Liam Spradlin - 27/99 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Besides being an avid Android fan and blogger, Liam is a photographer with a degree in both Anthropology and Sociology. He can usually be found reading through blogs, taking photos, or studying ancient pottery. Liam has been known to leave on international trips at a moment's notice, and can't resist a new challenge.

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Oct

Sprint's Galaxy Nexus Landing Page Accidentally (Doesn't) Tease Galaxy Nexus 2

Posted by Liam Spradlin in News, Rumors, Sprint

As Nexus season progresses, and as we approach Google's October 29th event, rumors and speculation are reaching a fever pitch. Tonight, we caught sight of a story over at Gizmo Fusion pointing out a suspicious Sprint landing page potentially teasing Samsung's mythical Galaxy Nexus 2 so many fans have been hoping for.

The page in question (which one of our readers, Freak4Dell, also noticed) is Sprint's landing page for the original Galaxy Nexus which, for at least two days now, has had an interesting title – "Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2 – 4g Android Smartphone from Sprint".

Just in case anybody out there took this as a sign that their Galaxy Nexus 2 prayers would definitely be answered, we should point out that this almost certainly doesn't tease an unannounced device.

Oct

[Deal Alert] Wirefly Has Moto's DROID RAZR HD, RAZR MAXX HD For $149.99, $199.99 On Contract

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Deals, RAZR HD / RAZR MAXX HD

Well that was fast. Just after Motorola's DROID RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD launched at Verizon and Amazon, we've already got a great deal on both devices. Wirefly, another popular smartphone retailer, is offering the RAZR HD for $149.99 (about $50 off) on contract, and the RAZR MAXX HD for $199.99 (about a $100 discount).

If you're itching for the RAZR (MAXX) HD and want what is the best deal we've seen yet (in the half hour since launch), hit the appropriate link below and claim yours.

Oct

Motorola Droid RAZR HD And RAZR MAXX HD Go Live At Amazon, Verizon Wireless For $199.99, $299.99 On Contract

Posted by Liam Spradlin in News, RAZR HD / RAZR MAXX HD, Verizon Wireless

Right on schedule, Motorola's Droid RAZR HD (which has already been rooted thanks to Dan Rosenberg) and RAZR MAXX HD have arrived to market. Both devices are now live on Verizon's site along with Amazon Wireless.

As expected, the RAZR HD is available in either white or black for $199.99 on contract from Amazon or Verizon, while the RAZR MAXX HD goes for $299.99.

Oct

Everest (Motorola Xoom 3G) Gets First Experimental CyanogenMod 10 Build

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Development, News, XOOM

Earlier this evening, CyanogenMod's Google+ page published an announcement that read "Who says Everest is in Nepal?". That's right – the Motorola Xoom 3G (GSM) variant has joined the list of CM-supported devices, getting its first experimental build dated 10-17.

Steady Hawkin, in a comment to the announcement, notes that the experimental build is "still a WIP," and encourages users to report any issues they may encounter.

If you're a Xoom GSM owner looking for some CM10 action, just keep an eye on the CyanogenMod download center's Everest page (linked below) for the latest builds. As CM's announcement notes, mountaineers need not apply.

Oct

ASUS Makes The PadFone 2 Official – Sleeker Design, Updated Specs In Tow

Posted by Liam Spradlin in ASUS, News, PadFone 2

At an event in Milan this morning, ASUS made official the PadFone 2 – the tablet/phone combo device that looks to improve on its predecessor while continuing the goal of providing "incredible mobile flexibility." ASUS touts a redesign of both the phone and tablet elements, the integration of which appears to be much more elegant than the original, with the phone sliding vertically into the back of the tablet, ditching the clumsy door of the original PadFone for a sleek dock.

In its release, ASUS emphasizes the PadFone combo's battery first and foremost among its otherwise amped up specs. The PadFone 2 carries a 2140mAh pack, while the tablet component offers an impressive 5,000mAh that should keep things running for quite a while.

Oct

[Deal Alert] Daily Steals Offering Up Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Nexus 16GB For Just $319.99

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Deals, Galaxy Nexus

If you're not impressed by the leak-happy LG Nexus, and don't buy into the somewhat fuzzy rumors that we'll see multiple Nexus phones this year but you're still seeking a pure Google experience in a gorgeous, powerful frame, Daily Steals has just what you're looking for.

The popular 24-hour sale site is offering the Samsung Galaxy Nexus 16GB, unlocked for GSM networks, for just $319.99. For reference, that's about $30 cheaper than Google's current price, and with a mere $5 shipping charge, it's a fantastic deal.

In case you've somehow forgotten the Galaxy Nexus' specs, here's a quick look:

4.65" Super AMOLED display at 1280x720 (that's ~316ppi)
16GB Storage
1GB RAM
TI OMAP 4460 dual-core processor at 1.2GHz
5MP rear camera and 1.3MP front camera
1750mAh battery

Again, Daily Steals' discounts run on a 24-hour cycle, so if you've been waiting to pull the trigger on a Nexus device but aren't quite as hyped as others about what we're likely to see this year, hit the link below and take advantage of the discount.

Oct

These Photos May Not Show A Leaked Sony Nexus After All – Here's Why

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Leaks, Rumors, Sony

Earlier today, a couple of rather exciting photos found on Picasa began hitting news sites showing what could be a leaked device called the Sony Nexus X. Of course, during Nexus season, any rumor or glance at a possible new device is always exciting, but sometimes it's worth while to take a step back and consider whether what we're looking at is actually what it appears to be. Our penchant for putting leaked images under the microscope led us to do a bit of investigating.

After taking a look at the Nexus X photos, we have some doubts about their validity.

Oct

Sony Xperia T Joins CyanogenMod 10 Roster, First Experimental Nightly Build Already Live

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Development, News, Xperia T

Moments ago, CyanogenMod's Google+ page announced that Sony's Xperia T, the flagship device we first covered during IFA 2012, is joining the CyanogenMod device roster, offering a link to the device's Gerrit code review page and a quick James Bond reference.

What's more, the Xperia T's first (experimental) nightly build is already live in CyanogenMod's download center.

If you've got an Xperia T and have been itching for CM goodness "shaken, not stirred," keep a close watch on get.cm (linked below) for the latest nightly builds.

Definition: A "nightly" is a bleeding edge release that is built on a daily basis, usually at night after a full day's worth of new code has been committed.

Oct

Apple Granted Another Slide-To-Unlock Patent That Covers More Than Just Predefined Paths

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Legal, News

Following up on last year's slide-to-unlock patent grab (which itself built on a patent granted in 2010), Apple has been granted another, yet more expansive slide-to-unlock patent, one which ditches the previous patents' emphasis on "predefined paths" in favor of more ambiguous language covering the movement of an unlock image to "an unlock region" on a device's display.

While US Patent 8,286,103 is largely similar to Apple's previous two slide-to-unlock, its language is considerably broader. The logic of the patent is not concerned with what path a user takes to unlock a device, nor where the user starts or stops that path, just that an unlock image is moved "from the first location to an unlock region."

Essentially, the language of the patent has been loosened to cover workaround solutions (presumably like the circle locks of Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean) and, ostensibly, to ensure that pretty much any method of unlocking a device through a continuous touch movement is protected.

Oct

Motorola Atrix 4G Gets Leaked Ice Cream Sandwich Build – Here's How To Install It

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Atrix 4G (Olympus), Leaks, News

Last Updated: October 11th, 2012

Soon after Motorola revised its software upgrade timeline, changing the original Atrix 4G's ICS ETA from Q3 2012 to a disheartening "further plans coming soon," a leaked Ice Cream Sandwich build has cropped up on XDA's forums. If you're the owner of an Atrix 4G and you're tired of waiting, there's good news - the leak, which carries an August build date, can be downloaded and installed on your device in just a few easy steps. Here's how it's done:

Disclaimer: Android Police isn't responsible for any harm to your device - proceed at your own risk.

Step 1.