Google Voice is broken in Android 4.2

We're hearing lots of rumblings about Google Voice issues with Android 4.2, starting with the early Nexus 4 review units that went out, but that could've been blamed on pre-release software. Well it seems that the final 4.2 software has the same bits that make the Google Voice app crash as well. Going to the Google Voice app, hitting the button to create a new message and attempting to add a recipient causes a complete force close of the app -- every single time.

Now, this is likely an issue in Google Voice itself, which if we had to choose would be the preferred place to find the error simply because it can be updated quickly in the Play Store. Its still unfortunate to see an update completely break one of Google's own first-party apps. Hopefully the fix is coming soon. In the meantime, if you're a heavy Google Voice user you may want to hold off on that 4.2 update for your Galaxy Nexus.

Source: Android central.com

Nexus 10 Could Revitalize Android Tablet Apps

Now that Google's Nexus 10 tablet is in the marketplace, the next big question is whether it can get the app support it needs to build broad popularity. And there is reason to think it will. Sales of Android tablets are taking off, and app developers are starting to take notice. Strength on the app side, in turn, could make Android tablets a broad-spectrum alternative to Apple's iPad.

Likewise, for the IT community at midsize firms, this could make Android tablets a more attractive option. A large consumer base strengthens the Android argument, both for reaching customers and for bring-your-own-device (BYOD) users. Even company-issued tablets could end up in the picture.

It is All About Software

Nexus tablets, both 7-inch and 10-inch versions, have been drawing some of the most positive reviews of any Android tablets. They can take it to the iPad with both processor horsepower and a high-resolution display. The lurking question about Nexus, and Android tablets in general, has been a shortage of apps that make full use of their power.

But as Casey Newton reports at CNET , this may be poised to change. For one thing, Android tablets are hitting their stride. Last quarter, for example, Apple slipped to barely over half of the tablet market, which means that Android tablets are catching up.

Google is doing its best to encourage the trend. One reason for its substantial Nexus 10 development effort, says Hugo Barra, head of Android project development, was precisely to grab the attention of the app development community.

And the developers are responding. One development shop, Squrl, previously held off on Android. But after last June's Google I/O developer conference, Squrl changed its tune. It is now actively developing Android apps. Game developers such as EA and Gameloft are also signing on. Games may not factor into the BYOD picture, but they are a powerful draw for high-end tablet buyers.

Realizing the Potential

From the perspective of IT managers at midsize firms, Android has some real advantages - at least in principle. It is free of Apple's tight control. And because it is open source it can be tweaked and configured to meet a firm's specific needs. Even security , a major Android issue, can benefit from open source flexibility.

Also, from a different angle, while IT might like Windows RT, no one knows yet whether Windows tablets will become more than a niche item.

The potential strengths of Android also depend on broad and lasting user support. Thus the IT community at midsize firms will be watching closely to see whether app developers continue to respond to Android and provide it with a rich app ecosystem.

Source

Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean Update Might Launch Soon on AT&T

It may not be Android 4.2, but an update from Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean may be rolled out this week for the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S3. This was reported by colorful tech site PopHerald , which had received a tip from an unnamed insider, apparently one close to the carrier.

That would leave Verizon Wireless customers without a Jelly Bean update for its Galaxy S3 users. Verizon has not had a very good history of rolling out updates in a timely manner, so there remains the chance of “Big Red” being one of the last, if not the last carriers to roll out Android 4.1 for the Galaxy S3.

Aside from AT&T and Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular also offer the Galaxy S3. Sprint had rolled out its Jelly Bean update some time ago, making it the first carrier to get its Galaxy S3 users upgraded to the second-newest Android platform. T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular haven’t made any announcements yet on their Jelly Bean update schedules.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is arguably best known for introducing users to Project Butter and Google Now. Google Now is the search engine giant’s “answer” to Siri, a virtual assistant of sorts that provides directions and traffic updates, among others.

Project Butter is Google’s term for the much smoother user interface interactions experienced on Android 4.1-powered devices. So far, Jelly Bean updates for the Galaxy S3 have been successfully rolled out in several markets, mostly located in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Source

Why is Android Vulnerable?

The ability for users to load software ‘off market’ opens the door for malicious applications to be distributed without the need for a vulnerability:’ says Wisniewski, meaning anyone can write an app and anyone can install anything on their Android phone. granting it permission to go wild with their personal data. Symantec reports that a maximum of 49 devices were infected with the Android.Nickispy trojan .

Google’s main defence is the Android Permissions notifier, which tells you exactly which phone features an app will be able to access once installed. The problem is, no one reads these permissions. It’s a boring list of things most of us don’t understand. How is the everyday man expected to know whether it’s right or wrong for a particular app to require access to his contacts details?

There is also the problem of software updates, which has been the bane of Android over the last year or two, as Google relentlessly releases new OS versions and the networks struggle to keep up.

“The other factor that increases the risk for Android users is the lack of patches that fix the vulnerabilities that are discovered:’ explains Wisniewski. “Even if Google fixes the flaws in the core version of Android, most carriers and phone makers lag far behind integrating the fixes, if they bother at all.”

Which all sounds very worrying, but then again it’s common practice, and advice throughout the tech world is to always update to the latest version of any software. If you have been stranded with an unsupported Android model that’s sitting on version 1.6 of the operating system, you may well be more vulnerable because the hackers have had longer to work on exploits.

Source

Samsung might be developing a Google Glass competitor, lets you control devices using your thoughts

Comic book and movie fans have probably dreamed of becoming Professor X – without the wheelchair restriction – at one point in time, if only to get a taste of the mutant leader’s ability to control people and objects with his mind.

It seems tech companies have been listening to our childhood fantasies and are developing technology that will enable us to tap into the power of our brain – albeit not at the same out-of-this-world level. But it’s a start!

Patent Bolt has spotted several Samsung patent applications that will provide ways for users to control their electronic devices by using their minds, with the help of a neural activity detector. The technology that Samsung is developing will be able to detect neural activities — such as EEG, EOG, and EMG – and translate those thoughts into actions. This makes for a hands-free operation of a computing device.

Here’s what the rest of the description says: “The electrical signals representative of the neural activity are transmitted via wired or wireless to the control unit. If a predetermined signal is sensed by a detecting device, the same EEG readings may be monitored.” Once the signal hits the system, the control unit will then perform the intended action, allowing users to “open file”, “close file”, “clicking”, “paste”, “delete”, and others.

The other patent application is for a mini projector module, one that will allow users to control on-screen cursor and objects by tracking the movement of their eyes. As explained by Patent Bolt, the mini projector “beams two LED lights into the user’s pupils and detects the backlight of the user’s pupils to track the user’s gaze that could control the cursor or objects on the display.”

And as for the kicker, the two patent applications involve the use of a Google Glass-like “head mechanism” that provides “a see-through display visual effect”. Yep, it looks like Google has itself some competition from the Korean manufacturer — that is if the “inventions” ever make it outside the testing labs.

Do you think Samsung is on to something amazing here?

Source: AndroidAuthority

Kindle Fire HD, Microsoft Surface teardowns reveal production costs for Amazon, Microsoft

Last year, IHS found that the original Kindle Fire cost Amazon around $187 to make and now they have taken on the new Kindle Fire HD to see exactly how much it Amazon pays to build one. The company redesigned the new Kindle Fire HD and IHS tore down the device to see exactly what’s inside. The results are quite interesting.

While it’s selling for only $199, IHS revealed that the components used to build this new device cost somewhere around $165. Unlike last year, LG Displays produced the new high resolution 720p display; Texas Instruments helped out with the power supply, video chips, and the new blazing fast dual-core processing chip; while Samsung, after Apple essentially stopped using them for many of their iPad/iPhone components, was able to get a deal with Amazon to supply the memory chip in the new Kindle Fire.

The end result of all these components coming together is a great tablet that many reviewers have recommended for parents and students alike. In today’s competitive market, Google and Amazon are going head to head with their tablets and, while the Nexus 7 seemingly has cheaper components, it seems safe to say that Google’s baby is outselling Amazon’s.

The same AllThingsD article mentions the Microsoft Surface’s component estimated value, as submitted by the same IHS. Unlike Google and Amazon, Microsoft is apparently not interested in creating a budget-friendly tablet, but rather, the company priced the Surface unnecessarily high to compete directly with Apple’s iPad.

IHS’ check of the Surface shows that the components that are being used to build the new tablet, when all put together, cost around $271. Now Microsoft could have easily priced their tablet at $300 or even $400 and still have had pretty good profit margins from it while, simultaneously, boosting the user base of the newly released Windows 8 OS — obviously that is not the goal.

The research firm also found that the new Microsoft Touch Cover, priced separately at $120, costs Microsoft around $16 to produce, and so they will undoubtedly enjoy the extra profit. This goes to show how much more customer-oriented the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD are in comparison to the Microsoft Surface that seems mostly profit-oriented.

Now the question comes in, which of these tablets are you going to purchase this holiday season?

Source :AndroidAuthority.om

UK Retailers Offer Google Nexus 7 32GB with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Having previously said that Asus will provide updates Jelly Bean 4.2 in the near future, this does not apply to customers in the UK. One retailer in the country of origin of the football, HMV offering a Google Nexus 7 with 32GB using Android Jelly Bean 4.2.

Unfortunately, in newspaper advertisements, HMV did not say when the tablet will be available. This is quite reasonable, because Google itself does not launch the source code Android Jelly Bean 4,2 to the public

In addition, Google also plans to launch two devices of Android Jelly Bean 4.2, the LG Nexus 4 and Samsung Nexus 10 on November 13. So, most likely the availability of tablets from HMV will be more than 13 November.

Google Nexus 7 is currently using Android Jelly Bean 4,1 itself is one of the the most wanted Android tablet on the market. Even a short time ago, Asus has cooperating with Google to build tablets revealed that they have sold nearly 1 million units in 2012.