Android and Me |
- [RUMOR] T-Mobile G2x to receive Gingerbread update early next week?
- Verizon to release a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 4G LTE – Xoom may stay behind (Update)
- Galaxy Tab 10.1 available in NYC on June 8, rest of the U.S. gets it 9 days later
- HTC EVO 4G is getting a tasty Gingerbread update on June 6th (Update)
- Will games help decide your next Android phone?
| [RUMOR] T-Mobile G2x to receive Gingerbread update early next week? Posted: 02 Jun 2011 09:37 AM PDT  Great news for all of you (us) G2x owners out there! A few of our trusted tipsters have informed us that owners of the T-Mobile G2x may not have to wait much longer to get updated to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. We already knew straight from T-Mobile’s Twitter feed that the G2x Gingerbread update is due to come out before summer (read: sometime in June), but our ninjas are pointing us to a release as early as the first half of next week. Once the Gingerbread update is released, G2x owners can expect various performance enhancements, as well as the overhauled Gingerbread UI. Hopefully LG is working hard to throw in bugfixes to the several ailments that have plagued T-Mobile's beloved flagship, though whether those will be packaged as part of the Gingerbread update or as a separate OTA remains to be seen. As a G2x owner, I’m stoked that the Gingerbread update is seemingly right around the corner, and I’m sure you guys are as well. As always, we’ll update you if we learn of any new information on the G2x update. Stay tuned, and let the excitement begin!
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| Verizon to release a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 4G LTE – Xoom may stay behind (Update) Posted: 02 Jun 2011 09:32 AM PDT  Availability of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was just announced this morning, and Verizon is not hesitating to get in on the action. We had already heard that Samsung was planning to release a version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 4G LTE connectivity this year. It seems like they are not wasting time though, since Big Red has just announced that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available through their network, with 4G LTE connectivity, this summer. If you are already planning on having a data plan on your tablet, the prices are actually not too bad compared to the regular Galaxy Tab 10.1. Verizon’s version will cost $529 for the 16 GB version, and $629 for the 32 GB version. This would only be $30 dollars more than the non 4G LTE version, but you would be tied to a 2-year contract (which is not something many of us are comfortable with). More details on the full retail price should be available soon though, as this tablet will be available for pre-order on June 8th. The specs are expected to be the same as the Galaxy Tab 10.1 that was recently announced, with the main difference being that this version will have 4G LTE connectivity. There is something interesting about Verizon’s image, though. Verizon may have just photoshopped the image without thinking of these details, but it seems like their picture of the device is lacking Samsung’s Touchwiz UX user interface. Our colleague, Russell Holly, noticed that the Movies App is also missing, which may mean that this tablet will ship with Android 3.0, unlike the one that will hit NYC next week. Once again, these may be things that Verizon’s team just didn’t pay much attention to, but we shall see. With the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 coming this summer, one can only wonder how the Motorola Xoom early adopters feel. Despite Verizon’s promises to offer a 4G LTE update for the Xooms, we are yet to even see any details or official word on this. Our ninjas are telling us that the Xoom is actually getting the 4G LTE update sometime in June though, but without an official confirmation from Big Red, we’re still a bit skeptical. Could there be a chance that the Xoom will take longer to get 4G LTE than the Galaxy Tab will take to be released? How do you Xoom users feel about this? Is anyone planning to get a Verizon Galaxy Tab 10.1? Update:Android Central[1] has just received word from Samsung, confirming that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will not ship with TouchWiz. This UI will instead be issued via a separate OTA (Over the air) update. We do not yet know if this will also apply to the Verizon branded version (afterall, it is coming later), but stay tuned for more details. If given the option, would you guys get the OTA? Personally, I prefer Stock Android, especially on a tablet. Update 2:A Samsung PR representative has commented that both versions of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will ship with Android 3.1 (no 3.0 on either), and will receive an OTA update with TouchWiz UX later on. Show Press ReleaseVERIZON WIRELESS ADDS 4G LTE-ENABLED SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB™ 10.1 TO PORTFOLIO 4G LTE-Enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1, Exclusive from Verizon Wireless, Measures Only 8.6 Millimeters Thin BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and DALLAS – Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), today announced the 4G LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1 will be available on the fastest, most advanced network in coming weeks. The slim and sleek Galaxy Tab 10.1 debuts with Android™ Honeycomb and will be available in either Metallica Gray or Glossy White. Customers will be able to pre-order the device online on June 8 at www.verizonwireless.com/galaxytab4glte. When the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits Verizon Wireless stores this summer, it will be accompanied by an array of optional accessories such as a full-sized keyboard dock and a multi-media docking station. "The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a great option for customers who want to enjoy the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network – the fastest network in America," said Jeff Dietel, vice president of marketing for Verizon Wireless. "Customers can also use the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 wherever they are on the nation's largest 3G network." Dietel added, "The tablet market is exploding as customers are discovering new uses for the technology that features a large screen, powerful processing speeds and access to Android Market™'s 200,000 applications. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is perfect for customers who want to take advantage of Google™'s new movie rental option and view their favorite film on-the-go." "Samsung Mobile is excited to expand its mobile tablet portfolio with Verizon Wireless to include the 4G LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications America. "The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the thinnest and lightest tablet in the world that delivers a truly mobile multimedia experience on an Android Honeycomb platform." The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers full support for Google™ Mobile Services, including Gmail™, YouTube™ and more. Customers will relish the 10.1-inch enhanced display with a 1280×800 resolution HD screen, 1 GHz dual core application processor, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera. Both consumers and business customers will find a multitude of uses for the Galaxy Tab that range from video chat to business tools, including those that allow for the opening and editing of documents, spreadsheets and presentations. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 features Adobe® Flash® Player to deliver an enhanced Internet browsing experience and access to content-rich Websites. Verizon Wireless will offer two 4G LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 models both priced with two year customer agreements: $529.99 for the 16GB model and $629.99 for the 32GB model. For more information on the Samsung Galaxy Tab, go to: www.verizonwireless.com/galaxytab4glte. References
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| Galaxy Tab 10.1 available in NYC on June 8, rest of the U.S. gets it 9 days later Posted: 02 Jun 2011 08:53 AM PDT  The ongoing release of Honeycomb tablets definitely overshadowed the 7-inch Galaxy Tab. That tablet was great during its time, but the consumer always wants more and better. The successors to the Galaxy Tab were seen at Mobile World Congress and CTIA, coming in two versions – one sized at 10.1-inches and the other at 8.9-inches. These have been two of the most hotly-anticipated tablets since then, and Samsung has finally announced official details about the price and release date for the 10.1 version. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is officially being released on June 8th, but there is a big catch. Only one store in the entire U.S. will have it on launch day, and it is in NYC (BestBuy in Union Square). The rest of us will only be able to pre-order it on this date at our local BestBuy or online, and it will be available in-store on June 17th. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Specifications:
If you happen to be lucky enough to live in or close to New York City, you better wake up early and wait outside the store. With such a high demand, it seems like one store’s stock won’t be able to handle everyone. Who knows, they may very well be prepared for it and have an amazing amount of the Tab at their warehouse. If you are planning to take out your wallet for one of these, the prices will be $499 for the 16 GB version, and $599 for the 32 GB version. Who is running to Union Square to get one of these bad boys? Are you jealous of our fellow NYC Android fans? Show Press ReleaseSamsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1, World's Thinnest Mobile Tablet, Makes Official Landing in U.S. Premium Android Honeycomb Tablet with Ultra-slim, Lightweight Design and Brilliant 10-inch Touchscreen Available Exclusively at Best Buy Union Square Store in New York City Starting June 8; Available Nationwide Starting June 17 DALLAS, June 2, 2011 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.[1], and Samsung Electronics America, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the upcoming retail availability of the Galaxy Tab™ 10.1, starting June 8. The WiFi-enabled tablet measures at just 8.6 millimeters slim, making it the thinnest mobile tablet currently available in the world. The 32GB version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available for $599, while the 16GB version of the device will be available for $499. A limited quantity of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available for purchase exclusively at the Best Buy Union Square store in New York City on June 8. Best Buy customers may also pre-order the Galaxy Tab 10.1 online or in-store beginning that day. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is powered by Android™ 3.1, Honeycomb offering faster and smoother transitions between different applications, more intuitive navigation to and from home screens and broader support of USB accessories, external keyboards, joysticks and gamepads. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the thinnest mobile tablet currently available in the world, measuring in at an ultra-slim 8.6 millimeters. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also boasts an incredibly light weight of just 1.25 pounds (565 grams) for outstanding mobility and comfort in the user's hands. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is designed with a brilliant 10.1-inch HD touchscreen display with WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution delivering vibrant colors and crisp clarity. This expansive screen is centered inside a narrow bezel to enhance the wide viewing angle. "Ensuring that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 launched with Android 3.1 Honeycomb was part of our constant commitment to meeting the needs of our customers," said Dale Sohn, President and CEO of Samsung Mobile. "The Galaxy Tab 10.1's ultra-thin design and 10-inch touchscreen are impressive differentiators in the tablet market place. We're going to make the Galaxy Tab 10.1 even more powerful, entertaining and secure through a series of upgrades coming to this device." The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will receive these new upgrades through a software update that customers can access over the air in the near future. Those upgrades are currently scheduled to include: FEATURES/SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH FUTURE SOFTWARE UPGRADE Customized User Experience "Samsung TouchWiz UX" Samsung's TouchWiz user experience is designed with a Live Panel menu for customizing the home screen of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with digital pictures, favorite Web sites and social network feeds. In addition, the TouchWiz UX includes a "Mini Apps" tray of commonly used features such as task manager, calendar and music player which can be launched while other major applications are already in use. Samsung Media Hub The Galaxy Tab 10.1 software upgrade will introduce the evolution of Samsung's popular movie and TV content service, known as Media Hub. Media Hub has been redesigned with a new user interface for even easier downloads of rented or purchased content. The new version of Media Hub also includes an HD Extender which allows the user to playback Media Hub content on TV through an HDMI cable from the Galaxy Tab 10.1 dock or adaptor. Readers Hub & Social Hub The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will also gain access to Samsung's Readers Hub service, which is a robust library filled with more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspapers and 2,300 magazines. Also, the software upgrade will install Samsung's Social Hub service, which aggregates email, instant messaging, contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface. Versatile Content Sharing The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will also receive Samsung's Allshare service, for seamless content transfer between the tablet and other DLNA-enabled devices such as HDTV's, monitors and digital cameras. The software upgrade will also transform the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 into a device capable of accepting streaming content from a TV to the tablet itself. ADDITIONAL FEATURES AVAILABLE AT PRODUCT LAUNCH Impressive Speed, Power & Battery Life The Galaxy Tab 10.1 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to deliver rapid mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also includes a Nvidia Tegra 1GHz dual core application processor for powerful gaming and multimedia performance. The Tab's ultra-thin design does not sacrifice battery life, thanks to a 7000 mAh battery providing up to 9 hours of continuous use on a single charge[2]. Full Adobe Flash Player Compatibility The device offers extensive Web browsing access through Adobe® Flash® Player compatibility. Flash Player delivers beautiful HD video, faster graphics rendering, and high performance on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and is designed to take advantage of native device capabilities — enabling richer, more immersive user experiences. Optimal Enterprise Solutions In addition, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 integrates several enterprise solutions to provide support for exchange device management policies, improve the security of data and services maintained on the tablet and meet IT guidelines for remote device access. The enterprise solutions include: · On-device encryption of user data Enhanced Exchange ActiveSync Support · F5 SSL VPN Quality Cameras and Sound The Galaxy Tab 10.1 features a 3 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera providing smooth video chat capabilities and seamless 1080p HD video playback[3]. High quality speakers are positioned on the right and left sides of the device for a rich, deep audio experience. Google™ Mobile Services The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is preloaded with the full suite of Google Mobile Services including access to more than 60,000 Android Market™ applications for Galaxy Tab 10.1[4], Gmail™, Google Search™, Google Maps™ 5.0 with 3D maps, and Google Talk™ with video and voice chat. Availability & Pricing The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available exclusively starting June 8 at the Best Buy Union Square location in New York City. Starting June 17, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available at Best Buy online and in-store along with Fry's Electronics, Amazon.com, Micro Center, Tiger Direct and Newegg. These retail outlets will have the 32GB version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition available for $599, and the 16GB version of the device will be available for $499. In addition, the WiFi version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available through Sprint starting mid-summer 2011. Visit www.samsung.com for additional details. 1 Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q1 2011 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports. 2 Battery power consumption depends on factors such as network configuration, signal strength, operating temperature, features selected, vibrate mode, backlight settings, browser use, and frequency of data and other application usage patterns. 3 1080p video playback on an HD TV or other 1080p HD device. 4 Based on a statistical analysis of existing Android Market™ applications References
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| HTC EVO 4G is getting a tasty Gingerbread update on June 6th (Update) Posted: 02 Jun 2011 07:25 AM PDT  At last! The beloved HTC EVO 4G is finally getting an update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread! Widely categorized as the best Android device of 2010, this little beast can hold its own even against some of the recently released devices. What could make the EVO even better? Of course, an update to the latest Android version, Android 2.3 Gingerbread would help. According to a leaked document, the wait is about to be over, and the Gingerbread OTA update will start rolling out on June 6th. For the impatient tech-nerds that start checking the settings every 5 minutes, as soon as news about updates hit the web, there is another option. This update will be available as a manual install as of June 3rd, meaning you only have to wait until tomorrow (if you so choose to manually install it). What comes in this new update (4.22.651.2)?
Of course, you can also expect the usual benefits of Gingerbread – improved, faster UI experience, native VoIP support, better graphics, and an overall boost in performance. Rejoice, EVO users, the wait is finally (almost) over. Let’s just hope that this is real, and we don’t end up checking our phones every 10 minutes for no reason. Check out Android Central’s screenshot of the document below for further details on this. As always, we would like to know your opinions – What do you guys think of this update? Satisfied? Do you think HTC/Sprint took too long to release this OTA?
Update:Sprint has just confirmed this information via Twitter! This is now official, so expect your updates as stated, EVO users!
Special thanks to our reader mikevo for the tip (on the comments section).
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| Will games help decide your next Android phone? Posted: 01 Jun 2011 11:47 PM PDT  The battle lines have been drawn, and it’s become increasingly clear that for the next little while the situation is not likely to change. As you read this, nVidia, Qualcomm, and Sony Ericsson are dawning their warpaint, loading up on ammunition, and fortifying themselves for the upcoming fight. What are they fighting for, exactly? Simple, they’re fighting for your wallet. Specifically, they’re fighting to show that they have the very best graphics, the very best titles, and the very best partners to help you choose them for your next phone. The biggest question is, are video game titles on a particular chipset enough to make the buying decision for you? No consumer likes the idea of Android fragmentation, and unfortunately the single biggest place to see evidence of it is in our video games. Right now, the best games live across NVIDIA’s Tegra Zone, Qualcomm’s upcoming Game Pack, and let’s not forget the over 50 titles on Verizon’s game store optimized for the Xperia Play combined with Big Red’s plans to expand the service to other Verizon phones. There’s some pretty significant lines drawn in the sand, leaving consumers to choose from what they feel is “the best” It’s REALLY hard to argue that there is much in the way of competition with the recent “Kal-El” videos from NVIDIA. There really is nothing else out there that compares with that level of intense graphical experience. Those chipsets, however, are still a good ways away. Right now, though, there is a competitor when it comes to a total immersion experience. Qualcomm has paired up with SRS Labs to deliver “3D sound” with their WOWHD technology, currently found in their Snapdragon dual-core developer kit. What Qualcomm may lack in total graphical power, will it make it up in the ability to deliver a more complete experience? And what about Sony and Verizon? With over 50 games out of the gate and more to be available in the coming weeks, will they woo customers based on sheer volume or selection? The Xperia Play itself comes pre-loaded with the infamous Crash Bandicoot, what if more of Sony’s iconic titles are to follow? Is it the quality of the gaming experience, the sheer horsepower of the device, or the availability of popular titles that will eventually drive device sales? Can this somehow be equated to the existing console market? There’s no denying that Sony’s Playstation 3 has the best hardware, capable of generating extremely eye-pleasing graphics with it’s state of the art hardware. Yet, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is the more dominant force in the market, due largely to the volume of available titles, though it doesn’t hold a candle to Nintendo. The Wii’s unique gaming experience is considered by many to be the best overall gaming experience, which lead to their rocketing to the top of the console market almost overnight. Are the lessons learned in the console market transferable to the mobile gaming world? If not the “console” factor of the device or chipset, will individual titles make a difference? Qualcomm just announced big mobile titles like Vendetta Online, Homerun Battle 3D, and GT Racing: Motor Academy as just a sampling of the titles to headline their Game Pack. Alongside these titles are parterships with huge mobile gaming houses like NAMCO BANDAI Games America, Glu, Com2US, and a bunch more. NVIDIA was the first to market when it comes to “high end” games, but they’ve not yet gotten 20 titles in their Tegra Zone, and at least one of the titles on that list is just a “THD” rehash of an existing title. That said, the quality of most of the games in the Tegra Zone is really high (Personally I am still addicted to BackBreaker HD, the ultimate standing-in-line game in my opinion) and there is no doubt in my mind that the recent “Kal El” performance demos will attract serious gaming companies to the mobile space. Meanwhile, Verizon keeps to the same tricks that have worked for them since the early feature phone days, by including games in their arsenal like The Sims 3 (but not really), Call of Duty: Black Ops (but not really), and Madden NFL ’11 (see where I’m going with this?) that will engage the average consumer simply because of the popular title, and the volume of those popular titles. With any luck this won’t even be an issue some day. Like the PC market, hopefully Android games will be able to be enjoyed across all devices, though it’s been made pretty clear that’s not happening in the immediate future. I’m told that so long as Android is Java based, a Direct-X-esque solution is improbable, though I admit to not really understanding why. Each group is bringing something interesting to the table, but are the video games themselves really going to drive consumers to buy new devices? What if you’re looking at an LG or an HTC, would the tipping point be that one has titles you like?
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