Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve known for several weeks that Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus would be updated to the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, but today the news is official, and Verizon has announced that the rollout will begin today. Verizon has noted that they’ll be rolling out the update “in phases,” so you may not get the update right away.

The update includes a slew of new features, including Photosphere, which is a camera feature that allows you to take 360-degree panoramic pictures. You can also take advantage of new tools in the camera app in order to add filters, borders, and other photo-customization options. There’s also a new gesture keyboard that comes with the update, allowing for Swype-like typing.

We were first hinted at an Android 4.2.2 update for the Galaxy Nexus last month, when GSM versions the device were receiving the update over the air, but no official announcement was made yet. Then later on, we were able to snag an unofficial version of the update for Verizon’s model of the device. However, it looks like the carrier is finally pushing out the update to all.

The Galaxy Nexus is one of Google’s many Nexus devices that released in late 2011 as the successor of the Nexus S, but it was eventually succeeded by the Nexus 4, the company’s latest Nexus handset. The Galaxy Nexus was manufactured by Samsung, and while most Nexus devices are branded as Google products, the Galaxy Nexus was one of the few Nexus devices to be branded as a Samsung product.

Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2.2 update rolling out today is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This week we’re seeing the last of the iterations of the so-called Galaxy “Nexus” as it exists on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. The Verizon Galaxy Nexus (made by Samsung, mind you) has since birth been plagued with talk of its mudblood-like software from the carrier as Verizon modified its contents past what Google originally intended – thus besmirching the purity of the Nexus smartphone line. Because of this Verizon-specific build, the Galaxy Nexus is last in line to receive the update to Android 4.2.2 – but here it is, ready for action!

Our good Android Community friend Cory Gunther has taken the time to write up some directions for you 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus users so you’ll have as easy a time as possible updating your smartphones to this new software. For the moment we’ve not seen any super simple OTA (over the air) update coming in from Verizon, we’re still working with a leaked build that appears – for all intents and purposes – to be the real deal. The download comes straight from Google, so you can expect a smooth ride if you know what you’re doing.

Again these directions come from Android Community where you’ll find more directions, tips, and downloads than you can handle for your Android-based devices of all kinds.

Full Install

This zip requires you to be completely stock running the last OTA update, which is Android 4.1.1 (JRO03O). This is not a ROM that can be flashed over other custom ROMs, this is an official OTA update file that needs to be flashed in a custom recovery.

Download Link
1. Download file from above
2. Boot into custom recovery (using CWM or by holding volume up/down and power at same time)
3. Install update zip from SD card
4. Reboot, enjoy more Jelly Beans!

Alternatively if you’re working with a custom ROM and just want to flash a new set of official radios – and you know what that means – you’ll want to follow the instructions below. This set of instructions includes another download, this time not straight through Google – so it’s all at your own risk. That said, modifying your phone in any way at all with the directions above or below is done at your own risk, of course – so know what you’re doing before you do it!

Radio Update

Flash the new radios in the custom recovery of your choice. You can flash the new radios over any custom ROM – but as usual I’d do a backup just to be safe. Remember, the CDMA radio takes a lot longer so be patient and it will finish in due time.

Download Link
1. Download file from above
2. Boot into custom recovery (using CWM or by holding volume up/down and power at same time)
3. Install radio zip from SD card
4. Reboot, enjoy more bars! Hopefully

Have a peek at the timeline below for more awesome Galaxy Nexus action and see to it that you check out our massive Android hub for more action into the future!

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update step-by-step is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This week it’s being made official: every different kind of Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be at or upgraded to Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean+ except for the version with Verizon 4G LTE. The international edition “GT-i9250 “Maguro” was first to be upgraded, not long after the Google Nexus 4 was revealed, while the newest and last version to be upgraded is model SPH-L700 “Toro Plus”. This last iteration is the one unit to be released without a SIM card slot and connectivity with 4G LTE in the 1900 MHz band (Band 25).

What users who have this version of the device will be allowed to do very soon is get the update in an over-the-air update which will appear in the device’s pull-down notifications menu. If you’ve got this device in your hand and want to update it right this minute, you’ve got a couple other options, the first of them being heading over to this XDA Developers Forum thread where you’ll find the download link via Google. This download link is a ZIP file while you’ll have to load yourself – and it’ll be helpful if your device is rooted and all that good stuff, too.

If you’ve never before “Flashed a ROM” and/or have no idea what that term means, you’ll be better off waiting for the OTA update sent directly to you automatically. You can expect that to be appearing within the next week from your carrier. For everyone who is more than comfortable with upgrading their device via hacking, the file in the previous article is very, very easy to load – you’ve also got the option to work with NIGHTLY builds of CyanogenMod 10. Verizon’s “Toro” also has a CM10 build out there that’s stable – better than nightly, even!

Those of you looking to figure out what the big deal is with this newest iteration of Android, head down to our guide entitled What’s New in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean? There you’ll find Keyboard Gestures, Photo Sphere, User Logins, Wireless Display capabilities (not yet active, but in there somewhere), Notifications menu upgrades, Google Now upgrades, and a big ol’ batch of bug fixes. You can also see our review of the LG Google Nexus 4 as well as the T-Mobile Nexus 4 (also by LG, of course) to see more about the software you’re about to load to your Galaxy Nexus. Good times are on the way!

[via CNET]

Carrier-specific Galaxy Nexus’ get Android 4.2.1 update while Verizon lags is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The back and forth continues. US International Trade Commission Administrative Law Judge Thomas Pender has made an initial ruling that some Samsung’s devices violate four Apple patents, including one iPhone design patent (the one you see above) and three software patents. Apple didn’t manage a clean sweep, as Samsung was cleared of treading on two more patents, but the verdict still carries the all-too-familiar potential for a trade ban if the ITC maintains the findings in its final review. It’s bleak news for the Korean company, which faced an initial loss to Apple at the ITC just last month — even though large swaths of the mostly Android-based Galaxy phones and tablets in the dispute have long since left the market, an upheld verdict gives Samsung one less bargaining chip in a protracted legal war.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Apple, Samsung

ITC rules that Samsung violates four Apple patents covering design, touch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shopping for a smartphone can be an exciting and arduous experience. Along with the promise of something new and fantastic, it brings the fear of commitment, and even worse, the prospect of saddling yourself to a lousy device for two years. Fortunately for you, Engadget spends tons of time playing with the latest gear and we’re constantly on the lookout for what’s coming next. If you’re wanting to take the pain out of shopping for a smartphone, you’ve come to the right place. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: your one-stop resource to finding the best and most exciting handsets on the market today.

Before you dive in, however, we’ve introduced a few changes to the buyer’s guide, so take a minute to prepare yourself for what’s in store. First and foremost, you’ll now find alternate selections to supplement our top picks. This should already be familiar to many of you, which is the same format we use for our seasonal gift guides. The next one is a biggie: we’ve dropped the QWERTY selection. By and large, manufacturers and carriers alike have shifted their focus away from keyboard-equipped smartphones, and you’ll rarely find more than one option on any given carrier. That said, if you still insist on the tactile experience, you’ll always find everything you need to know in our reviews. Finally, whenever possible, you’ll now find prices from Amazon Wireless, which allows us to provide you with more compelling budget selections and highlight the substantial savings that you can score by circumventing the carriers. It’s not like they need your charity, anyway.

If you’re curious to see how it all unfolded — and we know you are — join us after the break, where we round up the very best smartphones of the season.

Continue reading Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: fall 2012 edition

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, Google, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, LG, T-Mobile

Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: fall 2012 edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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