Jun 28
Jun 27
HTC One Google Edition ROM Now Out
Posted in: Today's Chili
Jun 15
Smartisan OS goes pre-alpha, available for international Galaxy S III only (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili
You may recall that a Chinese startup dubbed Smartisan promised to offer its first custom Android ROM on June 15th. Well, the time has come and the company stuck to its word, but there’s a catch: the software is currently still in pre-alpha status, so it’s neither stable nor speedy — definitely not recommended for daily use just yet. That said, the release apparently includes most of the features demonstrated at the three-hour-long launch event.
The other catch is that you’ll need an international Samsung Galaxy S III (i9300, WCDMA) plus Windows (presumably non-RT) to flash this early version of Smartisan OS. If you’re game then head to the source link for the download and the instructions (but in Chinese). If not, you can wait for the upcoming release for the HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy S II, Xiaomi Phone 2 and Samsung Galaxy Note II. Or you can just wait for Smartisan’s very own phone due next year, if you don’t mind testing your patience.
Update: Someone’s already made a quick hands-on video in Chinese. We’ve got it right after the break.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Via: Engadget China
Source: Smartisan
Jun 05
While the official Google Glass team is embroiled in a bit of controversy over which apps will and wont be allowed on the device’s official build this week, the folks behind ClockworkMod Recovery push forward with a new release for hacking the device. As it is on Android, so too does this software allow for
Apr 29
Cyanogenmod is implementing a new feature for its future releases that will allow you to control the camera on your Android device without needing to use your hands. With the new feature, you can set a timer for your Android device to take a snapshot, or you can say one of three trigger words (whiskey, cheese, or cid) to command your camera to take a picture.
The new hands-free feature will be available from this point onward for future Cyanogenmod 10.1 releases, beginning with the group’s nightly releases. To enable this feature, all you need to do is head to your camera settings and enable the “persistent hands-free” option. Afterwards, you can adjust the handsfree settings by tapping the “Cid” head on the top left corner of your device to adjust how you want to take your hands-free pictures.
In the video above, the new feature is demonstrated using two different trigger words: Cheese, and Cid. But in order to use the trigger word command, it looks like you need to access the voice command feature in the quick settings first. Nonetheless, it’s still a nifty feature to have. For the timer settings, you can choose to set a a 10-second delay upwards to a 60-second delay before your camera takes a picture.
As our friends at Android Community have noted, the timer settings aren’t persistent, meaning you will have to adjust it everytime you want to use it. It make sense because you won’t always have to delay your snapshots. This new feature should make taking group/family portraits much easier, and it also helps make Android cameras a more convenient alternative to a stand-alone digital camera.
[via Android Community]
Cyanogenmod introduces hands-free camera controls for future builds is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jan 25
Because the first time proved to be such a charm for Android developers, Sony’s once again offering Xperia owners an official alpha ROM. And this time, it’s of the Jelly Bean variety. But before you rush to the source and flash your cares away, there are a few caveats we need to cover. For starters, the price of entry to this Android 4.1 test run is an unlocked Xperia T. Not the TX, not the V, not the S, so don’t even try it. You’ll also have to sign away your legal right (via the company’s unlock utility) to whine and demand compensation should your handset brick in the process. Once those hurdles have been cleared, you’re almost home free to flash — so long as you don’t mind an unfinished UI, non-functioning radios for voice, WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC, in addition to a complete lack of Gapps. Oh, and did we mention your unlocked T won’t be privy to the official Jelly Bean update once it hits? Yeah, there’s that too. Basically, you shouldn’t look to this for a daily driver. In fact, it’s probably best to leave this one to the big boys.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software, Mobile, Sony
Source: Sony Mobile
Jan 14
It’s almost a truism to say that the Nexus 4 is near impossible to buy, at least for those who don’t want to pay a carrier premium. G33k3r, Rohan32 and others at XDA-Developers may just save us from camping at the Google Play storefront through a new software hack. Their work converts an LG Optimus G‘s firmware to that of an 8GB Nexus 4 by swapping every LG-customized software element with a Nexus 4 parallel. The nearly identical hardware makes for a very close rendition, at least if you discount the unavoidable design differences. If anything, the work is almost too faithful: the current hack turns off LTE, caps the internal storage at 8GB and even requires using Nexus 4 firmware for future upgrades. It’s possible to revert to LG’s code if there’s jitters, but it goes without saying that the overall procedure carries more than the usual share of risk when even familiar ROM flashers are warned to be careful. Anyone who throws caution (and the price of an Optimus G) to the wind can find their stock Android experience at the source.
[Thanks, Greg]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google, LG
Source: XDA-Developers
Nov 13
With the Nexus 4 smartphone and the Nexus 10 tablet launching today on the Google Play store (and both running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean), it makes sense that the new and updated version of Jelly Bean would makes its way to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), and that’s exactly what’s happening.
Google just added binaries for Jelly Bean 4.2 to AOSP, which means that custom Android 4.2 ROMs are right around the corner. Soon, you’ll have custom ROMs that include all the cool new features that are in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, like Photosphere, the quick settings pull-down menu, a better keyboard, and lots more.
Google has pushed Android 4.2 binaries for all three of their Nexus devices, which consist of the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and the new 10-inch Nexus 10 tablet. Also on the list are both versions of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which is Google’s last-generation Nexus smartphone. You’ll see custom ROMs for all four devices shortly.
Of course, this is only relevant to developers, tweakers, ROM builders, and rooters — the average Android user who doesn’t play around with their phone and take risks need not apply. Developers are probably working on the new Android 4.2 binaries as we speak, so we should be seeing 4.2 nightly builds soon.
[via Android Community]
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean pushed to AOSP is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Nov 13
CyanogenMod 10, the latest CyanogenMod ROM version that’s based in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, is being rolled out to a handful of devices today. Version 10 has seen tons of nightly and beta builds for the past several months, but finally stable builds are being released for a selection of Android devices.
The CyanogenMod 10 stable ROM is now available to download for the Samsung Galaxy S II, LG Optimus Black, and the Samsung Galaxy S III. It’s also available for the Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus 7 tablet, and even the HTC EVO 4G. The average file size for the ROM is between 150-160MB and they’re available now the CM website.
Some of the new features available in CyanogenMod 10 include an “expandable desktop” mode, a built-in root-enabled file manager, as well as support for new devices. If you don’t see a stable build for your device, you’ll have to hang tight, as they’re still rolling out stable builds. However, some builds have been failing for users, so you may even want to wait a little while until the issues get resolved.
If you have a rooted Android device and haven’t yet tried out a CyanogenMod ROM, we highly suggest doing so. The ROM gives you the vanilla Android experience with a ton of exclusive features and settings that you can play around with. So, if you’re wanting a bit more out of your Android UI, CyanogenMod is a great option.
[via Android Police]
CyanogenMod 10 stable builds available now is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Nov 13
Stable CyanogenMod 10 builds arrive, give devices an unofficial taste of Jelly Bean
Posted in: Today's Chili 
The very first CyanogenMod 10 builds surfaced while Jelly Bean was still extremely fresh in our memories. The passions around Google’s new OS might have cooled months down the road, but that doesn’t diminish the impact now that the first stable CM10 builds are here. Four (relatively) safe versions have arrived for devices that are either just getting their official Android 4.1 builds or were never destined to get one in the first place: support for the Samsung Galaxy S III in Sprint and Verizon editions is a natural fit, but both the LG Optimus Black and Samsung’s Galaxy S II Skyrocket are making their own unofficial leaps. More devices should be coming down the road once any teething bugs are ironed out. You’re still taking your own risks by going with a custom ROM, but it may be worthwhile for CM10 if perks like a root-friendly file manager or an expanded desktop are too tempting.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Stable CyanogenMod 10 builds arrive, give devices an unofficial taste of Jelly Bean originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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