BLU Products announces the VIVO 4.3 - World's First Dual SIM smartphone device to feature Super AMOLED Plus Technology and Dual Core CPU

BLU Products, one of the fastest growing mobile phone manufacturers in the world, announced the new Vivo 4.3, becoming the first manufacturer to produce a Dual SIM device to include either a Super AMOLED Plus LCD, or Dual Core Processor - realizing increased performance, user experience and capabilities for consumers in emerging markets, as well as non-contract unlocked devices in the United States.

"We are extremely excited as we continue to pioneer the growing demand of Dual SIM handsets in emerging markets by offering the most outstanding Dual SIM smartphone available anywhere in the world today." said Samuel-Ohev-Zion, CEO of BLU Products. "Additionally, this is the first in a series of exciting new Android devices we will be announcing, as we are actively and aggressively moving towards providing high performance, affordable smartphones to the ever growing unlocked no-contract segment in the United States."

The Vivo 4.3 features no physical hardware buttons on the front to ensure a seamless elegant design, and is run by a MediaTek MT6577 dual core 1GHz Cortex™-A9 CPU with 3G/HSPA connectivity, running the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System. Additionally, the Vivo is designed to deliver high-end multimedia capability, with an 8MP camera, plus HD video recording and playback. The highlights of the phone include the rich viewing experience of the brilliant Super AMOLED Plus 4.3" Display, along with true dual SIM capability allowing both SIMs to be active and receive calls simultaneously.

The unlocked VIVO 4.3 will begin shipping to major US Retailers in September 2012 with an MSRP of $249.99 and will soon follow through Latin America, and parts of Asia.

Nexus Q preorders shipping

This will affect, oh, maybe five or six of us, if our un-scientific poll is any indication, but it appears that preorders of Google's Nexus Q are now shipping.

The flip side to that, of course, is that Google has delayed the retail release of the Nexus Q to add some more functionality. But if you did slap down $299 -- which Google's not even going to charge you now -- look for your Nexus Q to be headed your way directly.

Google Mobile Blog closing down, say hello to the Official Android Blog

When the Google Mobile Blog asked what its readers wanted to see more of, there was a pretty clear message. Lots more Android. As such, today sees the last ever post from the Google Mobile Blog, and the launch of its replacement. Say hello to the Official Android Blog. 

The back catalog of Android related goodness has been transferred over for fans to read back through at their leisure. It's all Android now though, just pure, honest-to-goodness Android. The devoted fans out there will definitely want to keep this one in their RSS feeds. 

Source: Google Mobile Blog, Android Blog

More official Nexus 7 accessories appear online, including folio case and keyboard case

The previously-leaked Nexus 7 POGO dock and premium case are set to be joined by a few more official accessories before long. UK retailer MobileFun has revealed five new accessories for ASUS and Google's Nexus 7 tablet in a blog post today, including a host of cases that also double up as stands for the device.

The line-up of Google-sanctioned, ASUS-manufactured accessories includes --

• ?Nexus 7 Stand Case: A case that's also a stand. Slide the rear of the stand backwards to prop up the tablet in landscape orientation.  
• ?Nexus 7 Rotating Stand Case:  As above, but with the ability to rotate to portrait orientation too.  
• ?Nexus 7 Folio Case: A leather case for the Nexus 7 with a magnet for tripping the tablet's built-in magnetic sensor. This means it can toggle the screen depending on whether the case is open or closed.  
• ?Nexus 7 Bluetooth Keyboard Case: ?Similar to the vanilla stand case, but with a full Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard on the inside cover.  
• ?Nexus 7 Screen Protector: It's a screen protector for the Nexus 7. Go figure.

There's no word on when these accessories will become available for purchase, but at least we have confirmation now that they are indeed on the way. Any of these jump out at you? Hit the comments and let us know which you like best.

We've got more pics after the break.

Source: MobileFun

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Ice Cream Sandwich adoption doubles from July to August

Another month is upon us (again already?), and that means it's time for another breakdown of Android versions. This is the monthly look at the percentage of the various Android versions that are on active phones. Here's the gist:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean): 0.8 percent
• Android 4.0.3 to 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich): 15.9 percent
• Android 3.1-3.2 (Honeycomb): 2.3 percent
• Android 2.3-2.3.7 (Gingerbread): 60.6 percent
• Android 2.2 (Froyo): 15.5 percent
• Android 2.1 (Eclair): 4.2 percent
• Android 1.6 (Donut) 0.5 percent
• Android 1.5 (Cupcake): 0.2 percent

Our big takeaway from this is that Ice Cream Sandwich has more than doubled, from 7.1 percent at this point last month. And that'll grow again for August, and presumably the rest of the year.

Jelly Bean makes its first appearance at less than 1 percent, and we're not expecting a huge bump until more retails devices (as in, anything not named Nexus) are released, though any increase may be a good indication of how the Nexus 7 tablet is selling.

Source: Android Developers

The best damn Android Central T-shirt in the world

After popular demand we are extending the offer to get a FREE Lloyd Pin worth $4.95 with every T-shirt order. We are so thrilled about the little guy -- we want you all to have one.

Also, a BIG thanks to the community for helping support Android Central -- all profits go directly to creating better content and community tools for you all.

What do YOU think of Lloyd? Let's hear it in the comments.

• Buy your Lloyd Gear T-shirt today!

Google posts updated 4.1.1 binaries for Nexus phones, including the Nexus S 4G

Google has posted the updated JRO03H (Android 4.1.1) closed binary files today, including those for the Nexus S4G.  That means one thing -- expect about a bazillion new AOSP Jelly Bean ROMs to be ready for download shortly, especially for the Sprint Nexus S. Before you ask, this has nothing to do with any OTA. These are the files that folks need to build Jelly Bean from the source code, and get everything working like it should. Developers have been working with the existing 4.1.1 source code since it dropped, but with these files there's 100-percent less hackery needed to get things like cameras, NFC, and Wimax working as intended on supported phones. While we see new files for the GSM Nexus phones, the Xoom, and even the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, Sprint's Galaxy Nexus is still absent.

As we saw when the Ice Cream Sandwich binaries were released, it could be more than a month until Google and Sprint get any OTA worked up, so this is a solid option if you need the butter. We all love the butter.

Don't fret if you're not up to speed with things like fastboot and flashing, because there's a great group of fellows in the Nexus S 4G forums who live to play with this sort of thing. Head in there, poke around a bit, then holler for any help you need. You'll be running Jelly Bean in no time.

Source: Google. Thanks, everyone who sent this in!