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Dec

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can: A Round-Up Of Gingerbread ROMs

Posted by Abhiroop Basu in Development, Gingerbread 2.3, News

Last Updated: January 2nd, 2011

Introduction

A few days after releasing the Android 2.3 SDK, Google officially pushed Gingerbread to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Shortly thereafter, developers (such as the CyanogenMod crew) immediately started working on their custom ROMs based on the AOSP code (e.g. CyanogenMod 7).

It has only been a few days since CyanogenMod released version 6.1.1, their most recent stable update, so it's still likely to be a few weeks before a stable release of CM 7 is available. Nevertheless, a group of eager CM developers and enthusiasts have taken the liberty of packaging early unstable releases of CM 7 (with Android 2.3 Gingerbread) for a variety of Android devices.

Dec

Well, This Should Sell A Few Phones - Google Builds A Fully Operational Gigantic 42" Nexus S For Best Buy [Video]

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in News, Nexus S (Crespo/Soju), Samsung, Videos

Still playing with dummy units while shopping for your next phone at your local retailer? Those things are annoying, aren't they? You can hold them in your hand, but you can't touch or interact with them in any way.

Best Buy may just have the solution. You'll have to take a few steps back in order to see the new Nexus S demo unit in all its glory, because it's a fully functional 42" monster, complete with a working touch screen, live wallpaper, apps, and everything that a real Nexus S contains.

After hearing the news of the largest Android phone ever arriving to the San Carlos Best Buy, Jason Kincaid of TechCrunch rushed to get some hands-on with a device you can't even fully hug.

Dec

OTA Update Fixes Bugs, Brings Latest Version Of Maps To Samsung Nexus S

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Gingerbread 2.3, Google, News, Nexus S (Crespo/Soju), Samsung

The Nexus S may have just been released, and it may be running the latest version of Android - but Samsung and Google aren't holding back on software updates. Instead, the two have teamed up to release the first OTA update for the device, which contains "important bug fixes" as well as the latest version of Google Maps. Don't feel like waiting for the update to hit your device? The file is already available to download from Google's servers, so after this, you can simply flash it as you would any other ZIP file:

After the file is downloaded, rename it to "update.zip".

Dec

NexusKang Live Wallpaper App Updated, Now Includes Nexus S Live Wallpaper And Gingerbread Compatibility

Posted by Stephen Tenerowicz in Applications, Apps/Games, Development, News

Earlier today, Kmobs updated the NexusKang live wallpaper app with the Nexus S live wallpaper background, compatibility with Android 2.3, and some bug fixes for good measure. For those unfamiliar with the app, it's pretty damn cool, letting you build customized versions of the standard Nexus live wallpaper found on the Nexus One. Users can choose their own backgrounds and even their own custom colors to fly around the screen. For a custom live wallpaper app, this one is top notch!

If you have any interest in building a custom Nexus live wallpaper, or just want to load the Nexus S live wallpaper on your handset, check the app out by scanning the QR code below or hitting up AppBrain.

Dec

Yet Another Galaxy S Feature Missing From The Samsung Nexus S: Gorilla Glass

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in News, Nexus S (Crespo/Soju), Samsung

Given the incredible durability (and entertainment) that Gorilla Glass has provided the Galaxy S phones with, one might think that Samsung would be eager to carry the feature over to the Nexus S. Unfortunately, like 720p video recording, LED notifications (which are available on some Galaxy S variants but not others), and a microSD card slot, Gorilla Glass has not been included in the world's first Gingerbread phone.

The omission was probably necessitated by the curved glass that covers the phone's mug, but that doesn't make it any less disappointing, especially since the effects of the so-called "Contour Display" are barely noticeable (from what I hear).

Dec

Nexus S UK Pre-Order Price Drops To £430 SIM-Free, £0 On Contract

Posted by Nate Kimmey in News, Nexus S (Crespo/Soju), Samsung

Planning on buying the latest Google phone in the UK? Then you're in luck - the pre-order price from Carphone Warehouse has been cut to just £429.99 for the SIM-free option and £0 for the version that comes with a two-year contract. It's worth noting that the device is currently listed as being on back order, so you may be have to wait for some time before you get your phone. Still, at least the Nexus S is available from third party retailers, unlike the device it succeeds.

Source: Carphone Warehouse via Zath

Dec

How To: Root And Install ClockworkMod Recovery On Your Nexus S [Instructions]

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Development, News, Nexus S (Crespo/Soju), Samsung

Last Updated: May 3rd, 2011

This article deals with a couple of advanced topics. If you’re unfamiliar with some of the terms, hit up our primers here:

We didn't exactly expect it to take long, but the Nexus S that went on sale today has now been rooted by Koush, the creator of ClockworkMod recovery and ROM Manager. ROM Manager support is coming very soon, but in the meantime, you can get your Nexus S rooted and ClockworkMod installed by following these easy instructions, courtesy of Koush:

Step 1

First, reboot into your bootloader/fastboot mode.

Dec

New Nexus Wallpaper Escapes From The Samsung Nexus S, Leaks Into The Forums

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Development, Gingerbread 2.3, News, Nexus S (Crespo/Soju), Samsung

The Nexus S isn't exactly a huge upgrade from Google's original Jesus phone (in fact, it could be considered a downgrade in some respects), but it does feature one potential selling point: Gingerbread. That said, there's no reason those of us with non-Nexus S phones should have to wait in order to enjoy the update's new features, as the leaked Gingerbread launcher and 2.3 keyboard have shown us.

Today, Android Central Forums member Upstreammiami tweaked the Nexus live wallpaper in Éclair and Froyo to make it nearly identical to the default wallpaper on the NS. Obviously, since the phone isn't available yet, Upstreammiami wasn't able to grab the files directly off Samsung and Google's creation; therefore, this isn't a direct port.

Dec

Google Starting Near Field Communication (NFC) Push In Portland, Oregon

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Gingerbread 2.3, News, Nexus S (Crespo/Soju)

Wondering how and when that newfangled Near Field Communication (NFC) techology in the Nexus S will be put to good use? Thanks to a new post on the Google Mobile Blog, we now know where the Goog is starting off: businesses. Specifically, they're looking to help businesses use the nifty tech to share some info about themselves to curious people passing by.

How does it work? Google is sending out kits, complete with window decals, to businesses around Portland. The businesses can set up the kit, set up an info page on Google Places, and slap the decal on the window; if somebody is walking by and is curious about a business, the idea is that they can just briefly hold their phone up to the decal and additional information about the establishment will be pulled up on the phone.

Dec

NFC In Gingerbread Is Crippled - It's One-Way-Only, And Not The Way We Want

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Gingerbread 2.3, Google, News, Nexus S (Crespo/Soju), Samsung

Last Updated: February 9th, 2011

Update 2/9/11: Writing/transmitting via NFC is now possible thanks to the 2.3.3 update.

One thing that was very much anticipated in the Nexus S and Gingerbread in general was NFC (Near Field Communication) support, which is a feature we've never seen before on an Android device. In fact, the vast majority of us took it to mean that it will allow you to use your phone as a credit card, which would indeed be very exciting and insanely cool. Unfortunately, that's not the case here; rather, the technology will allow the Nexus S (and other NFC-capable Android phones) to act as a glorified barcode scanner of sorts.