By JR Raphael (@jr_raphael) Grab a napkin, Android fans: Google's Android 4.0 operating system -- aka Android Ice Cream Sandwich -- is ready to be served to phones and tablets around the world. Android 4.0 introduces the biggest changes Google's mobile platform has seen since the days of Froyo. The new OS delivers a sleek new design with layers of polish and loads of tasty fresh features. But how do you know if your phone or tablet will get the upgrade -- and if so, when you can expect to unwrap Ice Cream Sandwich for yourself? I've made it easy. This list has everything there is to know about the Android 4.0 upgrade, broken down by device. It'll be updated regularly as new info becomes ... Continue reading →
By JR Raphael (@jr_raphael) Wow -- talk about a surprising way to start the week. Google shocked most of the tech world Monday morning by announcing it had agreed to buy Motorola Mobility. That's right: The company that famously doesn't make hardware is now on its way to owning one of the most prominent makers of mobile devices. Google's made one thing clear: This Motorola-buying move is all about the patents. But clearly, there are plenty of other potential implications -- and plenty of people wondering what this merger will really mean. Here are answers to all of your burning questions. What exactly happened with the Google-Motorola acquisition? Google and Motorola Mobility entered into a "definitive agreement" for Google to purchase Moto's mobile hardware business. ... Continue reading →
By JR Raphael (@jr_raphael) Google's annual I/O developers' conference is right around the corner -- and boy, oh boy, is it an important time for Android fans. Last year's Google I/O gave us our first look at Ice Cream Sandwich along with the launches of Android 3.1, Google Music, Google movie rentals, and the first commercial Chromebooks. This year's Google I/O starts in just over five weeks -- on June 27, in San Francisco -- and it promises to be every bit as eventful. Rumors are rampant that we'll see a $150 to $200 Google-branded tablet, made by Asus; some also suspect we'll get a glimpse at the next version of Android, believed to be named Jelly Bean. And hey, you never know: We might ... Continue reading →
By JR Raphael (@jr_raphael) When it comes to Android 4.0 upgrades, Motorola hasn't exactly been leading the pack. The manufacturer scored a big fat "D" in my Android 4.0 report card for the first quarter of 2012, and from the looks of it, its second-quarter score may not be much better. After months of silence and inactivity, Motorola is finally speaking up about its Android 4.0 upgrade plans and what's going on with its devices. Here's what's new from the company's latest software update page refresh: • Motorola's Droid Razr is now scheduled to get Ice Cream Sandwich sometime in the second quarter. Previously, the phone had been down for an "early 2012" upgrade -- a time frame I think we can all agree has ... Continue reading →
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By JR Raphael (@jr_raphael) Get ready, gang: Android may be on the brink of its biggest change yet -- a shift that could redefine the platform and send waves through the entire mobile market. Signs of something big have been brewing in AndroidLand for some time now: First, we've had the increasingly loud buzz about Google's top-secret mission to build an inexpensive Nexus-like tablet. Then, last month, Google opened the door to selling unlocked Nexus devices directly to consumers, eliminating the need for carrier meddling and contract commitments. Now, at long last, we're getting a glimpse at what's likely the final piece of the puzzle. Google is getting ready to expand its Nexus program, a report from The Wall Street Journal says, and will soon ... Continue reading →
By JR Raphael (@jr_raphael) Get ready, gang: Android may be on the brink of its biggest change yet -- a shift that could redefine the platform and send waves through the entire mobile market. Signs of something big have been brewing in AndroidLand for some time now: First, we've had the increasingly loud buzz about Google's top-secret mission to build an inexpensive Nexus-like tablet. Then, last month, Google opened the door to selling unlocked Nexus devices directly to consumers, eliminating the need for carrier meddling and contract commitments. Now, at long last, we're getting a glimpse at what's likely the final piece of the puzzle. Google is getting ready to expand its Nexus program, a report from The Wall Street Journal says, and will soon ... Continue reading →
