Android Community |
- ESPN Fantasy Football app ready for 2012
- Toshiba Thrive tablet Android 4.0 ICS update now available
- Motorola teases new smartphone reveal set for Friday
- LG Optimus L series getting QuickMemo feature
- Study: Google’s Nexus 7 camping ad more effective than Apple ads
- Nexus 7 becomes in-dash entertainment system [Video]
- Motorola DROID 4 update incoming – Android 4.0 ICS on the way
- Angry Birds Space: Red Planet update unveiled with Curiosity-themed teaser
- Google kicked from iPhone again with YouTube removal
- Verizon Motorola XOOM 4G LTE getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- Samsung Jelly Bean update plans for Galaxy line leaked
| ESPN Fantasy Football app ready for 2012 Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:43 AM PDT Football season is officially here, and ESPN was quick to the draw and have already updated their popular app for all those preparing for the NFL Fantasy season. I’ve watched Soccer, Olympics and more, but I’m so ready for NFL to start. With pre-season here ESPN has just updated their Fantasy app.
Just like in 2011 ESPN has updated their official ESPN Fantasy Football app for the 2012 NFL season. It was just made available last night and those looking to prepare for drafts, study up on pics, or watch their favorite NFL teams in action this is one of my favorite apps available. It might not be NFL Mobile with live streaming of Red Zone games, but for the Fantasy fan this is as good as it gets. Below are a few screenshots of the new and improved 2012 app, although I barely see anything different. It’s completely free and is one of the best apps to manage a fantasy league I’ve ever used. Everything is touch friendly, and they even have that same “news ticker” on bottom giving you up to minute updates from everything sports. I’m already set for the Fantasy season and have already knocked out a few mock drafts. What about you guys? With Aaron Rodgers on my side, surely I’ll be winning lots and lots of weeks. In case you haven’t been paying attention, Pre-season has already started with more games coming up all week long. Who’s excited? Get the new app from the link below.      – Thanks Cullen
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| Toshiba Thrive tablet Android 4.0 ICS update now available Posted: 07 Aug 2012 09:52 AM PDT Good news for the few rocking a Toshiba Thrive tablet. Their 10-inch model is finally getting the much awaited update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Toshiba is a little behind on their initial announcement dates for the update, but at least it’s finally available. More details after the break.
Toshiba originally detailed an early spring release date for their ICS rollout for the Thrive tablets, but that never happened. Quickly that update schedule was pushed back to “this summer” and eventually to “early fall.” Today however it’s finally available for download as we speak. As usual, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich brings plenty of changes, features, enhancements and more. Performance has been improved, as has the browser, Face Unlock should be available, and many other things I’m sure you’ve already known about for months while waiting. Overall this update should only improve the hefty tablet. Toshiba also specifically mentions audio/video fixes and enhancements, improved WiFi signal strength, as well as enhanced camera features — but that was also a feature of ICS. For those looking to dive in the process is simple. Just launch the "Service Station" app and check for updates, or head to the forum link below for more details. The 7-inch tablet will be waiting a bit longer, hang in their folks! Device Info
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 [via Thrive Forums]
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| Motorola teases new smartphone reveal set for Friday Posted: 07 Aug 2012 09:35 AM PDT Motorola has jumped to the likes of Facebook for the platform to announce and unveil their next Android powered smartphone. Today they’ve confirmed a “big reveal” is set for this coming Friday, and we all have to guess what it is. I’m betting an original RAZR flip phone. The picture and quote below is all we have to go on, but I’ve already figured it out.
This almost certainly is the Motorola DROID RAZR HD, and headed to Verizon. Although some sites manages to miss this little detail, Motorola clearly states this is a smartphone and will have 4G LTE. That leaves Verizon or AT&T, and AT&T just got the Atrix HD. Yup. Everything points to Verizon and the DROID RAZR HD.
Here’s what Motorola had to say in regards to the mystery photo at the top of the page. Clearly they are hinting at a squared smartphone, but this is in their words:
We’ve seen a few leaks of the Motorola RAZR HD and the Verizon DROID RAZR HD equivalent over the past few weeks, as well as multiple FCC filings. I have a feeling they’ll be announcing both the regular version, and a RAZR HD MAXX both for Verizon — at the same time. Last week the phone leaked more than once, and one even had what appeared to be recent final software versions. We won’t know until Motorola makes the announcement come Friday, but this is pretty much a lock for the RAZR HD. If so they’ll probably release it sometime in early September, but I’m hoping for end of August.
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| LG Optimus L series getting QuickMemo feature Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:27 AM PDT Anyone who has ever tried to take notes or write a quick memo on most smartphones knows that it’s often not a quick process. You have to search out the correct app and launch it. Then use the on-screen keyboard to type out your message. The on-screen keyboards aren’t the best if you need to type out a long memo or message.
LG has announced that its entire line of Optimus L-series smartphones are getting a new feature that makes taking notes very easy. The new feature is called QuickMemo. The feature is being rolled out in certain regions now, and will be available globally by the end of Q3 2012. The QuickMemo feature allows the user to instantly screen capture any content including web pages, photographs, and videos. Once the content on the screen is captured, the user can write, draw, or jot a memo directly on the screen captured using their finger. That means no need to launch an additional application and no need to mess with an on-screen keyboard. Once the memo notes are taken, they can be shared via text, chat, or e-mail service. Users who download the QuickMemo upgrade can activate the feature by pressing the volume keys or via the notification bar. The Optimus L-series of smartphones includes the L7, L5, and L3. LG has also announced that it will be releasing pink versions of the phones in the series.
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| Study: Google’s Nexus 7 camping ad more effective than Apple ads Posted: 06 Aug 2012 04:02 PM PDT Here’s an interesting study that sure to stoke the flames of this Android vs. iOS war: analytics company Ace Metrix has determined that Google’s first Nexus 7 television spot has been more warmly-received than Apple’s Genius ad campaign. For those who haven’t checked them out yet, Google’s Nexus 7 ad centers around a father and son as they use the 7-inch tablet on a camping trip, while Apple’s campaign focuses on an Apple Genius as he helps ordinary consumers realize just how great Macs are. Both have been getting a lot of airtime because of the Olympics, so there’s a good chance you’ve already caught a glimpse of them.
Ace Metrix says that of the three Apple Genius ads that have been released so far, only one has managed to land in the top 50% of the company’s effectiveness scale. Google’s Nexus 7 ad, on the hand, landed in the upper-half with room to spare, scoring 662 out of a possible 950 points (meaning the halfway point on Ace Metrix’s scale would be 425). It would seem that Google had no problem wooing consumers with its camping ad, while Apple’s Genius comes up a little short when it comes to getting people interested. There are a few reasons for this. Ace Metrix points out that the Nexus 7 ad features actual product demonstration, but there isn’t much in the way of demonstration in Apple’s ads. Instead, we’re treated to banter that’s intended to show us how easy owning a Mac makes things. In reality, the Apple Genius just comes off as annoying and the consumers he’s helping seem a little too dumb, whereas the camping trip between dad and son is actually a bit heartwarming. So, at least as far as advertising choices go, Google has Apple beat. It’ll be interesting to see if either company takes this study into account, because if they do, it may not be long before Apple begin to shift away from the Genius campaign. In the meantime, it appears that Google only needs to keep going in this same direction if it wants to back the Nexus 7 with an engaging advertising campaign. We’ve embedded both the Nexus 7 camping ad and one of the Apple Genius ads above, so you can make the call as to which is better. Device Info
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[via DroidDog]
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| Nexus 7 becomes in-dash entertainment system [Video] Posted: 06 Aug 2012 03:50 PM PDT What you are about to see is quite possibly the most amazing in-dash entertainment system I’ve ever seen. Double din stereos for cars or trucks are nice, but none have the amazing finishing touches of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The popular online electronics reseller Sonic Electronix has just posted an epic video of one of their installers making a custom Nexus 7 stereo system. What’s even better is the tablet can leave the vehicle too.
For those that aren’t too familiar with car stereos, this is no easy feat. Obviously the tablet doesn’t feature the required outputs to drive sound to the 4 speakers throughout this 2008 Dodge Ram, so they’ve used an Audison signal and sound processor instead. The folks from Android Central spotted this one and the video makes it even better. Check it out below: Pretty awesome video right? This installer made a custom designed dash for his Nexus 7, and even made it removable. As you can see near the end of the video (or my image below) is the tablet is able to be completely and easily removed via the top of the dash. Then you can take it anywhere you’d like as usual, and don’t have to make it permanent. That is probably the best part of this entire DIY project.
Obviously the Nexus 7 doesn’t have 3G or 4G for true video streaming, but you can simply just tether your phone to the tablet once you get into the vehicle. From there you can stream Pandora Radio, Netflix for the kids, Google Music and everything else that Google, Android, and the Nexus 7 has to offer. We’ve seen many tablets put into vehicles in the past, but none have been this clean and done with the impressive budget Nexus 7 tablet. This sure beats those $600 Pioneer stereos that seem to break every 8 months. Between this being the awesome Nexus 7, and the fact that it looks completely stock makes this one of the best installs I’ve seen yet. Who’s up to the challenge? I’d like to just pay him to install one in my truck! Device Info
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[via Sonic Electronix TV]
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| Motorola DROID 4 update incoming – Android 4.0 ICS on the way Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:40 PM PDT If you’re a DROID 4 owner and have been wondering when your QWERTY keyboard packing phone would see Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, that might be soon. We are getting multiple reports that in the usual fashion, Motorola is sending out invites for feedback members to try a new update for the DROID 4. Most likely this is Ice Cream Sandwich.
Motorola has stated multiple times that many of their phones can expect to see updates in Q3 of this year, and they’ve already rolled ICS out for the RAZR and other Motorola devices. We’ve seen leaks for most phones, but the DROID 4 could be the next device to officially see an update. The DROID 4 saw a leak of ICS back in May, but this will be the actual update right from Motorola. There is a small chance that Motorola might be preparing a bug fix update that will also prepare it for Ice Cream Sandwich, but we are expecting this to be the real deal folks. Motorola’s last update for the DROID 4 was back in April, and since then it and its users have been patiently awaiting the next software upgrade. When Motorola’s feedback network starts sending out details on updates they usually arrive within a few days. We expect to see Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the DROID 4 here shortly, followed with an official release by Verizon later. Stay tuned D4 owners! Device Info
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– Thanks nIcK!
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| Angry Birds Space: Red Planet update unveiled with Curiosity-themed teaser Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:42 PM PDT To coincide with the Mars landing of NASA’s Curiosity rover, Rovio has announced a new update for Angry Birds Space. The update will take players and their flock of birds to – you guessed it! – Mars, and has been dubbed Angry Birds Space: Red Planet. The timing of this announcement is pretty genius on Rovio‘s part, though we sadly don’t have that much to go on at this point in time.
Indeed, all we have is a 30-second teaser to watch, and it doesn’t tell us much. It does what it can to set up the “story” of Angry Birds Space: Red Planet, suggesting that the Curiosity rover finds much more than NASA was expecting when it touches down on Mars – instead of finding things that will actually advance our knowledge of the red planet, it discovers the birds and the pigs are going at it once again. Surprise! We’ve got nothing aside from that teaser trailer, but then again, most probably don’t need to be told what Angry Birds Space: Red Planet is all about. Rovio says at the end of the trailer that the update is arriving this fall, but doesn’t get specific as far as release dates go. Also unknown is whether or not this update will cost money, but we’re going to go ahead and assume (hope) that it’ll be free. So, who’s ready for more Angry Birds? It isn’t surprising at all to see Rovio announce a new update for Angry Birds Space, considering the game managed to net over 100 million downloads in such a short amount of time. With that being the case, we can expect more updates for Angry Birds Space as time goes on, but now all eyes are on the Red Planet addition. We’ll be sure to update you once Rovio releases more details about this Mars-themed update for Angry Birds Space.
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| Google kicked from iPhone again with YouTube removal Posted: 06 Aug 2012 12:36 PM PDT Today some rather interesting news has just hit the web regarding Apple and their iPhone going after Google again. This week Apple has released their latest beta for iOS 6 — the OS version that will grace their next iPhone. Along with the new release is the complete absence of YouTube. Google’s obviously popular application has been completely removed from iOS for the first time since the original iPhone debut in 2007.
This unusual news is just hitting the wires and you can read more over at our sister site SlashGear where they’ve got full details. Obviously Apple has been attacking Google and Android almost everywhere they possibly can. From endless pointless lawsuits, patent issues, and now this. They recently removed Google Maps completely from their OS, and developed their own Apple Maps option instead. According to official statements from Apple a YouTube app will “still be available” it will just be a required user download instead of built into the OS. This isn’t a shot at Google, instead only because the licensing deal ended.
Recent updates to YouTube for Android has been met with huge praises. The new and improved user interface with HD content, artwork, and impressive animations has been a smashing success. Google has continued to improve YouTube into one of their best, most polished apps. It looks like those folks with iDevices will be left out again — all thanks to their creators. According to multiple reports Google is currently building very similar apps to Google Maps and YouTube, and they will be both available for download on the App Store for those interested — which will be almost everyone with an iPhone. Update: We are also hearing this is actually a good thing, as now Google can make them how they’d like to, and update the apps for the better. What do you guys think? Are all these moves by Apple getting a bit ridiculous, or is this just a logical step to try and remove the competition out of sight?
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| Verizon Motorola XOOM 4G LTE getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Posted: 06 Aug 2012 12:09 PM PDT When Google unveiled Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to the world they also stated the Motorola XOOM would be one of the first to see the update. Then Motorola confirmed the news, but we all assumed the Verizon 4G LTE XOOM would be slow to see such an update, but that might not be the case. It appears that Jelly Bean could be rolling out now for the Verizon XOOM.
We still aren’t sure what to make of this, but the folks at Droid-Life were tipped off that the Verizon XOOM was getting Jelly Bean — or at least one lucky reader did. It’s very possible Verizon and Motorola are preparing to push Android 4.1 JB out to the 4G LTE Motorola XOOM, but we cannot yet confirm that. At the same time the WiFi XOOM has already seen the Jelly Bean update direct from Google, and the developers at XDA have already ported it to the Verizon 4G model. The screenshot above clearly shows Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on the Verizon Motorola XOOM, but whether or not it was sent over the air as an official update, or just a custom ROM can’t be confirmed. Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus hasn’t been updated yet either, but it has countless ROM’s too. At this point it looks like at least a few lucky Verizon Motorola XOOM 4G LTE owners have received an over the air software update to Jelly Bean, or that is what we’re hearing at least. Verizon might be ready to push the update, or this could just be a mistake and he got lucky. Either way we’ll be finding out more in the coming days so stay tuned. If you still have a 4G LTE XOOM you might wanna try checking for updates just in case.   Device Info
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| Samsung Jelly Bean update plans for Galaxy line leaked Posted: 06 Aug 2012 12:09 PM PDT With Android 4.1 Jelly Bean now officially on the scene, many smartphone owners are wondering when (or if) they’ll be getting an update. We may have a better idea of when Samsung is planning to update some of its Galaxy-branded smartphones to Jelly Bean thanks to an apparent leak from SamMobile. The good news is that if this is all true, some Samsung owners won’t have much longer to wait before Jelly Bean arrives on their device. The bad news is that we don’t know if this true, so all of this seemingly juicy info could just end in heartbreak. In other words, take this information as truth at your own risk.
We already know that the Samsung Galaxy S III is going to get Jelly Bean sooner or later, and this latest round of rumors claims that Samsung has finished testing for device. This means that we’re only waiting for Samsung to finish the public version and for Google to subsequently sign off on it, and then the Jelly Bean update will be good to go. Samsung is apparently planning to deliver the update at the end of quarter 3 or the beginning of quarter 4. Samsung isn’t going to brush the Galaxy S II off to the side, however, as that particular model is still selling pretty well. Testing on the S II version of Jelly Bean has already begun, and the initial tests look promising. Samsung may still decide to pull the plug at the last minute, and if that happens, SamMobile says that S II owners will get a “value pack” update. There aren’t any details available on this value pack, so feel free to let your imagination run wild. Jelly Bean is expected to arrive on the Galaxy S II sometime in quarter 4, so keep an eye out for that. Finally, we arrive at the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note II, the latter of which we’re expecting to debut later this month. Samsung has been conducting Jelly Bean tests for both the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note II, but so far hasn’t said anything about whether or not Jelly Bean will actually come to either device. It isn’t clear at the moment if the Galaxy Note II will come with Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean installed, but if it’s the former, users can expect a Jelly Bean update in early quarter 4. Likewise, Samsung may be looking at a Q4 release for the original Galaxy Note as well. Again, it’s probably a good idea to take this information with a grain of salt, as this update schedule hasn’t been confirmed by Samsung yet. If this info is correct though, then it sounds like many Galaxy device owners can look forward to an update to Jelly Bean relatively soon, so keep it tuned to Android Community for more details! [via Talk Android]
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