Tag: Google Nexus

Android 4.2.2 Rolling Out For Nexus Devices

Nexus owners may have a reason to stay up tonight, as a couple of Reddit users report that Android 4.2.2 has begun rolling out to the GSM Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 7. This is a release Google was rumoured to start shipping in Brazilian Nexus 4?s over a month ago, but nothing ever came of that assertion.

The report mentions that the update is being rolled out to select devices, carrying the JDQ39 build number.

We had earlier reported that the update is expected to roll out by the mid of February, so it doesn’t really come as a surprise that Google has started seeding it out.

The update comes in at little over 46MB and considering the fairly significant size may feature plenty more under-the-hood changes. Android 4.2.2 is currently rolling out in waves and will likely hit the Nexus 4 in the following days if previous deployments are of any indication. For Galaxy Nexus owners there is an OTA Android 4.2.2 update file that can be manually downloaded and installed afterwards using ADB Sideload in the recovery.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing too exciting to report, as the update provides mainly performance and stability fixes, and allegedly fixes a bug related to streaming music over a Bluetooth connection.

It’s not surprising that the update doesn’t deliver many new features, as Google is widely expected to announce the next major release of its Android mobile operating system, which is likely to be named Android 5.0, at its Google I/O conference in May.

Via: Reddit

February 12, 2013
Google Highlights Google Now In Grammys Commercial For The Nexus 4

During the Grammys award show on Sunday night, Google aired a new commercial highlighting the Nexus 4 and its Google Now service found within Jelly Bean.

The first dedicated Nexus 4 ad was a Christmas-themed effort that went down rather quietly last month, showcasing the device’s camera. However, this new advert — details of which were revealed on Google+ by Vic Gundotra, who heads up development of Google’s social network — is its first big-time US ad spot for the (Android 4.2) Jelly Bean-powered device and the focus is interesting.

Rather than going into detail on the handset itself, which is built by LG, the advertisement highlights the features of Google Now, showcasing a number of ways it can be used via examples from across the world. In the extended 60-second version of the video, below, Google Now is used to check the weather, plan and carry out a trip, locate a restaurant, perform a translation on the go, and video chat through a Hangout.

Indeed, Google Now aims to make your life a little less challenging while you pursue your goals. It is a good thing that Google Now works on multiple devices, otherwise you would still be facing the supreme challenge of finding a Nexus 4.

Apart from its aggressive web campaign for the Nexus 4 and Google Now, the company hasn’t exactly highlighted the features to the masses via television campaigns. Now that Google’s Nexus 4 stock looks to be steadying, it’s ramping up that arena.

Still nothing for the Indian market yet! Disappointing!

February 11, 2013
Report : Android 4.2.2 Update Coming Later This Month

As we wait for the next big version of Android to appear — Key Lime Pie is rumoured to debut at Google I/O in May — Google hasn’t slowed down its sprucing and pruning of the current version.

According to a recent article on ibtimes.com, Google might be set to make the new platform version available by mid-February, after concluding internal testing for it.

The story goes that Google has been having employees test the 4.2.2 update on all of the Nexus devices – Galaxy, 4, 7, and 10 – and that the update is close to being released. There isn’t a lot to the update, which is expected to be very minimal. The only major issue that is expected to be fixed is the “stuttering” audio issue when using a Bluetooth headset with the Nexus 7.

Multiple reports and videos have surfaced showing at least the latest LG Nexus 4 running 4.2.2 Jelly Bean for a select few. Google hasn’t pushed 4.2.2 to AOSP and it hasn’t been confirmed, but either way it’s coming soon.

News of this forthcoming version of Jelly Bean comes not long after Google updated the Android version share page. According to the data, Jelly Bean–both versions 4.1 and 4.2–has grown by 3.2 per cent since last month. This new update will probably see more Jelly Bean devices being activated, giving a firm foothold to Jelly Bean before the next version of Android is released.

[Android Community]

February 7, 2013
LG Denies New Nexus Phone After Rumours Surface

Getting hold of an LG Nexus 4 through Google’s official device store hasn’t been an easy task. It’s been two months since release day, and throughout most of that time the device has been either sold out or on back-order. It’s safe to say that the Google Play buying experience has been less than ideal for many.

Last week, some sites reported on a new rumour out of the LG camp. It was a thin rumour with little evidence to back it up, but it went like this: LG is not having trouble producing Nexus 4?s, but is rather ramping down production in order to replace it with a new Nexus phone, likely a Nexus 5, in time for Mobile World Congress.

There are some shaky rumours out there — heck, even we report on some from time to time — but this one was just ridiculous. The truth is out there, folks, and that story contained none of it. Instead, it looks like LG is producing Nexus 4?s as fast as it can make them, and there are other reasons why they’re not getting into users’ hands. And it’s pretty simple. LG has said that the rumors about the company working on a new Nexus device are “unfounded”.

[quote]LG is cranking out Nexus 4?s as quickly as it can make them; according to a company representative, there is nothing fishy going on. “There is no problem [with] supply,” he said, indicating the company’s Pyeongtaek factory is producing the device “without a hitch.” We should see more stock in the Play Store soon — that sales channel isn’t going anywhere, and will still be the preferred method for most people — but it will also expand into new areas.[/quote]

Yes, it’s frustrating that you can’t buy one today in India, and likely won’t be able to in the coming future.

[Android Central]

January 15, 2013
5 Million Google Nexus 7 Units Expected To Be Shipped In 2012

David Chang, ASUS’ CFO, stated last month that shipments of the Nexus 7 were initially slow, popping in around “500K units a month, then maybe 600, 700K.” He then declared October was a breakout month with shipments getting “close to one million.”

With the recent release of the 32GB Nexus 7 and 32GB 3G version you can expect interest to peak, especially at their low-cost price points. News today from an overseas report in DigiTimes claims that their supply chain sources believe that Nexus 7 shipments – all models – will reach 5 million units by year end. That’s not to hard to imagine as the above numbers total 2.8 million, so another 2.2 million in the next couple months is certainly possible.

It’s no secret that a lot of the tablet’s success is down to it’s brilliant pricing. For what you get with the Nexus 7, it’s incredible value for money and a price that no other Android tablet has yet matched. At it’s current pricing, you can get the Nexus 7 with 16GB of storage for $199 and the 32GB model for $249. As of last week there’s the addition of the 32GB Nexus 7 with 3G connectivity for $299, which is pretty cheap for a tablet of its specs with 3G, often the premium for 3G is a lot higher on tablets.

The tablet comes with 7-inch IPS display screen with a 1280×800 resolution and is powered by 1.3GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 processor. Other features of the tablet include 1GB RAM, 1.2-megapixel front camera and 4325mAh battery.

November 20, 2012
Nexus 10 Tablet Now Sold Out on Google Play Store

November 13th saw the official release of the Samsung Nexus 10, at least for those lucky enough to actually order one before stock dried up. Within hours, almost every market was sold out of the Nexus 10, but the United States still managed to keep enough 16GB models in stock it seems. Until today, that is. The 16GB and the 32GB version of the Samsung Nexus 10 are now “sold out” in the Play Store.

The last things you can buy now are the 16 and 32GB Nexus 7, and the new $199 Acer Chromebook. Everything else in the Google hardware department is sold out. Hopefully Google can get things back in order and get devices shipping again soon.

Earlier this week, the Nexus 4 smartphone was sol out and some of those who ordered the smartphone received an email on Thursday, telling them that the device is on backorder and could ship sometime in the next 3 weeks.

Good times for Google!

November 16, 2012
Google Nexus 4 Sold Out Within An Hour At US Google Play Store

Google’s newest smartphone, the Nexus 4 from LG, sold out within its first hour in the U.S. The unlocked phone was only available through Google’s online Play store.

The Nexus 4 costs $299 for the 8 GB model and $349 for the 16 GB model. Google now prompts you to input your email address in order to get updates on when the phone will be available again.

The price is right too. At $299, the Nexus 4 costs about half as much as an unlocked iPhone.

It’s unclear how many phones Google had to sell, but it surely didn’t expect this kind of demand.

[quote]”There’s been so much interest for the Nexus lineup that we’ve sold out of some of our initial stock in a few countries,” the Nexus team said in a post at Google+ social network.[/quote]

“We are working hard to add more Nexus devices to Google Play in the coming weeks to keep up with the high demand.” At a starting price of $299 for smartphones not bound to particular carriers, and therefore unsubsidized by telecom companies, Nexus 4 models were deemed a bargain at half the price of similarly “unlocked” iPhones from Apple.

“Nexus 4 is the new smartphone from Google,” the Play store page said. “With cutting edge hardware, the latest version of Android, and the best Google apps – Nexus 4 puts the world’s information at your fingertips.”

November 14, 2012
Google Nexus 7 Goes on Sale in India for 19,990 Starting Today

The Google Nexus 7 Tablet will go on sale today in India. Tablet maker Asus confirmed that sale of the tablet would begin today, with an entry level Nexus 7 with 16GB storage priced at Rs 19,990. The Nexus 7 available in India is not the new Android 4.2 variant recently announced but the original Jelly Bean version launched early this year.

The Nexus 7 has a 7-inch screen with IPS (in-plane switching) screen with a resolution of 1,280×800 pixels. The Nexus 7 has a 1.3GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core CPU, which includes a 12-core GPU. It also has a Micro-USB port, 1GB of RAM, and a 1.2-megapixel front camera . The Nexus 7 has been touted as one of the best 7 inch tablets and only stand in competition to Kindle Fire HD and the likes.

The Nexus 7 also has a more enhanced display according to display tech expert display mate. The Rs 19,999 price is for the Nexus 7 with 16GB storage. The same model sells in the US for $199. Until a few weeks ago, this model used to cost $249 while the one with 8GB storage was sold for $199. But on October 29, Google discontinued the 8GB version of Nexus 7. It reduced the price on 16GB model and introduced a new model with 32GB storage. It also launched the 3G version of Nexus 7 with 32GB storage.

November 8, 2012
Asus : Nexus 7 Sales Approach 1 Million Per Month

Sales of Google and Asustek’s Nexus 7 tablet have steadily increased since its launch, and are now near 1 million units per month.

Asustek Chief Financial Officer David Chang told The Wall Street Journal that Nexus 7 sales have grown from a start of about 500,000 units in the first month. In the latest month of sales, the number was “close to 1 million.”

[quote]David Chang said , “At the beginning, it was, for instance, 500K units a month, then maybe 600, 700K. This latest month, it was close to 1 million.”[/quote]

Even though Apple sold some 14 million iPad for this quarter, 3 million devices for the quarter is a pretty big number for Google’s tiny tablet. Asus also showed a 43 percent jump in net profits — $230 million compared to $160 million last year, says the report.

The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire face stiff competition from Apple’s new 7.9-inch iPad mini, which will go on sale this Friday. The iPad mini has a starting price of $329, which places it at a premium over the $199 entry price of the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7.

Late Monday, Google also released an upgraded version of the Nexus 7. The $199 version now has 16GB space while there’s another 32GB version with 3G for $299. Wi-Fi only 32GB Nexus 7 will cost $249.

The original 8GB Nexus 7 has been discontinued. The new version runs pure Google Android OS version 4.2 aka Jelly Bean.

October 31, 2012
Evleaks Nexus 4 Render Shows New Homescreen

Over the weekend, yet another Nexus 4 leak emerged. This time, @evleaks showed off what is ostensibly going to be the new home screen of Android 4.2. While the overall look remains the same — some think this will still be called Jelly Bean — it shows off something very interesting.

On all other Nexus devices, Google has put four icons on the bottom dock in order of importance. Phone, then Contacts, then Messaging, then Browser. In Android 4.1, the Browser icon became Chrome for Android, but the order was the same. These are icons that stay with you regardless of what home page you’re on; these are the ones you’re likely tapping the most.

If the above render is accurate, Google has changed up this order for the first time since the Nexus One in 2010. On the left-most side now is Chrome, emphasizing the fantastic browsing abilities of the new device. Then we have Gmail, which was previously relegated to the Google folder. After that, another new icon in the dock: Camera. While the Galaxy Nexus didn’t have a great camera sensor, Google reworked the camera UI to make taking photos much enjoyable.

Lastly, we see the Phone icon, which still remains an important part of the show, but less so than ever. Judging from the informal surveys I’ve taken of smartphone users over the years, voice calls are decreasing in importance as users transition to text-based forms of communication. Data — and therefore browsing — have become paramount in the eyes of the average Android user. Email, too, has maintained its importance, and Android 4.2 is expected to improve the experience dramatically with a new Gmail app.

Now, this render could be totally bunk, or it could be that I’m reading way too much into this. But if it turns out to be true, Google is certainly making a statement about what it thinks is the future of smartphone usage. Or, it could just be a big, fat arbitrary coincidence.

October 29, 2012
Google Event Cancelled Due To Hurricane Sandy

It must be a rude shock for many but Google’s Nexus 4, Nexus 10 and Android 4.2 release event in New York has been cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy

Android and Google fans must be feeling very disappointed. They were all expecting several new Google products and an improved version of Nexus 7. But there seems to be disappointment in store as Google has reportedly cancelled its media event in New York slated for October 29. Besides the hardware, Google was expected to introduce Android 4.2 during the much publicized event.

But alas, like everything under attack in New York thanks to Hurricane Sandy, Google was forced to cancel the event. The company hasn’t yet announced the new dates for the launch event. But insiders suggest that as there is no problem with either hardware or software updates the rescheduled even should be held within a short period of time.

“We are canceling our Monday morning event in New York due to Hurricane Sandy. We will let you know our plans as soon as we know more,” Google said.

Google’s event was planned to compete with Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 event taking place in San Francisco the same day.

Android chief Andy Rubin is still expected to speak at the All Things D “Dive Into Mobile” conference in New York City on Monday afternoon.

October 28, 2012
Nexus 10 Captured On Video!

What we have here is a brief 5 second video of the upcoming Google Nexus 10 by Samsung, courtesy of BriefMobile who recently leaked images of the the device. The launch date for the 10.1-inch tablet is unknown, but we should be hearing specific details in the coming days. The specs included are a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, runs Android OS 4.2 Jelly Bean and sports a 5MP camera – you can check out the full specs here. In the meantime, brace yourself for the 5 seconds… it goes fast. Video below.

October 28, 2012
More Light Shed On The Nexus 10 As Images And Specs Leaked

Come Monday and Google is expected to unveil multiple Nexus devices that will be released this fall including a Nexus 10 tablet, which has surfaced online recently.

There have been less number of rumors regarding the Nexus 10 tablet as compared to the LG Nexus 4 or other Nexus devices. The first images of the rumored Nexus 10 tablet leaked on Friday

The tablet is 10.1-inches and sports a Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 (298.9PPI), runs Android OS 4.2 Jelly Bean (not Key Lime Pie), and has a 1.7GHz dual-core Samsung Exynos 5250 processor. Other notable specs have the Nexus 10 coming with NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, 16GB of internal storage, 2gigs of RAM, plus dual stereo speakers. The display looks like a fingerprint magnet, or somebody really has greasy fingers. The back is reportedly brushed aluminum with “rubber coated edges.”

In addition, as suspected by the picture captured this morning, the rear-facing camera is a 5MP shooter, but no word on what the front-facing camera is. Apparently the camera features in OS 4.2 have been improved, now bringing a new slide-to-activate menu and a redesigned camera icon. Finally, as previous leaks suggested, OS 4.2 will bring the ability to have multiple user accounts.

October 27, 2012
Leaked : Samsung Nexus 10 Quick Start Guide

If you needed any more proof that the Nexus 10 is coming next week, here it is. The Samsung Nexus 10’s quick start guide has leaked online, courtesy of Korean site Seeko.

The photos show the name “Nexus 10” on the cover of the guide, and inside it are basic images of a tablet with both Samsung and Nexus branding. The outlines show that the Nexus 10 has a camera and notification LED on its face and a second camera with a flash on its rear. On the left side is a 3.5mm headphone jack and microUSB port, and over on the right side is a microHDMI port, and speakers are on either side of the display. The power/lock button looks to be on the top of the device along with a volume key.

There are no specs confirmed for the tablet but, from we’ve been hearing this could well become the Samsung tablet that packs a wonderful 2560×1600 display and a quad-core Exynos 5250 with Android 4.2, which would make for a compelling tablet, Android or otherwise.

The Nexus 10 name popped up on our radar last week when it appeared in the EXIF data of a photo posted to Picasa.. This purported manual doesn’t confirm or debunk any of those details, but it does give us a peek at what the (basic) design of the Nexus 10 will be like, which appears to be similar to the Galaxy Note 10.1 with the speakers on its face and a panel around the rear camera.

While none of this is official until Google makes it so, the company’s Android event is just a few days away, so it may not be long before we get to see the Nexus 10 in real life. Are you interested in a 10-inch Nexus tablet from Google and Samsung?

All will be revealed on Monday!

October 25, 2012
Whoops! 32GB Nexus 7 Tablet Accidentally Shipped!

The ASUS Google Nexus 7 is a very popular, keenly priced Android tablet. If you want to buy one you currently have only two choices; a version with 8GB of storage and a version with 16GB of storage. Since there is no SD card expansion available in these machines many users opt for the 16GB version, for obvious reasons. A Japanese customer who had made the prudent decision to go for more storage was in for a rather pleasant surprise!

The Japanese customer got twice the value he paid for when he received an as-yet unannounced 32GB Nexus 7 tablet!

It’s unclear how this may have happened, but if it’s true then Google won’t be able to deny the 32GB Nexus 7’s existence for much longer.

The 32GB Nexus 7 reportedly arrived in the packaging of a 16GB model, but the device itself shows more than 26GB of free space in its settings. It seems the person in charge of jamming these Nexus 7 tablets into their boxes may have pulled one from the wrong pile.

Then again, this could simply be a hoax.

October 10, 2012