Boost Mobile today announced the LG Venice, an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone that boasts a 4.3-inch display, 1GHz processor, and the latest user interface from LG. (U.S. Cellular sells the LG Venice as the Splendor.) Features of the Venice include a 5-megapixel main camera with 720p HD video capture and a VGA user-facing camera; LG's QuickMemo app; Wi-Fi, GPS, and stereo Bluetooth; and Corning Gorilla Glass protecting the display. The LG Venice will be available online and in Boost Mobile stores starting October 10, and other retailers by the end of the month. It will cost $219.99, and does not require a contract. Check out Boost Mobile for more details.
The long-awaited update to Ice Cream Sandwich and Sense 3.6 on the Sprint-branded HTC EVO 3D is finally here! The update weighs in at 305.76MB and bumps the software version up to 2.89.651.2, beating Sprint’s latest announcement of an August release by one day.
Here is the official changelog:
Upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)
Home screen folders
Launch Bar for commonly used apps
Improved Android Browser
Improved Camera Experience
Face Unlock
Resizable widgets
Add/Remove Panels
To check and see if the update is available for your phone, just hit Menu > Settings > System updates > HTC software update. Of course, the general warnings for root users still apply here (i.e., if you’re rooted, don’t take this update – wait for a rooted version to come along).
We knew it from the beginning that Google will launch the next version of Android OS at the Google I/O 2012, but we still didn't know the final name of it. Though Google cleared the air today when they spilled some huge jelly beans in their front lawn, literally. And it's right in front of all the other Android statues, Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and now it's time for some delicious Jelly Bean.
Hopefully, Google will rock the show this year by launching their first ever branded tablet, and also it will be the first tablet to feature Android Jelly Bean. This year Google I/O will come with so much surprises, so stay tuned with us and we will keep you up to date with every move.
And don't forget to share your thoughts about Jelly Bean in the comment below.
Those of you who picked up an HTC EVO View 4G (Sprint) or HTC Jetstream (AT&T) tablet over the last few months. These two, along with the HTC Flyer, will not be seeing an official Android 4.0 update from the manufacturer. Considering we've not run into more than a couple folks who actually own one of these three we suspect that this doesn't affect too many of you. Nevertheless, you'll have to go with some rooting and modding if you want to load Ice Cream Sandwich on your device.
Although HTC won't bring Android 4.0 to the trio, it's not to say they won't keep supporting them with updates. Should you have one of these tablets, you'll find your Honeycomb experience may get better with time.
Upgrades are not the same thing as ongoing support. Devices not being upgraded to Android 4.0 will still get software improvements, security fixes, and technical support as needed.
The T-Mobile HTC Amaze 4G has begun getting its Ice Cream Sandwich update. The push to Android 4.0 isn't going to hit everyone at the same time, so don't fret if you don't get it right this second.
Here's the full changelog:
Android version 4.0.3 / Software version 2.14.531.3710RD
Approved 5/21/2012
New Features
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Sense 3.6
System bar enhancements to easily view recent apps.
Re-sizeable widgets
Lock screen actions including pull down notifications and adjust volume while device is locked.
Data usage controls.
Face Unlock
Home screen folders
Improved battery life
Improvements
Improved text input and spell checking
Improved menu structure
Prerequisites
OTA or Manual update
Device is running Android version 2.3.4 / Software version 1.43.531.3, 1.36.531.5, or 1.36.531.6
After Motorola updated their Android 4.0 upgrade timeline, many users were left wondering why Motorola had no plans to release the new software version for select handsets that haven’t even reach the one year anniversary of their release. Motorola seemed committed to providing updates for as many handsets as possible, but now has issued a statement explaining some of their rationale behind withholding Ice Cream Sandwich from some.
Simply put, if the new version of Android doesn’t offer an improved device experience, Motorola has no plans to issue an update. Though it may not please all users, the move is probably for the best. A smartphone with hardware that can’t adequately handle new software will offer a poor user experience. It isn’t what most users want to hear, but with only so many resources available to dedicate to developing device upgrades it works out better for everyone.
Some will argue that independent developers often produce builds of new Android software that will run on older phones, but the level of performance and stability simply doesn’t meet what Motorola, the carriers, and even Google would consider a retail-ready experience.
Those with Android 4.0 phones have been left out of watching HBO Go and Max Go on the road so far. New updates to the respective mobile apps take care of that, either premium channel will now stream directly to a phone running Google's latest OS. Speed-ups and bug fixes are in the upgrades, too. Oddly, Android 4.0 tablets are yet to be supported.
HTC has been due for something equally large on the software front for a bit now, and the ICS leak for the HTC EVO 3D suggests that the device should be getting an official release relatively soon. Hopefully, anyway.
The leaked ROM shows that HTC may still have some interest in their former flagship phone for Sprint, although given the difficulties in rolling out large updates, it is possible that we won’t see an official release until after the launch of the HTC EVO 4G LTE. XDA Recognized Developer dastin1015 has posted the RUU up for users to check out and, more importantly, for developers to get their hands on it to bring even more ICS goodness to the EVO 3D.
For users attempting to flash, approach with extreme caution as it’s been pointed out by XDA Recognized Developer chad.goodman that the mount points are wrong. Luckily, that’s currently being worked out, so it’ll be available to everyone soon. Additionally, there is already some custom ROMs being made based on the RUU for both the GSM and CDMA versions of the EVO 3D. So if you’re not confident in flashing the RUU just yet, there are some custom ROM alternatives.
For additional information and download links, head over to the leaked RUU thread.
Sony is bringing it’s first Android tablet into the Ice Cream Sandwich age, announcing via the company’s blog that Android 4.0 is now making its way to the Tablet S. Sticking with a stock ICS experience, Sony gives us a rundown of what we can expect in the video below. The clamshell Tablet P should also receive Ice Cream Sandwich, but now is not its time.
If the idea of Android 4.0 on Sony’s tablet is intriguing, the Tablet S is being offered with a $50 instant rebate and free cradle through May 12th. The 16GB model starts at $349.
Google today made the GSM variant of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus available for purchase directly through the Google Play Store for $399. The device is being sold unlocked and without a carrier contract. The GSM version is compatible with the networks run by AT&T and T-Mobile USA. It is listed in a new section of the Play Store labeled "devices."
Verizon Wireless today revealed the HTC Droid Incredible 4G through its Droid Does web site. As the name implies, the Incredible 4G is an Android 4.0 smartphone that supports Verizon's LTE 4G network. The Incredible 4G runs HTC's Sense 4.0 user interface, and is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz processor with 1GB of RAM. It features a 4-inch qHD display, 8-megapixel main camera and VGA user-facing camera, Beats Audio, mobile hotspot for up to 10 devices, support for 32GB microSD cards. The HTC Droid Incredible 4G costs $299.99, but availability was not immediately announced by Verizon.
Today sees the launch of the ASUS Transformer Pad 300, ASUS' mainstream version of its Transformer Prime tablet. If you're wondering about specs, here's what you'll find under the hood.
The HTC One S for T-Mobile will be released on April 25, officially announced the carrier in a press release. Getting your hands on one will cost you $199 after a $50 mail-in rebate and requires your signature under a 2-year service agreement. The smartphone will be available in select T-Mobile retail stores across the nation, as well as at the carrier's online store.
It's still only available for Ice Cream Sandwich, but those not bound by an older OS can now download a fairly significant update to Google's Chrome for Android web browser. In addition to some added language support and broader availability, it brings with it the ability to select desktop versions of websites, save bookmarks to your home screen as a shortcut, and download files to your device, plus options to choose which apps handle certain links. As before, it remains a beta, and it's tailored to suit both Android smartphones and tablets.
Yep, anyone unhappy with the Verizon variant can now lay claim to the Now Network's version of the Galaxy Nexus, which is up for preorder now, priced at a smidgen under $200, and set to arrive next week. As an added incentive, Google Wallet dabblers will get $10 credit from the start, with an additional $40 bucks given after three weeks.
Well, after months and months of rumors and speculation, one of this year’s biggest Android handsets will be finally get its unveiling in London next month. I’m talking, of course, about the Gaxlaxy S III. Samsung has now begun distributing invites for the event, which will be held on May 3, asking the press to “come and meet the next Galaxy.”
So you've got the Sprint Nexus S 4G, and you're well aware that the official Ice Cream Sandwich update is coming. But what if you don't want to wait? The crazy cats in our Nexus S 4G forums have the manual download and install method, and it goes a little something like this:
Rename it to update.zip (Windows users careful not to get a double ".zip" extension) and place it on your mount the device, place the .zip file on your Nexus S 4G.
Shut down phone
Boot into bootloader (Volume Up+Power) then from bootloader screen choose RECOVERY (Navigate Vol Up/Down and select with Power).
From stock recovery choose to install update.zip
Sit back and relax for a few and you should boot into official Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 !
Sprint announced that it will start pushing Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to the Samsung Nexus S 4G. The update will be delivered in waves over the course of the next month. It can be downloaded over-the-air and installed without plugging in to a computer. Android 4.0 will bring a significant number of new features and tools to the Nexus S 4G. Users will be notified when their device is ready for the update.
The HTC EVO 4G LTE, Sprint’s variant of the HTC One X, was unveiled today at Sprint’s press event in New York city. Sprint’s CEO, Dan Hesse, took the stage during the press event, showing off what will be Sprint’s flagship smartphone for the summer.
The HTC EVO 4G LTE features a 4.7-inch 720p HD display, a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 8 megapixel rear camera with an f2.0 lens BSI sensor, dedicated imaging chip and HTC’s new Image Sense technology. Other specifications include a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 1 GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, NFC, LTE and a 2000 mAh battery which will keep the EVO 4G LTE up and running for over 24 hours.
"One of the new unique features found of the HTC EVO 4G LTE is HD Voice. The feature uses voice over LTE in combination with noise cancelling technology on the handset to deliver extremely clear audio calls."
From a design standpoint, the HTC EVO 4G LTE features a uni-body annodized aluminum shell similar to other HTC devices. HTC has brought back the kickstand (painted red) which is featured prominently as a design feature on the back side of the handset. The placement of the kickstand would make most people think that they would be able to use in only in landscape mode, but HTC’s engineering magicians have created a dual-directional kickstand which works in landscape and portrait more – giving user the flexability allowed by the thicker kickstand featured on the HTC Thunderbolt.
