android updates

SpaceX rocket engine shut down at launch

Monday's CNET Update finds a few problems:

Although it appeared to be a flawless launch, there was a problem with one of the engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9. About a minute after takeoff, one of the engines detected a drop in pressure and shut down. Video posted on YouTube shows debris falling off in what some have called an explosion. SpaceX said the engine did not explode, but rather the protective fairing for the engine ruptured due to the pressure change. The other engines compensated for the failed engine, as was designed to happen if there was a … Read more

FAA may change in-flight gadget rules

Keep your seat belt fastened for Tuesday's tech news roundup:

The Federal Aviation Administration has formed a committee to reconsider its policy on when electronics can be turned on during a flight. But this does not include making a cellphone call, so no worries about noisy neighbors. This group will look into how (or if) today's smartphones and tablets interfere with communication and instruments, and perhaps future electronics could have some new certification standard that marks it as safe for use during a flight.

Android users might have to thank the Apple vs. Samsung trial for speeding up … Read more

Go ahead and blame Verizon for a Jelly Bean-less Galaxy Nexus

Google's Nexus branded devices are supposed to get Android updates before anyone else. So why are Verizon and Sprint Galaxy Nexus subscribers still waiting for the latest of Android software introduced nearly two months ago?

This is a question that I address in this edition of Ask Maggie. I also clear up a lingering question about keeping your unlimited data plan if you're on Verizon Wireless.

Why doesn't my Verizon Galaxy Nexus have Jelly Bean yet?

Dear Maggie, I bought a Galaxy Nexus from Verizon Wireless thinking that it would get the latest updates of Google Android … Read more

Motorola exec blames slow Android updates on hardware

Why does it take so long for Motorola to update its smartphones with the latest Android OS updates? Blame it on the hardware, said Christy Wyatt, vice president and general manager for Motorola Mobility's enterprise business unit.

At a roundtable discussion with reporters this week in New York City, Wyatt explained that making sure a new release of Google's software works on every variation of a Motorola smartphone takes time, especially with devices launching in multiple countries.

Motorola is not the only Android manufacturer that has been slow introducing Android upgrades. Samsung, HTC, Sony, and LG have also … Read more

Rdio redesigns Android app

Rdio, the subscription music service, just put out an update to its Android app, and it's a big one.

On top of offering support for Android Ice Cream Sandwich's new remote control client, the app is more streamlined and highlights Rdio's "rich" social features and extensive music discovery options. The free app is available for both smartphones and tablets in the Android Market.

According to Rdio, here's what's new:… Read more

B&N updates Nook for Android for tablet users

Android tablet owners take note: Barnes & Noble has just updated its free Nook for Android app for users with 7-inch and larger tablets that have high-resolution displays. Technically the update is called Nook for Android version 2.61.

Not surprisingly, because of those high-res displays, Barnes & Noble is touting the app's "comprehensive selection of digital periodicals," which includes more than 140 magazines and newspapers. B&N says the update also provides an optimized library grid view and tweaks to the reading interface, with enhanced book margins and line spacing, plus improvements to the shopping &… Read more

Android 2.1 finally comes to Moto T-Mobile Cliq

After an agonizingly long four-month delay, T-Mobile Cliq owners at long last are able to grab Android 2.1 Eclair for their year-old phones.

Motorola and T-Mobile yesterday started actively seeking up to 2,000 users to test out the first, and likely last, update for the smartphone. Today, the handset maker followed up by launching a support page to help guide customers through the process.

Many Android users have taken for granted some of the things that Cliq owners will see. For example, they're just now getting speech-to-text, turn-by-turn navigation, voice search, resizable widgets, seven home screens, and … Read more

Sprint HTC Hero, Samsung Moment to get Android 2.0 in 2010

While Verizon customers have been feeling the Android love lately with updates for both the Motorola Droid and HTC Droid Eris, Sprint users have been left to wonder when they might see an update for their Android devices. Well, we sort of have an answer now.

The carrier announced via Twitter on Friday that it will offer an Android 2.0 update for both the HTC Hero and the Samsung Moment, which is great news. Unfortunately, the update won't come till the first half of 2010 (no specific date was given), but hopefully it'll be on the earlier … Read more

Google starts fixing Android 'reboot' bug

Google has begun fixing a bug that would reboot T-Mobile's G1, the first Android-powered phone, any time a user typed the word "reboot."

According to the bug filed about the problem, "It would appear that Android is, at some level, interpreting specific text strings and acting as if they were local commands," according to user called mogphone.

Added another commenter, jdhorvat, "Funny story behind finding this: I was in the middle of a text conversation with my girl when she asked why I hadn't responded. I had just rebooted my phone and the … Read more