09
Nov
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Samsung is back again with a fresh batch of source, today dropping open source kernel files for the Note 10.1 (N8000), its LTE counterpart N8020, the Stratosphere II (SCH-I415), and Sprint's version of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (SPH-P500). The most interesting device on the list, though, is probably the Galaxy Camera (EK-GC100), which is just arriving at UK retailers this month, with no firm date announced for a state-side debut. Though the Galaxy Camera is a somewhat unconventional Android device, it's still great to see Samsung keeping up with its pattern of timely open source file releases.

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If you've been waiting to put your hands on the official kernel source for these devices, or just want to take a peek at what makes them tick, hit the appropriate link below.

08
Nov
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Sony announced today on it's official Sony Mobile Developer blog that the Xperia S "experimental AOSP support" project, first announced by JBQ back in August, is no more. It was an interesting idea, to be sure - a non-Nexus device that would be supported both with the help of members of the Google developer community, as well as AOSP maintainer JBQ, on the AOSP main branch.

The project did see some success, too - Android was booting, and according to Sony, Wi-Fi and sensors were up and running. Unfortunately, because of proprietary software binaries that by definition could not be part of AOSP (which requires legitimate open source code only), it seemed unlikely audio and mobile network modem functionality could be achieved in that environment.

07
Nov
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After Google's release of "experimental" binaries for Sprint's Galaxy Nexus variant, Jean-Baptiste Queru (Chief Android Release Engineer) confirmed that the binaries represented not full AOSP support, but the "taking down [of] many hurdles that were preventing [AOSP support]," citing bugs in the network stack as one of the issues yet to be addressed.

Less than one month later, it would appear that those issues have been sorted, as Google today published the toroplus' factory image for the first time. The image, for those who are wondering, carries Android 4.1.1 (build FH05).

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So what does this mean? For one thing, it means that four months after Verizon's Galaxy Nexus started getting with the program, Sprint's Galaxy Nexus has caught up.

06
Nov
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In a request to amend its second California lawsuit against Samsung today, Apple asked a judge to the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, and Android 4.1 as it appears on the Galaxy Nexus.

At first glance, it may seem like Apple is now drawing in the entire Android operating system into the suit, but really, it's been like this from the beginning. The Galaxy Nexus was accused from the date of filing in this lawsuit of infringing eight Apple software patents, and today is still accused of infringing those 8 even with its update to Android 4.1. The most we can glean from this is that Google apparently didn't take very convincing steps to avoid any of Apple's software patents in Android 4.1.

05
Nov
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It looks like Samsung has posted up some fresh new open source files today, including files for the AT&T-connected Galaxy Note II. The real story, though, is that Jelly Bean open source files have also been posted for both the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, neither of which have received their official 4.1 updates just yet.

Readers may remember Samsung hinting at an impending update for these (and other devices) back in September, but the availability of these files may suggest that the update is looming very near.

01
Nov
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Once again and right on time, Google has released Platform Distribution numbers for Android, this time for the month of October. The numbers still show Gingerbread holding on at just over 54%, but Jelly Bean is gaining a little more ground at 2.7%, up 0.9% over the previous month.

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Again, the Gingerbread/Jelly Bean numbers are a bit disappointing considering the extremely small change from the previous cycle (a change of less than 1% for each), but it's worth noting that these numbers will (hopefully) be helped along by updates rumored to be coming soon (or those that just arrived).

30
Oct
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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.

It could oftentimes be unstable and not properly tested, lacking any changelogs, but eventually evolving into alphas, betas, release candidates, and finally stable releases.

If you're looking for a way to freshen up your Optimus 2X (read: make it not suck), the team over at CyanogenMod may have something of interest for you. CM10 (Android 4.1) nightlies have officially landed for the 2X (this ROM is not compatible with the T-Mobile G2X), and you can get the first build right here.

29
Oct
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With the Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 3G all having been announced this morning in a rather unexpected way, we're having a hard enough time wading through all the stuff currently flooding our inboxes. And in this storm of hardware, the new version of Android - 4.2 - has gotten a little lost. Google announced the latest iteration of its mobile OS today, as well, and it includes some pretty awesome new features - particularly Photo Sphere.

Photo Sphere

A 360 degree camera mode, Photo Sphere allows you to take Street View-like images that can be navigated in Google+.

26
Oct
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It looks like a couple of HTC's Asian One X variants are receiving updates to Jelly Bean which appear to have begun rolling out earlier today. XDA users confirm that the update carries Jelly Bean 4.1.1 (not the latest 4.1.2) along with HTC's latest and greatest version of its Sense UI, and weighs in at about 353MB.

You may remember that HTC North Asia's general manager Jack Tong promised that One X owners in Asia could expect the update to begin rolling out to the One X today, with the One S slated to receive some Jelly Bean goodness at an unspecified later date.

25
Oct
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Samsung is definitely on a roll with the Galaxy S III updates - not a day goes by without a massive rollout of Jelly Bean to devices all over Europe, and now the Middle East as well. The company began sending Android 4.1.1 OTAs to the following territories:

Branded

  • Austria (T-Mobile)
  • Germany (O2, T-Mobile)

Unbranded

  • Middle East: Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, UAE
  • Greater Middle East: Afghanistan, Mauritania, Pakistan
  • Nordic countries (NEE): Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, Iceland

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Thanks to Eivind for the screenshot

Here's the history of the Jelly Bean updates for the Galaxy S III so far: