Home / Articles posted by David Storm

• Samsung Shares List of First Galaxy Devices to get Android 4.0/ICS in Early 2012

  In Android Phones, Android Tablets, Manufacturers, Samsung / 20 December 2011 / 0 comments

  

  Samsung today announced that they will be updating a slew of Galaxy devices to Android 4.0/Ice Cream Sandwich early next year.  Samsung indicated that the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note will get the update first, then the others will follow at some time within that quarter. They made no specific announcement of whether the U.S. versions will receive the update at the same time as the international versions. Considering that it is just a software update, you would think they could release them simultaneously, although that could stretch their servers thin.  You can see the list of devices after the break.

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• AT&T and T-Mobile Buyout Now Officially ‘Dead’; Dropped by Both Parties

  In Android News, AT&T, T-Mobile / 20 December 2011 / 0 comments

  

  Here’s another follow-up story to previous news. Last night, AT&T announced that they were dropping their bid to purchase T-Mobile from Deutsche Telekom. The two companies had to concede to mounting regulatory pressure. AT&T originally claimed that it was imperative for them to purchase T-Mobile in order to improve their spectrum shortage issues. This was later refuted by a leaked internal document from AT&T’s own lawyers. Ultimately massive resistance from several consumer groups, private companies, the FCC and even an anti-competitive lawsuit from the Department of Justice finally forced the two companies to scuttle the deal.

  Previously, we reported that AT&T had withdrawn its FCC application in order to focus on the DoJ lawsuit, but the Judge presiding in that case wasn’t to thrilled about AT&T’s legal tactics, so things were looking grim. Now, since the deal is officiall dead, T-Mobile will receive a huge, “sorry we couldn’t get married” compensation prize, in the form of a $3 Billion cash payout, as well as an agreement that includes a large package of Advanced Wireless Solutions (AWS) spectrum and long-term national UMTS roaming, worth another $1 Billion. This is a record high “break-up” fee.

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• Apple wins ITC Ban of HTC Phones in U.S.; HTC Responds with a Workaround & No Worries

  In Android News, HTC, Manufacturers / 20 December 2011 / 0 comments

  

  This is the first of a few update stories we have for you today.  Previously, we reported that a big court case between Apple and HTC would be decided near the end of this month that could dramatically affect the entire Android ecosystem.  Unluckily, the International Trade Commission ruled in favor of Apple, and has banned the importing of HTC devices that infringe Apple’s patents.  Luckily, the ultimate consequences turned out to be not nearly as dire as was possible.

  First, the ITC banned the import and sale of HTC devices running the Android 1.6 and 2.2 OS.  It was within these devices that Apple’s patent ’647 was being infringed upon.  Supposedly, this still leaves a window for Apple to crawl through in which they could go after other manufacturers of Android products.

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• Nexus S Phone Gets Ice Cream Sandwich Update; Comes with some Bugs

  In Android News, Android Phones, Samsung / 19 December 2011 / 1 comment

  

  Owners of the now venerable Google Nexus S phone will be somewhat happy to see that they can get the Android 4.0/ Ice Cream Sandwich update for their phone. Unfortunately, there are some new reports that it brings with it some creepy crawly issues. The minor bugs include the following as reported by several users:

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• Google Giving Away Free Customized Galaxy Nexus Phones to Their Employees

  In Android News, Android Phones, Samsung / 19 December 2011 / 1 comment

  

  Now, that’s a pretty amazing Holiday gift to give your employees… Google is reportedly giving away a free customized Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone to their employees. As you can see in the pic above, the phone doesn’t have any Verizon, or even Samsung logo on the back. Instead, it seems to be sporting a smattering of mobile icons covering its backside. So far, it has been confirmed in their London and Zurich offices, but there has been no confirmation elsewhere. Still, knowing the way Google usually does things, it wouldn’t be a stretch to speculate that this will likely be company-wide.

  What do you guys think of this? Does it make you wish you were an employee at Google, beyond all the other perks of course?

  Source: TheNextWeb

  
  

• VZW Galaxy Nexus Pre-Order at Negri Electronics; Third Party Retailers Get it Dec. 9

  In Android News, Android Phones, Samsung / 26 November 2011 / 0 comments

  

  We have some fairly telling news to share with you guys about the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus. First, the phone is available for pre-order at Negri electronics for $678.50. (This is obviously the unlocked price.) Additionally, both the Negri website and a tweet from the company indicate that the ship date for the phone is December 9th. This part further solidifies the likely December 8th ship date to Verizon stores. It’s “all but official” now.

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