It would appear that Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy Nexus has been updated with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 4.1, which means that we very well could be close to an official announcement from Big Red. Again, for the millionth time, we expect the Galaxy Nexus to launch on either December 8th or December 11th, although as we know, it could end up being an entirely different day.
MyDroidWorld has posted the evidence and it’s very possible that this will be the version of software that comes with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus out of the box.
If you recall, there were whispers about Verizon working on some bugs that needed working on in order to get this update out so let’s hope that this is the fix that the device needed for the green light.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Samsung Galaxy Note Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (Port In Progress)
Samsung Galaxy Note is an Android smartphone and tablet computer that was introduced in October 2011. It has attracted attention because of its size, between that of conventional smartphones and tablets, and because of its inbuilt stylus. The Android latest OS,Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich brings a significant upgrade to the core functions of Android, and comes with a totally revamped user interface. Samsung has been fond of installing its own TouchWiz interface on many of its Android devices, so it will be interesting to see what it plans to do with the new Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
The Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy S2will be the first two devices to receive the upgrade. However, other devices will soon follow. Other ICS-upgradable Galaxy devices include Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy R, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus.
The Samsung Galaxy S 2 and Galaxy Note is among the batch of high-end devices that have a promised upgrade to the newest version of Android (ICS) from the OEM. From previous post, We know that early build of of Android 4.0 ICS ROM for Galaxy S2 has been leaked and available for download. So, How about Samsung Galaxy Note?
So far, Android 4.0 ICS custom ROM still no available for download. But don’t too worry about it, The Xda dev member, Maui, is now trying to port the whole thing, Android 4.0 to our beloved Galaxy Note. Maui, said that,
“As of today I was able to get it to boot into the GUI, but there’s still a lot to do. As this is part of Teamhacksung now: don’t even think to ask about ETAs. But here’s a little proof ”
The Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy S2will be the first two devices to receive the upgrade. However, other devices will soon follow. Other ICS-upgradable Galaxy devices include Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy R, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus.
The Samsung Galaxy S 2 and Galaxy Note is among the batch of high-end devices that have a promised upgrade to the newest version of Android (ICS) from the OEM. From previous post, We know that early build of of Android 4.0 ICS ROM for Galaxy S2 has been leaked and available for download. So, How about Samsung Galaxy Note?
So far, Android 4.0 ICS custom ROM still no available for download. But don’t too worry about it, The Xda dev member, Maui, is now trying to port the whole thing, Android 4.0 to our beloved Galaxy Note. Maui, said that,
“As of today I was able to get it to boot into the GUI, but there’s still a lot to do. As this is part of Teamhacksung now: don’t even think to ask about ETAs. But here’s a little proof ”
India invites Taiwan PC makers to bid for Aakash tablet PC project
The India government plans to launch its second-generation Aakash tablet PCs, and is soliciting Taiwan-based PC makers to participate in the bidding, according to Sandeep Yadav, the convener of the project.
Aided by Taiwan makers' manufacturing capability, it will be possible to lower the selling price of Aakash tablet PCs to US$35, stated Yadav, who visited Taiwan recently.
International bidding for the new Aakash tablet PC project was originally planned for December but might be delayed to January 2012, according to industry sources.
Shipments of the current Aakash models have reached 8,000 units for trial use by students, and the India government aims to ship 200 million units of new Aakash tablets in the next few years, said Yadav, noting that the new Askash will be unveiled in January or February 2012 with a BOM of about US$50.
The first-generation of Aakash tablets are manufactured by UK-based DataWind with 10-20% of needed components supplied by Taiwan makers, Yadav said.
Aided by Taiwan makers' manufacturing capability, it will be possible to lower the selling price of Aakash tablet PCs to US$35, stated Yadav, who visited Taiwan recently.
International bidding for the new Aakash tablet PC project was originally planned for December but might be delayed to January 2012, according to industry sources.
Shipments of the current Aakash models have reached 8,000 units for trial use by students, and the India government aims to ship 200 million units of new Aakash tablets in the next few years, said Yadav, noting that the new Askash will be unveiled in January or February 2012 with a BOM of about US$50.
The first-generation of Aakash tablets are manufactured by UK-based DataWind with 10-20% of needed components supplied by Taiwan makers, Yadav said.
Huawei MediaPad to get Android 4.0 soon
Huawei is testing the alpha version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for its 7 inch MediaPad tablet.
China based Huawei is working on an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for its MediaPad tablet. Chinese website CNMO claimed to have images of the Huawei MediaPad running Android 4.0 ICS alpha build. By default, the 7 inch display Huawei MediaPad tablet runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet operating system.
Launched earlier this year in June, the power-packed Huawei MediaPad features a dual core mobile processor with promising hardware and is available in India at an approximate price of Rs 28,000.
Huawei MediaPad tablet shook the tablet segment back in June with its dual core 1.2 GHz mobile processor. Featuring a full touch 7 inch Glare IPS LCD display, the MediaPad supports 1280 x 800 pixel resolution natively. This tablet boasts of having the industry's first 217 ppi density display.
China based Huawei is working on an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for its MediaPad tablet. Chinese website CNMO claimed to have images of the Huawei MediaPad running Android 4.0 ICS alpha build. By default, the 7 inch display Huawei MediaPad tablet runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet operating system.
Launched earlier this year in June, the power-packed Huawei MediaPad features a dual core mobile processor with promising hardware and is available in India at an approximate price of Rs 28,000.
Huawei MediaPad tablet shook the tablet segment back in June with its dual core 1.2 GHz mobile processor. Featuring a full touch 7 inch Glare IPS LCD display, the MediaPad supports 1280 x 800 pixel resolution natively. This tablet boasts of having the industry's first 217 ppi density display.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus Written Review by Taylor
Through all of the hundreds of Android phones that have released in the past year, the Galaxy Nexus is easily one of the most highly anticipated and notable that we at PhoneDog have had a chance to review. It's big, slim and stylish, and it comes packed with some of the best specifications we've seen in a handset to date. Officially, you can only purchase it through Verizon in the United States, but through other resellers, you can purchase an unsubsidized, unlocked GSM version that is compatible with both AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
Is this the phone to buy? Should you wait until T-Mobile or AT&T officially offer this phone (if they ever do) and use your upgrade to get it? I've spent several weeks carrying the Galaxy Nexus and digging deep into the innards of Android 4.0 and must admit that I'm thoroughly impressed. They both have their faults, but the Nexus one fantastic phone and the software is wonderful.
Is this the phone to buy? Should you wait until T-Mobile or AT&T officially offer this phone (if they ever do) and use your upgrade to get it? I've spent several weeks carrying the Galaxy Nexus and digging deep into the innards of Android 4.0 and must admit that I'm thoroughly impressed. They both have their faults, but the Nexus one fantastic phone and the software is wonderful.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Samsung, You’re Doing It Wrong With Android 4.0
The No. 2 bestselling Samsung smartphone in history won’t officially see an upgrade to Android 4.0, leaving owners to decide among buying a newer phone, sticking with Android 2.3, or hacking on a custom build of Google’s latest mobile operating system. The reason Samsung won’t be offering such an upgrade? According to Samsung Tomorrow by way of the Verge, Samsung’s own customized TouchWiz user interface is the answer, which sounds more like a lame excuse than a valid explanation.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab—a 7-in. slate I’ve been using daily for more than a year now—is also on the “won’t see Android 4.0″ list, says the Samsung Tomorrow blog. I can understand we’re looking at a smartphone and a tablet that made their debut in 2010, and there’s a limited shelf life for future updates on mobile devices. What I don’t understand, nor accept, is that the issue is Samsung’s user interface software. Even worse, I think Samsung is shooting itself in the foot. Here’s why.
You have to treat current customers well. On the one hand, I can see Samsung’s stance if it chooses not to bring Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) to these older devices. From a financial standpoint, those handsets and tablets are already sold, and Samsung has earned all the income it’s going to from the sale of such devices. To bring Android 4.0 to the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab, the company would have to invest time, effort, and money to deliver the software. It has no financial incentive to do so. But customers don’t care about that and could decide to buy a competing product if they feel slighted.
Software add-ons should never stop product advances. Some people like TouchWiz, and some don’t. The same could be said for HTC’s Sense. Both are user interface add-ons atop Google Android, and neither should be the primary cause of stopping an Android update. HTC once fell into this same trap with Gingerbread on its Desire handset and eventually compromised by removing some custom apps to make room for the update.
This isn’t a technical issue, it’s a bad decision. My first thought about this situation was that perhaps the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab didn’t have the horsepower to run Android 4.0. Yet the Nexus S, made by Samsung, will get the ICS software, and it has very similar specifications to the Galaxy S in terms of memory, storage capacity, and processor. And I’m willing to bet the Android enthusiast community will have a custom build of Android 4.0 for both devices, if it doesn’t already. How sad is it that external developers can make this happen, when Samsung can’t?
Will most people who own a Samsung Galaxy S or Galaxy Tab be in an uproar over this? Probably not, as they’ll likely never know about Samsung’s decision, nor will they be thinking about Android 4.0 for devices that are 18 months old. But the decision sets a bad precedent and suggests that Samsung is more concerned with selling newer hardware than supporting existing customers and their current devices.
My suggestion would be a compromise of sorts: Offer a stock version of Android 4.0 for these devices with the customer understanding and accepting the fact that the TouchWiz interface will no longer be available after the upgrade. Unless there’s a real technical reason for the lack of an Android 4.0 upgrade—something Samsung should make clear—this might be the best answer. It wouldn’t cost nearly as much for Samsung to develop and test, while consumers thinking Samsung has let them down might be more accepting of the situation.
Also from GigaOM:
Connected World: The Consumer Technology Revolution (subscription required)
[http://pro.gigaom.com/2011/11/connected-world-the-consumer-technology-revolution/]
2012 Prediction: The Slow Death of Coax
[http://gigaom.com/video/death-of-coax/]
News Flash: Yes, Facebook Is Selling You to Advertisers
[http://gigaom.com/2011/12/23/news-flash-yes-facebook-is-selling-you-to-advertisers/
Apple’s Santa Siri Ad: The Most Effective Ad of the Holiday Season
[http://gigaom.com/apple/apples-santa-siri-ad-the-most-effective-ad-of-the-holiday-season/]
Republic Wireless Goes Unlimited — This Time for Real
[http://gigaom.com/mobile/republic-wireless-goes-unlimited-this-time-for-real/]
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab—a 7-in. slate I’ve been using daily for more than a year now—is also on the “won’t see Android 4.0″ list, says the Samsung Tomorrow blog. I can understand we’re looking at a smartphone and a tablet that made their debut in 2010, and there’s a limited shelf life for future updates on mobile devices. What I don’t understand, nor accept, is that the issue is Samsung’s user interface software. Even worse, I think Samsung is shooting itself in the foot. Here’s why.
You have to treat current customers well. On the one hand, I can see Samsung’s stance if it chooses not to bring Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) to these older devices. From a financial standpoint, those handsets and tablets are already sold, and Samsung has earned all the income it’s going to from the sale of such devices. To bring Android 4.0 to the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab, the company would have to invest time, effort, and money to deliver the software. It has no financial incentive to do so. But customers don’t care about that and could decide to buy a competing product if they feel slighted.
Software add-ons should never stop product advances. Some people like TouchWiz, and some don’t. The same could be said for HTC’s Sense. Both are user interface add-ons atop Google Android, and neither should be the primary cause of stopping an Android update. HTC once fell into this same trap with Gingerbread on its Desire handset and eventually compromised by removing some custom apps to make room for the update.
This isn’t a technical issue, it’s a bad decision. My first thought about this situation was that perhaps the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab didn’t have the horsepower to run Android 4.0. Yet the Nexus S, made by Samsung, will get the ICS software, and it has very similar specifications to the Galaxy S in terms of memory, storage capacity, and processor. And I’m willing to bet the Android enthusiast community will have a custom build of Android 4.0 for both devices, if it doesn’t already. How sad is it that external developers can make this happen, when Samsung can’t?
Will most people who own a Samsung Galaxy S or Galaxy Tab be in an uproar over this? Probably not, as they’ll likely never know about Samsung’s decision, nor will they be thinking about Android 4.0 for devices that are 18 months old. But the decision sets a bad precedent and suggests that Samsung is more concerned with selling newer hardware than supporting existing customers and their current devices.
My suggestion would be a compromise of sorts: Offer a stock version of Android 4.0 for these devices with the customer understanding and accepting the fact that the TouchWiz interface will no longer be available after the upgrade. Unless there’s a real technical reason for the lack of an Android 4.0 upgrade—something Samsung should make clear—this might be the best answer. It wouldn’t cost nearly as much for Samsung to develop and test, while consumers thinking Samsung has let them down might be more accepting of the situation.
Also from GigaOM:
Connected World: The Consumer Technology Revolution (subscription required)
[http://pro.gigaom.com/2011/11/connected-world-the-consumer-technology-revolution/]
2012 Prediction: The Slow Death of Coax
[http://gigaom.com/video/death-of-coax/]
News Flash: Yes, Facebook Is Selling You to Advertisers
[http://gigaom.com/2011/12/23/news-flash-yes-facebook-is-selling-you-to-advertisers/
Apple’s Santa Siri Ad: The Most Effective Ad of the Holiday Season
[http://gigaom.com/apple/apples-santa-siri-ad-the-most-effective-ad-of-the-holiday-season/]
Republic Wireless Goes Unlimited — This Time for Real
[http://gigaom.com/mobile/republic-wireless-goes-unlimited-this-time-for-real/]
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Verizon Galaxy Nexus on sale now for $300
The Verizon Galaxy Nexus, Google’s third Nexus smartphone and the first to include 4G LTE connectivity, has finally gone up for sale, priced at $299.99 with a new, two-year agreement. Officially announced yesterday, the Samsung-made handset includes a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD 720p display, 5-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, and runs Ice Cream Sandwich, Google’s latest version of Android.
As we found in our Ice Cream Sandwich review, the new upgrade makes a significant difference to the usability of Android. Several of the features introduced in Honeycomb, Google’s tablet-centric version of the platform, have been pulled across and integrated into a phone-scale UI, though ICS will also start showing up in tablets themselves come early 2012.
For now, though, the Galaxy Nexus is the only official way to get hold of ICS, and in the US that means heading down to Verizon and checking out their LTE version. Off-contract pricing is $649.99. Let us know in the comments if you’re planning on picking one up.
For more on the Galaxy Nexus, check out the full SlashGear review of the HSPA+ model; we’ll have full coverage of the new Verizon LTE version very soon!
As we found in our Ice Cream Sandwich review, the new upgrade makes a significant difference to the usability of Android. Several of the features introduced in Honeycomb, Google’s tablet-centric version of the platform, have been pulled across and integrated into a phone-scale UI, though ICS will also start showing up in tablets themselves come early 2012.
For now, though, the Galaxy Nexus is the only official way to get hold of ICS, and in the US that means heading down to Verizon and checking out their LTE version. Off-contract pricing is $649.99. Let us know in the comments if you’re planning on picking one up.
For more on the Galaxy Nexus, check out the full SlashGear review of the HSPA+ model; we’ll have full coverage of the new Verizon LTE version very soon!
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