Droid Life

Huawei's 6.1" Ascend Mate Officially Crosses the Line of Being "Un-Pocketable"

Tim — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:30:20 +0000

We as consumers are beginning to feel more comfortable about larger devices. They may not fit the needs of everyone, but there is certainly a market for the super-sized smartphone. Currently, the Galaxy Note 2 is the pinnacle of overly sized phones, but Huawei is looking to take that crown with their unveiling of the Ascend Mate - measuring in with a 6.1" 1080p display. Massive. Other than that larger-than-life size, the phone will feature a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, an even larger 4,000 mAh battery, all tucked into a 9.9mm thick frame. Not too shabby. The device is set for official launch at this year's CES, just a couple of weeks away. Don't worry, we'll be sure to get a hands on. Via: Engadget

Nexus 10 Pogo Charger Appears on eBay for $19.99

Kellen — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:00:22 +0000

Since release, the POGO pins on the bottom of the Nexus 10 have gone unused thanks to a lack of accessories that can take advantage of them. We've seen a charger or two pop up on various Android forums, but today, we get one on eBay that can actually be purchased for $19.99 and will ship around December 28. The listing for the "Nexus 10 Pogo Charging Cable" claims that it is "authentic" and 4 feet long. As you'll see in the video, it acts much like an Apple MagSafe power adapter in that it easily attaches to the device via magnets. From what we can tell, the manufacturer is MagNector, which doesn't exactly sound "official," but then again, official and "authentic" could mean two very different things. This listing also mentions that the MagNector will charge the device up to 25% faster than a standard USB cable. Looks, great - as long as you own a Nexus 10. We'd still like to see something official from Samsung.

[youtube]![/youtube]

Via: eBay Cheers Teng!

Google's Scan and Match Feature Isn't a Fan of Explicit Music

Tim — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 09:20:41 +0000

Depending on your fondness of certain words in music, the Scan and Match feature that Google implemented to Google Music may leave you quite upset. Scan and Match quickly tags music you are uploading and instead of uploading the entire file, it makes the tracks available from their catalog, saving people lots of upload time. That is great, but what happens when you are not getting exactly what you are trying to upload. Many users (our readers included) are finding that when uploading albums that contain explicit lyrics, that Google is making only the "clean" versions available for playback. If you are also an iTunes user, you may also be familiar with this story. Naturally, some folks are becoming very passionate about this decision from Google, but for good cause. Here is one user's comments to Google:

Let me out of force match!!!!!!!! Do not match my library! That's my music that I have bought and collected for years!!! All for you to trash it??? Don't tell me what version my music should be, sound like and what bit rate!! That is wrong!!

Now, either Google will amend this problem or we could expect nothing at all. If you are unhappy with the service, you might just have to use something else, which many people were forced to do when using Apple's iTunes Match. Has this decision from Google affected your library yet? If you're a fan of Limp Bizkit, you're screwed. Cheers Derek!

Gameloft Drops Most of Their Android Games to $0.99 for the Holidays

Kellen — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 09:00:20 +0000

Being a holiday week and all, Gameloft has gone ahead and slashed many of their Android titles from $6.99 down to $0.99. We aren't sure how long the deal will last, but we'd recommend jumping on them in a hurry. You'll find titles like N.O.V.A. 2 and 3, Amazing Spider-Man, Gangstar Rio, Dark Knight Rises, 9mm, Backstab, and Modern Combat 2 and 3 at the $0.99 price. Play Link

Verizon's New HTC DROID DNA Commercial Finally Mentions 1080p Display

Kellen — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 08:17:55 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slv3KqY6p6E[/youtube]

Verizon and HTC continue to upgrade "yourself" in this latest commercial for the DROID DNA. In it, they decide to finally touch on the phone's most important selling feature, the 1080p display, something they failed to do in the opening spot. Can someone explain to me how a man sitting in a futuristic laboratory chair with a phone plugged into his chest would make anyone want to buy said phone?

Hacker Claims to Have Nabbed 3 Million Verizon FiOS Customer Records, Verizon Disagrees a Bit

Kellen — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 08:08:29 +0000

Over the weekend, a hacker reached out to ZDNet and originally informed them that he had accessed some 3 million Verizon Wireless customer records through a security exploit in one of their systems. He claims that he initially tried to point out the issue to Verizon over the summer, but since they failed to respond directly to him, he decided to release about 300,000 of the records to Pastebin. The records include names, addresses, serial numbers, account opening dates, and passwords, likely all from in and around the Pennsylvania area. Verizon doesn't appear to be on the same page, assuring us that these were not from their Wireless business, but from the Wireline or FiOS side of things. Verizon spokesperson Bill Kula responded by saying that the data posted was not in fact "Wireless" customers and that their "systems have not been hacked." Kula also said that many of the details surrounding this "incident" are exaggerated and incorrect, that no "root" access was gained, and that they took immediate steps to safeguards individuals' information some time ago. Update: Here is the full statement from Verizon, some of which was removed from ZDNet's report:

"The ZDNet story is inaccurate. We take any attempts to violate consumer and customer privacy and security very seriously. This incident was reported to the authorities when we first learned of it months ago and an investigation was launched. Many of the details surrounding this incident are incorrect and exaggerated. No Verizon systems were breached, no root access was gained, and this incident impacted a fraction of the number of individuals being reported. Nonetheless, we notified individuals who could potentially have been impacted and took immediate steps to safeguard their information and privacy. Verizon has also notified law enforcement of this recent report as a follow-up to the original case."

A report out of TheNextWeb confirms that the customers on this list were Wireline (FiOS) and not Wireless. Verizon is also pushing the blame onto a marketing firm who apparently doesn't know how to handle sensitive information. We're just wondering why a marketing firm needs your FiOS password and also why Verizon is willing to allow them to "copy" it.

There was no hack, and no access gained. A third party marketing firm made a mistake and information was copied. As for wireless v. wired customers, some of the individuals listed were Verizon customers who are not wireless customers but wired/wireline customers or prospective customers.

Ugh. Again, feel free to change your password. Via: ZDNet | TheNextWeb Cheers Rodney!

Download: 4 Android and Nexus Inspired Holiday Cards, Polar Bear Approved

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:59:09 +0000

The official Google+ Nexus account posted up four new holiday-inspired cards this afternoon, all of which can be downloaded and used as you choose. They are definitely silly, yet somehow still very awesome. Each of the cards is different, but many of the characters remain the same - Bugdroid, polar bears, penguins, and other furry friends. We've included two of them here, but if you visit the source link below, you'll find full resolution versions.

Via: +Nexus

This Week in the Life of DROID: 12/21/12

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:45:17 +0000

This week was the definition of quality over quantity. With the holidays approaching, the tech world is going into hibernation, but the stories that did come out were huge and blown way up. We had Instagram's drama and user backlash, the last Droid Life Show of 2012 (sad), and now we get to look forward to an official Google/Motorola "X" device. It might be a very merry Christmas after all. Here are the highlights from the week in case you missed anything juicy.

Watch: The Droid Life Show Episode 10
Yearly Recap: A look back at 2012 in polls.
Google and Motorola are working to create the "X Phone."
The top 10 Android phones of 2012!
Review: Windows Phone 8.
Crazy: Get your very own "FACKWORS" shirt.
NVIDIA's Tegra 4 details leaked.
Instagram updates ToS, then quickly reverts back.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

PowerA Releases List of Top Android Games That Work With MOGA Controllers

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:10:57 +0000

Last week, we tipped readers off to a deal that couldn't be resisted, one that featured a free MOGA gaming controller and a coupon to redeem a copy of Modern Combat 4. The total value was somewhere around $60, but all you had to pay was $5 in shipping and both were yours. Not surprisingly, they sold out almost immediately following a server overload. Today, perfectly timed as those orders start arriving on doorsteps, PowerA has released a list of top games that work with the MOGA controller. You'll find titles like Modern Combat 4, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Wild Blood, Jet Set Radio, and Dead Trigger, all major game titles that we have featured a time or two on DL. Have you received your MOGA yet? If so, what games are you using it with?

Top Android Games Launching With Support

For MOGA™ Mobile Gaming System
Woodinville, WA. – December 21, 2012 – More Android games are now being released simultaneously with support for the MOGA™ Mobile Gaming System by PowerA^™. Gameloft's Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and SkyVu Entertainment’s BATTLE BEARS ROYALE recently released on the Google Play store with MOGA support built right into the game. Gamers with a MOGA can download and immediately play those games with precision control that is usually only reserved for console gamers. With Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, for example, using the "iron sight" button on MOGA improves gameplay and can increase a gamer’s performance. Since being released in October, new games have been added to the system, with key titles in every major gaming genre. MOGA Enhanced titles that recently released, or will be available by the end of the year include:

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour (Gameloft)

BATTLE BEARS ROYALE (SkyVu Entertainment)

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Rockstar)

Wild Blood (Gameloft)

Dead Trigger (MADFINGER Games)

Jet Set Radio (SEGA)

NFL Pro 2013 (Gameloft)

Tiki Kart 3D (Arb Studios)

Expendable Rearmed (Retrobomb)

The Bard’s Tale (inXile Entertainment)

“With the recent launch of Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, gamers are provided with some of the most high-quality and immersive gaming experiences currently available on mobile," said Baudouin Corman, Gameloft VP of Publishing for the Americas. "And when paired with the MOGA Mobile Gaming System, Android gamers can now also enjoy the pleasures of a true console-like gaming controller.” "BATTLE BEARS ROYALE is our #1 game and it's all about intense real-time multiplayer action packed with hilarious comedy," says Ben Vu, Co-Founder & CEO of SkyVu Entertainment. "Our millions of core fans are extremely competitive. MOGA allows gamers to play better while keeping their thumbs off the glass to provide a full view of the action." MOGA was released on October 22, 2012 to critical acclaim, and has attracted support from top mobile developers and publishers who want to bring console-like precision and control to their Android phone and tablet-based games. Gameloft, Ratrod Studios, Ezone, Namco Bandai, SEGA, Ayopa Games, Vector Unit and other acclaimed publishers have developed MOGA Enhanced blockbuster titles such as The Dark Knight Rises HD, N.O.V.A. 3, Sonic CD, and Dungeon Hunter 3. New game titles, developers and publishers are coming on board each month. For a complete list of games that support MOGA, visit www.PowerA.com/MOGA. MOGA combines three key innovations into a single powerful system. The MOGA Controller is the first state-of-the-art, full-featured controller designed specifically for mobile devices. Pocket-sized, portable and connected via Bluetooth^® wireless technology, the MOGA Controller features the controls that mobile gamers and developers demand: dual analog sticks, two shoulder buttons, four action buttons and standardized start and select buttons. In addition, the MOGA Software Development Kit (SDK) provides mobile game developers greater precision, robust control and enhanced display abilities while enabling fast, efficient development of rich new game titles and MOGA enhancement of existing titles. Finally, the MOGA™ Pivot App enables gamers to easily browse, find and play a list of MOGA Enhanced Games in one convenient location. MOGA Pivot App is available free via Google Play. The MOGA system supports Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and higher mobile devices. MOGA is now available for an estimated retail price of $49.99 USD at Best Buy, Walmart, Toys"R"Us, Fred Meyer, Gamestop, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and a nationwide network of additional retailers and carrier stores. It is also available through Amazon and PowerA.com.

Question of the Day: What Do You Want to See in the Motorola/Google "X" Phone?

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:38:18 +0000

In the comments section for the article we just posted about this rumored Google/Motorola X Phone, people are already setting up their wishlist in terms of what they want to see with the device. People are hoping for 4G LTE, a large battery, high resolution displays, and of course, an unlockable bootloader. We decided to throw up this post to give people a proper place to start throwing out ideas for what they need to see in this device. As for the DL team, we have our hopes on a flexible display, the best camera to ever grace a smartphone, a move towards premium materials rather than the plastics we often see, and let's throw in that Tegra 4 while you're at it. Let's hear your ideas for the X Phone!

Google Play Holiday Sales Round Up #2 - Max Payne, Grand Theft Auto, and More

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:40:48 +0000

Since Google isn't making it easy on us and putting all of the app sales in one place through Google Play, we figured we should do it for you. There are some sweet deals going on with games from Rockstar, EA Games, and a few other big names. Grand Theft Auto for 99 cents, anyone?

Deals:

Max Payne ($0.99)
Grand Theft Auto 3 ($0.99)
Avengers Initiative ($0.99)
F-Sim Space Shuttle ($0.99)
Puddle THD ($0.99)
Dead Space ($0.99)
Thumb Keyboard ($1.29)
ProPanorama ($0.99)
Another World ($0.99)
The Game of Life ($0.99)
Tetris ($0.99)
Plants Vs. Zombies ($0.99)

There! That should hold you over through the weekend. If you're looking for even more deals, check out the AppSales app that we wrote up yesterday for all of Google Play's current deals.

Dropbox Releases Public Beta, Features UI Improvements and More

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:10:49 +0000

Last night, the Dropbox team released a public beta of their new 2.2.2.8 build for users to provide feedback on. Inside the beta are some UI improvements, a multiple photo delete feature, and a "favorites" feature. If you're big into Dropbox, it's pretty smooth. Check out the full changelog and download the beta below.

Christmas is coming early in Android land! The Dropbox elves have been in the workshop all week preparing this exciting preview release for you. What's new:

Effortlessly share several of your beautiful photos at once,

Organize your favorite photos into albums. You can share them too!

Delete multiple photos at once

UI improvements and updates throughout

Lots of other little tweaks and bug fixes

Additionally, we're trying something new with this forum build. We've added a feature to opt in for future early releases directly through the app. For forum build downloads this feature is on by default so you can easily get updates to the forum build and the final release a bit early. You can also toggle this option on and off in the app's settings. Help make this the best Android release yet by sharing your feedback with us. So create some albums and share some photos, and let us know what you think!

Download Cheers Brad and Jeremy!

Report: Motorola and Google are Designing the "X Phone"

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:28:32 +0000

According to a new report out of the Wall Street Journal, Google and Motorola are finally working on their first big project, a "marquee" product known internally as the "X Phone." The major goal of this phone, clearly, is to create something that can finally rival products from Samsung and Apple, but also try to help bring Motorola back from the dead. With an increasingly shrinking market share, Moto is in desperate need of a big hit. Little is known about the phone, but this report suggests that it may have hit some supply chain obstacles already. Moto was potentially looking at flexible displays for this device, along with ceramic materials that would allow the phone to be more stress-resistant, offer different shapes, and new colors. They may have to re-think that strategy a bit. Other potential focuses include making the camera top notch, taking advantage of Viewdle (a recent acquisition of Motorola's), and getting the phone out to the world in 2013. We've talked about this in the past, but Google has put together a special team at Motorola whose only goal is to create something mind-blowingly good, new, and never seen before. We would assume that this team is working on the X Phone. This report also mentioned that Motorola would create an "X Tablet" after the phone is done. And yep, we're dying to hear your thoughts. Via: WSJ

Droid Life's Look Back at 2012

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:05:32 +0000

We love polls here at DL. It gives us a great sense of how you all feel about certain topics and that is something we care a lot about. Last year, we did a sort of "Look Back" at Droid Life through polls and it was a really interesting post. So, we have decided to bring it back this year too. In general, 2012 was a huge year for Android. When it came to phones, the Galaxy Nexus still reigned supreme in people's pockets, quad-core devices and Jelly Bean took over the spec pages, and we found that people still have to have root access. We were introduced to a whole new Nexus lineup of devices, Verizon's tiered data, and fancy new display technology. And please, excuse my crude graphs.

What is your current phone?

What's more important than knowing which phone each of you have? Crazy enough, the difference between ownership numbers between phones from December of 2011 to August of 2012 was pretty much directly related to the introduction of the Galaxy S3, which kicked a few devices off of the list completely.

2012 predictions and results.

We asked readers what they thought 2012 would mean to Android back in January of this year. Warning, the answers may shock you. We still believed Honeycomb was going to be the future of Android tablets, but we nailed it with the excitement over quad-core devices. Unfortunately, we still didn't know Verizon had Share Everything plans on the way, which took a nice chunk of our recent "What was 2012 the year of?" poll.

Rooted or non-rooted?

One of the pivotal questions that we ask our readers every half year or so is if their device is currently rooted or non-rooted. With devices coming straight from the factories with plenty of power and a much better looking UI then they used to, the needs for rooting are sadly fading away with the days of Gingerbread and Froyo. Google is continually making Android look and perform better with each new release, but according to our readers, they still want the root!

Do you own an Android tablet?

Android tablets. Since the launch of the Nexus 7, they have become a huge part of our ecosystem, but before that, they really weren't all that popular. Google and ASUS teamed up for Google I/O and launched the perfect product, at the perfect time. From what you can see, we ran this question in February of this year and then again in October. Huge change in the numbers of, "Yes!"

Interested in the Nexus Q?

So, not everything Google puts out can be a hit, right? We basically saw what happens when Google releases a product that is overpriced and theoretically doesn't do anything besides weigh a ton. Sorry, Nexus Q. Maybe Google can go work on you a bit longer and add some real functionality besides streaming YouTube videos.

What's your favorite new feature in Jelly Bean?

Jelly Bean. The newest version of Android took center stage this year for many people and has become extremely popular with users. It brought many enhancements that I think a few of us couldn't live without now. At Google I/O, they introduced Google Now, expandable notifications, and Project Butter to just name a few. We decided to ask what stood out the most among readers and Project Butter ran away with it, even though it's a feature you don't actually "see."

Apps!

This year, we were able to see that the Android group is sort of a cheap bunch. No offense, but look at these numbers. Now, there's no way to directly correlate the folks between the two polls, but out of the almost 10,000 people that answered these, a whopping 46% of people have only "0-10" paid apps. Let's go support those developers, folks! If you play a game that you enjoy and there's a paid version, let's convince these developers to keep working.

What's keeping you with your current wireless carrier?

We talk a whole lot about carriers on the site. With the introduction of tiered data, new phones, and 4G LTE data, we need to know what's keeping you with your current provider. The people have spoken, and it isn't so much the grandfathered data hogs that have spoken. People want good coverage and fast speeds. To top it off, we needed to find out what kind of plan you're currently on. No surprise here! The DL community doesn't rock anything unless it's unlimited!

How much data are you actually consuming?

So, now that we are able to see what plan you are on and what you're loving about it (4G LTE), we set out to see how much data we're actually consuming. 2GB to 4GB was on top, but definitely not by much. In third came 10GB+ with 17% of the vote. Now that's a data hog right there.

Hardware & Specs.

We're huge hardware fans and we love to talk about mobile processors, RAM, and all of that jazz. What makes it even better is that all of you like it too! Recently, we asked which processor was in your phone of choice. Being that many of you are on Verizon, Snapdragon had no issues pulling out that win. But what about on-screen keys and things like that? Let's take a look at what the DL community was digging this year in terms of hardware and specs.

Conclusion.

To sum it up, we have had a very exciting 2012! We look forward to 2013 and everything it has to offer the Android community. We have CES in Vegas, MWC in Barcelona, more 1080p devices, more Google I/O, whatever Samsung is working on, new leadership at Motorola, and so much more. Thanks to all of our readers for being the greatest group of Android lovers out there. 2013 should be a blast!

Android Team Wishes You "Happy Holidays," Shows Off Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 Docks

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:38:05 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=967nio2LF7s[/youtube]

The Android team wants to wish you all Happy Holidays in this latest video through the Google Mobile YouTube channel. It initially paints a sad picture for a lonely Bugdroid, but then quickly turns into a joyous occasion, as he's surrounded by Nexus devices and other Android friends. Super cute. As a bonus, we get a quick look at docks for both the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, two items that you cannot purchase. Come to think of it, almost everything you see in this video cannot be purchased, as Google struggles to keep up with what appears to be a crazy demand for their current Nexus lineup. Cheers Scott!

Week of Holiday Tegra: Win 1 of 4 Lenovo IdeaTabs Plus $25 Gift Cards [Day 5] (Update: Winners Picked!)

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:16:15 +0000

Day 5 of the Week of Holiday Tegra is upon us! That means this is the last day as we head into a long holiday weekend. We have already given away seven tablets, courtesy of our friends at NVIDIA., all of which can take advantage of the gaming power provided by Tegra 3 processors. But today, we're giving away another four (4) along with $25 gift cards. If you were looking to win a last minute present, this is your last chance. Ready? The rest of this week's prizes:

~~Day 1 – (3) Nexus 7 16GB~~
~~Day 2 – Transformer Pad TF300 + dock + Logitech controller~~
~~Day 3 – Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 + dock + Logitech controller~~
~~Day 4 – (2) Acer A110 + $25 AMEX Gift Card~~
Day 5 – (4) Lenovo A2109 + $25 AMEX Gift Card

Contest

Update: Sorry for the wait, folks! Congrats to Drew Chapman, DroidLifer, James Taylor, and Scott Haggerty! Happy holidays to all of you! Prize: 4 (four) Lenovo A2109 tablets + $25 AMEX Gift Cards. How to enter: 1. ”Like” the NVIDIA Tegra Facebook page or follow @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. ”Like” the Droid Life Facebook page or follow @droid_life on Twitter. 3. In the comments, simply wish everyone "Happy Holidays." Winners: Today, at 4PM PST, we’ll randomly choose winners from the comments. Eligible countries: US (excluding Puerto Rico and its other territories and possessions), Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, Australia, China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India (excluding the State of Tamil Nadu), and Brazil.

Limited Edition DROID DNA Devices End Up On eBay, Feel Like Getting Me a Christmas Present?

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:51:48 +0000

Feel like picking up one of those limited edition DROID DNA devices that are exclusively for Verizon employees? If you head over to eBay, there are a few listings for the device, all of which are either already over or on their way to being over the DNA's MSRP. That's to be expected, right? For those interested, the limited edition variant has nothing different internally to the regular one. The only change is the red back, which could be enough for some people. Me included. Although, I can't justify a purchase like that at this time of the year. Consider it added to my wishlist. You can check a few of the listings here, here, and here. Cheers Bob!

Activision's Re-Imagined Pitfall! Makes Its Way to Android

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:32:19 +0000

This morning, the re-imagined Atari classic Pitfall! has made its way to Android. Thanks to Activision, we have another great game to get us through the holiday break. The game plays much like Temple Run, but with many more environments which could help the replay value. What makes it even better is that its completely free on Google Play.

The “Free Runner” evolved! Navigate through constantly changing environments as you make your way through narrow trenches, dark caverns, and cascading waterfalls with cinematic camera angles.
Level up and trade in your loot for a trove of game changing powerups that can be used to enhance your experience and customize your wardrobe
Pitfall! Relic Rush Mode — test your skills and challenge your friends across 12 all-new custom stages of Pitfall! Relic Rush.
Top your friends’ scores on Twitter and Facebook and stake your claim as the real king of the jungle!
Easy swipe and tilt controls allow you to jump right in!

Jump on it. Play Link

Instagram Receives Update on Android - New "Mayfair" Filter, More Facebook Sharing

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:12:16 +0000

Instagram's Android app received an update this morning, one that introduced a new "Mayfair" filter and Facebook sharing to Pages. The changelog for the update also says that there are performance enhancements and bug fixes, along with support for 25 languages. Play Links: Instagram

Gangnam Style is First Video in History to Hit 1 Billion Views

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 08:20:31 +0000

Not Android related, but it's worth mentioning that Gangnam Style is the first video in history to hit 1 billion views on YouTube. Not 1 million or 500 million - 1 billion. The previous record holder was Justin Bieber's "Baby," which as you can see from the chart above, can't even compare to what Tim's boy PSY was able to accomplish. In 5 months, this video hit 1 billion, while it took Bieber over two years to crack the 750 million mark. That's nuts. I don't know if we should be ashamed as a society or pat ourselves on the back. Either way, here is the video one more time. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0[/youtube] Via: YouTube Blog

Review: Windows Phone 8, a Look at the Competition

Ron — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:43:58 +0000

For the past week I've been spending a lot of time with the HTC 8X on Verizon. The 8X is considered a signature Windows Phone, sporting a 4.3" 720x1280 display, a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, NFC, dual band WiFi, LTE, Beats Audio, and an 8 MP 1080p shooter in back with a wide-angle 2.1 MP front camera. In short, Windows Phone has reached parity with Android and iOS in terms of specs. When I last looked at Windows Phone I argued that while the operating system looks good and is certainly an improvement over Windows Mobile, the lack of apps, disappointing multi-tasking, and poor notification system kept Windows Phone from reaching feature parity with iOS and Android. Since then Android and iOS have propelled smartphone ownership to unprecedented levels while Windows Phone has remained a niche product in terms of market share. Read on to find out how Microsoft has changed Windows Phone for the better, what has stayed the same, and what Microsoft still needs to do to make Windows Phone succeed.

Software Design

Windows Phone 7 reinvented the design style that Microsoft began to push with Windows Media Center and the Zune by adding a more visual layer to a text-heavy user interface. The focus on text over images to represent UI has been slightly diminished in Windows Phone 8 with the option to shrink Live tiles down to just icons. That said, Windows Phone provides a nice balance between emphasizing text and icons at the same time. Whether you like the stylistic choices or not, Microsoft has made an operating system that looks and feels consistent. Metro is not altogether different from the latest design choices being made by Google with Google Now, Gmail for iOS, and Google+. In fact, in many ways Windows Phone feels like what Google Now would be if it were a full operating system. The Start screen is constantly flashing updated information in front of you in just about the right bites for you to chew. Everything looks clean and organized if not abrasively simple. Compared to the hyper-realistic design language found in iOS, Windows Phone 8 feels like a breath of fresh air even though it has essentially remained unchanged since Windows Phone launched back in 2010. While the simplicity of Windows Phone sometimes works against its functionality, it presents a unique way to interact with the various sources of information in your life. Apps consolidate information across horizontal sections, encouraging you to explore the space. Large fonts summarize different sections of an app while icons flank the bottom portion of the screen. Again, this is not always the most functional method to display information, but it certainly makes Windows Phone stand out from the crowd. People who are looking for something that is simple but keeps them connected should find Windows Phone's design appealing.

Start Screen

The updated Start screen was heralded by Microsoft as major improvement over the old Start screen. Microsoft is right that it is a major improvement, but it really should have been there from the beginning. In Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 you could rearrange the tiles on the Start screen, pin them and unpin them, but their size was decided by the app, not the user. Microsoft is now giving users the ability to change the size of live tiles. This may seem like a minor change, but it's an important one. On Windows Phone 7.x, the most amount of tiles you could see immediately after unlocking your screen was 8, whereas with Windows Phone 8 you could potentially see 28 live tiles upon unlocking your screen. This means that users can prioritize more apps towards the top of their Start screen. The Start screen, while not tremendously different from the last iteration of Windows Phone, is far more useful now. That said, live tiles do not provide the same kind of customization or functionality as widgets. While widgets are not the superlative expression of functionality and productivity, they are often more useful than live tiles. For example, a Twitter widget can show you multiple mentions while a live tile only shows a preview of one notification (yes, you still often cannot see the full text of a notification from the live tiles). The Start screen excels at giving users quick glances at information, but it still feels somewhat hampered by design choices that Microsoft made early on. Adjusting the size of live tiles in Windows Phone gives users the option to see more information, but Microsoft should have come up with a way to see more information on smaller live tiles. The smallest, icon sized icons will obviously be severely limited, but the medium sized icons that most apps default to could use some sort of scrolling mechanism to see more information from the Start screen. If the users wants to see everything they can always open the app, but being able to swipe through email headings or read more of a tweet than the first few words would make the Start screen far more useful.

Notifications

Notifications in general have remained completely unchanged since Windows Phone 7.5. If the screen is unlocked and an app received an update, you will see a toast notification at the top of the screen. Tap it and the respective app will launch and show you the update or swipe the update to the right to dismiss it (something iOS users are surely envious of). On the lock screen there have been some improvements. For example, you can choose between the Calendar, Facebook, Twitter, Email, Messaging, and Phone apps to display detailed information on the lock screen with quick status notifications on the lock screen from the same group of apps. You may only chose one of those apps for the detailed notification and you can chose five of the remaining apps for quick status notifications on the lock screen. As far as I can tell developers do not have the option to tie their apps into detailed or quick status, which means the only way to see notifications if they occurred when you weren't looking at your phone is to pin the app to the Start screen. While some might say that pinned apps to the Start screen is just as good if not better than a full notification hub, I disagree. The Start screen is where I want to pin the apps that I used most. That is the screen that I will look at the most. While it is nice to have quick access to information from my most important apps, I don't want the Start screen to double as a notification hub. Notifications are a crucial part of a modern operating system. An operating system that is allegedly designed to let you get in, get out and get on with your life should have a clean, simple notification hub so users can actually see what is going on all in one place. Considering Microsoft's emphasis on other information hubs, this omission is glaring. It would make a lot of sense for Microsoft to add a notification hub that is accessible from the Start screen by swiping to the right instead of forcing users to pin any app to their Start screen that might receive a notification. While it is nice that users can shrink down the tiles so they do not have to scroll through a huge Start screen to manually search for notifications, that is not a good solution for power users.

Multitasking

Multitasking has also remained largely unchanged. While you can now go back up to seven apps, the behavior is still inconsistent. Some apps are able to resume quickly while others are not. It is also still possible to have two instances of the same app appear in the severely limited multitasking screen. I did have some issue with the Settings app disappearing from the multitasking screen from time to time. I'm not sure if that was supposed to be a feature or if it's a bug, but it was annoying. Multitasking is supposed to bring some consistency to your app experience, but Windows Phone does nothing of the sort. While the multitasking screen looks nice (HTC Sense's version of multitasking looks very similar), it would be even better if you could swipe apps away to close them. When Microsoft first revealed its iteration of multitasking on Windows Phone (yes, it actually launched without multitasking) many drew comparisons to webOS, but unlike webOS (and Android as of Ice Cream Sandwich) the multitasking screen is just to switch apps, not the manage them. In theory, to close an app you simply relaunch it from the Start screen. Some apps like Rowi resume where you were when you launch them from the Start screen, but most apps launch a fresh instance if they are accessed from the Start screen. This sort of behavior should have been changed in Windows Phone 8. Android, iOS, and even webOS resume your session in an app when it is launched from your home screen or the app launcher. Microsoft should have just went all the way and stolen webOS' card interface to mange apps.

Apps

Despite Microsoft's efforts to coerce more developers to write apps for Windows Phone, the app ecosystem has not changed dramatically since Windows Phone 7.5 and the end of the smartphone beta test. Big name apps like Instagram, Tumblr, Pocket, Starbucks, Pandora (coming in 2013), Flipboard, Dropbox, Hulu, and YouTube are still missing. Sure, there are often third party apps that you can use to replace or use these services, but the fact that these kinds of apps are still missing is a huge problem. To complicate things more, since many of these apps are unavailable in an official form, users are often forced to pay for apps that allow you to use the services instead of the free versions that would come from most of these companies. On top of that, many of the paid third party apps do not work well. There are certainly exceptions (BoxFiles for Dropbox, SBUX Card, YouTube Browser, Blueprints, etc.), but the experience is frustrating to say the least. On a brighter note, the Microsoft has cleaned up the Windows Phone Store (formerly the Windows Phone Marketplace) so that searches bring up relevant apps. This was a huge problem back when I looked at Windows Phone 7.5, but thankfully a search for Twitter brings up Twitter apps first, then random apps that mention Twitter. Browsing through app sections like Top free and Picks for you also seem improved, offering better suggestions and a more curated experience. While Microsoft has done a good job at bringing in a lot more big name apps and cleaning up the Store, it still has a lot of work ahead of it. With Google removing Exchange support for Gmail and refusing to make apps for Windows Phone, Microsoft is going to have to push harder to increase adoption. There are certainly plenty of great apps out there, but omissions like Instagram, Tumblr, and Pocket really do hurt Windows Phone's image, and therefore their chances to succeed in the market.

Games

The game ecosystem has improved slightly since I used Windows Phone 7.5. There are more popular titles and a few more clones of popular titles from Android and iOS. Games are still hidden in the Games app instead of showing up with the rest of your apps. I'm not sure what Microsoft is trying to accomplish by siloing gaming apps into the Games hub, but it would be nice if there were at least an option to have games show up with the rest of your apps. The improved hardware requirements for Windows Phone could encourage developers of heavier games to develop for Windows Phone, but games like Dead Space or Marvel vs Capcom 2 are still missing. In their place are a number of simpler games from Wordament by Microsoft to Angry Birds Star Wars to Sonic CD. While the games that I played performed well and I didn't see any issues with games not resuming properly in my testing, the lack of titles was annoying. The dearth of gaming titles on the mobile platform of a company that has its own console is embarrassing. The fact that there still isn't a Halo FPS or even side scroller is maddening. Microsoft is literally leaving money on the table by making franchises like Halo console-only. I would be happier with the Windows Phone gaming options if I could at least get a decent number of classic Sega titles, but Sega only has four games available on Windows Phone (Sonic CD, Sonic 4 Episode I, Super Monkey Ball, and Super Monkey Ball 2). Had Microsoft reached deeper into their pockets, they may have been able to coerce Sega to release some exclusive titles to Windows Phone or at least to match their huge library on iOS. When a flailing company like Sega only has four games on your operating system, you know you're in bad shape.

Camera

The camera software on Windows Phone 8 has received a number of improvements. In previous version of Windows Phone the camera had a video toggle on the top, a +/- toggle to zoom, and a settings button that opened the full settings pane. While it was a nice, minimalist look, it emphasized digital zooming a little too much considering any amount of digital zoom alone tends to distort an image noticeably. Windows Phone 8 keeps the minimal design, but puts more useful features on the left of the display. Three dots mark the top of the right panel to drag out the full settings pane (which is much more consistent with the rest of Windows Phone's behavior than Windows Phone 7.x's version) followed by the video toggle, the front camera toggle, the flash toggle, and the lens toggle. Sliding out the Settings pane prompts you to chose between altering video and photo settings. Photo settings in Windows Phone 7.x were rather minimal with a few unhelpful scenes to choose from, some effects, resolution options, metering mode, and flicker adjustment. In short, there was not a lot of emphasis placed on allowing the user to control the camera. Windows Phone 8, on the other hand, offers some of the same effects and resolution options, but adds white balance, exposure, contrast, saturation, sharpness, and ISO controls as well as the option to enable or disable face detection. While you obviously still dont' have the kind of manual control you would expect from a full fledged camera, there are a lot more options available to enable you to take better shots. One other neat feature in Windows Phone 8 is the ability to add third party lenses. Bing Vision (which is a barcode/QR code reader) comes built in, but other lenses are available in the Windows Phone Store. One free option, CamWow has a number of filters that can be live previewed and used to take goofy shots with swirling or pinhole or more serious shots with a black and white filter or stencil lens. While many of these are built into Windows Phone, the option to have third party developers build lenses that can be used straight from the camera app is great.

Maps

The maps experience will differ from device to device. On the 8X I had the built-in Maps app which is designed by Microsoft, but powered by Nokia Maps (much like the Maps app on iOS 5 and before was designed by Apple, but powered by Google Maps). On Nokia devices you will have their Nokia maps app as well as access to Nokia Drive, a voice navigation app with turn-by-turn directions. While Nokia drive will eventually be available to other devices, right now it is a Nokia exclusive, leaving the 8X with the VZ Navigator app (which appropriately is currently rated 2 out of 5 stars). Overall the design of the Maps app is identical to before. You have access to an arial view (satellite), turn by turn directions, local scout for points of interest, and traffic conditions. Once nice little addition to the Maps app in Windows Phone 8 is the option to display WiFi hotspots. While that sort of information is not super relevant for most consumers, it's a nice addition. When getting directions in Windows Phone 7, tapping on each section of the directions would change the visual map and read out loud what the next step was. While tapping to see the next step is still enabled, voice over is gone in Windows Phone 8. This is undoubtedly in preparation for Nokia Drive to be made available to all Windows Phones, but in the mean time it means that non-Nokia Windows Phone 7 devices are actually better for navigation than non-Nokia Windows Phone 8 devices. It would have been nice to see Microsoft at least leave the old functionality in the app until Nokia Drive was released instead of abandoning users to VZ Navigator. Overall the maps were accurate in my usage, but far less useful than Google Maps. In fact, I would prefer Apple Maps to the mapping solution provided with the HTC 8X. While Microsoft has touted Local Scout to find points of interest near your location, that data is not present by default when browsing through maps. Points of interest can be shown by tapping on Local Scout or initiating a search, but I had issues with some locations missing. In particular, my favorite Starbucks in my home town is missing altogether in Nokia Maps (it is accurately presented in Google Maps and on the wrong side of the street in Apple Maps). While Apple Maps is often derided for misinformation, I could have still seen the Starbucks from the street with Apple Maps; Nokia Maps doesn't even acknowledge its existence.

Office

Microsoft Office has remained useful if you use SkyDrive, but not very useful otherwise. You can still create and sync Excel sheets and Word documents. You cannot make a PowerPoint presentation on your phone, but they will open and you can make some small edits. OneNote has its own app which does a good job syncing between the full desktop application. In fact, if you're a student who relies on OneNote, the Windows Phone application is really nice. For whatever reason Microsoft continues to tout Office as a huge advantage for Windows Phone users, but the reality of the situation is that Office for Windows Phone is only marginally better than Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on OS X. To make matters worse, Google offers Drive for free on Android and iOS with even more functionality than Office. Even Apple's Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, which are $10 each, blow Office for Windows Phone out of the water. This says nothing of the other full productivity suites available on Android and iOS like Documents to Go and QuickOffice. Most people are probably not using their phones to make major changes to documents, but at least on Android and iOS you have the power to do so. Sure, on a Windows 8 device you have the option to have the full Office experience, but it still isn't really optimized for touch and it doesn't deal with mobile emergency: having to make a major change to a document and not being able to on a Windows Phone. Considering how much Microsoft is pushing Office as a competitive advantage over Android and iOS, I would have hoped that they would have improved the Office experience instead of making it feel like a free trial.

Email, Calendar, Contacts

The email, calendar, and contacts experience remains relatively unchanged. Despite a larger, higher resolution display, the 8X still only displayed my most recent 5 emails (the same as my Trophy running Windows Phone 7.5). Apparently Microsoft employees don't use email that often and think that 5 is an appropriate number of emails to display. Most of the display is taken up with giant text for each sender. The design is reflected in Outlook 2013 as well with giant text for the sender and regular sized text for the email preview (something I was able to disable in Outlook 2013, but not in Windows Phone 8). For casual users that might be fine, but for a business user (which should theoretically be a huge demographic for Microsoft), they want to be able to see as much information as possible. Once you open an email you're greeted with a large avatar for that user (provided you have an image in your contacts for that person), their name in giant text yet again, the subject in blue, regular sized text, followed by the metadata for the email and then the email's actual text. Emails sent in HTML are squished to fit into the size of the display, which often means that portions of the email may be cut off or formatted incorrectly. Pinch-to-zoom is enabled, but it does not solve the problem of emails displaying incorrectly. Even turning the phone to landscape does not resolve the issue. This is an issue that has persisted since Windows Phone 7 and is yet another area that Microsoft, the company behind Exchange and Outlook, absolutely should have resolved before. The Calendar app is a nightmare. It defaults to a day view, where you can scroll through each hour of the day to see what is going on today. A swipe to the left shows your whole agenda (which is actually useful) and another shows you your To-Do list. There is no week view. You can switch to a month view, which uses a .5 size font to let you know that something might be happening on a certain day, but in order to view anything you have to press on that day, leaving the month view. This isn't all that different from the stock Android calendar app, although at least there you have some semblance of a week view. Samsung's calendar app on the Galaxy S III, while ugly, replicates the functionality of the calendar app in iOS, which gives you a month view in which you can select a date and see the day's events all in the same view. There are third party apps in the Store (Live Calendar and Calendar[+] are both good options) that provide this functionality to make the calendar app more useful, but the built in app is essentially only good for its agenda view. The People hub is essentially unchanged from before in terms of managing and browsing contacts. For casual social network users this has the potential to keep you posted on what your close friends are up to if they use Facebook and Twitter regularly. The idea is that it can be a one stop app to show you the important things going on in your friends and family's lives. In my own practice I found it was easier to keep up in third party apps than to rely on the People hub, but again, this is clearly designed for casual social networkers. One neat new feature for a group of friends or a family with Windows Phone is Rooms. Rooms is a new feature in the People hub that allows you to communicate with a group of people through chat, a shared calendar, photos, and notes. The app is clearly tailored towards families (the examples given are overtly family related), but it could be useful for other groups of people to stay in touch (like classmates working on a project together). While business users will probably still rely on Exchange, I can see where this sort of funcationality would be really beneficial for a family of Windows Phone users to keep track of everyone's schedule.

Conclusions

Microsoft has taken some important steps towards creating a competitive operating system, but they are still far from reaching parity with Android and iOS. The lack of apps, subpar multitasking, and abysmal notification system are three major issues that Windows Phone has faced since its launch. The app situation is improving, but I wouldn't call it hopeful. Huge parts of the operating system feel like they were designed for Windows 8 on a desktop because they require so much visual area, which leads to little content and lots of blank space (which is also an issue in many native Windows 8 apps). Windows Phone feels like a suped up feature phone with full access to the web and a few apps. For users who are loosely connected to others through social networks, want a decent camera, and don't play a lot of games on their phone, Windows Phone could be a great solution. For most people, however, Windows Phone is simply too different from the competition. It's not that people won't appreciate the look and feel of Windows Phone (in fact I think most people would enjoy it), but rather that Windows Phone behaves irrationally compared to industry standard UI paradigms and lacks important apps. Like I said the last time I reviewed Windows Phone, I would love for a third operating system to truly compete with Android and iOS, but Windows Phone simply is not that operating system right now. Microsoft may have incredibly deep pockets to keep investing into Windows Phone, but the longer it takes for them to reach parity, the more users are choosing different ecosystems. As it becomes increasingly more difficult to leave an ecosystem and as we continue our march towards smartphone ubiquity, Microsoft is going to have a much harder time penetrating the market in any significant way. When trying to enter an established market there is a temptation to do something totally different, but making something too different means having to retrain users. The shift from a command-line interface to a graphic user interface meant having to retrain users how to use computers. Smartphones required a similar retraining, with iOS setting the ground work and Android following along shortly thereafter. While there are important differences between Android and iOS, both follow the same basic UI patterns and ideas. Microsoft elected to take a radically different path which enabled them to stand out from the pack, but it also created a larger barrier to entry than iOS or Android present to the average user. If Windows 8 tablets take the tablet market by storm then Windows Phone will undoubtedly feel more natural to more users, but until then it faces an uphill battle in reeducating users how to use a smartphone. It is discouraging that after two years of trying Microsoft still has yet to really break into the market, but the reality is that Microsoft has not put in the work it needs to in order to make Windows Phone a success. Microsoft is going to have to work much, much harder if they want to push themselves into an already crowded market. Perhaps by the launch of Windows Phone 9 Microsoft will finally have a competitive operating system.

*Editor's note - Yes, this is a post about Windows Phone. And yes, this is an Android site. We also like to look closely at the competition and share our thoughts on it. No, we aren't going to start covering Windows Phone or iOS or Blackberry on a regular basis, but when something new comes out, we typically like to check it out.

The Big 1-0!

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:30:17 +0000

Last night, we hit our first milestone for The Droid Life Show - the 10th episode! It's available for replay if you missed it live. We have the video embedded above, but be sure to subscribe to the show's feed as well or add us on iTunes and Stitcher. We also have a dedicated show page here in case you wanted to download the .mp3 of each episode or listen right from the site.

Question of the Day: What Tech Gifts are You Hoping to Receive for the Holidays?

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:06:27 +0000

As we start to wrap up the week and head into a long holiday weekend that for many, is filled with gift exchanges, we thought we'd ask a simple question. Since this is a tech site and all, mostly focused on Android, we can imagine that many of you were asking for tech-related gifts for X-mas. Is there anything in particular that you were hoping to get? A new smartphone? New accessories? Something major like a TV? Let us know in the comments.

Super Mega Worm Vs. Santa 2 - Now THIS is a Christmas Game

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:41:55 +0000

Literally just released to Google Play is Super Mega Worm Vs. Santa 2. It combines both excellent development with easy-on-the-eyes graphics. Basically, you're a super mega worm who roams around the North Pole eating elves and reindeer. You have magical powers such as the ability to shoot fireballs at Santa and super speed while you dig through the ground, collecting bonus diamond points. I mean, come on! That's just awesome. Stop reading and go play it already! Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/nvE8XvvW4YM[/youtube]

Download: Android in Lights Holiday Wallpaper

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:31:32 +0000

The holidays are upon us, so make sure your Android device or desktop is representing well. Thanks to @deadzebra (Andrew Bell), we have this holiday-themed Bugdroid wallpaper in a variety of resolutions to help you get there. To grab the one that best meets your needs, hit up the source link below. Via: Android Foundry Cheers Scott!

ZeptoLabs, Makers of Cut the Rope, Release Pudding Monsters to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:14:46 +0000

Earlier this month, ZeptoLab who created Cut the Rope, started to tease Pudding Monsters for iOS and Android. Another game based on super cute characters, it gives off sort of a puzzle-like feel. Although, the characters and their interesting "language" are not cute. Besides my nitpicking, the game plays very well and is incredibly smooth. Does it have the same replay value as Cut the Rope? We shall see. Pro tip, after playing the free version for 2 minutes I was basically forced into buying the HD version. The free version probably has the most ads per square inch than I have ever seen. On top of that, between every few rounds, there is a 15 second video which you cannot skip through. Really lame. Play Link: Free | HD ($0.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/efb5O901oUw[/youtube]

Top 10 Android Phones of 2012

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:50:11 +0000

In 2012, we saw the Android smartphone world reach heights that I don't imagine many predicted. On a spec front, 2012 was the year of quad-core processors, 2GB of RAM, HD displays, longer battery lives, and incredibly thin bodies. It seems like just yesterday that we were asking DL readers if they had a dual-core or single-core phone, yet here we are, with dual-core phones already becoming a thing of the past. On a manufacturer front, 2012 was the year that Samsung proved that it really was the only big fish in a bowl full of minnows. We saw Motorola kick off its life as a Google-owned company, HTC struggle to make money even while releasing amazing phones, and LG take its turn as the face of the Nexus phone program. In this post, I thought we'd talk a bit about all of that by listing out my top 10 phones of the year.

1. Samsung Galaxy S3 (review)

No surprise here, but the Galaxy S3 tops my list of phones for 2012. It was hyped as much as the next iPhone, yet it still delivered. It launched with an impressive suite of sharing capabilities that no other phone had seen, it used a big beautiful display with a body that was slim enough to feel great in hand, and with 2GB of RAM, it almost never stuttered or slowed down. But most importantly, Samsung showed the world that it has power in the mobile world by releasing one version of the phone across all carriers. As expected, though, people were quick to downplay it at launch, but over its first couple of months in stores, Samsung sold millions upon millions of units, fully cementing themselves as number 1 in the world.

2. LG Nexus 4 (review)

The Nexus 4, Google's latest flagship device, has seen its share of ups and downs over its short life. It was hyped up for a couple of months in a variety of leaks, was never officially unveiled thanks to a hurricane, hated on because of its lack of LTE, and criticized mightily for its glass back. But you know what, to me, it's still the 2nd best phone you can buy. It comes in at an unbelievably reasonable price of $299 (or $349), is the ultimate stock Android device since it's the newest Nexus, carries future-proof specs, and isn't tied to a carrier. It may be impossible to purchase, but that may also be a sign that Google has finally figured out a winning device formula.

3. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (review)

When Samsung originally launched the Galaxy Note, the world was introduced to a confusing product plus one of the worst mashup words ever created in "phablet." Was the phone a tablet or a phone or the "best of both worlds"? Surprisingly enough, that question doesn't matter as it was a massive success. So Samsung did what any smart company would do with a successful product - launch a follow-up. The Galaxy Note 2, like the Galaxy S3, has already shipped by the millions, and may have even been the most anticipated device to launch on Verizon in some time (even over the Galaxy S3 and DROID brand). It's too big for my liking, but you can't argue with the impressive set of features that Samsung has built in. Also like the Galaxy S3, it blew past the competition with innovative features like multi-window, advanced S Pen technology, and camera sharing capabilities.

4. HTC DROID DNA (review)

Verizon passed up on the HTC One X in early 2012, something we weren't sure we could forgive them for. Thankfully, they appear to have fully redeemed themselves by launching the world's first 1080p smartphone, the DROID DNA. The device itself is beautiful to look at, is much smaller in stature than the Note 2, is surprisingly light and thin, has the best display in the business, actually lasts throughout a full day even with a semi-small battery, and carries top-of-the-line specs that few other phones contain. At $199 on contract, it's also somewhat of a steal. Easily the best phone HTC has created since the next phone on our list, the One X.

5. HTC ONE X (review)

When HTC announced the One Series, which included the One X, the world was blown away. This was the new HTC, or at least one that was trying to make a comeback after a terrible end to 2011. The phone sported the best display in the business at the time, a best-in-class processor, the prettiest phone design we had ever seen, felt great in hand, was able to withstand a day's beating on a single charge, and really set the standard for smartphones in 2012.

6. Motorola DROID RAZR M (review)

As we approached Motorola's big Fall event, rumors started popping up over a mysterious device with the world's first "edge-to-edge" display. While others were willing to bet the world on it being some secret device, we knew long beforehand that it was simply the DROID RAZR M, a mid-range device headed to Verizon. I don't want that to sound like I'm discounting the phone, as it was easily my favorite from Motorola in 2012. Since the display was so close to being edge-to-edge, it has a small footprint, yet still packs mostly top-tier specs (other than the display). It has amazing battery life and feels tiny in hand compared to the rest of the smartphones being introduced these days. But that's not a bad thing, as the display was still big enough to allow you to consume content without sacrificing a thing. We certainly hope that "edge-to-edge" is the future.

7. Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX HD (review)

This may surprise some readers, seeing the RAZR MAXX HD below the RAZR M, but this phone offered little in terms of "new." It still rocks a massive battery that can get you through days before needing a charge, plus it comes equipped with an HD display, but it was released late enough that it was almost out of date by the time it went on sale. I'm a big fan of Motorola's decision to slim down the skin they put on top of Android, and will never complain about their focus on battery life, but the RAZR HD needed to blow it out of the park, something it didn't quite do.

8. LG Optimus G (review)

The LG Optimus G was the inspiration for the Nexus 4. It sports the same processor, RAM, display, and Crystal Reflection back design, so how could it not be on this list? While glass backsides will never appeal to me, this phone was a beast the minute it came out. In fact, with its quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, it was the highest spec'd phone on the planet for a at least a month. LG also took some time to create a software suite, much like Samsung had done, to try and help the phone stand out. They definitely succeeded. It's too bad it was limited to AT&T and Sprint, as this phone could have potentially sold well on other carriers.

9. Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX (review)

Boasting a massive 3300mAh battery while maintaining a slim profile, the original RAZR MAXX set the standard for battery life in 2012. Well, it set it and then watched as no one could match it until Motorola released the HD version of it 10 months later. We aren't sure what kind of voodoo Motorola has working in their battery department, but we love it. They are the only phone company on the planet that has been able to make ultra-slim phones with batteries you used to only see sold separately as "extended." The RAZR MAXX itself wasn't all that impressive outside of its battery, but in my book, this battery was good enough to make the list.

10. HTC One S (review)

Another original One Series phone, the HTC One S, finishes off my list of top 10 phones. With its ultra-thin body, fancy micro arc oxidation coating, and mostly top-tier set of specs, I was a big fan of this phone. Sure, it wasn't as good as the One X, but it wasn't supposed to be. HTC released it as an affordable mid-range phone, with a sleek profile, fun color scheme, and one of the best cameras in the business. So there you have it, my top 10 phones of the year. I'm assuming there will be some disagreement, so let me hear it in the comments.

AppSales Keeps Track of All the Great Google Play Sales Taking Place

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:55:37 +0000

We did our best at trying to find some good sales on apps this morning on Google Play, but it looks like there is an app for that. I should have known. AppSales is an app, that once downloaded, shows you all of the current sales taking place on Google Play. That's the definition of awesome, right? Go check it out and start saving some money. Play Link Cheers Rob!

Official ASUS Nexus 7 Dock Goes Up On B&H For $40, Still Not Available Though

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:55:45 +0000

The official Nexus 7 dock from ASUS that started receiving attention last week, has been spotted on B&H's retail site. According to the retailer, the item won't be available until sometime around December 30, but it is quite reasonably priced at just $40. That's much better than some of the $90 pogo docks we have seen in the past for the Galaxy Nexus. You can currently sign up for email alerts for when it becomes available, so if you are looking to snatch one up, I suggest doing that. Via: B&H | PocketNow

Thursday Poll: What Processor Is In Your Android Device?

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:25:33 +0000

Last night on The Droid Life Show, we briefly touched on mobile processors and the marketing that goes behind them. We discussed that when buying an Android smartphone, sometimes are you not only buying into the Android ecosystem, but you are also buying into that mobile chip's ecosystem as well. For example, if you have a NVIDIA Tegra-powered device, the list of games you are able to play is much higher than say a Texas Instrument chip, given that some games released are exclusively for Tegra devices. It's an interesting move by the manufacturers, but that's the world we live in where everyone wants to differentiate themselves from the pack. Down below, feel free to let us know which processor powers your lovely Android device of choice. [poll id="226"]

Week of Holiday Tegra: Win One of Two Acer A110 Tablets and $25 AMEX Gift Cards From NVIDIA [Day 4] (Update: Winners Picked)

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:45:49 +0000

It’s Day 4! This week, we have teamed up with NVIDIA to bring our readers the “Week of Holiday Tegra” event. They have been extremely generous with the holiday gifts, so make sure to check out the Tegra Zone, where you can find the best mobile games available for Android. Yesterday, we gave away a Transformer Pad Infinity tablet, matching lapdock, and a Logitech controller for an ultimate mobile gaming experience. We even decided to announce our winner on The Droid Life Show, which was a nice change of pace. Today, we have two Acer A110 tablets, coupled with two $25 AMEX gift cards. Ready to get your Tegra on? The rest of this week’s schedule:

~~Day 1 – (3) Nexus 7 16GB~~
~~Day 2 – Transformer Pad TF300 + dock + Logitech controller~~
~~Day 3 – Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 + dock + Logitech controller~~
Day 4 – (2) Acer A110 + $25 AMEX Gift Card
Day 5 – (4) Lenovo A2109 + $25 AMEX Gift Card

Contest

Update: We have our two winners! Cheers to David and Eric! Check back tomorrow for your last chance to get in on the Tegra goodness! Prize: 2 (two) Acer A110 tablets and 2 (two) $25 AMEX Gift Cards. How to enter: 1. ”Like” the NVIDIA Tegra Facebook page or follow @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. ”Like” the Droid Life Facebook page or follow @droid_life on Twitter. 3. In the comments, tell us a story of how your Android device got you out of a tough situation. Winners: Today, at 4PM PST, we’ll randomly choose a winner from the comments. Eligible countries: US (excluding Puerto Rico and its other territories and possessions), Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, Australia, China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India (excluding the State of Tamil Nadu), and Brazil.

Google Play Holiday Sales Round Up - NFS: Most Wanted, Jet Set Radio, and More

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:11:40 +0000

Google might have snubbed us officially when it comes to an app sale extravaganza like they have done in the past, but that doesn't mean there are not plenty of winter sales going on over at Google Play. Companies such as EA Games, SEGA, and other development teams are putting their apps on sale for the masses, so we'll do our best to get a nice round up going so you can take advantage of the deals. Deals:

Need For Speed: Most Wanted ($0.99)
Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies ($2.99)
Sonic CD ($0.99)
Sonic 4 Episode 1 ($0.99)
Sonic 4 Episode 2 ($0.99)
SwiftKey 3 Keyboard ($1.99)
Jet Set Radio ($1.99)
The Bard's Tale ($2.99)

If you know of any other cool apps that are currently on sale, let us know down below and we can add it to the list for all to see. Cheers Jenille and Rory!

NFL Mobile and Flipboard Now Tablet Optimized on Android

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:38:59 +0000

A couple of popular Android apps received updates this morning that make them tablet optimized. NFL Mobile, the Verizon exclusive, now supports bigger screens with a new tablet UI, is ready for the post season, will have live video of select post season games (including the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl), and live audio of all post seasons games. Flipboard, the popular news feed app that came over from iOS this year, received an update that only lists it as being "bug fixes," however, it actually introduces a new tablet optimized layout. Instead of flipping up and down to jump between pages and stories, you now flip left and right. It looks a lot like the newest Google Currents, actually - very nice update.

Play Links: NFL Mobile | Flipboard Cheers James and Trey!

Verizon Flips The Switch On 29 New 4G LTE Markets Today

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:18:38 +0000

Verizon is green lighting 29 new 4G LTE markets as of today, bringing their official count to 470 4G LTE markets in total. They have been discussing these light ups for the past couple of weeks, so we could tell this was going to be a big move for them. In terms of competition, it looks like AT&T still comes in a far second with 146 markets. To see the full list of new cities, check below. New Markets:

Hastings, Neb
Kearney, Neb
McCook, Neb
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Mason City and Charles City, Iowa
Marshalltown, Iowa
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Farmington, NM
Gallup, NM
Prewitt, NM
Flagstaff and Williams, AZ
Casa Grande, AZ
Prescott and Prescott Valley, AZ
Saddlebrook, AZ
Payson, AZ
Ruidoso, AZ
Mayer, AZ
Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek, AZ
Cottonwood, AZ
Lamar, CO
LaJunta, CO
Price, UT
Richfield, UT
Klamath Falls, OR
Roseburg, OR
Sutherlin, OR
Kennewick, WA
Pasco, WA
Richland, WA
Port Angeles, WA
Sequim, WA
Port Townsend, WA

Via: Verizon

The Droid Life Show: Episode 10

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:45:42 +0000

Welcome back, to The Droid Life Show! Tonight, we hit out first semi-milestone, which is episode 10! Not bad, especially for this group of Android enthusiasts. As we wind down over the next few weeks and prepare for 2013, our topics are definitely more opinion-driven. There haven't been any new devices announced over the last week or so, so instead, we'll talk about Instagram's disastrous policy change, wish you luck in trying to buy a Nexus device, wonder why iOS Google apps are prettier, announce today's contest winner, and even talk a bit about CES. After all, this may be our last show of 2012, so that means we have a lot to cover. Join us at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). A live video and chat are embedded below. If you can't catch the show live, be sure to subscribe to the Show feed (podcast)!

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27fJp9hxQWo[/youtube]

The Droid Life Show Episode 10 Begins Tonight At 6PM Pacific, Last Show of 2012!

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:56:54 +0000

Okay, folks - tonight's episode of The Droid Life Show will be the final episode of 2012. But hey, wipe those tears! We are going to have a blast. Tonight, the crew will go over this week's big stories, announce today's contest winner, and probably be up to our same antics as always. We will see you there! Again, we’ll be live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). There will be a live video embed and chat.

If you can’t catch it live, then be sure to subscribe to our new show feed (podcast).

Amazon Mobile for Android Updated, Alerts You When Your Packages Ship and Arrive

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:25:04 +0000

If for some reason you aren't running Jelly Bean, meaning you don't have access to Google Now's amazing package tracking prowess, then you may want to update your Amazon Mobile app. In the latest update that dropped this afternoon, Amazon has included shipment notifications that will alert you as soon as your package has shipped and been delivered. There are also new notifications for their Lightning Deals, if daily deals are you cup of tea. Play Link Cheers Dustin!

Google Sells Off Motorola Cable and Internet Box Business For $2.35 Billion

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:00:34 +0000

Looks like Google might have found a way to make some quick cash off of their Motorola acquisition. In a press release from Arris, another maker of cable and Internet boxes, they have reached a deal with Google to take control of that business to the sum of $2.35 billion. The deal is scheduled to be finalized sometime in Q2 of 2013, which will undoubtedly help Arris become a much bigger name in their respective business. This will obviously have little to zero effect on anything Android-related, but it's interesting to watch what Google is doing with their new company. To check out the full press release from Arris, see below.

ARRIS To Acquire Motorola Home Business For $2.35 Billion In Cash And Stock

Transformative Combination Creates Global Player In Innovative End-To-End Broadband Video Solutions --Acquisition Is Expected To Generate Significant Earnings Accretion For ARRIS, Increase Patent Portfolio, And Accelerate New Products To Market
SUWANEE, Ga. and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- ARRIS Group, Inc. ARRS -0.27% , a global innovator in broadband media technology, and Google Inc. GOOG -0.13% today jointly announced that ARRIS and Motorola Mobility, a Google subsidiary, have entered into a definitive agreement under which ARRIS will acquire the Motorola Home business from Motorola Mobility, for $2.35 billion in a cash-and-stock transaction approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. The acquisition will be on a cash-free, debt-free basis and is expected to be significantly accretive to ARRIS' Non-GAAP earnings starting in the first full year after closing. Under the terms of the agreement, upon closing of the transaction, Google will receive $2.05 billion in cash and approximately $300 million in newly issued ARRIS shares, subject to certain adjustments provided for in the agreement, representing an approximately 15.7% ownership interest in ARRIS post-closing. Acquiring Motorola Home will enhance ARRIS' ability to provide next-generation consumer video products and services, supporting a more comprehensive product offering while also accelerating its ability to deliver a comprehensive set of industry-leading new products for broadband to a wide spectrum of customers. The transaction will increase ARRIS' patent portfolio and provide a license to a wide array of Motorola Mobility patents. "This transformational combination of two complementary businesses will create a leading end-to-end provider of today's video, data, and voice products and tomorrow's next-generation IP-based broadband products," said Bob Stanzione, Chairman and CEO of ARRIS. "Ever-expanding consumer demand for bandwidth will continue to drive growth across cloud and network technologies we provide that enable innovative home entertainment products and services." "Acquiring Motorola Home builds on ARRIS' rich history, creating a global player with significant footprint, revenue and cash flow. It also adds expertise in video and a larger presence in the home to our core strengths in voice and data, ensuring we are even better positioned to capitalize on and manage the evolution toward multi-screen home entertainment. We look forward to working with the Motorola Home team as we integrate their complementary product portfolio and engineering expertise to accelerate best-in-class end-to-end solutions to a broader customer base and increase value for shareholders," Stanzione continued. Together, ARRIS and Motorola Home will have a global presence with over 500 customers in 70 countries, more than tripling ARRIS pro forma combined revenue to approximately $4.7 billion for the trailing four quarter period ended September 30, 2012. The combined entity will offer a wide array of products and solutions and will have an expanded customer base encompassing the full spectrum of broadband content and service providers. "Our Home business has been a vibrant part of Motorola Mobility's portfolio, innovating while delivering strong financial performance," said Dennis Woodside, Chief Executive Officer of Motorola Mobility, the Google subsidiary that is the parent of Motorola Home. "The industry faces its biggest technology transformation, and together ARRIS and Motorola will be able to accelerate related innovations such as the introduction of the IP Connected Home environments that service providers need and that their consumers crave." "We share a similar vision and strategy with ARRIS for the industry's migration to IP. The combination of our solutions, expert technologists and roadmaps promises to transform how service providers deliver the smart, simple connected home to consumers throughout the world," said Marwan Fawaz, the Executive Vice President of Motorola Mobility who leads Motorola Home. Motorola Home is a profitable business that generated revenues of $3.4 billion for the trailing four quarters ended September 30, 2012. The combination is expected to generate approximately $100 - $125 million in annual cost synergies. The transaction is expected to close by the second quarter of 2013, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions. The cash portion of the consideration to be received by Google at closing will be funded through debt financing commitments from Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Royal Bank of Canada. Evercore Partners is acting as lead financial advisor and Troutman Sanders is acting as lead legal counsel to ARRIS on this transaction. Bank of America Merrill Lynch is also advising ARRIS. Barclays is acting as financial advisor and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is acting as legal counsel to Google on this transaction. Conference Call and Webcast Details ARRIS will host a conference call at 6:30 pm EST today to discuss this announcement. You may participate in this conference call by dialing (800) 299-7098 or (617) 801-9715 for international calls prior to the start of the call and providing the ARRIS Group, Inc. name, conference pass code 92735185, and Bob Puccini as the moderator. A replay of the conference call can be accessed approximately two hours after the call through December 26, 2012 by dialing (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888 and using the pass code 25900440. Live internet access to the call will be available through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.arrisi.com . A replay will also be made available for a period of 12 months following the conference call on ARRIS' website at www.arrisi.com .

Via: Engadget

Apple's Pinch-to-Zoom Patent Ruled Invalid by USPTO

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:44:27 +0000

Sorry, Apple, but according to Apple Insider, your pinch-to-zoom patent has been invalidated by the USPTO. This patent (7,844,915 claim 8) was a major player in Apple's initial win over Samsung back in August, but it's still unclear if this will change any of the outcome of the trial. There is still time for appeals, post trial hearings, final rulings, and all that jazz. And that's your daily snoozefest of patent chatter. Via: Apple Insider

Samsung Issues Statement Regarding Exynos Exploit, Software Fix On The Way

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:31:14 +0000

Over the weekend, an exploit was found within Samsung's Exynos processor that powers many devices, including the new Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. The exploit, if used by a malicious application, could potentially take control of the device's RAM, which would spell serious trouble for owners. Samsung has acknowledged the "potential security issue" and plan to provide a software update very soon to fix the issue:

Samsung is aware of the potential security issue related to the Exynos processor and plans to provide a software update to address it as quickly as possible. The issue may arise only when a malicious application is operated on the affected devices; however, this does not affect most devices operating credible and authenticated applications. Samsung will continue to closely monitor the situation until the software fix has been made available to all affected mobile devices.

If waiting for Samsung to issue an official fix doesn't sound good enough, then developers released a fix of their own until Samsung can catch up. An application, which does not need root access, can fix the exploit in seconds if you are worried about your device's security. Feel free to download that here. All actions are completely reversible so don't worry about hurting your phone. Until then, stop downloading apps from untrustworthy sources. Via: Android Central

ESPN Scorecenter for Android Receives Complete UI Overhaul

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:51:52 +0000

ESPN's Scorecenter app received a major update today, one that includes a complete UI overhaul. As seen in the screenshots below, you now have a cleaner panel-to-panel viewing experience and an experience that no longer feels like it was built in 2009 as a direct copy of an iPhone app. It has definitely been built with some of the new Android theme guidelines, including the side panel for additional options, and category options that can be accessed with a swipe at the top. Your "My Teams" tab still sits in the number 1 spot, followed by top events, videos, and big headlines. It'll take some getting used to, but it should make for accessing information from different sports much easier. In the past, you had to either pull up the bottom menu or swipe from column to column to access the non-major headlines. Now, a couple of quick taps get you there.

Play Link Cheers @MattLentz and @hiiankit!

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 Update Now Live, Brings Multi-Window Feature

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:38:03 +0000

Today, T-Mobile has started to push out an update to their Galaxy Note 2 owners. For anyone out there that owns this phone on T-Mo, be happy. The update brings the ever-so-popular multi-window feature that Note 2 owners can't seem to get enough of. The feature is already in place on the Verizon version, which we should be thankful for since you know, Big Red sucks at updates. To learn more about the multi-window feature, check out our full hands-on here. Cheers Tony!

Verizon Galaxy Note 2 Developer Edition Goes Up - Thanks For the Wait, Sammy

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:45:04 +0000

Today, Samsung placed on their site the landing page for the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 "Developer Edition." This is great for folks who have waited patiently, but the device has already been available through Big Red for a few weeks. Kind of sad that these don't come out at the same time so people can choose between a locked or unlocked version. Although, keep in mind that a bootloader unlock was released for the "locked" version that can be purchased at a subsidized price through Big Red. For now, if you just want your phone to come unlocked and don't mind paying a much higher price, you can pick it up through their site as soon as it goes live for purchase. Via: Samsung

Video: Google Looks to Reinvent the Holiday Family Photo

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:10:59 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/aA8quc-93CU[/youtube]

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

Week of Holiday Tegra: Win a Transformer Pad Infinity With Dock and Controller From NVIDIA [Day 3] (Update: Winner Picked)

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:45:10 +0000

It's Day 3! This week, we are teaming up with NVIDIA to bring our readers the "Week of Holiday Tegra" event. They have been extremely generous with the prizes, so make sure to check out the Tegra Zone, where you can find the best mobile games available for Android. Yesterday, we gave away a pretty awesome Tegra bundle, with a Transformer Pad, lapdock, and Logitech controller for a full gaming experience. Today, we have a Transformer Pad Infinity, matching lapdock, and another Logitech gaming controller. Let's do this! The rest of this week’s schedule:

~~Day 1 – (3) Nexus 7 16GB~~
~~Day 2 – Transformer Pad TF300 + dock + Logitech controller~~
Day 3 – Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 + dock + Logitech controller
Day 4 – (2) Acer A110 + $25 AMEX Gift Card
Day 5 – (4) Lenovo A2109 + $25 AMEX Gift Card

Contest

Update: We have our winner! Congrats to Jeff who wants to be in Cabo for two months! Prize: 1 (one) Asus TF300 Transformer Pad Infinity with keyboard dock and Logitech controller. How to enter: 1. ”Like” the NVIDIA Tegra Facebook page or follow @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. ”Like” the Droid Life Facebook page or follow @droid_life on Twitter. 3. In the comments, tell us what your ultimate winter vacation would consist of. Winners: Today, at 4PM PST, we’ll randomly choose the winner from the comments and announce their name on air tonight during The Droid Life Show. Don't miss it! And don't worry, we'll email our winner to make sure they don't miss their prize. Eligible countries: US (excluding Puerto Rico and its other territories and possessions), Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, Australia, China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India (excluding the State of Tamil Nadu), and Brazil.

HTC on Twitter: Thunderbolt Ice Cream Sandwich Update Will be Here "Soon"

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:20:47 +0000

The HTC Thunderbolt was originally supposed to receive its Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) update by the end of August. As we all know, that didn't exactly happen. So here we are, approaching the end of 2012 and the update is still nowhere in sight. HTC is well aware that they missed their deadline and assure us that they are still working on it, however, they have yet to give us any sort of new time frame to get excited over. All we have heard recently, is that they are working on connectivity issues with Verizon and that they'll share info as they work through them. Well, today, they changed their tone a bit and are now saying that the update "will be here soon." "Soon" can obviously mean 6 months from now for all we know, but at this point, I don't think they wouldn't say "soon" if they didn't think that they had moved past their issues and are steps away from approving the update. Unfortunately for Thunderbolt owners, your two years with the device is about up and you are probably about ready to upgrade to something else. It would have been nice if you could have spent your last 6 or 7 months with proper software rather than dealing with the frustrations of Gingerbread. Via: @HTCUSA

Video: LG Posts Up Two Minute Nexus 4 Commercial

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:50:17 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/jsk-L1sbiGA[/youtube]

Today, LG posted up a 2 minute spot for the Nexus 4, showing off some of its killer hardware and software features. Naturally, it gives us a look at Photo Sphere, that gorgeous HD IPS+ display, Google Maps, and a whole lot more. Surprisingly enough, when they are showing off that shiny backside, their's doesn't have a crack down it though. Weird. Now, if this commercial has you sold and you need to buy this phone, good luck! The device is still marked as "Sold Out" on Google Play for both size options. Cheers Damian!

Verizon is OK With Isis Mobile Wallet Accessing the Secure Element on Your Phone, Just Not Google Wallet

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:28:18 +0000

Last week, we put together yet another new piece that discussed Verizon's reasoning for not allowing Google Wallet to work on their NFC-equipped devices. In a response to an FCC complaint, VZW argued that since Google Wallet requires interaction with the "secure element" of a phone, that it's different than normal applications, including other m-commerce apps. Since it needs to access this "secure element" in order to function, Verizon isn't OK with it and has asked Google to make sure that it doesn't work on their phones. However, with their own mobile payment app, they appear to be 100% behind an app using that same "secure element." As you all know, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T have been working on their own NFC-based mobile payment system known as Isis Mobile Wallet. It's essentially identical to Google Wallet. Many of us have argued over the last year that these three carriers are simply blocking Google Wallet because they have their own payment system in the works, something that they all deny. While we may never know the complete truth to the story, this latest find by one of our readers who installed Isis on his Galaxy S3 is certainly worth mentioning. In the screenshots above, taken directly from the Isis Mobile Wallet app on a Verizon Galaxy S3, you can see mentions of the previously talked about "secure element." In fact, the phone requirements for the app speak of this "secure element" as a "dedicated component in your phone" used to store payment cards and everything else needed to properly run a mobile payment app with NFC. Basically, that's everything that they said was bad about Google Wallet, and that if Google removed this requirement, that its app could be used on Verizon phones. We had initially tossed out the idea that maybe Verizon was asking Google to add in NFC-SIM requirements to the app, since Isis works with newly created NFC-SIM cards. Whether that is or was the case, it doesn't appear to matter, as Isis will still use the "secure element" inside your phone, which again, is the same "secure element" that Verizon mentioned as the reasoning behind their stoppage of Google Wallet. They clearly are OK with their own mobile payment app accessing this. Look, we could probably argue and complain about Verizon and other carriers' ridiculous control over smartphones for days, but in the end, these are all just more reasons to think about leaving your carrier and buying an unlocked phone like the Nexus 4. Once you have freed yourself from contracts and the subsidy cycle, your mobile experience will be so much more open and free. Cheers Christopher!

Google Releases Santa Tracker App, Let the Countdown Begin

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:04:11 +0000

Here is a nice little app that you can share with your mini Android fans. This morning, Google released their Santa Tracker app for folks who want to keep their eye on Saint Nick through Christmas Eve. Once the clock reaches zero, you'll be able to track the guy and make sure he isn't skipping over your house. On top of that, through their website, you can have Santa even give you a call through Google Voice and have him post messages on Google+. Dang, Google, how much did that run you? Definitely fun for the kids. Play Link

Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE Lands on Daily Steals for Only $225

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:39:36 +0000

For anyone looking to scoop up a certified pre-owned Galaxy Nexus off contract, this is a pretty good deal. Currently through Verizon, you can pick up the same device for $450, but today through Daily Steals it can be yours for $225. We are asked constantly if the Galaxy Nexus is still a good phone to go with, and it's hard to say no. It has a massive developer following which is always a good thing, but keep in mind that the device is aging. Once the next best thing comes out, you'll be glad you purchased this off-contract. Buy. Cheers everyone who sent this in!

TasKarou Launcher Overlay Adds Quick Controls to Your Whole Device

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:31:02 +0000

If you're familiar with Quick Controls from the Browser application, then you'll know that by placing a finger on the edge of your device, you can access many settings and options from anywhere in the app. With TasKarou, you can access many system settings and recent apps from anywhere on your device, at any time. After installation and enabling the app, you're good to go. I'm hoping in a future update you can change the color possibly and maybe add in some other quick settings like brightness or something along those lines. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/bOS8miODY2g[/youtube]

Instagram Co-Founder: We Respect That Your Photos Are Your Photos. Period.

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:43:16 +0000

Given all of this attention surrounding Instagram's latest Terms of Service update, the company's co-founder Kevin Systrom, has taken to their official blog to set the facts straight. In a detailed message to concerned users, Systrom points out that they realize artists and hobbyists alike use their service and by no means is Instagram trying to sell off anybody's work.

Instagram users own their content and Instagram does not claim any ownership rights over your photos. Nothing about this has changed. We respect that there are creative artists and hobbyists alike that pour their heart into creating beautiful photos, and we respect that your photos are your photos. Period. I always want you to feel comfortable sharing your photos on Instagram and we will always work hard to foster and respect our community and go out of our way to support its rights.

Along with trying to calm down their users, they are making it clear that instead of selling your work, they will be introducing some type of ad system to somehow gain revenue from people's usage of their service. He also mentioned they are to release a revised ToS that better clarifies their position on the matter. No, is that so bad? Okay, folks. Back into our caves we go until next time. Via: Instagram

Apex Launcher Receives Hefty Update, Merges Changes From Android 4.2

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:52:35 +0000

Today, Apex Launcher got a very nice update, merging changes from Android 4.2 and a ton of other goodies. Some of the highlights are re-sizeable icons, improved theme support, new Apex actions, and a fix for some TouchWiz widget issues. To check the full changelog, see below. What's in this version:

New permissions are required to import data from other launchers.

Merged changes from Android 4.2

Option to change icon size

New Apex action to expand quick settings

Import desktop data from other launchers

Improved theme support

Added dock swipe gesture on folders (pro)

Added support for Next Honeycomb LWP

Fixed shortcut picker for Android 4.2

Fixed TouchWiz widget issues

Various bug fixes and optimizations

Updated translations

If Apex isn't your thing, then check out Nova Launcher as well. Play Link

Who Wants a $65 Official 3000mAh Extended Battery for the Galaxy S3?

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:19:26 +0000

An official or "genuine" 3000mAh extended battery for the Samsung Galaxy S3 made an appearance today over at MobileFun, a UK smartphone retailer. It's listed at $65, which isn't cheap, especially since you can pick up a backup standard 2100mAh battery off of Amazon for as little as $10. But hey, if you aren't in a position to carry around backup batteries, then maybe this beast is something you can't put a price on. The version being sold has the matching blue back and is NFC-ready. Anyone interested? Via: MobileFun | Phandroid

Google+ Updated - Nothing Major, Just Some Bug Fixes

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:50:16 +0000

Google pushed another update to the Google+ application for Android, but don't expect anything too new. For now, it's just some bug fixings and several stability improvements. Since the last major update, I have found myself opening this app a bit more. The layout is quite nice, but those cartoonish bottom buttons have got to go. Play Link

CM10.1 Now Available for the Verizon Galaxy S3, Other Versions as Well

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:36:23 +0000

Yesterday, we saw some of the first CM10.1 nightly builds go live for devices like the Galaxy Nexus, with fingers crossed that we would start to see other devices join the list in the near future. Sure enough, other devices have joined the party, most notably is the Galaxy S3 in a variety of versions. If you cruise over to the Cyanogenmod site, you'll find builds for the Galaxy S3 on Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint, along with the international i9300 version. In order to flash CM10.1, don't forget that you'll need to be rooted with an unlocked bootloader. As a reminder, we posted the newest version of those instructions yesterday, a set that should help everyone that recently updated to Jelly Bean. Via: Cyanogenmod Cheers jdhas!

Paperland Pro LWP Winter Update - It's Santa Flying High

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:38:09 +0000

The developers of Paperland live wallpaper are certainly feeling that Christmas spirit, as they have updated the Pro version of their app. Inside, you will notice one major difference - Santa! Along with pretty lights lining the trees and people driving with their headlights on (which they should be given the weather conditions in Paperland), this is a nice update that can get anyone in the mood for the holidays. Play Link ($0.99) Cheers Brian G!

Google Play Enables Scan and Match Feature For U.S. Play Music Users

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:58:43 +0000

This morning, Google announced the availability of the Scan and Match feature for Google Play Music users. The feature, that went live last month for European users, scans the music you are uploading from the desktop Music Manager and then instantly makes it available from the cloud in minutes instead of hours.

Our new music matching feature gets your songs into your online music library on Google Play much faster. We’ll scan your collection and quickly rebuild it in the cloud - all for free. And we’ll stream your music back to you at up to 320 kbps.

Go try it out. I uploaded a 12 song album in literally 15 seconds and it was available instantly on my Android device. This is going to save people a lot of time! Thanks, Google. Via: Google+

Week of Holiday Tegra: Win an Asus Transformer Pad With Keyboard Dock and Logitech Gaming Controller [Day 2]

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:39:13 +0000

Day 2! All week long, we'll be handing out fabulous Tegra 3 powered devices to the DL community in our "Week of Holiday Tegra" event, thanks to our friends at NVIDIA. They put up a massive amount of prizes, all of which take advantage of the gaming potential that their Tegra 3 processor contains. Been to the Tegra Zone lately? If there is one mobile company that is doing everything in their power to push mobile gaming forward, it's NVIDIA. Yesterday, we gave away three Nexus 7 tablets in a mega-contest that saw well over 2000 entries. Today, we're giving away just one prize, but it's quite the bundle. How does an Asus Transformer Pad (TF300) with keyboard dock and Logitech gaming controller sound? The rest of this week's schedule:

~~Day 1 – (3) Nexus 7 16GB~~
Day 2 – Transformer Pad TF300 + dock + Logitech controller
Day 3 – Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 + dock + Logitech controller
Day 4 – (2) Acer A110 + $25 AMEX Gift Card
Day 5 – (4) Lenovo A2109 + $25 AMEX Gift Card

Contest

Update: And our winner is...Kevin, who has a diversified tech setup, with products from LG, Sony, Samsung, and JVC. Prize: 1 (one) Asus TF300 Transformer Pad with keyboard dock and Logitech controller. How to enter: 1. ”Like” the NVIDIA Tegra Facebook page or follow @NVIDIATegra on Twitter. 2. ”Like” the Droid Life Facebook page or follow @droid_life on Twitter. 3. In the comments, describe your tech setup (phones you own, tablets, computers, gaming systems, TVs, etc.). Winners: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we’ll randomly choose the winner from the comments. Eligible countries: US (excluding Puerto Rico and its other territories and possessions), Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, Australia, China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India (excluding the State of Tamil Nadu), and Brazil.

AT&T Announces 5 New 4G LTE Markets

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:19:57 +0000

This morning, AT&T announced five new cities to receive their 4G LTE service. It may be no where near the type of light up that Verizon has set to take place on Thursday, but for AT&T customers, this is always a good thing. Cities to receive 4G LTE:

Green Bay, Wisconsin
Oxford, Mississippi
Tucson, Arizona
Springfield, Massachusetts
Melbourne, Florida

Expansions:

Salt Lake City, Utah
Los Angeles, California
Springfield, Illinois
Phoenix, Arizon

Via: AT&T

About This Instagram ToS Update.

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 09:33:16 +0000

If you're a frequent user of Instagram, then you may have heard about the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy update that is penciled in for January, 2013. To sum it up, Instagram, purchased by Facebook some three months ago to the tune of $1 billion, is attempting to "borrow" your photos and sell them to third party companies. Your photos will then be used in a manner that directly relates to a company's product. CNET's Declan McCullagh had a great example of how this will work.

That means that a hotel in Hawaii, for instance, could write a check to Facebook to license photos taken at its resort and use them on its Web site, in TV ads, in glossy brochures, and so on -- without paying any money to the Instagram user who took the photo.

By updating their ToS and PP, Instabook will become the largest stock photo distributor in the world, without having to do any work at all. Now, informed people are reasonably a little upset/confused about why their pictures will all of a sudden have price tags on them. From some perspective, you can't really argue with Facebook for trying to make money back on that large of an investment. What did you think their plans were when they threw down that much money? A simple integration between the two services? Let's not be naive. Now, as for me, I wasn't making money from my hundreds of "Thor and Loki" pictures anyways, so have at them Facebook. For what seems like thousands of other people who are putting their photography portfolios online, this may seem much more damaging. If you fear for your work, host it on your own and delete your account. Users have until January 16 to delete their accounts and back out of the new terms before the company takes "control" over the photos. Please, read the updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and get yourself informed. Will you continue to use Instagram in the event of this updated policy or have you already deleted your account? Via: CNET Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Tumblr For Android Updated, Brings Support For Tablets

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:52:08 +0000

The official Tumblr for Android application was updated this morning, which brings full tablet support and a new Following screen. If you haven't updated yet, go get on that. I haven't been much into Tumblr, but if the above thumbnails are any indication as to what I might be missing, I think I'm going to go sign up right now. For those who don't know, Tumblr is another sharing site, where users can post pretty much anything. Videos, pictures, text, or anything else you might want to share with your followers. Maybe I will just stick to Instagram for now. Play Link

Tegra 4 "Wayne" Details Leak, 72-core GPU and 6x Faster Performance

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:34:40 +0000

NVIDIA's next-gen processor, codenamed "Wayne," may have leaked out in a company slide yesterday. The mobile processor that most of us figure will be dubbed the Tegra 4, will reportedly sport a 72-core GPU, support 1080p (2560x1440) resolutions, and produce 6x the graphical performance of the Tegra 3. It's quad-core CPU architecture remains somewhat the same, but NVIDIA will now use ARM Cortex A-15 cores. The Tegra 4 will use 28nm process, making it as power efficient as the Snapdragon S4. The slide also mentions something about supporting 4k, USB 3.0, and dual-channel DDR3L memory. Overall, this sounds like a giant step forward for NVIDIA. We're big fans of the Tegra 3 and the work that NVIDIA puts in to bring gaming to mobile devices, so this sounds like exactly what we were hoping would be next in the Tegra 4. The last rumor we saw suggested that devices could ship in Q1 2013 with the Tegra 4 inside. Via: Chip Hell | Engadget

Sprint Celebrates the Holidays by Adding 6 New 4G LTE Markets

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:09:22 +0000

This morning, Sprint announced the activation of six new 4G LTE markets. Their total now stands at 49, 400 less than Verizon. It's a slow rollout so far, but Sprint is expected to spend a pretty penny getting their LTE network up to snuff and onto a competitive level.

Indianapolis/Carmel, Ind.
Santa Rosa/Petaluma, Calif.
Vallejo/Fairfield, Calif.
Southern Puerto Rico (including Ponce, Coamo and Guayama)
York/Hanover, Pa.
Franklin County, Pa.
Sprint also enhanced 4G LTE coverage around Shenandoah County, Va., and introduced 4G LTE to the neighboring Page County, Va.

Fun!

Tip: Quickly Remove the Ongoing WiFi Notification on Verizon Phones

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:06:00 +0000

The ongoing notification on most of Verizon's new smartphones, oh how we despise you so. We still can't figure out why Verizon decided to eliminate the quick WiFi toggle on some phones in favor of this pesky, non-removable ongoing notification, but that's exactly what they have done. As long as you are away from home or work, even if you are miles away from the nearest WiFi network, Verizon has decided that your phone should constantly remind you that turning on WiFi would be awesome. We have talked about ways to remove this, but unfortunately, it's now being tied to "Android System" which makes it really tricky. Thankfully, a couple of our readers figured out that if you long press on the notification, and go to "App info," that you can Force stop the action and temporarily get rid of it until your next phone reboot or WiFi toggle. I should mention again that this is sort of tricky ground, as you are force stopping "Android System," however, so far we haven't heard of any massive crashes or issues after doing this. So if you'd like to remove that ongoing notification temporarily, give this trick a try. Just remember that after you reboot your phone or toggle your WiFi on or off, you'll have to do it again. Cheers Addison!

The "FACKWORS" Shirt.

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:37:39 +0000

Who would have thought that as I blasted the Google Play store for its poor handling of the 2nd Nexus 4 launch, that the number 1 takeaway from it would have been my failure to correctly type a CAPTCHA? Enter the word FACKWORS, which readers have been ribbing me over for weeks now. It's a word that has become somewhat famous in the depths of the DL community, even prompting the creation of its own shirt. That's right, the FACKWORS shirt is real and available in a variety of colors. I tossed out the idea of making it into a shirt, and enough of you responded with a "Yes!" One reader already managed to buy and receive his. That's dedication to the cause. And look, we fully understand how silly it is, but that's sort of what makes it brilliant. We set up a special shop for it. There is the ultra-inexpensive version with black or white lettering that drops in at $12.50 plus shipping. Then we also gave you the option of going with a higher quality American Apparel cotton, which can be had for $20.20. There is no mark-up or commission on our end.

FACKWORS T-shirt Shop.

Google Maps Updated With Bug Fixes

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:36:12 +0000

This afternoon, Google has pushed an updated version of Maps to Google Play. It currently offers nothing extra except for a few bug fixes, but hey, we'll take it. Don't forget to be thankful for your Maps app, people. Play Link Cheers Adam!

Verizon's Galaxy Nexus Receives CM 10.1 Nightlies, Flash Without Losing Any Data

Eric — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:15:35 +0000

The jump from Android 4.1 to 4.2 apparently didn't confuse developers that much and fans of CyanogenMod will be happy for that. The first nightly build of CM 10.1 for Verizon's Galaxy Nexus, otherwise known as 'toro', has just been posted and is available for download now.

If you aren't satisfied enough, the CM team has better news for you. The team's Google+ was updated and said that the build has been 'tested extensively on older devices' and that you shouldn't need to wipe data when upgrading to 10.1. The only caveat is the Clock app does not work at the moment. CM's version of the application and Google's don't play nice, but if you need to fix it just clear the Clock app's data in the Settings menu.

Download

Via: Google+

Cheers Shawn!

Sony "Yuga" Device to Feature 5" 1080p Display - Could We See It at CES?

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:46:02 +0000

According to overseas sources, Sony is planning to release their next flagship device sometime in Q1 of 2013. The device is codenamed Yuga, but not much is known about the phone except for some photos shown above and handful of specs. A site that claims to have the device in their possession, says the phone sports a brilliant 5" 1080p display, powered by the new Snapdragon S4 Pro chip, along with 2GB of RAM. Additionally, the phone is said to have a 12MP back-facing camera, as well as run Android 4.1. Last year in Vegas, Sony launched their Xperia lineup which could mean they would feel comfortable to do the same this year. If not CES, then there is always MWC in Europe. Interested in anything Sony has to offer these days? Although I will say, I am liking the mainstreaming of 1080p devices. Via: The Verge

New Root Method Released for Verizon's Galaxy S3 Running Jelly Bean

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:14:35 +0000

With the official Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.1) update out for Verizon's version of the Galaxy S3, we can imagine that some of you may have lost root in the process. Thankfully, an updated method to unlock the bootloader on the device (if you haven't already) and root it is available. The steps in the XDA thread below are about as straight forward as it gets. You need Odin (to flash some of the files), current and older firmware files for the device, SuperSU, and custom recovery. If you can't follow the step-by-step guide linked below, a video of the instructions is included as well.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-tQ05Zo_9U[/youtube]

Via: XDA Cheers ItsASamsung!

Verizon Announces More 4G LTE Markets to Be Lit Up on Thursday

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:38:29 +0000

Last week, we posted up two stories full of cities and towns that were to receive Verizon's 4G LTE speeds this Thursday (Dec. 20). Well, Verizon is going to keep that list going today as they announced an additional 19 cities to go along with the list. Currently, Big Red services 440+ 4G LTE markets in the U.S. and with these, they're well on their way to a full 500 markets.

Hastings, Neb
Kearney, Neb
McCook, Neb
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Mason City and Charles City, Iowa
Marshalltown, Iowa
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Farmington, NM
Gallup, NM
Prewitt, NM
Flagstaff and Williams, AZ
Casa Grande, AZ
Prescott and Prescott Valley, AZ
Saddlebrook, AZ
Payson, AZ
Ruidoso, AZ
Mayer, AZ
Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek, AZ
Cottonwood, AZ

Via: Verizon

Minor "Nearby" Update Rolling Out to Facebook App Later Today

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:34:01 +0000

The official Facebook for Android application is to receive a minor "Nearby" feature enhancement later today. With this tab, you can browse nearby points of interest, as if you were using Foursquare. You can check reviews, share places with friends, and also see if any of your friends have already been there. According to FB, the update should go live sometime later today in Google Play as well as for iOS devices. Still enjoying the recent native update? I think it's great. Play Link Via: Facebook

Nova Launcher Beta Updates to Version 2.0+, Contains Massive Changelog

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:50:16 +0000

We here at DL support third party launchers. One of our all time favorite launchers, Nova Launcher, has a beta version that received a major update over the weekend. In fact, there is such a long list of features that I will have to use a page break. Here I go. Some of the more intriguing things we see in the changelog are re-sizable icons, quite a few "under the hood" improvements, and folder background transparency options. Feel free to scroll through and see what is new.

2.0beta3 Dec 16, 2012

Fix expand notifications on 4.2

Fix dock as overlay

Fix dock infinite scroll

Fix disabled wallpaper scrolling

Big Grid lab now works for dock size

Fix folder bg not saving

Fix FCs

2.0beta2 Dec 15, 2012

Public Beta

Icons and folders:

* Icon resizing (Prime)

* Swipe up action on desktop icon (Prime)

* Use app icon as custom icon

* Swipe to open folder, tap for custom action

* Disc background for folder icons

* Folder background transparency

* Support iconmask and shader in icon themes

* Updated Nova Action icons

* Bigger grid size options

Drawer Settings:

* Isolate tabs

* Infinite scroll

* Remember position

* List style

* Auto close

Dock:

* Auto close

* Use small icons

Wallpaper:

* Crop to portrait/landscape or full

* Wallpaper scrolling on USA SGS2

Under the hood:

* Aggressive Desktop (Keep in memory)

* Merge Android 4.2 changes

* Faster load times

* Reduce memory usage

* Default on for UI Lock, widget async and widget cache

* Expandable "Advanced" in Settings menus

* Custom activity background instead of banded gradient

If any of the things you see on here sound like fun, then you can download the apk and install it as you would any third party app. If you feel like waiting for it to hit Google Play, you won't have to wait too long for that to take place. Download: 2.0Beta3.apk Via: XDA Cheers Justin, Albert, Corey!

Week of Holiday Tegra: Win 1 of 3 Nexus 7s From Droid Life and NVIDIA [Day 1] (Update: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:30:54 +0000

Our month of massive giveaways continues! Last week, Google put five Nexus 7s and five $25 Google Play gift cards, in what turned out to be some of the more entertaining contests we have ever done. This week, it's all about NVIDIA and their Tegra 3 processor. For the next five days, we'll give away 11 tablets powered by a Tegra processor to the best Android community on the planet. Yes, I just said eleven. The schedule of events will look something like this:

Day 1 – (3) Nexus 7 16GB
Day 2 – TF300 + dock + Logitech controller
Day 3 – TF700 + dock + Logitech controller
Day 4 – (2) Acer A110 + $25 AMEX Gift Card
Day 5 – (4) Lenovo A2109 + $25 AMEX Gift Card

So as you can see, for today, we're giving away three (3) Nexus 7 16GB tablets thanks to our friends at NVIDIA. Ready?

Contest

Update: We have our three winners! Go check your inbox! Prizes: 3 (three) Nexus 7 16GB tablets How to enter: 1. "Like" the NVIDIA Tegra Facebook page. 2. "Like" the Droid Life Facebook page. 3. In the comments, tell us what your favorite video game of all time is. Winners: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we'll randomly choose three winners from the comments. Eligible countries: US (excluding Puerto Rico and its other territories and possessions), Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, Australia, China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India (excluding the State of Tamil Nadu), and Brazil.

Madfinger Pushes Winter Update to Dead Trigger, Prepare to Battle Zanta

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:53:50 +0000

The Madfinger development team is definitely in the Christmas spirit, as they just launched an update to Dead Trigger revolving around the holidays. Inside, you will find a new North Pole Christmas arena, including a new boss called "ZANTA." On top of that, you can equip a grenade launcher which should certainly help you get through a few waves of rabid reindeer.

What's in this version:

How many waves you can defeat in the new NORTH POLE CHRISTMAS ARENA?

Prepare for an encounter with ZANTA, a new Christmas Boss!

Try out the new GRENADE LAUNCHER...you'll love it!

Equip yourself well and shoot your way through the NEW STORY MISSIONS!

New special PRICE OFFERS on weapons!

Solve the underground puzzle and WIN a DEAD TRIGGER T-SHIRT!

Tweaks:

The Mini-Mortar has been improved to be more deadly

Bug fixes:

Memory optimizations for low-end devices

Time to die, Zanta. Play Link

Google Kicks Off Surprise Calendar Countdown, $35 Credit Towards Hotel Booking

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:05:48 +0000

Today, Google is starting to spread some holiday cheer with the Surprise Calendar Countdown. From what we can see, Google will have special deals on apps, books, movies, tv, and music every day until 1/1/2013. Today only, Google is offering $35 towards a hotel booking through the Hotel Tonight application that can be installed from Google Play. Not exactly the type of app deal we were looking for, but it's neat. Can expect a 10 cent deal or something along that line as well this year? Fingers crossed. Play Link Cheers Justin!

Nexus Availability Update: Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 Completely Sold Out, 16GB Nexus 7 Too

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:30:10 +0000

Since it's Monday and we are days away from X-mas, it seemed appropriate to update the Nexus situation in the Google Play store. Last week, the 8GB Nexus 4, 16GB Nexus 7, and 32GB Nexus 10 were all marked as "Sold Out," which means they weren't even available for backorder. Previously, Google had changed to an extended shipping period so that customers could still order the device, just not expect it to arrive for weeks. We aren't sure what changed, but those days are gone. As of this week, both versions of the Nexus 4 (8GB and 16GB), both versions of the Nexus 10 (16GB and 32GB), and the 16GB Nexus 7 are all "Sold Out." If you were hoping to pick any of these up as last minute presents, you are out of luck. It's a shame, but with Google now admitting to supply issues from their partners, we can only hope that they have a plan to get this train back on track. Oh, the Bumper case for the Nexus 4 is also sold out (our hands-on). Via: Google Play

Google UK Director: "Scarce and Erratic" Supplies From LG to Blame for Nexus 4 Shipping Issues

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:19:08 +0000

Over the weekend, in a post about Google's year in review, the company's UK Managing Director, Dan Cobley, was practically forced to comment on the continued struggles of his company to ship, process, and control Nexus 4 devices. In the comments of this post, users took time out of their day to complain about the poor experience they had dealt with while attempting to buy Google's latest Nexus phone. Most of hit had to do with estimated shipping times not matching up to what their orders said, or hearing of others ordering devices much later than they had, yet receiving shipments first. Cobley apologized a number of times and announced that he would look into it. One comment of his in particular stood out, though. In it, he put a bit of the blame on LG whose supplies to them have been "scarce and erratic." He also mentioned that communication between the two companies had definitely been "flawed."

Dear all, I know that what you are going through is unacceptable and we are all working through the nights and weekends to resolve this issue. Supplies from the manufacturer are scarce and erratic, and our communication has been flawed. I can offer an unreserved apology for our service and communication failures in this process. I am optimistic that we will be able to share some positive news shortly, but I do not want to cause any more disappointment by making a commitment until we are 100% sure we can deliver on it. I realise that the people who ordered the Nexus 4 so early are among our most committed and loyal users and we are doing all we can to put things right.

As you can see from his comment, he went on to say that he is hoping to have positive news shortly, but that he cannot commit to anything until he is sure that the company can deliver. From my experience with the devices section of the Google Play store, along with numerous readers of ours, this problem might be greater than even Dan Cobley understands. Google can't handle massive device sales, plain and simple. Via: +Dan Cobley | Guardian UK Cheers Steve!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 12/14/2012

Tim — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:41:26 +0000

It's been a long week here, but that's what we like. We were able to get through Episode 9 of the Droid Life Show, got our hands on the native Facebook app, and Verizon Galaxy S3 owners are basking in the goodness of Jelly Bean. What more could you ask for? If you missed any of this week's highlights, we have them below.

Watch: Droid Life Show Episode 9
Droid Life Sessions: Volume 8 Answers
Here's the special Verizon employee edition of the DROID DNA.
Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 bootloader is unlocked.
Hands-on: Nexus 4 bumper case.
Facebook finally goes native for Android.
Schmidt comments on Google's war with Apple, "We're winning."
Verizon's Galaxy S3 receives Jelly Bean!
Video: Official Nexus 7 dock unboxed.
Ten Android apps Kellex can't live without from 2012.
Google launches Currents 2.0.

Have a good weekend, everybody! Image credit to WcM3!

Samsung Wishes You "Happy Holidays" With the Galaxy Note 2 and Kirigami

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:05:43 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g_PYt6vz7w[/youtube]

Clever Galaxy Note 2 holiday spot from Samsung.

Rovio Hosting Winter Sale on All HD Game Titles For Android, iOS, and PC

Tim — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:35:05 +0000

For a limited time, Rovio is hosting a special deal on their HD titles through Google Play, iTunes, PC, and the Amazon Appstore. From what I saw on Google Play, all four of the HD games listed below are only $1, which is pretty killer. Only a buck for HD Angry Birds Star Wars? Yes, please!

Star Wars HD | Space HD | Bad Piggies HD | Amazing Alex HD

Via: Rovio Cheers EvanTheGamer!

Official Cheezburger App Hits Teh Google Play, Go Get Your Lolz On

Tim — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:10:57 +0000

If you find yourself on the Interwebz for more than 5 minutes a day, you have probably encountered a few memes and GIFs from time to time. The Cheezburger Network is a fantastic place to find a concentrated amount of these images. For the most part, they're all pretty funny and usually lead to some "lolz." There are a ton of categories to choose from, so there's something that should fit everyone's different sense of humor. The app seems to be put together quite nicely, which I've found to be rather surprising. It's free and I haven't even seen any ads. Score. Play Link

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 8 Answers

Tim — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:40:50 +0000

On Monday, we asked you all to send in questions for Volume 8 of the Droid Life Q&A Sessions. As always, we received some fantastic questions and even went over a few on this week's Droid Life Show. If you're ready to see what we had to say about our thoughts for the upcoming year, where to buy a Verizon phone off contract, and when you can expect to be kicked off of your grandfathered data plan, read on. Reminder: K is Kellex, T is Tim, R is Ron, and E is Eric.

Where is the best place to buy a phone on Verizon off contract? And why would you choose that retailer?

K: Not sure there is a better place than Verizon. They tend to have the best full retail prices. Best Buy and other retailers jack up their full retail prices because they only make money off of contracts. I have heard that some are able to get Best Buy to match Verizon's prices, but haven't tried it myself. Otherwise, try eBay. R: I've purchased off contract phones from Craigslist and eBay. Just keep an eye out for a good deal, make sure they have pictures, and you should be good. T: I have bought a device off of Swappa before. Was a decently pleasant experience. When the device did not meet my expectations, their staff was very good about making sure I received my money back and everyone was happy.

Why has it been so hard to find official accessories for my "official" Google Android products?

R: Probably because they haven't been wild successes in the market so it hasn't made a lot of sense for Google to pump out a ton of accessories. K: I sort of complained about this earlier this morning, but the short answer is, we don't know. For whatever reason, Google and the companies they partner with to make accessories, never work well together. It took months before we got anything for the Galaxy Nexus, and now it has been months without anything for the Nexus 7. The Nexus 4 is supposed to have a really cool wireless charging ball, but again, we have no idea when or if it'll ever be available.

When do you guys think Verizon will kick the remaining " grandfathered in" people off unlimited?

R: Probably next year some time. They may never need to since the cost of getting a phone off contract isn't going down any time soon. T: Hard to say. My bets would be sometime later next year or early 2014 maybe. It could be that they would wait to launch some type of new network that would entitle them to justify kicking grandfathered users off of unlimited 3G/4G data. Again, it's hard to know what Verizon has going on. K: It'll be tough for them to kick people off who refuse to sign a new contract. I'd assume in two years, when the last 2-year contracts were signed, they'll have something in place. Just remember, that when that happens, you can always go elsewhere. And hopefully by then, we'll have other carriers with 4G LTE networks on Verizon's level.

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

T: I'm looking forward to a new lineup of devices. I've been pretty impressed with 2012's offerings and I'm excited to see what 2013 has in store. Better displays, bigger batteries, fast processors. On top of that, new Android OS! 5.0, baby! K: New Google Now features, if Google will realize that they need to do something with mobile gaming, what Motorola plans to do to make a comeback, and if HTC can survive and stop their landslide. Samsung will probably own the world still, but when smaller companies are down, they tend to scrap to try to get back in play. It could get dirty, but it'll be fun. R: I'm hoping we'll see some innovation in battery technology across the board (not just from Motorola) and some innovation with cameras in phones.

As the year ends and 2013 begins, how would you feel if Verizon quietly dropped DROID branding anything at some point in 2013?

R: I would feel fine about it. It might be a good idea to give it a rest. It's lost a lot of its meaning over the years. Maybe it would be good to stop for a while and bring it back with a real halo device. K: The DROID brand isn't as powerful as it once was. Look at the Galaxy S3, it's not a DROID and it's the hottest smartphone in the world. If the DROID brand dies, and I doubt that it will, the Android world will continue to thrive.

Which Android OEM are you most excited about for 2013?

R: I'm hoping Motorola brings some Google-flavored designs out and I'm hoping HTC gets their act together. K: We sort of answered this on the DL Show the other night, but most of us are excited to see what the new Google-powered Motorola can come up with. New designs, hopefully no more kevlar, and the most open Android phones available is what I'm hoping we get. Samsung is always interesting as well, since they are the big dog on top of the smartphone world. A lot of people said the Galaxy S3 was overrated, but it's been a massive success. T: I'm looking forward to the "new Motorola." I hope to see more Google-inspired designs coming through in 2013!

What kind of devices are your family members using?

R: My brother has a Nexus S 4G, my parents use Trackphones, and my wife has an iPhone. They're all very different people with different needs. T: My family has a good mix. There are some iPhones, Galaxy S3, DROID X, Nexus 4, and even some flip phones still! K: Most have Android phones...actually I think they all do. Couple of Galaxy S3s, original RAZR, Incredible 2, and Thunderbolt.

If you were in-charge of Google+ what would you guys to do try and make it more popular?

R: Right now Google+ is still a Facebook clone. What it needs is a niche feature to make it stand out. Hangouts are cool, but maybe releasing a photoshere app for iOS and Android (for those without 4.2) and holding a contest would help. At the end of the day people don't want another social network unless it gives them something they didn't have before or it is centered around one idea. Twitter does text, Facebook does everything, Instagram does photos, etc. Google+ doesn't do anything that stands out. You need that when you're a late comer. T: To me it isn't about popularity. In fact, I can't quite tell if that's what Google is going for either. By weaving their services (Android devices, YouTube, Google Play, etc.) together through Google+, they're uniting Google users on this service. Will it ever be the next Facebook or whatever? I don't think so, but then, I don't want it to be. K: I'm terrible with social networks and am the worst person on Earth to ask. You can find me on Instagram though!

Second Look: Ringke SLIM Nexus 4 Case [Revised Version]

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:45:41 +0000

Last week, during a quest to find the best Nexus 4 case, I found an option from one of our favorite case companies, Rearth. Their Ringke SLIM for the Nexus 4 was available on Amazon for $9.99 in a variety of colors, so naturally, I jumped on it. Unfortunately, the original version of the SLIM had some fit issues near the volume rocker, making it a bit uncomfortable to use. But thankfully, Rearth didn't waste time in releasing a revised version with optimal fit. This new version showed up in a set on my doorstep yesterday, so let's talk about it. As you'll see in the pictures below, nothing has changed at first glance. It's still ultra-slim and adds almost no bulk, something I always look for in a case. The volume rocker fit issue has definitely been addressed, and the case fits perfectly. All ports are exposed and it has a soft finish, that can actually be a bit slippery at times. It's about as minimal as it gets, with almost zero branding other than the "Ringke SLIM" mention at the bottom of the case. The case is easily applied, giving just enough protection to anyone who is worried about cracking their new Nexus 4. An added bonus comes in form of front protection. Each of the four corners of the case sticks up just enough so that you can lay the phone face down, yet keep the glass off of whatever surface it is laying on. The Ringke SLIM is also thin enough that wireless charging still works, ~~something the Bumper case can't say~~. (Update: Wireless charging does still work with the Bumper on. Had issues last night, but works fine today.)

The grey color is probably my favorite, but it also comes in white, black, and blue. It's not the fanciest case ever made, but it's very minimal and well worth the price. Oh, I also ditched my official Nexus 4 bumper already, as it added too much bulk for my liking. This is my case of choice. Amazon Links: White | Grey | Black | Blue

Gallery

[nggallery id=38]

First Pictures of the Verizon Employee Limited Edition HTC DROID DNA in Red

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:42:29 +0000

Back in November, we were told by sources that a special edition HTC DROID DNA would be made available to employees of Verizon stores. The special edition was said to come in an exclusive red color that no one outside of the company could purchase. It would have a serial number, marking the edition, along with wording imprinted on the back that reads, "Verizon Employee Limited Edition." Said to launch in December, it appears that these special edition DNAs have indeed started arriving to employees that ordered them. We have the first pictures of the device. As you can see, it has a red back that flows around the device onto the sides. It's beautiful. Nothing else has changed - still has the same 8MP camera, quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, and 4G LTE. Jealous?

Gallery

[nggallery id=39]

Contest: Last Chance to Win a Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ and $25 Google Play Gift Card (Update: Winner Picked)

Tim — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:45:09 +0000

It's Day 5! That means, this is the last day of our Google-sponsored giveaway where you can walk away with a Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ tablet coupled with a $25 Google Play gift card. We have had an amazing week, with a ton of awesome entries, spanning from Android artwork to over 1,000 Android haiku poems. We knew we had a creative crowd, but dang! For today, you'll have to use your noggin again to come up with something good. Ready?

Contest

Update: We have our Day 5 winner! The winning acronym is:

A - Android N - Never D - Disappoints R - Really O - Only I - iOS D - Does

How to enter: 1. Share this post with your favorite social network: Twitter, Google+, or Facebook. 2. In the comments, use the word "Android" to create an acronym. Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will randomly choose the winner from the comments. *Winners need to have U.S. addresses.

Jelly Bean Update Now Live for Verizon's Galaxy S3!

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:17:13 +0000

Our inbox just filled up with pure joy. The Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update for Verizon's Galaxy S3 is live. Users appear to be pulling it like crazy, so if you haven't been prompted yet, be sure to check your phone.

*Settings>About phone>System update>Check new

If it's not there, we have been told that the "Google Services Framework" trick works.

*Settings>Apps>All>Google Services Framework>Force stop/Clear data

Full details about the update can be found here. Cheers Jonathan, Craig, cmpx, DigitalEnforcer, TJ, Matt and Mike!

Official Nexus 7 Dock Unboxed, Nexus 10 POGO Charger Revealed?

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:11:39 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4CjB37tdRE[/youtube]

Accessories for Nexus devices are a lot like Bigfoot or unicorns - everyone claims to have seen them and that they are coming, but rarely do we get to see them with our own eyes. Take these two stories as examples. The first, comes from Japan, where a guy claims to have been able to buy the official Nexus 7 POGO dock "a day early" at some sort of retail outlet. Now, as you all know, this dock is no where to be found here in the U.S., nor do we know if it will ever arrive here. We saw a listing on Asus' Japanese site for it that mentioned it would be available in "early December," so clearly, it hit that launch. Unfortunately, none of us are in Japan. Unicorn. The second story comes out of XDA forums, where a user posted up pictures of a POGO charging adapter for the Nexus 10. He has been semi-quiet on the details, but did offer up a potential price of $19.99 or $20 and that it's very much like the magnetic power cables that Apple users in their Macbooks. He also said that it should be available within the next 10 days on sites like Amazon and that he works for the direct supplier of the cable in Korea. Bigfoot.

Why is it that we can't seem to get official Nexus accessories...ever? They are always on display during launch, but then never seem to make it to market until months later. Remember that we originally saw this N7 POGO dock back in July, yet here we are in December with Japan availability, and that's it. Via: Android Central | XDA Cheers EDNYLaw!

All New Google+ for Android Available - Communities, Photosphere Viewer, Full-size Photo Backups, and More

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:35:52 +0000

The newest version of Google+ for Android is now available on Google Play. The update is one of the biggest in recent memory in that it introduces Communities to mobile, allows users to view Photosphere photos, brings in a list of new Event features, supports full resolution photo uploads (and 5GB of storage), supports animated GIFs, unwraps a new "mood" expression option, and lets you add the Google+ widget to your lock screen (Android 4.2+). Again, it's a massive upgrade. We have the full list of new features below, but if you want the explanation on some of the new stuff in events, be sure to hit up the source link.

Highlights

New feature: Google+ Communities
Support for full resolution photo uploads via Instant Upload
Subscribe to any circle for notifications
Support for time zones in Events
Basic profile editing
Integration with Google Now to send birthday wishes to friends
Support for animated GIFs
Express your mood via animated images in posts
View and explore Photo Sphere images (Android 4.2+)
Add the Google+ widget to your device’s lock screen (Android 4.2+)

Play Link

Via: G+ Project

Verizon Kicks Off Holiday Sale: DROID RAZR MAXX HD for $249, Regular RAZR HD at $149

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:08:15 +0000

Verizon launched a new holiday promotion this morning, one that includes $50 discounts on two of their more popular phones, the RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD. Normally priced at $199 and $299 on contract, the RAZR HD can be had for $149 with the RAZR MAXX HD dropping in at $249 (on new 2-year contract). If you haven't already, be sure to check out our review of these phones. We're also seeing discounts to the Incredible 4G LTE ($49) and DROID RAZR M ($49). Via: Verizon Cheers Matt!

Video: Quick Look at the Nexus 4 Bumper Case

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:38:13 +0000

When the bumper case for the Nexus 4 went back on sale earlier in the week, I caved in and bought one. After having a well-documented, not-so-awesome time with the glass on my first Nexus 4, I decided that this time around I would do everything in my power to protect the second one. So, bumper case we go. The most surprising part about it may be the fact that it arrived already, as in, a day and a half after ordering it. Not bad. So what do I think? Well, it provides just the right amount of protection. You can set the phone face down or face up and the bumper's lip should keep both surfaces off the ground/table/naked body. It's minimal enough that it shouldn't get in your way or make the phone feel too bulky in hand. But most importantly, it allows you to still see that beautiful Crystal Reflection backside. Mmmhmm. Is it worth $20 plus the $6 in shipping? If you have already broken one glass back, it probably is.

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaATZkH1Obg[/youtube]

Gallery

[nggallery id=37]

Tip: Check the "Rooted" Status on Your DROID RAZR HD

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:56:27 +0000

Back in August, we talked about a root checker that Motorola had built into devices like the RAZR and RAZR MAXX. To see if a device was rooted or had been rooted in the past, all you had to do was boot into recovery and look towards the middle of the screen for "qe" in yellow lettering followed by a 0/0, 0/1, or 1/1. If a "1" was included at all, that meant your device had either been rooted before or was currently rooted. It was a sneaky move, to say the least. In the RAZR HD, and presumably other devices, a root checker has been built into Program Settings as well. From the dialer, if you type in ##PROGRAM and then a password of "000000" (six zeros), you'll notice a menu option at the very bottom that reads "Device rooting." Sure enough, should you enter said menu, it will tell you if you are rooted or not. The reader that pointed this out, also says that it will continue to say rooted even if you unroot, sort of like the 0/1 indicator we saw on the original RAZR. He did mention that if you flash all the way back to Ice Cream Sandwich, unroot, and then update your phone legitimately, that the "Rooted" status would go away. Just thought you should know.

Cheers Nathaniel!

Four Additional Cities to See Verizon's 4G LTE on December 20

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:00:51 +0000

Just as a small note, Verizon announced that the below four cities will also be lit up with 4G LTE on December 20, alongside the other good-sized list of cities we published the other day. New markets:

Lamar, CO
LaJunta, CO
Price, UT
Richfield, UT

Congrats to the citizens of those fine towns. May 4G LTE bring warmth to this otherwise cold holiday season! Via: Verizon

Google Calendar Receives Update, Make Calls and Open Maps App Right From Notifications

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:25:11 +0000

Another update has gone up for Google's Calendar application, making it an even more functional piece of the Android OS. When saving appointments or dates, you can add in an address and phone number, which will then be displayed as a shortcut to the matching app when the reminder goes off. For example, if you make a dentist appointment for tomorrow and add their number, when the calendar app reminds you of your appointment, you can call them right from the notification and tell them you're too chicken to come in that day. Pretty fancy.

What's in this version: - Call and go to map directly from notifications - Location suggestion on event creation - Quick event creation from month view

Go grab it in Google Play. Play Link

Google Implements Confirmation Into Mobile Ads, No More Accidental Taps

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:02:17 +0000

Google doesn't it like it that you may be automatically taken from an app after an accidental brush with an advertisement. With many in-app advertisements placed strategically to attract more clicks, Google still wants to make sure that users are actively meaning to tap on them. So that app of yours with a delay in ad-load time, that tricks users into tapping an area that eventually turns into an ad, will no longer work the same. Google had this to say:

Ads on smartphones are effective, but many of us have at some point clicked on an ad by accident, which ultimately is a bad experience for the user, the publisher, and the advertiser who pays for clicks that may not be valuable. Our team has been analyzing the types of ad formats where accidental clicks are more likely to occur due to ad layout and placement, and are constantly looking at ways that we can combat them.

As you can see in the image above, tapping on an ad should activate a big blue confirmation button with an arrow that says "Visit Site." If you see an ad with a small blue button, you can click that and go directly to the advertiser's site. I can't imagine app developers who make a living off of perfectly placed ads that grab accidental taps are going to be all that happy. With that said, users like you and I, should be thrilled. Via: Google Mobile Ads

Deep Sleep Battery Saver Makes Sure Your Device Receives the Rest It Deserves

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:13:42 +0000

For those of you who try everything they can to make those batteries last as long as possible, check out Deep Sleep Battery Saver. While your phone is snoozing, at night time when you aren't using it, most people decide to charge their device. If you aren't one for that, this app allows you to set times where it will automatically shut off WiFi and data, along with all of the ongoing syncing services to save battery. In the morning, it auto awakes for the new day and re-syncs everything before you wake up, that way you and your Android friend are refreshed and ready to go. Features:

Custom profile settings
Separate between weekday vs weekend settings
Frequency: device is turned on DS mode at a selected frequency
Duration: device is woke up after for a selected duration after a each frequency cycle
Wireless & network: control radio setting during DS on
Sync: Control sync strategy and sync account, auto-sync
Apps: Select apps that will be stopped during DS on
CPU: Process twist - root only
Whitelist: Apps are always ignored when DS on, such as online music player

There is a free version you can try out along with a pro version, which allows for CPU underclocking as well. Naturally, root is required for that feature. More Info From XDA Play Link: Free | Pro ($1.29)

Quick Contest: Win 1 of 3 Galaxy Nexus Fantom Tempered Glass Screen Protectors (Updated: Winners Picked!)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:41:53 +0000

The Galaxy Nexus on Verizon is still to this day one of the most popular phones among Droid Life readers. It was the first Nexus (maybe the last too) to launch on Big Red, providing this passionate community the only fully open phone on their network of choice in quite some time. But now that the phone has been around for almost a year, it seems to take a backseat at times to all of the new phones that hit the market. So to show the G-Nex that we still love it, we wanted to hand out a couple of tempered glass screen protectors for it. The Fantom, made by XGEAR, is practically scratch resistant, keeps off fingerprints, and is thin enough to not add extra bulk to your device. At 8H hardness, you won't find this kind of protection from any other screen protector. Then normally retail for $29.99.

Contest

Update: Our three winners have been picked! David, ImmaDroid, and Sean, be sure to check your email! Prize: 3 (three) Fantom tempered glass screen protectors for the Galaxy Nexus. How to enter: 1. In the comments, tell us why you still love your Galaxy Nexus. Winners: Today, at 3PM Pacific, we'll randomly choose three winners from the comments. *Winners need to have U.S. addresses.

Facebook 2.0 Announced for Android - It's Native, Faster, and Completely Rebuilt

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:47:56 +0000

This morning, Facebook has announced that version 2.0 of their Android app is ready for prime time. Built with native code to improve speed and performance, this has been a long time in the making. Load time of the app should now happen much quicker, photos open instantly, your timeline is faster than ever, and the app is more efficient with a smoother UI thanks to a reduction in garbage collection (more at the engineering link below).

Highlights

Launch the app quickly: When you’re on your phone, nothing matters more than getting what you want quickly. We're always working to make our apps faster, and in this update we've rebuilt news feed, notifications and Timeline for speed.
View photos instantly: Tap on any photo to open it right away, and scroll through photo albums without leaving news feed
Open Timeline faster: Go to your Timeline and view updates and photos more quickly than ever.

The app will go live today in the Google Play store. Update: Version 2.0 is now live in the Play store. So, tell us your thoughts? Via: Facebook [Engineering Notes]

It's Official, Jelly Bean to Hit Verizon Galaxy S3 Starting December 14

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:34:25 +0000

This week we have been watching Verizon play with their current support documents for the Galaxy S3, as they prepped for an update to be pushed to the device sometime in the future. This morning, we finally have confirmation that the Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update will begin tomorrow, December 14. At first the update will go out in batches, so don't be alarmed if your device doesn't receive it first thing in the morning. You will need some patience as Verizon starts to test the waters of the new software on a larger scale. Of course, Jelly Bean brings with it Google Now, enhanced notifications, and Project Butter. On top of that, Verizon has also enabled global roaming, Isis mobile wallet, and a few bug fixes. And thanks again to our tipster who told us last week that December 14 was the day. Do we have some happy SGS3 owners here? Via: Verizon

Thursday Poll: What Is Your Most Used Android Web Browser

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:20:07 +0000

Last night on the DL Show, we quickly discussed the many options that Android users have in terms of Internet browser applications. In fact, there are a ton of good choices out there. You have Chrome, which has become very popular for syncing between multiple devices, Dolphin for its large list of features, Opera for its speed, and the list goes on. Each seems to have its own unique characteristic that people are drawn to. Let us know down below which one you're stuck on. [poll id="225"]

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to Incorporate Massive 6.3" Display?

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:28:20 +0000

Consumers are finally getting used to working their 5.5" Galaxy Note 2 device, but rumors are already out concerning Samsung's next Note iteration. In a move that may or may not shock you, Samsung is rumored to be doing it BIG next year. In fact, according to Korea Times, the Galaxy Note 3 will reportedly feature a giant 6.3" display, further blurring the line between tablet and phone. If this thing isn't a "phablet" I don't know what is. Other than a rumored display size, no other info was given on the Note 3. As for the Galaxy S4, it is reported that Samsung could unveil their next flagship phone at the 2013 MWC, but given they are doing just fine at holding their own events for major product launches, we will have to wait and see. So, our question for you, is 6.3" just completely ridiculous or could you manage holding that thing up to your face for a call? And at that size, forget abut making calls. What about having it fit in your pocket? Via: CNET Cheers Nick S!

Act Quick: $50 MOGA Gaming Controller and Modern Combat 4 For Free

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:47:16 +0000

PowerA, the sellers of the MOGA gaming controller for Android, are offering a special deal on a limited supply of controllers. For a very limited time, you can get a new $50 controller, coupled with Gameloft's Modern Combat 4 for free. All you have to do is pay shipping and handling. Awesome, right? The controller attaches to your device, turning any phone into a portable gaming system. Once on the site, add the controller to your cart, then apply the coupon code, "SecretSanta." You better hurry! Coupon Code: SecretSanta Update: We crashed the PowerA site for the MOGA, so they temporarily took it down. They are assuring customers that the deal is still on, though, and that they have extended it:

Wow! You must really like MOGA! Don’t worry, the deal is still on. We have temporarily taken down PowerA.com due to the overwhelming response. Please check back as we will be back in business shortly! Didn’t get your order in? Don’t worry, we will be extending the offer.

Update 2: The site is back up! They have apparently extended the sale until tomorrow, assuming their stock lasts that long. Via: Facebook | MOGA Cheers Nick!

Contest: Yep, Another Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ and $25 Google Play Gift Card Up for Grabs!

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:36:31 +0000

Day 4! All week, we're giving away Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ tablets coupled with $25 Google Play gift cards, thanks to the fine folks at Google. We only have two left after three days of amazing contests, so be sure to get in on the last couple. On Monday, you gave us your best Android haikus. You then followed that up with incredible artwork and panoramas. For today's contest, we'll make it even simpler. Ready?

Contest

Update: Our winner is Nicholas, who described Android in 5 words as, "Android For The Win, boom." Congrats! How to enter: 1. Share this post with your favorite social network: Twitter, Google+, or Facebook. 2. In the comments, describe Android in 5 words. Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will randomly choose the winner from the comments. *Winners need to have U.S. addresses.

AT&T Announces Gang of New 4G LTE Markets For December

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:25:28 +0000

While Verizon is doing their thing and looking forward to futuristic networks, AT&T continues to keep chugging along, lighting up a few new 4G LTE markets this morning. AT&T plans to complete their LTE buildout by the end of 2014, only one year and a half after Big Red. Of course, that time frame could be pushed up as carriers become opponents in a data speeds arm race. In terms of customers seeing LTE, that makes us all winners in my book. New markets as of 12/13/2012:

Pullman, WA
Reno, NV
Allentown, PA
Hattiesburg, MI
Moscow, ID
Richmond, VA
Starkville, MI

Via: AT&T

Google Search Receives Minor Update, Changelog Currently M.I.A.

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:58:06 +0000

This morning, Google Search received an update, but it must be quite minor given that Google didn't update the changelog. The app did recently receive a big update, so we are guessing this is more of a bug fixing update or something along those lines. If you haven't already, go grab it. Play Link Cheers ViZZiATO!

Nexus Availability Update: Nexus 7 16GB, Nexus 10 32GB, and Nexus 4 8GB "Sold Out"

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:33:15 +0000

Many of you may be making final holiday present preparations, so we thought an update to the status of the Nexus lineup in the Google Play was in store. If you were planning to pickup a Nexus 4 8GB, Nexus 7 16GB, or Nexus 10 32GB, you should probably consider other options. The 8GB version of the Nexus 4 has been sold out for at least a week, the 16GB version of the Nexus 7 joined it this week, and the 32GB version of the Nexus 10 flipped to "Sold Out" this morning. In the past, we have seen the shipping estimate extended for devices rather than a dead-end "Sold Out," so they really must be struggling to keep up with demand. Update 12/13: The 32GB Nexus 10 is now showing as in stock and shipping in less than a week. Also, the 16GB version of the Nexus 4 is now shipping in 6-7 weeks, however, a number of folks are reporting much quicker shipping times. I for one received mine in about 3 weeks after having been told it would take 4-5. The 16GB Nexus 10 and two other Nexus 7 options are all at 3-5 business days, so they are still in play. Via: Google Play

JBQ on Pulled Nexus 4 Factory Images: "I Can't Comment on That"

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:15:22 +0000

Two days ago, we noticed that Google had updated the factory images page for their Nexus lineup. For whatever reason, this update removed the Nexus 4 and all accompanying files, a move that we weren't initially concerned about. While it was odd that their new flagship device was gone, we have seen this happen in the past with other Nexus phones. It becomes interesting now because Jean-Baptiste Quéru, the man who manages these factory images, was asked point blank what the deal was and simply responded with, "I can't comment on that, sorry." Even after a user mentioned that he desperately needed the files to fix his phone, he was left hanging. So what is the deal? Well, we don't know. There are rumors floating around that suggest it's because users are finding active LTE radios inside and that Google has been forced to remove software for it. The device wasn't approved by the FCC to work on LTE networks, so there is a chance that has something to do with it. We should point out that the 4.2.1 binaries have been removed as well. But to confuse things further, the 4.2.1 image for the Nexus 10 ~~is gone~~ (Update: or has apparently never been there). Some are suggesting that this means an update is on the way. Serious bug in 4.2.1 for just these two devices? Lots of questions and guesses, no definitive answers. I'd assume there is nothing serious going on here. It's not like the Nexus 4 is all of a sudden going to stop being supported forever by Google. All will be well in due time. Via: Android Building Cheers Brad!

Android-on-Android Crime

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 01:41:14 +0000

Here we go! The Droid Life Show episode 9 is going down tonight. During tonight's broadcast, we are planning to talk about Android-on-Android crime, what was awesome about 2012, if being rooted really matters anymore, and which OEM do we expect to have a big year in 2013. Oh, we'll also talk more about the fancy "podcast" links below. Yes, we have finally given you a way to subscribe with your favorite podcast app. Your welcome. The show is live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). Live video and chat are embedded below.

The Droid Life Show Episode 9 is Live Tonight at 6PM Pacific!

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:46:46 +0000

We're nearing the end of 2012. It's been one wild ride so far, so let's start capping it off with another episode of The Droid Life Show. Episode 9 will air tonight at 6pm Pacific, so be sure to swing on back by and join in on the fun. We'll be talking about the unlocking of Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 bootloader, Android OEM on Android OEM crimes, and be doing a basic recap of what 2012 meant to Android as a whole. After that, if you're still awake, Tato will be unveiling a separate project after the conclusion of the DL Show. After hours fun, anyone? Again, we’ll be live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). There will be a live video embed and chat.

If you can't catch it live, then be sure to subscribe to our new show feed (podcast).

Google Maps Available for the iPhone, Making Fun of Apple Now Slightly Less Fun

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:26:29 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEz1sSKCpIc[/youtube]

Well, it was fun while it lasted. While that whole iOS Maps fiasco was something the world had more than a good time with, Google has gone ahead and ruined some of our fun. Google Maps, with full turn-by-turn navigation, is now available for the iPhone. This new version of Maps has been "designed from the ground up to combine the comprehensiveness and accuracy of Google Maps with an interface that makes finding what you’re looking for faster and easier." The fun isn't completely over, though. In Google's announcement, they make sure to indirectly point out all of the flaws in Apple's own maps product. By mentioning that Google Maps stores 80 million businesses and points of interest, has Street View, public transportation info, and updates tens of thousands of times daily to help with accuracy and comprehensiveness, this is Google's way of saying, "This is how you do it, suckers." Via: Google Lat Long Cheers Adam, Will, John, Garrett, and Albert!

Google Sound Search Widget Now Available Through Google Play

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:59:46 +0000

Goodbye SoundHound and Shazam, hello Sound Search! Google's very own music recognition widget is now on Google Play, allowing users to instantly recognize music which will then link you to Google Play for purchase. Previously only available to devices running Jelly Bean, now everyone running at least Android 4.0+ can take advantage of this neat app. For some, Shazam still holds more functionality and features, but Sound Search is perfect for the minimalist like myself. Go grab it! Play Link Via: Google

Verizon to Light Up a Few Northwest 4G LTE Markets on December 20

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:29:43 +0000

On December 20, Verizon is to light up a few new northwest 4G LTE markets here in Oregon and in Washington state. Currently, VZW sits at well over 400 4G LTE markets, with plenty more on the way as they intend to stretch their LTE over the entire 3G footprint by mid-2013. At the rate they have been going, that shouldn't be an issue. Markets to go live on Dec. 20:

Klamath Falls, OR
Roseburg, OR
Sutherlin, OR
Kennewick, WA
Pasco, WA
Richland, WA
Port Angeles, WA
Sequim, WA
Port Townsend, WA

Hey, those towns are in our neck of the woods! Via: Verizon

Verizon Extends Return Period for New Devices From Now Until January 15

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:00:59 +0000

If you are planning to pick up a new phone from Verizon between now and December 25, you'll be pleased to learn that you have an extended window to return it should you decide it's not the phone for you. Big Red, according to their updated return policy, is giving holiday purchases up until January 15 to return new devices. And actually, if you purchased a phone as far back as November 22, this covers you as well. Here is the updated policy:

Purchases made between November 22 and December 25, 2012 may be returned or exchanged through January 15, 2013. All other provisions of Verizon Wireless' Return & Exchange Policy continue to apply, including the restock fee.

Normally, Verizon only gives you 14 days to return a phone, but just like last year during the holidays, they are extending the trial period. The same restocking fees still apply. Via: Verizon Cheers Phil!

Zeitgeist 2012: A Year In Review of Google Searches

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:40:19 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/xY_MUB8adEQ[/youtube]

Google seems to really love the Internet, but for good reason. Thanks to them, there were over 1.2 trillion web searches dealt in over 146 languages. If there was one company that could sum up the happenings of the world in a single 2 minute video, it would be them. Plus, Google sure does like Easter eggs. On the bottom of the Zeitgeist page, you can try to find this cute little Gangnam Droid.

Via: Zeitgeist Cheers Chris!

10 Android Apps From 2012 I Can't Live Without [My Life Scoop]

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:20:18 +0000

As we near the end of 2012, it's always fun to look back at the year that was. With Android still on the rise, we have seen a number of amazing new Android apps hit the market. In fact, there are probably enough that I could have done this latest post of mine over at Intel's My Life Scoop blog, a few times. But since the focus needed to be on the ten that I can't live without, I had to narrow it down. These are the apps that have changed the way I use my smartphone, many of which replaced other apps that I had grown accustomed to using. Some of them will be obvious to you, others maybe not so much.

To read all about them, hit up My Life Scoop.

Verizon Approves Jelly Bean Update for Galaxy S3, Likely Available in the Coming Days

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:34:42 +0000

Moments ago, Verizon posted up support documents for the Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update of the Samsung Galaxy S3. I'd call that "official." We had heard from sources that the final build had been approved and that December 14 was looking like the targeted release date, something that now appears to be spot on. The update includes all of the Jelly Bean features you'd expect, like Google Now (even though they label it above as "Plus"), better notifications, smarter widgets, and Project Butter. Beyond Jelly Bean, Verizon also included support for Isis Mobile Wallet (still only available in test markets), turned the phone into a global roaming beast, and fixed a variety of bugs. The update appears to be 400MB in size. The build number is VRBLK3, which leaked last week.

Update: We aren't sure why, but Verizon just changed the support docs back to a previous update. We'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. Update 2: The new Jelly Bean docs are back. They updated the top doc to say "Google Now" instead of "Google Plus." They also removed the "Starter Mode" mention from document two. More info.

Google Currents 2.0 - New Sidebar, New Widget, and Much Improved UI

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:59:32 +0000

Looks like Google is to start pushing Currents again, as it just received a major update to version 2.0. This year at Google I/O, they released an updated version of the news feeder app that brought Nexus 7 support and a basic redesign. This time, in 2.0, the entire app has been re-imagined and it's much prettier than it was previously. Now, you go through your feeds by scrolling left and right, and go through stories by swiping up and down. There is a dedicated sidebar for quickly accessing other topics, as well as breaking news. To top it off, they have also added a widget that is reminiscent of the YouTube widget, where you scroll through stories.

What's new in 2.0? * Edition sidebar - quickly access your editions within categories such as business, sports, etc. * Fast scan - Vertical swipe to scan an edition, horizontal swipe advances to next edition * Edition-section chooser - Choose “Customize” to filter out sections * Unread marks - Read stories are marked. (Setting to hide) * Breaking stories - ranked by Google News. Links to full length content. * Saved stories - star for future reference * New catalog design * Widget

Overall, this update may actually get me back into using it. Try it out and let us know what you think. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to Droid Life on Currents. We currently have over 250,000 subscribers. Play Link Via: Google

WeatherBug Free and Elite Updated With Refreshed UI, Looks Mighty Fine

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:04:32 +0000

For all you weather fiends and storm trackers out there, WeatherBug free and Elite got an update today, bringing a few bug fixes and a "refreshed" user interface. Call me crazy, but I've never had use for a full blown weather app. But then again, I am a cave troll and we don't get out much. If you picked up Elite when it was on sale a few months back or you're ready to give it a try, go grab it! Play Link: Free | Elite ($1.99) Cheers JBartCAPS!

FCC Gives Dish Network Approval to Build Own LTE Network

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:49:10 +0000

The FCC has voted in favor of allowing Dish Network to use their AWS spectrum as a 4G LTE wireless network. Dish will now "consider its strategic options," but as you all know, Google was once brought up as a potential partner for the satellite company. Those rumors seem to have died a bit, but in order for those talks to even advance, you would assume that this approval needed to happen first. Sprint has also been linked to Dish, along with a handful of other companies. Via: Engadget | FCC

Google's Eric Schmidt On War With Apple, "We're Clearly Winning"

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:45:24 +0000

In an hour-long interview with Bloomberg, Google's Eric Schmidt touched on a few things, namely the ongoing "war" as some would call it with Apple Inc. Luckily for Schmidt, he doesn't have to do much convincing when says Google is "winning." In a recent analysis, it showed Google holding to a strong market share of 72% in Q3, while Apple sat at 14%. Schmidt declared that 1.3 million Android devices are activated daily, a number that only seems to go up and up. Another interesting subject that was lightly touched on was Google's overall plan for Android. By creating a free platform that allows hardware makers to gain revenue from, Google takes the initial loss, but knows the overall future profits will outweigh them significantly. By creating a new market for advertisements and other Internet-based services, Android will help usher Google onto the road ahead.

The core strategy is to make a bigger pie. We will end up with a not perfectly controlled and not perfectly managed bigger pie by virtue of open systems.

Classic Eric Schmidt. Via: Bloomberg

Contest: Here We Go Again, Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ and $25 Google Play Card to Give Away!

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:25:52 +0000

Day 3! All week long, we are giving away Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ tablets and $25 Google Play gift cards, thanks to Google. The first two days of contests brought out the best in the DL community. On Monday, you gave us your best haikus and then followed those up the next day with amazing Android art. The haikus were so good, that we grabbed a handful of our favorites and featured them in a post, here. Later today, we'll post up our favorite Android art pieces, since there are some priceless pieces of work in there. For this contest, we're going to make it really simple, though. We know that not all of you have the time to come up with a poem or masterpiece, so your task is simple. Ready for it?

Contest

Update: Our winner has been picked! We chose randomly, just as we do every contest. This time, our winner is Nicolas who took this panorama of his family at X-mas playing with all their new toys. Prize: 1 (one) Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ tablet and 1 (one) $25 Google Play gift card. How to enter: 1. Share this post with your favorite social network: Twitter, Google+, or Facebook. 2. In the comments, post up a panoramic picture that you took with your smartphone. 3. When you post it, be sure to use a direct link to the .jpg or .gif file. 4. If your phone doesn't have a panorama setting built-in, there are tons of free apps that do it. Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will randomly choose the winner from the comments. *Winners need to have U.S. addresses.

Grand Theft Auto Vice City Back Up in Google Play

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:52:44 +0000

Finally! It's back! After almost a week's worth of delay, Rockstar has republished Grand Theft Auto Vice City to Google Play. Last week, Android users ran into some technical difficulties with the title, but it looks like R* has been able to clear that up. The game is listed as $5, even though I think we deserve a couple days of 50% off. Oh well, we have Google Play Christmas sales coming up anyways. Play Link ($4.99) Cheers Ryan and Shayne!

Samsung Tries to Relive Sex Tape Sharing Galaxy S3 Magic With New Santa Spot

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:10:07 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIKv1AXUmOk[/youtube]

Remember the Galaxy S3 personal sex tape sharing video of Samsung's that went viral? They are trying to recreate that magic by swapping out the normal family with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and some creepy little elves. This version doesn't quite pull it off like the original, but still, worth a giggle.

Bootloader Unlock Released for Verizon's Galaxy Note 2

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:04:23 +0000

The Galaxy Note 2 bootloader has been unlocked. Thanks to Adam Outler and the folks at XDA, Verizon's version of this oversized phone has "gone from the most secure device on the market, to the least secure device publically available." The process itself, to unlock the bootloader, doesn't look all that intense after you watch the video tutorial, but there are enough warnings in there that you should definitely proceed with caution. Know what you are doing, folks. You'll need Odin to flash most of it, the Revision ROM (a base platform to work from), a PIT file, CASUAL (an adb script loader), and my favorite file name of all time, the "Suck It Verizon Odin Package." Once you've completed this, you really do have one of the most open devices on the planet. The team that worked on this did some brilliant work here. Full instructions at the source link and in the video above. ROMs await you.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9u11EyOaBY[/youtube]

Via: XDA Cheers Dan, @G8orDroid, and @nunyazz!

Motorola Goes After Samsung's Galaxy S3 in Latest Ad, "Don't Get Stuck Downloading From Another Galaxy"

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:34:07 +0000

Motorola certainly likes to do product and feature comparisons with its competitors. They first started with the RAZR M and Google Now vs. the iPhone 5, but today's battle goes a different direction. Instead of taking on Apple or Microsoft, Motorola is targeting the biggest Android player on the block, Samsung. I'm not sure that we've seen many Android manufacturers attack other Android manufacturers in the past, so this is definitely something to keep an eye on. In the new ad/campaign that was posted to the official Motorola Facebook account this evening, Moto wants to make sure that you "Don't get stuck downloading from another galaxy. Get faster download speeds with DROID RAZR HD." (Which is funny, since they use the same exact Qualcomm processor and modem.) They also present a link which takes you to a landing page on their site that compares battery life, build quality, and design of the RAZR HD to the Galaxy S3. Moto mentions that the RAZR HD gets up to 24 hours of battery performance which equals to 20% more than the Galaxy S3. They talk about the KEVLAR fiber backing and water-repellant nanocoating that makes the device more durable, something the GS3's "plastic back can't say." Finally, they talk about design, in a comparison that shows a really bloated and oddly shaped Galaxy S3 from the side against their perfectly rendered RAZR HD. It's an interesting move by Motorola. We all know that Samsung is the king of the mobile landscape these days, so it makes sense that others would start to attack them rather than spend all of their energy on Apple. I think it caught me off guard because it's Android on Android crime. We should probably get used to it, though. Android is no longer the up-and-comer, it's the front runner with one company leading the charge over the rest. Motorola, HTC, and LG are no longer just battling Apple, they are battling someone on their own turf.

Via: Motorola | Facebook Cheers Andrew!

Yahoo Updates Mail App on Android - Renamed to "Y Mail," Fancy UI Overhaul Included

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:05:30 +0000

The official Yahoo Mail app received a makeover and a new name today. Now known as "Y Mail," the app itself follows a new motto of "Fast. Easy. Anywhere." They made the interface super simple, but also incredibly fast, so that you can access everything in your account at all times and accomplish tasks more quickly. They also made it a similar experience across multiple platforms by releasing a new web client and updating their iOS, Windows Phone, and Android apps. As you can see in the new Android version, they took a number of ideas from the Android design guidelines. It's close to being Holo theme, plus we have a slideout panel from the left side to quickly get you into folders or categories. The app also has a pull-to-refresh and a quick-to-access action bar at the bottom. It looks great, especially for those that still use Yahoo Mail. Play Link Via: YMail Blog Cheers @shanemckeever!

Contre Jour Released to Android, "Like a Really Artsy Cut the Rope"

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:49:31 +0000

Today, Contre Jour has landed on Android. For anyone familiar with the game through its popularity on iOS, you'll probably do better at describing the game than myself. In fact, the above quote is from Kellex after we both watched the launch trailer. It really does look like an artsy Cut the Rope. Using your fingers to morph the landscape, the overall goal is to collect all of the lights in each level. The game is set to an amazing soundtrack, which gives me the feeling I might really like this game once I figure out how to play. It's $1.99 in Google Play. Play Link ($1.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/LPV7iHzCok0[/youtube]

Verizon's Galaxy S3 Page Highlights the Benefits of Jelly Bean, a Version of Android It's Not Yet Running

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:54:23 +0000

Quick quiz for the Verizon Galaxy S3 owners in the building. What version of Android is Google Now currently only available on? Which version of Android has expandable notifications with quick actions? Which version of Android has the brand new Voice Search with red microphone? Which version of Android hides the the notification bar upon down-swipe, instead showing a clock with date off to the left? Which version of Android is the Galaxy S3 on Verizon currently running? If you answered Jelly Bean to all of those except the last one, you are today's winner. Now, someone go tell Verizon that. Because on their landing page for the GS3, they have a series of images spread about that show the device running Jelly Bean (stock in some cases). You can see Google Now cards, the new Voice Search, and all that comes with the new notification pulldown. As you all know, the official update of Android 4.1 for this phone has not been released yet. An anonymous source told us last week that the final build has been approved and that we could see it by December 14 (this Friday), but Verizon has not made that official yet. After looking at this official page for the phone, it certainly appears as if Verizon is expecting to push the update at any time. No where does it actually mention Jelly Bean, but the proof is the images.

Via: Verizon Cheers Christopher Lee!

Gameloft's Modern Combat 4 Live on Google Play, Proceeds to be Incompatible With Everything

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:25:18 +0000

This afternoon, Gameloft's highly anticipated Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour hit Google Play. The game looks to bring console-like gaming to your mobile, as you play through an intense story mode, as well as an insanely in-depth multiplayer mode. Does it have enough to take down Shadowgun? We shall see. Naturally, like all good things, it isn't quite ready yet for download. For now, it is marked as incompatible with all of our devices, but we're guessing that will change once Gameloft decides to give it the green light. In the mean time, charge up your device because we're guessing it will be a ridiculously sized game! Play Link ($6.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/LAEHLePiCOM[/youtube]

Netflix Ranks ISP Speeds, Google Fiber Beats Out Comcast and Verizon's FiOS

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:54:24 +0000

Not that this is a total shocker and given that Google Fiber currently only serves a single city, Netflix has ranked America's Internet service providers based on their average streaming speeds. Currently, Fiber outperforms all of America's other offerings like FiOS, Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, and basically everybody else in existence by a hefty margin. In terms of speeds, Fiber pulls on average a 2.55MBps stream while coming in at second is FiOS at 2.19MBps. As advertised, Google's service provides up to 1Gbps in total download speeds on a fiber optic connection, but thanks to throttling, those numbers are also different than what we would see in an actual test. You have to take in that this is just streaming from Netflix and not an overall tell for who is the best. Now go, feel free to wonder why this one is faster than that one and etc. Don't forget to squabble about the difference between MBps and Mbps as well.

Via: Engadget

Android Haikus: A Few of Our Favorites

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:50:41 +0000

In order to enter our Nexus 7 and Google Play gift card contest, from yesterday, we asked that readers come up with an Android related haiku. We had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be pure gold. The DL community came through in a big way, creating some of the most entertaining and thought-provoking poems. While our winner was chosen at random, we still wanted to highlight some of our favorites. There were over 1700 entries, so we couldn't possibly read them all, but we definitely dove into a big chunk. Here are some of the best. Michael Valadez

Lightweight and speedy. Seven inches in my hand. A tablet, you perv.

pgb33

Loading my device With power and performance Simply put, Droid Does

legacystar

With Nexus seven, Convert all nonbelievers, Rise, android army.

Steve Huetteman

Nexus seven for he. A four for she. Two happy Nexi's to be

Zachary F

Droid Life is the site That I visit everyday For my Android News.

C Glenn

Unlock me, it cried Anticipation sets in Be free, little droid

Matt Kessler

Little green robots Under the lit Christmas tree Dog chewed it, F**ker!

Kevin Bonaventura

First was OG Droid So much customization Who needs an iPhone?

mbagasao

Nexus, oh Nexus With your bootloader unlocked Learn Motorola!

PB&Jam

Where am I, I'm lost Apple Maps bad directions Android save me please!

Chris Sung

The Galaxy SIII Wow, TouchWiz is so awesome Said no one ever

Zach Jacobs

Roboto is sleek Holo is clean, change is good This is Jelly Bean Nexus for freedom From the data capping fools Apple wants to sue

luisrb7

Triumphant Android, you are Apple's one demise. Do not be evil.

Brian Milner

Seven inch tablet Jobs said they were D.O.A. Android said "Nom Nom!"

nexus95

Always up to date. Bootloaders always unlocked. All but Verizon...

Nate Warner

Tiny, small, and green A bug of technology Bugdroid does it all.

To read the rest, be sure to head to the comments of yesterday's contest post.

HTC Jelly Bean Update List Leaked - One X+, Incredible 4G, But No Rezound

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:23:22 +0000

Today, a source (Football4PDA) leaked HTC's supposed list of devices that will receive an official Jelly Bean update. The list itself is really not all that shocking, given that most of these devices were released right on the eve of high Android 4.1 adoption/release, so none of these should really be a surprise for us. As for Verizon devices, the Incredible 4G LTE is listed. That's it. We aren't seeing the Rezound on here. Why that is or if the list will change, we don't know. It meets certain requirements that were put in place, but it looks like HTC may let it go. Full list of devices that are to be updated to Jelly Bean.

HTC One X+ (Evitare)

HTC One XL (Evita)

HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE (Fireball)

HTC EVO 4G LTE (Jewel)

HTC One SV (K2)

HTC One VX (Totem C2)

HTC One S (Ville)

HTC One S C2 (Ville C2)

HTC J (Valente)

Via: GSM Arena | Twitter

Tuesday Poll: What Was 2012 The Year Of?

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:40:11 +0000

At the beginning of the year, we asked the DL readers what they were looking forward to in terms of mobile technology. With a large majority of the vote at 24% for the first batch of quad-core devices, I think it's safe to say that how many cores your phone has really wasn't the biggest deal of the year. In terms of what impacted us the most, we might have to give it up to Jelly Bean. It brought Android performance to an all-time high, introduced Google Now, and is what everyone has been hoping to have running on their device. Followed by Jelly Bean, as Verizon customers (new and grandfathered), the introduction of Big Red's Share Everything plans will eventually affect us all. The days of unlimited data are coming to an end as tiered data coupled with high prices will reign supreme over new mobile subscribers. And for you grandfathered users, your time will come as well. You may think the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 would take the cake, but permit us to say we had hoped for more. With a lack of 4G LTE connectivity, a design that needs to be babied out of fear of breakage, and the simple fact that buying was completely ridiculous, it's hard for us to give credit to Google on this one. On the other hand, the Nexus 7 has grown on us and we can't imagine our Android lives without one. What do you think? Let us know your full thoughts down below in the comments. [poll id="224"]

Nexus 4 Bumper Finally Back in Stock!

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:19:30 +0000

The Nexus 4 bumper case, that runs $19.99 but may save the life of the glass back of your shiny new phone, is back in stock. I'm not sure that it has been available since the original launch day, so if you have been waiting to get your mits on this barely-there protective covering, now is the time. It should be delivered in 3-5 business days, which means it is fully back in stock. There is no telling how long it will stay that way, so jump on it. Play Link ($19.99 + shipping) Update: And just like that, it's sold out again. Cheers Bill, Jason, and Nate!

Verizon Announces the Samsung Galaxy Camera With 4G LTE, Available December 13 for $549

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:18:03 +0000

Verizon and Samsung announced the Galaxy Camera with 4G LTE, the first camera in the world to be able to connect to next-gen LTE networks. From our understanding, it's exactly like the Galaxy Camera with HSPA+ that we reviewed (Jelly Bean, 4.8" HD display, quad-core processor, etc.), only it has a different radio inside. Oh, the price is also different, dropping in at a whopping $549 compared to the $499 price tag of the HSPA+ version. Big Red also has an exclusive color of Cobalt Black (pictured above), but you can splurge on the white version should you prefer a lighter colored camera. The device will be available on December 13 (this Thursday). If you choose to buy one, Verizon will allow you to add it to a Share Everything plan at promotional price of $5 per month.

Gallery

Via: Verizon

Google CEO Discusses Android, Apple, and a Motorola Nexus Device During Interview

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:02:46 +0000

We don't see Larry Page, the Google CEO as much as we would like. He seems like a great guy, but he is rather shy when it comes to the media. I suppose we are far too accustomed to Eric Schmidt and all of the fantastic one liners he dishes out from time-to-time on the competition. In a recent interview with Fortune, Larry Page was asked a plethora of questions that we as Android users and heavy Google users would find interesting. Everything from Google's self-driving cars, a possible Motorola Nexus device, and the bets they have made with "Google X." Below, we will cherry pick a few of the questions and his replies.

When you're thinking about the next bet you're going to make, how do you pick? That's something we've been thinking about a lot. Unfortunately, there's not a perfect science to that. Partly I feel that Google is in uncharted territory in the sense that I don't think there's an example from history I can take and say: "Why don't we just do that?" We're at a pretty big scale. We're doing a lot of different things. We want to be a different kind of company. You look at self-driving cars. You know a lot of people die, and there's a lot of wasted labor. The better transportation you have, the more choice in jobs. And that's social good. That's probably an economic good. I like it when we're picking problems like that: big things where technology can have a really big impact. If we have automated cars, or even if we have some fraction of automated cars, we'll save hundreds of millions of dollars on parking, just at Google. When you think about your experience, the car can drop you at the front door to the building you work at and then it goes and parks itself. Whenever you need it, your phone notices that you're walking out of the building, and your car's there immediately by the time you get downstairs. I don't know if this is unique at this time in this industry, but there are companies that are clearly competing with each other [Google, Apple, and Amazon], with completely different business models. I actually view that as a shame when you think about it that way. All the big technology companies are big because they did something great. I'd like to see more cooperation on the user side. The Internet was made in universities and it was designed to interoperate. And as we've commercialized it, we've added more of an island-like approach to it, which I think is a somewhat a shame for users. So in light of that, Apple's still a partner. It's a competitor. You and Steve Jobs were friendly. At times. At times. You said that whole thing about Android and them being angry about it, that it was for show. I didn't say that entirely. I said partly. [Apple did it] partly for show, to get the troops to rally. By the way, that's something I try not to do. I don't like to rally my company in that way because I think that if you're looking at somebody else, you're looking at what they do now, and that's not how again you stay two or three steps ahead. For a long time, Google was organized on a 70-20-10 model, with 70 percent of effort going to search and ads, 20 to apps, [and 10 to completely new projects]. Does that still apply? Yeah. We still think about that. I think we're in a bit of a unique point in the history of Google, where we have a number of things that are kind of in the 20 on the way to the 70. So where would you put Android? It's probably in the 70 in terms of impact -- the monetization is at an early stage. What [else is] in the 20? It's question of how you really measure it. I don't think about exactly what we put in the 20, so I can't come up with an example offhand. There are some great products out of Motorola, but none of them are your signature Nexus line. Will you partner with Motorola for these sort of signature devices? How will you decide when to partner with them? And despite all your assurances to the other [Android] partners that you're going to be neutral, aren't they going to freak out [when you build a Motorola Nexus]? First of all, I don't think there's any physical way we could have released a Nexus Motorola device in that sense. I mean, we haven't owned the company long enough. How will you decide when to do a Motorola Nexus device, and what do you tell Samsung and LG? I think there's a lot of complexity in that question. Maybe I'll talk more generally about that area. The right way to think about it is how do we get amazing products into users' hands in the most cost-effective, highest quality way possible and to the most people. That's what we do as a business, and that's what we've done with Android. Part of the reason why we've done Nexus devices in the past is that we want to build an amazing device that kind of showcases what's possible on Android, gives a way for the programmers to get early builds, does a whole bunch of things that are important. Exactly what we do, which devices we do, what the timing is, how we release the software with them, all those things have been changing. Every day we kind of evaluate how do we help our partners out the right way, how do we produce amazing innovative devices, and how do we get those out, and how do we get that innovation into the ecosystem and into the hands of as many people as possible, and how do we keep our partners happy. I think we've done a pretty good job of that so far.

If you like what you read, you should go check out the full interview by following the via. Via: Fortune Cheers Jason!

Contest: Win Another Nexus 7 32GB With HSPA+ and a $25 Google Play Gift Card! (Update: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:24:39 +0000

Day 2! All week, we'll be giving away Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ tablets and $25 gift cards to the wonderful Droid Life community, all courtesy of our friends at Google. In yesterday's contest, we asked that you give us your best Android haiku, and boy did you all deliver. We had over 1700 poems, many of which will be featured in a post later today. Each and every day, you still impress the heck out of us. But we have more to do! So what's in store for this next contest?

Contest

Update: We have our winner! He was chosen at random and entered "Andy's Last Supper." You can expect us to create another "favorites" list like we did this morning as well. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Prize: 1 (one) Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ tablet and 1 (one) $25 Google Play gift card. How to enter: 1. ~~Be sure to follow us on your favorite social network if you aren't already: Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.~~ 2. Create some form of Android artwork and post an image of it in the comments. It could be a simple MS Paint creation, a picture of your phone or mini collectible in the wild, a crocheted Android blanket, etc. ~~3. To post in the comments, make sure you link to the direct image URL that ends in .gif or .jpg.~~ Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will choose the winner randomly from the comments. *Winners need to have U.S. addresses.

YouTube For Android Updated, UI Revamp For 10" Tablets Has Finally Come

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:44:11 +0000

This morning, an update to the official YouTube for Android application was released, bringing a brand new UI for 10" tablets. If you open up YouTube every once in a while, then you will see that this is the same UI that has been pushed to phones and 7" devices for the past month or so. Instead of having that revolving wheel type of layout, you now have a more "organized" view of your subscriptions and the content they publish.

New | Old

We have been looking at that old UI ever since I can remember using YouTube for Android, so it will be sort of nice to look at something new for a while. Although, I use the YouTube app like crazy and if I find something I can't stand, rest assured I will voice my opinion on it. For example, YT's recommendations showing up in my sub-box? Not cool. Play Link Cheers Adam!

Instagram is Not at War with Twitter [Opinion]

Ron — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:25:17 +0000

Instagram's move to no longer support Twitter cards was not an act of war. More importantly, according to Instagram's CEO, it was not a move influenced by Instagram's new owner, Facebook. You can choose to buy into the hype that Instagram is fighting against Twitter so that Facebook will win a numbers war it has already won, or you can consider what Instagram is accomplishing by doing this. Instagram is doing two things with this move: showing users the image's metadata and giving users the opportunity to respond immediately to an image. Think about what happens when you see an Instagram picture show up in your Twitter feed. It used to be that you would see the image in your feed and nothing else. Before the change, if you used the official Twitter app you could only see the image without any indication of how many likes the image had or any comments about the image. If someone had a long title or description of the image then you often could not see the whole thing on Twitter, forcing you to open the Instagram app. If you were friends with that person and you wanted to leave a comment or like the photo, it makes sense to do that on Instagram where it was posted, not on Twitter. Posting a response on Twitter to something originally shared from another social network breaks it away from the rest of the conversation. With the new changes, if you want to respond on Twitter (or whatever social network you're seeing the image on), you still can, but if you want to respond on Instagram you'll be pushed to the site with all of the image's metadata and comment on or like the picture (assuming you're logged in). This move is huge for Instagram users. While Instagram.com is still a rather crippled site on the desktop side of things, when viewing a specific image it gives you all the functionality of the app without having to jump into it from Twitter. You just press (or click) the link and you're able to respond to that image immediately. This move was not a declaration of war by Instagram; it was a move that vastly improves the Instagram experience from within Twitter. If anything, this encourages people to continue posting photos to Twitter because they know that people will be able to respond to them more quickly than forcing people to leave what they were doing in Twitter to go respond in Instagram. Twitter's move to add filters is almost certainly a move to keep Twitter relevant in this boom for photo sharing on mobile devices. Twitter has never been the place to post photos. In fact, Twitter was fairly late to the game with their own photo hosting solution. Regardless of Twitter's addition of photo filters (which has been rumored for months and could not possibly be a response to Instagram's removal of support for Twitter Cards), Instagram is not at war with Twitter. They are not directly competing services at this point in time. Twitter is a social network primarily designed around publishing text. They are moving towards supporting more and more types of media through Twitter Cards as they march towards becoming a broadcast network instead of a social network, but they are not really in the same space as Instagram. All this hype about war between Instagram and Twitter may be true from Twitter's side, but all Instagram is trying to do is improve their users' experience.

Shockapotomus! Samsung Won't Debut Galaxy S4 at CES

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:06:55 +0000

According to a report out of CNET, Samsung will not unveil the Galaxy S4 at CES, next month. I sincerely hope you do not find this news to be a shocker. We told you yesterday, after Samsung posted their CES teaser video, that you shouldn't think for a second that we would be seeing the next Galaxy phone, but as expected, some news outlets jumped to wild headline grabbing conclusions. Remember, the Galaxy S3 is still selling like crazy. The Galaxy Note 2 is still brand new and selling like crazy. And Samsung has typically waited until early Summer to announce their new Galaxy phone. But beyond all of that, Samsung is bigger than CES when it comes to mobile. They'll show off TVs, maybe a new tablet, and probably something to tie mobile in with those TVs, but that's it. They'll have their own press event, probably in April or May to reveal their next big phone. Via: CNET

Twitter Update Introduces Photo Filters Just as Instagram Updates With New "Willow" Filter

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:44:41 +0000

(Sam Elliot voice.) The battle of filters. Instagram and Twitter. Both receiving updates. Who will push beyond photo boundaries? Defy the social networks? Bring the the "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to their knees? The road doesn't end here, this is only the beginning. RAM...errr... Anyways, both Twitter and Instagram did receive updates this afternoon. Instagram introduced a new filter called "Willow," that to me, just looks black and white. Twitter on the other, included filters into their app for the first time, something we have been expecting. There are eight of these lovely little image enhancers, along with auto-fix and crop actions. And yeah, that's pretty much that. Both updates are available, so hit up the links below so that your world can become vintage. Play Links: Instagram | Twitter

Australian Police: Using Apple Maps Could Be Fatal

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:16:29 +0000

According to Australian law enforcement personnel, a flaw discovered in Apple's Maps application could prove deadly for motorists if action is not taken. Pictured above is the city of Mildura, although that is not where the city is actually located. Apple has placed the town some 40 miles in the Outback, an environment that if not prepared for or you happen to become stranded in, offers very little in terms of road side service. Unfortunately, a few Maps users have already found themselves in this situation, needing to be rescued by emergency crews and were found with zero water supply.

Some of the motorists located by police have been stranded for up to 24 hours without food or water and have walked long distances through dangerous terrain to get phone reception. Police have contacted Apple in relation to the issue and hope the matter is rectified promptly to ensure the safety of motorists travelling to Mildura. Anyone travelling to Mildura or other locations within Victoria should rely on other forms of mapping until this matter is rectified.

We like poking fun at Maps due to its laughable launch, but let us not forget Google's failed launch of the Nexus Q. Although, I don't recall the Q being blamed for anyone getting stranded in 114 degree weather with no food or water. Maybe that's something we'll get at this year's I/O? Via: CNN Cheers Jason, Kurt, Poya, and Nicholas!

Pixel Twist for Android, a Fantastic Puzzle Game From Noodlecake Studios

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:20:51 +0000

I stumbled upon Pixel Twist just a bit ago in Google Play. So far, I'm really loving it. For a puzzle game, it isn't all that hard, but what I do like is the concept. You're given a bunch of random-looking pixels and an image that you need to match them up with. To make it look like the image, you have to twist or spin around the jumbled pixels until it matches. Allow me to use the word "nifty" for this one. You need to twist them as quickly as possible because you're on a timer. The quicker you solve one, equals to how much time you have to solve the next one. It's free in Google Play and comes from the makers of other popular apps like League of Evil and Huebrix. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/jKJ9yN1LrvE[/youtube]

Contest: Win 1 of 6 Spigen Galaxy Note 2 Cases or Aluminum Home Button Covers (Update: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:00:12 +0000

Just because we are giving away a sh*tload of tablets over the next couple of weeks, doesn't mean we don't have other goodies to hand out to the DL community. Up next, we have a set of leather Folio cases and some aluminum home button covers for the Galaxy Note 2 from our friends at Spigen SGP. The Folio case is made of faux leather, has cutouts in all the right places, a flip cover with pocket for cards or other goodies, and comes in three colors (pink, grey, and blue). These cases normally run $45. The aluminum home buttons are for the Verizon Note 2 owners in the building that can't stand the branding that Big Red decided to plaster all over it. They normally run $10 and come in packs of three (silver, black, and pink). Who wants 'em? More: Spigen Store | Amazon

Contest

Update: We have our winners! Check your inboxes! Prizes: 6 (six) Spigen Galaxy Note 2 Folio cases and 3 (three) Spigen Note 2 home button covers. How to enter: 1. ~~Share this contest on either Facebook or Google+.~~ ~~2. In the comments, tell us which color of case you'd like and which carrier your Note 2 is from.~~ ~~3. Then tell us what your favorite feature of the Note 2 has been.~~ Winners: Tomorrow morning at 10:00AM Pacific, we'll pick our 6 winners randomly from the comments. Three of the winners will also receive the aluminum home buttons, as long as they have the Verizon version of the Note 2.

*U.S. addresses only.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 8

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:00:13 +0000

There aren't many new phones on the horizon to hypebeast, but we do have a bunch of recently released phones worth talking about such as the Nexus 4, DROID DNA, and Galaxy Note 2. We also have CES in Las Vegas to look forward to next month in early January, which Kellex and myself will be attending. With these Q&A Sessions, this is your chance to ask us your dying questions that need answering, whether it's Android related or not. Feel free to have some fun with it and we will do the same! At the end of the week, we’ll grab a handful of questions and let the team take to answering them. And for everyone asking, we will feature a few in this week's Droid Life Show! Ready? Drop in the comments and let us know what’s on your mind. To see all of our previous Q&A's, check them out here.

Thanks to Tinkering, Nexus 4 Begins Pulling AT&T 4G LTE In Some Markets

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:22:44 +0000

More news on the Nexus 4's 4G LTE capabilities, as some folks have been able to connect to AT&T's 4G LTE network, through band 4 (AWS spectrum). The frequency in question is currently used in a small amount of markets by AT&T, but it's tough to tell if or where you'll get it, since AT&T doesn't primarily use band 4 for its LTE. We aren't sure if they are simply using band 4 in markets that they don't have enough band 17, or what the deal is. Either way, you should probably test your phone to see if it can pick it up. It should be noted that band 4 is the same LTE frequency that the Nexus 4 connected to in Canada. In order to test, jump into the dialer and type *#*#4636#*#*, tap "Phone Information," and then scroll down until you see the pull-down menu that reads "WCDMA." Toggle that menu to read "LTE/GSM/CDMA auto (PRL). Once completed, you will know pretty quickly if you have picked up AT&T's LTE as the data icon will change from a "H" to "4G." If you happen to live in certain areas of Phoenix, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Oklahoma, and a few others where the frequency is in use, you should jump on this immediately. For more info and how to possibly get it working on your device, hit up the XDA threads below. Via: XDA [2] | Android Police

Verizon Responds to FCC Complaint Over Blocking of Google Wallet, Says Google Needs to Change the App

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:51:22 +0000

Google Wallet originally launched in September of 2011. Here we are over a year later, and the mobile payment app is still not available to Verizon's NFC-equipped phones. Even after refuting reports that they were blocking the app, when they actually were blocking the app, it's still an app that is only available to select unlocked phones and a couple of others on Sprint. Why is that? Verizon has continued to argue that they aren't stopping you from installing the app (which is now true thanks to the FCC), but that the app hasn't been approved to work with their devices because it's different than the thousands of other apps in the Google Play store. Their argument, which is laid out in a response to an FCC complaint (pictured below), suggests that since Google Wallet uses the "secure element" on your phone, it needs to go through a separate approval process of theirs, one that Google apparently knows about already. The letter also mentions that Google is free to remove the secure element requirement from the app, and join the likes of PayPal and Square that have approved payments apps. Yeah, because that doesn't defeat the entire purpose of Wallet. We aren't exactly sure what this special "process" is that Verizon is referring to, but if we look at their own Isis Mobile Wallet app, we might have an idea. Isis - the joint venture between T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon - is the first mobile payment system to use NFC-equipped SIM cards that appear to add an additional level of security to NFC payments. Google Wallet doesn't currently work this way, it only uses the secure NFC chip attached to your phone. If building in NFC SIM support is all Google needs to do, you would think they would have gone that route already. Unless of course, it's not that straightforward, which it likely isn't. At this point, it's become a bit ridiculous. We all know that Verizon has a competing service that's on the way. For Google Wallet to have been released over a year ago and still find itself left off of the hundreds of NFC phones that are available, it feels like this is much bigger than Google following a special "process."

Via: XDA Cheers ItsASamsung!

AirDroid 2 Beta Invites Are Up, Go Sign Up

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:21:37 +0000

People love AirDroid. From looking over reviews of the app in Google Play, you can see that it's a pretty incredible app that allows for the management of your Android devices through your computer. Well, it looks like AirDroid 2 is on the way! The developers have called for beta testers, but it doesn't look they're taking everyone. You must supply some basic info, but then also give them a brief description about your job and how you utilize AirDroid. As for what's new, it appears there will be a new Wireless Management feature baked in. According to the site, you will be able to manage your device from an AirDroid account anytime anywhere, no longer needing to be on the same WiFi connection. If you're up to the task of three months of testing AirDroid 2, then go sign up! Sign Up Cheers Allan!

ASUS Transformer Pad Receiving Minor Update to 10.4.2.18, Still On Android 4.1.1

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:35:14 +0000

Over the weekend, ASUS pushed an update out to the Transformer Pad (TF300), but it was rather minor. While there are no visible changes yet, the kernel appears to have been updated, which could point that this is an update that could be preparing the device for the jump to Android 4.2+. Have you noticed anything special? We love updates. Cheers Jason and Chaim!

Contest: Win a Nexus 7 32GB With HSPA+ and a $25 Google Play Gift Card! (Update: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:00:37 +0000

If you listened to The Droid Life Show from last week, then you'll know that we have two weeks of contests ahead of us that are filled with tablets, tablets, and more tablets. For this week, Google is the host, having offered up five (5) Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ tablets and $25 Google Play gift cards to go with them. Together, they make for one hell of a holiday pairing. You get our favorite tablet (Nexus 7 review), plus $25 to spend on content for it. How can you beat that? So each day this week, we'll be handing out a Nexus 7 and a Google Play gift card to one amazing reader. The contests, as usual, will be simple so that everyone can join. But before we jump into this, we'd like to thank Google for putting up these great prizes. They told us that with Android having such an amazing year, they simply wanted to thank sites like Droid Life by giving away a bunch of goodies to readers. Thanks, Google.

Contest

Update: We have our winner. Their name is Its N1nja and their winning entry was:

From bombs and shrapnel Android life is for the win And down goes Apple

We received a ton of great entries, but of course the winner was selected at random. We will create a special honorable mentions post tomorrow so we can share our favorites. If you didn't win, don't worry! We have four more days of tablet giveaways. Prize: 1 (one) Nexus 7 32GB HSPA+ tablet and 1 (one) $25 Google Play gift card. How to enter: 1. ~~In the comments, give us your best Android haiku.~~ ~~2. If you need to learn more about haiku, hit up Wikipedia.~~ Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will choose the winner from the comments. *Winners need to have U.S. addresses.

Kindle Fire HD 8.9" Just $250 Through Amazon With $50 Off Coupon

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:36:28 +0000

If the Kindle Fire HD was on your holiday shopping list, today would be the day to make that purchase. For a limited time, Amazon is offering a $50 off coupon for all versions of the tablet, which lowers the price from $299 to $249 for the 16GB model and $319 from $369 for 32GB. Not bad at all. The Fire HD features a 1920x1200 HD display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and of course, access to 22 million movies, tv shows, books, songs, etc. Coupon code: FIREHD89 Buy.

Samsung Tells Us to "Get Ready" for CES, They Have "Something New" to Show Off

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:02:55 +0000

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

CES, the biggest electronics conference in the world, is a month away from going down in Las Vegas. We'll be there, of course, but each year around this time we start to wonder what we'll see at the show. Our first couple of years attending, it was filled with the first dual-core processor and 4G LTE phones and tablets. The last year, it was sort of a dud, with nothing major happening as companies waited for other conferences or their own private launch events. So, what about this year? At this point, CES is still mostly a mystery. What we do know, is that Samsung is teasing "something new" and telling us to "get ready." Now, keep in mind that Samsung tends to show off new appliances, TVs, and cameras to go along with their mobile products, so this may not mean much to us. We'll know shortly, but in the mean time, feel free to drop your predictions below. Oh, and don't think for a second that we'll be seeing the Galaxy S4. Samsung will hold their own press event for a product that large. Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Video: Samsung Shows Off Premium Suite Upgrade Package for Galaxy S3

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:51:42 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7SEBepku-4[/youtube]

Last night, Samsung uploaded part 2 of their short video series that highlights all of the new features coming in a "Premium Suite" update to the Galaxy S3. Now that the device is running Jelly Bean almost everywhere except on Verizon, this Premium Suite will start to become available as carriers get around to approving it. In the Premium Suite, Galaxy S3 owners will find Multi Window, better camera low light shots, the Paper Artist editing tool, an Easy Mode, contextual tagging of photos, a Facebook ticker for your lock screen, and more. Many of these features are already on the Galaxy Note 2, but Samsung is doing the right thing by also making them available to their phone of the year, the Galaxy S3. Here is the entire list of new features in the Premium Suite:

Paper Artist: You can make a picture like a pop artist! Change the moods of your pictures whenever you want!
Camera, Low Light Shot: It’s always tough to take pictures in dark places. So the GALAXY S III with Premium Suite has a Low-Light-Shot function. Get your hands on one and check out the difference!
Camera, Best Face: The problem with group pictures? Somebody always, ALWAYS blinks. Well, Best Face is your solution to that. Best Face takes 5 consecutive pictures and lets you choose the best face for each person among those shots.
Easy Mode: For first-time smartphone users and/or those who are really really, well, lazy. This function helps you set up the most five frequently used widgets on the home screen, so you don’t have to be tired of looking everywhere to find those apps.
Sound Balance: You can adjust the balance of volume one each side of earphones.
Setup Wizard: After turning on your cell phone, you can see the accessibility menu right away on the screen.
Camera Easy Snap: With ‘talk back’ and ‘face detection’ on your settings menu, the GALAXY S III tells you how many faces it can detect on the camera preview.
Page Buddy: Your phone will smartly predict what you intend to do according to your actions. For example, when you plug in your earphones, the device automatically opens up a page with the music player.
Contextual Menu: When you list up apps, you can now choose to see the most frequently used ones first. Especially convenient when you’re looking through apps to find files to attach.
Contextual Tag: When you take a picture on the phone, you can tag the weather, date, and place immediately.
Multi Window: You can open two different apps at the same time into two different windows on the mobile screen.
Auto Share Shot Pairing using NFC: By setting the camera to ‘Auto Share Shot’ mode, you can quickly share your photos and videos by simply tapping their GALAXY S III with other NFC and S-Beam enabled devices
Reader Mode: You can easily control the size of the text on your browser! Also, you can just click the webpage to share it!
Facebook Lock Ticker: The easiest way to see your Facebook News Feeds – set your phone to show it on your lock screen.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aM7kQ7sCRE[/youtube]

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

GO Team Releases Next Launcher, a $16 3D Powerhouse

Kellen — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 14:44:12 +0000

The GO team, who has released popular apps like GO Launcher, is ending the year by releasing their next project, fittingly dubbed Next Launcher. It's $16. Yes, that sounds steep, but we have seen other super-powered launchers succeed at that price, most notably TSF Shell. And I would definitely consider this on that same level, especially after watching the video below. Next Launcher works with any device running Android 2.3.3 and above, but GO is recommending you have a dual-core processor. The launcher itself, includes a massive set of features. Your home screens have endless possibilities since there really are no standard grids. You can rotate icons and move widgets around as you see fit. There are fancy 3D transitions, multi-select tools, quick resizing and arranging of icons, 3D widgets, and more. At this time, it sounds like only a select few wallpapers work with it, but the GO team says that they are working to open it up. They also mentioned in the description of the app, that themes are on the way. $16 is a steep price to pay for a launcher, but it looks like it has potential. Play Link ($15.99)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNWMMEBgSu4[/youtube]

Cheers David!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 12/7/2012

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:00:49 +0000

What a great and busy week it has been here at DL. We got through our quirkiest episode of the Droid Life show yet which you won't want to miss (link is below). On top of that fun, we reviewed the Galaxy Camera, took a second look at the DROID DNA, got to play with the new Swiftkey Flow application, and our limited edition t-shirts are still up for sale through this Sunday.

The Droid Life Show: Episode 8
We posted our Samsung Galaxy Camera review.
Limited edition Droid Life hoodies and t-shirts still for sale!
Second look: HTC DROID DNA
Verizon will in fact get a Samsung Galaxy Camera.
Verizon already thinking about 5G and 6G networks?
Nexus 4 lacks OTG USB cable support, may never have it.
Download: Swiftkey Flow for phones and tablets.
Total bill would only be $140 billion for full U.S. Google Fiber roll out.
Poll: Rooted or non-rooted?
Verizon's 4G LTE network turned two!
Rockstar botches release of GTA Vice City for Android.
Samsung Galaxy S4 to have unbreakable display?

Have a great weekend, folks! We'll see you next week.

USPTO Declares Apple's Multitouch "Steve Jobs" Patent Invalid, The Crowd Goes Wild

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:23:11 +0000

Hot off the wire is the announcement that the U.S. Patents and Trade Office has found Apple's '949 multi-touch patent, that was a key factor in suits against Samsung and Motorola, to be invalid. After close re-examination, all 20 points of the patent have been ruled invalid, which means we can maybe expect some lengthy appeal processes from many OEM's that fell victim to Apple's trolling earlier this year, assuming it stays invalid. Given that he has plenty of experience with patents, we'll assume Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents knows what he's talking about when he says that this move is preliminary. In other words, this doesn't mean that Apple's patent is done, but that this is the first step towards invalidating it.

First Office actions and other non-final Office actions are just preliminary. Many patent claims that are rejected at this stage do ultimately survive. There are many steps inside the USPTO, followed by a potential appeal to the Federal Circuit (and in a few cases even the Supreme Court). Some people say that first Office actions are partial because they are based only on submissions made by those challenging the patent, and many examiners like to take a tough position early on in order to enable and require the patentee to present the strongest arguments in favor of validity. But it would be a mistake to underestimate the significance of a first Office action.

We shall see what happens next. Via: FOSS Patents Cheers Scrub175, Tony, Bensir, and zepfloyd!

Nexus 4 Lacks OTG USB Cable Support, May Never Have It

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:58:20 +0000

A USB OTG cable, otherwise known as an on-the-go cable, can be used to help expand storage on a device with a limited amount, connect one to a gamepad, or turn your phone or tablet into a mobile workstation with a mouse and keyboard. They are a miracle tool for the mobile tech power user. Some cost as little as a $1, so if you don't have one, I suggest you pick one up. Well, unless you own or ordered a Nexus 4 from Google. Originally sold as a device with OTG (USB) compatibility, that may no longer be true. In fact, within the last day, Google updated their Nexus 4 support page titled "Connect to keyboards, mice, & other devices" to say that the device supports Bluetooth connections of 3rd party devices, but not through USB. Two days ago, it said the same thing as the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 pages, which say, "...to your tablet via USB or Bluetooth and use it just as you would with a PC." The Galaxy Nexus also supports OTG cables.

Theories as to why this change happened are flying all over internet forums. Some suggest that the device was supposed to have OTG support, but that the actual USB port on the device can't produce enough power to run a mouse, keyboard, or gamepad. Others think it's software related, and that an update to the OS could provide support down the road. I don't know that we've heard an official statement from Google, but with the changing of their official support page, I'd say that the future looks grim. I also do not think that Google meant to leave this out, as every other Nexus device certainly supports this type of activity. It's unfortunate, as I know that many who ordered the device were partially sold on the idea that they could connect external storage on the fly to help ease their concerns over the lack of built-in space. Via: Google Support More coverage: Google Code | XDA Cheers Jay!

Google Looking to Replace Head of Mergers and Acquisitions?

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:13:54 +0000

We can't get through a full week of working it seems that we don't hear about another purchase by Google. Whether it's a high profile buyout like they finished up with Motorola, or a smaller snatch up like they did with Snapseed, they tend to always directly relate to Android or some other product Google is working on or has future plans with. Today, sources close to the matter say that Google is to replace their head of mergers and acquisitions with their top internal lawyer, Don Harrison. The man that has been in charge of over 70 deals of Google's has been David Lawee, but there is no confirmation from Google as to why the change is happening. From what is being reported, it looks as though Lawee will be placed in an investment group that could work closely, but separately from Google Ventures. Whatever is taking place, good luck to you, gentleman. Via: Electronista

Google Wallet Prepaid Card Refunds Finally Going Out, Processing Issues Resolved

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:17:25 +0000

Back in September, Google announced that the prepaid card program through Google Wallet was coming to an end and that customers could receive refunds for leftover funds around October 17. Sure enough, on October 17, the refund form went live, giving those of us with non-working Google Wallet apps (thanks Verizon!) or those with remaining balances a chance to get their cash back. Some of us weren't sure if it would work for non-supported devices, though, since some of the form's boxes had to be left blank, again, thanks to non-working Wallet apps. Also, after filling out the form, users who requested refunds were left in the dark as to when they may receive those funds. Up until moments ago, when I received a status report from Google, I had no idea if or when I would be receiving a refund. According to the email above, that silence was due to "processing issues" that have now be resolved. If you have yet to receive your refund, there is a good chance that it will be in the mail by December 22.

Full U.S. Roll Out of Google Fiber Would Cost Google $140 Billion

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:08:17 +0000

According to Goldman Sachs, the best estimate for how much it would cost Google to have a complete Google Fiber roll out to the United States would cost roughly $140 billion. That's $140,000,000,000. That's a lot of zeros. Technically, Google's yearly budget for such projects is $4.5 billion, which means we could be waiting quite some time before others outside of Kansas City experience 1Gbps download and upload speeds. Other estimates were done to see how much the cost would amount to if they decided to only light up half of America, which still equaled to about $70 billion. That's just $25 billion over the amount of cash that Google has on hand during any given day of the week. Come on, Apple. Lend a helping hand? Via: BGR

Deal: Use This Coupon to Save 50% on the New Galaxy Muse, That's $24.99

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:41:18 +0000

Since the new Samsung Galaxy Muse is technically considered a "smartphone accessory," you can use coupon codes on it that normally apply to things like cases or docks. One of our readers pointed out that a 50% off coupon code does indeed work for it. In fact, he said he went ahead and picked up three of them, which only ran him $75. Normally priced at $50, this coupon code drops $25 off the price, bringing it to $24.99. Interested, now? Use coupon code "rE156940u" at checkout. Buy here. Update: It looks like the Muse is now backordered.

Cheers David!

Action Launcher Arrives on Google Play for $4, a Minimal Launcher to Say the Least

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:54:58 +0000

Today, a new 3rd party launcher called Action Launcher is making the rounds. It's from the creator of Tweet Lanes, one of the more popular Twitter apps available. This new launcher runs $4 in Google Play, a price similar to Nova Prime or Apex, only it has about a tenth of the features. Now, that may not be a bad thing for those looking to dive into an ultra minimal and fast launcher. Let's talk about it. Action Launcher's main selling point, is the removal of the classic app drawer button and the inclusion of a new app panel on the left side of your first home screen. The developer decided that the traditional app drawer was too slow and set out to find a way to make accessing your apps even faster. With this left panel, a quick swipe accesses your list of apps which has been alphabetized. You can quickly jump to a specific letter and then access the app you desire. As you'll see in the video, it is indeed a fairly fast way at choosing an app. From there, the developer introduces a new style of folder called a "Cover." A cover is way for you to create a folder that acts as both a single action or holds a number of apps or actions. For example, you could have your Chrome icon open Chrome with a single tap or open as a folder with bookmarks to your favorite sites thanks to a double-tap. Other than that, the launcher doesn't have much else to offer. There is no icon support or many of the other tools you have grown accustomed to in some of the more established launchers. If you are looking for something new and a bit out of the ordinary, then feel free to give it a shot. Play Link ($3.99)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiQ1LXRZIno[/youtube]

aeGis - Security App From a Member of The CyanogenMod Development Team

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:40:06 +0000

If you are big into security and protecting your data, while also being big into open source, then check out aeGis. Made by a member of the CyanogenMod development team, this application is based on configurable SMS passphrases. Whether you need to remotely lock, wipe, or locate your phone, all you need to do is text the device and you're back in control. The app was just released and is sure to become more intuitive over time as the developer works out the kinks, so for the time being, the app is only available to residents of the U.S. The app is free through Google Play and from the reviews so far, it's becoming pretty popular. For you coder folks, you can view the source code here. Play Link

Galaxy Camera Confirmed for Verizon Thanks to Samsung Site

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:09:06 +0000

Last week, we saw a Galaxy Camera variant cruise through the FCC with a 4G LTE radio inside, one that was ready to jump on Verizon's 4G LTE network. Neither Big Red nor Samsung would confirm that the device was on the way, but they no longer need to as an official product page on Samsung's site is now live for the device. We don't have a price, but we can't imagine it will run for more than the $499 price of the HSPA+ version. If it is more expensive, they that would be a massive mistake. In our review of the device, we talked about the convenience that the camera brings with the ability to share photos from anywhere, however, the price is too steep for a camera that won't "Wow!" you as a camera. Via: Samsung | The Verge

Samsung Galaxy Muse - $50 MP3 Player That Pairs Perfectly With Your Galaxy Device

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:47:20 +0000

Today, Samsung is launching the Galaxy Muse, a 4GB MP3 player that pairs up your with Galaxy S3 or Note 2, syncs music, then allows you to leave your phone behind as you go for a jog. For easy syncing, Samsung released an application that allows for connection between the devices, so you can just take your phone's music and throw it on the Muse, which saves you from hooking it up to a PC. Thank God. It comes in both the pebble blue and white colors for perfect matching to your device for just $50. It's a neat little device and can be purchased straight from the Samsung website. Interested?

SAMSUNG MOBILE LAUNCHES GALAXY MUSE – PORTABLE AND POWERFUL MUSIC ACCESSORY

New device expands Galaxy sharing capabilities with music management directly from a smartphone

DALLAS — December 7, 2012 — Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile) – the No.1 mobile phone provider in the United States and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide1 – is giving Galaxy™ smartphone users in the United States an amazing new way to enjoy music on the go called Galaxy Muse™. Coupled with the Muse Sync Android™ app, Samsung is providing Galaxy S® III and Galaxy Note® II owners an innovative new way of syncing music that frees them from their PC2. Galaxy Muse is a small, lightweight MP3 player that shares several physical features and design aesthetics with the latest Galaxy smartphones, including a rounded, natural design and matching Pebble Blue and Marble White color scheme. In addition, Galaxy Muse provides users up to six hours of play time, 4 GB of memory, and rich, spacious sound quality thanks to Samsung SoundAlive® optimized audio technology. With SoundAlive, users notice deeper bass and enhanced tone when listening to their favorite songs, as SoundAlive intelligently adjusts sound quality and clarity. Users can get their music on the Galaxy Muse by simply downloading the Muse Sync app from the Google Play™ marketplace or Samsung Apps. After connecting Galaxy Muse to the Galaxy S III or Galaxy Note II via the included connector cable (USB to 3.5mm headset jack), users can sync the songs they want and leave their phone behind. Due to its wearable design and small form factor, users can take Muse along in place of their smartphone as a portable music player at the gym or on the go. Galaxy Muse also comes equipped with a durable, built-in clip for attaching the device to a shirt or pocket, so it’s wearable and offers the convenience of hands-free listening. Within this compact and clean design, Muse offers enough capacitive controls to become a user’s primary music player. Skip, shuffle, pause, or go back and listen to your favorite song again and again. “The Galaxy Muse expands the Samsung Galaxy product portfolio to offer music on-the-go in a compact and lightweight player, with songs shared directly from our award-winning smartphones,” said Kevin Packingham, chief product officer at Samsung Mobile. “Muse is the latest example of Samsung delivering another outlet for content consumption across the entire spectrum of consumer electronics.” Galaxy Muse is available in Pebble Blue and MarbleWhite for $59.99 at Samsung.com. The Samsung Muse Sync mobile application is available free from Samsung Apps and the Google Play marketplace. For more information on Galaxy Muse, go to http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones-accessories/YP-W1NAL/STA. Galaxy Muse Technical Specifications:

Audio Codec: MP3, WMA, FLAC, OGG
Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.25 x 0.5 inches
Weight: 13.8g
Play time: Up to 6 hours3
Storage: 4 GB
OS Requirements: Android™ 3.0 or higher
Muse Sync App downloadable via Google Play and Samsung Apps
Three switches: Mode (shuffle or continuous play), On/Off/SoundAlive, and Hold
Front volume controls
LED status indicator

Multi-User App Share Enables Users to Share Apps Through Android 4.2's Multi-User Feature

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:10:26 +0000

Tablet owners that are running Android 4.2 have the ability to take advantage of the all new multi-user feature, which allows for multiple user accounts on one device. To save people space, a developer has created Multi-User App Share, which allows for applications and their data to be shared between users, so no duplicate downloading and installing is needed. Root is required and the app, if used improperly, could potentially harm your device's data if you accidentally misplace it. So, if you're thinking about giving it a try, please use caution. As another note, applications that use Market license checks could potentially not work as well, given there is another email tied to accounts. App Share is still in beta, so expect plenty of updates to come to improve functionality. Play Link Cheers Brian!

RadioShack Hosting BOGO Deal: Buy a Verizon Galaxy S3, Get a Stratosphere 2 Free and $50 Google Play Card

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:58:06 +0000

On Sunday, RadioShack is kicking off a pretty big BOGO (buy one get one) deal for a number of phones. For example, if you buy a Verizon Galaxy S3, they'll toss in a Samsung Stratosphere 2 for free. Or if you buy an original DROID RAZR, they'll give you another DROID RAZR at no charge. Here is the full list:

Verizon: Buy a Verizon Samsung Galaxy SIII and get a Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II 4G LTE for free
Verizon: Buy a Verizon Motorola DROID RAZR 4G LTE and get a second DROID RAZR 4G LTE for free
AT&T: Buy one AT&T Samsung Galaxy SIII and get a Samsung Galaxy SII Skyrocket for free
Sprint: Buy a Sprint Samsung Galaxy SIII and get a Samsung Galaxy SII for free

Also, when you purchase a Galaxy S3 (Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint), they'll hand you a $50 Google Play gift card. And every time you spend $50 in store at a RadioShack, they'll give you $10 back. Plenty of deals to be had.

Contest: Last Day to Win a $25 Google Play Gift Card From Droid Life! (Updated: Winners Picked!)

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:05:08 +0000

The final day has come. All week, we have been handing out $25 Google Play gift cards to the fabulous readers of Droid Life, but this is your final chance. Well, final chance for this week. If you listened to the DL Show this week, then you know the next two weeks are going to be filled with prize giveaways. It's going to be a hell of a ride. But, for now, let's do one more $25 gift card, to help someone fill up their phone with wonderful Android apps, books, movies, magazines, and more.

Contest

Update: We have two winners today! Someone didn't claim a prize earlier in the week, so we chose two winners which are Kenny and Josh! Prize: 1 (one) Google Play gift card worth $25. How to enter: 1. Subscribe to our YouTube channel if you haven't already. 2. In the comments, tell us what your favorite holiday tradition is. Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will choose the winner randomly from the comments. *Contest is for U.S. addresses only.

Fourth Jelly Bean Update Leaks for Verizon's Galaxy S3 as VRBLK3

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:16:17 +0000

We have been following the saga that is the Jelly Bean update for Verizon's Galaxy S3 for some time now. At least three different Android 4.1 updates have leaked for the phone, none of which have become official, at least not yet. Last night, another leaked as build VRBLK3. As you may recall, the previous leak, which came out on November 20, was build VRBLK1. The jump from 1 to 3 should be fairly minimal, so I would imagine at this point that we're squashing minor bugs. On a related note, the same anonymous tipster that said 11/16 could be the day that Verizon starts to roll this out, hit us up again this week to say that 12/14 is now the day and that the final build has been signed off. It's "anonymous" so take whatever from that you will. The timing isn't bad though, as days after he informed us, another build popped up. Still, take it lightly until we see an update roll out, hear word from Verizon, or find support docs. If you would like to flash this leaked build, you will need Odin, root, and an unlocked bootloader. The full instructions can be found at the link below. Via: XDA Cheers ItsASamsung!

Galaxy Note 2 and Contests to Come!

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:10:30 +0000

Last night, during episode 8 of The Droid Life Show, things got a little whackier than usual. We covered a lot of good topics that just seemed extra comical to the DL team. There was talk of our expectations for Google I/O next year, we questioned Verizon's decision to remove features from the Galaxy Note 2, revealed what we were wearing during our first 4G LTE speed test, and finished it off with an announcement for two weeks worth of contests coming up.

Video: Samsung Shows Off Best Face Camera Software for The Galaxy Note 2

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:38:58 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/cARsuXKdD8Y[/youtube]

There are plenty of neat things that could get someone interested in the Galaxy Note 2, but Samsung wants to put some spotlight on some of the software that comes along in the camera app. With Best Face, even when your family is running around being all crazy and won't sit still, you can still get the best possible picture during the holiday season.

Rockstar Apologizes For Vice City Delay, Hopes to Launch Again By Next Weekend

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:02:21 +0000

Well, this will be just a quick update on the failed launch of Grand Theft Auto Vice City for Android. This morning, the game went live on Google Play, got downloaded by a few hundred people, then taken down due to some validating errors with the APK. It sucks, but these things happen. Rockstar issued an apology on their blog and have said that we can expect another release for the end of next week.

Hey guys, due to unforeseen technical issues, the Android release of Vice City will be slightly delayed. Our goal is to get this out for Android by the end of next week. Our apologies for the delay to all our fans on Android devices and please stay tuned for updates.

In other news, the iOS version works great! Via: Rockstar Cheers Frank!

ARCHOS GamePad Now Available in Europe, US Coming Early Q1 of 2013

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:00:35 +0000

The Archos GamePad is a device we have brought up a few times, but we have been waiting patiently for when we could finally get our hands on one. Thankfully, Archos officially launched the device in Europe today, as well as giving us here in America a new time frame to look forward to, early Q1 2013. What makes this device so special are the built-in gaming controls for a complete on-the-go gaming experience. It comes equipped with Jelly Bean, a 7" display, and a lightweight portable body which shouldn't tire out your arms. Luckily for me, Q1 is right around the corner! Is this type of device something you could see yourself getting excited over? I think if the price can be low enough to compete with other hand-held gaming systems, then we could have something special (and rather unique) here.

ARCHOS GamePad Available

The first true Android games console, the ARCHOS GamePad combines powerful tablet hardware with revolutionary gaming software
Denver, CO – December 6, 2012 - ARCHOS, announces the retail availability of the highly anticipated GamePad, a new type of tablet that combines physical gaming button controls and an ARCHOS patented mapping tool with a full AndroidTM-powered tablet experience. Bringing physical buttons and analog thumb-sticks to mobile gaming, the ARCHOS GamePad blends power with unique mapping software that allows you to link the virtual controls of any game to physical controls. A thin and light Android 4.1 Jelly Bean device, the GamePad also features full access to Google PlayTM and Google Mobile Services and is now available in Europe for 149.99€ with a North American release scheduled for early Q1 2013. “Android device users spend more than 9 hours a month gaming on their devices and yet are not completely satisfied with the touch-screen experience,” says Henri Crohas, Founder and CEO of ARCHOS. “We feel this area of gaming is proven and will continue to grow. With the introduction of the GamePad we are uniquely positioned to feed the demand of gamers who want a better gaming experience on a tablet.” By combining the GamePad’s 14 physical buttons and dual analog thumb-sticks with the revolutionary ARCHOS game mapping tool (exclusive to ARCHOS), the GamePad brings the physical aspect back to the gaming experience. Adding to the experience is the 16 million color, seven inch, five point capacitive, 1024 x 600 pixel screen. At only 10 mm (0.3 inch) thin and with a weight of 330g (0.7 lbs), the ARCHOS GamePad is the perfect on the go gaming console. REVOLUTIONARY MAPPING TOOL Thanks to the revolutionary ARCHOS mapping tool, even back catalog games that weren’t made for physical controls can work with the physical controls of the ARCHOS GamePad; ‘map’ any on-screen virtual control to the physical controls of the GamePad for hundreds of games within the tool or use its drag-and-drop interface to ‘map’ any game in seconds. Check out our YouTube video showing how easy it is to use: HOW TO MAP BUTTONS The mapping profile for each game is automatically saved so whenever that game is launched in the future, the ARCHOS game mapping tool will automatically load the corresponding mapping profile. FEATURES & SPECS

Operating System: Google Certified Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Smooth Gaming Experience with 3D Graphics: Quad-core Mali 400 MP GPU paired with a 1.6GHz Dual-core CPU.

Memory: 8GB of internal memory with microSD slot or up to 64GB of additional space.

Mini-HDMI: Use the mini-HDMI port to connect the GamePad to your TV for a big screen viewing experience.

Google PlayTM: 700,000 apps and games and includes DRM support for downloading books, magazines, music, movies and TV shows.

ARCHOS Media Center applications: tailor made apps for video and music that include metadata scraping, auto-subtitles and of course, the best format and codec support around including 1080p video decoding.

For more information about GamePad visit www.ARCHOS.com.

Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 Now $199 for New Customers at Amazon

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:17:20 +0000

Yesterday, we mentioned that the Galaxy Note 2 for Verizon had popped up over at Amazon Wireless for $279, $20 cheaper than what Big Red was selling it for. Today, it's dropped to $199 for new customers, a $100 discount. Upgrades are still the same $279, but if are with another carrier and feel like jumping ship to the biggest 4G LTE network in the land, then this is a price that will be tough to beat. Amazon Links: Grey | White Cheers Lucas!

WordTag Launches on Android, Use 120 Characters to Stump Your Friends

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:41:09 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/3qp6Yavs8EA[/youtube]

If you're into playing word games with your friends and family, then check out WordTag. The objective is to use up to 120 characters to describe a single word that your friends must guess. It may seem easy at first, but I'm sure you can come up with some words that can stump your opponents. It's free and you can go grab it right now through Google Play. Check it out and let us know what you think. Play Link

Thursday Poll: Rooted or Non-rooted?

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:55:41 +0000

It seems like we ask this all of the time, but it has been over a year since we last asked the DL community if their phone is rooted or not. So today, let's do it again. We like to stay on top of the trends here on the site, and this is one of the more important ones. What's interesting, is that the last time we asked, most of you had a single-core phone that was running a custom ROM. With almost all phones now sporting a dual-core processor, we don't need to go that detailed - all we need is a simple "Rooted or non-rooted?" And as always, we'd love to hear from both parties on this. If you continue to root your phones, tell us why. If you choose not to, we'd also love to know why. [poll id="223"]

SoundCloud Updated With New UI, Enhanced Search, and Repost Capabilities

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:29:25 +0000

Today, SoundCloud for Android received a nice little update that includes a pretty new UI, enhanced search features, and the ability to repost content from feeds. As for the UI, there are some new fancy slider menus and action bar which creates a much prettier and flowy experience for users. What's in this version:

Revamped updated UI with sliding menus and action bar
Awesome new search: find music & audio faster and easier
Repost feature

Go grab that if you haven't already. Play Link Cheers Chris!

LG Blames "High Demand" For Shortage of Nexus 4, Doesn't That Justify a "Duh?"

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:45:08 +0000

The manufacturer behind Google's highly sought after Nexus 4, LG, was recently questioned to see if they knew what exactly was to blame for the shortages we have encountered when trying to purchase the device. If you recall, both times the device went up for sale in Google Play, it was sold out in no time at all. Andy Coughlin, head of mobile at LG UK, gave some words of hope for potential buyers.

The device has proven extremely popular, and as such retailers have been met with huge demand. We are working closely with Google to ensure that those who wish to purchase a handset are able to do so.

Well, we think it's great that people are wanting to get their hands on the device, but we also wish Google would have given LG more of a heads-up about the potential demand for the device. Did Google underestimate the draw a new Nexus phone would have? According to industry analysts from IHS, this is a very good thing for Google and Android:

It's hard to say whether Google underestimated demand, or whether they chose simply to have a number of devices available. The fact that the Nexus 4 is high profile is good for Google. All of this raises the public profile of Android. All of this helps Google's strategic objectives.

It's good for Google, but still unfortunate for the folks trying to score the phone. Have you been able to buy your Nexus 4 or are you still waiting for that wait time to go down? Via: CNET Cheers Duke69111!

New Droid Life Limited Edition T-shirt Available, Classic Logo for Classy People (Update: Hoodies Now Available Too!)

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:15:49 +0000

You are staring at the newest limited edition Droid Life t-shirt, from our fine friends behind the Exploded Andy series of shirts. In the past, we've gone with cartoonish Bugdroid designs, confusing art pieces that included bears, and even took inspiration from classic t-shirts. This time, though, we're keeping it simple. We have never done a shirt with the DL logo front and center, so that's what we're doing. Update: We've got hoodies now too! Thanks to enough requests, we've added a link below. For those comfortable in their own skin, we have the black tee with our classic pink and white logo. For those not ready to go pink-in-public, we also have a black tee with Android green and white logo. Again, it's simple, but never before have we given you the DL logo like this on a shirt. As always, the t-shirts are 100% cotton American Apparel. For those not familiar, American Apparel cotton is some of the finest in the business. They are extremely soft and hold their size through multiple washes, very well. The t-shirt (hoodie now too) is on sale from today through Sunday evening and then they are gone for good. Again, they are "limited edition."

Buy. (T-Shirt $17 + shipping)

Buy. (Hoodie $25 + shipping)

Men's size Small-2XL. Women's sizes, men's 3X, and hoodies ($25) available upon request. Contact Dion at dionbriggs[at]gmail[dot]com for those.

Rumor: Samsung's Galaxy S4 to Have Unbreakable Display

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:10:46 +0000

According to speculation by analysts, Samsung may include an "unbreakable" display in the Galaxy S4 when it is released early next year. Samsung is currently a frontrunner to developer flexible (plastic substrate) OLED displays, a product that analysts claim will see volume manufacturing in the very near future. That volume manufacturing may also play in nicely to a report that Samsung has accelerated the launch of the next Galaxy phone, potentially targeting April as the month to unveil it. The Galaxy S3 was announced in May of this year. So far, all we have heard about the next generation Galaxy phone, is that it will sport a 13MP camera, have a bigger and better display (possibly with 441ppi), and could be carrying the codename "Project J." It's still a bit early to get too enamored with next Galaxy talk, but you should be excited for "unbreakable" displays. If only LG had included one on the back of the Nexus 4. Via: Reuters

Contest: Another Chance to Win a $25 Google Play Gift Card (Update: Winner Picked)

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 09:50:41 +0000

It's Thursday, which means you have two more chances to pick up a $25 Google Play gift card. We're happy with how many people are entering, but if you listened in on The Droid Life Show last night, you'll know we have some big things coming your way for the holidays in terms of giveaways. Until then, let's find someone to give this card to.

Contest

Update: We have our winner! Congrats to Rob Shad! Prize: 1 (one) Google Play gift card worth $25. How to enter: 1. In the comments, tell us what's on the top of your Christmas wishlist. Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will choose the winner randomly from the comments. *Contest is for U.S. addresses only.

Rockstar Pulls Grand Theft Auto Vice City For Android Due to Validation Issues

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:55:04 +0000

Well folks, could today get any worse? This morning, Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto Vice City was released to Google Play for Android, then taken down after reports of XAPK validation issues. Since then, Rockstar has acknowledged the issues, pulled it from Google Play, and say that it will be back...eventually.

We're aware that some users have attempted to download Vice City: 10th Anniversary Edition from the Google Play Store and have experienced validation errors. Just to be clear: the game is not available for Android devices just yet, and if you're seeing it listed on the Store then this is an error, and you shouldn't attempt to download it. We'll keep you up to date and let you know as soon as the game is live and available to purchase.

Time to curl up into the fetal and cry myself back to sleep. Via: Computer and Video Games Cheers EvanTheGamer and B!

Download: Swiftkey Flow Beta for Android Phones and Tablets

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:15:04 +0000

Swiftkey Flow beta is now available to everyone! The gesture or Swype-style version of Swiftkey's keyboard, brings a few new tricks to the table that others have yet to fully or even think about implementing. First, it predicts on the fly, so that you can see for yourself what word you are attempting to type. But beyond that, Flow allows you to write out entire sentences without lifting your finger, simply by dropping down to the spacebar in between words. So far, it seems like a fantastic update, once you get used to it. Download: Flow for Phones | Flow for Tablets

[youtube]http://youtu.be/soh8hkD9QiE[/youtube]

Verizon Pushes Jelly Bean Update to All RAZR HD and MAXX HD Devices This Morning

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:13:43 +0000

Earlier this week, we wrote that Verizon was starting to push out the Jelly Bean update to owners of the RAZR HD and MAXX HD, but it was in small batches. This morning, it seems to be a wider push and we have a lot of readers writing in to say they are getting the update. With the update, owners will be able to take advantage of Google Now, enhanced notifications, Project Butter, and an improved keyboard. Beyond that, Verizon and Motorola also improved voice and data connectivity, the user experience in the calendar, and Back Up Assistant. They removed Verizon Video and Color application, but added in the suite of Amazon apps. Go grab it! The update is 276MB in size. Cheers Erick, and Lee!

Google Introduces Google+ Communities, Says 135 Million People are Active in Streams

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:25:00 +0000

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

Along with Snapseed, Google also introduced Communities into Google+, this morning. Communities, as the name suggests, are more permanent groups of people with common interests that you can join and be an active part of. You can share ideas or thoughts, join Hangouts with fellow group members, plan events with them, and even +1 things from across the web, right to the group. It's a much easier way to converse with like-minded people than the old way, which was spending hours upon hours finding interesting people and then creating a Circle. Also, Google announced that more than 500 million people have "upgraded" to Google+, that 235 million people come close to interacting with it because they use other Google products, and that 135 million are actually active in streams. Via: Google Blog

Snapseed Now Available on Android, Making Beautiful Photos One Adjustment at a Time

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:12:36 +0000

Snapseed, the award winning photo editing software that Google purchased back in September, is now available on Android. Originally an iOS exclusive, Snapseed really is one of the better photo editing apps you'll see. Not only does it include all of the filters that users enjoy in apps like Instagram, but it also has auto correct, image tuning, selective adjusting, cropping, and more. This isn't just another retro-filtering photo app, it's a pretty decent photo editor that lets you fine tune any image. Once in the app, you select an image, and then scroll through the options at the bottom. This is where you'll find your filters and other image tuning tools. To use them, once you've selected one, you use dragging motions from top to bottom or left to right. You can also pinch-to-zoom to expand corrected or enhanced areas. It's a bit tricky at first, but once you play around with it, you'll get it. It should work on both tablets and phones running Android 4.0+. It's free on Google Play. Play Link Via: Google Blog | +Snapseed

The Droid Life Show: Episode 8

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:14:39 +0000

Welcome back to The Droid Life Show! Tonight, we hit episode 8, and have a whole bunch of good Android topics to cover. It's time to start talking about Google I/O, now that we have dates set. We'll talk about the Verizon Galaxy Note 2, and the couple of features that seem to be missing from it. We also have carrier talk, including LTE and beyond, and why you are sticking with your current one. As usual, we'll chat about our favorite apps and games of the moment, rant about hot topics, and try to enjoy ourselves. Oh, we also have some major contests to announce. The show will be live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). A live chat and video are embedded below!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kimzKid8JvU[/youtube]

Tip: Search With Your Camera in New Google Now

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:56:45 +0000

With the newest Google Now update, Google built in a new Voice Action that allows you to scan barcodes with your camera. All you have to say is, "Scan barcode" after hitting the voice search button. But if the voice search button isn't handy or you don't want to speak out loud to your phone, you can access it another way. If you open Google Now, scroll to the bottom and hit the 3-dotted menu button in the right corner. As long as you have updated your Google Now, you should see a new option that says "Search with camera." Tap that, and find something to search for with your camera. So far, I've had good luck snapping photos of text, but logos or objects, not so much. Give it a shot! Cheers Nishant!

Verizon Releases the First HTC DROID DNA Commercial, It's as Robotic as You Would Expect

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:10:19 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYIAaBOb5Bo[/youtube]

Verizon goes Ironmanbionictotalrecalluniversalsoldierrobotic in this first HTC DROID DNA spot.

Samsung Galaxy Camera Review

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:10:14 +0000

This is a new one for me. I only recently got into photography, from a blogger's point of view, taking close-up pictures of devices and posting them up on the web. I took some photography classes when I was younger, but never got into the science of it or shared the passion for it as many others in my family have. Using this hybrid device has certainly been a learning experience and it may make me think twice before I go out and buy another point-and-shoot like I have in the past. The Samsung Galaxy Camera deserves praise in terms of being a good camera, especially when it comes running Jelly Bean, something a lot of Android phones can't even say yet. Although, does it deliver $500 worth of pictures/video and sharing capabilities to justify a purchase? How Samsung markets this device will be a fun spectacle, as even myself couldn't explain to my friends as to why it really exists. Do we really need our cameras to have a data connection these days? Do I really need to surf the web or browse Facebook from it as well? Below, I try my best at delivering an overall fair "camera review" even though I know quite little in terms of cameras. This should be fun.

The Good:

Specs: Whether you're judging this device to a smartphone or camera, Samsung has made a pretty impressive piece of technology. The Galaxy Camera runs a full version of Android 4.1.1 with TouchWiz on top, is powered by a quad-core 1GHz processor, is capable of running on AT&T's HPSA+ network, features a massive 4.77" Super Clear LCD display, a 16MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor, and sports 21x optical zoom. Now, try to find me another device with something like that. You won't find one. It's a unique beast that really does couple the best Android software available with some exceptional image-taking capabilities.
Overall Picture Quality: Allow me to start this section with, "I am not a professional photographer" and I hardly know any lingo about cameras. What I am good at is viewing angles and attempting to translate things I see with my eyes and putting them on a camera. So, if you're hoping for photographer mumbo jumbo and all of that, I am sorry. I have spent a full week with the Galaxy Camera and for a point-and-shoot, it has impressed me. I currently own a Nikon J1 and I love it. It is easy to use, takes high quality pictures, and has a reasonable price of $450 with the ability to purchase additional attachments. The Galaxy Camera, priced at $500 and coupled with Android and HSPA+, should perform just as good if not better than my J1, right? Not necessarily, but it does have some additional features. What the Galaxy Camera does have over the J1 in terms of cameras, is overall versatility. I can go from macro to landscape with the press of a button, but with the J1 I would have to switch lenses. The Galaxy performs just as good in terms of pictures as it does with videos as well. My only gripe is that auto-focus during videos is sketchy at times. I will let the pictures speak for themselves, but to sum it up in a few words, this camera has a much easier time with subjects that are close to you and not far away.

Software: Android! Sweet Jelly Bean! The camera runs Android 4.1.1 underneath Samsung's TouchWiz skin, which actually adds an abundance of helpful features such as voice commands for the camera app and pulldown system setting toggles. The device is quick, thanks to Project Butter, and Android works exceptionally well as "camera app software." Albeit, Android acts as just a way to easily share your work to apps like Instagram and Facebook, but it's a huge plus being able to access Android apps and use it just as you would a smartphone. Without Android, this is just a regular point-and-shoot. With Android, it's a smartcamera and becomes an extremely powerful tool for photographers or even journalists that travel and need quick access to pictures and the web. Samsung also threw in a few apps that help take your pictures to the next level such as Photo Wizard.

Battery: Over the course of the past week, I have been using the Galaxy Camera non-stop. I was really trying to take it with me everywhere I went and was able to run this thing into the ground a couple of times. To my surprise, the device's battery holds up way better than I had initially expected, which I'm thankful for. It was running Jelly Bean and on HSPA+ the whole time, but it lasted forever. Thoroughly impressed with how Samsung managed to keep this thing chugging along throughout a full day's use.

Hardware: I've said it plenty of times and I'm sure everyone knows it by now, but this is straight up "sexy hardware" at its finest. The curves, the color choice, and the brilliant shine of the lens have made me fall in love with the overall look of the camera. Subtle branding on the front, with the huge display on the back, led plenty of people around me asking what type of camera I was using. Samsung gets an easy "A" grade for creating a device I am happy to be seen in public with. To go with the looks, the over feel of the device is quite nice and it carries a good weight to it. No feeling of plastic or anything like that, besides the W/T toggle that I mention below.
Display: On the backside of the camera sits a massive 4.77" HD Super Clear LCD display, larger and clearer than a lot of smartphones that are currently being marketed as top-tier. No, it doesn't compare to say, the DROID DNA, but after snapping pictures or taking video, the content looks exceptional. What makes it even better, is that everything looks good on it - since you aren't only taking pictures. It handles YouTube videos, Netflix movies, web-browsing, and games with ease and they look just as good on this camera as they do on any phone or tablet.

Android Functions (Gaming, Video, Web): Yep, this thing runs Android. Jelly Bean to be exact. And it's not some crappy overly-skinned version that doesn't allow for functionality. This is FULL Android. With the Galaxy Camera, you have access to Google Play, all of your apps, games, and anything else your smartphone can do. The only difference is that massive lens on the front and the inability to make calls. But, if you're on WiFi or AT&T's data, then you may be able to even find a work around for that. During the time I used the device, I had no problems utilizing Google Voice texts and was basically using it as I would my phone, which is fine since I think the feature I use the least on my actual phone is the phone itself.
AT&T's HSPA+: It's fast enough to get the job done. If you live in an area that has it, then you won't have any troubles uploading/downloading images and video to wherever you please. It's been a real pleasure to be able to share everything I want from wherever I am after using the camera. Having a cellular data connection is easily a plus, but it can also be a bad as I have it listed down below as well.
Easy Sharing: In terms of sharing, it doesn't get much sweeter than the Galaxy Camera. With access to all of the social networks and online storage apps, taking your pictures and videos and putting them up for others to see is as easy as it can get. What makes it even more special on this device is that the quality of images goes up astronomically when compared to a regular smartphone. While as your regular high end smartphone sports an 8MP shooter that has limited capabilities, the Galaxy Camera brings its 21x optical zoom and 16MP sensor. It is truly a unique experience that smartphones just can't quite capture.

The Bad:

Cheap W/T Toggle: Now of course, this could have just happened to me. Unfortunately, my W/T toggle gets stuck when zooming in and it's a serious pain in the rear. When you go tight in the middle of a video, or even turning up the volume, I have to push it back to the middle without accidentally going too wide or turning down the volume. For $500, this piece of hardware shouldn't be getting stuck after just a week of use. Luckily for people who would buy this thing, you will have a warranty. Naturally since this is a review unit for me, I do not. Ever since this button got stuck, I find myself not using the device as much as I would like. Huge red flag for me when thinking about making an investment such as this.

Software Lag: Just like any other smartphone or tablet, this device does encounter the occasional "slow-down" or "lag." When it appears the most is actually when you're in the Camera app and are switching through the Smart Settings, which becomes rather annoying. Overall, exploration through the device's software isn't hindered by any means, but when the device is to be used as a camera and the camera is lagging during pictures, that's no good.
Awkward Size: This camera is pocket-able, but it sure isn't the most comfortable thing I've ever had in there. The device is rather thick in the lens, which when pocketed, bulges out and if you hit it accidentally on something, there's a good chance you can damage the device. In a back pocket it works well, but Samsung is marketing this device as extremely portable, but it's not as portable as I would like it to be. You're much better off getting some type of carrying case for it if you're taking it outside or going for a hike. Please, if you do have it in a pocket, be careful.
Picture Blur: With the Galaxy Camera, I found that many times that when I would take a picture and look at the preview, it would seem very clear with no streaks or blur. However, upon returning to the photo in the gallery, the photo would be ultimately unusable with heavy amounts of blur. Sometimes you only get one chance at that perfect shot and with this camera, I don't know if I could trust it completely with those moments.
Price: Priced at $500, the Galaxy Camera is one of the most expensive pieces of camera hardware I've used for longer than a few days. Is it worth it? Absolutely not. Unless you're purchasing for the sole purpose that you have access to Android and a camera with mobile data, it's just too much to spend for decent hardware and good pictures that you can find for cheaper in a Nikon or Canon. To get me interested, it would need to come in around $400 with mobile data, or a $350 model with WiFi only or something like that. It just seems like too little for too much at this point.
Connection to Carriers: I don't think buying this camera and purchasing a data plan along with it is worth it. If the novelty of having an Android-powered camera is enough to make you jump, just stick to using it over WiFi in my opinion. Like I mentioned earlier, if you're in the profession of photography or you travel all over and need to be uploading pictures all the time, then I could see how it would be great. For example, this device at something like CES or Google I/O would be extremely clutch.

Image Gallery:

[nggallery id=36]

Comparison Shots (vs. Motorola RAZR HD):

RAZR HD (Left) Galaxy Camera (Right)

Panorama Samples:

Video Samples:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/zcHlC0juHJE[/youtube] [youtube]http://youtu.be/R_EPiP_dAZI[/youtube]

Device Gallery:

[nggallery id=29]

Device Overview:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/Vfjehr0_aVE[/youtube]

Conclusion:

So, if you would like a TL;DR version, the Galaxy Camera is great, if you know what to do with it. Going for a walk through the park or watching a hockey game, it's a fun little device to have. If you decide to get mobile data paired with it, it's an extremely unique experience that will have many around you curious and excited. In terms of it being a $500 camera, it's not so awesome. Close-ups are fantastic and the zoom is quite good, but with images coming out blurry and unusable more so than not when in low light or at greater distances, it's hard to justify. For that price, you're better off going with something else. It will be interesting to see if the idea of the Android-powered camera takes off. With the Galaxy Camera leading the charge, I think it has a decent fighting chance. The hardest part will be getting people to think they'll need a data plan on it. It's sort of like tablets - do you really need data on it? Personally, I have yet to see a need for it, but everyone has their own needs. To wrap it up, I've learned quite a bit from my time with it, but will be happy when smartphone cameras offer more in terms of photography, that way I don't have to lug this thing around. If you have any specific questions or concerns that I didn't point out in this review, feel free to share them below and I would be happy to try and field them.

Rumored HTC M7 Sports 5" HD Display, 13MP Camera, and Aluminum Unibody Frame - You Have Our Attention

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:45:10 +0000

Making the rounds today is a new rumored device from HTC called the M7. As of today, we haven't discussed this phone whatsoever, but over the past week, it's been gaining attention through Asian-based tech sites and for good reason. The M7 is said to come to market here in the U.S. sometime in mid Q1 of 2013 in direct, but early, competition to Samsung's Galaxy S4 device. In order to compete, it looks like HTC is sparing no expense in the spec department and it is reported that the M7 will feature some pretty impressive characteristics. For starters, reports claim the device will come equipped with a 5" HD display, much like the DROID DNA's. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core chip, which means you're almost guaranteed LTE capabilities along with a massive 13MP back-facing camera. To top it off, it's all packed inside of an aluminum unibody case, much like the One X series, but more metallic. If HTC is serious about the time frame the rumors are claiming, and it does launch sometime in Q1, you can bet we are going to be hearing about the M7 a whole lot more in the coming months. Excited for a new superphone offering from HTC already? Let the hypebeasting begin yet again. Via: Android and Me

Google Now Cards - The Complete List

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:27:22 +0000

With today's update to Google Now, we have more than 25 cards that can pop up and show us information depending on our location, recent searches, or location. It can even pull from our Gmail inboxes to track packages, remind us of hotel or restaurant reservations, and make sure we get to our flight on time. As a Jelly Bean user, it's probably my favorite feature, and one that I'm glad more and more phones are now taking advantage, thanks to recent updates. Below, and thanks to Google Support, we have the entire list of Google Now cards that can pop up on your device. Since many of us won't have the opportunity to see some of these, we thought we'd share.

Activity Summary (Walking and Biking)

Birthdays

Events

Flights

Gmail: Boarding Pass

Gmail: Events

Gmail: Movies

Gmail: Flights

Gmail: Hotels

Gmail: Restaurants

Gmail: Package Tracking

Last Transit Home

Movies

New: Albums, Books, TV Episodes, Video Games

News

Next Meeting

Photo Spot Nearby

Places

Public Alerts

Public Transit

Real Estate

Reminders: Events, Location, and Time

Research Topics

Saved Offers

Sports

Stocks

Traffic

Travel: Currency

Travel: Attractions Nearby

Travel: Time Back Home

Travel: Translate

TV Cards

Weather

Via: Google Support Cheers Grady!

Speaking of AT&T's 4G LTE, They Just Lit Up a Few New Cities

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:20:11 +0000

We just got done discussing AT&T's supposedly upcoming LTE Advanced network, but it looks like they are also making some regular 4G LTE moves today as well. Folks living in the below-listed cities should be experiencing some much faster data speeds as they go about their days.

Albuquerque, NM
Yauco, Puerto Rico
Guayama, Puerto Rico
San German -Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Salt Lake City, UT
Reading, PA

Mmm, taste that 4G sweetness. Via: AT&T

A Second Look at the HTC DROID DNA

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:50:53 +0000

After we posted up our full review of the HTC DROID DNA, I was able to get a hold of a second device and take it for a spin of my own. Since it's such a major device for Verizon, I couldn't help but share some of my thoughts on it as well. This isn't a second review, but just a quick list of some things that stood out to me, both good and bad.

Liking

Display: The 5" 1080p display on the DNA is the best in the business. As I mentioned during last week's DL Show, you have to see it to believe it. Looking at something as simple as an icon will probably blow your mind. The amount of detail, clarity, and correct color that the Super LCD 3 is able to produce is something to marvel at. We've posted up our standard macro shots from it (here too), something you should definitely check out.
Battery Life: I was skeptical when first powering on the DNA. I thought, at 2020mAh, there is no way this battery is going to get me through a day. It has proven me wrong each day over the last week or so, easily powering me through days without having to worry about where the nearest power outlet is. On my first charge, I was at 14 hours off the charger and still had 14% left. It has only gotten better since.
Size: Coming from the Galaxy Note 2, and deciding that it was far too large for my hands, I figured my opinion of the DNA would be similar. Thankfully, HTC managed to pack in a 5" screen without making the body of the device enormous. In hand, it's large, but not overwhelming. When compared to a Galaxy S3 or Nexus 4, it's only a bit taller, but not wider.
Build: I love the build quality of HTC phones. Dating back to the One X, HTC has been doing amazing things when it comes to materials and feel. With the soft-touch finish on the back of the DNA, along with the gentle curve to the backside, you can hold it effortlessly. It does grab fingerprints fairly easily, and is also prone to scratches, but overall, I'm a big fan.
Design: This might be one of the sexiest phone designs ever. It's so simple, yet has enough complexity to keep you looking back for more. The red grills on the sides were unexpectedly beautiful. The cascading edges of the display not only look stunning from the side, but help make it so your finger never feels a sharp edge. Even the volume rocker and power switch have a spiraled metal design that helps with grip, while adding to the finish.
Price: At $199, this phone is practically a steal. It sports the newest processor on the block, has 2GB RAM, Android 4.1, the best display in the business, and runs on Verizon's 4G LTE network. If this phone would have come out in 2011, Big Red would have tried to charge you $400 on-contract for it. To see it drop in at the old standard of $199, which is $100 less than the Galaxy Note 2, it'd be tough to pass it up.
Wireless Charging: My life feels close to being complete now that it has wireless charging in it on a regular basis. The DNA, 8X, and Nexus 4 that are in my possession all have wireless charging built-in. I do not remember the last time I plugged in a phone to charge it. And on the DNA, that's a good thing, since HTC included a cover to the USB port which can be a bit of a nuisance.
Camera: Dave wasn't all that big of a fan of the DNA camera in his review. I on the other hand, don't mind it. I wouldn't necessarily call it the best smartphone camera on Earth, but I found it to produce pretty decent images. It's not all that great in low-light or indoor situations, but with great outdoor light, I liked some of the results I saw. I'm also a fan of HTC's camera suite of software. You can quickly toggle cameras for selfies, change to filters if you'd like, snap 20 shots in seconds with burst mode, and record full 1080p video. I have some sample shots below (that have been resized). If you want to see sample 1080p video, check out my review of Falcon Pro which was filmed with the DNA.

Not Liking

Sense 4+: I'm really not fan of Sense, whether it be 3.5 or 4.0 or 4+. It's a tired Android skin, desperately in need of a makeover. The keyboard is one of my least favorites from any Android skin, the fact that the notification bar background toggles from transparent to solid black depending on the screen drives me nuts, the calendar app won't show a weekly layout, you can't fully customize the lockscreen apps, and the Personalize menu needs to disappear forever with a much simpler option for changing wallpapers or sounds. I could go on and on with the little issues, but will instead just recommend that you grab a third party launcher and move on from most of Sense.
Hardware Navigation Buttons: The hardware nav buttons on the DNA aren't the worst thing that's ever happened to a phone, but since developers are still building in the legacy menu to their apps, they are still an issue. And for whatever reason, HTC forgot to include the option for mapping the Recent Apps button to be a menu button. Too many times have I see the evil black bar with 3-dots in it.
Stuttering: I don't know if I had something running in the background or if the DNA was begging for a reboot, but during gaming, I noticed the phone lagging on a number of occasions. You would think with the Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, Adreno 320 GPU, and 2GB of RAM that nothing would have the power to slow this bad boy down. Well, you would be wrong. I'd probably blame that more on HTC's Sense optimizations (or lack there of) than hardware, though. The rest of the UI had no issues.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I don't have many complaints about this phone. The few that I do, shouldn't be enough to deter anyone from considering the DNA. Again, the display is in a class of its own, the price is right, battery life seems stellar, and the rest of the specs and hardware should get you through at least a 2 year contract. There is a lot to like about this phone.

Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 Available From Amazon for $279

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:30:35 +0000

If you were waiting for Verizon's version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to start hitting online retailers at a discounted price, then today is your day. Now available on Amazon, the Note 2 for Verizon can be had for $279.99, a $20 discount. Well, almost had. It does list the device as "backordered" and that it will ship within 1-2 weeks. Just in time for X-mas, right? Amazon Links: Grey | White ($279.99) Cheers EJ!

Google Voice for Android Updated as Well: Fixes Delayed SMS Notifications and Inbox Syncing Issues

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:11:06 +0000

On the heels of the major Google Search update that just rolled out, which includes a handful of new Google Now cards, we also get a minor update to my favorite app of all time, Google Voice. It's nothing more than a bug fixer, taking care of delays in SMS notifications and inbox syncing issues, but hey, we'll take it. Play Link Cheers Grady!

Google Search Receives Update: New Google Now Cards and Voice Actions Included

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 12:59:00 +0000

A major Google Search update just hit the Google Play store for devices running Android 4.1+ (Jelly Bean). The update introduces a handful of new cards for Google Now along with some new voice actions. You will now see Now cards for events happening nearby, suggestions to help with research, boarding passes (United only for now), weather for upcoming travel destinations, and more. On the voice actions side of things, you can tell your phone to post to Google+, ask what song is playing, and have your phone to scan a barcode. Go grab it! New cards:

Events nearby
Suggestions to help with your research
Boarding passes from Gmail (United only, more to come)
Search by camera when at museums or shops
Weather at upcoming travel destinations
Approximate monthly summary of walking and biking activity

New voice actions:

Post to Google+
Say "What's this song?" to find the song you hear
Say "Scan a barcode" to find product info

Play Link Cheers Grady!

LTE Advanced Talks From AT&T Emerge, Could We See It by The Second Half of 2013?

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 12:13:05 +0000

According to industry analysts, who are reporting on comments made by certain AT&T executives at a recent conference, our nation's second largest mobile carrier plans to launch an LTE Advanced network in the second half of 2013. In early November of this year, we reported that AT&T was planning a massive investment to the tune of $14 billion to enhance their existing network and to finish off their 4G LTE network by the end of 2014. To begin work on an Advanced network before you're done with full roll out of 4G LTE doesn't seem ideal, but at this point, it's a race between carriers to offer the furthest-reaching and fastest network possible. By the time AT&T's 4G LTE even became notable, Verizon had already sealed the deal and their 4G LTE was spread out from coast to coast. To put it simply, Verizon beat them to the punch and is also talking "5G and 6G networks" around this same time. The analysts wrote this on the exec's comments:

The network strategy will involve mainly LTE networks and LTE Advanced networks, which AT&T will begin firing up in 2H13. These enhanced networks will provide faster speeds and coverage to its subscriber base, as well as open up growth opportunities in new segments.

The way we see it, this is AT&T's chance to beat Verizon this time and begin work on an even faster network, for the playing field to become even again. Although, according to AT&T's Labs president, the company might only intend to have test modes by that time, so we will just have to wait and see. Once a test site is built, that's when we get to start talking about upcoming phones to run on it. It's hard not to get excited about talks of LTE Advanced networks. Via: Fierce Wireless

Microsoft's New #DroidRage Twitter Campaign Against Android Backfires

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:00:52 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, the official Windows Phone Twitter account Tweeted the message we have included above. They asked for "Android malware horror" stories of yours, in an attempt to highlight one of the ~~fake~~ overblown problems that security companies and the media invented for Android. If your story was the best/worst (whatever that means), then they may have a "get-well present" for you. We're assuming that means a free Windows Phone. Unfortunately, for Microsoft, the campaign hasn't exactly gone as planned. They are certainly generating buzz with it, but almost none of it is positive for Windows Phone. Here are a few of our favorite Tweets from users who had some fun with this #DroidRage hashtag.

You can view the constant stream of gems right here.

Cheers One Lump Sum!

Video: 28 Android Powered Sphero Robotic Balls Dance a X-mas Jig

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:02:31 +0000

The folks at Sphero took to Union Square with 28 of their robotic balls and four Android smartphones to put together this beautiful display of color and coordination. Set to Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Eve / Sarajevo," how can you not get into the holiday spirit after watching this? Give a, give a, give a Garmin... Via: reddit | Phandroid

Eric Schmidt Thinks It's 'Extremely Curious' That Apple Hasn't Sued Google Directly

Eric — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:50:37 +0000

Eric Schmidt is Google's Executive Chairman and also the company, and Android's, biggest cheerleader when it comes to the media. In a recent interview, Schmidt sat down and talked business about a lot of things going on with Google and the conversation inevitably leaned towards their patent struggles with Apple. Schmidt said, "It's extremely curious that Apple has chosen to sue Google's partners instead of Google itself." But he didn't stop there.

He continued about Apple v Google, "The adult way to run a business is to run it more like a country. They have disputes, yet they've actually been able to have huge trade with each other. They're not sending bombs at each other." It seems as if there is a mutual respect between the two companies, but Schmidt would like to see it go down in a different way.

Schmidt was also asked about the juicy rumor that Google is looking into making their own wireless carrier, to which Schmidt didn't really say no. After saying that their current focus is Kansas City and their new Google Fiber, Schmidt said "The current spectrum shortage is real, but it's an artifact of a licensing and regulatory error. New technology allows there to be lots of spectrum, far more than you could use." Sounds like Google might just be waiting on this "new technology" before launching into the spectrum game.

Via: Wall Street Journal

Contest: Day Three and Another Chance to Win a $25 Google Play Gift Card (Update: Winner Picked)

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:13:05 +0000

It's day three of our week-long "Awesome Sauce DL Google Play Contest" where we're giving away $25 Google Play gift cards. Yesterday's giveaway reached a total of 880+ entries, which gives us some great motivation to do these types of things a lot more often. After today, we still have tomorrow and the following day for more chances to win, so let's do this.

Contest

Update: We have our winner! Congrats to aj34! Prize: 1 (one) Google Play gift card worth $25. How to enter: 1. ~~In the comments, tell us what your top three favorite apps from 2012 are.~~ ~~2. For extra brownie points, follow "Droid_Life" on Instagram if you want.~~ Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will choose the winner randomly from the comments. *Contest is for U.S. addresses only.

Verizon's 4G LTE Network Turns Two Today, Currently Available to 250 Million Americans

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:33:58 +0000

Has it been two years already since the birth of Verizon's 4G LTE? I specifically remember being in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show, when some Verizon executives took the stage to announce a lineup of devices to take advantage of this baby network, available in only a handful of markets. Since then, 4G LTE has become a standard for many smartphone buyers, and no one in America offers as large of a market as Verizon. Not to toot their horn or anything, but it is currently available in more than 440 markets, servicing 11 million people. As the years fly by, even Verizon's CEO has mentioned that as their competitors catch up in the 4G LTE race, Big Red will already be looking to the future with 5G and 6G networks. Some exciting times for mobile. What was your first experience with 4G LTE? Was it magical? Via: Verizon

Tuesday Poll: What's Keeping You With Your Current Wireless Carrier?

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:14:11 +0000

We talk a lot about carriers on this site. We cover all of their policy and plan changes, the new phones they release on a monthly basis, where their network has stretched to, and if their 4G LTE network is the biggest and baddest on the planet. But what is it that's keeping you with your current carrier? Is it that ever-expanding phone lineup? Do their plans meet your needs? Is their 4G LTE network the best? Are you stuck with them because no other carrier offers decent coverage in your area? Are you counting the days until you can bolt for greener pastures. You tell us. [poll id="222"]

Official Gangnam Style Live Wallpaper, Easily the Most Disturbing App Ever Made

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:57:36 +0000

We know this song has been a huge success on YouTube and radio, but dang, how long will it last? Recently, an "official" PSY Gangnam Style live wallpaper hit Google Play for your Android device, perfect for those that just can't get enough of those sexy Korean dance moves. On top of a live wallpaper, you can also access PSY's Twitter feed and concert dates all for the price of $1.99. As if it was a cherry on top, you also get to use the song as a ringtone on your phone too. God help us all. Play Link ($1.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/hXabUocPduI[/youtube]

Smart WiFi Toggler Helps Absent Minded Conserve Both Battery and Mobile Data

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:45:00 +0000

For myself, who spends his days at home connected to the beauty that is WiFi all day long, I wouldn't necessarily say I need a reminder that when my phone isn't connected to my network, my battery is draining quicker and my precious data is trickling out all over the place. In comes Smart WiFi Toggler, which will help those that have a harder time remembering such things. The app, which uses your network location (as to not use GPS and save battery), recognizes when you're in or around a WiFi hotspot and automatically connects you.

Here are some of cool features Smart WiFi Toggler has to offer:

Automatically learns your WiFi hotspot locations.

Turns WiFi off when disconnected from WiFi network.

Automatically turns WiFi on when near a known hotspot.

Uses your network location. No GPS battery drain.

Provides the ability to control "auto-connect" behavior for each hotspot.

Ability to lock WiFi to a disabled state.

Warning notification and auto-locking WiFi when a hotspot is down.

History and logging, in addition to a view of what is going on under the hood.

The app's main goal is to conserve your precious battery and save you from using up all of your mobile data. So far, there are plenty of people on Google Play and in the forums that have very high praise for the app, so give it a try and let us know what you think. Play Link

Motorola Releases Notification Light Toggle Widget for Most Android Devices

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:09:05 +0000

To help manage the massive notification light on devices like the RAZR HD, Motorola has created a Notification Light Widget that can be downloaded from Google Play for free. It's about as simple as it sounds - tap it to turn your notification light off, tap it again to turn it back on. It should work for other devices as well, even those not made by Motorola. And even if your device has a way to turn this off through Settings, this is a quicker shortcut that can be applied to a home screen. Play Link Cheers Chris!

DROID DNA Drops to $149 at Amazon, $50 Off Regular Price

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:44:35 +0000

HTC's DROID DNA, the phone with the best display in the business, has dropped to $149.99 at Amazon for both new customers and upgrades. Verizon is selling the device for $199 on 2-year contract, so if you are interested in picking one up, you may want to go this route and save yourself $50. We reviewed the device a couple of weeks back and came away very impressed. The battery life far exceeded our expectations, the display is brilliant, and the form factor doesn't feel as big in hand as that 5-inch display would lead you to believe it has. Buy.

Gameloft's Modern Combat 4 to Launch for Android Sometime After iOS, What Gives?!

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:15:00 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/LAEHLePiCOM[/youtube]

Can't win them all I guess. Today, Gameloft confirmed that their upcoming war-based masterpiece Modern Combat 4 will launch sometime shortly after it is released for iOS, on December 6. Naturally, they wouldn't give any word on why we are being snubbed with this longer wait time, but I can only imagine it's to give us some extra special features. Yeah, that will be the day, Tim. You know what else we have to look forward to on December 6 though? That's right, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City! Via: Phandroid

Official Etsy App Finally Arrives on Android

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:36:08 +0000

Just in time for you to finish up (or begin) your holiday shopping, the official Etsy app has arrived on Android, bringing hand-made craft goods to your fingertips. With beautiful Holo styling, the app is about as minimal as you'll find, and that's a good thing. You can quickly swipe between front page columns, view your cart, search for items, and see your account history. Items are easily marked as favorites and the checkout process is incredibly simple. Since I have yet to find the Etsy addiction, I'd love for you to share some of your favorite things, whether they be mobile-related, sporting goods, menswear, etc. in the comments. Play Link

Andru Charger Now Available in "Chill White" Color, We'll Take Them All

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:00:37 +0000

You all know how much we loved the black Andru charger, but don't get us started on how excited we are for a white edition. Priced at $25, this little guy's arms swivel around, eyes shine a bright blue while charging, and has that nice bright and smooth finish. They come with a stand and cable, so as soon as you open the package you're ready to charge your device. So cute it makes you sick, yeah? Buy. ($25) Via: Gen

Verizon CEO: While AT&T and Others are Playing Catch-up With LTE, We'll be Figuring Out 5G and 6G

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:31:07 +0000

Verizon's CEO, Lowell McAdam, sat down for a brief chat this morning at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference. During the conversation, he talked about the entire status of the company, from Wireline to Wireless. Clearly, we care about his Wireless quotes, some of which show how far ahead Verizon thinks they are in terms of network and their new shared data plans. One quote in particular talks about others in the industry waiting to see with 4G LTE, while Big Red was willing to move forward with the technology from day 1. That early start gave them the massive lead in network coverage they have, today. But as one would expect from a company of this size, they aren't stopping or planning to slow. In fact, while their competitors will eventually come close to matching their network in terms of coverage, McAdam thinks that the company will, by that time, be figuring out what "5G and 6G looks like."

So even if someone catches up quote from a coverage perspective, you have got to catch up from a user experience perspective. And so we are going to hang on to that and we are going to defend that ground. And in the meantime, we are going to try to figure out what 5G and 6G looks like. So there is -- it is not like -- I know when you do your model you always like to think about okay this is the last evolution. Well, I hope I never see the last evolution in wireless technology. So I believe that we will.

Outside of network talk, McAdam also mentioned the adoption that they are seeing with their new Share Everything plans. As you all know, new customers are forced into these shared data plans, so when we hear talk of positive adoption, we don't necessarily put a lot behind it. With that said, Verizon's chief did mention a big bump on tablet connectivity through these shared plans, saying that people like the idea of adding on for $10, rather than having to fork out the $30 it used to run them.

Just over the holidays as an example, we saw a big tick up in tablet attachments. In the past people were buying them and saying I don't want another account for this. I don't want to have to pay for the unlimited data. I don't know how much I am going to use it. I am just going to stick with Wi-Fi. And we saw a significant shift over Thanksgiving where people were saying just for the $10 access a month, I will go ahead and use that -- use the share everything plan.

Nothing super juicy, but for those of you that are living and dying with Verizon, you have to love their confidence in the future of their network. Via: Verizon

Verizon Asks Customers to Opt-In for Personal Info Snatching, Will Compensate With Coupon

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:13:51 +0000

This week, Verizon is to begin a campaign to show customers the benefits of opting into their new data-collecting service called Verizon Selects, part of the same Precision Marketing portfolio that we urged our readers to opt-out of. First, you should know what Verizon Selects is. By acquiring usage data such as mobile web browsing history, your location, and "interest data" collected through application usage, Verizon Select allows third parties to offer advertisements that directly relate to you. Verizon is clear that the data is anonymous and is not distributed outside of Verizon, but to set your minds at ease, Verizon is offering customers who opt in a coupon or promotion to a major retailer of some kind.

We are asking customers to opt-in to Verizon Selects because of the types of information being used and because the capabilities provided to third-party marketers gives them the ability to reach customers directly. It’s important to remember that Verizon DOES NOT share information that identifies customers personally outside of Verizon.

You are not automatically signed up unless you do it yourself through their site, but if you either want to go sign up or make sure you're not a part of this, then simply go here. If you decide that a coupon is worth your personal information to be bundled up for special ads, then prepare to receive special offers in forms of texts, emails, postal mail, online ads, and mobile ads. Via: Verizon

Google Opens Up Private Google Play Store to Google Apps Customers

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:35:35 +0000

If your business uses Google Apps, you are now eligible to distribute your own internal apps via Google Play Private Channel to employees. The Private Channel could be used to distribute "a custom expense reporting app for employees or a conference room finder." As you can see from the picture, it appears to work with the current Google Play store, and can simply be accessed by your employees when they login with their Google Apps account. On the backend of things, you need to enable "Google Play Developer Console" in your Google Apps domain settings, for users that wish to publish apps. If users are interested in publishing apps, they also need to register as a normal Android developer. After that, administration takes place through the Google Apps control panel. All of the normal Google Play security, payment, ratings, and authentication are included. To get more info, hit up the two source links below. Via: Google Enterprise | More Info Cheers Anthony!

Google I/O 2013 to Take Place May 15-17, Registration to Open Early 2013

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:58:38 +0000

Today, Google has announced the dates for 2013's Google I/O. Usually taking place at San Francisco's Moscone Center, the event is scheduled for May 15-17 with early registration beginning sometime early 2013. Last year, we were introduced to the Nexus 7, Nexus Q, and Jelly Bean. This year, can we expect some Key Lime Pie? Any thoughts on what we'll see in May? Via: Google

Fuhu's 5" nabi Jr. Tegra-Powered Children's Tablet, Starting at Just $99

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:45:14 +0000

Looking to pick your kid up an inexpensive, yet completely power-packed children's tablet this holiday season? Fuhu, a manufacturer that dedicates their time to creating tech just for kids, has launched the nabi Jr., powered by NVIDIA's dual-core Tegra processor. The tablet features a 5" (840 x 400) touchscreen display (quite small), Ice Cream Sandwich, and comes in 4GB and 16GB storage options. Interestingly enough, the 4GB variant comes with a low price of just $99, while the 16GB model is just $129. Why they decided against an 8GB model is beyond us, but we're sure they had their reasons. The tablet will have a complete accessory line, which is something even some top manufacturers can't seem to deliver for our adult-sized toys. The nabi Jr. goes on sale mid-December and can be found in both retail stores or online. Via: Nabi

Contest: Win Another $25 Google Play Gift Card From Droid Life! (Update: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:15:40 +0000

Day 2 of our week long journey to hand out $25 Google Play gift cards to the Droid Life community! Yesterday, we saw almost 1,000 entries in a short 9 hours, which is a pretty amazing number. Today, though, same deal. We have one gift card to give away, with the winner being chosen later this afternoon. Tomorrow and the rest of the week will be a similar deal. Who's ready?

Contest

Update: We have our winner. Congratulations to Alan who wants to watch the new Batman again when it comes out on DVD! Prize: 1 (one) Google Play gift card worth $25. How to enter: 1. ~~Follow @droid_life on Twitter.~~ ~~2. Tweet the following:~~

Win a $25 Google Play gift card by following @droid_life! - http://goo.gl/PWo65 #android #contest

3. In the comments, tell us the movie you are most looking forward to this holiday season. Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will choose the winner randomly from the comments. *Contest is for U.S. addresses only.

Beautiful Gmail 2.0 Released for iOS, Any Chance We See a Similar Build on Android?

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:48:51 +0000

The Gmail team announced version 2.0 of their iOS app today, which is available on both the iPad and iPhone immediately. The app itself, is beautiful. It features a left panel for multi-account support with profile pictures, easy-respond calendar items, and Google Now-styled conversations. In the three screenshots above, I would argue that this new iOS app looks much more like the web version of Gmail than the Android version does. It also matches up nicely to the styling of the Android Google+ and YouTube apps, that have slideout panels from the left and color accents. We just received version 4.2.1 of Gmail yesterday, one that included a variety of new features, so I doubt that we'll see anything close to this any time soon. But still, Google seems set on carrying the web-styling of their apps to mobile, so I can't imagine we won't see it ever. What do you guys think? I'm a huge fan of this Google Now-esque app look. Via: Gmail Blog

From the Makers of Cut the Rope Comes Pudding Monsters, Out December 20

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:30:33 +0000

Game developers ZeptoLab, the same firm that brought you Cut the Rope, has a new title on the horizon and it looks just as cute as their first majorly popular offering. The game is called Pudding Monsters, and so far, we have no idea what it's about, besides it being a "deliciously addicting puzzle adventure." They have released a couple of images (the one above) and a teaser trailer that really shows us nothing except for some jelly/pudding-like monsters inside of a fridge. Interesting. The game is set for release on Android and iOS on the 20th of December, so we shall see where it goes. As the date gets a bit closer, we can expect to see a lot more teasing from Zepto. [youtube]http://youtu.be/zJVRInTUexs[/youtube] Via: Pudding Monsters Cheers Jason!

Facebook Messenger for Android Updated, No Longer Need an Account to Chat

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:00:29 +0000

Starting today, users in some international countries which include Venezuela, India, Indonesia, Australia, and South Africa are able to use Facebook Messenger without even having a Facebook account. Once the Messenger app is installed on their device, all they need is their name and a phone number. After providing the necessary info, the application scans for available contacts (kind of like Kik), then you're free to group message, share photos, and more. No word from Facebook yet on if we can expect this same update here in the U.S., but it was mentioned that it would be rolling out to additional countries in the following weeks. If you wouldn't need an actual Facebook account to use their Messenger service, would you feel more inclined to use it? I'm sure plenty of younger folks would indeed. Via: Facebook

Beautiful Widgets Updated to Version 5.0 - New UI, Lockscreen Widgets, and More

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:28:11 +0000

The Beautiful Widgets 5.0 update that was teased a few weeks back, is now live on Google Play. The update introduces an entirely new app, with new UI, Jelly Bean notifications, lockscreen widget support, independent weather and clock widgets, and more. It has been some time since this insanely popular widget app received a major overhaul like this, and so far, we're really liking it - even the lockscreen widget. The full changelog:

Beautiful Facelift
Application rewritten
JellyBean notifications
Daydream support
Independent widgets
Forecast hours
Widget 4x4
Lockscreen widget
Pick location

Play Link ($2.49)

(Incredibly cheesy promo video.)

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

Cheers Shawn, Matt, Steven, Jose, Steen and Michael!

Jelly Bean Update for AT&T's Galaxy S3 Available Via Kies

Kellen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:12:51 +0000

This morning, AT&T and Samsung announced that Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.1) is now available for the Galaxy S3. The final software build number of TouchWiz is I747UCDLJ3. The update, according to Samsung, will not be made available over-the-air, but is instead available via Kies. I updated through Kies last night, and as usual, the process was very simple. You can update from both a Mac or Windows machine. To my knowledge, that leaves Verizon's version of the Galaxy S3 as the only one from a major carrier without Jelly Bean. We are hearing whispers of a December 14 date, but until that's official, it's not official. Go get your update! Via: Samsung

Quick Look: Ringke Slim Case for Nexus 4 in Black, White, and Grey

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:21:09 +0000

After the back of my LG Nexus 4 cracked, prompting me to order another one, I decided to set out on a mission to find the best case for it. As you know, I have zero confidence in the glass backside, so even as someone who hasn't used a case for more than a few hours at a time over the years, I am willing to give them a shot. If it takes covering up that pretty class backside to preserve it, then so be it. Today, we're taking a look at the Ringke Slim case for the Nexus 4, a product made by RearthUSA. I've been a fan of the Ringke Slim line in the past, so when I saw the posting for this at the ridiculously low price of $9.99, I jumped on three of them: grey, black and white.

The case itself, is very minimal. It's a light piece of plastic that is made to barely fit over the backside and edges of the device. There are cutouts for the speaker, camera, lock switch, and volume rocker. And that's pretty much it. The plastic has a soft matte finish to it, so it shouldn't be all that slippery. Rearth claims that they've done some super secret grip stuff with "efficiency engineering." I don't know what that means, but I do know that it shapes very well to the Nexus 4 without adding bulk. Overall, I'm a fan of these cases, however, they appear to be working through some issues and are planning to release a "revised" version by December 11. The current version, which happens to be the one I just purchased, doesn't fit flush with the side that has the volume rocker and constantly does this clicking noise. The reviews on Amazon couldn't be clearer that this is a pretty major issue. Hopefully, this gets fixed in the revised version, because this could be the perfect N4 case. Matte, minimal, slim, and clean, all things I look for in a case. Amazon Links: White | Grey | Black | Blue

Gallery

[nggallery id=35]

Android Distribution Numbers Updated for December - Same Gingerbread Story, Just Another Month

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:56:54 +0000

Until Gingerbread falls below 50% on the Android distribution charts, I'm going to continue to use the same post title for these stories over and over again. When did we get Android 2.3? Two years ago? Yep, two years ago, and it's still dominating the Android platform. While Ice Cream Sandwich has slowly climbed to 27.5% after a year, and Jelly Bean to 6.7% after 6 months, it's still a mobile OS that will be prone to criticism over its fractured update system. We still love every ounce of it, but that's the reality of the situation. But anyway, here are the new numbers for December 2012! Via: Android Developers

Rumors: Samsung's "Project J," Galaxy S4, New Note, and a 13.3-inch Tablet

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:39:50 +0000

New rumors out of Korea and obtained by SamMobile, introduce us to Samsung's "Project J," which could be the codename for the new Galaxy S device, along with a new Note, and a big ol' 13.3" tablet. According to this rumor, "Project J" will be introduced in April as the next generation of Galaxy S devices, something we assume means Galaxy S4 (or Galaxy SIV). Their sources had no other details, but that shouldn't surprise anyone that followed the maximum security that surrounded the Galaxy S3. Other than the new Galaxy S phone, these rumors suggest that a new Note-style device will arrive for Europe. It won't have S Pen functionality, and is more of an entry-level device to get users into bigger screens than anything. The S Pen feature set will all be Note exclusives. Last, this rumor suggests that Samsung is interested in building a 13.3" tablet with keyboard dock to take on Asus and their Transformer line. SamMobile's sources wouldn't specify the operating system, so it could be Windows 8 or Android. The Galaxy S3 and Note 2 still seem so fresh in my mind, that it's hard to even start dreaming about what's coming next. Are you ready for Samsung to introduce new devices or are you satisfied with what you've got? Via: SamMobile

Early December Release Set For Nexus 7 Dock From ASUS?

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:03:58 +0000

For a tablet that seems to be selling quite well, we sure haven't seen much of an effort from either Google or ASUS to produce some accessories to go along with the Nexus 7. Every now and then we hear about covers for it, but who cares about that? Finally today, we have some news on an official docking station from ASUS. According to their site, the dock which works with the tablet's pogo pins, will be out in early December. From what we see in the translated listing, it is priced at 3,480 Yen, which according to Google's conversions is about $40. If it does get released for that price, we will quickly award it for being the most reasonably priced accessory ever compared to what Samsung likes to produce. We'll keep you posted on when it's available. Via: ASUS

Zombie Evil for Android: Great Mix of Tower Defense and PvZ-style Strategy

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:09:21 +0000

Last night, while cruising through the up-and-coming games section in the Goole Play store, I noticed a rising entry called Zombie Evil and decided to give it a shot. After playing it for a few minutes, the only things I could think to compare it to were tower defense titles and Plants vs. Zombies. It's a fantastic mix of the two, in that you have waves of bad guys that will overtake you unless you strategy is good enough. As with any zombie game, you are the hero trying to save the rest of the world from a full-on zombie takeover. You sit behind a wall with a handful of guns that you get to unload upon waves of zombies. There are bad bosses, fat zombies that explode, rapid zombie dogs, shotguns, bombs, power-ups, and money. As you advance and get more coinage, you can buy better defenses, new guns, power-ups, etc. It's free, and you can certainly win by being patient. But like most free games with in-app purchases, your life is much easier and the game can be beat much quicker if you fork out some cash. Play Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cVR6U7mzlk[/youtube]

How to: Enable Pinch-to-Zoom in Gmail [Beginners' Guide]

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:42:28 +0000

With Google's update of Gmail today, everyone running Ice Cream Sandwich and above can take advantage of the new pinch-to-zoom and swipe-to-delete features. The feature does not come automatically enabled and must be turned on manually in order to be used, which seemed to confuse a few people who were trying to pinch on every email in their inbox. Don't worry, it's an easy process and we have detailed it below so even our new Android-using readers can take advantage of this.

Enabling Pinch-to-Zoom:

1. Open the Gmail application. 2. Under the Settings menu, select "General settings." 3. Down the page, hit "Auto-fit messages." 4. Back out to your inbox and try it out on an any email. And there you have it! Now go, pinch-to-zoom like a madman!

Editing Swipe-to-Delete Settings:

1. Open the Gmail application. 2. Under the Settings menu, select "General settings." 3. Hit "Swiping conversation list." 4. Select which action you want the app to take when swiping a message. 5. Back out to your Inbox and try it out. And there you have. No more accidentally deleted or archived emails. *The rest of the Android Beginners’ Guide is a one-stop shop for all of those new to Android.

Review: Falcon Pro for Android, the New King of Twitter Apps

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:50:03 +0000

Over the weekend, Falcon Pro, a Twitter client for Android devices, left beta testing and was released to the Google Play store as version 1.0. Initially launching as a widget, there were enough requests to turn it into a full blown app, that the developer obliged. After spending just a couple of days with it, and while exchanging feature requests with the developer, I can easily say that this is my new favorite Twitter app. The best part about Falcon Pro, is the gesture swiping from left to right. With a quick swipe from the left, you can access your timeline, mentions, DMs, favorites, initiate a search, or tweak settings. With a quick swipe from the right, you can access all of your lists, see what's trending on Twitter, and find local hot topics. It's so simple, yet so incredibly polished, that you almost wonder what every other Twitter developer has been doing. It also allows you to view media in your timeline and access a built-in browser so that you don't have to constantly leave and re-enter the app. But beyond all of the features, the app looks fantastic. It's minimal, but incredibly fluid and smooth. It has a big future ahead of it as well, since themes, better notification controls, and standard Twitter functions (Ex: deleting, better conversations, and muting) have yet to be included. For $1.03, you won't find a better deal on an Android app. Play Link ($1.03)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBA4EIUa9Nc[/youtube]

Google Updates Maps API, Allows App Developers to Completely Utilize Software

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:16:46 +0000

Today, Google released an updated Google Maps API, allowing developers to take advantage of the insanely advanced Maps software that Google has slaved over for years. With new access to vector-based imagery, gesture features such as tilt/zoom, and Map layers (traffic, terrain, satellite), apps that use Google Maps just got a whole lot more exciting to use. I myself don't develop, but Google sure does like to make it look easy. Via: Google Lat

Gmail Update Released - Includes Pinch-to-Zoom, Swipe-to-Delete, Improved Attachments, and More

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:16:03 +0000

Google is pushing a Gmail update to the Play store this morning, one that includes all of the goodies found in the Android 4.2 version of the app. Once updated, as long as you are running Android 4.0 or higher, you will be able to pinch-to-zoom in emails, swipe them away to either delete or archive, attach photos and videos from within the app, and preview attachements in a much better way. ~~It's not showing up on our devices, but it may be on yours~~. Got it, go check yours! Play Link To check out all of the new goodies in the 4.2 Gmail, hit up the 8:45 mark of this video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXi4Ep6LZio[/youtube]

Cheers Adam and Roger!

Verizon Rolling Out Jelly Bean Build 9.1.41 to DROID RAZR HD and MAXX HD

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:55:31 +0000

This morning, DROID RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD owners are waking up to Jelly Bean. Verizon has started to push out build number 9.1.41 to devices in batches, as usual. With the update, owners will be able to take advantage of Google Now, enhanced notifications, Project Butter, and an improved keyboard. Beyond that, Verizon and Motorola also improved voice and data connectivity, the user experience in the calendar, and Back Up Assistant. They removed Verizon Video and Color application, but added in the suite of Amazon apps. The update is 276MB in size. Cheers Michael, Carlos, Craig, Jason, and Justin!

Video: Swiftkey Flow Beta in Action

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:35:14 +0000

As we await the launch of the Swiftkey Flow beta, the developers have published a video that makes the wait incredibly worse. The keyboard itself looks great and that light-purple tracer is perfect. As you can see, typing sentences "without lifting a finger" is the way to go. The beta can't come soon enough, right? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA4BqwNGSoc[/youtube] Cheers Adam and aBabyPenguin!

Lonely Tree Live Wallpaper, Because It's That Time of The Year

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:05:51 +0000

Up here in the Northwest, it's getting colder and the nights are getting longer. Not that it isn't like that all year round basically, but at least we have holidays to now look forward to. To celebrate or signify the coming of winter, we wanted to share this live wallpaper called Lonely Tree. What's nice about the Lonely Tree is that the wallpaper is rather easy on the phone's memory and is just soothing to watch. Snow, depending on if you enable it, blows past the tree and it reminds me of a place I would like to be instead of chained to a desk. There is a free version on Google Play and also a pro version that ~~features enhanced customization settings~~. Go check it out and let's have an awesome end of the year. Update: The free version is fully functional, but has a text bar that scrolls down every two minutes that could annoy some people. The paid version gets rid of that. Go grab it! Play Link: Free | Pro [youtube]http://youtu.be/DqjG8oZhJ9w[/youtube] Cheers Jay!

XBMC Beta 2 Released for Android, Xbox 360 Controller Support and Audio Fixes

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 09:30:56 +0000

Late last night, the development team at XBMC released the second beta for their application that brings a lot of bug fixes, and console controller support. For anyone using an Xbox 360, you can now use your controller to control the application, which is sweet. To top it off, they have fixed some audio issues, along with some other bugs that users submitted from the first beta. The download link is below, so try it out and let the team know how it is. Download: xbmc_Frodo-Beta_2 Via: XBMC

Contest: Win a $25 Google Play Gift Card From Droid Life! (Update: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 09:26:55 +0000

If you follow us on Twitter (you are following us, right?), then you already know that we're giving away five (5) $25 Google Play gift cards this week (one per day). Each year, as we approach X-mas, we try to give DL readers an opportunity to win a variety of prizes. For example, we gave away a Tegra 2 device a day for two weeks, last year. And while there may be something similar happening again this year, for now, we're talking gift cards. Five of 'em. $25 each. One per day. To spend as you please in the Google Play store. Ready to try and win the first one?

Contest

Update: We have our winner! Congratulations to Skipregan who will buy "apps, apps, and more apps!" Prize: 1 (one) Google Play gift card worth $25. How to enter: 1. ~~Subscribe to our YouTube channel.~~ ~~2. Follow us on Google+.~~ ~~3. In the comments, tell us the first apps you would spend this $25 gift card on.~~ Winner: Today, at 4PM Pacific, we will choose the winner randomly from the comments. *Contest is for U.S. addresses only.

Google Employee Draws Android Evolution Cartoon, Includes Key Lime Pie

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:19:20 +0000

Manu Cornet, a Googler and cartoonist, drew the picture above on November 30, a representation of the evolution of Android. The drawing starts with Cupcake, moves onto Donut then Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich,and Jelly Bean. It's cute, right? Check out the last drawing. That looks to me like Bugdroid eating a slice of Key Lime Pie, the oft-rumored name of the next version of Android. Is this a confirmation of the name? Might be. Might not be, either. But since it's from a Google employee, we certainly thought it was worth sharing. Via: +Manu Cornet | Phandroid

No Verizon, the DROID DNA Doesn't Have On-screen Navigation Keys

Kellen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 07:58:06 +0000

A little over a year ago, when Google introduced the Galaxy Nexus, we thought the days of hardware navigation buttons were limited. Google was pushing for them to be on-screen, even suggesting app style guidelines that would work best with the flexibility that comes with them. But as devices were released month after month throughout 2012, we quickly realized that hardware buttons were here to stay. HTC, trying to at least be somewhat with the times, gave us three hardware buttons that mimicked the on-screen versions from Google - back, home, and task switcher. The terrible Photoshop job in the image above is the ultimate representation of this. Found on Verizon's DROID DNA site, Big Red is trying to highlight Google Now, a Jelly Bean feature that we can't get enough of. Unfortunately, for this graphic artist, even the not-so-tech-savvy individual should realize that there is something wrong here. To add insult to injury, on the 4G LTE page for the device, Verizon is trying to show the incredible data speeds of the DNA through a speed test. The problem here, is that 0.49Mbps is something your 1998 dial-up connection could probably produce. Silly.

Add them both to the list of Photoshop failings. Via: Verizon Cheers John!

How to: Enable "Blocking Mode" on Verizon's Galaxy Note 2

Kellen — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:29:28 +0000

We're not exactly sure why, but "Blocking Mode" on the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is missing. For those not familiar, Blocking Mode allows you to set your phone to block calls, notifications, an alarm or the LED light during a certain period of time. You can also set it to allow certain contacts to ring through, though, in case you are worried about missing an emergency call or something of that nature. It's a fantastic feature that I believe Samsung started including in TouchWiz with Jelly Bean. Why it's blocked from showing as an available option on this version of the Note 2 is quite the mystery. Thankfully, it hasn't been fully removed and is just hidden, which means we can access it through a work-around. Using the app QuickShortcutMaker, you can search for "blocking mode" and then create a shortcut on your home screen that will give you never-ending access to Blocking Mode. As you can see in the screenshot above, it even works just as you would expect it to.

Instructions:

1. Download QuickShortcutMaker from the Play store. [Play Link] 2. Open the app and search for "blocking mode." 3. Two results should pop up, tap on the first one. 4. On the next screen, name the shortcut and then tap "OK." 5. You will now have a shortcut to Blocking Mode on one of your home screens. 6. Tap the shortcut to open up the Blocking Mode menu. Via: XDA Cheers bsweetness and Thomas!

Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 has Been Rooted.

Kellen — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:05:00 +0000

And just like that, the Verizon version of the Galaxy Note 2 has been rooted. The process doesn't look all that painful. Basically, you download Odin, some drivers, and a rooted Odin VRLAJB file to be flashed. It's all of 10 steps, most of which are basic Odin and driver instructions. No custom recovery is available, to my knowledge, but that will likely change. Hit up the source link below to get the step-by-step guide and files. Via: XDA Cheers PouxOnU, Adam and Brian!

Spigen's Note 2 Aluminum Home Button Covers Should Take Care of That Verizon Logo

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:04:43 +0000

Thanks to our friends at Spigen SGP, that Verizon-branded home button on your new Samsung Galaxy Note 2 can look pretty and logo-less in no time. Made from 100% aluminum, with diamond cut edges and a laser marked design, a 3-pack (silver, black, and pink) of Spigen's home button replacements can be yours for $9.99 (Amazon has free shipping too). They should be easy to apply or remove, so what are you waiting for? Links: Amazon | Spigen site Cheers Kobalt!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 11/30/2012

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 15:42:34 +0000

Another week is in the books! We managed to make it through episode 7 of The Droid Life show, probably our best show to date. I complained a whole heck of a lot about a bunch things, including the Galaxy Nexus update situation, the glass back of the Nexus 4, and the ordering process for it once it went back on sale. Other than that, the DNA is getting great reviews from readers, the Note 2 is finally on Verizon, and and our coverage of both has been non-stop. Hit up our recap of this week's best below, so that you don't miss anything.

Enjoy the weekend, always have a sober chauffeur, and try to break a sweat at least once.

Samsung: Gmail and YouTube Headed to Verizon Note 2 Multi-window Feature Soon

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:52:50 +0000

If you were as disappointed as I was to learn that the multi-window feature on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 from Verizon was limited to only a handful of select apps, then maybe this news will cheer you up. One of our readers hit up Samsung's official support account on Twitter, asking why YouTube and Gmail were not yet available while using multi-window. Samsung Support's answer - "That feature will be available soon." It's tough to tell if this was simply a quick response to the "When is multi-window coming to my device?" question that we are sure they get asked numerous times throughout the day or if they actually are going to bring in additional app support down the road. It would make sense for them to fully open it up to app developers. How much better would it be if you could use Chrome, YouTube, Gmail, and a favorite Twitter app at the same time? On a related note (pictured below), Total Commander works flawlessly with multi-window. Once downloaded from the Play store, it automatically appears in the list of apps for use with multi-window. Does this mean that app developers can build in support without approval from Samsung? I'll have to let developers answer that question. In the mean time, feel free to share any other apps that you find to work with multi-window.

Via: @SamsungSupport Cheers Jess and Trey!

Display Comparison: HTC DROID DNA vs. Galaxy Note 2

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:20:06 +0000

(Full version)

After comparing the DROID DNA's 1080p display to the Nexus 4 and Galaxy S3, we had a number of readers ask that we do the same with the Galaxy Note 2. Well, here you go. Pixels, pixels, and more pixels. In case you were wondering, the Note 2 is no longer considered to be "PenTile," something we we couldn't be happier about. Then again, the PenTile arrangement on the Galaxy S3 is not necessarily noticeable except under a macro lens, thanks to the high pixel count. At this point in the game, displays are so good, that you could throw almost any display tech at us and we'd probably be satisfied. Times are good. Oh, and ignore the white splotch on the icon of the DNA. I thought I had a dead pixel, but it seems to have fixed itself and I cannot reproduce that spot any longer. Could have been dust for all I know.

16GB Nexus 4 Now Shipping in 6-7 Weeks or Not Until 2013

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:11:11 +0000

The amount of time before new orders for the 16GB version of the Nexus 4 will be fulfilled is increasing rapidly. After going back up for sale on Tuesday, the estimated ship date had gone from "1-2 weeks" to "3-4" weeks in a matter of hours. By the following morning, it had jumped again to "4-5 weeks." Here we are two days later, and the new estimated ship date for the 16GB version sits at 6-7 weeks. So if you planned to purchase a Nexus 4 at either 8GB or 16GB, you won't see it until 2013. Via: Google Play Cheers Kevin!

Video: Overview of Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 - Multi-window, All Those Logos, and More

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:59:47 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has been one of the most anticipated devices to come to Verizon in some time. I would almost argue that a device hasn't had this many DL readers excited since the Galaxy Nexus launched a year ago. Sure, we've seen the DNA and RAZR HD hit store shelves, but after Big Red passed on the original Note, this latest version was in the sights of many at an early stage. With device in hand, we thought we'd do a quick tour of some of the differences between this version and the T-Mobile version that we reviewed a few weeks ago. Most notably is the multi-window feature that Samsung teased a while back, a feature that allows you to run two apps at the same time, adjust the screen areas taken up by each, and accomplish tasks much faster. There are also some cosmetic changes, including the branding of the home button (yikes). We cover it all in the video below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQDDCfh0LnU[/youtube]

Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 Sort of has Swiftkey Flow, But Not the Cool New Beta Version

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:30:32 +0000

As the Verizon version of the Galaxy Note 2 started to arrive in customers hands this week, many were quick to point out the fact that "Swiftkey Flow" was listed in the keyboard settings. As we wrote earlier, Flow is the newest keyboard from Swiftkey that will enter beta testing in the very near future. It's very much like the new Android 4.2 keyboard, which has gesture typing that predicts in real-time. With the 4.2 keyboard, and the beta version of Swiftkey Flow, both change the predicted word as you swipe between letters. It's very cool. The version of Flow on the Note 2 is not even close to being the same. Sure, it allows you to swipe between words, just like Swype has done in the past. However, it does not predict in real-time, but instead offers suggestions after you have fully swiped a word. It works, but the new beta version is what you should all be excited about. We have two videos below to show you the difference.

Version of Swiftkey Flow on the Galaxy Note 2:

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

New Beta version with real-time prediction (jump to 30 second mark):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA5Horw_SOE[/youtube]

"Frankie Frost" Special Edition Android Collectible Available Next Thursday

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:45:44 +0000

Set your alarms, mark your calendars, and get your shelves cleared - a new special edition Android collectible is on the way. "Frankie Frost" is his name, a creation by Scott Tolleson. Since it's starting to get mighty brisk outside, a winter edition seems fitting. Frankie will go on sale next Thursday through the Dyzplastic store starting at 11AM (EST) on Thursday, December 6th and again that evening at 11PM (EST) for $10. There is a limit of 2 per customer. To get the full 360-degree experience, jump below. Via: Dyzplastic Cheers Patrick!

Quick Look: Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:31:20 +0000

The Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is finally in our hands, but before we get into some of the specific features on this that were missing from our T-Mobile version, we thought we'd share a quick gallery. We have the grey version, which as expected, has a "Verizon" branded home button, along with massive 4G LTE and Verizon logos on the back. It's still a Note 2, but there seem to be a few surprises up its sleeve. We'll show you Swiftkey's new Flow keyboard in a second, the impressive Multi-window feature, and ask why Verizon continues to force that ridiculous WiFi-notification on us.

Gallery

[nggallery id=34]

Swiftkey Flow Beta Invites Near, Time to Get Ready

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:20:42 +0000

Swiftkey Flow, a new gesture-inspired typing experience, will go into beta testing very soon. The Swiftkey team sent out reminder emails moments ago, telling you to get ready for the invite to test their "best keyboard yet." As long as you are a part of their VIP forums and have "feedback@swiftkey.net" in your contacts to prevent it from going into spam, you should have received this email, but should also be in line to receive an invite to the beta as soon as it's released. First teased back in October as the newest upgrade to the one of the better Android keyboards on the planet, we couldn't help but get excited over the thought of Swiftkey getting even better. The technology is already built into the Galaxy Note 2 (well, sort of), something we'll show you in a moment. Until then, check out the promo video below to get a feel for the new keyboard.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA5Horw_SOE[/youtube]

HTCdev Posts DROID DNA's Source Code, Lets Devs Tinker With the Phone's... DNA

Eric — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:50:06 +0000

Even though it might take a workaround to unlock the bootloader on the DROID DNA, HTC has taken to their developer portal to publish the source code for the device. This is only big news to a select few of our readers, but those developers take this information and make their custom ROMs that more awesome. If you're looking to poke through the DNA's source code hit the source link below and get to developing.

Via: HTCdev

Mugen Wants to Turn Your Galaxy Note 2 Into a 6,400mAh Monster, Do You Need All That Battery Life? (Updated)

Eric — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:20:31 +0000

Sometimes you just got to have long battery life on your device, no matter what the cost. For uber power users of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Mugen has a battery that will keep you going for days on end. Their new battery clocks in at 6,400mAh, which is almost double the RAZR MAXX's 3,300mAh battery.

It may look ridiculous, but Mugen is promising double the battery life of the stock battery and even that is probably a conservative projection. All this juice doesn't come cheap though, the regular price of this monster is $105, but is on a deal of sorts for early adopters. Hit the source link below if you're ready to carry this battery around in your pocket.

Update: Reader Steve sent over a link to a Hyperion 6200mAh extended battery for the Note 2 that runs only $14.99 or $19.99 through Amazon. It sort of seems too good to be true to me, but others have had great luck with Hyperion batteries for other devices. There are versions that come with either a grey or white back, so you can match the color of your device. It doesn't necessarily say that it is NFC-ready, but other batteries of theirs are. At that price, why not give it a shot?

Amazon Links: Grey 6200mAh battery ($14.99) | White 6200mAh battery ($19.99 w/ Prime shipping)

Via: Mugen | Yahoo

Cheers Doug!

Apple Running Out of iPhone 5 Features, Sells Noise Canceling Mic in Newest Ad

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:55:23 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qBaTYNKluM[/youtube]

I thought this was one of those Apple spoof commercials...it's not. Cheers D.Dot!

Samsung Galaxy Camera With Verizon 4G LTE Pops Up at FCC

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:24:44 +0000

Outside of the high price, one of the initial complaints about the Samsung Galaxy Camera was its lack of LTE connectivity. The only available version of the device is capable of connecting to AT&T's network at HSPA+, but being that it's a time when all anyone can think about is Long Term Evolution, you can understand that some would hold out for a different version. And that different version appears to be on the way, potentially headed to Verizon with LTE along for the ride. A Samsung Galaxy Camera with model number EK-GC120 cruised through the FCC this week, all equipped to run on Verizon's 700MHz LTE spectrum. With the HSPA+ version dropping in at $499, any guesses on what the LTE version will run?

Via: FCC | Engadget Cheers Scott!

Verizon Approves Jelly Bean Update for DROID RAZR HD and MAXX HD as Build 9.1.41

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:44:52 +0000

The Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update for the DROID RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD has been approved by Verizon as build 9.1.41. With a soak test scheduled to start any day now, we can't imagine that the rollout of the update to all owners of the device will be far behind. As expected, the update includes all of the new Jelly Bean goodies like Google Now, better notifications, an improved keyboard, better Voice Search, Project Butter, and more. Beyond that, Verizon and Motorola also improved voice and data connectivity, the user experience in the calendar, and Back Up Assistant (ugh). They removed Verizon Video and Color application, but added in the suite of Amazon apps. Update: Verizon has announced the update, confirming that it starts next week "in phases." The update is 276MB in size.

More info.

Video: David Beckham Denies iPhone at Press Conference Because "It's Not a Samsung"

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:32:06 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2zFS4jJFcs[/youtube]

In a press conference, just two days before the MLS Cup, David Beckham was addressing the media when an iPhone on the press table rang. The phone clearly belonged to a media member, as you can see the variety of devices laid out on the table to record the conversation. Beckham made a crack at the vibrating phone, asking the crowd if he should answer it. But like the good spokesperson he is, took a moment to plug his sponsor, saying, "It's not a Samsung, sorry, I can't." As you may recall, Beckham was a part of one of Samsung's commercials for the Olympics and Galaxy Note that went viral. In the spot, he kicks soccer balls into a wall of drums to play out Beethoven's Ode To Joy. Well played, sir.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX6CFJNF1FI[/youtube]

Cheers @razinlightyear!

Quick Tip: Accessing Google Now on the HTC DROID DNA

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:14:10 +0000

Since the HTC DROID DNA doesn't have an on-screen Home button that can be swiped up to access Google Now, we wanted to make sure that you knew the easiest way to access it. It's simple, really. All you need to do is long-press on the hardware Home button and, bam! There doesn't appear to be a way to access it from the lock screen, which is unfortunate, but this trick works from anywhere else on the phone. Enjoy!

Clock Plus Brings Much Needed Features to Android 4.2 DayDream

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:29:14 +0000

When Google introduced Android 4.2, one of the features that seems to have been overlooked a bit, is DayDream. For those not familiar, think of DayDream as Google's attempt at a more robust docking station app. If setup properly, you can have your phone or tablet automatically display a clock, secret BeanFlinger screen, Google Currents, or photos upon docking. The clock, for whatever reason, is a bit lacking, though. Enter Clock Plus. In Clock Plus, a free app on Google Play, you can have the clock display an icon for missed calls, unread texts, new Gmail emails, and your next scheduled alarm. While these are simple additions, they are greatly welcomed. Also, since DayDream is an Android 4.2-only feature, Clock Plus is an option for those not running the newest version of Android. If you are running Android 4.0+, you can install this app and use it as a clock replacement. Play Link Cheers Martin!

Microsoft's Xbox SmartGlass Updated, Includes 7" Tablet Support

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:05:53 +0000

Moments ago, Microsoft pushed an update out to the Xbox SmartGlass app that allows for use on 7" tablets now, namely the Nexus 7. As far as other features, there are none to mention. There were some bugs fixed, which is never a bad thing. If you're an avid Xbox user and aren't checking out SmartGlass, you're doing it wrong. Go check it out! Play Link

VoLTE Could Slash Smartphone Battery Life by 50%?

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:41:32 +0000

According to a recent study, a test of battery life between 3G (CDMA) and VoLTE showed a 50% reduction when placing calls over LTE only. The test apparently took place over an unnamed U.S. operator's network in two major markets using a smartphone that was capable of making both VoLTE and CDMA calls. We do not know the specific device, only that it was using a fully charged 1540mAh battery. During the test, the device lasted 252 minutes over VoLTE and 503 minutes on CDMA. It's tough to say why the drain happened so quickly, but the author of this study tossed out the idea that when using VoLTE only, you are only using the LTE chip, which could result in a larger drain. I don't know that I necessarily buy into that idea, since we spent the first year of LTE complaining about dual-radios and the fact that a device's battery was horrible because it had to power both an LTE and CDMA radio simultaneously. One thing I think we should keep in mind, is the fact that VoLTE on Verizon is just now going into major testing, if you could call it that. By the time we get close to launch, which could be towards the end of 2013, I would imagine that devices will be built with VoLTE in mind and with a focus on battery life. Since we don't know who the carrier was or which device was being used, I wouldn't call these tests definitive by any means. Still, something to think about. Via: Fierce Wireless | BGR

How to: Disable Android Application Notifications [Beginners' Guide]

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:20:54 +0000

We have received a few requests to create a post explaining how to disable a certain application's notifications. Lately, some apps that are downloaded from Google Play utilize a certain type of advertisement that appears in our notification bar. For some, this is inexcusable and is a complete eye sore. Like them, I feel the same way. Down below we go over just how to get rid of those pesky notifications. Above I have used the Google Play Music application strictly as an example of how to complete this task. Applications that you will want to more than likely do this with are apps that use notification advertisements or things of that nature. Whatever the app is, this is how to do it.

Note: The ability to disable an app's notifications is only for devices currently running Android 4.1+ Jelly Bean.

Instructions:

1. Pull down the notification bar. 2. Long press the notification until a box appears. 3. Hit the box that says, "App Info." 4. Uncheck the box for "Show Notifications." 5. You can re-enable notifications by re-checking the box.

Alternate:

1. Open your Settings menu from the homescreen. 2. Under "Device" head to "Manage Apps." 3. From here, you can manage any app's notifications without the first set of instructions. And there you go! No more pesky notifications. *The rest of the Android Beginners’ Guide is a one-stop shop for all of those new to Android.

easyMute for Android Means No More Hassles When Pausing Tracks

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:45:20 +0000

Sometimes when you're listening to your music, there comes a time when you need it be paused or the volume lowered very fast. Other times, when you're on your lockscreen and the music controls don't pop up, you have to unlock the device and then go to the music app and mess with all of that. Instead, check out easyMute. It's free in Google Play and works like a dream. After enabling the app, it uses the proximity sensor on the front of your phone to see if you need your music to shut up or not. You can set it to just lower the volume or turn it off completely. When lowering the volume, it works really neatly. Hold your hand over the phone and it quiets it down, then as soon as you lift your hand, it's back to blasting. It's pretty cool and might even impress some people. That's what we're here for, right? Play Link Cheers Joel!

Verizon's Galaxy Nexus is Now 3 Updates Behind Other Nexus Devices

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:06:53 +0000

If you were looking for one reason why the new Nexus 4 is not tied to a carrier, look no further than the Galaxy Nexus that is available at Verizon. The device, which carries the "Nexus" name, is now three updates behind the rest of the Nexus family of devices, something I don't know that anyone could have imagined or predicted when it was first released almost a year ago. I don't necessarily think we need to question whether or not this is a true Nexus, but I think now more than ever, it's safe to say that the carrier approval process when it comes to updates, is about as broken as it gets. On June 27 of this year, at Google I/O, Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) was announced to the world. By July 9, it was headed to AOSP, followed by a rollout to the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus the next day. Before July was over, the XOOM WiFi received the update, along with a couple of minor updates to the Nexus 7, which was running Android 4.1 out of the box. An entire month then went by before we saw the first Galaxy Nexus LTE leak of Jelly Bean, a build that would eventually become the official build. That was on October 28. On September 21, Verizon approved Jelly Bean for the G-Nex as build JRO03O, almost three months after Google had announced it and more than two months since the non-carrier Nexus devices received it. It's now November 29, and we have seen Android 4.1.2 come and go to all non-carrier Nexus devices, along with the announcement and release of the newest version of Jelly Bean, Android 4.2, which was then followed by a minor update to Android 4.2.1. I know you can count, but again, that's three updates since Verizon's Galaxy Nexus received Android 4.1.1. There have been no leaks of any new builds, and at this point, we have no idea if or when the phone will see any of them. I'm sure that it will, because it's a Nexus, it's only a year old, and we know it can run the newest software, but since we have to wait for carrier approval, it could be a while. Actually, it has already been a while. Speaking of carrier approval, this is a brief history of how the update process works. Step 1, Google updates Android and sends a build to Verizon for approval. Step 2, Verizon puts it in their long list of updates to approve for a variety of devices. There is no special treatment, just because it's a Nexus. Step 3, Verizon's testing team either approves or denies the update. If approved, they give Google the thumbs-up to make it available to your phone. If it's denied, it goes back to Google for fixing and we do it all over again. You can see how this process can take a while. With non-carrier Nexus devices, Google approves the software, and then makes it available to your device. That's it. Two steps. There is no middle man, hence the beauty of a non-carrier Nexus. I called the process "broken" up above, but I'm afraid it's much worse than that. Thankfully, it's a Nexus, so you can still get the newest build of Android at almost any time, as long as you are down to tinker.

Consumer Reports Puts Verizon in First Place, AT&T Bringing Up The Rear

Eric — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:17:00 +0000

The latest Consumer Reports are out and as far as mobile networks go, Verizon is rated in front of the rest of the pack. Verizon scored near the top for voice and data quality which is to be expected with Verizon's ~~mostly~~ reliable network. The Reports also gave Verizon props "for support attributes like staff knowledge and resolution of issues." Verizon didn't win every category though.

Interestingly enough, AT&T was rated as having the best LTE network, with their customers reporting the least amount of problems. Other than that though, AT&T didn't score well. AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile all had low scores in text and voice quality, but AT&T was the unfortunate loser in this race.

From reading the comments that you guys post daily, things might be a little different in future Consumer Reports when other carriers catch up to Verizon in LTE coverage. Do you think they are the best out of the four wireless carriers?

Via: Gizmodo

Samsung Sets Drinking Curfew at 9 PM for Korean Workers to Battle Drinking Habits

Eric — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:53:38 +0000

Enjoying a drink with your coworkers every now and then might be a casual thing here in the States, but over in Korea the practice is a little more culturally ingrained. Hoesik, which means 'staff dinner', is a regular occurrence that involves a fair amount of drinking, but Samsung is looking to make things a little bit stricter. Samsung says that the staff dinners were not excessive, but they have implemented a new rule that restricts their employees from having any of these dinners anytime after 9 pm.

This new rule also says that you can only have one type of alcohol, to prevent employees from mixing crazy shots and regretting it the next morning. Certainly an interesting set of rules, but in the name of professionalism it makes sense. Hopefully this will make a change for the better that Samsung is hoping for.

Would you apply for a job that limited when you could drink?

Via: WSJ

Android 4.2.1 JOP40D Factory Images and Binaries Released for Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:08:29 +0000

Google just posted the factory images and binaries for Android 4.2.1 "JOP40D" for the Nexus family of devices. If you own or are going to be the owner of one of these devices, you will want to download these files and store in a safe place. You never know when you may need to restore your device to 100% stock after tinkering for too long. We have generic instructions for flashing factory image files here.

Download Images | Download Binaries

Via: Google

Location Spoofer Helps Cave Trolls Play Ingress From the Comfort of Home (Update)

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:18:31 +0000

After admitting that I was a self-proclaimed cave troll on last night's Droid Life Show, a reader sent in a tip that will help me and others like me to play Google's Ingress game that relies on actually leaving the house and walking around. The app is called Location Spoofer, which will trick apps and the device into thinking you're in whatever spot you want to be. Smart, right? Update: Google hates cave trolls. Mock locations are not allowed when using Ingress. Sorry! Play Link Cheers Jon and Just_Reboot!

Review: Eye in Sky Weather for Android

Ron — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:20:10 +0000

Last night on the DL Show I mentioned a weather app called Eye in Sky Weather. Read on to see what makes this app good enough to be on two of my home screens.

Eye in the Sky Weather (ESW) doesn't have any standout features that you haven't seen in a weather app before, but it does combine a lot of them into a beautiful, holo-themed package. For instance, ESW has the option for a persistent weather notification. When your notification shade is retracted you will see the current temperature in your notification bar in a brightened holo blue, but upon opening your notification shade you'll see the temperature, weather conditions, cloud conditions, and how it feels outside next to a customizable icon that represents current conditions.

When you open the app itself you'll see the same information you found in the notification shade, but larger and including wind and humidity conditions. At the bottom of the main screen you'll see a truncated forecast for the current day and the three following with high and low temperature and a a summary of weather conditions for that day (for example, I can expect some sprinkling on Saturday morning and some rain Sunday evening). A swipe to the right shows me the 48 hour forecast. The 48 Hours tab shows what to expect over the next two days in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night in terms of temperature, cloud coverage, and precipitation.

A swipe to the left from the main screen shows the next two weeks of weather. This is an example of a way in which the app shines. A lot of apps show the next few days or the next week, byt ESW shows the next two weeks so you can really plan ahead if you need to. Obviously the further you look into the future the less accurate the weather information is, but if you're planning a vacation for two weeks and you want to have an educated guess, this app gives it to you. The 15 day (it includes the current day) tab shows the highs and lows for each day as well as the chance of rain.

What Android app would be complete without a little bit of customization options? Eye in the Sky Weather doesn't leave you hanging. Aside from the option to add as many cities as you want to toggle between, ESW lets you choose between Fahrenheit and Celsius for temperature, kilometers per hour, miles per hour, meters per second, and knots for wind speed, and centimeters, millimeters, and inches for rain or snow measurement. ESW also has twelve different icon sets that you can choose between for in the app, on a widget, and in your notification bar (yes, you can have three different icon sets for each item). The twelve icon sets mostly follow a metro or holo like design language with some coming in monochrome, some in light colors, some in more descriptive colors, and one (realistic) in extreme color and detail. Every icon set looks great and scales well across the different sizes.

ESW comes with four different widget options. The first is Cities, seen above, which shows you the weather for the next few days in every city you have added to the map. To toggle between cities, simply press the arrow button on either side of the widget. Next is Forecast, which is a 4x1 widget showing the forecast for the next five days. The icon widget does what every iPhone owner wishes their weather app could do - show the current temperature and conditions in the icon for the app. Finally, Temperature is an icon sized circle that simply tells you the current temperature. All of these widgets come with optional refresh and edit buttons on the widget, text color options, background color options (including transparency), and location options. Eye in the Sky Weather has taken over my homescreen. It is my app of choice for accurate weather information not only because it gives me everything I need in a weather app, but because the design is beautiful and customizable to my liking. Android has a history of having apps that are great at giving you information, but lacking in the design department. Eye in the Sky Weather gives accurate information in a gorgeous package. Instead of making all of the design choices for you, the developer, Tim Clark, provides beautiful icon choices to let you have the look that you want. Eye in the Sky Weather is a free, ad-supported app in the Google Play Store. For $1.91 you can remove the ads. The app is universal so it will work on both phones and tablets and Clark promises a 7-inch version is coming soon. Download Eye in the Sky Weather here.

SEGA Classic Jet Set Radio Hits Android, $5 Through Google Play

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:50:42 +0000

All the way back in July, SEGA poked at us, getting us all excited that Android would see the release of Jet Set Radio sometime this summer. Sure, it's practically December now, but we still love you, SEGA. Starting this morning, you can go pick up the Dreamcast classic for $5 through Google Play and re-live all of the spray-can fun. SEGA has put in the time to make the game fun to play on mobile phones and have added some swiping features, as well as putting in that same funky soundtrack to skate to. Excuse me while I excuse myself for the remainder of the day. Play Link ($4.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/ih2BoI0BH_Q[/youtube] Cheers Adam!

Predators On Sale For $0.99 Through Google Play, Austrian Oak Approved

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:37:56 +0000

This isn't the first time we have brought up Predators, because frankly, it's a total blast. For a limited time, the game is on sale through Google Play for only a dollar, instead of the usual $2. At this price, it's a steal. What makes the game intriguing is that you don't play as humans trying to escape or defend themselves. Instead, you play as the galaxy's ultimate hunter (sorry, Governator), slaying prey and collecting trophies. Now, get to the choppa!! Play Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/4KDfDFq7F9o[/youtube] Cheers Mr. E!

Hoth Update Now Live for Angry Birds Star Wars

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:17:39 +0000

The update for Angry Birds Star Wars that introduces the Hoth episode is now live on Google Play. It's filled with 4-legged walkers (AT-AT), ice, 20 new levels, and the pink Princess Leia bird. I hate to keep admitting this, but this is by far the best Angry Birds yet. For those with a DROID DNA, the game still does not work even after this update. Play Links: Free | HD ($2.99) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_t_PAs9eh0[/youtube]

Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 is Now Available for $299

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:41:07 +0000

If you managed to wait all this time to get a hold of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on Verizon, and also didn't feel like pre-ordering, then today is your day. The device can be purchased in-store or online for $299 on new 2-year contract in grey or white. If giving up that precious unlimited data doesn't sound appealing, then you'll have to fork out $700 to buy it off contract. We reviewed the T-Mobile version of the Note 2 a few weeks ago, with the only difference being LTE. Both Tim and I were very impressed by its power, speed, display, and software suite. Unfortunately for us, the size was a bit much. If you are on the fence about this phone, the only thing you need to do now is head into a store and get your little paws all over it to decide whether or not you can overcome its heft. Buy.

Four Day Holiday

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:40:30 +0000

Welcome to The Droid Life Show episode 7! The DL crew is back after taking a much needed 4-day holiday to talk to you about all things Android. On tap for tonight we have more Nexus 4 topics, new thoughts on the DROID DNA, excitement over the Note 2 finally launching on Verizon, our favorite apps, an update on my week with Windows Phone 8, and more. It should be as good as ever, now that we have a number of shows under our belts. The show will be broadcast live at 6:00PM Pacific.

The Droid Life Show is Live Tonight at 6PM Pacific!

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:11:37 +0000

After a long holiday weekend away, we are back once again with a new episode of The Droid Life Show. Episode 7 will go live tonight at 6:00PM Pacific, so be sure to swing on back by and join in on the fun. We'll be talking about the interesting Nexus 4 sale that went on yesterday in Google Play, battery life with the DNA, see how excited everyone is over the Galaxy Note 2 finally coming to Verizon, Android 4.2.1 updates, and more. Even with a short week, last week, we have a full show ahead of us. Again, we'll be live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). There will be a live video embed and chat. To catch last week's Episode 6 or to download audio, hit up this post.

Amazon Appstore Updated - Fixes Crazy Battery Drain Bug and Updated UI

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:53:59 +0000

Today, an update went out for the Amazon Appstore that might even get me to start using it again. Not likely, but I digress. Inside the update, you will find a newly re-done UI, which they just re-did a little while ago, and a ton of bug fixes which have been the main reason for my distancing. For some time, the Amazon app was a huge drainer of my battery and after a few days of that frustration I just uninstalled. It seems that Amazon has finally fixed the issue. There is also the ability to now remove apps from the My Apps list which was becoming exponential in size and very difficult to scroll though. With all of this, I may just leave it on my phone now and try to start using it for free apps or something. Also, if you happen to live in Japan, you can use the app now too. If you haven't tried out Amazon's Appstore yet or want to give it another go, you can download it from here. Cheers Chris and Michael!

That New Square-like Box in Your Notification Bar is the NFC Icon

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:07:00 +0000

NFC chips are pretty standard these days in smartphones, unless you own a device that begins with a lowercase "i." As far as we are concerned, NFC is the future of sharing and mobile payments, two things we care deeply about as mobile enthusiasts. For the most part, phones come with NFC disabled until you head into Settings>Wireless & networks and check the box to enable it. This is probably the proper move while the world gets used to the thought of tapping to share information, especially since once enabled, there isn't a way for you to tell if it remains active or not, unless you head back into settings. Well, until now. On at least two phones that I have used over the past couple of months, a new square-like boxy icon has appeared in the notification bar once I enable NFC. On both the LG Optimus G (2:55 mark of this video) and the HTC DROID DNA, this icon has appeared. It makes some sense that a new icon would constantly show that NFC is enabled, similarly to what we see with a data/WiFi connection, airplane mode, or pending alarm. The interesting thing here, is the fact that the icon was identical on phones from two different manufacturers (LG and HTC). We aren't sure if this is the new standard NFC icon handed down by some stuffy NFC governing body (Update: appears to be the official logo), ~~if OEMs are mysteriously trying to work together, or if the carriers are involved~~. No matter what, it appears to be here for good and we wanted to make sure you were aware of it. I do wish it was a bit smaller, though.

Chrome for Android Updated - Full of Interesting Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:21:07 +0000

If you do your mobile browsing with Chrome, go hop onto Google Play and pick up the newest update that just went live. Inside, you'll find a mess of bug fixes and stability improvements that undoubtedly made it an even cooler browsing experience. You know what Chrome is good for? Watching tonight's Droid Life Show. Play Link Cheers Adam!

HTC Hires New Chief Marketing Officer, Benjamin Ho to Launch "Marketing 2.0"

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:15:20 +0000

In an attempt to turn that marketing frown upside down, HTC has hired a new marketing director Benjamin Ho, while the previous director will head over to the sales strategy sector. Benjamin's previous employer was a telecom operator from Taiwan called Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. As for what "Marketing 2.0" could mean in terms of HTC and Android, we have yet to find out. In interviews with HTC's execs, it was stated that the company plans to focus heavily on brand recognition and the role it plays in a consumer's purchasing decisions. Best of luck to you, Mr. Ho. Via: HTC

Display Comparison: HTC DROID DNA vs. Nexus 4 vs. Galaxy S3

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:43:19 +0000

A long time ago, in our reviews, we started posting up comparison macro pictures of icons from two different devices. It wasn't always to show which device reigned supreme, but more of a way to show off the different display techs being used, how far the technology has come over the years, and how many pixels display manufacturers were beginning to pack inside. When the HTC DROID DNA was announced with its 1080p display and 440ppi, blowing all previous displays out of the water, we couldn't wait go get it in our possession so that we could finally go up-close-and-personal with those 5-inches of glory. Below, we took the 3 hottest phones on the planet right now (Galaxy S3, Nexus 4, and DNA), zoomed in, snapped, and put together this comparison of the Gmail icon from each phone. Since each device uses a different different display, you'll notice the differences almost immediately. The HTC DROID DNA sports a 5" Super LCD 3 (1920x1080 at 440ppi). The LG Nexus 4 sports a 4.7" True HD IPS LCD (1280x768 at 320ppi). The Samsung Galaxy S3 sports a 4.8" HD Super AMOLED (1280x720 at 306ppi). To the naked eye, all of these displays look great. But man, under a macro lens, how can you not be impressed by the DNA?

Full Version Click Here

Quick Look: XGEAR Tempered Glass Protector "Phantasm" for Nexus 7

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:13:57 +0000

Tempered glass screen protectors are all the rage these days. With displays becoming bigger and more beautiful, the last thing you want to see is a big scratch across one. The folks at XGEAR understand this and are leading the charge for tempered glass, having produced protectors for both the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Nexus. Their newest product brings that same level of 8H hardness, oil-resistant coating, beveled edges, and .4mm thickness to the beloved Nexus 7. This new glass protector is called Phantasm and retails for $69.99. If you are a DL reader, you can save $10 off of that price by using the coupon code "DLNEX7" at checkout for the next 2 days. That code expires on ~~December 1~~. Update: XGEAR was kind enough to extend this coupon code to December 9. I've only just applied the Phantasm, but so far, have not noticed a change in screen sensitivity on my Nexus 7. The display still looks beautiful, I can barely notice that it has even been applied thanks to the slightly recessed screen, and the viewing angles seem to be just as good. While I'll refrain from dropping the device, just to test the screen, there are countless videos on YouTube that show off the extra protection provided by tempered glass. Buy. (Use coupon code: DLNEX7)

Gallery

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Incentive Targeting is the Latest Company Acquired By Google, Specializes in Deals

Eric — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:48:57 +0000

Another day, another company acquired by Google for the greater good. A company named Incentive Targeting took to their website today to announce that Google has officially acquired them and that the two will begin working together soon. Incentive Targeting is a company that specializes in making retail couponing "simple, relevant, measurable, and effective" and says that is what Google has done for the web.

This is another sign that Google is getting serious with their Shopping, Deals and Wallet divisions. This acquisition will no doubt give Google more information on what we like to buy so they can turn around and give us deals on those things. In the end, who knows what Google will use this new company for, but we hope that it's money well spent.

Via: Engadget

Google Drive Update Introduces Spreadsheet Editing for Android

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:12:51 +0000

The Android team just announced a new update to the Google Drive app, one that brings spreadsheet editing to your mobile life. This new feature allows you to switch fonts, resize columns, sort data, and more. You'll also be able to see live edits as they happen, just like through a browser. Talk about nailing a set of features that business folk have likely been requesting over and over again. The changelog from the Play store lists these changes as well:

Edit content of tables in google Docs editor
Formatting is maintained when copy/pasting within Google Docs
Single tap to enter edit mode in Google Docs editor
Add a shortcut to Drive files/folders to your homescreen for quick access
Send Link now supports copying link to clipboard

Via: Android Blog | Play Link

Samsung's Galaxy Camera Lands on DailySteals for $450

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:49:25 +0000

We are still working on our full review of the Galaxy Camera from Samsung, but if you're looking to pick one of these monsters up, DailySteals is hosting a pretty cool deal on them. Retailing for $500 here in the States, $450 isn't all that bad for this 16MP shooter that the Android community is still kind of confused about. If you purchase from the site, you can take it to AT&T and set it up on a data plan or just use it over WiFi if you so choose. Just remember, if you're going to spend this much on a camera, make sure to do the research. Buy. Cheers Chris!

Right On Time: CyanogenMod 10.1 Nightly Builds Rolling Out for Nexus 4

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:15:12 +0000

Today, the CyanogenMod team announced the roll out of official nightly builds of 10.1 for the Nexus 4, with Nexus 10 builds on the way. The team is still merging code for 4.2, so until all of that is said and done, all other devices will continue to receive nightlies of Android 4.1+. To get your nightly fix, head on over to their downloader site here. This is why buying a Nexus device has its benefits. Via: CyanogenMod

Finally Official: Verizon and Samsung Announce the Galaxy Note 2 Will Arrive in Stores Tomorrow

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:43:37 +0000

Verizon and Samsung announced moments ago that the Galaxy Note 2 will finally be available in stores and online starting tomorrow, November 29, for $299 on new 2-year contract. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, since the shipping date has been set as November 27 for weeks now, something that usually happens 2 days before a launch. And actually, we first reported November 29 to be the launch date over a month ago. As for those who pre-ordered, your orders will ship any minute now, if they haven't already. We know that many of you were noticing that your cards were being charged for the transaction early yesterday. Well, folks, the time has come. The Note 2 is here. Excited?

5 Android Apps for the Sports Fanatic [My Life Scoop]

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:25:21 +0000

When I'm not spending my days reviewing the latest in tech gadgetry, you'll probably find me at a Portland Trail Blazers game, in a sports pub watching college football, or planning a trip to the next big sports event. I'm a sports junky, to say the least. But since I can't make it to every game, I need to find ways to stay connected from anywhere in the world. Thanks to these wonderful new smartphones that we all own, it has become increasingly easier to do just that. Featured today over at Intel's My Life Scoop blog, I toss out the 5 sports apps that I use on a regular basis to keep up to speed on the latest news for my favorite teams, which current games are the closest or most interesting, and how badly I'm crushing my fantasy match-up this week. To read the post, head over to My Life Scoop.

Pre-Order Your Books Straight From Google Play Starting Today

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:07:21 +0000

Starting right now, book lovers can start to pre-order upcoming titles that they can't wait for right through Google Play. There is a new page dedicated entirely to pre-orders, which is a nice way of seeing what is soon to hit the market. This is cool for the bookworms, but I wouldn't mind seeing some music pre-orders in the future. Raise your hand if you actually buy books from Google Play. Play Link Via: Google Play

Angry Birds Star Wars Update Drops Tomorrow With Planet Hoth

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:35:45 +0000

If you have already gone through Tatooine and the Death Star levels of Angry Birds Star Wars, then you're just like me and are patiently awaiting news for when we could see Hoth finally arrive. Well, Rovio just announced that it will be arriving tomorrow as a free update on Google Play! In true form, they also released a video to pump up the launch which you can view below. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/jn7-faPQBBU[/youtube]

Nexus 4 Availability Sits at 4-5 Weeks for 16GB Version, Over 2 Months for 8GB Version

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:09:55 +0000

Yesterday, the LG Nexus 4 went back on sale through the Google Play store for the first time in over two weeks. We were hoping for a seamless shopping experience, but unfortunately, the wave of hungry Android enthusiasts once again proved to be too much for the ordering system that Google has chosen to use. My own personal experience seemed to be similar to many of yours - in other words, it was very frustrating. Before we all gave up, though, Google assured us that they weren't sold out at all. In fact, they said that they would still be taking orders, but that Google Play was overwhelmed and we should try again later. Try again later, we did. So where does stock stand now? After 18 hours or so of being on sale again, you can still order the Nexus 4 in both 16GB and 8GB versions. The only thing that continues to change is the shipping date which has reached "4-5 weeks" for the 16GB version. If you want the 8GB version, you'll be waiting 8-9 weeks, or better put, over two months. At least you can order it, right?

Play Links: Nexus 4 16GB | 8GB

Ultra Dario World for Android - A Mario Ripoff That Isn't Half Bad

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:42:35 +0000

There are a billion Mario wannabe games on Google Play. In fact, as we all know, it's not just Google Play. It's every console, ever. Today, I stumbled on one that doesn't actually make me run for the hills. It's called Ultra Dario World. Yeah, it's a lame name, but the gameplay is pretty wicked. It's just like Mario and I don't think I have to go into great detail what that game is like. Check it out and let me know what you think. And pro tip, it uses notification advertisements, so go turn those off immediately once you download it. Play Link

Video: Unboxing and Hands-on With The LG Spectrum 2

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:05:33 +0000

Verizon and LG were kind enough to send us out the brand new Spectrum 2 that features some decent mid-range specs that sound good when read out loud. It has a very crisp 720p IPS display, 4G LTE, 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB of RAM, Ice Cream Sandwich, 8MP back-facing camera, and wireless charging capabilities. Now, no phone is perfect, but the Spectrum 2 is certainly one of the furthest-from devices I have had in my hands for a while. There are other devices that utilize a dedicated Settings hardware button, but LG's rendition on the Spectrum 2 is an insult to Android's beauty. LG has thrown in a few software features that I'm not too fond of (a constant WiFi reminder), bulky and rather weird feeling hardware, and to top it off there is one of the worst-placed power buttons I have ever seen attached to it. As for the goods, the camera seems to take some decent snapshots and video, as well as LG's device Theme options that give users the ability to customize the look of their device without the need to unlock and root. We'll plan to have our full review up next week, so be on the look out for that if this device has caught your eye.

Gallery:

Unboxing and Hands-on:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/oMN_8oSaRns[/youtube]

Likes, Retweets, Double Taps and Smiley Faces: The Economy of Social Networks [Off Topic]

Ron — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:00:46 +0000

Lately I have been trying to be more conscious of the reasons behind why I post something on a social network. As I near 19,000 tweets I am keenly aware that I share my thoughts more than most people. I am certainly not anywhere near having the most tweets, but as I have participated in social networks like MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, Path, Instagram, and others over the past few years I have adjusted how much I share and how I share it. When I joined MySpace (somewhere around 2005-2006) it was designed as a simple way to share information about yourself, blog, listen to music, and share photos. I often blogged about my life on MySpace, but it was much more about who you are than what was happening in your life right now. Facebook changed that by implementing a status update. MySpace had a similar feature (share your mood), but Facebook made it the center. I think most people migrated from MySpace to Facebook (a migration that has never been replicated from Facebook to elsewhere despite Google's best efforts) because Facebook encouraged you to share about now, while MySpace was more like your own website. Since Facebook has risen in popularity we've seen services like Twitter and Instagram rise up as simplified versions of the same idea: share content with others. While Facebook has become a behemoth for both text and media content sharing, services like Twitter and App.net focus on text sharing while Instagram and Flickr focused on sharing photos, not text. At their core, however, all of these services center around the same thing: publish yourself. Every digital service is centered around two types of interactions: publishing content and rating content. On Facebook you update your status and like a picture of your high school buddy's cat; on Google Plus you share a YouTube video and +1 your favorite Android app; on Twitter you tweet about whatever mundane activity you're participating in and retweet that Justin Bieber likes cereal for breakfast; on Foursquare you check in to maintain mayorship of your own house and leave a tip at your local gym; on Instagram you post a picture of your lunch and double tap to like a friend's image that they filtered to look like it had been recovered from Egypt after the seven plagues; on Path you share what music you're listening to and laugh at a friend's story; on App.net you wish more people were there. The list goes on and on. There are at least three questions I think we should consider when we evaluate this system of publishing and rating. First, is what you're about to publish more valuable if it is on a social network, or would it be just as valuable if shared personally (in person, via text, through email, etc.)? Second, does the content you publish become more valuable if others rate it (and conversely less valuable if others do not rate it)? Third, are ratings of your content on a social network valuable? This year after we finished setting up the Christmas tree at my mother and father-in-law's house we took a family photo. I posted the picture on Instagram and received a number of likes. The following day, my sister-in-law (who is sixteen) reposted my picture and has triple the number of likes that mine has. I got value out of sharing that picture because family and friends were able to see it, but it would have been just as valuable for me if it had not been shared. It's one of the few pictures I have of our three families together and it represents a milestone in my life (my first Christmas as an official part of the family). The content did not become more valuable for me because of the likes that it did or did not receive. For my sister-in-law, however, that picture gained value with the number of likes it received. For her it was less valuable if it was not shared. It isn't that she doesn't appreciate that moment like I do, but rather that sharing that moment made it more valuable for her. The economy of social networks is tricky. Should I feel less important or popular or valuable if I have fewer followers on Twitter than another or if no one retweets my awesome joke? Should I choose to post something based on whether or not I think it will receive likes? Am I part of a social network just to glorify myself and encourage others to like my content so I can feel good about who I am? Is that the kind of person that I want to be? These may seem like too deep of questions to ask in response to social networking, but the reality is that social networks have become an integral part of who we are. Many of us have either consciously or subconsciously learned to value publishing content for the sake of ratings. Sharing about yourself is not in and of itself bad and it isn't wrong for you to feel good about yourself if someone double taps your Instagram picture. I'm not a Luddite lobbyist or a hipster who owns dozens of LPs but no record player. I value technology and social networking, but I also recognize that publishing in and of itself isn't valuable. Even if dozens or hundreds of people like something I post, that doesn't mean it is objectively valuable, and even more importantly that shouldn't mean that it is more subjectively valuable to me. Personally, I'm still muddling through these questions and trying to understand why I publish what I do. I'm beginning to ask myself if things are more or less valuable if I post them, etc. I don't know if I'm becoming a better or worse person because of social networking, but I want to be sure that I'm at least asking myself the right questions to start to discern that. While some things are certainly more valuable when shared, I'm trying to find a balance with the things that I share and to appreciate moments and ideas sans ratings. I'm learning that journaling helps filter out the urge to publish and trying to remember that ratings on social networks truly should not alter my behavior or self-esteem. Just because something is published does not mean it is more valuable.

Google: Nexus 4 Not Sold Out, Google Play Just Experiencing High Traffic

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:40:50 +0000

The yellow bar that we have captured in the image above just appeared on Google Play. It reads:

Google Play is currently experiencing very high traffic. Nexus 4 is not sold out and will still be available for purchase. Please try again shortly. Thank you for your patience.

So, there you have it. The Nexus 4 is not sold out. Try again later. Cheers Teng, Adam, Aaron, and Baldypal!

AdBlock Plus Released for Android, Bye Bye Crummy Commercials

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:15:55 +0000

The same application that keeps those annoying ads off of your desktop, is now available for your Android phone. With AdBlock Plus, a free app on Google Play, you can browse the mobile web or play your games with no commercials. Now, take note, because depending on whether or not you're rooted will depend on what type of functionality the app will have. For rooted users, you can block ads over WiFi and 3G, while non-rooted users can only block ads over WiFi. Keep that in mind. Not much else to say besides this is awesome for people who get annoyed by advertisements easily. Check it out and let people know how much you love AdBlock. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/TCwzYXUZmwA[/youtube]

Holy Sh*t, Google Sucks at Selling Devices Through Google Play

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:46:38 +0000

At 11:58AM Pacific, the LG Nexus 4 went back up for order through Google Play. The following is the story of one man trying to buy one. "In stock," hooray! Do work, Google.

Checkout screen, profit! Click, "Proceed."

Wait, what...error?

Refresh! Umm, now my cart is empty?

Try everything, all over again. Oh, you think I'm a spam bot, Google?

Refresh. Refresh.

10 minutes later. Sold out.

The end.

Download: Nexus 7 Android 4.2.1 Update JOP40D

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:19:49 +0000

The Android 4.2.1 update that started rolling out to the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 has also started popping up on Nexus 7 devices. If you want to manually download, you can grab the file directly from Google, below. To flash, install via custom recovery, use "adb sideload " from stock recovery, or try the Google Services Framework trick. Download: Nexus 7 (JOP40D) | Nexus 7 HSPA+ Cheers Drew!

Nexus 4 on Sale Now! (Updated: Sold Out...or Not)

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:59:31 +0000

If you missed the first batch of Nexus 4 devices that went on sale a couple of weeks back, now is your chance to try to snag one before they are all gone, again. The device is available in Google Play for $299 (8GB) and $349 (16GB), so quickly, hit up the link below. Update: Gone in seconds. Process filled with errors and checkout failures. What a mess. Update 2: Google has added a notice at the top of the Play store page, assuring us that the Nexus 4 is not sold out. They are simply experiencing a spike in traffic and cannot keep up. Play Link

China's Meizu MX2 Smartphone Announced - "Super-Retina" Display, Quad-Core, 2GB of RAM and Jelly Bean

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:45:12 +0000

Could this be the ultimate Android superphone? In terms of specs and at least on paper, it very well could be. Unfortunately for us Americans, it won't be coming anytime soon. The Meizu MX2 features a 4.4" 16:10 "Super Retina" display, as well as a beefy quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM. If that isn't enough, how about the fully back-illuminated 8MP shooter, equipped with 5 high-end optical lenses. If software is more your thing, the MX2 comes running Jelly Bean, complete with a custom skin called Flyme 2.0, which will remind many of the custom MIUI ROM's that we used to feature.

As the cherry on top, it also features wireless display support, as well as a suite of cloud-based applications and services to go along with the custom Android build. As for the price, you're looking at just 2,499 yuan, which when converted directly equals to just about $500. Not bad, right? I could get down on this instantly if it came here to the U.S. More Info Via: Phandroid

Microsoft Produces the Most Horrible Looking App to Launch Since Gingerbread With Their Outlook.com App

Eric — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:16:43 +0000

Microsoft recently relaunched Outlook.com a few months back and people have been raving about the web app ever since. It seems Microsoft was working on an Android Outlook app, but it's obvious that they didn't spend long. The app is in Google Play now, but I only suggest downloading it if you are looking for a blast back through Android's past. You get the feeling you are running Froyo or Gingerbread once you log yourself in.

If this application looked only half as good as the web version of Outlook.com, it would look about 20 times better than it does now. If I used Outlook and was waiting for this to launch on Android, this might legitimately push me towards Gmail for good. But if you just have to have your Exchange email, the app is free for download in Google Play now.

Play Link

Android 4.2.1 Being Pushed to AOSP Right Now

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:07:45 +0000

Mr. AOSP, Jean-Baptiste Queru, notified the Android Building group a few moments ago that Android 4.2.1 is being pushed to AOSP. After an update for 4.2.1 started rolling out to the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 this morning, this move is exactly what you would expect to see. JQB called this a "minor update on top of 4.2." We would agree, since the update to 4.2.1 is only a little over 1MB in size. The build number is JOP40D. Full factory images will follow in the coming days. Via: Android Building

Hamilton's Adventure Hits Google Play - Puzzle Solving Meets Indiana Jones

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:55:10 +0000

In the mood for a game that will more than likely take you forever to beat? This is Hamilton's Adventure. Released exclusively for Tegra-powered devices, the game mixes an Indiana Jones-type character with some extreme puzzles that would fluster some of the world's greatest minds. The goal is to simply reach the end of the level, while outsmarting the enemies and collecting as many coins as you can. And of course, watch out for the evil boss characters. The game is so epic that it has been split into two separate applications on Google Play, each selling for $3.99 and weighing in 1GB+ of total space. Each. If you're up for the challenge and are sporting a Tegra device, check it out! Play Link: Part 1 ($3.99) | Expansion Pack ($3.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/cxJuFHeM-0s[/youtube]

First Look: Andru "Dark Edition" Charger [Contest Too] (Update: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:30:27 +0000

Remember the Andru, the handsome little Bugdroid USB charger with glowing eyes? We took a quick look at the original green version back in February, loved it, and then proceeded to give a few away. As you may recall, a new "Dark Edition" with glowing red eyes surfaced on the Andru site a couple of months ago, getting us excited all over again. Unfortunately, it went through a bit of a delay as they fine-tuned the build quality. As promised, though, it's back and hopefully better than ever. Thanks to the Andru team, we have one in our possession to give you a more detailed look (and a few to give away in a contest down below). Similar to the original, it's arms move in circles, the eyes glow while plugged in (red this time), its black antennae are rubber and flexible, and the stand and cord that come with it are matching black. The build quality seems top notch to me, but then again, my two Andrus aren't traveling across the country and are always stuck in a wall. To buy one today, head over to the Andru site. Also, the Andru Chill is one week away. It's the white version, if the name didn't already give it away.

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Contest

Update: We have emailed our three winners. Go check your inbox! Prize: 3 (three) Andru Dark Edition chargers How to enter: 1. ~~Like Droid Life and GEN (Andru creator) on Facebook.~~ ~~2. In the comments, tell us how many microUSB cables you have gathered over the years.~~ Winners: Tomorrow at 10AM Pacific, we will choose 3 winners randomly from the comments.

Android 4.2.1 Update Rolling Out to Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 (Update: Nexus 7 Too)

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:47:57 +0000

Google began pushing an update to the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 last night as Android build 4.2.1 (JOP40D). It's a tiny file at 1.1MB. So far, the only real change that has been found is a fix to the People app, which means that December has returned after last week's debacle. ~~No word yet on a Nexus 7 update, but it can't be far behind~~. Download: Nexus 4 (JOP40D) | Nexus 7 | Nexus 10 If you happen to have either device, you can install via custom recovery, adb sideload it, or try to stop and clear Google Services Framework. To make your life easier, the Nexus 4 toolkit and the Nexus 10 toolkit may come in handy. Via: XDA Cheers Tim!

Netflix Updated for Android - Android 4.2 Support Added and Improved Interface

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:39:36 +0000

Yesterday, Netflix received a sweet little update that brought along some improvements for Android users. Adding support for Android 4.2 running devices, the user interface has been tweaked slightly to allow for "easy scrubbing" and a shiny new on-screen volume button which makes life just a tad bit easier. To top it off, they squashed some bugs and improved playback on some devices, which is always appreciated. Go pick it up and enjoy your shows. Also, if you haven't watched Drive with Ryan Gosling yet, I recommend it. Play Link Cheers John!

Nexus 4 Available for Purchase Today at Noon Pacific

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:59:18 +0000

This morning, Google sent out a batch of emails with the headline "Nexus 4 will be available for purchase later today!" That's right, the LG Nexus 4 will be back in stock and available for purchase for the first time in over two weeks since initial launch. At 12:00PM PST (3:00PM Eastern), you can order order directly from the Google Play store. Pricing should be the same at $299 (8GB) or $349 (16GB). We aren't sure how many they will have, so get your credit cards ready. Do we think that Google has prepared the Google Play store this time around? If they are sending out emails like this, one would think they may have a better system in place or at least learned from some of the past mistakes. After the disaster that was launch day, it can only get better, right?

Full Google+ Integration With Google Play On the Way (Update: It's Now Live)

Dave — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:01:23 +0000

Update: And just like that, Google+ integration is live on Google Play. Go check it out! If you've ever browsed Google Play, you have seen how the curtain of anonymity is used when posting reviews. Until now, users have been able to post feedback to apps with nothing linking back to them except for a nickname or first name. All that is set to change with Google's upcoming integration of Google+ profiles. It was recently rumored that Google intended to make a Google Plus profile a requirement for posting reviews. It appears that we are seeing the first step in this feature rollout. All comments previously left on Google Play will now be shown as written by "A Google User". This looks to be independent from a specific Play Store apk update since both of my devices are showing version 3.10.9, but have different results when viewing the market.

Looking to the future, we can only speculate that full names as well as profile pictures will be viewable from the Play Store. Whether there will be full links back to user profiles is yet to be seen. Furthermore, this change opens up discussion into privacy rights and Google's policies revolving what they can do with your information across their services. If you are set to private, will your profile still be linked via a review? Again, these are questions currently and we'll be sure to find answers as soon as more information is available. One thing is for certain, Google is continuing to push their Google+ platform and this seems like a devious method to get people "using" the network.

Google Sends Out Emails to Update the Buyers of Nexus 4 Devices

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:42:00 +0000

We are receiving some more information from Google as Nexus 4 buyers were starting to become a bit impatient as the wait for their phones has been pushed to a few weeks now. According to the email, Google plans to ship out a large number of the devices by the end of this week and will also include a credit for shipping to make up for the unexpected wait.

Your Nexus 4 order is scheduled to ship this week. We’ll send you a notification, including tracking information, when it’s on the way. Please note that your order will be charged in full when it ships. As a courtesy and to thank you for your patience, you’ll then receive a credit for the shipping charge within 7 business days. Thanks again, The Google Play Team

Have you been waiting ever so patiently for yours or were you lucky enough to get one from the first batch? Cheers Ryan and Michael!

Video: Peek Inside Samsung's Multi-Stage Device Stress Test Facility

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:40:43 +0000

I have always been curious as to just how these manufacturers test their many different devices. Do they simply let robots push the buttons or is it much more thorough? Luckily, Samsung has released a video that gives us an insider look into the world of multi-stage device stress testing. The only downer is that it's completely in Korean. My favorite will have to go to Samsung's "fat bottom" test. We salute you, Samsung for your continued innovations in the mobile field. [youtube]http://youtu.be/dc9c5YFyovU[/youtube] Via: Phandroid

Verizon Offers Up DROID RAZR M for $50 On Contract Through Holiday Promotion

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:00:54 +0000

If you're thinking about opening a line up on Verizon, the DROID RAZR M can be had for just $50 through Verizon's new holiday "Share Everything" promotion. Currently, the RAZR M is listed for $99 through Big Red's site, so if you were going to jump on it, you might want to give it a day or so to reflect the price change. No word on if some other devices will see a price drop, but we'll keep you posted. Check out this semi-sweet TV spot for the new promotion. Although, I can't say it really makes me jolly about tiered data. [youtube]http://youtu.be/xOeuZQjnt04[/youtube]

Grand Theft Auto Radio Released for Android, Relive The Timeless Classics

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:20:52 +0000

One of the things that made Grand Theft Auto fun to play was the feature of being able to listen to the "radio" while driving or flying around. It made the game that much more enjoyable, which had many people discovering new music that they would go on to love. On top of that, just cruising through the mountains on a chopper listening to Skynyrd's Free Bird is simply the best feeling ever. If there are some songs from any of the past GTA's that you want to hear, you can download GTA Radio. It has most of the popular stations from all of the past games and besides the sometimes slow buffering times, the audio is great. No telling when or if this app will be pulled for some type of copyright violation, but we can enjoy it while it lasts. Play Link Cheers Dave!

5" 1080p Successor to LG's Optimus G Already Scheduled For May 2013?

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:35:51 +0000

Earlier this month, a mysterious LG device toting a 5" 1080p display was benchmarked, with a model number of LG-F240K. Today, reports out of Korea show that a device called the Optimus G2, a successor to the Optimus G that just launched here in the U.S., could be ready for the market as early as May of 2013. Could this be that same mystery phone? On top of the 5" 1080p display, it is also reported that the device will sport a 2GHz Qualcomm chipset which would be a major turn on for any potential buyers. The month of May might be some time away, but if the device is indeed coming, then we'll be sure to see plenty of more info leaked in the coming months. In fact, LG may shoot for sooner rather than later, given HTC has already launched their 1080p offering, as well as rumors of Samsung to do the same here very soon at this year's CES. LG Optimus G2 possibly interesting you already? Via: TechCrunch

Nexus 4's Glass Back, the Worst Idea Since the Last Phone With a Glass Back

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:55:11 +0000

The LG Nexus 4, Google's newest Nexus device, such a thing of beauty, isn't it? That brilliant 4.7" display on the front, the Crystal Reflection pattern tucked under a piece of glass on the back, those cascading edges, and that soft touch plastic housing, all make up for one of the more interesting smartphone designs of the last couple of years. Unfortunately, for those that purchased one or plan to purchase one, you may have to cover it up with a bumper or case, as it may also be one of the most fragile smartphones ever made. Glass, never known to many as the most durable of coverings, blankets the Nexus 4 both front and back. On the front, we have an LCD display that's covered by Corning's Gorilla Glass 2, a product promoted for its ability to bring extra toughness to smartphones. On the back, we get the same sort of protection. Well, at least we thought so. After having an LG Optimus G (review) - the phone that laid the groundwork for the Nexus 4 - and now this new Nexus, I can without a doubt in my mind, say that glass on the back of a smartphone is one of the worst design ideas of the decade. The back glass plate of both of these devices cracked on me within two weeks of having them. Two weeks. But before we get into this, I should probably point out that I take better care of my smartphones than almost anyone you will ever meet. My original DROID looked like it was a week old, a year after having purchased it. I've never had to replace a phone via warranty or insurance, as I've rarely ever dropped one. In fact, I'm not sure I would even get past one hand if I were to try to count the number of times I've dropped a phone. I don't use cases or screen protectors because I've never had to. Again, I baby the hell out my toys.

But back to these two cracked backs - both of which cracked without a drop. Let me say that again - both the Optimus G and Nexus 4 cracked in my possession without ever dropping them. You know what did it? Setting them down gently onto my room temperature stone countertop. That's it. The temperature change after it went from my warm hand to a room temperature countertop was apparently enough to split both devices' glass backs almost directly down the middle. To think, that deciding whether or not my device is going to crack just by laying it down gently, is something my mind doesn't even want to entertain. But that's where I'll be should I decide that I want a Nexus 4 that no longer looks this way. It's not just me, either. Take a tour through your various Android forums and you'll find reports left and right of scratches and cracks. Most of these reports also include lines like "I don't know how it happened, I've been super careful with it" and "I pulled it out of my pocket and noticed a crack." So why on Earth would LG and Google choose glass? That's a great question. Since there is an entire industry now dedicated to replacing glass backs of the iPhone 4, I'm not sure I have an answer. All you have to do is Google "iPhone 4 glass back" and you'll come up with dozens of fix-it shops, stories of lawsuits, and and how-tos on replacing the back of the phone with something other than glass. Since posting up pictures of both devices with broken backs, the first comment I received each time was, "How did they not learn from Apple?" Even Apple learned from Apple, going with an aluminum backside for its new iPhone 5. Glass is fragile, everyone knows that. Well, apparently not everyone or we wouldn't have phones with back panels made of the material. I don't think I need to continue to hammer this point home any longer, so I'll just say this - if you are buying a Nexus 4, buy a bumper, case, back screen protector or any other protective material that you can find because it's not safe.

Google Planning to Launch 12.85" Touchscreen Chromebook Next Year?

Eric — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:15:04 +0000

Google has rebooted their Chromebook series within the past few months with two new models for us to get our hands on, but rumor has it that they aren't stopping there. According to DigiTimes, there is evidence pointing towards a new 12.85" Chromebook coming out next year that will feature a screen that is touch sensitive. This all brings back memories of the Chrome OS tablet that was supposedly going to be launched, but Google seems to have found a better idea.

Releasing a Chrome tablet in competition with Android tablets would have certainly failed, but you can imagine a touchscreen being implemented on the Chromebook easily. Throw in a flippable screen like Windows 8 laptops are using now and keep the low price and you've got yourself a nifty little device.

Would you be interested in a touchscreen Chromebook?

Via: Android Headlines

Google Currents to Blame For Nexus 7 Lag After Update to Android 4.2?

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:25:54 +0000

After the update to Android 4.2, many users of the Nexus 7 have experienced major lag issues, with no real fix or explanation for the occurrence. Neither ASUS or Google have acknowledged any issue, which isn't a shock, but that hasn't stopped one member of XDA to dig for a solution. During his research, he discovered that Google's Currents app could be the culprit. With tons of forum members supporting the post and even users on Reddit stating that the fix has worked like a dream, here's what you can do to fix the alleged lag on your Nexus 7.

Open your app drawer
Open Google Currents
Click the three dots in the top right corner of the app
Tap “Settings”
Uncheck “Enable Background Sync”
Reboot your Nexus 7

If this helps speed up your Nexus 7, let us know and be sure to spread the word. Via: XDA Cheers Dominick!

Granny Smith Updated With 9 New Bonus Levels, Kellex Takes the Day Off

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:45:45 +0000

It's sort of the running joke here at the DL office that Kellex just can't get enough Granny Smith. For some reason, this game has consumed his life and today, it's gotten even worse. With nine new bonus levels, and an official "hard mode" for experts, we may not be seeing him for quite some time. If you're as much of a fiend for Granny as he is, then go grab the update in Google Play. If you have yet to play Granny Smith, go try it out. You won't be disappointed. Play Link

DROID DNA Owners, How's Your Battery Holding Up?

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:05:41 +0000

There have been many who question HTC's placement of a 2,020 mAh battery inside of the new DROID DNA. Reviews from all over the web have shown nothing but mixed feelings toward it - some giving it terrible marks, while others gave it rather good ratings, including ours. What reviews sometimes lack is real world experience, which we know we can rely on our community for. If you are the owner of a DROID DNA, let us know down below if your battery is getting you through a day of activity. If it can withstand a holiday weekend, we are sure it can hold up to anything. Feel free to go into detail on usage and if you would recommend the device to fellow readers. For some, the battery life is essentially the only thing that could hold them back from snatching it up. Cheers D!

Samsung's Global Galaxy Note II Sales Exceed 5 Million Units

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:35:11 +0000

Samsung's products continue to meet and exceed their own sales expectations, with the newest being their ginormous Galaxy Note II. In two months alone, five million units were sold globally, which as you may recall is still quite limited in terms of market availability. Now that the U.S. is able to get their overly-sized hands on the device, you can expect even more units to ship and their numbers to bulge. I've been spending more time with the device, and I must say I'm becoming more accepting of its size. Yes, I have to frequently two hand it, and yes, I look silly in public, but the display is gorgeous and the speed is incredible. If you're on the fence still, check out our review and maybe it will help you decide which phone is right for you. Via: Samsung

Sprint Stays on Track, Lights Up a Few East Coast 4G LTE Markets

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:00:30 +0000

This morning, and over the course of the next week, the following cities will start to experience Sprint's 4G LTE. The network has been talking about their coming improvements, which means you can expect to see a lot more cities getting the green light in the coming months. For Sprint customers, this is great.

Anderson, Ind.
Clarke County, Va./Jefferson County, W.Va.
Harrisburg/Carlisle/Hershey, Pa.
Hagerstown, Md./Martinsburg, W.Va.
Harrisonburg, Va.
Muncie, Ind.
Peabody, Mass.
Salina, Kan.
Shenandoah County, Va.
South Bend/Mishawaka, Ind.
Winchester, Va.

Sprint's 4G LTE can officially be found in 43 markets. It definitely doesn't touch Verizon or AT&T's yet, but they will get there. Via: Sprint

LG: Nexus 4 has LTE Chip Because It's Based Off the Optimus G, Future Software Update to Activate It Not Coming

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:29:14 +0000

Over the weekend, some crafty Canadians figured out a way to get the LG Nexus 4 working on their Band 4 LTE networks. The world was semi-shocked, as Google and LG released this as a non-LTE phone. Unfortunately, hopes were already raised, talk of a future software update to enable LTE was tossed around recklessly, and every person in the U.S. with the phone probably called T-Mobile to ask when their LTE network would be built out. LG responded to all of this chatter this morning, saying that the reason the device has an LTE chip inside, is because the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset used only comes with an LTE radio attached. This same chipset also happens to be the exact one used in the Optimus G, a device that the Nexus 4 is based off of, which actually does run on LTE networks. They also mentioned that a future software update is not going to magically allow for LTE connectivity. Here is the statement that was given to TechRadar:

"In order to provide the best possible specification for Nexus 4, LG utilised the same powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset as can be found in its 4G LTE product, namely LG Optimus G." "This powerful chipset is only available with a combined processor and modem and cannot be implemented separately." "The modem contains 4G LTE capabilities but is only effective when combined with other essential hardware parts such as a signal amplifier and filter in order for it to work. It therefore cannot be upgraded to 4G LTE capability through software."

While it's tough to not call this news "disappointing," you have to remember that Google and LG announced this as an HSPA-only device. When it cruised through the FCC, there was no LTE radio in sight. In fact, one wasn't tested or mentioned. Who knows, though, maybe we'll see a separate LTE version later down the road. (Not crossing my fingers.) Via: TechRadar

A Few Cyber Monday Deals to Check Out: Galaxy Tab 10.1 for $299, Kindle Fire for $129, Cheap SD Cards, and More

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:02:48 +0000

The long Thanksgiving weekend is over, so that can mean only one thing, time to shop online. "Cyber Monday" is upon us, with some decent deals already arriving at the usual stops like Amazon, Best Buy, and Office Depot. We've gathered the first batch for you below, but will ask that you post up as many good deals as you can find in the comments throughout the day. There are bound to be some sneaky ones out there that we haven't found.

Amazon:

Kindle Fire ($129 when using promo code FIREDEAL)
Tablets (Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) $179, Acer Iconia Tab A700 $349, and other random tablets)
microSD Cards (SanDisk Ultra 64GB $42, 32GB $18, 16GB $12)
Google TV (LG 47" Cinema 3D 120Hz Google TV $948)

Amazon Phones:

Verizon Galaxy S3 ($60)
DROID RAZR MAXX HD ($149)
DROID RAZR M ($0.01)
DROID DNA ($199) (same price at Verizon)
AT&T Galaxy S3 ($25)

eBay:

32GB Nexus 7 ($229)
Unlocked Galaxy S3 ($469)
Asus Transformer Prime 32GB ($279)
Motorola XYBoard with Verizon 4G LTE ($279)

Verizon:

*All require new 2-year contracts

DROID RAZR in Special Edition Cranberry (Free)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) ($99)
Galaxy Nexus (Free)
LG Lucid (Free)

Best Buy:

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.0 (10.1) ($299)
Asus Transformer Pad TF300 ($279)
Free Phones (LG Intuition, HTC One X, Galaxy Nexus, and Galaxy Note)

Google Play:

Albums starting at $2.99
"Player Appreciation" apps sale - In-app purchase discounts
Movies starting at $4.99

Office Depot:

If you run into any other great deals, be sure to share them in the comments!

Nexus 4 Available From Daily Steals for $499, Still Sold Out Everywhere Else

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 07:14:33 +0000

The LG Nexus 4 in both 8GB and 16GB versions is still sold out through Google Play and T-Mobile's website, yet somehow, Daily Steals has enough inventory to feature the device in one of their "deals." For $499, which is $150 more than Google is selling it, you can pick up the 16GB version for the next few hours. Seems a bit silly, but hey, this is your option at the moment if you can no longer live without Google's hot new phone. Via: DailySteals Cheers Brad, Jon, and everyone on Twitter!

HTC DROID DNA Bootloader Unlock Method is Back

Kellen — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 09:19:59 +0000

After Verizon and HTC decided that they weren't fans of you unlocking the bootloader on your brand new DROID DNA through HTCDev, something we first reported as being possible, owners of the device waited impatiently for a work-around or fix to the problem to appear. After all, how much fun could a shiny, freshly opened smartphone be without the ability to unlock, root, and get to tinkering? Well, my friends, a method to trick HTCDev's unlock tool has been worked out and is available for download. RootzWiki has instructions up, thanks to TeamAndIRC's Justin Case, so I've linked to them below, along with a video. The process doesn't seem difficult. My understanding is that it basically involves changing your CID so that HTCDev thinks you are using a different device. Once you have flashed all of the CID-changing files, you still use HTCDev to unlock the bootloader. Once finished, you then go about your normal business. The process is semi-risky though. There also may not be a way to re-lock your device, meaning your warranty is shot. Be careful, proceed with caution, and enjoy. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2ZBIMNlA3w[/youtube] Via: RootzWiki Cheers Jigga_Z, Imacellist, and everyone else!

Nexus 4 Does Having Working LTE After All, In Canada That is

Kellen — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:51:53 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Ud2NZav6s[/youtube]

Crazy, right? LTE working on the LG Nexus 4. Yes, this is the same phone that Google itself said would not run on the world's next-gen wireless networks. We knew it had an LTE chip inside, thanks to a teardown, but very few figured the chip would ever work. It brings me great pleasure to report that we were all wrong, as it does indeed work on LTE Band 4. After a bit of tweaking in settings (menu *#*#4636#*#* from the dialer), followed by an APN change, Canadian users discovered that they can get LTE speeds on their Nexus 4. We should point out that there aren't any LTE Band 4 carriers here in the U.S., however, T-Mobile will likely use it when they rollout their LTE network. AT&T and Verizon operate on Band 17 and Band 13, respectively. It's tough to say why Google has left this open to working, but we love it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXOY9EVZ4vA[/youtube]

Via: reddit | AnandTech | XDA Cheers Jed, Jason, Willimus, and everyone else who sent this!

HTC Droid DNA, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10

Kellen — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:50:31 +0000

Before we head into the long weekend, we have time to get together for another live broadcast of The Droid Life Show. We're now on episode 6, a show that will focus on the number of devices that we reviewed recently. The HTC DROID DNA (review), Nexus 4 (review), and Nexus 10 (review) will all get plenty of coverage, so if you have questions or concerns about any of them, be sure to tune in. We'll also do the usual application and game coverage. Tune in!

Droid Life Show Happening Early Today at 3:00PM Pacific!

Kellen — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:56:09 +0000

With the holiday weekend almost upon us, we thought we'd save your evening and go live with The Droid Life Show a bit early. We have a lot to talk about, thanks to a handful of reviews that we busted out over the last couple of days, so be sure to tune in! If you were thinking of buying a HTC DROID DNA, Nexus 4 or Nexus 10, then this is the show to catch. We're talking about all of them and will try to field as many questions as we can to make sure you know all there is to know about the holiday season's hottest devices. We'll be live at 3:00PM Pacific (6:00PM Eastern).

Quick First Look at the HTC 8X and Windows Phone 8

Kellen — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:33:43 +0000

As a community that focuses 99.9% of its time on Android, even I can admit that it's never a bad time to look across the table and see what the competition is up to. And that's exactly why we're taking a look at the HTC 8X, the new Windows Phone 8 device that is available on Verizon. Don't worry, we aren't changing the name of the site any time soon, we're just spying on our neighbors who have new toys to play with. In the future, we may do a full review of Windows Phone 8, but for now, we just wanted to give everyone a taste of what Microsoft and HTC have been up to. Windows Phone 8 has come a long way, and improved greatly over Windows Phone 7. We now have support for HD displays and NFC, better and more customizable live tiles, a revamped home screen, notifications on the lock screen, support for multi-core processors, a better keyboard, an upgraded camera app, and a more robust Windows Phone store. I spent some time with the previous versions of Windows Phone 7 on occasions, but none of them impressed me enough to write up a post on it. Windows Phone 8 has managed to impress me enough to get me to talk about it with all of you. Ready to go all metro?

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaJx6vYOuvQ[/youtube]

Gallery

[nggallery id=30]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) Available From Verizon for $499

Kellen — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:30:23 +0000

This morning, Verizon and Samsung announced that the Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) with 4G LTE was available starting today for $499. The device packs a 1.0GHz dual-core processor, 10.1" HD display, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, 7000mAh battery, dual cameras, and 4G LTE. It's mid-range, if there is such a thing in the tablet world. If you are interested in picking one up, understand that $499 is the full retail price, meaning you don't have to sign a contract to buy one. Verizon eliminated tablet contracts when Share Everything plans went live. Now, you buy a tablet that has 4G LTE capabilities and simply attach it to your shared data plan for $10 per month. Via: Verizon

Falcon for Twitter, Control Your Twitter Account From a Single Widget

Tim — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:56:47 +0000

If you're an avid Twitter fiend like we helplessly are, then be sure to check out Falcon. With this app, you control your timeline and whole account from a single widget, which actually works better than a full app for the most part. With the ability to place it on any homescreen, and even on the lockscreen if you're running Android 4.2+, you see your full timeline as well as mentions, with options to see your messages, view trends, and also see lists. Why it's taken me so long to get into Falcon, I don't know. Go check it out on Google Play and let us know what you think down below. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/_WvXVlQqg2k[/youtube]

Marvel's Avenger Initiative Now Live on Google Play For $5 Promotional Price

Tim — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:35:30 +0000

Marvel fans, you can now go get your Hulk on. Moments ago, the Avengers Initiative went live on Google Play for a special promotional price of $4.99. The first episode of this epic masterpiece is played through with the character Hulk, as you track down and battle the world's most powerful super villains like Abomination and The Kronan. Just watch the trailer and it will be clear that owning this game is a must. Play Link ($4.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/GFsaHo592Ls[/youtube]

ASUS Transformer Pad With Lapdock Available Through Woot For $300

Eric — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:05:28 +0000

Who wants to wait until Black Friday to start getting deals on Android stuff? Not me. Today, the online sales site Woot!, has an awesome deal on the Transformer Pad for only $299.99. For the price, you're getting a refurbished tablet coupled with the lapdock that is usually sold separate for another $100. That's a pretty sweet deal. The tablet is powered by a Tegra 3 processor, making it a dream for gaming. Additionally, the tablet has a strong developer following and if you love tinkering, it's a great device for that as well. Buy. Cheers Steve and Jason!

Rockstar Game's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Coming to Android on December 6th

Tim — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:35:54 +0000

Back in October, Rockstar Games gave word that we could expect to see Grand Theft Auto: Vice City released for Android sometime this Fall. This morning, they have given an official launch date of December 6, just a couple of short weeks away. The game will sell for $4.99, not a bad price at all for one of the world's greatest games of all time. Yep, I said that without hesitation. As many will wonder, Rockstar has posted which devices will initially support the game and it's a pretty good list. And yes, the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S3 are on it. Now all we do is wait. Via: Rockstar

FCC Chairman Publicly Supports Dish Network's Plan For a Mobile Network

Eric — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:48:42 +0000

Somewhere, Google execs are excited with today's news that an FCC chairman has come out and supported Dish Network's idea that they want their own wireless network. Before Dish can do any actual building of a network, the FCC has to sign off on almost every part of it. Having a chairman support you is a good sign, but doesn't necessarily mean it's a done deal.

There are plans for the FCC as a whole to rule on Dish's network by the end of the year so we might not have to wait that much longer. If the rumors are true that Dish and Google have plans to work together on this venture, you can bet they want to hear sooner rather than later.

Via: The Verge

Google Says Microsoft Will Earn $94 Billion in Revenue Through Google-Owned Patents

Eric — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:45:13 +0000

A trial that featured six days of testimony between Microsoft and Google-owned Motorola just finished up. The final expert witness for Google says that Microsoft, through its Xbox and Surface devices, will make a whopping $94 billion in revenue through 2017 based on patents that Google owns. The expert witness went on to say that Microsoft will have a hard time selling tablets or phones without Moto's patents.

Motorola has been seeking $4 billion a year for Microsoft to use the patents, Microsoft says they only are worth $1 billion. There is no ruling expected for a few weeks as this gets decided, but it's the first time that we have seen Google put their might behind a case and defend their intellectual properties.

Via: Reuters

Gameloft Offers Up a Ton of Thanksgiving Deals Through Google Play and Amazon

Tim — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:10:33 +0000

Today through the weekend, Gameloft is hosting a sweet Thanksgiving sale through Amazon for Kindle tablets, Google Play for Android devices, and the iTunes Store for iOS lovers. Some of their top titles are listed for just $0.99, which is pretty rad given they're usually priced for about $6.99. On Google Play, we have The Amazing Spider Man, Gangstar Rio, Backstab, and The Adventures of TinTin. Over on Amazon, if you own a Kindle, you can grab The Amazing Spider Man, N.O.V.A. 3, and Backstab. Please note, as of right now, it doesn't look like the deals have gone live on Google Play, so give it some time and make sure you don't pay the full price. Play Link: The Amazing Spider Man | Gangstar Rio | Backstab | The Adventures of TinTin

HTC Gives Hope to Incredible 2 Owners Waiting for Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 08:42:00 +0000

Yes, folks, there is still hope for the DROID Incredible 2. After missing a self-imposed deadline to update the device to Ice Cream Sandwich, HTC has been semi-quiet on whether or not an update was still in the works. We were assuming at this point that it and the Thunderbolt were never going to be updated, as it has been almost 3 months without word. Well, until last night. One of our readers poked at HTC on Twitter, asking if they had forgotten about the Incredible 2. HTC responded, saying that they are still working on the update, but are having connectivity issues with the software. Once they figure those out, they plan to share information with the world. I don't know about you guys, but rarely do we get this kind of openness from an OEM on an update. I know they didn't pinpoint a date to release it, but when was the last time any of them gave a progress report on an update that included technical details? Very interesting. Again, there is hope! Via: @HTC Cheers Chris!

HTC DROID DNA Available Today From Verizon for $199

Kellen — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:56:39 +0000

Are you ready to bring 1080p into your mobile life? The HTC DROID DNA and its 5" 1080p display with 440 pixels per inch are available today, through Verizon, for $199 both in-store and online. You may want to check out our review of the device beforehand, as we dive into battery life with such an intense display and how a device this big feels in hand. Along with the high-res display, you'll find a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB of storage, an 8MP rear camera, 2MP wide-angle front camera, 2020mAh battery, and 4G LTE on the inside. The DNA runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) with HTC's Sense 4+ skin on top of it. It's about as "flagship" as it gets for both Verizon and the DROID brand. Picking one up? Via: Verizon

QuickShot HD Camera for Android, Perfect Tool For The Spy in Each of Us

Tim — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:11:42 +0000

Whatever purpose you may want to use it for, QuickShot HD is the perfect application for snapping quick pictures without having to pull up your camera app. Simply place the app's icon on your homescreen - once that's done, all you have to do is tap it once and the camera snaps a photo of whatever it is you're looking at. In addition, there is another icon that allows for continuous shooting until you tap on the icon again. It's quite interesting. I suppose if you were in a super rush and didn't have time to wait, this app could come in handy quite a bit. It's currently $3 on Google Play which seems steep, but you can't really put a price tag on perfect timing. Play Link ($3.00)

Samsung Nexus 10 Review

Tim — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:20:09 +0000

Here it is, the official Nexus 10 review from yours truly. After having bought a Nexus 7, I have been quite content with the 7" size and what it offers in terms of being an Android tablet. Although, I know many people out there in our community have had their fingers crossed that Google would make something bigger, and indeed, people's prayers have been answered in the Nexus 10. The Nexus lineup of devices creates a wonderful blend of elegant hardware and exceptional software that brings the ultimate Android experience to your hands. The Nexus 10 is no different and offers up a great deal of features that anyone would be happy to harness for a pretty competitive price. If you have had your eye on one, let's go over why it isn't a question of if you should consider this tablet, but why on Earth wouldn't you.

The Good:

Specs: On paper, Google's Nexus 10 features some of today's most notable specs for a tablet. Under the hood, it is running a dual-core A15 Exynos 5 processor, 2GB of RAM, which powers Android 4.2 "Jelly Bean." In addition, the tablet features a remarkable 10" WQXGA 2560 x 1600 display with 300ppi, a powerful 5MP camera coupled with 4.2's camera software, a 9,000 mAh battery, NFC, Android Beam, and comes in two storage options; 16GB or 32GB. For the price, the Nexus 10 runs laps around the competition.
Display: This display is killer. In terms of specs, it's a 10.055" WQXGA display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 and 300ppi. As for the competition, the newest iPad rocks a 2048x1536 display with 264ppi. Not being someone who bases their opinion solely on a spec shootout, I have enjoyed every second I've had to look at this device. Watching YouTube videos, a movie, and playing games is a real joy when everything looks crystal clear. When outside, text is still clear and viewable, yet manages to be exceptionally brilliant on its lowest brightness setting while laying in bed at night and watching a show. Overall, the display will definitely be the device's power point.

Feel: When you get your hands on the Nexus 10, it just feels good. The backside is smooth (giggidy), with just the right amount of "stick" to make you feel assured that it won't go slipping out of your hand. I've been doing a sort of "twist test" when I get my hands on tablets, by giving the device a very light twist with both hands. For example, some of the ASUS and Archos tablets give off a plastic cracking sound, which for me, is no good. I want to make sure I can at least be able to drop my tablet once or twice and it won't completely fall apart on me. With the Nexus 10, it feels light, sturdy, and durable. As I mentioned, it just feels really good in hand.
Android 4.2: Buying a new Nexus device has its benefits. One of the big ones is knowing you're going to be running the newest version of Android out there, and Android 4.2 kicks major butt. With some enhancements being placed into the camera application, slight UI changes, ability to add multiple users (tablets only), and lockscreen widgets, it's easily my favorite version of Android yet. Knowing that the Nexus 10 will receive updates straight from Google as soon as they are announced is a major plus for anyone wanting no bloatware and no unnecessary skin on top of this beautiful OS.

Back-facing Camera: The fact that the Nexus 10 comes with a camera is an automatic plus. It doesn't even need to be insanely good. The fact that they used the space and made it happen is great thinking on Samsung and Google's part. It's a 5MP camera that actually delivers some decent images. It won't be replacing your point and shoot anytime soon, but for when you need it, it's there and will deliver.

(Warning: Full Resolution Images)

Front-facing Speakers: When listening to videos and playing games, the front-facing speakers deliver. They're loud, sound clear, and maintain at high volumes. We have seen speakers on the back of tablets, which force you into having to do a type of cupping motion so you can hear the sound, something that is just silly. Having them in this position is great and I've been extremely impressed with the audio quality.
Battery: The Nexus 10 battery is a tank. It just won't die. I've had it in my possession for about five days now and I've only charged it once. You can easily get through some Netflix and plenty of Internet browsing. I really can't see you running into any type of issues when it comes to battery life. If you were concerned about battery, don't be.

Multiple Users Feature: One of the features that tablet users will benefit from with the upgrade to Android 4.2, is the ability to have multiple user accounts on one device. Each account can have separate settings that make the tablet custom to each user. You can have different apps, different looks, and different content, which is great for families and other environments where multiple people will be sharing a single device. Smooth move, Google.
Price: At $399 (16GB) and $499 (32GB), the Nexus 10 is one of the more reasonably priced tablets on the market. No other tablet has this good of a display, no other tablet has this new Exynos 5 processor, and no other tablet (aside from the Nexus 7) is supported directly by Google. As previously mentioned, even the new retina iPad cannot can't match the display on the Nexus 10, nor can it match the price.
Gaming: Last but certainly not least, I wanted to touch on gaming with the Nexus 10. When playing, the device utilizes three key aspects of its hardware to make it a very enjoyable experience - the display, the speakers, and the processor. When playing a heavy game like Shadowgun:DeadZone or watching my nephew play Angry Birds Star Wars, it was awesome. Zero lag, no sputtering, and it looked absolutely fantastic. Not much else to say here except gaming on this is pure win. If the Nexus 7 is just too small, then the Nexus 10 is where it's at in this department.

The Not-so-Good:

Backside aka "Fingerprint Magnet": As you may have already heard us discuss here and there, the backside of the Nexus 10 feels great, but it is impossible to clean and keep safe from your greasy fingers. After handling this thing for a bit, you will see the grime begin to accumulate on the back, where you will then need to locate a damp cloth to clean it with. No, a dry paper towel or napkin will not suffice. This thing needs to be seriously buffered in order to become clean. We like the feel of it a lot, but it's just a downer to clean.
Little Quirks of Android 4.2: Now, what I mean by little quirks in Android 4.2 are just little things that we may not like right now, but could find ourselves becoming comfortable with down the road. The main example I will use is the notification pulldowns on the homescreen. Since the beginning, there has only been just one. Now, with Android 4.2, there are two. This is frustrating at times. It has become muscle memory to just pulldown the notification bar and clear your notifications and access Settings menus, but now, it's divided. The pulldown on the left is strictly for notifications, while the other is for system settings. Why they decided to split it and not just do the reversible configuration like they did on the phones is beyond me. Like I said, this could be something that I grow fond of down the road (doubt it), but it's definitely not a make or break situation.

Lack of Expandable Memory: I will only briefly touch on this, since I myself do not find it to be an issue, but I know some do. The Nexus 10 does not have expandable memory, which could be a deal breaker for some. It comes in 16GB and 32GB models, and if that's simply not enough, or you need access to additional storage that you can easily swap, this won't be the tablet for you. There are plenty of other options out there that feature lots of ports and storage options.
No 4G LTE: The Nexus 10 is a WiFi-only tablet, so if you were hoping to add this to your shiny new Family Share plan and soak up the 4G LTE speeds of Verizon or AT&T, you will be disappointed. Not having LTE is not a big deal if you know going in that it's a WiFi-only tablet. And truthfully, there is nothing wrong with a tablet that is WiFi-only. We all love a low, low price, something that wouldn't have been easily accomplished if it had an LTE chip inside.

Revolves Around Google Play Content:

Much like its little brother, the Nexus 10 revolves around the idea that as an owner of a Nexus 10, you are investing yourself into Google's Android ecosystem. You're downloading apps, renting movies, buying music, and reading books all from Google Play. To me, the question is simply, "Is this the device I want to spend my hard earned money on to deliver the goods?" Upon first boot, Google makes sure you know about their presence throughout the device, and how simple it is to get the content you want right from the Play store.

It isn't overdone and it's quite tasteful in terms of advertising, which I appreciate. Many who are reading this probably already own an Android device, but whenever I talk to someone who is debating between iOS and Android, I always refer to the ecosystem and community. With the Nexus 10, this is a great device to either upgrade to or start off with down the road to living with Android.

Device Gallery:

[nggallery id=24]

Device Overview:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/goTeTzbH_8M[/youtube]

Android 4.2 Overview:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/rXi4Ep6LZio[/youtube]

Conclusion:

When Google launched its Nexus 7 tablet at Google I/O, I quickly found that a 7" device was the perfect size for me. But with so many people on this planet, it's only natural that someone out there will disagree. In fact, I saw so many comments from people who wanted a bigger tablet that I quickly assured myself that Google would inevitably create a device that suited other's needs. But, would it meet the buyer's expectations that Google set so high with the success and pricing of the Nexus 7? To sum it all up, I think Google has accomplished what they set out to do - create a 10" tablet for those that want it and expect it to be an absolute dream device at the same time. Sure, the back is a fingerprint magnet, but that is really the only negative I can come up with. The display is gorgeous, the device is extremely fast and responsive, and it will receive updates for a long time to come. As an Android fan, that is literally all we can ask for.

Beta Version of Utter! Released to Play Store, Most Powerful Voice Actions App to Date?

Kellen — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:32:09 +0000

Utter!, a voice actions Android app that we covered months ago, went into beta today, and then entered the Google Play store. While we normally roll our eyes at the never-ending string of Siri knock-off style apps that have come to our favorite mobile platform, Utter! is quite different. It's creator had one focus - to make Utter! "super functional and fast." After playing with it for a few minutes, the "super functional" part has clearly been nailed. There are more voice actions that can be completed with Utter! than any other app I've seen thus far. And trust me, we see them all, even the apps that have paid PR teams to help promote the 6 actions that their app can barely complete. Utter! has literally hundreds of actions, will address you in a manner that you choose (ex: "Yo, Kellen!"), and has an exhaustive list of "coming soon" features that will surely grab your attention. To get a feel for Utter!'s power, take a look at the video below. Play Link

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_irIFVI1x0[/youtube]

Cheers @tomgillotti!

DROID DNA Bootloader Reportedly No Longer Unlockable Through HTCDev

Kellen — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:10:37 +0000

To no one's surprise, the HTCDev bootloader tool apparently no longer works on the HTC DROID DNA. The timing couldn't be worse, of course, as the device launches on Verizon in the morning. We first reported that the tool was working, but feared that a last minute change would ruin our fun. That change has happened according to members at XDA. In related and more positive news, developers do not appear to be worried about this change affecting their progress on fully unlocking to S-OFF. In the mean time, though, this will likely stunt immediate ROM development. And do I even need to mention the responsible party for this move? Probably not. Via: XDA

Tuesday Poll: By the End of 2012, Which Phone Will You Own?

Kellen — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:36:21 +0000

Over the last several of months, we have seen more high-end phones announced than in any time period I can recall over the past couple of years. Samsung started things off by releasing the Galaxy S3 and will follow that up with the Galaxy Note 2. Motorola dropped the RAZR M and RAZR HD on us. LG and Google gave us the Nexus 4. And finally, HTC is preparing to sell the DROID DNA, the world's first 1080p phone. So my question today is, which of these phones are you going to own by the end of this year? We know that many of you are planning to upgrade to something in the coming weeks or during the holidays. What will it be? And if you don't plan on picking up one of these new ones, feel free to choose "Other" and then let us know in the comments. We also included the Galaxy Nexus because I know that many of you aren't ready to give it up yet. [poll id="221"]

Motorola Promotes Jelly Bean on the RAZR M in Latest Ad Campaign

Kellen — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:00:01 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmgd45zCEW0[/youtube]

With the Motorola RAZR M taking its place as the first from Moto to carry Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), the ad campaign to promote it has already started. Thankfully, it's not half bad. The spots brag about Google Now and its traffic monitoring powers, navigation re-routing in Maps, and best in the business text translations. But beyond that, they are worth a chuckle.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs5uq1zUXoE[/youtube]

Cheers E!

32GB Nexus 10 Back in Stock at the Google Play Store

Kellen — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:22:55 +0000

The 32GB version of the Samsung Nexus 10 is back in stock at the Google Play store. After having sold out on launch day, last week, you may want to hurry on over and grab one. The 16GB version is in stock as well, but for $100 more, you get double the storage. Up to you to decide if it's worth it. Play Link Cheers @christerask!

Google to Fix Overblown December Birthday Issue in Android 4.2

Kellen — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:03:01 +0000

Over the last couple of days, the Android community noticed a bug in Android 4.2, one that erased the month of December through the Event calendar in the People app (pictured above). You would have thought that the world had come to an end over something so minute. What shall we ever do without the ability to add a December birthday in the People app! Especially when the actual Calendar itself works just fine...but I digress. So Google, trying to stop the wave of overblown criticism, took to Google+ to announce that they had discovered the bug and will be fixing it "soon" so that December birthdays will not be missed.

We discovered a bug in the Android 4.2 update, which makes it impossible to enter December events in optional fields of the People app (this bug did not affect Calendar). Rest assured, this will be fixed soon so that those of you with December birthdays and anniversaries won't be forgotten by your friends and family.

There, all good, Android community? Via: +Android

ASUS: We Are Currently Working On Development of Android 4.2 For Our Tablets

Tim — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:55:48 +0000

In a recent discussion with a customer service representative, a customer happily found that ASUS is currently working on development of Android 4.2 for their lineup of devices. Beyond the fact that it is indeed happening, no details concerning which devices would see it first or when we could expect it were mentioned. We have known that ASUS is fantastic with updates and always makes sure their hardware is running the latest version of Android possible, so we could maybe expect some updates before the end of 2012. Once we get more official details from ASUS, we will keep you posted. Via: The Android Soul | Tablets Magazine Cheers TrekMD!

Nexus 10 Toolkit Released - Time to Unlock That Bootloader and Obtain Root Access

Tim — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:20:58 +0000

As soon as we wrote up that a Nexus 4 toolkit was released, the emails started coming in that the same developer also released a Nexus 10 toolkit. Go figure. For anyone who doesn't know, these toolkits will help either beginners who are learning about their tablets or the seasoned pros who simply don't want to do any heavy lifting. They will help with unlocking your bootloader, rooting the device, installing a custom recovery, and a whole lot more with hardly any effort on your part. You will need a PC, but once you download and install the drivers and software, you're pretty much good to go. If you're ready to get your hands dirty, head on over to the XDA thread and check it out. Via: XDA Cheers IgotGAME!

Skype for Android Now Officially Tablet Optimized

Tim — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 09:45:42 +0000

This morning, the official Skype for Android application has been updated and optimized for use on Android tablets. They may be a bit late to the party, but as they say, better late than never. Now, when you're on the go or lounging at home, you can contact your colleagues or loved ones via video chat or Skype's IM service, all for free. Much like Skype for your smartphone, you can also make calls to land lines and mobiles for low rates, which is a plus that some people may need. The UI has been updated to fit any tablet size, which means it will look good on your Nexus 7 all the way up to your Nexus 10. So, go grab the update in Google Play. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/g7jemPb4QQc[/youtube]

Nexus 7 Sales Figures Surprise Even Google, Order for Additional Units Placed to Meet Demand

Tim — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 09:08:00 +0000

According to sources at parts manufacturers, sales figures for the Nexus 7 have officially shocked Google. Originally, El Goog thought 2.5 million units would be sufficient to get them through 2012, but to meet demand for the popular 7" tablet, Google has placed an additional order of 2.5 million to keep the masses happy. Just weeks ago, we still didn't have any word that the Nexus 7 was even selling well at all, but ASUS put our minds at ease when they slipped and said they are shipping nearly 1 million a month. What this means for us is that after seeing their devices become so popular, Google will start investing even more into their hardware and we'll begin to see a lot more down the road. That would be nice, right? Via: BGR | Digitimes

HTC CEO Chou Says $6-8 Per Device Licensing Estimate is 'An Outrageous Number'

Eric — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:45:42 +0000

Apple and HTC may have gotten together and worked out an agreement to stop patent litigation between them, but we don't really know what the exact numbers are. Some analysts did the math after the total deal number and came up with a guess that HTC would be paying $6-8 for each handset, a number that HTC CEO Peter Chou claims is "outrageous." “I think that these estimates are baseless and very, very wrong. It is a outrageous number, but I’m not going to comment anything on a specific number. I believe we have a very, very happy settlement and a good ending," Chou said in a recent interview. Chou would seem to know best since he personally led the negotiations with Apple, but until the official numbers come out the question still lingers of who came out on top of this deal. Via: TechCrunch

Jelly Bean Update VRBLK1 Leaks for Verizon Galaxy S3, How Close are We?

Kellen — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:07:45 +0000

Last week, an anonymous tipster told us that we could see the official Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update rollout for Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S3 by 11/16. That day has come and gone without word, but a new build of the update showed up on 11/15 and is now available for download. That tipster may have been pretty spot on after all, however, his timing could have been off. For all we know, the new build was simply supposed to be submitted by last Friday, not rollout to devices. And if that's the case, then hopefully this build turns out to be final, gets approved, and will then be pushed to your devices shortly. Only time will tell. The build number is VRBLK1. The previous leak was VRBLJ1. In order to flash this, you'll need ODIN, an unlocked bootloader, and a handful of other files that can be found at the XDA link below. Via: Samsung Updates | XDA Cheers Dan and ItsASamsung!

Get Your Hands on a Nexus 4? It Qualifies For 50GB of Free Storage From Box

Eric — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 07:55:36 +0000

If you have your hands on a Nexus 4 already we have something that will make your day a bit better. Last year, way back in November, LG and Box got together for a nice little storage promotion. Every LG phone that installed Box before December 31, 2012 gets 50GB of storage for free.

While it may be a Google Nexus, LG definitely manufactured the phone which means you're eligible for that free storage. Now it's in Google's hands to try and get all the back orders filled before the end of the year so people can claim their free storage.

Any Nexus 4 owners planning on using this promotion for their cloud storage needs?

Via: Box

Nexus 4 Toolkit Released - Helps With Unlocking Bootloader, Rooting and Lots More

Tim — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:15:42 +0000

One of the joys of owning a Nexus device is the freedom you have to unlock and root your device as you please. As one would guess, the newest Nexus 4 has gained plenty of developer support and there is already a fancy toolkit available through XDA that will help you fulfill all of your hacking and modding needs. Available for Windows machines, once you download and install the software, all it takes is a few clicks of some buttons and you're off to a wonderland of root and custom recovery goodness. It would take up about half of the page to show you what all this thing could do, so instead we'll just point you to the toolkit's home instead. Have fun, Nexus owners! Via: XDA

Lockscreen Policy Allows You to Disable Lockscreen Widgets and Camera Shortcuts in Android 4.2

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:47:50 +0000

I've been pretty open and honest about my thoughts on lockscreen widgets in Android 4.2. To be short - they don't make a lot of sense to me, and I'm not a fan of the way the new lockscreen works. I was satisfied with the one button, sliding mechanism, something that has now been replaced by a separate Google Now shortcut and a camera screen that requires a full swipe. That's right, you now have to worry about 3 or 4 different actions from your lockscreen rather than one button that does them all. Clearly they don't make much sense to other users as well, since one decided to make a quick app that allows you to disable them, something Google should have built-in from the start. If you have been annoyed at the glowing sidebars that greet you every time you wake your device, or simply do not need access to your text messaging, calendar, or camera apps, then give this free app called Lockscreen Policy a try. It's creator tells us that this isn't the most polished app, but more of a "workaround for a problem that Google has yet to fix." Play Link Cheers Chislon!

Here is the Special Edition Red DROID RAZR MAXX HD for Verizon Employees

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:13:03 +0000

At the end of last week, we reported word that Verizon would be carrying a set of special edition employee-only versions of their best devices, leading into the holidays. Lucky VZW employees that chose to pick-up one could choose between a red version of the RAZR MAXX HD, Windows Phone 8X, or DROID DNA. As you can see from the pictures we received, this employee went all-in on a RAZR MAXX HD. Each device is individually numbered and printed with the words "LIMITED EDITION." We predicted that the device would have red lines in place of the grey ones on the retail RAZR HD, something shown here. Moto and Big Red even managed to color the power button red, as well. Not a bad looking phone, that's for sure. It's too bad that only employees are allowed to purchase these. I'd probably pay a pretty penny to get a hold of an all-red DNA. Thoughts?

Cheers ___!

Samsung Galaxy Camera Unboxing and Quick First Impressions

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:45:50 +0000

A Samsung Galaxy Camera arrived on my rain-covered doorstep this afternoon, instantly turning my Instagram account into the greatest the world has ever seen. OK, that may be a bit of a stretch. But this product does help usher in a new era of photography and sharing. With the Galaxy Camera, you get a full version of Android 4.1, Samsung's TouchWiz UI, a quad-core processor, 4.8" HD Super LCD display, and HSPA+ connectivity, so that you can share your photographic skills from anywhere in the world. You also have access to the Google Play store, which includes every app that your current smartphone and tablet can run. The only thing not included in this device, is the ability to make calls. Yeah, it's impressive. We'll have a full review of the device in the coming weeks, but to help kick off our coverage, wanted to quickly unbox the device, walk through the outside, and then flip through a couple of screens. So far, I'm impressed at what Samsung has done here. They combined specs that are only seen in top-of-the-line smartphones with a real point and shoot camera. The UI works flawlessly, the screen is beautiful, and the build quality feels much better than many of their products. "How is the camera?" you ask? That will take some time to test.

Unboxing

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfjehr0_aVE[/youtube]

Gallery

[nggallery id=29]

Motorola XOOM 4G LTE Just $199 Through Daily Deals

Tim — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:56:41 +0000

If you aren't in the market for the newest and greatest, then this sale on Daily Deals for the Motorola XOOM may be just for you. For a few more hours, you can pick up the original Android tablet, with Verizon's 4G LTE built-in, for just $200. Compared to how much these were sold for when they first came out, this is a pretty awesome deal. The tablets are factory re-furbished, so are by no means "new." This would be a good alternative for someone who wants something bigger than the Nexus 7, plus can throw it on your wireless plan. Buy. Cheers Luke and Daniel!

Windows Phone 8 Challenges Android and iOS, Goes After 2-year Old Android Phones to Prove Its Worth

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:10:24 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_TVf1-0nfY&feature=plcp[/youtube]

Windows Phone 8 is official, as are the devices it runs on, so it only makes sense that the marketing campaign for this new mobile OS would kick into high gear. You may remember last year's Windows Phone marketing campaign called "Smoked by Windows Phone." Actually, wasn't there a controversy surrounding that? Indeed there was. This year's campaign is similar, only the name is a bit more tame as "Meet Your Match." During these spots, "Ben" talks to regular ol' folks and asks them what type of phone they own and what kinds of activities they do with it. Most say that they take pictures or text or venture into social networks, all of which are right up Windows Phone's alley for showing off its tricks. Windows Phone is built around performing everyday tasks at ultra-fast speeds, thanks to shortcuts they have pre-built into the OS. The funny thing about this campaign, is that they aren't exactly going after the cream of the crop of Android phones. Take the two videos we've included for example, where the competition is a 2-year old HTC Inspire 4G and a MyTouch of some sort. Spoiler alert! They couldn't keep up with the phones built in 2012. I will say, though, that I do like a lot of what Windows Phone 8 does. In fact, I have a Lumia 822 sitting on my desk now. The UI is beautiful and you can accomplish everyday tasks in seconds.The problem with it that I have (and most of you would as well), is that the app ecosystem is beyond lacking. Think back to 2009 when Android had only a couple of the top apps on iOS. Windows Phone is still stuck in that period, only it's 2012. I'm still hoping to get a hold of a Windows Phone 8X at some point and will more than likely do a review of it. This 822 just isn't worth your time.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3nnLhxiIWY[/youtube]

Via: Windows Phone Blog | TechCrunch Cheers E!

HTC DROID DNA Review

Dave — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:37:49 +0000

With the announcement of the HTC DROID DNA last week, we have entered a new arena for our cellular devices. Introduced as one the first smartphones with a 1080p display, we’re talking about full-HD content in the palm of your hand. This latest offering from HTC has Sense, powerful internals and boasts Beats audio integration. The specs are top of the line, but so are other competitors’ phones. Will a powerful display be the deciding factor when it comes to purchasing the device or will the Droid branding be all the drive it needs? Here’s our thoughts on the device.

The Good:

Specs: Most phones have been releasing with top end internals and the DNA is right in line with them. It ships with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz, along with 2GB of RAM. This combination offers a powerful and lag-free experience for the end-user. Let’s not forget that it includes a 4G LTE radio which will take advantage of Verizon’s fast, ever-growing network. The device also offers a 5" 1080p FHD LCD 3 (1920x1080) 440ppi display, NFC, an 8MP camera, 2.1MP front-facing shooter, wireless charging, and Beats audio software .
Look & Feel: The first thing you’ll notice about this phone is the very slick, bright red micro-grills on the sides of the device. The front display offers glass that curves around the front edge of the phone to give a very comfortable, nice rounded feel. The back is as plain as they come, with a matte black plastic covering. Despite the screen being 5”, they were able to keep the device size down. It’s nowhere near as large as the Note 2 looks or feels in hand. The side profile of the device is quite thin, so you don’t feel like you are holding onto a brick. The large screen size might give someone with small hands some trouble with one-handed operation, but I was able to use the device without issue. Overall, despite the use of plastic, the device feels solid and evenly weighted for long term use.

Display: It’s brilliant. On paper, it’s a 5” FHD 1080p super LCD 3 screen with a pixel density of 440ppi. With so many pixels packed into the space, every image looks clean and text is crisp. The colors have a nice level of contrast, especially when compared to the Nexus 4 which looks slightly de-saturated and dull when placed next to this device. Even with the display brightness turned down, there is not a noticeable decrease in visual performance when it comes to color balance. In terms of other displays, this is definitely one of the top performers available today.

Speaker/Beats: Having used the Galaxy Nexus for most of the past year, the speaker on this device just blows it away. You can turn the music up to full with no distortion and it gets quite loud. The speaker also performs well on phone calls, with no reports of echo from the other side. The Beats integration seems to be more of a gimmick than anything else. Music through headphones sounds great, but I get the same performance when using other devices and tuning the EQ manually. That being said, for people that want something great out of the box, the speaker and included Beats audio work wonderfully.
4G LTE/Radios: There’s no questioning that Verizon has really put a lot of effort into making their 4G network a fast performing option for those that can afford it. The radio in the device seems to be a bit sensitive when it comes to areas with low reception. I constantly found the device dropping back to 3G, even when other devices were maintaining a 4G connection, albeit a poor one at that. The big surprise in this device is the inclusion of GSM radios, with the potential to use this device as a world phone. The phone actually ships with Global mode turned on and has the option to switch to LTE/CDMA or even GSM only. Time will tell if Verizon patches this ability or leaves it be.
Performance: HTC’s DNA is a powerful device that shows no signs of fatigue through normal or advanced operation. You can be streaming music and playing Angry Birds without a stutter. Scrolling through a G+ feed is as fast as your connection will allow. Despite having the burden of Sense on the device, you will find that multi-tasking and gaming are easily accomplished without hiccups. The DNA is no slouch in benchmark performance either, and given the real world performance I’ve seen firsthand, this device will handle anything you throw at it.

Wireless Charging: While I did not have the ability to test this firsthand, I was able to check out the phone’s charging base accessory at the release event. It’s as easy as placing the device on the base and watch as your battery regains its charge. As someone who has a lot of devices and accompanying cables, I hope that we’ll see more and more devices shipping with this capability. The device utilizes the Qi wireless charging standard, so it should work with any charging base that is built to spec, adding that extra layer of compatibility that is always appreciated.
Jelly Bean 4.1: The phone is shipping with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and that means that all of the feature improvements from that release will come in the box including expandable notifications and Google Now. The performance enhancements of the 4.1 release, coupled with the powerful specs of this device, will give any user a smooth experience. There’s been no word as to when this device will or won’t see any updates, but Jelly Bean is a great start.
Battery Life: Since the day it was made official, the 2020 mAh battery has been the biggest question mark on this device’s spec sheet. With the 5” display and the 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon, is the battery size really enough? For the average consumer, yes it is. I tried to approach the phone a different way each day to simulate various user experiences. One day, I used it sparingly, as one might if they were occupied with other tasks. I spent another day streaming a movie from Google Play and constantly surveying the social network landscape. Even when in LTE, the phone still sips at the battery. I did however find myself in a rough patch at one point, straddling a 3G/4G area. The constant switching of the radio proved to be a drastic drain, and with no ability to disable 4G, I was stuck watching the battery deplete. According to Battery Widget? Reborn! (which I installed on the device when I received it), my average battery charge lasted 21 hours. Coming from a VZW Galaxy Nexus (with extended battery), I’d say this device’s battery manages to handle the screen size and LTE well.

The Not-so-Good:

Notification LED: The notification LED appears not only on the front of the device, but also on the backside. The downside to this is that you are never able to avoid the blinking of the notification, despite turning your phone over. To add insult to injury, the included LED is not RGB. You are stuck with either green for notifications/fully charged or red for dying/charging.
Non-removable Battery: Despite my positive results with the battery life, there is still no excuse for lack of removable battery. Not only does it deter power users, who may want to carry an extra battery or even an extendable battery, but it’s a consumer unfriendly practice. If your battery decides to fault, you can’t just put in a replacement. The entire device must be shipped out. With our increasing reliance on our personal devices, this is just a risk that some people can’t afford.
On-device navigation keys: With the introduction of Google Now, people have become accustomed to a simple swipe up over the home button to be able to access it. With the inclusion of hardware keys, you lose that ability and are stuck pressing down the home button. Not that this is necessarily a difficult process, but it’s a break from the usage pattern present with on-screen keys. Also, let’s not forget everyone’s favorite menu button that keeps appearing within non-compliant apps.

Camera: As impressive as the 88 degree FFC is, there is no excuse for the quality issues with pictures taken by the 8MP camera in the rear of the device. Despite images looking good on the device, this does not translate to other displays. Even in fully lit areas, there is a considerable amount of pixelation and noise present. I’m not expecting a phone to take DSLR equivalent shots, but there are other phones on the market that prove decent pictures can be achieved. FFC camera offers extra perspective you won’t find on other devices, but with the same pixelation and noise present on the back camera. The camera software is not AOSP stock, so it may be a software issue that can be patched in the future.

No SD-slot: This seems to be a trend lately among all the manufacturers and I’m not a fan. We recently ran a poll and the results seem pretty divided about whether this matters to you or not. I believe that the lack of expandable storage is not in the best interests of consumers at this time, especially in situations where data caps are prevalent.
Sense 4+: I haven’t used Sense since back on the Thunderbolt and to me, it doesn’t feel like it has evolved since then. When the changes made to included software seems to be a step backward from Google’s offerings in AOSP, what is the purpose of the skin other than removing functionality? Skins were definitely necessary back in the Froyo days, but with the advancements to core Android, I’m not such a believer now. Little things are missing like swiping from camera to gallery or even multi-selecting in gallery (yes seriously, you can’t). Also, who forgot to tell them that tabs on the bottom was a blatant disregard of the Android design guidelines? Other gripes include an ever present Wifi notification in your pulldown, whether wifi is on or off. Oh and if you have NFC on, you’re treated to an ever-present icon in the notification bar. I could probably keep going, but you get the point I’m trying to make.

Bootloader/bloatware: Since the announcement of the device, it has come to light that the device can be unlocked via HTC’s portal. This does not remove S-ON and at this point, the future of homebrew development is unknown. Since this device is on Verizon’s network, they have made sure to not only include the full suite of Verizon apps, but also Amazon’s suite, NFL Mobile and other apps. Though most of these can be disabled, it’s always disappointing to see them included on a device.

Gallery:

Unboxing:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/cKgaBMbrxlk[/youtube]

Device Overview:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/6rVlM7Pv5ws[/youtube]

The Verdict:

With the holiday season upon us, many of you Verizon users are going to be looking at either the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or the HTC Droid DNA. Both of these devices are powerful and top-of-line units which are a great investment to end 2012 with. As I touched on earlier, the 5” screen on this device does not increase the form factor and I believe that many of you will find this device easier to manage than the Note 2. The big deciding factor for you will be whether you want to take advantage of Samsung’s S-Pen and all of the software that comes along with it. The HTC Droid DNA is definitely an exciting phone to use. If you’ve been looking for a 5” screen, and don’t need the use of a pen input device, then this is the phone for you. The screen itself is beautiful and the phone’s performance is top notch. For only $199, with contract, the price is certainly attractive and just in time for the holidays.

Republic Wireless Leaves Beta, Pre Order Your Split From the Big Carriers Today

Eric — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:40:41 +0000

It's been almost a year since Republic Wireless burst onto the scene promising a break from the big carriers' networks and pricing. Today is the day that people can make the move and pre-order themselves a spot in Republic's service that offers wireless coverage balanced with their 'Hybrid Calling' technology. WiFi is used for calling and data whenever it possibly can and cell coverage when there no WiFi networks can be found.

If you're ready to make the move you can pre-order the Motorola DEFY XT for $249 and $10 of start-up fees. After that you are free to use the service for the low price of $19 a month, arguably lower than anyone on this site is paying right now. If you're interested in signing up, hit the link below.

Is it worth switching from your superphone and 4G LTE for the low price? Anyone intrigued?

Via: Republic Wireless

CyanogenMod's Highly Customizable Apollo Music App Hits Google Play

Tim — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:10:02 +0000

Users of CyanogenMod will recognize Apollo as the baked in music player that is featured throughout their ROMs. This morning, it has officially hit Google Play for anyone to download, and features some very cool options that could certainly replace any other player you currently use. For example, it has the look and feel of Google Music, while also providing lots of options such as lyrics support, custom themes, and also the ability to pin full albums/playlists to your homescreen for easy access. There are a ton more things you can do, so check it out if you're looking to get the most out of your mobile music player. Play Link Via: Android Spin

Contest: Win the Ultimate Gift of Music - a SONOS Wireless HiFi Bundle! (Update: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:45:02 +0000

As we head into the craziest holiday shopping weekend of the year, we wanted to give the Droid Life community a chance to start things off with a bang, a melodic bang. The folks at SONOS are running a holiday promotion this year that involves a Wireless HiFi Bundle for $299. The bundle includes a PLAY:3 speaker and Bridge. It's like the ultimate starter kit for anyone who has been needing a reason to turn their house into a wireless musical haven. The bundle will be available at Target, Best Buy, Amazon and Sonos.com. Not familiar with SONOS? We actually reviewed a SONOS system a couple of years ago and loved every minute of it. In fact, since that review, I've purchased multiple SONOS products to help round out my house's wireless HiFi system. The idea is simple - beautifully designed speakers that put out incredible sound, yet are easily manageable over your home wireless network. The PLAY:3 is the smaller of the speakers that SONOS offers, but that doesn't mean it won't pack a punch. The Bridge is the device that connects everything from your phone to your speaker to your other speaker. And speaking of phones (tablets too), SONOS has one of the better Android apps you'll find anywhere for controlling it all. Beyond your home music collection, SONOS has tie-ins with Pandora, Spotify, Rhapsody, Last.fm, iHeartRadio and more. They claim that you can "listen to all the music in the world" through SONOS, and they may be right. So, who wants to win a bundle?

Contest

Update: We have our winner and they have been emailed. Thanks to everyone who entered! Prize: 1 (one) SONOS Wireless Bundle which includes a PLAY:3 and BRIDGE. How to enter: 1. ~~Follow @droid_life and @Sonos on Twitter.~~ ~~2. In the comments, list out your top 5 albums of all time.~~ ~~3. Also, would love to hear which music services are your favorites. (Spotify, Pandora, etc.)~~ Winner: A winner will be randomly chosen on Wednesday, November 21, at 12:00PM Pacific.

LG Nexus 4 Review

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:00:10 +0000

The LG Nexus 4 wasn't much of a secret when Google finally announced it. After appearing in a variety of forms and rumors for weeks ahead of its unveiling, we thought we knew all there was to know about it. That of course, was not true. But once we finally got a hold of it, we wondered if there were enough hidden secrets or highlights to make this ultra-affordable Nexus stand out from a crowded holiday smartphone lineup or if the lack of LTE would be a deal breaker? Let's talk about it.

The Good:

Specs: When it comes to specs, there are few phones that can compare to the LG Nexus 4. It has the latest and greatest processor (quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro), 2GB RAM, an 8MP camera, wireless charging, NFC, and one of the best displays in the business (4.7" HD IPS+). It may lack an LTE chip, which could be a deal breaker for some, but if you can live with HSPA+ data speeds (which aren't slow), then you can't really go wrong here. The Nexus 4 is essentially a brother to LG's Optimus G, a device we reviewed a few weeks back, and were very fond of.
Display: The 4.7" HD IPS+ LCD display on the Nexus 4 is one of the best in the business. If it weren't for the new 1080p display in the HTC DROID DNA, I'd argue that it is the best in the business (though the Galaxy Note 2's display is up there as well). Colors and lines are ultra-crisp thanks to the 320 pixels per inch (ppi), the viewing angles are impressive, it gets very bright for use anywhere, and the blacks are black enough. Beyond how it looks, this display has some other tricks up its sleeves. LG and Google designed it to almost bubble up above the outer frame of the device. What I mean, is that it cascades over the edges of the device, so as you brush you finger across it, you don't feel a sharp edge, but more of a soft finish. The display itself is also great to touch thanks to a G2 Touch Hybrid technology. The responsiveness is as good as any, and your finger seems to glide easily over it during presses, almost as if you are actually touching what you are seeing. Again, it's an amazing smartphone display.

(Warning: Gmail picture is a large macro shot.)

Performance: Thanks to its quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and Android 4.2, you won't find hiccups or stutters while using the Nexus 4. Project Butter (in Jelly Bean) combined with the best processor on the planet, makes for one of the best smartphone experiences. With the on-screen navigation keys, you can quickly jump in and out of apps, access Google Now from anywhere, and make full use of Android's multi-tasking. There also has to be something said for the fact that it runs stock Android. There is no manufacturer skin to get in the way or to potentially slow down the phone. This is how Google meant for Android and a smartphone of theirs to work. And boy does it ever.
Android 4.2: When you buy a brand new Android smartphone, rarely are you running the most current version of the operating system. Well, unless you buy a new Nexus. With the LG Nexus 4, Google launched Android 4.2, the newest and best version of Android to date. It includes all new camera software, improved keyboard, widgets on the lock screen, multi-user support (on tablets), an upgraded Gmail, and a beautiful new clock. Check out the video below to see all of the major highlights.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXi4Ep6LZio[/youtube]

Price: At $299 for the 8GB model and $349 for the 16GB model, you won't find a more reasonably priced phone than the Nexus 4. I already mentioned how impressive this phone is when it comes to specs, but besides that, Google has made it clear that they aren't fans of the long-standing carrier approach to phone subsidies. Rather than trying to sucker you into a contract by offering you a low price on a phone, Google simply says, "Here is a phone that you can have at a ridiculously low price and that won't require you to sign a contract. We're able to offer you this deal because we can recoup the money in the Google Play store, thanks to the content that you'll consume." It's an approach that I hope lives on forever. Think about what Verizon is doing right now with the Motorola RAZR MAXX HD. They want you to spend $299 on it, but in order to get that price, you'll have to sign a 2-year contract. Google is selling you a phone that bests the RAZR MAXX HD on multiple levels, yet retails at the same $299 price, but then lets you go find a carrier and data plan that fits your needs, while avoiding a contract.
Camera: The stock Android camera software has always been lacking, and it showed in pictures taken with any Nexus device. Thankfully, in Android 4.2, Google decided to re-do the stock Android camera software and make it halfway decent. In my test shots with the Nexus 4's 8MP shooter, I was able to produce some decent stills. I wouldn't say the LG Nexus 4 takes as good of pictures as the Galaxy S3, but that's magic that very few phone manufacturers can figure out. It certainly will do just fine in a pinch. What I really like about this new camera though, is the quick settings that can be accessed by pressing on the viewfinder. You can quickly toggle your flash off or on, change scenes, and manually tweak other settings. Also, the new Photosphere camera feature that Google introduced is incredibly fun to use. Rather than limiting your camera to taking side-sweeping panoramic photos, Google decided that it wanted you to be able to take full 360-degree photos. With Photosphere (an example below), you get to capture entire rooms or scenes. Overall, the new camera software coupled with the 8MP sensor in the Nexus 4 is a giant step forward for Google.

(Click the image below to view it as a Photosphere at Google+.)

Design and Build: If you own a Galaxy Nexus, your first impression of the the Nexus 4 is probably that it looks just like your Galaxy Nexus. And to be honest, it sort of does if you lay them down, face up next to each other. Once you pick up the Nexus 4, though, you'll immediately realize that it is so much better. The front and back are both made of glass, it certainly doesn't feel like it's made of "cheap" plastic, there is a soft touch plastic rim around the outer edge that helps with grip, the rounded edges help it fit perfectly in your hand, and the weight is not too light nor too heavy. It's one of those phones that you find yourself picking up, spinning around, and smiling at. From the Crystal Reflection backside (more on this in a minute) to the all-black finishes and Nexus logo, I have to admit that I haven't been this impressed with a smartphone design in some time.
"Crystal Reflection" Backside: During a couple of episodes of The Droid Life Show, we poked a bit of fun at the sparkly "Crystal Reflection" backside of the Nexus 4. For those new, Crystal Reflection is a process that LG invented which allows them to laser etch patterns or prisms onto glass of a smartphone to give it a high-end "jewel-like" appearance. The reference they make to "jewel-like" is why we giggled a bit at it, however, once I got the phone in hand, my opinion changed to a much more favorable one. The sparkles are so subtle, that you won't even see them 75% of the time. They are only there when you are really looking for them, which is the way it should be. The Crystal Reflection is one of those design ideas that you couldn't have imagined that you would want or like, but then once you see a metallic reflection, you'll appreciate every second of it.

Unlocked: Google is selling the Nexus 4 as a SIM unlocked GSM phone that works in over 200 countries. It may not have LTE support for the ultra-fast networks that are taking over the U.S., but the phone should get HSPA+ speeds almost anywhere in the world. It works on T-Mobile and AT&T here, so if you don't want to sign into a contract with a carrier, you can choose from a variety of prepaid plans that are attached to either of these carriers. It's smartphone freedom in a time when carriers want nothing more than to lock you up for years on end.
Hackability: Nexus phones are a hacker's dream device. Google leaves them open, meaning you can unlocked their bootloaders, root them, and toss on custom software with a couple of simple commands. We are starting to see more and more carriers force manufacturers into securing their phones and preventing tinkerer's from fully enjoying them, but with Google making Nexus phones, there will always be an option.
Updates: When you buy the newest Nexus phone, and as long as it isn't tied to a carrier, you are going to get Android updates on it before any other phone. With the Nexus 4, you get Android 4.2 first. But not only that, you'll get Android 4.3 or 5.0 or whichever version comes next as soon as Google makes it available. There is no middle man (carrier) to interfere. That's the beauty of an unlocked Nexus device.

Wireless Charging: The Nexus 4 has built-in wireless charging. Set to the Qi standard, all you need is a Qi-approved wireless charging pad and you can place the phone down without plugging it in, and it'll replenish the battery. It's a technology that has been out for years now, but rather than building the technology into phones, most carriers and manufacturers decided that they should try to make an extra buck by forcing you to buy separate wireless charging backs. With the Nexus 4, Google and LG have gone away from this method and included the technology upfront. Again, all you need is a charging pad and you can wireless charge this phone out of the box.
Gaming: The Nexus 4 is a pleasure to game on. With its Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and Adreno 320 GPU, even the most intense HD games play incredibly well at high frame rates. Combine all that with the beautiful 4.7" HD display and you have a match made in heaven for mobile gamers.

The Not-so-Good

No LTE: Andy Rubin made it clear during the unveiling of the Nexus 4 that they could have included LTE connectivity, but that they weren't convinced that the user experience would have been optimal. After the battery life disaster that was the LTE Galaxy Nexus, Google decided to put their resources in making an amazing phone that had everything the market had to offer, outside of LTE. While they wait for LTE networks to mature, we're going to be left wondering if this was the correct move or not. Global networks are not as advanced in the LTE department as they are here, but that doesn't mean we aren't disappointed. LTE is the future and so is the U.S. wireless market. Part of buying a smartphone is deciding whether or not this phone is going to take you into the future. While most of us can live with HSPA+ speeds, a lack of LTE makes the Nexus 4 feel a step behind, when it shouldn't. Oh, and let's also not forget that the phone actually does have an LTE chip inside, but it isn't active.

Glass Backside: If you read my review of the Optimus G, the device the Nexus 4 is built off of, you probably saw the cracked backside. I still cannot figure out how I managed to crack that device, which is why the glass back on the Nexus 4 concerns me. One reviewer of this phone simply knocked his unit off his desk and was able to crack it. What other everyday wear and tear is going to ruin this beautiful backside? After dealing with numerous reports of broken glass backs on the iPhone 4 and 4S, even Apple decided against them. Hopefully, Google has done something extra special here to try and preserve these. I'm already dreading the moment that readers tip us to a forum thread somewhere with 50 pages of users complaining about cracked backs.
Battery Life: Look, the battery life on the Nexus 4 isn't atrocious by any means, but it's also not all that impressive. With Google's head honchos telling us that they left out LTE because they wanted to have a phone with exceptional battery life, I expected better. Below, I have screenshots that show a wide range of battery life, none of which were able to get me through more than 15 hours. And that 15 hour day, was all WiFi. Once I switched over to all HSPA+, it was a struggle to get the 2100mAh battery through 10 hours, especially if I took a few minutes out of my day to play a game or two.

(Click to enlarge.)

Headphone Jack: The headphone jack on the Nexus 4 is placed at the top of the device and it drives me nuts. In the past, Google has moved headphone jacks to the bottoms of their phones, so I'm not sure why this phone is different. I know this seems like something not worthy of an entire bullet, but as someone that uses a headphone jack on a daily basis, it is a big deal. I've ranted about this subject before, so I'll keep this short. I just wish we could get some sort of a standard going here. Try riding in a car and connecting your phone to both a USB cable to charge and 3.5mm cable which are on opposite sides of the phone - it's a tangled mess of cords.

Overview:

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

The Verdict:

The LG Nexus 4 is an impressive smartphone. It packs top-of-the-line specs and is directly supported by Google, which means you get speed and performance along with the latest and greatest version of Android. The camera is much improved, the design highlights are gorgeous, and it comes in at a price that no one in the smartphone game has approached until now. For $299 or $349, you get a phone with arguably the best specs on the planet, but the feeling of freedom from carrier contracts. It's not all amazing, though. The battery life isn't the best, I have some concerns about the durability of the glass backside, and the lack of LTE connectivity is a major disappointment. Still, the Nexus 4 is probably my favorite phone to date. It stands for all that I believe in when it comes to a smartphone. It's beautiful, powerful, new, open, and up-to-date. Oh, and it's incredibly affordable.

AmazonWireless Hosts Deal on Top Verizon Devices, RAZR MAXX and RAZR M Only $0.01

Tim — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:25:02 +0000

I love the holidays. It seems that all of my favorite things go on sale, including smartphones. For a limited time, naturally, AmazonWireless is hosting a deal on select Verizon devices that should make for some happy buyers. The original DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX are both on sale for only a penny, while upgrading and new customers can get the Galaxy S3 16GB for just $79.99. If you're looking for one of Verizon's new phones, you can grab the RAZR M for one cent as well, or grab the slightly aged HTC Rezound for the same price.

DROID RAZR M | DROID RAZR MAXX | Galaxy S3 | HTC Rezound | DROID RAZR

Either way, you're getting some sweet holiday deals.

HD Widgets Updated, Support for Android 4.2 Lockscreen Widgets Added

Tim — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:00:27 +0000

One of the features that we are currently on the fence about, is the introduction of lockscreen widgets for Android 4.2. We have heard the argument that widgets should be for a homescreen, and a lockscreen should be just that, a lockscreen. If you do happen to want widgets on your lockscreen though, why not have pretty ones that you can customize? The makers of the HD Widgets have updated their app, which now supports for the adding of their widgets to the lockscreen. You can choose between different clock widgets, system setting widgets, and other various layouts. If you're running Android 4.2 and want to try it out, go pick it up in Google Play. Play Link ($1.99)

Motorola Preparing Update for RAZR HD and MAXX HD, Likely Jelly Bean

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 09:32:50 +0000

During Motorola's announcement of the DROID RAZR HD and RAZR M, they told us that a Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update would arrive on each before the end of 2012. They appear to be sticking to that, as software testing invites have gone out to members of the Motorola Feedback Network that own a RAZR HD. Keep in mind that this also includes the RAZR MAXX HD, since these two devices are identical other than their battery sizes. There is no guarantee that this is Jelly Bean, but at this point, what else would it be? Motorola is taking updates more serious than ever, so we would be surprised if it wasn't Android 4.1. Also, keep in mind that the RAZR M received the 4.1 update a week or so ago. To see a preview of what Jelly Bean will look like on the RAZR HD, be sure to check out our early hands-on video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHKJy9ZkVIM[/youtube]

We'll be sure to keep you posted. Cheers B, N, J, R, M and C!

RadioShack Partners With Carriers to Offer Galaxy S3 for $99 Plus $50 Play Credit

Tim — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 09:15:12 +0000

Through the holiday season, RadioShack is teaming up with carriers to offer the Galaxy S3 for $99 on a new two-year agreement, but are also throwing in a $50 Google Play credit. If you have looked to pick up the device through either Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint, then you're in luck. On top of that deal, RadioShack has a special holiday promotion going on where you earn $10 back on every $50 you spend in-store. So, if you're picking up an S3, that's definitely the place to go. Now the question for some may be, do you pick up the DROID DNA or Galaxy S3?

Verizon's Black Friday Ad Lists "Cranberry" DROID RAZR, Galaxy Nexus, and LG Lucid for Free

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:25:28 +0000

Verizon's Black Friday ad is out and includes a couple of decent deals. First, as you can see in the image above, Verizon and Motorola are releasing a special edition "cranberry" color for the original DROID RAZR. No, this is not the new RAZR HD, but the same RAZR that was released a year ago. As you may recall, they did something similar last year with the Incredible 2, so this could be a new trend from Big Red. But speaking of the "cranberry" RAZR, it's free, along with the Galaxy Nexus and LG Lucid (with a new 2-year contract). The Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) is $99, however, we thought Verizon had done away with contracts on tablets, so we are a big confused at this price. You will also find some decent accessory deals this Friday, including a Jambox for 50% off (after you buy a new phone). Oh, the DROID DNA also made an appearance as it goes on sale Wednesday. Via: BlackFriday

Let's Just Get This Out of the Way Now: LG Nexus 4 Drop Test

Kellen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:08:41 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlgG33n71m0[/youtube]

New phone is released to the world. YouTube guy uploads a multi-angle drop test video. World reacts, uses words like "painful" and "makes me cry." We shake our heads at YouTube guy for ruining a perfectly good device. World is entertained for 2 minutes. YouTube guy decides he should probably do this every time a new device is released, thanks to YouTube hits. World, for some reason, continues to watch. And here is the LG Nexus 4 drop test. Via: Phandroid

iFixit Teardown Reveals 7-Band LTE Chip Inside Nexus 4

Kellen — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 10:30:28 +0000

Well, would you look at that. On Friday evening, iFixit posted their "teardown" of the LG Nexus 4 and discovered that it has a Qualcomm 7-band 4G LTE chip inside it. But, wait! I thought it didn't have LTE and was HSPA+ only? It is. For whatever reason though, an LTE chip was left inside. Could it have something to do with the LG Optimus G having 4G LTE, a phone that is almost an identical build to the LG Nexus 4? Maybe. Was there a chance that it would have LTE at launch, but breakdowns in carrier negotiations stopped it? Eh, you'd be going out on quite the conspiracy limb to suggest that. Who knows, maybe Google was simply future-proofing the phone to be able to connect to LTE somewhere down the road? Or what are the chances that an LTE-ready version launches in the coming months? No one but Google probably knows the answers to those questions. The bottom line is, that there is an LTE chip inside this phone. We just aren't sure that it'll ever be operable. One can dream. Via: iFixit Cheers Scott, BAoxymoron, Kane, Nick, Justin and the other dozen or so of you!

Video: Highlights From the HTC DROID DNA Event

Kellen — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 10:04:05 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G-V897OS3M[/youtube]

We figured you wouldn't mind looking at some highlights of the HTC DROID DNA event in NYC, right? The device arrives in a couple of days, on Wednesday to be exact, so let's continue to talk about it. With its brilliant 1080p display and other super high-end specs, there is a lot to be excited about here. Our review should be done before launch, so stay tuned.

Download: Google Play Store 3.10.9

Kellen — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:46:37 +0000

A new version of the Goole Play store popped up this weekend as version 3.10.9. It's a fairly minor upgrade, but it does introduce a couple of new things. First, when installing an app, you are redirected to a new app page that confirms your app will be downloaded and installed. It also recommends other apps that you may enjoy. Second, you can now remove items from your Wishlist. And that's that. Download: com.android.vending.apk Install over the top of your current Google Play store. Cheers @WinDroidGuy!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 11/16/2012

Tim — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:30:34 +0000

Here at DL, it's been a week full of our newest family members - the DROID DNA, Nexus 4, and Nexus 10. We should have our full reviews up early next week for all of those devices, so be on the look out for that. In the meantime, if you missed any of these other great posts, here is your chance to catch up.

Have a great weekend!

Chadwick Lets You Follow NBA Games and Scores Through Reporter Twitter Feeds

Eric — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:15:20 +0000

NBA season is here ladies and gentlemen, and sometimes it gets hard to keep track of all the games going on. There are a variety of basketball and sports apps out there, but I'm always on the hunt for something new. Since most of us are accustomed to getting our news these days through Twitter feeds, why not do the same for our basketball scores as well? Chadwick is the app for that. It brings up the list of games going on for the night and if you select one it will dive into the combined twitter of all the reporters and teams' Twitter accounts as the game goes on.

The app is still a little rough around the edges, but has a lot of promise. It's also made by Nikolai Yakovenko, who was a software engineer for Google not too long ago. If you're looking for an interesting way to stay up on your favorite hoops team, this is definitely something to check out.

Play Link

Download DareDogs and Help Out Animal Shelters at the Same Time

Eric — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:45:28 +0000

On the Droid Life Show this week, I gave a special shout out to a game I found in the Play Store called DareDogs. The game itself is a fun air combat game that pits you and your pups against other planes in an effort to come out the top dog. You can take control of different dogs that have different special abilities and fly to compete in races, aerial dogfights and other game modes.

Arguably the best part about the game though, is the fact that you are helping dog shelters by playing. The game is free, but it's ad supported and the developers are promising to donate 10% of their profits to help out our four-legged friends. If that doesn't get you to play a few rounds in this game, I don't know what will. Give it a look-over in the link below.

Play Link

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgicaPXS0sY[/youtube]

16GB Nexus 10 Back in Stock on Google Play, Better Hurry Though

Tim — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:07:25 +0000

Potential Nexus 10 buyers, you better hurry. A batch of the 16GB models just went live on Google Play. There are still no 32GB versions and who knows when they'll be coming back. I guess this calls for a shout out to Google for making some hardware that people actually want. This is exciting. Play Link ($399.99) Cheers Alan and Barski!

Mysterious LG Device LG-F240K Gets Benchmarked, Sports a 1080p Display

Kellen — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:01:48 +0000

I wouldn't say that we are surprised by this, but according to a benchmark over at GLBenchmark, LG is testing a new smartphone with a 1080p display. HTC already has one in the DROID DNA, Samsung will reportedly unveil their new 1080p HD Super AMOLED displays at CES in January, and Sony has mentioned the idea, so why shouldn't LG join in on the fun? This is where display tech in smartphones is going, after all. So what else do we know? We can see a model number of LG-F240K, a codename of "geefhd," and an Android version of 4.1.2. The display resolution is showing as 1920x1080 and the processor is a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor clocked at 1.5GHz with an Adreno 320 GPU. What we don't know is what the device will look like, how big the display will be (5" makes sense though), and which networks it will run on. The interesting part of this situation, is the fact that LG already released the Optimus G last month followed by the Nexus 4 this month. Neither sports a 1080p display, but both do sport the same processor as this new phone. I'd hate to call a phone that makes a jump to a 1080p display a "small change," but unless there is a new processor, more RAM, or some new innovation, it sort of is. Via: GLBenchmark | Engadget | TechKiddy

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 7 Answers

Tim — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:28:35 +0000

Welcome to the Answers section of the seventh installment of the Droid Life Q&A Sessions. Much like every other week, we had some great questions come in from the community, so we took our time to go through them and pull some of the good ones. It seems that many are curious about the DROID DNA, Verizon's data plans, and why on Earth Samsung and HTC won't get it together with those on-screen buttons. See what all we had to say down below. Reminder: K is Kellex, T is Tim, R is Ron, and E is Eric.

What's your opinion on big players like Samsung & HTC not using on-screen buttons and ruining a consistent experience?

K: While I'm a big fan of on-screen buttons, but I'm glad that we have choices. As you can see from the poll we ran last week, people haven't fully bought into on-screen and still love hardware buttons. The beauty of Android is that you can find a phone that meets your needs and you aren't stuck with one phone, one button, one build, and one skin. R: For me it isn't a big deal. There are pros and cons to both designs. The reality of the situation is that companies like HTC and Samsung design phones a year or two in advance, so even though Google implemented the new on screen button design a year ago, companies like HTC weren't privy to the change and even if they were (like Samsung) they wouldn't be able to alter that kind of design that late into the game. I imagine we'll begin to see more phones with on-screen keys in the coming months. T: It's frustrating! I am hoping we won't have to deal with it too much longer. These older designs are finally out of Samsung and HTC's books and we can move on to hopefully a more uniformed design across OEMs. Although, I could see them pull some bs about how they want to differentiate themselves from other manufacturers. Either way, I want them gone! E: As much as I'd like everyone to hop on that bandwagon, it's really up to the OEMs to decide if they want them or not. Google provides a platform with the Nexus devices and says "this is what you can do," but doesn't hold them to actually mimicking every design choice. HTC and Samsung's capacitive buttons are iconic in their own right, and they are just keeping a consistent experience on their own brand.

Do you think Verizon will take away the unlimited data from those grandfathered users who aren't on contract anytime soon?

R: I think they'll continue to push users into tiered plans, although they've already made it extremely difficult for users to keep unlimited plans. It wouldn't surprise me if they forced users off of them in a few years. T: There is no doubt that will come down sooner or later. The only question I think people should be asking, is "When?" K: Yes. I don't know when, but at some point they are going to force us to change. Whether it be the next time you activate a phone or they set a date for it to happen, it'll likely happen. Their new money-making scheme is all centered around shared data plans, so they'll figure out a way to end our fun. The good news about that idea is, that you will then be free to join whichever carrier you want. Unlocked GSM phones for the win!

Galaxy Note 2 or Droid DNA?

K: Ooh, tough choice there. I'd say Galaxy Note 2 because the software experience crushes everything that HTC is doing with Sense. While HTC may have incredible hardware, Samsung has both great hardware and the best software suite in the business. With Android, it's about more than just specs, in my opinion. Until HTC innovates on the software front as well, it'll be tough for them to top Samsung on any level. R: Need battery? Galaxy Note 2. Want the best screen ever? DNA. E: Depends on what you want it for. If you're gonna use the stylus and dual-screen features then Note 2, but if you want just a phone with amazing specs then the DNA is going to be better. T: If you follow my opinions on anything it is that I care deeply for the One series devices from HTC. The Galaxy Note 2 is just too big for me and I think the DNA will offer just the right amount of space. Although, that battery size is seriously lame sauce on HTC's part. Come on, HTC!

You probably get lots of tips from readers, some great and others not. What's the most ridiculous or out-there "tip" you've ever gotten from someone?

T: Well, we appreciate all of the tips and suggestions from readers. I think the most silly thing we get is hate mail. People take the time out of their busy lives to tell us how much they hate us or we suck. I think it's great that our work has such a massive effect on these people's live. It's a great feeling. K: At least once a day, we get emails from people who think we are Verizon or Google or Motorola. They want to know why we haven't refunded the expensive Play store app that their kid just bought or why their phone is now garbage because of a recent update and that we should fix the situation. It's comical.

A year or so ago, Motorola said they were basically going to calm down and pump out only one or two solid phones per year. I think some other manufacturers fell in line with that. With all the phones released in the last/next two months, do you think things will be idle until this time next year now? In other words, is it finally safe to pull the trigger on a new phone?

R: The best time on Verizon is usually around the holidays. For off-contract buyers I'd say get something now or wait for Mobile World Congress. E: Unfortunately you're never safe in the Android market. I feel like there will be some decent phones announced at the tech conferences coming up early next year. But with the Nexus 4, DNA and Galaxy Note 2 out there right now you could do a lot worse. K: It's probably safe to pull the trigger. I'd guess that January through March will be slow and that we'll be waiting for HTC to drop the new One Series line. Samsung won't have anything until the Spring, and Motorola is still trying to figure out what it's doing. You also have to remember that buying phones is a lot different today than it was even a year ago. Specs are sooooo good, that even if a new phone comes out in a month, you won't be disappointed with what you just bought. T: Being an Android fan is hard. There's something new every couple of months, so my suggestion is if you see a phone you're happy with, just go for it.

What is your most important feature on a phone? Is it the manufacturer, OS, battery life, screen resolution, etc?

K: Battery life, display and camera for me. I'm not sure which one comes first, but if any of those three aren't top notch, I usually need to find a new phone quickly. I can deal with skins because Android lets you block most of them out with 3rd party apps. But a crappy camera is always going to be a crappy camera. Same with a display and battery life. R: For me I want stock Android, an excellent camera, good battery life, and an incredible display. If I had to pick one feature it would be stock Android. E: I love me a nice screen. Ever since I upgraded from the Droid 3 to the Galaxy Nexus I'll never go back to a bad display. However, I can't live with a bad skin on top of Android so whatever the device is, I need to be able to root and hack it. T: To me, I think stock Android and a good camera take the cake. And out of those too, a really good camera could lean me towards any device. The One X has Sense, but I still loved it very much thanks to that ridiculous camera.

Even with it's shortcomings and the fact that it's a year old, would you still recommend the Galaxy Nexus on VZW?

R: No. The screen and camera are really bad. I'd wait for something else or get off of Verizon. K: At this point, no. The display tech is a year old and way behind new phones. The battery life is still atrocious. And Verizon has proven that they do not care about this phone for a second, so it'll never be up to date with the rest of the Nexus family. It's a stepchild phone. There are also way too many good phones out to look at a phone that's a year old any longer. E: Only if the person is alright with unlocking it and flashing a ROM. I did that day 1 of my Nexus and haven't had half the problems that other people have reported. It will probably get 4.2 before a good number of phones if you have it unlocked. T: Sure, if you love rooting and hacking. But if you're looking for a work phone that won't let you down, you might want to stay away. Go grab a new phone instead! *The rest of our Q & A sessions are all available at this link.

Latest Rumor Says Google and Dish's Wireless Service is Go, Launching in Mid-2013

Kellen — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:46:18 +0000

Fresh off of this morning's rumor, which pegged Google and Dish Network as pals looking to start up a wireless service of their own to compete with AT&T and Verizon, a new rumor claims to confirm that it's happening. The folks over at 9to5Google heard word from sources who claim that the we could see this network by mid-2013 because Google is "deep in development plans." They are under the impression that the service will be data-only and that voice and SMS services will happen via VoIP. It's tough to tell if this believable or not. The Wall Street Journal's report said that Google and Dish were in nothing more than preliminary talks, yet this makes it sound as if we are under a year away from full-on Google wireless service. You tell me. Via: 9to5Google

Next Sony Xperia Flagship Phone to Compete With Samsung's Galaxy S3 and Apple's iPhone 5

Eric — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:45:57 +0000

In a recent interview, one of Sony's marketing executives Dennis van Schie, said that the next Xperia flagship phone will be coming to CES and Mobile World Congress in 2013. Whatever this next step in the Xperia line is, Schie says it will easily be able to compete with the Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5.

Sony has a pretty decent music service and a large HD movie catalogue as well, and the hints that Schie dropped seemed to point to content being a big piece in the next phone. The question is, are they just playing catch up at this point? We will probably be hearing Galaxy S4 rumors around that time, but we'll have to see what they have up their sleeve.

Can Sony win you over with any new features?

Via: Xperia Blog

Verizon Lighting Up More 4G LTE Markets Across the United States

Tim — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:55:29 +0000

More good news for you 4G LTE fans, as Verizon has announced another list of markets that will see faster data speeds over the next couple of days. Following their announcement that their 4G LTE build out would be complete in mid-2013, you can expect to see a lot more of these posts in the coming months. New 4G LTE towns/cities:

Wheeling, W. Va
St. Clairsville, Ohio
Galesburg, Ill
East Galesburg, Ill
Henderson, Ill
Wataga, Ill
Knoxville, Ill
Ironwood, Mich
Sierra Vista, AZ

4G LTE enhancements:

York County, PA
Adams County, PA
Lancaster County, PA

Enjoy the speed, folks. Via: Verizon

Samsung's New Top Tier Displays to be Showcased at CES - 4.99″ 1080p HD Super AMOLED With 441ppi?

Tim — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:20:48 +0000

This morning, details are beginning to emerge on Samsung's plans to produce a 1080p HD Super AMOLED display for use in future devices. According to sources, the displays that could see mass production in Q1 of 2013, are 4.99" with a whopping 441ppi - much like the recent DROID DNA that has 440ppi. As for exactly when we could see Samsung show these off, sources lead that we could see the technology on display at the 2013 CES, which is just a couple of months away. An official from Samsung Display did hint at its existence which lends lots of credibility to the claim as well:

It has more than 100 pixels per inch more than the Apple iPhone’s 326 ppi stretched beyond the limits of the human eye level.

So, it looks like we have something major to look forward to at CES this year. Samsung will begin to match competitor's LCD technology with their own AMOLED, which is always a plus for the consumers. As for what device this display could be placed in, is it a safe bet to assume it will be the Galaxy S4? It would fit the time frame given we should expect launch of the newest Galaxy around mid-2013. Excited for CES? Via: SamMobile

Pandora, Twitter, Hootsuite Receive Updates - Grab Them in Google Play

Tim — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:50:42 +0000

This morning, three very popular Android applications received updates that are completely noteworthy. For the music lovers in the crowd, Pandora got a major bump to version 4.0. Included in this version are a ton of new features like viewing station details, ability to edit your shuffle from the device, and integration with other social network sites. For all you tweeters, both Hootsuite and the official Twitter application were updated as well. For Hootsuite, there is now an added Action Bar and drawer navigation, as well as the ability to AutoSchedule posts. As for the official Twitter application, tweets that are rich with content (pictures, videos, article previews) now appear right in the stream, photo streams through search, and a whole lot more. Go grab them all if you haven't already. Play Link: Pandora | Twitter | Hootsuite Cheers K and Dylan!

Google to Create Own Wireless Service in Partnership With Dish?

Kellen — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:16:40 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, Dish Network is looking to build out its own wireless service thanks to spectrum that it acquired back in 2008. While it has talked to multiple potential partners, one of them should get you excited - Google. A source close to the matter said that the talks between the two were not advanced and that they could lead to nothing, however, it's certainly an area that makes sense on a number of levels for Google. The idea here, is to create a network that could rival AT&T and Verizon. Why does it make sense, you ask? For one, Google is clearly at odds with the current state of the wireless service business here in the U.S. Their Nexus program appears to be aimed at undercutting and subverting all that Verizon and AT&T stand for. They want you to be able to buy a phone at a reasonable price, but not have to sign a contract, hence the pricing of the Nexus 4 at $299. Google also wants you to be able to buy a phone first and choose a carrier second, something that carriers want no part of. Beyond phones and service though, Google has an interest in its own wireless service because they are big supporters of net neutrality. For those not familiar, I'll try to briefly explain. Big carriers, namely Verizon, wants to control every aspect of their network, including how, when and what you access on the internet. They want to be able to load this web page faster than that web page, or sign a deal with this search provider over that one to make it your default. Those are tiny examples, but you can see what would happen should Verizon win the net neutrality battle. Google, on the other hand, is completely for net neutrality, and has shown by spending millions at the government level to try to keep the web open. With their own wireless service, they not only have a way to enforce net neutrality, but they may have a bigger say in the regulation of it. Last, if Google were to approach a wireless service like they have done with Google Fiber in Kansas City, then it would probably be the greatest wireless service known to man. Would love to hear your thoughts. Via: WSJ Cheers Jeff and everyone else who sent this in!

Watch Last Night's Episode

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:24:06 +0000

In case you missed it live, we wanted to remind you that a replay of The Droid Life Show episode 5 is available. During last night's broadcast, we talked about the DROID DNA, the Nexus 4 and 10 launch day sales, Android 4.2 features, the movement towards internal storage only, Ron's musical journey, and so much more. The show ran a little longer than normal, but hey, that's what happens when you are having a great time. Download: Episode 5 audio All past episodes.

Chart: Nexus 4 vs. DROID DNA vs. Galaxy Note 2 vs. RAZR MAXX HD

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:45:57 +0000

Verizon customers with upgrades or a craving for a new smartphone are going to have a tough decision to make as we head into the holiday shopping season. The HTC DROID DNA hits stores next week on the 21st, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 shouldn't be far behind it on the 29th, and the DROID RAZR MAXX HD with its mega-battery is already available. Making matters even more complicated, you also can't ignore Google's new Nexus 4, even if it would take you off of Verizon and into the land of unlocked GSM phones. So how do they stack up against each other? To hopefully help answer that question, the chart below was put together as a breakdown of all of the major specs, plus pricing. You should also check out our Galaxy Note 2 review and RAZR MAXX HD review while we work our reviews for both the DNA and Nexus 4. Well, have you decided?

Benchmarks: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 vs. HTC DROID DNA

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:00:22 +0000

After posting up a batch of benchmarks that unofficially compared the LG Nexus 4 to the HTC DROID DNA, a number of you asked for us to do the same with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. So, here you go. We probably don't need to remind you that benchmarks should be taken lightly. By no means does a benchmark score tell the full story of a device. One thing we can definitively say, though, is that all three of these phones are incredibly fast and polished. Benchmarks may give one device bragging rights over the other, but with any of these three in hand, you won't be disappointed. They all have quad-core processors, ample amounts of RAM, great GPUs, and run the newest (or close enough) versions of Android. There are no losers here. With that said, let's see who comes out on top.

Quadrant

SmartBench

Vellamo

AnTuTu

Thursday Poll: Deal Breaker if a Phone Doesn't Have a microSD Slot?

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:36:37 +0000

During last night's Droid Life Show, we talked at length about the storage choices that have been made for the newest crop of Android superphones. Google decided long ago that they were no longer supporting expandable storage through microSD card slots, so seeing only internal storage in the Nexus 4 is not a surprise. But with the DROID DNA and One X, HTC also seems to be moving in a similar direction, one that many of you have voiced concerns over. We went around the panel and asked if it would be a deal breaker to not have a microSD slot for expandable storage. The entire DL team was fine with internal-only, because most of us are heavily invested in the cloud. After reading through comments over the last couple of days, it's clear that not all of you agree with that idea. So, let's poll it. Tell us if you can live with internal only or if you won't even consider a phone unless it has expandable storage. [poll id="220"]

Box 2.0 for Android Introduces In-app Previews of Files, Offline Folders, and More

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:10:25 +0000

I love Box. The app. Mind out of the gutter, people, I'm talking about the cloud storage app, which was just updated for Android. In version 2.0, users can preview items from within the app, so you no longer have to exit to a 3rd party application to see what you are working with. This new version supports 75 different file types of previews including Word docs, PowerPoint presentations, Photoshop files, and PDFs. Along with new previews, the Box team tossed in offline folders, so that as you venture into the desert looking for Thunderdome, you'll have access to all of your files. There is a transfer manager to help keep track of file transfers as well, plus the ability to click on Box links in an email or webpage and load up the Box app, rather than the browser. It's a solid update to one of our favorite cloud storage services. Via: Box

ShadowGun: DeadZone Exits Beta, Introduces Multiplayer Voice Chat

Tim — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:33:49 +0000

Today is November 15, the day when Shadowgun: DeadZone exits its beta phase and becomes an official multiplayer juggernaut on Android. Nothing has changed too much since the last update, although there is one major feature, which is a multiplayer voice chat. Now, instead of just yelling to yourself that the guy you killed is a no0b, you can say it right to him. I haven't tried it yet, but you can bet that I will be later tonight. Go grab it in Google Play right now. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/-P_v5nMH9go[/youtube]

Sharing Through Facebook Gets a Whole Lot Easier With New Share Button (Update)

Tim — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:45:34 +0000

Well, fancy that. A shiny new "Share" button has been added to your mobile timeline, that way you can easily share the content you see on Facebook with the people you care most about (your online friends, duh). There ~~is no update for the app in Google Play~~ that I know of and I don't yet see it on the app, so I'm guessing this feature will go live very soon. As a funny note, I would like it put on the record that Facebook thinks Android users have no friends and never get any notifications, while the iOS user has lots of notifications. Update: Naturally, the update is now live on Google Play. Have at it! Play Link Via: Facebook

Google Now Named Popular Science's Innovation of the Year

Tim — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:45:30 +0000

This week, Popular Science announced the winner of their annual Innovation of the Year award. In years past, they've named the Atari gaming system and also the iPhone as winners, but their Editor-in-Chief made a special point for Google Now, marking it as the first time that the thin line between humans and their devices was crossed with such pleasant ease. Google Now "innocently" collects our data, tracks our movements, and then offers suggestions for things before we even think about it. The below video is Pop Sci's Editor-in-Chief sharing his thoughts on Google's latest achievement. Google Now has been around for more than half of a year now - do you find it to be the most innovative thing so far? For us, it's definitely up there and when it is put in terms of how it has entered our lives and helps us in the day to day scheme of things, then it could certainly be labeled as incredibly innovative. Via: Pop Sci Cheers Ryan!

Benchmarks: LG Nexus 4 vs. HTC DROID DNA

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:10:43 +0000

The LG Nexus 4 and the HTC DROID DNA are arguably the hottest two phones on the planet, right now. Our coverage of each has certainly been in overdrive, and rightfully so. With quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processors, tons of RAM, and big beautiful screens, these phones are fun to talk about. Beyond being fun to talk about, they are a pleasure to use throughout a day. And speaking of using - performance on both is about as good as it gets. The 2GB of RAM in each coupled with the latest and greatest processor from Qualcomm leaves little doubt that these are the most powerful phones on the planet. You won't find stuttering or slow loading times at all with either phone. But how do they stack up against each other? Well, that's a tricky question because both seem to have few flaws when it comes to performance. With that said, we thought we'd run a few of the popular benchmarks on the Play store to get results that can be compared. While we wouldn't call this an "official" test or anything, it does sort of show you that stock Android may not be optimized to win benchmark battles all that often. Remember, that both phones run the same processor and each have 2GB of RAM, yet the DROID DNA is the clear winner in almost every benchmark. We tend to take benchmark results lightly, and usually never put much stock into them. But hey, isn't comparing fun?

Quadrant

Smartbench

Vellamo

AnTuTu

Surprised by any of this? Or are you like us, and think it means very little for either phone?

Google Appears to Have Oversold the Nexus 4 - Surprises Customers With Status Change Backorder Emails

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:43:00 +0000

As you all know, the LG Nexus 4 sold out in 25 minutes on launch day through the Google Play store. With Google's servers unable to keep up with the flood of traffic, many of you figured out that if you refreshed the Play store Nexus 4 page over and over again, that it would eventually let you order one. You thought you had struck gold. The system had been circumvented! Not so fast. According to our inbox and Twitter feed, many of you are receiving emails from Google, stating that your order has been placed on back-order due to an "overwhelming demand" and that it is expected to ship within three weeks.

Sorry, folks. Cheers Scott, Ben, @whyteboyello1, and everyone else!

Thanks to Major Success, 5 Additional Games Added to Humble Bundle 4

Tim — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:28:20 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/GRB2czUpzGI[/youtube]

If you are one of the supporters of the Humble Bundle for Android, we thank you. Thanks to major sales, the HB team released an additional five games into the bundle for those who pay over the average price. The games included are "alumni" to the bundle, which include five titles that were previously available in the second edition; Avadon, Canabalt, Cogs, Swords and Soldiers, and Zen Bound 2. If you have yet to go pick up these games for a "name your price" fee, then this would be the time.

After three prior Android bundles, we’re very proud that the gaming community continues to love our handpicked selection of games that we think are innovative, solid, and overall fantastic titles on both mobile platforms and desktop computers. As part of our celebration, we’ve added 5 more games to the Humble Bundle for Android 4: this time we’ve chosen to include some Android alumni! These games were all originally featured in Humble Bundle for Android 2. This includes:

the RPG fantasy saga Avadon: The Black Fortress by Spiderweb Software

the indie parkour platformer Canabalt by Semi Secret Software

the 3D mechanical puzzle game Cogs by Lazy 8 Studios

the side-scrolling strategy rumblefest Swords & Soldiers HD by Ronimo Games and Two Tribes

the groundbreaking meditative puzzler Zen Bound 2 by Secret Exit

For those that have already bought the bundle, they’ll get the games automatically at no cost, immediately accessible from their download page. New buyers can get the games by paying over the average price. This will also get them:

the future-retro audiovisual concoction Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP by Capybara Games

the creative physics puzzler Crayon Physics Deluxe by Kloonigames

the plant-based interstellar RTS Eufloria by Omni Systems

the cell-splitting microbial puzzler Splice by Cipher Prime

the side-scrolling planetary adventure Waking Mars by Tiger Style

the mechanical point and click adventure Machinarium by Amanita Design

These games are all provided DRM-free and cross-platform, available for Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux. And we’ve also included some special extras! All the games come with soundtracks if available (Avadon withstanding, as it has no soundtrack), and Steam keys are provided automatically with purchases of $1 or more. For our Linux users, most of the games are also available on the Ubuntu Software Center!

Via: Humble Bundle Cheers K!

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer Claims the Android Ecosystem is Wild and Uncontrolled

Tim — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:40:19 +0000

In a recent interview, Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer, had some interesting things to say about the Windows Phone competition. When asked about strategy that Microsoft plans to deploy in making sure Windows Phone is successful, Ballmer went straight for the heart of both Android and iOS. Looking to find a niche between Google and Apple, Ballmer claims that the Android ecosystem is, "wild," "uncontrolled," and "not in the consumer's best interest." As for iOS, well it's frankly just overpriced as far as Ballmer is concerned and overly controlled. His goal is to have Windows fit handsomely in the middle - being both organized and reasonably priced. Below, we have the live audio from the Interview and the two points are marked where Ballmer discusses the ecosystem. As far as we are concerned, we want the ecosystem to be wild - full of developers that aren't afraid to get their feet wet, controlled by a company that continues to innovate the way we use our mobile devices. What do you think about the ecosystem that surrounds Android? Is it simply too wild for you to handle? Via: TechCrunch

Galaxy Nexus Seeing First Batch of Android 4.2 Custom ROM's From AOSP

Tim — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:00:03 +0000

As a Galaxy Nexus owner, you expect nothing but the latest and greatest software to be running on your device. Unfortunately, Verizon is currently not the fastest carrier to deliver such things. But don't worry, this is Android! Once Android 4.2 hit AOSP, along with the Verizon binaries, the developers got straight to work. As of right now, we have a few custom ROM's that feature pure Android 4.2 AOSP code to share with you. Below, we will provide links to their respective forum pages and will continue to share more ROM's as they emerge. If you have a favorite custom ROM that you would like us to personally flash and share with the community, go ahead and let us know down below in the comments section.

Pure Android 4.2 Jelly Bean | MMuzzy's Android 4.2 | mROM v3.0 Jelly Bean 4.2

Now, remember you must be rooted and running a custom recovery to get these to work. If you still have yet to get into the root game, then start learning up so you can run Android 4.2 right here. Be safe, folks and don't forget to make a backup.

Nexus 7 With HSPA+ Sells Out at Google Play

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:30:19 +0000

Google continues to sell through plenty of stock of its new Nexus family at an impressive rate. After seeing the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 (16GB still available) sell out in minutes, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the new Nexus 7 with HSPA+ has sold out as well. With 32GB of storage, at a low $299 price, and having the ability to connect to GSM networks across the globe, this is one of the more attractive tablets on the market. If you were considering this tablet or any of the other new Nexus offerings that are no longer in stock, Google says that you'll have to wait a few weeks before they can replenish stock. Once they do, you better have your credit cards ready, as I'm sure they will be flying off virtual store shelves, once again. Via: Google Play

Google's Niantic Labs Launches Ingress, An Open World Sci-Fi Thriller Game

Tim — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:10:13 +0000

This morning, Ingress, the newest application from Google and Niantic Labs, went live in Google Play. The game is being met with very high praises and they do seem to be justified. It is an open-world game, revolving around certain areas that produce a mysterious energy that could threaten humanity as we know it. There are two sides to join - the Resistance and the Enlightened. The resistance struggle to defend against the mind-controlling energy to protect humanity and the Enlightened who seek to embrace it. From the trailer and look of the app, Google spared no expense in its creation. Unfortunately, it is only in closed beta at the moment, but you can go request an invite down below. No telling how long it will take to be accepted though. Watch the trailer and let us know if you can get into a game like this.

Sign up for the beta here. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/92rYjlxqypM[/youtube] Cheers Cory!

HTC DROID DNA Receives Root and Custom Recovery Before Launch

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:28:37 +0000

Last night, we broke the news that the bootloader of the HTC DROID DNA can be unlocked using the bootloader unlock tool over at HTCDev. But before the night was even over, ClockworkMod Recovery, root, and an unsecure kernel had been released, giving plenty of hope in the custom ROM world to future owners of HTC's latest device. To gain root, the process looks something like this:

Unlock the bootloader using HTCDev's bootloader unlock tool
Flash the unsecure kernel to allow you to gain root (done in fastboot)
Flash ClockworkMod recovery (done in fastboot)
Flash the root .zip file (done in recovery)

We know that none of you have the phone yet, but once you do, jump back to this post and then hit up the XDA thread below to make magic happen. We mentioned this last night, but again, assuming nothing changes in the next few days up until launch, this is great news for those that are planning to pick up the DNA. Just keep in mind that Verizon could always change their mind on leaving this phone semi-open and lock it all up with an OTA update. Cross those fingers. Via: XDA Cheers @Ben82379!

Kindle Fire HD 8.9 Starts Shipping Today for $299, in Stores Tomorrow

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:07:55 +0000

Amazon's newest tablet, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9, starts shipping today. At $299 (for the WiFi version), you get a 8.9" 1920x1200 display (with 254ppi), TI OMAP4470 dual-core processor, dual stereo Dolby Digital Plus audio speakers, a front facing camera for video chatting, and easy access to all of Amazon's content. If a WiFi-only model doesn't fulfill your needs, then you may want to consider the 4G LTE equipped 8.9. It starts at $499, but more importantly, gives you the opportunity to purchase a $49 year-long data package. Amazon partnered with AT&T to offer this one-of-a-kind data deal. The 4G LTE model ships next week. Amazon Links: Fire HD 8.9 w/ WiFi ($299) | Fire HD 8.9 w/ 4G LTE ($499)

The Droid Life Show: Episode 5

Kellen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 01:45:52 +0000

The Droid Life Show hits episode number 5 tonight! Topics include the HTC DROID DNA (thanks to special guest Dave), the new Nexus family, Android 4.2 highlights, our favorite apps of the last week, the hottest games of the moment, and couple of juicy rumors. It's going down, so you won't want to miss it. The show kicks off live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). There is live video and a chatroom below, so that you can join in on the fun. Let's do it!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi55GztuOZE[/youtube]

Episode 5 of The Droid Life Show Goes Down Tonight!

Tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:52:37 +0000

It's Wednesday and you know what that means - The Droid Life Show is back! This will be our fifth episode and we couldn't be happier with the support we're receiving and how much fun we have been having. This week, we'll be discussing the DROID DNA, Android 4.2 update features, the new lineup of Nexus devices that we have finally gotten our hands on, and we'll even have our first special guest, Mr. Dave Kover who was live at HTC and Verizon's DNA event. The show kicks off at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). We’ll have a live embed of the Hangout here at the site, along with a place to chat with the entire community. Join us!

HTC DROID DNA Bootloader Can be Unlocked Through HTCDev

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:26:54 +0000

Well, that's good news, right? The HTC DROID DNA bootloader can be unlocked through HTCDev, opening it up (for the most part) to a world that many of Verizon's phones cannot enter. The phone is left with S-ON afterwards, but to my knowledge most HTC phones are after using this tool. The device pictured is more than likely a retail unit. Unless something changes or a software update blocks HTCDev from working, I'd say we are in luck. In theory, with the phone having S-ON, ROMs can still be flashed, you just have to flash a boot.img file before doing the heavy lifting. For example, my One X is unlocked via HTCDev and has S-ON, yet I can flash all sorts of goodies. (Updated) In order to flash kernels you will need to do it through fastboot, but in this day, that's not nearly as big of a deal as it once was. In order to unlock, we've been told that all you need to do is use HTCDev's unlock instructions after choosing the "All other supported models" option from the device selection pulldown. Assuming (and hoping) this carries through to launch, does this change your opinion of the DNA?

Cheers DNA!

Android 4.2 Quick Tip: Drag Down in Photo Editor to See Original Images While Editing

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:06:02 +0000

Ever wanted to quickly look back at an original photo while you were editing away in the Android 4.2 photo editor? Even with all of those "vintage" filters, snazzy borders, and tweaks splashed atop one, there is trick to allow you to see ~~how bad~~ the interesting job you have done editing. Simply swipe from the top or left side of the image and it will show you the "original". The video below explains it much better.

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

Cheers @bedoya999!

Download: Two DROID DNA Wallpapers

Tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:28:30 +0000

Ever since we first saw them, we have been on the hunt for the new wallpapers that are found on the DROID DNA. Now that the device is in the wild, we have a couple to share with you all. As of right now, these are the only two new additions to HTC's wallpaper library that is found on the device. As you can see, thanks to the DNA's insane screen resolution, these images are huge and are as clear as ever. How about that new DROID eye, yeah? Have at 'em! Download: Hexagon Globe | DROID Eye Update: If you jump into the comments, you'll find blue, green, and purple versions of the hexagon.

Cheers <3 DNA!

Android 4.2 Keyboard With Swipe Feature Released to Google Play Through 3rd Party

Tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

If you are looking to install the Android 4.2 keyboard onto any of your devices, this is now the easiest way to do it. Thanks to a 3rd party dev, the keyboard, and all of its swiping goodness, is now on Google Play for the easiest installing and applying possible. Go grab it and try it out if you haven't already. We love it. Play Link Cheers Darrick!

Star Wars Episode VII: The Apple Menace

Tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:20:13 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/FT7K_429YWc[/youtube]

Well, this video takes the cake. It's epic. It's awesome. Samsung vs. Apple in the ultimate Star Wars parody battle. Whoever made this video, I hope you become a millionaire. Via: Kotaku Cheers Nick S!

Video: Android 4.2 Feature Overview - Gesture Typing, New Gmail, Multi-users, and More

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:40:00 +0000

With Android 4.2 officially official, rolling out to select devices (Nexus 7 and GSM Galaxy Nexus), and arriving pre-loaded on the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10, we want to make sure that you are ready to take full advantage of its new features. In the lengthy video below, we'll cover the new Gmail, take a second look at multi-user support and lock screen widgets, Gesture typing, Photosphere and the new camera, and more. While the jump from 4.1 to 4.2 may seem small in numbering scheme, the update continues to polish our favorite mobile OS in big ways. As one would expect, this is the best version of Android to date, by a lot. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXi4Ep6LZio[/youtube]

Owner of CyanogenMod Domain Shutting Down Sites After Asking Team for $10,000 (Update)

Eric — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:00:55 +0000

The CyanogenMod team took to their blog and Facebook page a few minutes ago to explain some shocking news to the Android community. Back in the day, before CyanogenMod was the huge name that we know of it today, CyanogenMod.com was purchased and donated to the CM team since things were smaller back then. The same person has been in charge of the large domain for the past 3 years, but that person is now erasing Cyanogen's website and shutting things down across the web as we speak.

In their blog post the team says that the owner of the domain name was caught impersonating Steve Kondik, the creator of CyanogenMod, and using that false name to do some shady referral deals. The team approached the owner to ask to take control of the domain and he declined, saying that he would like $10,000 for it. Something that the CM team neither had the money to do or wanted to do in the first place.

So the team switched over the accounts of the social networks that they could and they were emailed the following statement in response:

“Hi, so you think by removing all my access across the infrastructure was going to be a great idea? We had a chat yesterday, you've decided to end this bitter. How about I just change the DNS entries right now. CM will practically go down.”

Today, he has started to do that and the CM team explains that their web presence is "slowly expiring out of the Internet and being replaced by blank pages and non-existing sites." They also mentioned that from now until further update, any @cyanogenmod.com emails should be considered discontinued.

The team is in the process of getting the control of their domain and presence back, but who knows how long that will take or if they will. We are unsure of how this will affect people from downloading some of their favorite ROMs as of yet, but CM said in their post that they will keep us posted. The final part of their post stressed that their goal with CyanogenMod is not a monetary gain and that they were "deeply hurt" by this whole situation.

It's shocking to see something like this happen to CyanogenMod, one of the biggest players in the Android development game. We hope that this gets resolved quickly so that the developers for CyanogenMod can get back to doing what they love.

Update: According to the accused party's Twitter account, they will be relinquishing the domain back to the CM team after all. "#Devpocalypse2012" has been averted.

Via: CyanogenMod Blog

T-Mobile's Galaxy S3 Receiving Jelly Bean Update Today, Where You At Verizon?

Eric — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:40:01 +0000

Samsung looks to be pretty dedicated to pushing out updates to their prized Galaxy S3, unfortunately for most of the readers here, Verizon has yet to approve theirs. Today, T-Mobile has signed off on their update and it is rolling out to customers in stages as we speak.

We all know that Verizon is notorious for their long update testing schedule, but this puts Sprint and T-Mo ahead of Verizon and AT&T in the update game. If you can't wait to have Project Butter and Google Now on your S3, try checking for the update in Settings>About device>Software update. If that doesn't work, you should be able to get the update through Kies.

Via: Samsung [2]

Google Fiber Goes Live in Kansas City, Delivering 700Mbps Downloads On Day One

Tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:10:23 +0000

It's a beautiful day in the Fiberhood, it's a beautiful day for Fiber! Yesterday, Google flipped the switch on Google Fiber in Kansas City, Kansas. Needless to say, the DL offices are in the middle of packing and getting ready to move on out for the crazy high download and upload speeds that have hit the Midwest. The first to get Fiber were some local start-up businesses that are reporting 700Mbps downloads, faster than any other ISP's speeds, by over 100x. If this is the first you are hearing of Fiber, allow me to catch you up. Google is lining the streets of Kansas City with fiber optic cable, which for a price, is then wired to your house. Early adopters are receiving very good pricing, as for just $120/month on a two-year contract, Google gives you 1Gbps download/upload speeds, a TV box with full channel lineup, a network box, 1TB of Google Drive space, a DVR box, and a Nexus 7 tablet to control it all. From there, the plans get cheaper, but all still offer the 1Gbps Internet speeds. Naturally, everyone wants this to be in their town. I wouldn't hold your breath though, as Google has given no word or even hinted that they're looking to start thinking about bringing this to other parts of the country. Congrats, Kansas. Via: Fox4 Cheers Duke69111!

Call of Duty Elite for Android Updated, Black Ops 2 Support In The House

Tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:45:25 +0000

It's painful trying to pull myself from the TV this morning, as I've been paying Black Ops 2 non-stop and loving every second of it. Today, the official Call of Duty Elite app for Android received an update, bringing support for the newest title. With the Elite app, you can customize your classes, look over past games, and also see what your clan is up to. Since Elite was made free, if you play CoD, but don't have Elite installed, then you're doing it wrong. Go grab it now. Play Link

After 4.2 Update, is Your Nexus 7 Having Troubles Updating Apps in Google Play? (Update: We Have a Fix)

Tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:10:55 +0000

Last night, I updated my Nexus 7 to Android 4.2. After not turning on my device for some time before the OTA, I was met with lots of app updates in Google Play. Unfortunately, it looks there's an issue between Google Play and Android 4.2 on the Nexus 7, as one of Kellex's tablets is also having a similar issue. We've tried wiping data and force stopping Google Play, but nothing has worked yet. While we're on the lookout for a fix, have any of you had this issue as well? ~~If you have and know of a fix, please let us all know down below~~. Update: We love our community. After 30 seconds of this post going up, readers were pouring in with instructions on how to fix it: Simply remove the Google account, reboot, and then re-enter your Google account. Takes a couple of minutes, but fixes the issue instantly. Cheers everyone for your help!

Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Spotted on Display at Best Buy Stores

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:00:03 +0000

If the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is going to be a major part of your future, you may want to cruise into your local Best Buy. At some stores, the device is already on display, even though we don't have an official launch date from Big Red. We keep hearing and seeing November 29 as being the day, but again, until VZW says so, we aren't about to tell you to cut work that day and get in line at your local store. Still, the sooner you get your hands on this phone the better. As we mentioned in our review, the device will take some getting used to because of the size. I, personally, am not a fan of a phone this big, but others find it to be perfect. In fact, 3 million of them have already been sold globally, and we have yet to see all U.S. carriers kick off sales of it. On a related note (pun definitely not intended), the Verizon version in Best Buy stores already has the multi-window feature up and running. Verizon's own site references the feature, so it's not like we weren't expecting to get it, we just weren't sure if it would be there at launch or not. This certainly gives the impression that it will be there out of the box. Oh, and ignore the $799 full retail price. Best Buy always hikes up their full retail prices, as they only make money off of contracts. Ready for the Note 2 or has the DNA made your choice that much more difficult?

Cheers Jeremiah!

Videos: HTC DROID DNA Unboxing and Device Overview

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:35:41 +0000

The HTC DROID DNA will arrive in a week. But before that happens, we want to make sure you know all there is to know about the device, even the little things like the back notification light. Dave has one in hand, so to kick off the festivities, we thought an unboxing followed by a quick device overview was needed. In the videos, you'll see the standard DROID packaging, a comparison to the Galaxy Nexus and RAZR M, a tour of the design, a finicky USB plug, and some initial impressions.

Unboxing:

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

Device Overview:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rVlM7Pv5ws[/youtube]

Beautiful Widgets 5.0 on the Way, Here is a Sneak Peek

Tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:05:30 +0000

This morning, the developers of Beautiful Widgets, one of the oldest and most popular widget apps on Android, released a preview of their upcoming major 5.0 update. The application has been completely re-written, which shows as it sports the ultra-clean holo theme look that was introduced with Ice Cream Sandwich. Based on the pictures they have released, it looks fantastic. Not only will the look of the app be changed, but many of the features are being redone to allow for easier themeing and applying of widgets. As for a time frame, the release will take place in just a "few weeks." I haven't used BW in quite some time, but this update will certainly get me back into using it.

What do you think? Via: Level Up Studio

Employee Special Editions of the RAZR HD, RAZR M, DROID DNA, and Windows Phone 8X Coming Soon to Verizon

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:38:07 +0000

Remember last year's special edition RAZR MAXX that was created for Verizon employees? Similar special editions are on the way, only this time for a handful of devices. These exclusive color schemes will likely be kept to employees only, just like last year, with jealous enthusiasts like us hoping they pop up on eBay. According to sources of ours, the RAZR MAXX HD and RAZR M will arrive November 15 with a similar black and red color scheme to what we saw last year. We are assuming that the kevlar will see red lines in place of the light grey on the back of the retail device. There is a chance that the metal band around the side of the HD turns red as well. But beyond Moto products, we're also hearing that HTC is getting in the mix with a special edition DROID DNA and Windows Phone 8X. The DNA is said to sport an all black front (like the retail version), but the black back will be swapped out for a red back, similar to what the global J Butterfly has (pictured above). These two HTC products will come with free wireless charging pillows as well, and will be available in December. I'm jealous. You? Cheers ___ and ___!

Google Voice Update Fixes Crashing Issue in Android 4.2

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:17:52 +0000

When Android 4.2 was released yesterday to a handful of devices, many of you noticed that Google Voice was having issues. In fact, if you created a new text message, then tried to add a contact, it would Force Close immediately. Thankfully, Google was quick to react and has already released an update to the Play store which fixes it. One thing should be noted, though - after updating, I was forced to setup my Google Voice again. I'm not sure if that was supposed to happen or not, but it did. Remember, setup for Google Voice in Jelly Bean has changed slightly. We have instructions here. Play Link Cheers T!

Samsung's Mobile Head Draws Line in the Sand, Will Not Settle With Apple

Eric — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:00:06 +0000

Last week, Apple and HTC met for a 10-year licensing deal, which led us to wonder if any other Android OEMs would follow suit. Samsung wants to head that discussion off before it even starts with a short and to the point comment today. Samsung's Mobile Head JK Shin had this to say on the subject:

Regardless of HTC’s settlement with Apple, we have no intention [to settle].

That was simple. Samsung certainly has the sales numbers to go toe-to-toe with Apple and pay for these court proceedings. If they really think they have a case it's up to them, but as of now it doesn't seem that the end of the patent wars are near.

Via: Sammy Hub

New Google TV Update Introduces Voice Search to Your TV, PrimeTime Guide to Easily Find Content

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:27:02 +0000

The Google TV teamed announced that new update is headed to GTV units in the near future. The update is the first to introduce Voice Search to Google TV, allowing you to easily switch channels by speaking their names, find how-to videos on YouTube, or even search for general terms like "football highlights." They also updated their content-finding system and are calling it PrimeTime. With this new version, you can sort through recommended or favorite movie and TV titles without having to leave your current show. No longer do you have to sift through pages and pages of content while missing what you were already watching. And last, the new YouTube app update that was released yesterday, makes syncing videos between your mobile device and TV easier than ever. The update will rollout to LG devices this week. The rest of the lot won't see the update for a bit. The Logitech Revue and original Sony GTV devices will likely not see Voice Search.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNOsB8tRmWU[/youtube]

Via: Google TV Blog

Nova Launcher Updated for Android 4.2 - Includes New Icon Set, Fixed Bugs

Kellen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:14:31 +0000

Nova Launcher received a much-needed update last night to make it compatible with Android 4.2. The default icon set was changed to the new 4.2 set, a new Quick Settings action was added, and a bunch bugs were squashed. I'd say that it's nothing major, but in reality, it sort of is major as it allows the app to work on the newest version of Android. Go get it! Play Link Cheers Justin and everyone else who sent this in!

Official GoPro App Launches for Android, Control Your GoPro Camera Right From Your Phone

Eric — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:50:30 +0000

Owners of the go-anywhere and do-anything GoPro cameras will be excited for this news today. GoPro has launched their official application for Android that lets you do everything that you can on the camera, on your Android device. If your GoPro is Wi-Fi BacPac enabled, you can use your phone as a remote viewfinder to see what your lens is seeing and then take pictures or video with just a click. There are a few catches however. The app only works with certain GoPro cameras and they suggest using the app on a device with Android 4.0 or newer for best production. Other than that, if you're looking to get some nice video of your snowboard runs, hit the link below for the download. Play Link

The Nightmare of Maintaining Your Music Library [Opinion]

Ron — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:15:30 +0000

Like many in my generation, I started listening to music on CDs. I used to sit in a rocking chair with my "skip free" portable CD player (I can't remember if it was a Walkman or not) listening to Now 4 or No Doubt. Around the age of 16 or 17 I was given my first iPod: a 30 GB 5th generation iPod Classic (although at that point it wasn't called "Classic"). I can vividly remember sitting down at my computer and slowly importing dozens of CDs into iTunes and syncing my iPod. I remember when Tri-tone meant that my CD had been imported, not that I had a new message. I began buying music straight from iTunes instead of visiting the then large, now non-existent CD section at my local Best Buy. Eventually my iPod was stolen. I looked at cheaper iPod knockoffs, but since my car didn't have an auxiliary port I was still fairly reliant on CDs. At the time, any music I had purchased through iTunes was copy protected. I contemplated burning CDs of my albums to get rid of the DRM, but I wasn't convinced of a solution yet. I could store music on my SD card, but that was limited in storage. To make matters worse, more and more devices were being released without an SD card slot. That left physical syncing, which was on option, but at that point why not get an iPod for music? I eventually began to look into services like Spotify and rdio. I wanted to use a subscription service because I was tried of buying music from Amazon and iTunes and trying to organize and sync everything. On top of that, I had old tracks from iTunes that were still laden with DRM and were therefore unplayable on non-Apple devices. Subscription services cost $10 per month for streaming and offline caching so it seemed like a win-win situation. I could have most of my music library available on any device for a low monthly fee and never have to worry about synching album purchases or whether or not certain albums are playable on certain devices. I received one of the rare Spotify accounts that does not require a Facebook sign in from a contest. At the time I wasn't interested in the solution because I didn't want to stream music on my phone all the time. Once I did a little more digging and discovered music caching options I began to think about a subscription service much more seriously. I didn't care for the look of Spotify, but even more importantly, it was beginning to seem like everyone and their mom (literally) was using the service on Facebook. I don't like being coerced into using Facebook and I'm much more hesitant to support services that support such behavior. Most important of all, however, was Spotify's lack of music options. While Spotify's album selection continues to improve, when I was first looking at it, the service lacked many of my favorite albums. Shortly thereafter I began to use rdio. I really liked the app (especially compared to what Spotify calls an app) and rdio's library had about 95% of the albums I listened to regularly. The app had a consistent interface on both iOS and Android (while Windows Phone's app remained frustratingly buggy) and while I missed the gapless playback I had become accustomed to, it provided the cloud-based music ecosystem that I had been longing for. When a new album would come out I would open rdio on my phone or computer and tell it to sync the album to my phone to listen to offline. Sure, every now and then I would get the hankering to listen to The Jakes' EP or Childish Gambino's EP and be forced into the stock music app, but overall rido had the library, app, and ecosystem that I wanted. After much hand wringing I spent 4 or 5 hours last week cleaning up my iTunes library, buying tracks that had come out since I joined rdio, and setting up iTunes Match/Google Music. While I was deeply in love with rdio and the dream of cloud-based music, I caved into the iTunes Match/Google Music solution because several album labels are still refusing to release their music on streaming services until several months after release while others are refusing to put content on streaming services at all. Those holes in streaming services libraries can be filled in with stock music apps, but maintaining two separate libraries is a nightmare. Sure, I can set up Spotify to sync both my local library and my cloud library, but that means maintaining multiple libraries and doesn't deal with DRM issues. The solution for me was to pay for iTunes Match. I already had a lot of music that I had purchased through iTunes that I would like DRM free and iTunes often has exclusive tracks for albums. $25 and a few hours later I have the same library that I had with rdio, but I can play literally any song I want on any device. I don't have to maintain multiple libraries and I don't have to wonder if an album I want is available to me; I just go download it. I wanted to believe that streaming services were the future of music, but the reality is that services like Spotify and rdio have limited libraries. Until someone can offer me a streaming service that lets me stream every track out there and upload my own personal tracks for streaming, I'm going to stick with iTunes Match/Google Music. Despite the increased expense of paying for albums more often and the heavy initial time investment, iTunes Match/Google Music provides a vastly superior experience. While we have the technology to provide the best music experience, issues like paying artists a fair amount for their work and getting all of the content out there onto any device continue to plague subscription services.

Tip: Developer Options Hidden in Android 4.2 - This is How to Access Them

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:48:52 +0000

There are probably a handful of legitimate reasons why, but we thought we should point out that Google decided it would hide the Developer options menu through Settings in Android 4.2. You could argue that the average consumer has no business being in this section or that it doesn't even need to be present unless the owner of the device is looking to tinker. No matter what, it's hidden and we want to make sure you know how to get it back. Check the video below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRqNPNH7yNA[/youtube]

AOKP Forum Infected With Malware, All Usernames and Passwords Compromised

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:15:20 +0000

Oh, the Internet. It's a fun and beautiful place for the most part, but sometimes, it can be a real pain in the ass. Unfortunately for our friends in the Android Open Kang Project, their forum (aokpDOTco) has come down with an illness, malware to be exact, and all of their user's usernames and passwords have been compromised. AOKP's founder, Roman, took to Google+ to break the bad news and to advise people who signed up that this would be a good time to change up your passwords.

Fans of AOKP, Yesterday we got reports of http://aokp.co being infected with malware. We did some investigation and it looks like our site did get compromised by some sort of malware. All usernames and passwords were compromised. Yes, this sucks, and I take 100% of the responsibility for what happened. I am very sorry to everyone who registered on the site. The silver lining of the event is that site registrations have been closed for many months as it is, and we’ve been using RootzWiki as our main “forum.” I will see what I can do about sending an email to all of the registered users and notify them of the incident. It looks like only the actual site (http://aokp.co) was affected - gerrit and everything else was untouched. I’ve taken the site down completely for now. You can still get your builds from AndroTransfer or Goo-Inside.me. Please please please change your passwords and remember to keep your email password just a little more secure! If you used the same email/password combo elsewhere, now would be the time to go and change it as well. Roman ***Note: no, the passwords were not stored in plaintext

AOKP has made RootzWiki their homebase for a while now, but still, this is never a fun thing to happen. Via: Google+

Sprint Announces Nine Cities To Receive New LTE Network

Eric — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:40:58 +0000

Verizon might have a big lead in the race for 4G LTE coverage, but Sprint is doing their best to catch up in implementing their own network. Today, the Now Network announced that within the coming months, nine new markets would be getting some LTE love as they keep growing. Sprint already has LTE up and running in 32 cities and are rapidly expanding. There aren't any particularly huge markets on the list this time around. Future 4G LTE markets:

Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
Oakland/Fremont/Hayward, Calif.
Key West, Fla.
Fort Smith, Ark.
Michigan City/La Porte, Ind.
Bloomington, Ind.
Eau Claire, Wis.
Ardmore, Okla.
McAllen/Edinburg/Mission, Texas

Sprint Adding 4G LTE to Nine Additional Cities in Coming Months
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 13, 2012 - Continuing its aggressive push to deliver an enhanced top-tier network experience for customers, Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today that its 4G LTE network build is progressing in nine additional cities within its nationwide 3G footprint. Work has begun on the 4G LTE Network in the following additional areas:

- Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. - Fort Smith, Ark. - Ardmore, Okla.

- Oakland/Fremont/ - Michigan City/ - McAllen/Edinburg/

Hayward, Calif. La Porte, Ind. Mission, Texas

- Key West, Fla. - Bloomington, Ind.

- Eau Claire, Wis.

“We’re committed to providing improved 3G and 4G LTE as quickly as possible, and keeping our customers informed as to when and where they can experience the new network’s superior performance and speed,” said Bob Azzi, senior vice president-Network, Sprint. “Our customers depend on their mobile devices as their primary source of communication, business connectivity and entertainment. We’re delivering all of that functionality at a very competitive price.” During the pre-launch phase, Sprint customers with capable devices may begin to see 4G LTE coverage in these areas and are welcome to use the network even before it officially launches. Sprint plans to announce commercial availability of 4G LTE in these cities in the coming months, followed by continued enhancements in coverage, performance and reliability. Ultimately, Sprint’s 4G LTE coverage is expected to largely match the existing nationwide 3G footprint. Sprint has announced more than 125 cities where Sprint 4G LTE is on its way, including Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Memphis, Tenn.; Miami; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C. To find out more about which markets currently have Sprint 4G LTE and which markets are coming next, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE. Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and currently offers service in 32 cities¹. As part of its overall network strategy, Sprint is also doing a complete overhaul of its 3G infrastructure so that customers can enjoy better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage, and fewer dropped/blocked calls. These enhancements are now available to customers in several markets across the country, with significant deployment in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., and will continue to improve in the weeks and months ahead. With these enhancements to Sprint’s 3G network, the company’s prepaid customers, on Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, will also benefit and can expect to see better coverage, improved network reliability and voice quality resulting in up to 20 to 30 percent fewer dropped and blocked calls. Unlimited + Sprint 4G LTE = Game-changing wireless offer for customers In today’s competitive wireless market, the value of unlimited has never been more apparent and Sprint is clearly a leading choice in wireless. Customers with capable devices can combine Sprint’s all-new 3G and 4G LTE networksand enjoy unlimited data while on the Sprint network. Data usage continues to increase and consumers value Truly Unlimited data because it’s simple and straightforward – while on the Sprint network there is no metering, no throttling, and no need to share data, which increases the likelihood of a surprise monthly bill because of overage charges. Coupled with unbeatable plans and fast devices, Sprint has been working hard to deliver the best customer experience in the past few years. The 2012 American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries measured, over the last four years. And Sprint has been ranked Highest in Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full-service Wireless Providers three times in a row by J.D. Power and Associates.

Google Looking to Sync Your Phone and TV With New YouTube Update

Eric — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:10:53 +0000

Google has been trying to figure out how to invade your living room and big-screen TV for a while now, something they have proven by not letting Google TV die. The latest update to YouTube is aimed at making your switching between mobile and big-screen a little easier.

Mobile has been able to sync videos to Google TV for a while, but now as long as the two devices are on the same WiFi network, it will do it automatically. All you have to do is press the little TV symbol on the YouTube app and you can watch it in high definition. Your phone then becomes your remote and allows you to switch videos and play/pause while you watch. The update doesn't seem to be live just yet but Google promises we will be seeing "this feature coming to more devices and screens in the future."

Will any of you fire up your Google TVs to use this new feature when it does go live?

Via: YouTube

Google Posts SDK for Android 4.2, Wants Developers to Use Shiny New Features

Eric — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:40:32 +0000

It's been a big day for Android already and it's only getting bigger. Just a bit ago, the Android Developers team posted the Android 4.2 SDK to encourage other developers to take advantage of all of the new goodies that 4.2 has to offer. Along with increased interaction with external displays and increased performance, this SDK will be integral in making apps that make use of all the update's latest features.

Head over to the developer blog if you are interested in making some sweet applications.

Via: Android Developer Blog

Google: No 4.2 Support For Nexus S and XOOM, Keep Using Android 4.1.2

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:15:36 +0000

A couple of hours ago, as 4.2 hit AOSP, Google's Jean-Baptiste Queru (JBQ) took to the Android Builders group and announced that there would be no official Android 4.2 support for either the Nexus S or Motorola XOOM. When asked to clarify on if that means it is officially over for the devices, he declined comment. So, we can take that as a, "Yes, that's a wrap" or "Maybe in the future when we aren't so busy." It may seem like a bummer, but both devices are starting to show their age and I think it's best for Google to start focusing their efforts on newer devices. The XOOM has had one helluva ride and we salute you for it. Via: Google Cheers NAM!

Tuesday Poll: Are You Buying the HTC DROID DNA?

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:45:56 +0000

Now that Verizon and HTC have made the DROID DNA official for November 21 at $199, we have to ask - are you buying it? So far, in the comments of most DNA posts, we are seeing a lot of excited readers who can't wait to feel the soft finish in their hands, gaze into the beauty of the 5" 1080p display, and snap photos with what is sure to be a best-in-class smartphone camera. On the flip side, we are also seeing a lot of you question the 16GB of internal storage with no way to expand that via microSD card. And what about the 2020mAh battery that has to fuel a quad-core processor and 5" 1080p display? We'll be testing all of that shortly, but as of today, are you planning to make this your next smartphone? Be sure to check out our hands-on and video overview of the device from today's live event. [poll id="219"]

CyanogenMod Releases CM10 M3 Build For Supported Devices, But Don't Call It "Stable"

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:15:50 +0000

With so much excitement filling the air, the CyanogenMod team decided to throw in their hats as well and release the newest builds of CM10. The team goes into great length through Google+, explaining that these new builds aren't "stable" builds or "M" builds - rather, that the build is completely daily driver ready, but still vulnerable to bugs. The way they see it, if they call these builds stable, that would imply the last builds weren't, so they're trying to save everyone the headache. Also, the team mentioned 4.2 and said that they are patiently waiting for it to hit AOSP. Once it does that, they will see what is new, what needs to stay and what needs to go, then start building. It will be CM10.1, and not CM11, for anyone who might have been curious. Grab the newest build of CM right here. Via: CyanogenMod

HTC DROID DNA Hands-on and First Look

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:49:28 +0000

The HTC DROID DNA is finally official. We were at the event live and had a chance to go hands-on with the device, snap a few pictures, and then follow along while an HTC rep gave us the ultimate overview. Just from looking at these pictures and video, it's tough for me to say anything other than, "Wow, nice job, HTC." The phone is designed incredibly well, with red accent grills on the sides, a soft-finish back, the best screen in the business, and enough high-end specs on the inside to put almost every other phone to shame. I cannot wait to get this in my hands for a review. And yes, the guy referred to it as the "Frankenstein phone."

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du2yjEugRF8[/youtube]

Galleries

Device [nggallery id=25] Accessories [nggallery id=26]

Nexus 10 32GB Sold Out Through Google Play

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:31:49 +0000

It may not have happened as quick as the Nexus 4, but the 32GB version of the Nexus 10 has just sold out through Google Play. If you act quick, maybe you will be able to snatch up the 16GB variant. I don't think anyone could have expected so much excitement to surround these devices. We are still trying to catch up. Were you one of the lucky ones? Play Link Cheers Jeff and M!

Verizon HTC DROID DNA Pre-order is Live

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:14:42 +0000

The DROID DNA from HTC is now live and available for pre-order through Verizon's site. Priced at $199 on a new two-year agreement, this device will likely be met with quite a bit of optimism. It has insane specs and could be just what HTC has needed to boost their US sales figures. It packs the new quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, a brilliant 5" 1080p LCD 3 display, 4G LTE, 2GB of RAM, and amazing 8MP camera, Sense 4+, and Jelly Bean. Picking it up or is this not the DROID you're looking for? Pre-order Here

Google Posts Android 4.2 JOP40C Factory Images for Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and HSPA+ Nexus 7

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:52:06 +0000

Google just posted the new factory images of Android 4.2 (JOP40C) for the Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 w/HSPA+. If you own or are going to be the owner of one of these devices, you will want to download these files and store in a safe place. You never know when you may need to restore your device to 100% stock after tinkering for too long. We have generic instructions for flashing factory image files here. Download: Nexus 4 | Nexus 10 | Nexus 7 (HSPA+) Via: Google

Android 4.2 Headed to AOSP Right Now!

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:40:14 +0000

With the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 launching on Google Play, and running Android 4.2, it only makes sense that this new version of Jelly Bean would makes its way to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Sure enough, that is happening now. What does this mean for all of you? Well, it means that your favorite custom ROM developer has some work to do. Once that work is done, it then means that you will have a brand spankin' new ROM to dive into that includes Photosphere, the quick settings pull-down, a better keyboard, and more. Once we start hearing from the top devs with ROMs, we'll start gathering them up for a mega-post. Via: Google Groups

Google's Nexus 4 Sells Out in 25 Minutes

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:11:36 +0000

According to Google Play, the Nexus 4 16GB and 8GB versions are either sold out already or have been pulled for other reasons. As of right now, both variants are completely gone and the only option is the "Notify Me" sign-up box. We first noticed them go live at about 8:38AM Pacific, and by 9:03AM Pacific, they were out. Were you able to snag one? Play Link Cheers K!

HTC DROID DNA Announced for Verizon - Available November 21 for $199 on Contract

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:56:28 +0000

This morning, Verizon and HTC took to the stage to announce the all new DROID DNA. Being labeled as the next step in the evolution of the DROID brand, the DNA comes packed with some of today's hottest specs. Powering this monster is a Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB of RAM, while being equipped with an 8MP back-facing camera, NFC, Beats audio, a 2,020mAh battery, Sense 4+, and running Jelly Bean. The display is a 5" 1080p HD super LCD 3 that is protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass 2, which should look great from any viewing angle and also in direct sunlight. When it comes to specs, this thing is packing. The device is available for pre-order starting today, with release scheduled for next week on the 21st of November at $199 on a new two-year agreement. Picking one up?

DROID DNA BY HTC INTRODUCED AS THE ULTIMATE SMARTPHONE —

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM VERIZON WIRELESS

The first full HD 1080p display with the highest pixel density of any smartphone also features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE

and HTC Sense 4+ with Android Jelly Bean
BELLEVUE, WA — Nov. 13, 2012 — HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, and Verizon Wireless today announced the exclusive DROID DNA by HTC, the ultimate smartphone and the first with a full HD 1080p display. The DROID DNA by HTC will be available exclusively through Verizon Wireless through pre-order starting today and at retail stores nationwide Wednesday, November 21^st. “It’s no secret that people depend on their smartphones more and more every day which rightfully raises expectations for performance, speed, and design. The DROID DNA by HTC embodies a smartphone that pushes the envelope in all of these areas with the first true 1080p HD display, latest quad-core processor, and Verizon’s 4G LTE network, all wrapped in a beautifully crafted design,” said Jason Mackenzie, president, HTC Corporation. “The DROID DNA by HTC is sure to top wish lists this holiday season.” The Ultimate Smartphone With technology rivaling the latest HD TV’s, the DROID DNA by HTC is the first smartphone to feature a true 1080p HD super LCD 3 display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2 protection. It boasts an extraordinary 440 pixels per inch (PPI) on a 5-inch screen for unprecedented in-hand HD experiences that delivers the maximum pixel clarity available on a smartphone. Designed to accentuate the incredible display, the deep black, soft-touch back is understated, with the exception of a metallic red camera bezel, while the red microgrill pattern of the sidewalls hint at the phone’s DROID heritage and the power inside. The beautifully crafted smartphone feels thinner than other devices of a similar size as the edges of the curved back taper to a mere 4mm for a comfortable feel in the hand or pocket. The Qualcomm® Snapdragon^™ S4 Pro processor, featuring a quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU and high-performance GPU, paired with America’s largest 4G LTE network from Verizon Wireless and a full 2G of RAM enable the seamless use of multiple apps simultaneously. With HTC Sense® 4+ and Android™ 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean), you get great software experiences including Google Now. HTC Sense 4+ offers a wealth of easy-to-use and customizable features bringing highly sought after personalization to your phone and placing the most important content front and center. A series of intelligent features powered by HTC Sense 4+ also provides a number of improvements to the camera. Amazing Camera The DROID DNA by HTC has a world-class camera that delivers fast image capture, great images even in low-light and an easy interface to capture stills and video. With an 8-megapixel f/2.0 28mm wide-angle lens, 5-level automatic flash, backside illuminated sensor (BSI), and superfast autofocus, you’ll capture amazing moments without the worry of missing a single one. Instead of choosing between photos and video, HTC VideoPic™ allows you to capture video and still images at the same time. And by simply holding the shutter button, Continuous Shooting takes multiple photos at up to four frames per second to catch all the action. It also includes a new best-in-class 2.1-megapixel, f/2.0, 88-degree, ultra-wide angle, front-facing camera that allows more to be captured in self-portraits, and up to four people for group shots. Auto Portrait makes it easier to take photos of yourself and your friends with automatic face detection and a countdown timer so you can focus on your pose and not the shutter button. Capable of capturing 1080p HD video, the front-facing camera also provides a sharper picture during video chat. Authentic Sound The DROID DNA by HTC has a unique, 2.55-volt, built-in headset amplifier and dedicated amp for the external rear-speaker to help boost the audio signal to deliver crystal clear sound with less distortion, even at maximum volume. The combination of amplified hardware and the rich, authentic, studio-quality sound of Beats Audio™ allows music to be heard the way the artist intended, and enhances the sound quality while playing games or watching video. Additional Features The DROID DNA by HTC is equipped with a 2,020 mAh battery and power saving software that enables long-lasting endurance. In addition, the embedded wireless charging makes it easy and convenient to top off power throughout the day or fully charge overnight, simply by setting the phone down. Finally, with near field communication (NFC), you can use the DROID DNA by HTC to share music and videos, add someone to your social networks, or download apps by tapping other NFC-enabled devices. Availability: The DROID DNA by HTC will be available exclusively from Verizon Wireless through a pre-order starting today at www.verizonwireless.com/droiddna, and in-stores nationwide beginning Wednesday, November 21st for $199.99 with a two-year customer agreement. The names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. About HTC Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC’s portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.

Google's Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 Now Available For Purchase in Google Play

Tim — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:37:52 +0000

The time has finally come. For those interested, you can now go straight into Google Play and purchase the new Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 devices. We did a fun live un-boxing of both devices right here, and you can also see a beautiful gallery of both devices here. As for pricing, nothing has changed since they were first announced: $299 for the 8GB Nexus 4 and $349 for the 16GB version. The Nexus 10 16GB will cost you $399 and the 32GB variant will run you $499. As a quick reminder, you can also pick up the HSPA+ supported Nexus 7 as well for $299. If you are deciding to pick one of these Nexus devices up, let us know which one down below! Update: Nexus 4 in both 8GB and 16GB versions has sold out. Buy: Nexus 4 | Nexus 10 | Nexus 7 w/ HSPA+

Video: First Look at the HTC DROID DNA

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:30:15 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R512phD0it4[/youtube]

The HTC DROID DNA is official. Here is the first look at it. Below, we also have HTC's first promo video for the phone, which is awesome.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdJMSjn3M5c[/youtube]

Video: Android 4.2 Features - Widgets on Lock Screens and Multi-users on Tablets

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:15:39 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZF1V4qpae0[/youtube]

The newest Android 4.2 update JOP40C went live last night on my Nexus 4, but since I was out and about at a Blazers game, my quick lock screen widgets video wasn't of the highest quality. So after returning home, I was able to snap this new video, which shows not only the lock screen widgets and how they work, but multi-user support on tablets, as well. I've got to admit that I'm a bit confused by lock screen widgets. Not only do they bring security into question, but all it takes is a simple swipe to unlock and then you are sitting at your home screens which already have all of your widgets. It's like Google is turning your lock screen into your new home screen, which sort of defeats the purpose of it being a "lock" screen, right? But not only that, they are slightly confusing and will certainly take some getting used to. Thoughts?

Live: HTC and Verizon DROID DNA Event in NYC

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:40:53 +0000

We are well aware that today is Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 day, but Verizon and HTC do not seem to care. In their minds, today is HTC DROID DNA day. And you know what, that's fine by us, as we have been dying to see the world's first 1080p phone in the flesh and become official for months now. Our man Dave is on the scene in NYC at the release event, ready to give us all of the dirty details. Below, we have a live blog, so that we can all follow along with us and be jealous of those in the media that live on the east coast. Let's see what HTC and Verizon have in store!

Download: Android 4.2 Update for Nexus 7 and GSM Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:18:54 +0000

If you own the "takju" GSM Galaxy Nexus or a Nexus 7, it's time to update to Android 4.2. The files are already available from Google (even pushing out to some devices), so depending on the state of your device, your instructions for updating may be different. Let's get to it! Download: JOP40C (Nexus 7) | JOP40C ("takju" Galaxy Nexus) *In order to use these files, you have to currently be on JZO54K.

Instructions (rooted w/ custom recovery):

1. Download the file to your internal storage. 2. Reboot into your custom recovery. 3. Choose "install zip from sd card" and select the update file you downloaded above. 4. Tell it to flash it, watch it happen, and then enjoy 4.2.

Instructions (non-rooted):

*Involves some simple adb.

1. Watch this video -

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

*You could also try going into Settings>Apps>All> and then finding Google Services Framework. If you Force Stop and then Clear Data on that, sometimes that will trigger the update into being pushed to your device. Via: XDA [2]

Yes, Folks, the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 Go On-sale in the Play Store at 9AM Pacific

Kellen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:02:36 +0000

Well, if you follow us on Twitter, then you knew this late last night, as we were the first to report the 9:00AM kick-off for sales of the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10. Since our sources reached out, Google has updated their Google Play support line to reflect this time. That means you have less than 2 hours to wait before making one of or all of these devices yours. We should probably warn you that they are selling out overseas within minutes, so if the N4 or N10 is on your list this morning, get your credit cards ready.

Quick Look at Lock Screen Widgets in Android 4.2

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:22:07 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/EtkEDV8pMGM[/youtube]

We got our first-hands on with the Nexus 4 device today, but one thing it did lack was an OTA update that brings a few Android 4.2 features that many are looking forward to, namely lockscreen widgets. The OTA update has since gone live, and of course, Kellex is not home. He was able to sneak away from his dinner table just long enough to go hands-on with the newest feature and put it on YouTube for us catch a glimpse of. Enjoy!

Cheers K!

Google Intros $20 Nexus 4 Bumper Case Through Google Play

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:56:33 +0000

Well, if you planned on picking up a Nexus 4 tomorrow once they go on sale, why not pick up an official bumper case for it at the same time? Yes, I said bumper for a Nexus 4. Scary. Anyways, the bumper cases are running $20 and come in one color - black. You can expect them to go on sale the same time as the Nexus. Cool, right? Buy Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Disney's Official Wreck-it Ralph Game Goes Up on Google Play for $0.99

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:25:11 +0000

Disney's Wreck-it Ralph has landed on Google Play for $0.99, and much like the movie, it features a few different games inside the one app. There are three different games to be exact - some that pay homage to the older arcade-style titles that the movie is based on, and then another that features more futuristic 3D graphics and shoot-em-up gameplay. I have not seen the movie yet, but it actually looks pretty cute. Feel free to let me know how you liked it, but please, no spoilers. Play Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/hZ8tYje6YvY[/youtube]

AT&T Announce HTC One X+ and One VX Launch Date of November 16

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:40:12 +0000

Today, AT&T announced that customers can get their hands on the HTC One X+ and the HTC One VX on November 16, with pre-orders going live for the One X+ starting tomorrow, November 13. For those not following the devices, the One X+ is just like the original One X, except it features a supercharged Tegra 3 processor that is 4G LTE compatible, clocked at 1.7GHz and Jelly Bean. As for the One VX, it is more of a mid-range Android device, featuring a 4.5" qHD display, 5MP shooter, Jelly Bean, and HTC's Sense 4 custom UI. Any chance one of these are on your radar? Via: AT&T

Quick Gallery: Nexus 4 and Nexus 10

Kellen — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:10:38 +0000

Well, we have the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 in the house. Both launch tomorrow on Google Play, but why don't we take one last look at them before that happens? Below, you'll find some sparkly photos of the Nexus 4, the Nexus 10 in hand so that you can see the size, and an embed of the live unboxing and hands-on video that Tim and I did earlier. Only a few hours left and these could be yours! Full reviews and feature highlights in the coming day.

Nexus 4

[nggallery id=23]

Nexus 10

[nggallery id=24]

Live Unboxing and Hands-on

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOli44xWgNA[/youtube]

Verizon to Light Up More 4G LTE Markets This Thursday, November 15

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:41:23 +0000

Everyone loves 4G LTE, so when Verizon begins to announce new cities that will get their speeds boosted, it's always a happy day. Customers in some of the middle parts of America will start to see 4G LTE go live on Thursday, November 15 in the following areas:

Grand Junction, Colorado
Butte, Montana
Cody, Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
Rock Springs/Green River, Wyoming
Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Syracuse, Missouri
Tipton, Missouri
Otterville, Missouri
Smithton, Missouri
Eldon, Missouri
Etterville, Missouri
Holts Summit, Missouri
New Bloomfield, Missouri
Fulton, Missouri
Kingdom City, Missouri

Any of these new light ups going to affect you? If so, enjoy it! Via: Verizon [2] [3] [4]

Verizon Announces Samsung Stratosphere II - QWERTY Keyboard, 4G LTE, and 1.2GHz Dual-Core Chip

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:41:12 +0000

Today, Samsung and Verizon have officially unveiled the Stratosphere II. The device will become available in following weeks, featuring some pretty decent specs for a mid-range smartphone. For $129 on a new two year agreement, the device sports a 4.0" AMOLED display, full QWERTY keyboard for the texting addicts, Ice Cream Sandwich, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and access to Verizon's 4G LTE network. On top of those goodies, the device is "Global Ready" and supported in over 200 countries across the globe. For the travelers, that's a major plus. Thoughts on the mid-range QWERTY device? Via: Verizon

Google Play Music Update Supports Gapless Playback, Other Nifty Features

Eric — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:16:36 +0000

Android audiophiles can get a little excited today since Google decided to push out an update to their Play Music application. The biggest addition, something that it was previously lacking, is gaplass playback. No longer will there be an awkward pause between your songs as you go through your party playlist, just smooth uninterrupted tunes.

Google also expanded the types of playlists you can keep on your device as well as "auto-generated Instant Mixes on Recent tab based on your favorite songs." Improvements for offline playback have been added and make this a very solid update to the Play Music application. It's live in the Play Store now.

Do you guys use Google Music or another streaming application?

Play Link

Cheers William, Jason, and Craig!

Samsung S-Memo Security Flaw Reminds Us of the Dangers of Rooting a Device

Eric — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:45:52 +0000

A cautionary tale for you on this Monday, brought to you from XDA. A user was looking through his rooted Galaxy S3 system files the other day and decided to open up the S-Memo database in SQLlte. I'm not sure what he was looking for, but one thing he was surprised to find was that the application stored his Google password in plaintext, no encryption of any kind.

Now, before you go looking for S-Memo to uninstall, developers have responded to the thread saying that he only had access to that database because his device was rooted. However, if a malicious application was allowed root privileges it could conceivably gain access to the same place where that password was stored. Not an immediate risk for any rooted S3 users, but let this be a warning: be careful what applications you give root-access to.

Via: XDA

Live - Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 Hands-on a Day Early

Kellen — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:00:40 +0000

With the LG Nexus 4 and Samsung Nexus 10 now in hand, and a day before they both go on sale, we thought we should take you on a live tour of each, just in case you were still deciding whether or not you should buy these devices. I haven't even had a chance to open them yet, so together, live, we'll walk through an unboxing and a brief tour, field some questions, and have fun. We'll begin at 12:15 Pacific. Don't worry if you miss it though, as the Hangout will be recorded and posted immediately to YouTube. [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyH85s9djo[/youtube]

Google Intros New Acer C7 Chromebook, Priced at an Extremely Low $199

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:45:35 +0000

Moments ago, Google unveiled their newest partnership with Acer to introduce the all new Acer C7 Chromebook. Having a new Chromebook is awesome, but what's even more insane is the price tag. Priced at just $199, the device sports a 11.6" display, capable of up to 3.5 hours of battery life. Sure, you'll need to bring your charger with you everywhere you go, but that is still pretty great for those who are in the market for an ultra-portable computing device. The C7 goes on sale starting tomorrow directly on Google Play and at Best Buy. So, $199 for a Chromebook that stays alive for 3.5 hours. Picking one up? Acer C7 Landing Page Via: Google

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 7

Kellen — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:12:34 +0000

This week is going to be insane. We have the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 going on sale tomorrow. Android 4.2 should be hitting AOSP at any moment, which means the first sets of ROMs could be here this week. The HTC DROID DNA will be unveiled in NYC tomorrow, an event we'll be reporting from. Black Ops 2 is available at midnight...err. And we have a live Droid Life Show going down Wednesday night to talk about it all. After the snoozefest that was the Android news world last week, we are looking forward to some wild times. So knowing that we're about to be bombarded with awesome Android talk, let's do a Q&A session. You probably have a bundle of questions ready to be fired off, so bring 'em to us. Do you want to know our final thoughts on buying the Nexus 4? Should the DNA be your next phone? Is Android 4.2 the most important thing to happen this week? Drop your questions in the comments and we'll pick ten to be answered on Friday (and probably on Wednesday's show too).

Samsung Galaxy Camera to Launch November 16 on AT&T for $499

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:50:21 +0000

We finally have word from AT&T and Samsung on when people can pick up the Galaxy Camera. According to the press release, the Jelly Bean-powered device will go on sale November 16, priced at $499.99 with or without a data plan. For those that haven't been reading up on the Galaxy Camera, the backside of the camera features a 4.8" HD Super Clear display, a quad-core 1.4GHz processor, and a 16MP sensor. With the ability to connect to AT&T's HSPA+ network, you will be uploading the greatest Instagram pictures ever created. What we have learned is that you can choose to get a data plan or not, which was a concern at first, since there is no WiFi-only version. If spending money on a data plan for your camera is necessary, then here are the types of plans you can enter in to.

The full range of data plan options include:

AT&T Mobile Share: $10 to share between 1 GB and 20GB

AT&T DataConnect 250MB: $15 for 250MB

AT&T DataConnect 3GB: $30 for 3GB

AT&T DataConnect 5GB: $50 for 5GB

We have talked about the camera a bit, but is there anyone who is actually thinking about picking one up? Does the idea still seem silly or is this the future of photography? Let us know your thoughts on the Galaxy Camera below and for more info, check the full press release.

SAMSUNG GALAXY CAMERA AVAILABLE ON AT&T’S 4G NETWORK BEGINNING NOV. 16

For a Limited Time, Buy any Samsung Galaxy Smartphone and Receive up to $100 off a Second Connected Samsung Device, including the new Samsung Galaxy Camera
DALLAS, NOV. 12, 2012 — AT&T* today announced the Samsung Galaxy Camera™, the 4G connected camera, will be available for customers beginning Nov. 16 for $499.99.2 For a limited time, AT&T customers will receive up to $100 off the purchase of a second Samsung Galaxy handset or other Samsung connected device, including the new Samsung Galaxy Camera, when they purchase any Samsung Galaxy smartphone (w/ two-year agreement incl. qualifying voice and data plans). The Galaxy Camera combines high performance photography with Android™ 4.1 Jelly Bean and AT&T 4G mobile internet, resulting in a powerful point-and-shoot camera with a familiar, intuitive user interface and access to Android applications from the Google Play™ market. The Galaxy Camera is a perfect fit for those who wish to shoot, edit and share brilliant photographs and video easily and quickly through social networks without connecting to a laptop or PC. The Galaxy Camera features a 4.8-inch HD Super Clear LCD™ screen, boasts a 21x optical zoom lens and a super-bright 16MP backside illuminated CMOS sensor for shooting high-quality images close up and in low light conditions. This device is powered by a quad-core 1.4 GHz processor for quick and responsive performance. Galaxy Camera includes powerful manual controls with its Expert Mode, which allows for manual setting of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Smart Mode gives amateurs the tools of the pros, with Rich Tone HDR mode, Light Trace for ‘light painting’ photos and features like Best Face and Best Photo, which help users pick the best shot. “By connecting the Samsung Galaxy Camera through the AT&T wireless network, users can instantly share photos, giving family and friends a glimpse into their favorite holiday moments,” said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, AT&T Emerging Devices. “Customers will receive $100 off the purchase of the new Samsung Galaxy Camera when they purchase any Samsung Galaxy smartphone, making the Samsung Galaxy Camera the perfect gift this holiday season.” In addition to being able to share to social networks and cloud services on-the-go, consumers can harness the speed and connectivity of AT&T’s wireless network to share images and videos between Galaxy Camera and a range of Galaxy devices including the Samsung Galaxy S® III, Samsung Galaxy Note® II and Samsung Galaxy Tab® 2 10.1. 3 Customers purchasing Samsung Galaxy Camera from AT&T have more options in choosing the plan that’s right for them and their mobile devices. With new AT&T Mobile Share plans, new and existing customers can share a single bucket of data across smartphones, tablets and other compatible devices. AT&T Mobile Share allows customers to build a plan to fit their devices and usage. Customers can select one of the new shared data plans or choose one of AT&T’s existing individual or family plans. 4 The full range of data plan options include: AT&T Mobile Share: $10 to share between 1 GB and 20GB AT&T DataConnect 250MB: $15 for 250MB AT&T DataConnect 3GB: $30 for 3GB AT&T DataConnect 5GB: $50 for 5GB The Galaxy Camera will have access AT&T Locker, a free and easy-to-use photo and video sharing service for AT&T customers. AT&T Locker users get 5 GB of storage for free – enough for 5,000 average sized photos. AT&T Locker provides users the ability to upload images and video to secure online storage and quickly share on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or e-mail. Users can create and customize albums for photos and video on the device or online in the AT&T Locker website. The Samsung Galaxy Camera will be available in select AT&T company-owned retail stores nationwide and online at www.wireless.att.com.

HTC Will Prioritize Devices Launched in 2012 to Receive Android 4.1 Update, Says Sorry to Devices With 512MB of RAM

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:23:57 +0000

HTC has updated their device FAQ for anyone looking to find information on when and if their device will receive Jelly Bean. Long story short, HTC has made it clear that in general, devices with 512MB of RAM or less will more than likely not receive Jelly Bean. Unfortunately, that probably goes for you too Thunderbolt owners, even with your 768MB of RAM. Other devices from HTC that are equipped with just 512MB of RAM are the One V and Desire C.

We work hard to ensure each of our products has the optimal user experience and therefore some products will remain at their current version of Android. In general, devices with 512MB RAM or less will not be upgraded to Android 4.1. As we identify other devices that will not be upgraded, we'll provide updated information.

As for which devices will definitely get JB, HTC says they are prioritizing the update for the devices that were launched in 2012, then working their way back. The company has quite the portfolio to work through, and as you most likely already guessed, it could take quite some time before we see updates go live for the Rezound, EVO 3D, and other once-flagship devices. Now, to be fair, Thunderbolt owners should have already known that their devices wouldn't officially see Jelly Bean. But as this calendar year ticks down towards the new year, the device still has yet to receive Ice Cream Sandwich which was supposed to hit the device by the end of August. Via: Android and Me | HTC

Bootloader Unlock Released for HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE

Tim — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:37:50 +0000

Today, the world is a better place for HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE owners. Since release, "un-official" development on the device has been slow due to its heavily locked bootloader, but thankfully, that has now changed. Thanks to some persistent folks over at XDA, Incredible 4G owners can now start diving into custom ROMs and everything else the community has to offer, once they're actually made. The process is no laughing matter and should only be attempted by people with quite a bit of adb experience under their belt. In the picture below, it looks like S-OFF has not been achieved yet, however, this is still a great start. It also doesn't involve exposed wires and tools like we saw with the HTC Rezound. For full instructions on how to unlock the bootloader, please follow the via to the original thread on XDA. And please, before you attempt these tasks, make a backup.

Via: XDA Cheers Azra!

HTC DROID DNA Coming in White, Brown, and Black in Other Countries?

Kellen — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 07:23:56 +0000

According to Chinese site ePrice, a global variant of the HTC DROID DNA may not arrive until early December. While that's not the best of news, since the U.S. version is expected to arrive on November 20, the good news is that it may come in a trio of colors. Leaked in a series of renders, there is a chance that we'll see white, brown, and black variants of the global DNA, which falls under a similar "DLX" codename. With the codename and build looking identical, we would assume that this version of the phone will also sport a 5" 1080p display, quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, and run Jelly Bean. This is being reported as a separate device than the HTC J Butterfly which comes in red. As far as we know, the DROID DNA will only come in one color scheme here in the U.S. - black and red. I have to admit that after seeing the white render above and the red J Butterfly, that I was hoping we'd get more than one choice. We'll know for sure tomorrow.

Via: ePrice | PocketNow

HTC and Apple Settle Patent Dispute, Reach 10-Year License Agreement

Kellen — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:51:05 +0000

As of this weekend, we no longer (well, for 10 years) have to write about Apple and HTC fighting in courts over patents. According to press releases posted by both companies yesterday, the two have reached a global settlement that includes the dismissal of all current lawsuits and a 10-year license agreement. This agreement extends to current and future patents. The terms have been kept confidential. CEOs from both companies made brief statements, admitting that they are pleased to have resolved their dispute. Both also mentioned "innovation" as something they are looking forward to. I don't really have a lot of thoughts to add other than, "It's about damn time." HTC is struggling and can't continue to fight in courts against someone as big and powerful as Apple. With this out of the way, they can get back to building great products and trying to turn down times around.

HTC and Apple settle patent dispute

All Patent Litigation Between The Companies Dismissed
TAIPEI and CUPERTINO, California – November 11, 2012– HTC and Apple have reached a global settlement that includes the dismissal of all current lawsuits and a ten-year license agreement. The license extends to current and future patents held by both parties. The terms of the settlement are confidential. “HTC is pleased to have resolved its dispute with Apple, so HTC can focus on innovation instead of litigation.” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. “We are glad to have reached a settlement with HTC.” said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. “We will continue to stay laser focused on product innovation.”

32GB Nexus 7 on Sale for $229 Today at eBay (Updated)

Kellen — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:35:05 +0000

Still haven't picked up a Nexus 7? Maybe eBay's deal today will get you to pull the trigger. On sale for $229, with free shipping, you can pick up the 32GB version and save yourself over $20 (potentially much more because of shipping). The listing says that quantities are "limited," so you may want to jump on this sooner rather than later. Update: Annnnnnd, sold out. Via: eBay Cheers Stanford!

Verizon Makes HTC DROID DNA Official - Will Live Unbox it Via Google+, Launch November 20, New Press Renders Too

Kellen — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 08:33:51 +0000

If that's not "official" then I don't know what is. As you can see in the screenshot above, taken from Verizon's droiddoes.com site, the first news item listed says "DROID DNA UNBOXING." The HTC DROID DNA is expected to be announced by Verizon this Tuesday in NYC, an event we'll be at, but this essentially confirms it all. Not that we were second guessing it's arrival, it's just that we like it when the company that plans to sell it, backs everything we have been writing about. On this "unboxing" note, it appears that Verizon is teaming up with PhoneDog to do a live unboxing of the phone through a Google+ Hangout on November 19. That's fun and all, but that could also mean that the November 20 date we have seen on leaked MAP lists is actually the launch day (see below). Update: Reader Douglas noticed that on Verizon's Google+ page, it confirms a November 20 launch. Following a mention of the live unboxing, it clearly states that this is happening "the day before it launches."

And last, another pair of "official" renders has appeared courtesy of @evleaks. What can I say - the phone looks nice. It's like an HTC One X, but all DROIDed-out for Verizon. The 5" 1080p display will likely be the best in the business, the camera should rock, the quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor is blazing fast, and Big Red's LTE footprint on this country will be taken full advantage of. What do you think?

Via: Verizon | @evleaks Cheers Charlie!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 11/9/2012

Tim — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:15:58 +0000

We had a lot of fun this week, even though it may not have been as news-filled as we would have liked it to have been. Rovio launched Angry Birds Star Wars (which is actually pretty awesome), the RAZR M is receiving Jelly Bean, and we had a great time making episode 4 of The Droid Life Show. Plus, we have HTC and Verizon's DROID DNA launch party to look forward to next week. Should be exciting. Here are the week's highlights if you missed anything important.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Motorola’s Punit Soni Introduces “Test Drive” - Allows Users to Test New Software Updates, Starts With Android 4.2

Kellen — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:40:45 +0000

Apologies for the extra long title, but it all needed to be mentioned up front. So yeah, Motorola's Punit Soni just announced a new program called "Test Drive." It's probably similar to the Motorola Feedback Network that allows users to join in "soak tests" of updates before they are pushed to the public, but this name is much snazzier. To kick off Test Drive, Soni mentioned that Motorola will start with Android 4.2, the most recently announced version of Android. Test Drive will allow a "few hundred" consumers to test out preview builds of the software ahead of time, so that they can provide feedback and help speed up the entire process. They don't have a date for Test Drive to start, or a way to sign-up yet, but it's coming. As soon as we hear more, we'll be sure to pass it along. How happy are you with Motorola these days? This and the RAZR M's fast Jelly Bean update should be helping things. Via: Motorola Cheers Timothy and Justtyn!

President of NVIDIA Says a "Great Tablet is Better Than a Cheap PC"

Eric — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:17:49 +0000

If you need any more evidence that we have moved into a post-PC era, the quote from NVIDIA President and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang should be a clear indication for you. In a revenue conference call today, Huang said that consumers know that "a great tablet is better than a cheap PC." Not a very surprising quote considering the Tegra 3 powers many mobile devices today and NVIDIA's graphics cards are usually implemented in higher-end PCs.

Huang also dropped numbers about how NVIDIA was doing with an increase of 13% bringing the company $1.2 billion from just this last quarter. It was mentioned that the Tegra line, was making up for the downturn in PC sales numbers. You can expect NVIDIA to be putting more effort into their mobile chips since we are anxiously awaiting the Tegra 4 to be coming in the near future.

Via: Venture Beat

Videos: Motorola Takes Us on a Tour of Jelly Bean for the RAZR M

Kellen — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 12:48:38 +0000

With Verizon's approval of Jelly Bean for the DROID RAZR M, Motorola has gone ahead and uploaded a series of videos to show off some of the new features. We mentioned in our earlier writeup that Google Now, improved Google Search, and advanced notifications are a part of the update, all of which can be seen below. Motorola also included a video of the new Google Search compared to Apple's Siri. And if you missed it, we posted a similar video a few weeks ago. Enjoy!

Google Voice Search:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWPvBPx4L4E[/youtube]

Voice Search vs. Siri

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

Google Now:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnQtsjz5qxs[/youtube]

Notifications:

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

Gallery:

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

Verizon Approves Jelly Bean Update 98.12.4 for DROID RAZR M, Starts Rolling Out Today

Kellen — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 12:08:16 +0000

This morning, we mentioned that the DROID RAZR M soak test had begun through Motorola and that it was indeed Jelly Bean (Android 4.1). Moments ago, Verizon also approved the update as build 98.12.4, which means it should start rolling out to all RAZR M owners over the next week or so. In fact, Verizon says it will start rolling out today, "in phases." Typically when we see these support docs go live, the update arrives in no time. The update includes all of the goodies we have come to expect from Jelly Bean. You get advanced notifications, Google Now, better Voice Search, a smarter keyboard, easier-to-manage widgets, and a performance boost from Project Butter. Motorola also upgraded the camera software to make it much quicker, improved voice and data connectivity, and sped up GPS signal detection and Mobile Hotspot. Verizon tossed in their Remote Diagnostics Tool, a new VZ Navigator app, removed Color, brought in support for Isis Mobile Wallet, and strengthened Bluetooth connectivity. As you can see, it's a major update. The update is 254MB in size.

More info.

Official Predators Game Hits Google Play, Where Has This Been My Whole Life?

Tim — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 12:00:30 +0000

An official Predators game has hit Google Play today. As a quick note, Predator (the original with Mr. Universe) is one of my all-time favorite movies, so the series has a special place in my heart. From what we see in the trailer, it follows the newer movie very closely except for one major change. Instead of playing as the humans that have been delivered to the planet, you play as the predator and your goal is become the ultimate killer. Now that's a good twist. Using your weapons, thermal vision, and superior hunting abilities, you set out to kill all humans and even other predators to establish your dominance The game is $3, but hey, the game looks pretty awesome. Play Link ($2.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/4KDfDFq7F9o[/youtube]

AT&T's Galaxy Note 2 Available Today for $299 on Contract

Kellen — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:33:17 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is now available from AT&T for $299 on new 2-year contract. That makes it available on every major carrier in the U.S. except Verizon, who is still targeting the end of the month for their launch. The mega-phone comes in two colors, Titanium Gray and Marble White. It features a quad-core Exynos processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, an 8MP camera, and runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). If you have yet to make a decision on the Note 2, you may want to check out our review of it. Via: ATT

Google Shopper Updated to Version 3.0, New UI and Image-centric Search Results

Tim — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:32:12 +0000

Google is trying to make the task of holiday shopping a bit easier today, with the launch of Google Shopper version 3.0. Inside the update, you will see a newly re-vamped user interface which focuses more on images than it does text or icons. Also in the update is a search feature that also relies on imagery and not so much text. To round it off, Google Shopper is full of online promotions and deals that should have you saving money all over the place. Can't argue with that, right? You can go pick up the update in Google Play starting today. Play Link Via: Google Commerce

ASUS Handing Out Vouchers in Europe For Buyers of the Nexus 7 Before Price Drop (Updated: Google Too)

Eric — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:00:28 +0000

Anyone who purchased the Nexus 7 before October 29 when the price dropped and more memory suddenly meant less money certainly has a reason to be a little upset. Up to this point we haven't heard anything from either ASUS or Google on the subject, but the situation seems to have changed today. Depending on where you live in Europe, you can receive a €30 or €25 voucher to the ASUS store if you purchased it before the price drop.

Better get your receipt ready though, ASUS does want you to register your tablet through their website to get your voucher. It's worth noting as well that the Nexus 7 must have come directly from ASUS or Google to cash in on this voucher. No word on a plan like this for the US, but we'll keep our ear to the ground since more than a few of you might be interested.

Update: Reader Thom pointed out that Google offers a similar "Price Protection" for devices whose prices have been reduced. The 16GB Nexus 7 is singled out in their Help section as being eligible. It reads:

Nexus 7 (16GB version only) purchases from Devices on Google Play are currently eligible for Price Protection if the purchase was made on or after October 14, 2012. If your purchase is eligible, we'll refund the difference in price within 14 days of your request.

To request Price Protection, head here.

Via: The Verge

Cheers Nick S!

Judge to Consider Samsung's Claims of Juror Misconduct in Trial With Apple

Eric — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:25:00 +0000

The trial between Samsung and Apple that was decided months ago will not go away, but today's news might have some serious implications on the outcome. We've talked about Vel Hogan before, the jury foreman that may or may not have had previous bias against Samsung that could have affected the outcome. Judge Lucy Koh said in a statement today that she would be willing to hear Samsung's case that Hogan concealed information during jury selection.

Koh went on to say, "an assessment of such issues is intertwined with the question of whether and when Apple had a duty to disclose the circumstances and timing of its discovery of information about the foreperson." If Apple knew about these things and didn't tell the court, they could be in some major trouble. We might not hear anything more for about a month when this goes back to court, but things could get interesting when they do.

Via: Computerworld | The Verge

Cheers Nick S, EC8CH and Scott!

New Jelly Bean Update VRBLJ1 Leaks for Verizon's Galaxy S3

Kellen — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:00:18 +0000

A new Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.1) update for Verizon's version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 leaked yesterday as build VRBLJ1. It's already baked into a ROM or two and an ODIN file. A member of XDA who appears to have leaked it, is under the impression that this may end up as the official OTA update. As you all know, Verizon thoroughly tests each update, so even a minor bug could push it back to Samsung. Basically what I'm saying is, it's not the official update until it hits Verizon's support pages. We're still trying to find out what's new, but so far it looks like there is a new radio. If you want to update to this latest version, hit up the first XDA link below for the ODIN version. The second link takes you to a ROM with both odexed and deodexed versions. The previous leak was VRBLI5. Via: XDA [2] Cheers ItsASamsung, Reuven, and Jimmy!

Pulse News Updated to Version 3.0, Allows For Unlimited Pages and a New Widget

Tim — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:28:55 +0000

Yesterday, the popular Pulse News application received an update to version 3.0. Included in the update is the ability to add unlimited pages (feeds), swipe from off the screen to view your stories feature, and a brand new widget for viewing important news right from your homescreen without the need of opening the app. If you haven't tried Pulse before, it's a very well-made application that has been on Android for quite some time. It looks especially good on tablets, so if you're in the market for a free news reader, check it out. Play Link Cheers Jeremy!

DROID RAZR M Receiving Jelly Bean Update 98.12.4

Kellen — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 07:48:51 +0000

Motorola has approved the Jelly Bean update for the DROID RAZR M, this morning. The build number is 98.12.4, so it's slightly newer than the version that leaked a few weeks back. It's rolling out to soak testers now, however, if the test goes well, all RAZR M owners could see it soon. The update includes Google Now, a better keyboard, advanced notifications, improved voice search, and maybe most importantly, a speedier camera. You can find out all of the details at this Moto page.

Think about this for a second - the RAZR M was released on September 13. Here we are less than two months later and it's receiving Android 4.1. That's incredible, especially coming from a company that traditionally takes much longer to update their devices. During the announcement of this phone, new CEO Dennis Woodside said that this was the "New Motorola" and that faster updates were a major focus. He clearly wasn't joking. Bravo, Motorola. Cheers M!

Google Wallet? Tablet Contest!

Kellen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 23:13:07 +0000

The DL Show was in full effect last night. Episode 4 went down and included a live contest for two tablets, courtesy of our friends at NVIDIA. We talked the DROID DNA, argued over the silly idea that is the Google Wallet credit card, wondered if we could ever give up unlimited data, told Eric that Call of Duty is greater than Halo, and found inspiration for today's poll. It was our best show yet, so be sure to check it out if you haven't. Download: Episode 4 Audio All past episodes.

Miniclip's Anger of Stick 2 Hits Google Play, More Stick Figure Brutality

Tim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:00:35 +0000

One more stick figure game for the day and we'll stop, I promise. Released today onto Google Play is Anger of Stick 2, a game that has been popular on iOS for some time. It's a platform style game, left to right directions where you run around beating up other stick figures. Once you you make your way through a bit of the game, you're given guns, which are then upgraded to even bigger guns for total destruction. This is definitely a good game for someone who has some pent-up stress. There are multiple modes in the game such as the story mode, survival mode, and Doodle Runner mode. I'll let you figure out what that is. It's free on Google Play, so don't be afraid to check it out. Play Link Cheers Marion!

Nexus 10 Already Spotted at Walmart Ahead of Official November 13 Launch

Tim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:54:52 +0000

While doing some late night shopping, a customer was walking through the tech section of their local Walmart and spotted the Nexus 10 tablet, 32GB selling for $500. Due to the time of the spotting, there wasn't an employee around to procure about purchasing the item, but if he would have been able to do so, that would have been a major score. The tablet is supposed to hit shelves next week on the 13th of November. Now, go out to your local Walmart and see if you can find one for yourself. Via: Slick Deals Cheers GreekNasty!

Has This Random Purple Discoloration Happened to Your DROID RAZR HD Screen?

Kellen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:15:28 +0000

A few moments ago, I reached for my DROID RAZR MAXX HD, tapped the lock/wake button, and was greeted with a not-so-exciting purple and green mess on the display. I have no idea what caused it other than maybe, because the phone had been plugged into a wall for an extended amount of time. Thankfully, a simple sleeping then waking of the phone returned it back to normal. I originally posted the picture to Twitter, and a couple of you responded, having run into the issue as well. No one seems to know what's causing it, but if it starts happening on a regular basis to you, you may want to try and capture it on camera, so that you can think about getting a replacement. Anyone else?

The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-Earth Released for Android, One MMORPG to Rule Them All

Tim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:55:32 +0000

If being on your phone for hours at a time to help other online players destroy hordes of orcs and goblins is something you feel like doing, I think I found the perfect game for you. The official Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-Earth game has hit Google Play and it's exactly what you would hope it would be - a massive MMORPG experience. You create your own faction of either elves or dwarfs, then when grouped with other players, you may proceed to wage full-scale warfare upon Middle-Earth. The initial download is free, but I have a feeling you won't get through two minutes of this game without being asked to buy gold or weapons, or whatever else you may need to whoop butt. Interestingly enough, these games are extremely popular on Google Play, so go have fun and don't forget to protect your "precious." Play Link Gameplay Footage: [youtube]http://youtu.be/nz87FxdhZGQ[/youtube] Cheers A!

Review: Motorola S11-FLEX HD Wireless Headphones

Kellen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:30:21 +0000

We don't normally do headphone reviews, because well, we're not a headphone site. We allow the real audio blogs to take care of that stuff, while we as Android enthusiasts, stick to what we do best. With that said, when Motorola asked if we would be interested in checking out their new wireless Bluetooth headphones, the S11-Flex HD, I couldn't help but give them a shot. Since I know there is a small crew of you that also picked up their MotoActv sports watch, I figured you would also be interested in these headphones, which are their latest sweat-proof fitness product that can pair with any Android device on the planet.

Basics

Motorola's S11-Flex HD headphones connect wirelessly to devices using Bluetooth 3.0. You could connect to a phone, tablet or computer, and then walk away from it up to 150 feet without it disconnecting. The headphones have a multi-function button (switching tracks, changing settings, taking calls, etc.), a power button, and a volume rocker. There are also dual-mics to help with clarity during calls. Once fully charged, you can get 6 hours of music playback, 7 hours of talk time, or up to 6 days on standby. The headphones weigh 54g, have customizable EQ settings, are sweat-proof, and have five points of adjustability, so that you can find the perfect fit.

Fit and Design

It's obvious that one of Motorola's goals with the S11-Flex HD was to make sure that it fit everyone's head, no matter the shape or size. The "flex" in the name isn't an exaggeration as these headphones can be bent in all sorts of directions. The metal fixtures around the earbuds also adjust up or down, there is an inner band that can tighten them against your head, and the handful of earbud tips should give everyone an option. The overall look of the S11-Flex HDs isn't bad. I was a little embarrassed at first to put these on and walk out of my house for a run, but once I fully realized that there wasn't a cord dangling around any longer during my training, I decided that it was OK to sacrifice fashion for form in this case. They definitely look "sporty," if you will. I'm normally a pretty minimal kind of guy and avoid the flashy oranges, but again, once you get used to these and realize how great cordless running or working out is, you'll be able to survive.

Sound

Ahhh yes, sound. Since I'm not an audiophile or a headphone guru, I'll try to keep this simple (or in my terms). Overall, the sound is solid. To tell you the truth, I was expecting worse and came away slightly impressed, especially for a wireless Bluetooth product. It's not overly weak in any area, other than bass, but these aren't top-of-the-line over-ear headphones we're talking about here. I'd argue that they sound much better than most average wired earbuds. They have some "customizable" EQ settings that allow for a bass boost, balanced mode, super treble, vocalizer, or EQ-off. The treble mode, to me, sounds the clearest, bringing the right balance without sounding too empty or flat. When taking calls, a simple press of the multi-function button answers and hangs up. On my end, things sounded as good as any other Bluetooth headset that I've used. Folks on the other end were quick to point out that I sounded like I was talking to them through speakerphone, though. There are dual-mics, but as with most Bluetooth calling, it's not going to be as good as if you picked up your phone and talked directly through it.

Other Goodies

Setup doesn't get any easier than it is through the S11-Flex HDs. Turn them on and they start scanning for Bluetooth devices to pair with. Toggle Bluetooth "On" on your phone and it finds it almost immediately. The multi-function button does quite a bit. You can answer or end calls, change tracks (forward and back), or switch EQ settings. Battery life, has been pretty phenomenal in my testing. Out of the box, I got a solid 5.5 hours of streaming music. Also, these headphones "rapid charge," which means in 5 minutes on the plug, you can get an hour of charge. In 15 minutes, you can get up to 3 hours of use. That's pretty incredible. Last, these suckers are sweat-proof. I've put them through 40 miles of runs over the last couple of weeks and they haven't had any issues.

Overall

The Motorola S11-Flex HD headphones are a great product for fitness fanatics, especially runners, like myself. At $129, they certainly aren't going to fit everyone's budget, though. The adjustability, feature set (taking both audio and calls), battery life (including rapid charge), and sweat-proof-ness (that a word?), have made them a pleasure to use over the last couple of weeks. With that said, audiophiles or headphone snobs probably won't be impressed by the sound, but I'm guessing they aren't the target market anyway. So as I mentioned, fitness gurus, I'd recommend you check these out if you have yet to take the cordless plunge - that is, if you have $130 to shell out for headphones. [nggallery id=22]

Samsung Stratosphere 2 Dummy Units Start Arriving at Retailers

Kellen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:14:06 +0000

Mmmhmm, look at that beautiful keyboard. A dying breed lives on the Samsung Stratosphere 2, a device that we hope will be announced any day by Verizon. As you can see from these pictures, dummy units for the phone are arriving in stores (mostly 3rd party retailers), which is usually a good indicator that it'll be available for purchase soon. We have already seen holiday promos for the device in stores, so I can't imagine we'll be waiting much longer. We are expecting the device to sport a 4" Super AMOLED display (could be Plus), a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB RAM, and run on Verizon's 4G LTE network. It's mid-range, that's for sure. The on-contract price could start around $99, but deals will likely make it much cheaper than that.

Cheers ___!

Clear Vision for Android, The Ultimate Stick Figure Sniper Game

Tim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:49:32 +0000

I found this game in the Trending section of Google Play, and usually, I have to try all the games I see in there. I was happily surprised when I opened Clear Vision up, because frankly, this game is pretty awesome. If you're into easy sniper games where there isn't much thought put into the storyline, you will also love it. Although, it's not just point and shoot - you have to take wind and distance into account before pulling the trigger. There is a free version that features about 5 levels, but if you get into the game, be prepared to drop a dollar on the full version. So worth it.

And if you won't take my word for its awesomeness, then I know you will take Tim Tebow's. Play Link: Free | Paid ($0.99)

Thursday Poll: Hardware, Physical or On-screen Navigation Buttons?

Kellen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:04:46 +0000

Last night, on episode 4 of The Droid Life Show, we talked briefly about our feelings towards the variety of designs that hardware manufacturers choose when it comes to navigation buttons on Android phones. HTC tends to go all hardware (soft) navigation buttons, while Samsung has been mixing in physical home buttons with hardware (soft) back and menu buttons. Motorola seems to have adopted on-screen (software) buttons along with Google and their Nexus lineup. Whenever a new phone is posted, leaked, or announced, someone always comments with their feelings towards the manufacturer's choice in this department. So let's do what we do, and make our thoughts official in a poll. Tell us which setup you prefer and why. [poll id="218"]

Humble Bundle 4 Launches With More Awesome Games - Machinarium, Splice and Crayon Physics Deluxe to Name a Few

Eric — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:39:58 +0000

The legacy of the Humble Bundle continues on with the fourth iteration launched today. Gaming enthusiasts can open up their wallets and see how much money they have to pay for these 6 awesome games. As usual, you can choose how much you wish to pay and where you want the money to go between developers, charity and other ends. The games included are Walking Mars, Splice, Crayon Physics Deluxe, Eufloria HD and Superbrothers: Sword & Sorcery. If you pay above a certain amount you can get Machinarium added on at the end, another great game.

One of the best parts about this bundle is most of the games are cross-platform, meaning you can play them on your Android or Mac or Windows computer. The downloads are already rolling in so if you are looking to pick this up and get Machinarium, you can get it for less the earlier this goes on. But in the end, the money is going to charity and to help develop more awesome games. Everyone wins.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRB2czUpzGI[/youtube]

Via: Humble Bundle

Cheers Nick S, Justin, and Daniel!

Google Looks to Make Your Feature Phone a Bit Smarter With Google Free Zone

Eric — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:13:12 +0000

Last night on the Droid Life Show, we talked about Google's penchant for throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what sticks. Their latest project, Google Free Zone, seems to be one of those ideas, but we hope that it catches on. Currently being tested in the Philippines, Google is allowing feature phones that have access to the internet to get on Google+, Gmail and use Google Search without incurring any charges.

There are a few caveats however, the main one being that you will be exposed to ads in your searches, Gmail and G+ posts. While the initial searches are free, if you click a link that takes you to another site out of the Free Zone you will be charged, so users beware. It does seem that if this test goes well that Google will try and expand this to other carriers around the world.

Bets on if Verizon would allow this on their network?

Via: Google

Tip: DO NOT BUY the 16GB Nexus 7 From 1SaleADay Unless You Like Overspending

Kellen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:42:56 +0000

Before too many of you make a mistake, we wanted to remind you that Google recently dropped the price of the 16GB Nexus 7 to $199. That's right, 1SaleADay's deal today, is not a deal. At $220, even with free shipping, their 16GB N7 is more expensive than if you were to buy it straight from Google. Cheers Joshua!

Expendable Rearmed Hits Google Play, Fast-Paced Arcade Shooter With Tegra Graphics

Tim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:11:32 +0000

If you're already over the excitement of Angry Birds Star Wars, then maybe you're more into shoot-em-ups? This morning, Expendable Rearmed landed on Google Play and you only have one directive - annihilation. Well, there's a couple more objectives, but let's face it, we just want to destroy stuff. You run around huge open maps with an insane amount of weapons and ammo, blowing away countless alien hordes. The game features a real arcade feel, complete with arcade soundtrack and 3D graphics. Check the trailer below and see if you're ready to spend the full $3 for it. Play Link ($2.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/kvrqNeotp74[/youtube]

Verizon's 4G LTE to Match Their 3G Footprint by Mid-2013, Half a Year Earlier Than Projected

Tim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:41:37 +0000

At a media and telecom conference that took place this morning, Verizon's CFO Fran Shammo, talked about our favorite subject, 4G LTE. During the discussion, Shammo laid out one very important piece of information concerning the size and layout of their network. According to Big Red's plan of attack, the carrier is on track to match their 3G coverage with their 4G LTE by mid-2013, which is half of a year ahead of their earlier predictions of late 2013. Verizon's rollout of 4G LTE has already been ahead of schedule, with the light up of their 400th market going live months ahead of schedule just a couple of weeks ago. Verizon currently covers 250 million Americans, 80% of the U.S. If Big Red can keep up with this schedule, they will cover 100% of America in 2013, almost a full year and a half ahead of the next competitor, AT&T. Via: Fierce Wireless

It's Finally Here - Angry Birds Star Wars Released on Android

Tim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:05:11 +0000

After what seemed like forever of hyping and trailer releases, it's November 8, 2012. That can only mean one thing for Android fans - it's Angry Birds Star Wars Day! I've played through a few of the levels already and I have to say, I am happy. The soundtrack is exactly what I was hoping for. There are plenty of lightsaber "woosh" sounds and the overall look of the game pays mighty homage to the series that I love so very much. Now the only problem is how do I convince Kellex that I'm sick and watch the movies instead of work? Just as I suspected, there is a free version and a paid "HD" version. With the paid version, which runs $2.99, you gain access to 40 extra levels which will then help you unlock the lightsaber weapon. Worth it? Quite possibly if you're a Star Wars nut like myself. Is this the breath of fresh air that Angry Birds has been needing? I think so. Play Link: Free | HD ($2.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/dXzMN9pbxCE[/youtube]

Samsung Galaxy S3 Tops iPhone in Q3 for Best Selling Smartphone in the World

Kellen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 07:48:29 +0000

According to research firm Strategy Analytics, the iPhone is no longer the best selling smartphone in the world. During Q3 of this year, the Samsung Galaxy S3 topped the iPhone 4S to take the crown. Having sold 18 million units in Q3, the Galaxy S3 held a 10.7% share of the entire smartphone market, while the iPhone 4S held 9.7%, moving 16.2 million units. Now, keep in mind that the iPhone 5 didn't have the entire quarter to tally numbers, so Q4 could be drastically different. Still, this is a pretty big feat for Samsung, since Apple has owned this title for years. There truly are only two major players in the smartphone industry these days. Thoughts? Via: The Next Web | Business Wire Cheers Nick S!

The Droid Life Show: Episode 4

Kellen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 01:40:06 +0000

The Droid Life Show returns tonight for episode 4! Last week, it was all about the new family of Nexus devices, but this week it's back to the day-to-day grind. We've got DROID DNA madness to talk about, a couple of interesting polls to toss around, and a Google Wallet credit card to argue over. To spice things up even further, we do have two (2) tablets with docks to give away, thanks to our friends at NVIDIA (@NVIDIATegra). How does a brand new Asus Transformer Pad Infinity with keyboard dock sound? Two members of our amazing DL community will be chosen as winners tonight! In order to enter, you'll need to tune into the show and listen for instructions. Don't worry, it won't be difficult. Update: Our two winners have been chosen and contacted! Be sure to check your email. The show kicks off at 6PM Pacific. A live video embed and chat are included below. Be sure to join in on the fun! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHV3dp8gIOI[/youtube] *Note – We are working at getting a more stable chat client, but if you’d like to really get into this IRC thing, feel free to check out XChat, Colloquy (Mac), or mIRC. There are also Android IRC clients, such as AndroIRC.

The Droid Life Show Returns Tonight, Tablet Giveaway Included!

Kellen — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:25:10 +0000

The DL crew is back tonight to take part in episode 4 of The Droid Life Show. Last week, the entire show was focused around the new Nexus device announcements and Android 4.2, but this week we'll get back to normal business. And when I say "normal business" that means we have a contest! That's right, our friends at NVIDIA (follow them @NVIDIATegra) are putting up two Asus Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700) tablets along with keyboard docks. For those not familiar, the TF700 is the high-end Transformer tablet from Asus with the ultra-high resolution display. We reviewed it here. And don't worry, entry into the contest will be easy and won't involve the IRC chat. All you have to do is listen to the show and await the simple instructions. The show kicks off at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). We'll have a live embed of the Hangout here at the site, along with a place to chat with the entire community. Join us!

DROID RAZR HD Receives Safestrap and Custom Recovery

Kellen — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:48:19 +0000

DROID RAZR HD owners (MAXX HD too), days filled with ROMs and custom recoveries are upon you. Thanks to developer Hashcode, his Safestrap app is now available to download and for all to install. Prepare to "tinker." Safestrap is an app that allows you to partition off sections of your internal storage to flash custom ROMs too. It's called "safe" because it keeps you from messing up your stock or primary system, which Motorola has heavily secured. With Safestrap, you can create up to four "virtual" ROM slots to flash up to four different ROMs in. This is also the way to flash a custom recovery onto your RAZR HD so that you can flash ROMs (if there are any) or .zip files. It's a pretty powerful tool, so if you are new to it, I highly recommend that you read through Hashcode's site. He explains it all. If you already know how to Safestrap, then grab the .apk below, install, and enjoy. Download: Safestrap-3.05.08.apk [Other files] Via: DroidRzr Cheers E and Bobrowitz!

Video: iPad Mini vs. Kindle Fire HD vs. Nexus 7 - Will They Blend?

Tim — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:50:34 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/5MMmLQlrBws[/youtube]

Being in the tech industry, it's all about comparing device A to device B. That's just how it is and there is no changing that. With that said, let's make guacamole out of tablets! The folks over at BlendTec have put out a new video, pitting the iPad Mini against the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. In the end, it's always hard to choose a winner, but with this one, you really can't tell the difference between the three. Cheers Chris, K, Brian, Oswald, and Lana!

New Titanium Backup Update Makes Flashing ROMs Even Easier, Restore Apps and Data With Flashable Zips

Eric — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:15:15 +0000

If you are a frequent flasher of ROMs on your phone, you are most likely well acquainted with the application Titanium Backup. It is pretty much the go-to app if you need to mess around with the data, apps and information on your phone between your new and old ROM. In a recent update, it managed to become even more useful.

The biggest addition to the app in this update is the ability to "create update.zip containing apps+data, apps only or data only. Both user & system apps are supported and the file can be signed." This allows you to back up your apps, and flash the .zip in recovery so you don't have to wait to re-install them all from inside the application. However, that feature is only functional for those who purchase the Pro version of the application.

The update also allows you to upload files to Dropbox, plus it fixes a few small bugs. If you don't own the Pro version of TB, this might be the time to pony up.

Play Link: TB Play Link | TB Pro Play Link

Cheers Brandon!

Sprint's Galaxy Note 2 Gets First Update, Multi-Window Feature Included

Tim — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:48:13 +0000

If you're on Sprint, and happen to own a Galaxy Note 2, then you're about to be living the good life. For us Americans who have been clamoring on about the multi-window feature that Samsung showed off on the Galaxy Note 2, but didn't release stateside, we can finally shut up. Today, Sprint has announced an update that will bring this highly sought-after feature to the already Jelly Bean-packed monster device that is the Note 2. Of course, the next question we will begin to ask ourselves, can we expect this feature to be present when it is launched on Verizon? Fingers crossed ever so tightly that the files found in this software image remain intact and our dreams will come true. Via: Samsung

AT&T to Pump Out $14 Billion to Enhance Network, 4G LTE Should Cover 300 Million People By End of 2014

Tim — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:15:42 +0000

Some interesting figures came out of AT&T today, as they have announced investment plans to the tune of $14 billion. That huge amount of cash will go directly into enhancements and improvements for their wireless/wireline networks throughout America. According to AT&T, their goal is to have 4G LTE cover 300 million customers by the end of 2014. For those keeping score (don't worry, we are doing it for you), Verizon's 4G LTE already serves up to 245 million customers here in the states. Boom.

AT&T plans to expand its 4G LTE network to cover 300 million people in the United States by year-end 2014, up from its current plans to deploy 4G LTE to about 250 million people by year-end 2013. In AT&T's 22-state wireline service area, the company expects its 4G LTE network will cover 99 percent of all customer locations.

Every time I see one of their commercials on TV boasting their 4G network compared to other's, I can't help but smile a bit. As for the customers on AT&T that will soon see that 4G LTE icon light up on their devices, don't worry, it's coming! Via: AT&T

Best Buy's Black Friday Preview Lists RAZR MAXX for Free, Transformer Pad for $279

Kellen — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:51:19 +0000

Rather than waiting for it to leak, Best Buy went ahead and posted up a preview of their Black Friday deals, this morning. There are 22 pages of deals in this preview, many of which involve Android devices. You'll find tablets like the Transformer Pad for $279, original RAZR MAXX for free, Galaxy S3 on Sprint for $48, and the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 for $179. Beyond that, you'll find TVs, appliances, tons of Windows 8 computers, and other media devices. It's an intense Black Friday ad, so be sure to check it out. Via: Best Buy Cheers BigEZ!