Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
Latest CyanogenMod now allows you to hide the software keys. They got the code from Paranoid Android:
https://plus.google.com/+CyanogenMod/posts/dYSseZeQ8Sf
Sweet it doesn't kill the notification bar like all the other methods use to get rid of the Notification Bars and Software Keys. This should mean you should be able to get notifications while in Expanded desktop mode. With Gesture Control this will be perfect for full screen on the Nexus devices.
It came from Paranoia!
Well, more like +Paranoid Android to be exact.
Ever been on a roll in Fruit Ninja and accidentally hit the home soft-button while ferociously slicing an orange? No? Well pretend you have; this will fix that.
Selectively hide the status bar and navigation bar for those pesky not-so-fullscreen apps!
Major shout-out to the PA team, Paul Beeler, Dan Symonds and all the reviewers who chimed in on Gerrit. This one almost didn't make it in, and definitely wouldn't have without the code and use-ability fixes - 18 patchsets well spent!
Well, more like +Paranoid Android to be exact.
Ever been on a roll in Fruit Ninja and accidentally hit the home soft-button while ferociously slicing an orange? No? Well pretend you have; this will fix that.
Selectively hide the status bar and navigation bar for those pesky not-so-fullscreen apps!
Major shout-out to the PA team, Paul Beeler, Dan Symonds and all the reviewers who chimed in on Gerrit. This one almost didn't make it in, and definitely wouldn't have without the code and use-ability fixes - 18 patchsets well spent!
Sweet it doesn't kill the notification bar like all the other methods use to get rid of the Notification Bars and Software Keys. This should mean you should be able to get notifications while in Expanded desktop mode. With Gesture Control this will be perfect for full screen on the Nexus devices.
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; Oct 29, 2012 at 10:39 AM.
^ boo vid removed already!
And also, ATT's HTC One X's (HOX) running 2.20 firmware can now be rooted - although you must unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery (TWRP) for it to stick. Put AOKP on the wifey's HOX and it's blazing fast now.
....
And messing around with her phone reminded me of the good ole days I had on my Moto Atrix... so I went back on my prior promise to wait for Sammys Official JB launch and flashed CM10 on my S3.
Flashing is so addictive...
And also, ATT's HTC One X's (HOX) running 2.20 firmware can now be rooted - although you must unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery (TWRP) for it to stick. Put AOKP on the wifey's HOX and it's blazing fast now.
....
And messing around with her phone reminded me of the good ole days I had on my Moto Atrix... so I went back on my prior promise to wait for Sammys Official JB launch and flashed CM10 on my S3.
Flashing is so addictive...
Last edited by BraveDemon; Oct 29, 2012 at 12:08 PM.
Seriously. Before the original Nexus product, how many people even cared about HTC? Before the Samsung Nexus S, how many people were forming an e-lynch mob and saying they are boycotting all Samsung products? How many people today STILL bring up Motoblur and make e-petitions against Motorola?
Such whiny bums, just deal with it and enjoy the variety and innovation that is life. If you don't like it, then don't buy it. So sick of the blind hate.
Devices are coming soon at Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/device...orpus_selector
Nexus 4:
https://play.google.com/store/device...UyODMyNzI1OCJd
Nexus 10:
https://play.google.com/store/device...evice-featured
Price is not bad at all for an unlocked device. No LTE but I'm okay with that since I don't plan on leaving my MediaNet any time soon. Lol.
https://play.google.com/store/device...orpus_selector
Nexus 4:
https://play.google.com/store/device...UyODMyNzI1OCJd
Nexus 10:
https://play.google.com/store/device...evice-featured
Price is not bad at all for an unlocked device. No LTE but I'm okay with that since I don't plan on leaving my MediaNet any time soon. Lol.
go cry about it some more.
Seriously. Before the original Nexus product, how many people even cared about HTC? Before the Samsung Nexus S, how many people were forming an e-lynch mob and saying they are boycotting all Samsung products? How many people today STILL bring up Motoblur and make e-petitions against Motorola?
Such whiny bums, just deal with it and enjoy the variety and innovation that is life. If you don't like it, then don't buy it. So sick of the blind hate.
Seriously. Before the original Nexus product, how many people even cared about HTC? Before the Samsung Nexus S, how many people were forming an e-lynch mob and saying they are boycotting all Samsung products? How many people today STILL bring up Motoblur and make e-petitions against Motorola?
Such whiny bums, just deal with it and enjoy the variety and innovation that is life. If you don't like it, then don't buy it. So sick of the blind hate.
Its personal preference. I've owned LG phones in the past. I hated everything about them. I have friends that have owned LG Android phones and had nothing but problems. Samsung has been pretty good to me. Same goes for Sony. HTC, not so much. I've never owned a Moto device, but the hardware looks good.
On another note, 4.2 looks great and the Nexus 10 screen looks amazing. Im really looking forward to the new panorama modes.
For a 0.1 release, they sure packed a lot of new features didn't they?
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3...s-photo-sphere
That new Panorama mode is sick and the Gesture Typing as well.
Here's the full list of new features:
Photo Sphere panorama photos
Gesture typing on the keyboard
Lockscreen improvements, including widget support and the ability to swipe directly to camera
Expandable notifications with that let you take actions directly
Message zooming in Gmail with the ability to reflow text automatically
Daydream screensavers
Accessibility improvements: triple-tap to magnify the entire screen, pan and zoom with two fingers. Speech output and Gesture Mode navigation for blind users.
Miracast support for wireless display sharing
Google Now can use Gmail as a data source for new cards, including improved flight tracker, hotel and restaurant reservations, movie and music recommendations. Photo Spot card recommends interesting places to take photos based on your location.
Photo Sphere panorama photos
Gesture typing on the keyboard
Lockscreen improvements, including widget support and the ability to swipe directly to camera
Expandable notifications with that let you take actions directly
Message zooming in Gmail with the ability to reflow text automatically
Daydream screensavers
Accessibility improvements: triple-tap to magnify the entire screen, pan and zoom with two fingers. Speech output and Gesture Mode navigation for blind users.
Miracast support for wireless display sharing
Google Now can use Gmail as a data source for new cards, including improved flight tracker, hotel and restaurant reservations, movie and music recommendations. Photo Spot card recommends interesting places to take photos based on your location.
That new Panorama mode is sick and the Gesture Typing as well.
Google is updating a bunch of their apps in the Play Store. Google Now is being updated to allow they showed off in the video with updated Voice Actions!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...quicksearchbox
What's in this version:
For Android 4.1+ (Jelly Bean), Google Search is faster plus:
- Google Now works with Gmail (English only)
- Flights
- Restaurant reservations
- Hotel confirmations
- Events
- Packages
- New Now cards: nearby attractions & photo spots, movies opening in theaters, concerts & more
- New voice actions: launch apps, schedule meetings & check when your next appointment is
Google Now puts you in control: at any time, adjust or turn off individual Now cards within Settings.
For Android 4.1+ (Jelly Bean), Google Search is faster plus:
- Google Now works with Gmail (English only)
- Flights
- Restaurant reservations
- Hotel confirmations
- Events
- Packages
- New Now cards: nearby attractions & photo spots, movies opening in theaters, concerts & more
- New voice actions: launch apps, schedule meetings & check when your next appointment is
Google Now puts you in control: at any time, adjust or turn off individual Now cards within Settings.
Man the price has me all torn here. $350 for an unlocked 16 GB of the Nexus 4 version (Hell even the 8 GB version for $300 would be fine for my phone needs) sounds amazing. Faster processor with more RAM and a BSI Sony sensor on the camera. On the other hand, my Galaxy Nexus is still rocking as it is. Maybe I'll wait it out until December to decide. I'm sure 4.2 will drop by then and I'll have to see how it performs on the Nexus. I guess I'll wait and see what the reviews say.
Looks like T-Mobile will be subsidizing the new Nexus devices:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/10...aunch-partner/
For the people who are looking to save $100 but locked into a 2 year contract.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/10...aunch-partner/
For the people who are looking to save $100 but locked into a 2 year contract.
Correct. It was to prevent the price from going way too high and avoiding the carriers getting involved. Also for battery life. I believe it will still have T-Mobile's 42 Mbps HSPA+ though:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3...ot-have-4g-lte
I'm okay with this as I get to keep my $10 unlimited MediaNet plan. Lol.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3...ot-have-4g-lte
I'm okay with this as I get to keep my $10 unlimited MediaNet plan. Lol.
Wow, touched a nerve there, didn't I?
Its personal preference. I've owned LG phones in the past. I hated everything about them. I have friends that have owned LG Android phones and had nothing but problems. Samsung has been pretty good to me. Same goes for Sony. HTC, not so much. I've never owned a Moto device, but the hardware looks good.
On another note, 4.2 looks great and the Nexus 10 screen looks amazing. Im really looking forward to the new panorama modes.
Its personal preference. I've owned LG phones in the past. I hated everything about them. I have friends that have owned LG Android phones and had nothing but problems. Samsung has been pretty good to me. Same goes for Sony. HTC, not so much. I've never owned a Moto device, but the hardware looks good.
On another note, 4.2 looks great and the Nexus 10 screen looks amazing. Im really looking forward to the new panorama modes.
I've owned a LG phone before too and it was wonderful and worked like a beast until I decided to upgrade after a few years.
You simply saying that you want certain manufacturers is the same as other people saying they want others including LG. My point was the fact that those like you whine and then expect everyone to fall in line with your opinion instead of just accepting everything and just moving on. The millions of people who hated Samsung because of their bad experiences with them are now touting its name and it all started with the Nexus program, so it is possible that those same people, maybe even you, would end up doing the same in the near future.
And just so you know, I have owned a phone from every Android manufacturer, except the Chinese ones, and they all have their ups and downs, some software, others hardware. LG has been making great strides in their tech and for Google to select them out of all the other manufacturers is an example to their advancement and product.
Looks like T-Mobile will be subsidizing the new Nexus devices:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/10...aunch-partner/
For the people who are looking to save $100 but locked into a 2 year contract.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/10...aunch-partner/
For the people who are looking to save $100 but locked into a 2 year contract.
How has your Gnex been with the HSPA+?
Correct. It was to prevent the price from going way too high and avoiding the carriers getting involved. Also for battery life. I believe it will still have T-Mobile's 42 Mbps HSPA+ though:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3...ot-have-4g-lte
I'm okay with this as I get to keep my $10 unlimited MediaNet plan. Lol.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3...ot-have-4g-lte
I'm okay with this as I get to keep my $10 unlimited MediaNet plan. Lol.
My GNex speeds varies from 2 Mbps to 7 Mbps depending on where I'm at. It could probably maintain a solid 5 Mbps but I'm using the MediaNet plan so I get capped and given a lower priority. For the price and speed, its more than good enough for my needs.

I also believe they skipped on some stuff like the 32 GB storage and LTE to give the OEMs sales. If they had included everything, no one would buy the other brands. I know they don't say that outright but they could've easily added those two options if they really wanted to. Maybe it'll come though like how Sprint was late into the Galaxy Nexus game.
Here's their commercial for the new Nexus devices:
Some samples of the new Panorama shots:
https://plus.google.com/113735310430...ts/JWQKftWLoQj
Some samples of the new Panorama shots:
https://plus.google.com/113735310430...ts/JWQKftWLoQj
Yup. Its silly to get it contract if you're interested in this phone. I guess for some people it may save them some money but not much. I like the direction Google is trying to send phones in. (Away from contracts like how it is in the rest of the world.) I know they tried to do this ever since with the G1 and here it is all the fruit of their labor after many years.
My GNex speeds varies from 2 Mbps to 7 Mbps depending on where I'm at. It could probably maintain a solid 5 Mbps but I'm using the MediaNet plan so I get capped and given a lower priority. For the price and speed, its more than good enough for my needs.
I also believe they skipped on some stuff like the 32 GB storage and LTE to give the OEMs sales. If they had included everything, no one would buy the other brands. I know they don't say that outright but they could've easily added those two options if they really wanted to. Maybe it'll come though like how Sprint was late into the Galaxy Nexus game.
My GNex speeds varies from 2 Mbps to 7 Mbps depending on where I'm at. It could probably maintain a solid 5 Mbps but I'm using the MediaNet plan so I get capped and given a lower priority. For the price and speed, its more than good enough for my needs.

I also believe they skipped on some stuff like the 32 GB storage and LTE to give the OEMs sales. If they had included everything, no one would buy the other brands. I know they don't say that outright but they could've easily added those two options if they really wanted to. Maybe it'll come though like how Sprint was late into the Galaxy Nexus game.
It sucks that Verizon really blew any near-future chance that Google will work with carriers again for the Nexus line.
Anyways, probably won't get it. Just keep using my POS unlocked 1st gen fruit phone when I travel
Last edited by Mizouse; Oct 29, 2012 at 03:17 PM.
A lot of people are forgetting that the Nexus devices are primarily a dev phone and everything else is secondary. It was never meant to cater to the mainstream and sell out which is why it lacks certain features. I think a lot of people are missing this very important point and then compare it to the iPhone and other hardware devices without understanding its real purpose. LTE is still in its infancy for a bunch of networks and probably won't have the same coverage 3G/HSPA+ does until early 2014. Its nice to have but at the moment, if you don't live in the major markets and care about battery life, its not a big deal.
well i dunno how it would have been with sony or motorola but i honestly was tired of samsung giving us year old tech in whats suppose to be a flagship phone.
LG on the other hand, put the same top of the line hardware it has in its own flagship phone. So google is with the curve!
A lot of people are forgetting that the Nexus devices are primarily a dev phone and everything else is secondary. It was never meant to cater to the mainstream and sell out which is why it lacks certain features. I think a lot of people are missing this very important point and then compare it to the iPhone and other hardware devices without understanding its real purpose. LTE is still in its infancy for a bunch of networks and probably won't have the same coverage 3G/HSPA+ does until early 2014. Its nice to have but at the moment, if you don't live in the major markets and care about battery life, its not a big deal.
But hey i'm on tmobile, and they dont have LTE anyway so i dont care. Also tmobiles HSPA+ is really strong. Because there are a lot of markets where it has it. ATT and Sprint dont really have a big LTE market yet, Verizon does but they ruined their google relationship with how they handled the Gnex.
Also why is it so important for an unlocked phone? I'll probably pay save the $100 and get this phone. I have an upgrade coming soon anyway. And i will be keeping this phone for two years like I kept my NS.
I think nexus is moving away from just a dev phone dude.
But hey i'm on tmobile, and they dont have LTE anyway so i dont care. Also tmobiles HSPA+ is really strong. Because there are a lot of markets where it has it. ATT and Sprint dont really have a big LTE market yet, Verizon does but they ruined their google relationship with how they handled the Gnex.
Also why is it so important for an unlocked phone? I'll probably pay save the $100 and get this phone. I have an upgrade coming soon anyway. And i will be keeping this phone for two years like I kept my NS.
But hey i'm on tmobile, and they dont have LTE anyway so i dont care. Also tmobiles HSPA+ is really strong. Because there are a lot of markets where it has it. ATT and Sprint dont really have a big LTE market yet, Verizon does but they ruined their google relationship with how they handled the Gnex.
Also why is it so important for an unlocked phone? I'll probably pay save the $100 and get this phone. I have an upgrade coming soon anyway. And i will be keeping this phone for two years like I kept my NS.
For most people, getting it unlocked would save them from the expensive carrier contracts out there. T-Mobile has a really cheap prepaid plan that gives you 100 minutes, unlimited text and data (capped after 5 GB) for only $30 a month. That requires no contract at all. A typical contract plan starts at around $60 and a crazy ETF if you decide to leave early.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...hlight=walmart
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; Oct 29, 2012 at 05:39 PM.
ohh i see what youre saying. But I'm on a family plan so its cheaper on contract than w/out i think. Dunno my dad deals with that stuff.
But I also think they are moving away from being a dev device still. They way they talk about their phones and the focus of andorid is all for the consumer. Not the dev. Even the build of the phone. With the curved glass, rounded edges and all.
But I also think they are moving away from being a dev device still. They way they talk about their phones and the focus of andorid is all for the consumer. Not the dev. Even the build of the phone. With the curved glass, rounded edges and all.
Nexus 10 Hands-On
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/n...ands-on-video/
Man having the same Macbook 13" retina screen resolution on a 10" tablet must look good in person.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/n...ands-on-video/
Man having the same Macbook 13" retina screen resolution on a 10" tablet must look good in person.
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; Oct 29, 2012 at 07:25 PM.
That's perfect timing cause the devices don't actually release until 11/13. I'm gonna wait it out and see. If I do pick one up, it'll be in December just like last year with the Nexus. I need to save money though and stop spending. lol.

BTW, the reason some people get unlocked phones is so that they don't have to change their plans with every new phone esp in recent cases where carriers were killing off their unlimited plans. That way they aren't forced to join a new data plan, keep unlimited, and still have a new phone.
And for world travelers, it is sooooooooooooo nice not to have to get a code to unlock your phone to use. Like when I had a German sim card and was in Italy: It was great how when I lose service to one Italian carrier, it just switches to another Italian carrier that had service in that area instantly. No hassle, no need for input. Just straight up bliss. Love GSM.
NEXUS 4 Hands On:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/g...us-4-hands-on/
Last edited by TSXy Luster; Oct 29, 2012 at 07:59 PM.

I also think of this as a bday/christmas present haha

Phone comes out Nov 13th, so you should be primed and ready 
BTW, the reason some people get unlocked phones is so that they don't have to change their plans with every new phone esp in recent cases where carriers were killing off their unlimited plans. That way they aren't forced to join a new data plan, keep unlimited, and still have a new phone.
And for world travelers, it is sooooooooooooo nice not to have to get a code to unlock your phone to use. Like when I had a German sim card and was in Italy: It was great how when I lose service to one Italian carrier, it just switches to another Italian carrier that had service in that area instantly. No hassle, no need for input. Just straight up bliss. Love GSM.
NEXUS 4 Hands On:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/g...us-4-hands-on/

BTW, the reason some people get unlocked phones is so that they don't have to change their plans with every new phone esp in recent cases where carriers were killing off their unlimited plans. That way they aren't forced to join a new data plan, keep unlimited, and still have a new phone.
And for world travelers, it is sooooooooooooo nice not to have to get a code to unlock your phone to use. Like when I had a German sim card and was in Italy: It was great how when I lose service to one Italian carrier, it just switches to another Italian carrier that had service in that area instantly. No hassle, no need for input. Just straight up bliss. Love GSM.
NEXUS 4 Hands On:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/g...us-4-hands-on/
So i'm really not complaining. I dont think i've even reached a gig of data yet. And i dont have netflix or anything, which i take would be a huge data hog.

i'm kinda wondering, in 2 years when i'll be eligible for an upgrade, how can phones get much better hardware wise. Besides battery life. Only time will tell i guess. Even software wise i feel like we're starting to plateau on big new innovations.







