Full Firmware Of Samsung Galaxy S III Now Available, Brings Us One Step Closer To Custom ROMs For The Smartphone

20. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Android Customization, Android Development, Android Hacks, Android Manufacturers, Android phones, Community, conferences, custom rom, firmware, s voice, samsung galaxy s iii, sxsw, Uncategorized

Full Firmware Of Samsung Galaxy S III Now Available, Brings Us One Step Closer To Custom ROMs For The Smartphone

As soon as a leak happens, it turns to an eventual pour. Such is the case with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone. Following the excitement of S Voice being available for all, the gang at XDA forums went one step further and got a hold of the device’s full stock firmware. What this means ladies and gentlemen is we won’t have to wait long to see custom ROMs for the smartphone after the initial release. In addition, it’s been confirmed developers have wasted no time and are already hard at work trying to take advantage of the device’s new features– so hopefully we could see some of Samsung’s features ported to other devices.

The firmware is pretty hefty— 786MB to be exact— but it’s definitely worth it. If you’re interested in partaking in any tinkering, please do visit the XDA Forums at the source link below.

It’s a glorious moment in the land of Android, isn’t it?

source: Phandroid

Full Firmware Of Samsung Galaxy S III Now Available, Brings Us One Step Closer To Custom ROMs For The Smartphone

Full Firmware Of Samsung Galaxy S III Now Available, Brings Us One Step Closer To Custom ROMs For The Smartphone

Full Firmware Of Samsung Galaxy S III Now Available, Brings Us One Step Closer To Custom ROMs For The Smartphone

Motorola Won’t Update Its Devices To Android 4.0 If It’s Too Much Of A Hassle And Won’t Improve The Device

20. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Android 4.0, Android Manufacturers, Android News, Android phones, Android Software, android tablets, Android Updates, Community, conferences, droid 3, droid x2, motorola mobility, sxsw, Uncategorized, updates

Motorola Won’t Update Its Devices To Android 4.0 If It’s Too Much Of A Hassle And Won’t Improve The Device

We mentioned recently that Motorola updated its timeline for when some of its premium devices would get ICS— even though you know, it was first found in December 2011. If you own a smartphone or tablet such as the DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX, Atrix 4G or XYBOARD series of tablets, then you have a lot to look forward to– starting next month. On the other hand, devices like the DROID 3 and DROID X2 were left out of the exclusive Android 4.0 club, despite being released within the past 12-15 months as well. Motorola certainly ruffled more than a few feathers as many owners of those devices were furious. MOTO took some time and elaborated on why devices such as those won’t be getting the coveted update:

“You may be wondering why all devices aren’t being upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Here’s the deal. We work very closely with and cell phone carriers for every software update. And, obviously we want the new release to improve our devices. If we determine that can’t be done—well then, we’re not able to upgrade that particular device.

Happy upgrading”!

To sum everything up: if it’s too much of a hassle going into the R&D as well as the cost of updating a device, MOTO won’t even bother trying to update– especially if it knows ICS won’t improve the device. Definitely a bummer I know folks, especially the release of the DROID 3 and DROID X2 had a poorly timed release, but is more than capable of handling the update. While you all won’t be tasting MOTO-infused ICS, all is not lost for those owners. There’s always the act of rooting and flashing a custom ROM which can definitely suffice and even prolong the life of your smartphone. Here’s hoping MOTO doesn’t leave a sour taste in the mouth for owners of devices not receiving the update.

source: Inside Motorola Blog

Motorola Won’t Update Its Devices To Android 4.0 If It’s Too Much Of A Hassle And Won’t Improve The Device

Motorola Won’t Update Its Devices To Android 4.0 If It’s Too Much Of A Hassle And Won’t Improve The Device

Motorola Won’t Update Its Devices To Android 4.0 If It’s Too Much Of A Hassle And Won’t Improve The Device

From the Editor’s Desk: Recharging

20. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Community, conferences, from the editor's desk, sxsw, Uncategorized · Tags:

beach From the Editors Desk: Recharging

No patents. No petitions. No bootloaders. No multitasking. No customs delays. See y'all next week.

 

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Verizon To Turn Rezound, DROID 4 and DROID RAZR Into Global Handsets

20. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Android Carriers, Android Manufacturers, Android phones, Community, conferences, droid 4, droid razr, htc rezound, lg spectrum, sxsw, Uncategorized

Verizon To Turn Rezound, DROID 4 and DROID RAZR Into Global Handsets

We’ve already heard about Verizon converting certain 4G LTE devices, namely the LG Spectrum and DROID 4, to become global phones by enabling international radios embedded into these devices. The folks at Droid Life have sources that tell them there may be more devices with this hidden capability.

Check out the info sheet above for the HTC Rezound, which was previously rumored to have hidden global radios. It clearly shows a “global feature” that enables an additional 185 countries. The source also states that the DROID RAZR will be getting a new info sheet with this feature added, and according to the tipster, this is coming soon. Sounds like a cool bonus if you own or plan to own one of these handsets.

source: droid life

 

 

Verizon To Turn Rezound, DROID 4 and DROID RAZR Into Global Handsets

Verizon To Turn Rezound, DROID 4 and DROID RAZR Into Global Handsets

Verizon To Turn Rezound, DROID 4 and DROID RAZR Into Global Handsets

From the Android Forums: Factory data reset questions

20. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: +android, ask ac, Ask Android Central, Community, conferences, evo 4g, From the Forums, gingerbread, google play, htc, htc evo 4g, mail bag, News, smartphone, sxsw, Uncategorized · Tags:

sprint htc evo 4g 1 From the Android Forums: Factory data reset questions

acr456 asks in the Android Central forums, 

Hello, I am going to my phone. However, my question is, since this is a complete reset will it also rollback to the version of Android that the EVO was launched with? For example, I know have version 2.3.5. Will it roll it all the way back to 2.1? I just want my data erased, I want to keep all my system updates including whatever updates Sprint sent. Do I have anything to worry about?

 

Also, the EVO I'm resetting is deactivated. Once the reset is complete will I be able to fully use my phone without the need of a Sprint connection? I have Wifi so that will do.

We're glad you asked! We get this one a lot, and we can see why the term factory data reset would make one think it was being returned to the factory, out-of-box condition. Thankfully, it's not. A factory reset will erase all user settings (things like home screen customizations, Wifi networks, sound settings and the like) and delete all apps downloaded from the Google Play store. It won't touch anything that's part of the system files, so your worse case scenario (and actually the likely scenario) is that system apps that have been updated from the Play store (things like the Gmail app or Maps) will just need updated from the Play store again. You'll still be on the latest 2.3.5 version, but the rest will be clean like a new device.

As for it working without Sprint service, everything but calls and SMS/MMS will work just fine. I've had my EVO 4G unactivated for over a year now and use it to keep little ones occupied when they come for a visit. Using Wifi, all your Google services, including the important one — the Google Play store — will still work just fine. Good luck, and have fun with your new EVO PDA!

Have a question you need answered? (Preferably about Android, but we're flexible.) Hit up our Contact Page to get in touch!

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S-Voice Pulled from the Galaxy S III, Download the App Now!

19. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Android Applications, Android News, Android Software, Community, conferences, galaxy s iii, GSIII, s voice, samsung, sxsw, Uncategorized

S Voice Pulled from the Galaxy S III, Download the App Now!

After the big Galaxy S  III announcement we knew it would only be a short amount of time before the cool software features were pulled from the phone for use across other Android devices. One of the more noteworthy GSIII features is the S-Voice app, basically Samsung’s version of Siri. Thanks to XDA member Ascarface23, we now have a working S-Voice apk that has been tested to work on various Android 4.0.4 roms across various devices. I was able to successfully install the app on my Galaxy Nexus running the latest AOKP rom and it has also been reported to work on CM9 as well. If you want to check out this great GSIII feature for yourself, grab the download below and follow the installation instructions for best results.

Download: voicetalk.apk

How to install: You can either install it through the Android package installer like any other 3rd party app but reports suggest it is better to install it as a system app. To install as a system app do the following:

  1. Make a nandroid backup! (just to be safe)
  2. Download the apk on your SD card
  3. Using a file manager, copy/paste into system/app
  4. Longpress the apk file from Within system/app, select “permissions” and change to r-w, r, r

UPDATE: If you are experiencing force closes or other issues after installing as a system app, try this route: After the app is installed, use a file explorer and navigate to system/app and press on the voicetalk.apk to reinstall again over top of the original install. Readers have reported that this helps with ongoing issues. (Thanks RubinRybnik!)

Side note: I should mention one thing from my brief experience with the app. Don’t try to change the wake up command because that will usually result in a force close situation and you will have to reinstall and start over. I would just leave it at “hi Galaxy” and just be happy that it works. S Voice Pulled from the Galaxy S III, Download the App Now!

source: XDA

S Voice Pulled from the Galaxy S III, Download the App Now!

S Voice Pulled from the Galaxy S III, Download the App Now!

S Voice Pulled from the Galaxy S III, Download the App Now!

T-Mobile: ‘One Size Fits All’ Data Plan is Not the Way to Go

19. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Android Carriers, Android News, Community, conferences, data plans, sxsw, t-mobile, Uncategorized, unlimited data plan

T Mobile: ‘One Size Fits All’ Data Plan is Not the Way to Go

After hearing all the hubbub surrounding Verizon’s plan to cut off unlimited data, T-Mobile’s VP of marketing Andrew Sherrard decided it was the right time to announce that they are on the side of the consumer and agree that shared data is not the way to go. Talking to T-Mobile’s Issues & Insights Blog, Sherrard acknowledged that consumers do not want to share a lump sum of data, nor would it beneficial in a family data plan model.  Not only does he disagree with Verizon’s recent announcement, Sherrard brings up a really good point. “Do families really want to keep track of each others’ data consumption? We don’t think so. Just imagine mom’s email is suddenly unavailable because her teenage son watched an HD movie on his phone, consuming the family’s data allotment.” Sherrard also said that T-Mobile has no plans to go the way of AT&T and Verizon. They will be sticking with individual data packages and have no desire to implement huge overage charges for those who exceed their data limit. Instead, they choose to use the equally controversial method of “throttling.”

Without knowing what Verizon’s exact plans are for shared data it is hard for me to pass judgement as of yet. What if us Verizon customers are given an option to get a higher amount of data that we can share across our tablets and smartphones at a lesser cost than what we are paying for multiple data plans? On the other end of the spectrum, if you are a one-device data user and want to maintain your unlimited data, I don’t think buying your next Android device at full retail price is a reasonable trade-off either. Maybe it’s time to start looking into a T-Mobile account or the other option that keeps becoming more and more appealing – a pre-paid plan

Does knowing the carriers full stance toward data limits have you looking for a new plan or carrier?  Let us know what you think, or plan to do, in the comments below.

source: T-Mobile

T Mobile: ‘One Size Fits All’ Data Plan is Not the Way to Go

T Mobile: ‘One Size Fits All’ Data Plan is Not the Way to Go

T Mobile: ‘One Size Fits All’ Data Plan is Not the Way to Go

Motorola Android Phones Banned From Import Into The U.S. Over Microsoft Patent Issues

19. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Android Lawsuits, Android Manufacturers, Android phones, Community, conferences, import ban, legal, microsoft, microsoft sues motorola, motorola, patent, sxsw, Uncategorized · Tags:

Motorola Android Phones Banned From Import Into The U.S. Over Microsoft Patent Issues

Boy, this legal stuff can get confusing. Let’s take it from the beginning and walk through it. First, we know that the HTC One X and the Evo 4G LTE are currently held up in customs while they check whether the devices violate an exclusion order Apple was granted last December.

Then we heard the ITC has decided to ban the import of Motorola Android phones for infringing on patents by Microsoft, joining HTC in the “import ban” club. FOSS Patents said this order could likely go into effect in 60 days. It’s also possible Motorola could tweak the software to comply with the ITC’s rulings during those 60 days.

As more details were revealed, we now learn that Motorola was found NOT to infringe on 8 patents in the Microsoft case, and only infringed on one specific patent for “generating meeting requests and group scheduling from a mobile device“. This verdict is now under Presidential review, and is subject to appeal. Motorola said in a statement to ArsTechnica:

Although we are disappointed by the Commission’s ruling that certain Motorola Mobility products violated one patent, we look forward to reading the full opinion to understand its reasoning. Motorola Mobility will not experience any impact in the near term, as the Commission’s ruling is subject to a $0.33/per unit bond during the 60 day Presidential review period. We will explore all options including appeal.

In other words, there are still viable choices left for Motorola, including modifying software, or appeal. The fight’s not over yet. Unfortunately, the ones who are already losing are us…the customers.

source: foss patents

 

Motorola Android Phones Banned From Import Into The U.S. Over Microsoft Patent Issues

Motorola Android Phones Banned From Import Into The U.S. Over Microsoft Patent Issues

Motorola Android Phones Banned From Import Into The U.S. Over Microsoft Patent Issues

Google-Motorola deal approved by Chinese regulators

19. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: +android, China, Community, conferences, gogglerola, motorola, News, sxsw, Uncategorized · Tags:

googlerola 0 Google Motorola deal approved by Chinese regulators

Regulators in China have approved the multi-billion dollar purchase of Motorola Mobility by . The particulars have already been approved in the US and elsewhere, and China has been the lone holdout. With that bit of dirty business behind them, the deal can now go forward. In statements released to Bloomberg Motorola and Google both confirm the news, and are looking forward to getting the loose ends tied up in short order.

We expect things to stay unchanged between Google and Motorola, as we've heard numerous times that Motorola will remain an independent entity. Only time will let us know how that turns out. It will be an interesting summer, that's for sure.

Source: Bloomberg; Thanks, Alexander!

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Android Central Editors’ App Picks for May 19, 2012

19. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Community, conferences, Software Reviews, sxsw, Uncategorized, weekly apps

appsoftheweek Android Central Editors App Picks for May 19, 2012

Ready to check out some more of our favorite apps? Each week we bring to you some of our favorites in hopes that they may become your favorites, and we want you to do the same. Drop a line in the comments and let us know some of the awesome applications you have installed on your device, so the rest of the Android Central community can check them out as well!

read more

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