Google talks Roboto design decisions for ICS

Along with the talks of the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS came chats about the devices that would get the update, such as the Galaxy Nexus, and chats about a new typeface of all things. Google opted for a new typeface with ICS that is dubbed Roboto. The name left geeks everywhere with Styx running through their heads, but Google had a reason for the new typeface. Google’s Matias Duarte talked a bit about the Roboto typeface recently.

Duarte says that the Droid font face that Android has traditionally used was designed for screens with a lower pixel density than the HD screens that are common in devices today. He says that the Droid typeface struggled to give the openness and information density needed in ICS. The Google typeface gang set out to create a new typeface that would be visually appealing and take advantage of high-density screens like the Galaxy Nexus offers, and then still be legible on lower density screens like the Galaxy S.
Roboto sprang from the straight-sided grotesk fonts, though circular fonts like future were considered. The lower case letters were softened up to make them easier to read with the “e” and “g” opened up and the “a”, “c”, and “s” characters remaining closed. It’s a bit surprising to me how much effort was put into the typeface alone. The team working on the typeface is still at work extending the font to work on computers. I hope the OS is as polished as the typeface.

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Devs can apply for PlayStation Suite SDK closed beta now

If you are a game developer for Android games that has been looking to get your games onto more devices the new PlayStation Suite SDK has hit the closed beta point. The PS suite SDK is the development environment using C# that allows games to be run on PS certified devices including Android smartphones as well as the PS Vita portable console that will be landing soon.

Sony has announced that it is now accepting apps from individual developers and corporate devs for the SDK closed beta. Like any other closed beta, not all devs will gain access to the beta program. The SDK that Sony has developed will run on a virtual C# machine that is part of the Vita portable and PS Certified Android devices.
The program will be open to devs in the US, UK, and Japan in English. The SDK used in the beta will work on 32-but Windows XP and 32 or 64-bit Windows 7. The SDK comes with a PC simulator and the purchase of a PS Vita or other device isn’t required. The form for applying to the program is available here.
[via SlashGear]

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Black Ice Theme For MIUI Transforms Your Device Into Ice Cream Sandwich

Christmas may have come early this year for HTC Thunderbolt users with a developer over on XDA by the name of DroidVicious releasing a fully functional build of the MIUI for the Thunderbolt. MIUI has long been my ROM of choice when rocking a rooted device and to help celebrate this momentous occasion for Thunderbolt users, I thought I’d post an amazing ICS theme that I ran into. It’s called Black Ice and it transforms MIUI into a spitting image of Ice Cream Sandwich.


If you like what you see, don’t be shy and download Black Ice here. For updates and instructions, jump on over to the source link below. Cheers!
Thanks, Steven!
[Via XDA]

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HTC Rezound shipping early from Verizo

Well folks, it looks like Verizon may be not only taking orders early for the recently announced HTC Rezound, but they are shipping it early too. A few lucky users ordered early by simply calling in and ordering over the phone with a Verizon Rep and chose overnight shipping. Low and behold today, November 9th, the Rezound apepared on their doorsteps. The device is set to launch November 14th so someone might be in a little trouble over this one.

The HTC Rezound was officially announced last week after several leaks of the phone, and was set to launch November 14th from Verizon Wireless. This 4.3″ 1280 x 720p HD smartphone with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 4G LTE is already hitting a few lucky customers doorsteps. The entire unboxing video can be seen below, but first check out our hands-on roundup.




Apparently our friends over at Phandroid had a few lucky forum memebers that were also able to do this exact thing. Called in and ordered the HTC Rezound this morning and it has already shipped, with a delivery date of November 11th no less. I thought the 11th was the day of the DROID RAZR, but apparently not. This is just hitting the wires and the video above clearly shows some lucky buyers received the new HTC Rezound today in the mail. If this was the phone you were waiting for I’d be calling Verizon right about now and trying to get one early. Feel free to drop us a comment below if you have any luck.
As usual we will be reviewing this device in the usual Android Community fashion so stay tuned for our take on this new Beats Audio packing HD smartphone from Verizon and HTC.

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Sony Tablet S 16GB for $399 as Ebay Daily Deal

Are you in the market for a new Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet but also want some gaming options? Then look no further than the Sony Tablet S. With Sony’s Playstation Suite integration and a great price this could be a nice grab for the holidays. Today the Tablet S is the Ebay Daily Deal and is being offered at a $100 discount, for just $399.

For those interested, the Tablet S features a 9.4″ 1280 x 800 resolution display and is powered by the popular NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor at 1.0 Ghz. With 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, front and rear cameras and more. With the option to play old school games like Crash Bandicoot this is a unique tablet that is for sure, not to mention the folded magazine design. We’ve enjoyed this tablet for a few weeks here at Android Community and can catch our full review by clicking here.

Not only does it have access to the Playstation Suite but it also rocks the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor so you’ll be able to enjoy all those Tegrazone games. It might not be the thinnest or fastest tablet around but all the options available for just $399 make it a pretty stellar deal — it even has free shipping too. Will you snatch this up for $399, or hold out while saving another $100 and get the just announced Transformer Prime with that quad-core Tegra 3 processor? Hit the link below if you’d like to get in on this deal.

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Samsung Galaxy S II Hot Pink unveiled, who wants one?

Today one of our favorite Android phone manufacturers unveiled another awesome color for their top of the line smartphone. Why yes we are talking about Samsung and the highly popular Galaxy S II. Today in South Korea Samsung has unveiled the “pretty” or “cute” Galaxy S II rocking everyone’s favorite color — hot pink! I know you guys are all excited right about now so check out the photos we have below.

Now if you are a guy and jumping with excitement right now don’t worry, I wont judge. Who knows maybe you’ll buy this for your girlfriend or significant other, but I could see a few of you rocking this phone. I would for about a day or so, but that is all I think I’d be able to handle. Apparently this new variation of the Galaxy S II is Samsung’s way of luring the ladies from something like the HTC Rhyme. Although HTC said it wasn’t meant just for the women, but that plum purple color could have fooled me.

According to SammyHub this new hot pink Galaxy S II is available now but currently only in South Korea but they expect it to hit other regions shortly. Samsung now offers their flagship Galaxy S II in black, white, and now hot pink. The white model is available from many carriers already so eventually we may see the pink variation land on the US.
Will you be buying one?

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Sprint Starts Epic 4G Gingerbread OTA: Have You Got Yours?

Hey there Samsung EPIC 4G owners, have you been craving an over the air update? As luck would have it, Sprint just announced they’ll begin sending Android 2.3 out to Epic 4G owners starting today. It should automatically start downloading and installation should take only a few minutes.
Here is what Sprint had to say about the benefits of the Android 2.3:

The software upgrades Samsung Epic 4G to Android 2.3, Gingerbread. This version of the Android software improves download management through the Downloads application offering easy access to any file downloaded from the browser, email or another application. It also fixes the devices ability to stream media through certain applications for the device. This maintenance release will also improve the user experience by improving Bluetooth^® headset sound quality and addressing minor issues with the lock screen date and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync^® HTML tagging.

Folks on our Epic 4G Forums have been asking for Gingerbread for awhile and a few users are reporting they’ve received the update: have you got yours?
If so, you can now begin craving Ice Cream Sandwiches. If not, you’re still officially two desserts behind.
[Android Forums via Sprint]

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HTC Thunderbolt getting official MIUI support, download the ROM now

The iPhone-aping MIUI family of custom Android ROMs is gaining a lot of support lately, and not just for that pretty interface. The latest device to get the official nod from the MIUI team is the HTC Thunderbolt, after the patient and dutiful efforts of the independent developers. The Thunderbolt won’t be added to the MIUI tree for a while, but you can download the latest feature-complete version from RootzWiki now.

For the uninitiated, MIUI is a community-created ROM that runs on a variety of Android phones, with a homescreen and color scheme that should be familiar to those with a hankering for iDevices. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S II, Optimus 2X and DROID Incredible are officially supported. New and improved versions of the ROM are posted each and every Friday, making MIUI a popular choice for those who have to be on the bleeding edge. Full theme support and a variety of Gingerbread customizations are present.
While the latest version of the (currently) unofficial Thunderbolt port is far from perfect, all the important bits are there, including access to Verizon’s 4G LTE. MMS is still non-functional, though that’s being actively pursued by lead dev “DroidVicious”. Some users are still reporting some battery issues and trouble getting a GPS fix. Try it out on your rooted Thunderbolt, but remember: Nandroid backups are your friends.

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Barnes & Noble fires back at Microsoft, calls for investigation

At least one manufacturer isn’t kowtowing to Microsoft’s Android licensing push: Barnes & Noble is actively fighting Microsoft’s patent litigation in court. As an added bonus, the bookseller has urged US regulators to investigate Microsoft’s patents and the claims therein. B&N asserts that Microsoft is trying to drive up the price of the Android devices it competes with, thereby making its own Windows Phone 7 more attractive to manufacturers and consumers.

The claims seem valid enough. 53% of Android devices sold already pay some sort of royalty or kickback to Microsoft, the result of some extremely aggressive court battles and the resultant licensing deals. HTC and Samsung are among the biggest players affected, and tellingly, they also make Windows Phone 7 devices – one can’t help but wonder what kind of tit-for-tat is going on behind closed doors. One of the primary compaints of Microsoft’s detractors, including Google, is that in most cases it doesn’t actually articulate which of its patents are being violated or how.
Barnes & Noble has a lot riding on Android, and having to pay Microsoft for every device sold won’t do anything good for its bottom line. Every Nook e-reader, from the lowly Nook SimpleTouch to the upcoming Nook Tablet, runs a modified version of Android designed to highlight Barnes & Noble’s digital library. As it continues to trade punches with Amazon in the marketplace, it has to go toe to toe with Microsoft in the courts, something that an official US investigation could only help. B&N hopes it can convince regulators to investigate Microsoft before the February court date.

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