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Mar

Google Posts Jelly Bean Factory Images For The Verizon (4.2.2) And Sprint (4.2.1) Galaxy Nexus

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Galaxy Nexus, News, Sprint, Verizon Wireless

If you've been waiting for an official means of recovering your Verizon or Sprint Galaxy Nexus should an emergency arise, Google's just fulfilled that need. The factory images for both devices – 4.2.2 (JDQ39) for the Verizon variant and 4.2.1 (GA02) for Sprint's – just hit the "Factory Images for Nexus Devices" download page.

These images allow you to return your device back to its stock state, which includes the stock bootloader and recovery if you choose to flash it. If you root, ROM, and/or tinker, it's a good idea to have these handy – you never know when you might need them.

Mar

[Updated] Sprint's Epic 4G Touch Gets An Update To Jelly Bean, Requires Kies Due To File Size

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Epic 4G Touch, News, Sprint

We sure weren't expecting this, but today Sprint announced on its support site that the Epic 4G Touch (the Now Network's branded version of the Galaxy S II) is getting an update to Jelly Bean. Undoubtedly version 4.1, but this would still be a welcome upgrade as it brings with it the ability to access Google Now, among a host of other features.

The update will require Samsung's Kies software to install. Apparently the file size is too big to rollout over the air. Though, if we had to guess, the fact that the device is nearly two years old by this point and is relatively low-priority for Sprint played a factor in the decision to let consumers foot the bill for the bandwidth.

Mar

Did Google And LG Silently (And Subtly) Update The Nexus 4's Design?

Posted by Cameron Summerson in News, Nexus 4

According to the guys over at German site MobiFlip, Google and LG may have pulled a fast one on us by very subtly updating the Nexus 4's design. The changes appear to be quite minor (yet useful), with the addition of small "nipples" on the bottom of the phone's backside being the most notable. Why would Google add such a small difference, you ask? Because as it stands, the N4's back is completely flat, which essentially mutes (or drastically muffles) the speaker when the phone is laid down. It's incredibly frustrating, and as a result I've missed several texts and phone calls since getting the N4.

Mar

Is Sprint Already Killing The Optimus G? Signs Point To 'Maybe'

Posted by David Ruddock in News, Optimus G, Sprint

An active thread at XDA has multiple posters (here, here, and here) claiming that Sprint is cutting off shipments of the Optimus G, and that the device has reached 'end of life' status, meaning it will be discontinued soon. One poster included a photo of an inventory spreadsheet indicating as much:

Two other posters claimed to have received similar information, one of whom suggested quite correctly that the Optimus G's recent participation in the "buy one get one free" promo means Sprint is probably trying to clear out remaining stock. The Sprint Optimus G continues to show as in-stock at most major online phone retailers (Sprint, Amazon, LetsTalk, Wirefly), though it's often local resellers that are first affected by an EOL situation, because their shipments are much smaller and more frequent.

Mar

Amazon Pushes Software Updates For The Kindle Fire (2nd Gen), Kindle Fire HD 7", And Kindle Fire HD 8.9"

Posted by John Thompson in Amazon, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD

Amazon has been busy working on software updates for its line of Kindle Fire devices, and the latest versions of the software for each device are now available to download.

For each device, the update provides enhancements for viewing textbooks, with the 2nd generation Fire and the Fire HD 7" getting "X-Ray for Textbooks". This feature allows users to access the most important terms and concepts, with glossary definitions and links to relevant pages within books.

The update also provides enhancements for print replica textbooks across each device. Thumbnails of each page are now available at the bottom of the screen, and you can make notes and highlights in your books, as well as jump from one chapter to another.

Mar

Samsung Galaxy S4 Available For Pre-Order In The UK From All Major Networks, As Well As Carphone Warehouse, Phones4u, And Amazon

Posted by John Thompson in Everything Everywhere (EE), Galaxy S4, O2, Orange, Samsung, T-Mobile, Three UK, Vodafone

If you've been waiting to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S4, today's the big day, and you're not short of choices when it comes to retailers or networks.

The phone is up for pre-order on all of the UK's major networks - EE, Three UK, Vodafone, O2, Orange, and T-Mobile - as well as Carphone Warehouse, Phones4u, and Amazon. Don't know which network to go with? Let's break it down for you...

EE

EE is the only network that will provide the phone with 4G for the time being, as the other networks are yet to get their services up and running.

Mar

Nexus 4 Goes On Sale In Brazil, But Not Via The Play Store, Costs A Whopping R$1,699 (~$843USD)

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google, News, Nexus 4

While Google's been on a roll entering new countries with all its services lately, today is a little different. The Nexus 4 has reached Brazil's shores, but it's not via Google's own-branded storefront. You can pick it up at Fast Shop, Ponto Frio and, presumably, other retailers. No word on when (or if) it might launch on the Play Store.

With the good news comes the bad, though. According to Google's post, the phone starts at $1,699 Brazilian Reals, or about $843 USD. That is an unbelievable premium over the U.S. Play Store version. While it's hard to say how this compares to most handsets without living in the country (residents are free to shed some light in the comments), people on Google+ do not seem happy about the price.

Mar

[Updated] Sony Delivers On Its Promise, Starts Pushing Jelly Bean 4.1 To The Xperia TX

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Device Updates, News, Sony

Last Updated: April 26th, 2013

Back in early February when Sony started pushing Jelly Bean to the Xperia T and V, it promised the same update for the TX by "the end of March." Here we are, with four days left in the month, and Sony has made good on that promise. You hear that, all other manufacturers?

At this time it's not completely clear what enhancements this brings outside of stock Jelly Bean's improvements, but it's likely similar to that of the Xperia T, V, and TL. Here's a look at that changelog:

Updated, more intuitive versions of Sony Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies
Lets you view and access all your photos, videos and tunes in one place.

Mar

Play Movies App Updated With In-Depth 'Info Cards', Service Launches In India & Mexico

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google, News

We've all played the "Wait, who is that guy again?" or "What song is that?" while watching a movie. Now, with the latest update to the Play Movies app, if you want to get the answer to that question, all you have to do is press pause. Info cards will then pop up with face recognition of actors on screen, what other movies they're in, and what music you're hearing.

The feature only works on "supported movies" and it's a little unclear which ones those are (there doesn't seem to be any icon or indicator that shows whether any given movie in your library can show cards).

Mar

Jelly Bean Rolling Out Now To The Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II On Verizon

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Device Updates, News, Stratosphere II, Verizon Wireless

Last Updated: April 26th, 2013

If QWERTYs are your thing, the Samsung's Galaxy Stratosphere II on Big Red is one of the only choices left on the market. And while it may be nothing to write home about in general, it is getting a nice bump up to Jelly Bean right now. Announced officially on the Verizon Blog just a bit ago, the update has started making its way out in phases and brings all sorts of fun goodies like voice search, enhanced notifications, Google Now, and lots more.