Hasta La Gadget!

If you’re one of the 2013 Nexus 7 users who’s experienced some wonkiness with multitouch, this is (hopefully) your lucky day. Over on Google’s product forums today, Mountain View staffer Paulw confirmed a system update that addresses the touchscreen issues. Build JSS15Q is reportedly rolling out now — if you’ve received the update, be sure to let us know if your Nexus 7 is finally screen freakout-free.

Update: Looks like the update addresses an issue with the unit’s GPS sensitivity, too.

Filed under: Tablets, Software, Google

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Via: Droid Life

Source: Google product forums

A muddled sense of direction isn’t the only problem affecting the new generation of Nexus 7 slates, it seems, as some users are also reporting issues with multitouch on the 1,920 x 1,200 display. The clip below the fold demonstrates the bug, and shows the touchscreen registering phantom inputs before freaking out for a couple of seconds. Over the past few weeks, chatter on the XDA Developers and Google Product forums suggests it’s fairly common, with a response from Google on the latter stating: “The Android team is aware of this issue and investigating.” We haven’t had the same troubles with a 2013 Nexus 7 in our possession (running Android 4.3 build JSS15J, FYI), and while the root of the problem is still up for discussion, let’s hope funky software is to blame — no one wants the hassle of replacing faulty hardware, especially Google, when an OTA fix will do.

Filed under: Displays, Tablets, ASUS, Google

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Via: GSMArena, Android Police

Source: Google Product Forums, XDA Developers (1), (2)

The urban-hunchback shuffle is usually demonstrated by commuters slouching over a phone, in search of a pre-meeting coffee-house. But, if you’re attempting something similar with the latest Nexus 7, maybe leave a little earlier. Why? Because word is that some users are reporting funky behaviour with the tablet’s GPS — perhaps causing a little deja vu for ASUS slate owners . Issues vary from total flake out, to halting after 10 to 30 minutes. Several attempted fixes — including complete reinstalls — haven’t fixed things. Google is aware of the problem, and working on a fix — but no details on when this might be delivered. It’s suggested that disabling Google Play Services might help things. This component of Android is used by other apps though, so proceed with caution. Is it affecting you? Let us know in the comments.

Filed under: Tablets, Google

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Via: Phone Arena

Source: Google Groups

If you’re upset that Google hasn’t posted factory images for the new Nexus 7, you’re not alone. Android Open Source Project maintainer Jean-Baptiste Quéru has just confirmed that he’s leaving his role in the wake of legal issues that prevent him from publishing a Nexus 7 image with working graphics. While he isn’t specific about the nature of the conflict, Android Police and others believe that Qualcomm isn’t ready to offer its video drivers for use in AOSP builds. We’ve reached out to both Google and Qualcomm, and we’ll let you know if they have any further insight. In the meantime, don’t expect a Nexus 7 image anytime soon — Google will likely need a new AOSP overseer, and Quéru doesn’t see any progress on the horizon.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Google

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Via: Liliputing

Source: Jean-Baptiste Queru (Google+), Google Groups

Motorola has been doing its best to build some buzz around the Moto X, which launched this week. As a smartphone, the X is decidedly middle-of-the-road. It boasts specs and a design similar to the Droid models Motorola announced last week. Available later this month at $199 on-contract from most major US carriers, the X’s biggest claim to fame — other than swappable backplates, including one made of wood — is the fact that it’s assembled in the US, in a 500,000-square-foot factory in Fort Worth, Texas. Yes, that’s “assembled.” Despite widespread reports that the X is being made in the US, most of its components, from its display to those backplates, are produced in factories around the world, and workers in Texas will assemble the phones.

Does it really matter where your smartphone is made? If your main concern is domestic job creation, it might. A 2012 survey by Boston Consulting Group found that over 80 percent of Americans are willing to pay more for products that are made in the US instead of China, mainly because they want to keep jobs in the country. Interestingly, the same survey found that 60 percent of Chinese consumers would pay a premium for US-made products, apparently based on the belief that the US produces higher-quality products. When it comes to smartphones, that’s an idea that’s difficult to put to the test; there are none currently manufactured in the United States, and that’s not about to change with the launch of the X.

Filed under: Misc, Google

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