Friday, February 17, 2012
Android 4.0 ROM for Samsung Galaxy Note Leaked, not all models supported
We’ve known for some time that Samsung intended to upgrade its gigantic flagship to Ice Cream Sandwich, and it looks like work is well under way to do so. A new alpha ICS ROM for the Galaxy Note has been posted to XDA Developers, and it looks like it’s an official Samsung release (complete with TouchWiz). The ROM was spotted on a Chinese forum. Don’t boot up your recoveries just yet, Note users: this software only works with the I9220 model number, and it’s localized for the Chinese market. The standard international GSM version, and presumably AT&T’s version set to go on sale on Sunday, are not supported. Flashing to these devices may brick them.
The ICS build itself is in the very early stages. Early users are reporting decent but not fantastic performance, and certainly not up to par with the Galaxy Note’s Gingerbread software. The file is huge, about three to four times the size of a standard ROM, presumably to include Samsung’s TouchWiz additions and custom apps that take advantage of the Galaxy Note’s S-Pen stylus. Testers are reporting issues with various kernels, and flashing this ROM without the correct kernel files seems to be a recipe for everyone’s favorite modder-themed breakfast cereal: Boot Loops.
Samsung previously stated that the Galaxy Note would see an update to Ice Cream Sandwich in the first quarter. That gives them about six weeks to get it out on time, though that timeframe is almost certainly only intended for the international version (i7000). Who knows when Samsung and AT&T might get together and update the US Note, which will launch with Gingerbread. In the meantime, modders can turn to the aftermarket, where modified versions of CyanogenMod 9 are already available.
Source: androidcommunity
Thursday, February 16, 2012
ASUS Transformer Not Get ICS Until March
ASUS Transformer owners will be forced to wait even longer for a promised update to Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), the company revealed on its Singapore Facebook page late last night. Here's the statement:
ASUS Singapore
Dear fellow Asus members, we would like to say that we appreciate all the support we see in our Asus Facebook page every day. It makes our contributions worthwhile and fulfilling.
We are informed that the ICS upgrade for TF101 will be ready within the Feb/March 2012 period. You will be able to receive the upgrade notification via FOTA once we have a confirmation date.
We thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter
While ASUS had initially promised the update "ASAP" after the Prime received its update to Android 4.0, it later clarified this to mean the end of January. Then we learned from our own sources inside the company that early February was the target window. Now, it appears that ASUS has once again had to push back the promised OTA, for reasons unknown.
This is on the company's Singapore Facebook page, though, so this timeline may not be exactly reflective of the company's plans for the US. However, given that it's a Wi-Fi device, there shouldn't be too much discrepancy between OTA updates in major markets.
Source: androidpolice
HTC Radar 4G Software Update Incoming
Good news for HTC Radar 4G owners as a new software update begins Yesterday bringing forth a list of new features and improvements:
Improvements to proximity sensor
Arizona time zone not updating is resolved
Gmail contact sync improvements
Visual voicemail error resolved
Microsoft security fix
Customers will receive pop-up notifications advising them an update is available beginning today, February 15th. There is no expected completion date for the software update listed. The update takes Windows Phone 7.5 up to software version 7.10.8107.79.
Source: tmonews
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Twitter enables HTTPS for all users
To strengthen the security and confidentiality of trade, Twitter has just activated the default HTTPS encryption, which is or will be soon (the time of deployment) available to all.
Now, HTTPS will be on by default for all users, whenever you sign in to Twitter.com. If you prefer not use it, you can turn it off on your Account Settings page. HTTPS is one of the best ways to keep your account safe.
The little bird is not out!
Until now the user could choose whether to enable HTTPS encryption (encryption layer that enables secure HTTP traffic, based on two security protocols: SSL / TLS), whereas now it will be enabled by default. However, social network users can always disable this option in the account settings, this is why it is important to remember that this option will allow you to secure your connection and protect your session. It is highly recommended if you happen to connect to a wireless network unsecured (public hotspot).
Source: twitter blog
Acer Iconia Tab A500 to Get Android 4.0, Will Arrive In April
Acer ANZ just announced a distant April timeline for the Ice Cream Sandwich update to float all the way to Australia and New Zealand. Unfortunately, this doesn't tell us anything about the rest of the world, but unless they're delivering it by pigeon mail, I see it as a pretty good indicator of when it will hit the States, Europe, and other continents as well. Unfortunately, ........facebook
Great news, everyone! We’ve just got confirmation from HQ that the Iconia Tab A500 will be getting Ice Cream Sandwich in April. No exact date yet, but we’ll let you know when we have it. What are you looking forward to most in ICS?
Apparently, numerous (and quite vocal) Acer A500 owners aren't as close to the top of the upgrade list as the A200 ones, whose tablets just started receiving ICS a couple of days ago. A 6-month upgrade cycle, while pretty lengthy, is still not such a bad deal (remember, some tablets won't ever see it officially) and will make Android 4.0 that much sweeter when it arrives.
Source: androidpolice
Huawei Ascend D1 Q and new MediaPad at MWC
Huawei is set to rollout new products a Mobile World Congress when the show kicks off. Some of the new products debuting will be in the company’s new Diamond line of devices. All the products are expected to run Android 4.0. The new products will include a 10-inch MediaPad tablet, which is a follow-up to the original 7-inch tablet, and the company will also unveil the Ascend D1 Q.
The D1 Q will be a quad core device, hence that Q designator in its name. It is expected to be the first Diamond smartphone, and we don’t really know anything about the hardware at this point. We’re hoping the new MediaPad has better software than its 7-inch sibling we are familiar with. The hardware was never an issue with that tablet; it was the software that bothered us.
We don’t have hardware details on the 10-inch MediaPad right now. There is no indication that it will be a Diamond series device. Scuttlebutt says that there will be a pair of Diamond devices unveiled at MWC, so we are expecting at least one more major product announcement from Huawei at the show. Details are scant right now, but with Mobile World Congress only a few weeks away we don’t have long to wait.
Source: slashgear
Google Wallet Security Hole, gets patched
That recently discovered security hole in Google Wallet was something that even those with little to no hacking skills could exploit. It was even simpler than the brute force attack method that we reported of last week. All that was needed in order for the hack to be performed is to wipe the data in the app settings, after which the app resets itself and requests a new PIN. Once a new Google prepaid card got activated on the app, all the funds that were previously available on Google Wallet magically became accessible.
Fortunately, Google has already patched that security hole, and Google prepaid cards can be issued once more. Here is a statement that was posted on the official Google Wallet blog:
Yesterday afternoon, we restored the ability to issue new prepaid cards to the Wallet. In addition, we issued a fix that prevents an existing prepaid card from being re-provisioned to another user. While we're not aware of any abuse of prepaid cards or the Wallet PIN resulting from these recent reports, we took this step as a precaution to ensure the security of our Wallet customers. If you are unable to access your previous prepaid card balance for any reason, please contact our toll-free support for assistance.
So, Google Wallet appears to be safe once more. But have all those recent hacks affected your trust in Google Wallet in a negative way? Is it only a matter of time until another exploit gets discovered?
Source: phonearena
Diablo III, finally in the second quarter!
Blizzard has narrowed down the release window for keenly anticipated action RPG sequel Diablo 3 to the second quarter of 2012 - so some time between 1st April and 30th June.
CEO Mike Morhaime announced the news during an investor call earlier today.
Portal unofficially comes to Android - Video
There's been a deluge of classic games making their way to Android smartphones and tablets lately, and it appears there's another one on the way..though it won't be coming through official channels. Some enterprising developers have ported Valve Corporation's Portal over to Google's mobile platform using the Unity
