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Tuesday 13 December 2011

CyanogenMod drops support for Samsung Vibrant citing 911 issues

Here’s an odd one: the CyanogenMod team, makers of the most widely-used custom ROM out there, have completely dropped support for the T-Mobile Galaxy S Vibrant. It’s not a hardware issue, as CyanogenMod supports much older and weaker phones. No, the problem comes from Samsung’s proprietary radio software, which is apparently keeping the custom version of Android from dialing 911.


The issue is particularly vexing since Samsung is usually quite good about releasing open-source code for its devices. And indeed, the Vibrant’s code is available, but the specific bit of code required for full access to the wireless radio is not. Samsung has a pretty good relationship with the modder community, especially after hiring Steve “Cyanogen” Kondik. I’ve got to believe that Mr. Kondik tried to get the relevant data from his employers, to no avail.
The CM team has dropped support for devices before when they hit a way that would make satisfactory development impossible. It’s likely that more modders will take CyanogenMod’s open source code and port it back to the Vibrant, but I wouldn’t recommend using it. You might never need to dial 911 from your cell phone, but going without the functionality is just asking for trouble. The Vibrant’s stock firmware was updated to Gingerbread, so it might be best to stick with that until you get a new phone, as the ROM developers suggest.
Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : Vibrant
    Manufactuer : Samsung
    Carrier : T-Mobile
    Announced Date : June 28, 2010
    Release Date : July 21, 2010
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 4.00 Inch
  • Resolution : 480x800
  • Screen Type : Super AMOLED
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 4.82 Inch
  • Width : 2.54 Inch
  • Depth : 0.39 Inch
  • Weight : 118 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 1500 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : 450 hours
Software
    Android OS:
  • 2.1.x
    Audio Playback:
  • MP3
    Video Playback:
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
Hardware
    CPU : Cortex A8 Hummingbird
    CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz
    Core : 1
    Ram : 512 MB
    Internal Storage : 16 GB
    Front Facing Camera :

Verizon Galaxy Nexus gets dedicated release date site


Obviously over in the good old US of A, the Big Red have for a while been giving potential customers a bit of a run-around over just when the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone will come out to play with numerous release date being rumoured that have come and gone and still no release of the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich handset stateside.


Now usually those interested in a new smartphone would pick a website and keep visiting that website for news on the smartphone they are looking for, much like Phones Review, however it appears that someone has decided to go a step further for the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus release.
According to the guys over at Phone Arena, some clever clogs has decided to launch a dedicated website for the release of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, with the site being aptly named…hasverizonreleasedthegalaxynex.us.
Have to say this is probably wither someone who has become increasingly annoyed that the Big Red continues to delay the Galaxy Nexus release and thus wanted to poke a little fun, or someone who is fed up with numerous sites reporting on the release delay.
If you hit up the dedicated site you will find out the answer to the question the site url poses emblazoned in large letter with past rumoured release dates underneath, and also shows the current rumoured release date of the 15t of the month, which will more than likely also be added to that crossed off list.

Pre-order Samsung Galaxy M Pro B7800 UK BlackBerry Lookalike


Love the Android platform but prefer a little BlackBerry styling with your smartphone, then if you are in the United Kingdom you might like to consider the Samsung Galaxy M Pro B7800 smartphone, a device that kind of mixed Android with the look of a BlackBerry thus giving you a taste of both worlds.
According to the guys over at Ubergizmo by way of So Mobile, the Samsung Galaxy M Pro B7800, introduced back in August, is now up for pre-order in the UK and commands a price tag of 340 quid as an unlocked SIM free handset.
The BlackBerry style Samsung Galaxy M Pro B7800 features a BlackBerry-esque QWERTY keyboard along with a 2.66-inch touch screen, 1GHz processor, 5 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash and VGA front facing camera, HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, microSD slot, Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, Samsung TouchWiz UI and a 1350mAh battery.
Although the Samsung Galaxy M Prosmartphone is now up for pre-order, unfortunately that had been no actual release date given for the Android handset, and it is unclear at this pint whether the device will be released over the pond in the US, and again no word on if the device will be updated with Android Ice Cream Sandwich at some point.
Anyway for those in the United Kingdom that might like to pick up the Samsung Galaxy M Pro, you can get your pre-order for the device by heading over to theorder.co.uk, will you be opting to pre-order this new Galaxy come BlackBerry handset?

Verizon Galaxy Nexus gets dedicated


Although over in the USA the Android faithful still haven’t a clue as to when the Big Red will finally deliver the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone to the public, something Verizon seems to love doing. However just to keep your interest in the Samsung Galaxy Nexus we have a little video for your viewing consideration below.
The Verizon Galaxy Nexus comes sporting a 1850mAh battery, and it’s no secret that there is an extended battery to the flavour of 2100mAh, but some worry that an extended battery will add to the bulkiness of a device, but according to the guys over at Droid-life this isn’t the case with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2100mAh battery.
The guys have posted a video from a reader of there that shows the Samsung Galaxy Nexus with the 2100mAh extended battery aboard and proves that an extended battery doesn’t have to make your device bulky as the Galaxy Nexus in the video looks just as slim as ever.
So if you are a tad worried that adding an extended battery to your Android 4.0 Verizon Galaxy Nexus, if you ever managed to get it from Verizon that is, will add extra bulk, then head on down and mash that play button to check out the footage…enjoy.
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