Android

HTC sheds light on Android 4.1 plans

HTC has launched an FAQ page that details its Android 4.1 Jelly Bean plans. Though it stops short of listing specific device upgrade dates, it page spells out some of the factors that determine which models will make the cut.

It should come as no surprise that HTC will give priority to recent models such as the One X and One S. As far as other devices, though, the company is "actively reviewing" its portfolio of handsets.

To that end, HTC already has shut the door on two models, the One V and the … Read more

Cricket offers first 4G LTE phone, LG Optimus Regard

While Cricket's 4G LTE network continues to (glacially) roll out, the carrier is offering its first LTE device today on its site. Known as the LG Optimus Regard, the handset is equipped with a 1.2Ghz processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and a 3.5-inch HVGA display made from Corning Gorilla Glass.

It also has a VGA front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera that's capable of shooting 1080p video.

Powering the phone is a 1,700mAh battery, which reportedly delivers 5.4 hours of talk time.

In addition, since it features LG's Optimus 3.… Read more

T-Mobile rolls out Android 4.1 to the Galaxy S3

If you're a Samsung Galaxy S3 owner, your long, patient wait for an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update will soon end.

Starting today, T-Mobile will begin pushing Android 4.1.1 over the air and through the Samsung Kies app.

If you run into trouble, T-Mobile provides documentation to help you through the process.

Among other changes, Android Jelly Bean offer richer notifications, an improved Search app that also includes Google Now, and much more powerful Android Beam functionality.

When you get it, tell us how you like the update! Chime in below.

Motorola spells out trade up program for Jelly Bean devices

Motorola has officially outlined the details for its Trade Up Program which gives previous buyers a $100 credit for select smartphones. The initiative, first announced in September, is designed to keep consumers from switching handset makers over the lack of Android updates.… Read more

Samsung: We don't intend to negotiate with Apple

It appears Samsung Electronics won't be following in HTC's footsteps.

HTC on Saturday settled its long-running legal dispute with Apple, raising expectations that Samsung may do the same. But the Korean conglomerate's mobile chief, J.K. Shin, has told the Yonhap News Agency that the company will bank on a legal resolution instead of an out-of-court settlement.

Shin said he doesn't intend to negotiate at all with Apple, illustrating just how far apart the two companies are. While Apple scored a significant victory in the U.S., there are a number of legal clashes going on … Read more

Smartphone sales up 47 percent as Android increases its lead

While worldwide phone sales fell slightly during the third quarter, sales of smartphones are continuing to rise, according to new figures from Gartner.

More than 427 million phones were sold in total during the third quarter, 3 percent down on the same quarter a year ago, Gartner said, but up slightly on the 419 million devices shipped in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, smartphone sales are continuing their upward trajectory compared to feature phones -- 169 million smartphones were sold during the quarter, an increase of 47 percent year-on-year.

Samsung, Nokia and Apple remain the top three vendors by sales for … Read more

ZTE's Sprint Flash launches, has 12-megapixel camera

Sneaking under the radar, Sprint is offering a ZTE handset, known as the Sprint Flash, for $129.99 after users sign a two-year carrier agreement and send in a rebate.

The 4G LTE device ships natively with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and sports a 4.5-inch HD touch screen.

Under its hood is a 1,780mAh battery, which roughly translates to 8 hours of reported talk time. It's also equipped with NFC.

Perhaps most notable, however, is the Flash's 12-megapixel camera, which features single-motion panoramic shooting as well.… 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

Verizon and HTC's latest twist: The $199 Droid DNA

Verizon and HTC unveiled a new device that the two hope will appeal to customers during the holiday season, while helping to reverse HTC's floundering fortunes.

The phone, the Droid DNA, sports a 5-inch screen, putting it more in the "phablet" category with Samsung's Galaxy Note. It runs on Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean and includes a boatload of powerful features, including a Super LCD 3 display with 440 pixels per inch, capable of playing 1080p HD video.

HTC noted the screen rivals traditional HDTVs, while the pixel density is among the highest available on … Read more

Security risk at the root of a rooted Samsung Galaxy S3

For all the flexibility that comes with rooting an Android smartphone, there are always intrinsic risks. Such is the case with at least one Samsung Galaxy S3. A moderator over at XDA forums recently discovered that his handset was storing his Google account password in clear text in the S-Memo application.

While this isn't so much of an issue for nonrooted Galaxy S3 users, it's worth a reminder that rooting could give novices more than they bargained for. Not all developers are trustworthy, not all custom ROMs are stable and secure, and you do put yourself at risk … Read more