Russian woman boils, blends and chops Galaxy Nexus in bizarre photo shoot

Some things on the Internet simply cannot be logically explained. Like this photo shoot from a LiveJournal blog by Russian user strenger.

According to the Google Translate, which I often doubt the accuracy of, strenger was called to a friends one evening to document some sort of dinner preparation when things took a turn for the interesting. Apparently, the woman found torturing the Galaxy Nexus in the photo shoot is doing so because she had a fight with her significant other. And he’s the one who bought her the phone.

The pictures really speak for themselves. The Galaxy Nexus was fried, used as a cutting board, drenched in raw eggs, covered in ketchup, used as a sponge to do dishes, thrown in a blender and dumped into a pot of boiling hot water. After all that, the phone supposedly still works. Yeah, sure.

I’m not quite sure if this is some sort of odd marketing campaign, or just one man’s freakish fetish finally coming to fruition. It’s almost disturbing in a weird way. But I’m sure there’s some sort of message to get out of the whole thing. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

Google confirms Android 4.0.4 update on Xoom, GSM Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus

Android 4.0.4 has started rolling out on Wifi-only Motorola Xoom tablets, as well as GSM Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus phones, Google has confirmed. The new version of Android, which has been described as an "incremental update" by Google engineer Jean-Baptiste Queru, is said to include "stability improvements, better camera performance, smoother screen rotation, improved phone number recognition and more."

News of 4.0.4 launching on the Xoom and Nexus S (as well as AOSP) has already broken, but this is the first we've heard about the new version of ICS on the GSM/HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus. For what it's worth, none of our Galaxy Nexuses have received the update just yet, but we're sure that'll change in the hours and days ahead.

No word on when this update will be arriving on the Nexus S 4G or Verizon LTE Galaxy Nexus, but Android 4.0.5 has already been tipped for an early April launch on the Verizon Nexus.

Source: +Android

CyanogenMod 7.2 release candidate now live with support for 69 Android devices

The first major CyanogenMod release of the year is upon us, as the leading custom Android firmware launches the first release candidate (RC) build for version 7.2. CM release candidates are generally considered stable enough for regular use, and are intended to flush out the last remaining bugs before the final release. In addition to the large jump in the number of supported devices, currently at 69 for the new release candidate, CM 7.2 adds bug fixes and new features. These include a few which have back-ported from Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Others, such as the T9 predictive phone dialer, are found in manufacturer ROMs but not stock Android.CyanogenMod 7.2 is still based on Gingerbread, so the list of supported devices focuses on phones and tablets running Android 2.3.7 or older. CyanogenMod 9, the next major version, is based on Android 4.0. Early nightly builds of CM9 are available for a few devices, including the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S.Hit the source link for the gigantic list of CM 7.2-supported phones. We've got the full changelog after the break.Source: CyanogenMod

Google plans to make a Low-priced tablet

Google is partnering with hardware makers based in Asia on a budget friendly 7-inch tablet to challenge what Apple and Amazon.com is offering, according to a report.

According to Wall Street Journal and Digitimes, the hardware will be built by Asustek and Samsung, while the software side will run Android supported by the California Internet Giant. It is set to go against Kindle and iPad devices.

The Asustek tablet is expected to be released on May 2012 with a competitive price of $199. It should be an option for consumers considering the Amazon.com made tablet called Kindle Fire, according to Digitimes.

This action by Google will surely pressure other tablet manufacturers to lower the price of their tablet PC’s.

Google Maps updated, 50 billion kilometers navigated

Google continues to add features to its Maps service for mobile, and the latest version of Google Maps for Android adds in a couple of small changes which may make it easier to get around. First up, there's a new home screen for Google Maps Navigation on Android 4.0 devices. Secondly, Google's improved the way Maps works on phones with high resolution displays, like the Galaxy Nexus, and optimized the way text and vector graphics are shown on these devices. Finally, you can now prioritize a particular mode of public transport when getting directions, and specify fewer transfers or less walking depending on your preferences. Google says that public transport schedules and directions are now available for 475 cities around the world.

Along with today's update comes the news that Android users have navigated 50 billion kilometers To give a little perspective, Google points out that's ten times the distance from Earth to Neptune, the farthest planet from the Sun. As Maps for Android approaches its fourth birthday, it remains a major differentiating feature for Google's OS. In the very unlikely event that you're not already using it, you can find Google Play Store links after the break.

More: Google Blog

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Droid Pro update official, change log posted

A couple days ago we told you about the soak test starting up for the Motorola Droid Pro, and it seems to have passed and version 4.7.3.XT610 has been made official. Verizon has posted the change log and update instructions on their support site, with some critical bugs being addressed. The full list:

• Improved security with DigiNotar security patch.


• Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System.


• Device will no longer lockup or reset after an Over the Air update.


• Device will no longer automatically power on after it has been powered off.


• Pressing the spacebar key will no longer cause the device to lockup.


• Improvements to keyboard backlighting.


• Smart Forwarding will no longer cause forwarded messages to remain in the Outbox


• V CAST Apps is now updated to version 2.00.54.


• VZ Navigator is now updated to version 7.2.0.461

Users affected by the weird lockup and phantom reboot bugs should be especially happy, and security fixes are always welcome on a device designed for business use. For those who aren't using the Droid Pro for business and have been using other methods to keep it current, don't accept this one until a developer says you can. 

There's no timeline when you should expect the update, but as soon as we hear that it's begun rolling out we'll let you know. It's not ICS, but at least Motorola and Verizon didn't forget about the Droid Pro.

More: Verizon

Android 4.0.4 OTA for the GSM Nexus S now available

Many GSM Samsung Nexus S owners have been patiently waiting to see when Google would push the next update to their devices, and the answer is right now. Android 4.0.4 is currently rolling out to users showing a build of IMM76D. You have a few options when it comes to installing it of course. If you're on a stock device running Android 4.0.3, you can download and install directly from the OTA or use the directions below:

Keep in mind, this is for GSM devices only

• Grab the OTA package here


• Rename it to update.zip.  This isn't needed for the Nexus S bootloader, but it makes things easy, if that's how you prefer them.


• Copy it over to the internal storage on your Nexus S.


• Power off, then hold volume up and power to reboot to the bootloader.


• Using the volume key to navigate, select recovery, then use the power button to confirm


• When you see the warning triangle and arrow, hold the power button and tap volume up.  You'll see a menu.


• From the menu, select "apply update from /sdcard", and choose update.zip from the list.


• Let it do its thing and update your system, radio, and other partitions.  When finished, choose "reboot system now"


• Enjoy!

If you're rooted, there is a Clockwork Mod flashable zip file available for download as well, but again you will have to be on Android 4.0.3 to make use of it as it is not a full OS update. The CWM flashable file is stock, with a insecure boot image with Busybox and Superuser installed, as well as the stock recovery removed.

Source: XDA (1), (2)

St. Patrick's Day Sale: Save 10% on everything at ShopAndroid.com!

Saturday is St. Patrick's Day. And while there's a better-than-average chance that we'll be hunting leprechauns and drinking green beer, there's absolute certainty of a major sale going on at ShopAndroid.com! For the rest of today, you can save 10 percent off everything in the store. Green cases, too! 

How To Get Your GREEN Savings: Be sure to use coupon code PATTY12 at checkout to save on all your accessory purchases. The sale ends tonight at Midnight PDT, so hurry now and take advantage of the savings while you can!

• Let the St. Patty's Day savings begin!
  

Epson America now shipping Android-powered Moverio BT-100 wearable display

Epson America this morning announced that it's now shipping the Android-powered Moverio BT-100 wearable display. Yes. Android-powered grandma glasses. On your melon.

I got to take these guys for a spin last fall in January. They pretty much feel how you'd think they feel -- a bit bulky. Get over that, and having the equivalent of an 80-inch display projected in front of your peepers is a pretty cool, if not entirely practical, idea. 

With the glasses and earbuds over and in their respective orifices, you hold in your hand a controller (about the size of an old-school, original iPod) that connects to the glasses via a wire. The top half of the controller is a trackpad, for moving a cursor around the heads-up display. There are the usual Android buttons as well, and a directional-pad if that's how you prefer to navigate the menus. There's also a button to toggle between 2D and 3D modes.

So how'd it work? Look, it's a novelty, to be sure. But it's also one that was a bit surprising. It takes a minute to get used to the idea of video that close to your eyes. But even the 3D video we watched caused less strain than when we've tried it on smartphones. Another cool effect of the glasses is that you can remove the opaque lenses and actually see through the UI. Not that you're going to want to be walking and playing anytime soon, but the idea is that you lose some of the claustrophobia. The world is still the world.

The user interface we saw back in January October was very much in prototype mode, so it was a bit janky, a mix of stock Android and something custom. But it also was very familiar and easy to find our way around.

Do you want one of these? It's certainly a fun idea, but you're going to need to have some cash burning a hole in your pocket, as it's going for a suggested retail price of $699. But think of the possibilities. Temple Run. At 80 inches. Angry Birds IN YOUR FACE. Or, you know, (warning: Shameless plug ahead) the all new Android Central Forums app.

We've got more pics and video after the break.

Edit: Oh, how time blends together. Saw this guy in January, not October. Carry on.

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Late-night poll: Do you run a custom ROM?

OK guys and gals -- I'm doing a little leg work here for a project I have in the works. You might have seen my question on Google+ asking folks with a stock Android phone if they use a custom ROM (if you haven't seen it, and you can answer, please do!). Tonight I'm tapping the collective mind of our AC faithful and asking a similar question:

Do you run a custom ROM on your phone?

The poll is below, and whether you do or don't, or even if you're not the rooting type, let me know. Share the link with your friends who use Android, they can vote as well. I need as much data as possible. If you have anything to add, by all means let me know in the comments!

My answer? Yes. On a stock vanilla device I usually just run stock AOSP, which technically counts as a custom ROM, and on devices that aren't stock I'll pick one of the great Android developers out there who has stripped out the bloat and cleaned up the base and use his or her work. I do it because I can, I'm nerdly like that. Now let me know what you all do.

Heads up: We're giving away a THIRD ASUS Transformer Prime and dock

So we're already giving away two ASUS Transformer Prime's with their keyboard docks -- one via Google+, the other in our forums. Only, as some of you have noticed, the Google+ link is mostly dead. Pesky rules or something. No matter. Here's what we're going to do:

We're going to give away a third Transformer Prime and keyboard dock. To enter, just leave a comment in this post. That simple.

So now you've got three ways to win -- in the now-dead Google+ thread (don't you worry, we can still see it, so we can still pick a winner), this thread in our forums, and now here on this post. We'll shut it down at the same time -- 8 a.m. PDT Monday morning.

?Who do ya love?

Deal of the Day: Mobi Products Hard Shell Case for Motorola Droid RAZR

The March 28 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Mobi Products Hard Shell Case for Motorola Droid RAZR. This Hard Case provides great protection against drops, is extremely slim and form-fitting, and is designed specifically for the Droid RAZR with cut outs for all of the devices features including the screen. Available in black, blue, red, purple, and pink.

The Mobi Hard Shell Case is available for just $4.95, 75% off the regular price today only. Get yours while supplies last!

Opera Mini 7 available for Android devices today, cuts data consumption and makes browsing quicker

We have heard that Opera was bringing some new browsers to Android devices, and today they have officially landed in the market. Opera Mini 7 brings a faster browsing experience and allows you to pan around sites quicker thanks to hardware acceleration. In addition they have expanded the ability to their "speed dials" which give quick and easy access to your favorite websites without needing to access the bookmarks or use the keyboard. They have cut up to 90 percent of the data transfer out, so if you are on a limited data plan, or traveling and don't want to rack up a crazy bill, this is a browser for you. Hit the break for download links, and try it out for yourself.