Hasta La Gadget!

Let’s chalk this one up to something being lost in corporate translation. After a UK company rep issued a statement just days ago confirming the lack of an Android 4.1 upgrade path for certain 2011 Xperia handsets, Sony’s delicately backtracking and claiming that public info was made “in error.” While this official retraction may soothe previously irate owners’ concerns, it’s still not an outright commitment to Jelly Bean, as the company’s only now pledging to “actively [investigate]… upgrades for all devices” — a carefully worded PR promise par excellence. To the Japanese electronics giant’s credit, it has been pretty transparent and diligent about delivering ICS updates to its elder smartphone progeny, so we have plenty of reason to remain cautiously optimistic Google’s newest OS will make the transition, too.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Sony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now ‘actively investigating’ all Xperia updates originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re the sort to get a little too adventurous with CyanogenMod 10 or other custom ROMs, Google just gave you a crutch. Android 4.1.1 factory images are now available for every Nexus device that can currently get a taste of Jelly Bean: the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S and the expected Nexus 7. While it’s not a complete safety net, the gesture will let dedicated modders flash their phones and tablets knowing that they can almost always jump back to the pure OS if someone’s definition of “alpha build” is a little too rough. CDMA users are unfortunately left out of the loop; let’s just hope they’re brought up to speed before too long.

[Thanks, Vince]

Filed under: Cellphones

Google posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean images for Nexus devices, modders rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ready for the latest bout of XDA Recognized goodness? If you own a Nexus 7 or global Galaxy Note (oh yeah) then you’ll find official preview builds of CyanogenMod 10 for each device at the source links below. They’ll bring some added sparkle, like an almost-buttery version of Jelly Bean on the Note and USB storage on the Nexus 7, but neither build is ready for daily dependence — so tread carefully or just consider them proof that the CM and Team Hacksung folks are almost there.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs

CM10 preview builds out for Nexus 7 and Galaxy Note: official but experimental originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It looks like that test period was pretty short, as many Motorola Xoom WiFi owners who aren’t in the select test group are reporting receiving OTA updates to Android 4.1.1 on their tablets. That makes the Xoom the first 10-inch tablet to see Jelly Bean, and the first around these parts officially rocking it without Nexus in the nametag. We’ve already seen a changelog so assuming you have one of the slates, it’s probably time to mash that check for updates button.

[Thanks, @fdiazreal]

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Motorola Xoom WiFi’s Jelly Bean upgrade arriving for regular users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A research consultant has revealed to Ars Technica that he can force NFC-equipped Android and Nokia phones to run malicious code in several ways — but only with specific devices and constraints. The first violation used the near-field Google Beam function, but only affected certain NFC phones running ICS or Jelly Bean. This could allow an evildoer to send a malicious website to an unsuspecting victim to possibly compromise their data. The next exploit was limited to a Gingerbread-equipped Google Nexus S, since later Android releases patched the bugs necessary for the hack. It allowed a so-called tag to access the NFC functions in the OS, and with a little more legwork could offer up access to more malicious programs. The final invasion was made on the Meego-powered Nokia N9, which the expert controlled by Bluetooth, using NFC — as long as the dupe overrode the defaults and enabled that function. If so, a hacker could dial out from the phone, send messages or upload and download files, depending on which security settings were enabled. Fortunately, exact hardware and software combinations aside, nefarious types would still have to be within an inch or two of your phone to enable their NFC box of tricks. Take a look at the source for the full interview.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Security expert shows that Android and Nokia NFC can be hacked — under certain conditions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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