New Galaxy Note gets Snapdragon processor, hints at US launch

Not too long ago Michael was bummed that the Samsung Galaxy note hybrid tablet/smartphone wasn’t offered in the US. The tablet had crossed the FCC in the past, but as Michael pointed out that doesn’t always mean the tablet is headed to the States. Another new model of the Galaxy note has now been spied. This time it looks like the tablet may actually be bound for the US.

On the Galaxy S II smartphones that are for international use, the phone uses the Enxyos processor. However, when the S II came to the States Samsung changed to the Snapdragon chip. This is apparently because the Snapdragons work better with the HSPA+ networks that AT&T and T-Mobile operate in the US.
The new Galaxy Note with part number SGH-I171 that has been spied is packing that Snapdragon processor so it would seemingly be bound for the US. The tablet also has 4G LTE as well. This is an interesting device with a 5-inch display and 1280 x 800 resolution that skirts the gap between tablets and smartphones. Gottabemobile expects the Note to hit AT&T in early 2012.
[via SlashGear]

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And Just Like That – Google Wallet Has Been Successfully Installed On The Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Not sure if this is more of a “Booyah!” or “In your face!” moment but despite Verizon’s greatest efforts, Google Wallet has successfully been installed on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. You can even take advantage of Google’s bonus $10 of spending cash to get you started on your new NFC journey. As usual, all the fun stuff comes after rooting your device and this is no different with the Galaxy Nexus. Google Wallet can be found and flashed using the ROM Manager app found in the Android Market.
Thanks to @myz06vette and @dl_evans!
[Market Link]

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4 Out Of 5 Bearded Lizards Agree – Eating Bugs On Android Is More Fun Than Real Life [Video]

There’s a viral video making its way around the internets and in case you haven’t seen it (you really need to), I figured I’d squeeze it in with my nightly posts here. The video shows an adorable little bearded dragon who has decided that bugs just taste better when on Android. Okay, so the tiny lizard has no idea he just got the high score on Ant Smasher or even that he’s gaming on a Desire HD. He just wants those little virtual bugs crawling across the screen. And he’s gotten quite good at it too. Check out the video to see for yourself and get those, “Awwwwwwww”s ready…

Thanks, Simon!

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Android Team Introduces New “Android Training” Classes To Help Developers Build Better Apps

Android Developers blog has introduced the (beta) launch of a new series of classes for Android developers looking to build better apps. They’re calling it “Android Training” and the goal is to help bring higher quality apps to the Android Market by giving developers the training they need on designing higher quality apps when it comes to areas like more effective app navigation, managing audio playback and — here’s a big one — optimizing battery life. Things are starting off pretty small with more classes and over-arching courses coming down the pipeline. So, if you’re an Android developer looking for a little extra help on building better apps, head on over to Android Developers for more info. Class is now in session!
[AndroidDevelopers]

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Rumor: Apple is developing 7.85-inch iPad to compete with Kindle Fire

Apple may begin selling smaller, 7.85-inch iPads next year to compete with newer tablet devices, according to sources within the US firm’s supply chain who are quoted by a DigiTimes report.
The company is rumoured to already be sourcing parts to begin producing the units by mid next year:

In addition to purchasing 7.85-inch panels from LG Display, Apple will also buy panels from AU Optronics (AUO), indicated the sources, adding that makers in the supply chain are likely to begin production of the 7.85-inch models at the end of the second quarter of 2012.

The rumoured size has been selected to allow the iPad to compete with, but differentiate itself from, the 7-inch Kindle fire and a number of large-sized smartphones that manufacturers like Samsung has introduced to the market.
Apple is also thought to be launching the third version of the iPad during the first quarter of next year, in response to the growth of tablet PCs, which are expected to reach 60 million units by the end of this year
Previous iPad rumours have included speculation that a thinner iPad 3 will land in March. Back in October, analysts predicted that production of the iPad 3 would be under way before the end of the year, by which time an initial 1 million devices are thought to be ready.

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Amazon Now Offering Verizon Galaxy Nexus for $150 to New Customers, $200-$250 for Existing Customers

After scoping out some deals from rival retailers Amazonhas updated their pricing for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. New customers of Verizon’s can get the phone for a low $150. If you’re an existing customer on an individual line, a still-attractive $200 price tag awaits you. If you’re on a family plan you’ll get $50 off its retail price at $250. Not bad at all, but be sure to consider the backorder date Amazon is currently displaying – it might be more than a week before you even see the thing. Head over there now to check the deals out for yourself. [Amazon, Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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HTC Thunderbolt OTA Update Coming Soon – Includes Bug Fixes and New Radio Version

Verizon is getting ready to push out a new OTA (over-the-air) update for the first 4G LTE device to hit the carrier — the HTC Thunderbolt. This will bring the T-Bolt up to software version 2.11.605.9, which contains the usual bug fixes and even a new baseband version. Improved radios are always fun. Other notable changes of the 36MB update include:

• Resolved issue with contact ringtones
• Improvements to notification volume
• Updated local streaming playback mechanism when network connection is not available
• Updated Twitter API for Peep/FriendStream
• Clock app included in All App list
• Improvements in Exchange ActiveSync

No word yet on exactly when Verizon plans to push the update to devices but it wont hurt to manually check for it yourself by jumping into your Settings > Software Update > Check Now. Let us know if anyone receives it!
[Via AndroidPolice]

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HP TouchPad receives Alpha version of MIUI

We’re likely to see Android development progress quicker now that HP decided to disperse WebOS as an open source OS, and recent news suggests developers are getting excited. MIUI, an extremely popular visually modified/skinned version of CyanogenMod, has started to make its way over to the HP TouchPad. This is an extremely stable Alpha version, and would suffice for daily use.

All main components are working: Audio, WiFi, Bluetooth, touchscreen, charging, all sensors, headphone port, gallery, YouTube, and even the many MIUI themes. Bear in mind, none of this would be possible without the countless hours of work put in by the CyanogenMod team. Thus, as CM7 becomes more stable on the HP TouchPad, MIUI will follow.




The above YouTube clip really shows how fluid this MIUI ROM works out on the WebOS native device, and is overall quite impressive. The CyanogenMod team recently released Alpha v3.5, drastically reducing bugs and increasing game performance. They suggest this update increases the overall fluidity and 3D rendering, so it’s safe to say we can expect an update to the MIUI port soon.
[via XDA Developers]

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Target offers Verizon Galaxy Nexus for $189.99 with a new 2-year contract

Now that the Verizon Galaxy Nexus has finally launched, the only thing left to do is look for the best deal. LetsTalk had quite a good deal at 12:00AM PST this morning, with it priced at $154.99 after using a special coupon code. Unfortunately, they oversold it leaving some customers on a 2 week waitlist. This is not an ideal situation to be in, so you may want to act fast on this deal at Target while it’s relatively new.

I went over to my local Target earlier today and they didn’t have any in stock, therefore I figured they wouldn’t be carrying it. Needless to say I was wrong. This deal will save you an extra $100, so if it for some reason is out of stock online later tonight, it might benefit you hit up Target as soon as they open. This may turn out to be an online-only deal, but we’ll definitely find that out through the next few days
More deals are bound to come, so stick with us and we’ll feed them to you as they emerge. Surprisingly, over at XDA in the Galaxy Nexus general chat, most users (if not all) are able to score some sort of discount before they complete their purchase. So don’t plan on paying the full $299.99 advertised retail price, there is some obvious markup involved. Not to say the phone isn’t worth it of course – but you may as well save money where you can.
[via Target]

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