February, 2012 - Android Community

Monthly Archive: May 2013

Samsung announced S-Pen app contest to spur Galaxy Note development

By Michael Crider
on 28 Feb, 2012

A platform is only as good as the software available for it - just ask your nearest bitter WebOS fan. And while Samsung's Galaxy Note (and soon it's big brother the Galaxy Note 10.1) have been met with mostly positive buzz, there's still only a few apps in the Android Market that take advantage of its unique S-Pen stylus and active digitizer. Samsung hopes to change that, encouraging developers to create new apps for the S-Pen with the Galaxy Note S Pen Challenge. Devs, listen up: this could be worth your while to the tune of $100,000.

Google’s Mobile World Congress keynote: breakdown

By Michael Crider
on 28 Feb, 2012

Mobile World Congress isn't all about new phones and tablet,s and Google Chairman Eric Schmidt demonstrated why with his hour-long keynote presentation hosted by the GSMA. Most of if was expended in showing off Google altruistic intentions for getting both technology and connections into developing markets, and Android's a big part of that. In addition to articles here on Android Community on Android penetrating into the featurephone category, lowering entry prices to $70 or less, and Chrome's safety as a browser, we'd like you to check out even more ocverage on our sister site, SlashGear.

Google’s MWC app panders to the obsessive pin collector

By Michael Crider
on 28 Feb, 2012

"See a pin and pick it up, and all day long, you'll have a pin." This bit of nonsensical wisdom from a famous author seems to have inspired Google's Mobile World Congress efforts, as they're releasing a second series of collectible Android pins at their amazing Mobile World Congress booth. If you're attending the conference and you're a proud pin-head, you might want to download Google's official MWC app. In addition to Android information and general guidance for the Fira de Barcelona conference center, it's got a checklist of all the new pins you can collect - and how many you've already collected.

Sony Tablet P headed to AT&T on March 4th

By Michael Crider
on 28 Feb, 2012

We've been bemoaning the lack of availability of the Sony Tablet P, a unique clamshell Android tablet, ever since it launched in Japan and failed to materialize here in the US. It looks like the long wait is finally over: the Sony Tablet P will come to AT&T on Sunday, March 4th, four months after it hit the market elsewhere. The tablet will cost $399.99 - not bad, but of course you'll also need to sign up for a new two-year contract or renew your current one. Unlike most of the new tablets headed to MWC, the Tablet P will only get access to HSPA+ "4G", not the new LTE network.

Eric Schmidt: $70 Android Smartphones coming soon

By Cory Gunther
on 28 Feb, 2012

Pricing of smartphones has always been an issue, especially over the past year with 4G LTE and quad-core processors becoming the standard. While talking on stage here at MWC Schmidt was asked about Android on feature phones and simply said "buy a smartphone." Then continued on and talked about smartphone prices and what we can expect in the future with Android.

Eric Schmidt: Android will match feature phone prices next year

By Michael Crider
on 28 Feb, 2012

At Google's keynote at Mobile World Congress, a member of the press asked the Chairman when Android would be coming to low-cost feature phones. Schmidt immediately answered with, "Why not buy a smartphone?" Schmidt wasn't being crass, he was pointing out that Android keeps reaching into the lower end, in price if not in power. "Last year's $400 phone is next year's $100 phone," said Schmidt, stating that he hopes and expects Android to enter lower and lower markets as it progresses.

Google’s Eric Schmidt claims Chrome is “by far the safest”, even on mobile

By Cory Gunther
on 28 Feb, 2012

Here at Mobile World Congress as soon as Google's Schmidt took the stage he started in on the shots. Talking about Android being a "real mobile operating system" and insisted that Google's Chrome was by far the safest browsing experience hands down -- For Android and on desktops. More details below as the show continues.

Qualcomm shows off Snapdragon S4′s 3D capabilities

By Michael Crider
on 28 Feb, 2012

With all the talk of quad-core this and Tegra 3 that, you might have forgotten that Qualcomm still makes the lion's share of Android SOC's out there. Their new Snapdragon S4 dual-core platform is nothing to scoff at, especially since most manufacturers clock it at 1.5Ghz. The company is eager to demonstrate its 3D prowess at Mobile World Congress, both in polygonal and practical. For a demonstration of the S4 MSM8960 they showed off a glasses-free 3D Android machine running at a full 1920x1200 - which has become a lot more relevant, since at least two Asus models will use the S4 processor with that resolution.

LG Optimus 4X HD coming to the UK in June

By Michael Crider
on 28 Feb, 2012

Drooling over LG's latest Android flagship? You're not alone. UK retailer Clove likes their gadgets too, but apparently they've got some inside information: they say the LG Optimus 4X HD will hit their shelves in an unlocked version by June. The price is currently listed at £380 before value-added tax. That's just over $600 US, and fairly typical for a UK superphone. All this is subject to change - Clove and other retailers have a history of guessing at release dates, which are prone to unexpected delays in any case. Unfortunately, they also say that the new LG Optimus 3D Max isn't coming along for the ride.

Official: Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 hits Verizon on March 1st

By Michael Crider
on 28 Feb, 2012

We heard a quick rumor about it yesterday, but now we can lay it to rest: Verizon is getting the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 on Thursday, March 1st. It's the first version of Samsung's Super AMOLED tablet to go on sale in the United States, and as a consolation prize for waiting nearly six months after it was announced, it's packing 4G LTE to boot. Naturally it runs Honeycomb (no word on a timeframe for an Ice Cream Sandwich) and Verizon gets the smaller 16GB version. The tablet starts a $499.99 on a two-year contract, or a whopping $699.99 without.