Essential Official Android Thread
Time to leave the 100$ phone bills behind
Nexus 4 16 GB-350$
Why Straight Talk?
Unlimited GSM service on the best nationwide networks
$45 per month – Unlimited Data, Talk & Text*
No contracts, no bills, no credit checks
Use any compatible or unlocked GSM phone – including smart phones
Bring your T-Mobile compatible 4G phone and keep your 4G service
Keep your phone number
Works with SMS, IM, social networks, email, web
VS
Verizon
My galaxy Nexus LTE- 299$- 32 GB
100$+ -450 minutes, unlimited text and 4 GB capped data
55$ savings plus im always on WI-FI. Updates coming directly from google. Android 5.0 in 8 months at Google I/O
This summs it up
"Google may be getting serious about selling hardware with the Nexus 4, but not so serious that it's willing to compromise with carriers, and compromising with carriers is the only way to make LTE work.
And there's precious little to suggest working with carriers is even in Google's best interests, or in the best interests of Nexus customers. The Galaxy Nexus was announced last year with a promised LTE version on Verizon, but the carrier held back releasing the phone for months to promote its own Droid RAZR instead. Google eventually grew tired of waiting and sent unlocked HSPA+ devices to reviewers. And software updates for Nexus phones sold through carriers have been problematic as well: it took the Verizon three full months to disseminate the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to its Galaxy Nexus, slightly longer than Sprint. That's actually better than it used to be with carrier-partnered Nexus devices, but still much longer what Google can achieve without carrier intervention — and far too long in a marketplace where Apple has set a standard for simultaneous worldwide software distribution across multiple carriers.
...that means that the Nexus 4 will only be available as an unlocked HSPA+ device."
Nexus 4 16 GB-350$
Why Straight Talk?
Unlimited GSM service on the best nationwide networks
$45 per month – Unlimited Data, Talk & Text*
No contracts, no bills, no credit checks
Use any compatible or unlocked GSM phone – including smart phones
Bring your T-Mobile compatible 4G phone and keep your 4G service
Keep your phone number
Works with SMS, IM, social networks, email, web
VS
Verizon
My galaxy Nexus LTE- 299$- 32 GB
100$+ -450 minutes, unlimited text and 4 GB capped data
55$ savings plus im always on WI-FI. Updates coming directly from google. Android 5.0 in 8 months at Google I/O
This summs it up
"Google may be getting serious about selling hardware with the Nexus 4, but not so serious that it's willing to compromise with carriers, and compromising with carriers is the only way to make LTE work.
And there's precious little to suggest working with carriers is even in Google's best interests, or in the best interests of Nexus customers. The Galaxy Nexus was announced last year with a promised LTE version on Verizon, but the carrier held back releasing the phone for months to promote its own Droid RAZR instead. Google eventually grew tired of waiting and sent unlocked HSPA+ devices to reviewers. And software updates for Nexus phones sold through carriers have been problematic as well: it took the Verizon three full months to disseminate the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to its Galaxy Nexus, slightly longer than Sprint. That's actually better than it used to be with carrier-partnered Nexus devices, but still much longer what Google can achieve without carrier intervention — and far too long in a marketplace where Apple has set a standard for simultaneous worldwide software distribution across multiple carriers.
...that means that the Nexus 4 will only be available as an unlocked HSPA+ device."
Nexus 4 Camera
Sony Stacked BSI Sensor
[ame=http://youtu.be/fM2xYCcbV5U]The "HDR Movie function" demo[/ame]
Sony announces that it has developed a new next-generation BSI sensor placing the BSI pixel array layer onto a signal processing chip serving as a supporting substrate for the thin BSI array layer:
The advantages of stacked structure are:
Adopting pixel array processes specialized for superior image quality
Faster speeds and lower power consumption by adopting the leading process for the processing circuit section
As the first step towards the commercialization of its new CMOS image sensors, Sony has developed a model with built-in signal processing functionality. Samples will be shipped from March, 2012. Accordingly, models have been developed with Sony’s unique "RGBW Coding" function, which facilitates low noise, high quality image capture even in low light condition, and the proprietary "HDR Movie" function improving color when taking pictures against bright light.
Sony Stacked BSI Sensor
[ame=http://youtu.be/fM2xYCcbV5U]The "HDR Movie function" demo[/ame]
Sony announces that it has developed a new next-generation BSI sensor placing the BSI pixel array layer onto a signal processing chip serving as a supporting substrate for the thin BSI array layer:
The advantages of stacked structure are:
Adopting pixel array processes specialized for superior image quality
Faster speeds and lower power consumption by adopting the leading process for the processing circuit section
As the first step towards the commercialization of its new CMOS image sensors, Sony has developed a model with built-in signal processing functionality. Samples will be shipped from March, 2012. Accordingly, models have been developed with Sony’s unique "RGBW Coding" function, which facilitates low noise, high quality image capture even in low light condition, and the proprietary "HDR Movie" function improving color when taking pictures against bright light.
no LTE , and non removable battery ?!
i want a nexus phone , but
jk
no LTE , and non removable battery ?!
i want a nexus phone , but
why do u want the nexus with LTE when it will involve the carriers? If you buy this nexus its basically just another android device with no quick updates. If you want stock android just root the GS3 or one x
Nexus s and g.nex are failures because of carrier involvement
I'm glad Google is doing it this way. This is how it all started before with the Nexus One. I don't care if it doesn't out sell other phones, it's the type of phone I like (unlocked pure Google).
Carriers have taken away peoples unlimited data. Sprint has increase their plan by 10$ if you upgrade to a smartphone. They charge for LTE even though its not deploy nationally. AT&T blocks Facetime over LTE using unlimited data. Verizon block apps from phone. Carriers delay updates in order to sell newer phones. In order to upgrade and keep your unlimited data thats throttle after 4gb if you have spend 600-700$. Everybody is saying that carriers will soon get rid of subsidizing phones their phones and we have to buy them at full retail. Google is onto something. LTE is the advantage that the carriers have to keep people around
Is LTE that important that after 2 years you have to spend 700$ to switch phones or lose your unlimited data. Not only that they control your updates
Is LTE that important that after 2 years you have to spend 700$ to switch phones or lose your unlimited data. Not only that they control your updates
Photo-Messaging App Snapchat Launches on Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snapchat.android
only some has the raised left side screen issue. The c60 models had the screen raised issues. No other issues bruh. Dont know how asus let them ship out like that
Some people fixed the issues but its not a big deal.
thats why i threw mine in the bushes.
Miracast- Underrated feature 
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b52zqNIeQso[/ame]
Apple's AirPlay, which wirelessly streams movies and music between devices, has a new competitor.
The Wi-Fi Alliance today announced the launch of Miracast, an industry-standard technology that will let users wirelessly transmit video and images from one device to another. As with Apple's AirPlay, users will be able to send the multimedia from, say, a mobile device to a big-screen television.
Related stories
According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, a not-for-profit industry association of hundreds of companies, all Miracast products come with Wi-Fi Direct, meaning users won't need a wireless network to transfer the data. In addition, the technology automatically comes with WPA2 encryption to ensure the multimedia transfer is kept private.
In order for the technology to succeed, however, it needs some support. According to Wi-Fi Alliance, it's getting that support from both LG and Samsung. LG's Optimus G smartphone and the Samsung Galaxy S3 will both support the technology. Samsung's Echo-P Series TV will also use Miracast.
However, they won't be alone. The Wi-Fi Alliance expects to have 1.5 billion devices using Miracast in 2016. The organization hasn't yet said which companies will be doubling down on the technology, but given the sheer number of firms that support the Wi-Fi Alliance -- and want to take on Apple -- it might not be hard to recruit supporters.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b52zqNIeQso[/ame]
Apple's AirPlay, which wirelessly streams movies and music between devices, has a new competitor.
The Wi-Fi Alliance today announced the launch of Miracast, an industry-standard technology that will let users wirelessly transmit video and images from one device to another. As with Apple's AirPlay, users will be able to send the multimedia from, say, a mobile device to a big-screen television.
Related stories
According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, a not-for-profit industry association of hundreds of companies, all Miracast products come with Wi-Fi Direct, meaning users won't need a wireless network to transfer the data. In addition, the technology automatically comes with WPA2 encryption to ensure the multimedia transfer is kept private.
In order for the technology to succeed, however, it needs some support. According to Wi-Fi Alliance, it's getting that support from both LG and Samsung. LG's Optimus G smartphone and the Samsung Galaxy S3 will both support the technology. Samsung's Echo-P Series TV will also use Miracast.
However, they won't be alone. The Wi-Fi Alliance expects to have 1.5 billion devices using Miracast in 2016. The organization hasn't yet said which companies will be doubling down on the technology, but given the sheer number of firms that support the Wi-Fi Alliance -- and want to take on Apple -- it might not be hard to recruit supporters.
Google Lat Long: Add your Photo Sphere images to Google Maps with Android 4.2
Add your Photo Sphere images to Google Maps with Android 4.2
Remember the last time you went on a hike, triumphantly reached the lookout point, and took out your camera to snap a few photos? Odds are that somehow, the pictures werent able to fully convey your experience of standing at the top of the peak with the rolling hills surrounding you, the vibrant blue skies above, and the rocky terrain beneath your feet.
Now, with Photo Sphere, the new camera mode thats part of the latest version of Android 4.2, Jelly Bean, you can photograph an entire sceneup, down, and all aroundto create a 360º immersive experience.
View Larger Map
Explore immersive 360º Photo Spheres such as Vernal Falls in Yosemite Valley
You can easily choose to share your Photo Spheres to Google Maps so the entire world can enjoy the beauty of your favorite places. Your images will help make Google Maps more comprehensive, and enable other travelers to get an accurate preview of a location before they arrive.
Blue circle icons indicate where user-contributed Photo Spheres are available directly on Google Maps for desktop. Theyre also discoverable on this website, which highlights some of the most incredible imagery from photographers around the world. Your geotagged Photo Spheres will be attributed to your Google+ profile name when you choose to share them on Google Maps. Of course, you also have the option of sharing them just with your friends and family through your Google+ circles.
Look for the blue circle icon to explore user-contributed panoramas on Google Maps
Whether you want to highlight your favorite places, show off your photography skills, or just help other Google Maps users see and experience a particular location, now sharing your Photo Spheres is just a few taps away on your Android device!