Haier HDTVs to get Roku compatibility, HXT series debuts with Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 silicon

Haier's HDTVs to get Roku compatibility, HXT series debuts with Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 silicon

Usually, at this time of year Haier rolls out a bundle of new HDTVs, but at CES 2013 it’s upgrading some of its existing product lineups instead of hawking all-new gear. Turns out models from Haier’s 2013 Core, Encore and Encore+model lineups will be Roku ready, meaning there’s an MHL port round the back just for Roku streaming sticks. Of course, you’ve gotta bring your own dongle to enjoy this new benefit on most of Haier’s TVs, unless you spring for Encore+ set bundled with one.

Additionally, Haier’s HXT 3D Smart TVs will debut packing Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad core silicon and running Android 4.2. The MPQ8064 chipset packs an Adreno 320 GPU to provide top-notch graphics, and the TV comes with a WiFi Direct QWERTY remote. Naturally, Haier’s not saying how much any of these HD goodies will cost nor when they’ll be available, so the info about them after the break will have to do… for now.

Continue reading Haier HDTVs to get Roku compatibility, HXT series debuts with Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 silicon

Filed under:

Comments

Android Dashboard update shows Jelly Bean on 10 percent of active hardware

Android Dashboard update shows Jelly Bean on 10 percent of active hardware

The last time we checked out Google’s Android Device Dashboard, penetration of the latest version had reached 1.8 percent of active hardware. A couple of months later and Android 4.1 / 4.2 Jelly Bean is accounting for more than 10 percent of devices that accessed Google Play in the last 14 days. The share of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich devices also grew to represent 29.1 percent of active hardware, and while 2.3 Gingerbread still has the largest slice, it slid below half to 47.6 percent. That means developers can more confidently taking advantage of the latest APIs, but while the environment is much improved over when the dashboard launched in 2009, those fragments still mean some hard choices on exactly what to target with apps. Hit the source link for a larger look at the current numbers.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: Android Developers

Nexus 4 coming to all T-Mobile locations later this month

Nexus 4 coming to all T-Mobile locations later this month

Having a hard time getting your hands on the coveted LG-made Nexus 4? Look to your local retailer: word on the street has it that the device is heading to all T-Mobile retail locations later this month. The phone has been available at select locations since November, but an internal document uncovered by TmoNews promises a full rollout for sometime in January — touting the Nexus 4’s 8MP camera, quad-core processor and 4.7-inch display. The notice didn’t give a specific availability date, but gave stores the green light to sell the device as soon as they receive inventory. The document is also careful to remind employees that the Nexus 4 can still be had through Google and stresses that devices purchased through Play are not eligible for exchange at T-Mobile stores. Skip on past the break to see T-Mobile’s availability expansion notice.

Continue reading Nexus 4 coming to all T-Mobile locations later this month

Comments

Source: TmoNews

Android 4.2 App Verification Service tested, found no substitute for full anti-malware tools

Android 42 App Verification Service tested, found no substitute for dedicated antimalware tools

Google’s App Verification Service is a quiet addition to Android 4.2, but potentially game-changing: it promises malware checks for any installable Android app, whether it comes from a Bouncer-verified Google Play or a website lurking in the shadows. NC State University Associate Professior Xuxian Jiang doesn’t want to simply accept the claim at face value, though. He just pitted the service against 10 anti-malware apps to gauge its effectiveness at stopping a wide range of rogue code. The short summary? Don’t quit your day job, Google. Among 1,260 samples, the App Verification Service caught 193 instances, or 15.32 percent — well below the 50 percent of its closest challenger, and nowhere near the perfect scores of two apps. According to the professor, Google’s shortcoming mostly comes from a relatively skin-deep routine that checks the SHA-1 value and install package name, not underlying code that’s tougher to change. Android malware isn’t a serious enough issue for us to be worried at present, but nor would we lean on the App Verification Service as our only safety net.

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: NC State University

Shocker: Google, LG seeing more Nexus 4 demand than expected

Nexus 4 review lead

Who’d have thought that pricing a high-end smartphone like the Nexus 4 at $350 or less would lead to strong sales? Google and LG certainly appear to have been caught off-guard. LG’s UK mobile lead Andy Coughlin tells CNET that the pair estimated Nexus 4 shipments in the way you’d expect for any phone, but have been rocked by “huge demand” — in short, they didn’t realize that offering such a giant bargain would lead to sellouts within minutes. While we don’t have tangible shipping numbers, that the spending sprees happen over and over again suggests that LG is producing more than a handful of Nexus 4s as it tries to keep up. We suspect that many of you reading this just want to know when sales resume; sadly, Coughlin’s not telling.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Via: TmoNews

Source: CNET UK

Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean binaries added to AOSP

Android 421 Jelly Bean binaries added to AOSP

Barely a fortnight after the Android 4.2 binaries were added to the Android Open Source Project database, here comes Android 4.2.1. It appears as if the files have been uploaded for the Nexus 10, Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus (Verizon model included), but the Nexus 4 is being omitted for the time being. In short, this opens the doors for custom ROM makers to dig in and update their own wares with the latest and greatest from Google. And come December, the users of those wares will be hugely appreciative of that extra 0.1. Hit the source links to grab the newness.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Google Developers, Android Open Source Project

CyanogenMod 10.1 nightlies now available for Nexus 4

CyanogenMod 101 nightlies now available for Nexus 4

At this point in time, ownership of Google’s much sought-after Nexus 4 is still the pride of few, with most eager users stuck in delivery and ordering limbo. But for those of you who do lay claim to that unassuming slab of LG design, CyanogenMod’s ready and willing to share some nightly perks. Released as a response to unofficial third party ROMs, experimental (read: unstable) builds of CM10.1 (built upon Android 4.2) are now available on the outfit’s site. For now, these nightlies will be Nexus 4-only, but there are plans to open’em up to Nexus 10 owners soon. There’s no word on when that final, polished 10.1 build will be ready for all Android devices, so for now, the keys to CM10.1 belong to a small group of privileged folks.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Via: AndroidCentral

Source: CyanogenMod (Google+)

Netflix Android app updated with tweaks to the player UI, 4.2 compatibility

Netflix Android app updated with tweaks to the player UI, 42 compatibility

Netflix just refreshed the front end of its Android app a few weeks ago, and is now tweaking the look and functions of the player itself again after previously making changes back in April. As seen above, version 2.1 brings a look that’s closer to the one we’ve seen on iOS since the spring, with large red buttons, a bigger volume slider, 10 second skip back and stills that change in the background as the user moves the scrub bar. The changelog also notes added support for Android 4.2 plus other unspecified playback and stability bug fixes, grab the newest edition at the source link to try it out for yourself.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Google Play

Huzzah! Some Nexus 4 orders shipping this week, says Google

DNP Huzzah! Some Nexus 4 orders shipping this week, says Google

Hordes of Nexus 4 hopefuls cringed after receiving an email stating that their order had been delayed due to the overwhelming demand for Google’s latest purebred smartphone. While some folks opted to cancel their purchase in hopes of buying the handset elsewhere, those who chose to weather the storm are in for some good news. Google is now sending out emails advising customers that their order will go out sometime this week and that it will provide tracking details once a device officially ships out. If you’re among those who hunkered down and exercised patience, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your inbox, as there may be a precious gem in your junk mail folder resting somewhere between messages from a Nigerian Prince who desperately needs your help.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Refresh Roundup: week of November 19th, 2012

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of November 19th, 2012

Filed under: , , , ,

Comments