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Android 4.2 is teeming with new features and system improvements, but you can bet that Photo Sphere will be the one that’s talked about most amongst consumers. While Android phones on the whole have had panoramic modes for years, Apple’s iOS 6 update added even more fuel to that fire. Now, Google’s taking things to an entirely new level. With Android 4.2, users can snap pictures in every direction, and the system does the stitching. What you’re left with are photos that can be navigated, taking viewers “inside of the scene.” Photo Spheres are stored as JPEG files, and all of the information required to view them is embedded as open XML metadata in the image itself. You’ll be able to peek ’em on your phone or share them easily through Google+, and perhaps best of all, publish them to Google Maps for the world to see. Head on past the break to see what you’ve got to look forward to.

Continue reading Android 4.2’s Photo Sphere camera takes on iPhone’s panorama mode

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile, Google

Android 4.2’s Photo Sphere camera takes on iPhone’s panorama mode originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google finally introduced its latest Nexus Android reference phone to the world (meaning the device that gets major OS updates first, and the one that’s guaranteed to receive all of them first, untouched by individual OEM bloatware). LG takes its turn at a Nexus device this time around, delivering the Nexus 4, an Android 4.2-powered handset with a 4.7-inch 1280×768 display, 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, an 8MP rear-facing camera and 8 or 16GB of internal storage.

It has 2 GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, NFC and Bluetooth built in. But it’s an HSPA+ phone, not LTE, which could be a major disappointment. Specs-wise at least, the Nexus 4 is on par with many Android OEM flagship devices released recently. That said, the primary appeal of any Nexus device is always the fact that it carries vanilla Android (and 4.2 offers multiple user accounts  improved camera features, Miracast TV mirroring, and more), unmarred by third-party modifications or applications, and that it’s much more likely to be updated to the next version of Android than other, non-Nexus smartphones, so despite any spec sheet shortcomings, it’ll likely have its fair share of fans choosing it over competing hardware.

LG looks to have used the Optimus G as the basis for the Nexus 4, but significant differences to the physical design, including rounded edges and a screen with slightly curved class, the hallmark of the Nexus line of handsets. One key advantage to the Nexus 4′s physical design is the inclusion of wireless induction charging, which was leaked earlier but is still a fairly exciting inclusion as a default hardware feature, and something that definitely helps the Nexus 4 stand apart from the Optimus G.

The LG Nexus 4 will hit store shelves November 13, launching unlocked for $299 and $349 for 8GB and 16GB respectively. There’s also a 16GB T-Mobile version at launch on contract for $199 with a 2-year term. It’s definitely not a surprise, given the number of leaks that preceded this announcement, but is this the new Nexus phone you were hoping for?

Hurricane Sandy may have put the kibosh on Google’s gala in New York City, but it’s not stopping the company from taking the wraps off of its latest pure Android phone. LG’s Nexus 4 is finally official, after a cavalcade of leaks that spelled out just about everything ahead of time. As for the official specs? We’re looking at a 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus display (1,280 x 768), an 8 megapixel rear camera, Gorilla Glass 2, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM and the latest rendition of Google Now. Naturally, turn-by-turn navigation via Google Maps is included, as are 3D Maps, Street View and Indoor Maps. The Nexus 4 will be sold (at least initially) unlocked, supporting some 200 carriers that play by the GSM / HSPA+ rules. It’ll be made available in both 8GB and 16GB versions starting November 13 in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Australia, with pricing set for $299 (8GB) / $349 (16GB). The 16GB version will also be available through T-Mobile for $199, with a 2-year contract.

Continue reading Nexus 4 official: Android 4.2, Snapdragon S4 Pro, 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 display

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google, LG

Nexus 4 official: Android 4.2, Snapdragon S4 Pro, 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 display originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There have been plenty of rumors in the past that suggests that there could be multiple Nexus handsets launching this year, although so far based on the leaks, only LG’s Nexus 4 handset has been pictured. Word has it that other manufacturers like Sony and Motorola are possible candidates as well, and thanks to a post on the Droid Forums, a certain Motorola Nexus has been outed, along with an unknown Motorola handset called the Droid RAZR X. Basically the post was about the timeframe in which some of Motorola’s Android handsets would receive the Android 4.2 update, which some believe could be the next iteration of Android known as Key Lime Pie.

Given that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was released not too long ago, it seems unlikely that a major revision of Android could be launched so soon, but we guess we will have to wait until the 29^th of October to get the official details. In any case we suggest you take this with a grain of salt for now – after all the Sony Nexus “leaked” photo turned out to be a hoax, so it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if this turned out to be a dud too. Either way with only 4 days to go, we guess we won’t have to wait too long to find out, so stay tuned!

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: RAZR HD Review + RAZR Maxx HD Review, Motorola’s Wearable Computer Beats Google Glass to Market,

According to a new report from The Next Web today, Google is readying a number of new devices for announcement at the event it recently announced for October 29, including new Nexus tablet hardware and Android 4.2 features. Some notables from the list of upcoming reveals include improved Nexus 7 tablets (one boasting 3G connectivity), a 10-inch Nexus tablet and a new Nexus reference phone from LG.

The report from “a source with knowledge of Google’s plans” includes ample detail, including apparent confirmation that a 32GB version of the Nexus 7 will be unveiled, which is a widely anticipated move. New, however, is the suggestion that we’ll also see another version of the 32GB model that includes a 3G, HSPA+ antenna for on-the-go connectivity. Google’s Nexus line has been Wi-Fi-only until now, a considerable disadvantage relative to competing products like the iPad for frequent travelers.

There’s also a report that Samsung will produce a new 10-inch Nexus tablet for Google, running Android 4.2 and boasting a 2560×1600 display, with an iPad Retina display-beating pixel density of around 300ppi, according to TNW. Also in the Nexus line, the LG Nexus smartphone is reportedly specced as has been reported previously, and will also be powered by Android 4.2, which brings new features like a user account control mechanism that allows for different profiles to provide access to different apps and services on the same shared  device.

Google’s invitation went out late last week, and adds to an already crowded event calendar at the end of October that includes multiple Microsoft events, as well as ones from Apple and Samsung. Unveiling a refreshed, budget tablet line as well as a new Nexus phone one week after Apple’s iPad mini reveal would have clear strategic value for Google in terms of taking the wind out of its competitor’s sales going into the holiday shopping season, so the details of this report definitely make sense from that perspective. We’ll be there covering the event as it happens, though, so we’ll let you know exactly what does get presented by Google on October 29.