Android OS - 15/164 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Dec

Judge Koh: Samsung's Jury Misconduct Claims Are Baseless, Thrown Out, Apple's Bid For Product Injunctions Denied

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Legal, News, Samsung

Breaking news coming out of California's Northern District Court tonight, as Judge Lucy Koh, who presided over the now-infamous Apple v. Samsung trial, has issued post-trial rulings on the parties' respective motions.

Jury Misconduct (Vel Hogan)

Judge Koh ruled that no jury misconduct occurred during the Apple v. Samsung trial, and that she would refuse to entertain the issue further. The judge will not even hold an evidentiary hearing on the matter, meaning Samsung failed in even at the most basic level in arguing its case for a new trial on account of Vel Hogan's alleged biases. This issue can be appealed, but the bar for overturning a post-trial motion for a new trial on the grounds of juror misconduct is abuse of judicial discretion - meaning you can probably consider this issue dead and buried.

Dec

US Cellular's Samsung Galaxy SII Receiving Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 Update (FK19)

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Galaxy S II, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News, US Cellular

If you're still toting the US Cellular-connected Galaxy SII, good news – it seems the device's update to Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 is ready to go and can be installed using USC's "Simple Upgrade Tool" any time now.

The update, which carries software build number FK19, brings with it all the Ice Cream Sandwich goodness some other carrier variants already enjoy including Face Unlock, TouchWiz improvements, and more.

^{Image: US Cellular's Ice Cream Sandwich Promo Document}

While US Cellular's Galaxy SII may be a bit late to the Ice Cream Sandwich party, it's nice to see continued support for the device, 10 months after it first debuted on the carrier.

Dec

Google Adds Two-Step Verification To AdMob Ads To Prevent Accidental Taps

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Android OS, Google, News

Mobile advertising is an unavoidable part of the Android experience - in fact, some would make the case that it's the whole reason for Android coming to exist in its current form. But that doesn't meant that it can't be improved. So Google's AdMob team has been looking at ways of making delivered ads both less intrusive and more functional, namely by cutting down on unwanted activations.

According to the post on Google's Mobile Ads Blog, accidental and non-intentional taps on the ad space are one of the biggest problems they've had to deal with. It's claimed that even the advertiser isn't too keen on accidental visits, since they're using up server resources on a customer who isn't necessarily all that valuable.

Dec

Samsung Drops Open Source Files For Verizon Galaxy Camera, AT&T Galaxy SIII Jelly Bean, AT&T Galaxy Tab 8.9 Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Galaxy Camera, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Samsung

Samsung, continuing its habit of timely code releases, today let fly open source kernel files for a handful of devices including Verizon's newly announced Galaxy Camera (EK-GC120), AT&T's Galaxy SIII Jelly Bean update (SGH-I747), and last but not least, AT&T's Galaxy Tab 8.9 Ice Cream Sandwich release (SGH-I957).

If you've been waiting to get your hands on a fresh batch of kernel source for these devices to tweak, develop, or ogle, now's your chance. Just hit the appropriate link below to be taken to Samsung's open source download center.

Source: Samsung Open Source (VZW Galaxy Camera, AT&T Galaxy SIII, AT&T Galaxy Tab 8.9)

Dec

Verizon Officially Announces Galaxy S III Jelly Bean Update, Rolling Out Within The Next Week

Posted by David Ruddock in Device Updates, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Verizon Wireless

After putting up the accompanying support documentation yesterday, Verizon just announced that the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update for the Galaxy S III will be rolling out within the next week, making it the last of the major carriers to apply it. The update will start pushing to devices tomorrow, December 14th.

The update includes Google Now, expandable notifications, ISIS mobile payment support, an enhanced camera app, and more. You can find the details on the Galaxy S III support page. Oh, and it unlocks the microSIM, so you can use your VZW GS III on any GSM carrier worldwide.

Dec

Verizon Posts Jelly Bean Update Support Docs For Galaxy S III [Update: It Was Gone And Now It's Back]

Posted by David Ruddock in Galaxy S III, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Verizon Wireless

Update: Verizon has since removed the document (maybe to fix the typo we pointed out, though who knows), and changed it back to the document for the last update to the GS3. We'll let you know if that changes.

Update #2: The document is back, this time correctly identifying Google Now as Google Now instead of Google Plus.

Verizon has posted up the official support documentation for the Android 4.1 update to the Galaxy S III, meaning an update should be on its way in the next week or two (typically - there are cases where delays happen).

Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile have already had their variants of the S3 updated to Jelly Bean, so that makes Verizon last.

Dec

HTC EVO 4G LTE Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Update Rolling Out Now

Posted by David Ruddock in Device Updates, EVO 4G LTE (Jewel), Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Sprint

Update: Sprint's posted the official changelog, here it is:

HTC EVO 4G LTE Software Update - 3.15.651.16

Enhancements/Fixes:

- WiFi Authentication Improvement
- Personalized ringtones
- Calendar event description hyperlinks and calendar reminder improvements
- Addition of Sprint Connections Optimizer
- Upgrade to Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean) with HTC Sense 4+
- Improved Browser performance
- Face Unlock Improvement
- Application Improvements to YouTube, Google+, Gmail, Maps, and more
- Improved Camera including Auto Portrait and Sightseeing Mode capabilities
- Improved Gallery with ability to display photos and video albums according to when or where taken
- Tap and Go function to connect the phone to select Beats Audio speakers
- HTC Get Started support to allow device set up from a computer

Important Notes:

- Software version is: 3.15.651.16
- Updates may be released in stages.

Dec

Leak: Internal Sprint Document Says The EVO 4G LTE Jelly Bean Rollout May Start Tomorrow (12/13)

Posted by David Ruddock in EVO 4G LTE (Jewel), HTC, Jelly Bean 4.1, Sprint

According to a photo taken of an internal Sprint page by an anonymous tipster, the EVO 4G LTE is finally scheduled to receive an update to Android 4.1 - starting tomorrow.

Now, we should clarify two things. First, this tipster isn't one we have particular reason to consider reliable, though there is a link to DARA in the leaked image, an internal Sprint web portal. It's certainly a real possibility that this is from inside Sprint. The wording and formatting of the page also looks legit to us. Second on the clarification list, there have been previous "leaks" from Sprint suggesting the EVO would be receiving 4.1 on X date, that have later turned out to be false.

Dec

Google Releases Standalone Sound Search App, Compatible With 4.0+ Devices

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Applications, News

Looking for yet another SoundHound or Shazam alternative? The Android Sound Search widget that was introduced as part of Jelly Bean is now available for all Android 4.0 devices, in the form of the Sound Search for Google Play app.

The limitation of Google's app, of course, is that it only recognizes songs from the Play Store - though that's still a substantial library. Hit up the link below to grab it. Find out more about the Song Search app at this post on the official Android blog.

Sound Search for Google Play

QR code for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.ears

Dec

Lenovo IdeaTab A2109 Updated To Jelly Bean (4.1.1) Complete With Browser Download

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in IdeaPad A2109, Jelly Bean 4.1, Lenovo

Lenovo might not be the most prodigious maker of Android tablets around, but it's got its followers. Those who bought the 9.7-inch IdeaTab A2109 model, check your Tablet Settings: users on Lenovo's official forums are reporting that their hardware is being updated to Android 4.1.1 (A2109A_A411_03_13_121126_US) today. So far only American users have confirmed the over-the-air download or the WiFi tablet.

If you're not getting your update, there's a flashable US ZIP hosted on Lenovo's servers, ripe for the taking. While China's favorite PC manufacturer tends to leave their hands off of the core of Android, they also bundle in a whole lot of extra apps, which is why you'll need nearly 400MB of free space for the Jelly Bean upgrade.