LG & Google Release Product Movie Highlighting Nexus 4 Features

I mean sure we’ve seen some unprecedented success and some minor criticism regarding the Nexus 4′s initial popularity, but we hadn’t seen an actual advertisement highlighting the device’s capabilities… until now. LG recently came out and released a product movie which demonstrates the device’s full potential. In addition to seeing the features like the quad-core processor and 2 gigs of RAM in action, LG & Google also puts the gorgeous IPS+ display, panorama camera function, navigation function, WiFi display and Android Beam on full display.

All in all– the product teaser video highlights all of the features that we’ve all come to know and enjoy, except now the rest of the mainstream world can finally see what all the fuss is about. I’m sure you’re all itching to see the video, so hit the break to see the Nexus 4 really strut its stuff.

Official AdBlock Plus app now available in the Play Store

Blocking ads on your device is moral grey area, but it’s hard to argue that it has benefits. AdBlock Plus is one of the most popular ad blocking plugins for browsers available, and it works extremely well. And luckily for Android users, an official app has made its way onto Google’s Play Store.


Most ad blocking apps right now require root, but AdBlock Plus is a little different. It’s compatible with almost all browsers in the Play Store without root, but only over WiFi. If you want ad-blocking over 3G, you’ll have to root your device. There’s just a few listed limitations to keep in mind if you install this app:

• Rooted: Blocks ads over Wi-Fi and 3G
• Non-rooted with Android 3.1 or later: Blocks ads over Wi-Fi
• Non-rooted with Android 3.0 or earlier: Some manual configuration is required. Please visit our website to learn how to setup your own proxy: https://adblockplus.org/en/android-config#proxy
• Also, Android does not allow ads to be blocked on SSL encrypted websites.

There’s still a few features missing from the bigger version of ABP, like whitelisting, but it’s a new app. I’m sure that’ll come eventually. Anybody ready to get this installed and improve your mobile browsing? Hit the download link below.

Play Store Download Link

Source : talkandroid

Setting Change Lets Nexus 4 Pick Up Limited LTE Signal in Canada

So, the LG Nexus 4 has a dormant LTE capability inside, and no it's not going to magically start working with LTE. Or is it? Kind of, is possibly the best way to describe what we're now starting to see. Seems some enterprising types up in Canada have been fiddling with things and amazingly have managed to kick LTE into gear on TELUS and Rogers by changing a setting in Android's testing menu (*#*#4636#*#* in the dialer app).

It all stems from an apparent compatibility with LTE band 4 on the 1700MHz and 2100MHz frequencies, due to the existing radio assembly supporting LTE on those bands. It looks like for some reason LG decided to leave a fully functional LTE radio on the N4, but disable it through a software setting. In Canada, LTE band 4 is supported by TELUS, Rogers and Bell. Outside of Canada, your HSPA+ Nexus 4 won't be able to pick up any LTE reception, unless you're in one of the very few markets AT&T has enabled LTE on band 4.

It's a neat trick, make no mistake, but before we all go running off to try and do this we should remember a few things. Just because it's possible, doesn't mean we'll be able to make good use of it for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's no use anywhere outside of Canada right now. Secondly, the Nexus 4 is not approved for use with LTE anywhere in the world at this moment in time, and as such it will likely be patched out in the future to avoid LG getting into hot water with the regulators. Remember, the Nexus 4 is marketed as a HSPA+ phone for a reason, and regulations have a part to play in that. Technically, it's unlawful to use LTE on these bands without regulatory approval, even if all it takes to enable it is a quick setting change. (It's also slightly baffling as to why LG would've left LTE radio software in a non-LTE phone — presumably this is a hang-over from the Optimus G rather than something specifically designed for the N4.)

In any case, click on past the break for a walkthrough video of how it all came about. 

Source: XDA Developers via Android Central Forums

SWIFTKEY 3 and SWIFTKEY 3 Tablet Now Half OFF

Yet another app sale for the Thanksgiving / Black Friday weekend is SwiftKey. Both smartphone and tablet versions of the custom Android keyboard are half off – $ 1.99 a pop.

For those unfamiliar, SwiftKey is a highly respected Android keyboard replacement that emphasizes predictive suggestions based on Twitter, Facebook, and Gmail usage. There's a really wide range of language support too, which is a must-have for many users. If you're looking for something comparable to Swype with gesture-based typing, you'll have to wait for SwiftKey Flow.

Any big SwifKey users here? Who's been holding off for a price cut?

Google Play Download Link

Padfone 2 Shows Up in White Prior to December Launch

The Padfone 2 is preparing for a launch in December, but until then, ASUS has begun showing off a white model of the smartphone/tablet combo. To date we've only seen the black version, which, classy as it may be, isn't for everybody.

What's under that pretty paint job? A quad-core Snapdragon processor, 2 GB of RAM, 13 megapixel camera, and a 4.7-inch 720p display, that's what. NFC and LTE connectivity are both a part of a the package, with 32 GB and 64 GB variants to be available. The tablet companion device has a little nook where your phone can plug in for extra juice and project an adapted reflection from the phone onto the large 10-inch display.

The only downside here is that the UK isn't due to get the Padfone 2 until 2013, and we haven't heard a peep about a North American launch. Boourns. Even if it were available, would you guys consider picking up the phone? How about the tablet? I dig the idea, but I'm worried about compatibility issues for apps that run on the phone but are displayed on the tablet.

Via: Unwired View

Android Kids App: GoodNight Moon

Does it get any more classic than this? Developer Loud Crow — which has brought the works of Sandra Boynton, Beatrix Potter and even Charles Schulz's Charlie Brown to Android — now has brought us the timeless kids book, "Goodnight Moon."

It's done in the usual Loud Crow fashion. The app can read the book aloud, word for word. Tap a word, and it's sounded out. Or you can choose to read to yourself. As you make your way through the story, you can use a magnifying glass to explore the great green room, and get a closer look at the telephone. And the red balloon. And the picture of the cow jumping over the moon. And there are plenty of animations to keep kids interested. Or, parents who love to reminisce. 

If you still need more, in-app purchases will unlock letter and number features in the app. Be sure to take a look at the app after you buy it. It works fine on tablets, but not on my Nexus 4. We've got some demo video after the break.

More: Android kids apps

AnTuTu Benchmark 3 now available on Play Store

It’s like Christmas morning a little early for fans of benchmarks. AnTuTu Benchmark 3 is now available on the PlayStore. As we all know, smartphones have come a long way in the last 18 months. When single core phones were pretty much the norm 18 months ago, quad-core beasts now roam the wild. It’s only fitting that the benchmarks keep up.

I think we can all agree that four cores are better than one, but that only tells part of the story. Today’s phones haveseen significant upgrades in graphics chips, and the latest AnTuTu benchmark app will give you those results while still comparing with other devices. The memory test has also gone through some changes to better test data flow. Additionally, better and moreA thorough tests of the 2D and 3D graphic capabilities are found in this latest version. When all of these updated tests come together, it’ll give you better test results that are more catered towards thelatest devices. You can grab the app from the link below.

Google Play Store

Google Play Download Link

Plume update removes direct messages from lockscreen widget

There have been a lot of concerns about security since Google implemented lockscreen widgets in Android 4.2. Some may have concerns over how much information is actually accessible from these lockscreen widgets, and with no guidelines on what is and isn't okay, some developers are taking it upon themselves to implement some of their own security measures. Plume has decided to remove the DM (Direct Message) tab from its lockscreen widget, and now you can only see how many unread messages there are. The widget is otherwise the exact same as the one available on the homescreen.

Of course the best security policy is to not put any widgets on the lockscreen — and use a PIN, pattern or password lock on the device — but its good to see developers taking these things into consideration.

Source: androidcentra

We find the lack of Angry Birds Star Wars on the Droid DNA … disturbing

What's a guy got to do to fling some birds in high-definition on the Verizon Droid DNA? As has been the case since its release on Nov. 16, Angry Birds Star Wars HD (see our review) continues to crash and burn on the DNA. No option to report an error, no asking if we'd like to wait or force close the app. Just tap the first level, and the whole game disappears quicker than you can say "Hey, wasn't Alderaan around here somewhere?" 

User reviews are echoing what we've seen. Crashes on the first level on the Droid DNA. We've reached out to thedeveloper through its support channels and will update if we ever hear back.

Help us, Rovio. You're our only hope.

Source: androidcentra

LG ‘Optimus G2′ rumored for May launch with 1080p screen

LG's Optimus G isn't even available in some countries yet, but already it seems a successor could be in the works. Reports from Korea's MK Business News suggests that the "Optimus G2" (said to be a provisional name) could be scheduled for launch as early as next May. Key upgrades are said to include a a 5-inch, 1080p display, up from the 4.7-inch 1280×768 panel in the original, and a 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm CPU. LG will reportedly pit the G2 against the successor to Samsung's Galaxy S3.

But here's the kicker — the article also claims the "Optimus G2" will come with Android "Key Lime Pie" on-board. KLP is the widely-expected name for the next major iteration of Android, presumably either version 4.3 or 5.0. We'd be very (very) surprised to see a fresh version of Android so quickly after 4.2, especially considering the short interval between the two flavors of Jelly Bean.

Nevertheless, as a Nexus partner, LG would have privileged access to code ahead of time, which might help it get devices running newer versions of Android to market more rapidly than other OEMs. Stranger things have happened, but we're still inclined to take this part of the story with a large pinch of salt.

The 5-inch screen size and 1080p resolution looks set to become the new standard for high-end phones in 2013. HTC has already launched the Droid DNA on Verizon in the states, while Sony's next high-end device, "Yuga," is rumored to sport a similar display. Likewise, Samsung is rumored to be hard at work on a 4.99-inch 1080p SuperAMOLED panel.

Whatever form it takes, the Optimus G's successor will find itself among plenty of competition.

Source: MK; via: TechCrunch

More Nexus 4 handsets ready to ship out this week

While many anxious Nexus 4 customers patiently wait for their back ordered handsets, it appears as though Google and LG have managed to ready another batch smartphones which are due to ship out sometime this week.

Users are now reporting that the above email is hitting their inbox's in waves, notifying them that their precious LG-manufactured Nexus 4s are ready to be sent out this week. According to the provided information, tracking numbers will be assigned and credit cards will be charged once the devices leave Google’s warehouse.

Thankfully, this lines up with the three-week timetable that Google gave earlier this month. We still don’t have exact dates, but perhaps LG has solved its manufacturing. A inefficiencies and intends to replenish the Play Store. A Be sure to let us know if you've gotten the email in the comments below.

Source: AndroidCentralA 

Netflix updated to support Android 4.2

A couple months ago Netflix released a major update to their app for Android users that brought significant changes to the user interface. Netflix is back at it, this time releasing a smaller update that includes support for Android 4.2, just in time for all the Android 4.2 devices being snapped up during the holiday shopping season. In addition to supporting Android 4.2, Netflix included improvements to the screen scrubbing function with better screen stills, a larger volume button, and some stability and playback bug fixes.

Rogers to launch unlimited talk plans November 7

Rogers stores across Canada are preparing some pretty hefty changes to their plan structure. Basically, Rogers is going all-in with unlimited texting and calling for most of their plans, and differentiating solely on data. Our source says that as part of the changes, Rogers will also be axing their My5 and My10 programs.

In any case, here's a quick tour of what's to come. Overage charges are $15/GB for the first three tiers, $10/GB for the top. 

• $55 (Occasional plan) - 200 MB, 1,000 weekday minutes
• $65 (Social plan) - 1 GB, unlimited local calling
• $75 (Streamer plan) - 3 GB, unlimited local calling
• $95 (Connected plan) - 5 GB, unlimited Canada-wide calling

There's a handful of other plans for families or simple talk and text, but those are the big changes. Basically, for a hundred bucks a month, you can get everything. It certainly seems more streamlined and less fussy than previous plans, though there are always the extras like caller ID and voicemail. 

We're hearing Rogers will be making these plans public on November 7. Canadians, anyone biting? Is $100/month worth it for all the everything you could need plus a few perks Rogers offers (Anyplace TV, for example), or are you willing to make make a sacrifice on coverage and go with WIND or Mobilicity for half the price? Are Bell and TELUS any more inviting? 

Check out the rest of the retail briefing brochure after the jump. Anything leap out at you as particularly interesting? 

Read more:

Rogers to launch unlimited talk plans November 7

Android officially celebrates its 5th birthday

When do you celebrates one’s birthday? In some cultures, it’s starts with conception. Others say it’s when you’re actually delivered and come into the world. That being said, depending on how you celebrate birthdays, today is officially Android’s 5th birthday.

Formed in 2007, the Open Handset Alliance was assembled consisting of heavy weights like Google, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and LG, who all banded together, choosing Android as their platform of choice. Here was their creed:

Each member of the Open Handset Alliance is strongly committed to greater openness in the mobile ecosystem. Increased openness will enable everyone in our industry to innovate more rapidly and respond better to consumers’ demands. Our first joint project as a new Alliance is Android™. Android was built from the ground up with the explicit goal to be the first open, complete, and free platform created specifically for mobile devices.

Holy cow, how right they were. We’ve all reaped the benefits of an open ecosystem. Competition has move ahead at blazing (sometimes too fast) speeds, and here we are today with HD displays and quad-core devices in our pocket. Feels good, don’t it?

Android Inc. was originally founded by Andy Rubin — the man who brought you the Sidekick –  and Google snatched him, and Android up, back in 2005.  On November 5th, 2007 — Android was officiallyannounced (although the SDK wasn’t made available until the 12th) and my, how far we’ve come. Here’s a quick ancient YouTube video from the early Android creators introducing their all new mobile platform. (I promised myself I wouldn’t cry).

How To Unlock Nexus 4 Bootloader [Tutorial]

Google and LG may only have announced the Nexus 4 earlier this week, but the Android community is by far the most dogmatic in its quest to tweak and mod every aspect of the search company’s firmware, and already, a method for unlocking the device’s bootloader is ready and available; more details after the jump!

How To Stop Your Smartphone Sharing Personal Data With Evildoers?

Wireless technologies are becoming really widespread these days and now, you cannot just impress anyone with a new and the most up-to-date smartphone or a tablet. People use them every day for different purposes: web browsing, communication, games, etc. But there are smartphone owners who use those devices in their business affairs and in that case the safety of the platform they operate is of the highest importance. I’d bet you wouldn’t be really happy when someone will crack your smartphone and get your data, such as emails, browsing history, etc. So I’d like to review the main vulnerabilities of modern smartphones based on iOS 6 and Android OS.

The first point will be the results of popular Mobile Pwn2Own contest. Contestants have easily cracked the Samsung Galaxy SIII and iPhone 4S. The vulnerability of Apple’s smartphone was hidden in its browser, so hackers managed to upload malicious software to the device, while user browsed the web. The main part of the hack is to make the user to visit hacker’s website so malicious software can be uploaded. In a matter of fact guys from Pwn2Own Contest managed to get full access to contacts, emails, files, text messages and many other things. That hack was developed in two weeks. But iPhone is not the only device that can be exploited with that kind of a hack, it works with iPad and iPod as well.

And Samsung Galaxy SIII had its security gap hidden in NFC technology. Hackers managed to create an app that has granted full access to the smartphone, including browsing history, emails, contacts, calls and SMS. That app can be shared with other Android NFC compatible devices and it works in the background so the victim doesn’t even know that his or her mobile phone was hacked. That hack works not only with Galaxy S3, but with S2 and with some HTC devices too.

Details about how exactly those devices were hacked are kept in secret of course. But that’s not the only vulnerable spot of modern smartphones. If we’ll pay attention to US Navy NAVSEA’s department experiment we will see that modern gadgets are even more dangerous. The experiment was held by NAVSEA in cooperation with Indiana’s University. They have created a special app that takes pictures of everything your camera sees and send them to a server, all together with G-sensors data. Then they’ve managed to create 3D image compiled of those pictures. That 3D model appeared to be the easier way to steal your sensitive data than using just the taken pictures. You should keep in mind that that app is capable of running on Android 2.3 OS and higher, but there are possibilities to adapt it for iOS and Windows Mobile.

Why our smartphones are so vulnerable to exploits and hacks? The answer is in our way to use them. Statistics tells us that the biggest part of users always grant permissions to programs to manipulate with camera, GPS module and internet connection without any hesitation. So Jammer-Store Inc. can provide you some ways to protect your mobile device. You should always think how the app can use your permission to operate your camera or other things and does that app really need it. Also you should use antivirus software and turn the modules like Wi-Fi or NFC of, if you don’t need them right now. Sometimes the best way to provide full security to your smartphone for a short period is using various signal jammers. They will surely knock out all devices’ means for communication and will ensure a short period of safety. Keep in mind that if you will use a cell phone jammer you will not be able to make or receive calls so be careful with them!

Need For Speed Most Wanted Escapes To Google Play

EA games has been making quite a stir the last year or so with major titles on the android platform. Maybe someone over there heard the peoples cry and made something happen. The newest to drop a bomb on our gaming minded users is EA’s Need For Speed Most Wanted, the popular racing title that actually hit consoles today as well. Most of you might be familiar with some of EA’s racing games, I mean hell they have been around forever and there are so many of them you had to have played at least one. Need For Speed Most Wanted looks to be pretty promising not only in the graphics department but also in game play.

I just may have to check this game out immediately so I can see how the mechanics and controls play out. One thing is for sure, if you are going to run and pick this up, do yourself a favor and read through the reviews and descriptions about the compatibility of the game. You wouldn’t want to be stuck paying $7 for something that doesn’t play very well on your device now would you? Not to mention, you don’t want to be that person that didn’t read about the incompatibility of his or her device and then slams the game for it. No one likes those people. don’t be those people.

Download Free Need For Speed Most Wanted has a fairly impressive list of in game features that I’m sure will be popular with old fans and new comers alike. It highlights some of the world’s most exotic and exciting vehicles to drive and flee the scene with, over 35 to choose from and customize like the Porsche 911 carerra S, Hummer H1 Alpha, and SRT Viper GTS. Racing games from EA have always been synonymous with mods as well. Yep, this game will have that so not to worry modders. In addition to the top of the line graphics and sweet music tracks, high energy game play and cars some of us could only dream of driving in real life, you can log into origin for some cross platform features and see who is the most wanted among your friends and other platforms. That social feature gives this game a competitive factor that could really kick off its popularity. What do you guys think? Is this a game that is Must have? Any racing junkies out there or are you guys against EA?

How To Get Gesture Typing From Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

How To Get Gesture Typing From Android 4.2 Jelly

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean was announced yesterday and with all of the great new features, one such feature was with the keyboard. Typically, the stock keyboard hasn’t changed much over the years, but now users with 4.2 can use gestures when typing.

If you’re familiar with Swype, it’s basically the same thing. You swipe your finger from character to character instead of touching each one. Even though pre-installed gesture typing is supposed to only be available in 4.2, some awesome developer or developrs have managed to bring it over to devices running Ice Cream Sandwich and up.

The good news is your phone doesn’t have to be rooted (unless you have a Nexus). The potentially bad news is it won’t work on all stock Android custom ROMS, won’t work at all on stock Android builds distributed by Google, and works best on phones with a UI overlay with the stock keyboard disabled.

All you have to do is download an APK and simply install it. You can get the APK from either this mirror or this mirror. If you have a Nexus device, your phone will have to be rooted and you’ll have to flash a ZIP file via recovery. You can grab the flashable zip here or here.

If the APK doesn’t seem to work, well, you’ll know that it’s simply not meant to be. We’re not responsible for any potential issues caused by installing the APK. If you missed the new gesture feature in Android 4.2, below is a quick video showing it off:

Android OS Deemed Hotter than iOS

It’s a popularity contest, and Android is the cool kid in school. Sure, we’re biased (this is Android Headlines, after all), but we’re not the only ones who think so.

BIGinsight conducted a customer service in regard to mobile phone operating systems where consumers were asked if both Apple’s iOS and Android’s OS were “hot” or “not.” Not exactly the most scientific of all surveys, but it still came across with plenty of interesting data. (It’s important to note that consumers weren’t asked to directly compare the two OS systems but to evaluate whether both systems were “hot.” This little tidbit will help the results make more sense.)

Consumers voted Android “hot” at a slightly higher percentage in the overall category, but the numbers varied more when broken down by generation. Overall, 53% of a sample of 9,000 adults 18+ rated Android positively, and 51.4% of the same group rated Apple well.

Of the Millennials (a.k.a “Gen Y”), 64% recognized that Android was doing well, and 61.95% fell that Apple was also doing a great job. Gen X felt the strongest about Android, giving Android 58.6% approval and Apple 53.4% approval. Boomers were mostly split down the middle in regards to the OS systems, while the “Silent” generation (born before 1946) sided with Apple (46.8% compared to 41.4% for Android).

What does all of this mean? Only old people use iPhones? No, that’s not what one survey can tell us, but it does show interesting opinions by age group. Public perception places Android’s system at higher rate of popularity among younger crowds, while older generations prefer Apple.

Going forward, both sides of the OS division need to figure out why their audiences feel the way they do. If Android is more popular because of customization, then Google needs to integrate it even further. Apple may even have to make some adjustments themselves if the preference toward Android continues to grow.

The other aspect to keep in mind with this is to consider who has the most spending power. Generally, older generations have more income, and they purchase larger gifts for younger generations. But, college kids have lots of discretionary income (even if they don’t admit it), and they might be able to convince relatives to buy them Android devices instead.

Source: BIGinsight

Samsung Announce The Galaxy Premier; Finally

The Galaxy Premier

As with quite a lot of other devices, we’ve heard a lot about them before release and it seems like we all know what’s coming. This seems no more true than with the Galaxy Premier as we’ve had leaked benchmarks all the way to press images. Granted, it wasn’t as good as the leaks surrounding LG’s Nexus 4 but, we got more than enough. We’ve been hearing things surrounding the Galaxy Premier from as early as this past summer, rumors circled around the model number at first, being i9260 makes the device very close to the i9250 model number of the Galaxy Nexus, setting sparks alight of this being a successor to the Galaxy Nexus for a set of 5 phones. We didn’t see 5 phones and we didn’t see anything too similar to the Galaxy Nexus. It seems that Samsung has some stock left over from the Galaxy Nexus and can do something with it.

The Galaxy Premier is finally official and we can now confirm that it’s essentially a Galaxy Nexus dressed up as a Galaxy S III. Other than that, the device is confirmed to be packing the following specs:

• 4.65-inch screen, 720 x 1,280 Super AMOLED panel,
• Dual-core 1.5 GHz TI OMAP 4470 processor
• 8MP rear-facing camera with a 1.9MP front-facing camera
• 1GB of RAM
• Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, WiFi,
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
• 2100 mAh Battery

Okay so, maybe this is a little more than a Galaxy Nexus in fancy dress but, the concept is essentially the same, this is parts from the Galaxy Nexus put together with some new parts to make this strange device in the Galaxy S III line-up. It’s going to be available in the Ukraine soon, for roughly $680 but, that’s a straight conversion so don’t take out word for it. When it comes to it, I wonder what Samsung is doing with this device and what sort of market they’re selling it to, it’s essentially a smaller Galaxy S III but as small as the Mini, making it some strange device that is closer to the S III than the S III Mini. Samsung, I realize that you have a lot of screen stock floating around but, that doesn’t mean you have to sell devices that don’t immediately show a purpose.

Source: Engadget