Android Community |
- Motorola DROID 4 accessories hit Verizon, phone MIA
- CyanogenMod 9 for the Galaxy Nexus may get an LTE toggle
- FilmOn AIR hopes to bring ATSC TV to your Android phone
- More official Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs leaked for the Galaxy S II
- ClockworkMod Tether gives root-free tethering access for all
- 7-inch Asus Eee Pad tablet could be bound for CES
- Sony’s Tablet S gets a $100 price cut
- AT&T-branded Samsung Galaxy Note render appears
- Transformer Prime users upset over 128-bit locked bootloader
- Android Community Weekly: January 1, 2012
- Unofficial Steam for Android lets you pick up PC games on the cheap
| Motorola DROID 4 accessories hit Verizon, phone MIA Posted: 02 Jan 2012 10:41 AM PST The Motorola DROID 4 is looking to be an excellent LTE device with a keyboard for big red, but like many devices launched from Verizon in the recent past it still seems up in the air. After failing to launch around the rumored launch dates in December we are now seeing cases and accessories hit Verizon stores, but the phone is still no where to be found.
Now we can’t really say they missed the launch date because nothing was ever set in stone or remotely confirmed. Just like the Galaxy Nexus there was however many official leaks highly suggesting a date, that was then missed or pushed back. It seems that lately Verizon has been having a hard time getting everything in order in time for release dates. While we still don’t have any concrete details or an official release date we are now aiming for an early February launch after CES. The possibility of a redesign and possibly Ice Cream Sandwich at launch is another idea but doubtful, although many would love that. We’ll probably get plenty of hands on with the new Motorola DROID 4 at CES 2012 so stay tuned as we’ll have the entire crew there to snatch up as much Android goodness as possible. [via Droid-Life] )
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| CyanogenMod 9 for the Galaxy Nexus may get an LTE toggle Posted: 02 Jan 2012 09:48 AM PST One of my favorite features of later versions of CyanogenMod is the series of included and customizable toggles built right into the notification drawer. Not only is it convenient as all get out, it saves valuable space on your home screen usually occupied by the default power widget. When the Galaxy Nexus was released for Verizon, more than a few users were disappointed that Ice Cream Sandwich’s implementation of 4G LTE blocked previous quick 4G toggles available in the Android Market. At least one developer seems to have found a work-around, and his implementation is currently be considered for inclusion in CyangoenMod 9.
The CyanogenMod team takes applications for tweaks and upgrades from just about anyone, and if they’re good enough and stable to be included in the final release, they become part of the ever-evolving CyanogenMod code. CyanogenMod 9, the latest version based on Ice Cream Sandwich, is undergoing a lot of revision as we speak. One of the included changes may be the LTE toggle widget seen in the video below. Developer Gregory Garcia says that the CyanogenMod team is currently reviewing the code to see if it can be implemented. It looks good so far: Custom ROMs based on CyanogenMod code are popping up for dozens of devices, even before any official CM team releases have been posted. Verizon 4G LTE phones that are officially supported by CyanogenMod should see this toggle included upon the final release, and branched or “kang-ed” ROMs based on CM9′s open-source code should be able to incorporate it easily enough. We still don’t know when the official CyanogenMod release will come – those guys seem to be very well along, but they’ve got high standards for stability on feature completeness. While you wait, you can always try one of the earlier Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs, which seem to be available for just about every major phone and tablet. Device Info
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 [via Reddit] )
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| FilmOn AIR hopes to bring ATSC TV to your Android phone Posted: 02 Jan 2012 09:26 AM PST Netflix is great. So is HBO Go. But sometimes you don’t want HBO, you want TV. For that, IPTV startup FilmOn hopes to change the dynamic of mobile video by releasing a small and cheap tuner for its services, compatible with all major computing devices including Android. The company hopes that the FimOn AIR tuner will function as a work-around for its legal woes, as it battles the major television producers in the United States over rebroadcasting rights.
You can download the FilmOn app for Android right now, and use it to watch hundreds of rebroadcasted online TV chanels. You won’t find standards like ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC on there, however, as ancient American media companies take exception to having their content redistributed, even with all of the ads included. FilmOn is currently locked in a legal battle with all of the American networks fighting over some tricky rebroadcasting standards in United States law. The AIR tuner would allow for over-the-air broadcasts to be viewed and recorder on iOS and Android, as well as Windows and OS X, where the capability has been present for years with larger tuners. Imagine it as a tiny TiVo for your smartphone. There’s no timeframe for the FilmOn AIR’s release, though a $95.95 price (or free with a $149.95 yearly subscription) is set already. For the iPhone model’s render it appears to have a pass-through charging and data port, plus a standard USB jack. There’s nothing to stop FilmOn from releasing the tuner add-on and charging for its software, but to be honest, the company might not be around long enough to do so. Legal fees from the TV networks could easily drown the small company, even if they manage to get out of the suit without paying a huge fine. We’ll be on the lookout for the FilmOn AIR tuner – and if they can’t release it, sooner or later, someone else will try. [via SlashGear] )
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| More official Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs leaked for the Galaxy S II Posted: 02 Jan 2012 08:53 AM PST The boys at SamMobile are at it again, releasing newly uncovered versions of the official Ice Cream Sandwich update for the international version of the Galaxy S II. Two new versions are available, running Android 4.0.1 and 4.0.3, with the labels I9100XXKP4 and I9100XKP8. It’s not clear why you’d choose the earlier ROM, but they probably chose to include it for the sake of completeness. These are the official Samsung software updates in alpha/beta form, complete with the TouchWiz interface – for better or worse.
The ROMs themselves don’t seem to have any dramatic additions from the earlier leak, though some users are reporting slight speed and stability increases. The frequency of leaks is a good indication that Samsung is making fast progress on a final version of the update. An OTA release in March is possible, though of course we’d like to see one sooner than that. Americans should keep in mind that these are for the international model, and probably won’t work on the various carrier-specific editions of the Galaxy S II in the United States. Observe: That being the case, I’d recommend cautious optimism to those who intend to wait for the official update. We’ve all become far too familiar with carriers’ tendency to slow down (and in some cases completely bogart) the OTA update process, to say nothing of their requirements and included apps. Still, he who hesitates is lost: ROM junkies, follow the download and install instructions at the source link. Remember to keep a Nandroid backup handy. Device Info
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[via Phandroid] )
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| ClockworkMod Tether gives root-free tethering access for all Posted: 02 Jan 2012 08:34 AM PST A lot of you are probably quite familiar with ClockworkMod Recovery, hands-down the most popular custom recovery out there for ROM junkies. Developer Koush has just released another ambitious community-minded project, ClockworkMod Tether, and it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect. The non-market app connects to a Windows, Linux or OS X PC over a USB connection (not WiFi or Bluetooth), and doesn’t require any special root permissions or other mods. A separate PC app is required, much like other, similar programs that have been in use for years. Naturally, the app is free.
Koush (Koushik Dutta) claims that the program is undetectable by carriers, almost all of which charge for the privilege of sharing your paid smartphone data. The app is in its alpha release, but according to early comments, it’s already commendably stable. The developer notes that while most of the software nuts and bolts are in place, the user interface is unfinished, and will be seeing a lot more polish in the future. The current version will expire on Saturday, January 7th, but a newer version should be out by then. Future releases may include a Bluetooth version, as well as better client apps for all supported operating systems. Trying it out on my Galaxy Nexus with a Windows 7 PC seems to work like a charm, though it’s not quite as fast as official tethering. Koush is one of the most highly regarded modder/developers out there, and with good reason – expect to see fast and comprehensive updates for ClockworkMod Tether over the next few months. Don’t expect this one in the Android Market any time soon. [via Androinica] )
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| 7-inch Asus Eee Pad tablet could be bound for CES Posted: 02 Jan 2012 08:15 AM PST Asus has been one of the most prolific Android tablet makers thus far, but they’ve limited themselves to just the 10-inch size across three different models. Compare that to Samsung, which has 7,8.9, 10.1m and (eventually) 7.7-inch versions available. Rumors of a more portable Asus tablet have been circling for some time, but the first real evidence comes from Notebook Italia, who have what seems to be a press shot for a more travel-friendly model. Taking the tried and true 7-inch form factor, the site claims that it will be strutting its stuff at CES in Las Vegas next week.
The image seems legitimate enough: it’s using Asus’ typical branding and the same homescreen/button/widget combination that they’ve showed off since the original Transformer. And speaking of Transformer, this possible model probably won’t bear that moniker: a data/charging dock on the bottom (like the original 7-inch Galaxy Tab) makes an attachable keyboard very unlikely. It’s tough to see in such a small image, but the OS looks like Honeycomb, not Ice Cream Sandwich. As always, temper your hopes – this is just a small image with no real evidence behind it. I could Photoshop (verb) the same thing easily enough out of some original Transformer press shots. That said, a smaller, cheaper tablet makes a lot of sense for Asus, who have generally covered all price points in the laptop market. With the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet making waves at $199 and $249, respectively, a $299 Asus tablet with the same size but better specs would certainly turn some heads. Android Community will be at CES with bells on. We’ll be sure to bring you the latest news about this little beauty, if and when it appears. And we’ll be keeping a close eye out for the much-anticipated Padfone as well. [via android central] )
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| Sony’s Tablet S gets a $100 price cut Posted: 02 Jan 2012 07:47 AM PST Hey Sony, you know that the holidays are over now, right? Betanews reports that the company’s primary Android Honeycomb tablet, the Tablet S, is seeing a permanent price reduction by a cool $100. That brings the 16GB version down to $399 (in line with the original Eee Pad Transformer) and the 32GB version down to $499, directly competing with the 16GB iPad 2. There’s no word from Sony on the reasoning behind the price cut, but with low-cost Android tablets making a big splash this quarter, it’s likely that sales of the Tablet S haven’t been all that great.
Not that it isn’t worth it: the Tablet S gets solid reviews for it high-end build quality. But in a market where the Tablet S and the Transformer Prime were formerly at the same price for the same storage capacities, there wasn’t much beyond PlayStation certification to recommend the Tablet S over its competitors. Sony isn’t the only one slashing prices: Motorola and/or Verizon decided last week that the new DROID XYBOARD models were a bit pricey, and dropped all of them by $50 each. The cheapest 10 and 8-inch versions now start at $479 and $379, respectively, though a two-year wireless contract is still required. Forward-thinking Android users will be happy to know that Sony has committed to releasing Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for its tablets, even if the split-screen Tablet P is still a disappointing no-show in America. But when it comes to price (if not power or quality) Sony and the rest of the top-tier manufacturers will have a tough time competing when low-end Chinese OEMs flood the market with ICS tablets over the next few months. As the first Android tablet OS to get an open-source release, Ice Cream Sandwich will enable the low end of the market in a way we haven’t seen before. Sony might want to keep those price-cutting scissors handy. Device Info
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[via SlashGear] )
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| AT&T-branded Samsung Galaxy Note render appears Posted: 02 Jan 2012 07:29 AM PST We’ve been seeing considerable evidence that the plus-sized Samsung Galaxy Note was headed for AT&T’s network, mostly thanks to some heads-up regulatory filings from the FCC. Now SamMobile has got their hands on a pretty compelling render showing the 5.3-inch smartphone with AT&T branding, an indication that the much-anticipated Note will be showing up on American shores sooner rather than later. There’s still no official word from Samsung, though they have indicated that the Galaxy Note will become available in the United States market sometime in 2012.
The skeptic in me cautions you to observe that the image could be faked, but honestly, I don’t think it is. The graphical presentation is in line with most of AT&T’s marketing, and the modified 4-button hardware lines up with Samsung’s American versions of the Galaxy S II. For that and other Americanized devices, Samsung has dropped its centered Home button layout in favor of the more typical 4-button nav system that most Android smartphones used – or used, up to Ice Cream Sandwich, anyway. The Note runs Gingerbread for the moment, but Samsung has promised an Ice Cream Sandwich update in the next few months. SamMobile notes that the US version has an NFC chip, which the international model lacks. Between the leaked render and Samsung’s nod to America in its latest PR, a US version of the Note seems extremely likely at this point. The only real question left is when it will arrive – and what kind of competition it will be facing when it does. With a 1.4Ghz dual-core processor and a 720p screen, it’s near the top of the superphone market at the moment. That may not be the case by the spring of this year, when HTC and other plan on releasing their latest round of high-end hardware. If you’re keen on getting the Galaxy Note as soon as possible, you can always buy an unlocked international model from an importer – for a considerable off-contract price. Device Info
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| Transformer Prime users upset over 128-bit locked bootloader Posted: 02 Jan 2012 06:58 AM PST There’s nothing to take the wind out of a new flagship device’s sales like a big power-user buzzkill. A considerable amount of drama came Motorola’s way when it revealed that the DROID RAZR would arrive with a locked bootloader, and now it seems that the Android tablet of the hour is getting the same treatment. XDA-Developers members have called for a nuisance campaign after discovering that the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime comes with a bootloader locked with 128-bit encryption, making custom kernels and most community-developed ROMs impossible to run on the advanced tablet. We love us some Transformer Prime (enough to make it our #2 device of 2011, and the best Android tablet of the bunch) but this decision on Asus’ part is quite disappointing. The Transformer Prime is marketed as a high-end Android tablet for advanced users, and that implies (or at least it should imply) that those with the inclination can treat their high-dollar hardware however they like. Modders have already discovered a root method for the Tegra 3 tablet, but for most habitual flashers, custom ROMs are a huge part of the Android experience. One of the primary concerns from XDA posters is that they weren’t notified about the locked bootloader or the excessive security before purchase. While that’s not something that goes on the box in most cases (LCD screen, quad-core processor, locked bootloader, 1GB of RAM – nope, it just doesn’t flow) it is a little disheartening that we’re hearing about this now, especially since the original Eee Pad Transformer is such a mod-friendly tablet. HTC gave its customers what they wanted when they called for a bootloader unlock program – Asus could win some serious customer loyalty if they did the same. Device Info
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[via SlashGear] )
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| Android Community Weekly: January 1, 2012 Posted: 01 Jan 2012 06:41 PM PST We hope everyone had a great year, but it’s time to look forward to some of the amazing unknown gadgets of 2012! The final week of tech news for 2011 will be covered in this issue of ACW. First off, both the Kindle Fire and NOOK Color received unofficial Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) ports. Both are still in their Alpha stages, so expect bugs until the kinks are worked out.
Tuesday, Google’s Eric Schmidt stated there would be a Google branded Android tablet coming within the next six months. There’s still no idea who may manufacture it, but I’m sure it’s going to be packed with the latest and greatest hardware. It is actually surprising they’ve prolonged an official Google tablet release. Having the “Nexus” developmental smartphone line, it seems only fit to have a tablet counterpart. In May of 2012, we should see the Meizu MX quad-core smartphone hit the market. But what other quad-core devices will become unveiled? Only time will tell, but it may very well become the new “norm” in 2012. Also Tuesday, Gameloft announced a “mega sale” of almost all their games for 99¢ for the weekend. It turns out that the sale is still going on now, and eventually they will announce via their Twitter feed (@gameloft) that Modern Combat 3 will drop to .99 as well. Verizon was having some significant signal outages this Wednesday, and they finally started to clear up between Thursday and Friday. This was the third outage in December, and if Verizon plans on keeping their title as “most reliable network”, then they better shape up their 4G LTE network in the coming months. A leak also suggested Verizon would charge a $2.00 convenience fee when paying your bill, but once this information spread – Verizon responded by completely axing the fee altogether. A wise decision indeed. Finally, be sure to check out a roundup of the five best (and worst) Android devices of 2011 by Michael Crider. We at Android Community hope you had a great break during the holidays, and a happy New Year! )
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| Unofficial Steam for Android lets you pick up PC games on the cheap Posted: 01 Jan 2012 01:51 PM PST If you’re a frequent PC gamer like me, odds are excellent that you use the Valve’s Steam service constantly. It’s become one of the most popular methods for buying games and connecting with friends over them, to say nothing of the awesome sales on downloadable games that happen most weekends. If you’re tired of checking up on the Steam web store via your Android phone’s browser, there’s a new alternative out there: Steam for Android, from developer IBF Programs.
The app doesn’t really replicate the features of the desktop program, because Steam is a closed system – it’s not altogether unlikely that you’ll see a Valve-produced app at some point, but they’ve got bigger things on their hands at the moment. Like adding more hats to Team Fortress 2. But Steam for Android gets around this by using your public Steam profile to check up on friends and updates. Best of all, it includes a direct line to Steam’s remarkable sales and discounts, with a links to the Steam online store. All of this is wrapped up in a truly excellent UI – seriously, it’s one of the best presentations I’ve seen for a new Android app in months. I only wish it was easier to get in to. In order to see anything (including the store and discounts) you’ll have to track down the long string of numbers in your Steam profile’s URL, necessitating a jump to a computer or the browser app. But that’s a small complaint, and likely to become optional at some point. For social connections within Steam, there’s just no better way to manage is in Android. If your PC gaming world is Steam powered, go download Steam for Android for free in the Android Market. [via Lifehacker] )
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