CyanogenMod shelves ICS/Jelly Bean support for Snapdragon S1 devices

The CyanogenMod team has announced that it won't be able to officially support phones powered by first-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon chips in version 9 or 10 of its popular custom firmware. The CM team broke the news on Google+, where it revealed that a combination of hardware limitations and concerns for user experience quality were behind the decision. This means many older Android handsets that shipped in Q1 and Q2 2010, such as HTC's Nexus One, Desire and EVO 4G, will not see official CyanogenMod 9 or 10 builds, and will have to look elsewhere for their ICS or Jelly Bean fix. All affected devices will continue to be supported on the Gingerbread-based CyanogenMod 7.x branch, the team says.

Explaining the technical issues behind the decision, CM highlighted the good old Nexus One. In order to run CM9 or 10, the phone's internal memory would need to be repartitioned, and even then the lack of certain proprietary code for the phone's SoC (system-on-a-chip) would've made for a janky user experience -- "the pieces just aren't there." The team notes that it wouldn't be impossible to get ICS or Jelly Bean running on this hardware, but that doing so could break third-party application support because of the hackiness of the code involved.

If you still want Android 4.x on your Nexus One, you'll certainly be able to do so on other custom ROMs (and unofficial CM builds), though you'll sacrifice stability in order to do this. It's unfortunate, but when you remember that most of these phones shipped more than two years ago on Android 2.1 or earlier, it's not all that surprising.

We've got the full list of affected devices after the break.

Source: +CyanogenMod

read more

Gmail updated with improved 7-inch tablet support, new labels API

For the first time since the launch of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the official Gmail app for Android has been updated. The new version is available right now through the Google Play Store, so head to the "My Apps" tab to get yourself up-to-date.

There's not too much in the way of radical changes in this latest Gmail app update -- the changelog reveals that Google's rolling our improved 7-inch tablet support on Android 4.0 and above, and a new "labels" API for third-party apps on Android 2.2 and above. The former obviously refers to the Nexus 7, which is now starting to make its way out to consumers around the world. Despite the news of 7-inch tablet improvements, we haven't been able to track down exactly what Google's changed on our Nexus 7. The UI is much the same as it was before, so we're likely looking at subtle alterations for 7-inch tablet owners. The new labels API is also a bit of a mystery. It's possible this is a replacement for functionality removed around a year ago which disabled third-party Gmail widgets, though this too is mere speculation.

Users on all versions of Android also get a healthy helping of bug fixes and performance improvements, so that's reason enough to upgrade even if you're not a Nexus 7 owner or an application developer.

If you've noticed any dramatic changes in this new version of Gmail, hit the comments and let us know what you've found.

Download: Gmail on Google Play

HTC Support confirms HTC Rezound Android 4.0 update coming before the end of July

By now, many of you are already looking forward to the Android 4.1 update for your device – but let’s not forget that there are quite a few people still craving for a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). Verizon’s HTC Rezound owners are among those who still have not received the Android 4.0 update [...]]]>

WordPress for Android updated to include support for Nexus 7, Danish language

In what is likely one of the first of a lot of forthcoming app updates, the fine folks from Automattic have gone ahead an updated WordPress for Android for the Nexus 7. The update isn't really of vital importance to a lot of folks right yet, but if you're awaiting a Nexus 7 which is now shipping you can take satisfaction in knowing WordPress will be supported. In addition to the Nexus 7 support, you'll also find that the app now has Danish language support included.

Download: Wordpress for Android

Sky Go for Android gets fresh on-demand content, ICS support inbound

British broadcaster Sky has announced some major updates to its Sky Go streaming application for Android. The update adds on-demand streaming of Sky Movies content, and "popular entertainment channels" including Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living and Sky Arts 1. The new channel listing brings the Sky Go Android app up to par with its iOS cousin. There are also additional account controls built into the new app, which allow customers to view their Sky package and monthly bills.

Compatibility is still an issue, as Sky's been slow to test and certify new devices (likely due to licensing restrictions rather than the broadcaster's own intransigence.) Right now official support is only available for the HTC Desire, Desire S, Desire HD, Incredible, Sensation, Sensation XE, as well as Samsung's Galaxy S and Galaxy S II. And they're only supported on Android 2.2 and 2.3, so you're SOL once you get that long-awaited ICS update.

In any case, Sky says a future update, due by the end of July, will add support for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, as well as the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Note. There's no word on Jelly Bean support, though right now the app refuses to install on our Nexus 7 and I/O edition Galaxy Nexus. The Galaxy Note, it seems, is currently supported, according to the Google Play Store listing.

If you're a Sky subscriber, hit the comments and let us know how you're getting on with the new version. We've got Sky's press release after the break.

Download: Sky Go

read more

Samsung cares, releases new support app to help prove it

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Samsung as a company is massive and although I'm sure we all would prefer it if they concentrated only on mobile devices, that's not the case. They have a ton of products out there on the market ranging from mobile phones, fridges, washers and more. Supporting all of those products can be quite a hassle but Samsung wants you to know they do in fact care about each and every support question that may be out there, no matter which one of their products you may be using.

In an effort to show that they've gone ahead and released a new mobile app called Samsung Cares. The Samsung Cares app covers a wide array of Samsung products and for each you can view online tutorial videos, review support documentation and even check your warranty status, repair status and more. Plus, if you're still not finding the information you need it provides support numbers for Samsung directly. Sure, some folks may not find it useful at all but the fact it even exists is a nice gesture from Samsung. Want to check the app out? The link is below for downloading it.

read more

Future of CyanogenMod 7 detailed, new device support on the way

While much of the custom ROM community is focused on getting the latest and greatest Ice Cream Sandwich-based goodies onto their devices, the CyanogenMod team continues work on the Gingerbread-based CM7. The current iteration, CyanogenMod 7.2, is being developed alongside the upcoming CyanogenMod 9, and a final release is coming "soon" according to the latest status update.

There's also good news for owners of devices that won't make it up to CM9 -- development on version 7 will continue beyond 7.2, so hopefully no-one should be left in the lurch. Finally, the CM team announced that five new devices have been added to the nightly list for CM7.2 -- the HTC Status (aka ChaCha), HTC Wildfire S, LG Optimus Chic, Motorola Photon and Samsung Galaxy 5.

There're more details to be found in the full CM status update, over at the source link.

Source: CyanogenMod

HBO Go and Max Go updated with ICS support, but for phones only

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

HBO Go and MAX Go, streaming video-on-demand services from Home Box Office, have both been updated to support Ice Cream Sandwich devices. It's been a long time coming, and subscribers to the pay channels who want to stream video to their Android devices can finally do so with the latest phones, but only phones. It seems that HBO has decided not to include tablets in this update, nor any Google TV devices. 

To be fair, we're not sure if this is an oversight, a technical issue, or something else. We are sure that it works on the iPad, and if coded correctly, any app that runs on ICS on our phones should run on our tablets as well. I've reached out to Home Box Office, so maybe they will have the answers. In the meantime, you can grab the apps at the links below and enjoy them on your phones.

download HBO Go | download MAX Go

Google+ Android app gets web snippets and better hashtag support

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

One of our biggest gripes about the Android Google+ app was that it didn't include a sexy web snippet when sharing a URL. With today's update, that has been addressed, and sharing web links through the Android intent system (that's the "share" option in your menu) now presents the same sort of pretty magic as it does from the desktop. 

This is enough of an update for many of us to be happy, but wait -- there's more! You'll also get support for #hashtags, and the obligatory bug fixes and performance enhancements. All for the low, low price of free -- the download link is after the break.

via: +Anish Acharya

read more

Tumblr support now available within Seesmic Ping

When Seesmic took the covers off their new Ping application there was a few services missing, most notably Tumblr. Seesmic did note that Tumblr support would come later and if you've been making use of the app despite waiting for Tumblr support, you'll be pleased to know it has enabled. All together you can access Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Salesforce and Linkedin with Seesmic Ping and send updates to any of those destinations or any combination of those destinations as you see fit. There is no download required for this as it is a server side change but if you've yet to give it a try, you'll find the download link beyond the break.

Source: Seesmic

IMDb Movies & TV app updated to support HD streaming of movie trailers on tablets and smartphones

When we chose IMDb Movies & TV as the tablet app of the year in our 2011 Android Central Editors' Pick Awards it was a pretty fine looking app and in that time, IMDb has continued to improve upon the app overall. The last update brought a new layout and ICS features but now a new update is available for download.

Movie buffs will want to grab this one for sure as it addresses some long standing bugs but more importantly it adds HD streaming of trailers for both tablets and smartphones. Download is past the break for you all, also if you're checking it out let us know what movies you're looking forward to this summer in the comments.

read more

Facebook Messenger updated, with updated visuals and better support for ICS

That other Facebook app, Facebook Messenger, just received an update that among other things is supposed to make it play better with Ice Cream Sandwich. 

The visuals have also been updated, and while not a major update, things do look crisper all round. They haven't totally bought into the ICS way of things though, as on the Galaxy Nexus for example, the menu button is still the 3 little dots next to the onscreen buttons. 

So what else do we get then? Faster ways to start conversations and group conversations -- faster than using the full bore Facebook app that's for sure. Hitting the + button brings up a list of your more recently contacted friends, and right at the top is the "new group conversation" button. 

Otherwise, we're treated to the usual smattering of bug fixes, and performance and battery life improvements. We've got the download links for you after the break.

read more

Instagram updated once again, brings support to tablets and Wifi devices

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Instagram has received another update, this time opening the app to Android tablets and other Wifi devices. Not a lot has changed, as sideloading the old version on tablets or Wifi devices worked, but it's nice to see it done officially. The camera and picture import process is still broken on the Transformer Prime, but seems to work fine on both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 7 plus. It's a bit of a bummer, but with no support yet for the HTC One X camera, we expect the Tegra 3 has something to do with it.

The cool thing about using Instagram on a tablet is viewing the images in your stream, which works very nicely. We've got the download link after the break, grab the update if you've been wanting this on on your tablet.

Thanks, ohaaron!