nexus 4

Disable lock screen widgets, camera access on Android 4.2

At first glance, the lock screen widgets in Android 4.2 may seem like a convenient feature. But you may soon realize having all of your personal information plastered on what was once a secure screen, isn't ideal. Removing the widgets is simple, but you're still left with the box outlines every time you wake your device, which can get annoying. And there's no way to disable widgets, or camera access for that matter, on the lock screen built into Android 4.2.

Thankfully, an Android developer has released a free app titled Lockscreen Policy, enabling you … Read more

How to unlock Android 4.2's hidden Daydream 'BeanFlinger'

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean includes a new feature called Daydream. Daydream is nothing more than a different name for a screensaver, but for your Android device. You can choose from one of the five default Daydreams to start playing when your device is docked, charging, or both.

It turns out one of the available Daydreams is hidden by default. It requires the device owner to perform a task in order to unlock the dream. Had it not been for this post on Android Central, I would have thought it was visible by default.

One of the first things I … Read more

Episode 21: Unboxing Google's Nexus 4 phone and Nexus 10 tablet

We're back, and just in time for the holiday shopping season! Welcome to the pre-Black Friday episode of Always On: the unboxing extravaganza.

This episode alone features Google's two new pure-Android Nexus devices -- the LG Nexus 4 and the Nexus 10 tablet. I so wanted to love the Nexus 4, since I'm definitely in the market for a pure-Android device, but I'm skeptical (as is our CNET reviewer, Lynn La) about the lack of 4G LTE in the unlocked model. Then again, I don't have to sit around worrying about it since the phone … Read more

Google Nexus 4 already sold out at U.S. Google Play store

Well, that was fast.

Just minutes after going on sale in the United States, the new Nexus 4 smartphone from Google and LG was already sold out. Visitors to the Google Play store are greeted with a "coming soon" notice for both the 8GB and 16GB versions of the device.

The phones previously sold out in the United Kingdom in less than an hour. Some customers reported having trouble accessing the store or checking out successfully. Meanwhile, Dutch blog AndroidWorld reported that a planned Netherlands launch was scrapped amid high demand elsewhere.

It's unclear how many units … Read more

T-Mobile corrects reports on Wi-Fi calling for Nexus 4

Editor's note: T-Mobile has confirmed that the Nexus 4 will not support Wi-Fi calling. The carrier has corrected the support documents, which a spokesman said were originally posted with incorrect information.

It appears that the T-Mobile version of the Nexus 4 will support Wi-Fi calling after all. Provided online support documents for the handset prove to be accurate, the new LG smartphone will allow T-Mobile customers the option to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi connections.

The feature, which lets users take advantage of their own network instead of relying on T-Mobile's towers, can often provide a stronger … Read more

LG Nexus 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3: Does LTE really matter?

When choosing a smartphone or a wireless carrier, it's important to know what your deal-breakers are.

There are so many choices today when it comes to picking out a new smartphone or even choosing a service provider. Devices come in different sizes, with different software and even different network support. And wireless carriers, which all have different strengths when it comes to network coverage, offer different packages with different prices for their services. When it comes to choosing a device or a carrier, which of these things is most important to you?

In this edition of Ask Maggie, I … Read more

What Google's Nexus 4 means for LG

Well, the verdict's in on Google's flagship phone, the LG Nexus 4, and aside from the significant misstep of not having 4G LTE capabilities for its U.S. market, the device is great. It runs on Android Jelly Be-- oh hell. Can we just talk about LG for a second?

All opinions aside about the handset itself ("LTE doesn't matter!," "It's ugly!," "But it's so cheap!," "You're cheap!," "I hate everyone!"), it's clear that LG needed this Nexus.

With the exception of the … Read more

T-Mobile confirms no Wi-Fi calling for Nexus 4

CNET has confirmed that the LG Nexus 4 for by T-Mobile will not come with Wi-Fi calling capabilities. The change was first reported earlier today by the tech blog TmoNews.

As one of the more popular features in select T-Mobile Android smartphones, it allows users to make calls via their Wi-Fi connection instead of using the carrier's towers and cellular network. Not only could this lead to potentially stronger signal in homes, but also it doesn't count against allotted monthly minutes.

Why there is no Wi-Fi calling in the new LG smartphone is fairly easy to explain. The … Read more

Nexus 10, Nexus 7 are here -- now all they need are apps

With an expanded line-up of Nexus tablets, Google isn't just making a case for Android tablets to consumers, it's courting developers, too.

In the Nexus 10, Google and Samsung managed to put together a tablet that outdoes the new iPad both in screen resolution and price. Google and Asus shoved in another 8 gigabytes in the Nexus 7, and added a 32 GB version in addition to cutting their prices, both of which are at a considerable discount to the upcoming iPad Mini. The message is clear: Google is willing to go all out in establishing a beachhead … Read more

Google challenges Apple's Siri

While CNET's New York office works to get power back after the storm, we're bringing you the Update show from our San Francisco office. Tuesday's top tech stories include:

- Superstorm Sandy has knocked out power, Internet and phone service across the east coast. Nearly 8 million people were without power as of Tuesday.

- Google introduced new gadgets: The Nexus 10 will go head-to-head with the iPad. It has a 10-inch screen with higher resolution than the iPad. (But these screens are so good, the difference may be imperceptible to most of us.) And Google released … Read more