Tech News

We’re less than a week away from the Oscars award show this Sunday and Motorola’s planning to do a little special for nominees. They’ve introduced a special edition of the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX. The device is the same internally but it has a red external chassis to give it that red carpet feel. It also comes with a fashion bag for women and a shaving bag and kit for men.

On top of that, they’ll be getting a Motorola ELITE Silve Bluetooth Headset. While these great and illustrious gifts won’t be available to the general public, Motorola’s giving five users a chance to win one of their own! Tomorrow, February 23rd, simply tweet the hashtag #RedCarpetRAZR. Visit Motorola’s twitter account for more details and read on for the full presser.

Feb. 22, 2012

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. - Feb. 22, 2012 - Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) has added another layer of glitz and glamour to Hollywood’s biggest night, creating a special edition "Red Carpet" DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola.

The phone, which will go out to select nominees and presenters at this year’s event, has twice the battery life of other smartphones. So, this Sunday, nominees with a DROID RAZR MAXX will have what they need to get through the big day - from the minute they wake up until the after-party champagne runs dry.

With its sleek design and vibrant 4.3-inch display, the phone will look every bit as good as the stars do walking the red carpet. And with DROID RAZR MAXX’s 8-megapixel camera and HD video recording, Hollywood’s elite can turn the camera back on the paparazzi and capture all the red carpet action from their perspective.

Plus, with up to 21 hours of talk time, the stars will have more than enough battery life to chat with the press, check in at home, surf the Web from their seats or Tweet to their adoring fans - all at lightning-fast speeds.

Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominees received the phone within a glamorous, gold sequined pouch, just big enough to keep the evening’s essentials. Nominees for Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor and Best Director were given a high-end shaving kit, so they can keep their faces as smooth, beautiful and chiseled-looking as ever.

We’ve also outfitted them with a Motorola ELITE SLIVER Bluetooth® headset small enough to conceal - and stylist-approved.

For mere mortals who don’t appear on the silver screen, they’ll have a chance to get their hands on a special edition "Red Carpet" DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola with a Twitter sweepstakes that kicks off Thursday, February 23. Five fans have the chance to win their own device online by retweeting #RedCarpetRAZR. For additional details, visit www.twitter.com/motorola.

About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Take a look at the Android market, Google Docs fans – Google has just issued a pretty nice update. The biggest change, by far, is the addition of real-time document collaboration that desktop users have been enjoying for quite some time. Alongisde that, we’ve got an improved editor, support for rich text formatting, layout tools and cursor presence to know where you and your collab buddies are in any given document. You’ll want to get this massive update right away so make no delay. [via Google]

Those of you waiting for the official upgrade to Android 4.0 for both the Acer Iconia Tab A100 and Acer Iconia Tab A500 can cut the wait short with a little preview of what’s to come. Official builds have been leaked on XDA, and although there doesn’t appear to be any major issues, it’s worthy to note that this build may not be final. And it does break root. If you’re OK with all of that and want to see what’s in store for the April OTA updates, head here (A100) and here (A500). [Thanks Jerry!]

Hot on the heels of ASUS providing a bootloader unlock tool, someone has already gotten ClockWorkMod recovery up and ready to go for the masses to use. Beyond that, CyanogenMod 9 is also being teased for the tablet. In the video above, BumbleDroid takes us through the ROM in which he claims everything is working. If you look closely at the build number when he visits the About Tablet menu, you can see that it’s in RC0 status, meaning we should have a public release of RC1 before too long. He even mentions that the project is pretty far along and that we should be seeing a release sometime soon. If you want to prep your device for when that time comes, grab the newly available ClockworkMod recovery at the source links ahead. [AndroidRoot.Mobi 1|2 via Android Police]

A pair of new devices have surfaced for Verizon, though at this point we only have the names to go off of. Sources close to DroidLife have outed the LG Cayman and DROID Fighter, the latter without any manufacturer designation. Any information on the two devices is complete speculation, but both could end up being one of several new devices unveiled at Mobile World Congress next week.

Employee workshops are being held for the Cayman and Fighter on March 29th and April 12th respectively, though those dates won’t necessarily coincide with either device’s release date.

[via DroidLife]

Just as LG’s first dual-core handset denoted its power with the Optimus 2X name, so will the manufacturer’s first quad-core phone, PocketNow reports. The phone rumored as the LG X3, which is said to feature a 4.7-inch 720p display, will honor the four magnitudes of power provided by its Tegra 3 processor when it launches as the LG Optimus 4X HD. The name seems like a no-brainer when taking LG’s previous releases into account.

References to a T-Mobile G4X have recently been spotted, suggesting that the sequel to the Optimus 2X will also make its way to that network. The T-Mobile G2X was the carrier’s branding for last year’s model.

LG has been busy announcing a few of their handsets, including the Optimus 3D Max and Optimus 3D Cube, ahead of Mobile World Congress, but we suspect they will keep their biggest new addition under cover until their press conference in Barcelona this Sunday.

[via PocketNow]

Since a leak back in the summer, we haven’t heard a whole lot about the Gingerbread update for the Motorola CLIQ 2. Moto had had plenty of time to work out the kinks and a post to the manufacturer’s support forums indicates the new software is entering its final phases of testing. Testers are being sought to receive the OS upgrade for the T-Mobile handset early. This soak test, which will be limited to 1,000 users, is typically the last step before a wider rollout (provided no last minute bugs are detected).

It could be any where from a few days to a few weeks before Motorola and T-Mobile push the update to all users, but if you want to throw your hat in for the testing round (if it isn’t already full) head over to the source link below.

[Motorola via DroidDog]

We’ve just received word that Verizon is experiencing yet another 4G LTE data outage in some areas. Service started taking a hit earlier this morning and has since been confirmed by Verizon support. Areas definitely seeing the effects of the outage include Arizona, Florida, and Georgia, though more regions are likely experiencing downtime.

Verizon has gotten pretty good at turning these network issues around in a matter of hours, so the best we can do is hang tight for the time being. We’ll be tracking this story and providing updates as we have them.

[Thanks, Joshua!]

Though the 8GB Nook Tablet features less total storage space than the 16GB model, it actually ships with more of that space open to the user. Whereas the 16GB model divvies out 12GB for B&N content, 3GB for the OS install, and only 1GB for sideloaded apps and other files, the 8GB model gives users access to 4GB of storage space to do with whatever they please. Starting March 12th, owners of the larger storage option will be able to take their Nook Tablet into a local Barnes & Noble store and have their device repartitioned, allowing for more space to be assigned to the user accessible portion of the drive.

You have to love the booksellers response to customer feedback and demands. After users hacked the Nook Color into a functional tablet, B&N released a software update that opened up the devices functionality. Shortly after the Nook Tablet was released, and now user requests for more storage space are being addressed. It’s nice to see a company making all the right moves, for once.

[B&N via AndroidPolice]

Samsung’s new Zipel ceramic oven takes the guesswork out of cooking thanks to a little help from your Android smartphone. While the front of the oven still features traditional controls, built-in WiFi and an Android app allows users to set the oven remotely. The app also includes 160 presets for various meals to set the oven to the perfect temperature and time. Talk about taking the guesswork out of cooking.

As you might expect from an oven with WiFi, smartphone controls aren’t the only thing that make the Zipel oven advanced. It can also speak to you and let you know the weight and calorie content of your food. We might not have flying cars but this is starting to sound like The Jetsons. The oven is also designed for greater efficiency and easier cleaning.

Unfortunately for most, the Zipel is only available in Korea, as is the case with most of the Android-conencted home appliances we have seen. Hopefully some of these gadgets will make it to other parts of the world so we can all have Android-powered ovens that suggest the perfect meal based on the food found in our Android-powered fridges.

[via UnwiredView]

Google has optimized their Flight Search, introduced to desktop users last fall, for mobile devices running Android and iOS. While an official app is still unavailable, accessing the service on a smartphone now provides all of the same useful functionality in a format tailored to the smaller screen. Set a price range and flight length; sort results by time, cost, and airline; and use a helpful map view to more easily pinpoint the location of departure and arrival or locate alternative destinations.

You can access the whole kit and caboodle simply by navigating your mobile browser over to google.com/flights. Which reminds me, I’m due on an airplane in about 24 hours and haven’t even started to think about packing. Does Google have a web app for that?

[via Engadget]

ASUS promised a bootloader unlock would be available for the Transformer Prime in February and has delivered. The company agreed to provide developers with tools that would grant deeper access to the tablet’s software after it was discovered that the Tegra 3 slate and followup to the original Transformer — a favorite among the mod and hack community — shipped with a bootloader impervious to tinkering, making the installation of custom Android builds difficult. The official unlock is available from ASUS now, but it doesn’t come without warning. As with any attempt to alter the software or hardware, even the official method will render your warranty useless and may limit the level of support ASUS will be willing to provide.

[ASUS via The Verge]

Shortly after taking wraps off the LG Optimus 3D Cube, the mobile maker has unveiled yet another handset destined for Mobile World Congress. The Android 2.3 Optimus 3D Max doesn’t differ much from the Cube, and is likely a variant of the device that will see an international release. Aside from differing display technologies, most of the specs remain the same between the two multi-dimensional handsets. The Optimus 3D Max uses a “brightened” display measuring 4.3-inches and carrying a WVGA resolution. The phone is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU and sports a dual 5MP camera setup, NFC, and 8GB of storage.

The Optimus 3D Max will hit Korea in March and then rollout to other regions starting with Europe. An upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich should be available shortly after the device’s street date. We’ll be sure to dig deeper into the differences between the Optimus 3D Max and Optimus 3D Cube at MWC and bring back hands-on video of both.

[Press Release]

If you don’t know what this Android Overload thang is all about, this is the place where we stash all the important Android and mobile related news from throughout our day. You know, the ones that didn’t make it onto our front page. Because we believe well informed readers are the best kinds of readers -- we post them here for you to give the once over. If you find an interesting article, join the convo and leave your thoughts. With that -- goodnight!

• The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has received a pre-alpha build of CyanogenMod 9. [Google+]
• A landscape dock utilizing the LTE Galaxy Nexus’ three-pin connector has surfaced on Samsung’s accessory page. [DroidLife]
• Learning Hub coming soon to Samsung tabs. [SammyHub]
• The Simpsons game coming to Android. Freemium title will launch in a few weeks. [Cnet]
• Qualcomm’s new 5th generation Gobi chip could be work on just about any network. [9to5Mac]
• Smart screen technology is aware of who is touching it. [Tech-On]
• Blockbuster streaming video coming soon to all Samsung devices. [TheNextWeb]
• LG Vu gets a full walkthrough video uploaded to YouTube.

LG is coming in hot in the days before Mobile World Congress. They’ve already announced a trio of new handsets fitting a variety of budgets and now they’re showing off the sequel to last year’s AT&T LG Thrill, with their latest 3D mobile handset — the LG Optimus 3D Cube. Featuring glasses-free 3D viewing, shooting, and editing, the Optimus 3D Cube has got you covered if you prefer to view your world in all 3 dimensions.

The device also comes with a 4.3-inch IPS display, 5MP camera, 16GB internal storage and NFC capabilities complete with “LG Tag” stickers that can be configured to automatically change the device’s settings. Probably the biggest difference in this over its predecessor is the fact that it managed to shed some of that bulk, now only 9.6mm thick.

The LG Optimus 3D Cube will arrive on SK Telecom in Korean sometime in March with no word on a US release. Guess we’ll have to see how receptive AT&T is to an LG Thrill 2.

[LG]

A device that almost got lost in the CES 2012 hooplah, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G has finally been given a more pinpointed release date for T-Mobile. The device’s most notable feature is the fact that it will run on T-Mobile’s super fast HSPA+ 42Mbps down network.

It will also be running off a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor with the latest version of Android 2.3 Gingerbread pre-installed. The device, which seems to be a rehashed/souped up Nexus S, features a 3.97 (I’ll go ahead and call it a 4-inch) SAMOLED display with 5MP rear/1.3MP front facing cameras. It will be a bit more affordable than its Hercules brother, carrying a $150 price-tag (after $50 mail-in rebate).

You can expect the device in “late March” with no actual specific date given but I guess it’s better than nothing. My guess that the device wold be an HD version of the Hercules was totally off. Anyone interested in the Galaxy S Blaze on T-Mo?

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Feb. 22, 2012 -- T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.,1 today confirmed the upcoming March availability of the Samsung Galaxy S® Blaze™ 4G, exclusively from T-Mobile®. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G is the latest addition to the successful Galaxy S line of products, and T-Mobile’s newest fast 4G smartphone to take advantage of 4G (HSPA+42) technology, providing customers with the ability to browse the Web faster than the average home Internet2 connection while on the go.

Consumers are increasingly demanding more from their smartphones -- keeping them entertained, staying connected with loved ones and enabling them to complete more tasks using a single device. A recent T-Mobile survey3 found 79 percent of smartphone users are less likely to carry other technology devices, such as cameras, laptops and GPS devices, when they have their smartphone.

T-Mobile’s newest 4G smartphone offers a variety of features and applications to help consumers be entertained and have access to the information they need when they need it. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G entertainment offerings make it easy for T-Mobile customers to stream their favorite movies on Netflix®, enjoy live or on-demand TV programs on T-Mobile® TV in mobile HD4 or download a popular movie or TV show using Samsung Media Hub. Additionally, the smartphone features TeleNav GPS Navigator, which provides hands-free, voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions, real-time traffic alerts, full-color 3-D moving maps and local alerts, helping customers get to where they need to go. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G also comes preloaded with a customized version of the Yelp mobile application, featuring the ability to save profiles so users can keep preferences the same with one touch in any city, making it easy to find and read reviews for local places to eat, shop, drink and play.

Also pre-loaded on the device, the T-Mobile 4GPro App Pack offers an aggregation of key business applications, such as DropBox, Evernote, Square, TripIt, Camscanner and LinkedIn, helping busy consumers be even more productive while balancing their professional and personal lives.

"The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is loaded with rich features and services to keep consumers entertained and connected virtually anywhere they want to go," said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. "Paired with T-Mobile’s fast 4G network and our unlimited data plans, we’re making it easy for consumers to enjoy the benefits of 4G experiences at a price they can afford."

Featuring a sleek and stylish form factor, the smartphone comes in a carbon black color and runs on Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G also features a Snapdragon™ S3 processor by Qualcomm® with 1.5 GHz dual-core CPUs and a beautiful 3.97-inch Super AMOLED™ touch screen providing consumers with a rich experience watching their favorite movie or TV show on the device.

The Galaxy S Blaze 4G also makes it easy to connect and share photos and video with loved ones. It features a 720p HD video recorder, 5-megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, flash and advanced shooting modes, as well as a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat.

Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is expected to be available at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and retailers nationwide, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com starting late March. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G is expected to cost $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate card, with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan. For more information, visit http://galaxy-s.t-mobile.com/samsung-galaxy-blaze.

Last time, we had an internal corporate video poking fun at Gmail and now Microsoft is at it again, this time, taking a jab at Google Apps for businesses. While this isn’t exactly Android related per say, it is our papa company being attacked by big bad Microsoft and when that happens — I tend to get a little defensive. I also found it interesting that Microsoft has uploaded their parody video to YouTube — a Google company — as a means of promoting their video. Ballsy.

Still, I suppose Microsoft brings up a good point. Are any of our readers actually using Google’s business apps in favor of similar Microsoft cloud services? And how feasible would it be if someone wanted to conduct a good portion of their business on an Android-based tablet or device? Any must-have office or productivity apps lacking from Android?

The official Twitter app for Android was updated today bringing with it a few new functions and UI enhancements but not all Android devices will see the new improvements. All Android devices now receive a confirmation alert when you select “Find Friends,” to better find which friends in your contacts are on Twitter.

If you’re lucky enough to be using the Twitter app on a tablet or high-resolution Android device (like the Samsung Galaxy Note), you’ll be treated to the all new (yet old) swipe/long press function for replying, retweeting and favoriting your friends’ tweets without ever leaving your timeline. Why this new option isn’t available for lower/standard-resolution devices is anyone’s guess.

Devices running Android 4.0 get a better optimized version which is good because if you’re using something like the Galaxy Note running Gingerbread, the app is laggy as all heck (strangely buttery smooth on the GSII). Kindle Fire tablet owners now have access to the app with Nook Color users getting the app in their Nook Store on Thursday.

You can find the new and improved Twitter app for Android for free right now in the Android Market. Oh, and feel free to follow me for laughs and an all around good time (@Gamercore).

[Market Link]

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a good T-Mobile leak round these parts, but today may have changed that. Thanks to TMoNews, we now see a few devices that will soon be making their way to the carrier, as revealed in this accessory inventory list.

We now have a more solid confirmation that the HTC Ville be arriving on T-Mobile with the device previously rumored to arrive in the Spring. The Huawei Prism has also made an appearance in the list, after T-Mobile recently registered a domain name with the device’s title. The more mysterious of the 3 devices in the leak is the Samsung “T769″ a device that popped up going through the FCC and shares the same model number as the Samsung Exhibit II already released for the carrier. The only Samsung device I can think of off the top of my head that’s been announced, and will soon be arriving for the carrier is the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G, so maybe this has something to do with that.

Those looking for the next quad-core device on T-Mobile will no doubt find themselves disappointed with this leak, but there’s still a possibility more devices will be revealed at MWC in a few more days. Keep your fingers crossed.

[TMoNews]

The New York Time is reporting that according to Google insiders, ‘ol Mountain View’s long rumored heads-up display glasses will officially be sold this year. No longer science fiction, these HUD glasses will allow for a wearer to see information in the world around them by integrating augmented reality into what would be normal, everyday glasses. Also revealed is that these Robocop/Terminator glasses will be experimentally priced at around $250-$600 — the cost of your average smartphone — and of course, geared to the more techie crowd.

With an integrated camera, GPS, motion sensor, 3G/4G connectivity and running on some type of Android OS, I’m excited to see what they come up with. Well, as long as they’re fashionable enough, am I right? If you think about it, not having to pull out your phone every few seconds to read a text message or tweet could have its advantages. You could even be in the middle of a face-to-face convo with the Mrs. while checking the latest sports scores. These HUD glasses sound too nerdy for you? Or will you be lining up on launch day?

[NewYorkTimes]