Archos GamePad now shipping for £130: Android 4.1, 1.6GHz CPU and a bona fide D-pad

Archos GamePad now shipping for 130 Android 41, 16GHz CPU and a bona fide Dpad

You’ve waited long enough, haven’t you? The low-cost PMP leader has kept the mantra alive with its GamePad, which is now shipping to those interested for £129.99. Put simply, it’s a widescreen gaming handheld that runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), replete with a 1.6GHz dual-core processor and Mali 400mp quad-core GPU. There’s a 1,024 x 600 resolution touchpanel, physical control buttons and analog sticks, and the whole thing checks in at just 0.3-inches thick. Unfortunately, there’s no word on battery life, but even the optimist in us can’t predict a number that’d be worthy of boasting about. Hit up the source link to make plans for purchase, or click past the break for the full presser.

Update: Anandtech reports the device will come within range of US gaming thumbs early next year, though there’s no dollar price to go with that information.

Continue reading Archos GamePad now shipping for £130: Android 4.1, 1.6GHz CPU and a bona fide D-pad

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Source: Archos

Jelly Bean now available for Samsung Galaxy S III on AT&T via Kies

Android 41 now available for AT&T's Samsung Galaxy S III over Kies

Good news tonight for AT&T subscribers, as a number of readers are now reporting that Samsung’s update to Android 4.1.1 is now available for the Galaxy S III via Kies. We’ve reached out to the carrier to learn whether any specific improvements are in store, but it’s not like we need to tell you that users will be immersed in the goodies of Google Now and the performance enhancements from Project Butter. Word from members of xda-developers reveals that the update weighs in at a substantial 738MB. For those keeping score, AT&T’s update to Jelly Bean for the Galaxy S III follows previous deployments from Sprint and T-Mobile. With the latest outpouring of love from Ma Bell, this puts all eyes squarely on Verizon Wireless. If you’re able to snag the update for yourself, be sure to toss your impressions into the comment section — more timid users will surely appreciate it.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Refresh Roundup: week of November 26th, 2012

Refresh Roundup week of November 26th, 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 26th, 2012

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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.

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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.

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Via: AndroidCentral

Source: CyanogenMod (Google+)

Meizu MX2 packs 1.6GHz quad-core chip, 4.4-inch display and Jelly Bean, due mid-December

Meizu MX2 packs 16GHz quadcore chip, 44inch display and Jelly Bean, due midDecember

Amidst the fierce competition in the Chinese mobile market, Meizu has managed to keep up with its annual cycle to unveil its latest flagship device, the MX2. Announced at the launch event in Beijing earlier today, the MX2 comes with a Samsung-made 1.6GHz, Cortex-A9 quad-core SoC dubbed “MX5S,” along with 2GB of RAM, a 30-percent faster GPU, a 4.4-inch 347ppi (1,280 x 800) gapless display with 3.15mm bezel and efficient “New Mode 2” technology (the description of which sounds like IGZO to us), an improved eight-megapixel BSI F/2.4 camera and a choice of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of built-in memory. There’s also a front-facing camera, dual-mic noise cancellation, MHL video output, S/PDIF audio output, a non-removable 1,800mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.0 and HSPA+ radio at 2,100MHz (2G at 900/1800). As before, the white double injection-molded back cover can be taken off to access the SIM card slot, but there should also be various color options in the near future. Read on for more info, and do also check out the official introduction video after the break.

Update: We now have some hands-on photos courtesy of Stone Ip from Engadget Chinese. They’re in the second gallery below.

Continue reading Meizu MX2 packs 1.6GHz quad-core chip, 4.4-inch display and Jelly Bean, due mid-December

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Via: Engadget Chinese

Source: Meizu

Google hustles Android 4.2.1 onto Nexus devices to give you December back

Android 4.2 bug omits December from the People app

With the rollout of a major OS upgrade like Android 4.2, we can imagine it’s easy to forget something, but Google’s omission of the entire month of December in the People app was certainly a doozy. The beauty of the Nexus program is that Google can rectify little issues like that post-haste, however, and Mountain View has now rolled out Jelly Bean 4.2.1, a small update that adds back that all-too-important month. So far, Nexus 4 and 10 users have reported getting the update, according to XDA Developers, though there’s no evidence yet of any other fixes. Check your Nexus device (or the source) to see if it’s arrived in time for, you know.

Update: Looks as if the Nexus 7 is a go, too!

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Via: Talk Android

Source: XDA Developers (forum)

Lenovo IdeaPhone P770 stuffs 29-hour battery and Jelly Bean into a lower-cost smartphone

Lenovo IdeaPhone P770 stuffs 29hour battery and Jelly Bean into a lowercost smartphone

Motorola may face a new contender to the Droid RAZR MAXX HD’s battery capacity crown. Lenovo’s quietly introduced IdeaPhone P770 at least theoretically challenges its American counterpart by cramming a 3,500mAh lithium polymer battery into a thicker 11.9mm (0.47-inch) body. That’s 200mAh more than Motorola’s energy champion, and enough for the company to flaunt a 29-hour talk time. That’s not quite as long as Motorola’s claimed 32 hours, but Lenovo has done something its American rival seemingly can’t — launch a phone with Jelly Bean. Motorola might rest easier in knowing that the the P770 is an unrepentantly budget-focused behemoth, carrying a 4.5-inch qHD display, a (possibly MediaTek-made) 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of built-in storage, an 8GB microSD card and both 5-megapixel rear as well as VGA front cameras. For the ¥1,699 ($273) Lenovo is asking for an off-contract model in its native China, the P770 could still be the first pick of many local phone owners on long-haul trips. It’s just a shame that the lack of 4G (and Lenovo’s domestic-first mobile strategy) likely means we won’t see a launch in the US.

[Thanks, FT]

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Via: Unwired View

Source: Lenovo (translated)

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]

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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

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