HP TouchPad firesale starts again December 11th on HP Ebay Store

Who’s ready for another crazy round of HP tablets selling like crazy for the low low price of just $99? New details have now confirmed HP will be having a huge sale on refurbished TouchPads starting at $99 for the 16GB model and going up from there. Sunday December 11th on the HP Ebay Store you’ll get a chance to snag an awesomely cheap tablet — then install CM7 on that bad boy.

Apparently starting December 11th (Sunday) at 6:00 PM Central time the Ebay store will open up and start accepting orders for the refurbished units. I have a feeling things will get a little crazy and they’ll probably sell like hot cakes. From there you’ll see information on Android OS installations such as CM7 and more for the TouchPad.
We are hearing there will be limited quantities but I have a feeling they have a pretty big stash. Users will be required to pay via paypal but that shouldn’t be an issue for most that have used Ebay in the past. Although this is awesome news there is a small catch:
— The tablets will be refurbished tablets.
— TouchPads are limited to two per customer.
— All sales are final.
— There is only a 90 day warranty.
It was recently updated to alpha 3 and should work quite well for all you current and future TouchPad users.
Who’s buying one?
[via liliputing]

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Google+ update: Snazzy new icon, +1 photos, higher resolution photo support and more

Our new favorite social site Google+ just received a huge update today from our friends at Mountain View. Google is pushing the update now and with it comes tons of improvements and changes. We even have a snazzy new icon for G+ and the Messenger too. That isn’t all as they’ve added tons of new feature and stability improvements and all the details are available below.

Especially now with all the higher resolution support coming with Android 4.0 ICS today Google+ added support for adding higher resolution photos — we can also +1 said pictures. They’ve also enabled +1 for comments instead of entire posts too, something I’ve been waiting for although I’d also love a -1 for comments at the same time. That would be perfect. Here is a full list of the new features for the mobile app:
— Search
— +1 photos
— +1 comments
— High resolution photo upload support
— See if someone’s online and currently typing in Messenger conversations
— Start Messenger conversations by just entering a phone number
— Links to posts or profiles can now open inside of the app
— Instant Upload supports videos again
— Several stability improvements and bug fixes
Gone is the black Google+ app icon and instead Google’s opted to go with an all red icon for both the main app and the messenger (huddle, group) or whatever they are calling the chat function these days. Another big feature is links inside posts will now open inside the app instead of exiting. Sadly it appears notifications still seem to struggle and while they’ve been improving the app steadily I’d still love a stable notification system for Google+. The new version is available now so head down to the source link below and enjoy it.
Google+ Market Link

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New Android app lets you add Facebook friends via NFC

Remember Bump, that app that allowed you to swap contacts with a quick nudge of both party’s phones? The one that everyone forgot about in a week or so? Well there’s a new app in the Android Market that’s brought the same functionality to Facebook, with an NFC-enabled twist for the new generation of Android smartphones. Simply titled “Add Friend“, the app connects to your Facebook account and adds someone when a similarly-equipped phone is activated.

So it’s come to this. Digital, vicarious spooning through smartphones. As an extension of the social world, the image of two smartphones smothered against each other is hard to beat – and judging by the app’s featured picture on the Android Market, that’s exactly what the developer had in mind. Still, to each his (or her) own. The usage case seems a little limited, though; you’ll need two high-end Android phones, each equipped with the free app and connected to your Facebook account, three separate conditions that are hard to combine at the moment.
The success of these types of apps will largely depend upon Near Field Communication’s adoption worldwide, and it isn’t looking good outside of Asia. The payment options of NFC are complicated by cross-company deals and alliances, at least one of which is probably keeping Google Wallet off of the Galaxy Nexus for the time being. But with Android Beam, Ice Cream Sandwich users should at least become more comfortable with the idea of “bumping” information across devices.
Say, why don’t we just go back to IR ports? It worked great on my old Palm M105.
[via Engadget]

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Eric Schmidt Says 'Android will be bigger than iOS'

Eric Schmidt was addressing the crowd at Le Web in Paris and recounted a tale when an Android user asked why apps were often written for iOS first, and then ported over to Google's OS. His response? "My prediction is that six months from now, you'll say the opposite." After the uncomfortable silence had died down, he added that Android's "open" model meant the company had volume on its side -- and volume is what he feels will attract developers. He added that Ice Cream Sandwich would redress Android's device fragmentation and the sheer number of hardware makers would ensure that 2012 would be Google's year to lose. At which point, everyone in the audience probably went back to their iPads to read Twitter. 

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Motorola phones getting upgrade to ICS in about 6 months

We have heard and seen plenty of reports from all types of manufacturers over the future of their Android line up. Many have stated when updates to the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will arrive and today Motorola has made the process even more clear. They stated the DROID RAZR would see ICS early next year and also unlock bootloaders, but we’ve heard that chime from them before. Today Motorola breaks down the process but I’m not sure how I feel about the news.


Motorola has also recently tweeted devices would see ICS updates within 6 weeks of Google releasing the source code. We now know that meant we would all receive an update and details on when to expect ICS for their devices — not that they’d actual get updated that fast.
In a Motorola Blog post we now have a breakdown of the events and a timeline for what to expect. How does around 4-6 months and possibly more sound? CM9 anyone? For those expecting Android 4.0 ICS on their new Bionic or RAZR early next year, you might be waiting a little longer than expected.
Here is the breakdown of steps needed to bring an update — according to Motorola:

1. Merge and adapt the new release for different device hardware architecture(s) and carrier customizations
This means that we take the source code and incorporate it into upgrades for devices on which this can perform well, along with making sure the carrier requirements are met. Silicon partners such as Qualcomm, TI, and nVidia adapt this to their chipsets in parallel and we incorporate these as they become available. This is also the time when we begin integrating all of the Motorola-specific software enhancements into the source code. Features like MotoCast, Smart Actions, and our comprehensive enterprise solutions are integral parts of our device experiences, and we want to make sure we continue delivering differentiated experiences for our consumers with these software upgrades.
2. Stabilize and ‘bake’ the result to drive out bugs
This means that we will prepare the upgrade to meet the quality and stability requirements to enter the wireless carrier’s certification lab.
3. Submit the upgrade to the carriers for certification
This is the point in the process where the carrier’s lab qualifies and tests the upgrade. Each carrier has different requirements for phases 2 and 3. There may be a two-month preparation cycle to enter a carrier lab cycle of one to three months.
3.5 Perform a Customer pre-release
We may perform some customer testing before a final release is delivered publicly to our user base.
4. Release the upgrade
We are planning on upgrading as many of our phones as possible. The ability to offer the upgrade depends on a number of factors including the hardware/device capabilities, the underlying chipset software support, the ICS support and then the ability to support the Motorola value add software.

After looking at past updates and how long devices took to receive Gingerbread this actually all sounds pretty accurate. We are looking at around 4 months at the soonest, and 6+ months at worst. Verizon isn’t the quickest company either when it comes to approving software updates so that could also be a factor here. Many phones are just now getting Android 2.3 Gingerbread while 4.0 is already here, so it is same to assume the same could happen for many with this latest iteration of Android. I’ll be rooting and installing custom ROM’s before I wait that long — but that is just me.
[via Motorola]

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Sprint Releases Software Fix EK02 for Epic 4G Touch to Fix Loss of Signal

Sprint has finally released a software fix for the Epic 4G Touch for the dreaded loss of signal bug that’s been plaguing the community for quite some time. The bug would cause the voice and data radios to lose signal, something that was only fixable by a reboot.

It was originally believed that the bug most commonly affected those who were in bad coverage areas. Those who lose signal in bad coverage areas are supposed to be handed over to Verizon’s network until they can recover a Sprint signal, but the handoff to Verizon tends to stall and eventually the radios shut themselves down until you reboot the phone.
We’re glad that this was easily fixed through software even if it took a long time to come to fruition. Sprint also fixed the bug where your 4G hotspot connection would periodically disconnect while on a phone call. Head to this link for instructions on how to pull the update down. If you’re rooted, we’re sure your favorite ROM developer will make no delay in updating their ROMs based on this version if they haven’t already. [via Sprint Feed]

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Rumor With a Capital R: Galaxy Nexus on Verizon Delayed?

I have a feeling a ton of you won’t like this one. Apparently Droid-Life has heard it from multiple independent sources within a short time frame that the Galaxy Nexus has been delayed. We also received one light report of this earlier this morning but decided not to report on it.

Although Verizon never gave a release date to look forward to, all sources and signs pretty much pointed to this Friday, December 9th. I know it’s hard to grasp that they may have delayed this phone even further than they should have considering how soon the rest of the world got it.
We’re not sure what might have triggered them to delay the device if this rumor is indeed true. At this point we’re not sure what to believe anymore. My advice? Don’t get too happy over ANY positive rumors – stick to official press releases with official information and no one will get hurt (emotionally or physically).
[Update]: And apparently the equipment manager page that said 12/9 yesterday is now saying “launch date is coming soon.” Oh well.

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SwiftKey keyboard developer raises $2.4 million from investors

We’ve covered SwiftKey in its various incarnations a lot here on Android Community, and not without good reason. It’s gained notoriety as one of the most popular Android virtual keyboards, no small task when your app duplicates core functionality, even if it is adding in a lot more. Octopus Investments would seem to agree: They’ve invested 1.5 million GBP, about 2.4 million dollars, in the small developer TouchType.

SwiftKey X and its tablet counterpart have remained at the top keyboard replacements for a few determinable reasons. One, the app never stands still: hardly a month goes by without some sort of update, improving SwiftKey’s performance and predictive text. Two, they cover all the bases: a free preview version allows curious Android users to try out the keyboard before dropping a few dollars on the full version. And finally, they’re quite communicative with their customers and fans, allowing alpha and beta access to geeky types (hello!) who always want to try the latest version.
SwiftKey X regularly lands on the Editor’s Choice list in the Android Market, and its success made it one of the first apps offered in Google’s 10 Billion Apps promotion. It’s currently available for just $.10/£.10, though that may not last long – head over to the Android Market to get in on the reduced price. The company says it will use the cash infusion to strengthen its executive team and increase its presence in the US and Asia.

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Samsung Galaxy Note with AT&T radios gain FCC approval

Back in September, the Samsung Galaxy Note was spotted at the FCC, and for those who have been meaning to get their hands on it, the good news is that the phone/tablet hybrid has recently gotten its stamp of approval from the FCC which means that it is primed for release, although when that is remains a mystery for now.
The hybrid was spotted with AT&T’s radios, which could also suggest that it would be compatible with our neighbors in Canada, although many have speculated that it could indeed arrive on AT&T’s network, but until we see it for ourselves, we’ll take that piece of information with a grain of salt for now.
The Samsung Galaxy Note will feature a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, a 5.3” HD Super AMOLED display, an 8MP/2MP rear/front-facing camera, an S Pen interface and stylus, a 2,500mAh battery on board with Android’s Gingerbread 2.3 on board, although no word if Samsung has plans to bump it up to Android 4.0 in the future. Check back with us again to see if the device will indeed be launched on AT&T’s network in the future.

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