T-Mobile and Sprint Speak Out About Their Carrier IQ Use

T-Mobile and Sprint have recently decided to chime in on the conversation regarding their use of Carrier IQ, a metrics tool used to gather statistical data. Via some internal and unreleased memos regarding Carrier IQ, both carriers have discussed, as expected, its intended use which was to simply log data for troubleshooting and to improve the overall network performance for each respective carrier. Check out their responses below in an interview with The Verge:

To wit:

T-Mobile: ”T-Mobile does not use the tool to obtain the content of text, email or voice messages, or the specific destinations of customers’ Internet activity. It is not used for marketing purposes. T-Mobile uses the Carrier IQ diagnostic tool to gather device data for effective troubleshooting and to increase the overall device and network performance for our customers.
Sprint: ”Sprint uses the Carrier IQ data to only understand device performance on our network so we can identify when issues are occurring. … Even with Carrier IQ, Sprint does not and cannot look at or record contents of messages, photos, videos, etc., nor do we sell or provide a direct feed of Carrier IQ data to anyone outside Sprint.

In addition, T-Mobile also went one step further and listed the devices on its network currently running the Carrier IQ software. Hit the break for the full list of infected handsets.

• HTC Amaze 4G
• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Exhibit II 4G
• T-Mobile myTouch by LG
• T-Mobile myTouch Q by LG
• LG DoublePlay
• Blackberry 9900
• Blackberry 9360
• Blackberry 9810

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Upcoming Facebook For Android Refresh Spied In Leaked Images

Looks like Facebook for Android will soon be receiving a much needed refresh. The leaked images above show not only a new UI layout but the addition of an extra icon for your app drawer that will most likely take a user straight to the “Check In” location of the app. The refresh will take the version number up to 1.8 and any changes will most likely be welcomed with open arms. The Facebook app for Android is one of the most hated in the Android Market so the boys at Facebook definitely have their work cut out for them. For a few more shots, hit up the source link below.
[Via Engadget]

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Motorola XT928 Pictured In The Wild – Shows Off Its 4.5-inch 720p Display

It wasn’t too long ago we told you about some Motorola RAZR variants hitting China one of which — the XT928 — was officially announced last week. Touted as “a phone inside a camera,” the XT928 (also known as the Motorola Dinara doesn’t fit in so well with its RAZR brethren. With a blockier frame, slightly thicker body and complete absence of carbon fiber or kevlar accents, looks wise, it seems to have more in common with the Droid X than anything.

Also unlike the RAZR, the battery is now accessible through the removable cover making the device compatible with spare batteries. The XT928 also features a 4.5-inch 720p resolution screen that holds its own against the RAZR’s vivid AMOLED (and super washed out MT917 display).

Word on the street is the XT928 could be landing on AT&T but that’s not a very strong rumor. I would like to propose that this will hit Verizon as the Droid X3 complete with 4G LTE connectivity based upon absolutely nothing other than the looks of the device. Regardless of carrier, I wouldn’t mind seeing this hit stateside as Motorola has yet to release a device with a 1280×720 resolution display. For more family pics hit up the source link below.
[Engadget China via Engadget]

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Leaked Verizon Email and PDF Confirms Verizon Galaxy Nexus December 9th Launch

Leaks have been coming out of the woodwork these past few days and it seems the boys over at RootzWiki have managed to secure a leaked email and PDF confirming the much rumored December 9th launch date for the Galaxy Nexus This pretty much coincides with what we’ve been hearing from our sources (although we’ve gotten more than a few emails stating December 15th is the new Dec 9th).

Judging by the wording of the email and PDF this almost seems like a rush job. Stores will apparently be getting their shipments on December 6th, just three days before the big launch with demo units already hitting some stores complete with Ice Cream Sandwich packaging (image below: courtesy of Droid-Life). My question is will the Galaxy Nexus even receive a well deserved big launch, or will it just happen to pop up into stores without an ad spot or major announcement from Verizon? Only a few more days until we find out…

[AndroidForums via RootzWiki

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Meizu MX launches January 1, 2012

Meizu just broke the ice and finally announced its 2012 flagship smartphone, the MX. Headed to mainland China January 1st, expect an initial cost of ¥2,999 ($470). It will pack some serious power from the included 1.4GHz Samsung Exynos 4210 dual-core processor and 1GB RAM. It will also sport a 4” ASV display with a 960×640 pixel ratio. Initially, the device will only be available with 16GB of internal storage, but expect a 32GB version later on.

As you can see from the picture, the MX will certainly include a heavily masked version of Android 2.3.5; I’ve never been a fan of anything but vanilla Android, but this skin seems to appeal to my taste. Jack Wong (CEO) has also stated the device will eventually be updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

The MX also has an impressive 8MP rear-facing camera supporting smile detection and an option for shooting panaramic photgraphs. It records in 1080p as well, but no HDMI output will be included. If you feel the need to go learn Chinese – go check out the official word on Meizu’s website. Or just Google Translate it like the rest of us.
Press Release:

Calling all dreamers, the Meizu MX is unveiled
HONG KONG—9:30 AM GMT +8, October 6—Today Meizu unveils a new product, the Meizu MX. Borrowing the first two letters from the Chinese characters of the word “dream,” or “meng xiang,” the MX is a dream phone in all its senses. The MX comes with a dual-core 1.4GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 8 megapixel back-illuminated camera and LED flash, along with a gyroscope and other sensors. Its design is clean, intuitive and minimalistic, which is the result of countless discussions, prototypes, and revisions.
The Meizu MX has a gorgeous 4-inch, high resolution (292 PPI) AVS screen with the ideal 3:2 aspect ratio. Compared to wider 4.3-inch screens, the screen edges are easily reachable with your fingers, while providing better readability for text; both in horizontal and landscape mode. In addition, the phone comes with Meizu’s unique Flyme OS, which features a custom designed UI, as well as cloud services such as data syncing, music store (China-only), and an applications market. The Meizu MX also features a Meizu-only innovation, namely our patented situation-aware bottom light keys.
MX offers ample connectivity and media sharing options such as a micro USB port, coaxial digital audio output, MHL, USB Host and other features.
A 16GB version of the MX will be available January 1, 2012 priced at 2 999 CNY.
With the MX, Meizu is taking its first steps into the international market. Meizu is opening a store later this month in Hong Kong, on Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok.
About Meizu
Founded in 2003, we began producing music players which later came to be world renowned. Since 2008, all our efforts have been focused on making great smartphones, which have made us one of China’s most loved smartphone makers.
Since the beginning, something we have always held dear was the power of daring to dream. We believe in focus, in doing few things, but doing them really well. To us, focus is the key to achieving and exceeding our dreams. In focusing, our team is devoted, plans for the long-term, and strives for perfection. As a company, we want to transcend convention and imagination, with the ultimate goal of making products worthy of dreaming about.

)

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Google Wallet won’t work on the Galaxy Nexus – carriers preparing their own alternative

Bad news: Google Wallet isn’t going to work on anything besides the Nexus S 4G for the foreseeable future. Yes, that includes Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus, and very probably AT&T and T-Mobile versions, if they ever appear. Computer World broke the story, though I’d be wary of anything labelled “confirmed” from that particular source. Unfortunately, the news is not entirely unexpected.

Why? Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have already begun an initiative to create an NFC payment network for the United States, and have gotten Samsung, HTC, Motorola and LG in on the system. ISIS is currently set to launch sometime next year. The simplest answer to a lack of Google Wallet integration with the U.S. version of the Galaxy Nexus is that Verizon doesn’t want to compete with Google for NFC payments, a field that many consider to be on the cusp of mass consumer adoption. This hasn’t been confirmed, but it seems like the most likely culprit.
This is annoying in many ways. One, consumers shouldn’t be forced to use a carrier-supplied system on an “open” smartphone, especially since the Nexus line is supposed to be free of carrier interaction. We’ve already seen a disturbing first move by Verizon with included bloatware apps. Two, why should Verizon block, or even be allowed to block, apps that compete with its services? After all, you can still access YouTube and Movies in the Android Market, even though Verizon offers V-Cast videos.
Of course, the wonderful thing about the Nexus line is a rabid community dedicated to modding it and improving it. Solutions to Verizon’s meddling have already appeared in the form of custom kernels and carrier ID tweaks. It takes a lot to keep Android users from doing what they want, especially when devices aren’t saddled with locked bootloaders. If you want to use Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus, or any AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile Android phone, get comfortable with root tools and custom ROMs.

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Motorola DROID 4 visits the FCC

In what seems like the usual fashion lately for Motorola and Verizon we are about to witness another DROID powered smartphone hit shelves. Although the DROID 3 hasn’t been out but a few short months Verizon and Moto have a fully prepped and ready to go DROID 4 already in the pipes. If it feels like Motorola and Verizon have been churning out devices like mad lately — it’s because they have been.

Today the DROID 4 has hit the FCC giving us more reason to think it’ll be here within a few weeks. It was recently spotted on camera and was initially leaked back in October. This 5-row QWERTY hardware smartphone rocking a dual-core and 4G LTE is quite the device — I’m just surprised Verizon is launching so soon.

Just like we’ve seen in the past Motorola’s FCC filings are very slim on details and don’t give us much to go on. According to Pocket Now the DROID 4 has won its FCC approval and should be headed to market soon. Most likely we’ll see a full FCC teardown eventually but today we have no such luck. Late last month rumors suggested the DROID 4 would launch on December 8th as many Verizon phones usually launch on Thursdays but that is looking quite slim right about now. We could be seeing this QWERTY slider launch along side the Galaxy Nexus to give Verizon some DROID airtime but that is still up in the air. Once we get some official information we’ll be sure to update with additional details.
[via Pocket Now]

Related articles

• Verizon shows off DROID 4, Xyboard tablets (tech-gadget.co.in)
• Motorola DROID 4 poses for the camera along side the XYBOARD tablets (goandroid.co.in)

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First custom ROM for the Galaxy Nexus features EXT4 support

The type of people that gravitate towards the Nexus line aren’t shy of a little ROM flashing, and they’re invariably looking for that extra edge when it comes to performance. To that end, one of if not the first custom ROM for the Galaxy Nexus features a bevvy of tweaks and improvements to the stock ROM, the most notable of which is an EXT4-formatted partition, making for faster memory and storage access throughout Ice Cream Sandwich.

Other improvements in “Android Revolution HD” include a pre-rooted environment with the SuperUser app (naturally), removal of “bloatware”, de-odexed for theme support, and various other speed and data hacks. Externally it looks just like stock Ice Cream Sandwich, including the new launcher and all the little points of polish that you’re dying to get your hands on. Versions for the international HSPA+ model and Verizon’s LTE model are available. Of course, you’ll need a rooted Galaxy Nexus and access to ClockworkMod recovery to take advantage of any of this.
In what’s sure to be the first of many, many Galaxy Nexus ROMs, an emphasis on speed is key. Roms from popular sources like Modaco and CyanogenMod are yet to be completed, but when they are, what do you want to see? Each ROM dev has their own special flair to ad, and others will likely mimic the addition of EXT4 and surely remove the US hardware’s built-in Verizon apps. Leave suggestions in the comments section.
UPDATE: Whoops, looks like I jumped the gun – Paul “Modaco” O’Brien’s Galaxy Nexus kernel supported EXT4 before this ROM. It’s the basis of the modified Revolution HD ROM. There’s also an updated version of the ROM over on RootzWiki, version 1.3.1.

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Angry Birds send Seasons greetings via the Samsung Galaxy Note

Without a doubt, Rovio’s Angry Birds is the darling of the mobile gaming world. It’s sold millions of downloads, made at least as much in advertising revenue, and is now a household name amongst people who couldn’t pick Mario and Sonic out of a lineup. The most prudent thing that Rovio has done is release Angry Birds Seasons, periodic themes updates with brand-new levels and elements to keep the simple physics game fresh. Now they’ve teamed up with Samsung for a little cross-promotion of everyone’s crossover device, the Samsung Galaxy Note.

In the short video the green pigs are up to their old tricks, using a little Photoshopping skills via the Galaxy Note’s S-Pen to make the Angry Birds, uh, frustrated. Since there’s no such word as “overkill” when translated into squaks, the Birds respond in kind, sending the pigs a little holiday cheer with the same general enthusiasm. Fun times are had by all, with the exception of the pigs, who can rest easy in the knowledge that at least they haven’t been pummeled into dust beneath the usual pile of broken rubble.




Check out the video below. The Christmas themed commercial was developed for Samsung and published on their YouTube page. Viewers in the UK may be seeing it soon, but anyone can visit note.angrybirds.com to see the high scores for a special web level of Angry Birds “Seasons Greedings”, featuring the Galaxy Note itself. You can play the level yourself online and submit your high scores on the website. The fifty highest scores are eligible for prizes, including a free Galaxy Note and Angry Birds plush toys. What are you waiting for? Get crashing!

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