Hasta La Gadget!

The growing pains associated with being an early adopter can sometimes be brutal, as Android’s latest software bump doesn’t appear to jibe too well with one of Google’s most popular in-house apps. Prior to the Nexus 4’s official release, word of a Google Voice texting bug began to circulate, but was written off as pre-release jitters. However, it appears that the issue is expanding beyond the search giant’s newborn smartphone, as owners of the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus loaded with Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) are also experiencing crashes when attempting to compose a text message within Google Voice. While the app still works for phone calls, text messages are completely off limits. Hopefully, this issue can be fixed with an app update as opposed to a new Android software version altogether. In the meantime, if you’re a heavy Google Voice user with Android 4.2 in your crosshairs, we suggest that you hold fire and wait until Google officially sorts things out.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google

D’oh: Google Voice force-closing text messages for Android 4.2 users originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Welcome to the next wave of smartphone innovation: 1080p panels. At a joint launch event with Verizon in New York City today, HTC unveiled the Droid DNA, the stateside counterpart to the Japan-only J Butterfly. Made to run on Big Red’s 4G LTE network and trimmed with the carrier’s signature color, the 5-incher also enters the market as the OEM’s first phablet effort; a direct response to Samsung’s Galaxy Note. (HTC is very adamant that this is not a “phablet,” partially thanks to its lack of stylus support.) But a larger footprint’s not the only bleeding edge tech on hand here, as the device plays host to a quad-core S4 Pro clocked at 1.5GHz and buffered by 2GB RAM — something we’d only seen within the Optimus G and Nexus 4 — a 2,020mAh battery capable of Qi-compatible wireless charging, an 8-megapixel rear camera capable of 1080p video and Android Jelly Bean with Sense 4+. We had a chance to spend some time with it, so click on through for our initial take.

Continue reading HTC Droid DNA hands-on (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, HTC, Verizon

HTC Droid DNA hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the productivity-boosting wiles of the Galaxy Note II‘s multi-window feature have been promised to the original Note, these screenshots suggest that its slightly smaller brother might also add them to its repertoire in its next software update. According to TGSpot, these screens show how dual-browsing would look on the Galaxy S III‘s slightly smaller 4.8-inch screen — we reckon Samsung’s floating keyboard might shrink a little too much here. SamMobile made a similar claim just last month and posits that users could see the update before the end of the year. Nothing quite like the holidays to bring out the multi-tasker in all of us.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, Google

Is Samsung’s multi-window mode coming to the Galaxy S III? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As Google Play groans under the clicks of early shoppers, Google’s apparently got its software sorted too. A new Android 4.2 file for the Galaxy Nexus over at XDA-Developers matches reports we’ve had from users who have already been gifted the latest version of Jelly Bean over-the-air. Now, this is the ‘takju‘ version, meaning it’s meant for GSM devices ordered directly from Google, although the phone meddlers at XDA-Developers already have all the details needed to make the switch to this specific iteration. Sure you’ve got the right GSM Galaxy Nexus? Then, once you’ve read all the instructions and warnings from those aforementioned developers, you can pick up the download at the source below.

Update: We’ve added a link to download the Android 4.2 file for the Nexus 7 also. Enjoy!

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

Android 4.2 reaches some Galaxy Nexus phones early, grab the GSM version here (update: Nexus 7, too) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 03:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google just pushed an OTA update to Android 4.2 for our Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 review units. As expected, the update adds lock screen widgets to both devices and multi-user support to the Nexus 10. We’ve reached out to Google and the company’s confirmed that this is the build that will be shipping on its flagship phone and tablet tomorrow. We’ll soon be putting this latest build of Jelly Bean through its paces, but in the meantime, take a look at our gallery of screenshots below.

Update 1: Speaking of Android 4.2, check out this amazing collection of Photo Spheres.

Update 2: You’ll find benchmark results after the break — we’ll update with battery rundown numbers as time permits.

Continue reading Android 4.2 update for Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 adds lock screen widgets and multi-user support (benchmarks)

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Samsung, Google, LG

Android 4.2 update for Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 adds lock screen widgets and multi-user support (benchmarks) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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