Android Central international round-up - July 14, 2012

Google’s Nexus 7 tablet is almost upon us, and although most of us are still waiting for the much-anticipated device to arrive, we’ve had plenty to keep us occupied in the way of international Android news.

Just as Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is arriving, Samsung is going on something of an upgrade spree, bringing the previous version, Ice Cream Sandwich, to a slew of older Gingerbread phone and Honeycomb tablets. Among the devices getting updated this week were the Wifi and 3G Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, as well as various flavors of Galaxy Note and Galaxy S II.

And Samsung’s launch of the 2GB, quad-core, LTE-connected Galaxy S III in its home territory of South Korea was reportedly met with record day-one sales of 50,000 units across the three main Korean carriers. That’s apparently more than double the Galaxy S II’s first-day sales, and five times the initial sales of the original Galaxy S.

British carrier O2 saw a mass outage affecting up to a third of its customer base on Wednesday and Thursday. The problem, caused by a glitch in the software which registers customers’ handsets on to the network, lasted for around 24 hours, during which time affected O2 users were unable to access the carrier’s voice or data services. The bug was dealt with by lunchtime BST on Thursday, and everyone affected by it should now be able to use their phones again.

Check out a selection of the biggest international Android stories from the past seven days below. If you’ve got news, be sure to tip us at the usual address.

Special features:

• Why we don't need another version of Android this year
• The best Android phone you can buy, as of July 2012
• Acer Iconia Tab A700 review

News:

• Android 4.0.4 lands for Canadian Galaxy S III's
• BBC launches official Olympic Games app
• Google Maps launches walking directions for 44 African countries
• Advanced gaming smartphone coming from ZTE next week
• O2 confirms UK-wide network problems
• O2 UK network restores after 24 hours downtime for some customers
• Android 4.0.4 arrives for international Galaxy Note, has a few tricks up its sleeves
• Record first-day sales for Korean Galaxy S III
• Huawei Ascend D1 goes on sale in China, Russia next month
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus ICS updates begin
• Sony launches Xperia Unleashed campaign, win stuff by finding tiny bots
• Android 4.0.4 lands on Galaxy S II in some territories
• British High Court rules in favor of Samsung in Apple trade dress case
• Canadian retailers taking Nexus 7 pre-orders

Android Central international round-up - May 12, 2012

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

While this past week or so has dominated by CTIA in the U.S, the international focus remained on Samsung's latest bag of tricks, the Galaxy S III. European networks announced pricing and release plans, as we cross off the days until the May 29 launch. We've also seen the first Galaxy S III variant emerge, in the form of a new mid-range device for Korea Telecom.

But it hasn't been all Galaxy S III -- LG announced the Optimus LTE 2, and released the Optimus L7 in the UK. And we also got a release date for the European RAZR MAXX. Meanwhile, Sony announced two sleek new Android 4.0 phones for the Japanese market -- the Xperia GX (Hayabusa) and Xperia SX (Mint). We're eager to see these arrive on international shores, but right now Sony's made no announcements to this effect.

And Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich updates continue to roll out. This week the international version of the Samsung Galaxy Note got its bump up to ICS, bringing performance improvements, some visual tweaks and new S Memo functionality to Sammy's 5.3-incher.

There was also good news for anyone on a European network who likes to travel within Europe -- the EU has voted to impose a price cap on calls and data roaming prices, meaning more reasonable roaming bills if you're travelling within Europe this summer.

Check the list below for a quick run-down of the main international Android developments in the past week or so. If you've got international news, be sure to tip us at the usual address.

Special Features

• Hype, expectation and the Samsung Galaxy S III

News

• LG announces the Optimus LTE 2, with 2GB of RAM
• Motorola RAZR MAXX coming to the UK on May 18
• Rogers preparing for launch of the Galaxy S III
• UK-based TVCatchup for Android released in beta
• Sony announces the Xperia GX and SX for Japan
• Sony Xperia GX and SX reportedly arriving in July and August
• Samsung's SVH-E170K is a mid-range Galaxy S III variant for Korea Telecom
• EU votes to impose mobile roaming price cap
• O2 UK reveals new European roaming plans
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 lands at Carphone Warehouse in the UK
• Virgin Media UK to stock the Galaxy S III 'this summer'
• Sony 'Tapioca' ICS budget handset leaks once again
• Samsung Galaxy S III available to pre-order at UK networks
• International Samsung Galaxy Note gets ICS update
• Ad banner suggests Rogers Galaxy S II could offer Exynos chip and LTE
• New TELUS site keeps customers in the loop about software updates
• Virgin Mobile Australia tipped to receive Galaxy S III
• Blurry-cam pics claim to show Sony 'Hayabusa' phone
• Samsung Galaxy S III coming to Canada with LTE
• Every major UK network will carry the Samsung Galaxy S III
• Optimus 2X ICS update delayed until Q3, says LG Singapore

Hands-on the Samsung Galaxy S III video roundup

Can’t get enough of the Samsung Galaxy S III? The device was just unveiled in London and now the hands-on videos are coming online. We scoured the web to gather up the best videos so you can see what the media is saying about Samsung’s flagship device. Check out the growing list after the break and let us know what you think.

Find any more interesting videos of the Galaxy S III? Share the links in the comments below and we will ad them to our list.

Android Central international round-up - March 17, 2012

Despite the obvious hype surrounding a certain Apple tablet, it's been another busy week of international Android news. Sony finally gave its "Pepper" smartphone an official name, the Xperia Sola, and we saw some interesting new touchscreen tech introduced in this mid-range device.

It's also been a big week for rumors and release date info. We spotted not one, but two unconfirmed Galaxy S III renders out on the web, though we're still uncertain as to how genuine they are. And finally, there was some good news for those waiting on Android updates, as the international Galaxy S II got its ICS update, as did the HTC Velocity in Australia. Meanwhile the HTC One X got a tentative UK release date of April 5.

Check some highlights from past week's Android developments in Europe, Asia and beyond in the list below. And if you've got international news, be sure to tip us at the usual address.

• 
  
  'Samsung Galaxy S III' pictured, May 22 London unveiling rumored


• 
  
  Google: Delayed app developer payments now going out


• 
  
  Virgin Mobile Australia announce the HTC One X


• 
  
  Latest 'Galaxy S III' render looks no more genuine than the last two


• 
  
  International Samsung Galaxy Note updated, obscure video editor bugs fixed


• 
  
  Samsung Galaxy Note now available on Three UK


• 
  
  UK retailer slashes Sony Tablet S price


• 
  
  HTC One X launching April 5, says O2 UK


• 
  
  HTC One V sighted in black and purple


• 
  
  Archos now shipping G9 Turbo 'ICS' edition with latest software pre-loaded


• 
  
  Motorola MOTOACTV now officially available in Canada for $250


• 
  
  The Telegraph to launch new Android application


• Ice Cream Sandwich available now for Galaxy S II in Europe and Korea


• 
  
  Next wave of Galaxy S II ICS updates begins March 19


• 
  
  Sony unveils Xperia Sola with 'floating touch' technology


• 
  
  HTC One X Deluxe Limited Edition announced in Taiwan

Android Central international round-up - April 7, 2012

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

So this week was HTC week, and there was no shortage of stories about the launch of HTC's new hero devices, the One X and One S. We had reviews, previews, hands-on features, comparisons and everything in between. If you want to learn more about HTC's shiny new toys (and trust us, you do), be sure to check out the features list below.

Both devices are out now in Europe, and every major network in the UK is offering the both phones on-contract at subsidized prices. Stateside, the One S is rumored to launch on T-Mobile in late April, with the One X tipped to follow shortly after in early May.

In non-HTC news, Motorola revealed that the GSM/HSPA RAZR MAXX would be making its way to European shores from May. Consider our interest piqued. We're eager to see what kind of longevity Moto can deliver with a 3,300mAh pack and no battery-hogging LTE radio.

Check some highlights from past week's Android developments in Europe, Asia and beyond in the list below. And if you've got international news, you can tip us at the usual address.

Special Features:

• HTC One X review
• HTC One S preview
• HTC One X - a second opinion
• HTC Sense 4: The definitive guide

News:

• Rogers LTE network now live in Calgary and Halifax
• Sony acknowledges heat-related display issue on some Xperia phones
• Motorola RAZR MAXX launches in Europe and the Middle East from May
• Google Maps adds service alerts for the London Underground
• TELUS launching the Samsung Galaxy Note in white April 4th
• HTC One X now available to pre-order on Rogers
• UK networks prepare to launch HTC One series
• Samsung Galaxy Note in ceramic white now arriving on multiple Canadian carriers
• Motorola launch 3G versions of Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition in the UK
• UK Motorola RAZR MAXX pre-order price emerges
• Sony Mobile celebrates 'Night of Imagination' with Labrinth and iLuminate

 

Android Central international round-up - 21 April 2012

This week marked the beginning of the Official Countdown to the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S III. Events press event in London on 3 may, began to roll Monday (we ' ll be there, of course), and Friday, we had a lot of juicy pieces of information disclosed in the report.

Secret Cupertinoesque Samsung ' phone s following Lighthouse (whose name we ' re not always not entirely sure) finally faltered Friday, with the one leak and a video of demi-minute a site Vietnamese tech, with 10 photos. But here ' s where things get interesting - phone ' s final design is being hidden behind a fake case plastic, therefore even if the software and specifications were bare, even don ' t know exactly what this thing looks like when it comes to the market. We ' ll be wait and see what Samsung shows us may 3, to continue to monitor in the coming weeks!

It wasn ' t all Samsung to the international Bureau, this week, though. Also, we published our review of the HTC a V, the new entry-level HTC device ' s line-up 2012. We found that although some features have been reduced to a x and S, it again for a solid budget offer, although it ' ll face difficult competition discount 2011 headlights in the coming months.

Here ' s a quick overview of some of the highlights in Android news international in the past seven days.

Special features:

• Review of v a HTC

News:

• Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Amazon by Germany
• Samsung to unveil the Galaxy S III in London may 3
• ' Samsung Galaxy S III ' overview video leak, hiding in artificial plastic cases
• Android, eating apples in China with huge market share
• HTC X One now available on Rogers Canada
• Connectivity Google + SMS 41 new countries
• XPERIA p and u pressed at the start can launch the United Kingdom
• Orange and T-Mobile UK Galaxy S II ICS updates confirmed
• Bell is the exclusive carrier of the Samsung Galaxy S II HD
• Huawei announced the global availability of P1 to
• First software update now rolling out for European HTC a x
• Stores Sony Xperia S now available at the Canada by Sony
• UK Galaxy S II finally released unlocked ICS update
• Motorola Defy Mini in Hungary topic
• Motorola for the launch of the Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition Turkey
• JCB ' s robust smartphone Android launches the United Kingdom

Android Central international round-up - March 31, 2012

Next week is HTC One week in Europe, and over the past seven days we've seen more tantalizing details about HTC's new One X and One S smartphones. Stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are expected to carry HTC One phones from next Monday, April 2, with a wider European launch for the One X and One S slated for Thursday, April 5. It's one of the biggest Android launches of the year. We're excited, and we're sure you are, too, so be sure to keep watching for more HTC One goodness as the phones finally hit store shelves

Aside from shiny new toys, the steady trickle of Ice Cream Sandwich updates continued this week, with the O2 Galaxy S II and Vodafone HTC Sensation both receiving their updates. And original Galaxy S owners finally got their hands on the promised "value pack", which brings some ICS features to the current Gingerbread firmware.
Oh, and Samsung launched its very own "store within a store" at Phones4U in London. (Yo dawg, I heard you like stores.)

HTC One X review roundup

Today the HTC One X is launching in Europe and the first reviews are beginning to appear online. We took the time to round up some of the best reviews and then look at what the reviewers were saying about each aspect of the device. Read on to see how HTC’s latest flagship device performed.

Overall, it looks like the HTC One X lived up to the high expectations that we set for it. Every reviewer was in agreement that the One X is HTC’s finest smartphone ever produced. The only major complaints we have found are things we were well aware of – the battery if not user replaceable and there is no microSD slot. The absence of a replaceable battery and microSD card might be a deal killer for sure, but if you can get past that the One X delivers one of the best displays and cameras of any Android device.

Design: “instant winner”, “quantum leap beyond any HTC”, “this is its flagship and it’s a beauty”, “cohesive and appealing design”, “ the start of a new era of design for HTC”Display: “the best I’ve ever seen on a phone”, “struggling to find fault with it in any way”, “Most gorgeous display”, “outdoors the screen was both navigable and readable”, “the best display we’ve ever seen in an Android smartphone”, “a phone we can actually use outside”, “touch keys also aren’t always hyper-responsive to being tapped”Audio: “superb across the board”, “the speaker grill belts out plenty of noise”, “Beats makes everything just a tad louder”, “speakerphone is crisp and clear and is fairly loud”, “audio quality is clear and more than pleasant on the ear, for a phone”Performance: “Incredibly quick and smooth”, “one of the best all-round imaging experiences we’ve come across without sacrificing quality”, “it handled nearly all of our tasks effortlessly”, “jaw-dropping benchmark scores”, “Apps load quickly and multitask with no lag; images open and pinch-zoom smoothly”, “Quad-core is overkill for most people”Camera: “best and easiest use of any Android device on the market”, “runs circles around the benchmark-setting iPhone 4S”, “ burst mode and still capture during video recording can be extraordinarily valuable in some situations”, “Fantastic camera”, “the quickest cameraphone we’ve ever reviewed”, “Low-light performance is particularly impressive”, “people who care little about aperture and shutter settings will take great photos with the One X”Battery: “Non-removable. There is no battery cover”, ”Standby time is amazing”, ”normal usage yielded 13 hours and 38 minutes”, “Battery life not as good as the One S”, “managed to get on an average of 7-9 hours of ‘regular’ usage, and peaking at 12-hours and 41 minutes on less busy days”, “If you’re constantly on the run with no opportunity to charge, you might need to think twice”, “Getting a full 24 hours out of the battery is easily within reach”, “Battery life is questionable”Sense UI 4.0: “there’s an overall ‘toning down’ of Sense”, “better, but it doesn’t go far enough”, “thin and light”, “this isn’t your father’s old version of Sense”, “does a much better job figuring out the spirit of stock Android and truly striving to emulate the OS”, “We were never much fans of Sense, but 4.0 changes things for the better”, “Sense 4 perhaps is the best iteration yet”

If we wrote a six-word memoir for the HTC One X it would be: “HTC’s best yet, SGS3 coming soon.” Fans of HTC will absolutely love the One X, but we can’t ignore that Samsung has yet to share the official details for the successor to the Galaxy S II. We agree that the One X appears to be the best Android phone that money can buy, but we don’t see anything truly innovative or something that has never been done.

What do you think of HTC’s latest flagship device? Do you plan on buying one when it comes to AT&T or Sprint?

HTC One S review roundup

As expected, the first round of HTC One S reviews is finally here. The HTC One S is officially available from retailers across Europe. The HTC One S has taken a back seat, since most have focused their attention on the HTC One X. But that doesn’t mean the phone is any less capable. When it comes to performance, the HTC One S is just as good (if not better) than the quad-core powered HTC One X; however, that doesn’t necessarily make it a better phone. The main drawback of the One S is its qHD Pentile Super AMOLED display, but we doubt the general public will be able to notice any real shortcomings.

We’ve read through a few reviews already and captured some of the highlights from each. Read on to see how the HTC One S performed. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Design:

“In some alternate universe, the One S would be HTC’s flagship phone”“…among those rare few phones whose design moves the whole mobile industry forward”“My only gripe is that the removable end cap at the top of the phone doesn’t provide the same sense of quality as the rest of the phone.”

Display:

“After seeing it side-by-side against the high-definition beauty on the One X, we’re going to rule in favor of the latter”“Pentile has become a dirty word in our industry”“It looks great at normal distances, and that’s all that matters”

Performance:

“The dual-core One S manages to trump its quad-core contemporary”“HTC hasn’t been able to prevent the combination of Ice Cream Sandwich and Snapdragon S4 from working like a dream”

Camera:

“Possibly the best Android cameraphone we’ve seen yet”“HTC’s ImageSense software is my choice for best camera app on any platform”“I like that you can shoot still photos in full resolution while shooting video”

Battery:

“We hit just over eight and a half hours of constant video playback during our typical rundown test — 2.5 hours more than its sibling, the HTC One X”“Even with a 40-minute photography session included, the One S managed to go a full 24 hours between charges for me”“I’ve found the phone to be a pretty solid performer in terms of real world battery use.”

Sense UI 4.0:

“While it isn’t stock, it certainly holds on to more Android riffs”“It’s brought no substantial improvements to the experience of using an Android phone”“HTC has gotten back into the business of making the user interface work for the user instead of getting in the way”

The HTC One S will always be overshadowed by the HTC One X. There are a few drawbacks to the phone (Pentile display, no expandable memory and non-replaceable battery), but the HTC One S is still positioned perfectly to be a massive success. Since it doesn’t feature all the cutting edge specs of the HTC One X or the upcoming  Samsung Galaxy S III, the One S is able to undercut its better-spec’d sibling by $125.

While most of us are looking for the next super phone, it’s clear that the One S is a few steps ahead of the best phones from last year. Is that enough to make it your next Android phone? You tell us.

Mobile Nations Fitness Month round-up!

The month may be over, but the Mobile Nations quest to use our phones and tablets, apps and accessories to get stronger, faster, and healthier continues!

February was fitness month at Mobile Nations, the month we sought to keep our new year's hopes and dreams of thinner waistlines and fitter bodies alive. Week after week we picked reasonable, attainable goals and strove to keep them -- eating less and better, moving farther and more frequently, lifting more than ever before.

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