Android Community |
- ASUS Transformer Prime rooted — bootloader will have to wait
- Android Siri alternative Iris partners with ChaCha for info database
- Sony Ericsson announces “something big is coming” next week
- Samsung Galaxy Note rocking Android 4.0 with CM9
- Expand Ice Cream Sandwich’s web capabilities with Browser+
- Asus US: Transformer Prime getting ICS January 12th, unlocked bootloader later
- Angry Birds Seasons rolls on with Chinese New Year edition
- T-Mobile sale: Amaze 4G, Springboard and G-Slate for just $49 this weekend
- Asus responds to Transformer Prime GPS and bootloader issues: deal with it
- Samsung confirms Galaxy Ace Plus, with no availability details
- ASUS Transformer Prime: The “Unlock Our Bootloader” petition
- Google Android beanies in-stock, hurry to pick up yours while supplies last
- Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus image leaks
- CyanogenMod 7 gives official nightly support to LG Optimus phones
- Sim City creator bringing his new game HiveMind to Android too
- Meizu MX hits China, masses line up at local stores
- Galaxy S II gets a pink makeover in Taiwan
- CES 2012 App for Android available this week
- Google+ contest asks where your Android (toy) has been
- Tweak your Grand Theft Auto 3 graphics the easy way, with a custom app
| ASUS Transformer Prime rooted — bootloader will have to wait Posted: 03 Jan 2012 12:24 PM PST The all mighty and powerful ASUS Transformer Prime has been rooted by a few awesome developers from the Android community. Thanks to @TeamAndIRC and their new root tool that hasn’t yet been released we now have root access on the quad-core Transformer Prime. With all the recent bootloader news this is a good start indeed.
At this time we don’t have a lot of details regarding the root method other than they are using their new Nachoroot tool to gain and secure the exploit. Whoever thinks up these names should work for Motorola and get some better ideas out than the XOOM. Justin Case from TeamAndIRC hasn’t yet released more details or when the root method will be released but we should be seeing it any day now. The chance that they are holding out til after the Android 4.0 update coming January 12th is a possibility now that ASUS has confirmed its date. We are assuming they’ll want to wait on releasing the root method so ASUS can’t patch it — just in case (get it?). Here is a little video released showing the Prime rooted and fully working. We can expect to hear more details and see a release soon so stay tuned. Device Info
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| Android Siri alternative Iris partners with ChaCha for info database Posted: 03 Jan 2012 12:01 PM PST Ever since the iPhone 4S was announced and Siri shown off we’ve been seeing all sorts of movement in the world of Android regarding voice recognition and other similar software or applications. While Android has had its own Google Voice Actions for a long time Iris has emerged as a great Siri alternative. Recent reports are now suggesting Iris is about to get a whole lot better soon.
Iris is very much in the alpha stages and hasn’t been around for long but development has continued strong since we first reported on the matter. We’ve seen “official” Siri for Android apps hit the Android market only to be pulled later but Iris is completely different and aims to be around a while. We have now learned they’ve teamed up with ChaCha, the information database giant and will be adding their database to their ever growing capabilities. ChaCha’s question/answer database should be a huge asset to Iris and allow for an even more comprehensive system. Our good friend Chris Burns from SlashGear gave it a try earlier today and here’s a quick screenshot of his actions. While the results are a bit outdated from the image we can clearly see the potential.
While Tron: Legacy is already out we can see that Iris is still in an alpha stage and working hard. With ChaCha on board and tons of updates coming soon Iris could potentially emerge as a huge option for Android users. As ChaCha grows and Iris evolves this should turn into something awesome and I’m eager to give it another try as my first attempt didn’t go too well. More Siri alternatives are available and all of our coverage is below. Give Iris a try today and let us know what you think. [via SlashGear] )
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| Sony Ericsson announces “something big is coming” next week Posted: 03 Jan 2012 11:32 AM PST So it looks like Sony Ericsson, soon to be Sony is gearing up for some exciting news at CES. Stating today on multiple social network sites that they have “interesting news” and that “something big is coming” sometime next week. Obviously this will most likely be their next flagship phone, but we can’t say for sure.
The image above is what they are teasing us with over at the official Facebook page and on Google+ they have a photo that reveals even less and is as bland as it gets — but it’s all about the build up right? We all basically already were expecting a few different devices from Sony Ericsson and most likely all their new and exciting products will be everywhere at CES. They’ll most likely be announcing their new flagship phone — the Nozomi next week. Many leaks and reports have called it the Xperia Arc HD but nothing has been officially confirmed. Either way we’ll all know what SONY has in store next sometime this week or early next week during the kickoff for CES 2012. Latest leaks suggest the Nozomi will be rocking Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and you can see more details on recent leaks by hitting any of the links in our timeline below. I’m excited to see what SONY has in store for their mobile division, especially since they bought out Ericsson’s half and have claimed to be going “all in” with Android in 2012. Who else is excited? )
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| Samsung Galaxy Note rocking Android 4.0 with CM9 Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:17 AM PST Probably one of the most impressive devices as of late is the Samsung Galaxy Note. While it’s still currently not available in the US or many other parts of the world it still has seen wide adoption with over 1 million sales, and the development community is flourishing. Below we have some Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on the 5.3″ phone — tablet — cutting board.
Below is a video showing the progress of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and CyanogenMod 9 on the Galaxy Note. Obviously this is still very much in the early stages but as you can see in the video performance is quite stellar already. Having Ice Cream Sandwich on that gorgeous 5.3″ AMOLED display sure sounds nice although I’m not sure I’d use that thing as a phone or not still. The Galaxy Nexus seems perfect for me (and I love it). According to the awesome developer at XDA, Maui this is still heavily under development and things such as the camera, bluetooth, some hardware accel and more are all not working just yet. Galaxy Note CM9 ICS WiFi, data and calling, the s-pen (stylus) and more are all working just great and enough to make this almost a daily driver unless you need a highly accurate battery reading or bluetooth. Accessing the internal storage with MTP is still having issues and you’ll need to push things with ADB. If you are wondering what that is then this project isn’t for you. Being in an early beta stage it’s recommended that you know what you are doing if you decide to flash and give this ROM a try on your own Galaxy Note. Give it a try at your own risk and make sure to ask any questions before getting started. All the information, links, and download are available at the link below. Device Info
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| Expand Ice Cream Sandwich’s web capabilities with Browser+ Posted: 03 Jan 2012 09:41 AM PST The web browser built in to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich rocks. It’s so fast and stable that it easily beats out any of the third-party alternatives, and new features like a Chrome bookmark sync, built-in full screen and a Desktop mode mean you won’t need the extra features in apps like Dolphin Browser HD. But even the best can be improved upon, and thanks to Android’s open-source nature, it has. Browser+ is now available for free in the Android Market, building a few handy extra features into Ice Cream Sandwich’s built-in browser.
Naturally you’ll need to be running Android 4.0 in order to use Browser+, because the API calls just won’t work with older versions. That said, it seems to be working just fine on my Galaxy Nexus with an extremely unofficial CM9 branch, so it cross-compatibility shouldn’t be a problem. The two primary additions in Browser+ are an expanded quick-launch menu, more in line with the one found on Honeycomb tablets, and an selection uof user agent strings. These are far more generous than the “request desktop site” included by default, and range from the standard Android, desktop, and iOS modes to Honeycomb or Nexus One Froyo. Very handy for the web testers out there. The app doesn’t require root, so as long as you’ve got ICe Cream Sandwich you’re good to go. Developer Beansoft is taking suggestions for new features in this XDA post, so if you’ve got an idea, go ahead and send to him. (Fun fact: this is the same developer that makes Thumb Keyboard, my absolute favorite Android virtual keyboard!) For more ICS app mods, check out the enhanced homescreen NovaLauncher. [via Phandroid] )
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| Asus US: Transformer Prime getting ICS January 12th, unlocked bootloader later Posted: 03 Jan 2012 09:17 AM PST It’s been quite a tumultuous 24 hours for Asus, as user complaints about the high-end Eee Pad Transformer Prime have mounted. The main concern among Android modders is the locked and encrypted bootloader, which keeps users from installing their own ROMs, kernels, recoveries and what have you. Poor GPS performance when not connected to networks is also an issue. Refuting public relations posts that came out of Italy earlier this morning, Asus’ United States branch said via Facebook that they’d be providing Android users with a bootloader unlock tool some time in the future.
Asus informs its customers that Google’s requirements for certain DRM applications, including the Video section of the Android Market, require that certain security precautions be made. (At this point, no rooted phones or tablets can view rented or purchased videos from the Android Market.) While Asus warns that any modification of core system software on the Transformer Prime will void the warranty, it understands the enthusiasm of the Android community, and will provide a tool for unlocking the bootloader. The post did not give a timeframe or technical details. The company also addressed the GPS issues, though there’s less promising information on that front. Asus notes the metal construction of the Transformer Prime as a primary cause for poor GPS reception, and unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any sort of solution incoming. The US office stopped short of recommending a smartphone for navigation purposes, and instead apologized for the inconvenience. It looks like the GPS issues will simply be a part of the user experience from here on out – you can connect to a WiFi network to allow for more specific location tracking.
In more exciting news, Asus has given a timeframe for the promised Ice Cream Sandwich update for the very first time. Users should start seeing a worldwide rollout on January 12th, just a little over a week from now. Presumably the unlocking tool will follow the ICS release, which should suit most dedicated Android users anyway. Here’s the full text of Asus’ statement, for your reading pleasure:
I’ve got to say, after the disappointment in the initial revelation of the unlocked bootloader, Asus is handling this very well. The GPS issue is unfortunate, but it appears to be a hardware flaw – they’ll learn from it, no doubt. So, who’s ready for some Ice Cream Sandwich? )
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| Angry Birds Seasons rolls on with Chinese New Year edition Posted: 03 Jan 2012 08:41 AM PST Had enough of frustrated avians? They you’d best read the next story. The ultra-popular Angry Birds are at it again with yet another edition of Angry Birds Seasons, due in January. According to a the latest YouTube video, it’s likely to commemorate the Chinese New Year. The Year of the Dragon starts on January 23rd in the western calendar, so expect the updated app to become available some time in the next few weeks.
The new edition of Angry Birds Seasons, which doesn’t have an official name just yet, is obviously going to come equipped with some sort of Asian theme. A quick glance of something like a cross between the Mighty Eagle and a dragon might mean a new playable bird, or just a fun themed version. If you’ve been keeping up with the ever-changing updates, you’ll no doubt remember that the September version celebrated the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Angry Birds Seasons has been downloaded more than 50 million times on Android, and the Seasons add-on app has been downloaded almost as many times. Unlike the iOS versions, both Android apps and the movie tie-in Angry Birds Rio are free with advertising. The Angry Birds have been seeing quite a few promotions lately, notably for the Samsung Galaxy Note in the UK. Not everyone is pleased with Rovio’s massive popularity, including Henk Rogers, the co-owner f the Tetris brand. He equated the game with a fad in an interview. That may be true, but Angry Birds is certainly equivalent to the Tetris or Pong of the mobile world (no, Snake doesn’t count), and continues to win new fans with every update. Just don’t be the guy who plays it with the sound enabled on a bus or plane – you might inspire some ballistic demolition from your fellow passengers. )
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| T-Mobile sale: Amaze 4G, Springboard and G-Slate for just $49 this weekend Posted: 03 Jan 2012 08:05 AM PST There have been a few sales going on over the holidays, but it looks like T-Mobile is out to beat them for the new year. The carrier is preparing a sale for this weekend, from Friday, January 6th through Sunday, January 8th. The sale is (perhaps not by coincidence) scheduled right before CES 2012. If you’re in the market for a few specific Android models, you’ll want to pay close attention. Without a doubt, the highlight of the sale is the current leader in T-Mobile’s lineup, the HTC Amaze 4G, which will be reduced from $229.99 to just $49.99.
Other highlights include the T-Mobile Springboard (AKA the Huawei MediaPad) and the LG G-Slate for the same price. The G-Slate in particular is handy if you’d like a tablet with a mobile Internet connection, especially if you’re handy with a custom recovery, since it’s a favorite for Android modders. The LG MyTouch Q, a pretty decent mid-range phone, is free. Of course, all these prices are contingent upon a new contract. Just for the sake of completeness, I’ll mention that the Windows Phone 7-powered HTC Radar and the Sonic 4G hotspot are on sale for $49 and free, respectively. Of course, with CES and Mobile World Congress right around the corner, you might want to hold off on any rash purchases. Not only will better models be coming down the pipeline very soon, but these phones and tablets will probably be discounted when the newer ones are released. Still, if you’re eligible for a discount for a new or renewed contract, it’s a very good deal on the high-powered Amaze 4G. Read our review if you’re on the fence. )
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| Asus responds to Transformer Prime GPS and bootloader issues: deal with it Posted: 03 Jan 2012 07:03 AM PST There’s been a lot of negative feedback from early adopters of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, first over some poor GPS performance, then over a bootloader locked with 128-bit encryption. While the former is probably a hardware issue, the latter is a software decision that’s keeping paying customers from taking advantage of the Transformer PRime’s hardware with custom kernels and ROMs. Notebook Italia reports that the Asus Italy has responded to customer outcry. The response is not likely to make many users happy.
It’s a little tough to tell through the filter of Google Translate (unless you happen to speak Italian) but it looks like Asus has adopted adopted a “take it or leave it” position. When responding to battery complaint,s the company says that the Transformer Prime is performing within expected parameters. On GPS issues it mentions that smartphones have a distinct advantage in their 3G connectivity, and that you can simulate this with WiFi. But since (their words, not ours) most owners won’t want to use the tablet as a car or pedestrian navigation unit, they should just use a smartphone. Presumably made by someone else, who will take customer complaints more seriously. Finally, on the issue of the locked bootloader, Asus Italy notes that it does not support customized software on the Transformer Prime, saying that installing anything but Asus code will void your warranty. They also spent some brief words to address a forum post that they have apparently deleted, to the consternation of some localized owners. You can see the full Google Translation of their response below, with apologies for any confusion:
This response is unlikely to soothe any of the more adamant Transformer Prime owners, and that’s a massive understatement. Essentially the company has taken no responsibility for the problems that users are experiencing, and in fact, recommended entirely separate devices to perform functions that are built in to the hardware. The reaction to customer uproar over the locked bootloader is particularly disappointing, since they haven’t even recognized it as a problem. If you’d like Asus to supply its customers with unlock keys for the encrypted bootloader so they can use custom Amdroid ROMs, be sure to sign this petition. We haven’t heard from the United States arm of Asus yet, but an official statement will be available soon. Asus has told its US customers to “relax” on its official Facebook page. Device Info
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| Samsung confirms Galaxy Ace Plus, with no availability details Posted: 03 Jan 2012 06:34 AM PST If you can strain your memory to recall the leaked image of Samsung’s Galaxy Ace Plus from yesterday, you’ll be glad to know that it’s now officially official. The shrunken version of the original Galaxy S should make for a solid choice for those who want a mid-sized, affordable phone without dipping into the low-end side of the hardware range. Unfortunately, they didn’t mention a price or availability, though we’ll probably find out more about that soon enough.
For a quick refresher: the Galaxy Ace Plus is a budget phone with a 3.65-inch screen. At that size the standard for Android has been 800×480, but this one’s restricted to a 480×360 LCD screen. Inside you get a 1Ghz processor with 512 MB of RAM, which should be enough to handle Gingerbread and TouchWiz. A 5 megapixel camera is a nice compromise between the high and low end, and the standard WiFi and Bluetooth connections are present and accounted for. 3GB of space isn’t much, but you can fill the empty MicroSD card with your own storage. A 1300mAh battery rounds out the package. As far as software goes, the Galaxy Ace Plus gets the standard suite of Samsung apps including SMS replacement service ChatOn. If Samsung’s other GSM phones are any indication, this one should be available in Asia and Europe in the next couple of months. Pricing is a mystery at the moment, but I’d place this one in the $350-400 equivalent range. Expect some hands-on time at Mobile World Congress next month.    [via SlashGear] )
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| ASUS Transformer Prime: The “Unlock Our Bootloader” petition Posted: 02 Jan 2012 11:14 PM PST Earlier, we were informed ASUS decided to ship the Transformer Prime with a 128-bit locked bootloader. Many users were outraged by this bit of information, and they decided to do something about it. A public letter has been written to ASUS and NVIDIA requesting they unlock the bootloader’s they rightfully paid for.
Stating that an unlocked bootloader on the world’s first quad-core tablet would ultimately benefit progression in development, signers of the petition claim full responsibility in supporting their own devices. Many people, including myself, purchase a device because they know it will ship with an unlocked bootloader – and thus support modified ROMs and tweaked kernels. Without the special additions developers bring to the table, some devices wouldn’t last but 4 hours on a single battery during heavy use. There is no doubt the Transformer Prime is at the top of its class, but there is also no denying its developmental potential. Who knows what a quad-core NVIDIA chip can get pushed to? Yes, those developing know the consequences that may arise during testing, but they were known well before purchase of the device. )
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| Google Android beanies in-stock, hurry to pick up yours while supplies last Posted: 02 Jan 2012 10:23 PM PST I’m not much of a beanie fan, but this was just too hard to pass up. Over at the Google Store, you can purchase an official Google fleece Android beanie for $16.00 + Shipping. It is made out of 100% polyester, and gives your head two tiny green Android nubs to show off your favorite OS.
They come in infant, toddler, S/M, M/L, and XL sizes. The infant and toddler sizes are lined with cotton/spandex for comfort. All are the same price, but the adult sizes are going very quick – so if you plan on buying one, order now. And who knows, this could become a collectible! Their stock is depleting and no information on whether it will be available later.
If the Android beanie isn’t quite your style, then they also have some other headwear below in the suggestions. And for those of you on a budget – the Android cap is only $5.50 + Shipping. Shipping could turn out to price higher than the cap, depending on your location. [purchase link]
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| Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus image leaks Posted: 02 Jan 2012 09:17 PM PST The Galaxy Ace was a fairly popular mid-ranged device upon release earlier this year, and it even saw Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) in a timely fashion. It seems we may see an upgrade of this device, and from the image it looks very similar. The “Plus” version will likely ship with upgraded specs and debut internationally.
Yes, the hardware will probably see some nice improvements to the processor speed and available RAM, but will we see Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)? The UI within the picture looks skewed, as the lower application names are cut off – leading me to believe it isn’t set to run a particular version of Android just yet. The Ace Plus will likely remain in the mid-level range, even though it will see a significant upgrade. Because after all, anything currently out will probably have a hard time competing with the Samsung Galaxy S III. The Galaxy S II set the benchmark for smartphones very early within 2011, and there’s no reason to believe the GSIII won’t follow suit. )
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| CyanogenMod 7 gives official nightly support to LG Optimus phones Posted: 02 Jan 2012 05:16 PM PST I know, I know, all the news out of CyanogenMod seems to be about the Ice Cream Sandwich-based CyanogenMod 9. But CyanogenMod 7 (gingerbread) is still going strong, and many a satisfied user is running the latest nightly on his or her smartphone. Following in the footsteps of some Sony Ericsson phones last week, a handful of LG models are getting official nightly support from the CyanogenMod team. The LG Optimus 3D, Optimus Pro, Optimus Hub, Optimus Black and the LG Thrill will all be getting nightly ROMs while CM7 is still in active development.
For the uninitiated, a nightly is a software build that’s constantly updated, which incorporates feedback from end-users into each subsequent release. They’re usually notably less stable than alpha or beta releases, but also use the latest tweaks, so performance can sometimes be drastically better. Nightly users are the first to test out new apps and features, and usually something like mineshaft canaries for the stable releases. Previously the only LG devices to get stable releases of official CyanogenMod were the Optimus 2X and the T-Mobile variant, the G2X. The nightly code is part of the CM7 repository now. You can expect to start seeing alpha and beta builds for the various phones in the next few weeks. As far as Ice Cream Sandwich goes, the LG phones should be added to official support eventually, though it may be a few more months before CyanogenMod 9 gets an official release. If you’re planning on flashing nightly ROMs, make sure to back up your daily driver ROM just in case. [via Android Police] )
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| Sim City creator bringing his new game HiveMind to Android too Posted: 02 Jan 2012 05:02 PM PST The name Will Wright might not ring a bell for many but popular games like The Sims, Sim City and more should all be plenty familiar. Creator Will Wright has recently detailed his newest game, HiveMind and we are now hearing it will also be coming to Android phones and tablets.
With HiveMind the user wont be controlling virtual people and walking around Sims style — instead you’ll be living and playing yourself. He aims to fully bring our real lives into a videogame. The idea sounds a bit scary, but at the same time is quite awesome and I’m looking forward to hearing more details on this unique idea. Thanks to DroidGamers for the awesome picture this game actually has a lot more to offer than just alternate reality gameplay. HiveMind will be a game of ourselves. Players will be able to interact with our social network site and identities, mobile phones and tablets, twitter, places we visit, other games we play and more will all be integrated into HiveMind. If this sounds sort of like check-ins you’d be right — but it’s actually highly involved and evolved into a full-fledged game. The idea of virtual reality blending with real life is a scary thought to many I’m sure — not to mention something we’ve seen in plenty of Hollywood movies in the past. The game will customize itself based on the player and obviously things like Facebook integration will be completely opt-in and not required. We are hearing most internet connected devices including smart TV’s will also work for when players watch a big game, or the latest movie. Privacy will be a huge concern for many so this is getting extra attention and most likely the developers and Will Wright are taking extreme precautionary measures with privacy. We don’t know much about this new game yet, but expect to hear and hopefully see more now that it’s 2012. [via SlashGear] )
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| Meizu MX hits China, masses line up at local stores Posted: 02 Jan 2012 04:39 PM PST The Meizu MX finally launched today in China and Hong Kong to great fanfare. Pre orders have been offered and strongly encouraged since December 15th in an effort to quell the very large crowds that waited to buy a M9 last year. Stores notified customers that had pre-ordered the phone, last month, to come in and pick them up. Crowds appeared outside the stores today nonetheless, though not as large in number as last year.
A lot of the buzz is about the new 1.4GHz processor (up from 1GHz on the M9), and the screen which moves up to 4 inches from 3.5. The phone bears a strong resemblance to the iPhone from a short distance away, though it uses Android and a custom Meizu skin over Android. It is rumored that the OS will be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich later this year. Meizu has also confirmed users can in the future choose stock Android, or the Meizu UI build versions for future purchases. Production at Meizu is ramping up to meet the huge demand. Customers who have not placed their order are encouraged to do so now to be guaranteed one by Chinese New Year which is on January 22nd. As production increases Meizu is stating that most customer orders will be satisfied by the end of January. Are you one of the many that waited in line, or will you buy one online when you decide if it’s right for you? )
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| Galaxy S II gets a pink makeover in Taiwan Posted: 02 Jan 2012 04:03 PM PST Pink phones have gone out of the mainstream here in the US, at least as far as iPhones are concerned. Don’t worry, you can still cover your iPhone in as much pink leather and “real” Swarovski crystals as you’d like at half a dozen carts at you local mall – you too, ladies. But as far as actual phones go, you’re pretty much restricted to white or black these days. But if you live in Taiwan, you’ve got a new option if you like the Galaxy S II as much as we do: Samsung has released the pink version of the international phone in the market.
This is probably the same phone released in South Korea back in November 2011, which retailed for a little over $700 USD in local currency. In Taiwan you can now pick it up for TWD$21,900, which works out to be about the same. There’s nothing changed about the phone internally – you still get a 1.2Ghz dual-core processor, a gig of RAM and 16GB of storage space, and an 8MP camera with Gingerbread and TouchWiz filling out the software bits. Obviously the new model will have some linguistic changes for the Taiwanese market, but that’s about it – oh, what I wouldn’t give for an unlocked phone economy in the US! That makes just two markets that have access to the ubiquitous Galaxy S II in a more feminine shade, one of them being Samsung’s home country. You might see more countries get the pink GSII as the smartphone (gracefully) ages, especially with the Galaxy S III expected in the first half of 2012. Remember fellas, there’s nothing wrong with having a pink phone… but you might want to draw the line at the Hello Kitty game shortcut on your home screen. You wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. [via AsiaDroid] )
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| CES 2012 App for Android available this week Posted: 02 Jan 2012 03:27 PM PST The CES 2012 Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the largest electronics show of its kind, is only a week away. Attendance is always huge, as much of the new and upcoming 2012 product is introduced at this show. There are demos and education, keynote speeches by the most major names in the industry, and vendor booths galore. The show has become so large that there is a CES app you can download to your Android phone, newly available this week.
The app features links to exhibitors, keynote events, news, hotel and travel, personal schedule news, alerts, maps and many other useful items. I downloaded it and it has worked very well thus far. The app is easy to navigate, intuitive and speedy, and is packed with features for the future such as special offers, FAQs, a friends link, all of which should make the time spent there productive. The exhibitors link is especially useful since it lists types of exhibits and then by vendor with their location at CES and contact information for the vendors.
This year's show will likely introduce several new quad core mobile devices (namely tablets, but perhaps some smartphones too,) and hopefully some great new designs from manufacturers of devices of all manners. Android 4.0, better known as Ice Cream Sandwich should be introduced on a host of new devices (if we’re lucky). Android Community will be there to cover all of the new product and innovation coming to market for 2012. Watch our website via our soon to be gigantic [CES 2011 portal] for our in depth coverage. )
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| Google+ contest asks where your Android (toy) has been Posted: 02 Jan 2012 03:24 PM PST We love our little vinyl Android desk ornaments. You’ve probably noticed, since we cram them into just about every review and hands-on post on Android Community – what can we say, we’re fans too. Our Androids usually just hang out in a photo lightbox or hiding behind soda cans on our desks, but Google wants to know the coolest places that the little guys have been all over the world. Take a photo of your Android in a neat place, tag it with the location, and submit it to the official Google+ Android account, and your photo might be featured when the contest ends.
Let’s be honest, it’s going to be pretty tough for any of us earthbound mortals to match the Android figure that went into space. The little guy above accompanied a Nexus S into the upper atmosphere when a University of California team launched it to get a some readings on how it performed, along with Google Maps and Lattitude just for fun. Have another look at the video, because it really is that cool: Presumably Google will only be taking new submissions. There’s no mention of a prize, but if previous Google promotions are anything to go by, there might be a little something in it for the winner. Submit your photos before January 9th to get in on the action. Don’t have a little green friend? Don’t worry – you can make your own out of just about anything and they’ll accept it. If you’re scrapped for ideas, print out this papercraft Android and go to town with some scissors. )
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| Tweak your Grand Theft Auto 3 graphics the easy way, with a custom app Posted: 02 Jan 2012 02:57 PM PST I’m sure that lots of you have been roaming around Liberty City for the past few weeks after the Android release of sandbox classic Grand Theft Auto 3. (Well, I’m sure that those of our readers who are 18 and above have, anyway. Wink wink.) You’ve probably heard that the settings file for GTA3′s graphics is easily found and manipulated by any text editor, but if you want something quicker and more accessible, XDA member “hacksteak25″ has a basic tweak app ready for your use immediately.
The app doesn’t do anything mind-blowing – it just sets a few of the graphic settings higher or lower as you like. The utility comes in handy for phones and tablets that are a little older: using the GTA3 Graphical Settings app, you can quickly change and launch the game, to see how much eye candy you can get away with before it starts to hamper performance. Settings files are automatically backed up, and should something nasty happen, the original (dull) settings are restored once you uninstall the app. Rockstar was a little conservative with the graphics settings that it applied to all GTA 3 downloads – if you’ve got a dual-core processor and more than 768MB of RAM, odds are pretty good that the default settings aren’t using your phone’s full potential. And a lot of the additions really do make for a better gaming experience. GTA 3 isn’t exactly a supermodel my modern gaming standards, but the addition of basic lighting and higher resolution makes it look a lot better. If you’re in the mood to try out a bit of tweaking, install the sideloaded companion app today. [via Droid Gamers] )
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