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Nov

[Updated] Google Nexus 4 Review: The Beautifully-Crafted, Premium Flagship Phone That Android Deserves

Posted by Ron Amadeo in LG, Nexus 4, Reviews

Last Updated: November 16th, 2012

The most important phone of the year has arrived. We not only get a new version of Android, but a new approach to hardware design, too. This isn't just any new piece of hardware; this is (hopefully) the start of a revolution in design and materials for Android phones. This Nexus 4 hardware is so good, so well-built, and made with such attention to detail, that it is the new high bar for any hardware - not just Android hardware. The standard cheap plastic slabs aren't going to cut it anymore after this.

Besides the killer hardware, it's also the first phone with Android 4.2, which isn't hugely different from 4.1; in fact, it's still known as "Jelly Bean." There are a few new goodies, most notably lock screen widgets, an overhauled camera app, and a beautifully designed clock app that no doubt indicates the future design direction of Android.

Nov

Initial Impressions Of The Nexus 4 - Raising The Bar For Design, Materials, And Build Quality

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Jelly Bean 4.2, LG, Nexus 4

Last Updated: November 14th, 2012

Finally. Since Hurricane Sandy flooded out New York and canceled Google's press event, we've been trying everything we can think of to get a review unit. Late yesterday we got an email back from an awesome Googler (thanks!), and I immediately flew out the door to go rescue a Nexus 4 from New York. We got one! Mission accomplished!

I have a million things to work on now: a full review, a bunch of GTKAs, and teardowns of everything. First, though I figured I'd quickly show off the new Nexus:

For starters, the build quality and materials are amazing. As soon as you pick it up you know you're holding something that is built with more love and thought than a Galaxy Nexus or GSIII.

Oct

Skitch Updated To Version 2.0 With Revamped Interface, Improved Evernote Integration, New Markup Tools

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Skitch, a popular annotation and sharing app, received an update to version 2.0 today with a redesigned interface, a handful of useful markup tools, and improved Evernote integration.

For those unaware, Skitch is an app that allows users to "communicate visually with friends, co-workers, or anyone." Essentially, it can draw in resources like notes, photos, screenshots, or maps, and then add markup to convey ideas or highlight important aspects of the document for later reference or sharing. The app was acquired by Evernote late last year, and today's 2.0 update gives Skitch the "full Evernote treatment."

This not only means a new interface, but full Evernote sync with improved integration (when Evernote is installed), the ability to view and edit Skitch notes made using the app on other platforms, and last but not least, a couple of new editing tools including a pixelator and highlighter.

Oct

WhitePages 2.0 Released With New Interface, Social, Discovery Functionality

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Following up on the success of its Current Caller ID app, WhitePages has released version 2.0 of the WhitePages app, bringing a slick new Android-oriented UI and new social/discovery features along for the ride.

Besides its newly holo-fied interface design, the WhitePages app adds the ability to connect with friends and neighbors with a Nearby People functionality that can be used, as seen in the video, to "find a friend" and plan a lunch. Likewise, you can search for nearby businesses and restaurants, even taking a sneak peek at restaurant menus.

Once you get tired of finding new friends and businesses, you can share where you're going (or where you've been) with friends via various social media outlets, and invite them to come along.

Oct

Getting To Know Android 4.1.2 - A Location Settings Revamp, On-Demand 'Bug Reports,' Smoother Button Glows, And More

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Getting To Know Android, Jelly Bean 4.1

Hello and Welcome! Android 4.1.2 hit yesterday, and, in record time, we are pumping out a new version of everyone's favorite series. If you want to know about everything new in 4.1.2, you've come to the right place. To be perfectly honest, there isn't much to cover. 4.1.2 is just as minor as its 0.0.1 version bump would suggest. I've gone over all 164 system APKs (old and new) with a fine tooth comb, and this is all I could come up with.

First up, by now you've probably heard of the new, one finger notification expansion trick, and that the launcher has finally learned how to rotate.

Oct

head-of-google-wallet-says-negotiations-with-other-carriers-are-underway-hopes-to-announce-new-partnerships-soon

[APK Teardown] Google Wallet's Next Big Features: Person To Person Money Transfers, And Paypal-Style Money Storage

Posted by Ron Amadeo in APK Teardown, Applications, News

It's time to go APK spelunking again. Today's target is Google Wallet!

Remember this Google Wallet Q&A? The Wallet team took to YouTube and fielded user-submitted questions ranging from "When will Wallet work on my carrier?" to "When will Wallet work in my country?" with the answer to just about everything being "we're looking into it." One exception in the non-committal answer-fest was person to person transactions, with the Walleteers saying to "stay tuned" and hinting that an announcement would be coming soon.

Well, after digging though the Wallet APK, "soon" feels a whole lot closer. It turns out there is a ton of code and images for sending money from person to person, and it's been hanging around for some time.

Sep

Stock Android Isn't Perfect: These Are The Things I Can't Stand About Jelly Bean

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Jelly Bean 4.1, Stock Android Isn't Perfect

Last Updated: January 25th, 2013

In my reviews, I frequently abuse and pick apart TouchWiz, Sense, and MotoBlur. I point out flaws, say "that's stupid," and wonder what the heck was going on when someone approved whatever half-baked change they've come up with. A lot of the UIs shipping on phones today are bad.

But it's not just the 3rd-party skins. Stock Android isn't perfect either, and that's what we're here to talk about today. Jelly Bean has all sorts of confusing user interfaces, weird bugs, things that don't make any sense, and things that desperately need polishing.

I criticize because I care - that goes for Sense, TouchWiz, and MotoBlur too.

Sep

[Editorial] It Is Finally Time To Start Getting Excited About Motorola Again

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Editorials, Motorola

Today, something happened that has not happened in an age: I actually got excited while watching a Motorola event. Don't get me wrong, the devices were still middling at best (though the RAZR M does seem kind of snazzy). What happened wasn't that Motorola announces some earth-shattering devices. No, this was more important: Motorola got its groove back. Or, perhaps more accurately, Motorola started syncing its old groove up with Google's current one. (That's how grooves work, right?)

The presentation actually started in what should've been a boring way: with a history of the company. This is the first time we've seen a really huge Motorola announcement since Google finalized the purchase of the manufacturer in May.

Sep

Galaxy Note In Germany Gets An Update To Make UI Match Galaxy Note II, Adds New Gallery

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Galaxy Note (GT-N7000), News, Samsung

Today, a software update began rolling out for the Galaxy Note in Germany. The primary changes are cosmetic, it seems, to bring the phone more in line with the look and feel of the Galaxy Note II. The menu interface has been updated to be more consistent, and Samsung has also added a brand new Gallery that looks fantastic.

The gallery has some impressive new UI flair. How practical it is remains to be seen, but it sure looks nice. It's also unclear if the features demoed at Samsung's recent Unpacked event will make an appearance.

Sep

Quora Brings Well-Designed, Functional Question-And-Answer App To Android

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Applications, News

Quora, the popular question-and-answer website, found its way to Android today, releasing an official app that not only brings to the table great features like voice search and a handy widget, but also a user interface specifically designed for Android "from the ground up." Indeed, the app follows Android's design guidelines to the proverbial "T," right down to the app's launcher icon with its ever so slight downward perspective.

Citing the fact that 25% of its traffic comes from mobile usage, Quora's blog post today enthusiastically announces the Android client, describing a few of the features that "really make Quora shine on Android." Among them are integrated search with voice recognition, optional push notifications, a convenient home screen widget, and an adaptable interface that supports both landscape and portrait mode.