March, 2012 - Android Community

Monthly Archive: May 2013

Motorola XOOM WiFi gets the first official build of Android 4.0.4

By Michael Crider
on 28 Mar, 2012

As a developer device, the Motorola XOOM has the enviable distinction of getting the latest Android updates as soon as possible. And as a WiFi-only device, those without a Verizon model get it without any carriers mucking up the update process. This being the case, the XOOM is the very first device to get an official update Android 4.0.4. Motorola let XOOM owners know via email that they should be expecting the over-the-air update later today. XOOM owners, you know the drill: head to your Setting>About Tablet menu to see if the update is available yet.

ASUS Transformer Prime update adds Ethernet and face unlock

By Michael Crider
on 28 Mar, 2012

Last night we caught wind of an update for the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime that, to ASUS' thinking at least, was going to be "awesome". Today the Italian arm of ASUS spilled the beans on the new features, and while "awesome" is a relative term, there are at least a few new features that Transformer Prime owners will be happy to receive. Chief among the additions in the 9.4.2.21 update is support for Ethernet networking, acheived via a USB converter. Ice Cream Sandwich's Face Unlock feature is now fully supported on the Prime's forward-facing camera.

Epson Moverio BT-100 see-through Android video glasses available now

By Michael Crider
on 28 Mar, 2012

Do you love Android? Of course you do, you're reading this website. Do you love Android so much that you want to put in on your head and go around looking like an extra from Blade Runner? Have you got seven hundred dollars that you just don't know what to do with? Then Epson's Moverio BT-100 might be right up your alley. The video glasses include the standard micro-projection feature for a pair of virtual screens 80 inches in diameter, but interestingly, they're also semi-transparent, and allow the viewer to see what's in front of him or her while wearing them. On a bright day. Presumably with no one watching.

Opera Mini updates to version 7 with hardware acceleration

By Michael Crider
on 28 Mar, 2012

There are a lot of browser options out there for Android, but one from the "old guard" of desktop browser publishers is Opera Mini. This one's been around a while (longer than Android itself, in fact) but recent updates may merit another look from those who have passed over it before. Version 7, released just today, includes a bevvy of new features such as an improved compression engine, hardware acceleration on certain devices, and support for Ice Cream Sandwich's Android Beam. You can download the updated browser for free in the Google Play Store.

Samsung Galaxy Note sells 5 million worldwide

By Michael Crider
on 28 Mar, 2012

It's not just pachyderms that love the Galaxy Note - the oversized smartphone seems to be a hit with those on two legs as well. Samsung has announced that its Galaxy Note has sold more than five million units worldwide, just five months after its introduction in Europe. As the phone has spread to Asia and North America it's winning a share of the market that many thought impossible for a device with such an unconventional form factor - and the many millions that Samsung has spent on promotion doesn't hurt, either.

AT&T’s Galaxy S II gets CM9 nightlies, Galaxy Note and Skyrocket are next

By Michael Crider
on 27 Mar, 2012

Less than a day after AT&T's flavor of the Samsung Glaaxy S II got its first leaked Ice Cream Sandwich ROM, the folks at the CyanogenMod team are hard at work incorporating the much-needed software into their modded Android 4.0 builds. AT&T Galaxy S II owners can download nightly builds of CyanogenMod 9 starting now, getting the latest and greatest in customized Android 4.0 straight from the source. Head over to the CyanogenMod Mirror Network to download the latest build; install by flashing in a custom recovery, as usual.

ASUS teases Transformer Prime update with new features

By Michael Crider
on 27 Mar, 2012

Most owners would say that the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime is a pretty complete machine, especially after its Ice Cream Sandwich software upgrade. Aside form a few niggling hardware problems, it's pretty much all anyone could want from an Android tablet - blazing Tegra 3 processor, all-aluminum construction, bright HD screen. Apparently that's not enough for ASUS: they've posted on their official Facebook account that some "Awesome new features" will be added in the next software update.

HTC designing iPod Touch rival with stereo sound and a kickstand

By Cory Gunther
on 27 Mar, 2012

I've always been a huge fan of HTC's build quality from the moment I received my Nexus One, the Sensation, and even more so when I enjoyed some hands-on time with the new HTC One X. Today though we have some interesting news about an upcoming HTC device that isn't a smartphone, and instead could rival Apple's iPod Touch and offer much better audio than anything from the fruit company. If the patent designs shown below are any indication HTC is looking to design a pretty awesome multimedia device.

Peter the elephant loves the Samsung Galaxy Note – naturally

By Michael Crider
on 27 Mar, 2012

When Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note way back in September of 2011, a lot of consumers dismissed it, saying that it was just too big for their hands. Samsung seems to have found at least one customer for whom small hands are definitely not a problem. Meet Peter the elephant, the latest and certainly greatest fan of Samsung's phablet. This guy's dexterous snozz might be a little much for more standard smartphones to handle, but Peter takes to music and photo apps on the Note like nobody's business.

HTC One X and One V shipping April 2nd in China

By Cory Gunther
on 27 Mar, 2012

The extremely impressive HTC One series smartphones are about to make their assault on the mobile markets. With the US, UK, China and more all expecting them to be available in April just like HTC announced back at Mobile World Congress during the unveiling of the One X. Today we've learned the One X quad-core phone and the mid-range One V will start shipping on April 2nd to those in China.