Google Wallet: the app that makes your phone your wallet

Google’s Osama Bedier, Vice President of Payments, has dished the dirt on the brand new Google Wallet app, with a post on the Official Google Blog.
Google Wallet essentially allows NFC-enabled smartphones to make payments for stuff with a tap, thus negating the need to carry a separate wallet. Because that’s such a great hardship.

“In May we announced Google Wallet—an app that makes your phone your wallet—with Citi, MasterCard, Sprint and First Data,” begins the post. “With Google Wallet, you can tap, pay and save using your phone and near field communication (NFC).”
Google began rolling out the service yesterday, to Sprint customers in the States. Sprint Nexus S 4G users received the app via an OTA update.
The service has certainly garnered the attention of some pretty big names. “We appreciate Citi and MasterCard for being our launch partners. And today, Visa, Discover and American Express have made available their NFC specifications that could enable their cards to be added to future versions of Google Wallet.”
Interestingly, one of the examples Google uses in this accompanying YouTube video is paying for a taxi. But wouldn’t the driver be expecting a tip? I’m just saying.

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HTC DROID Incredible 2 receives update, nothing major

Hey Droid Incredible 2 owners, you may want to check your devices for a new update that will bump the phone’s build number to 4.08.605.3, which will also upgrade your current operating system to Android 2.3.4. Unfortunately, it will not add Google Talk with Video to the Dinc 2 but will bring minor bug fixes and email synchronization enhancements.
There is still no word about when the HTC Thunderbolt will receive a Gingerbread update. Hang in there, guys!

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LG Optimus Q2 vs HTC Sensation XE

We compare HTC's upgraded Sensation XE and LG's keyboard-toting Optimus Q2 to see which device offers users the most complete Android package

LG's Optimus Q2 is a device aimed squarely at the more discerning Android user and with its sliding full Qwerty, slim form factor and powerful processor the device looks set to turn a few heads, but how does this promising pro-Android compare to HTC's new beast, the HTC Sensation XE? Let's find out.

Display
LG's Optimus Q2 features a 4-inch IPS LCD touchscreen that operates at a resolution of 480 x 800 and a pixel density of 223ppi, making it pretty standard Android fare.
HTC's Sensation XE comes in with a 4.3-inch S-LCD qHD display which operates at a resolution of 540 x 960, giving it a subtle edge over the LG, and it beats the Q2 in pixel density too, with 256ppi, which is good but no iPhone 4.
Both devices will do justice to an assortment of media though, and you'll likely find them more than a match for any HD videos and games you might want to run on your device.
Winner - HTC Sensation XE

Form & Build
LG Optimus Q2 - 123x65x12.3mm, 147g
HTC Sensation XE - 126.1x65.4 x11.3mm, 151g
Despite offering a nice, full Qwerty keyboard the Optimus Q2 is still only 12.3mm thick, giving it a real edge over other full keyboard toting Android devices.
You can expect the build to live-up to LG's recent track record, which is to say solid and durable with a pleasant premium feel, and at only 147g you won't feel like you're carrying a lead weight around with you.
The HTC Sensation XE is only 1mm thinner than the Optimus Q2, even without a keyboard, and this doesn't work to the device's favour in this round. The extra input options that a full QWERTY brings are well worth that tiny bit of extra paunch.
Other than that the Sensation XE is good, but unremarkable. It feels a nice weight and the balance is on par with what we've come to expect of a manufacturer with HTC's cachet.
Winner - LG Optimus Q2

Camera
The HTC Sensation XE features the same 8-megapixel camera as the original Sensation and the performance is equally as idiosyncratic.
You get the usual add-ons with the Sensation XE too, such as dual-LED flash, face detection, touch-focus, geo-tagging and instant capture as well as 1080P video capture and a front facing VGA offering, giving the device a nice spec-sheet, but don't expect it to replace your compact.
The LG Optimus Q2 features a standard 5-megapixel snapper with autofocus, LED flash and geo-tagging, as well as a front facing VGA camera for video-calling.
We can't comment on the performance, but we wouldn't expect it to be anything better than what's already on the market.
Winner - HTC Sensation XE

Software
Both of our contenders run on version 2.3.4 of Google's Android platform and more than do the operating system justice.
The Optimus Q2 features LG's custom overlay, which brings some new widgets, apps and other functionality to bear on the already well-stocked OS, though it mightn't be to everyone's liking.
The Sensation XE features HTC's sterling Sense UI overlay, which really gives the Taiwanese manufacturer's devices the edge over virtually every other Android on the market.
Sense brings social networking integration, widgets, apps and eye candy to the device and makes it a breeze to use and a pleasure to look at.
On top of Sense you also get the benefit of the vaunted 'Beats' software (and headphones too!) which offers custom sound profiles and tweaking, and gives the XE exemplary sound quality, so pick yourself one up if you're a muso in training.
Winner - HTC Sensation XE

Power
The Optimus Q2 runs on a dual-core 1.2GHz Tegra 2 CPU, so you can expect the device to run at a fair trot and cope with all the latest apps and games without a hiccup, and while there are faster devices out there you won't find the Q2 wanting.
HTC's Sensation XE is driven by a new 1.5GHz dual-core CPU that makes the device fly. The extra oomph is really noticeable and the inclusion of a larger, 1730mAh battery will keep the slick package running for longer too. This we like.
HTC didn't deem a RAM upgrade necessary though, meaning the device comes with 726MB installed, the same as its forebear. This we don't like.
That aside the Sensation XE is still a blisteringly fast smartphone which performs brilliantly in almost every regard.
Winner - HTC Sensation XE
HTC's Sensation XE takes the tape first in this comparison, and with effort to spare.
Sure, the Optimus Q2 is a contender, and its hardware QWERTY and slim figure will appeal to those message heavy users, but it just isn't as much fun as the obscenely powerful and pretty Sensation XE.
Is the XE worth the upgrade if you already own the original? Well, no, unless you're keen to hammer your credit card or music's more important to you than money, but for those that are looking for a rewarding and powerful Android experience it's the flavour of the week.

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LG Optimus LTE Emerges

Formerly codenamed the LG LU6200, the LG Optimus LTE finally has some sneakshots. This will be the first dual-core LG device to hit the LTE airwaves – the carrier is still a mystery. Previous LG devices can’t compare to the specs of this new superphone; with the 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8660 Snapdragon processor lag/hangups should be a thing of the past.

Similar to the US Galaxy S II, the battery has been amped up to 1830mAh to help your device last the entire day. The Optimus LTE will sport the world’s first AH-IPS LCD display at 4.5″ with a 1280×720 resolution. There hasn’t been enough solid competition against Samsung’s Super AMOLED Plus displays to date, but the AH-IPS LCD is sure to be a contender.

Most unique to the Optimus LTE is the exterior-rear casing. It looks to be a diamond-backed pattern that’s smooth to the touch. Whether or not this will be the same to ship out to the US is still unclear. As for software goes, Street Fighter IV will be available exclusively for the Optimus LTE for 3 months.
[via daum (Korea)]

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 4G LTE Update rolling out now

Verizon Wireless announced early last week that they were getting ready to push an OTA update for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with Verizon 4G LTE. I’m happy to report that users should be seeing this update hitting their Galaxy Tab devices starting today. A few users have already reported the update hitting their tab and we’ve got some screenshots and details after the break.

Sadly this update is only 11.4 MB in size and mainly looks to fix a few bugs as well as some issues with Verizon Wireless connectivity. When Verizon released the update information shown below early last week they were clear in pointing out this is mainly for 3G/4G connection issues and a few other minor bugs. For all the details here is the official update document from Verizon.

Along with data connectivity fixes, email and browser enhancements, Verizon also has made the Tab 10.1 LTE able to be detected on the Mac OS such as Lion and OSX. They’ve also now added SIM and IMEI information to the “about tablet” screen although both of those are very minor issues. For those hoping for an update to the Touch Wiz UX for tablets or even Android 3.2 Honeycomb you’ll sadly have to wait for that another day. The update is extremely small, quick and shouldn’t take but a few minutes.
As always this should come OTA but users can also go to settings> about tablet> check for updates if they’d like to manually pull the OTA update themselves and not wait. Give the update a try and let us know if you experience “enhanced data connectivity” after the update.

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HTC Explorer press shot revealed, HTC Sense 3.5 and more

HTC seems to have no plans on slowing down when it comes to hitting every aspect of the Android market. With top tier phones like the Sensation 4G, and low end phones like the pictured HTC Explorer. What we have here is the official press shot of the HTC Explorer, known previously and leaked as the HTC Pico. Along with a slight design change and some Sense UI 3.5 the Explorer aims to be a decent entry level smartphone.

Like we mentioned above this was first leaked as the HTC Pico, but now it will be known as the HTC Explorer. It features some pretty low to mid-range specs that line up nicely with an entry level phone such as the HTC Wildfire S. With similar specs and size it should be a nice little budget phone.
With a rumored Qualcomm 600 Mhz processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and Sense UI 3.5 is clearly shown in the image above looking slightly different than what we’ve seen thus far in phones like the HTC Bliss. Along with the entry level 600 MHz CPU we have a 5MP camera on the rear and a 3.2″ HVGA display. Most likely this will replace the current line of entry level phones but we wont know until we hear more.
We could see this announced tomorrow at the HTC Event in NYC. We will be there live capturing all the details so don’t go too far. HTC may announce the HTC Runnymede or even the HTC DROID Incredible HD and either way we can’t wait to see what HTC has to say come tomorrow. We should see the HTC Explorer sometime this fall so stay tuned.
[via PocketNow]

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Google Wallet launches officially on Nexus S 4G

It’s the 4G version of the Nexus S that’ll receive the update to Google Wallet first, Google tells us, this brand new NFC-based electronic payments system working with Visa, American Express, and Discover right out of the gate. This system will allow you, as you may already know, to tap your device to an in-store payment device and instantly pay your bill with your “Wallet”. Your update to full alpha Google Wallet functionality will occur in an over-the-air manner, meaning that if you’ve got a Samsung Nexus S 4G, you’ll be seeing a notification right away immediately if not soon.


With this announcement, Google reminds us all that they pledged a commitment to an open commerce ecosystem and that they thank very much the folks at MasterCard and Citi bank for being their launch partners. To encourage those who wish to use the system first, Google is offering a $10 free bonus to their Google Prepaid Card if users decide to set up their Google Wallet before the end of 2011. That could buy you a whole lunch, goodness!
EDIT: apparently MasterCard works out of the gate, while Google notes that “today, Visa, Discover and American Express have made available their NFC specifications that could enable their cards to be added to future versions of Google Wallet.”
You’ll notice that George Costanza was the very first person to use Google Wallet a little bit earlier this past week:

Google states that it is their goal to allow you to add ALL of your payment cards, whatever they may be, to your Google Wallet so you can get rid of the bulk in your traditional pocketbook. You’ll notice in both New York City and San Francisco that payment consoles are beginning to crop up as early as this morning. Neato!
As Samsung notes, you can check on your update status in the following way:

Check the Software Version on Your Mobile Device
1. Press the Home button home.jpg > Menu button menu.jpg.
2. Touch Settings > About phone
3. The Build number shows the current software version on your mobile device.
Note: If your current software version is GRJ90, you will receive a network notification for the GWK74 software update.
Software Update (GWK74) Details
Google Security Fixes
Google Wallet

Sound good? Sounds good!

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Android Ice Cream Sandwich Unofficial Launcher and Screenshots [Download]

Before we get started what we have here are screenshots of Android 2.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, or at least the launcher running on a phone. This is an unofficial launcher of Android 2.4 Ice Cream Sandwich made by a few awesome developers over at XDA and we have some pictures for you and a video.


We are still looking for any details as to what all this contains but from what we are hearing and seeing this is a 3rd party launcher made from previous leaked screenshots, as well as rumors of what Android 2.4 Ice Cream Sandwich will contain. What these smart developers have done is copied the images from the leaked ICS screenshots and added some settings and options based on a few rumors and developed a pretty awesome and real looking home replacement launcher for Android based on ICS.
I’ve quickly installed this to my phone and so far it looks awesome, this is only currently an alpha build and they have some work to do, but so far I love it. Screen animations while scrolling needs some improvement but other than that this is quite impressive. Hitting the multi-tasking button doesn’t bring up actual previously launched apps like Honeycomb, rather a populated list. That and the settings button doesn’t work.
ICS 2.4 Launcher alpha hands-on


For more details and pictures regarding this awesome launcher head to XDA forums and join in on the discussion. — Thanks @htcclay
Ice Cream Sandwich 2.4 Launcher – Download

[via XDA Forums]

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Google preparing developers for Ice Cream Sandwich with some useful tips

Google’s Android Ice Cream Sandwich is coming and the release is getting so close I can almost taste the Vanilla. Today the Android Developers Team posted some useful details and tips for developers to help them with the transition to Ice Cream Sandwich. Although the SDK isn’t available for developers yet, Google plans to have them more than ready when the time comes.

Today on the developer blog they go through some useful tips and information regarding mainly Android 3.x Honeycomb and how developers can make them compatible with both smaller and larger screen devices for when ICS comes to market. They’ve also included details on how to exclude their apps only to Honeycomb should the app developer choose to do so. Android ICS will merge the two OS version together and developers need to start preparing now because it will be here before you know it — latest leaks suggest November 3rd.

Here are a few quotes from the blog post I found interesting and important:

Ice Cream Sandwich is coming, and with it, handsets will be able to install apps built on Honeycomb. We haven’t released the ICS SDK just yet, but you can start preparing your Honeycomb apps by thinking about how they should work on smaller screens.
Stay tuned to the blog for more information about ICS as it nears release.

and

an app developed for Honeycomb is compatible with a device running ICS, which could be a tablet, a phone, or something else.

This is a good sign that is for sure. Hopefully Google will start to announce more details as things get closer to a launch date. It appears that ICS will be taking over, as if we didn’t know that already but either way this is really exciting. I can’t wait for some Android 2.4 or 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
[via Android Developers Blog]

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