Hasta La Gadget!

If there’s ever been a persistent gripe among families sharing mobile devices, it’s been the absence of multiple user profiles — hand that iPad or Nexus 7 to Junior and you may have to play a spot-the-differences game when it comes back. Some long overdue testing of previously found code references in Jelly Bean shows that Google, at least, has explored ending that anxiety over who uses the family gadgets. Command-line code in AOSP-based versions of Android 4.1 will let you create a separate guest profile, complete with its own lock screen security, home screen layout and limited settings. To say that the code is unpolished would be an understatement, however. Apps and even some notifications cross over from the main account, which could prove more than a little embarrassing if the hardware is left in the wrong hands. At least it’s easy to revert back, as the instructions (and video after the break) show. The real challenge will be waiting to see when — or really, if — Google gets to finishing multi-user code and turns that Nexus 7 into the communal tablet we want it to be.

Continue reading Android 4.1 Jelly Bean proven carrying rough but working code for multi-user support (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs, Software

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean proven carrying rough but working code for multi-user support (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever since I/O and the unveiling of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the blogosphere has been measuring Google’s new Nexus 7 tablet. The verdict in almost every case is good, including our very own iPad lover’s take.

John and I thus found it only fitting to bring the little 7-inch tablet into the studio for Fly or Die. The tablet, with a 7-inch IPS 1280×800 display, a Tegra 3 quad-core processor, and the latest version of Android, didn’t fail to impress.

And the specs have very little to do with it. Sure, that Tegra 3 proc probably contributes quite a bit to the snappiness of the tablet, but the display isn’t anything to write home about, nor is the measly 8GB of on board storage. (I know there’s a 16Gb model, but without external memory you’ll be walking around with a rather “light” amount of content.)

What makes the tablet great is that it’s the first truly premium tablet available in this size and price range. Amazon’s Kindle Fire is great but it isn’t really a computer replacement the way the iPad is, but rather a mobile Amazon content portal. And the iPad, though exceptional in performance and usability, is a little large and way too expensive to fit into the category.

The Nexus 7 fills that gap, and so we believe it’ll fly and fly into many a home. It’s already sold out once.

The real question is whether or not it’ll still have such high demand once Apple unveils that long-awaited iPad mini. September will be here before you know it.

Some of you might be familiar with Sony’s earlier struggles to successfully (and in a timely manner) deliver Google’s Ice Cream Sandwich to a slew of Xperia handsets. And, as we all know, Android 4.0’s no longer the freshest treat around, thus the Walkman maker will now have to answer all the Jelly Bean questions to come. The first one to do so was a resident Sony mobile expert on the company’s UK Facebook page, revealing that the Xperia Arc S and the itty-bitty Xperia Mini Pro won’t be receiving the latest and greatest OS from Mountain View. Meanwhile, he also stated there’s nothing buttery in the works for the elegant Xperia S, though he did say “ICS should now be approved” for the device. Perhaps this is a sign it’s time to start looking for an upgrade, no?

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Sony rep confirms some 2011 Xperia handsets won’t be tasting Google’s Jelly Bean originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Weren’t able to fill up on all the Jelly Bean-flavored geekery that was Google I/O 2012? It’s no matter, because you can catch all the highlights from Project Glass to the Nexus 7 in Google Developer’s latest video — provided you’ve got about four minutes spare to reminisce. You’ll find the clip after the break, and naturally, we’d suggest landing at our hub for the event if you’re hungry for another fixin’ of our extensive coverage — no parachute required.

P.S. Don’t forget to see if you can spot any Engadget editors in the clip while you’re at it!

Continue reading Google posts video highlights of I/O 2012, for those craving one last sugary fix

Google posts video highlights of I/O 2012, for those craving one last sugary fix originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor has it that Xoom WiFi owners in the US could soon be on the receiving end of yet another software update, though this time ’round it’d be a virtual jar full of that colorful and buttery smooth Android 4.1. According to a recent changelog received by Droid Life, the Jelly Bean refresh will bring a number of features previously seen on Google’s Nexus 7 over to Moto’s 10-inch slate — some of which include an improved UI with the “smoothest version of Android,” a new look for Mountain View’s search, smarter overall keyboard and widgets that “work like magic.” No word on when exactly we’ll see the alleged build (JRO038) hit WiFi-only Xooms here in the States, but at least there’s some tasteful hope for you.

Filed under: Tablet PCs, Software

Jelly Bean details spill for US Motorola Xoom WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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