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[gcubed]

gcubed, will Coco ever be back? Or is he gone for good?

Its not a perma - I think someone talked to him on G+ last week and he said he'd be back. He needs to not forget his meds.

 

[SimleuqiR]

Oh-oh spaghettios!

Google's Plans For Motorola Revealed!
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-...-to-do-with-motorola-attack-the-iphone-2012-4

But here's the truth, according to a person briefed on Google's plans for the merger: while Google may have originally wanted to buy Motorola for its patents only, it has come to realize that it wants to follow Apple's lead when it comes to smartphone and tablet computer development. A second source, also briefed on Google's plans for Motorola, confirms this is true.

(Both sources declined to comment because each would like to continue being briefed by Google on its plans.)

Google now wants to design smartphone hardware, software, and make the sale.

Not that this should change how they release the OS, but they should let the top tier OEMs get access to the code much earlier.

It goes on:

To be clear: Google's ambition is not another Nexus One, a third-party manufactured smartphone it helped design from the ground-up in an effort to show all that Android could do. Google wants to do more. It wants to have its own iPhone business.

Like I said before, the Nexus line should be Google's baby. I mean why wouldn't you want to make your own hardware after you have hired everyone that mattered at Danger?

 

[Bboy AJ]

Needs its own thread.

 

[SimleuqiR]

Needs its own thread.

You welcome to post it.

 

[JCX]

I'm excited to see what Google does with it. I doubt that carriers want another iPhone situation in terms of not being able to load up their crappy bloatware on phones.

 

[Outsanity]

You can't resize the stock google widgets. Samsung kinda shit the bed with some of the ICS features and touchwiz 4. They even left out the cool drag and drop ICS folders. I would suggest Apex Launcher or Nova Launcher if your really bothered by this.

Wow, that kind of sucks but thanks. They're pretty nice too - exactly what I was looking for in fact. I don't know if you're familiar with them but is there anyway to get the stock SGSII clock to sit in the correct place at the top of the screen as it would do without the launcher being active as opposed to about half a centimetre down? (The same gap appears on both of the launchers and looks strange). Besides that I think I could definitely start using these. Are the pro versions worth it?

 

[SimleuqiR]

I'm excited to see what Google does with it. I doubt that carriers want another iPhone situation in terms of not being able to load up their crappy bloatware on phones.

Google will still have to play nice with carriers; sell the phones at a loss or very small margin (unlike Apple who makes so much money off their hardware). Google still does not have the mindset or brand following Apple has. Not sure if they will ever get there.

They are going to have to work at it (marketing, etc). They are not Apple, people won't just flock to it just cause it has the name "Google" slapped on to it.

 

[gcubed]

the way that android is going (people using it how it was intended, making their own builds to sell, not necessarily Google compatible) this makes more and more sense. Although its going to be a rocky road to walk down with Samsung and HTC.

 

[Pctx]

the way that android is going (people using it how it was intended, making their own builds to sell, not necessarily Google compatible) this makes more and more sense. Although its going to be a rocky road to walk down with Samsung and HTC.

If Samsung simply goes the AOKP road with their builds, then I think they'll be fine.

I can see other OEM's being pissed about this though as this generally will create tiers of partners. Google I think is playing their cards right as depending on Carriers for updates (even security patches for exposed flaws) in this day and age is not feasible any more.

 

[gcubed]

If Samsung simply goes the AOKP road with their builds, then I think they'll be fine.

I can see other OEM's being pissed about this though as this generally will create tiers of partners. Google I think is playing their cards right as depending on Carriers for updates (even security patches for exposed flaws) in this day and age is not feasible any more.

i agree ultimately it is the right decision. Having multiple markets, multiple builds, etc has turned it into a rough road. If this is true i'm pretty sure Amazon had a lot to do with it.

While being the "right" decision, i'm not sure if its a "good" decision.

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

HTC have released an ota update for the One X, apparently it "it addresses a few issues with the battery, the automatic brightness levels and the on-screen menu key in some apps"

golfclap

 

[DrFunk]

At&t One X is due to land on May 6: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/atandt-confirms-htc-one-x-to-land-may-6th/#continued

S4 + LTE is kinda hot

edit: for $199. hmmm

 

[DMeisterJ]

Glad the One X is coming soon. I really wish we'd hear more about the Xperia Ion, since I like how that phone looks as well.

 

[Circle T]

At&t One X is due to land on May 6: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/atandt-confirms-htc-one-x-to-land-may-6th/#continued

S4 + LTE is kinda hot

edit: for $199. hmmm

So, May 6 it is. Going to pull whatever strings I can to try and get one for my work device.

Glad the One X is coming soon. I really wish we'd hear more about the Xperia Ion, since I like how that phone looks as well.

Yea, wtf is up with that?? The Ion and Skyrocket HD have basically vanished since their unveiling. It would be nice to hear what is up with them.

 

[thespot84]

HTC Desire S comes to mind (HTC Droid Incredible in US) and maybe the Xperia Neo?
Galaxy Ace has a 3.5 display and i almost forgot the new HTC One V.

the Galaxy nexus has a fantastic DAC, I'd look at that. Plus the Ice Cream Sandwich EQ in google music is pretty rad too.

 

[besiktas1]

Who else here has the One X. Happy with it? At the moment there really isn't anything I can think of to fault mine...

 

[JWong]

Since I have an imgur window open, I'll compare some pics between the Note, One X, Xperia S, and Titan II and let you guys decide. All taken at 8 mp (9 for the Xperia S):

Xperia S:
http://i.imgur.com/mE5MY.jpg

Galaxy Note:
http://i.imgur.com/D6HYb.jpg

One X:
http://i.imgur.com/nEgqm.jpg

Titan II:
http://i.imgur.com/6H2Yy.jpg

It's really debatable as to which one takes better pics. Can't seem to go wrong with any of them

Xperia S is the best.

 

[Good Job Bob]

At&t One X is due to land on May 6: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/atandt-confirms-htc-one-x-to-land-may-6th/#continued

S4 + LTE is kinda hot

edit: for $199. hmmm

So the S4 > Tegra 3, right?

 

[Circle T]

So the S4 > Tegra 3, right?

On a related note to this, at what point will we hit that "They're both more than capable" stage?

I mean, I'm all for more power, but if it doesn't give me any legitimate appreciable gains in usability, and only detracts from battery life, that doesn't help much. I mean, my Note with stock ICS runs fantastically with it's dual-core 1.4 Exynos. Would quad-core or 2.0ghz dual-core REALLY improve things that much? I tend to think not, but who knows.

I guess that doesn't sell hardware, though, huh? Gotta have those bigger and better bullet points on the spec sheet.

 

[BootlegSnackz]

On a related note to this, at what point will we hit that "They're both more than capable" stage?

I mean, I'm all for more power, but if it doesn't give me any legitimate appreciable gains in usability, and only detracts from battery life, that doesn't help much. I mean, my Note with stock ICS runs fantastically with it's dual-core 1.4 Exynos. Would quad-core or 2.0ghz dual-core REALLY improve things that much? I tend to think not, but who knows.

I guess that doesn't sell hardware, though, huh? Gotta have those bigger and better bullet points on the spec sheet.

Yeah but now people are looking for higher mah batteries to go along the rest of the higher spec numbers. Rumored Razr HD may be headed to AT&T as the ATRIX 3. Also rumored to have a Maxx battery.

 

[Coen]

Got myself a HTC One X to replace my old Desire. Best phone Ive ever owned and tbh, if it weren't for the lack of internal memory, I probably wouldn't have replaced it any time soon. Hopefully, the One X can live up to its name.

 

[Circle T]

Yeah but now people are looking for higher mah batteries to go along the rest of the higher spec numbers. Rumored Razr HD may be headed to AT&T as the ATRIX 3. Also rumored to have a Maxx battery.

Exactly. I, personally, would love to see much more effort go into greatly improving materials, cameras, screens, battery capacity, etc, rather than just cramming more, faster cores on the things. That's not to say that those other things aren't improving, but I would much rather have a higher quality phone than a better benchmarking phone.

 

[gcubed]

Exactly. I, personally, would love to see much more effort go into greatly improving materials, cameras, screens, battery capacity, etc, rather than just cramming more, faster cores on the things. That's not to say that those other things aren't improving, but I would much rather have a higher quality phone than a better benchmarking phone.

Well, dropping to 28nm is also a power improvement. So, it all comes at the same time.

 

[Donos]

the Galaxy nexus has a fantastic DAC, I'd look at that. Plus the Ice Cream Sandwich EQ in google music is pretty rad too.

Got the impression that he don't wanted a 500€ high end phone and instead a solid middle class 3.7" one.

 

[Cipherr]

Needs its own thread.

That needs its own thread? Its not even an official confirmation. There was just an article 1 week ago on the WSJ saying that Google was to sell Motorolas handset business to Huwaei. C'mon now, folks are clearly just speculating and throwing these articles out there based on what they think is going to happen. The title of that article reads like a confirmation, and it is anything but.

 

[mkenyon]

On a related note to this, at what point will we hit that "They're both more than capable" stage?

I mean, I'm all for more power, but if it doesn't give me any legitimate appreciable gains in usability, and only detracts from battery life, that doesn't help much. I mean, my Note with stock ICS runs fantastically with it's dual-core 1.4 Exynos. Would quad-core or 2.0ghz dual-core REALLY improve things that much? I tend to think not, but who knows.

I guess that doesn't sell hardware, though, huh? Gotta have those bigger and better bullet points on the spec sheet.

Is the Exynos/International a much better performer than the AT&T Note? If so, might return this and grab an off-contract one. Basically, is it worth the $350 (paid $199 for mine)?

 

[Threi]

On a related note to this, at what point will we hit that "They're both more than capable" stage?

I mean, I'm all for more power, but if it doesn't give me any legitimate appreciable gains in usability, and only detracts from battery life, that doesn't help much. I mean, my Note with stock ICS runs fantastically with it's dual-core 1.4 Exynos. Would quad-core or 2.0ghz dual-core REALLY improve things that much? I tend to think not, but who knows.

99% of things available on android right now (including ICS) can be done on a single-core 1.0GHz phone.

...but that doesn't bring in the bank for manufacturers and carriers.

 

[DrFunk]

Is the Exynos/International a much better performer than the AT&T Note? If so, might return this and grab an off-contract one. Basically, is it worth the $350 (paid $199 for mine)?

...Kinda? It's not so much that it'll detract from the experience of the S3 Note. In all honesty, you barely notice the difference between the two.

99% of things available on android right now (including ICS) can be done on a single-core 1.0GHz phone.

...but that doesn't bring in the bank for manufacturers and carriers.

but threi, we really, really need quad cores to send text messages

 

[Circle T]

Is the Exynos/International a much better performer than the AT&T Note? If so, might return this and grab an off-contract one. Basically, is it worth the $350 (paid $199 for mine)?

Well, sort of like I was saying in that post. If all you look at is benchmarks, yes, the Exynos is pretty boss. But, for just normal day-to-day usage, they are both fine. I have the same chipset in my Skyrocket as your Note, and it is fine. I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you.

 

[zedge]

Wow, that kind of sucks but thanks. They're pretty nice too - exactly what I was looking for in fact. I don't know if you're familiar with them but is there anyway to get the stock SGSII clock to sit in the correct place at the top of the screen as it would do without the launcher being active as opposed to about half a centimetre down? (The same gap appears on both of the launchers and looks strange). Besides that I think I could definitely start using these. Are the pro versions worth it?

Check in the launcher settings, I think you can adjust the grid layout which may fix the clock. Not sure if paid nova is worth it. Apex is free and does what tje paid nova does for the most part.

 

[mkenyon]

Well, sort of like I was saying in that post. If all you look at is benchmarks, yes, the Exynos is pretty boss. But, for just normal day-to-day usage, they are both fine. I have the same chipset in my Skyrocket as your Note, and it is fine. I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you.

Would like this guy to be a 'two year' phone. The difference in 'acceptable' performance from when I first got the G2X and just a few weeks ago was pretty astonishing to me. Thinking more about the future and having a

Spoiler

mini tablet that can makes calls

phone that will be able to keep up with the times.

 

[Circle T]

Would like this guy to be a 'two year' phone. The difference in 'acceptable' performance from when I first got the G2X and just a few weeks ago was pretty astonishing to me. Thinking more about the future and having a

Spoiler

mini tablet that can makes calls

phone that will be able to keep up with the times.

Well, we're talking about a pretty fast phone compared to an ever so slightly faster phone. Both will still feel fairly aged in 2 years. My old Captivate, like all the Galaxy S based phones, were pretty much top of the heap back in mid-late 2010. But now, even your basic free or $49 phones these days are faster than it. I don't think a change would be worth the ~$350 upgrade, nor do I think it would be that beneficial down the road. Enjoy what you have now.

 

[Cipherr]

but threi, we really, really need quad cores to send text messages

/shrug. We use these things for more than phone calls and texts now. You all know that. We are just scratching the surface right now. Real multitasking and probably window based multitasking and the like are places these things are going to go eventually. I think they are very likely to follow alot of the things desktop OS's can do. And there will be a need for processing ability to do those things at a respectable performance level.

We are a long ways away from 'its good enough' unless you expect these companies to just stop advancing these operating systems.

 

[tino]

If the International Note gets ATT 3g then its a much better device than the ATT Note. However you can flash to ATT Note to run on TMobile with 3g working.

 

[Circle T]

If the International Note gets ATT 3g then its a much better device than the ATT Note. However you can flash to ATT Note to run on TMobile with 3g working.

Even better. It gets AT&T 4G!!!

Spoiler

lol, marketing

 

[tino]

Even better. It gets AT&T 4G!!!

Spoiler

lol, marketing

Oh you meant the "AT&T Pho g" lol.

 

[DrFunk]

So, more "pics" have surfaced of the GSIII:

Our beloved Portuguese-speaking brethren at Gizmodo Brazil scored exclusive photos of what could be the Samsung Galaxy S III, which is due for a formal launch on May 3. If this is it, it does seems to be an incremental update rather than a major overhaul.

According to Gizmodo Brazil's source, the alleged-S III is thinner, yet heavier, with a 12 MP camera. Here's a look at its front and back sides:

Quite frankly, the photos leave something to be desired. (Taken with an iPad? For real?) And acording to Gizmodo Brazil the serial number (Samsung GT-I9300) matches up with what GSMArena said would be the Galaxy M. Having said that, their source is quite confident that this is the S III, and it does look pretty similar to the press shot that GSM Helpdesk Netherlands scored last month.

from

Spoiler

gizmodo

 

[Circle T]

So, more "pics" have surfaced of the GSIII:

{pics}

from

Spoiler

gizmodo

I'll preface this with If these are real....

Good to see the power and volume buttons are in the correct place, but I am NOT liking how the Back and Multitask buttons are reversed from the Nexus and stock ICS on-screen buttons. Why the FUCK can't Google and all the Android manufacturers just decide on a permanent button arrangement. Really annoying.

 

[gcubed]

Wipe the damn phone off you greasy fuck

 

[Bboy AJ]

I'll preface this with If these are real....

Good to see the power and volume buttons are in the correct place, but I am NOT liking how the Back and Multitask buttons are reversed from the Nexus and stock ICS on-screen buttons. Why the FUCK can't Google and all the Android manufacturers just decide on a permanent button arrangement. Really annoying.

I don't even see those on screen buttons in those pictures. Anyway, a ROM will fix the arrangement right up. Annoying but fixable.

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

With all the mobile devices that we carry around these days, and their 5mp/8mp/12mp cameras with flash, and we always seem to end up with blurry, grainy and semi out-of-shot photos. It's not like the photographer can claim he was trying to be inconspicuous, he had an ipad in his hands!

Mobile Phones the new Bigfoot/UFO confirmed.


edit: If real, I hope that isn't a shiny plastic back. Stop cheaping out and give us a premium finish.

 

[Circle T]

I don't even see those on screen buttons in those pictures. Anyway, a ROM will fix the arrangement right up. Annoying but fixable.

Not on-screen, they appear to be physical capacitive buttons. To the left and right of the home button. If you look close, you can make out the Back on the right, and Multitask on the left, which is opposite of how stock ICS displays them.

*Edit* - Quick MSPaint to show what I'm seeing for buttons....

There is also some inception shit going on. I see a phone in a phone

Yea, that doesn't look good. The square frame of the phone mixed with the round corners of the glass really clash.

 

[gcubed]

There is also some inception shit going on. I see a phone in a phone

 

[Cipherr]

Not on-screen, they appear to be physical capacitive buttons. To the left and right of the home button. If you look close, you can make out the Back on the right, and Multitask on the left, which is opposite of how stock ICS displays them.

*Edit* - Quick MSPaint to show what I'm seeing for buttons....

I dont think those are buttons at all friend.

 

[JonathanEx]

HTC have released an ota update for the One X, apparently it "it addresses a few issues with the battery, the automatic brightness levels and the on-screen menu key in some apps"

golfclap

(checks One S for updates).

No love for me.

 

[Circle T]

I dont think those are buttons at all friend.

Well then, if those two things, that just happen to be spaced equidistant from the home button, and shaped quite similarly to Android function buttons... If they aren't buttons, then we're cool. If, however, they ARE the buttons that I suspect they are, and arranged like it appears to me they are, I'm bummed.

*Edit* - I don't have my Note in front of me, but it just dawned on me that those (alleged) buttons are in the same place they are on the International GS & GSII and the Note. So, I guess there would be some consistency there. It's just switched from the way ICS would display them if they aren't present. That is what threw me off. Carry on Samsung.

 

[Ashhong]

There is also some inception shit going on. I see a phone in a phone

Reminds me of the HTC One X to a point. The One doesn't clash quite as much, but the bezel around the screen seems to clash.

I dont think those are buttons at all friend.

I see the buttons too.

 

[Divvy]

So apparently that leak is just a test box

The Verge has learned from a source familiar with Samsung's plans that the latest images claiming to be of the long-rumored Galaxy S III — first posted by Gizmodo Brasil — are not correct. They are on the right track, though: Samsung is using what are described as "generic test boxes" to put the next Galaxy model's internals through quality checks, presumably to allow employees to use the phones off of company premises without being spotted. We're being told that Gizmodo's images are of one of those dummy boxes. "That's not even close to the final design," we're told. "No leaks of the final design have been accurate."

"NO LEAKS OF THE FINAL DESIGN HAVE BEEN ACCURATE."

Our source tells us that security surrounding the preparation and launch of the Galaxy S III is tighter than it has ever been for any product in the company's history. Indeed, the sheer number of supposed leaks over the past few months — many of which have proven to be completely bogus — speaks volumes about the buzz surrounding this handset, and Samsung is clearly looking to capitalize on the hype in every way that it can. Security is so tight, in fact, that our source can't even confirm the Galaxy S III name: Samsung is only using the phrase "next Galaxy" on its invites for the May 3rd event in London, so there aren't any official hints apart from the obvious one that the Galaxy brand will continue.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/18/2958501/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-leak-not-accurate-name-still-unconfirmed-security

 

[rozay]

My old Walkman phone finally died on me, I'm thinking about getting a 3,7~ inch Android - any recommendations?

Primary functions: Phone (yup), Maps, Music

How about the original Galaxy S?

It's slightly old now and doesn't have any fancy dual core processors but it still performs well (and better than new low end android phones that cost a similar price right now) and it has really good sound quality if that's important to you.

I dont think those are buttons at all friend.

those are samsung's menu and back buttons, compare them with any of their recent phones lol

 

[panda21]

anyone tried a recent MIUI ICS on the SGS2? i tried it a while back and it was pretty buggy, just wondering if it has improved any.

also is there any way to turn off the stupid coloured backgrounds on the 3rd party icons in MIUI? I hate the ugly green square background it gives my chrome icon