Samsung offering 16 premium games for free to select Galaxy smartphone users

Samsung is offering 16 Android games free of cost to select Galaxy smartphone users via its App store – Samsung Apps. The supported devices include Samsung Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy S, SLCD, Galaxy R, and Galaxy s WiFi 5.0.
Each of these devices support different games according to their hardware, while S2 supports 11 games, Ace only supports one of them. You can check out the full list here and even download them.
Some of the games on offer for free:

• Riptide GP HD
• Air Attack HD
• European War
• Roboto

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Samsung confirms Ice Cream Sandwich updates coming to Galaxy devices in Q1 2012

Despite the fact that its regional offices had confirmed which of its handsets and tablets would receive Ice Cream Sandwich updates, Samsung has today made a public announcement confirming that the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab models will receive Android 4.0 updates.
Both the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note will receive Ice Cream Sandwich updates in the first quarter of 2012, with the Galaxy R and various Galaxy Tab following soon after.
Samsung lists the following devices will be eligible for an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich:

The ICS-upgradable devices are the GALAXY S II, GALAXY S II LTE, GALAXY Note, GALAXY R, GALAXY Tab 10.1, GALAXY Tab 8.9, GALAXY Tab 7.7, and GALAXY Tab 7.0 Plus.

As with many of the other major Android vendors, Samsung has said that it will make individual announcements for each of its other Android smartphones, but notes it will be “according to market situation and carrier’s requirements”.
In October, the update roster was seemingly confirmed by Samsung Italy, which said not only would the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note get the update, owners of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus would also see the software release come to their tablet device.
Alpha builds of the Android 4.0 update for the Samsung Galaxy S II have already begun to leak but are currently very buggy, so it is not recommended you update your device until Samsung officially launches its updates at the beginning of next year.

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Kindle Fire Software Update Rolling Out Now – Warning: Breaks Root And Re-root

Kindle Fire owners should be well aware that software version 6.2.1 is rolling out for Amazon’s latest tablet and just as before, root will be completely removed from the device. The only difference is this time around, it will pretty much be impossible to re-root using SuperOneClick utility. Yep, it looks like Amazon has patched up root ability (for now). So what can you do if you’re a rooted Kindle Fire user? Well, aside from avoiding connecting to your WiFi network, not much. Well, you could always read up on the latest method for installing Cyanogen Mod on the tablet will prevents official auto-updates of the Amazon variety.
If you’re curious what new additions software version 6.2.1 brings, there’s reportedly smoother scrolling, password protected WiFi access and the ability to remove recently used items from the carousel. Once again, if you do decide to jump into the rabbit hole that is custom ROMs, make sure you read up good and well before diving in. Anyone rethinking a Kindle Fire purchase if a new root method can’t be found?
[XDA | Liliputing | Via Engadget]

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December 22nd Release Date for Motorola DROID 4 Pops Up Again

It’s been rumored and leaked that the Motorola’s Droid 4 — the newest 4G LTE equipped version of their QWERTY slider — could be arriving on Verizon as early as the 22nd of this month (just a few more days). Well, adding a little more fuel to that fire, a new leak has surfaced today, further implicating that 22nd launch date. The device shares more than a few similarities with the Droid Razr — well, aside from the whole being thin part.

Given the fact that the Galaxy Nexus suffered numerous “delays” before officially launching, we expect any less from the Droid 4. I wouldn’t think Verizon would want to launch so many devices within such a small time frame but I suppose anything could happen. Especially if they want to capitalize on the busy holiday shopping season.
I know a lot of our readers have been waiting for this device seeing how the Droid (insert number here) line usually sees a Global variant, this could make the Droid 4 the go-to-phone for frequent travelers. Anyone waiting on the “Droid RAZR with keyboard?”
[Via Droid-Life]

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Verizon Galaxy Nexus Vehicle Dock Lacks 3-Pin Connector – What Gives?

If you were looking to cruise in style and outfit you new brand new Verizon Galaxy Nexus with the official Samsung vehicle dock, you may want to hold that thought. Apparently, the American/Verizon version of the car dock (pictured above) is without the three-pin connectors you see in the UK/GSM version of the dock (pictured below).

Not sure exactly what’s up but if you want the higher quality — and better featured vehicle dock — from the UK, you’re going to have to pay a higher premium, along the lines of £50. If unplugging and replugging your phone isn’t too troublesome for you, the Verizon version of the car dock can be had for $40. Which version will all you “elite” Galaxy Nexus owners out there be purchasing? (Yes, I’m still bitter from a complete lack of Gnex on Sprint). From the sound of it, Verizon GNex users don’t sound too happy with the version of their car dock.
[Amazon (GSM) | Verizon Wireless | Via Engadget]

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Word Press 2.0 Now Available For Android – New UI, Added Features, Tablet Support and More

Word Press for Android has been updated to version 2.0 in the Android. With the shiny new new version number comes a significant upgrade to the UI of Word Press, like an all new Dashboard and Quick Action Bar, giving users 1-click access to the most used functions in WP. Also new to this version is the inclusion of rich text formatting and better media features. Word Press for Android even has full tablet support, allowing you to take advantage of the extra screen real estate. Can’t say I expect the majority of our readers to find this as excited as we do — you know, having an Android blog and all — but for those of you that have used Word Press in the past (for whatever reason) this most likely comes as a very welcomed update.

You can find the all new and improved Word Press 2.0 for Android in the Market right now for free. Don’t forget to check out the video below to see all the features in action. Cheers.

[Market Link]

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Google Music Blowout Sale – Hottest Tracks and Albums Over 50% Off!

While this isn’t exactly the 10 cent app sale were enjoying a few days ago, Google Music is having a blowout sale of their own, offering up over ten million tracks and/or entire albums from some of the hottest artists in the biz right now, for a little over 50% off. Artists range anywhere from Drake, Jay-Z, to Nirvana and oldies like The Police. Not sure how long these artists will be discounted (limited time offer) so you’d better hurry if you love great music and more importantly, like getting it legally.
[Google Music Blowout Sale]

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First the court, now Samsung beating Apple in Australia’s mobile market

Fresh from beating Apple in the court room in Australia — after the ban on its Galaxy Tab was overturned earlier this month — Samsung has leapfrogged its rival to take the top spot in the country’s smartphone market, according to new data released by ABI Research today.
The Korean manufacturer now holds 49 percent of the smartphone market in Australia and 28.5 percent in New Zealand, which puts it ahead of rival Apple which holds 36 percent and 13 percent respectively. In New Zealand, Apple has even slipped into third place with Chinese manufacturer Huawei rising to 20 percent of the country’s smartphone market.
According to IDC, the popularity of the Samsung Galaxy range is responsible for the firm’s growth, while a rise in the availability of mid- and low- range Android devices is beginning to show, with Apple’s market share watered down as a result.
IDC analyst Yee-Kuan Lau explains in more detail:

There is a gradual shift in demand by cost-conscious consumers to low-cost Android smartphones from feature phones across [Australia and New Zealand], as more low cost smartphones are becoming available in the market.
In Australia for example, the shift in demand from feature phones has helped boost sales in the sub-US$150 segment with low-cost Android smartphones such as Huawei U8180 Ideos X1, especially when 90% of feature phones were priced below US$150.

The firm expects that Android will continue to pip Apple in Australia, whilst it foresees that the Google owned operating system will push out a strong lead in New Zealand too.
Australia and New Zealand are frequently analysed side-by-side, however their levels of smartphone usage vary considerably. Smartphones account for 65 percent of all mobile devices in Australia — making it one of the most developed markets on the planet — however, that figure drops down to 43 percent for its Antipodean neighbour.
Further proof that New Zealand’s market is a little further behind on the development curve is shown by the sheer growth of its mobile space. The industry posted 55 percent year on year growth in sales, that’s compared to a 17 percent shrinkage in handset shipments in Australia.
Samsung was recently strongly linked with overthrowing Nokia at the top of India’s smartphone rankings. In October, the firm posted its best ever year of sales, which were up by 300 percent, albeit with lower profits.

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Google’s X team working on Terminator-style HUD glasses

“Wearable technology.” These days, the phrase conjures up images of laughably impractical watch-phone hybrids, single function devices like the FitBit and gigantic head-mounted displays that are useless for anything but watching movies for about 20 minutes at a time. But information leaking out of the shadowy inner test labs known as Google X indicates that the company is working on nothing less than a personal Heads-Up Display (HUD), a staple of science fiction for decades, and the goal of many converging technologies like transparent screens and microscopic transistors.

According to an anonymous source speaking to 9to5Google, Google’s take on HUD glasses is nearing the end of its prototype stage. The idea is that a pair of glasses overlays information onto transparent lenses, focusing on memory assistance – think things like a Google Maps Navigation overlay, or facial recognition that can display people’s when you can’t recall them. If you’re a literary geek, go read Daniel Suarez’s Daemon for an idea of the possibilities – the implications are staggering. According to the early leak the device, which SlashGear is calling the literal Google Goggles, will run Android, but will not be dependent upon an Android device to function. The mobile data connection and any other necessary hardware will be contained within the thick frames. Google co-founder Sergey Brin said to be taking a personal interest in the project.
All this is so speculative that calling it a rumor would be an understatement. But Google has a history of sinking tons of money into previously unknown territory, like its self-driving car program. And it’s not as if the applications don’t already exist – the military uses helmet-mounted HUD systems for fighter pilots and infantry, and even more recreational activities like skiing are starting to apply the ideas behind wearable displays.
Imagine the possibilities behind current and future tech: you receive a text party invite via your Google Voice account, it displays on your Google Goggles, you use voice input (perhaps Majel?) to respond and RSVP, then do a voice search for the address, eye tracking sensors let you indicate the right spot, and you activate a Google Navigation overlay – all without pressing a button. Fantastical? Maybe. Impossible? Maybe not.
[via SlashGear]

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