OS updates

Apple's patent victory could equal faster Android updates

Android users might find themselves benefiting from an unintended consequence of Apple's recent patent battle against Samsung.

Older versions of Android (2.x) that were found to infringe upon Apple's intellectual property might get around the ban with an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, points out 9to5Google.

This would specifically sidestep patent issues for Samsung's Nexus S and its "Pure Google" experience, one of eight models in Apple's cross-hairs.

On the surface, it sounds as if Google and its partners will want to get Android 4.1 deployed to as many devices … Read more

Can HTC regain the Android throne?

Once a dominant player in the Android space, HTC now struggles against the likes of Samsung and Motorola.

It's a sad state for a company that gave us the first Android phone in 2008 with the T-Mobile G1. Yet, after disappointing financial results, HTC is now in the unenviable position of discussing a comeback.

A company-wide e-mail from CEO Peter Chou recently leaked to the Internet, casting light on what HTC views as a hindrance to success. In a word, it's bureaucracy. Politics and internal regulations, and not just Samsung, are standing in the way of realizing bigger … Read more

Samsung working on Android 4.1 update for Galaxy S III

Samsung is on the verge of releasing an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for its Galaxy S III smartphone, according to a recent SamMobile report. The mobile blog claims that internal testing of the new firmware is complete and that a public-ready version is ready. All that stands in the way, or so it seems, is a final approval from the Google team. … Read more

Android 4.0 lands on Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets

Samsung has rolled out the Ice Cream Sandwich flavor of Android to a couple of its Galaxy Tab tablets.

Android 4.0 is now available to owners of the 10.1-inch and 7.0 Plus models in the U.K., and can be downloaded over the air or installed via Samsung's Kies software application. But the company is so far mum about the rest of its tablet lineup.

The company's U.K. division told TechRadar that "Samsung U.K. can confirm the roll out of the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Galaxy Tab … Read more

Sony hoping to work Android 4.1 into Xperia line

Sony has not completely ruled out an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for its 2011 Xperia line, despite what the company may have told you just days ago.

A post on the company's blog today advises that it is "actively investigating" software updates for all of its devices and that 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich deployments still are on track.

Rumors spread quickly last week that Xperia models from 2011 wouldn't see an Android 4.1 update. A member of the Sony UK team hosted a Q&A with Facebook followers where he advised … Read more

HTC prepping Android 4.1 update for One XL and One S

Users of HTC's One XL and One S phones are on the Android 4.1 update list, at least in Australia.

An update page posted by Australian mobile carrier Telstra points to an Android 4.1 'Jelly Bean' update in progress for both phones. The carrier says that HTC is preparing the update but has yet to confirm a date in which it will be sent to Telstra for testing.

No further beans were spilled as to a possible release date or availability for other HTC devices or other carriers around the world. But the handset maker has revealed … Read more

Sprint serves up Ice Cream Sandwich for Epic 4G Touch

Sprint today announced that the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch (what a mouthful!) is ready for its Android 4.0 update.

A post on the carrier's official message board provides the build number and basic details for the Ice Cream Sandwich update, indicating that it will run from July 12 to July 20. Unlike AT&T's recent update for the Galaxy S II, users will not be required to download or install Kies Upgrade Program.

Typically, carriers wait until the last minute before going public with update announcements, so I suspect that things have already … Read more

Google Play gets video purchasing, TV shows, magazines

SAN FRANCISCO -- Google Play, Google's online market for Android apps, movies, music, and books, now lets people purchase movies instead of just rent them.

"We're also adding TV," announced Chris Yerga, an engineering director for Android, at the Google I/O show today here. "You'll be able to purchase episodes or entire seasons."

Google has partnerships for the service with a range of producers, including NBC Universal, Sony Pictures, Disney, Bravo, Paramount, Virgil Films, and Sundance, he said.

Also new are magazines, purchased individually or by subscription, he said. Google has deals … Read more

Android 4.1 gets faster; better notifications; Google Now

SAN FRANCISCO -- Android 4.1, aka Jelly Bean, gets a more responsive user interface, a much more interactive notification system, better voice transcription, overhauled search, and a major new feature called Google Now that tries to anticipate what a person needs to know at any given moment.

Android has exploded in popularity, but the OS takes a lot of heat for allegedly being an Apple iOS copycat. Google is clearly trying to vault over that issue with new features detailed at its at its Google I/O show today here.

Google Now, triggered by swiping from the bottom of … Read more

Android activations reach 1 million per day

SAN FRANCISCO -- A total of 1 million Android devices are activated each day, Google announced today at its Google I/O show today.

The number is a big jump from the 400,000 per day the company reported at last year's show in May. In addition, Google said 400 million Android devices have been sold so far.

"Four hundred million is a pretty huge number, but were definitely not slowing down," said Hugo Barra, director of product management at the show's opening keynote. The more customers use Android, the easier it is for Google to … Read more