Nexus S on Sprint. Droid 4.1.1
Essential Official Android Thread
Nexus S on Sprint. Droid 4.1.1
Despite being owned by Google, Motorola still has to answer to Verizon
Speaking to a group of reporters last night, Motorola Senior Vice President, Product Rick Osterloh pointed out the company's main focuses going forward, and one of them was obviously Android. Specifically, he addressed the question of shipping unaltered, stock Android software on phones.
Going forward, were going to try to be as close to the base as we can be, because we think thats the right thing for users. We think users also want fast upgrades and upgrades for their phones over the long haul, so were going to be focus on that as well. Its a little bit different than what a lot of OEMs are doing and certainly what Motorola did in the past, but going forward thats going to be our strategy.
The phrase "as we can be" is remarkable, because it implies that Motorola, which is owned by Google, doesn't have the power to release phones without custom software on top of it. The RAZR HD is a perfect example: it's very close to stock Android, but there is a custom skin and some custom Verizon software to be found on it. It's also shipping with Android 4.0 instead of the latest version, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, though an upgrade is slated for later in the year.
if it open quickly then leave it
It takes a while to startup the voice recognition. It might just be the phone not being strong enough. All good though.
Since the Nexus S isn't coming to Sprint, I'd rather cop a used S3 and save my (well my wife's) upgrade for the next Nexus next year that would hopefully be on Sprint.
speaking of which. Google dropped the google voice search on IOS 
Google treads on Siri's ground with new iOS Search app | The Verge
Google treads on Siri's ground with new iOS Search app | The Verge
did you update the google search app?
speaking of which. Google dropped the google voice search on IOS
Google treads on Siri's ground with new iOS Search app | The Verge
Damn that's a G move.
iceberg_is_on_fire
Honolulu Blue Ski Mask Way
Hmmm, I guess I'm going to have to buy this phone and try T-mobile. Figure I can switch to AT&T if their coverage is too spotty.
great read
Google Owns Nexus Again
Posted by DoctorSasquatch on October 30, 2012 03:02 pm 9
Google started the Nexus line, but the last two phones to me felt like it was moving away from Google.
The first was the Nexus One. The first in a new line of Google and an OEM working together for a vision. The name was clean and simple. The Nexus One.
The second was the Nexus S. The S stands for a few things. It could be because it was the Second Nexus, it was a Samsung Nexus, but really it was more because it was based on the Galaxy S line.
Jump ahead another year and we have the Galaxy Nexus. Nexus is now the second in the name, followed by the word Galaxy. This could have been Google wanting the Nexus to also be associated with the Galaxy name to help sales, but it could easily lead to confusion too. People may go into AT&T and ask for that new Galaxy phone, and get a GS2.
Half a year later, the Nexus 7. A nice, clean name going back to the One. No frilly titles, just a number showing the screen size. It seemed more like an Google + ASUS tablet, instead of a phone made by Samsung with some Google help (The GNex).
Now, we have the Nexus 7, the Nexus 4, and the Nexus 10. Three simple names, no confusion. The 4 is the smallest one, the 7 in the middle and the 10 the largest. These products seem like Google working with a partner and not the other way around. The Nexus 10 could have easily been the Nexus Tab or the Nexus Note 10 or some other name showing that is was a Samsung designed tablet other than a Nexus tablet.
The final key is the Nexus branding on the back. Google feels it now has the market and brand enough to brand their phones with the Nexus name. It's good to see Google seems to have retaken control of the Nexus brand and the Nexus 4 wasn't the Optimus Nexus or the Nexus G or something similar.
Google Owns Nexus Again
Posted by DoctorSasquatch on October 30, 2012 03:02 pm 9
Google started the Nexus line, but the last two phones to me felt like it was moving away from Google.
The first was the Nexus One. The first in a new line of Google and an OEM working together for a vision. The name was clean and simple. The Nexus One.
The second was the Nexus S. The S stands for a few things. It could be because it was the Second Nexus, it was a Samsung Nexus, but really it was more because it was based on the Galaxy S line.
Jump ahead another year and we have the Galaxy Nexus. Nexus is now the second in the name, followed by the word Galaxy. This could have been Google wanting the Nexus to also be associated with the Galaxy name to help sales, but it could easily lead to confusion too. People may go into AT&T and ask for that new Galaxy phone, and get a GS2.
Half a year later, the Nexus 7. A nice, clean name going back to the One. No frilly titles, just a number showing the screen size. It seemed more like an Google + ASUS tablet, instead of a phone made by Samsung with some Google help (The GNex).
Now, we have the Nexus 7, the Nexus 4, and the Nexus 10. Three simple names, no confusion. The 4 is the smallest one, the 7 in the middle and the 10 the largest. These products seem like Google working with a partner and not the other way around. The Nexus 10 could have easily been the Nexus Tab or the Nexus Note 10 or some other name showing that is was a Samsung designed tablet other than a Nexus tablet.
The final key is the Nexus branding on the back. Google feels it now has the market and brand enough to brand their phones with the Nexus name. It's good to see Google seems to have retaken control of the Nexus brand and the Nexus 4 wasn't the Optimus Nexus or the Nexus G or something similar.
Gmail redesigned with new Chat window-style Compose tool
Gmail has reinvented itself over the years to integrate new Google services, but the basic task of composing a message has stayed much the same. As of today, that will be changing: in a blog post, Google announced that instead of a dedicated screen, the Gmail Compose tool will now pop over the inbox like a Chat window. That means referencing other emails will no longer require opening a separate window or saving the email as a draft and re-entering it — something that we imagine most web users will find quite useful. It also means you can write multiple messages at a time, although we're not sure how many of those windows can be comfortably fit on a screen.
Some other new features are coming as well: attached images can be quickly added inline, profile images will show up for recipients, and recipients can be dragged and dropped from the To, Cc, and Bcc fields. While it hasn't rolled out to us yet, it looks like Google is building a more organic style of networked messaging than its failed Wave service, recognizing that people want to pull from other sources — including their own inbox — while still sending traditional emails. The tool will be rolled out as a preview today; Google says that the final version will include more features and be turned on in the coming months.
Gmail has reinvented itself over the years to integrate new Google services, but the basic task of composing a message has stayed much the same. As of today, that will be changing: in a blog post, Google announced that instead of a dedicated screen, the Gmail Compose tool will now pop over the inbox like a Chat window. That means referencing other emails will no longer require opening a separate window or saving the email as a draft and re-entering it — something that we imagine most web users will find quite useful. It also means you can write multiple messages at a time, although we're not sure how many of those windows can be comfortably fit on a screen.
Some other new features are coming as well: attached images can be quickly added inline, profile images will show up for recipients, and recipients can be dragged and dropped from the To, Cc, and Bcc fields. While it hasn't rolled out to us yet, it looks like Google is building a more organic style of networked messaging than its failed Wave service, recognizing that people want to pull from other sources — including their own inbox — while still sending traditional emails. The tool will be rolled out as a preview today; Google says that the final version will include more features and be turned on in the coming months.
Download The Android 4.2 Keyboard With Gesture Typing Right Now
[ame=http://youtu.be/zUfOxAIXPxg]Android 4.2 Keyboard - YouTube[/ame]
Download and Install
Now, getting it on your device is going to be easy for some of you, and less easy for others. You'll need to be on Android 4.0+, to start.
If you're on a phone with a UI overlay that has the stock keyboard disabled (eg, Samsung TouchWiz, HTC Sense, Sony), you can just download the apk below- no root required. To install, make sure you have "install from unknown sources" enabled in your phone settings, and after installation, go into your phone's keyboard settings and enable "Android keyboard." Then, you can switch to the new keyboard. This may also work on some "stock" Android custom ROMs - but it will not work on stock Android builds distributed by Google. For instructions for Nexus devices running stock software, see the next paragraph.
Mirror 1 (APK)
http://mirrorstack.com/i8focpc0c7ll
Mirror 2 (APK)
http://d-h.st/NMg
If the apk doesn't work, you're running a phone that is either A.) running stock Android (as in, AOSP), or B.) running software that has the stock Android keyboard as an option, you'll need to download this ZIP file, and flash it in recovery. That also means you're going to need root. as you'll be writing to /system/apps. Before you do, though, either back up the stock keyboard (if you don't know how, you probably shouldn't be doing this) or create a full image backup, just in case. Here's that ZIP file:
Mirror 1 (flashable ZIP)
http://mirrorstack.com/epw4mbv2djop
Mirror 2 (flashable ZIP)
http://d-h.st/CJK
Note: this build is an older one, and is not representative of exactly how the keyboard will look when Android 4.2 is officially released. The word suggestion pop-ups, for example, are different from what we've seen on Nexus 4s running the release build of Android 4.2. All the functionality is there and works properly, though.
[ame=http://youtu.be/zUfOxAIXPxg]Android 4.2 Keyboard - YouTube[/ame]
Download and Install
Now, getting it on your device is going to be easy for some of you, and less easy for others. You'll need to be on Android 4.0+, to start.
If you're on a phone with a UI overlay that has the stock keyboard disabled (eg, Samsung TouchWiz, HTC Sense, Sony), you can just download the apk below- no root required. To install, make sure you have "install from unknown sources" enabled in your phone settings, and after installation, go into your phone's keyboard settings and enable "Android keyboard." Then, you can switch to the new keyboard. This may also work on some "stock" Android custom ROMs - but it will not work on stock Android builds distributed by Google. For instructions for Nexus devices running stock software, see the next paragraph.
Mirror 1 (APK)
http://mirrorstack.com/i8focpc0c7ll
Mirror 2 (APK)
http://d-h.st/NMg
If the apk doesn't work, you're running a phone that is either A.) running stock Android (as in, AOSP), or B.) running software that has the stock Android keyboard as an option, you'll need to download this ZIP file, and flash it in recovery. That also means you're going to need root. as you'll be writing to /system/apps. Before you do, though, either back up the stock keyboard (if you don't know how, you probably shouldn't be doing this) or create a full image backup, just in case. Here's that ZIP file:
Mirror 1 (flashable ZIP)
http://mirrorstack.com/epw4mbv2djop
Mirror 2 (flashable ZIP)
http://d-h.st/CJK
Note: this build is an older one, and is not representative of exactly how the keyboard will look when Android 4.2 is officially released. The word suggestion pop-ups, for example, are different from what we've seen on Nexus 4s running the release build of Android 4.2. All the functionality is there and works properly, though.
How to try out a Nexus 4 (and GSM) with no commitment
Prepaid SIM Cards
The Nexus 4 has a whole lot of features to be excited about -- that is, unless you're on Verizon or Sprint here in the states. For reasons you can probably figure out on your own, Google has decided to only launch an unlocked GSM model of the Nexus 4, and offer it around the world. This means no LTE -- fear not, it has DC-HSPA+ 42mbps -- but it also keeps the price insanely low. At $299 (8GB) and $349 (16GB) without a contract, it's an extremely tempting proposition.
But as we noted earlier, what if you're on a CDMA carrier? Well there are actually some compelling options if you'd like to "test drive" a Nexus 4 -- and GSM -- before you commit to making it your primary device.
As we've discussed before on the site, there are tons of great prepaid carrier options available to users in the U.S. market. Not only can these save you money every month if you use them as a primary carrier, they can also sub in as a secondary carrier for just a month at a time. The two leading prepaid offerings, Straight Talk and T-Mobile Monthly 4G, can both be had for a great price and without a commitment. A month with each will only set you back $45 and $30, respectively.
Prepaid options
Prepaid: Not just for burner phones anymore | Android Central
Step 1: Buy the phone
Starting Nov. 13, the Nexus 4 will go on sale in the Google Play Store (as well as T-Mobile retail locations). Pick one up, be it the 8GB or 16GB version.
Step 2: Choose a carrier
If you're interested in trying out the AT&T network in your area, Straight Talk can be a good choice. A SIM and activation kit can be bought from their site for $14.99 (often on sale at $9.99) and filled with a month of unlimited service for just $45.
Straight Talk Information
Welcome To Straight Talk
Activating a Straight Talk SIM
https://www.straighttalk.com/secure/Activate
If instead you're anxious to try out T-Mobile's 42 Mbps network offerings, the price is even cheaper. A SIM activation kit can be bought from T-Mobile for just $0.99, and filled with 100 minutes and 5GB of data for another $30. (Straight Talk is available for T-Mobile as well.)
T-Mobile Monthly 4G Information
Prepaid Phones | Pay as You Go Android Cell Phones | T-Mobile
Activating a T-Mobile SIM
Activate Your Prepaid Phone | Prepaid Activation Guide | T-Mobile
Step 3: See if it's right for you
For either option, just activate the SIM and you're good for 30 days of testing. Carry it around with you next to your current device, and see how it performs. Use it how you would normally. Download apps, make calls, tether, everything -- just put it through its' paces. If at the end of the 30 days you decide that the network -- be it AT&T or T-Mobile -- hasn't performed to your liking, then just let the SIM expire and toss it out. At that point you can easily sell the Nexus 4 for about what you paid (less sales tax), or at that point even get a premium tossing it on eBay. Experiment over!
But let's say that you come away surprised by the HSPA+ offerings of the GSM networks and you'd like to stay with them. Why not toss auto-refill onto that prepaid account and stick with it? Keep getting great service at a great price, and cancel your line(s) with the other carriers. Everyone will have a different experience (we don't all live and work in the same neighborhood), so don't let someone else tell you what carrier to use. What really matters when choosing a carrier is how the service works for you.
Prepaid SIM Cards
The Nexus 4 has a whole lot of features to be excited about -- that is, unless you're on Verizon or Sprint here in the states. For reasons you can probably figure out on your own, Google has decided to only launch an unlocked GSM model of the Nexus 4, and offer it around the world. This means no LTE -- fear not, it has DC-HSPA+ 42mbps -- but it also keeps the price insanely low. At $299 (8GB) and $349 (16GB) without a contract, it's an extremely tempting proposition.
But as we noted earlier, what if you're on a CDMA carrier? Well there are actually some compelling options if you'd like to "test drive" a Nexus 4 -- and GSM -- before you commit to making it your primary device.
As we've discussed before on the site, there are tons of great prepaid carrier options available to users in the U.S. market. Not only can these save you money every month if you use them as a primary carrier, they can also sub in as a secondary carrier for just a month at a time. The two leading prepaid offerings, Straight Talk and T-Mobile Monthly 4G, can both be had for a great price and without a commitment. A month with each will only set you back $45 and $30, respectively.
Prepaid options
Prepaid: Not just for burner phones anymore | Android Central
Step 1: Buy the phone
Starting Nov. 13, the Nexus 4 will go on sale in the Google Play Store (as well as T-Mobile retail locations). Pick one up, be it the 8GB or 16GB version.
Step 2: Choose a carrier
If you're interested in trying out the AT&T network in your area, Straight Talk can be a good choice. A SIM and activation kit can be bought from their site for $14.99 (often on sale at $9.99) and filled with a month of unlimited service for just $45.
Straight Talk Information
Welcome To Straight Talk
Activating a Straight Talk SIM
https://www.straighttalk.com/secure/Activate
If instead you're anxious to try out T-Mobile's 42 Mbps network offerings, the price is even cheaper. A SIM activation kit can be bought from T-Mobile for just $0.99, and filled with 100 minutes and 5GB of data for another $30. (Straight Talk is available for T-Mobile as well.)
T-Mobile Monthly 4G Information
Prepaid Phones | Pay as You Go Android Cell Phones | T-Mobile
Activating a T-Mobile SIM
Activate Your Prepaid Phone | Prepaid Activation Guide | T-Mobile
Step 3: See if it's right for you
For either option, just activate the SIM and you're good for 30 days of testing. Carry it around with you next to your current device, and see how it performs. Use it how you would normally. Download apps, make calls, tether, everything -- just put it through its' paces. If at the end of the 30 days you decide that the network -- be it AT&T or T-Mobile -- hasn't performed to your liking, then just let the SIM expire and toss it out. At that point you can easily sell the Nexus 4 for about what you paid (less sales tax), or at that point even get a premium tossing it on eBay. Experiment over!
But let's say that you come away surprised by the HSPA+ offerings of the GSM networks and you'd like to stay with them. Why not toss auto-refill onto that prepaid account and stick with it? Keep getting great service at a great price, and cancel your line(s) with the other carriers. Everyone will have a different experience (we don't all live and work in the same neighborhood), so don't let someone else tell you what carrier to use. What really matters when choosing a carrier is how the service works for you.