrade. Then, we wait for a short period -- generally two days but since we're going into the weekend we'll get extra time -- to see what happens. But only a portion of that group is made up of owners like you, from the Motorola Feedback Network. It's your feedback that we rely on in evaluting if our software is ready. Unless there is some extremely serious issue, we will very likely release this software. We have several goals in this effort. First, to make sure something big doesn't show up with thousands of testers that didn't show up with dozens and scores. Second, we get a sense of what you like, don't like, need help with, etc., so we're prepared for when all the owners are upgraded. And we also capture issues that we may need to address in the future. Certainly if there is anything big, we go back and fix it before we launch. It's rare, but it's happened before.

Yep, your Bionic is about to get an overhaul. Cheers D, M, T and 0!

Verizon Promotional Mailer: Receive $100 Off Any 4G Smartphone, No Limitations Found

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:06:04 +0000

Checked your mail today? You may have received a flyer from Verizon that will get you $100 off of any 4G smartphone from now through X-Mas. Not a bad deal, especially knowing that a certain phone is dropping at some point within the next week and will likely be priced at $299. And this mailer doesn't appear to limit your choices - RAZR, Rezound or Galaxy Nexus should be fair game. Not sure how far this mailer reaches, but this one appears to be in Illinois.

And the fine print:

Cheers Brian!

Ultimate Verizon 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus Gallery (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:05:39 +0000

How does the Galaxy Nexus compare in thickness to the competition? Can we see it from different angles? What about under the battery? Next to an iPhone? All in our explosive gallery down below. We still do not have an official release date, but it's pretty obvious after seeing these shots that the phone is in the hands of a number of people these days. Can you hold out for another week? It's going to be tough, isn't it? Apologies if this is taken as a tease, but wanted to share the stuff we see throughout the day. If we can't own it, might as well look at pics? Versus the competition:

How thick is it?

Different angles:

Other shots:

Versus the OG (updated):

Cheers ___ and ____!

DROID XYBOARDs Should Be Available Tomorrow Via Direct Fill, All Channels December 12

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:24:33 +0000

If the DROID XYBOARD is to be your next tablet, then tomorrow is your day to order one online or to have a Verizon store order one for you. If you want to wait to play with one before droppin' Benjamins, you will have to try and hold out until Monday when they should available everywhere. So again, XYBOARD available via d-fill (direct fill) tomorrow, all channels on Monday the 12th. If you would like to see how they compare to the rest of the competition, you can view comparison charts here. Pricing information here.

Asus Transformer Prime Website Completely Redone - Showcases The Quad-Core Tab Perfectly

Tim — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:50:35 +0000

Everyone is so caught up with the Galaxy Nexus that sometimes we might forget that a quad-core tablet by the name of Transformer Prime is still to make its way to the market. We always have people requesting more info on the tablet so this should tie you over till Asus gives us a concrete release date. It is a resource intensive site, so we wouldn't suggest trying to view it on a mobile phone. The site doesn't give us any new information, but they have a great spec page with all the information laid out cleanly and a lovely gallery showing off the device from all the right angles. Transformer Prime Website Cheers David!

Samsung To Release 11-Inch Retina-Resolution 2GHz Exynos Tablet By Next Year

Dan — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:08:17 +0000

Despite an onslaught of Apple lawsuits, Samsung is looking to beat the Cupertino company's release of a retina-resolution tablet. According to a trusted source from BGR, Samsung is set to launch an 11.6-inch tablet running Ice Cream Sandwich by early next year. The device will most likely be showcased at Mobile World Congress in February. According to the source, even though the tablet features a larger display than the Tab 10.1, the device will be "barely larger" due to a thinner bezel. The new tablet will feature an ultra high-res display at a whopping 2560 x 1600 resolution with a 2GHz dual-core Exynos 5250 processor. Samsung's table will also feature Android Beam for easy syncing with the Galaxy Nexus (if it is released by then) and a special wireless docking mode for gaming on HDTVs, which should help Samsung compete with Apple TV, Airplay and more. Via: BGR

DROID XYBOARD Demo Units Arriving in Stores, Other Notes Too

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:51:05 +0000

I'll just say this up front - now that the Galaxy Nexus launch is up in the air, it probably means that devices like the XYBOARD are too. Verizon initially had pegged December 12 (Monday) as the day, but it's anyone's guess now (actually, tomorrow is an option as odd as that may sound). What we do know is that the demo units for stores are starting to arrive. So if you were interested in playing with one, now would be the time to call your local store and see if you can get your hands on them. And speaking of the Nexus (because we know you need more rumors), heard a dozen times today that December 15 (next Thursday) has now been targeted (yes, ignore yesterday's random 12/13 date). Will it happen then? Again, I wouldn't put money on any launch date at this point after Friday was given the axe. If it does, you may also see the white RAZR along side it. Cheers ___!

DROID Bionic Update Finally on the Way, Here is Your Massive Bug Fixer

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:06:03 +0000

Here it is DROID Bionic owners. The massive bug fixer that we have been expecting is finally ready for prime time. In it, you will find improved stability to avoid power cycles, a faster auto focus in the camera, and better 4G/3G connectivity to name a few. The phone can somehow magically support 8 devices while on hotspot now, something we were previously told was limited to 5 due to hardware limitations. If you power the phone off, it won't power back on by itself and SIM cards should activate much quicker. The list is extensive and goes much deeper, so be sure to click both images that we have attached to get the full list. No word on a release, but when support documents are made available, we usually see something within 1-2 weeks. The update is 54.5MB and will leave your phone at Blur build 5.5.893. *Note - Received word that this update could start rolling out as early as tomorrow. As you all know, that doesn't mean everyone will get it tomorrow, but it should hit a small test group. Page two after the break.

More info. Cheers Matt!

Google Introduces Currents to Android and iOS, A Beautiful Way to View Your Favorite Websites Including Droid Life

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:20:36 +0000

The Google team popped out their latest product today called Currents and asked us to join in on the launch party. Currents is an application that runs on both Android and iOS phones and tablets, giving you a beautiful view of your favorite websites in an almost magazine-esque format. As a part of the original group of sites to be featured, once you load it up, you can find the Droid Life edition already available under "Science and Tech." How does Currents work? It functions almost like a feed reader app, except that it allows for publication owners to create their own editions with special features, custom layouts, and pull content from a variety of sources. As you will see in the DL edition, we have both DL and Android Life feeds, our Youtube channel and even our Google+ feed (which we promise we will start using more). And if you are unable to find a specially made release from some of your other most-visited sites, you can go ahead and pull in their feed from your Google Reader list.

Swiping. Currents employees the swiping techniques that most of Google's current crop of apps continues to use. You can swipe from home page to section, section to individual story, and then in between pages within a story. You almost never need to touch a button while using this app thanks to the fluidity of the interface. Why should you use it? Like I said previously, it can easily replace your drab feed reader application, but most importantly, it allows you to access all of a web publication's info from one spot. If you needed your entire Android fix all in one place, you can get that using Currents and subscribing to the DL edition. Phones and Tablets. The Google team has done an amazing job at making this compatible with big and small screens. You get a completely different layout with more content on a tablet, yet the much more condensed visual version on phones works just as well.

Other bits. If having custom magazine style feeds from your websites wasn't enough, you can also pull in trending topics on your favorite subjects from the main screen, share content quickly with your favorite apps, and view pictures in a snazzy looking gallery. Here are some additional screenshots:

And a video overview:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LOcUkm8m9w[/youtube]

Market Link

Tip: How to Make Your Wait for the Galaxy Nexus Easier

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:03:45 +0000

I'm sorry, couldn't help but post it. Cheers Keith!

Amazon Appstore Looks To Be Price Matching Google's 10 Cent Apps

Tim — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:36:10 +0000

From the looks of it, the Amazon Appstore is price matching certain apps that Google has listed for 10 cents during their 10 billion download special. So while these two giants have it out for your ten pennies, we as buyers can take advantage of the deals. A few of the day 2 apps can be found for 10 cents as well, but no day 1 apps were at the sale price.

Can Knockdown 2
Space Physics
Kids Learn To Read (Kindle Fire Edition)
Tetris
Fruit Ninja
Star Chart
Read It Later Pro

If for some reason you were not able to scoop up these apps for 10 cents in the Android Market, you can grab them in the Amazon Appstore for the same price. Have at it. Cheers Scott!

[Infographic] A Closer Look at Android's 10 Billion App Downloads

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:09:27 +0000

All week, we have been celebrating the 10 billion app milestone that the Android Market achieved. 10 cent apps anyone? Yes, please. If you were dying to find out more info on those 10 billion app downloads though, then the Android Developers team has you covered with one massive infographic. Stats that you will find include the most popular time to download apps, which countries download the most, which categories are the hottest, how many miles have been navigated on Google Maps, and how many cans have been knocked down playing Can Knockdown. Fun facts. Full infographic after the break.

Via: Android Developers

Twitter App Receives Update, Brings New Polished Look To Your Mobile Device

Tim — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:51:12 +0000

Twitter fiends can head on into the Android Market and snatch up the newly redone application. They have given the user interface a nice new sparkle along with sort of changing the way you interact with Twitter. You have always had your timeline, mentions, profile, and the search option - now you have "Home" which is your timeline, "Connect" which is your mentions, "Discover" which is your search and hashtag center, and finally "Me" which is your organized profile just as you would see on the desktop version. Since we are on the subject of Twitter, don't forget to follow us. Below is a video demonstrating Twitter's newly enhanced web experience that also just came into effect. Go tweet! Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qqDy5BmYKE[/youtube]

Video: Eric Schmidt at LeWeb 2011 - Demo of ICS on Tablets, Android vs. Apple, and a Lot of Awkward Comments Included

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:11:39 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t02iJn5Ypio[/youtube]

If you have an hour to blow through today, check out the appearance that Eric Schmidt made this week at LeWeb 2011 in Paris. Within the first few minutes, you will see a full 8-minute walk-through of Ice Cream Sandwich by Google's Hugo Barra. Included in his demo, is one of the first appearances of ICS on a tablet. The rest of the features he shows were seen in a variety of videos we have done over the last few weeks and at the Hong Kong unveiling event. Schmidt also talks Android vs. Apple, Google+ vs. Facebook, and then fields questions from the crowd on hand. It's a good watch just because it's Eric - meaning, you never know what kind of random stuff he is going to spit out. Within the first 10 minutes, you may run out of fingers if you try to count the number of awkward pauses between Hugo, Schmidt and the show's host.

Verizon Is Giving Away 5 HTC Rezounds Over On The East Coast, Here's How To Win

Tim — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:10:17 +0000

Verizon is all about their 4G LTE network. And to help promote it, they have just began a giveaway through Twitter, where 5 lucky winners will walk away with an HTC Rezound powered by Beats Audio. The chosen cities on the East coast are New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, and Washington DC. After watching a video based on one of the chosen markets, just send out a simple tweet and you're then entered. Go join in the on fun. Who knows, maybe you will win a free phone. If you're not looking to win a free phone, then you can still watch the video for entertainment purposes. Begin the process here.

Day 3 Of Google's 10 Days of 10 Cent Apps: ADWLauncher EX, Tetris, And More

Tim — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:45:43 +0000

Day three. We're not even half way there yet and Google keeps spreading on the app love. Today has some very well known apps available so you can probably kiss another dollar goodbye. ADW Launcher EX (yes, it is the new version), the classic among classics Tetris, and the Talking Tom Cat 2 which kids absolutely love. Heck, even I love it.

Homerun Battle 3D
Talking Tom Cat 2
Reckless Getaway
ADW EX Launcher
Toki Tori
Tetris
Space Physics
Blue Skies Donation Wallpaper
Can Knockdown 2
Kids Learn to Read

Update: If you are not seeing the new apps, head into application settings on your device and delete cache under the Market app. You should then be able to load the page for all the new apps. Hope that helps. Head on into the Market to get your dose of 10 cent apps.

Galaxy Nexus Prices: Still $299 at Verizon Stores, $289 with Accessory Bundle at Costco

Kellen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:20:12 +0000

With no release date in sight for the Galaxy Nexus, we at least have a solid idea of what the price will be on contract. Verizon shelf slips are most definitely listing the phone at $299 on new 2-year contract, something we have expected it to be for quite some time. You will have to trust me that full retail is $649, it just couldn't fit into the picture. In related pricing news, we have word out of Costco's camp finally. According to a reader that stopped by his local store, the display model had a price of $289 attached that includes an accessory bundle. What was in the bundle? From what he saw in store, it's not as eye-popping as some of the previous bundles we have seen and should get you a "leather pouch, car charger, and screen protectors." Still no word on a release date. Cross your fingers that Verizon's 4G LTE network holds up for the next 24 hours or so and you never know what could happen. Cheers Eugene and Harish!

New Facebook Update on Android is Live in the Market

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:37:25 +0000

We tweeted about this a few hours ago (following us on Twitter?), but wanted to make sure everyone saw it. The new Facebook app that was previewed this morning, is live and available to all. With it, comes a whole new UI that allows you to navigate from anywhere, better tagging, a new photo viewing experience, improved searching, faster notifications and more. It's pretty massive, even for Facebook. Market Link Cheers Evan, Adam, Jon and everyone else!

Gallery: Verizon's 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus Unboxes For Your Viewing Pleasure

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:31:02 +0000

Rather than dive back into all of the bad news about the Galaxy Nexus that has come out today, we thought we would instead just plop this new set of pictures down in front of you. I know, I know, it's not the actual device that you should have had in your hands in 2 days, but it's at least another look at it. We get a crystal clear pic of the box both inside and out (see the raised Galaxy Nexus lettering on the inside?), a reminder that it's not a unicorn, and a profile shot of its pretty little body. Poor little G-Nex, he just wants to be out in the public, away from dirty old stock rooms. Set him free Verizon!

Cheers ___!

Google's Eric Schmidt: "Android Is Ahead Of The iPhone Now"

Tim — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:44:55 +0000

At a recent conference, Eric Schmidt has declared that Android has now surpassed the iPhone. But, how? Schmidt goes on to explain that when measuring pure unit volume, OS, price, and availability that Android is a clear winner. What Android still lacks is a developer backing though. Many app vendors just don't see the numbers yet and are sticking with just supplying iOS customers with their apps until the numbers are in Android's favor. Schmidt thinks that the numbers will reflect Android's power very soon though.

"Ultimately, application vendors are driven by volume, and volume is favored by the open approach Google is taking. There are so many manufacturers working to deliver Android phones globally. Whether you like Android or not, you will support that platform, and maybe you'll even deliver it first."

With the introduction of Ice Cream Sandwich, the mighty Googler feels that in a short "six months," users will no longer see their favorite applications come out for iOS first anymore, but for Android. Is ICS going to change that much in terms of benefits for developers? Will we see a complete 180 degree turn in which OS applications make it to first? According to Eric Schmidt, it will. Via: CNET

New Facebook For Android Is Confirmed - Revamped UI Is Here To Stay Plus Added Functionality

Tim — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:00:40 +0000

The Facebook development team has now confirmed the rumored update coming to Android's Facebook application. The app will have a completely new user interface, along with better ability to 'tag' and edit photos. Navigation of the app will now take place via an option bar along the left side of the screen which should free up plenty of screen real estate for more of your friends' status updates. If you're a hardcore FB user like myself, then we all know that this was completely needed. Not only will we see a new FB, but the team also says that it will be "faster." A sexier and faster FB? We are all for it. The update should go live "soon", so keep your eyes on the Android Market. Market Link Via: Facebook Cheers Taylor!

Verizon 4G LTE Outage Happening Now? (Updated: Service Restored?)

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:25:15 +0000

Last night, we reported that DROID RAZR devices were running into a SIM card issue that was killing their 4G LTE. Original theories suggested that the issue was specific to the micro SIM used in the RAZR, but we are now seeing a variety of devices across the country dropping to 3G or 1X including the Thunderbolt, Rezound and more. My personal RAZR - which was working just fine - has flipped to being stuck on 3G within the last 30 minutes here in Portland, OR. We could be on the verge of a nationwide 4G LTE outage. And we should point out that this does not appear to be affecting every single person with a 4G device at this time, but there have been enough reports that we have reached out to Verizon for some help. Once we hear back, we will let you know. Could be your answer to the Galaxy Nexus delay. Update: Verizon has responded with this comment regarding the 4G LTE outage:

Verizon Wireless engineers have been working to resolve an issue with 4GLTE service that is affecting some customers’ 4G devices. 3G data and voice devices are unaffected. All customers’ voice calls and text messages continue to go through. In the past 24 hours, some 4GLTE customers have reported their devices are operating on 3G data service where they would normally get 4G. Some have reported no issues, others that data access is either intermittent or unavailable. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Here's to hoping we see something change for the better very soon. We know that some of our readers have been experiencing an outage since yesterday afternoon. Update 2:39PM: After losing all service for 2 hours, I now have 3G back in some capacity. Anyone else? Update 5:12PM: Checked my RAZR and 4G LTE service is back up and running. Anyone else? In the comments, 4G LTE or no 4G LTE?

Watch Matias Duarte On Google+ Today at 4:30 PM EST

Tim — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:13 +0000

Been waiting for someone to pick the brain of the popular Googler, Matias Duarte? Today at 4:30 PM EST (1:30 PM PST), on The Daily Beast's Google+ page, you can watch a live hang out where they will be going back and forth with the man behind many of the Ice Cream Sandwich looks we know and love. In addition, the entire event will be recorded for all those that can't make it.

When:

December / 7 / 2011 (Today) - 4:30 PM EST (1:30 PM PST)

Where:

Daily Beast Google+ Page If you are not able to catch the live action but still want to go back and watch, The Daily Beast will also be recording the event for later viewing on their G+ page. Don't know if they'll be taking viewer questions, but that would be an added bonus. Via: Android And Me

Fire Up the Galaxy Nexus Release Date Rumor Engine Again - Add December 13 to the List

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:25:34 +0000

Is anyone else shaking their head while reading this? I sure am while writing it. With the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon getting the bump from December 9 to who-knows-when, it is anyone's guess when we will see it. This whole situation has become one giant mess - if that word even does it justice. We were told that it would be out "before the end of the year" a number of times, but if it isn't obvious to you that this phone should have been out a couple of times by now and that December 9 was the latest rock solid date, then I can't help you. We don't need an "official" announcement from Verizon to understand this. :P Verizon informed their entire nationwide staff including indirect stores that 12/9 was the all channel launch date. They don't make this information available to just anyone unless it is 99.9% set in stone. The phone is in stock at all stores ready to be sold, yet no one is allowed to. The reason for this delay is not known. In fact, most VZW friends of ours are as confused and shocked as all you. So what now? Well, we look to next week unless something crazy happens over the next 48 hours and we end up seeing on Friday after all. Could that happen? Of course, anything could. Until we see another update on that front though, we will open our ears and eyes to all options. And the newest that we have seen from indirect retailers is December 13 (next Tuesday). We aren't exactly sure why they would go with Tuesday - other than the fact that we are supposed to see the XYBOARD on Monday - but will accept it into the list of rumored dates. Cheers ___!

Google+ Update: +1 Photos, +1 Comments, And Added Support For Higher Photo Resolutions

Tim — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:37:32 +0000

Google just pushed out an updated version of their beloved Google+ application. New support for higher photo resolutions was much needed and now users can even "+1" individual comments and photos. Big props to Google for continually supporting this great application. It will only get better. Market Link

Verizon Compares the DROID XYBOARD to the iPad 2, Kindle Fire and Others

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:30:56 +0000

Intrigued by the DROID XYBOARD tablets that Verizon announced yesterday? Then you may want to take a look at these two comparison charts that pit both against the competition, including the iPad 2 and the Kindle Fire. Both of the new XYBOARDs (10" and 8.2") best almost every other tablet (aside from the Transformer Prime) when it comes to specs given their slight bump in processor speed of 1.2GHz, improved screen, and 4G LTE. Is that slight bump along with an improved screen enough to turn future tablet owners away from the market stomping Fire and iPad 2? I'm not so sure, especially at prices well above both. The new tablets from Motorola start at $429 ($529 for the 10") on contract, meaning you can get into a Fire for over $200 less without signing 2 years of your life away. If you need 4G speeds on a tablet while on the go though, then these may just end up being your option. A release date was confirmed yesterday for December 12 (Monday), but after seeing the Galaxy Nexus get bumped from the 9th with just days to go, I wouldn't put money on anything these days. Versus the Kindle Fire after the break.

Cheers ___!

Motorola Details the Ice Cream Sandwich Upgrade Process for Their Phones, Are We Really 6 months Away From Seeing it?

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:45:16 +0000

Motorola made it clear back in October that they had plans to upgrade the majority of their devices to Ice Cream Sandwich including the DROID RAZR, Bionic and XOOM. Today in a blog post, they have laid out the time line of events that lead us up to that release. How does 4-6 months sound? If you were expecting to see it on your new RAZR in January or February this may seem like a long time, but if you look at this past year's Gingerbread schedules, 4-6 months isn't all that bad. According to Moto, there are 4 major steps that must take place in order for your phone to receive an update:

1. Merge and adapt the new release for different device hardware architecture(s) and carrier customizations This means that we take the source code and incorporate it into upgrades for devices on which this can perform well, along with making sure the carrier requirements are met. Silicon partners such as Qualcomm, TI, and nVidia adapt this to their chipsets in parallel and we incorporate these as they become available. This is also the time when we begin integrating all of the Motorola-specific software enhancements into the source code. Features like MotoCast, Smart Actions, and our comprehensive enterprise solutions are integral parts of our device experiences, and we want to make sure we continue delivering differentiated experiences for our consumers with these software upgrades. 2. Stabilize and ‘bake’ the result to drive out bugs This means that we will prepare the upgrade to meet the quality and stability requirements to enter the wireless carrier’s certification lab. 3. Submit the upgrade to the carriers for certification This is the point in the process where the carrier’s lab qualifies and tests the upgrade. Each carrier has different requirements for phases 2 and 3. There may be a two-month preparation cycle to enter a carrier lab cycle of one to three months. 3.5 Perform a Customer pre-release We may perform some customer testing before a final release is delivered publicly to our user base. 4. Release the upgrade We are planning on upgrading as many of our phones as possible. The ability to offer the upgrade depends on a number of factors including the hardware/device capabilities, the underlying chipset software support, the ICS support and then the ability to support the Motorola value add software.

So by our calculations, Moto will take 2-3 months to integrate their Blur and built-in apps into Ice Cream Sandwich. After that, they will send it off to Verizon, one of the ~~slowest~~ more thorough carriers on the planet when it comes to testing updates. After letting Big Red toss it around for 1-3 months, we could finally see it - assuming there weren't too many bugs that needed to be addressed by Moto and then re-submitted to Big Red. We are looking at anywhere from 4-6 months (minimum), putting us right around June or July. Sounds about right if we look back at when the world finally got around to upgrading previously released phones to Gingerbread this year. Via: Motorola Cheers JF!

Verizon CEO: Family Shared Data Plans Could Happen in 2012

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:14:36 +0000

Family shared data plans could be here some time in 2012 according to Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam. Speaking at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference this week, he mentioned that after 2 years of work toward account-level pricing, VZW is almost there. Customers who have multiple screens (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) and are sick of having to pay for each one individually, will soon have the option to purchase a blanket of data to cover them all. Think of shared data just like you do with family shared minutes - you purchase one bulk amount of say 5GB of data, and all of your lines or data-involved devices get to pull from it. McAdam would not go into specifics or give a time frame for release, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was an early 2012 goal of theirs. As long as the price is fair for a decent amount of data, I'm a big fan of this idea. Wait, did I just use "fair" and "price" in the same sentence when referring to the mobile industry? Silly me, I should know better. Thoughts on shared data? Via: Fierce Wireless

Day 2 of Google's 10 Days of 10 Cent Apps: Beautiful Widgets, Fruit Ninja, and More

Tim — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:45:59 +0000

It is day two of Google's ten days of premium apps for just 10 cents! Yesterday had some really great options and today is no different. To name just a few of the biggest names we have Fruit Ninja, Beautiful Widgets, and Read It Later Pro. This is possibly the greatest deal to ever come to the Android Market and we still have 8 days left!

Fruit Ninja
BB - Bedtime Battle
AirSync by doubleTwist
Flick Golf!
Star Chart
Reckless Racing
Christmas HD
NFL Rivals
Beautiful Widgets
Read It Later Pro

If you want to see the whole page of deals, then check out the Android Market.

Galaxy Nexus No Longer Launching on December 9? (Updated: More Details)

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:22:57 +0000

Not necessarily the post I wanted to start the day with, but in the span of 15 minutes, multiple sources reached out because they were informed that the Galaxy Nexus is no longer launching on December 9 (this Friday). I'm still in shock that this could happen after the entire U.S. Verizon staff was informed that the 9th was the day, but then again, I'm not sure anything should surprise us when it comes to this phone anymore. Is Big Red just trolling us? Could we still see it Friday or are we onto Monday now? Stay tuned as we dig for confirmation. Keep as rumor for now, and try not to completely freak out. New updates added after the break. Update: Equipment Guide now says "launch date is coming soon." The same sheet yesterday had an all channel launch happening on 12/9. Update 2: A couple of folks have suggested that this move could have to do with the 4G LTE issues that started popping up on phones yesterday afternoon. If that is the case, you can't fault Verizon for waiting another couple of days to make sure their network is stable enough for this phone. Update 3: Hate to keep at this, but the reports of the delay are hitting our inbox from across the country. No reasons given, but again, this could easily be because of the LTE issues that are still ongoing. Or who knows, maybe Verizon is trying to throw us all off and will announce this puppy Friday morning. Great way to throw us all off, right? Developing...

Video: Motorola Shows Off Splash Guard Coating on the XYBOARD

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:21:11 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGgJTrEYhQE[/youtube]

In other non-Galaxy Nexus related news, how about that splash coating that Motorola is putting on all of their products these days? If you were looking for a device that ~~has been released when it was supposed to and not delayed 10 times~~ can withstand a beer spill or a quick splash of your child's juice, you may want to think about the DROID XYBOARD or RAZR. In the video above, Moto demos their water resistant coating, while reminding you that just one droplet can ruin it all.

Costco Also Expecting the Galaxy Nexus on Friday

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:22:36 +0000

By now you should know that the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon will be in stores this Friday, December 9. One thing that many of you were wondering though, is whether or not Costco would carry it. As a major bulk retailer, Costco tends to offer discounted prices over Verizon corporate stores, sometimes even throwing in accessory bundles that can't be matched anywhere. While we don't know yet on the bundle status, we do know now that Costco will indeed be selling the device on Friday. We are hoping to have info on the accessory bundle situation later on today or at least before Friday. And don't forget to grab the G-Nex user guide here. Cheers ___!

Logitech Revue Honeycomb Update Rolling Out This Week

Kellen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:12:09 +0000

Logitech Revue owners may have a hard time believing this, but according to Logitech's blog, the Honeycomb update will roll out to units starting this week. After what seems like almost a year of waiting, everyone with some sort of Google TV product will finally have the Android Market, apps, and a completely new experience on a product that got off to a pretty rocky start. There doesn't appear to be a way to force the update, but you can check as many times as you'd like in your Settings panel. To see an overview of what you can expect with this update, check out this highlight post. Then be sure to check out our hands-on walk-through of it here. Via: Logitech, Google

DROID RAZRs Receiving "Sim Card Authorization Error" - Verizon is Aware of the Issue

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:11:16 +0000

Over the last couple of hours, we have received a number of reports (they are filling up the comments now too) from DROID RAZR owners who are experiencing some sort of micro SIM issue. In their notification bar, they are seeing a message that reads "SIM card authorization error" and "The SIM Card may not be authorized for LTE service. Please Power down the phone and contact Wireless Provider Customer Service." After receiving these messages, the phone cannot no longer operate on Big Red's 4G LTE network. Verizon is apparently aware of the situation, but from what we can tell, may not know the cause of it. Some of our readers are being told that they simply need a new SIM card - would be unfortunate if every RAZR owner in the U.S. needed to order one though. I should point out that my RAZR so far, has not experienced this. Everyone's RAZR OK or are you running into LTE and SIM issues? Cheers Andrew, Ryan, Jerry and Luis!

For The Second Year In A Row, Verizon Tops Consumer Reports Satisfaction Survey

Dan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:20:17 +0000

Besides their incredible line up of smartphones and tablets, the big reason we are all on Verizon is the pure power of their network. Rarely are calls dropped, coverage is wide-spread and their 4G LTE network is blazing fast. Consumer Reports polled over 66,000 of its members on their service and customer-support experience with both standard and no-contract providers. For the second year in a row Big Red has polled the highest, with AT&T sitting at the bottom of the results. Nipping at Verizon's heals is the nations third largest carrier, Sprint, with T-Mobile coming in third. Survey respondents gave Verizon very good scores for both texting and data service satisfaction, as well as staff knowledge. As a Verizon customer for nearly the past 10 years, I could not be happier. The service has done nothing but expand, unfortunately so have the prices - then again you get what you pay for. Three cheers for Verizon, hip-hip-hooray. Via: ConsumerReports

ADWLauncher EX To Receive Update: Will Include Revamped Dock, Ice Cream Sandwich Features, And More

Tim — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:31:52 +0000

Lovers of the highly popular ADWLauncher EX application are in for a treat. Sometime shortly, an update will be pushed out to the Android Market that will introduce a handful of great additions to the already highly customizable app. Some of the features will include a revamped dock, dropping apps on each other to create folders (ICS style), and even double-tapping on homescreen elements to customize them. I have been provided an early build of the newest update and made a screencast for all of you to watch. Release will be sometime in the near future - so if you have any questions drop them down below. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TUARyxNTIQ[/youtube]

Confirmed: DROID XYBOARD Tablets Launching December 12 on Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:43:29 +0000

We aren't sure why Verizon left off a release date from their press release for the DROID XYBOARD tablets this morning because they seem to have one already picked out. Our sources told us last week that we should expect them on December 12 (next Monday), and that's exactly what Big Red employees are being told this afternoon. So there you have it, 3 days after the Galaxy Nexus is released and you can sneak back into a VZW store to get yourself a new tablet. Cheers ___!

Galaxy Nexus Roundup: Android OS Update on First Day, Extended Battery with NFC, and One More Spec List

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:24:15 +0000

When you cruise into a store to pick up your Galaxy Nexus on Friday, December 9, you will be prompted to update the OS within the first few hours of activating. We are sort of guessing here, but would expect that to be Android 4.1 that hit test devices last week. According to the document above, it does not appear to be very large in size - should only take 3-5 minutes to install. Whatever is included must be some sort of fix to the issues that were holding this phone up. Below, we have a look at the accessory lineup that should mostly be available at launch. Many of you will be excited to see an extended battery of 2100mAh with NFC capabilities on the list. It also doesn't appear to have those sharp jagged tank edges and extensions that the Rezound, Bionic and Thunderbolt all had. You may be able to throw this battery on your phone and not be the inside joke of your friends. Otherwise, it's most of the stuff you all saw in the video demos of accessories from late last week, but know that the portrait HDMI may not be ready just yet. No landscape dock either.

And here is one more look at specs to help button things up.

Everyone ready for this? Cheers ___!

Download: Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE User Guide - Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:45:12 +0000

With the Galaxy Nexus basically official for Verizon on December 9, it's time for us to start preparing ourselves. If you were looking to learn all there is to know about the inner-workings of the phone before you get your paws on it, then the user guide may be worth your time. The full 108 page book is available for you below. Download: GalaxyNexus_Manual.pdf Cheers ___!

Verizon's Equipment Guide Updated, Galaxy Nexus Release Date of December 9 is "Official"

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:25:48 +0000

Yep, there you go. Just like we said last Friday. Rest of the official specs below.

Cheers __!

Grand Theft Auto III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition Coming To Android December 15th

Dan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:20:25 +0000

Ten years ago Rockstar Games released the controversial and revolutionary game, Grand Theft Auto III to an eager Playstation crowd. Since then, Rockstar has continued to rock the console and PC gaming industry, and now look to do the same in the mobile landscape. A special 10 year anniversary edition of GTA3 will be hitting select Android devices December 15 for $4.99. The following devices will be supported at launch:

Android Phones: HTC Rezound, LG Optimus 2x, Motorola Atrix 4G, Motorola Droid X2, Motorola Photon 4G, Samsung Galaxy R, T-Mobile G2x Android Tablets: Acer Iconia, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Dell Streak 7, LG Optimus Pad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1, Sony Tablet S, Toshiba Thrive

I know what your thinking, no support for the Galaxy Nexus, DROID RAZR, or even the Bionic - crazy right? While the device list is surely lacking, a $4.99 price-tag for this game is more then pleasing. To bad it isn't one of the $0.10 app specials. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtbUORusNvo[/youtube] Via: RockstarGames

Remember Blind Type? It's the New Ice Cream Sandwich Keyboard

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:10:34 +0000

Everyone remember Blind Type? This was the keyboard that never actually became available on Android, but was teased a couple of times as one that could let you type "blindly" and still create perfect sentences. It would predict the words you were attempting to type based upon the vicinity of the letters you had hit. The video of it in action was all the rage, but when Google bought them before they offered anything to the public, most of us continued to hope that some day we would see the technology built into a version of Android. That time is now with Ice Cream Sandwich. As you can see in the demo I put together below, the keyboard works better than expected at predicting words that I was spamming off in all directions. You will notice that while each word is being typed, it gives you options that can be selected as well (similar to Swiftkey). And just in case it didn't pick up the exact word or offer me a proper solution, it also does a phenomenal job at offering up replacement words that you may have meant through a pull down menu. I tried to type the message below as fast as I could to see how it would perform - I'd say it handled my jumbled jargon quite nicely.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1am8DXpjyf8[/youtube]

Video: Ice Cream Sandwich's Beam in Action on the Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:39:18 +0000

One of the more talked about features from the Ice Cream Sandwich event in Hong Kong was Beam, the NFC-based information sharing tool. If you have a phone with an NFC chip running Android 4.0, you can share information with another phone who has the same capabilities. The possibilities will eventually be almost endless, but for now, you can send things like Maps listings or directions, Market app pages, contacts and even Facebook friends. Since we have two phones (Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S) with NFC chips and version of ICS, we were able to demo Beam in the video below. It should be fun come Friday when the world is running around beaming info to each other.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBIh-TUvPjk[/youtube]

Tuesday Poll: Buying the Galaxy Nexus at Full Retail or On-Contract?

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:21:57 +0000

This Friday is looking more and more like the day that we will finally see the Galaxy Nexus with 4G LTE on Verizon. And since the majority of Droid Life readers are planning to pick one up, we are wondering how exactly? Are you eligible for an upgrade ($299) or are you planning to pay full price (around $649)? The DL community is filled with some of the greatest tech addicts on the planet that upgrade more often than almost anyone, but we know that many of you also held out for 2 years with the OG, hoping that something this good would come along. So, upgrade or forking out the big bucks? [poll id="117"]

Verizon: We are Not Blocking Google Wallet, Viewed Differently Than Other Apps

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:47:23 +0000

The Android world was furious last night when word broke that Google Wallet would not be available to the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus. The reasons for this move were not all that surprising with the ISIS NFC payment system from VZW, T-Mobile and AT&T on the way, but people still have the right to be frustrated. Words like "block" that were used to describe the situation appear to have hit a nerve with VZW. In a statement released within the last few minutes, they want to make it clear that they do not "block" apps (except for tethering apps of course). They also want you to understand that Google Wallet is not like the rest of the apps in the world as it does not simply access the OS or basic hardware of your phone. Instead it needs to be securely integrated into a hardware element of your phone, something they are not comfortable with yet. Full statement after the break.

Recent reports that Verizon is blocking Google Wallet on our devices are false. Verizon does not block applications. Google Wallet is different from other widely-available m-commerce services. Google Wallet does not simply access the operating system and basic hardware of our phones like thousands of other applications. Instead, in order to work as architected by Google, Google Wallet needs to be integrated into a new, secure and proprietary hardware element in our phones. We are continuing our commercial discussions with Google on this issue.

So while they continue having "commercial" discussions with Google over Wallet, we should point out that Google pointed the finger directly at Verizon for this app being left out of the phone. That's right, even earlier this morning a Google rep had this to say to CNET:

Verizon asked us not to include this functionality in the product

Whoever is to blame, I'd say we are a long way from seeing it officially supported. Politics. Fun. Cheers Mark, Tekroo, Tyler and Mike!

Checked Your Verizon Account Lately? You May Have an Earlier Than Expected Upgrade Date

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:30:25 +0000

First, you may want to check your Verizon account to see what the status is on your upgrade date. The middle account of mine above previously had a much later, like 2012 date and is now showing as December 29. And I'm not the only one seeing this change. A reader tipped us to his account that has now been switched to 12/19, yet he bought the DROID Bionic on the 2nd day it was out back in September. I'd say Big Red wants to make a big end of the year push to get you into one of their new top tier phones like the Rezound (review), RAZR (review) or Galaxy Nexus (whenever it comes out). And second, ignore the "Samsung SCH-a950." I use that as a placeholder while I swap out phones and have nothing better to put there. :) Cheers Matt!

Facebook On Android To Receive Another User Interface Overhaul Soon?

Tim — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:06:03 +0000

Looks like we may see a new Facebook for Android app rolling out soon, as long as it makes it past Mr. Man of the Year. If the app looks like these leaked images, we will see a more web-like interface in the mobile application, complete with a standalone "Nearby" app for your friend-stalking pleasure. Down below we inserted the leaked images, so take a look and let us know what you think. I personally enjoy the more web-like experience and find that it may be a bit more easy to navigate.

Via: Engadget

Two New Galaxy Nexus Dates Echo Our Previously Reported December 9 Launch

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:02:32 +0000

In case you missed our report from last Friday, we were told by a number of reliable sources that December 9 would likely be the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Verizon. We mentioned that it sounded odd being a Friday and all, but that was what we were hearing over and over again. So last night and this morning, two new reports surfaced that echo that same date. I don't want to say that it has been signed, sealed and delivered, but it is certainly looking like we are close to closing this deal. Stores should be receiving there shipments over the next couple of days (seen here), and then from there it is anyone's guess if Verizon is going to announce anything. We have heard rumors that this one may just sneak by with a slight nod from VZW PR and nothing more. Then again, we could hear something official this afternoon. You just never know anymore, especially when it comes to this phone. Price is almost guaranteed to be $299 on-contract for the 32GB version. On a related note, we also have a DROID 4 launch date mention in the screenshot above. We had previously reported back in November that December 8 could be the launch of this phone, but have since been told differently. Tough to imagine that Verizon would launch the D4 in two days without having mentioned it even once. They just announced their new XYBOARDs and white RAZR this morning - seems like that would have been a perfect time to mention a phone that would be out on Thursday. It could still happen, but the chances of it getting bumped to later in the month are pretty good. December 22 is what we are hearing as a current target. *Note - Yes, the screenshot above says "12/8/2011" for the Nexus, but it is referring to when marketing materials will go up. *Note 2 - Why does that screenshot say "EVO 4G LTE Smartphone"? It could be a marketing term. Via: Engadget, RootzWiki

Android Market Reaches 10 Billion Downloads, Begins 10 Days Of Premium Apps For Just 10 Cents

Tim — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:40:36 +0000

Our beloved Android Market has now reached 10 billion downloads. 10,000,000,000. Very impressive for an OS that has spread like wildfire as of late all across the globe. To celebrate, Google is offering premium apps up for just 10 cents over the next 10 days. We are assuming the list will change each day, so you can be certain Droid Life will list out all the different apps so you can take advantage of this amazing deal. For today's deals, we have some fantastic applications that we know many readers here will be happy over.

Minecraft Full Pocket Edition
Swiftkey X
Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD
Great Little War Game
Fieldrunners HD
Paper Camera
SoundHound Infinity
Color & Draw for kids:phone
Endomondo Sports Tracker PRO
SketchBook Mobile

All 10 cents! We don't know if the same apps will be available tomorrow, so if you were thinking of picking them up, you should do so today just in case. Thanks, Google! Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Verizon Announces Two New 4G LTE Tablets from Motorola Dubbed DROID XYBOARD, White DROID RAZR - All Available in December

Kellen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:53:06 +0000

A couple of announcements out of Verizon's camp just popped into our inbox, making some previously rumored devices official. Both Motorola DROID XYBOARD tablets are now official in 10" and 8.2" sizes. The white DROID RAZR that we first reported on a few weeks back is as well. All three devices will be made available later this month, although no specific dates were given, we have seen some potential dates as of last Friday. The DROID XYBOARD tablets will run on Verizon's 4G LTE network, have 1.2GHz dual-core processors, 1GB of RAM, 5MP rear cameras, 1.3MP front cameras, and Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). Both will see an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) in the near future. Motorola's MotoCast software is also included to give you access to your PC files from anywhere. Pricing is as we reported back in November: 10" model - $529 (16GB), $629 (32GB), and $729 (64GB), 8.2" model - $429 (16GB) and $529 (32GB). Those are on-contract prices; full retail were not mentioned. The white DROID RAZR is exactly the same as the grey and black RAZR, but has a white edge around it. You can find pictures of it after the break along with two more XYBOARD shots.

Verizon Wireless And Motorola Mobility Introduce Next-Generation DROID XYBOARD Tablets On The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network

New Tablets Elevate Customers into an Unprecedented Realm of Communication, Entertainment and Productivity; Verizon Wireless Also Offering New DROID RAZR™ by Motorola in White, Just in Time for the Holidays
BASKING RIDGE, NJ and LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) and Verizon Wireless today introduced two new additions to the DROID family to deliver new and unparalleled experiences on America’s fastest, most reliable 4G network, the DROID XYBOARD tablets. The two new DROID tablets present new options for consumers looking to stay connected, productive and entertained. Additionally, Verizon Wireless will debut the trendsetting DROID RAZR™ by Motorola in a flashy new white color, a unique gift for the winter holidays. All three products will be upgraded to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The new DROID XYBOARD tablets both boast the blazing speeds of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network and the power of dual-core 1.2 GHz processors, 1 GB of RAM and MotoCast™ for remote access to non DRM-protected music, pictures, videos and documents stored on work or home computers’ hard drives. Both are equipped with scratch-resistant displays that use Corning® Gorilla® Glass to stay brilliant and a coating of water-repellent nanoparticles makes them resistant to accidental spills and splashes. Lighter than a paperback book and thinner than an AAA battery, the DROID XYBOARD tablets feature Android™ 3.2 Honeycomb, brilliant high-definition displays with wide viewing angles, magnesium-reinforced bodies with aluminum housing and super portable form-factors. Both tablets offer robust Business Ready features, including enterprise-grade security and apps such as Quickoffice HD® for document editing and creation, Citrix® GoToMeeting™ for productivity and collaboration and Google Talk™ for video conferencing. The DROID XYBOARD 10.1 is optimized for productivity with stylus support for easy notetaking and markup using a precision tip stylus, included in the box. The XYBOARD 8.2 is perfect for portable entertainment with 2.1 adaptive virtual surround sound and a high-definition display for enjoying Netflix™ movies in up to HD quality, concert-like music and serious gaming. Powered by the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and 8.2 customers can soar through the Web at blazing speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage areas. Additional features for DROID XYBOARD tablets:

10.1-inch and 8.2-inch high-definition In-Plane Switching (IPS) display for DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and DROID XYBOARD 8.2 respectively

Mobile Hotspot Capability – share 4G LTE connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices

5-megapixel rear-facing HD cameras with digital zoom, autofocus and LED flash, optimized for capturing the moment

1.3-megapixel HD front-facing cameras perfect for video chatting with friends and family

Dijit™ app allows DROID XYBOARD tablets to double as a universal remote control with an electronic programming guide for TVs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, digital video records (DVR), and most other consumer electronics

Support for Google™ Mobile Services including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk, Google Search™, Google Maps™ and access to millions of books from Google Books™

Supports a wide array of separately purchased accessories including an HD station for connecting to speakers and a larger screen, an HD dock to send content via HDMI out to HDTVs and home theater speaker systems and a stylish portfolio with Bluetooth®-enabled keyboard and mouse

Wi-Fi Connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Pricing:

Both DROID XYBOARD tablets will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online atwww.verizonwireless.com this month.

The DROID XYBOARD 10.1 will be available in three models: 16 GB for $529.99, 32 GB for $629.99 and 64 GB for $729.99 all with a new two-year customer agreement.

The DROID XYBOARD 8.2 will be available in two models: 16 GB for $429.99 and 32 GB for $529.99 both with a new two-year customer agreement.

Customers that purchase a DROID XYBOARD tablet will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data plan starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

DROID RAZR in white will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.comthis month for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers that purchase a DROID RAZR will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

Special promotion:

Customers will receive $100 off a DROID XYBOARD tablet and $50 off select Motorola accessories for a limited time when a customer purchases a DROID RAZR by Motorola with a new two-year customer agreement.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visitwww.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library atwww.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. About Motorola Mobility Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visitmotorola.com/mobility.

Another Look at the Galaxy Nexus Retail Box

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:54:52 +0000

The pictures we saw this morning of a white box that were said to be the retail packaging of the Galaxy Nexus had some of us scratching our heads. It had to say something on it, right? It does. It says "Verizon" in white and is essentially the anti-Rezound box which was all black with an almost un-readable black Verizon logo on it. I'm trying to find some meaning for the all-white exterior, and all I can come up with is "Vanilla." Vanilla meaning no skins attached, a "vanilla" version of Android, and the anti-every-other-damn-locked-down-phone-on-Big-Red. In other words, a breath of fresh air. Cheers @drewm25!

Promo Galaxy Nexus Packaged in Ice Cream Sandwich Box?

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:19:53 +0000

Coolest phone box ever? I know it's tough to see, but embedded in that Ice Cream Sandwich-esque box are the words "Galaxy Nexus." We aren't sure if this is the actual retail packaging for the G-Nex or if it's just some promo piece, but it's damn cool. Cheers @drewm25!

Don't Act Surprised About the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon Not Having Google Wallet

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:27:01 +0000

Within the last hour, ComputerWorld reported that Google Wallet will not be available on the Galaxy Nexus that is headed to Verizon and our inbox immediately took a depressing turn. You shouldn't be surprised by this news though. You should be annoyed and frustrated, but you should also have expected this to happen. Aside from the fact that I was tweeting about this subject 3 days ago, you have likely seen reports of the ISIS NFC mobile payment system that Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T have partnered up to make. If you haven't, I'll catch you up real quick. ISIS is the next big mobile NFC payment system that is being backed by Verizon, T-Mo and AT&T. They also signed up Motorola, LG, HTC and Samsung to make phones which have NFC chips that will work with this ISIS payment system. So basically, you have the 4 biggest phone makers in the Android game, partnered up with 3 of the 4 biggest smartphone carriers in the U.S. to help turn your phone into a mobile payment machine. It's a direct competitor to Google Wallet. You probably noticed that Sprint has been left out? Well guess what, they just so happen to be the only carrier in the U.S. (maybe on the planet) to allow a phone (Nexus S 4G) to use Wallet. But since the Nexus S 4G received access to it this summer, no other phone around has. Not even the Nexus S that works on T-Mobile or any of the unlocked versions. You can flash hacked versions of the app to those phones, but it's not available in the market or officially supported. So with the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus around the corner, this report that it won't have Google Wallet is not surprising. We know that Big Red has their own NFC payment system in the works. We also know that Google isn't making Wallet readily available to just any phone, including its Nexus line. Like I said at the beginning of this post, you should be annoyed at this as carriers are essentially blocking you from using apps that are 100% legal and do not violate any terms of anyone's contract. This isn't a tethering or root-friendly app that would void your warranty or break your contract, it's a payment system almost like PayPal. Can you imagine what would happen if these carriers starting blocking PayPal? And as you can see above, my unlocked G-Nex can't even access Wallet. Crazy, right? Then again, this phone is running on AT&T, who also happens to be a part of ISIS. The good news is, that our developer community has already found a way to get Wallet up and running on the Galaxy Nexus. You may have to root and flash a custom recovery, but hey, isn't that one of the reasons we are all waiting for this device anyway?

Via: ComputerWorld Cheers Taylor and BeerMe828!

How to: Unlock the Galaxy Nexus Bootloader

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:58:16 +0000

We may be just days away from the release of the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon, and I'm sure that many are starting to think about this whole bootloader unlocking process. As a Nexus device, the bootloader does not have to be bypassed or hacked like you have probably had to do to your last couple of phones. It's a developer device that is made to be open. You can unlock your G-Nex within a couple of minutes as long as you have all of the right tools in place. To get you prepared, we have put together a set of instructions that should cover the whole process. The big trick here is to get the Android SDK installed and to have it recognize your device through adb. Once you have done that, you should be able to unlock your phone with 2 simple commands and a quick volume press on the device. And we are telling you about this now, because unlocking the bootloader of your Nexus should be step 1 before you get into customizing it to your like, downloading your favorite apps, etc. Unlocking the bootloader wipes your phone clean, so you will want to take care of this step from the get-go instead of having to start over on your phone down the road. Once your phone is unlocked, you won't have to worry about unlocking it ever again. So your homework until the phone arrives, is to check out the first 7 steps that we have below to get your Windows computer all set up for adb through the SDK. If you can get your phone to reboot to the bootloader by typing "adb reboot bootloader" then you should be all set. Your current Android phone should work just fine in getting this all set up. Ready?

Instructions:

*Windows only. *You will need to install this Samsung driver. *If that driver does not work, you may want to try this one.

1. Most important piece to this, is getting the Android SDK set up properly. [Instructions]

This can be one of the most difficult things to get set up, however, you cannot go forward without the SDK and adb set up and working. The instructions we linked should get you setup. Once the SDK is installed, you can move on to step 2.

2. Place a fastboot.exe file in your SDK/Tools (or Platform-Tools) folder (same as your adb.exe file) if it is not there already. [Download]

*You may also need to move AdbWinApi.dll into the same folder as your adb.exe and fastboot.exe if you are running into issues. I believe in the latest SDK, that everything defaults to SDK/Platform-Tools rather than SDK/Tools. Just depends on the version you are using. The big thing, is to get adb.exe, fastboot.exe, and AdbWinApi.dll into the same folder.

3. On your device, turn USB Debugging on.

Settings>Developer options>USB debugging

4. Plug your phone into your computer. 5. On your computer, head into your SDK/Tools folder or wherever your adb.exe and fastboot.exe files are. 6. Hold SHIFT and right click - choose "Open command window here."

7. Type the following command:

adb reboot bootloader

8. Your phone will turn off and reboot to the bootloader.

9. Type the following command:

fastboot oem unlock

10. Your phone will then ask if you want to unlock.

11. Using the volume keys, highlight "Yes" and then press the power button to select it. 12. Your bootloader will now be unlocked.

13. Choose to start your phone and it will factory reset itself and reboot.

*During reboot, DO NOT BATTERY PULL. The phone may loop and loop, but battery pulling will soft brick you and you will have to flash factory images to reset yourself. I was able to unplug from the computer while it was looping and the phone then rebooted itself. Or you may just have to wait a while since it is factory reseting during this first boot.

14. You are now operating with an unlocked Galaxy Nexus.

Quick video instructions:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC9DmgtE80A[/youtube]

Tips:

-We know that many of you are running into a "waiting for device" issue when apply the fastboot oem unlock command. This is a driver issue and one that a reader has a suggestion for:

1. Open device manager on your PC. 2. Right click on Android 1.0 with the yellow ! mark on it. 3. Choose update driver. 4. Choose browse my computer. 5. Choose Let me pick from a list. 6. Scroll down and find the Samsung driver with newest date. Should be the driver you downloaded above. (Possibly dated 11/25/2011 ). 7. It will give you a warning about installing the driver, just click yes.

Alternate USB driver:

-And if that driver still does not work, try this one. [Download]

Questions:

-Can I still receive OTA updates after unlocking the bootloader?

-Answer: Yes. Your phone really does not change at all when you unlock the bootloader. You will still receive updates from Google. Now, if you start putting on custom recoveries and rooting, you may run into issues with receiving OTA updates. The good news is that Google usually releases the system image files for their Nexus phones which makes it a breeze to go back to stock for updates.

_____________________________________

If you run into issues along the way, be sure to drop them in the comments and we will all do our best to help you get through them. The SDK portion will be the most difficult, but there are countless resources out there to get you fully up and working in that department. Once the SDK is ready to go, this really only takes about 5 minutes.

Googler Sets the Record Straight on Android's Hardware Acceleration

Tim — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:40:03 +0000

You can tell that Google employees absolutely love what they do. They get to geek out on tech goodness all day and make something that millions of people use for their personal and business lives everyday. The newest Google employee to come forward and explain some more Android technically-directed information on Google+ is Dianne Hackborn. There seems to be some "misinformation" out in the world about Android's hardware/graphics that Dianne wants to squash immediately.

I get tired of seeing so much misinformation posted and repeated all over the place about how graphics rendering works on Android. Here is some truth: • Android has always used some hardware accelerated drawing. Since before 1.0 all window compositing to the display has been done with hardware. • This means that many of the animations you see have always been hardware accelerated: menus being shown, sliding the notification shade, transitions between activities, pop-ups and dialogs showing and hiding, etc. Android did historically use software to render the contents of each window. For example in a UI likehttp://www.simplemobilereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2-home-menu.png there are four windows: the status bar, the wallpaper, the launcher on top of the wallpaper, and the menu. If one of the windows updates its contents, such as highlighting a menu item, then (prior to 3.0) software is used to draw the new contents of that window; however none of the other windows are redrawn at all, and the re-composition of the windows is done in hardware. Likewise, any movement of the windows such as the menu going up and down is all hardware rendering.

If you love talking tech (and who better to do it with than a Google employee working on Android, then go ahead and check out her full write-up here. Via: Google+

Did the DROID 4 with 4G LTE Pass Through the FCC?

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:55:11 +0000

Is there a chance that the DROID 4 made its way through the FCC today? Some sort of Motorola phone with a 4G LTE radio capable of running on Verizon's LTE Band 13 did. And since there are no other Moto "cellular phones" on the way to Big Red that we can think of this month, I'd say this is it. Just in time, right? With a potential December 22 launch date, this is one of those final steps that needs to happen to any tech device. If you want to learn all there is to know about the D4, be sure to check out more official pictures, a look at its accessory lineup, how it compares to the RAZR, and official specs. The FCC filing is below in case you wanted to look for yourself.

Via: FCC

WSJ: Galaxy Nexus on Verizon Will be $299 on Contract

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:20:01 +0000

According to "people familiar with the matter" that spoke to the Wall Street Journal, the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon will debut this month at $299 on contract. No one should be surprised by that, since we have seen it at this price time and time again on their minimum advertised price lists. We also have seen every major 4G LTE device come in at this price dating back to the DROID Charge. Sure, we saw a $199 price pop up on a Black Friday ad, but again, that was a Black Friday ad and is the day that almost everything on the planet is discounted. If there was going to be a $199 price, we would have expected that to be the 16GB model of the phone rather than the 32GB version that is expected to be available in the next few days. Let's just say that you should probably plan on paying $299 on contract or $649 at full retail come this Friday. Assuming the phone will be here this Friday, of course. Via: WSJ Cheers Andrrew!

Verizon Promo: Buy a DROID RAZR Before 12/25, Receive $50 Off Motorola Branded Accessories

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:47:03 +0000

Planned to pick up a DROID RAZR for the holidays? Make sure to check out the impressive set of accessories that play nicely with the device when you do, as Verizon will give you $50 off of them. Well, only Motorola accessories are included in the deal, but that should easily get you into an HD dock or deeply discounted Lapdock. Be sure to bring up the deal during the purchase process though - this deal doesn't appear to be one that can happen a day or so later. It looks like you have to use the $50 discount at the point of sale. Cheers ___!

Dolphin Browser Introduces Dolphin Companion To Help Save Your Phone's Battery Life

Tim — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:49:11 +0000

The folks over at Dolphin know that our device's battery life is our biggest concern. What good is a web browser with flash capability if my battery life takes a crash on me within minutes of using it? Dolphin Companion to the rescue! Without having to leave your browser, Dolphin Companion offers system setting preferences which will hopefully boost your device's life. Offered are three different profiles to help your phone last as long as possible:

Extreme profile: For the most extreme circumstances, such as being stuck in an avalanche with almost frozen fingers, 6% remaining battery life and dismal network connection. This is the least battery-consumption mode which immediately turns your smartphone to receive only Call and SMS functions and no data connectivity. Balanced profile: For the more balanced, less extreme lifestyles that have constant and regular access to charging outlets. This is the default mode with all call and SMS functions and power sucking data connectivity is switched on so you can browse whatever and whenever. Normal profile: Don’t want to optimize your battery life? Dolphin will keep it as normal.

Feel like giving it a go with your Dolphin Browser? It is not available on the Market yet, but you can download and install as you would any 3rd-party app here. You will have to install Dolphin HD in order to get this to work though. Via: Dolphin Browser Blog

Samsung Releases Their Glimpse Of The Mobile Future, Flexible and Resizable AMOLED Screens Are It

Tim — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:15:35 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4AhTiQkWwk[/youtube]

The video above shows Samsung's take on the future of mobile technology. There are tons of really neat features that Samsung touches on and we hope that all of them make their way to the market sometime before the year 2020. The imagined device sports a transparent screen, 3-D augmented reality capabilities, real-time worldly translations and so much more. Not only does it have endlessly fantastic features, but the hardware itself is quite intriguing. A bendable AMOLED screen with the ability to stretch to whatever size your needs may be. Wouldn't that save everyone a ton of hassle? Does anyone have any thoughts on the future of the mobile world? Via: Pocket Lint

Video: 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus Shows Off Its Camera, Wallpapers and Factory Reset Animation

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:40:04 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkpw8lGLKow[/youtube]

We are getting close, y'all. Shipments of the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon have reportedly been dispatched to stores, retail packaging possibly revealed, and a release date of December 9 is looking hotter by the minute. We know that targeted dates and launches have been rumored for almost 2 months now, so it may not be official, but it certainly feels like it's about to be. And to help fill your need for all things Nexus, we have one last video from a source of ours that shows the device in action. You get a look at that ultra-fast shutter speed in the camera, G-Nex wallpapers (download), and the factory reset Android animation. Seems like a perfect way to end this series of clips. More here, here and here.

Verizon's Galaxy Nexus Shipments Headed to Stores, Retail Packaging Pictured?

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:25:17 +0000

Now this is what we have all been waiting for, the arrival of the 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus on Verizon in stores (or at least on their way). Our sources have told us numerous times over the weekend that this Friday (December 9) is looking like the day, so with devices potentially shipping to stores now, we are surely closer than ever. And how about that packaging? An all-white unmarked box with red interior? Could you be any more subtle? Any chance that the logos are embedded into the box like one the Rezound and are just not seen in this picture? Or are these boxes still needing to be printed on? No idea, but I'm loving it. More pictures after the break.

Via: XDA Cheers Mooem, Nick and Jul!

Verizon Celebrates the 1-Year Anniversary of Its 4G LTE Network, Teases "Anxiously Awaited" Galaxy Nexus and XYBoards in Press Release

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:17:47 +0000

A year ago today, Verizon started the initial deployment of their 4G LTE network across the U.S. Over night, they had turned on 39 markets, giving over 110 million Americans access to lighting fast download speeds that no other carrier could offer. It marked the beginning to their ultimate goal of covering the entire U.S. by the end of 2013. On December 15, Verizon will offer 4G LTE service to 190 markets and more than 200 million people. Quite the feat in just one year's time, I'd say. Enough of that though - we noticed a couple of interesting bullet points under an "LTE Facts" section in the press release that accompanied this LTE news. The first is a bullet that reads "Two hot new Xyboard DROID tablets from Motorola coming out this month." Why is that interesting? Well, neither Verizon nor Motorola have announced these two devices or made them official on any level here in the States. Sure, we saw the CNET folks get their hands on them for a couple of minutes, but the rest of the world has no clue they even exist. OK, that's not fair - you all know they exist because we saw official accessories arrive for them in stores last week, along with a potential release date of December 12. The second bullet that caught our eye was the one mentioning "One anxiously awaited GALAXY Nexus smartphone running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, from Samsung, coming soon." It's not a release date or anything, but you can tell that Verizon is starting to understand the importance of this phone. Calling it an "anxiously awaited" phone gives off the impression that your voice is being heard. Here's to hoping that this has finally been signed off on and will be in all of our hands by the end of the week. Press release after the break.

Happy 1st Anniversary, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE!
Alabama, Arkansas, California . . . West Virginia, Wisconsin . . . and all over. On Dec. 15, more than 200 million Americans will be able to experience the blazingly fast speed and reliability of our 4G LTEnetwork. And today, on Dec. 5, we’re celebrating big time because it’s the one-year anniversary of our initial deployment of 4G LTE. We started in 38 major markets, plus a 39th – West Lafayette, Indiana – the home ofPurdue University. Our friends at Purdue were incredibly anxious to begin developing uses for 4G LTE on campus and we made sure they had the resources to keep their technology mojo humming. Network Reach Those initial 39 markets weren’t all small, of course. They were places like metro New York City, San Francisco, Chicagoland and Atlanta. And on that first day, we covered more than 110 million people with 4G LTE: a very strong showing. This is what leadership is about. Some of our competitors in the marketplace talk about 4G LTE a lot. What they’re planning, when they might have services in lots of cities, when they might get an abundance of 4G LTE smartphones and other devices so users can actually, well, use the network. On Dec. 15, Verizon Wireless will be in 190 markets, covering more than 200 million people, with numerous different devices. Which means you have a great selection of smartphones, tablets, mobile hotspots and USB modems to access the network. We build and maintain the best wireless networks in the world. That’s why Popular Science and PCWorld have both recently acknowledged our 4G LTE network as one of the great technological developments of 2011. Hats off to the Verizon Wireless network engineers who are building 4G LTE from the ground up. Cheers to our major network infrastructure partners at Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Cisco. It’s time to blow out the candle and know that “Year 2” will be twice as bright. Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Facts

200 million Americans covered with 4G LTE (as of Dec. 15)

190 Markets covered (as of Dec. 15)

16 Devices currently available, including eight smartphones

Two hot new Xyboard DROID tablets from Motorola coming out this month

One anxiously awaited GALAXY Nexus smartphone running Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, from Samsung, coming soon

4G LTE Devices

Smartphones: HTC Rezound™, DROID RAZR™ by Motorola,Samsung Stratosphere™, Pantech Breakout™, DROID BIONIC™ by Motorola, Revolution™ by LG, DROID Charge by Samsung and ThunderBolt™ by HTC

Tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1 with 4G LTE and Motorola XOOM™

Notebooks and Netbooks: HP® Pavilion dm1-3010nrEntertainment PC and Compaq™ Mini CQ10-688nr with built-in 4G LTE

Hotspots: Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi™ 4510L and Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11

Modems: Verizon Wireless 4G LTE USB Modem 551L andPantech UML290 USB modem

Has the Android Market Refund Window Secretly Changed to 30 Minutes? (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:16:02 +0000

Over the weekend, the folks at KnowMyDroid sent over a tip which suggested that the Android Market's refund window may have jumped from 15 minutes up to 30 minutes and beyond without any sort of warning. To test their claim, we bought World of Goo within the last hour, installed it, and let it ride out for 31 minutes to be exact. Sure enough, we were able to refund it. I'm not sure if the window has been extended, if the Android Market is allowing me to uninstall beyond 15 minutes since I had not yet opened the app, or what is going on, but it certainly worked.

We have another couple of apps purchased, will open one of them and not the other, and then see how long we can go before the Refund option goes away on both. Update: Purchased two more apps and was able to refund for about an hour. I checked at the 45 minute mark and was still able to; just checked again at the hour and a half mark and now only have the option to "Uninstall." Could be a good sign, as many of you have mentioned in the past, 15 minutes is not necessarily a long enough period of time to test out an app to see if you want to keep it or not.

Verizon is Giving Away a DROID RAZR Every Day in December (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:38:46 +0000

To celebrate the holidays, ~~and help move some dusty inventory~~ Verizon has decided to give away a DROID RAZR every day during the month of December (well, 30 of them anyway). The contest asks that you fill out a simple form and then share word of the giveaway through either Facebook or Twitter. It really doesn't get any simpler than this. Update: A couple of readers pointed out one of the rules listed in the fine print that reads "Must be a legal resident of NC, SC, TN, AL, GA, FL, MS, AR, LA, OK, and TX 18 years or older to enter." So apparently if you aren't living in 1 of the 11 states listed, you can't win? Doesn't seem fair. Enter. Cheers Jonathan!

Just Because It's the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon, Here is One More Small Gallery and Some Speed Tests

Kellen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:47:40 +0000

Nope, we still do not have a release date for the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon even with multiple rumors pointing to this Friday as likely being the day. What we do have, is one of our favorite tipsters sending in another handful of pictures and a couple of speed tests. We know that you have seen more than enough of these already, including our posting of the first ever hands on with the device from Samsung's shop in NYC, but it's the VZW Nexus, and we know you always want more. So to kick off the week, check out two more pictures below, plus a look at some 4G LTE speed domination.

Speed test 1:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6scZikhCj80[/youtube]

Speed test 2:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz16ZKFvZkQ[/youtube]

Cheers ___!

Want to Get Your Hands on a Verizon Galaxy Nexus Early?

Kellen — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:57:13 +0000

At this point, most of us are expecting the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon to arrive at the end of next week (likely December 9). More and more stores and employees are being notified by the minute, a good sign that Big Red has finally locked down a date. If you can't wait a week though, the Samsung store in the Shops at Columbus Circle in NYC has them on display for you to play with right now. You can't buy one or anything, but your paws can feel the Ice Cream Sandwich chills.

Cheers Will!

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 12/2/2011

Tim — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:30:35 +0000

It has been all about the DROID brand around here lately thanks to the DROID 4 and DROID XYBoard rumors/leaks we have been seeing. It's a good time to be a Verizon customer with an upgrade available. With the Galaxy Nexus on its way shortly and a gang of other worthy devices available or soon-to-be, you would have to be crazy not to use your upgrade on one of these devices.

If you want to have some time traveling fun, then go ahead and check our our previous weekly recaps here. Have a safe and fun weekend!

Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs. Original Motorola DROID

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:25:30 +0000

When one of our readers requested that we run a comparison of the original Motorola DROID to the brand new Samsung Galaxy Nexus, we thought, "What a fantastic idea." With the amount of people that have been hanging on to their OG for dear life with hopes that something of this magnitude would arrive, this is sure to help make the transition much easier. Or at the very least, show the world how far we have come in 2 short years. Remember when the DROID was about as top-of-the-line as you could get? Well folks, the Galaxy Nexus is where it's at now - we cannot wait for long time OG owners to experience next-gen technology like this. When Verizon does finally release it (end of next week looking better by the minute), we have a feeling that your mind will be blown. Just for fun, here is a comparison of specs:

So what do have for differences? How about another inch added to the screen, about 70 extra pixels per inch, a front camera, full 1080p video recording, a dual-core processor clocked at over double the speed, quadruple the RAM, and 4G LTE. Talk about an evolution. Gallery:

Newest Batch of Verizon Release Dates: Galaxy Nexus December 9 - DROID 4, White RAZR and XYBoards After

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:59:38 +0000

We have been shying away from "rumored" release dates over the last couple of weeks unless we have photo evidence, but today, we are making an exception. The newest targeted release date list has been made available to our friends at Verizon and we couldn't help but share. To my knowledge, these could be final.

Galaxy Nexus - December 9
DROID 4 - December 22
DROID RAZR in White - Mid-December
DROID XYBoard (both models) - December 12

The 9th for the G-Nex sounds odd I know, but the date came up today from two sources that have been spot on in the past. If it's here on the 8th though, so be it. We should also point out that stores are picking their SME (subject matter expert) for the Galaxy Nexus. This is essentially the designated rep in the store that will get the device a few days prior to launch to become the expert on it. It usually takes about a week for this to happen, which would put us right about the 9th. Ahhh, hypebeast. Cheers ___ and ___!

Smaller Motorola XYBoard Media Edition Passes Through FCC, Rocking Verizon's 4G LTE Bands

Tim — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:34:41 +0000

With DROID XYBoard accessories already making their way to Verizon outlets, then it only makes sense that we start seeing its smaller 8.2" twin brother pop through the FCC. From the information that has been released by Motorola, the Media Edition is exactly what you will find with the larger XYBoard but in a more portable and condensed package. The tablet will have both front and back cameras, 1GB of RAM, and a beastly 1.2GHz dual-core processor. According to these new FCC diagrams, on-board is Verizon's 4G LTE which will now make this tablet even more desirable for people looking to have a smaller tablet with 4G LTE speeds anywhere they go. Via: Engadget

Friday Poll: Do You Usually Buy Insurance For Your Phones?

Tim — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:00:47 +0000

Insurance for smartphones is pretty cut and dry. You have customers that can't live without it in fear of running into one of life's accidents and accept it no matter what or those that are willing to risk it all by declining it. With phone prices rising, it would not be a shocker if people were more easily persuaded to pick up the extra charge to their monthly bill. But as some of us may know, insurance isn't as easy as just sending in a broken phone and receiving a new one. Most times, we are sent refurbished phones that could just as easily have as many problems as our last. Verizon offers a few different options for purchasers. There is the popular TEC (Asurion) route which is $6.99 with a $99 deductible, Wireless Phone Protection for $5.18, and then the basic extended warranty for $1.99. Let us know how you take on the task of deciding whether or not to add insurance and then whether you have ever had to use it, down below. [poll id="116"]

DROID RAZR MAXX on the Way? Is This the HD Version of the RAZR?

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:15:14 +0000

At this point, if a week has gone by and a new Motorola phone hasn't been outed, then there is something wrong. As an Android OEM, no one seems to pump out devices faster than these guys. So when a new device was found in EXIF data over at Picasa, that could be their follow-up to the recently released DROID RAZR, dubbed the RAZRMAX, we are not surprised at all. Little is known about the phone, but when you see "DROID" mixed into the name, you know it's headed to Verizon. Since we saw two new HD screened RAZR-esque phones announced for China just last week, one could assume that one of them may end up as the RAZRMAX here in the states. "MAX" as a word in general, gives off an impression of "bonus" or "upgraded" which would fit in perfectly with an HD screen. Or could it be a bigger battery? Tough to tell from EXIF data. Oh, and to add to this theory, look no further than the software it's running: Spyder. Name sound familiar? It's the code name we outed back in August that ended up being the DROID RAZR. I'd say we may be looking at the first HD Motorola device on Big Red.

Since July, we have seen the DROID 3, Bionic, RAZR, DROID 4, two XOOM 2s, and now a RAZRMAX all on Verizon. Can you say "flooded?" How do you feel about all of this, Motorola phone owners? Via: PocketNow

DROID XYBoard Accessories Arrive in Verizon Shops, First Look at its DROID Eye

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:40:13 +0000

Will the DROID XYBoard (silly name and all) arrive next week at Verizon stores? The most recent MAP list we have suggests so, but also the fact that accessories are now arriving. It makes sense that Moto and Big Red would look to pump out both 8.2" and 10" versions before X-mas, especially with the Transformer Prime not landing in the states until the 19th. Anything to get a jump on what should be the hottest non-Kindle Fire Android tablet on the market. It will be interesting to see if Moto's second round in the tablet game can be more successful than their first. Both tablets will come equipped with 4G LTE out of the gate, unlike their predecessor who had to wait 7 months before being upgraded. Pricing is another question that will have to be answered, however, we have seen a potential list. The 8.2" XYBoard will more than likely come in 16GB and 32GB models priced at $429 and $529 on 2-year contract. The bigger 10" version will have 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models available for $529, $629, and $729 on contract.

I'm just wondering why tablet manufacturers continually feel the need to partner up with carriers and offer subsidized pricing? I have yet to see a study, but would still make a massive bet that sales of WiFi models trump anything with a 3G or 4G radio in it. Cheers ___!

Androidland - World's First Android Dedicated Store Opens In Australia

Tim — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:10:42 +0000

One of the many arguments Apple users have against Android owners is that we don't have a store(s) to take our Android devices to and receive technical help or setup new handsets. Well, lucky residents of Melbourne in Australia now have that option. The Australian network operator Telstra has worked closely with Google to bring the world's first Android store to life and have named it Androidland. Inside Androidland, you will find things that many Android fanboys would go giddy over. A wide selection of phones to play with, a huge Google Earth setup, and Angry Birds galore. It definitely looks green and corny, but if something like this came to the States, that would be so awesome. Video tour down below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGwFphUxJ2k[/youtube] Via: TheNextWeb

Amazon Canceling Asus Transformer Prime Orders, Lists "Lack of Availability From Suppliers" as Reason

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:44:17 +0000

Amazon is sending out cancellation notices to those of you that pre-ordered the Asus Transformer Prime from them within the last week. Their reason for doing so? A "lack of availability from suppliers." If you remember the original Transformer, a similar situation played out due to the fact that Asus couldn't produce them fast enough. We aren't sure if Asus is limiting the supply here or if they just can't seem to manufacture them fast enough (again) with all of these new high-end pieces of technology. It's a frustrating sign, especially for those looking to pick up the world's first quad-core tablet before X-mas. No telling what the retail availability will be when the devices makes its way into stores on December 19, but we are thinking now that it will be limited. Cheers Brian, Wolvepk, Taylor, Pete and Anothony!

Wondering if Your Phone has Carrier IQ Software? This App Will Let You Check

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:13:04 +0000

As Verizon customers, this Carrier IQ fiasco isn't something that you necessarily need to worry about. Big Red has made it clear that they do not use the software to track data, unlike the other major U.S. carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. Are they using some other type of tracking software? That's anyone's guess, but until it's proven that they do, we will do our best to not jump to conclusions. For those of you that are curious about CIQ and whether or not your phone has the software installed, an app has been created that will run a simple test to check (not reliable though?). As you can see in the picture above, my HTC Thunderbolt came back with a score of "0" meaning there were no traces of CIQ software found. Down below, I also ran the test on my RAZR and Galaxy Nexus - both returning with scores of zero. So if you have any friends with non-Verizon phones, be sure to let them know that this app is available for them to test with. And if it does come back a detection score greater than zero, that they may want to consider tossing on a customer ROM that has removed CIQ software.

Anyone else ready for this to be over with? Market Link Via: lifehacker Cheers Keith!

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Docks and Chargers Get a Proper Fondling, Prongs Put to Use

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:43:44 +0000

"He doesn't know how to use the 3 sea shells." - Demolition Man Been wondering what the 3 metal prongs on the side of the Galaxy Nexus will be used for? We assumed accessories, but thanks to a series of videos out of MobileFun, we get to see exactly how those accessories will put those prongs to work. A new landscape desktop dock is featured along with a battery charger for those of us that are forced to carry backups because of LTE's never ending thirst for juice. The portrait and car docks are also featured, which according to our sources, are expected to be at $59.99 and $39.99 respectively. Landscape dock:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO-1n1scoVM[/youtube]

Portrait HDMI dock:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDs-0iW9s3M[/youtube]

Battery charger:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xmPblp_0m4[/youtube]

Car dock:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w7TgFmP74I[/youtube]

Can we have them all? Please? Via: SmartDroid, Phandroid

DROID 4 Poses for Pictures Alongside DROID XYBoard, Blur Enters the Tablet Game

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:15:21 +0000

Hey look, the DROID 4! Wonder where we have seen that before? Ahh yes - here (first pictures), here, here and accessories here. It's a fine lookin' DROID-branded phone, that will be the first in the franchise to rock out with a physical keyboard and 4G LTE. CNET seems to have had some hands-on time with it in the last couple of days, however, they could not offer any details as far as a launch goes. Actually, they aren't really mentioning it anywhere aside from the gallery that was included with their DROID XYBoard post. And speaking of the XYBoard - if you weren't buying into our report last night that the name is official, maybe the picture below will help confirm it. On the demo unit that was fondled publicly, Moto placed a sticker that reads "XYBoard 10." If that doesn't confirm it, then I don't know what will.

On related note, did anyone happen to glance at the photo on the right? I'd say we will welcome in the era of Blur to the world of tablets starting with the XOOM 2. Those are Blur icons and Blur-inspired on-screen navigation buttons. It makes sense that Moto would finally start to skin Honeycomb, but I can't help but admit how painful it is. At the same time though, tablets need something to help them stand out. Stock Android 3.X is far too bare bones to be exciting anymore. Via: CNET Cheers Stephen and Brian!

Founder Of CyanogenMod Offers An Update On The Development Of CM9, Original DROID No Longer Supported

Tim — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:33:54 +0000

"Never ask for ETAs." Probably the most well known quote from the CyanogenMod Team. It makes sense though, seeing that greatness can not be rushed. Well I wouldn't call this an actual ETA, but Cyanogen himself has gone ahead and posted up a blog letting everyone know their plans for distribution of CM9 - the newest custom ROM offering based on Google's Ice Cream Sandwich. According to Cyanogen, thanks to changes Google has made in their code, the CyanogenMod Team is going to be working extra hard to create working builds for multiple devices. Little hiccups like this have never stopped them before. No need for worry there.

Google did a great job with ICS and added some really awesome features which in some cases replace or deprecate functionality that we had in CM7, so we are reevaluating all of our customizations. There are a number of challenges that we are up against. Google has made some pretty major changes to the Android framework that break compatibility with older proprietary camera and graphics drivers in order to achieve some pretty insane performance, but I am confident that the team will be able to overcome these issues like we have in the past.

Now for the sad news. The CM team will no longer support the original "OG" DROID. So all of you OG die-hards might as well upgrade to the next thing you see and like. Galaxy Nexus?

The first devices (besides the Nexus S, which you can already get from Koush’s section on ROM Manager) that we’ll have ready will mostly likely be devices based on OMAP4, MSM8660/7X30, and Exynos. We also have some Tegra2 tablets in the pipeline such as the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Asus Transformer. Sorry Droid1 owners, we’re dropping support for you. Time to upgrade.

They took that phone all the way to Gingerbread. You have to be thankful for that. So there you have it. Work on CM9 is well under way and if you own a Nexus S, you can already get a taste. RIP OG. Via: CyanogenMod Cheers Jem!

LTE Galaxy Nexus: Shows Off LTE Speed Test, Enters Indirect Cellebrite, and Receives Update to Android 4.1

Kellen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:57:17 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySymqERaHEA[/youtube]

In the last 8 or so hours, a batch of Galaxy Nexus stuff popped up online that doesn't necessarily confirm that a launch is near, but it certainly paints a pretty good picture of a device that is. First up, we have the LTE version of the device starring in another video from one of our long time sources. It's in a fairly low coverage 4G LTE area, but as you'lll see in the clip, it still manages 10MB down and 8MP up. We may have another one later with the device in a better coverage area, so watch out for that. And now onto some of the signs that have us feeling better than ever about an G-Nex release.

According to a reddit user who works for an indirect Verizon outlet, the Galaxy Nexus has made its first appearance in their Cellebrite system. We saw the phone appear there at corporate stores months ago, so it's tough to tell if they are loaded into indirect systems later or what. From what we can tell, this source seems to be on top of things, even mentioning that devices do not appear in indirect Cellebrites until they have received approval from corporate - something that happens only weeks before a release.

And to make this news even spicier, some of the LTE variants over at MyDroidWorld are receiving updates to Android 4.1, leading a number of folks to believe that this could be final retail software. We saw Android 4.0.2 hit earlier this week, but this update could be big enough that it addresses all of the concerns that Verizon was having. For weeks now, the device has been missing target release dates - is this the update we needed to see? One can hope. So as far as we know, December 8 is still the date you should be looking at. Until we see something come across our inbox that suggests different, we'll be targeting that date to empty our wallets. Cheers MattF and Tyler!

HTC: Rezound Headphone Issues are Isolated and Not Widespread

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:00:28 +0000

We received a report yesterday that some owners of the HTC Rezound were experiencing an annoying static noise while listening to music or playing any sort of media. As a phone marketed specifically as the ultimate audio device, this was troubling. After posting, our readers (who are the best by the way) commented on whether or not this issue was noticeable on their phones - some were noticing it, some were not. HTC is under the impression that most are not experiencing the static noise and that it is an isolated issue:

HTC has received a very small number of calls related to audio on the Rezound, but nothing that so far points to a broader issue. We're continuing to monitor it closely but currently believe the few calls we've received are isolated cases.

So what does that mean for owners who are having audio problems? You should call into HTC's customer service at 866-449-8358. Not exactly sure what they will do, but the thought is that they will look into swapping it out on a warranty replacement or attempting to fix the problem. Via: The Verge

Verizon Confirms Two New 4G DROID Tablets, XyBoard Name Is Here To Stay

Dan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:50:24 +0000

Verizon is prepping two new 4G LTE tablets for the month of December, an 8-inch and 10.1-inch device both to succeed the Motorola Xoom. CNET recently received some hands-on time with both devices and have confirmed that they will be marketed as the DROID XyBoard. However, both will be known as the Motorola Xoom 2 overseas. As we have previously seen, both tablets share the same design cues as the DROID RAZR. Rather than the typical rounded edges of other tablets, the XyBoard features oddly sharp corners. Both devices have a 1.2GHZ dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4G LTE connectivity and run Android 3.x Honeycomb. Each device also has a 5-megapixel rear-camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing one. The XyBoard is thinner than the original Xoom and features Cornings Gorilla Glass. The 10-inch Xyboard includes a stylus for business orientated users, while the smaller device is considered more media-centric with a 2.1 virtual surround sound system - subwoofer included. There has been no official word on pricing, however we previously reported that models will start at $429. It is disappointing to see that these two flagship tablets are running last years dual-core technology and operating systems, where is the quad-core and Ice Cream Sandwich? Via: CNET

Samsung Phone Owner to Herd of iPhone Sheep Waiting in Line - "Why Don't You Guys Get 4G Phones?"

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:28:54 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ILMaZ2rDZY[/youtube]

Come on admit it, these new Samsung commercials are pretty good. You have a herd of soon-to-be next-gen iPhone owners, obsessing over what ~~BGR~~ the blogworld has tossed out into the rumor mill for launch day. Along comes a Samsung Galaxy SII owner with their massive white device that happens to catch the eye of said sheep. A conversation is struck up, and the word "4G" is included. As you all know by now, there isn't an iPhone on the planet that can run on 4G. Enter punch line. Update: So apparently this piece was cut from the full version of the ad we posted a week ago and made into its own ad. Forgive us, but Samsung sent it over like it was something spicy and new. Just enjoy. :P

My Verizon and Backup Assistant Can Be "Disabled" Just Like Any Other System App in Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:01:00 +0000

When Verizon decides that the Galaxy Nexus is fit enough to launch, the first thing many of you will attempt to do is remove the two pieces of bloatware that have been pre-loaded. Thanks to the "disable" feature built into Ice Cream Sandwich, you can essentially complete this task without rooting. It may not remove the item for good, but it will shut the app down from using up any resources other than internal storage space. To complete the task, head into Settings>Apps, tap on the app you want to disable, and then click "Disable." The app will then be removed from your app drawer and blocked from doing anything that you wouldn't want it to do. And not that we didn't expect it to have this feature, but ICS also has the ability to monitor data usage for you. Here is a picture of it in action on the 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus:

Cheers ___!

Carrier IQ Hit With Senate Investigation, Has Until December 14 To Address Privacy Concerns

Dan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:20:14 +0000

Funny-man turned Senator, Al Franken fired off a letter to Carrier IQ on Thursday regarding the company's questionable practices. Carrier IQ has come under question in recent weeks after Trevor Eckhart revealed a major HTC security hole which led him to Carrier IQ. The software, which comes preinstalled on many smartphones, claims to assist OEMS and carriers in tracking device performance and problems. However, it is believed that the software gives both carriers and OEMs the ability to spy on users, even tracking which numbers are dialed, message content and much more. Sprint admitted to The Verge that the carrier does in fact use Carrier IQ, but claims it is just for analyzing network performance. Sprint says it collects "enough information to understand the customer experience with devices on our network," but that it can't look at the contents of messages, photos, or videos using Carrier IQ. However, the original story broke when an HTC EVO 3D was shown logging keystrokes and call information. Senator Franken has given Carrier IQ until December 14 to answer his concerns, until then you can sleep soundly knowing Verizon doesn't use the software. Via: Gizmodo, TheVerge

Galaxy Nexus Hackers Rejoice, Google has Released Factory ITL41D Images - Bootloader, System, Recovery, Etc.

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:41:52 +0000

Galaxy Nexus owners (GSM version for now), know that you have a safety blanket going forward if the thought of hacking your phone has ever crossed your mind. The Android team released the factory images for the phone today, giving you the opportunity to revive your phone should you do something nasty to it. The images that are included (Android 4.0.1 ITL41D(: bootloader, radio, system, recovery, boot and userdata. What more could you ask for? Now, be sure to get up to speed on your fastboot and adb commands and you should be all set. Download Link | Details Since most of us care more about the LTE version of the phone, this should get you excited. There are no guarantees that we will see similar files for it, but at least we know Google is open to such a thing. Hooray for "open"? Via: Android and Me

Secret "Rocket Launcher" Discovered in Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:13:14 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVbfZRkW85Y[/youtube]

Oh that Android Team, such a creative bunch. The Nyan Android is not the only Easter egg tucked away in Ice Cream Sandwich. No sir, a space-inspired "Rocket Launcher" was also included, but can only be found by looking through the available activities on the phone. What I mean by that, is you have to use a 3rd party app like Any Cut or LauncherPro that can turn activities into shortcuts. Once you do, the video above can be achieved. Tap once to slow the rocket ship, tap an icon to launch it. Via: reddit

Step Your Tofu Knowledge Game Up - Check Out Nasoya In The Android Market

Tim — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:35:18 +0000

Tofu connoisseurs can party like it's 1999 with the release of Nasoya to the Market. The application is complete with recipe ideas, videos, and overall tofu goodness related content. If you or a loved one doesn't know what tofu is, then this app will introduce you to the wonderful world of soybean foods. As a funny note, I remember when I was a young-ling and my father told me that tofu was actually rattlesnake meat. Didn't eat it for years after that. Market Link

Original DROID FRK76 Update Rolling Out Now

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:00:22 +0000

A whoppin' 761KB update for the original DROID is available now. Bringing the phone to Android 2.2.3 (build FRK76), this minor security fix helps block rogue/unauthorized certificates in the browser. More info. Cheers OzzyGee!

Will You Need Verizon's Visual Voicemail App on Your Galaxy Nexus? Here You Go

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:31:46 +0000

Aside from My Verizon and Backup Assistant coming pre-loaded on the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus, it will essentially come bloatware-free. That means no visual voicemail app that has been included in every Verizon device for the last decade or so. If VVM is something you can't live without, and refuse to switch to the greatest app on Earth (aka Google Voice), then you are in luck - Verizon has a VVM app available for you in the market that went live yesterday. Pretty screenshots from the LTE version of the phone included. Market Link Cheers Donnelly!

Add December 11 to the Galaxy Nexus Potential Launch Date List

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:50:18 +0000

It has been a couple of days since a new date was tossed into the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon fiasco, so let's go ahead and add to it. Does December 11 work for anyone? It's later than the December 8 date that we have reported on a number of times now, but at least it is not two or three weeks later. According to a Best Buy inventory system, they are expecting the device to be in stock on the 11th. Could it happen? Sure, why not. Anything is possible at this point. Just remember that when the Thunderbolt was on the verge of release, we saw these BBY systems change on the daily. Not a lot of official word to go on these days, so take it for what it is - a potential date. Via: Engadget Cheers Mike!

Verizon: Carrier IQ is NOT on Verizon Wireless Phones

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:23:48 +0000

So if you follow the security arena of this tech world at all, then you probably saw the name Carrier IQ brought up a time or two in the last couple of days. Just last week, we reported on one of Android's security gurus receiving a C&D from the company for pointing out that it along with carriers essentially practice shady business. (That C&D has since been pulled, by the way.) It has not been pretty for CIQ, and rightfully so. As a software company that specializes in tracking your every move without your clearance, you can imagine that they aren't on everyone's favorite list these days. And when we say "your every move" we mean what apps you open, where you are, what keys you press, texts received, and so on, all without you saying "Sure, I agree to let you track that stuff CIQ!" What about your Verizon phone? Is there CIQ software on it? According to @VZWJeffrey, one of their PR representatives, Carrier IQ will not be found on any of their phones. We will have to assume that Jeff is in the know, since this is a topic that no one should be reporting false information on. So that should relieve you. And what about the Galaxy Nexus? No, it won't have CIQ software embedded inside it. It's a Nexus, folks. Via: The Verge

Samsung Fascinate Gingerbread Update EH03 Ready, Possibly Rolling Out Now

Kellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:56:15 +0000

Wow, look at Samsung go. Just yesterday the DROID Charge started to receive Gingerbread (Android 2.3), and now today, the Fascinate is getting some love. It's build EH03, the same one we were told would be the final build by a source a few weeks back. Click the image above for the full view on the changelog. One of our readers has reportedly received the update already. More info. Cheers ScottM!

Asus Transformer Prime Promo Video Released, Get Your Bibs Ready (Updated: December 19 Confirmed)

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:48:07 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIK51LRLud4[/youtube]

According to the title of this video, the Asus Transformer Prime "has arrived!" Today's rumor suggested that the world's first quad-core tablet would be available in Taiwan starting December 1, so technically, it could have arrived. All we know for sure though, is that this video had us drooling all over our pretty white desks. You get the full experience here - high quality production, a spec walk-through, and beautiful angles of this remarkable device. I know that it may be tough to top the Galaxy Nexus video that we just posted, but this comes pretty close. Update: Our buddies over at Android and Me heard from Asus tonight who confirmed that the Prime should be in the states December 19 or later. I guess Gamestop was right after all. Cheers Jacob!

Video: Verizon Galaxy Nexus Shows Off Its Micro-SIM and Boot Animation

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:27:57 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPzoSgTYxc4[/youtube]

And to top the night off, how about a look under the battery cover along with the boot animation of the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon? You'll be pleased to know that the boot animation is exactly the same as the one you have seen on the GSM version of the phone. There may be two Verizon apps pre-loaded on the phone, but the rest of it appears to be a completely stock experience. Enjoy. Cheers ___!

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Poses for the Camera Again, Couple of Verizon Apps Loaded

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:03:04 +0000

Needing a late night Galaxy Nexus fix? Will that pretty picture do the trick? One of our fine friends just sent over the shot above, along with a side view in hand and a look at the stock set of apps that we have included below. As we saw during a set of Google G-Nex videos earlier in the month, a couple of Verizon apps have made the cut: My Verizon and Backup Assistant. While we would have liked for the phone to have come completely clean, these two are somewhat acceptable as our readers seem to have made it clear that they do utilize them from time to time.

Pretty slim LTE device, I'd say. It may not be DROID RAZR thin, but it isn't anywhere near the tank status that some of the rest of Verizon's LTE lineup has hit. This is one of the first times we have actually seen the LTE version of the phone in hand - not bad. And lastly, here is the screenshot of the app drawer where you can clearly see the My Verizon app hanging out.

We will have the boot animation shortly. So you know, Verizon apparently hasn't touched it. It's exactly the same as the GSM version and doesn't even include a VZW 4G LTE splash screen or anything. +1 Update: A quick video that shows the device in hand, under the battery cover, and the boot animation has been posted here. Cheers ___!

Asus Spokesperson: Transformer Prime Headed to Taiwan December 1, U.S. December 8

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:20:19 +0000

According to an Asus spokesperson that chatted up NetbookNews, the Transformer Prime will land on U.S. soil December 8. It will get an earlier release in Taiwan on December 1, but after that, it's all ours baby. That means the world's first quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 tablet will be here next week, hopefully alongside another device that once donned the name "Prime." And yeah, we told you Gamestop was confused. Via: NetbookNews Cheers to everyone who sent this!

Wednesday Poll: Is an Android Tablet Still a Part of Your Future?

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:35:23 +0000

It has been about a year since we saw the first major player in the Android game, the original Samsung Galaxy Tab. That particular slate kicked off the release of the Froyo tablet era followed by the barrage of Honeycomb entries in mid-2011. The world was supposed to gobble up Android tablets by the millions, overtaking the iPad on the way. Well, we all know now that that did not happen. After reading sad story after sad story of Honeycomb tablet disappointments, we are wondering now what the future of the Android tablet game looks like. Ice Cream Sandwich could breathe new life into a platform that struggled throughout much of 2011, but we won't know until it finally arrives. Are you still interested in them? Did you go with an iPad instead? Have you ruled out the purchase of one altogether? Will the next batch powered by quad-core processors entice you? Be sure to weigh in through the poll and with your thoughts in the comments. [poll id="115"]

Gameloft Launches Free Version Of Classic UNO Card Game Onto The Android Market

Tim — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:51:26 +0000

UNO lovers are going to be happy today. The widely known game publisher Gameloft launched a free version of the card game classic to the Android Market. With the ability to play the computer or even other players over a network, all the fun that you had as a kid are packed right into the application. From the looks of it though, this feature is only usable to people who purchase the full version at $2.99. Go have some nostalgic fun. Market Link ($2.99) | Market Link (Free)

Official Verizon Galaxy Nexus Press Shots Revealed

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:10:23 +0000

What, did you think we were trying to forget about the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon? We have definitely seen the Twitter war going on after last night's vague tweet from @VZWsupport, but are trying to ignore it. To help make your day brighter though, how would you like to see the official press or website photos of the phone, straight from a VZW .xml file? The backing of the phone matches up exactly to the photo that one of our sources sent us earlier in the week. It says "Verizon" and "4G LTE" instead of "Google" which yes, is crazy odd. The color scheme could be slightly darker than the GSM version, but it still looks hot. Three more pictures after the break.

Mmmhmm. Temporarily fixed? Via: Android Forums Cheers Han Solo, Dave and kidtronic!

Motorola Releases Special Car Finder App for DROID RAZR

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:03:47 +0000

I have always been fascinated by the fact that people need these car locator apps. Where on Earth are you parking your car that you can't find it? Or maybe I shouldn't ask, since you can't seem to remember, hence the reason for you needing this app. Whatever your reasons are though, a massive industry in the app world has been created where developers continually strive to one up each other with some new location-based add-on. After noticing a growing population of lost drivers and lonely parked cars, Motorola has decided to enter the game with their own car finder application. It's a free app dubbed "Motorola Car Finder" (original, eh?) and includes almost all of the features you will find in many of the paid apps such as automatically saving your location when your phone is undocked in your car. The listing claims that the DROID RAZR is only device currently supported, but you may as well try it on your Bionic or DROID 3 too. Someone fill me in, what sort of things are you doing that you need a car finder? Market Link Cheers Jerry!

Beta Ice Cream Sandwich ROM Now Available For The DROID Incredible 2

Tim — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:10:37 +0000

Any brave souls wishing to have Ice Cream Sandwich on their DROID Incredible 2 are now able to make it so. ProTekk over at RootzWiki has released a beta version of Google's newest OS and claims that it is most definitely worth the flash. It is by no means 100%, but he is continually working on bugs. With 3G data and calls, WiFi, SMS, and overall phone itself working, then go ahead and have some fun with it. Just make sure to create a backup. Here is the list straight from the forum of working and non-working features. Feel like giving it a go on your DInc2? Then follow the via link down below.

What works: Booting Wi-Fi SMS Calls Audio Sensors Capacitive keys SU SDCard EGL Rotation 3G What doesn't work: Headsets (logcat claims that the kernel doesn't support it) Gallery Live Wallpapers Camera GPS Bluetooth

This is a video from RootzWiki user TouchPro that has made his own mods to the ROM and has created a video of it performing down below. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdn5-il4Cc8[/youtube] Via: RootzWiki Cheers Matt!

HTC Rezound Having Sound Issues Through Headphones, Including Beats Earbuds

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:25:52 +0000

If there was one area that the HTC Rezound should not have issues with, it would be in the sound department. As Verizon's first Beats Audio enabled device, and one that is supposed to take sound on your mobile phone to the next level, we can't help but hope they already have a fix in the works for this one. According to a handful of our readers and a growing number of forum posts across the Android community, the Rezound is experiencing some sort of static or interference when using any type of headphones including the iBeats that come with the phone. It doesn't appear to be related to the Beats audio built-into the phone, as the issue can be replicated while streaming or while listening to internally stored music. Some are under the impression that it may have to do with 4G and some sort of interference caused with it activated. Others have been able to replicate the noise no matter what their connection type. Not all devices are experiencing the issue (including the one I have), but the number that are affected, is growing. Rezound owners, how is your audio quality? Hearing a static noise at all? Cheers Richard!

Motorola XOOM HLK75F Update Details

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:00:10 +0000

We first reported last night that the impending update for the Motorola XOOM on Verizon was very minimal and only included the software to help pay-as-you-go customers get set up. The changelog has now been posted, and as you can see, is nothing to jump for joy over. The update is 8.9MB in size. More info.

Sonos Controller For Android Receives Update: Better Tablet Support, More Spotify Features, and Slacker Radio Included

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:25:21 +0000

The Sonos Controller app for Android found itself a much needed update this morning, bringing it to version 3.6. Included in the update is support for more tablets like the Kindle Fire, more Spotify features (new releases and top tracks), and the addition of Slacker Radio to its music services. If you own any of their HiFi speaker systems, be sure to update the software on all of your portable devices, but on your PC and Macs as well. Our Sonos review.

SONOS ADDS MORE CONTROL AND MORE MUSIC TO WIRELESS HiFi SYSTEM

Sonos Now Offering Android Tablet Support, Slacker Radio in US and Canada, and New Spotify Features
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – November 30, 2011 – Sonos, Inc., the leading manufacturer of wireless music systems, today announced Sonos System Software 3.6, an innovative update that adds more control and more music to the Sonos Wireless HiFi experience. This free software is available to all Sonos customers via a one button update to their system. “Today’s feature update reaffirms our commitment to persistently innovate so that Sonos users have the ultimate music experience in every room of the home,” said John MacFarlane, founder and CEO, Sonos, Inc. “Endless music and effortless control are what will keep us as the gold standard for listening out loud in the home.” The free Sonos Controller for Android now supports Android® tablets as well as smartphones, letting you control Sonos from any Android device. With Sonos, you can stream all the music on earth wirelessly in every room, and now control it wirelessly on a larger screen with any Android tablet running 2.2 or higher, including the Kindle Fire, HTC Flyer™, Motorola Xoom™, Samsung Galaxy Tab™, Sony Tablet S™, and many others. Plus, Sonos Controller for Android includes new enhancements such as alarms, music library management and Twitter support for Android smartphones and tablets alike. Download it from Android Market. Slacker® Radio is now available as a free music service on Sonos in the United States and Canada. With Slacker on Sonos you can tune in for free to over 150 expert-programmed stations and create unlimited custom stations from a library of millions of songs. You can even read artist biographies as you listen in every room. Upgrade to Slacker Radio Plus for an ad-free experience or Slacker Premium Radio for even more features like on-demand access to millions of songs, albums and artists and the ability to create custom playlists. Subscribers can also fully personalize their ESPN Radio stations with their favorite shows, plus team and sports updates. To register or learn more about Slacker on Sonos, please visit slacker.com/Sonos. With Sonos 3.6 software, Sonos is also introducing Sonos Labs, a new Beta environment where customers will be able to test out music services before they’re officially launched on Sonos. New music services will be added to Sonos Labs on an ongoing basis. Media and music service developers can learn more about becoming a Sonos Labs music partner at http://musicpartners.sonos.com. Sonos 3.6 also includes improved Spotify® integration on Sonos, giving Spotify fans on Sonos access to their Spotify Inbox and ability to play music from Spotify’s new releases and top tracks. Other features of Sonos 3.6 include: • AAC+ codec support • More local language support with Danish and Norwegian Full details of Sonos 3.6 software can be found here: http://www.sonos.com/support/software_updates/. The Sonos Wireless HiFi System makes it extremely simple to bring a world of music to any room of any home. Forbes recently said “it really is the best way I’ve ever found to play music.” The Boston Herald recently claimed “If you’re ready to completely make the switch to digital music, the new Sonos PLAY:3 may be the answer for a home stereo system in the age of streaming.” For more information about Sonos or to demo it at an authorized Sonos dealer near you, please visit sonos.com/storelocator or call 877.80.SONOS. About Sonos, Inc. Founded in 2002, Sonos is the leading manufacturer of wireless music systems, With Sonos you can stream all the music on earth, wirelessly, in any room and control it with your Android® smartphone or tablet, iPhone®, or iPad®. In addition to playing your personal digital music collection, The Sonos Wireless HiFi System gives you access to millions of songs and thousands of radio stations by partnering with AUPEO!, Deezer™, iheartradio™, JUKE, Last.fm™, MOG, Pandora®, Rdio®, Rhapsody®, SiriusXM® Internet Radio, Slacker® Radio, Spotify®, Stitcher SmartRadio™, TuneIn®, Wolfgang’s Vault®, and more. The award-winning system is available at more than 11,000 retailers in over 65 countries worldwide; or direct from Sonos at www.sonos.com. Sonos is a privately-held company, headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA with offices in Cambridge, MA, Hilversum, Netherlands, Beijing and Shenzen, China, and Penang, Malaysia.

Gingerbread Update for the DROID Charge Rolling Out Now

Kellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:56:19 +0000

Are you a DROID Charge owner? Then today is your lucky day. The Gingerbread update that we brought word on last week, is now available to the masses. Simply head into Settings>About phone and check to make sure that it is available. There are a bunch of fixes and enhancements tied to this update - you can find the full changelog here. And that puts all of Verizon's LTE devices on Android 2.3. +1 Cheers Randall!

Incoming Motorola XOOM Update is "Very Limited" and Most Definitely Not Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:30:40 +0000

As expected, the "project" that Motorola has prepared for the XOOM is nothing more than a minor tweak here or there. In fact, it's an "invisible" update that adds improved support for pay-as-you-go customers and nothing more. So if you receive notification to update tomorrow (yes tomorrow), you can relax, as there will be no Ice Cream Sandwich goodness for quite some time. Here is the blurb from an MFN email:

Hi again. Thanks very much for signing up to give feedback about your Motorola Xoom on Verizon. You will be testing final software for your LTE Xoom. Despite the wild rumors about ICS, this is a very limited update providing improved support for pay-as-you-go customers on Verizon. It should be essentially "invisible" in terms of device operation. Because of this, we will be looking for feedback on two primary questions: Did you update successfully? If yes, did the update alter your device in any unexpected way? We feel this software is safe and ready, but your input will provide the data we need to make a go/no-go decision. Here are key points to know: I will send out another email with a survey where you can provide your answers to these two questions. It will come within a few hours of when the software begins to be pushed to your phones. That push is expected around mid-day tomorrow. Please do not post comments on public sites about this update; instead provide your input through the survey I will provide. Please do respond to the survey by Friday morning. We expect to make our decision to release this update later that day Do not send emails to this account or PM me unless I ask you to do so. General questions sent to either place will go unanswered -- put your questions and comments in the survey please. Thanks again for your confidentiality and participation. Your help with updates like this certainly counts in your favor when other test opportunities arise. Regards, - Matt Motorola Owners' Forums Motorola Feedback Network

Cheers D and C!

Add December 19 to the Asus Transformer Prime Release Date List

Kellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:16:54 +0000

The Asus Transformer Prime has had about as many rumored release dates as the Galaxy Nexus. We had seen both December 9 and November 28 through Gamestop's website as possibilities, but now according to their internal systems, they are expecting the world's first quad-core tablet to be available December 19. Pre-orders have opened up and with that came some confusion as to when the device would actually be available if you were to jump on it early. There is a chance that it will be later than the 9th after all. That does seem sort of late though, especially knowing that Asus has an event planned for "early December." We're wondering now how confused Gamestop potentially is? Cheers ___!

Screen Comparison: Galaxy Nexus vs. DROID RAZR vs. HTC Rezound

Kellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:13:13 +0000

One of the top selling points for all three of Verizon's big holiday devices (DROID RAZR, Galaxy Nexus and Rezound) will undoubtedly be their screens. Some have variations of the Super AMOLED display while another has a Super LCD. One is "qHD" while the others are the world's first "HD" screens. There has been talk of PenTile and hatching and whether or not you can tell a difference between them at such high pixel densities. It can give you a headache if you dig too deeply into it, so that's exactly what we did for you. As usual though, we like to keep it light on the science. First off, let's get the specs out of the way so that we all know what we are dealing with here:

Galaxy Nexus: 4.65" HD Super AMOLED (1280x720 resolution) - 316ppi
HTC Rezound: 4.3" Super LCD HD (1280x720 resolution) - 342ppi
DROID RAZR: 4.3" Super AMOLED Advanced (960x540 resolution) - 256ppi

With specs set, let's take a look at the first macro shot of the three screens side-by-side-by-side. It's a simple photo of website text zoomed out ever so slightly from each display. As you can see, all three of them read absolutely fine and show no distortion, pixelation or anything else that would have you complaining. Now, if you click on the image to get the full version, you will get the full effect with the PenTile hatching on the RAZR and Nexus. Does it matter all that much? To me, with these phones, no. The pixel densities are high enough that your naked eye will never be able to tell, as was the point of the picture below.

In order: Galaxy Nexus, HTC Rezound, DROID RAZR

(Click image for full version)

And just for fun, we took one more under a different lighting scenario so that you can really see the differences between the display panels. You can see how hard the Super AMOLEDs are working because they have to share pixels, while the Super LCD on the Rezound does not. Again though, the picture above which is a slight macro shot of the screens producing black text on a white website is the more realistic situation and they all look stellar (to me anyway). The shot below is really just to show you the differences between the screen technology.

In order: Galaxy Nexus, HTC Rezound, DROID RAZR

(Click image for full version)

Up next, we wanted to take all three devices into a real word situation that many of you care about: streaming video. In this demo, you will get a sense of how video looks depending on the resolution, how Super AMOLEDs differ from Super LCDs when producing color, and the different viewing experiences. It's not scientific by any means, but you should be able to tell a difference between the three.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwhjjEUMc5o[/youtube]

So if there is a conclusion to come to out of all of this nonsense, it's that each display is pretty damn good. The Rezound's display may be the most clear up close, behind a macro lens, but when compared to that of the Galaxy Nexus, your blind eye probably won't be able to tell a difference. At 342 and 316ppi, both screens will blow your mind. The DROID RAZR lags behind them a bit, but is a giant step forward from the screens that Motorola used on devices like the Bionic and DROID 3. Is there a winner? It all depends on what your eye prefers. As I said in the video, Super AMOLEDs tend to produce what some perceive as cartoonish or vibrant (read fake) colors, while the Super LCD on the Rezound tends to be as true and natural as you can get. As we have said for weeks now, it's best that you spend some time with each of these devices before making a decision. Depending on your needs, I'm not sure you could go wrong with any of them.

Transformer Prime's Camera Gets The 1080p Test - Time-Lapse And Color Effects At 30 FPS

Tim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:25:12 +0000

Looking to see what the upcoming Asus Transformer Prime's camera is capable of? Then look no further. A video showing off the quad-core tablet's capabilities displays some great features including time-lapse, inverted colors, and the classic black & white. The whole video is shot with 1080p and at 30 frames a second, it looks really crisp. Just a little bit ago, we posted a video of the Transformer Prime getting a short hands-on review which you can find here. Try not to chuckle too much at the poor girl attempting to ride a Segway. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_7thh_KUzs[/youtube]

Microsoft Lets Android Users Experience Windows Phone 7 Via The Browser

Dan — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:40:40 +0000

We would never leave Android, but it doesn't hurt to test out how thinks might have been if we were to choose another operating system. I must admit, Microsoft has done some pretty snazzy stuff by creating a Windows Phone 7 emulator - all within your phones browser. By visiting http://aka.ms/wpdemo, you will be prompted to start a guided tour through WP7.

Your device will soon switch from Android to the Windows Phone 7 experience you see above. Every tile is functional and Microsoft has done an outstanding job with a unique marketing ploy. Additionally, at the end of the tour you have a chance to win a free Windows Phone 7 device - because they know, we all love free things. Via: Engadget

Galaxy Nexus Gets the Teardown Treatment

Kellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:58:21 +0000

Waiting for the Galaxy Nexus has been painful enough already, so if you can't possibly take anymore, then you may want to pass on watching iFixit do their standard teardown. As a device that is almost impossible to come by unless you are willing to fork out $700+ for an unlocked GSM version, this just hurts. On a positive note, they gave it decent scores for repairability. Well, except for the glass, which they recommend you take good care of as it won't be easy to replace should you crack it.

Via: iFixit

Nielsen: Android and Apple Control 71% of the U.S. Smartphone Market

Kellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:26:24 +0000

The smartphone game has had 2 elite players for quite some time, but when you combine the two to compare it to the rest of the big players, it just looks silly. According to Nielsen's latest report, Android and Apple control 71% of the U.S. smartphone market. That puts Blackberry, WP7, WebOS and others at around 28% total. And that's quite the stat. I don't want to completely write off these other mobile operating systems as having zero chance, but I don't know how any of them will ever be able to catch up. In order to overcome a deficit, there are hurdles to jump and then there are Grand Canyons. I think it's clear which type of gap Microsoft and RIM have to cover if they ever want to be taken seriously again. Will they be able to do it? It might take a miracle. Via: Nielsen

Adobe: Both Flash Player 11 and Adobe AIR to Support Galaxy Nexus in December

Kellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:53:48 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus may not support Adobe Flash 11 or AIR yet, but it will at some point in December according to the latest blog post from the Flash team. We were informed a week ago that they would bring support by the end of the year to Flash, so this matches up to that report while also tossing in an Adobe AIR mention. After both of these apps are updated though, don't expect to see many more. With development halted on mobile platforms, we'll have to look to community developers to make versions available to newer devices. Via: Adobe, Phandroid

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Receives Full-Bodied Review

Tim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:20:18 +0000

If the wait was not already torture enough, knowing that some folks in the world are privileged to receive the Transformer Prime early is just disheartening. The folks over at Ritchies Room have Asus' quad-core device in their possession and have pushed out a complete full-on review for the masses. From what we have read, there is nothing but great things to be said about this second generation tablet: performance, looks, and the added usability of the fully functional keyboard complete with Android shortcut keys. This is the tablet people should think about when they mention Android powered slabs. We've added the hands-on video, so give it watch and tell us what you think. Is this the tablet that we will see people line up for? It certainly has that potential. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0D-mXIzlKc[/youtube] Via: Ritchies Room

Google Maps Receives Update to Version 6.0.0: Indoor Maps in More Places, Quick Features Menu Added

Kellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:43:57 +0000

Google Maps received an update to version 6.0.0 this morning, bringing with it indoor maps for select airports, malls, and more. You can also easily switch between common features now using a quick menu up at the top of the app and find Places easier when searching. The star though, is clearly the indoor maps. I cruised over to the Portland airport and found a 3-level map of the place. Traveling and shopping just became a whole lot more fun. Oh, and yours will look slightly different since that is the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Maps. :P Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P42INh3QATs[/youtube] Cheers @jayKIPson and @Sean_Marks!

Samsung Fascinate Receives "Alphalulz" Ice Cream Sandwich ROM Straight From Source

Tim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:18:35 +0000

Developers are hustling to get Ice Cream Sandwich on as many devices as they can these days. The next to show up is a fully working build for the Samsung Fascinate by JT1134 from RootzWiki. When scrolling down the list of working features, this looks like a fully functional daily driver ROM. 3G calls working, WiFi, camera - everything that you would look for to see if a ROM is worthy of flashing. This one definitely has the Droid Life stamp of approval. A huge thanks to all the developers out there that are pumping out these builds. Where would we be without you? If you want to experience ICS on your Fascinate, just follow the link below. Via: RootzWiki Cheers Static_prone!

Refurbished WiFi-Only 16GB Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 On Sale At Woot For $320

Tim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:36:45 +0000

Can't seem to find a holiday gift for that certain tech-lover in your life? Woot has you covered today and are offering refurbished WiFi-only 16GB Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets for just $319.99. Until the Asus Transformer Prime drops, this tablet is still one of the best on the Android tablet market. Super lightweight, thin, and powerful. Not bad at all. Buy.

Cluzee Released as a Personal Assistant App for Android, Do We Have to Compare it to Siri?

Kellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:19:08 +0000

Cluzee is Android's next attempt at having a personal assistant service like Apple's Siri, yet as with all other apps in this line, it falls short in some way or another. It can work through most of the recommended or sample task list that is provided upon first starting up the app, but once you start shouting out your own versions of tasks for Cluzee to complete, it struggles. I was able to pull up the weather here in Portland on Friday, find a nearby coffee shop, and even find out how many days until X-mas. It works, at times. So, props to Cluzee for making a big PR splash this morning. You are now in the spotlight - let's hope you can improve on what appears to be a pretty solid base, and create an app that people can use as a daily driver. For now though, please stop making comparisons of this app to Siri. Oh and by the way, this may or may not work on your phone. According to the market comments and our own tests, it's pretty hit or miss when it comes to compatibility. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeDZ4Trn_jk[/youtube]

Verizon's 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus Gets Pictured, Receives Android 4.0.2 Update

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:53:00 +0000

According to one of our readers with the 4G LTE Samsung Galaxy Nexus, an update to Android 4.0.2 was made available to test devices within the last day. It's not clear what was fixed, but we certainly hope that it addressed some of Verizon's concerns that seem to have held up the release of the phone. Could it simply be a fix for the volume rocker of the GSM version of the phone? Maybe, but the GSM phone I have has received no such update. Tough to tell. We are wondering now if 4.0.2 will be the version of Android to come loaded on launch day? Our source also has not received word on a release date, however, our inbox continues to receive tips from a variety of folks that are under the impression that tomorrow still could be the day that pre-orders open up. Verizon has remained silent on this front, so we'll just have to sit tight and see if some magic happens in the morning. Would be a nice surprise, that's for sure. Oh, and we have attached a couple of HD screenshots for you below from an LTE device. Battery life, as you will see, is not completely awful yet not amazing at the same time.

Dear Verizon, if you can't tell, we are getting impatient. Cheers ___!

Using the Galaxy Nexus, You Can Beat Box Over Video With Your 9-Member Crew Through Google+ Hangouts

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:00:16 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAlO9Mt7-XA[/youtube]

The latest Galaxy Nexus ad from Google. Beat boxing. 9 friends. Video. Google+. Fun.

Video: Ice Cream Sandwich Features on the Galaxy Nexus - Browser Controls, Movie Studio, and New Voice-to-Text

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:26:57 +0000

Continuing on our quest to bring you all there is to know about the Galaxy Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich ahead of Verizon's launch, we have another quick hitting Android 4.0 features video. In our previous video we touched on the boot up time, screenshots, disabling system apps and more. In this video, we cruise through the browser, editing movies, and the greatly-improved voice-to-text engine. The video is after the break, but don't forget to check out our hardware and software overview video as well.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxrSa7i4scI[/youtube]

Anything else you want to see? Camera examples coming tomorrow.

Video: Ice Cream Sandwich Features on the Galaxy Nexus - Disabling Apps, Camera Software, Settings Menu, and Boot Time

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:32:45 +0000

We are in full Galaxy Nexus mode right now with the unlocked version landing on our doorsteps over the weekend. We posted up a quick gallery on Friday, but have since posted a hardware and software tour to give you a feel for this amazing new smartphone. Going forward, we'll be tossing out Ice Cream Sandwich highlight videos to get you prepared for the day that Verizon finally decides to approve the phone for sale. In this first video, we take a look at disabling system apps, how the Settings menu is handled, the incredibly fast boot time, and more.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgBUN4n6hxM[/youtube]

And be sure to leave requests in the comments for features, menus, etc. that you want to see.

Android Music Market Hosting Cyber Monday Sale - Full Albums For Just $1.99

Tim — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:22:00 +0000

Cyber Monday is almost over, but you still have time to grab some great albums from the Android Music Market for just two bucks. You will be able to steal Drake's new album, Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto, and many many more for this extremely low price. Go grab some albums and support the music! Android Music Market

ProCapture For Android Brings Pro Camera Features To Your Mobile Phone

Tim — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:31:58 +0000

Not happy with the short amount of features that come stock with the Android camera application? Then say, "hello" to ProCapture. Made by nEast Studios, ProCapture brings many features you would find on a nicer digital camera to a mobile[phone] platform. Features such as a timer, burst, WideShot, Panorama, and reduced noise. There is a free version available on the Market for those wanting to try it out before shelling out the $5 for the Pro version. But wait, thanks to Cyber Monday, potential buyers can pick up the Pro vesion for just $2.50. Might want to scoop it up before it goes back to its normal price. Market Link ($2.50 until 11/29) | Market Link (Free)

And the Winner of NGGG #4 and an Asus Transformer with Prize Pack is…

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:31:39 +0000

A month ago today, we announced our November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway (NGGG), a month long contest that included four (4) NVIDIA Tegra 2 powered tablets and a couple of gaming-inspired prize packs. For the last 3 weeks, we have handed out a different tablet, with the prize packs (Jamboxes and $25 gift cards) being tacked on during the last two giveaways. Up first was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 followed by the Asus Transformer last week and then another GTab. So far we have seen an intense amount of participation, but these last two weeks were even crazier thanks to the added prize packs. With over 3,000 entries in just over a week, we are officially blown away for the 4th straight week in a row. So as to not delay this announcement any further, let’s get to it. The winner is…

Scott W who is thankful to have a 4G LTE connection so that he could enter this contest, which he ended up winning.

Congrats on the win, Scott! As someone that clearly has been in need of a tablet, we hope you enjoy it. To everyone else, stay tuned for mid-December as we have another blowout of tablets to give away. Will have more details as we get closer to that time, but trust me when I say, that you will be excited.

And again, a HUGE thanks to NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone for hosting this contest!

Video: First Look at the Samsung Galaxy Nexus [Unlocked]

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:02:11 +0000

It has been a couple of days since we picked up a Galaxy Nexus from the UK, so it was about time we put together a quick video tour of it. The device, as you may have expected, is living up to expectations. The build of the phone far surpasses that of previous "cheap feeling" Samsung phones, the screen is gorgeous, performance-wise it's super fast, and of course Ice Cream Sandwich is a treat to play with. Whenever we do get our hands on the LTE version here in the states, I have a feeling you will be blown away just as I have been. Battery life will be a concern when that version arrives, but I'm starting to think the stock and unlockable experience will overshadow those worries. Check out our quick tour of the device after the break.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcqM3je4OuE[/youtube]

Wii's "Game of the Year", World of Goo Makes Its Way To Android

Tim — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:16:54 +0000

Owner of a Wii or iDevice? Then we are sure there is a chance you have heard of World of Goo. If you are an Android purist, then maybe you have seen it available for your PC. Starting now, the classic game World of Goo is available on the Android Market. This game has won "Game of the Year" and many other awards for the Wii and even the iPad, so it is about darn time it came to Android. Set in a beautiful world, you use 'Goo' to create structures, bridges, cannonballs and other contraptions to complete objectives. There is a reason this game is so highly acclaimed. Check the video down below and be sure to try out the demo version that is available in the Android Market. Go have some fun. Market Link ($2.99) | Market Link (Free) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiCm88Me_3U[/youtube] Via: Droid Gamers

Introducing Google Catalogs, All Your Favorite Catalogs Right On Your Android Tablet

Tim — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:47:00 +0000

If you love browsing through catalogs like we do to see what kinds of goodies are out there, then Google's newest creation, Google Catalogs is sure to make the process a lot more enjoyable. You can browse through your favorite stores and brands with a really clean user interface right on your Android tablet. If you see something you like, you can click within the catalog and Google will pull up a shopping cart and a way to check out directly through the app. Users can throw together their favorite pieces and make a collage to share on the web or with other Catalogs users. Sound enjoyable? Then check it out in the Android Market. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaPgVUJ9A8w[/youtube]

HTC To Be "More Competitive" To Do Away With Competition In 2012

Tim — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:07:20 +0000

HTC has recently seen a 7% dip in share prices thanks to an earnings adjustment to their 4th quarter and to the competitive mobile phone landscape. To counter this and to make sure investors are not too worried, HTC's CFO Winston Yung has spoken to Reuters about their plans for 2012. HTC wants to get back to their old ways where their hardware dominated the market as it did for much of the year, but they will need to go up against Samsung who also plans on having a repeat of this great year. With a more focused approach on flagship devices and global phones, HTC is looking to step their game up.

"We will focus on the product next year, better and more competitive. Other than new LTE phones for the U.S. market, we also have phones for the global market. We will launch some worldwide flagship products. We're confident in them."

With Samsung conquering the hardware market, HTC will need to put a lot of thought and marketing into their next big thing. There is no doubt that this could mean that HTC is looking more at quad-core technology like we have seen with the HTC Edge. Besides 3D devices which seem to have been a bust, quad-core technology might be the only way to go, or to revamp their dual-core line of phones. So will 2012 be the year of HTC? Via: Pocket Lint

Google I/O Adds 3rd Day of Fun, Moves to June 27-29

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:19:00 +0000

Get your calendars out - Google I/O 2012 is no longer happening in April. The folks that plan I/O each year received an "unexpected opportunity" to include a 3rd day of fun and have decided to move it to June. The must-attend Android event of the year will now run June 27-29 at Moscone West in San Fran. They are advising against making travel plans at this time. Registration will happen in February. Via: Google Code

New Verizon MAP List is Out: DROID Bionic Drops to $199 On-contract

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:10:25 +0000

It's probably time for the DROID Bionic to start dropping in price now that the DROID RAZR is out and the DROID 4 is only weeks away from our hands. You can now pick up the phone for $199 on 2-year contract, $100 less than it debuted at back in September. On a related note, the XOOM dropped to $199 for the holiday weekend, but we are pretty sure that price is going to stick until they can sell out of them. With the XOOM 2 also on the way - December 8 a possibility - they need to make room. And there is the Galaxy Nexus listed again at $299. Cheers ___!

Working Ice Cream Sandwich Ports Making Their Way To Many Devices

Tim — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:45:16 +0000

Since the release of the Ice Cream Sandwich source code, the wait for ports of the OS to different devices has begun. It has been just 2 weeks and we can happily report that many devices (more than expected) already have semi-working builds and that there are others on the way. In this list of devices with working ports you will find the Motorola XOOM, HTC Thunderbolt, DROID 3, DROID Incredible, and even an alpha build for the DROID Bionic. ICS for these devices is not 100% yet, but from what we can tell, these builds will start becoming more user friendly in a short time. If you want to keep track on the work for these devices, follow the links to their homes down below.

Motorola XOOM - [Video] | DROID Incredible | HTC Thunderbolt | DROID 3 | DROID Bionic

Here is a video of an early build on the DROID 3: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGVq5eTOAmQ[/youtube] Cheers Mistawolfe, Brandon, Nideda24, Jeff, Chris, and David!

DROID 4 Round-up: Official Pictures, Specs, Accessories and a Current Release Date Target

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:00:50 +0000

If like most people, you took the entire weekend away from the Android world to enjoy the holiday festivities, you may have missed all of the DROID 4 talk around these parts. We now know pretty much all there is to know about a device that up until just a few weeks ago, was a complete mystery.

On Wednesday, we caught word that the device has been scheduled for release on December 8.
Shortly after that announcement, training began for employees.
We then got confirmation on specs and the finalized look of the device.
Official press pictures arrived, along with a comparison to the DROID RAZR.
Finally, a look at the accessory lineup which includes LapDocks.

As many have screamed over the last few days, "this is what the DROID 3" should have been. The DROID 4 by all means is the evolution in the DROID series that we like to see, just usually not so close to its most recent predecessor. It has 4G LTE, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, webtop capabilities, and a sleek new RAZR-esque design. If a physical keyboard is a must have, the D4 is looking like your best option to date.

Motorola XOOM "Project" in the Works, Guesses on What it is?

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:18:27 +0000

Motorola has another "project" ready for one of your favorite devices, the XOOM. Members of the Motorola Feedback Network received an email over the weekend that informed them of an upcoming update that they could take part in - no dirty details were revealed.

Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are preparing a project for owners of the Motorola Xoom on Verizon, and would like to invite you to participate. Click this link to take a short enrollment survey for this project. Please note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to take part. This is a confidential project under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this project on any public sites. Thanks -- please understand that project start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. - Matt Motorola Owners' ForumsMotorola Feedback Network

Could it be Ice Cream Sandwich, already? The Transformer Prime has Android 4.0 up and running on it already, so there is a chance, albeit a small one. It's more than likely just a bug fixer as Moto digs into source and prepares the world for the big one. Cheers D, C and everyone else!

Rumor: Verizon Customer Service Confirms Galaxy Nexus Pre-order and Launch, You Should Probably Remain Skeptical

Kellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:58:27 +0000

I'll try to make this as quick as possible, so that we can move on with our day... Stirring up all kinds of craziness on this Cyber Monday is a report out of the ComputerWorld camp that suggests the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon will go up for pre-order tomorrow (November 29), with December 8 as the official launch day. Their source is an angry VZW customer who chatted up customer service to find out what the deal was with the delayed launch. The rep he spoke with via online chat followed by a phone call, was clear that the phone would be available soon. That same rep also confirmed to the customer that a local store would be calling to let him know that they would be holding a G-Nex for him on launch day, December 8. I don't mean to crush dreams this morning, but this isn't exactly a confirmation directly from Verizon PR or a company spokesperson. This, as with a lot of the rumors floating about these days, is from a CS rep and a store. To my knowledge, those dates are current targets, but until Big Red makes it publicly official, I would be hesitant to mark them on your calendars as the day. We have seen very similar emails over the last few days from readers who have spoken with VZW reps, but again, it's tough to take this as anything more than unofficial for now. Feel free to cross those fingers though - if these dates are going to hold up, we should know something tomorrow either way. Cheers Peter, Nick and everyone else!

Motorola Announces Two New 720p HD Devices for China, How Long Before We See Them in the U.S.?

Kellen — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:40:02 +0000

Over the holiday weekend, Motorola made two new devices official in China: the Motorola HD XT928 and the Motorola MT917. Both will look familiar as each was photographed just a couple of weeks ago. Now, normally we ignore most of the phone releases outside of the U.S., but these caught our eye for the simple fact that they have 720p HD displays, which is a first for any Motorola device. Each phone will sport a 4.5" 720p LCD display (330ppi) and 13MP rear camera, along with the rest of the specs you can find in the DROID RAZR or DROID 4 (1.2GHz dual-core OMAP4430, 1.3MP front camera, etc.). Not bad, right? We are just wondering why these phones have been announced so close to the RAZR and D4 with almost identical specs, yet have upgraded screens? It's pretty obvious that Moto has the technology ready for mass consumption, leading us to believe that these phones (or at least one of them) will be here some time early next year. At the rate Motorola has been tossing out phones over the last 6-7 months, nothing would surprise us. Motorola HD with 4G LTE on display at CES? Makes sense. So the MT917 is up top as the RAZR twin but with a higher MP camera and HD display. The phone below is the XT928 aka the Motorola HD. We're just guessing here, but the XT928 could easily be the DROID X3. We should also point out that Moto appears to have partnered with Dolby digital to potentially take on HTC and their Beats integration. Oh, and someone better find a way to slap an LTE radio in these or that HD screen is going to be collecting dust here in the states.

Interested in either phone? HD displays are the new buzzworthy spec to talk about for the next few months along with quad-core processors. Maybe this will turn into the DROID HD when all is said and done. Or is this simply the Motorola Dinara that we first reported on a few months back as AT&T's new player? Via: Motorola

A Look at DROID 4 Accessories: Two LapDocks, Two HD Docks and Wireless Keyboard with Trackpad

Kellen — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:11:12 +0000

The DROID 4 should be here in just a couple of weeks on December 8, so I'm sure some of you were wondering what the accessory situation would look like. Since the DROID 3 missed out on LapDocks and other webtop goodies, would this phone get compatibility with them? It most certainly will. As you can see in the image up top, the whole array of docks, LapDocks, car docks and keyboards are on the list. The wireless keyboard with trackpad seems fairly new, so we'll be on the lookout for the improvements made to it over the standard Bluetooth option. This truly is a RAZR with a keyboard and slightly smaller screen. Check out the full specs here and press shots of the device here. Cheers ___!

Galaxy Nexus Landing Page Goes Live on Best Buy Site, Wrong Name and $299 Price Included

Kellen — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:58:48 +0000

Best Buy and that damn Nexus Prime 4G LTE name. They have reportedly issued a correction to their employees that the name is officially Galaxy Nexus, in case some of you were wondering. So please, continue to refer to it as "Galaxy Nexus" just like we have since September. What's up with the price though? Is this phone going to be $199 or $299? Best Buy seems to think $299, but again, we saw ads just 2 days ago from Verizon suggesting that the phone could be $199. We are starting to wonder if there will end up being 16GB (for $199) and 32GB (for $299) models, thus the difference in price. The only problem with that theory, is the fact that Google only lists the phone as having 32GB of storage on their Nexus landing page. But again, the Euro-unlocked G-Nex is only shipping as a 16GB model, so we know those exist too. Ahhh, confusion. I do want to remind you to ignore the full $799 price that Best Buy is listing. It won't be that expensive through Verizon. Best Buy has to sell phones at higher full retail prices to hopefully get you into a new 2-year deal. These companies make all of their money by getting you into contracts, not selling you phones. Expect that to be around the $649 mark that we have seen for the RAZR and Rezound. And as far as the price being "effective Sunday, Nov. 27th," I wouldn't look into that too much. It probably means that Best Buy was expecting this phone to be ready today, just like we all were including Verizon, only that hasn't happened as the phone is still going through testing. December 8 is still the current target to our knowledge.

Hang in there if you can. I've had the unlocked GSM version for 3 days now and am loving every minute of it. There may be some killer deals on other phones out there, but you would be wise to at least wait until this phone drops and play with them all. Via: Best Buy Cheers kidtronic, Borgey and tpags!

Verizon to Sell the Galaxy Nexus as a Phone With "No OEM Customization"

Kellen — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:03:33 +0000

Verizon's comparison of the Galaxy Nexus to the competition gave me a good laugh today because of one category in particular. See the "User Interface" section? They plan to use the "No OEM customization" as a selling point for this phone, which just so happens to be the number 1 asked for approach to most phones by all Android enthusiasts. It's fascinating to see a carrier differentiate a phone out as being stock, since the entire point of OEM skins to begin with is to help differentiate them all. It just shows you how few Android phones there are that can offer you a truly stock experience. They don't come around often my friends, this would be Verizon recommending that you jump on it. Also nice to see them list 32GB again, especially with that $199 price floating around this weekend. And by the way, full training is effect - still no firm date though. On a related note - does anyone else find it odd that they did not use 4G LTE in the comparison sheet? I'm not suggesting that it won't be LTE, I'm just saying that they usually use LTE as one of their top selling points. Cheers ___!

DROID 4 vs. DROID RAZR - The Evolution of DROID, Specs, and Official Pictures

Kellen — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:32:20 +0000

The DROID 4 has come from out of no where to having us within just a couple of weeks away from launch. The current target date that we have seen from Verizon is December 8, the same day that we could potentially see the Galaxy Nexus (hard to bet on that though). This phone is what the DROID 3 should have been. It has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM, but most importantly, can connect to Big Red's 4G LTE network. It's like a RAZR, only with a smaller screen and a 5-row slideout keyboard that has side-lit keys. To see how we got from the DROID 2 all the way up to this point in about a year, we have an evolution graphic for you below. This is the perfect example of how fast the mobile landscape is changing.

(Click image to enlarge)

And one more official device shot with the keyboard out:

Cheers ___!

White Motorola DROID RAZR in the Works?

Kellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:54:53 +0000

Could we see a white version of the DROID RAZR in the coming months? According to this shot from Verizon, one has at least been entered into their device management system. We have seen all white phones from Samsung, HTC and LG, but this is sort of new territory for Motorola. Sure they had partially white phones with the DROID 2 Global and the R2-D2, but we are imagining white all over this slender beast. Sort of odd to see this version loaded into the system at the same time as the regular RAZR, but that could mean a variety of things. I'm a big fan of the RAZR design and would welcome in another color. If I had any skills whatsoever with Photoshop, I would try to whip up a render, but will instead hope that one of fabulous readers can make it happen. :) This interest anyone? Maybe by the time they release it, the Google merger will have been 100% finalized and we will start to see some unlocked bootloaders? Wishful thinking, I know. Update: Mockup of the white RAZR after the break by reader theShuke.

Cheers ___!

Official DROID 4 Specs, It's Definitely a Big RAZR With a Keyboard and 4G LTE

Kellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:28:50 +0000

The DROID 4 is upon us whether we are ready for it or not. The first pictures of it popped up a few weeks ago followed by signs pointing to it arriving on December 8. We also got confirmation that training has started for some Verizon shops, along with this set of official specs. Who knew we would see it so soon? The D4 will have a 4" screen (LCD or AMOLED?), 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, DROID RAZR styling, 5-row slideout keyboard, 4G LTE, front camera for video chatting and an 8MP rear camera. This could be the DROID that many of you have been waiting for. The Stratosphere had LTE and a keyboard, but this phone has top of the line specs to go with them. On a related note, thoughts on the tool needed to remove the back cover? It doesn't have a removable battery, but the cover can be removed using that circular tool pictured above, so that you can insert a SIM and SD card.

Buying? Cheers ___!

Living Social Deal: $25 for $50 Worth of Verizon Accessories or to Spend on a New Phone

Kellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:15:36 +0000

In the spirit of Black Friday, we thought we should point out today's Living Social deal. If you fork out $25, Verizon will give you $50 to spend on accessories or towards the purchase of a new phone. So drop $25, get an extra $25 to spend on new toys. Not a bad deal at all. Buy. Cheers Andrew and Ilan!

DROID 4 Training Begins at Indirect Verizon Shops

Kellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:34:50 +0000

On Wednesday, we received word that the DROID 4 could be arriving at Verizon stores on December 8. The news was semi-shocking as the RAZR, Bionic and DROID3 have all been released by Motorola and Big Red in the last 5 months. It just seems like overkill. But, we did give you the first photos of the device a few weeks back that clearly show a finished product that is ready to be shipped. And now with training getting underway for indirect VZW agents, it looks like we are indeed on schedule for an early December unveiling. The first 4G LTE DROID slider is upon us. Everyone ready for it? Cheers ___!

Quick First Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Nexus [Unlocked]

Kellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:54:43 +0000

There she is, folks. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus - the first Ice Cream Sandwich device on the planet. My GSM (non-Verizon) version arrived about 2 hours ago, which was just enough time to unlock the bootloader and start making it my own. That's right, the beauty of a Nexus device, is the fact that with 2 simple commands in adb, your phone is completely unlocked and yours to do with as you please. There is no waiting for the community dev group to figure out a way to bypass it or for you to risk bricking your phone. Unlocking a smartphone doesn't get any easier than this. And this is one of the reasons we can't stop talking about it and why long-time Verizon customers are going to be beside themselves when the LTE version finally hits. First Impressions I'll have a hands-on video up hopefully later today, but will throw some thoughts down here first. The G-Nex so far, is living up to expectations. The feel in hand is better than you can imagine. It's light being a Samsung device, but not necessarily cheap feeling like some Galaxy SII models. The screen is gorgeous and may blow your mind at first boot when the animation takes up the full 4.65 inches. The camera is actually faster than I remember from the ICS unveiling presentation. There really is zero shutter lag - instant pics. It's ultra-thin. The multi-color notification light is an added treat. I'm loving every ounce of it so far.

Ice Cream Sandwich Since I loaded up the Nexus S Android 4.0 port a few weeks back and have kept up with the most recent builds, I feel as though I have a good handle on how it works, yet it's still a completely different experience on this phone. Since there are no physical home/back/menu keys, you get to see the new buttonless menu system that was built into ICS. It may take a little getting used to, but it adds a new flair to Android that was so needed after a year of sort of stale development. The OS itself is incredibly fluid and easy to use for someone that has even a tad bit of Android knowledge. For those that haven't experienced Android, this shouldn't take all that long to get to know, but we'll be doing our best to help them with some tutorials over the next few weeks. There are some quirks and features that you may not know about unless someone actually showed them to you. Again, more to come on the ICS front.

Bootloader To get back to that bootloader remark I made up top, I just wanted to show you this picture that I took within 5 minutes of having the phone.

Hook your phone up to your computer with USB debugging on. Open up an adb command prompt. Type in "adb reboot bootloader." Then "fastboot oem unlock" and your phone is unlocked. Well, after you say yes to the screen that you are seeing above. That's it. And from here forward, I can do just about anything I ever dreamed of doing to the software of this phone. So if you are planning to root, hack, ROM, etc. your Nexus, I recommend that you do this step before really diving in as this will wipe your phone completely. More on the way...

How to Setup and Utilize MotoCast on Your DROID RAZR

Kellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:28:39 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--aUCgTripw[/youtube]

Motorola introduced a new service called MotoCast with the DROID RAZR. It's an access-your-PC-from-anywhere type of app that is built off of the technology that was included in ZumoCast - one of their recent acquisitions. Through MotoCast, you can access your entire music collection (stream it too), view photos, and double check your presentations for work at any time. It's not cloud-based, as the informatoin you are accessing is all stored on your own PC still. We highlighted our love for MC in our DROID RAZR review, but Moto has released two videos that should give you an even better overview and tutorial of its inner-workings.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOlSwo0UD4U[/youtube]

Verizon Planned to Sell the Galaxy Nexus for $199 on Black Friday According to Ads

Kellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:20:20 +0000

If you aren't buying into a "Nexus delay" that we have talked about time and time again over the last week, maybe this will help. According to an ad campaign that is running across a variety of sites who are a part of the NetShelter ad network, the Galaxy Nexus should have already been available to the public and on-sale for Black Friday (today) at the low price of $199 on 2-year contract ($100 cheaper than the expected $299 price). So you know, Verizon runs almost all of their major marketing campaigns through NetShelter, so this isn't just some random network putting out a Black Friday deal to grab attention. This was going to be one spicy deal. But now, thanks to unconfirmed reasons, the phone won't be available today. The latest date we have seen from Verizon is December 8. Will we be dancing in G-Nex juice come that day? We'll just have to wait and see. Update: As some have requested, we should talk more about the significance of this price. Has Verizon seen the light and decided to offer their first 4G LTE Android 4.0 device at just $199? Maybe. Was this a Black Friday deal only? Maybe. Is this the 16GB version at $199 with the 32GB version still dropping in at $299? Could be a possibility too. There is no way to tell from this ad. Would be nice to see this price stick for good though, wouldn't it? View the ad here and embedded below. [flv]http://s0.2mdn.net/2981993/PID_1824763_Holiday_600x250_Train_Expand.swf[/flv] Cheers Kidtronic and Garrett!

Confirmed: DROID Charge Gingerbread Update Rolls Out November 29

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:30:07 +0000

Verizon just pinged us to confirm that the Gingerbread (Android 2.3) update for the DROID Charge will become available on November 29. Full change log can be found here. Cheers ___!

DROID 4 Scheduled to Launch December 8, Same Day as the Galaxy Nexus?

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:56:29 +0000

Could the DROID 4 find its way into stores on December 8 alongside the Galaxy Nexus? According to the latest info from our friends at Verizon, that's exactly what the plan is. Well, the Nexus is still up in the air to our knowledge, so let's just talk about the D4 for a second. We gave you the first photos of the newest DROID slider almost a month ago now, followed by a mention in Big Red's device management system. The idea that it could be released before X-mas was talked about, but we're not sure that we truly believed it could happen that fast. After all, the RAZR hasn't even been around long enough to accumulate dust. Motorola, puttin' in work.

Specs from our sources are as follows:

4" Super AMOLED Advanced display
Full 5-row “illuminated” keyboard
RAZR styling
4G LTE
Non-removable battery (maybe)
Android 2.3.5
1080p video recording (assuming 8MP)
Front camera
HDMI out
MotoACTV syncing

Ready for the world's first DROID 4G LTE slider? Cheers ___!

Unlocked GSM Galaxy Nexus Available From Expansys USA For $750 [from AL]

Tim — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:45:03 +0000

*Cross-posted from Android Life. Can't wait any longer for Verizon to release the 4G LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus? Then you may want to check out Expansys USA who has the unlocked GSM version available now for $750. You can stick an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card in the phone and it will work just fine on both carrier's 3G networks. It might not be a cheap option to get you into the phone early, but at least it's an option. Shopping Links: Expansys | Clove Cheers Matthew!

Gameloft Is Bringing The NFL Experience Right To Your Phone ALong With Free Games All Weekend Long

Tim — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:30:34 +0000

Football fans can start grabbing their foam fingers and prepare for tailgate madness. Gameloft is soon to release NFL Pro 2012 for Android devices in the coming month. Choose your favorite team and dominate the rest with real players, actual plays and everything else that makes the NFL the great game that it is. Gameloft has released a full video trailer for the game to get everyone pumped up. For being a mobile game, it looks super solid. Go Niners! As an added note, Gameloft is giving away games for free all weekend long. To receive the games, just follow them on Twitter for the weekend and when they tweet out a link, grab the game for free. Super easy. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amWuOeBv7HQ[/youtube]

Video: Asus Transformer Prime Receives Unofficial Review

Tim — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:00:51 +0000

We love getting early looks at upcoming devices. And trust me, the unreleased quad-core Transformer Prime is no exception. In the below video, you will see a pleasant chap review a sample unit of the tablet. He runs through the exterior, 1080p HD video playback, goes through a benchmark and gives us a semi-thorough preview of the device. We wish it was running Ice Cream Sandwich, but Honeycomb still looks nice. This tablet looks like a beast. For those tired of waiting, you can go ahead and pre-order the device on GameStop. No telling when you will receive it, but it can't be that far off. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHaczwP3nHI[/youtube] Via: Android Community

For The Next Two Weeks, 12 Of The Top Movies In Android Market Are 99 Cents

Dan — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:30:40 +0000

Winter is upon us and with that comes cold and frightful weather. On a snowy, or even a rainy day nothing beats just staying inside and watching a movie. Sure you can order one on-demand, but why would you do that when Google is offering up some of the hottest movies for just 99 cents. For the next two weeks you will no longer need to go to RedBox, as you can now watch a hit movie for the same low price of $1 from the Android Market. At this time the promotion appears to only be available stateside, nonetheless it is a pretty good deal. Who is going to take advantage of this?

Via: Twitter

DROID Charge Gingerbread Changelog Posted, Android 2.3 Finally Arrives

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:45:07 +0000

With Gingerbread source for the DROID Charge getting released this morning, it was only a matter of time before the official changelog was posted. We told you we would keep an eye on it, and sure enough, it's live right now. If you are new to Android 2.3, just know that this will improve the performance of your device immensely. You won't find a ton of new features, but the overall stability and speed increases will be instantly noticeable. If you have been frustrated over the last couple of months, get ready to love your phone again. The update is 119MB in size and will leave your phone at build EP4. No word on when it will be released, but rumors floating about are suggesting that November 29 is the day. Full changelog after the break.

More info.

HTC Rhyme Update Available Now, Filled With Security Patches

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:33:26 +0000

If you purchased the HTC Rhyme, feel free to jump into Settings>System updates to see if a surprise is waiting for you. According to our friends at Verizon, an update was made available last night to address a number of security issues. With HTC taking some heat over the last month over privacy concerns, this is a good thing. The update is only 8.89MB and will bring your phone to build 1.26.605.11. Pretty version of the changelog after the break.

More info. Cheers ___!

Thickness Comparison: LTE vs. GSM Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:58:21 +0000

At some point in the night, Google updated their Galaxy Nexus landing page to include a picture of the LTE variant that is headed to the U.S. "later this year" (according to Verizon). A couple of things were instantly noticeable: a color change and thickness difference. As you can see in the picture above, the LTE version appears to have gone with an almost all-black posterior rather than the metallic grey backing that graced the GSM version of the phone. It's not ugly, but personally, I preferred the color scheme on the non-U.S. version. To each their own though. On the thickness note, you should be incredibly happy. We knew it would be thicker than the GSM version since it comes equipped with an LTE radio, but this isn't much. Google gave us the dimensions almost a week ago, and at 9.47mm, is not a thick device by any means. It's thinner than the Bionic, Rezound, Thunderbolt, and Charge. It's thin, folks.

Cheers Michael K!

Quick Look at the New Youtube and Photos Apps for Google TV, Update Pushed Last Night

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:40:11 +0000

Since Google TV was updated to Honeycomb a couple of weeks back, their team promised to continue to produce updates that would enhance the experience. They appear to be living up to that promise as an update popped onto my Sony GTV box last night, bringing with it new YouTube and Photos apps. If the GTV team can produce new and useful features like this on a monthly basis, they'll have at least one happy customer. YouTube App

Seems a little odd that the YouTube app would receive a complete makeover in such a short time, but we'll take it. In this new version, you get playlists from your couch, subscription management, and the ability to add movies to your own channel. New Photos App

I'll admit that I had yet to play with the photo app before this update, so it's tough to tell if the UI has changed or not. Google is telling us that they added a featured called "Discover" that pulls from your synced photo albums on Picasa and Flickr to create an animated and constantly changing collage. I've captured a collage in the making in the photo directly above.

Sorry Logitech Revue owners, still no word on when you will see any of these updates. Via: Google TV Blog

Giveaway: Win One of Five SyncMate Software Codes Updated With Winners

Tim — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:03:15 +0000

Yesterday we introduced SyncMate to all of our Apple computer users that want to have their Android devices synced up perfectly with their Macs. Not the easiest task at times. SyncMate allows for users of any Android OS version to perfectly sync their Google accounts, pictures, videos, music, and even text messages through their Mac. We had lots of positive feedback, so SyncMate reached out and wants to give you all the chance to win the software for free. Winners: We decided to give everyone some extra time to enter due to the holiday. Our winners are... Mahe Balas - "Love Turkey and the nap that comes after." #winning - "Ham stuffing with Turkey with cranberry sauce and pecan pie." Jonesy - "Definitely the mashed potatoes. They are the glue that holds together the rest of the mediocrity." Dan Pease09 - "I personally prefer ham, but that is more of Christmas thing for my family. My brother-in-law always makes the best garlic mashed potatos. Definitely my favorite part of Thanksgiving." Stevaroo01 - "My favorite by far is my wife's pumpkin pie! Never had any better!!" ~~Up for grabs is the SyncMate Expert software which goes for $40 a pop. We have 5 copies of it.~~ Instructions to enter:

~~1. Comment down below as to which Thanksgiving dish is your favorite. Turkey? Stuffing? Ham?~~ ~~2. Please make sure you comment with a valid email so we can contact the winner.~~

We would like to add that it would be best if you are a Mac user when entering, as this software would not benefit you if you are a PC user. So let's see a nice Mac user turnout! Winners will be chosen today - randomly at 3PM PST. Good luck. SyncMate's website detailing the software.

GameStop Lists Transformer Prime Release Date as December 9 (Updated: Now November 28?)

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:36:14 +0000

The Asus Transformer Prime was announced back on the 8th as the world's first NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core tablet. The specs and price blew our minds, but we were left without a release date. Asus assured the media that some sort of launch party would be going down in early December though. According to GameStop, "early December" means December 9. And we aren't talking about a pre-order date - their site says as plain as day that the "release date" for this beast of a tablet is 12/9/2011. Update: And minutes later, they have adjusted it to show November 28 as the release date. Mmm K.

Go get your pre-order on. Shipments go out on the 9th. Cheers Jason!

Amazon Holding Weekend Long 50% Off Black Friday Sale On Select Apps

Tim — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:20:59 +0000

Starting tomorrow night at 12 AM, Amazon is hosting a little 50% off Black Friday sale on some select apps. The sale will last from Thursday night at 12AM (Friday morning) all the way until Cyber Monday at 11:59 PM. Some of the apps are very well known such as SwiftKeyX, Shazam Encore, and plenty more. If you plan on picking any of these titles up, just check your phone and find the deals.

Exchange By Touchdown - $19.99
LogMeIn Ignition - $29.99
Shazam Encore - $4.99
SwiftKey X - $3.99
Kids ABC Letters - $2.99

Do we have anyone here planning on waiting in line at any stores tomorrow night?

Samsung Releases DROID Charge Gingerbread Source Prior to Pushing OTA Update?

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:42:03 +0000

The DROID Charge and Samsung Fascinate are essentially Verizon's last two phones that should be running Gingerbread (Android 2.3) yet for whatever reason, are not. It's no secret at this point that Sammie is one of the worst when it comes to updating their phones, but there may be light at the end of this tunnel. Source for the Charge's GB update has been posted as build EP4D, which is a pretty good sign that we could see it roll out any day. We have looked in all of the usual places for support docs and came up empty. A rumor floating around VZW's forum suggests that the update may roll out as early as November 29 though. We'll continue to monitor it all. And if you were interested in grabbing the source, hit up this link and search for "SCH-I510." Cheers Kip!

DROID RAZR Source Code Released

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:12:19 +0000

Hey look, DROID RAZR source. Download. Cheers TSON!

Verizon Extends Holiday Return Policy Even Further, Test Drive Your RAZR or Rezound Until January 15

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:55:37 +0000

Last week, a handful of readers pointed out a significant change in Verizon's return policy. Normally just 14 days long, Big Red had temporarily extended the amount of time you have to return a phone during the holidays to almost a month. If you purchase a phone between November 15 and Deecember 28, you initially had up until January 9 to test drive it. It looks now like that deadline has been extended as well. According to that same return policy, you now have until January 15. Via: Verizon Cheers Greg W!

Galaxy Nexus Volume Issue Only Software Related, Google Has a Fix on the Way

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:24:16 +0000

Monday morning was all about Galaxy Nexus volume controls issues when the phone happened to drop into 2G coverage. Every UK mate in the world was uploading videos that showed the whacky antics of their latest purchase. Was it software or hardware related? A variety of users over at XDA were firm on the idea that it was hardware related, even replicating the issue at the bootloader level. There was no way to know until Google or Samsung reached out, which they have as of this morning:

"We are aware of the volume issue and have developed a fix. We will update devices as soon as possible."

Well, that's good news. Not that this was going to affect the 4G LTE version anyway, but it's good to know that our UK brethren will be taken care of "as soon as possible." Via: The Verge

Samsung Thinks Apple's Lines of People Waiting for the Next iPhone are so Silly

Kellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:05:06 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4VHzNEWIqA[/youtube]

What's the best way to get the mobile world fired up before heading into the most important holiday shopping weekend of the year? Put out an ad that takes left and right hooks at Apple and their fanbase that is willing to wait in line for weeks, days, or hours to get the latest iPhone. Well played, Samsung. Cheers to everyone who sent this!

Report: Samsung Confirms Galaxy Nexus on Verizon to be Released in December

Kellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:41:25 +0000

We posted this as an update to our latest Verizon MAP pricing post, but wanted to make sure everyone saw it. According to Business Insider, Samsung has reportedly confirmed that the Galaxy Nexus will launch in December. They did not give a specific date or reason for the push from November. To be fair to Verizon, they did say that the phone would be out some time this year. December 8 is popping up as the current target date. Via: Business Insider Cheers Josh!

Latest DROID RAZR Commercial Highlights Smart Actions, It Will Become Self Aware

Kellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:26:50 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWHL8HfN1tM[/youtube]

More DROID RAZR highlights in this latest spot dubbed "Smart Blade." Back to the ways of old. Consider me a fan of this current campaign. And if you missed our RAZR review from earlier, be sure to check it out.

New Verizon MAP Shows XOOM 2 On-Contract Pricing, Galaxy Nexus Release Date Mention (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:59:53 +0000

In the latest MAP (minimum advertised price) list from Verizon, we get a first look at official on-contract pricing for the new XOOM 2 models that could be in stores during the second week of December. Both the 8" and 10" models ranging from 16GB to 64GB are featured at prices starting at $429. The biggest of them all is the 64GB XOOM 2 10" that will drop in at a whoppin' $729. Pricing matches up to the current scheme for the 4G LTE Galaxy Tab 10.1, in case you were wondering how we came to the conclusion that these weren't off-contract. You will notice that the tablet is being referred to as the "Motorola Tablet" which is a pretty good sign that some last minute changes to the name have occurred and they won't be going with XOOM 2 here in the states. We are now officially worried that DROID XYBOARD has made the final cut. And below is the mention we just received concerning the release of the Galaxy Nexus. It looks like 11/28 was indeed one of the original targets, but regions are no longer expecting it to land that day. Over the last few days we have seen evidence that December 8 is the new target, so are we assuming that the 28th is completely out of the picture too?

Update: Business Insider is claiming to have heard directly from Samsung that the Galaxy Nexus will launch in December. No other details were given, but that certainly matches up to the most recent dates that we have seen. Cheers ___ and Josh!

Video: A Look at Some of the Developer Tools Built-in To Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:44:52 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51jIZaZNooc[/youtube]

We were poking around in the latest Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0.1) build for the Nexus S that came out over the weekend and noticed that a special "Developer options" section has been included. Inside, you will find a whole mess of features that can be toggled to help you monitor the performance of your phone, test settings, perform demos, and probably most importantly, manage how Android handles currently running tasks. We put together a quick screencast of the section up above, highlighting many of them. Developers, excited?

HTC Loses Key Patent Infringement Case Against Apple

Dan — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:01:13 +0000

In this day and age of technology no one is safe from lawsuits, especially in the mobile landscape. Microsoft has sued dozens of companies, as has Apple - with Samsung, HTC, and Motorola countering the lawsuits with their own. The sad truth is that almost 99 percent of the cases involve patent infringement suits - Android took from Microsoft, Microsoft took from Android, Android took from Apple, Apple took from Android, and so on. To defend themselves from endless lawsuits companies are purchasing other companies with extensive patent portfolios, and last July that is exactly what HTC did when it purchased S3 Graphics. The Taiwanese company has been in a bitter patent battle with Apple since the days of the Nexus One. With the $300 million acquisition of S3 Graphics, HTC filed a counter-suit claiming Apple infringed on the company's newely acquired patents. Unfortunately, the ITC has ruled in Apple's favor - handing HTC a significant blow. HTC has remained optimistic stating, "while the outcome is not what we hoped for, we will review the ruling once the commission provides it and will then consider all options, including appeal." HTC has several other cases against Apple, however with Cupertino's recent win analyst are concerned about HTC's S3 purchase, stating that the loss may have a long-term negative impact. Apple and HTC will be back in court, this time in a case regarding HTC's infringement on two of Apple's patents, with a verdict expected December 6. Via: Bloomberg

Tuesday Poll: Favorite Android Launcher Today Is?

Kellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:43:48 +0000

I feel like it has been ages since we last asked everyone what their current launcher of choice was. Is everyone still using one of the old standards like ADW and LauncherPro or have you gravitated towards some of the more frequently updated replacements like GO Launcher? Is there a chance that some of you have adopted the current crop of stock launchers that Moto, Sammie and HTC are tossing out? I feel like there is some sort of new home replacement that is dying to be found that we just haven't heard of yet. If you answer "Other", please let us know in the comments which launcher you are using. [poll id="114"]

Samsung Rolling Out Android 3.2 Update To Wi-Fi Only Galaxy Tab 10.1 Again, Hopefully Fixes All The Bugs

Tim — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:36:14 +0000

Samsung thinks they have worked out all of the WiFi-only Galaxy Tab 10.1 update issues and are now rolling out the Android 3.2 update once again. Last week, Samsung began distributing Android 3.2 to tablets. All of sudden, users (even our readers) started reporting that the update had broken WiFi, Bluetooth, and auto-rotate. What a disaster. Samsung immediately halted the update and are back with an updated version that should fix everything. If you happen to be one of the infected users with no WiFi, you can use Kies Air to access the update, then sideload it. Let's hope we don't have anymore issues. Good luck. Via: Engadget

DROID RAZR Review - Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:00:57 +0000

The DROID RAZR not only welcomes the return of an iconic cell phone brand, but it marks the beginning of a new ultra-slim smartphone era. Motorola has outdone themselves with the build of this 7.1mm thick device, but the question still remains - "Is it enough to drag people away from the Galaxy Nexus?" As with the HTC Rezound, it's going to be an uphill battle, but one that the RAZR feels ready to tackle. Let's dive in to see how far it can climb.

The Good:

Performance: One of the issues I had with te HTC Rezound was performance thanks to its Sense UI skin. With the RAZR, I get the feeling that Motorola has started to listen to consumers and made their Blur skin much less intrusive. In fact, the performance on this phone is on par with that of the Galaxy S2. It's incredibly snappy, the dual-core processor cruises through any tasks, and even with those awful 3D transitions, the phone never slows down. Since I've had both the Rezound and RAZR running side-by-side for a few weeks, I can easily say that the RAZR outperforms it in every way - well except the camera.
Screen: What an upgrade over the Bionic and DROID3. It's still a PenTile, but with Moto choosing the new Super AMOLED Advanced over the LCD that was used on those other two phones, you will be pleasantly surprised. If you macro shot the screen as I did in the Rezound review, you'll see some pixels. However, scrolling through the app drawer, screens, etc. doesn't give you that same headache that you may have experienced on Moto's last few releases. It's not on-par with the Rezound or the Galaxy Nexus, but it's a giant leap forward from where Moto was hovering for most of the year.

Hardware: Tough to call this anything less than spectacular. Motorola managed to pack a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4.3" display, front (1.3MP) and rear (8MP) cameras, 4G LTE chip, and 1780mAh battery into a 7.1mm thick frame. It's ultra-light, includes Gorilla Glass, a kevlar backing and splash coating for protection. This phone should impress anyone that picks it up on feel alone. The insides can match any phone on the planet with the outside outshining everyone.
Design: One can make the argument that "Hardware" and "Design" sort of fall under the same category, but with Moto going with such a radical new design, we had to separate this one out. It's a pretty drastic change from previous designs, yet it still holds some of Moto's signatures like the rear hump. The side lock switch is very popular in this household along with the squared off edges and sharp angles. This phone is sure to "wow" your friends if you were to toss it on the table at your local pub.
MotoCast: I'm a big fan of MotoCast. Once a 3rd party app called ZumoCast, Motorola has built the access-your-PC-anywhere software directly into their Blur custom skin. With MotoCast set up on any or all of your computers, you can access the files on them from directly within a variety of apps on your phone. Your music syncs into the stock music app, your photos in the gallery app, and your computer documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, etc. from the Files app. There are other players in this game that can be downloaded from the market, but when one works this seamlessly and has been built right in, why not use it? Motorola's Blur skin might annoy us at times, but after using the RAZR, you can see that they are improving it immensely with each new build.

Camera: It could very well be the same camera that was used in the Bionic and D3, but it acts a whole heck of a lot different. The beauty of software tweaks at its finest, right here. It's 8MP and takes for the most part, pretty impressive shots for a smartphone camera. It's not on the level of HTC cameras, but very few phones are these days. As you can see from the shots we took below, it should easily satisfy your on-the-go camera needs. And let's not forget how much faster it is than those other phones - something we put on display for you in our unboxing video below.

Call Quality and Signal: The Bionic that I have used for the last couple of months struggled at times to hold signal or at least return to service after losing one. The RAZR, seems to be working much better. I haven't experienced any noticeable hand-off issues from 3G to 4G. It also does as good as any other LTE phone in the download speed department. Call quality almost doesn't need to be mentioned since it's a Motorola device, but we'll say it anyway. This phone has impeccable call quality that you won't find on many other handsets.
Easily Rooted: If you are into the hacking game, then you'll be happy to learn that the phone has already been rooted. Moto will likely patch the exploit in the next update, so if you buy this phone, jump on it immediately. Instructions here.
Smart Actions: Moto built in a new app called Smart Actions that allows you to customize your phone to your life. It can adjust settings or launch apps depending on a lot of things including location or time of day. They sell it as an app that can help extend your battery life, but personally I have not found that it can other than by toggling on or off your WiFi which you can do yourself in less than a second. The idea that it can have your favorite news feed up and running the minute you wake up though, is convenient and worthwhile. Smart Actions are probably the future, and Moto is at the forefront. Here is a video tutorial on how to use it.

Accessories: Motorola is proving that it is the king of accessories. With the purchase of a RAZR, you have the option to add on two different Lapdocks (the 100 or 500), two different HD docking stations, a webtop adapter, and a car mount. If you were looking to add on extras to a phone, the RAZR has plenty of choices.
4G LTE: We would knock the phone if it didn't have LTE, so we should at least give it props for having it. With Verizon's LTE coverage expanding by the minute, it won't be long before you can all experience the world of blazingly fast mobile download speeds. Now, if only we can figure out a balance between mobile speeds and battery life.

The Not-so-Good:

Battery Life: Saying that I have been frustrated with battery life on this phone is an understatement. After picking up a RAZR, I kept expecting to be impressed by battery life. I kept thinking that Motorola had come up with some magical trick to extend the life of this phone and was the reason they decided to go with a non-removable battery. I was so wrong. It's just like any other LTE phone in that it crushes battery juice like Mark McGwire stuck needles circa 1998. And without the option to swap dead battery for good or use an extended one, this is a major downer. Smart Actions are not the answer. For me to get through an entire day (14-16 hours), I had to turn off 4G and GPS and toggle WiFi on. This may surprise you, but the Rezound and its smaller battery performed better than this phone.
Price: Is any phone worth $299 on contract? Probably not, but we sure seem willing to pay it. While I'm not a fan of Verizon's new 4G LTE pricing, I'm afraid it's here to stay.
Non-HD Screen: The HTC Rezound and Galaxy Nexus are both launching with the world's first 720p HD screens. Motorola, to our knowledge, has a phone with a similar screen, but chose to release it in China instead. It's not like the RAZR's screen is a bad screen by any means - I actually enjoy it for the most part - it just seems like a step down from its two biggest competitors. We will probably see Moto's first HD screen in 2-3 months, frustrating RAZR owners just like they are doing to Bionic owners.
Bloatware: Verizon is coming around a bit on this front by allowing users to remove some bloatware, however, the VCAST app selection that is non-removable makes my teeth hurt. Thankfully, Blur now gives you the ability to hide apps from sight, making your phone less bloated.

Locked Bootloader: Motorola told us that they would look into unlocking bootloaders by the end of 2011 where carriers permitted. That carrier part is the key here. When admitting on numerous occasions to this phone being as locked as all of their others, they pointed the finger directly at Verizon as being the reason why. We aren't surprised that Big Red would ask them to keep this puppy locked up tight, but we still have to point out that this phone cannot be considered developer friendly. I'm sure the community will find some work-arounds as they have with all Moto phones, however, it'll be a rough ride.
Lack of Ice Cream Sandwich: It's tough to knock the RAZR for not having Android 4.0 since Google released the source only a week ago, however, we still would have liked to see it. Motorola assures us that they will update phone as soon as possible and we'll take their word for that. There hasn't been an Android phone manufacturer to update their portfolio faster than Moto.
Lack of NFC: NFC has been targeted as the future of sharing information between two pieces of technology. Motorola, for whatever reason, decided that it wasn't important enough to include in the RAZR. Not many phone companies have other than Google - hopefully we'll see a change in that stance here in the near future. If we all had NFC, the world woud be a better place. Or at least a more efficient one.

Gallery:

Unboxing and Quick Hands-on:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yyXYWUMBjo[/youtube]

Software Tour:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bahuNq3wuAg[/youtube]

Video Sample (1080p):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eH_0SxgSQU[/youtube]

The Verdict:

Let's be honest here, I'm a big fan of the DROID RAZR. This phone feels as polished as any Android phone to date. It's ridiculously slim, weighs little-to-nothing, looks gorgeous and performs with the best of them. It has an upgraded screen over its predecessors, enhanced software in the camera, and 4G LTE connectivity. Motorola took what they had on the Bionic and upgraded or improved it in almost every conceivable way. Going into 2012, phones should use the build of this device as a benchmark to try and meet or beat. With that said, we would have loved to have seen the HD screen that they included on the Chinese version of this phone, a better battery experience, and a more open approach to Android. With the Galaxy Nexus just around the corner, Motorola needed to knock this one out of the park in every imaginable way. They certainly came close, but we would advise you to wait a couple of weeks, get your hands on this, the Rezound and the Nexus for a bit before making a final decision. Verizon has three incredible phones right now, so it's best to give them all a shot before pulling the trigger.

Other DROID RAZR Coverage

Mr. Tim-o-tato contributed to this post.

Android Community Member "TrevE" Hit With Cease & Desist For Researching Security Vulnerability

Tim — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:49:31 +0000

For a refresher, back in October a user over at the XDA forums came across a major security flaw on HTC devices which allowed for the tracking and recording of every use of your phone through certain app permissions. Since then, HTC released pressers that acknowledged the issue and that they would have fixes. Better yet, they said that no data had been stolen by any users and that HTC's people were on the case to fix the problem. Unfortunately, nothing ever seems to end on a good note. After his initial findings, research then led Trevor Eckhart to CarrierIQ. That company, has now issued a cease and desist to the Mr. Eckhart for the research he published on their software. CarrierIQ claims that "TrevE" reproduced copyrighted Training Material and made "false allegations" about their software's purposes. And this is not just a slight slap on the wrist. CarrierIQ wants Mr. Eckhart to issue a formal announcement that shows that what CarrierIQ is doing is completely normal, and is in no way a vulnerability to users. It's almost scary to read these C&D letters as if you are the person it is addressed to. Of course, if Mr. Eckhart does not stop his research and retract all previous posts and articles showing CarrierIQ's software at work, then there will be legal ramifications. Luckily, there is a good shot at the good guys coming out on top. Echkhart reached out to the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) for legal counsel and they feel that CarrierIQ's claims are pretty much bologna.

We have now had a chance to review your allegations against our client, and have concluded that they are entirely baseless. Mr. Eckhart used and made available these materials in order to educate consumers and security researchers about the functionality of your software, which he believes raises substantial privacy concerns. Mr. Eckhart’s legitimate and truthful research is sheltered by both the fair use doctrine and the First Amendment.

I have felt that Eckhart's research was for the greater good of the consumer and was most definitely just a,"Hey, watch out for this type of thing," then an actual attack on CarrierIQ. I could be wrong, but I feel that the research done was in good heart. What do you all think? Will the first amendment save this guy from an ugly court hearing? Trevor Eckhart's C&D PDF Via: TechCrunch

SyncMate For Android - Allowing For Perfect Sync With Your Mac Computer

Tim — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:26:17 +0000

There has always been sort of a gap between Apple's computers and Google's phones. Thanks to SyncMate, that may be a problem of the past. With SyncMate's software, you can sync up to 4 Android devices to a Mac computer. Syncing options include the ability to partner your Mac with a Google account which includes contacts and calendars, music, photos, videos, and even the ability to view, compose, and send SMS messages. Naturally, there is a free version that gives people a pretty good idea of how the software operates, but then there is the Pro version which offers a very comprehensive list of features. SyncMate has contacted us about doing a small giveaway for our readers, so be on the lookout for that shortly. In the mean time, does this sound like a good way for Apple and Google to start syncing better? We know many of you always had troubles making your Mac and Android device get along. SyncMate Website

Giveaway: Win One of Three 3-Month Subscriptions to Slacker Premium Radio - Updated With Winners

Tim — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:22:23 +0000

Thanks to Slacker, we have three subscriptions their premium service to giveaway to the DL community. Slacker Radio, as you may know, is a great way for Android users to listen to great music, wherever they are. You can make custom radio stations, find tons of artists, and just simply enjoy the music that you love. The features are endless. Having a subscription to Slacker Radio allows for users to have on-demand access, which empowers you to find and listen to any song, at any time. Subscriptions are $10 a month and we're here to give away three 3-month passes. Sweet, right? Winners: Thanks to all of those that entered. We had almost 250 entries and from that we have -

Phillip Grose - "Favorite Band- hmmmm probably Metallica" soc13kid - "Clearly of all time it's The Beatles!" Letz_Shake - "The correct answer is Wu-Tang Clan. Straight from the slums of Shaolin."

The three of you will receive emails shortly from Slacker. Thanks again to everyone who entered. Instructions to enter:

~~Comment down below with your favorite musical artist/band.~~
~~Make sure to comment with a valid email address so we can contact the winner.~~

Easy as that. No Twitter. No Facebook. Just comment down below. We will choose our 3 winners by the end of the day at 3PM PST. Good luck! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqPtqPHXM0A[/youtube]

Asus Transformer Prime Goes Up On US Amazon As Pre-Order - No Word On Release Date

Tim — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:50:02 +0000

Just last week we saw the German Amazon site list the Transformer Prime as available for pre-order. Now the US version is getting some love and people are free to pre-order, except for the fact that we still don't know when they will begin to ship out. Price is at a completely reasonable $499 for the 32GB version and $584 for the 64GB variant. Tegra 3 processor is on board and as we saw this morning, the Prime looks fantastic running Ice Cream Sandwich. No say on when the tablet will be released, but at least we know that Asus plans on having Ice Cream Sandwich on it only a few weeks after launch. Might make the wait a bit more tolerable. Amazon Link

Galaxy Nexus Receives UI Patch, Adds Dedicated Search Option To Lower Menu Bar

Tim — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:10:56 +0000

As soon as you get your hands on a Galaxy Nexus, there are already going to be a few tweaks and hacks you can perform to make the phone your own. For example, just released is a UI patch by Team MoDaCo which allows there to be a permanent search button in the bottom menu bar. Not only can you add a search button, but then you can also rearrange it to how you see fittingly. Possibilities with a Nexus device are unlimited, so customers are in for a real treat once this device finally goes up for sale. Via: Phandroid, Team MoDaCo

Video: Motorola Teaches You How to Use Their New Smart Actions App

Kellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:16:16 +0000

Your new DROID RAZR may need some help in the battery department just as much as any 4G LTE phone on Verizon does. With phones only able to run the current 2011 LTE technology, there isn't much that can be done except by tweaking your OS as much as possible or swapping out a dead battery for a fresh one. Since Moto decided to make this phone the thinnest on the planet, you won't find extra life coming through an extended or backup battery. That leaves phone hackery. Through Motorola's new Smart Actions app, they are attempting to give you the tools to help your phone last longer on a single charge. Smart Actions allows you to customize your life by adjusting settings or launching apps depending on your location, time of day, etc. While I haven't found a single way in them to truly extend battery throughout the day, I will say that the idea itself is fun. Having your phone automatically launch your workout playlist when headphones are plugged in is convenient. If you really want battery extension though, I'm afraid that turning off 4G and GPS is about the only way you are going to do it. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnlBXv1eWjo[/youtube]

NVIDIA Takes Us Through Ice Cream Sandwich on the Asus Transformer Prime

Kellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:15:00 +0000

When Asus announced their new Transformer Prime, they made it clear that the device would ship with Honeycomb, but would be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) within a few weeks. To show how easy it will be for them to accomplish this task, the folks at NVIDIA have a T-Prime already equipped with ICS that they want you to see. Why NVIDIA? Well as you may know, this latest tablet from Asus is powered by their new Tegra 3 quad-core processor. So after playing with ICS source for only 2 days, they were able to get it up and running on production hardware - and boy is it smooth. In the video below, you will get to see some of the new features of Android 4.0 on a tablet, a quick look at 1080p video, and a demo of Riptide for quad-core processors. If you have handled a Honeycomb tablet for any amount of time, you will probably be blown away by the speed that ICS and the Tegra 3 can bring. If this doesn't make you want to upgrade to the Transformer Prime when it launches in December, then I don't know what will.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tAwHCDq-94[/youtube]

DROID RAZR and Its Gorilla Glass Fail to Survive a Pocket Drop, Galaxy Nexus Succeeds Down Flight of Carpeted Stairs

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:01:04 +0000

When the DROID RAZR was announced last month, Moto CEO Sanjay Jha stood on stage raving about its build quality and the materials used to make it one of the toughest phones on the planet. It has Gorilla Glass, a kevlar back, splash coating and more. Unfortunately, there aren't many materials that can be used to save a phone from a pocket drop to face on concrete. Might be time to invest in a case if you haven't already. On a related, the Galaxy Nexus and its non-branded "fortified glass" seems to have passed this stair drop test with flying colors. We should take into account that the stairs are covered in carpet and are likely the only reason it survived. Hard wood stairs and the G-Nex would be joining our RAZR friend in the Graveyard of Forgotten Phones.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc5JjPU4Xh0[/youtube]

Cheers Actngrezy and Liderc!

Best Buy Seems Confused, Calls Galaxy Nexus the "Nexus Prime 4G LTE" in New Flyer

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:24:02 +0000

Someone in the marketing department at Best Buy apparently did not watch the Samsung/Google event that took the rest of the world by storm on October 18. That would be the day that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was unveiled to the world, bringing it from rumored "Nexus Prime" to official and coming to the U.S. with 4G LTE capabilities. They also need to go back to October 21 in their inboxes to look for unread emails from Verizon's PR. That would be the day Big Red made themselves the exclusive U.S. carrier of the phone, referring to it in every sentence as the "Galaxy Nexus." Nexus Prime, just a code name. Always was. Galaxy Nexus on the other hand, is the retail name of the world's first Ice Cream Sandwich device. It's also not a part of the Galaxy SII family as Best Buy seems to think in the ad up top. If you can't tell, we aren't buying the idea that Verizon has all of a sudden changed their mind and decided to call this the Prime after more than a month of referring to it publicly and internally as the G-Nex. Who the hell says that Verizon has any choice in the name of this anyway? This is Google's baby, and they dubbed it the Galaxy Nexus. Why would Google and Samsung release this phone to the world as the G-Nex, yet decide to change it up a bit here in the States as the Nexus Prime? Makes absolutely no sense. The Nexus One was the Nexus One everywhere in the world. Same with the Nexus S. And let's not forget that BBY once referred to the XOOM as the "DROID XOOM" even though we had all known for weeks that the "DROID" brand had been dropped. So yeah, let's not jump to a bunch of crazy conclusions and think that Verizon and Best Buy are selling separate exclusive versions or had a sudden change of heart with just a couple of weeks left to go before launch. It's the Galaxy Nexus, my friends. This is just a pre-printed BBY guide that has hasn't been updated. One more shot after the break.

And if it ends up as the Nexus Prime, call me the most surprised man on the face of the Earth. Via: Android Forums

First Look at the Red DROID Incredible 2

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:25:08 +0000

There she is in all her red glory (no idea why it's a female, but it seems fitting). The newest edition of the DROID Incredible 2 has hit VZW storage rooms in order to populate your hands on Black Friday. Did we mention that it will be free for that day only? We showed you the first renders of this device at the end of last week, but wanted to show you it in the flesh as well. It's a spicy lookin' Android handset that would be a must-have if it managed to house a dual-core processor and LTE radio into that body.

Again, free on Friday. Cheers ___!

Verizon Starts Announcing New Set of 4G LTE Markets Set to Go Live December 15

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:14:26 +0000

Verizon is in the process of unveiling its latest batch of 4G LTE markets to end the 2011 calendar year. For whatever reason, they don't always make this call in one massive press release, so we will be updating this list as we see the word go out. As of last week, the company had activated 179 markets, but they plan to take it another step closer to their goal of covering the entire nation with this latest set of smaller communities. On December 15, we will see what appears to be a pretty hefty batch of communities go live, making Big Red's 2011 4G LTE blanket all the more impressive. New Markets: Delaware

Dover

Massachusetts

Fitchburg
Leominster
Lunenburg
Townsend

New Hampshire

Bedford
Goffstown
Hudson
Litchfield
Loudon
Manchester
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
Merrimack
Nashua
Pelham

New York

Clintondale
Fishkill
Hyde Park
Kingston
New Paltz
Plattekill
Poughkeepsie
Red Hook
Rhinebeck
Saugerties
Wappingers Falls

Ohio

Findlay
Tiffin
Youngstown
Warren

Pennsylvania

Indiana

Expanding Markets:

Savannah, GA

Cheers Travis!

Galaxy Nexus Storage Size Returns to 32GB, World Exhales

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:51:18 +0000

Does anyone else get the feeling that Google is just messing with us at this point? First the Galaxy Nexus specs said both 16GB and 32GB for storage size, then it dropped to just 16GB causing the entire DL community to stop breathing momentarily, and now it only says 32GB. While we'll take the bigger storage size any day of the week, this whole situation has become so incredibly silly. It's not like we were actually worried that it might only come with 16GB as Verizon documents have clearly shown the bigger size from day one, we just likes things to be set in stone in front of our faces. So, we've squashed the Flash and storage issues. By the time Verizon decides to approve this puppy once and for all, it may actually be flawless. Via: Google Cheers Robert, Liderc and Greg!

Documents To Go - Amazon Appstore Free App Of The Day

Tim — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:50:27 +0000

Another $15 app has found itself as being Amazon's free app of the day. Documents To Go has a full version key which is now free, for today only. Having the key opens this app to be one of the most useful apps for mobile office/business folks. View and edit Microsoft Word docs, Google Docs, and many more all of which can sync with your PC through USC connection.

View, edit, and create Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents

Download, view, and edit your files from your Google Docs account

Sync with your desktop using your device's USB cable

Enjoy comprehensive formatting features for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as high-fidelity viewing of PDFs

Access support for attachments, password-protected files, built-in file browser, memory-card support, and Live folder for recently used documents

Amazon Link Don't pass this application up. Probably won't see it for this price in a long time.

Grid Live Wallpaper - Enhancing Your Home Screens One Page at Time

Tim — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:06:48 +0000

We got an app submission from the developer of Grid Live Wallpaper over the weekend and are impressed. As live wallpaper fanatics, this is right up our alley. Through this app, you can set up a variety of different screens and looks by selecting a picture, color, shape scheme, etc. As you flip through them all, you will see the grid transition that the app derives its name from. The adjustments to make this 100% your own are almost endless in the settings section of the app. It's very snazzy. For just 99 cents, Grid Live Wallpaper appears to be worth it. The app itself reminds us a lot of the Light Grid live wallpapers, which we love. Go have at it. Market Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=260xYAXAHVI[/youtube]

And the Winners of the Two Kindle Fire Giveaway are...

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:00:37 +0000

With nearly 1300 comments in our Kindle Fire contest, the folks at CompanionLink had their work cut out for them. As you may recall, they simply asked that you tell them if there was a particular productivity feature that you wish your phone had. They really just wanted to find out new ways to make your smartphone even smarter. The responses were fantastic. Here is what they had to say: CompanionLink: Thanks to everyone who shared their ideas. Among all the great ideas, we noticed a huge demand for integrating nearly everything, from your home to your car to your life, with your mobile devices. We intend to do our part to push that forward, and we're also very excited to see other industries grow in this area as technology advances! After looking over all (yes all!) of the comments, we narrowed it down to two of our favorites. So, without further ado, the two lucky commenters taking home a Kindle Fire are...

Zachariah Productivity should be about making one productive. We are lazy people, we procrastinate and no amount of task calendar applications really fix the problem. The reason is simple: They don't tell us what to do, it's a pain in the neck to set up the busier your schedule is and then the only reminders are set by US. If you have an app that can read in a calendar schedule and say, a to-do list, and then schedule the to-do's intelligently in one's 'spare time', or prompt a person during their spare time to do one of the tasks that is important. location awareness can make it so the app learns when a person is in transit or not between calendar events. And can calculate an appropriately timed reminder based on time and location of the event. If it can auto-set well-timed alarms while it's at it to keep you in tandem, that's even better. And for some tasks like phone calls, it should be able to auto-determine whether or not you've done so using your phone log. A smart app that tells you to be on time, and/or make up for lost time, to get priorities straight and doesn't give the user the opportunity to procrastinate. It may be annoying, but it certainly will get us going. And if it gets people going, it'll grab attention. Hud DO NOT DISTURB priority for a calendar event would be amazing. I think it would be really cool, if you could set a calendar event at a Do Not Disturb Priority level, for use if you are in an important business meeting, or an event, or in a movie, or at the Theatre, or on a date, for examples. Then, without having to do anything further on your part, if someone texts or calls you (maybe include an optional setting for email too) while that calendar event is taking place, not only would the text or call be silenced or be on vibrate, but an automatic text would be sent back to wireless callers and maybe even a pre-recorded voice message played to callers from a landline, stating that you are currently unavailable until whatever time the event is over, and that you will review their message at that time and will be able to get back to them sometime thereafter. Later, at a self designated amount of time after your event is scheduled to be over: say 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes after, you would then receive a notification that you have "x" amount of missed Do Not Disturb Messages and "y" amount of missed Do Not Disturb calls. There could even be a setting where you could allow only certain numbers to be able to get through, and override the Do Not Disturb Calendar setting, like a spouse, boss, parent, child, or babysitter.

Congrats to our two winners! Thanks to the 1,300 of you that gave feedback on how the industry can improve our smartphones. And again, a big thanks to CompanionLink for putting up the fabulous prizes.

Video: Galaxy Nexus Volume Issue Could Be Hardware Related?

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:38:14 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_mO_K7OYR0[/youtube]

The volume toggling issue that has been plaguing the UK Galaxy Nexus over its first few days on the market was originally thought to be software-related. Many assumed that a simple OS tweak would take care of the problem, but that may not be the case after all. Through the testing you can see above, the volume rocker on the G-Nex is being toggled up and down even while in the bootloader, hence the scrolling between options on the screen. From what we can tell, the tester has placed a call on his secondary phone, is then moving it up against the G-Nex which is causing the internal radio to freak out (official term there). When the radio is doing whatever the heck it is doing on the inside, it is also triggering the volume rocker to adjust all the way down, leading people to believe that this is a hardware problem rather than software. Still no way to tell if this issue lives on the 4G LTE version until we get the phone in our hands. Via: XDA Cheers jefbystereo!

Verizon's Black Friday Deals: XOOM for $199 and Free Red Incredible 2

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:00:18 +0000

Black Friday deals are starting to roll in from a variety of retailers. Verizon's just went live, so we wanted to quickly show you some of the deals that will be made available to you on the craziest shopping day of the year.

Motorola XOOM for $199 on-contract
Red DROID Incredible 2 for FREE (Friday only)
Double smartphone data still going on ($30 for 4GB)
Free activations
Sony Xperia Play and LG Enlighten for FREE
LG Revolution for $49.99 (Friday only)

Nothing to blow your socks off. Hard to compete with Amazon's Penny Sale though. Cheers ___!

NVIDIA's Jen-Hsun Huang Expects Tegra 3 Tablets Will Drop To $299 In "A Couple Quarters"

Tim — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:35:18 +0000

In a recent conversation with tech journalists, NVIDIA's CEO Jen-Hsun Huang stated that he could see Tegra 3 devices going for as little as $299 in the upcoming quarters. That is a mighty claim given that most of the second generation tablets we will be seeing such as the Transformer Prime will run a Tegra 3 processor. He does not go into specifics for which tablets, but we know that not all super high end tablets will drop to $299. That doesn't seem logical. Since Amazon and Barnes & Nobel tablets are modestly priced and successful, other tablet manufacturers may need to start thinking more realistically price-wise with what consumers want. So should we be waiting for this price drop before we buy our next tablets? Is saving $300 more or less worth waiting on a tablet? Most people would say, "yes." Via: Engadget

NGGG Tablet Giveaway #4 - Win an Asus Transformer, Jambox and $25 Gift Card from NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:05:33 +0000

The final week of the November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway is here, folks! Thanks to NVIDIA, we have already given away three premium Android tablets powered by their Tegra 2 processor to three amazing DL community members. So to go out with a bang, we have one more tablet (Asus Transformer) to give away along with a prize pack that includes a Jawbone Jambox speaker and a $25 giftcard so that you can buy all of the top games from the Tegra Zone. It has been a wild month to say the least, so let's just jump right into this one and see how many entries we can total. Last week we saw over 3,900 - can we top it? Prize: -Asus Transformer -Jawbone Jambox speaker -$25 American Express gift card How to enter: (do as many of the following as possible, #4 for sure) 1. Follow both @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. Tweet the following message:

Want to win an Asus Transformer, Jambox Speaker and $25? Check out @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra – http://goo.gl/gJLhP #android

3. Like Droid Life on Facebook. 4. In the comments, let us know what piece of technology you are most thankful for. Entry period: You will have from the time of this posting, through Monday (11/28) at 1PM Pacific to enter. U.S. entries only. Winners: One winner will be picked randomly on Monday (11/28) at 2PM and announced shortly thereafter. The winner will be contacted through their choice of entry (Twitter, Facebook or comments). Good luck everyone!

Huge thanks again to NVIDIA for hosting the prizes! Be sure to check out the Tegra Zone for some of the best mobile games you will find anywhere.

Hitler Hears the Latest Galaxy Nexus Rumors

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:36:09 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn2eXmqw7x8[/youtube]

Why is it that these never seem to get old? And who knew that Hitler was such a Droid Life fan? He is clearly not amused by the latest December 8 release rumor. Cheers Jim and Thomas!

Samsung Illusion Available Via Direct Fill November 23 on Verizon

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:15:49 +0000

No, the Galaxy Nexus has not been renamed to Illusion. This is about as low-end as you can get for a smartphone these days, but we still thought we would share. It's a 3G Android phone with a 3.5" screen that lacks a front-facing camera. It is running Android 2.3 though, so at least it can laugh at some of its brethren including the DROID Charge and Fascinate who are still stuck with Froyo. Will more than likely be free on contract, as no one should have to pay money for this phone. Cheers ___!

Video: Galaxy Nexus Volume Controls Gone Wild, Only on 2G Though

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:51:26 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6xlZFcgPlo[/youtube]

Recently purchased the UK version of the Galaxy Nexus? Be sure to stay out of 2G signal areas or you may run into the whacky volume control issue you are seeing in the video above. That's right, the HSPA version of the Galaxy Nexus in the UK is toying with its owners when they leave an area with a strong data connection. This issue likely does not exist on the U.S. LTE version, but we won't really know for a couple of weeks since we are looking at December 8 as a potential release date. I wouldn't get all worked up about this though. With the device still getting its final software tweaks, you can bet that it will be fixed before we ever see it. Via: XDA Cheers Jigga_Z!

Download: Ice Cream Sandwich Keyboard For Your Android 2.2+ Device

Tim — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:20:35 +0000

Need to have every bit of Ice Cream Sandwich you can? Then you might want to think about installing the keyboard taken straight from AOSP and then uploaded to the Market. Just last week the ICS source was released, so we are sure to see a lot more goodies like this coming up. To install, just download from the Market. There is no root required. The app itself is a beta, so if you run into issues try to stay calm. Enjoy! Market Link Cheers Mike and Gabe!

Download: FRK76 Update for the Original Motorola DROID

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:51:29 +0000

The "special project" for the original Motorola DROID has started as of the 18th and is available today for anyone running stock FRG83G to load. It's only a double-shot of security fixes, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't jump to it if you are one of the few non-rooted OG owners. This new build is labeled as FRK76. Download: FRK76 Instructions:

*Note - You have to be completely stock and without a custom recovery in order to update to this.

1. Should be able to download the update above to your SD card. 2. Rename to update.zip. 3. Reboot into recovery holding X + Power. 4. Choosing the option to "apply update.zip from sd card." Via: Peter Alfonso Cheers I and Naughty!

Amazon Starts Black Friday Deals Early - All Verizon, AT&T, Sprint Phones Just a Penny Today Through Cyber Monday

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:23:29 +0000

And here come the pre-holiday weekend deals. Amazon has announced a new penny sale that drops the price of all Verizon, Sprint and AT&T phones to just $0.01 from now through Cyber Monday. When we say "all," that means the DROID RAZR and HTC Rezound are included in that list. . You won't be able to use an upgrade to get this deal, but can by adding a new line to your current account. Also, if you add on a WiFi hotspot package, Amazon will kindly toss you a $100 gift card. Links: All Phones | RAZR | Rezound

Adobe: Flash Player Coming to Ice Cream Sandwich by End of 2011

Kellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:55:58 +0000

With Adobe's announcement that they would no longer develop for their mobile version of Flash, questions of whether or not it would work on Ice Cream Sandwich were raised. Would we ever see it supported on ICS? Would our brand new Galaxy Nexus phones be Flash-less? What? According to an Adobe spokesperson, there will be one more release on Android that include support for Android 4.0 and it should be out by the end of the year.

Adobe will release one more version of the Flash Player for mobile browsing, which will provide support for Android 4.0, and one more release of the Flash Linux Porting Kit - both expected to be released before the end of this year. After that time, Adobe will continue to provide critical bug fixes and security updates.

And that pretty much settles that issue. All good now on the Flash front? Via: Pocket-Lint

Verizon Compares LTE Phone Lineup to AT&T, Still Shows Galaxy Nexus with 32GB of Storage

Kellen — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 09:25:18 +0000

The DL community was up in arms yesterday when they noticed that Google had updated the Galaxy Nexus spec page to show just 16GB of internal storage. It was a confusing move as we know that the 32GB LTE version of the device is in a number of people's hands at this time. We have also seen Verizon train their employees on the idea that it will launch with 32GB, so there shouldn't be much reason to freak out and will have to assume that Google has some brilliant behind the scenes reason for pulling off such a move. To hopefully help ease your mind though, we have another training document that compares Verizon's "Big 3" LTE phones to AT&T's first two. In the document, the most important specs are listed including storage for devices. The Galaxy Nexus as you may have guessed, is highlighted in red as having 32GB of storage. Not sure that Big Red could be more clear on this to their employees and now to you. We all good on the storage front? Cheers ___!

[Graph] A Look at Global Smartphone Shipments, Holy Android

Kellen — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:00:07 +0000

Shipments, not units sold. Remember that when looking at this chart, but still feel free to let your jaw plant firmly on the floor below. Via: Asymco, Fortune

Galaxy Nexus Roundup: Only 16GB Showing from Google, No Flash Support, Vodafone Still Testing, and No USB Mass Storage

Kellen — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:01:47 +0000

Since it's a Saturday and there are a ton of Galaxy Nexus stories floating about, we thought one massive post would be a better option than forcing you to click around between a half dozen stories. Chatter over the last 12 hours or so has involved the lack of Flash support at this time, an updated spec list showing just a 16GB model in the states, a lack of USB mass storage, and Vodafone (Verizon's Euro partner) refusing to sell the G-Nex while they finish up testing. Lots of stuff, so let's jump through it.

Up first is this adjustment to Google's landing page for the Galaxy Nexus showing that the device will only have 16GB of internal storage. On Thursday, this same site listed both 32GB and 16GB options, so this change is a little confusing. We know that folks with the device in hand already have 32GB versions (LTE as well), leaving us even more confused. Could they possibly cut out the 32GB option? I would certainly hope not. Since the phone has internal storage only, and no chance to add additional space through a micro SD card, this would be a huge disappointment. And let's not forget about the $299 price tag we have seen time and time again. Both the RAZR and Rezound come with 32GB of total storage, are expandable to 48GB, and priced at $299 - we better see the 32GB version of this phone or there are going to be a lot of unhappy Android addicts. Update: As one of our readers pointed out in the comments, Verizon's own training documents show that the phone will launch with 32GB. Try not to freak out yet, folks.

Reports from a variety of places have pointed out the fact that the Galaxy Nexus does not come loaded with Flash 11, nor can it be found in the market as a supported app. Adobe announced last week that they were stopping development on mobile Flash, so the idea that Ice Cream Sandwich is not currently supported, sort of makes sense. The good news is that Google fully expects there to be a working version in the near future and had this to say to SlashGear:

“Flash hasn’t been released for ICS yet so as far as we know, Adobe will support Flash for ICS.” – Google

So try not to stress over something like Flash at this point. And I wouldn't doubt it if you could simply pull Flash from a currently supported device, sideload it on the G-Nex and get it to work as it does on every other phone.

According to Pocket-Lint, Vodafone has refused to sell the Galaxy Nexus in Europe while they finish up testing on it, similarly to what Verizon is rumored to be doing. This may seem irrelevant to those here in the states, but it should be noted that Vodafone is Verizon's Euro partner.

"We're continuing to test the GALAXY Nexus software to ensure our customers get the best possible experience of the device. We'll provide concrete details on availability once the testing process has been successfully completed."

After reading that, I think it's clear that Big Red's partner in the wireless game is as ~~anal~~ ~~picky~~ thorough as they are when it comes to testing. To be fair though, Verizon has always stressed that they want their customers to have the best mobile experience possible, so extra testing measures aren't necessarily a bad thing. If testing takes an extra couple of weeks, I'm fine with that as long as the experience is almost flawless.

And the last part of this mega-G-Nex post has to do with the lack of USB mass storage on the device. Shocked to hear that? You aren't the only one. To explain his team's move, Android engineer Dan Morrill took to reddit to discuss:

ICS supports USB Mass Storage (UMS). The Galaxy Nexus does not. This is the same scenario as Honeycomb, as for instance HC supports USB Mass Storage while Xoom does not. If a given device has a removable SD card it will support USB Mass Storage. If it has only built-in storage (like Xoom and Galaxy Nexus) it will (usually) support only MTP and PTP. It isn't physically possible to support UMS on devices that don't have a dedicated partition for storage (like a removable SD card, or a separate partition like Nexus S.) This is because UMS is a block-level protocol that gives the host PC direct access to the physical blocks on the storage, so that Android cannot have it mounted at the same time. With the unified storage model we introduced in Honeycomb, we share your full 32GB (or 16GB or whatever) between app data and media data. That is, no more staring sadly at your 5GB free on Nexus S when your internal app data partition has filled up -- it's all one big happy volume. However the cost is that Android can no longer ever yield up the storage for the host PC to molest directly over USB. Instead we use MTP. On Windows (which the majority of users use), it has built-in MTP support in Explorer that makes it look exactly like a disk. On Linux and Mac it's sadly not as easy, but I have confidence that we'll see some work to make this better. On the whole it's a much better experience on the phone.

And he didn't stop there. If you cruise over to this reddit thread and search for user morrildl, you can find a variety of responses to questions from other reddit users. He talks file systems, SD cards, why some phones leave out external storage slots altogether, and more. Great reads. Cheers Chris, Chris, Michael, Richard and so many others!

Download: New Android Market Version 3.3.12

Kellen — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:31:48 +0000

If you saw our Tweet last night about having the new Android Market version 3.3.12, then please accept my apologies for not getting this to you until this morning. Our buddy @PeterAlfonso sent the latest version over, but we were no where near a computer until now, really. So here it is! Pretty tough to tell if anything is new with such a slight version number increase. When the Google Music announcement was made last week, our buddy @0mie suggested that this next version would be built specifically for T-Mobile phones since they are expected to get a special songs section. Other than that, we'll have to let you help us figure out if anything changed. Download: Phonesky.apk Install as you would any other non-market app. It should install right over top of your current market. No root required. Cheers again Pete!

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 11/18/2011

Tim — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:00:41 +0000

The Galaxy Nexus has more rumored release dates than any other Android device in history possibly. I think we are up to 5 or 6 now? This release has definitely been keeping people on the edge of their chairs, but I think everyone's patience is starting to wear thin. Let's try to hang in there.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Keep your fingers crossed that we hear something from Verizon next week about the G-Nex. In happier news, is everyone enjoying the new Google Music? We're loving it.

Motorola DROID XYBOARD 8.2 Pictured For Verizon - "XYBOARD" Name Confirmed?

Tim — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:00:34 +0000

Say hello to Verizon’s newest tablet-family member’s backside. PocketNow has uncovered the back of the soon-to-be announced Droid Xyboard 8.2. We can see a nice aluminum looking back, coupled with Verizon's 4G LTE logo and of course a Motorola logo. Seeing those easily accessible screws makes me curious and gives me the urge to open it up too. Anyone else?

So let's discuss this name real quick. XOOM 2 wasn't good enough apparently. Would the name "XOOM 2 8.2" and "XOOM 2 10.1" be too much (too confusing)? If you already have a name established, why just up and change? Did the XOOM do that bad as they want to completely remove themselves from it? The DROID XYBOARD 8.2 and 10.1 are rumored to be announced by month's end. Maybe time for a poll on whether you all think "XYBOARD" was a good idea? Let us know. Via: PocketNow

Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Receives The Galaxy Nexus Before You

Dan — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:30:57 +0000

Apple co-founder Steve 'The Woz' Wozniak stopped by the Googleplex and walked away with a Galaxy Nexus and an Ice Cream Sandwich t-shirt. Yes the man who founded Apple with Steve Jobs is currently playing with a brand spanking new Galaxy Nexus - I will let you take that in for a moment. Ironically, Woz usually waits until release day for the newest iPhone device and tends to Segway to the front of the line. However, he is receiving a device many people want, even before it is officially announced (stateside at least). This says a lot about Android and Ice Cream Sandwich, only furthering our anticipation for the actual release of the Galaxy Nexus. Lastly I am left wondering how Steve Jobs would have felt about this? Try to keep it classy and sound off in the comments below.

Via: Google+

And the Winner of NGGG #3 and a Galaxy Tab 10.1 with Prize Pack is...

Kellen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:58:46 +0000

Two weeks ago, we announced our November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway (NGGG), a month long contest that includes four (4) NVIDIA Tegra 2 powered tablets and a couple of gaming-inspired prize packs. Each week, we have handed out a different tablet, with the prize packs (Jamboxes and $25 gift cards) being tacked on during this giveaway and the last one. Up first was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 followed by the Asus Transformer last week. So far we have seen an intense amount of participation, but this week was even crazier thanks to the added prize pack. Not only is our winner going to receive a Galaxy Tab 10.1, but some cash and an incredible mobile speaker to go with it. With over 3,900 entries in just 5 short days, we are officially blown away for the 3rd straight week in a row. So as to not delay this announcement any further, let’s get to it. The winner is…

TimB who loves Gears of War 1, Gears of War 3, and Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Congrats on winning the new tablet, Jambox speaker and cash!

To everyone else, tune back in Monday morning for your chance to win the last tablet provided by @NVIDIATegra and the Tegra Zone. Next week's giveaway will also include the same prize pack that we had this week - a Jambox speaker and $25 gift card.

DROID Incredible 2 in Red Hitting Stores November 24

Kellen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:00:54 +0000

If the standard black DROID Incredible 2 wasn't to your liking, hold out until November 24 as Verizon appears primed to release a full-on red version. We aren't sure if this has anything to do with Project Red or not, but it would certainly fit the theme of that organization. Specs and price will likely remain the same. Not a bad way to re-launch the product ahead of the holidays though, right?

I would ask if anyone is interested, but I know the answer to that already. Instead, I'll just ask if everyone is a fan of different color schemes like this on phones? Personally, I'm sick of the black slabs and would gladly accept some color options. Would be nice if OEMs would produce these at first launch though and not months down the road. Cheers ___ and ___!

Add December 8 to the Galaxy Nexus Launch List (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:35:08 +0000

I'm not even going to say anything, aside from this referencing marketing materials and could mark the start of a campaign rather than a launch date. Quite the list of dates we have going for us now though. Update: Another December 8 launch date picture has surfaced. It goes into a little more detail on that day potentially being the official day.

Cheers ___ and Vladimir!

Android OS Shoehorned Into A USB Stick, Android Army Invades PCs Everywhere

Eric — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:30:38 +0000

We are watching mobile phones that run Android get smaller, all while trying to stay as fast as possible with the latest technology. I think we have found the smallest piece of hardware that runs Android ever; it has a 1.2Ghz dual-core processor, Bluetooth, WiFi, HDMI out and a microSD card slot. And it all fits within a thumb drive.

Meet codename 'Cotton Candy.' Why the delicious name? The thumb drive only weighs 21 grams, the same weight as the candy. FXI developers are the brains behind this awesome piece of hardware that allows for "Any Screen Computing." When plugged into a PC or a Mac the system recognizes it as a thumb drive, and then you can launch the software from there that allows you to run full Android 2.3 Gingerbread from the stick. But the cool does not stop there.

The Android system runs in a secure window, alongside your desktop's OS. You can even copy files over to the Android system just by dragging into from your original desktop. This sounds awesome for developers. You could potentially code in your desktop environment, drag the files over to the Android stick and see how they run on the fly.

FXI has no plans to sell these outright, they plan to cater directly to developers and let OEMs decide how to make this little marvel have mass appeal. This prototype runs Gingerbread but they said that down the road it can be updated to reflect newer systems. No pricing was announced but "considerably less" than $200 was thrown out. That is an amazing price for such an advanced piece of hardware. What uses could you come up to use the Cotton Candy for?

Via: Laptopmag

Android Market Application Refund Window Changing to 48 Hours? (Updated: False Alarm?)

Kellen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:56:53 +0000

The latest Developer Distribution Agreement is out and it includes some pretty exciting news on the refund front. According to section 3.4, the window for refunds is jumping all the way up to 48 hours from the current 15 minutes that you have now. Not all apps fall under this new window though. If you are purchasing products that can be "previewed" from within the market like ringtones or wallpapers, there will be no refunds allowed. But if you purchase apps that cannot be previewed (meaning most normal apps), you get 48 hours to return it.

3.4 Special Refund Requirements. The Payment Processor's standard terms and conditions regarding refunds will apply except the following terms apply to your distribution of Products on the Market. Products that can be previewed by the buyer (such as ringtones and wallpapers): No refund is required or allowed. Products that cannot be previewed by the buyer (such as applications): You authorize Google to give the buyer a full refund of the Product price if the buyer requests the refund within 48 hours after purchase.

~~All I can say is,~~ ~~awesome news~~. Update: As one of our readers pointed out, this 48 hour section has been there from day 1 and does not reflect the actual time that Google has set for customers to request refunds. In a Tweet by Reto Meier (pre-15 minute window and back in July) who is the Android Developer Relations Lead, they just use the 48 hour wording as a buffer to give them time to issue refunds. We'll have to assume that the 15 minute window for customers to request a refund has not changed.

False alarm! Cheers David!

Google Granted Patent For Pattern Unlock

Tim — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:15:33 +0000

There are many key characteristics that the untrained eye would use to differentiate an Android device from an iOS handset. One of those things would be Google's pattern unlock feature shown above which came standard on the first Android devices shipped. Finally, the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted Google a patent for their pattern unlock feature which is now available on almost all Android phones. It is titled, "Touch Gesture Actions From A Device’s Lock Screen", and it reads as follows:

A lock screen view is displayed on the mobile device to prevent unauthorized and inadvertent access to the mobile device’s data. While the mobile device is locked, a touch gesture having a pre-defined shape is detected on a touch screen of the mobile device independently of the initial position of the touch gesture on the touch screen.

Interesting enough, Google was also given a patent based on possibly a new up-and-coming feature which we'll potentially see down the road. The ability to draw a custom shape anywhere on the device to unlock? "Automatic Derivation of Analogous Touch Gestures From A User-Defined Gesture" talks of the device being able to decipher shapes/patterns anywhere on the lockscreen regardless of size, shape, or position. If anyone is familiar with CyanogenMod, you may already know about this, but I'm not sure if they support different sizes. Good thing Google got the patent before someone else decided to snatch it up. Via: 9 to 5 Google

Tip: DROID RAZR Frozen and Can't Battery Pull? Try This Trick to Power it Off

Kellen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:35:29 +0000

Since the DROID RAZR doesn't have a removable battery, you may be wondering what you are supposed to do if the phone were to lock up. No chance for a battery pull, right? Thankfully, you can apply the same trick we do on the Motorola XOOM, a device that also does not have a removable battery. In fact this morning, I had to utilize that same trick since my RAZR's touch screen refused to react every time I touched it. It wasn't frozen - the soft keys all worked, I just couldn't make anything happen by pressing the screen. And without the ability to touch your screen, you can't hold power and then tell the phone to "Turn Off." So what do you do? It's simple. Press and hold Volume Down + Power for 10-15 seconds and your phone should power all the way off. Then, power it back on as you normally would and get back to reading Droid Life.

Task Killers Put to the Test, Do They Actually Extend Battery Life? As Expected, They Most Certainly Do Not

Kellen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:24 +0000

We have written a number of times about the idea that task killers on Android do not help battery, no matter what that carrier rep who sold you your new phone has told you. In general, most of us look at Android as a multi-tasking platform that likes to have activities in the background to make your phone perform faster and more efficiently. By constantly killing off apps, you are working against what the OS is trying to do, hence the reason task killers are evil. On the flip side, there are Android users who continue to believe that task killers are helping their phone no matter what we or a variety of devs tell them. They are addicted to killing apps and have convinced themselves that it will only help out the battery technology from 1952 that is stuck in their phone. To settle the argument once and for all, PCWorld took to their "labs" to test a handful of phones and decide once and for all if task killers will extend the life of your phone. The verdict? They won't.

According to their results, HTC phones saw upwards of 17 minutes of extra battery life with a task killer, but I think we can all guess why. Sense has more background syncs and tasks running than any other skin on the planet and probably could see some benefits to killing off tasks from time to time. Funny thing there, is the fact that in Sense 3.5, HTC built a task killer into the OS. The Bionic did not see a difference and maintained the same battery life it had without a task killer. The Galaxy S2 on the other hand, saw slightly worse battery life with a task killer. So, as the Android dev community has been trying to tell you since the introduction Froyo, a task killer is not helping you. Stop using one to try and extend battery life, and get back to enjoying your phone. Via: PCWorld Cheers Shawn!

Consider Yourself the Ultimate Android Fanatic? Then Throw an Android Themed Wedding

Tim — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:15:18 +0000

Everyone always thinks they are the biggest Android fanboy or fangirl around. Well I think these two lovely people just 'took the cake.' The picture above is from a wedding where bride and groom exchanged vows via their Android devices and even had a giant green Android cake. They didn't stop there though. In attendance was an Android ring bearer all of which was centered around an Android podium. Super cute. I have heard of Star Wars themed weddings, but this is definitely in a league of its own. Best of wishes to the happy couple. May their Android love last a lifetime.

Via: Google+

And the November 21 Release Date for the 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus Returns, This Time Thanks to Google?

Kellen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:22:36 +0000

We first reported the possibility of the Galaxy Nexus launching on Verizon a couple of weeks ago thanks to a roadmap that floated into our inbox from some friends. Last night, it returned over at The Verge in a quote that has rocked our inbox. Their crew apparently heard straight from Google that the G-Nex will be "pretty much everywhere" by Monday, the 21st. Ahh yes, but even in that simple three word phrase, there is still just enough uncertainty that we can't really take it to mean that we will 100% see the 4G LTE version in 3 days. "Pretty much" doesn't exactly mean everywhere, it means almost everywhere. It also doesn't say "4G LTE" or "Verizon anywhere in it. Let's assume something does happen on November 21 though, for the sake of having some fun with all of the rumors out there. There are a variety of scenarios that could go down, so we have put them in fancy bullet point format for you after the break.

Scenario 1: The phone arrives in store shipments this weekend (probably unlikely unless they show up today) and goes on sale Monday, November 21. The world throws a massive party.
Scenario 2: On Monday, the phone is announced as available for pre-order immediately and will be in-stores and online November 28. Where does November 28 come from? We are going on what our sources have said, and they are indicating that the 28th is shaping up to be the official day. We have also seen various VZW marketing materials that show a big Galaxy Nexus push happening just after the holiday weekend, on or around Cyber Monday.
Scenario 3: The phone is announced as available via the "web only" on November 21, but will be in stores on November 28. How could this happen? Well if our sources and other rumors are correct, there are still a couple of last minute bugs that are being ironed out as I type this. If those are fixed by the 19th (tomorrow), the phone will be ready to ship. Since stores haven't received their actual shipments yet, Google and VZW could technically make the phone available online for orders before they can get it into stores.
Scenario 4: On Monday, Google and Verizon announce that the phone will be available November 28.
Scenario 5: Both the 21st and 28th are completely wrong and the phone gets pushed until December or some other non-rumored date.

As you can see from that semi-ridiculous list of scenarios, its anyone's guess at this point. Google is saying "pretty much everywhere" on November 21, but until they say "it will be everywhere including the U.S. on November 21, here is the announcement from Verizon," you should still be a little skeptical. Such a mess. Taking any of the scenarios above? Via: The Verge Cheers DJ, Walt, Mark and everyone else!

Motorola DROID Receiving Security Patches in Update

Kellen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:49:01 +0000

Last week, Motorola announced a "special project" for the original Motorola DROID that left most of us with a raised eyebrow. What on Earth could this possibly be after almost 2 years? It's a security patch, my friends. Two of them actually. According to Moto, the update will be "invisible" in terms of device operation:

Thanks very much for signing up to give feedback about your Motorola Droid. You will be testing final software for Droid. This is a very limited update providing two security patches for the device. It should be essentially "invisible" in terms of device operation.

So not Gingerbread or anything to write home about - still nice to see it getting love after all of this time though. Cheers Naughty Tester and K!

Lucky DL Reader Cruises Into Verizon Store, Walks Out With Galaxy Nexus...Accessories

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:13:58 +0000

Such a tease, I know. A reader was lucky enough to walk into a Verizon store and pick up some accessories ahead of the Galaxy Nexus' launch though. Stores started to receive them last week, but most were unwilling to sell them to anyone. Aside from the case and screen protectors you are seeing above, we are also expecting there to be a desktop dock available for $59.99 and a car mount for $39.99. No word yet on if there will be an extended battery and cover - from what we're hearing now, it's just like any other LTE phone on battery, and could certainly use one. Cheers jdthreeseventeen!

Quick Look at the Google Music App for GoogleTV

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:56:27 +0000

The Google TV team wasn't about to let their newly released Honeycomb build for Sony GTV units miss out on all of the Google Music action from yesterday. An official Music app is now available in the Android Market for TVs, rounding out the access to your music collection. If you were looking forward to having Google Music become a part of your home theater system and HD TV, the time has come. The app itself is just like the version that you all have on your phones now, but matches up more closely to the visual style of Honeycomb. Once you attach your Gmail account to it, you can cruise through all of your albums, jump into playlists, search for favorite artists, "thumbs up" songs, and more.

You can read more about this release at the official GTV blog. Cheers Jason!

Motorola Stockholders Approve Merger With Google

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:10:29 +0000

Well, check "Stockholder Approval" off the list of Google and Motorola merger requirements. In an "overwhelmingly" positive vote, stockholders from Moto have given it the thumbs up. So not completely unanimous, but with 99% of the crew on board, it was a go. There are still regulatory closing conditions that need to be finalized before this is signed, sealed and delivered. Motorola doesn't give off the impression that they expect there to be any hiccups in that department though. They also want to note that closing should happen in early 2012 rather than the end of 2011, as was previously reported. GooMoto!

Motorola Mobility Stockholders Approve Merger with Google
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Nov. 17, 2011 – Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) (“Motorola Mobility”) today announced that at the Company’s Special Meeting of Stockholders held today, stockholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the proposed merger with Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) (“Google”). Approximately 99 percent of the shares voting at today’s Special Meeting of Stockholders voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement, which represented approximately 74 percent of Motorola Mobility’s total outstanding shares of common stock as of the October 11, 2011 record date for the Special Meeting. Sanjay Jha, chairman and CEO of Motorola Mobility, said, “We are pleased and gratified by the strong support we have received from our stockholders, with more than 99 percent of the voting shares voting in support of the transaction. We look forward to working with Google to realize the significant value this combination will bring to our stockholders and all the new opportunities it will provide our dedicated employees, customers, and partners.” As previously announced on August 15, 2011, Motorola Mobility and Google entered into a definitive agreement for Google to acquire Motorola Mobility for $40.00 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $12.5 billion. The Company previously disclosed that it expected the merger to close by the end of 2011 or early 2012. While the Company continues to work to complete the transaction as expeditiously as possible, given the schedule of regulatory filings, it currently believes that the close is expected to occur in early 2012. It is important to note however, that the merger is subject to various closing conditions, and it is possible that the failure to timely meet such conditions or other factors outside of the Company’s control could delay or prevent the Company from completing the merger altogether. Business Risks This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, for example, the expected closing date of the transaction. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction and the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the proposed transaction, including the ability to secure regulatory and other approvals at all or in a timely manner; and the other risks and uncertainties contained and identified in Motorola Mobility’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof Motorola Mobility does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or update the reasons that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
About Motorola Mobility

Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

New Google Music Screenshots Give Us a Taste of Ice Cream Sandwich for Tablets

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:38:10 +0000

You could probably replicate what Ice Cream Sandwich would look like on a tablet through the emulator, but we wanted to show you these new screenshots that showed up in the market listing for the new Google Music app anyway. We know that Android 4.0 was built to run on both tablets and phones, and this is one of the first looks at that happening. As you can tell, the music app looks beautiful on a bigger screen with that new ICS color scheme. There is no telling what this tablet is, but you can clearly see the new ICS Back/Home/Recent Apps icons in the bottom left corner and the new setup in the notification area. Nothing crazy, just wanted to share. On a related note though, would love to hear your predictions on what the first Android 4.0 tablet will be? Are we all expecting it to be the Asus Transformer Prime shortly after launch or could something else sneak in and crash that party?

Via: Android Market Cheers Brum08!

Screen Size Matters [Opinion]

Ron — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:16:05 +0000

Today, reviews of the Galaxy Nexus are being released left and right (the best video review is easily from The Verge). Seeing the device in action makes me even more certain that the latest version of Android is from a brand new Google. They've changed things in a very dramatic way. Things like camera filters and multi-tasking have become not only better, but delightful. I'll admit that I wholeheartedly believed the next Android update would just bring Honeycomb to the phone - something I didn't want to see happen. Instead, Google brought a totally revamped Android. As Joshua Topolsky of the Verge noted, the differences make Gingerbread feel like Android 1.0; I don't think he's exaggerating.

I've never been more excited about a phone that I don't want to own. I'm ecstatic to get my hands on the Galaxy Nexus, but the phone is massive (5.33 x 2.67 x 0.35 inches). I'm a big guy (I'm about 6'3"), but my hands are pretty normal sized. I love the feel of the Droid Incredible in my hand, but phones like the Inspire 4G just feel too big. Do they fit in my hand? Absolutely, but they're not comfortable. I'm going to reserve my final judgement on the hardware until I can actually get it in my hand, but from a distance the hardware feels like the last massive batch of phones available on Verizon.

There has been a trend for the last year or so to slowly increase the size of every phone for some reason. For example, the original Droid and its lackluster successor, the Droid 2, both sported 3.7 inch screens. The Droid 3, on the other hand, was bumped up to 4 inches. While 4 inches is great for web browsing and watching video, it's on the cusp of being too large for many users.

Take a look at the specs for the latest phones on Verizon:

Motorola Droid RAZR 5.15 x 2.71 x 0.28 inches. HTC Rezound 5.08 x 2.58 x 0.54 inches. Motorola Droid Bionic 5.00 x 2.60 x 0.40 inches. These phones are gigantic. Every major Android phone to be released on Verizon this year has had at least a 4 inch screen size. I don't think there's a massive difference between 3.7 inches and 4.0, but it's definitely noticeable, especially when you make the jump from 3.7 to 4.3 or larger. I know that part of the screen on the Galaxy Nexus is used for the software buttons, but it's still a very sizable phone. I always scoffed at the idea of having a phone like the Dell Streak - it's just too big to really be a phone, but lately it seems like that's the only option. Am I the only one here that likes a smaller phone? Over the past two years I've owned several phones (the Touch Pro 2, Droid Eris, Droid, Droid 2, iPhone 4, and Droid Incredible). I never once found myself thinking that I wanted the screen to be larger. I definitely wanted the resolution to be larger on most of these (especially the Eris), but I was always happy with the screen size. I don't think having a giant screen on a phone gives users any discernible advantage. If anything, I think large screen devices are a disadvantage because they need more power, tend to be larger (read massive), and tend to be much heavier. Why would I want to watch a film on a small screen if I can watch it on my computer? I'd much rather have a small, powerful device that let's me do minor tasks like respond to emails, browse the web, read books, update Twitter, and other minor tasks. The draw of a larger screen for media just doesn't make sense to me. It seems like device manufacturers are convinced that people want these giant phones, but I'm not convinced that everyone really wants them. Are manufacturers responding to what you want, or are they just making bigger phones simply because they can. Sound off in the comments to let us know why you prefer smaller or larger screens.

Thursday Poll: Favorite New Apps of the Last Month Are?

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:40:28 +0000

It has been a couple of months since we last had everyone share their crop of most recently favorited apps. So let us go ahead and do that today to see what has received a little extra attention on your smartphones and tablets. We saw the release of some top tier games like Shadowgun, an app from our friends Android and Me called Photobooth, Google Offers, and a whole bunch of old timers that were overhauled. After thumbing through our Apps section, I was amazed at how many of some of our long time favorites had been completely redone. So this time around, feel free to shout out of some of your all time favorites that may have received new looks. Still try to toss out as many newbies as you can though, since after all, that is the whole point of this post. For me personally, I'm really loving the newest release of Screenshot ER. After snapping a shot, you get a mini preview in the top right corner that can be saved, shared or discarded. Long gone are the days when taking screenshots either took over your whole screen or disappeared without your approval. I'm also really addicted to WidgetLocker again ever since they released the Ice Cream Sandwich lock screen. What else have you guys been obsessing over lately?

Flash Support Makes Its Way Into Firefox Nightlies

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:45:30 +0000

"Why people want that buggy plugin still floors me today, but Mozilla’s heard you loud and clear." That's how Firefox feels about Flash on a mobile browser yet has still found a way to bring it to you in their latest nightly build. I'd attempt to give you some sort of review or first impressions on it, but it appears to hate my DROID RAZR and Bionic. In fact, I'm almost wondering if we shouldn't swap out "plugin" in that quote for "Firefox nightly." Download: fennec-11.0a1.en-US.android-arm.apk Install as you would any other non-market app. Via: dknite, Android Central

White Samsung Galaxy Nexus Render is Pretty, Can We Have It Too?

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:00:23 +0000

If you are an avid DL comment peruser, then you may have stumbled upon this comment from a reader who suggests that a white version of the Galaxy Nexus will be out some time in February. I'd love to comment on whether or not that will happen, but truthfully, this is the first time I have ever heard it mentioned. To be clear, this is not a post about a white G-Nex rumor, it's about something else. It is about a render of a white G-Nex that one of our readers was inspired to make after reading that particular comment. Talk about a pretty phone and one that I wish was coming to stores in the next week at the same time as the version we have been seeing for the last month or so. Will we ever see something like this officially? They made a white Nexus S - it's not out of the question. What do you guys think? Would you be interested in a white version? Cheers Andrew!

ShadowGun and Sprinkle Now Compatible With Non-Tegra 2 Powered Android Devices

Tim — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:30:11 +0000

The previous releases of ShadowGun by Madfinger Games and Sprinkle were both for Tegra 2 devices only. There should be plenty of happy gamers today though, as both games have dropped processor restrictions and shall now work on different types of Android devices. As you an see in the pic above, all my glorious devices are compatible and that makes me a happy camper. To top it off, there has been a free version of Sprinkle released and it rocks. Go have some fun! ShadowGun Market Link Sprinkle Market Link | Free Version Via: Android Next

Galaxy Nexus Posters Arrive at Verizon Indirect Dealers

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:32:14 +0000

Marketing materials arriving in stores is always a good sign that a device may be semi-close to a release. According to an employee from a 3rd party Verizon shop (the non-corporate kind), these two posters showed up in the last day to help promote the highly anticipated Galaxy Nexus. The timing couldn't have been better, seeing as how Google gave us every last detail this morning for the 4G LTE variant of their latest and greatest smartphone. Almost makes you think that the phone was originally scheduled for a November 17 after all. What does this mean for a release as of today? Well, we have no idea. The GSM version is available all over Europe right now. We have heard that November 21 is one of the many possibilities here, however, the latest word from our sources suggests November 28 is the earliest. The 19th is supposed to be the day that this round of testing is completed, and if all passes, we could be ready to go. This whole situation is a mess. Again, as we say every time, none of this is official until Verizon makes it official. In fact, it's pretty clear that no one knows at this point. Look at the HTC Thunderbolt and the 18 delays it ran through while last minute bugs were worked out. I'm not suggesting that will happen here, but if Verizon, Google and Samsung want this phone to be perfect at launch, we don't know how long it will take to get it ready. One thing I think is certain, the LTE version hasn't been finalized or the old standard tech sites that received review units yesterday wouldn't have been handed the unlocked HSPA+ version. Or as some have suggested, maybe they just sent those out to coincide with the Euro release of the phone? This phone is giving me a headache. Via: Android Forums, Phandroid

MotoPrint Receives Update, Now Supports Upcoming XOOM 2

Tim — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:50:10 +0000

Motorola's MotoPrint received an update in the Market to make it compatible with the XOOM 2 (aka DROID XYBOARD). Everyone is still waiting to get their hands on the newest version of the first Honeycomb tablet here in the U.S., so knowing that their MotoPrint app will continue to work on their device is always good to know. MotoPrint allows for users to connect to their Wi-Fi enabled printers and print documents wirelessly with ease. Perfect for the office. The device itself is still unannounced here in the states and could carry one of the more ridiculous names of our time. The most recent timeline we have for a release shows that it could hit store shelves on November 30. Market Link Cheers Josh!

Asus EeePad Transformer Prime Goes On Sale In Germany Through Amazon, Order Early For A Mere $810

Tim — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:20:45 +0000

Looking to get your hands on the new Transformer Prime from Asus? Look no further than German Amazon. For €600 (about $810), you can order the newest second generation quad-core tablet with the keyboard dock. Will it arrive on your doorstep in 5-7 business days? Probably not. It looks to be "out of stock" and people most likely won't see it come back into stock until it is finally released. Besides, it will be cheaper when it comes to the US. Might as well wait instead of shelling out that much cash for something you won't receive in who knows how long. Buy Cheers Dennis!

No Gorilla Glass on the Galaxy Nexus, No Worries - Survives Key Scratch Test with Flying Colors

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:45:17 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyLC61JxsJQ[/youtube]

Your disappointment in the lack of Gorilla Glass on the Galaxy Nexus was pretty evident back at this post. Even with Samsung's acknowledgement that they decided to use a different fortified glass with a less prominent name, there were still some skeptics. Maybe the video above will help ease your mind. The UK G-Nex is given a good key rubbing and comes out - unscathed. Not that we were worried that it wouldn't. Cheers Murali!

Even as a Nexus Device, Verizon Still Manages to Sneak in Two Bloatware Apps on the Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:10:20 +0000

They couldn't let us have just one phone, could they? As many of you noted from the massive video release from this morning, the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will indeed have two bloatware apps. Both My Verizon Mobile and Backup Assistant will come preloaded. It is a minimal amount, and you can argue that these two apps are useful to many unlike the other VCAST software that has plagued every other VZW phone, but we were still hoping for a purely clean slate. With that said, this will give us a great opportunity to utilize the new built-in bloatware removal tool that the Android team put in Android 4.0. And of course, the majority of us will be fastboot oem unlock-ing the minute we get it home, followed by a custom recovery and root, and will then rid the device of these permanently ourselves.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XjRE_R9UDY[/youtube]

Cheers Mike and Cole!

Samsung Galaxy Nexus with 4G LTE - Official Specs

Kellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:41:58 +0000

With the Galaxy Nexus getting a full video tour this morning, it's only fitting that we get confirmation on the specs of the 4G LTE version here in the states. Yep, that means we now know all there is to know about Verizon's version of the phone, aside from an official release date of course. Confirmed is the bigger 1850mAh battery that we first reported earlier in the week, a welcomed addition to a phone that will likely struggle as the rest of them at getting anyone through a full day on a single charge. We also get to see the thickness which measures in at 9.47mm. Other than that though, nothing much else has changed. We are seeing two size variants of 16GB and 32GB - still tough to tell if Verizon will sell both or not.

Official 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus Specs:

Screen

4.65" HD(1280 x 720) Super AMOLED
Contour Display (curved glass)

Size (mm)

67.94 X 135.5 X 9.47 (LTE)

Weight

150g (LTE)

Data

CDMA/LTE
WiFi
Bluetooth

Memory

Storage 16GB/32GB
Memory: 1GB RAM

Camera

5MP continuous auto focus
1.3MP Front
LED Flash
Zero shutter lag
Video recording in 1080p

USB

Micro USB

Features

Battery: 1850mAh
OS: Ice Cream Sandwich (newest Android)
CPU: 1.2 GHZ dual core processor
Notification: 3 color LED
Mics: 2 Mics
Buttonless
NFC
Accelerometer
Gyro
Compass
Proximity Light
Barometer

Via: Google Cheers Jake, Timothy, and everyone else who sent this in!

Verizon-Branded Galaxy Nexus Stars In Official Google Videos, Your Guide to the Device

Dan — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:30:21 +0000

With the Galaxy Nexus available in the U.K., Google has released numerous "getting started" videos on the official Google Nexus YouTube channel. The videos are your normal run-of-the-mill instructional how to's - except for one thing, a Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus. We have seen the device go through the FCC and we have heard countless stories regarding possible delays, nonetheless it is nice to see some more Verizon confirmation to ease those pesky stomach nerves. Interestingly enough, you can clearly see a My Verizon Mobile app and VZ Backup Assistant installed on the device. These may not be preinstalled but a little part of me has a feeling that they may be, which takes away from the Pure Google Experience and the Nexus name. Unfortunately, a release date is still being kept under wraps.

Getting started:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXrgIFMfsaQ[/youtube]

Home screen walk-through:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XjRE_R9UDY[/youtube]

Face unlock:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDfmkMDue6c[/youtube]

Simple multi-tasking:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJyVNrxGonU[/youtube]

Using Beam:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCw1ilMzCH4[/youtube]

Camera and panorama:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmOR4DkWMM8[/youtube]

Customizing favorites tray:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVuCtr-fsok[/youtube]

Creating folders:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpSPr9qfsNQ[/youtube]

Changing wallpapers:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay6HKVztFUc[/youtube]

The new commercial:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdD8s0jFJYo[/youtube]

Cheers Ty, Timothy, and everyone else!

Newest DROID RAZR Commercial Returns to the Ways of Old With an In-Your-Face Message

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:43:57 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cU7MX1q9lI[/youtube]

We were concerned that Verizon may go through another marketing campaign for one of their DROID devices without actually showing anyone what it was capable of. The teaser for the DROID RAZR was more than entertaining to watch, but we were hoping that the rest of the spots for it would go deep in design and features. Thankfully, they have. In the newest clip, the device couldn't be more in your face with its slender figure and eye-popping build. Nice, work VZW marketing team, this is exactly what we were looking for. Cheers txtom76!

Want Access to the New Google Music Store on Your Android Device Early? Just Enter Through the Google+ App

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:14:49 +0000

Since Google Music and its Google+ sharing feature went live, I took to my page to start spamming off full tracks for many of you to listen to. But then I got to wondering if all of this new music goodness was available in the actual G+ Android app. Turns out that it is. You can stream tracks from inside the app and see the notification of it happening in your pull-down bar. It works really well. What's even better though, is that you can access the full music store on your Android device in the market before you have been activated by Google. It appears as if the current 3.3.11 market is set up for the new music store, but we all need to be given the go by Google in order to see it. If you don't feel like waiting, find one of my shares on G+, click the "Buy" link and cruise into the music store that way. From there, you can preview tracks, purchase them, and even share them into the G+ app. The only problem is, that if you click the "Back" button for the market, you will be stuck without music access. So what you need to do is navigate down at the bottom of each listing by Albums, Similar Artists, etc. It's a minor work-around that should get you feeling out the music section of the Android market ahead of time. Have fun!

200 Million Android Devices Have Been Activated, 550,000 on Average Per Day

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:44:12 +0000

For those that missed the live Google Music event that went down just over an hour ago, you also missed the latest Android activations numbers. Totaling over 200 million globally (100 million since May) and 550,000 per day, I'd say this platform is here to stay for a long, long time. Impressive, to say the least.

New Google Music App Available In The Android Market - Goodbye Beta

Tim — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:10:48 +0000

Google has gone ahead and pushed out the updated Google Music application to the Android Market. The service is now out of beta mode and is ready for the masses to use and share. Google has kept the service as free and offers individuals the ability to upload and store up to 20,000 songs on to Google's secure servers. Thanks, Google. Be sure to go grab it while it is fresh out of the oven.

What's in this version: 1. Google Music is now out of beta and is open to all users without an invitation. Upload up to 20,000 songs from your personal music collection to Google Music and listen instantly on all your devices. 2. Seamless integration with the Android Market music store. All your purchases automatically appear in the Google Music app.

Market Link

Google Announces Google Music Store: Storage Stays Free Up to 20,000 Songs, Sharing With Friends, Exclusive Content

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:02:55 +0000

As expected, Google has announced their new Google Music store which includes partnerships with 3 of the 4 major record labels. You can access the store via the web today followed by the Android Market in the coming days. Another step towards turning our Android devices into complete media and entertainment vessels has been taken. Through this new store you will find the following:

Cloud, web and mobile access: You can access your music from anywhere at any time. Purchases can be made through your mobile device or via the web. After purchasing, your music can go straight to the cloud if you like to make it available from your phone, PC, or other entertainment device.
Staying FREE: The 20,000 beta limit that Google introduced a few months back is staying for good. If you want to use Google Music, you can store up to 20,000 songs for free without having to ever pay a fee. Obviously you'll have to pay for the music you buy in their store, but your current library is all good.
Exclusive content: At launch (meaning now), Google Music will have exclusive content from Coldplay, Busta Rhymes, Shakira, Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews Band.
Discover new artists: Google will recommend music to you based upon your library. We won't know how good of a job it will do until we start using it, but we like the idea of having new music presented to our plates on a regular basis.
Free music: There will be a constant stream of free music available on Google Music. Free songs of the day and other tracks from featured artists.
Sharing with Google+: All of the music that you buy can be shared immediately with your friends on Google+. And we aren't talking short clips, we are talking full tracks and albums. Pretty cool.

The store is open right now via the web, and we should see Android Market integration within the next few days. We will obviously need a new version of the market in order for that too happen, so keep it close as it will likely get pulled from some lucky chap's phone. Google Music Store. Excited? Thoughts?

Live Chat: Google's Music Store Announcement in Los Angeles [Ended]

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:30:51 +0000

At 2PM today, Google is expected to announce their music store that is rumored to include partnerships with 3 of the big 4 music labels. We saw leaked screenshots of how the store will look on Android at the beginning of the week, so for the moment, we have a pretty good idea as to what we can expect. We can't forget that Google tends to have at least a couple tricks up their sleeves whenever they announce something new like this though. With T-Mobile splashed all over the event invite, should we expect an exclusive partnership there or something as simple as carrier billing for purchases? We'll know shortly! Be sure to watch the live stream along with us at the Android Youtube channel. Join the live chat after the break.

Verizon Finally Starts Field Testing Gingerbread for the Samsung Fascinate, Build EH03 on the Way

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:00:41 +0000

The screenshot we have included above popped into our inbox this morning from one of our good friends in the industry. As you can see, it's Gingerbread (Android 2.3.5) for the Samsung Fascinate on Verizon. According to our trusted source, Big Red has finally started "field testing" the software which is a good sign that Fascinate owners may actually see it at some point in the near future. The build number is EH03. My guess, you will see a leak of this build any day now from one of the various Samsung devs in the community. And of course keep in mind that this build could fail and we could get EH04 or something else. As of now, this is in testing. Now, if only we could see something for the DROID Charge. "ZOMG, it's just a build.prop edit!" Cheers ___!

Reminder: Two Giveaways Still Going on - Galaxy Tab 10.1 with Prize Pack and Two Kindle Fires

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:28:12 +0000

Just wanted to quickly remind everyone that we have two contests currently running that both end on Friday. Both include some pretty amazing prizes that you will not want to miss out on. To enter each of them, all you have to do is answer the questions that are posed in each post. As simple as that.

NGGG #3 brought to you by NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone - Win a Galaxy Tab 10.1 plus a prize pack that includes a Jawbone Jambox speaker and $25 gift card. In order to enter, vist the contest post and list our your top 3 favorite console games of all time.
Two Kindle Fire Tablets brought to you by CompanionLink - Our Portland friends at CompanionLink are giving away two Kindle Fire tablets on Friday. To enter, simply head to the contest post and tell them a productivity feature that you wish your Android device had.

Good luck everyone!

Qualcomm Launches GameCommand, Easily Find Games Optimized For Your Snapdragon Powered Device

Tim — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:40:08 +0000

Taking after NVIDIA's TegraZone app, Qualcomm has announced GameCommand. Finding games made especially for your Snapdragon device has become a whole lot more fun. The idea is simple - through an app, showcase some great looking games made specifically for Snapdragon processors. Allow users to then buy the games leaving you with a bunch of happy consumers. As games start looking more and more polished on mobile devices, people are becoming more interested in buying higher priced titles. Qualcomm is seeing this trend and are helping Android game developers create better looking games. This is a huge plus for us as consumers. On the flip side, some games will be made exclusively for Snapdragon processors, allowing for extra features to be developed into the apps. But that will also force people to start making tougher decisions when they buy an Android tablet. Update: Qualcomm reached out to clarify one thing. While games may release as an exclusive to Snapdragon devices, that tag usually only holds for a couple of months before being opened up to non-Snapdragon devices. It's similar to what we are seeing now with NVIDIA's Tegra Zone games as well. If games are now being developed not just for Android, but for Tegra versus Snapdragon processors, you will have to decide which line of game titles you will want. Reminds me of when everyone was split on PS3 versus XBox 360. Does it feed the fragmentation trolls? Yes. Will it overall help the building of the Android gaming ecosystem? Let's hope so. According to Qualcomm, GameCommand will launch in "early 2012". Down below is a trailer for the upcoming game called "The Ball". Other titles that will make their way to Snapdragon devices are Desert Winds, GALAGA Special Edition, and Fight Game Heroes. What are your thoughts on having to choose between processors for which games you want? Should games just work on all Android devices, or would that make developers have to sacrifice certain game features? Let us know. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caIYXaKp-qo[/youtube] Via: Qualcomm, Android And Me

Kindle Fire Rooted With One Click, Amazon Releases Source Code

Dan — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:18:17 +0000

Looks like the dev community is quite eager to get some ROMs going on the Kindle Fire. After receiving proper ADB access yesterday, the Fire can now be rooted with a simple click of a button. Using the SuperOneClick program (download here) your new Kindle Fire will be rooted in seconds. While this doesn't mean you can throw on a custom ROM just yet, it is another piece to the puzzle. Additionally per terms of the open-source agreement, Amazon has already released the source code for all to see. It is going to be interesting to see just how hot the Fire can get. Via: AndroidForums, Amazon

UK Galaxy Nexus Receives First Official "Unbagging" Video

Tim — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:03:30 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClOinUkLQ5M[/youtube]

You can be certain once the Galaxy Nexus hits US shores and the tech world receives their G-Nex boxes, there will be many unboxing videos for everyone to watch. Well over in the UK, we have the first unofficially official "unbagging" video. That's right, this G-Nex came straight out of a postal mailer. A member of Samsung Mobiler, a program that sends devices out early for people to review, received said lovely package containing the G-Nex. As I go sign up for the program, watch the video and start thinking about how less patient you are becoming while we wait for a release date. There is also of setting up the face-lock feature video which shouldn't be missed. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATh6IxDHgt4[/youtube] Via: Phandroid

Reminder: Verizon Lights Up 14 New 4G LTE Markets Tomorrow, Expands in 4 Others

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:16:04 +0000

Verizon pinged our inbox to remind us that they will flip the switch to 14 new 4G LTE markets tomorrow, bringing their total to 179. They will also expand in 4 others. In less than a year, Big Red will cover 186 million customers and are well on their way to covering the entire country by the end of 2013. New Markets:

Little Rock, Ark.
Savannah, Ga.
Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa
Lexington, Ky.
Starkville, Miss.
Kansas City and Springfield/Branson, Mo.
Lincoln, Neb.
Orange County, N.Y.
Greater Providence, R.I.
Rapid City, S.D.
Roanoke, Va.
Appleton/Oshkosh, Wis.

Expanding in:

Louisville, Ky.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Also as our inbox has indicated over the last few weeks, many of you are seeing live LTE in these markets already, but feel free to let us know in the comments if you are live.

Kindle Fire Unboxing and Quick Hands-on

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:57:40 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0mY4bELbw[/youtube]

I guess it's just a video kind of morning here at Droid Life. In order to keep that theme going, we wanted to toss out this quick unboxing and hands-on that I was able to put together yesterday afternoon when my Kindle Fire finally arrived. Some early first impressions? I love the whole experience that Amazon is bringing over the top of Android. It doesn't necessarily feel or look anything like Android, but you still have some of the same functionality with on-screen home, back, menu and search buttons. You have a notifications bar, quick toggles for WiFi/Volume/Brightness, and most importantly, in runs all of your favorite apps. You have also got to love the built-in Amazon cloud and shopping experience. As someone who purchases music and almost anything else he can think of through Amazon, having it all at my fingertips on a single device is lovely. And by the way, it has already been rooted too. Instructions on the way. I will say that the software probably needs a bug fixing update already. Something as simple as having to press the back button multiple times to go backward continues to happen to me every time I pick it up. But hey, it's Amazon's first attempt at their own full-blown OS skin, so we'll try to cut them a little bit of slack. There aren't any major bugs that I have run into through my first few hours with it. Has anyone else picked one up? Would love to hear your early thoughts as well.

Video: Matias Duarte Stops by 'On the Verge' to Talk Ice Cream Sandwich, Mentions Galaxy Nexus Release

Kellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:35:14 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K4HImSqR1k[/youtube]

Matias Duarte, who is the visual and design expert behind Android 4.0, stopped by the set of the Verge's new show called On the Verge to talk a whole bunch of stuff that may interest you. Some of his Palm WebOS days were brought up, along with the fact that he worked at Helio. But what you obviously all care about is anything related to Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus. So here is what you need to know. Starting at the 14:30 mark, Matias enters the stage in a suit almost as cool as the one he wore at the Hong Kong event. From there, he cruises through a couple of minutes of background stuff and even touches on the idea that people are hating on their new font, Roboto (and of course, John Gruber is at the forefront of it). So if none of that interests you, then go ahead and jump right to 23:00 to get down and dirty with ICS. If ICS does nothing for you and you just wanted Galaxy Nexus talk, then by all means skip ahead to the 25:00 mark where Matias says as clear as day that the phone will be out in November. He wouldn't give a specific day as to not "steal the thunder" from the carrier. Does that settle it? Are we expecting November still or not? We talked about this the other night after the show was recorded and would assume that the guy responsible for it would know. Then again, in this business, things change far too often. Oh, and he shows off some real-time video effects at the 27:00 mark too. Cheers sagis and kidtronic!

Video: Ice Cream Sandwich Easter Egg Uncovered, Nyan-Andy Here To Save The Day

Eric — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:54:12 +0000

We have finally found it! With the release of the Galaxy Nexus just around the corner (for the UK at least) it seems that the easter egg that Google likes to throw into all of their flagship phones has been uncovered for their latest update, Ice Cream Sandwich. If you head over to the system settings and tap on the Android Version like mad you are greeted with a little Andy, pressing and holding him makes him grow larger and larger and then viola; an army of flying Nyan-Andys across your screen. Pretty cool right? Well the fun does not stop there. Android wanted their developers to have in on the fun too.

In the ADT plugin for LogCat, someone requested that the Andy logo be changed to a cat, probably thinking that Google would get a good laugh about it. Well, it's Google, so they put it in. The logo has now been changed to the same Nyan-Andy just for you developers out there. Who likes these new easter eggs?

Via: Pocketnow

HTC Zeta Breaks Cover With 2.5GHz Quad-Core Processor in Tow

Kellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:19:24 +0000

Holy humpback smartphone. You are looking at a render (of course) of one of HTC's future devices known internally as the Zeta. The phone - according to sources - will have a 2.5GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4.5" 720p HD display, 32GB of internal storage, 1830mAh battery, Beats Audio, Bluetooth 4.0, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, and will run Ice Cream Sandwich out of the gate. Sound too good to be true? Tough to say. It's a unique design, and one that definitely does not fit the style that HTC has stuck to for the last 3 or 4 years. We would most certainly welcome in a change of this sort though. Fresh design ideas are needed in more ways than I can even express at this point. Obviously we know nothing about a release date, price or if this puppy ~~is even real~~ will ever see the light of day. We can cross our fingers while doing our best Fergie impression though...my humps. Via: Engadget

New Lithium-Ion Technology Could Allow For A 10x Boost In Battery Life

Tim — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:08:42 +0000

Screens are getting bigger and brighter, processors are becoming snappier, and data speeds are increasing by the minute. All the while batteries are becoming less and less reliable it would seem. Are we heading towards a time where that is no longer the issue? Suppose on a good day your 4G LTE phone lasts the whole day? According to new research and development, your battery won't just last a whole day, but an entire third of a month. Science fiction? Not quite. Researchers at Northwestern University are claiming to have developed a new lithium-ion electrode that will last ten times longer than current lithium-ion batteries. In a paper titled "In-Plane Vacancy-Enabled High-Power Si-Graphene Composite Electrode for Lithium-Ion Batteries", researchers document the work on the improvements made to the current technology.

We have found a way to extend a new lithium-ion battery's charge life by 10 times. Even after 150 charges, which would be one year or more of operation, the battery is still five times more effective than lithium-ion batteries on the market today. - Harold H. Kung Northwestern University

Nevermind the technical talk. When can we have it!? We really have no idea when consumers will see it, but at least we know there are individuals out there looking to help cause. One day, Thunderbolt owners will be able to enjoy their devices for a much longer period of time before looking aimlessly for a charger. Via: Android And Me, Advanced Energy Materials

HTC Rezound Review - Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:43:23 +0000

By the end of November, Verizon may have the three best Android smartphones ever created all to itself. The HTC Rezound is one of those three, boasting next-gen specs, Beats by Dre audio enhancements, 4G LTE connectivity, and one of the first 720p HD screens even seen on a mobile device. On paper, this phone might be better than the DROID RAZR and Galaxy Nexus, the two phones it will compete directly with. In real life use though, can it use its sound-inspired name, HTC Sense skin, red accents, and spectacular design to come out on top of this epic end of the year battle? It's going to be tough, but we have spent enough time with it over the last week to at least provide our opinion on that matter.

The Good:

Screen: This might be one of the nicest screens we have ever seen on a mobile device. The Rezound's 4.3" 720p HD Super LCD display is fantastic to stare at for hours. I ~~have yet to see what the pixel density is on it, but I would assume it's as high as any phone out there aside from maybe the iPhone and Galaxy Nexus~~. The pixel density is 342ppi which is higher than both the iPhone 4S and Galaxy Nexus. It's incredible. If you want crisp clean lines, correct colors, and none of that ghosting non-sense that we have seen from some of the other higher end phones over the last few months, this is the screen for you. Rather than selling this at Beats-enabled phone, HTC should have spent more time telling everyone how amazing the display is.

Rezound

DROID RAZR

Hardware: The specs in the Rezound are as good as any phone on the planet. It sports a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor, 1GB of RAM, 4.3" 720p HD Super LCD screen, 4G LTE, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 16GB on-board storage, and a 16GB pre-installed SD card. And to be fair, it's the first smartphone in the U.S. that has an HD screen - there are few phones that are even close to being on this level. We would have liked to see NFC tossed in there, just like HTC did with the Amaze 4G, but there seems to always be something left out these days that would make a device almost near perfect.
Camera: Seeing an 8MP rear shooter with a 28mm wide angle lens on a smartphone is a thing of beauty. If you were looking for a phone that could come close to replacing your high-end DSLR in a pinch, this would be it. By no means am I a camera guru, but I still feel like I can tell if a camera rocks or not. This camera by all means, rocks. It allows you to use "hipster filters" on the fly, take amazing panoramic shots, and quickly share them with your favorite apps. We have some photo samples below that have only been resized and not touched in any other way. We also have a 1080p video clip for you in the video section at the bottom as well.

Design: HTC may not take many risks with their hardware designs, but I'm OK with that as I have always been a big fan of their simple, elegant style. The Rezound looks like a modern day DROID Incredible, but with some added red accents to make it really pop. The black and red theme fit nicely with the phone's Beats integration and really give it an identity that other Android phones can lack at times. If someone saw your Rezound and follows any sort of technology information site, they would know exactly what it was. It's a bold, beautiful and powerful phone.
Beats: We know that not everyone is a fan of Beats by Dre headphones, but the addition of special Beats software and a pair of ear buds with the Rezound is welcomed in a time when device features seem to be evolving so slowly. If there is a way to differentiate yourself from the Android pack, adding in high-end audio is a way to do it. The sound quality with Beats enabled is most definitely noticeable, and HTC assures me that it's not just a "bass boost." While I'm no audiophile, I can easily say that the audio experience on the Rezound far surpasses any previous Android handset. We'll get into the one frustrating aspect of Beats integration in the "not-so-good" section below.
Battery Life (sort of): We should almost create an in-between category for these reviews, because things like Battery Life would fall right into it. What I mean by that, is that the Rezound held up pretty well in my battery tests - for a 4G LTE phone that is. If you follow me on Google+, then you probably saw my 4-day battery testing results which show that the phone, with my use, was easily getting me through 10-12 hours before having to charge it again. While that's not an entire day, it's at least a work day, and is much better than I think any of us imagined the Rezound's 1620mAh battery was going to produce.

Call Quality and Signal: I experienced no issues with call quality or data connections. My LTE connection is pretty strong here in Portland and did not notice any hand-off issues or other problems that we experienced with say, the HTC Thunderbolt. Call quality again, seemed just fine to my average ears. I know in the past that HTC phones have been so-so in this department, but nothing stood out to me as being poor during my tests.

The Not-so-Good:

Price: There have been enough conversations on this site over pricing that I won't go too deeply into this, but I can't help but be a little frustrated by the steep price tags we are seeing with Verizon's 4G LTE offerings. At some point we will probably be used to $299 just like we were with $199, however, I'm not ready to get there just yet. The Rezound weighs in at $299 on 2-year contract or $649 without one. It will hurt your wallet a tad no matter which route you go. Is it worth it? We'll get to that in the Verdict.
Beats Enhancements are Limited: The Beats experience on the Rezound is for the most part, enjoyable. With that said, the fact that it only works through the native music app on the phone and with head phones plugged in, is disappointing. If you load up Google Music or Amazon or Winamp, you do not get the extra Beats audio enhancements activated. As our world becomes more and more dependent on the cloud, this seems like a giant oversight from HTC. And maybe it's impossible to enhance streamed music the way they want, but it still needs to be pointed out as a flaw.
HTC's Sense and Performance: With the Rezound, HTC introduced their latest version of Sense dubbed 3.5. It's very similar to the 3.0 we saw on the EVO 3D and a variety of other HTC handsets from the last 6 months, but with some added...well, we don't know. As someone that has never been the biggest Sense fan, it's tough to tell what has changed from 3.0 to 3.5. What I can tell is that whatever did change, is not a good change. As a phone with a dual-core processor and tons of RAM, you would expect it to fly, right? It doesn't and I'm willing to point my finger at HTC's custom skin. The gallery app is incredibly slow to the touch, simple sliders lag behind your dragging finger, various keyboards all struggle to keep up with quick typing, and something as simple as having a WiFi toggle in the notifications menu is missing. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S2 on T-Mobile that runs this same processor, is one of the most impressive phones we have ever tested, performance-wise. Sense is supposed to be an evolving and highly-polished skin, but all I'm noticing is its growing negative imprint on Android.
Phone Thickness: With the DROID RAZR in stores as the thinnest smartphone on the planet, the thickness of the Rezound is a bit of a turnoff. Is it thick when compared to some of the other non-RAZR phones? Not necessarily, but with Motorola and Samsung continually finding ways to thin out their products, we would have hoped that HTC had found a way to do the same.
Weight: Again, compared to the DROID RAZR, this phone feels mighty heavy. Some people love a little bit of weight to a smartphone, but when you get your hands on the ultra-light players in the game like the Galaxy S2 series and throw them in your pocket, it's tough to imagine life again with saggy jeans.
Lock Switch and Volume Rocker: I'm a huge fan of the design of this phone, but unlocking and locking your phone or adjusting the volume is a chore. Since HTC did their best to keep this phone sleek and without sharp edges, they also made these physical buttons almost impossible to toggle. This shouldn't sway your interest in the phone, but it definitely will take some getting used to.
Battery Life: The Rezound performs better than a lot of the 4G LTE phones on the market today, but we would still like to see it last for more than 16 hours on a single charge. We know that current LTE technology will not allow for that, so we have to at least flag it something that could be improved.

Gallery:

Hands-on and Unboxing:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rtCXb9Qays[/youtube]

Software Tour:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUyEOKl48LA[/youtube]

Video Sample (1080p):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWaWaPSIl8s[/youtube]

The Verdict:

The HTC Rezound is for the most part, one of the more impressive phones I have ever used. The design is almost flawless, looks beautiful on display or in your hand, feels great while using, and has the specs to compete with phones for years to come. There are very few flaws here. I love the Beats audio integration, the included ear buds, the 4G LTE speeds, the stunning HD display, and of course the camera. This is about as high-end as you can get with a mobile phone, folks. There is one issue that I have to point out though, and that's the custom skin that has been tossed on top of it. HTC Sense 3.5 feels like it's moving in the wrong direction, is growing in size by the minute, weighs down the performance of the phone, and makes you feel like you are no longer using Android at times. That may sound harsh, but this really is the one downer that makes this phone somewhat of a question mark for me. With that said, you can always toss on a custom launcher and make enough tweaks through apps and skins to get this phone almost Sense-less. So by no means is this a killer, but it is something that has made us all focus so much of our time on the stock Galaxy Nexus. You can't go wrong with the Rezound, but if you are not in dire need of a new phone this very minute, I can't help but tell you to at least give the RAZR and Nexus a few minutes before making your next phone purchasing decision.

Other Rezound Coverage

Asus Transformer Prime Shows Off Its Camera Skills in These Photo Samples

Kellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:40:15 +0000

What does a tablet with an 8MP, f/2.4 aperture auto-focusing camera get you? The pictures that Asus just posted to their Facebook page which were taken with their new quad-core Transformer Prime. Pretty impressive shots from a mobile device in an electronics category that so far, has produced some of the more underwhelming picture and camera experiences. Hopefully now that Asus has raised the bar to these heights, we will see other tablet makers realize that we want good cameras everywhere, not just in our phones. No official release date has been announced, but from what we were told in a conference call last week, Asus has already made plans to throw some sort of launch party in early December. At just $499 for the 16GB model, the Transformer Prime should probably be on your X-mas short list. To see some of the other samples, hit up the break.

Via: Facebook, Engadget Cheers George!

Google Voice Updated - Better Text Notifications, Multiple Message Recipients

Tim — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:15:26 +0000

If you love Google Voice as much as Kellex does, you should head on over to the Market and grab the newest version that just went live. The update allows you to prefetch voicemails so they can be listened to offline, send multiple recipients the same text message, and receive better text message notifications. Was hoping for some MMS support, but I guess we will be waiting a tad-bit longer for that luxury.

What's in this version:

Prefetch voicemails so they can be listened to even when there is no data coverage

Allow sending text messages to multiple recipients

Improved text message notification

Market Link Cheers Siang!

Hackers Reverse Engineer Apple's Siri, Coming To An Android Device Near You?

Dan — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:45:53 +0000

When the iPhone 4S was revealed last month most, if not all consumers felt a little bit let down. It wasn't the much hyped redesigned iPhone 5, it didn't even feature 4G connectivity. The one feature that it did include was Apple's new voice assistant, Siri an addition that many didn't see as a reason to upgrade. Nonetheless, the Apple fanboys were out in full on release day, making the iPhone 4S the best selling iPhone. Apple has been hard at work keeping Siri under-wraps and attempting to prevent hackers from enabling the feature on older iPhone devices. However, it seems as if even Apple cannot stop the dev community as Paris-based firm, Applidium has cracked Siri's code and revealed it to the world. Any developer now has the ability to write an application and integrate Siri's functionality into it. Applidium has written a lengthy blog post about the process on their website, if you are a developer or just a little curious then you should definitely check it out. Anyone else interested to see some Siri action on Android, or should i*phone software stay off of our operating system? Via: Forbes. Cheers Joe and PeacedOut!

Now That Source For Ice Cream Sandwich Has Been Released, Work Begins On CyanogenMod 9

Tim — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:35:15 +0000

With the source code for Ice Cream Sandwich seeing a release just yesterday, the wait for CyanogenMod 9 has begun. Steve (aka Cyanogen) took to Twitter last night to let the world know that their Android 4.0 journey was taking off and that you should all check back in "2 months" for progress. We have a feeling we'll start seeing progress sooner than that, but will do our best to avoid asking for updates So which device will CM9 appear on first? I was asked that question yesterday by a good friend and to be honest, I have no clue. Besides Nexus devices, I could see this being on the Moto XOOM before other devices, or even the OG DROID. An unlocked bootloader will certainly help in the race to ICS. Via: Twitter

DROID RAZR with 4.5" 720p HD Screen and 13MP Camera Appears in China?

Kellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:45:48 +0000

Recent purchasers of the DROID RAZR, please turn away now or prepare to be semi-frustrated by the news we are about to spread. Turning away? OK, good. To the rest of you, what you are seeing in the picture above is a RAZR variant that is headed to China, only it differs slightly from the newly released version we have our hands on here in the states. And no, I don't mean that it has a different radio or slightly tweaked Blur skin, I'm talking about a couple of changes that would have been nice to see on our shores from the beginning. The phone will rock out in the photo game with a whoppin' 13MP HD camera, a slight bump from the 8MP shooter included in the DROID RAZR that was released here in the last week. It will also ditch the 4.3" qHD Super AMOLED Advanced screen for a 4.5" HD 720p screen. That's right, the phone that was just released here in the states, already has a replacement on the way - at least in China. Now, I don't want to jump to any major conclusions here, but after seeing the Bionic get replaced by the RAZR after less than 2 months on the market, and with the DROID3 about to get 1-upped by the DROID4, it's hard not to think that this new HD RAZR will be here in early 2012. There have been a couple of rumors floating around the back alleys of our Android world over the last couple of weeks suggesting that an "HD" Moto device is on the horizon - I'd say this is probably it.

And the phone in the front of the three shown above with the "Dolby" audio is being rumored as the next DROIDX device, possibly the DROIDX3. How many more phones are we going to see in the next 6 months, eh Moto? Via: Engadget

Samsung Galaxy Nexus with 4G LTE Headed to Verizon Finally Cruises Through the FCC

Kellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:59:08 +0000

Check "FCC Approval" off the list of Galaxy Nexus pre-launch requirements. The 4G LTE version of the device that is headed to Verizon made its way through our favorite approval agency this morning, giving us all hope that we can see an announcement within the next couple of days. Rumors were flying all over the board last night, suggesting things like a November 18 release all the way up to December 1 and beyond. It's anyone's guess at this point, but we would most certainly welcome this phone as early as the end of this week or the beginning of next. And if you were curious, this is where they stashed the LTE radio:

Via: FCC, Wireless Goodness

Price Check By Amazon, Now Available For Android Devices

Tim — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:49:21 +0000

Amazon has just launched Price Check on Android, an application that is sure to help the holiday shoppers getting prepared for next weekend. Users can scan barcodes, take pictures, speak to the app - excellent ways to find the best deals on the web for items you need/want. Once the app locates your items, it then compares prices all over so you know you're getting the best deals. After you find the right price, you can purchase the items right inside the app. Thanks Amazon, for making spending my money even easier. Here's the full list of features from the Market:

• Scan a barcode: Amazon’s barcode scanner will match your item and provide Amazon and merchant product pricing in seconds. • Snap a picture: This app uses Amazon’s photo matching algorithm to instantly match your picture to books, DVDs, CDs, video games, and more. • Say the product name: Speak your search queries and use voice search to return accurate product matches and Amazon’s pricing. • Type your search: Type the product name to retrieve instant matches. • Buy directly from the app: Buy with confidence and complete a secure purchase directly from the app.

Market Link

Contest: Two Kindle Fire Tablets Up For Grabs From CompanionLink

Kellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:00:51 +0000

On the day that Amazon's new Kindle Fire is released to the world, what better way is there to celebrate than by giving two (2) away to a couple of Droid Life readers? Thanks to our local Portland friends at CompanionLink, we get to do just that. In a meeting with them last week, we were discussing the fact that their Android product is taking off in the business sector like crazy due to the massive growth on the platform. But as any growing company, they want to learn more and find new ways to expand or better their products. So that's where this contest comes in to play - they want you to tell them a few ideas about how they can make your smartphone even smarter. A little background: CompanionLink is a software company in Portland, Oregon, specializing in data synchronization for mobile devices. With over 15 years experience in the field, it's safe to say CompanionLink knows sync. Today, CL's largest focus is Android to Outlook sync, though they do a lot more than that. If you're in the market to sync your Droid, be sure to check them out. You can also find them on Twitter for more info. Prizes: Two (2) Kindle Fire tablets. The contest and how to enter: CompanionLink wants to know what killer productivity feature you wish you had on your Android device? In order to enter, all you have to do is give them feedback to that question in the comments below. And feel free to think outside the box here. For example, what if your phone could automatically send out a message when you’re running late to an event? It would send a text message to everyone attending the event and use GPS and traffic estimates to let them know how late you'll be. Things like that. The contest runs from the time of this post through Friday (11/18). Winners: On ~~Friday (11/18)~~ Monday (11/21), the folks at CompanionLink will sift through the comments and pick our their two favorite ideas. From there, we will contact the winners and get the Kindle Fires sent out! Update: CompanionLink is enjoying all of the responses and would like to give you the entire day today (11/18) to respond. They will pick winners over the weekend and give them to me on Monday morning to announce. Good luck everyone!

DROID Bionic "Project" in the Works, Motorola Wants You To Help Test It

Kellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:12:11 +0000

Motorola has something in the works for the DROID Bionic. They are no longer using our favorite term of "soak test" and are instead going with "project" to help keep these as vague as possible. We know that means update though, so will look forward to it hopefully fixing this massive bug list that we uncovered back at the end of September. At the beginning of this month, we were told that an update was 30-60 days out and we are at 15 now. That should give Moto another 15 to "soak test" and then a month to get it out to everyone. We love it when schedules are met, don't we? Here is a copy of the email that rolled out last night:

Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are preparing a project for owners of the Motorola Droid Bionic on Verizon, and would like to invite you to participate. Click to take a short enrollment survey for this project. Please note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to take part. If you are no longer using your Droid Bionic and wish to update your Motorola Feedback Network profile so you can be part of projects for a different Motorola phone, please . If you use the same computer as previous registrations, you can update your profile. If you do not, simply re-register with your current Motorola product. To opt out of the MFN see the link at the bottom of this email. This is a confidential project under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this project on any public sites. Thanks -- we hope to be in contact with you soon. - Matt Motorola Owners' Forums Motorola Feedback Network

Bionic users, can you make it another 30-45 days? *Note - This is definitely NOT Ice Cream Sandwich. It's a bug fixer. The ICS update will probably be 2-3 months out if we are lucky. Cheers K, B, T, and J!

Netflix App on Android Receives Tablet UI Overhaul, Ahead of iPad Version

Kellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:49:58 +0000

The Netflix team released an update to their Android app today that includes a new tablet experience for bigger screened devices. The Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet are supported as well, so the timing couldn't have been better. It's very similar to what you see on TV-centric Netflix apps and is a welcomed visual overhaul. With that said, this app might be the slowest and clunkiest in the history of all Android apps. Well, either that or my XOOM and its dual-core processor just isn't powerful enough these days. Through the first few minutes with it, I kept hoping for it to return to being snappy and fluid, but that just never happened. Here's to hoping that the next update includes some performance tweaks.

Market Link Via: Netflix Cheers Edward!

DROID Incredible Finally Receiving Gingerbread Update Right Now?

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:17:08 +0000

I'm as confused as you are by that title. The DROID Incredible was supposed to receive Gingerbread (Android 2.3) back in September, but as non-rooted owners of the device know, that sort of happened yet didn't at the same time. It vanished as quickly as it was available, only to never be mentioned of by HTC again. And then just moments ago, one of our readers was prompted to receive a new update with build number 4.08.605.2 which differs from that of the original Android 2.3 build. The odd thing you will notice here, is that Verizon is claiming this update to be just 8.6MB, but how could that be if some of the people scheduled to receive this are still running 2.2? Wouldn't this update need to be of epic proportions? Confusion at its finest. To those of you still running a stock non-rooted Incredible, please check for a software update now. And if you are on 2.2 or 2.3, let us know which so that we can straighten this out. More info. Cheers Hannah!

Galaxy Nexus Car Mount for $39.99, 2-Minute Video of the Android 4.0 Camera Software

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:17:23 +0000

This morning, we received photo evidence leading us to believe that the Verizon 4G LTE version of Galaxy Nexus will launch with a bigger 1850mAh battery - 100mAh more than the GSM-Euro version. Also included with that photo was a list of accessories that should be on hand for the big day (whenever that may be) such as a desktop dock and car mount. The desktop dock we saw priced at $59.99, but the vehicle mount was still up in the air. It looks now like $39.99 will be the price. And to add to all of the G-Nex fun that has taken place today, we wanted to share the video below of the ICS camera software put to the test. If you aren't impressed by this, then go fly a kite. :)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-HoYTCBg24[/youtube]

Cheers Spaniard and Trevor-kai!

Amazon Offering $15 Quickoffice Pro As Free App Of The Day

Tim — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:30:28 +0000

Quickoffice Pro is one of the most popular, yet highly priced Android apps available. For $15 it gives you access to many cloud storage services for grabbing files on the go, editing documents, and a list of features that is sure to get any office readers we have excited. For today only, Amazon is offering the application for free. You don't want to miss this one. Any thoughts on which apps Amazon should promote for free next? Amazon Link Cheers Lewisss, Davies

NGGG Tablet Giveaway #3 - Win a Galaxy Tab 10.1, Jambox and $25 Gift Card from NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:00:01 +0000

It's week 3 of the November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway brought to you by NVIDIA, the Tegra Zone and Droid Life! We have already handed out a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Asus Transformer during the first two weeks, but things are about to get even spicier. For these last two giveaways, we have tablets along with prize packs that include a Jawbone Jambox speaker and a $25 gift card. If you had been thinking of ways to take your tablet gaming to the next level, then adding in one of these top-0f-the-line mobile speakers and some money to spend on games like Shadowgun is how you can do it. Prize: -Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi -Jawbone Jambox spaker -$25 American Express gift card How to enter: (do as many of the following as possible, #4 for sure) 1. Follow both @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. Tweet the following message:

Want to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Jambox Speaker and $25? Check out @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra – http://goo.gl/Lqwsr #android

3. Like Droid Life on Facebook. 3. In the comments, list out your top 3 favorite console games of all time. With NVIDIA bringing console-quality graphics to your mobile device, it seems fitting. Entry period: You will have from the time of this posting, through Friday (11/18) at 1PM Pacific to enter. U.S. entries only. Winners: One winner will be picked randomly on Friday (11/18) at 2PM and announced shortly thereafter. The winner will be contacted through their choice of entry (Twitter, Facebook or comments). Good luck everyone!

Huge thanks again to NVIDIA for hosting the prizes! Be sure to check out the Tegra Zone for some of the best mobile games you will find anywhere.

Ice Cream Sandwich Source Available Now, Same Android 4.0.1 Build as the Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:14:53 +0000

Soooo, the Android team is uploading Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) source right now. It should be done shortly and from there, it's all up for grabs. This would be the same version as you will see shipping on the Galaxy Nexus, which is Android 4.0.1.

However since this is a large push, please be aware that it will take some time to complete. If you sync before it's done, you'll get an incomplete copy that you won't be able to use, so please wait for us to give the all-clear before you sync. This is actually the source code for version 4.0.1 of Android, which is the specific version that will ship on the Galaxy Nexus, the first Android 4.0 device. In the source tree, you will find a device build target named "full_maguro" that you can use to build a system image for Galaxy Nexus. Build configurations for other devices will come later.

Bets on who makes the first full ICS ROM? Via: Google Cheers Borgey, Tom, Stephen and @davekover!

T-Mobile and Google Hosting Concert Just Hours After Their November 16 Android Event

Tim — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:49:56 +0000

It has been the talk of the day, that Google would be making the announcement for their Google Music Store on November 16. Invitations just rolled into our inboxes and we are seeing that it is not just Google on the bill. Looks as though T-Mobile is sharing the responsibilities of hosting the event and are having many top musical guests like Drake, Maroon 5, and even Busta Rhymes perform for a select crowd. Is Google Music going to be an exclusive to T-Mobile devices in the early stages? Queue frustration. Google couldn't do that to us, could they? They did it with Google Wallet and Sprint, so I guess it's not completely out of the question. The odd thing here is that we have all been testing their Music Beta app, so why would they lock a music store down to one of the smaller networks in the land? As a service that will be built into the Google Market, it seems odd that they would attempt to fragment that out per carrier, doesn't it? Of course, this could all be overanalyzing an event that has yet to happen. Maybe T-Mo customers are just going to get a sweet $5 credit to the market while the rest of us just get access? Or maybe they will have the option to buy albums and bill directly to their T-Mo accounts? A lot of questions there that we probably won't know the answers to until Wednesday afternoon. Have any thoughts? Let us know.

YouTube App Updated, Brings +1 Button And Video Info Editing While Uploading

Tim — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:35:10 +0000

A new version for the YouTube app has just been released, bringing Google's "+1" button to videos. Editing video information while uploading is also going to save you some time if you are constantly uploading videos of your precious kitty. Don't forget to subscribe to the Droid Life channel while you are there.

What's in this version:

+1 button and annotations

'Watch later' queue

Uploading while editing video info

Market Link

Verizon Adjusts Return Policy For the Holidays, Will Give You Til January 9 to Return Phones Purchased on or After November 15

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:04:12 +0000

Verizon has been operating on a 14-day return policy for most of the year. Since this went live, we have seen a variety of devices get spaced out by 14 days to help decrease the number of returned devices. With new top tier Android smartphones coming out almost weekly these days, this move - while unpopular for the most part - makes sense. We have some good news though thanks to some eagle-eyed readers who noticed that Verizon had made a slight tweak to this policy. Starting tomorrow (November 15), you can purchase a smartphone and have until January 9, 2012 to return it for something else. With the RAZR, Rezound and Galaxy Nexus all becoming available over the next few weeks, this is incredible news. If you are dying to have a new smartphone, but can't wait for the G-Nex to finally arrive, then you may want to check out a RAZR or Rezound knowing now that you have until the first week of January to swap it out if you decide stock Android is indeed your cup of tea. You will have to pay a $35 restocking fee if you do bring your phone back. I guess that's the price you pay to test drive. Via: Verizon Cheers Greg and Nick!

Video: This Pug is Not a Fan of the iPhone

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:30:24 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYtwq4J3raM[/youtube]

This video made the rounds over the weekend and might make you giggle a little. We also wanted to toss it out there to get our minds off of the Galaxy Nexus drama that has become almost iPhone-ish these days. And speaking of i*hones, here is a pug that freaks out every time he sees one in a commercial. Good doggie. Cheers Don!

Video: Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs. iPhone 4S

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:30 +0000

Need more Galaxy Nexus video action? You probably do after hearing the latest release date rumor. So to hopefully make you feel slightly better after potentially saddening news, here are a few clips from T3, who happened to find themselves with the GSM version of the phone for a few minutes. Comparison to the new iPhone 4S? Top 10 Ice Cream Sandwich features? More specs? All included after the break. When comparing the G-Nex to the iPhone 4S, they have some kind things to say about both phones - as you may have expected - but really, who's looking at the iDevice when that beautifully curved HD screen with Ice Cream Sandwich is sitting next to it? T3 even in a round about way picks it as a winner of sorts. After that though, they'll walk you through some specs (that you already know), followed by their top Ice Cream Sandwich features. Nothing incredibly new, but seeing this device in action is always a pleasant experience. G-Nex vs. iPhone 4S: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSrhKhk0W88 Specs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPe6SRvXXUU Their top 10 Android 4.0 features: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKSRLXUcZsY Via: Android and Me

Sad Rumor of the Day: Galaxy Nexus Release Pushed to December, Still Undergoing Testing? (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:19:34 +0000

I can tell that many of you follow our buddy @P3droid on Twitter and noticed his remarks this morning about the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon being bumped from November 21 to some time in December. While I can't confirm from any of our normal sources that this is indeed the truth, I will say that a number of folks on Twitter also chimed in around the time of his tip to say something very similar. And to add to the possibility of this being true, let's just say that I've seen that Verizon's current in-store marketing calendars do not mention anything about the G-Nex for the rest of this month. That could mean a variety things, so I'll withhold judgement. Word on the street suggests that Big Red is in the middle of testing it and has found a couple of bugs that they need to see fixed before they can press "Go." So let's not rush out and buy pitchforks just yet, the testing of a device does take time. You would rather the phone be bug-free wouldn't you? But remember, this is all rumor, folks. We could still see it on the 21st, but from what we are hearing, December 1 isn't out of the question. Update: Just heard from one of our regulars, and they have been told that the device has been pushed back. They are expecting the next round of testing to be completed by November 19. Not sure exactly what that means for November 21 release date. Update 2: The Android Site found this listing for the Galaxy S II Nexus Prime 4G Android Phone. Clearly just a placeholder, but we might as well report on it all at this point.

Update 3: A reddit user is claiming that the phone will be out this Friday, November 18. I would highly doubt that knowing what our source told us up above about the 19th being the next testing deadline, but hey, another rumor that you should probably know about. I would love for it to happen - no way to tell until we get to Friday though. Update 4: Our buddy @muffnman was on set at the taping of The Verge's new show which had Matias Duarte on as a guest. According to Matias - during the show - the G-Nex is launching this month (November). He was pressed for a specific date, but would only go as far as saying "November." I think we would all hope that this man knows what he is talking about as one of the architects of ICS and the experience on this phone. *Note - Again, we flagged this as one massive rumor for a reason. We have no idea if the phone has been pushed to December or not, but we wanted to pass along some info that was tossed out by 3 or 4 people at or around the same exact time. If we call something a rumor, that means you should look at it as a rumor, not fact. You guys know that we just like to give you as much information as possible. Cheers @mmolda, @mplacido9, Dominick, Tom, and James!

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Receiving Android 3.2 Update, May Break WiFi

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:40:26 +0000

Owners of the WiFi-only Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 are receiving updates to Android 3.2 today, but we are hearing that it may be causing some issues. Our reader that updated saw the process fail about halfway through and then noticed that his WiFi, Bluetooth, and screen rotation was broken after rebooting. Factory resets also do not appear to fix the problem, so we'll have to recommend that you proceed with caution while updating. A changelog is not available at this time either - if you can live with your current build for now without updating, that's probably your best bet. Cheers Ash!

Google Music Store Screenshots Leak, Looks Like We Are All But Ready for Launch on Wednesday

Tim — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:10:20 +0000

The Google Music store is reportedly set to be announced on November 16, so it is the law of the Internet that we see some leaked images of the upcoming store front just days before. A lucky Android owner in Venezuela with some, "tricks and beginner's luck" was able to gain access to Google's Music store early on his HTC Inspire 4G. Are they legit? No way to positively tell, but they sure do look real. One way these people could help their case on legitimacy is if they posted instructions on how to access it. Just a thought. For each category in the Market, they are assigned a color: Books are blue, Movies are red, and Apps are green. These shots appear to confirm that Music will be orange, something we saw a couple of months ago. Looking a bit beyond just the looks, we see that Google could be offering a "Free Song of the Day." Sure would be great for people on the hunt for new artists to worship. Everyone ready to adopt the newest Google Service? Plan on dropping Amazon MP3? Via: TecnoDroidve

Amazon: Kindle Fire Orders Shipping a Day Early

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:37:11 +0000

Amazon dropped a quick press release this morning to announce that they were shipping Kindle Fire orders a day early (meaning today), so that customers could have them on launch day (which is tomorrow). We ordered one with overnight Prime shipping and still have not received notification that it has shipped. There is still a lot of time left in the day, but would most definitely welcome in an earlier than expected arrival. Those that pre-ordered, has yours shipped?

Galaxy Nexus Accessory List Shows Standard Battery of 1850mAh, HDMI Portrait-style Desktop Dock Priced at $59.99

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:55:47 +0000

The Euro version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus that will be available this week (November 17), is powered by a 1750mAh battery. That's not too shabby for a standard battery these days. Most of us in the states though, were worried that there may not be enough juice in that size of battery to get us through a day of use on Verizon's 4G LTE network. Talk of it being bumped to 1850mAh surfaced within the last week or so, and I'd say we just confirmed that with the screenshot you are seeing above. In the top right corner, you can see that the "in box" standard battery will be 1850mAh. Feel a little better about the phone now? Also on the list is the an HDMI portrait-style desktop dock, vehicle mount and a bunch of your other standard accessories like cases and screen protectors. Picture of the dock with a $59.99 price tag after the break.

Cheers anonymous!

According to Notion Ink CEO, Ice Cream Sandwich Source Will Be Released November 17

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:34:39 +0000

According to Notion Ink CEO Rohan Shravan, Google will release Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) source on November 17, which is this Thursday. In a blog entry concerning their support system, he decided this would be a great outlet for letting the world know of the latest Android plans.

17th is when we are expecting ICS to be finally out with the source, and then you will see whole community...

If you are wondering why on Earth we are trusting anything a guy like this says, knowing his past track record, just understand that he was actually right in the past when it came to Android source. Is he right here? Tough to say. November 17 is the day that the Galaxy Nexus is supposed to launch in Europe and is also the day after Google's Music event in Los Angeles. This could turn out to be one hell of a week. Now, if we could only get Verizon to announce the phone for their network, life couldn't get much better.

XOOM 2 on Verizon to be Named the DROID XYBOARD? Please Tell Me It Isn't True

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:57:12 +0000

If you thought the name "Rezound" that has been attached to HTC's latest Beast audio device was a little odd, wait until you get a load of the rumor for Motorola's upcoming next-gen XOOM tablet here in the states. According to the folks at PocketNow, they have seen some "compelling evidence" that when the XOOM 2 lands here in the states, that Verizon is going to brand it as the DROID XYBOARD. Seriously. We'll assume that's pronounced ZI-BOARD (yes folks, like Cyborg) and will also recommend that if you buy one, that you never use that name in public or you might be laughed out of the building. It sounds like a wannabe Android tablet that you can scoop up on Woot each day for $69 plus shipping. It sounds like the name of Van Damme's newest straight-to-DVD flick. It sounds like the name a high level exec dreamed up on a late night red-eye, passed it off to his 8-year old to see if it was "cool", got the thumbs up of "Yeah daddy, that name will rock my 3rd grade English class!", and pushed it forward. Like, really? XYBOARD? XOOM was sort of silly, but at least it was quick, reminded you of speed, and simply worked. XYBOARD? Eh. I think we can attach a promotional quote of "XYBOARD - We'd call it the end of waiting (again), but really we just want it to be the end of the butt of your jokes." Thoughts? Via: PocketNow Cheers Stephen!

HTC Rezound Available Today From Verizon for $299

Kellen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:40:18 +0000

The HTC Rezound is available today from Verizon for $299 on contract. Sporting a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, 4G LTE, a 4.3" 720p HD screen, and Beats audio, this is one of the more beautiful and polished phones you will see on the market today. The jury is still out on whether or not it can last you through a day with its 1620mAh battery, but we have done our best through 4 days to give you an idea of how it's going. The big question here is, "Can the Rezound take down the iconic naming of the DROID RAZR along with Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus?" It's going to be a tough battle for all three - what a great time to be a potential new smartphone owner. Our full review of the device should be up within the next couple of days. Buy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoWBACFnmXo[/youtube]

Galaxy Nexus Shows Off Its Multi-Color Notification LED Light

Kellen — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:44:49 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VshvpiOAhIQ[/youtube]

It may seem sort of silly that we are obsessing over something as minuscule as an LED notification light, but when it's on the Galaxy Nexus and can do this many colors, it's tough not to. We saw a quick glimpse of this a week or so ago in video, but nothing to this magnitude. This would be the G-Nex doing a rainbow. And this again confirms what our sources told us back in early October, that this device would have multi-color functionality in its notification settings. Tasty. Mmmm. Cheers Mike!

Galaxy Nexus Talk: More Verizon Training Info, Potential Retail Price of $500, and A Release Date of November 21?

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:07:47 +0000

We tossed out a story just a few hours ago showing that Verizon's training for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus had started and wanted to show you further proof that just landed in our inbox. The training to our knowledge, doesn't include a release date and is mostly just an overview of Ice Cream Sandwich and G-Nex features that we all saw during last month's shenanigans. So nothing spectacular in there, but VZW is indeed getting their employees ready for the launch that we have all been trying so hard to remain patient for. After the break though, we have one more training slide, and then we'll dive into some interesting notes from this contest that Google just launched. Potential price and release date? Yessir.

Ok, with that out of the way, let's talk potential price first. You see in the "Prizes" section of the contest rules that we pulled below - that ARV of $500? That's a number we are finding to be fascinating. Most of the time when companies hold these contests, we get the exact full retail value listed there, so this should get you incredibly excited. Remember the contest for the Bionic that listed $589.99 as the ARV? That is still the actual retail price of that phone to this day. Could Verizon and Google decide to up that to the $649 price that the RAZR, iPhone and Rezound are at when it is finally released? It certainly seems like they will have to, but one can hope we stay that low. And what if Google decides they just want to undercut the heck out of anyone and only offer the phone off-contract at $500? Sign everyone up?

What about a release date? As Dan mentioned in the contest post, the giveaway of the G-Nex ends on November 21. Where have we seen that date before? Well, we brought that date to you in the most recent Verizon roadmap that showed the phone as landing on that day via the "web only." Seems fitting that the contest would end on the day that the phone is released, doesn't it? Most of these contests do.

Now, that was a lot of hypebeasting for sure, but these contests have proven to be reliable resources enough times in the past that we shouldn't completely look beyond everything that we just pointed out. Remember that this is all speculation and nothing is official until Big Red makes it official. It almost sounds too good to be true - crossing fingers for the next week and a half is recommended. Cheers ___, JFMFT, Matthew and Mark!

Win A Samsung Galaxy Nexus From Google

Dan — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:46:00 +0000

Google has 10 Samsung Galaxy Nexus' up for grabs over the next 10 days. You want one? Well it is quite simple, follow @GoogleNexus on Twitter and enter each and everyday by answering the daily question or puzzle. Once you reply via Twitter, sit back, relax, and pray. However, there is no need to rush because the event starts tomorrow (November 12) at 9am Pacific Time. Remember when I asked you what you do to pass the time waiting for the Galaxy Nexus, well I just gave you another (and exciting) option. Best of luck and be sure to check out the official rules. Interestingly enough, the contest runs until November 21, perhaps up to the release date of the Galaxy Nexus? Via: Twitter

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 11/11/11

Tim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:30:27 +0000

November 11 is here. Not only is it a very interesting date to numerologists, but it is also a big deal to Motorola and Verizon. Today the DROID RAZR became available and it merges two iconic brands. Motorola's RAZR and Verizon's DROID. Will it become an instant success? A cult classic just like the original RAZR? Time will tell.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. We are sure to hear more about the upcoming Galaxy Nexus release now that there is nothing left for Verizon to market. Let's all cross our fingers and hope we hear soon. Peace!

HTC Rezound Arrives At Best Buy Ahead of Monday's Release

Dan — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:40:22 +0000

HTC's next flagship 4G LTE device, the Rezound, is set to be released this coming Monday, November 14. Best Buys nationwide are stocking up with this 4.3-inch HD LTE beast. If you are still on the fence about the Rezound then be sure to check out our two hands-on videos. Additionally, be sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming review. The Rezound is by all means a terrific device and a welcomed addition to Verizon's already outstanding LTE Android portfolio. With that said, who is looking to pick one of these bad boys up come Monday?

Cheers Anonymous

Galaxy Nexus Training Begins At Verizon, Release Imminent?

Dan — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:40:55 +0000

Verizon has begun training their employees on the the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus. As you can see from the image above, Verizon is offering a crash course on Ice Cream Sandwich along with the Galaxy Nexus, HTC Rezound and the recently released DROID RAZR. When training beings it usually means we will be seeing the device soon, perhaps in the next two weeks? While Verizon has remained mum on the Nexus, we have already seen accessories arrive at various locations. It shouldn't be long now, what have you been doing to pass the time? Via: Android and Me

And the Winner of NGGG #2 and an Asus Transformer is…

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:02:00 +0000

Last week, we announced our November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway (NGGG), a month long contest that includes four (4) NVIDIA Tegra 2 powered tablets and a couple of gaming-inspired prize packs. Each week, we will hand out a different tablet, with the prize packs (Jamboxes and $25 gift cards) being tacked on to the last two giveaways. Up first was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 followed by the Asus Transformer this week that you are seeing in the photo above. This is hands down one of the top two Android tablets on the market today, even after being out for a number of months. Time for someone new to experience one of the most updated Android devices to date. With over 2,500 entries in just 5 short days, we are officially blown away, again. So as to not delay this announcement any further, let’s get to it. The winner is...

CGull who would use his tablet primarily as a resource tool. Games, possibly. But mostly for Internet reading, info apps, etc. Nice piece of utility tech.

Congrats on the new tablet!

To everyone else, tune back in Monday morning for your chance to win the next tablet provided by@NVIDIATegra and the Tegra Zone. And so you know, next week we start with the two bundles that include a Jawbone Jambox speaker and $25 gift card.

Ready to Win a Samsung Galaxy Nexus?

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:33:52 +0000

Following @googlenexus and @Android on Twitter would probably be a smart move. In a Tweet sent just moments ago, they teased a contest that is sure to reward at least a few Android enthusiasts with their latest phone, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. No details just yet, but Google usually likes to make you work for their giveaways. Expect to see puzzles or riddles or some sort of mind bending game. Stay tuned... Cheers Wayne and Heath!

Asus Transformer Prime Gets Some Hands-on Time, This is How You Do "Impossibly Thin"

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:04:17 +0000

The Asus Transformer Prime was made official this week along with NVIDIA's Tegra 3, and as is customary, some random Euro site got their hands all over it early. This isn't just some blurry cam quick look either, the folks at ZTOP give us photos of the device from just about every angle imaginable, along with shots of the OS and of it docked. Motorola is having fun calling their new RAZR "impossibly thin," but wait until you see the comparison shot of this tablet to that very same phone. Gallery and videos below. Gallery: [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"] New Shadowgun: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMB9gPBu5_c[/youtube] SuperNote application: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JMEzjyhJQQ[/youtube] If you were still on the fence over whether or not you should purchase an Android tablet, I would hope that this just helped you life that last leg over the top. For $499 and that screen, processor, thin body and docking abilities? Mmmhmm. Via: ZTOP Cheers lewssd!

Google Holding Android Event on November 16 in Los Angeles, Finally Announcing a Music Store?

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:28:16 +0000

Oooh, could Google's new music store finally be ready? They are starting to send out press invites to an event that will take place next Wednesday in Los Angeles. In the invite (posted above), we are jumping to the conclusion that it will be music based upon the quote included which became famous in the movie Spinal Tap. Now, the quote actually means to take something to the extreme or exploit it, but nothing on the horizon seems to fit that description. I'd say that cranking up the volume on a speaker is it, and with that should come a full fledged music store. Of course, we should also point out that today is Nigel Tufnel Day. A live feed will be shown at Youtube.com/Android. 2PM PST is when magic will happen. They also included a teaser image that we have dropped after the break that could include a couple of extra hints. I'm seeing "T-Mobile" and getting really scared. There is no way in hell that they announce a music store that can only be accessed via T-Mo phones, can they? I guess they did something similar with Google Wallet and Sprint though. Meh, is all I can say to that.

The Android guy in the bottom right corner has already been put up for sale at Google's store for a limited time. Via: Engadget

Lapse It on Android Gives You 720p Time Lapse Video Without Having a Galaxy Nexus

Tim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:45:25 +0000

Kellex and I just went and played around with an app that was recommended by a reader. Needless to say the app worked just as intended if not better and we had a lot of fun while messing with it. The application is called Lapse It. Capturing HD time-lapse videos has never been easier and will be the first thing I do when I start my next road trip down I-5. Just set to how many snaps a second you want, render the video with a variety of different effects, then publish to your favorite social media sites. It's that easy. Down below we have our video of us driving around Portland. As you can see it is a bit foggy today. Lapse It has a free version in the Market, but I would not recommend it, as it only shoots in 240p. Only $2 will buy you the Pro version which is capable of capture in 720p and soon even 1080p. Go find the nearest sunset/sunrise and have some fun! Market Link ($1.99) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXcjlFN9RRY&hd=1[/youtube]

Best Buy Bringing the Tablet Heat on Black Friday: Asus Transformer for $249, Acer Iconia 7 for $189, Toshiba Thrive for $279

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:00:30 +0000

Two weeks from today, many of you will flock to electronics and big box stores to snatch up the amazing deals that they have advertised for Black Friday. One of your stops should probably include Best Buy if tablets were one of your holiday shopping options. In their Black Friday ad that was released to just about every BF site on the planet today, it's pretty clear that they want to move some tablet inventory. How does an Asus Transformer for just $249 sound? The Toshiba Thrive at $279? Maybe the Acer Iconia 7 for just $189? By the end of November 25, you might have a family full of Android tablets. More tablets:

And a bunch of free phones:

Via: The Black Friday

Google Maps and Adobe Flash Receive Updates - Live Events for Maps, One of the Last for Flash

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:25:04 +0000

A couple of updates to some of our favorite apps are available in the market as I type this. Google Maps jumped to version 5.12.0 and includes live event listings in Places pages for some major global players like New York, San Francisco, Paris, Zurich and London. The GMaps team also removed the "Post to Twitter" option from reviews in Places - is it just me or does that seem really odd? Anyone taking bets on a G+ sharing option soon? The other update is for Adobe's Flash Player 11, which as you all know, has essentially been given the ax going forward. In build 11.1.102.59, we see "performance improvements and bug fixes" that have to do with security and stability. That's it. Is this the last Flash update that we will ever see? Tough to tell. I can't imagine that Adobe would stop putting out security fixes as they are needed. We just won't be seeing anything new that you would write home to your mother about. Market Links: Google Maps | Flash Player 11.1 Cheers to everyone who sent this!

DROID RAZR and Its Ultra-Thin Body Get Torn Apart, Motorola Also Talks Design

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:52:56 +0000

These iFixit teardowns are usually worth a quick glance because the innards of new technology is simply fun to look at. Rarely though, do we get to see something we haven't seen before or that makes us actually thumb through the entire teardown. That's definitely the case with the DROID RAZR. This one, is worth your time. Since there isn't a removable battery, and the top and bottom halves of the phone have been glued tightly together, the iFixit crew had to put in some real work to make this happen. If you were wondering how Motorola managed to pack all of the high-end spec goodness into such a thin frame, this is your way to find out. Plus, we are also always suckers for good dozuki sighting.

And if that did not fulfill your RAZR design needs, you will want to check out the video below that is straight from Motorola. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ridjtcza7E[/youtube] Via: iFixit

Battery Cover for Galaxy Nexus Headed to Verizon Pops Up at Samsung Site

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:13:25 +0000

So much for the idea that the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon won't have any carrier branding. The battery cover for the "Nexus Prime i515" was spotted on Samsung's site by one of our readers, pretty much confirming that the phone will say Big Red in at least one place. I guess we can accept that, right? And what about those rumors that the LTE version would have a bigger battery than the 1750mAh one stuffed into the GSM version? Still tough to know if that will happen or not, but Sammie's site is listing it as being the same. Here is a picture of the 1750mAh battery as well.

Via: Samsung Cheers Mike!

Comparison: Nook Tablet vs. Kindle Fire [from AL]

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:00:54 +0000

Pretty tough to avoid the buzz surrounding both the new Nook Tablet and the Kindle Fire these days. As two tablets that had incredibly successful predecessors, these latest editions are looking to take the holiday season by storm with ultra low prices and proper 2011 specs. On paper and in the specs department, the Nook Tablet could probably be considered the winner here, but it's not all about insides now, is it? The Kindle Fire has deep Amazon product integration which means a world of entertainment and shopping is at your finger tips. Both tablets will make their in-store debut next week - we put together a spec comparison to hopefully help you make an informed decision on which of them could be your next tablet. Comparison Sheet.

Face Unlock On Galaxy Nexus Is Very Neat, But Easily Compromised With a Picture?

Tim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:30:26 +0000

The world was introduced to the Galaxy Nexus' facial recognition setting at the Ice Cream Sandwich launch. While it may not have worked perfectly in the dim lighting on stage, most of us were still impressed. Hold your beautiful mug in front of the camera and the phone will recognize you and unlock itself. True definition of a smartphone. But what happens when you use a picture of yourself instead of your actual face? A video showing a man holding a picture of himself in front of the G-Nex that is programmed to recognize his actual face (not the picture like he accidentally says in the video) to unlock it has just surfaced and it reminds everyone that maybe your face isn't the best way to keep your device secure. Not that any of us thought that it would be. Cool trick to show off to your friends, but after that it doesn't serve a very useful purpose. Full video down below.

How to: Root the Motorola DROID RAZR

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:37:49 +0000

We were told a week ago that the old root method for all of Motorola's phones would work on the new DROID RAZR - that ends up not being true on the final retail version. No worries though, as a new exploit has already surfaced in a 1-click Windows package. I just ran it myself and can confirm that it most definitely roots your phone in just a couple of simple clicks. No adb required, just a computer running some form of Windows. Download: DooMLord_V2_Root.zip Instructions: 1. On your Windows PC, make sure you have Motorola USB drivers installed. [Downloads] 2. Download the root file from above to your computer and extra the goodies from it. 3. On your RAZR, turn on USB Debugging and check the box for Unknown Sources.

*You can find both options in Settings>Applications

4. Connect your device to your computer and make sure it is set to "Charge only." 5. Cruise into the folder that you extracted above, and run the .bat file. 6. Your phone will reboot when when it finishes. Enjoy being rooted on day 1. *Reminder - We don't have an SBF file or any form of recovery at this point, so be very careful once you have rooted. If you break something in your phone, you could be stuck for a while until we get some safety files floating around the back alleys of this community. Via: Droid Forums

Motorola DROID RAZR is Indeed $111.11 at Amazon Wireless, For New Customers Only

Kellen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:12:08 +0000

Late last night, news broke across the deal-o-sphere suggesting that Amazon Wireless would be selling the DROID RAZR for just $111.11 today only. And guess what? That's exactly what happened. If you are thinking about joining the Big Red army and want this phone, you can sign up for service through Amazon and grab this brand new phone for about $188 under what everyone else will be paying. Notice I said "thinking about joining" because this deal is for new customers only. If you are looking to upgrade, you will still get a deal, but at $249 instead of the $111. Buy. Cheers to everyone who sent this in last night!

DROID RAZR On Sale at Amazon Tomorrow for $111?

Kellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:11:41 +0000

With Verizon making customers wait until 11:11AM tomorrow (11/11) to buy the DROID RAZR, Amazon has reportedly stepped up to offer a pretty sweet deal that also relates to the significance of the date. According to Gizmodo, the latest DROID family member can be had for just $111.11 on contract for 1 day only. Nothing on the site shows the phone or this discount just yet, but we'll do our best to take their word for it. I'd recommend that you cruise over to Amazon's wireless site at the link below in the morning, just in case. Update: It is available for $111.11. New customers only. Via: Amazon Wireless, Gizmodo Cheers Tarun, KLY, Cam and Jeff!

Retro Boulder Dash Is Back From The Dead - Now Available For Android For $0.99

Tim — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:30:09 +0000

Calling all classic video game lovers, OpenFeint have just re-released Boulder Dash -the classic 1984 game made for 8-bit Atari computers. Here we are almost twenty years later and it's back for some more 8-bit action. Game's objective? Explore cave systems hunting for diamonds. Was this the 1980's Minecraft? Possibly. OpenFeint has brought all the original music, sounds, and graphics 'back to the future' for everyone to enjoy. The game is sold as a collection, so you are getting 5 games for just 1 dollar. As an added bonus, the next 5,000 copies sold in the Android Market will only cost you a buck, instead of the intended $3.99. Go have some old school fun! Market Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWssQugs-Nc[/youtube]

Motorola Preparing Special Project for the Original DROID?

Kellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:57:38 +0000

An email about the original DROID from the Motorola Feedback Network, now there is something I don't think anyone thought we would ever see again. Could it be an update to Gingerbread? Maybe a simple bug fix? Maybe something to highlight the glory of the old days when bootloaders weren't locked up like a prison and bloatware wasn't flowing like wine? Tough to tell, but here is the email that just went out to anyone registered on the MFN with an OG:

Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are preparing a project for owners of the original Motorola Droid on Verizon, and would like to invite you to participate. Click this link to take a short enrollment survey for this project. Please note that you must be a member of the Motorola Owners' Forums to take part. If you are no longer using your original Droid and wish to update your Motorola Feedback Network profile so you can be part of projects for a different Motorola phone, please click here. If you use the same computer as previous registrations, you can update your profile. If you do not, simply re-register with your current Motorola product. To opt out of the MFN see the link at the bottom of this email. This is a confidential project under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this project on any public sites. Thanks -- we hope to be in contact with you soon. - Matt Motorola Owners' Forums Motorola Feedback Network

I'm at a loss for words. Almost brings a tear of joy to my eye. We knew this was the greatest phone ever made, but who knew that it would continue to receive some sort of support 2 years after initial release? Such a bad, bad machine. Thoughts? Cheers M and C!

Zombie Driver Coming To Android, Optimized for Tegra 3 Devices - Can't Get Here Soon Enough

Tim — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:16:33 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPciz0ScJG4[/youtube]

The wait for Tegra 3 processors just got a bit more 'deadly'. The newest game from Exor Studios, Zombie Driver, uses the Tegra 3 chip to power a game filled with gore, fire, and awesome car races. Think of PlayStation's old Twisted Metal meeting zombie hordes. That's Zombie Driver. Drive around reaching your destinations while running over, burning, and blowing up as many zombies as you can? Sign us up. Game features include:

Story mode with 31 missions, sub quests and bonus objectives in a huge, free roaming city, including:
- Epic Boss fights with enormous mutated zombies
- Defending key targets against huge waves of zombies
- Racing against time to rescue survivors
- Transporting dangerous cargo
- Spraying anti-zombie repellent around town
- 13 different vehicles to drive including a firetruck, bulldozer or even a tank
Blood Race mode with 30 unique events offering the best arcade racing experience in 3 distinct game types:
- Race - classic racing spiced up with guns and loads of zombies
- Eliminator - take down as many vehicles as you can before the time runs out
- Endurance - there is a bomb on your car and its ticking. Race through checkpoints to extend your time
Slaughter mode with 7 survival arenas featuring enormous killing sprees and a dynamic upgrade system
- 9 different upgrades which can transform even an innocent Taxi into a Chariot of Death.
- Miniguns, flamethrowers, rocket launchers or even dual railguns.
- Vicious zombie types including even zombie dogs.
- Advanced, dynamic combo system with tricks and hordes of zombies to try it on.
- PhysX by NVIDIA

The game looks really great with all of the different types of vehicles, weapons, and even those huge nasty 'boss' zombies. Gross. Come on Tegra 3 devices, hurry up and get here! Via: Droid Gamers

New Verizon Phones Have Auto-WiFi Notification System Built-in to Help You Conserve Mobile Data

Kellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:52:39 +0000

Within the first couple of minutes with both the DROID RAZR and HTC Rezound, I noticed something that I had never seen before on an Android smartphone. Every time I opened up certain apps, like say the Android Market or Google Voice, I was being told that WiFi was automatically turning on and that I should use it. It was actually sort of frustrating, especially since both phones run on Verizon's 4G LTE network, which is faster that most home cable connections. To tell you the truth, I tend to leave my phones' WiFi off when at home for the most part for that simple reason. Speed rules, baby. So why were both phones continually asking that I use WiFi whenever I opened up an app? Because they require data connections - it's as simple as that. In an era of tiered data plans and ultra-fast download speeds, features like the one you will see on both of these new Verizon phones are going to become the standard. We may have the ability to gobble up data in seconds, but that doesn't mean the carriers or our tiered data plans are OK with that. Now that unlimited data plans for new customers or new lines are long gone, features like auto-WiFi notifying will more than likely come in handy. Automation at its finest. For those of us locked into unlimited data (for now anyway), you can turn these off with a couple of taps. Head into Settings>Wireless & networks>Wi-Fi settings> and uncheck the box for "Notify me."

Video: Motorola Teaches You How to Use Smart Actions on the DROID RAZR, Your Best Bet for Extending Battery Life

Kellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:35:53 +0000

Since Motorola decided to make the new DROID RAZR one of the thinnest smartphones on the planet, that meant they were going to have to cut a corner somewhere. That corner, was a battery that can't be removed. It actually seems crazy knowing that most of us purchase extended or backup batteries as a safety precaution to combat the current power destroying LTE technology. Moto has a plan though. In order to help ease your mind on life with a non-removable battery, they built in an app called Smart Actions, that allows you to customize and "optimize your smartphone for your life." It's very similar to apps like Locale and Tasker - it uses location, time of day, and the task at hand to launch apps, turn off settings, and make your phone and life perform more efficiently. There are built-in preset actions that you can adopt immediately or you can get technical and build your own. I haven't had a chance to play with these all that much just yet, but you can bet that I will. As someone that carries two phones for the most part because I understand how difficult it can be to get through a day on LTE, I'll be tweaking away to find which settings will push a single charge further. According to the v ideo below, you can apparently adjust a couple of settings and extend your battery up to 30%. Let's see if we can figure out which those are. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrAndZ-6Dio[/youtube]

Matias Duarte of Google Goes In-Depth On Creation Of The Roboto Font

Tim — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:00:40 +0000

Matias Duarte is the man behind Roboto, the newest font that will be grouped with Ice Cream Sandwich. You would not believe the passion that this guy has for fonts, especially the Roboto that you will see on the Galaxy Nexus. At the announcement of the G-Nex, Matias got on stage and talked about the Roboto font as if it was life changing. After reading more from him about the creation of this font, I'm not so sure that it isn't. Matias writes why the change from DROID to Roboto was not only for looks, but as technology changed and higher resolution screens are now more dominate, the font needed to change as well.

Why replace Droid? Droid is a great font family which served Android well over the years, but it was designed and optimized for screens that were much lower in pixel density than today’s HD displays. To be legible at smaller sizes, and to avoid turning to anti-aliased grey mush, the letter forms had to be quite dramatic. They had a tall x-height and a very regular rhythm so that they snapped to the pixel grid crisply. The bold variant was significantly wider than the regular text, because when a letter’s vertical strokes are one pixel thick, the only way to be bold is to double! It’s no surprise that on high rez screens, and at larger more dramatic headline sizes, Droid struggled to achieve both the openness and information density we wanted in Ice Cream Sandwich.

There might be no man seemingly more passionate about making Android look good for everyone. Let's be thankful he is on our team. He makes Ice Cream Sandwich sound like a albino unicorn grazing in a field with rainbows surrounding it. Magical.

What were we looking for? Most important was to create something that matched our ambitious design goals for Ice Cream Sandwich. Emotionally we wanted Ice Cream Sandwich to enchant you, to be attractive and eye-catching. Our new typeface had to be modern, crisp, and structured to match our new emphasis on open layouts and rigid grid alignments, but also friendly and approachable to make Android appealing, and a little bit more human.

The Googlers have certainly put their hard efforts into Ice Cream Sandwich. Now all we need is the device. You can read Mr. Duarte's full post on the Roboto font here. Want Roboto on your phone? Then check our download post here. Via: Phandroid, Google+

DROID RAZR Bloatware: More Than Ever Can Be Removed, the Rest Easily Hidden

Kellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:13:33 +0000

When you pick up your DROID RAZR tomorrow (or if your pre-order arrives today), you'll probably notice that Verizon has slightly changed their stance on the bloatware that will come preloaded. It still has a boatload of it, but after long pressing on a couple of the ol' standards, I was greeted with some interesting new options. As you can see in the screenshot on the left, Guided Tours may not be uninstallable, but you now have the option to at least "Hide" it. In previous versions of Blur, this wasn't available and you were forced to download a third party launcher or create a special app drawer folder in order to complete such a task. On the right, we are seeing Blockbuster, an app that we just can't seem to get rid of. On the RAZR, you can. Same thing with GoToMeeting, Let's Golf and Madden. Also, after cruising around the phone over the last few hours, I don't feel the excessive amounts of bloatware spammed across every screen. There are a few VCAST apps, just not nearly as many as were once loaded onto these devices. It may still come pre-loaded and hidden away in a system folder somewhere if you try to remove it, but at least we are moving in the right direction.

Asus Transformer Receives Another Update to Build 8.6.5.19

Tim — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:20:59 +0000

Owners of the Asus Tranformer are being greeted this morning with another pleasant update notification. Wait, didn't we do this just 6 days ago? Today's update is to bring the Transformer up to build version 8.6.5.19. We have not heard officially what the update includes, but got a tip that it may activate the feature for backing up users apps. If any of our readers figure it out, be sure to let us know down below. Were there some bugs from the last update that they're fixing up now? If you are all able to pull the update, let us know what's going on. Enjoy. Cheers David and Shawn!

Samsung VP Shows Off Galaxy Nexus Features to Fox, Hopes Verizon Lets Us Know a Price and Release Soon

Kellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:41:32 +0000

Samsung's VP of Product Planning Nick DiCarlo, stopped by the set of Fox Business Network yesterday to showcase more of our favorite mystery-dated phone, the Galaxy Nexus. In his brief time on air, DiCarlo dropped a facial unlock on the world followed by Ice Cream Sandwich's new real-time voice recognition typing feature. The hosts were more-than-impressed I'd say, but that's not the juicy stuff from this little interview. When asked when the phone would be available, all he had to say at first was, "Just a little bit later this year." Pretty vague, right? Then just seconds later the question of price was brought up and he responded with, "Well, hopefully Verizon will let us know very soon. It's their phone, they know." Talk about offloading the pressure onto the other guy. We currently have a couple of potential dates and prices, but again, nothing is official until Big Red makes it official. So far though, we are assuming it will drop in at $299 on contract and about $649 off. The most recent date we saw was November 21 with "web only" availability. So we ask too, "When, where and for how much, Verizon?" [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkCl9TxwIuA[/youtube]

(If that video gets pulled, you can watch it here.)

Cheers Larry!

New DROID RAZR Commercial Airs Just Before Launch, We Wish it Showed the Phone More

Kellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:17:52 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj9yisLa4ao[/youtube]

The DROID RAZR campaign is about to get kicked into overdrive with tomorrow's launch looming. In this latest spot dubbed "Payload," we get the expected massive action sequences that have accompanied the last 2 or 3 DROID launches. There is a motorcyle, a car chase scene, futuristic trucks, ninja moves, a flash bang, and of course, sharp objects. It's another impressive production, but one thing we have started to hope for was once again left unfulfilled. We want to see the phone more. We want the DROID arm, talk of what it can do over the competition, and the phone itself blasted all over your face. Now, these campaigns are obviously working as the DROID brand has been uber-successful, but some times I wonder if the adoption rate would skyrocket again like it did with the OG if the phone and its capabilities were shown a bit more. When we posted up the anniversary of the original DROID last weekend, everyone took to the comments to drop in their favorite commercials. People actually remember specific spots as the reason they bought that phone. Now that's how you leave a mark. Then again, this was just a teaser, so there is still a chance that we get overwhelmed by features in the next few. Cheers xblast and Drew!

Amazon Releases Android App Store Version 2.0, Kindle Fire Black Theme Included

Kellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:53:14 +0000

If you have the Amazon Appstore installed, then you were probably prompted late last night or early this morning to update it. This latest build is version 2.0, but more importantly, it matches the theme of the software that will come loaded on next week's Kindle Fire tablet. It's all charcoal, grey and black, along with some much needed UI improvements. This no longer looks like some 3rd party market, and instead feels much more like a part of a polished product that Amazon wants you buy on November 15. So if you haven't already, open up your Appstore and the update should be waiting for you. Cheers Stephen, Anish, Kane and everyone else!

HTC Rezound and DROID RAZR: Quick Hands-on and Unboxing (Updated: With Video)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:27:30 +0000

Two of the most anticipated Android devices in recent history showed up on my doorstep today - the HTC Rezound in all of its Beats glory and the DROID RAZR looking as thin and cutting edge as ever. The RAZR I had a chance to get down and dirty with a couple of weeks ago in NYC, but the Rezound was still new to my hands (not Dan's though). As two of the most impressive (at least on paper) phones to come to Verizon's 4G LTE network, we have been dying to get some real intimate time with them. That time is now. For today, we just have a quick unboxing video for each, a simple gallery, and some initial thoughts. Our full reviews will likely be out some time next week, as we always try as hard as we can to avoid those 24-hour, quick hitting, blog overviews. We like to become one with a device, get to know it deeply, and then provide feedback to hopefully help you make your next 2-year decision.

HTC Rezound

After popping the Rezound out of the box, you know right away that this is an HTC device. It's buttery smooth, feels excellent in hand, and is made with nothing but the finest materials. It has a little bit of weight to it, but almost any phone feels slightly heavy these days when you pair it up against the RAZR. The 4.3" HD Super LCD screen looks incredible. I sat for a few minutes comparing it to the RAZR's Super AMOLED Advanced at full brightness, and prefer it so far. I have not had a chance to dive into Beats or other software at this time, but will do so over the next few days. Overall, I'm loving the build and am anxious to make this my sidekick for bit. Let's see how much pressure we can put on that tiny 1620mAh battery.

DROID RAZR

You sort of know my feelings on this phone if you read my hands-on reports, but I'll say again that I really like what Motorola has done here. This phone is light as a feather, unbelievably thin, and as powerful as any phone on the market. The screen may not match the HD resolution on the Rezound or Galaxy Nexus, but it's at least a step up over their previous offerings, the Bionic and DROID 3. I pulled up the camera briefly in the video you'll see and came out blown away by the speed. Picture quality is still to be determined, but this phone can snap quick pics with the best of them. Also anxious to make this a pocket pal for the next few days to help you guys make that final decision when the Galaxy Nexus arrives.

Video

Part 1 [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rtCXb9Qays[/youtube] Part 2 [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yyXYWUMBjo[/youtube] If there is anything in particular that you want me to test, be sure to drop it in the comments.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Cases Arrive at Verizon Stores

Kellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:34:38 +0000

Verizon, for whatever reason, won't give us an official date for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. We have heard November 10, 17, post-Black Friday, and even November 21 as potential options. It's tough to call any of those "official" though, especially since they change every couple of days. One thing we do know, is that stores have already received their first batch of G-Nex cases ahead of launch. I would highly doubt that we will see the phone tomorrow (10th) with the DROID RAZR coming out on Friday, but if they do announce it as a "web only" exclusive at some point, they could really release it whenever they'd like. Cheers Spaniard!

Wednesday Poll: Do You Use Some Form of Security App on Android?

Kellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:18:45 +0000

Mobile security on Android certainly seems to have become a much bigger niche than I think most of us figured it ever would. In fact, Lookout Security today, announced that they have gone global and are now offering products in the UK, Australia and Canada to compliment their U.S. offerings. If that doesn't scream success, then I don't know what would. There was a time when we all laughed at anti-virus programs, but should we continue to? You have read the few reports here or there of malware creeping in and out of a variety of markets, which can only mean one thing - that the problem isn't going to just go away and could get worse. Dirt bag developers and scam artists have made it pretty obvious that they feel as if Android could be their next gold mine, and that's frustrating. So we are wondering, what security apps are you using? The poll below is just a simple yes/no question on whether or not you are using some sort of security app, but I would love to hear which apps in particular through the comments. And when we say "security," we mean remote lock apps, anti-virus apps, etc. Personally, I haven't found a need to use an anti-virus app, but I usually have something like SeekDroid installed just in case I were to lose it (knocking on wood) and need to remote lock, wipe or locate it. [poll id="113"]

Daily Deal: New 16GB Sony Tablet S For $399

Dan — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:58:34 +0000

Are you in the market for a brand spanking new tablet, perhaps one with some gaming integration? Well look no further than the Sony Tablet S, Ebay's current Daily Deal. The device is sold through MacMall and can be had for $100 off the MSRP. The Tablet S runs the NVIDIA Tegra2 processor, which gives it access to the stunning games found only within the Tegra Zone (can you say Shadowgun?). Additionally, Sony has packed this thing up with access to some of your most beloved Playstation games. How about it, does the Sony Tablet S for $399 sound like a deal, or are you going to save up and spend an extra $100 on the newly announced Asus Transformer Prime? As with all daily deals, it will only be valid for 24 hours. Via: Ebay

HTC Won't Be First To Launch A Quad-Core Smartphone? In The Running With Motorola, Samsung, and LG?

Tim — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:10:23 +0000

The HTC Edge has grabbed much attention this past couple of days due to the fact that it may just be the first quad-core cellphone to hit the streets. Rumors suggested that HTC would be first to use NVIDIA's newly announced Tegra 3 processor to power the 4.7" device, but according to DigiTimes, that may not be the case after all. In their latest report, Motorola, Samsung, and LG have already adopted the Tegra 3 processor for future smartphones. Release for the these devices are still being rumored around the Q1-Q2 2012 region, so who knows which company will strike first. But for the sake of knowing, which one would you choose? A quad-core from either Moto, Samsung, HTC, or LG. Let's hear it down below. Via: DigiTimes

Galaxy Nexus on Verizon Could Have Better Than Expected Battery Life? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:18:15 +0000

According to the screenshot above, along with its owner, the 4G LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is getting much better battery life than I think any of us expected. After more than 5 hours of heavy ("lots of surfing" and brightness at max) of use, you can see that the device still has 45% left on it. For having a 4.65" HD screen with an LTE chip in it, I'd take that any day. Most 4G LTE phones are begging for a charger after 5 hours of even moderate to low use, so this is potentially a good sign for those of us that were already contemplating the purchase of a yet-be-announced extended battery. This device test was also reportedly done on LTE only. Update: Same source that posted this screenshot is saying that over time, his battery has actually gotten slightly worse. On average, he is hitting around 6 hours. Here's to hoping we actually do get a bigger 1850mAh battery in it. On a semi-related note, seeing a screenshot with a 720p resolution makes me smile. Can you believe that we are about to embark on a journey that includes an HD screen in the palm of our hand? And not too far off are quad-core processors behind them. Soooo, does that make your battery concerns less frightening? Cheers guy who many of you probably know that asked to remain nameless for some reason!

With Key in Hand, the Safe is Open - The Winner of the DROID RAZR is...

Kellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:44:52 +0000

I know, I know. Finally, right? If you weren't aware, we ran into a little issue with our safe yesterday and needed the override key to get into it. Long story short, we are in and have a winner! A brand new DROID RAZR will be in the hands of one lucky Droid Life reader very soon. So who was it? Peep the video after the break. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuq5eRU_f2g[/youtube]

Winning post.

MIUI Finally Hits The HTC Thunderbolt, Data Is A Go

Tim — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:27:46 +0000

The wait for MIUI on the HTC Thunderbolt has finally come to an end. The ROM has been there, but data was the missing link. Big thanks to erishasnobattery who cracked the problem that has plagued everyone since work on a MIUI port first began. For those in the, "What the heck is MIUI?" category, MIUI is a custom ROM built on top of Android with a completely different interface. Some users say it resembles iOS, but some others say it is just a minimal look. Whatever the look is, it has been one of the most downloaded and used custom ROMs in Android's history, probably right behind CyanogenMod. If you want to try it out, then go click the via down below and give it a go. Make sure to read directions and make backups. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elXuwNXmQEE[/youtube] Via: RootzWiki Cheers Ryun, Robert, Edward and William!

Amazon Reminder: Kindle Fire Runs Android Apps - Will Have Facebook, Pandora, Netflix and More at Launch

Kellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:45:37 +0000

Amazon sent out a press release just minutes ago to remind everyone that their Kindle Fire is the real deal, is only a week away, and will run all of your favorite Android apps including Facebook, Pandora, Netflix, Angry Birds and more. Thanks to the buit-in Amazon AppStore, any of the apps you purchase or use are also available on any of your other Android devices, just like you experience now (that would include your catalog of free "Apps of the Day" too). No need to re-register from device to device; simply login and get back to mowing down zombies through PvZ. Most of the apps have also been "Amazon-tested" to work with the Kindle Fire, which probably doesn't mean that there will be special Fire versions, but that they have simply been tested to work. Think about it, it took Facebook almost 2 years to produce an iPad-specific app, the Fire isn't getting that lucky. Priced at $199, you can pick one up at a variety of retailers nationwide starting on November 15. Of course, you can pre-order one now and have it shipped to your door that very same day, but we know how some of you enjoy stepping foot in big box stores to pick up the latest buzzworthy product.

Facebook, Pandora, Netflix, Rhapsody, Games from Electronic Arts, Zynga and Rovio, and Several Thousand More Apps and Games Coming To Kindle Fire Next Week

Just like with movies and TV shows, music, books, and magazines, Kindle Fire offers a fully-integrated Android apps and games experience - purchase or register for an app or game once, enjoy it on your Kindle Fire and other Android-based devices - and all apps and games are backed up in the Amazon Cloud for re-download anytime
SEATTLE, Nov 09, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- (NASDAQ: AMZN) - When Kindle Fire customers across the country open their boxes next week, they will be able to choose from several thousand of the most popular Android apps and games, including Netflix, Rhapsody, Pandora, Twitter, Comics by comiXology, Facebook, The Weather Channel and popular games from Zynga, EA, Gameloft, PopCap and Rovio. Kindle Fire customers will be able to download these apps and games without having to register multiple times and using Amazon's simple and secure 1-Click payment technology. Plus, all apps are Amazon-tested on Kindle Fire for the best experience possible, customers can get a great "paid" app for free every day, and once you've downloaded an app from the Amazon Appstore, it's available on Kindle Fire as well as your other Android-based devices. "We started talking to app developers everywhere the day we introduced Kindle Fire, and the response has been overwhelming," Dave Limp, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "In addition to over 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, and magazines from Amazon, we are excited to offer customers thousands of apps and games to choose from on Kindle Fire - from Pandora and Rhapsody to Facebook and Twitter to Netflix, as well as popular games from EA, Zynga and many other top game developers. And this is only the beginning - we're adding more apps and games every day across all categories." With the Netflix app, Kindle Fire customers who are Netflix members can browse and instantly watch unlimited TV shows and movies and resume watching where they left off on their TV or computer. "We're excited to team up with Amazon to give what we think will be a huge community of Kindle Fire owners the opportunity experience all that Netflix has to offer," said Bill Holmes, Vice President of Business Development at Netflix. "We're certain that our members will have a great viewing experience on Kindle Fire." "EA is proud to be part of Kindle Fire," said Bernard Kim, Senior Vice President & Head of Global Sales and Marketing at Electronic Arts. "On Kindle Fire, we're offering some of the world's most popular titles with incredible gameplay and breathtaking graphics that anyone can play and enjoy anytime, anywhere." "Zynga strives to deliver the best mobile social gaming experiences that can be enjoyed by players anytime and anywhere," said David Ko, Chief Mobile Officer at Zynga. "Teaming with Amazon to make Words With Friends a featured game on the Kindle Fire provides us with a great way to reach new and existing players on a fresh and exciting device." "As Gameloft continues to create games for the mass market, Kindle Fire comes as a very exciting new platform for us to offer our games on," said Baudouin Corman, Vice President of Publishing for the Americas at Gameloft. "Not only does it provide us with an innovative channel for us to reach new audiences, but the tablet is set to enable a great gaming experience as well. In effect, we plan on providing Kindle Fire customers with a large catalog of top quality premium and free-to-play games." "We're excited to be bringing our massively popular games to Kindle Fire," said Andrew Stein, Director of Mobile Product Management at PopCap Games. "Kindle Fire is a great gaming device, and consumers will love the touch-screen optimized adaptations of top titles such as Plants vs. Zombies." "Personalized radio has the power to enhance all types of experiences anytime, anywhere and we're thrilled that Pandora is a launch app on the new Kindle Fire," said Jessica Steel, Executive Vice President of Business and Corporate Development at Pandora. "We are really stoked to offer our members the Rhapsody experience on one of the most anticipated new devices this holiday season," said Brian McGarvey, Vice President of Business Development for Rhapsody. "We want to make sure Rhapsody is available on every must-have device, including the Kindle Fire." "Being a featured app on Kindle Fire will allow The Weather Channel to continue to fulfill our mission of providing consumers with the most reliable weather information to help plan their daily lives - no matter where they are and what device they use," said Cameron Clayton, Executive Vice President of Digital Product at The Weather Channel Companies. Additional examples of apps and games that will be available to Kindle Fire customers include Allrecipes, Bloomberg, Cut the Rope, Doodle Fit, Doodle Jump, Fruit Ninja, Jenga, LinkedIn, Zillow, Airport Mania, Battleheart, Pulse, The Cat in the Hat, Quickoffice Pro, Jamie's 20-Minute Meals, IMDb Movies & TV, and Monkey Preschool Lunchbox. Kindle Fire offers more than 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, magazines, apps and games, as well as free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync for books and movies, a 14.6 ounce design that's easy to hold with one hand, a vibrant color touch screen, a powerful dual-core processor and Amazon Silk - Amazon's new revolutionary web browser that accelerates the power of the mobile device by using the computing speed and power of the Amazon Web Services Cloud - all for only $199. Customers also enjoy a free month of Amazon Prime, providing access to Prime Instant Video with 13,000 movies and TV shows available for unlimited streaming and the new Kindle Owners' Lending Library where Kindle owners can now choose from thousands of books to borrow for free including more than 100 current and former New York Times Bestsellers - as frequently as a book a month, with no due dates. Customers in the U.S. can pre-order Kindle Fire at www.amazon.com/kindlefire and it ships November 15. For high resolution images and video of the all-new Kindle Fire, visit www.amazon.com/pr/kindle. About Amazon.com Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes - still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon's new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor. Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr,www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

DROID RAZR Pre-Orders Ship Today: Arriving Tomorrow, A Day Ahead of Launch

Kellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:18:11 +0000

Some times there are actual benefits to pre-ordering a phone, like in the case of the DROID RAZR. The phone was originally scheduled to launch on November 10, but once Verizon realized that the following day was 11/11/11 and a prime marketing schtick, the date was bumped - well, in stores any way. To those that pre-ordered online, you were told that the device would ship on or around the 10th, but according to the email that just hit our inbox, they have already shipped and will arrive tomorrow, a full day ahead of stores. Cheers Jason!

Adobe Stops Development of Flash for Mobile Browsers, And It's Official

Kellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:04:59 +0000

Just what you wanted, bad news to start your Wednesday, right? It's official, my friends. Last night, rumors swirled about, claiming that Adobe was going to ax Flash for mobile browsers and within the last hour, they made that official. Their goal is to continue to push out security fixes for the current build that is available, but will no longer develop Flash to work with new device configurations. Pretty disappointing news. So, it's not going away for good, it just won't be developed further.

Our future work with Flash on mobile devices will be focused on enabling Flash developers to package native apps with Adobe AIR for all the major app stores. We will no longer continue to develop Flash Player in the browser to work with new mobile device configurations (chipset, browser, OS version, etc.) following the upcoming release of Flash Player 11.1 for Android and BlackBerry PlayBook. We will of course continue to provide critical bug fixes and security updates for existing device configurations. We will also allow our source code licensees to continue working on and release their own implementations.

Personally, I like having the full web experience (in an on-demand state of course). I like watching embedded video and not having to launch a separate video player. Overall, I actually like Flash. While I'll admit that Flash has performance issues that are evident on just about any platform, I still don't want to see it go from mobile devices. I'm sort of at a loss for words here - just tell me your thoughts? Will this affect you at all? Were you a big Flash user on your mobile device? Via: Adobe Cheers to everyone who spotted this last night!

NVIDIA Makes Tegra 3 Quad-Core Processor Official, Here is Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About It

Kellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:01:45 +0000

Not only was the Asus Transformer Prime just announced within the last few minutes, but NVIDIA also brought their new quad-core processor out of its codename state. Project Kal-El can now officially be referred to as NVIDIA's Tegra 3 processor. As the world's first quad-core chipset for mobile devices, it can deliver up to 5x the performance over their Tegra 2 dual-core processor that was released earlier this year. It combines a PC-class CPU and 3x faster GPU with stereo 3D support to deliver incredible power and a long battery life with less power consumption. Using the Tegra 3's new patented Variable SMP architecture, this chipset can switch between four main cores and a fifth lower-power "companion" core to extend battery life and make your tablet perform much more efficiently. For those of you that had concerns about single-charge life, this should allow you to have some faith. It's obvious that NVIDIA not only focused on power, but they focused equally on how to make devices last longer. The Tegra 3 will be featured first in the Transformer Prime, but you have to imagine that it will find its way into other tablets before too long. No word yet on when we might see a processor of this magnitude in a phone other than rumors yesterday of the HTC Edge. To learn everything thing else there is to know about the Tegra 3, you will want to jump past the break. We have videos, comparison photos, and a performance break down. Can you feel the power yet?

Videos:

Tegra 3 vs. the competition: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gl-UGVhmAA[/youtube] A detailed look at Tegra 3's 5th "companion" core: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1qKdBX4-jc[/youtube] Developers from some of the Tegra 3 optimized games share their thoughts: [youtube]http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U2r3yKg0Ng[/youtube] Remember the Glowball demo from earlier in the year? It's an official game now: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C30ShWQm5pI[/youtube]

Images:

Full Tegra 3 breakdown:

Tegra 2 vs. Tegra 3 - Gaming (Click images to see details):

Cores: Companion Core vs. Four Main Cores:

Press Release:

NVIDIA Quad-Core Tegra 3 Chip Sets New Standards of

Mobile Computing Performance, Energy Efficiency

Tegra 3’s fifth ‘companion’ core enables ultra-low power consumption, while advanced quad-core processors drive record-breaking performance
SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Nov. 8, 2011— NVIDIA today ushered in the era of quad-core mobile computing with the introduction of the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 processor, bringing PC-class performance levels, better battery life and improved mobile experiences to tablets and phones. The world’s first quad-core tablet with the Tegra 3 processor is the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime. Known previously by the codename “Project Kal-El,” the Tegra 3 processor provides up to 3x the graphics performance of Tegra 2, and up to 61 percent lower power consumption. This translates into an industry-leading 12 hours of battery life for HD video playback. The Tegra 3 processor implements a new, patent-pending technology known as Variable Symmetric Multiprocessing (vSMP). vSMP includes a fifth CPU “companion”, specifically designed for work requiring little power. The four main cores are specifically designed for work requiring high performance, and generally consume less power than dual-core processors. During tasks that require less power consumption – like listening to music, playing back video or updating background data – the Tegra 3 processor completely shuts down its four performance-tuned cores and, instead, uses its companion core. For high-performance tasks – like web browsing, multitasking and gaming – the Tegra 3 processor disables the companion. “NVIDIA’s fifth core is ingenious,” said Nathan Brookwood, Research Fellow at Insight 64. “Tegra 3’s vSMP technology extends the battery life of next-generation mobile devices by using less power when they’re handling undemanding tasks and then ratcheting up performance when it’s really needed.” The Tegra 3 quad-core CPUs are complemented with a new 12-core NVIDIA GeForce® GPU, which delivers more realism with dynamic lighting, physical effects and high resolution environments, plus support for 3D stereo, giving developers the means to bring the next generation of mobile games to life. For the millions who play games on mobile devices, the Tegra 3 processor provides an experience comparable to that of a game console. It offers full game-controller support, enabling consumers to play games on their tablet or super phone, or connect to big screen HDTVs for a truly immersive experience. It also leverages NVIDIA’s award-winning 3D Vision technology and automatically converts OpenGL applications to stereo 3D, so consumers can experience 3D on a big screen 3D TV (via HDMI™ 1.4 technology). The Tegra 3 processor provides the industry’s….

Fastest web experience - with accelerated Adobe Flash Player 11, HTML5 and WebGL browsing, and an optimized Javascript engine

Fastest applications - with blazing performance for multimedia apps, such as photo and video editing

Fastest multitasking – for switching between common uses, such as playing music and games, and background tasks

Fastest, highest-quality gaming – including new Tegra 3 processor-optimized NVIDIA Tegra Zone™ app games such as Shadowgun, Riptide GP, Sprinkle, Big Top THD, Bladeslinger, DaVinci THD and Chidori.

Highlights / Key Facts:  The Tegra 3 processor redefines power consumption and mobile-computing performance with:

The world's first quad-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU

New patent-pending vSMP technology, including a fifth CPU core that runs at a lower frequency and operates at exceptionally low power

12-core GeForce GPU, with 3x the graphics performance of the Tegra 2 processor, including support for stereoscopic 3D

New video engines with support for 1080p high profile video at 40 Mbps

Up to 3x higher memory bandwidth

Up to 2x faster Image Signal Processor

 40 games are expected to be available by the end of 2011, and over 15 Tegra 3 games are under development for Tegra Zone, NVIDIA’s free Android Market app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor.  The Tegra 3 processor is in production. Developers can order the Tegra 3 Developer Kit to create applications for devices with Tegra such as tablets and super phones, at developer.nvidia.com/tegra. Quotes: NVIDIA, ASUS  “The Eee Pad Transformer Prime is a category-defining product. Powered by Tegra 3, it launches us into a new era of mobile computing, in which quad-core performance and super energy-efficiency provide capabilities never available before. With Transformer Prime, ASUS has once again led the industry into the next generation.” - Jen-Hsun Huang, President and Chief Executive Officer, NVIDIA  “Tegra 3 is a marvel. Its quad-core CPU, 12-core GeForce GPU and vSMP technology are revolutionary. We worked closely with NVIDIA to build the ultimate tablet – the Eee Pad Transformer Prime – that delivers a magical, uncompromised experience to consumers.” - Jerry Shen, CEO at ASUS Key Game Developers  “Thanks to Tegra 3’s quad-core CPUs, Shadowgun looks and plays the best on Tegra. Consumers are going to love the quad-core Shadowgun version – which features rag doll physics, console quality water simulation, particle effects, enhanced shaders, dynamic textures, and more.” – Marek Rabas, CEO of Madfinger Games  “Riptide GP showed how Tegra brought mobile gaming on Android to new heights. Tegra 3's quad-core performance has allowed us to add a whole set of exclusive new features -- improved water visuals, splash effects, motion blur -- that pushes the experience to an entirely new level.” - Matt Small, Creative Director at Vector Unit  “Working with NVIDIA makes the impossible possible. Our Tegra 3 optimized game DaVinci THD will look brilliant when it comes out, with mind-blowing 3D graphics and intuitive touchscreen interface. DaVinci THD will leverage Tegra 3 for its multi-threading capabilities, so we can scale across all four CPU cores and deliver the ultimate console-quality performance. As a result, DaVinci THD will be more realistic, interactive and challenging than anything we’ve done before.” - Kijong Kang, VP and Executive Producer at Bridea Corporation  "Combining BitSquid's tech engine with Tegra 3's quad core architecture means a gaming experience like no other. Gamers are going to really see the next-generation gaming experience in Hamilton's Great Adventure THD." - Martin Wahlund, CEO at Fatshark  “With Tegra 3, NVIDIA has shattered the usual constraints on the quality of mobile device experiences. By enabling tablets and smartphones to operate at an exceptional level, it allows developers like Zen Studios to create console-quality experiences that can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. The quad-core fueled graphics and physics in Zen Pinball THD are simply incredible and represent the premier mobile pinball experience. You can only get that on devices built on Tegra 3.” - Mel Kirk, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at Zen Studios  “Quad-core chips are raising the stakes for mobile gaming. With Tegra 3, we can render even more content with better animations on Bladeslinger THD – all while consuming less power. This is a recipe for all-day game play.” - Sam Williams, General Manager at Luma Arcade  “Tegra 3 is making much more complex gaming environments possible on mobile platforms. Gamers are going to be amazed by the level of graphical detail and realistic physics that come through in quad-core enhanced games like Soulcraft THD.” - Karsten Wysk, CEO of Mobile Bits  “As we’ve seen on Big Top THD, gaming performance on Tegra 3’s quad-core architecture is unmatched. From the high quality shadows to improved tent animation and high-dive splash effects, Tegra 3’s 12-core GPU delivers the best gaming experience and uses the lowest power you’ll see on a mobile device.” - Robert Troughton, CEO at Pitbull Studio Ltd.  “Tegra 3’s quad-cores bring out the best in our Substance smart texturing engine. The CPU and GPU parallel processing allows mobile game developers to add never-seen animated visual effects and textures to their games, translating into an absolutely stunning visual experience on mobile.” - Sébastien Deguy, CEO and Founder at Allegorithmic  “Tegra 3’s quad-core processor and 12-core GPU allows developers to port PC and console game titles using BitSquid Tech for the same great experience on any device. From a hard-core gamer’s customized PC to a phone or tablet with Tegra, you’ll get identical game play and buttery smooth graphics, anywhere any time.” - Tobias Persson, Co-Founder and Rendering Architect at BitSquid Tech  "We're excited to bring the definitive version of Siegecraft to Tegra 3. Its amazing graphics performance and quad-core scaling let us amp up the game to the max - more physics, more units, more Siegecraft!" - Benjamin Lee, Managing Director at Blowfish Studios  "Thanks to Tegra 3's fantastic GPU performance we were able to use the same quality textures in Zombie Driver THD as on the PC. The outstanding quad-core CPU performance makes it possible to support Tegra game development in parallel to other high-end platforms." - Pawel Lekki, Chief Operating Officer at Exor Studios  “Quad-core technology has changed how we approach mobile game development. Tegra 3 helped us create Jett Tailfin Racers THD - an eight-player game with the highest resolution textures, underwater caustics and anisotropic shading we’ve ever seen on a mobile device.” - Manny Granillo, President at Hoplite Research  “Mobile gaming is about to take a huge leap forward with Tegra 3. Its GPU gives us access to higher-resolution textures and far better effects. And its four CPUs make Euphoria’s gameplay smoother, more interactive and quality that’s close to a console.” - Keiichi Yano, Co-Founder and VP of Development at iNiS  “It’s incredible what Tegra 3’s quad-core architecture bring to mobile gaming. As good as Combat Arms looks on a tablet, it looks 1000 times better when you connect it to your HDTV, strap on game controllers and sit back to enjoy a real 3D console-gaming experience with Combat Arms: Zombies THD.” - Albert Rim, CEO at Nexon Mobile Corporation  "With the Tegra 3 processor, NVIDIA is once again painting new horizons for technology on wireless platforms. We’re excited to see how the thousands of developers using Unity to create interactive 3D content will take advantage of the extra power that NVIDIA’s quad-core technology provides.” - Tony Garcia, Vice President of Business Development at Unity Technologies  “Tegra 3 is equivalent to a console game machine, and we believe devices with it will play an important part in next-generation games. We’ve been working on optimizing our cross-platform engine Chidori to fully support Tegra 3. To support Tegra’s 3 multi-core engine, we’ve optimized our 3D effect tool. And we’ve adapted our high-quality shader library, Aoi, to Tegra 3, allowing truly beautiful imagery.” - Katsunori Yamaji, CEO and Executive Producer at Premium Agency Inc.  “By harnessing the strength of Tegra 3’s 12-core GPU in our multiplatform middleware, game developers can easily port titles to Tegra 3 and achieve true console-quality graphics. Tegra 3's quad-core architecture and Orochi's multicore-enhanced, game-engine technology is going to spur the evolution of games on quad-core mobile devices.” - Takehiko Terada, President and CEO at Silicon Studio Corporation  “We’re totally pumped by the potential of Tegra 3’s quad-core CPU and 12-core GPU. They’ll bring console-quality experiences to mobile devices, and we’re working to bring an amazing title to the Tegra platform. Stay tuned for our announcement of a great Tegra 3-optimized title in the coming months.” - Richie Casper, Creative Director at Acquire Corp.  “NVIDIA’s GPU architecture delivers the best gaming experience, bringing true console-quality games to mobile devices. Our Lost Planet 2 test demo makes it clear - the quad-core muscle of Tegra 3 brings hyper-realistic visuals, smooth frame rates and sharp images. The result is a whole new level of realism to content for smartphones and tablets.” - Jun Takeuchi, Deputy Head of Consumer Games at Capcom  "Tegra 3 is a huge leap forward in mobile computing. Using its quad-core capabilities, we were able to improve all of Sprinkle’s visual effects, plus add a whole new layer of smoke simulation." - Dennis Gustafsson, Co-Founder of Mediocre  "We’re floored by everything we’ve seen in Tegra 3. Its four cores, coupled with amazing graphics performance, will let us bring awesome gaming experiences to the Tegra platform next year.” - Carlo Perconti, CEO at HyperDevBox Key Content Partners  "Flash-based apps packaged with AIR allow content creators to deliver premium gaming and video experiences, while HTML5 apps built with PhoneGap enable fantastic, general-purpose mobile apps. We continue our close partnership with NVIDIA to ensure that these visually rich, highly-interactive apps can significantly benefit from Tegra 3's enhanced CPU and GPU horsepower." - Jennifer Carr, Senior Director, Business Development at Adobe  “We’ve been developing multimedia applications on Tegra 3 for some time now. The quad-core processing muscle will allow some new apps and use-cases that consumers are going to love.” - George Tang, General Manager and VP of the Video and Entertainment Group at ArcSoft  “Tegra 3’s quad-core performance makes a huge difference for photo and augmented reality apps. Our Photaf Panorama Pro THD app runs more than 40% faster, and Face Costume gets over 60 percent speedup over comparable dual-core processors. Quad core opens up new possibilities for future application development, especially in the field of computer vision.” - Oren Bengigi, CEO at Bengigi Studio  “Tegra 3 gives us the quad-core horsepower to really push the envelope on cool video editing effects, smooth video playback, augmented reality camera and other challenging applications. With Tegra 3, we’re delivering real-time compositing and preview of simultaneous 1080p HD streams and graphics on a mobile device – that’s amazing.” - Alice H. Chang, CEO at Cyberlink  “Seamless, compelling Augmented Reality (AR) experiences demand that all of the pieces of a mobile device work together. Metaio’s AR software requires optimized mobile hardware to make the way we access digital information a more natural experience. Tegra 3 delivers the multi-core CPU performance required for advanced vision processing while bringing a tremendous boost in GPU performance. Working with Tegra’s software stack will make it possible for us to utilize all of those capabilities towards building an Augmented World.” - Dr. Thomas Alt, CEO at metaio  “Tegra 3’s combination of HD video playback performance and extended battery life will give Netflix members a fantastic experience as they watch movies and TV episodes streaming from Netflix via their Android devices.” - Bill Holmes, Vice President of Business Development at Netflix  “Tegra 3 gives us the horsepower we need to bring a PC-quality photo editing experience to mobile devices through applications like Snapseed, by Nik Software.” - Michael Slater, President and CEO at Nik Software  “By collaborating with NVIDIA, we are able to bring advanced multi-touch and pen capabilities to the tablet market, providing the Android user with a smoother and richer user experience, and enhancing the tablet from a basic consumption device to one that offers more personal and creative capabilities. The processing strength provided by Tegra 3’s additional cores will enable application developers to dedicate CPU cycles to UI processing and provide an enriched pen solution for artistic, enterprise and educational applications.” - Amichai Ben David, CEO of N-Trig  “The tablet and mobile device market are exploding and productivity applications are central to this growth. As the most widely distributed mobile office software, we are excited to partner with NVIDIA to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities inherent in the Tegra 3 quad-core chip to bring continued innovation in the marketplace." - David Halpin, VP of Engineering at Quickoffice  “Splashtop plus Tegra 3 offers users an unparalleled cross-device experience. Splashtop enables sharing content among smart phones, tablets, and TVs, and combined with Tegra 3’s quad-core processing muscle, it can support 30 frames-per-second video with extremely low latency – perfect for games and multimedia!" - Mark Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Splashtop  "WebGL is being rapidly adopted on HTML5-capable desktop, laptop and netbook systems, and now NVIDIA is helping to bring WebGL to Android. Tegra 3 delivers an incredible level of performance -- the four cores provide the multi-threading horsepower needed to drive a complete browser stack including highly interactive 3D." - Ken Russell, Chair, WebGL Working Group  “Tegra already provides the fastest platform for silky smooth magazine reading on Android. The quad-core capabilities of Tegra 3 will help us further accelerate and enhance the complete browsing, downloading and reading experience.” - Vandan Parikh, Director, Reading and Mobile Technologies at Zinio About NVIDIA NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Today, its processors power a broad range of products from smart phones to supercomputers. NVIDIA’s mobile processors are used in cell phones, tablets and auto infotainment systems. PC gamers rely on GPUs to enjoy spectacularly immersive worlds. Professionals use them to create visual effects in movies and design everything from golf clubs to jumbo jets. And researchers utilize GPUs to advance the frontiers of science with high-performance computing. The company holds more than 2,100 patents worldwide, including ones covering ideas essential to modern computing. For more information, see www.nvidia.com.

Asus Announces the Transformer Prime - The World's First Tegra 3 Quad-core Tablet, Priced at $499

Kellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:00:38 +0000

It's official. The Asus Transformer Prime has been announced as the world's first Tegra 3 quad-core tablet running Android. As the follow-up to the ultra-popular Asus Transformer, this device will take us into the future of what will most certainly become the standard. Who would have thought that just months after NVIDIA introduced dual-core mobile processors that we would already be using PC-like quad-core beasts? I sure couldn't have imagined it, but here we are. So other than the quad-core processor, what else will you find in this "premium" tablet? A 10.1" Super IPS+ display with 178 degree viewing angles (protected by Gorilla Glass), 1GB DDR2 RAM, an 8MP rear camera (1080p video and F2.4 aperture, back illuminated CMOS sensor), 1.3MP front camera for video chatting, 32GB or 64GB of storage, HDMI and micro USB ports, and a battery that will last you up to 12 hours. The tablet itself is only 8.3mm thick, weighs just 1.29lbs, and will see prices of $499 (32GB) and $599 (64GB). There will be two color options available: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold. There will be a docking station similar to what we all enjoyed with the original Transformer priced at $149; this newest version will be much, much slimmer though. It will also take the battery life on the Prime from 12 hours up to 18 hours when docked. As far as software goes, the Prime will ship with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) and will be upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) shortly thereafter. We should know more on this situation in early December. In fact, Asus plans to show the device running ICS at their December launch event. No release date has been announced at this time, but as we just said, they have a launch event planned for early December. Gallery, full specs, and additional details after the break. Gallery: [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"] Full specs:

Other Details (Super IPS+ info, fingerprint resistant coating, camera, premium sound, etc.):

Press Release:

ASUS Announces the Eee Pad Transformer Prime

Featuring the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 Quad-Core Processor the Transformer Prime is designed to greatly enhance the mobile computing experience
Fremont, CA (November 8, 2011) — ASUS officially announces the world's first tablet with the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor – the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime. The Eee Pad Transformer Prime is ultra-thin at 8.3mm (0.33”) and lightweight at 586g (1.29lbs) while featuring a stylish metallic swirl design with class leading enhancements including ASUS SonicMaster audio technology, an HD 8MP rear auto-focus camera with LED flash and battery life rated for up to 18 hours* when combined with the optional mobile dock. Pricing will range from $499** (32GB) to $599** (64GB), with the optional mobile dock accessory priced at $149**. Incredibly Slim yet Incredibly Powerful Featuring an ultra-slim form factor, the Transformer Prime is only 8.3mm (0.33”) thin and weighs in at a mere 586g (1.29lbs without dock). This makes watching movies, surfing the web, playing games, taking photos, finishing up homework or video chatting with friends or family so easy and natural that you’ll wonder if the Transformer Prime was designed specifically with you in mind. Its innovative metallic swirl design is made of aluminum for a secure yet extremely comfortable grip that comes in two gorgeous colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold. The Transformer Prime is the world’s first tablet to feature NVIDIA’s next-generation quad-core Tegra® 3 processor. With the quad-core CPU, 12-core GeForce® GPU and vSMP technology, the Transformer Prime delivers an optimum user experience featuring smooth multitasking capabilities, lightning fast app loading, a rich and fluid web experience, full 1080P HD video for realistic media playback or recording and of course, incredible gaming performance that allows you to experience games in an entirely new way. Fantastic Battery Life While the Transformer Prime is extremely slim and light, ASUS did not forget about battery life. Thanks to the advanced power management features of the Tegra® 3 processor and ASUS optimizations the Transformer Prime has a battery life of up to 12 hours*, but when combined with the mobile dock, it lasts up to an incredible 18 hours*, the longest battery life of any current tablet. That’s enough battery life for a trans-ocean flight, all-night game session, viewing several movies on a long road trip or even video recording, editing, and then playing back your child’s school play all in 1080P HD clarity. Unrivaled Visuals The Eee Pad Transformer Prime boasts a wide 178° viewing angle IPS display, protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass, which features new ASUS technology to enhance the brightness of the screen for a better outdoor reading experience while still offering a remarkably vivid and brilliant viewing experience of photos, books, videos, movies and web pages indoors. Thanks to Multi-Touch technology, you can use your fingers to do everything from swiping through photos, surfing the web, playing the latest games, typing emails, instant messaging, reading books or magazines, and starting your favorite movie. A 1.2MP front camera allows for instant photos or high-quality video conferencing with friends, family or coworkers while an 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and LED flash takes brilliant photos or video thanks to a large F2.4 aperture, back illuminated CMOS sensor, touch-to-focus depth of field and low-light noise reduction to provide the clearest and sharpest photos or even 1080P HD videos. Advanced Audio The Transformer Prime offers impressive audio capabilities in a tablet, powered by ASUS exclusive SonicMaster technology, renowned for crisp and acoustically accurate audio. It produces crystal clear sound with a wide sound stage, increased audio fidelity, and distinct vocal enhancements for an immersive audio experience with your favorite music track, video, or movie. Unlimited Productivity The Transformer Prime is offered with either 32GB or 64B flash storage options for quick, efficient and reliable access to your applications. Both models feature a micro SD card slot, 3.5mm combo audio jack and micro HDMI port so sharing both what’s inside and on-screen is quick and easy. However, the function that gives the Transformer Prime its namesake is the mobile dock, which gives new meaning to the term versatility. This innovative and convenient design seamlessly provides the user with a keyboard and touchpad, along with limitless expandability options via the USB port and SD card slot. ASUS will include several innovative applications like SuperNote that is fantastic for its ability to take, draw or record notes and Polaris® Office which is great for staying productive with the ability to read, edit or create Word, Excel and PowerPoint (MS Office 97-2007) compatible files. Thousands of top rated applications and games are also available at Android Market that fully takes advantage of the Transformer Prime’s amazing features and power. ### *Battery life will vary based on usage patterns and options. **Pricing will vary by country and SKU. North American MSRP pricing listed. ### About ASUS ASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s best-selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era. ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today's digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktops, Eee Box and all-in-one PCs, notebooks, netbooks, tablet devices, servers, multimedia and wireless solutions, networking devices, and mobile phones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,398 awards in 2010, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than 10,000 and a world-class R&D team of 3,000 engineers, the company's revenue for 2010 was around US$10.1 billion.

Tuesday Poll: First thing you plan to do with your Galaxy Nexus?

Kellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:39:00 +0000

Keep it clean, peeps. But yes, we want to know what the first thing is that you plan to do with your Samsung Galaxy Nexus (whenever it finally arrives, that is). Since this will be the first Nexus device for many of you as long time Verizon customers, and the first stock experience since the OG, we are curious to hear what you are most looking forward to. Are you going to pop open the camera and see if it really can take a series of zero-lag pictures in a row? Are you going to Beam something to your friend who bought the device as well? Maybe just sit back and admire the beauty that is ICS? Watch a video on the gorgeous 720p HD screen? Or are you simply going to turn on USB debugging and OEM unlock that bad boy through fastboot - something you haven't been able to do ever, on a Verizon smartphone? Let us know in the comments.

HTC Rezound Matches DROID RAZR at $649 Off-Contract Price

Kellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:40:57 +0000

According to the document above, the HTC Rezound (our hands-on) will launch at the same $649 full retail price as the DROID RAZR. After seeing a dip in full retail prices earlier in the year, we are now climbing back up and over what was once the standard of $599 for smartphones thanks to top of the line specs and nationwide 4G LTE connectivity. Whether you care or not, one thing is obvious here - Verizon is going all in on their big three November Android devices (Nexus, Rezound, and RAZR). With each having benefits or features that another may lack, it's going to be a fun choice for anyone looking to get into the smartphone game. Now that we know the price for two of the three, the question remains, "What about the Galaxy Nexus?" With both 16GB and 32GB models expected to be available, don't be surprised if the 32GB model matches it's two big competitors. It will also likely match them on the $299 2-year contract price as well. And if you wanted another look at specs and features for the Rezound, we have them for you below.

Cheers ___!

Photobooth Arrives For Android, Makes Sharing Multiple Snapshots Easy

Tim — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:12:22 +0000

Just got back from a sweet concert? An awesome wedding on the bay? Well then you are bound to have pictures aplenty that you are going to want to share with the world. Introducing Photobooth, an app that will take your snapshots and combine them into a single file for easy uploading and sharing, similar to a real life photobooth. A great idea for all you chronic TwitPic users. For a limited time the the app is free in the Android Market. Go ahead and snag this before the price tag bumps up. Who knows, this might change the photo sharing game. And we should probably mention that this app was created by our friends over at Android and Me. Nice work, fellas. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a7LzqRY_f4[/youtube]

Google's Eric Schmidt: "Android Effort Started Before iPhone Effort"

Eric — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:06:53 +0000

A lot of things came out in Steve Jobs' biography that was published after his passing last month. One of the things that was more prominent than others was that he really, really wanted Android to do poorly:

"I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I'm going to destroy Android, because it's a stolen product. I'm willing to go thermonuclear war on this."

Eric Schmidt, Google executive chairman, has claimed that even with this competition he and Jobs held a friendly relationship. And he recently pointed out that the Android project was started before the iPhone. Android Inc. was founded in 2003 and then acquired by Google in 2005 where work started under Andy Rubin. Granted, the first Android phone did not come out until after the original iPhone, so each side of this argument can say what they will. At this point it is just mincing words, but Schmidt - who has remained tight-lipped on most topics concerning Jobs since his death - felt enough that he needed to comment on the subject.

Should give Android addicts some added firepower when they meet up with their friendly Apple connections. Or does it even matter anymore? Are we beyond the Apple vs. Android stuff these days?

Via: CNet

IM+ Adds Tablet Support, Other New Features - Amazon Version That We All Use Receives No Love

Kellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:07:50 +0000

There are probably more than a handful of you that own and utilize IM+ as a chatting service on Android. The "pro" version of the app - which is normally $9.99 - was free for a day on Amazon, causing us to write about it and eventually adopt it as a go-to-app for Google Talk, since well, pre-Honeycomb Android can't seem to handle multiple accounts. So today's update that introduces full-tablet support along with a more polished UI is awesome, except for the fact that the Amazon version hasn't been updated yet. Here is a list of the changes:

Version 5.0 changes:
Fully optimized for Android OS tablet computers
Support of native Android OS "Share" feature
IM+ widget allows to change status right from your Android home screen
Typing notifications
Upload your avatar right from IM+
Group chats for AOL/AIM/iChat and ICQ
Option to select a different notification for active chat
All chats are saved under Chats tab when IM+ is restarted/reconnected
Battery usage optimization

Solid, right? And here is where we run into issues with having multiple Android markets. Many of you only have and use this app because it was free from Amazon, but who knows when you will see the update for it. Meh. Cheers everyone!

Contest: Unlock the Safe Using These Clues, Win a DROID RAZR from Verizon Wireless (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:47:33 +0000

The DROID RAZR will be out this Friday, but as many of you know, there is a contest of some sort brewing by the folks behind @DroidLanding. That contest is now official and we are a part of it. As you can see from the pictures above, a safe has been delivered to us by the Operative, the secret agent behind the set of audio clues that were released over the weekend. Included in the safe is anyone's guess (who am I kidding, it's a RAZR), but we do have a couple of clues for you below to help get you into it. The contest is as follows: 1. Using the clues below, figure out the combination to the safe. 2. In the comments, drop the code that you believe to be the correct code. 3. If you are right, and the first to post it, you win what's inside the box. (Yep, a brand spankin' new RAZR.) 4. Verizon will inform us who commented first with the correct code and I will unlock it. 5. Once we get all of the goodies out, we will ship your new phone off to you!

Here is the audio message: [audio:http://www.droid-life.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/PLAY_ME_FIRST.mp3|titles=droid razr contest] And your clue:

Get to crackin'! Update: A winner has been picked, but we have unfortunately run into an issue with the safe batteries potentially being dead. We are trying to remedy the situation now. Stay with us, and apologies for the delay on announcing this! Update 2: Sorry folks, but we will have to announce the winner tomorrow. With dead batteries in the safe, we need the key to open it. We should have it some time early tomorrow morning. Thanks for your patience. Update 3: We have the key! Winner picked. Video uploading. Post coming in just a few.

Google Halts Transformer Prime Release To Update OS To Ice Cream Sandwich?

Tim — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:14:12 +0000

According to the DigiTimes, Google is working hand in hand with ASUS to make sure the world's first quad-core tablet, rightly named the Transformer Prime, launches with the brand new Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. It is being reported that Google in the past has "cold-shouldered" PC makers and that some were looking to turn towards Windows 8, but Google is now on board with ASUS and making sure consumers will be happy with their new tablets. There is one small issue though. If Google and Asus decide to launch the tablet with Ice Cream Sandwich, there is a chance that this could lead to a delay. According to this rumor, that could mean a December launch, which is disappointing, since this is such a killer tablet. But with the addition of Ice Cream Sandwich, that makes it all the more desirable. Would you rather get the first quad-core tablet early with Honeycomb or have it slightly delayed to get ICS? Via: Android And Me, DigiTimes

Video: Motorola MOTOACTV Fitness Tracker Overview

Kellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:20:30 +0000

Motorola started its announcement in NYC for the DROID RAZR by pushing one of their other products, the MOTOACTV. This is their take on a fitness tracker, similar to what many of you have seen with Nike+ products and also the iPod Nano. Like so many of Moto's ideas this year, the MOTOACTV is a chance for them to break into another market that seems to be dominated by a few other key (and major) players. Priced at $249 (8GB) and $299 (16GB), with a GPS, loads of workout types, a music player, and a Bluetooth notification system that pairs with any phone (possibly just Blur phones), is this worth the purchase? As someone that attempts to keep himself in decent shape, I was intrigued by the idea and picked one up over the weekend to give it a spin. Since it runs Android and all, why not? So here is a quick hands-on with it to give you guys a feel for Moto-gone-fitness-guru. After I have used it through a couple of weeks of workouts, I'll report back to see if the price is justified or if the MOTOACTV appears headed for the same doom as the original XOOM. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIgYitdeAA8[/youtube]

Verizon's "Twice the Data" Promo is Live, Time To Double Up That Tiered Plan

Kellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:52:45 +0000

If you signed up for a Verizon smartphone phone plan in the middle of July, then you likely missed out on the opportunity to lock into unlimited data and were stuck with one of their newly introduced tiers of 2GB, 5GB and 10GB. To help ease your hurt, Big Red has offered up a limited time only promo that will allow you to double your data plan to 4GB, 10GB and 20GB without paying anything extra. New customers can choose the package they want during purchase - current customers on tiers may have to call into customer service directly to make the change if they aren't seeing the promo listed through My Verizon. And if they tell you that you can't adjust your plan, they are wrong. We have seen the training documents and they clearly state that "all customer types" are eligible for this promo. More info.

PayPal Receives UI Upgrade, Widget For Making NFC Payments

Tim — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:46:20 +0000

A new version of the PayPal app on Android is available for everyone to download in the market this very minute. You will find a completely revamped UI that makes navigation much easier, improved support for tablets, a Send Money redesign, and more. Upgrades haven't been just cosmetic though, as a brand new NFC payment widget is also available for the phones with the required NFC chip. Just plug in the amount you want, and tap phones with a friend to receive your payment. Simplicity at its finest. Well, at least simple bill paying by your broke a** couch surfing buddy, that is. As an avid user of the PayPal app, I can tell you first hand that this update is a serious jump from the version before it. I cannot wait until the entire DL team has a Galaxy Nexus, so that I can rob Kellex of all that he owns at the pool table. Market Link Cheers 0mie!

Download: DROID RAZR System App Dump

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:30:26 +0000

If the boot animation and wallpapers weren't enough to satisfy your DROID RAZR hunger, then check out the download link below for the full system app dump. We will be digging deeply into it to see if any of the new apps from it work on devices like the Bionic, but won't be holding our breath. The RAZR runs an even newer version of Blur, so there is no telling what will work and what won't. The new Netflix from this device is supposed to be the first to run HD movies though - ~~will report back in a minute to let you know if it works~~ Netflix is nothing to write home about. Download: DROID_RAZR_System_Dump.zip Via: The Android Source Cheers Gustafson!

Is the HTC Edge the World's First NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-Core Phone? Are We Ready for it? [from AL]

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:26:36 +0000

Is the world really ready for a quad-core phone? Whether we are ready or not,the HTC Edge might be the first. The photo above has leaked along with a bunch of rumored specs that include it being powered by NVIDIA's latest creation, the Tegra 3. It could also sport a 4.7" screen, Beats audio technology, 1GB of RAM, 8MP camera, and HTC's new Sense 4.0. No word yet on if it will be released with Ice Cream Sandwich, but you have to imagine that with those specs, that Android 4.0 will become a reality before too long. Rumored launch of late Q1 or early Q2 has been tossed out. So what do you guys think? Are we ready for quad-core processors in phones? Before you toss out the, "No, because it will only last for about 2 hours with that kind of power" comment, understand that NVIDIA is claiming that their Tegra 3 can improve battery life greatly over their own dual-core chipset thanks to a secret 5th core in their processor. I think the real question is, "Do we really need a quad-core processor in phones?" I'm sure that we asked similar questions back when Intel was pumping out a new chip every 2-3 months for computers, but is it even necessary in a phone? As phone operating systems, apps, games, etc. become more robust on small screens, we are inevitably going to need more power. Do we need it today or in a month from now? That remains to be seen. What I will say, is there is no better time than now for companies like NVIDIA to start putting out the first batches, optimizing the hell out of them, and then getting us ready for the day when Android or iOS become so processor intensive, that we won't be able to live without anything less than a 1.5GHz dual-core something or other. Cross-posted from Android Life. (Via: PocketNow)

Google+ Pages Coming Soon to Businesses and Brands, A Few Already Live (Updated: Available Now)

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:15:59 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ccf5GxM7vg[/youtube]

Your business or brand is one stepper closer to having its own page on Google+. Users will soon be able to "hang out live with the local bike shop, or discuss our wardrobe with a favorite clothing line" once the mass rollout of "Pages" happens. The G+ team introduced them today, but only for a handful of companies as a test group of sorts. ~~Full availability to everyone is on the way, but we haven't been given a specific time frame~~. Update: Pages are open for business now. Sign-up here. Droid Life page here. I'm most definitely interested in seeing how companies plan to use services like Hangouts to interact with customers. This could be highly beneficial for local business, but also for bigger companies looking shed the corporate shield and get more personal with their supporters. On a related note, with the creation of Google+ Pages, you will start to see them show up in Google Search results when searching for a particular company.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY8L_SzNr70[/youtube]

There is a chance that we will make a DL-specific page at some point, but for now, you can get the latest right here. Via: Google Blog

Newer DROID Charge Gingerbread Build EP4P Leaked

Tim — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:48:40 +0000

Another unofficial Gingerbread build has leaked for the Samsung DROID Charge and after 4 days of testing, @P3Droid says there seems to be no issues with it. Win. For all you brave souls who own a DROID Charge and want to taste some Gingerbread, follow the link down below and give it a go. There is a chance that this is the final build, but we won't know for sure until Verizon makes it official. Don't forget to make backups and read all the directions. Via: MyDroidWorld

Monday Poll: Now That All Three Have Been Announced - Galaxy Nexus, Rezound, or RAZR?

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:04:13 +0000

A number of readers have been asking, so we decided to do it one last time. With all three of Verizon's mega-phones receiving official announcements, it's time to do the poll prior to them all hitting store shelves (hopefully they all do). You were all asked back in early October if the Galaxy Nexus was going to be your phone no matter what. Almost 60% of you were willing to say "yes" at that time, prior to it even being announced. Now that the RAZR and Rezound are also on the way - and possibly a couple of weeks before the G-Nex - has your mind changed at all? Tell us which phone will be your next. [poll id="112"]

Verizon's "Double Data" Promo Signs Arrive in Stores For Tomorrow's Launch

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:43:39 +0000

The "double data" promotion that has taken the Verizon non-unlimited world by storm this morning is most definitely the real deal. Big Red will launch the new offer tomorrow to give users without unlimited plans, the chance to double up on their current data tier. For new 4G LTE customers specifically, you will be able to double on the 2GB and 5GB plans to 4GB and 10GB respectively, without having to pay more (as is seen in the sign above). If you are a current customer that has the 2GB plan for $30, all signs also point to you being able to double your plan without paying extra. Customers can either call customer service or login to their VZW accounts to make the change themselves. The change will not happen automatically. No word yet on how long this promo will last, so if you are a current customer without unlimited data, you may want to get doubled-up in the next couple of days to make sure. For those of us that are still on an unlimited plan, gives yourselves a fist bump for being awesome.

NGGG Tablet Giveaway #2 - Win an Asus Transformer from NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:30:06 +0000

Week 2 of the November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway starts now! Thanks to NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone, we are handing out a total of 4 tablets to the fine folks here at Droid Life over the next few weeks. We gave one away last Friday, but there are still 3 more up for grabs, including two at the end of the month that have been bundled with Jawbone Jambox speakers and $25 gift cards. It's going to be a wild finish to the end, so be sure to check back often for details on the latest event. For this week though, let's see what we have in store. Up for grabs in week 2 is a brand spankin' new Asus Transformer, arguably the most popular Android tablet on the face of the Earth. Running a Tegra 2 dual-core processor, with 1GB of RAM and a beautiful 10.1" display, there isn't another tablet out there that gets updated as frequently. If there was one tablet we almost always recommend that people check out, this would be it. So who wants one? How to enter: (do 1 or all of the following) 1. "Like" both the Droid Life and NVIDIA Facebook pages. 2. Tweet the following message:

Another FREE tablet is up for grabs, brought to you by @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra - http://goo.gl/Biji5 #android

3. In the comments, tell us what you would primarily use a tablet for. Gaming? Video watching? Traveling entertainment? Work? Or something else. Entry period: You will have from the time of this posting, through Friday (11/11) at noon (1PM Pacific) to enter. U.S. entries only. Winners: One winner will be picked randomly on Friday (11/11) at 1PM and announced shortly thereafter. The winner will be contacted through their choice of entry (Twitter, Facebook or comments). Good luck everyone!

Huge thanks again to NVIDIA for hosting the prizes!

Video: A Quick Look at the Notification Light on the Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:50:59 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxhwx13U7HY[/youtube]

The notification light seems to be hiding during many of the Galaxy Nexus hands-on videos we have seen over the last few weeks. We definitely know it's there - one of our sources reported it to us a week or so before the phone was even unveiled. We were told then that it was a multi-colored LED that had been placed towards the bottom chin of the phone. If you take a look at the short 30 second clip we have included above, you get a very clear shot at how this will look. Breathing easier now? As one of the most asked about features of this device, we hope this settles some nerves. Now, if only Verizon would make this official or at least tell us if November 21 is indeed the day. Cheers @Crispityyy!

Motorola DROID 4 Pops Up in Variety of Verizon Systems, How Close are We to a Release?

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:08:41 +0000

The Motorola DROID 4 may be closer than any of us had imagined. We brought you the first photos of the device a couple of weeks back leading us to wonder when it may appear, as the device pictured looked almost ready for prime time. So now that we are seeing it appear in a couple of different Verizon systems, we wonder if it could be Moto and Verizon's big December release? You may remember that the XOOM 2 popped up in this same system with 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models on October 23 and is now tentatively-scheduled for a November 30 release. So if the D4 is now showing up for testing purposes and for internal system setup, there is a chance that it could be here within a month or two. Now, we won't know for sure if the XOOM 2 will be here at the end of the month until we get to the end of the month, so let's not place any bets on the D4 just yet. The month of December is wide open, without anything currently rumored though. Shot of the D4 in Device Manager after the break.

Still ready to have a slider with 4G LTE and impressive specs? I'm assuming the Stratosphere wasn't necessarily what any of you were looking for. Cheers ___!

HTC Announces First Batch of Devices to Receive Ice Cream Sandwich

Tim — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:20:42 +0000

Over on the HTC Facebook page, they have announced which devices in their line will be the first to receive Ice Cream Sandwich. For Verizon customers it looks like we are only seeing the newly announced Rezound on this list. Doesn't mean we won't ever see it on the Incredible 2 and Thunderbolt, but the chances are pretty slim.

HTC Sensation
HTC Sensation XL
HTC Sensation XE
HTC Rezound
HTC EVO 3D
HTC EVO Design 4G
HTC Amaze 4G

HTC is not the first company to start discussing which handsets would receive Google's newest offering. Just a bit back, Samsung started naming names too, but they didn't even mention the DROID Charge. Instead of announcing these devices in "waves", don't you just wish they would spill the beans and be straight forward with which devices were receiving ICS or not? Would make speculating a whole lot easier. Of course, this will all become more clear once Google releases Android 4.0 to the public and these companies can fully assess the situation. Via: Facebook Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Verizon to Run "Double Data" Promo During November? 4GB of Data For Just $30?

Kellen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:33:16 +0000

A couple of reports this morning are suggesting that on November 8, Verizon will start a new "double data" promo. What exactly does that mean? That if you sign up as a new customer or add a new line, that you will be given 4GB of data for just $30 rather than the 2GB that current tiers are offering. Or if you go for the 5GB plan for $50, you will actually end up with 10GB of data. Not bad, right? These reports also claim that current customers on tiered plans should be able to upgrade to one of these "double" plans as well, but may need to call in to customer service or check to see if you can change to a double plan right through your online account. As you can see in the screenshot from above that a friend sent us, there is most definitely some sort of "Double Data" plan going down on Black Friday, but so you know, November 8 is tomorrow. Cheers to everyone who sent this!

DROID RAZR In-Store Displays Go Up, Chance of Live Demo Units Too

Kellen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:50:44 +0000

Friends of ours just sent over the picture up top, which as you can see, is the new in-store display for the DROID RAZR. Talk about making a statement, right? Ultra-thin phone, held by a robotic arm, a 4G LTE logo present, and that semi-silly 11/11/11 at 11:11AM launch time have this looking like one of the biggest DROID launches yet. It's going to be a massive month of November now that we know the Rezound, Galaxy Nexus and this device are all on the way. There hasn't been a better time than now to be a Big Red customer. Oh, and we are hearing from readers that some stores may even have demo units out for you to play with. If this phone is tempting you (and it probably should at least a little), you may want to cruise into a store tonight or in the morning to get some hands-on time with it. To see what you are missing, check out our time with the device from a few weeks ago here (photo gallery here). Cheers ___ and Gustafson!

Happy 2-Year Anniversary Original Motorola DROID

Kellen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:53:23 +0000

On this day two years ago, the Android movement took off in a way that I don't think anyone imagined, thanks to the original Motorola DROID. The "OG" launched alongside a massive marketing campaign as one of the first phones to truly compete with what Apple was doing. It was essentially the beginning of one massive movement that has led us to where we are today, with Android taking over the entire globe. So as we sit here on this surprisingly sunny November Sunday, we just wanted to tip our caps to the phone that made this site and community what it is today. Cheers OG, we wouldn't be here without you. Cheers for the reminder PaulyD!

Verizon Roadmap Shows Galaxy Nexus Available Online Only 11/21, New XOOM 2 on 11/30?

Kellen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:09:41 +0000

Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Nexus launching via "web only" on November 21? According to the roadmap we just received and word from a source, that appears to be the case. Dates in the past have suggested that it may launch as earlier as November 17 to match the global release, but if you ask us, it's pretty obvious that not even Big Red can decide when to put this phone out. And is there a chance they only allow you to order this online? The original Nexus One went live in a similar way, however, the Nexus S was at least available through Best Buy. I'd say that may still be up in the air as well. Launching on November 21 does sort of make sense though. That's the week of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, so at least the phone would be available to those wishing to pick one up during the biggest shopping time of the year. Oh, and what about the 'Moto 8" Tablet' and 'Moto 10" Tablet' listed there? Those would be the two variations of the new Motorola XOOM 2 that were announced to the UK just last week. The 30th is a Wednesday and seems odd, but Verizon may be ditching that standard Thursday launch schedule that they have been on for the last few years. The Rezound is launching on a Monday after all. Cheers ___!

Verizon Gets the 32GB Galaxy Nexus, Priced $289 at Costco?

Kellen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:01:51 +0000

When the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was introduced, we were told that the device would come in both 16GB and 32GB models with no SD card slot in sight. The lack of removable storage worried many of you, so when we saw minimum advertised pricing lists showing the phone at $299 on multiple occasions, we kept wondering which version this would be. According to a training document that compares the device to the DROID RAZR and HTC Rezound, it appears as if Big Red is getting the big 32GB model. Hallelujah! While that may not solve the fact that it doesn't have removable storage, it should at least give you piece of mind that it will take you some time to actually fill up that much space. Simply popping your current card out of your current phone and dropping it into the G-Nex though, not happening. And on a related note, Costco is showing the G-Nex as being $289 on contract, $10 cheaper than you will likely see it in Verizon stores. No word if the phone will come bundled like we saw with the DROID Bionic, but hey, $10 is $10.

Via: TheDroidGuy, Android Central Cheers Tyler and everyone else!

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 11/4/2011

Tim — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:00:10 +0000

It has been a great week here at Droid Life. The new site design was launched, Motorola RAZR's wallpapers released, more Galaxy Nexus hypebeastin', and HTC officially launched the Rezound. If you missed any of that action, be sure to catch up through the list of top stories below.

Have a great weekend everyone. Maybe next week we should start making #hypebeast trend on Twitter. We always brag that we have the best community around, so a big thank you to everyone. Cheers!

Digital Versus Physical: Does RIM's Vision of the Future Interest You?

Ron — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:00:44 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRRV7JLHxTc[/youtube]

Earlier this week RIM's vision of the future was "leaked" out in two videos. The videos were undoubtedly in response to Microsoft's video that showed Redmond's latest vision of the future. The vision detailed in each video is extraordinary for two reasons: RIM thinks they have a future, but more importantly RIM thinks that a completely digital computing experience is the future. The video opens with an employee setting his phone down on his desk, which then turns on a touchscreen in front on him and illuminates the desk space around his phone with a touch sensitive, gesture based UI. Later in the video, we see another gentleman set down his phone on his desk for a conference call. Once the phone is set down, it displays the information for his meeting on his desk. We see the new employee set down her phone on a special surface on a lunch table. The UI extends past the phone itself (because apparently the Streak 5-sized screen isn't big enough). Later in the video we see the new employee type an email with a digital keyboard that her phone displays on her desk. I don't think this vision of the future is impossible by any means, but I don't think it's the direction we ought to pursue. Using our phones as our main computing device has always been a dream of mine, but a completely digital world is not appealing to me. When I need to send a quick email I don't mind typing on my Droid Incredible, especially with the stock Gingerbread keyboard. Auto correct works well enough for me to be able to send my thoughts quickly. When I want to type out a paper or something, however, I never want to use a digital keyboard. Even on a tablet, while I can use the keyboard to type, I prefer using a physical keyboard. Even having a touchscreen as my main monitor doesn't sound appealing to me. I always think that I'd like to have a touch screen on my netbook, but every time I've worked with a touch screen keyboard for any length of time I'm found myself plugging in a mouse before too long. Touch is not the be all end all way to interact with a device. It's great for interacting with larger buttons or even some games, but for typing or drawing or hardcore gaming, I want a physical device (mouse/keyboard/controller). A purely digital device requires me to be looking down at my hands to ensure that my fingers are actually touching where I want them to. It's not like a keyboard or game controller, where I can memorize button locations and functions through touch. A purely digital UI (especially one that can't give haptic feedback) may allow for some memorization or common buttons, but I can't feel my way around a digital keyboard or controller - I have to look. I think one of the reasons why the ASUS Transformer was so popular (aside from price) was the keyboard dock. If you're just using a tablet for media consumption then having a keyboard isn't very important, but many people are beginning to see tablets as the netbook alternative. They have great (often better) battery life than netbooks and are increasingly able to perform more tasks that netbooks used to fulfill. Out of all of the tablets that have been released out announced, the Transformer Prime looks the most promising to me because it gives me all of the media functionality that a Galaxy Tab or Xoom has and it gives me the best productivity options. It's not large and clunky like the Lenovo tablets, but it still has many of the expansion capabilities that I'd want in a netbook. Another example of someone actually using the phone for more is the ASUS Padfone. This isn't necessarily my favorite implementation of the idea, but the idea of putting your phone into a tablet is pretty cool. A better implementation of this (that is much closer to RIM's vision) is Apple's Airplay, which allows iPhone 4S and iPad 2 users to display whatever their device is showing on any TV connected to Apple TV. We're only beginning to see how this could transform mobile computing with games like Real Racing 2 HD, but imagine connecting your phone to Google TV and being able to use a wireless keyboard and mouse to work on a presentation or watch a movie. Android@Home is definitely a step in the direction of using your phone for more as well. Instead of having multiple devices for multiple activities, you could run everything from one device. RIM's vision of the future may not be perfect and I have extreme doubts that it will be developed by them, but it does remind us that for all of our advances in technology, things could still get better. I don't think a purely digital UI is the best implementation of that future, but I do think using our phones as our main device is not that far away. What do you think? Do you dream of having only one device to use, or do you like having multiple devices for different activities? What do you think of RIM's vision of the future? Do you want to see Google doing more with Google TV and Android@Home?

SwiftKey Tablet X To Come Pre-Loaded On Motorola XOOM 2

Tim — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:30:58 +0000

Reports out of Pocket Lint suggest that the Motorola XOOM 2 will come fully loaded with SwiftKey Tablet X. As a tablet keyboard that was first introduced at CES, it was only a matter of time before an OEM picked it up to help differentiate themselves from the rest. One of the running issues with Android tablets has been the fact that there are very little differences between them. We know that HTC and Samsung have taken to skins to set themselves apart and this could be the next step towards Moto doing that with their bigger slates. We know we have some big SwiftKey fans around here, thanks to a recent poll we ran, but will the presence of the tablet SwiftKey on the newest XOOMs be reason enough for you to go out and buy one? When I get a new device and see that Swype has come pre-loaded I always find myself a little more happy - can't necessarily say it was one of the deciding factors for purchasing it though. Via: Pocket Lint

And the Winner of NGGG #1 and a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is...

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:50:58 +0000

On Tuesday we announced our November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway (NGGG), a month long contest that includes four (4) NVIDIA Tegra 2 powered tablets and a couple of gaming-inspired prize packs. Each week, we will hand out a different tablet, with the prize packs (Jamboxes and $25 gift cards) being tacked on to the last two giveaways. Up first was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 that you are seeing in the photo above, that should help one lucky reader get into the world of mobile tablet gaming before Turkey Day. With over 3,000 entries in just 4 short days, we are officially blown away. So as to not delay this announcement any further, let's get to it. The winner is...

@hokieprovita who loves him some Hangin' With Friends.

Congrats Jason on the win! To everyone else, tune back in Monday morning for your chance to win the next tablet provided by @NVIDIATegra and the Tegra Zone.

Verizon To Introduce API Allowing For Customers To 'Turbo Boost' Their Bandwidth

Tim — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:10:07 +0000

Imagine you are video chatting with friends or relatives and you start to feel your connection become laggy and the video turns choppy. Don't you wish there was a button you could press to make all of those slow network issues disappear when it matters most? Verizon is looking to launch an API that will do just that. Every time you want to see a boost in data speed/connection, simply pay a small fee and press the turbo button on your screen. The pay-per-use system will then give your device "priority" at times when Verizon's network is congested. To make this work, Verizon is said to be publishing a "network optimization API" around the third quarter of next year that app developers will need to use in order for it to work with their apps. Would this service be something anyone would be willing to pay for? There are no mentions of price, but how much could it possibly be? Maybe $5 every time you want to be Verizon's number one priority? Weigh in down below. Via: PC Mag

Download: DROID RAZR Wallpapers

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:15:42 +0000

The DROID RAZR has one of the larger sets of wallpapers we have seen on a phone in a long time. The 26 or so are of the highest quality, take full advantage of the razor theme, and are available for everyone to download below. We threw them all into a zip file, but also picked out 4 in particular that caught our eye in case you don't want to thumb through the whole pack. Download: RazrWallpapers.zip

Cheers Legion!

HTC Rezound Promo Video Released, Shiny New Feature Documents As Well

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:50:34 +0000

We have touched on just about every little HTC Rezound detail that we could think of over the last few days thanks to Dan being on site for the announcement event. Our hands-on gallery and first impressions (video included) posts are worth a look if you haven't seen them yet. To round out our coverage of this latest Beats-equipped HTC device though, we wanted to toss out the PDF document below that gives you one of the more comprehensive overviews in case you needed extra ammo when selling your potential purchase of it to your significant other. And then below that, we tossed in the promo video for the Rezound, which as always thanks to HTC's feel for beauty, is a fun watch.

(Click pages to view full versions)

Video time. Might want to sit back and crank up the volume for this one: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcdtI2oxBJE[/youtube] Cheers ___!

DROID RAZR Rooted. (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:13:44 +0000

The 1-click root tool for the current crop of Motorola devices that many of you have used, seems to work just fine on the DROID RAZR too. How can we tell from the picture above? From that sneaky little # symbol after our source typed in "su" in terminal emulator. Check it off the pre-launch phone checklist. Update: This method does not appear to work on the recently released retail version. Another one is in the works, we will hopefully be able to post it shortly. Update 2: New root method released! Get it here. Cheers anony!

HTC Rezound – First Impressions and Video

Dan — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:51:26 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, HTC revealed their latest 4G LTE smartphone - the HTC Rezound. We were on hand for the announcment and were able to get some quality time with the device. With a slew of new Verizon 4G LTE devices on the horizon it is both a difficult and rewarding time to be a consumer. Should you go for the thinnest phone, the newest operating system, or the one with the best speakers? Find out what we think about the Rezound after the break. Screen The screen is a 4.3-inch HD Super LCD beauty. The screen is bright and vibrant with colors that pop. HD displays are the future in mobile devices and we as consumers are lucky. As for PenTile, I held the device and examined it closely and I didn't notice it. If it does indeed have it, it is not noticeable whatsoever. Specs The Rezound sports a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor with 1GB of DDR2 RAM. Additionally, it has 16GB of internal storage plus a pre-loaded 16GB microSD card. The Rezound has an MHL port on the lower left side which is used for HDMI-out. On the backside you will find a 8-megapixel f/2.2 camera with a 2-megapixel front. I may be a it biased because my Droid X's camera has never been one to call home about, however the Rezound took stunning photos.

Beats Audio One word to describe the Beats Audio integration, incredible. Beats Audio is damn good, it's damn good in my HP Touchpad, it's damn good in my mom's laptop, and it's damn good in the HTC Rezound. HTC and Beats have taken mobile audio to the next level and only good things will come from this. Build It's an HTC smartphone, plain and simple. That may be a good thing for some and a bad thing for others. It isn't that thin but it also isn't that heavy. It does feel a bit large and bulky in your hands. However, the red buttons are a welcomed addition to the device.

Bootloader I asked an HTC rep at the event about the bootloader and the woman looked at me like I had five heads. Rumors are circulating that it is unlocked, however Verizon has the final say and we all remember their decision on the DROID RAZR. We have reached out to HTC for confirmation and we will update you once we hear back. Battery While other manufacturers are switching to non-removable batteries, the Rezound offers a 1620 mAh removable one. The battery is quite possibly the most disappointing feature on the device. When you look at the competition, the DROID RAZR has a 1780mAh and the Galaxy Nexus has a 1750mAh, the Rezound cannot compete - although it is a step up from the 1400mAh found in the Thunderbolt.

Sense 3.5 It's Sense, and it seems like it will always be the same Sense. I enjoyed it on the Incredible but times have changed and Sense really hasn't. Each user-inferface has some cool and unique features but I can't see Sense 3.5 being a selling point. Personally I would choose BLUR or even TouchWiz, but that is just me. On a good note, while scrolling through homescreens there was no hiccups or lag whatsoever. As for bloatware, come on what do you expect? Conclusion There is no doubt that the Rezound is a top-level 4G LTE smartphone. The specs are quite impressive and with the inclusion of Beats Audio the sound is equally impressive. HTC said that the Rezound will come "Ice Cream Sandwich ready" and will be updated in early 2012. Additionally, the Rezound ships with a pair of red Beats Audio earbuds - making that $299 price tag easier to swallow. I highly recommend that you check it out on November 14. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeE-1HdQAjE[/youtube]

Galaxy Nexus System Dump Available for Download

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:17:49 +0000

The folks at Modaco, who have apparently had their paws all over the Galaxy Nexus for a few days, released a system dump this morning along with the recovery and boot images from the device. I'm just now downloading these myself, so I can't give you an idea as to what we may find that's new inside. It's the G-Nex though, who doesn't want to poke around in it? The build of Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) is ICL23D, but know that this was a dev build and won't necessarily be what you will see when the phone is released. No mention of the G-Nex version - could be the LTE or GSM variant. Downloads: System | Boot | Recovery Via: Modaco Cheers Keith!

Asus Transformer Receiving Update to Build 8.6.5.18

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:02:39 +0000

Own an Asus Transformer? Check for in your system settings for an update! According to one of our readers and this Euro Asus Facebook page, a new update is on the way that will introduce app backups along with a variety of other bug fixes and enhancements. It's not Ice Cream Sandwich of course, but I have to admit that Asus continues to impress me with the amount of updating they do to this device. So much for certain other tablets being released as the "dev devices" - this should be another reason you all seriously consider the Transformer Prime when it drops next week. Changelog after the break.

Cheers David!

DROID RAZR Scavenger Hunt is Underway - Coordinates, Devices Images, and This Recording Included (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:05:07 +0000

As many of you know, a new scavenger hunt powered by the folks behind @DroidLanding has kicked off for the DROID RAZR. The schematics of this contest seem to be a bit up in the air still, so as always, just be sure to follow that Twitter account to stay up on it. We will also do our best to keep up with it. The first clue that was dropped last night, asks that you dial **RAZR311 which will get you a voice clue along with an image. To listen to the voice message and see where the coordinates of that image lead you, jump past the break . [audio:http://www.droid-life.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Droid-RAZR-Message.mp3|titles=Droid RAZR Message] After it finishes, the image at the top of the post is what you will receive via text. The coordinates on the bottom of that image direct you to the map we have embedded below. Confused as we are?

View Map Update: Another tweet has gone out. [audio:http://www.droid-life.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Droid-RAZR-Message-2.mp3|titles=Droid RAZR Message 2] Here is the image you receive:

Update 2: Reader @kevineats put the puzzle together...

Cheers Adam and everyone else!

Asus Transformer Prime Gets Benchmarked, This is Impressive to Say the Least

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:25:08 +0000

Benchmarks on Android devices have become sort of silly these days - some take them as gospel to decide if this device is better than that device. We recommend that you take them as if they are just one small puzzle piece to the overall board, because a result in a benchmark app is not something to base the purchase of a phone on. With that said, we still like to see them for devices that just so happen to be running a brand new quad-core processor that has not previously been benched. According to AnTuTu's benchmarking app, someone showed up to the party with an Asus Transformer Prime and threw down. If you look at the screen shot above, you will see it clocked at 1.4GHz and putting out numbers that make every other device on the planet look like they were hangin' with Prince in 1999. See the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy SII in there? The SGS2 formerly killed any other device in site with its Exynos chipset - that will apparently happen no more now that NVIDIA's Kal-El quad-core processor is on the way. Impressed? Via: Engadget

Swiftkey X Alpha Introduces Multi-Touch, Can I Get a "Finally!"

Kellen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:02:34 +0000

I woke up this morning to a surprisingly lovely email from Swiftkey about a new feature that they are testing in an alpha version of their X keyboard. Multi-touch anyone? As someone that hammers away on his on-screen keyboard at a rapid rate, being able to touch the screen with both fingers at the same time and still produce results is beyond needed. And as one of my favorite keyboards of all time because it always seems a step ahead my sometimes slow moving Pacific coast time brain, this new feature is going to be incredibly huge once they get all of the bugs worked out.

Over the next few days, we would greatly appreciate your participation in Alpha testing our latest update to multi-touch functionality. This version is an Alpha, so we would advise against using it as your primary SwiftKey keyboard. However, your feedback will assist us in refining the SwiftKey experience for the betterment of all of our users. We'd appreciate if you could take some time to give this Alpha a thorough test. We have made improvements for rapid typists. We now properly support multi-touch so you shouldn't get accidentally repeated letters or accidentally missed letters when typing at speed with more than one finger. If you could try this out and in particular look out for issues with long-press keys, alternative character selection or keys where the highlighting gets stuck. We are particularly interested in results from tablet users touch typing as well as phone users with two thumbs. When reporting if you could be as descriptive as possible about exactly what you do to create the problem otherwise it will be very hard for us to fix it.

So this "alpha" is only for members of their VIP program which means that not everyone will get to test it. If you are a part of Swiftkey's testing program though, you will want to check your email or at least jump into their forums to get the file. It will be up for two weeks - go get your testing on. Via: Swiftkey

Swype Receives First OTA Update, Includes Better Context Prediction Engine

Tim — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:46:12 +0000

If you love Swype, keep an eye on your device as Swype's first OTA is soon to be rolling out. Included in the update is an upgraded Context Prediction engine for people who like fast, smart, and overall responsive keyboards. We were hoping that Swype would finally pick up a new color scheme, but that doesn't seem to have happened yet. Come on Swype, I know you're listening. Give users the ability to customize the look of the keyboard and I promise you will have many happy users.

With our first over-the-air update, we've enabled our Context Prediction Engine. By analyzing the text you've already entered, Swype will offer more accurate predictions that make sense in the context of the sentence

40% increase in prediction accuracy when a language profile is present

Learns over time as you use it, building up a personal language profile for you.

As Swype starts getting "smarter", is anyone thinking of switching back from SwiftKey X or FlexT9 to give this a go? Via: Swype

Google TV Honeycomb Update Quick Walk-Through

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:30:22 +0000

The Honeycomb update for Google TV started rolling out to Sony TV units on Monday and is just now popping up for Blu-Ray units. Since we have the Blu-Ray version, we are just getting to it and wanted to toss out this quick gallery of some of the first things we noticed. So far, this update looks like it may blow past most of our expectations. In just a couple of minutes with HC for my TV, I can easily say that it has become useful for the first time in months. Things like the "TV and Movies" app and Android Market are essentially game changers in my opinion. Jump on past the break to see what's new.

(Click all images for larger versions)

Apps and Home Screen

Whenever you press the "Home" button on your remote now, you get to the image on the left. It's a quick shortcut menu of sorts that lets you jump into some of the more popular apps like "TV and Movies," Netflix, the Market, and Chrome. With a simple click though, you can jump right into your entire app drawer. Everything is easily accessible in Honeycomb. Market

Ahhh the Android Market on your TV. Does it get better than this? So far, there are just a handful of apps that I have had zero chance to explore, but can say that installation, search, and launching of them is super easy. It's just like the market on your tablet or phone, but with a black background. One cool thing I noticed, was when you click install and jump out of the market, you get a notification progress bar on screen until it is done.

TV and Movies

Favorite feature by far. "TV and Movies" makes it ultra-easy to find your favorite shows and movies, tells you when they are own, and even lets you watch them instantly through things like Amazon and YouTube. You know if they are showing in HD, get to see descriptions of each episode, and can sort by category (comedy, drama, etc.)

YouTube

YouTube was given a massive makeover. Simple searches, new on-screen controls, HD sorting, and so much more were added. Browser

Haven't found a ton of differences in the browser, but will have to assume that it's at least stable unlike the previous versions. New menus give you more options to tweak and play with, and my settings from pre-Honeycomb all seem to have been carried over (bookmarks being the big one). Notifications

When apps are installed, your newly introduced inbox is filled with a notification for it. From the "Home" screen, you can access your notifications in the far left corner along with your most recently used apps. I'll have much more time tonight to dig deeper into this latest update, but so far am very impressed. The hardware side of things could use an upgrade and I would not call it "fast" by any means. Hopefully the GTV team has made enough software tweaks to make that a non-issue.

HTC Rezound Quick Hands-on Gallery

Dan — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:50:44 +0000

HTC and Verizon made the Rezound official just moments ago, and we had a chance to go hands-on with it for a few minutes. The big beautiful 4.3" HD screen (Super LCD according to the official specs) is the star along with those sharp red accents and Beats by Dre logos. It matches up closely to the thickness of the DROIDX, if not slightly thicker, but isn't thick by any means. Tough to tell what the battery life will be like with the 1620mAh battery and if the built-in Beats audio enhancements will live up to the buzz - so far though, this looks like another great addition to the Verizon 4G LTE family. Gallery below. [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"]

HTC Rezound Official Specs

Tim — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:12:04 +0000

Verizon is launching the HTC Rezound on November 14, priced at $299 with a new two year contract. Buyers will also find a pair of custom Beats Audio ear buds inside the packaging that will go along nicely with the new audio software. HTC has hinted at an 'aggressive' updating strategy for bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to their newest 4G LTE compatible device by early 2012. Chipset:

1.5 GHz Dual-Core Qualcomm MSM8660
Qualcomm MDM9600 LTE Radio

Sense Version:

Sense 3.5

Camera:

8.0MP w/ auto focus, f/2.2, 28mm wide angled lens
1080p video recording
2MP front-facing camera

Memory:

1GB DDR2 RAM
16GB Memory
16GB microSD

Screen:

4.3" super LCD WVGA 1280x720

Dimensions:

5.1" x 2.6" x .54" (LxWxT)

Battery:

1620 mAh

HDMI Out:

Compatibility:

Bluetooth 3.0 + Headset
Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
Wireless Charging
Compass
Light Sensor
Micro USB
G-sensor

Audio:

Equipped with Beats Audio Technology

HTC Rezound Will Ship "Ice Cream Sandwich Ready"

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:42:16 +0000

Worried over the fact that the freshly announced HTC Rezound will launch with Android 2.3 and not Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)? Try not to. HTC mentioned today during their NYC event that the device will launch "Ice Cream Sandwich ready" which really just means that it will be updated as soon as they can. The same thing was said with the DROID RAZR when it was announced, so "early next" year is probably the soonest you will see it. If it only takes them a couple of months though, like say January, Rezound owners should be more-than-happy. As long as this isn't the next Thunderbolt, life should be good.

HTC and Verizon Announce the Rezound with Beats Audio, Available November 14 for $299

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:10:53 +0000

HTC has just announced their latest creation on stage in NYC, the Rezound, an Android device loaded with top-of-the-line specs and Beats audio that will run on Verizon's 4G LTE network. Using it's 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 4.3" HD 720p screen, there aren't many phones that can match it. Other specs/features include dual cameras (8MP capable of shooting 1080p in the back, 2MP in the front), 1GB of RAM, Android 2.3.5, 1620mAh battery, 16GB on-board storage, and HTC Sense 3.5. The Rezound will be available in stores on November 14 for the on contract price of $299 which includes a set of Beats by Dre ear buds. Sign-up page is live. Press release and pictures after the break. [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"]

HTC And Verizon Wireless Unveil HTC Rezound™, First Smartphone In The U.S. To Feature Beats Audio™

HTC Rezound breaks new ground with introduction of advanced audio and high-definition visual experience
HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile devices, and Verizon Wireless today announced the HTC Rezound™, the only phone in the United States with Beats Audio™ integration. A result of the recent partnership between HTC and Beats, the HTC Rezound delivers a powerful entertainment experience with unparalleled audio and multimedia capabilities highlighted by a 4.3-inch true HD 720p display. The HTC Rezound, a premium designed smartphone that includes the latest HTC Sense experience and access to Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network, will be available exclusively from Verizon Wireless on Nov. 14. “HTC is dedicated to delivering the latest in sight and sound innovation and we’re excited to be introducing the first U.S. smartphone featuring Beats Audio technology,” said Peter Chou, CEO, HTC Corporation. “Paired with Verizon Wireless’ blazing-fast 4G LTE network and a robust multimedia experience, the HTC Rezound enables customers to enjoy their favorite music and entertainment on-the-go like never before.” The HTC Rezound enables customers to hear music the way the artist intended with unique audio tuning by Beats that delivers thundering bass, soaring midrange and crisp highs. Unique to HTC, the HTC Rezound also includes new lightweight Beats headphones, created exclusively to integrate with the Beats’ audio profile on the device. Hands-free calling is easy with the built-in microphone and the on-cable remote to pause, advance or rewind and answer a call mid-track. “HTC fully recognizes the destruction to audio caused by the digital revolution. They embrace our vision to repair this ecosystem and bring the feeling from the recording studio to the smartphone,“ said Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Beats By Dr. Dre. "This is only the beginning of our plan to fix how music is delivered.” Lightning-fast mobile entertainment The HTC Rezound is the first HTC smartphone to feature a true HD 720p display and is perfect for enjoying high-quality entertainment on the 4.3-inch super LCD screen. HTC Watch puts an entire library of the latest premium movies and TV shows right at your fingertips. Using a wireless connection, HTC Watch uses progressive download technology on the HTC Rezound which makes it possible to watch videos without waiting for them to finish downloading. Customers can rent or purchase videos through HTC Watch and enjoy content on up to five different HTC devices. The HTC Rezound features Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) connectivity, so customers can watch content from the device on an HDTV, including 5.1 surround sound and SRS WOW™ HD surround to take advantage of a home theater setup. Equipped with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, the HTC Rezound offers a speedy mobile experience even for the most demanding media enthusiast. “HTC Rezound combines sleek design, innovative entertainment features and the power of Verizon Wireless network to create a multimedia phone that consumers have been waiting for,” said Jeff Dietel, vice president of marketing, for Verizon Wireless. “4G LTE speeds take mobile entertainment to a new level, providing customers with advanced functionality in a phone they can count on for everyday use.” Advanced multimedia features The HTC Rezound boasts an 8-megapixel camera featuring autofocus, dual LED flash, a f/2.2 and 28mm wide-angle lens with BSI sensor to fit more of the scene into every shot and for better low-light performance. The enhanced camera features available through HTC Sense offer new scenes and effects such as panoramic mode for capturing life on a grand scale or action burst scene for the perfect action shot. For self-portraits or video conversations, the HTC Rezound also features a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. With a 1080p camcorder, the HTC Rezound enables customers to record a perfect moment with stunning clarity and incredible stereo sound, perfect for sharing on YouTube or Facebook. Customers can also wirelessly send their media to a compatible TV for looking at videos or pictures with friends and family using Digital Living Network Alliance® (DLNA). HTC Sense Featuring the latest version of HTC Sense, the HTC Rezound enables people to create a unique and intuitive user experience that matches their personal preference and lifestyle. A customizable active lockscreen experience transforms the lockscreen into a real-time window to the most important information and content, such as social updates, photos, weather or stock updates that are viewed by simply turning on the display. In addition, the new active lockscreen becomes a customizable gateway that lets people quickly jump to the most used features, like making a phone call, sending an email, taking a picture or anything else with the same quick gesture usually used to unlock the phone. HTC Sense also delivers a new group messaging experience simplifying group and multimedia messaging so people can stay up-to-date on the latest conversations quickly and easily. People can view recent status updates from popular social networks in one place using FriendStream™, as well as sync their contact list with all email accounts and social networks for smooth integration. “HTC and Beats have been important partners to Best Buy over the years and we are thrilled to help them bring the HTC Rezound on the Verizon Wireless network to consumers,” said Scott Anderson, head of merchandising for Best Buy Mobile. “This is going to be a big holiday for smartphones and people will be looking for new and different features. The HTC Rezound, with HTC’s mobile expertise and audio excellence from Beats, will be a great option for our customers.” Additional features

Mobile Hotspot capability: share 4G connection with up to ten Wi-Fi-enabled devices

Operating System: Android 2.3™ (Gingerbread) with latest HTC Sense – an upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) will be available in early 2012

Internal Memory: 16 GB on-board memory, 1 GB DDR2 RAM

Memory Card: 16 GB MicroSD™ pre-installed

Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Bluetooth®: 3.0 – support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access and object push for vCard and vCalendar

GPS: GPS/AGPS

Battery: 1,620 mAh

Special Features: HDMI (through MHL), G-sensor, Light sensor, Compass, Proximity sensor, MicroUSB, USIM/CSIM/ISIM, audio jack and Wireless Charging capable

Chipset: Qualcomm® MSM8660 1.5GHz, Qualcomm® MDM9600

Dimensions: 129 x 65.5 x 13.65 mm

Availability The HTC Rezound will be available beginning Nov. 14 at Verizon Wireless and at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers who purchase the HTC Rezound will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 for monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data. Customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/Rezound to sign up for more information. About HTC HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative devices that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com. About Beats Electronics LLC Established in 2006, Beats Electronics is the brainchild of legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records Jimmy Iovine, who set out to develop a new type of headphone with the capability to reproduce the full spectrum of sound that musical artists and producers hear in professional recording studios. For more information, please visithttp://beatsbydre.com. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visitwww.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library atwww.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

New DROID RAZR Teaser Confirms November 11 Release

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:53:55 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYJ9Fg3waWE[/youtube]

If you needed any further confirmation that the DROID RAZR has been bumped from the 10th back to November 11, then look no further than this latest teaser video. Seems a little silly, but at the same time, this day only happens once in a life time. Pretty fun teaser too, by the way. Update: We just received the image below, stating that stores won't open until 11:11AM on 11/11...

Live: HTC Rezound Announcement in NYC [Ended]

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:45:36 +0000

The HTC and Beats by Dre event will be kicking off within the hour in NYC, and our man Dan is on the scene to take it all in. We are fully expecting this to be the unveiling of the Rezound along with a release date of November 10 (or close to it). The invite itself doesn't give many clues, but it's pretty obvious at this point that one of HTC's last big releases of the year is going to be this phone on Verizon. Jump into the live blog after the break!

Apple Says $199 Amazon Kindle Fire Will Help Apple Sell More iPads

Eric — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:10:28 +0000

If you ask me, Android fragmentation is so last year. But Apple keeps hammering away at it as a way to knock against Google's operating system, even as Android's market share keeps growing. The latest news out of Apple's camp is that Amazon's upcoming Kindle Fire is actually going to drive more people away from Android due to fragmentation and that will help iPad sales. I think we have beaten the concept that "too much Android is bad for Android" enough, but to some people it still seems to be a problem. Personally, I think the Fire is going to sell like crazy and if this tablet does make a dent in iPad sales, Apple is going to have a pretty big foot to pull out of their mouths. Does anyone think that this tablet alone could make headway against the iPad? Or does the Fire really contribute to fragmentation? Via: Business Insider

Verizon Bumps DROID RAZR Launch to 11/11/11 to Add to the Fun? (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:00:28 +0000

It looks like someone in Verizon's marketing department looked at a calendar in the last couple of days. On Monday, their staff was told to expect the DROID RAZR in an all channel launch on November 10, but recently updated docs are now showing that it may have been bumped to November 11 which just so happens to be 11/11/11. Neat, right? Not sure if that means that pre-orders won't arrive now until 11/11 or not, but I do find it sort of silly that they would move the launch a day for this. Anything to add to the marketing appeal and buzz though. Update: Our sources just informed us that Verizon stores will open at 11:11AM on 11/11. So silly. Cheers ___!

Galaxy Nexus Receives Root, No Need to Act Surprised

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:33:47 +0000

Yes, the Galaxy Nexus has been rooted. It's a Nexus, folks. Rooting it should take less than 5 minutes, and that includes the time involved to unlock the bootloader. You don't need fancy apps, zip files or anything else and can do it through a couple of simple commands. For those not interested in learning a couple of adb and fastboot commands though, then the folks at Modaco have you covered with their Superboot package. It's essentially a 1-click root that does all of the dirty work. Via: Modaco

Honeycomb Update for Sony Google TV Blu-Ray Players is Available

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:00:25 +0000

The Honeycomb update for the Sony Google TV Blu-Ray player is available now for everyone with the device to download. Mine is just about finished installing and then I'll get up some more shots, features, Market stuff, etc. If you own one, head into Settings>About>System updates.

HTC Rezound Press Shots Found Just Hours Ahead of NYC Announcement

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:30:28 +0000

So my source that told me there would be a Beats logo on the back on the final version was right after all. In these new press shots for the HTC Rezound that were discovered just a few hours before the device will be unveiled in NYC, we get to see that logo along with the clearest appearance of the device yet. Red accents everywhere, that rubbery grippy back, Incredible-esque styling, all round out - in my opinion - one of HTC's finest pieces of work to date. There is a good chance that HTC will announce availability of November 10 for an on-contract price of $299. Live blog will be up in about 2.5 hours. Join us! Full 1080p HD video samples from the phone after the break.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8nvtpK1kik[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZj1hldZ2fA[/youtube]

Via: PocketNow

"Work in Progress" Document States November 17 for the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:54:43 +0000

Could we end up seeing the Galaxy Nexus on November 17 through Verizon after all? According to a document that is apparently a "work in progress", that may be the case. It's fair to be skeptical of a document labeled "WIP" as that would lead us to believe that it's not finished and could change, but that date does match up with the GSM world release in Europe. Would certainly make sense for Big Red to make this phone available at the same time, however, it was just two days ago that we saw the marketing plan leading up to the holidays which did not include G-Nex promos until after Black Friday. It's anyone's guess at this point - we are all crossing our fingers that the 17th is the day though.

Via: Android Central

Google Offers App Goes Live in the Market, Android 4.0 Styling and Notifications For Today's Goodies

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:15:27 +0000

Live in a city that is currently running Google Offers campaigns? Time to go grab the official app so that you can keep track of the ones you have purchased, get notifications for new ones, and redeem them at the point of purchase. And yes, once you choose your Google account at the initial load, it will pull in all of your previously purchased offers and let you know when they expire. And can I just say that I'm really loving the new styling on all of Google's apps. This Ice Cream Sandwich kick that they are on is well, the right kick to be on. Polish, minimalism, and functionality have all been the primary focus it seems, and that's a good thing. This latest Google Offers app is no different. You can quickly login to any of your Google accounts, swipe side-to-side between sections, and get things done much more efficiently. [gallery link="file" order="DESC" orderby="ID"] Market Link Via: Twitter Cheers Adam and Lewissd!

Motorola Introduces the XOOM 2 and XOOM 2 Media Edition in the UK

Kellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:39:46 +0000

Motorola introduced the XOOM 2 and XOOM 2 Media Edition this morning to the UK and Ireland. Both tablets have been leaked time and time again, but everything is now official. The XOOM 2 will sport a 10.1" screen that is much brighter and more vibrant than the original XOOM, runs a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, MotoCast, Android 3.2, and has similar styling and splash coating to the DROID RAZR. The XOOM 2 Media Edition is really just the smaller version of that with an 8.2" screen that has 178 degree viewing angles and is as light as they come. It has been optimized for entertainment, while also managing to house dual cameras, 1GB of RAM and that same 1.2GHz processor. Both tablets are WiFi-only. Neither has a quad-core processor like the new Asus Transformer Prime, but they do seem - at least on paper - to be much improved over the original XOOM. Can they compete with the next gen tablets that are just around the corner? Tough to say. U.S. availability has not been announced yet - mid-November for the UK and Ireland. We most definitely know that both tablets are headed to at least Verizon in a variety of sizes. Video and gallery after the break.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x16LUdsMPqw[/youtube]

Gallery: [gallery link="file" orderby="ID"] Press Release:

Motorola Mobility Launches Two New Tablets in the UK and Ireland

Motorola XOOM 2^™ and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition^™are powerful, portable and ready to take on the world
Nov. 03, 2011 LONDON – Nov. 3, 2011 – Building on the success of Motorola XOOM™, Motorola Mobility is rocking the tablet world yet again with two additions that bring enhanced experiences to the European market. Wi-Fi variants of the Motorola XOOM 2™ and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition™ -- boasting powerful productivity, rich entertainment and customizable experiences -- are now available: the answer to consumers looking for a tablet that can keep up with their lifestyle. Both tablets will be available at Carphone Warehouse in the UK and Ireland, as well as Best Buy, Dixons, PC World and Currys in the UK. “Tablets are quickly becoming a must-have tool for staying connected, getting work done and having fun at home and on the road,” said Victoria McManus, marketing director UK & Ireland, Motorola Mobility. “We are very excited about these two new additions to our tablet portfolio that build on the success of the original Motorola XOOM to now deliver more powerful tablet experiences to the European market.” The new Motorola XOOM 2 and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition both feature Android 3.2, a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, brilliant displays with Corning® Gorilla® Glass and a splashguard coating for a go anywhere, do everything attitude. In addition, both tablets include the new MotoCast™ app that lets you stream all your music, photos, videos and documents between your PC or Mac and tablet without any media tools, apps, or cords. Motorola XOOM 2: Lighter and Brighter Motorola XOOM 2 with Wi-Fi sports a 10.1-inch widescreen HD display and Android 3.2 Honeycomb like its predecessor, but the similarities end there. The display is brighter and more vibrant than before with colour enhancement, and the edges have been strategically designed to make the tablet more comfortable to hold -- this tablet is easy on the eyes, and easy on the hands. It is compatible with the optional Motorola Stylus that is great for note-taking, hand-writing emails and sketching. Motorola XOOM 2 is loaded with Business Ready features like VPN support and data encryption. Motorola XOOM 2 with Wi-Fi features MOTOPRINT integrated into key apps so you can print wirelessly from your tablet. It is approximately 100 grams lighter than the original Motorola XOOM to make it even easier to take on the road, and can withstand poolside use, spilled drinks or dashes out to the car in the rain thanks to its new splash-guard coating. A battery delivering more than 10 hours of video playback means it can go with you wherever you need to be. Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition: Beat your Boredom Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition with Wi-Fi is easy to hold with one hand thanks to its 8.2-inch display, and easy to take with you wherever you go, weighing less than the best-selling paperback you’ve been carrying around. Optimised for entertainment, it has a wide, 178 degree viewing angle. Hold it up to someone across the room, or share it with someone sitting next to you, and everyone gets a brilliant view. Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition has a 20 percent improvement in graphics performance over the original Motorola XOOM for smoother gaming, features adaptive virtual surround sound with booming bass that’ll delight your ears, and stands out from the crowd with the fastest multi-tasking in its class. It can even be a universal remote control for home AV equipment with the personalized, custom remote control app pre-loaded on the tablet. Lastly, a splash-guard coating provides extra protection against the spills that are bound to happen when you’re having fun. Accessories to connect to your life easier, from anywhere With the Work and Play kit, plug your tablet into the HD Multimedia Station to connect to your HDTV, speakers and other peripherals for large-screen entertainment. Get more done, faster with the included keyboard and mouse with Bluetooth technology. Now, when your tablet is docked, the Smart Controller lets you MC the show from the comfort of your couch. For Motorola XOOM 2, no accessory discussion is complete without mentioning the Motorola Stylus with Precision tip - your tablet’s best friend.
Availability Motorola XOOM 2 and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition, Wi-Fi variants will be available in the UK and Ireland in mid-November. Carphone Warehouse customers in the UK can pre-register here. For more information on Motorola XOOM 2 visit www.motorola.com/xoom2; and for Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition visit www.motorola.com/xoom2media
About Motorola Mobility Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Welcome to Droid Life 2.0...again (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:00:51 +0000

As you may have noticed, things look a little different around here. Calling the new look "Droid Life 2.0" is probably fitting. What we have done is taken the format from the last remake that was done almost two years ago, and made it so much more modern, minimalist and clean. Clean, is actually what comes to mind first when I look at it - that makes me happy. Hopefully it does for you as well. So what exactly is new?

Logo: Well, you'll notice that we have fully moved on to our new ultra-minimal logo that was made by our buddy Wayne back in February. It fits perfectly into the new look. You could almost say that we used it as a starting point.
Photos: From there, we widened the post column for one purpose: to give you even bigger and more beautiful images on top of every single post. That also means bigger and more enhanced video.
Featured Posts: We added in a "Featured" posts bar that can be hidden with the simple click of a button in case it's not your thing and want to have less in your face stuff going on.
Popular Posts: If you ever wondered what the current batch of hot topics were, you can view them at the top of the right sidebar. It's an ever-evolving and rotating batch of topics, so be sure to check it often.
New Look: Other than all of that, it's really just all about the clean and simple look to take us into 2012. You will notice the subtle tweaks here or there that really add to the experience that is Droid Life. We didn't want to go all wild and outlandish on you, and instead kept things sort of the same...just better.

Over the next couple of days, be sure to let us know if you run into any major bugs and we will add them to the list that is already being worked on. A mobile version of the site should also be back in no time. Update: The Featured Post section should now remember whether you last had it closed or open. It will also load much faster than it previously had, meaning you won't find that overlapping image issue. Some other minor tweaks were done to finish out the polish of the new look. And the option to toggle on the mobile site has been added at the bottom of the page. A big thanks goes out to Coulee Creative for putting together the new look. Definitely got to give props to our hosting company, Beyond Hosting, for working with us to hash out some last minute bugs. Since we switched to them about a year ago, we have had less down time than I think any other tech site on the planet. And of course most importantly, a big thanks to the great community here at Droid Life that makes waking up and writing about mobile phones such a fun experience each and every day. Let us know what you think!

DROID RAZR Competition or Scavenger Hunt About to Begin, @DroidLanding Awakens

Kellen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:16:10 +0000

With the DROID RAZR just over a week from hitting store shelves (November 10), the Twitter account that has been associated with the last 5 or 6 DROID devices reactivated itself - a sign that means a new scavenger hunt or competition is about to go live. Not many days left for them to pull this off, so be sure to follow @DroidLanding if you want to get in on the action and possibly win yourself a new phone. Cheers 0mie!

ASUS Transformer Prime Gets Torn Down, NVIDIA's Tegra 3 Processor Pictured

Tim — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:51:52 +0000

Looks like we have a new fan favorite in the tablet game. The ASUS Transformer Prime has been receiving lots of love recently and the tablet just got a serious tear-down treatment over at the FCC. The people over at Wireless Goodness have great eyes and have managed to snag some excellent pictures from the FCC. We get to see all the guts of the quad-core tablet that is sure to change the game. We can easily spot the NVIDIA Tegra 3 "Kal-El" processor along with all the other wirey innards of the much anticipated tablet. More neat pics down below. [gallery link="file" columns="4"] Via: Wireless Goodness

Verizon Starts Prepping Site for the HTC Rezound and Tomorrow's Announcement

Kellen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:00:39 +0000

Ahead of tomorrow's HTC Rezound announcement in NYC, Verizon has started to prepare the landing page for the device. If you cruise over to verizonwireless.com/rezound, you will find yourself on a blank page that has meta data built into it which references the existence of this Beats-powered 4G LTE beauty. Expected to be priced around $299 on contract, the Rezound will be one of the first phones on the planet with an HD screen. It will also sport a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, HTC Sense 3.5, and come with a set of Beats by Dre ear buds and a built-in improved audio experience. You can see how it compares to the Galaxy Nexus and DROID RAZR at this snazzy comparison chart we threw together. Our goal is to have a live blog of the event around 3PM Eastern (12PM Pacific), so be sure to tune in tomorrow.

ASUS Transformer Prime Rolls Through FCC

Tim — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:24:38 +0000

Everyone's favorite quad-core tablet, the ASUS Transformer Prime just made a pit stop at the FCC. There is always hope that some new juicy info will come with the reports, but there is not much to see this time. We have all seen this tablet, even the dock and know that it is gorgeous. The tablet is 8.9mm thin, can get up to 14.5 hours of battery life, and comes with the assurance that it will receive Ice Cream Sandwich shortly down the road. Buyers can expect to pay a reported $499 at day of release. Launch for the newest generation of the Eee Pad is set for November 9. Excited? Via: Engadget, FCC

Win A Kindle Fire Plus $250 Gift Card From Amazon

Tim — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:24:33 +0000

Wanting to get your hands on a new Kindle Fire? Bing bing bing! You're in luck! Over at Kindle Fire's Facebook page, you can easily enter to win a new Kindle Fire and a $250 Amazon Gift Card! All you have to do is enter your name, email address, and a phone number so they can contact you if you win. Finger's crossed. Enter Cheers Robby!

Google Reader and Docs Apps Receive ICS-inspired Makeovers

Kellen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:34:06 +0000

Both Google Reader and Google Docs have updates available in the market as of the last hour. Each received an Ice Cream Sandwich makeover of sorts that includes swiping between stories or document categories, the same sharing options as you will see on new web versions, and prettier widgets. To be honest, the Reader update doesn't look all that different, but the new Docs version most definitely resembles the look of G+ which was also recently updated. Market Links: Google Reader | Docs Cheers Manny!

Paypal Payments Finally Coming To The Android Market?

Dan — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:50:21 +0000

Yesterday the new Android Market (3.3.11) hit the web with some new features, the most interesting being hidden deep inside the APK - Paypal integration. An AndroidGuys reader by the name of Victor looked into the APK file and stumbled across numerous references to Paypal. The rumor of Paypal integration has come up time after time again, however it has never gone live. Users have waited for the day that they could finally buy apps using Paypal. Are we close, or could this be yet another let down?

Via: AndroidGuys

Download: DROID RAZR Boot Animation and Sounds (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:15:27 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSKTHwd_ZTs[/youtube]

It wouldn't be a proper pre-release schedule if someone didn't drop the boot animation and sounds pack from an upcoming phone, would it? Our friend that got his hands on the DROID RAZR last night, was kind enough to also send over these couple of goodies for your downloading pleasure. The boot animation is as good as any in the DROID franchise that we have seen - the notifications and sounds you will have to figure out for yourself. UPDATE: Downloads removed. Boot animation should work on most phones by placing it in /data/local and changing the permissions to rw- r- -r- -. Cheers M!

Symantec's Norton Security Makes Its Way To Android Tablets

Tim — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:27:22 +0000

Every PC user knows the name Norton. Whether you like the program or dislike it, Symantec has released Norton Tablet Security. Norton's purpose for creating this new software is to protect users and user's devices. And guess what, it's only going to cost you $40 a year. It comes with every feature you would expect from a name like Norton. You can track a lost device via web portal, or even remotely lock the tablet so no creepers can dig through your files. Let's get a tally of how many people here are happy to hear this news. $40 a year doesn't seem all to steep for complete security. Right? /sarcasm Via: PCMag, Norton

Republic Wireless Calls For Revolutionary War Against Traditional Cell Phone Plans [from AL]

Eric — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:39:49 +0000

*This has been cross-posted from Android Life because well, it's a crazy interesting concept. Feel like the plans that carriers offer these days are just too locked-down? Do you need some freedom? Republic Wireless is looking to change all of that for you. The rumor is, they are launching a plan on November 8 that will cost you the low, low price of $19; and that $19 gets you unlimited everything. No contract, no termination fees. No, it sounds crazy to us too but let me explain. The carrier is launching with support from Bandwith.com, a company that specializes in VoIP, or internet calling. Skype and Google Voice are a few of the bigger names that use Bandwith.com's infrastructure to make their phone calls. The idea behind Republic is an Android based phone that will make your calls over WiFi when you are in signal range, and use cell phone minutes when you are not. The carrier will lean on Sprint's airwaves for when your calls are off of a WiFi signal but the final details are still being hammered out. The problem is that the carrier will require new phones to work for this whole deal, switching between WiFi and cell service like they plan needs help from software and hardware at the same time. No $19 a month Galaxy SIIs unfortunately. This sound enticing to anyone? Via: TechCrunch, Republic Wireless

New "Dark Knight Andy" Shirt Available, Superhero BugDroid is Go

Kellen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:56:03 +0000

Our friends in the t-shirt biz that created famous Android shirts such as "Andy vs. Apple" and "Exploded Andy," have returned with their latest design that should fit the needs of both tech and comic gurus. Say hello to "Dark Knight Andy." As you can see, it's a take on the old retro Batman logo, but with our favorite green robot thrown in for good measure. And for the record, the folks at Google refer to him as "BugDroid", not "Andy." Just in case you were wondering. Buy.

Video: DROID RAZR Gets a New Online Rubbing, Boot Animation Included

Kellen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:10:50 +0000

It has been a few weeks since we got our hands on the DROID RAZR and were starting to miss this thin marvel of a machine. Thanks to a fine DL reader though, we have a new video to watch to bring back those NYC memories. While still looking as thin and beautifully designed as ever, we also get a look at the boot animation that may not have been seen by anyone previously. Another quick tour of the UI is included as well, along with the standard 4G LTE speed tests. Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4_fE1rvj-M[/youtube]

*Note - And the new site will hopefully be back shortly. A little bug that needs to be worked out before it can handle such a robust community. Thanks for being patient with us. :)

New Android Market Version 3.3.11 Now Available For Download (Updated)

Tim — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:30:51 +0000

A new version of the Android Market numbered 3.3.11 is now being pushed out to select handsets. For the impatient, our friends over at Android Police have pulled the APK and have made it available for download. They have stated there seems to be a few glitches and minor kinks after installing it on Honeycomb devices, so for those wanting to throw it onto a Motorola XOOM or Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, maybe you should hold off. In the update there are a few minor UI changes along with a new app drawer icon. You will also find a new star rating in each app page along with a new "Update over Wi-Fi only" setting which has been desperately needed for some time. Feel free to download and install right over your old Market. Some users may encounter a signature error, but for you rooted users, you can use Root Explorer to replace the two APKs. Enjoy. Update: Both Tim and I are dealing with massive Force Close issues with this market. Some are having no issues at all. Seems to be a toss up. Others are having issues seeing their apps, download and installing, etc. A couple of readers even reporting issues rolling back after updating. Clearing "cache" and "data" in Manage Apps may fix the problems though. Proceed at your own risk. Update 2: After installing, be sure to "clear data" in Settings>Applications>Manager Apps>Market. This should clear up any issues that you may have. Download: Market-3.3.11.apk. Via: Android Police

Comparison: Galaxy Nexus vs. DROID RAZR vs. HTC Rezound

Kellen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:45:55 +0000

One of the most requested potential posts of the last few weeks has been a comparison chart of Verizon's winter lineup of super phones: the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, DROID RAZR, and HTC Rezound. After traveling for 3 weeks straight to hopefully find out all that there was to know about these devices, we finally had a minute to sit down and whip up a quick chart. We should point out that most of the Rezound information is what has been given to us in a variety of leaks and is not "official" although we are pretty sure almost all of it will match up to what HTC announces on Thursday. The Galaxy Nexus and RAZR info was pulled from official spec lists and sites. Some things are missing, nothing we can do there until we get the final spec set. And my, oh my does Verizon have one heck of a phone lineup heading into the holiday season. If anyone thought another carrier was making a push to top Big Red on Android, those dreams will be crushed come Thursday when the entire set of phones has been announced. Chart after the break.

Motorola Forums: DROID Bionic OTA Update in Testing, Will Be Available Within 30 to 60 Days?

Kellen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:15:43 +0000

A couple of leaked DROID Bionic updates have been floating around the forums for the last couple of days, prompting many to wonder if this was the big bug fixer that we detailed at the end of September. It's not. According to Moto's forums manager, there is an update in testing right now, but it won't be ready for 30 to 60 days. To put that into perspective, 30 days from now is end of November, early December - 60 days is almost 2012. I guess if you have seen that list we posted, then maybe this time frame isn't all that surprising?

So those disappearing apps, high-pitched headset squeals, and radio connectivity issues have another month to test your patience. Via: Motorola Cheers Steve!

Amazon Holding Android Speaker Dock Deal - Buy A Dock And Receive $30 Towards Amazon Purchases

Tim — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:46:55 +0000

If you have been looking to pick up one of those new Philips Fidelio Docking Stations that we reviewed last week, do it now. For a limited time when you purchase one of the four docks from Amazon, you will receive a $15 credit towards any Amazon MP3 purchases and a $15 Amazon Appstore credit. $30 of Amazon goodness. There is sure to be a docking station to suit the needs of anyone. They would also make a great gift. Buy Cheers Sam!

Verizon Roadmap: Galaxy Nexus Appears Headed for Release Just After Black Friday (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:07:46 +0000

We just received word from multiple sources that Verizon is targeting the week of or just after Black Friday for the launch of the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus. In the screenshot you will see below, the initial marketing push from Big Red will be for the DROID RAZR and HTC Rezound leading up to that weekend, with the launch of the G-Nex coming in just days after. There is a chance that the device could be out for Black Friday, but the chart below shows it as happening just after in "Samsung's Holiday Porfolio." Looks like we have a couple of extra weeks to go before we get our hands on Ice Cream Sandwich here in the states. Update: We had a handful of people ask a couple of great questions and thought we should clarify something. The schedule below is indeed an advertising schedule of sorts which is why we mentioned that the G-Nex could launch on or around Black Friday. If you look at the schedules for both the Rezound and Razr, they begin just after each phone is expected to hit stores. The Razr went on pre-order back on October 27, which is reflected below. The Rezound is expected to be out anywhere from the 10th-14th which is also reflected below. So could the Nexus drop just before Black Friday? It most definitely could, which is why you should try not to freak out too much yet. :)

Talk about a holiday spectacular for Verizon. Of course, the device that the majority of you are asking for is going to be the last one out. Ahh, got to love marketing strategies. Cheers ___!

LG Spectrum 4G Appears in Verizon Systems, is it the Revolution 2?

Kellen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:53:35 +0000

It has been a while since we last heard anything about the LG Revolution 2. Once rumored to be in the works as a 4.5" HD screen toting, 4G LTE blazing, unbelievably thin-bodied beast, this phone sounded like the first major player from LG in years. We saw it potentially cruise through the FCC followed by a bunch of overseas picture leaks, but there was no U.S. mention to be found. And then all went silent. Until today that is. A new device by the name LG Spectrum has appeared in Verizon system and we found ourselves wondering if this just might end up as the follow-up device to the Revolution. No way to really tell for sure with the little information given in these pictures, but the device is most definitely global, 4G and made by LG. Now, we have seen Big Red release a few lower-end 4G devices over the last couple of months, so with the Galaxy Nexus, RAZR and Rezound on the way, this could very well be something mid-range.

If LG were to release an HD beauty in the states, would you be interested? Or have we written them off completely from the Android game? Cheers ___!

Tuesday Poll: The One App You Can't Live Without?

Kellen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:06:12 +0000

Too hard to decide? Can you come up with just one? And we are ruling out Gmail, Google Maps, the Market, or any other app that is or was at one time native. If the game was on the line and you had one app that was guaranteed to give you victory, what would it be? Can there be just one? When you reach into your pocket, grab your phone and unlock it, what is the app that you almost instantly gravitate towards? An alternate keyboard? A cloud storage service? A 3rd party dialer? Twitter app? Since we are not allowing you to choose native apps or ones that were once native, you can't choose the text message app, but you could go with something like ChompSMS for example or another app that powers something native. Have something in mind? Drop it in the comments below. The DL choices: Tim went with Swype. Eric went with DropBox. Dan with Pandora. I went with Google Voice because there are far too many phone numbers and phones to keep track of these days.

Daily Deal: New 16GB Toshiba Thrive For $329.99

Dan — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:33:58 +0000

Have you been jealous of your friends with their iPads? Of course not! However, when you see your buddy with his Xoom and your girlfriend with her Tab 10.1, your heart sinks as you turn green with envy. Well no more, if you are looking for a tablet with ports up the wazoo then look no further. For today only, the 16GB Toshiba Thrive is available through Buy.com's Ebay page for $329.99 with free shipping, but as with any daily deal - supplies are limited as is the time. The Thrive has full HDMI and USB support, a full SD card slot, and a replaceable battery - all of these things can justify the bulkiness of the device. The tablet ships with Android 3.1 Honeycomb and has the usual dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. Additionally, Toshiba has added a built-in file management system to help you access those files that you can never seem to locate. To take advantage of this deal be sure to visit the source link. Via: Ebay

NGGG Tablet Giveaway #1 - Win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 from NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone

Kellen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:20:26 +0000

Welcome to the first November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway (NGGG)! NVIDIA, the Tegra Zone and Droid Life are on a mobile gaming inspired mission to get brand new tablets in the hands of as many of you as we can. Over the next month you will have the opportunity to win 1 of 4 Tegra 2 powered slates (a couple of bonus packs as well) so that you can enjoy some of the console-quality games that have/will be hitting the market over the next few months. For our first week, we have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 up for grabs. We reviewed this tablet already, but wanted to reiterate the fact that this might be our favorite Android tablet of them all. It's ultra-slim, weighs practically nothing, and has one of the more vivid and beautifully 10.1" screens you will see on any mobile device. Plus, with its dual-core processor (Tegra 2), 1GB of RAM and sleek look, it will take you into the future even as we see quad-core tablets around the corner. How to enter: 1. Follow @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. Tweet the following message:

Who doesn't love to win free tablets from @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra? http://goo.gl/H25nf #android

3. In the comments, tell us what your favorite Android game is, right now. Entry period: You will have from the time of this posting, through Friday (11/4) at noon (12PM Pacific) to enter. Winners: One winner will be picked randomly on Friday (11/4) at noon and announced shortly thereafter. Since this contest is based around Twitter, the winner will be contacted via Twitter. Good luck everyone! *Note - For those that are not fans of Twitter, just know that this will be the only contest of the 4 that will require you to enter via Twitter. Next week and thereafter you will have opportunities through a variety of outlets.

Huge thanks to NVIDIA for hosting the prizes!

Introducing the November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway - Your Chance to Win 1 of 4 NVIDIA Tegra 2 Tablets and Prize Packs

Kellen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:44:05 +0000

We did a couple of quick contests over the last week that you should really just look back at now as appetizers to the big holiday meal that your body is about to indulge in. And no, we aren't talking about Thanksgiving, although we did pull some name inspiration from that lovely turkey infested day. So what are we talking about? Welcome to the November Gobbler Gaming Giveaway, brought to your by NVIDIA's Tegra Zone and your pals here at Droid Life. What we have at stake is one massive month long Tegra 2 tablet giveaway (1 each week for 4 weeks) with some Jamboxes and $25 gift cards tossed in for added bonuses. If you were looking for something to get excited about that doesn't involve the Galaxy Nexus, this would be it. What are the prizes? Thanks to NVIDIA and the Tegra Zone, we have four (4) tablets altogether that we want to hand out to the amazing readers of Droid Life so that you can take your mobile gaming to the next level. We also have two Jawbone Jamboxes to amplify your in-game audio, plus two $25 gift cards that will be included in the last two giveaways of the month to let you purchase every Android game of your dreams. You are looking at well over $2,000 in prizes. So how will this work? Each week (starting today in about an hour), we will announce a new tablet to give away along with instructions on how you can enter to win it. As always, we like to make things social around here, so you will be given the opportunity to enter in a variety of ways that should take no time at all. It could be through Twitter, Facebook, comments on the site, or something completely out of the ordinary that comes to us in a late night coma. It will most definitely be simple though. Winners picked? Like I said above, we will announce each contest at the beginning of each week and will then pick winners at the end of that same week (on Friday). This way you have 4-5 days to enter. Winners will be notified through their point of entry, meaning via Twitter, Facebook, email, etc. Everything sound good? First contest post will be up within the next hour.

Please shout out to and thank @NVIDIATegra for hosting and providing so many amazing prizes. It's like a pre-Xmas celebration in November! Now, let's give away some tablets!

Motorola XOOM 2 Hitting Europe, Just In Time For Christmas

Tim — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:10:37 +0000

An advertisement depicting the Motorola XOOM 2 has been spotted on a flyer for Car Phone Warehouse based out of Ireland. The 16GB Wi-Fi only version will be going for 399.99 Euros, which will equate to about $545 in US dollars. This version of the XOOM 2 has an 8.2" display powered with Android 3.2, which is sure to get the bump to Ice Cream Sandwich later down the road - still not to be confused by its 10.1" counterpart that is said to boast 4G LTE and 64GB of storage. So which of these versions has you more excited? The 64GB 4G LTE beast, or the smaller, sleeker 8.2" version? Via: Engadget

Duke Nukem 3D Kicks Its Way Onto Android Market, All Out Of Bubblegum

Eric — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:25:21 +0000

The king is back, again. Duke Nukem 3D just landed on the Android Market for the low low price of $.99 for the first episode. If you have never played a Duke game before, this is a wonderful chance to do so aside from pirating a copy of it to play on a monitor that will point out how bad the graphics looked back then. Thankfully, the controls have been ported over to the mobile space, using the on-screen thumb pads we have grown accustomed to in games. They even have a 'swipe to look' function as well and there is native support for large screen devices so tablets can get in on all the Duke action.

A couple caveats with this game; the first being, do not let your children play it. If you haven't heard of the Duke, you need to know that he has one of the funniest, but foulest in all of video games. The second and third episodes can be unlocked through in-app purchase after you complete the first episode. The Market listing for this game has it rated at a 9.4 out of 10 - not that this game is not awesome - but that rating is for when it came out in 1991 on the PC. If the Duke timeframe applies to this game it will be 14 years before we see a mobile port of Duke Nukem Forever.

Market Link

HTC Rezound Caught on Video 1 More Time, Compared in Size to Thunderbolt

Kellen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:02:15 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qccIU11hydw[/youtube]

After receiving some hands-on time yesterday, the HTC Rezound is back again in a clip that compares the device to the one that most of us are expecting it to replace, the Thunderbolt. Again, nothing is all that surprising or new here, but you do get a feel for its length, screen resolution, thickness, and even some Beats audio love. That is if you can handle the 3 Doors Down clip that's played for far too long. I think some ruler tape even makes its way into the video at some point. Overall though, I would say that the device looks as polished as you would expect any HTC device to be. The build, color scheme and polish are of the highest quality; similar to what we have seen from the Amaze 4G. But with the Galaxy Nexus and DROID RAZR breaking ground on some new technologies and design elements, I'm wondering if Beats is going to be enough to help push this phone. We know it packs the higher end specs to compete with anything on the market today - is there a "Wow!" factor though?

NDrive And Droid Life Give You A Chance To Win 1 of 8 USA Map Licenses

Tim — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:30:46 +0000

The good people over at NDrive want Droid Life readers to celebrate as we head into November by giving them a chance to win 1 of 8 NDrive USA licenses. These licenses are priced at about $43 a piece, making it one of the most expensive Android apps I know of. NDrive is a navigation and GPS alternative for Android users that is a huge hit in Europe. Excellent turn-by-turn directions, multi-touch gestures, and a bunch of other great features make it one of the most dynamic apps available for drivers. Instructions to win: 1. Head on over to Facebook and like both the Droid Life and NDrive pages. 2. Update your status on Facebook to the following:

"@Droid Life is hooking it up with 8 @NDrive Android licenses - Just in time for the holidays!"

3. You have 3 days to enter, and entries will be cut off at 10PM EST on Thursday the 3rd of November. 4. NDrive will then select the 8 winners and contact them. It's as easy as pie. Good luck to everyone who enters. If you want to check out NDrive in the Market, you can do so here.

New Google+ App Available on Android: New UI Inspired by Ice Cream Sandwich, Battery Life and Navigation Improvements

Kellen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:49:39 +0000

The new Google+ is available in the Android Market for all to install. It is being referred to as a "completely new app" with a new visual design that was inspired by the team that designed Android 4.0. You will see battery life and GPS improvements, a new posting UI, "significant" notifications tweaks, and more. After just a few minutes with it, I can definitely say that it matches the Youtube ICS app in styling, so they weren't lying when they said it was meant to look similar. I love the way Google is starting to focus on design with their apps - long gone are the days when we were just happy to see them produce plain jane stuff. It's time to make things pretty-fied. Market Link. And be sure to add my Droid Life specific page to your G+ circles. Cheers michael!

Confirmed: DROID RAZR Launching at Verizon November 10

Kellen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:42:13 +0000

The above document was just passed along to us from our friends at Verizon, confirming that November 10 is the day that the DROID RAZR will be on store shelves. As has previously been noted thanks to a pre-order, the device will be $299 on new 2-year contract or $649 at full retail. It packs a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4.3" Super AMOLED Advanced display, is the thinnest smartphone around at 7.1mm, and crushes downloads over Big Red's 4G LTE network. You can view our hands-on video and gallery with the phone here and here. Anyone pre-order? Cheers ___!

And the Winners of the Logitech Revues are...

Kellen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:19:51 +0000

On Friday, we announced a contest to help celebrate the arrival of Honeycomb to Google TV. Two DL readers would be rewarded with a Logitech Revue of their own by doing something as simple as leaving a comment on the contest post. After picking randomly from the 2,000+ entries, it has come down to the final two. Who has won these soon-to-be-Honeycomb-filled-prizes? Let's find out after the break. And the winners are...

Wes Lange who just so happens to love the Thundercats. WJC who loves both Arrested Development and the Daily Show.

Congrats guys! Both of our winners have been contacted. To those of you that did not win, there is no need to be sad. We have a massive giveaway that will start tomorrow morning and run throughout the month of November. Tablets anyone? Stay tuned for those details.

Hands Free Gestures Coming To Pantech's New Vega LTE Smartphone

Tim — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:20:41 +0000

We have all been there. You are making a meal, hands all covered in beer batter, and all of a sudden you have an important call coming in. You aren't going to touch your phone with those nasty hands are you? The future of hands free technology doesn't think you should have to either. Shortly, Pantech is going to deliver the Vega LTE which features hands free gesture control. Wave your hand in front of the camera and control your phone's actions. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TofWQZe6ucU[/youtube] Not only answer/ignore calls, but you could also swipe through your gallery, pinch-to-zoom a photo, etc. The possibilities are endless. The Vega LTE is a Korea destined device, but we can hope that a manufacturer will bring this sort of gesture technology to the States sooner, rather than later. On an unrelated note, girl handling an assault rifle at a carnival? Hot. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6dd380FInw[/youtube] Via: All Things D

GetJar Offering A Slew Of Free Apps Including GRave Defense HD, TweetCaster, And More for Halloween

Tim — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:30:20 +0000

Back in August, GetJar started giving apps away in a program called GetJar Gold. They are constantly switching out the apps in this program, which today include a few that might interest you all. TweetCaster will run someone $5 in the Android Market, but go grab it for free from GetJar for a limited time and save yourself an Abe Lincoln. GRave Defense HD which is a couple of bucks, can be had for free too. No one should argue with free, legit applications. It's like what Amazon does but on a different time frame. GetJar will have multiple apps for free during a week's time, where as Amazon has a new app every day. Either way, it's a sweet little deal. Go take advantage. Via: GetJar

Telegraph: Galaxy Nexus Launching in the U.S. After November 17

Kellen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:55:42 +0000

An article published by the UK's Telegraph this morning has our inbox filling up with worried future Galaxy Nexus owners. Could the world's first Ice Cream Sandwich device launch in Europe on November 17, but not in the U.S. for another couple of weeks? According to this article, that's exactly what will happen. Here is the quote from the piece that has scared us all:

"At a recent Samsung European launch...the company confirmed that the European launch will precede the device going on sale in America and the rest of the world."

Uh oh. Could it be? Last week, the internets were abuzz when Samsung announced in London that the device would most definitely be out on November 17 in Europe, but this is the first time we have seen "America" brought up. I would say that most of us were under the impression that the U.S. version would more than likely be out at that same time to make for one big Euro-American launch. Now, I wasn't at the event to know if Samsung actually used the word "America" or not, so I would say that we shouldn't freak out too much at this point and look at this as purely rumor. This is the first time we have seen any news publication use something other than that the phone would roll out in Europe and the "rest of the world thereafter." Verizon has told us that the phone will be out some time this year - whether or not that's November 17 is still a mystery. You can all survive for another week or so, can't you? Via: Telegraph

HTC Rezound Pre-Production Model Gets Some Video Hands-on Time

Kellen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:06:39 +0000

Mmmhmm, the HTC Rezound just got "unboxed" by a tester who clearly doesn't mind showing his mug to the entire internet. This is a "pre-production" model that looks pretty finished for the most part. I was told to expect a big Beats audio logo on the back of the device at launch, but after seeing this one with both "Verizon" and "4G LTE" on the back instead of "with HTC Sense," I'm not sure that will happen. The tester doesn't discover anything shocking in this video, but is able to confirm the 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.3" 720p HD screen, 1GB of RAM, and Sense 3.5 - all specs we reported back in early August. We also get to see under the battery cover for the first time, which appears to be some sort of see-through red plastic. It's one fine lookin' machine. Can it compete with the Galaxy Nexus and DROID RAZR? We might know this Thursday when HTC takes the stage in NYC to announce it. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUy1lyA51jY[/youtube] Via: DroidForums Cheers Kelson!