Multitouch Issues, Slow Rotation Speeds Reported by Galaxy Nexus Owners

Us early adopters of new technology have to put up with the quirks and speed bumps that this new tech has to offer. I know this, you know this, we all know this, but sometimes they can be frustrating nonetheless. Less than a week after the launch of maybe one of the most hyped phones on the planet, the Galaxy Nexus, users are running into some major and minor bugs. Even with the 4.0.2 update right out of the gate, and a swift push for Android 4.0.3 in the coming weeks (though we aren’t sure when), some of these bugs are hard to over look.

While users have reported some bugs, even our writers have reported issues in their 24hr and 48hr initial impressions of the phone, some of them can be overlooked. However there appears to be a slew of newer found bugs that are giving users even more headaches. The folks over at RootzWiki are reporting that users are having issues with Multitouch in 3D games like Gun Bros and Shadowgun. Apparently after playing the game for a little bit, sensitivity on the right side of the touch screen is lost. This can be remedied with a quick turning off then back on of the display leading folks to believe that this is software related.

Also, while this may or may not be considered a bug, Michael Blake over at Techhog has reported that the Galaxy Nexus is absurdly slow at switching from portrait to landscape mode. He tested it against an iPhone 4S and found that it rotated a few seconds quicker than the Nexus. I just tested this myself with my Nexus, an iPhone 4s and an HTC Rezound and found that the Rezound and 4S were indeed faster but not by much. So while it may not be noticeably important to me, it’s slow enough to cause issues for others.

Given that this is a very new device it’s bound to have some quirks, however, the amount that we are seeing pile up questions launch timing being a good idea. Of course I am willing to put up with a few of these bugs just to have the Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich. Hopefully with Google pushing out updates in a relatively quick manner we should see these bugs go away, but having them regardless is still frustrating. What about you folks, are you having issues? Is Ice Cream Sandwich right now worth the bugs that it comes with or will you wait until they are fixed to get an ICS run device?

Google To Suspend Nexus S Android 4.0 Update

Nexus S owners had reason to rejoice when Google announced the Android 4.0 update on its way to the device. However, the update did not come without its problems. Users reported various bugs as  indicated by some Talk Android readers below:

• “installed stock 4.0.3 directly from google yesterday. after install, wifi shows connected and ip assigned, but doesn’t load any webpages, market or news/weather. same issue happened to friend as well.”
• “my wifi doesn’t work :’(“
• “The installation went ok over 3g, took about 10 minutes, after install MMS messages disabled. Tried to reset the mms APN, no help”

In addition to the bugs above, it seems that many users are affected by high CPU usage and unusual battery drains. Google is fully aware of this and has since suspended ICS updates to Nexus S devices. That means if you’ve gotten a notification that the update was available, you won’t be able to apply the update just yet.
If you’re a Nexus S owner, try to sit tight for the time being. Those of you who have the update already will have the bugs to deal with, but know that the Google engineers are likely working round the clock to correct each issue, so we hope there will be a fix sooner than later. Those of you who do not have the update will have to be a patient for just a bit longer. Hey, having a finished product is worth the wait, right? We’re certain there will be a resolution for all Nexus S owners sooner than later.

Nexus S gets Android 4.0.3 update, will become the base version for other devices

  Google over the weekend pushed over the much awaited Ice Cream Sandwich update for Nexus S smartphone. Its an OTA update, which means users can wait for a notification from Google or just download this 128MB zip file to manually flash their I9020 or I9023 model.
The 4.0.3 update is said to be an “incremental” update of Android 4.0 that will bring various optimizations and bug fixes for phones and tablets. Going forward, Google will make the 4.0.3 update as the base version which other companies will have to use to bring Ice Cream Sandwich onto their devices.

Samsung dates Ice Cream Sandwich release for Galaxy devices, coming in early 2012

  Listen up Samsung Galaxy users – big news just arrived from the Korean giant. They’ve announced the tentative timeframe to release Ice Cream Sandwich update aka Android 4.0 OS for their existing range of Galaxy devices.
Galaxy S II and Galaxy Nexus will be the first devices to get the Android 4.0 update sometime in first quarter of 2012.
Other high-end devices that will be updated to Android 4.0 include Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy R, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus.
Samsung hasn’t confirmed if the new update will still bear its custom TouchWiz UI or not.

Google halts Nexus S’ Android 4.0 update

  Nexus S users waiting for an OTA notification from Google for the Android 4.0 update will have to wait a little longer. Google’s exec on the Google’s support forum confirmed yesterday that they’ve halted the over-the-air Ice Cream Sandwich update for Nexus S users.
Google pulled the update due to an apparent battery drain issue which was faced by many Nexus S users running Android 4.0.3 update. Google is currently “monitoring feedback” and will start delivering the OTA update again.

Android 4.0.3 delayed for Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S

Google’s highly anticipated Android 4.0.3 update will finally bring Ice Cream Sandwich to the Nexus S, and hopefully fix a few bugs concerning the Galaxy Nexus battery life. It has been a real problem getting a full day of use on a single charge with Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus – even with the extended battery. The update to ICS for the Nexus S has almost been perfected, unofficially of course, so those that are rooted may not see much of a difference. Unfortunately, the update has been flagged for further review.


Earlier we had heard some rumors that the Nexus S ICS update would possibly be delayed, and now it seems we should bet on it. Over on Google’s forums, users are reporting that the update was downloaded to their device – but installation doesn’t pull through. Google reports that it is holding the update hostage to “monitor feedback”.
But what better way to monitor feedback than pushing the update? Not only will they receive a more accurate response – but it will give Nexans what they want; after all, the reason many of us buy into the “Nexus” line is to receive updates promptly from Google – and to receive them first. As for the Galaxy Nexus owners out there (including myself), please fix the battery drain issue and we’ll be happy.

Android apps see in-app purchase swell

65-percent of revenues for the top 200 Android apps come from in-app purchases, download store analysts Distimo have discovered, though the potential for making cash from Android software still pales in comparison to iOS. Meanwhile, Android is the place to go for free titles, holding a comfortable lead ahead of its rivals when it comes to freely-distributed software.

iPhone apps in the top 200 make almost four times the revenue – looking at both upfront payment and in-app purchases – of Android’s top apps, while iPad apps make more than twice that of Android. Android holds the second spot for gaming options, too, with 46,045 titles in the US in comparison to the iPhone’s 79,077 and iPad’s 28,638.

Angry Birds was the top app of 2011 for downloads, Distimo found, followed by Facebook and Skype. Google’s own Google Maps came in fifth, despite only being offered in the Android Market.

Leaked 4.0.3 radios for Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus improve signal slightly

Amidst yet another outage of Verizon’s data system across large portions of the US, a new radio image for the LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus has become available. This ZIP file contains revised code for the CDMA and 4G LTE radios within the device, and according to some of the responders in the XDA thread, allows for slightly better overall signal reception and much better stability. The phone locks on to a data signal faster and tends to keep it longer, with smoother handoffs between 4G and 3G. After testing out the radio myself, the speed and initial connection seem to be only slightly improved. Unfortunately, I can’t test the 4G at the moment.

Don’t get too excited just yet. Naturally, flashing the radios requires an unlocked phone with a custom recovery, and no small amount of risk on the part of the user. For most Galaxy Nexus owners, I’d recommend waiting for the Android 4.0.3 update, which has probably been delayed because of the signal and battery issues that many have been experiencing. This radio image, or an even newer and hopefully better one, will almost certainly be included as part of the forthcoming update. And it won’t require you to void your warranty.
All bets are off for this little nugget of leaked code. It’s probably a test radio originating from Verizon that got sent out to a public-spirited friend or colleague, but it could just as easily be a version revere engineered and tweaked from the stock radio. If you’re of an experimental mind (guilty!) and you know what you’re doing, go ahead – just remember to use ClockworkMod Recovery’s backup feature beforehand. And since the Galaxy Nexus has only internal storage, you might want to back up the backup, so to speak, to your computer’s hard drive before applying the updated ZIP file.

New smartphones in 2012

Features to expect from the next-generation of smartphones that are due in 2012.

The mobile industry is growing rapidly with new handset technologies and models. In 2011, the industry saw the first dual-core smartphone and even the first glassless 3D smartphone. So as per the trend, we could expect many more handsets next year with better looks and features.
All those who plan to buy a smartphone in the next couple of months should pay attention to the new breed of handsets being developed right now.
As of now, it is difficult to compile a list of handsets that can be expected next year for it is too early. Also the exact plans and roadmap of handset makers is not something they wish to share yet with the public. However, there are four major evolutions that one can expect to see in smartphones.
Larger native resolution support
The quarter High Definition (qHD) native resolution has slowly started to become popular in high end handsets. Next year, we may see 720p HD smartphones, starting with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus GT-I9250.
Galaxy Nexus offers a 1280 x 720 pixel Super Amoled contour display.
HTC is already preparing to launch its 720p HD native resolution handsets currently codenamed HTC Zeta and HTC Edge. Both these smartphones carry different designs and features.
Sony Ericsson is also working on two smartphones that will have 720p HD displays. These are the Nozomi and Aoba.

Meanwhile, we are pretty sure that other major handset makers like Nokia, Motorola, LG and hopefully RIM will catch up and introduce their own 720p HD handsets.
Apart from native resolution, even screen sizes will increase and most will rest between 4.3 and 4.7 inches.
Faster processor and graphics
Most users and developers are still getting familiar with the dual core mobile processors, which are indeed a big game changer in the industry. In the coming months, we shall get to see quad-core processors in smartphones as well.
Processor clock speeds like 2.25 GHz will certainly dazzle you, but the technology is still very new and loads of work remains on the software front.
Just like desktop operating systems had to do some catching up in terms of developing applications and making the best of quad-core processors, similar will be the case with mobile processors and operating systems. Initially, quad-core processors may appear fancy and run things fast. The real problem would be offering enough applications that can make the best of all cores or automatically shut down the ones not required. Also, the biggest issue that Android is yet to combat is the constant problem of battery life.
Mobile graphics will support PC level games that were developed a couple of years ago. Rich looking, fast-paced action games would be fun to play with fluid high resolution 3D graphics. Next year, don't be surprised if you get to hear about quad-core graphics chips for mobile phones as well.

Better operating systems
To cope with the dual-core and quad-core mobile processors, mobile operating systems will have to get better and more robust. The major operating systems — Android, iOS, BlackBerry and Windows Phone — will have to find a way to deal with and make the best of dual-core and quad-core processors to provide the best experience and to conserve battery life.
Meanwhile, Symbian and Bada mobile operating systems will have to come up with some compelling handsets and applications.
Mobile operating systems will constantly be looked upon for innovation in voice technology. Several developers have already started tapping the potential of augmented reality but we are still not there in terms of volumes.
RIM has QNX and BBX OS under development for next year while Windows Phone mobile OS is getting better every day. While Android still struggles to combat some serious issues like piracy, iOS is facing trouble with security and consistency. Great interfaces, resizable as well as scroll-able widgets and better power-management is what can be expected from next generation mobile operating systems.

Thin, with more battery life
With thin smartphones, packing a powerful battery has also become a challenge for handset makers. Recently, researchers of Northwestern University figured out a way to extend the new lithium-ion battery's charge by ten times. That means the next generation of Li-ion batteries will promise faster charging and will last for couple of days at least.
Next year, smartphones would be lighter, slimmer, powerful and with better graphics. Of course, the heavy cost of possessing one will come along.

Google releases ICS update for Samsung Nexus S

Android Ice Cream Sandwich will bring several new features to the device.

Google has quietly released the Android Ice Cream Sandwich update for its older Google Nexus S devices. The Nexus S smartphones will gate the Android 4.0 instead of the recently announced Android 4.0.3. The update has started rolling out as of now and will continue for the entire month but only for the GSM version of Nexus S.

The update will bring considerable changes form the existing Android Gingerbread operating system and the users will require some time getting used to the newly added features. For example, for scrolling through the applications in Gingerbread users needed to swipe their finger up, and down for browsing the applications.
In Ice Cream Sandwich, however, users will have to swipe right to left for browsing applications. More such tips for accessing and usage help can be accessed 
The update has started rolling out to devices around the globe but users will have to wait until they get a notification on their device for the update.

The Mobile Indian will bring you the first look of the Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system as and when we get to lay our hands on the same.

Google halts Nexus S ICS update in certain regions

The Android 4.0.3 update for the GSM/UMTS version of the Nexus S began a few days ago and by now several of them are running the latest version of Android. However, there are still many left who aren't and it seems it will be a while before they get it.

Certain users are reporting that they are getting the update notification on their phones but when they begin the update process the download fails to start, after which you have no choice but to cancel the process.
When this problem was posted on Google's forum, Google responded by saying that it has paused the update in certain locations and is monitoring feedback from other regions.
This may have something to do with the battery life issue being reported by many Nexus S users who have upgraded to 4.03 and something we ourselves have seen on our Nexus S. It seems Google may be in the processing of solving this problem and will then issue a patched version to everyone.
Till then you will have to wait for a while to get the update automatically. Or you can always download the ROM and update manually.

Samsung Nexus S Ice Cream Sandwich update possibly delayed

We are starting to get reports in from all angles that the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Samsung Nexus S has been halted by Google. The update was started late last week by Google themselves after initially testing it with Google employees. While the delay hasn’t been confirmed many users are experiencing issues and recently are unable to update to the new software.


Over at the official Google Support pages many have updated just fine but plenty of users have actual received the update notification, downloaded most or all of it and were then unable to update. A Google employee came in and left a comment that only adds to the confusion. He states the update could have temporarily been paused in certain areas “while we monitor feedback”.
Monitoring feedback doesn’t mean the update has actually been delayed or paused, but this is very much a possibility. We have been hearing reports about a battery bug and a few other possible issues with heavy CPU usage in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Many are speculating the latest update to 4.0.3 will solve these issues but that is the build currently rolling out to Nexus S users. At the moment we aren’t exactly sure what seems to be the case here but I’m sure we’ll know more soon.
Is your Nexus S having issues after the ICS update? We’ve heard scattered reports that the same is true for the Galaxy Nexus and we must admit our review units don’t have the best battery life, but that could be 4G LTE’s fault. We’ll be sure to monitor this story and its status as things progress.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Nexus S

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : T-Mobile

Announced Date : December 07, 2010

Release Date : December 16, 2010

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 4.00 Inch
• Resolution : 480x800
• Screen Type : Super AMOLED

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 4.88 Inch
• Width : 2.48 Inch
• Depth : 0.43 Inch
• Weight : 129 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 1500 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : 713 hours

Software

Android OS:
• 2.3.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MP3

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS

Hardware

CPU : Cortex A8 Hummingbird

CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz

Core : 1

Ram : 512 MB

Internal Storage : 16.384 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Galaxy Nexus gaming performance: ShadowGun and Riptide GP

Wondering how the Verizon Galaxy Nexus will handle all the high-end games that are coming out and taking advantage of super-powered Android hardware? Well wonder no more. Chris Burns over at SlashGear took his shiny new Nexus on a gaming bender, trying out two high-profile 3D games that are quickly becoming the standard for Android graphics: third-person shooter ShadowGun and jet ski racer Riptide GP.

The results are impressive, to say the least. Despite the Galaxy Nexus’ 720p resolution, both games run quickly and smoothly at the highest settings. On ShadowGun you can notice minimal slowdown during screen-filling effects, but that’s about it. When playing Riptide, the racing is incredibly smooth and fluid even with the multiple water effects at play. Notice that in both titles, the virtual buttons on the Galaxy Nexus don’t disappear like they do with active videos – this may be a limitation of the APIs in question, or it could be adressed by future releases of either game.
Check out the videos below:
Of course, neither game looks as good as it does on the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, but that’s to be expected. The quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor combines with a slightly lower system load for Honeycomb as opposed to Ice Cream Sandwich, and Riptide GP has a special version designed specifically to take advantage of the hardware. But there’s no doubt about it: the Galaxy Nexus is one of the best Android smartphones out there for gaming, if not the best at the moment. We’ll see how long it can keep its crown when Tegra 3 smartphones from HTC and others start arriving in Q1 of 2012.

Root users: install Google Car Home on your Galaxy Nexus

One thing that surprised me when looking through my Galaxy Nexus apps wasn’t the presence of Verizon’s bloatware, it was thew absence of something that’s become a standard on Android phones: Google Car Home. It’s the app that launched when you slide a phone into a car dock, featuring big, easily pressed buttons to help you stay focused on the road. When I looked for it in the Android Market, there was no sign, and navigating via the web version revealed that Google Car Home isn’t yet compatible with either the Galaxy Nexus, Ice Cream Sandwich, or both.


Of course, being an obsessive Android tinkerer I couldn’t simply let things lie. So I downloaded the latest version of Google Car Home on my DROID X, then copied the APK file over to my SD card, and eventually to my computer. Then I copied the APK over to the MTP root folder of my Galaxy Nexus. You can see where this is going. When I tried to install the APK via the Root Explorer file manager, it popped out an error message. So as a last ditch attempt, I activated root permissions and copied the APK file straight into my /system/app folder. Eureka! The app showed up in my drawer immediately, and Google Car Home works just fine, as far as I can tell.
Here’s the Google Car Home APK if you want to skip the roundabout or don’t have a spare Android phone. Just copy it into your /system/app/ folder using a root file explorer. To use the easy method you need to be rooted, but those with stock Ice Cream Sandwich will have to use ADB to manually move the file from your computer into the correct folder. Here’s a guide if you’re new to ADB.
All this is a little disheartening for Verizon Galaxy Nexus users, since the official Samsung car dock for the LTE version doesn’t use the three electrical contacts to automatically enter car mode like the GSM dock does. But the Google Car Home app is still much safer and easier to operate while driving, and features quick links to hands-free voice activation and maps. If you’ve got a Bluetooth-enabled car stereo, you can set Car Home to launch as soon as it makes the Bluetooth connection. And if you’re looking for a good, cheap universal car dock, I’ve had great results with the SGP Kuel S20.
Disclaimer: this app, and the process for installing it, are offered on an as-is basis. Android Community is not responsible if you use it to play Angry Birds in the middle of the highway and end up with some angry people… or worse.

Android 4.0.3 delayed for Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S

Google’s highly anticipated Android 4.0.3 update will finally bring Ice Cream Sandwich to the Nexus S, and hopefully fix a few bugs concerning the Galaxy Nexus battery life. It has been a real problem getting a full day of use on a single charge with Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus – even with the extended battery. The update to ICS for the Nexus S has almost been perfected, unofficially of course, so those that are rooted may not see much of a difference. Unfortunately, the update has been flagged for further review.


Earlier we had heard some rumors that the Nexus S ICS update would possibly be delayed, and now it seems we should bet on it. Over on Google’s forums, users are reporting that the update was downloaded to their device – but installation doesn’t pull through. Google reports that it is holding the update hostage to “monitor feedback”.
But what better way to monitor feedback than pushing the update? Not only will they receive a more accurate response – but it will give Nexans what they want; after all, the reason many of us buy into the “Nexus” line is to receive updates promptly from Google – and to receive them first. As for the Galaxy Nexus owners out there (including myself), please fix the battery drain issue and we’ll be happy.

Samsung Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note To Get Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Update In Q1, 2012

Back in mid of November, Samsung has officially announced that it will be upgrading their entire line of Galaxy handsets and tablets with Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS, but the exact date for the update roll out hasn’t been reported yet. A new announcement from Samsung, gave a hint on the timeline of the roll out of the Android ICS update process for the Galaxy devices. Samsung Galaxy S II and the super-sized Samsung Galaxy Note will be first set of devices to be upgraded to Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich OS in the first quarter of 2012 with Samsung Galaxy S II LTE and Galaxy R following. That means, ICS update for Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note will be ready somewhere around January-February, since the first quarter ends in March.
Along with these devices, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7, and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus devices will also updated with ICS version of Android. Pure Google devices including Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S are currently being upgraded to Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich OS.
Coming to other manufacturers, Moto is prepping to release the Android ICS update for Motorola Xoom very soon, Motorola Droid Bionic and Droid RAZR handsets have already been confirmed to get the

Mobile Tracking Blocker SilentPocket Perfect For The Paranoid

Always been afraid of Big Brother? Concerned about your privacy in this age of corporate ubiquity? Fear no more–or at least fear less–as the nefarious powers that be can be blocked from tracking your movements. It’s called the SilentPocket and what it does is block the RFID signal from your phone, rendering it untraceable. But wait, because the SilentPocket from Mia Mobi isn’t some one off. it’s actually a whole line of small bags for a variety of outfits.


The big secret behind the SilentPocket series is the silver lining inside each bag. Seen above is just one example of their extensive selection, which comes in a a variety of sizes. For pricing, go check out the source link below.

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Gaming Demo with Ripide GP and ShadowGun

There are a couple of games out there right now that show off the graphics finesse of whatever platform you play them on quite well, and in quite an easily comparable sense when it comes down to it, those being Riptide GP, a jet-ski racing game, and ShadowGun, a 3rd person shooter – today we’ve got these games being demonstrated on Verizon’s LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus. This device is the first to work natively with Google’s mobile OS by the name of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and runs a Texas Instruments OMAP4 1.2GHz dual-core processor. Is it enough to compete with such gaming titans as the ultra-powerful NIVIDA Tegra 3 quad-core processor toting ASUS Transformer Prime, or perhaps the iPad 2 for good measure?


What you’re going to see below is a few videos, the first of which will be Riptide GP on the Galaxy Nexus, the second being ShadowGun on that same device, then you’ll be looking at a couple of videos that show off these same games on the two most powerful tablet devices on the market today. Though a tablet isn’t normally supposed to be compared to a handset like this in this manner, you’ll see that though tablets have been shown to be running the show as far as high-class graphics and gaming go thus far, here in the Galaxy Nexus its evident that the smartphone is right there racing beside them, no problem at all whatsoever.

Riptide GP on Verizon Galaxy Nexus

This game was originally developed in collaboration with NVIDIA to be optimized for NVIDIA Tegra 2 processors, dual-core like the Texas Instruments processor in the Galaxy Nexus, but currently being phased out as the Tegra 3 rolls out with twice the power. Meanwhile this game has been released for all devices powerful enough to work with it, and it looks fantastic here on the Galaxy Nexus. We have several things to thank for that including the high-level graphics processing in the Texas Instruments chip, the operating system Android 4.0′s ability to work with processors to deliver high-end graphics and processing more efficiently than ever before, and the high-resolution display on the Galaxy Nexus. This game is available on the Android Market now.

ShadowGun on Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Similarly you’ll find ShadowGun working slick as a knife through butter with absolutely no load time between scenes and instantaneous rendering of all elements as they unfold, no problem. This game demands that your device be running efficiently or it skips and jumps as your machine tries to handle it — you’ll see no such breaks here. This game, like Riptide GP, is available for download directly from the Android Market right this minute.

Riptide GP and ShadowGun on iPad 2 and Transformer Prime

Now as far as both of these games working in the tablet world, there’s more of a difference between the iPad 2 and the Transformer Prime than you’d think, and because the display is much more dense with pixels on the Galaxy Nexus than it is on the iPad 2, the difference between the two is pronounced heavily once again. First have a look at Riptide GP:
You’ll have noticed at this point that the game has some added effects on the ASUS tablet – this is because NVIDIA worked with the folks developing Riptide GP to create a version that takes full advantage of the four cores of the Tegra 3 processor. A similar situation is going on with ShadowGun, what with water effects, in this case, and improved graphics across the game. Compare this version to the one you see played by the Galaxy Nexus above and you’ll see that beyond those aesthetic bonuses, they run pretty similarly.
Stick around here on SlashGear to see our full review of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus this week and follow along in our timeline below to see our hands-on history with the Galaxy Nexus in general. Look like the device for you? Believe it or not, it’s available in the USA right now!

Google holds Android 4.0 updates for Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus

Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Nexus S hit a snag today, as Electronista reports that the company posted on its forums that it was holding the operating system update to “monitor feedback”, after users saw atypically high battery drain on the devices. Possibly induced by a spike in processor usage, the issue wasn’t enough to halt all updates worldwide, but the upgrade “wouldn’t return until Google was satisfied there wasn’t an issue.”


The problem may possibly be related to a recent update to Android 4.0. Galaxy Nexus owners have mentioned throughout Google’s online forums that they’ve seen battery drain issues akin to that of the Nexus S. However, in their cases, it may be that the kernel behind the low-level software on the device is artificially keeping the device awake even when the screen itself is off, depleting battery far faster than it typically would.
Google hasn’t issued an official acknowledgment of the Galaxy Nexus battery issue, although it hasn’t pushed Ice Cream Sandwich versin 4.0.3 update to those devices yet. We’ll keep you updated what happens next, whether from Google, or others. Hopefully the issue gets resolved in the time being, though. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Android Overload: Verizon Wireless Introduces New Trade-In Program, HTC Rezound Only $150 At Amazon Wireless and More

Greetings, Phandroids! I hope you all had a great weekend because it’s time for more and news and with that — comes the Android Overload. Here, we’ve gathered all the top news stories from throughout the day that didn’t quite make it onto our front page. But we’ve placed them conveniently here to make sure nothing got by without you seeing it first. If you find an interesting article, feel free to leave your thoughts. See y’all tomorrow! Night.

• Verizon Wireless launches new trade-in program for used smartphones. [ZDNet]
• The problem behind Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus reception issue has been discovered. [AnandTech]
• Cricket gets the Huawei Mercury (Glory). $250 contract-free. [Cnet]
• BT comes after Google for patent infringement. [TechCrunch]
• Senate antitrust chairman asks FTC to look into Google and Android. [Electronista]
• HTC Rezound is only $150 at Amazon Wireless for new customers and upgrades. [AmazonWireless]
• Ubuntu makes its way to the Nook Tablet. [Engadget]
• LightSquared faces new problem. May soon run out of money. [VentureBeat]
• Rogers Canada shows off new videos for Motorola Razr. [AndroidSite]
• Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet help push Android’s tablet share to 40%. [eWeek]
• White Galaxy Note lands in South Korea. [SammyHub]
• Different versions of the Galaxy Nexus receive software updates from different sources. [The Verge]
• The MyTouch 4G Slide has gotten quick maintenance upgrade. [TmoNews]

Google Said to be Suspending Nexus S ICS Update Due to High CPU Usage and Battery Life Bug

Google began rolling out the Nexus S ICS update in several regions a short time ago but it seems they’ve already had to suspend the upgrade for an issue that is affecting battery life.
Alongside abnormal battery drain users are seeing high spikes of CPU usage, two things that could be directly related. If you’ve gotten a notification that the upgrade was available but you have since been unable to apply it, don’t worry – you’re not crazy.
Now is as good a time as any to mention that Galaxy Nexus users have also been experiencing less-than-normal battery drainage for quite some time. Many believe it to be a kernel driver issue and is causing the OS to keep the device awake (this doesn’t necessarily mean the screen has to be on) which causes excessive battery drain.
I personally have been seeing half the awake time as overall up time (for instance, 4 hours on battery gives me 2 hours of awake time even if I’m not using the device more than 10 minutes throughout that period) on my Galaxy Nexus. Compared to other devices this most certainly is an anomaly. We’re not sure what’s going on but Google is apparently aware and working on a fix.
For the time being, if any of you have a Nexus S receiving the official update would you please be kind enough to go into the Battery Usage menu and letting us know what your Android OS usage is showing after using it for some time? It would go a long way toward figuring out if this is an Ice Cream Sandwich issue in general or if the two devices are unrelated. [Google Code (Galaxy Nexus), Google Support, XDA via Droid Dog]

Happy Holidroid Contest: Secret Image Challenge [Hanukkah Edition]

Today we have another edition of our ‘Secret Image Challenge.’ Today marks the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights. Be on the lookout for the following Hanukkah-themed image to appear in a Phandroid post later today, and when you do head on over to Android Forums and let us know.

• Only one post excluding this one will contain the secret image displayed above. It will appear in a news entry with a timestamp following this post but before the end of the day (11:59PM EST)
• Sign up for a free account at AndroidForums.com
• Visit this thread on AndroidForums.com and let us know the title and timestamp of the post containing the secret image as a reply. Include the sentence immediately preceding the image and the sentence immediately following it in your post on Android Forums.
• The first person to find the secret image is the winner.
• ONE ENTRY PER PERSON, MEANING IF YOU HAVE POSTED SOMETHING THAT IS INTERPRETED BY US TO BE AN ENTRY AND YOU ARE WRONG YOU ARE OUT OF THE RUNNING. Those who are trying to game the system will not have a chance.
• IF YOUR POST HAS BEEN EDITED AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON, THAT ENTRY WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED
• New users are allowed to make test posts as long as they explicitly state it’s a test. These posts are still subject to the editing rule above.
• Read our Full Official Rules for information about eligibility
• This isn’t required but if you want to be nice… Visit Amazon.com by clicking here before you do your holiday shopping because you love us!

Looking for a great gift? Don’t forget about our Holiday Gift Guide!
Tomorrow’s Contest:
We’ll be giving away a Kindle Fire, Smartouch Gloves, $30 Seidio Voucher, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, ZeeMote,  and Andy T-Shirt! You never know when we’ll make our contest post so check back early and often!

Galaxy Nexus LTE Bug Is a Figment of Your Imagination

Since the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, many a user has noticed fewer 4G LTE status bars than they are used to, leading to the idea that the phone must be suffering from some sort of radio bug. The one or two bars of service were accompanied by reports of dropped calls and low signal strength when measured at the dBm level. The reality, as per an investigation by AnandTech, is that the Galaxy Nexus may actually be reporting LTE signal strength more accurately than its Verizon predecessors.
Compared head-to-head with the LTE Droid Charge, nearly identical dBm readings resulted in two drastically different sets of status bars. For the Droid Charge, four bars. For the Galaxy Nexus, a mere one bar. It is important to note that the Charge and Galaxy Nexus use identical LTE radio chips, so the difference in signal strength opinion must operate at the software level. Ice Cream Sandwich seems to be reporting signal strength more precisely than previous versions of Android. The Galaxy Nexus theoretically should be receiving the same quality of signal as any other 4G LTE device operating on Verizon’s network within the same vicinity, regardless of a discrepancy in status bars. The strength of signal will likely grow as Verizon continues to improve their LTE network, and when it gets firing on all cylinders it will be a hard beast to slow down.

Android Army Advances – 700,000 New Device Activations Each Day

It’s official, folks. There are now 700,000 Android activations each day — a statement made just a few minutes ago by Google’s Senior Vice President of Mobile, Andy Rubin, via his Twitter. This is up from 500,000 back towards the end of June and at roughly 8 new Android activations every second, it’s a number that not only continues to grow but doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Sprint Galaxy Nexus A Reality – Device Given The Green Light For Activation [Rumor]

Not sure exactly how accurate this information is but the implications here are so huge, so monumental, so tremendous — that I felt I should share it with our readers. We’ve been receiving multiple reports from both Sprint customers and employees that apparently… wait for it… the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus is safe to flash on Sprint. The information comes through online chats and phone calls with Sprint sales support and according to them, they know all about Google’s flagship (and why wouldn’t they?) and have given the device the green light for activation on their network.On the surface, it all makes sense. Hypothetically, anyway. Just take a look at the Verizon Galaxy Nexus’s supported radio bands (CDMA 800/1900, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO), it actually supports all the same frequencies that Sprint uses for both 2G and 3G although, sadly, no 4G (not a problem for most Sprint users, I’m sure). We still haven’t gotten word on anyone successfully flashing Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus over to Sprint (or if it’s even possible) but it seems Sprint is more ready and willing. As soon as we get more info, we’ll let you know. Would any Sprint customers out there be willing to pay full price for the Verizon’s GNex?

Google's Andy Rubin defines 'Android activation,' trumpets 700,000 per day clip

Looking for growth? You've found it. If you'll recall, Google's own Senior Vice President of Mobile Andy Rubin confirmed that over 500,000 Android devices were being activated back in June, and during last month's Galaxy Nexus reveal, we learned that said figure had increased to 550,000 per day. In just over a month, the tally has now climbed to 700,000 per 24 hour period. That's according to a post by Andy himself on Google+, which he followed with this:

"For those wondering, we count each device only once (i.e., we don't count re-sold devices), and "activations" means you go into a store, buy a device [and] put it on the network by subscribing to a wireless service."

In other words, there are many, many more Android devices being ushered into use every single day that don't connect to any monitored wireless service, but naturally, keeping track of those is something even Google isn't about to attempt. Any guesses as to what this figure jumps to after the holiday season concludes?

Samsung now offering free games for Galaxy devices

Samsung who has secured a safe and handsome market share with its Galaxy range of devices is now offering a range of free games for the Galaxy devices. Samsung apps is offering up to 12 free games for the Galaxy Note which include Air Penguin, Air Attack HD, Riptide GP, Samurai 2, Grow, Paladog, Sprinkle and more.

Whereas the Galaxy S and Galaxy S II devices can download about 16 free games and have great fun. The free games include Air Penguin, Air Attack HD, Riptide GP, Samurai 2, Grow, Guru Planet, Bubble Fish, Trial Xtreme, Paladog, Sprinkle and more. Also the Galaxy Ace and Gio will get Air Penguin as a free game.

In an official statement Samsung said, "We are pleased to offer our users a promotion which enables them to download popular apps, optimized to their Galaxy smart device, for free. The apps we offer will challenge game lovers, while also raising awareness about Samsung Apps as an exclusive destination for Samsung smart device users."

Galaxy Note revolutionized Mobile Phone Industry, says Mr. Ranjit Yadav, Country Head, Samsung Mobile & IT [Interview]

We recently interviewed Mr. Ranjit Yadav, Country Head, Samsung Mobile & IT, and asked him about Samsung Galaxy Note, Bada OS and Dual SIM phones. One of the most interesting answer was about Bada in which he informed that Samsung is working with over 800 application developers in India. We also asked him to comment on the rumoured device - Samsung Galaxy S III, which was not answered, as we expected. Never mind.


Read the full interview with him.

What was the idea behind the 5 inch Samsung Galaxy Note? Many people think it's too big to be called a smartphone and too small to be called a Tablet.
At Samsung, we are highly focused on innovation based products that help us prioritize consumer choice as a key strategy for expanding our footprint in the mobile industry. We are determined to provide our consumers the very best in technology that suits their individual needs. Taking forward our global goals and vision, Samsung focuses on expanding in the advanced technology sphere and continuously work towards introducing many technologically superior products. We challenged our core vision and goals and revolutionized the mobile phone industry with the launch of Galaxy note. Galaxy Note represents a unique product category that seeks to define a new category in the mobile industry. This product has bridged the gap between a smartphone and a tablet. It is the ultimate on-the-go device which consolidates core benefits of diverse mobile devices, while maintaining smartphone portability.

The Galaxy Note is a primary device that will minimize the need to switch to other devices while on the go and open up the potential of your mobile experience.

What according to Samsung are the factors that consumers keep in mind while choosing a mobile device?

Consumers are looking at buying mobile devices that will empower them with more capabilities while on the move. While consumers have platform preferences, a key buying criterion continues to be aligned towards Smart phones that help consumers, experience PC-like web-browsing and multimedia content wherever they go. The Smartphone consumers have evolved. Smartphone owners are voracious media consumers who make extended use of apps, browsing, social networking, music, video and messaging. In addition to PC like experience, consumers look for smart phone features embedded in the tablets that would allow them to communicate via e-mail, voice and video call, SMS/MMS or social network with the optimized user interface.

Samsung offers the widest variety of screen sizes in its mobile offerings. Consumers in India are clearly looking at buying phones that will empower them with more capabilities while on the move. Samsung has a rich portfolio of 15 smartphones across price categories and platforms. Further this category is subdivided resting on the requirements of the ever evolving consumer base. Samsung offers a whole range of screen sizes in its smartphones, the highest being that of a Samsung Galaxy SII which is 4.3 inches. It also offers the largest choice in operating systems, in the form of bada, Android and Windows phone devices. The market has already witnessed a change with the introduction of a new product category- Galaxy Note.

Is Samsung working on any Bada or Windows phone devices similar to the size of the Galaxy Note?
This year we have utilized Android 2.3 to launch a unique product category -Galaxy Note and currently offer the updated version of bada 2.0 on latest entrant on the Wave series- Wave III and have utilized Windows 7.5 to launch Omnia W.

This approach has helped us in offering mobile devices at different features thereby providing our customers with more choice – choice in terms of handsets, prices, applications and the platform that best suits their needs.

Samsung remains platform agnostic and we shall continue to launch innovative devices basis consumer demands.

How is the Bada development helping Samsung? Where does Samsung see Bada by the end of 2012?
The launch of 'bada' marked Samsung's strategic entry into the Smartphone market with its proprietary open OS platform. Samsung bada offers a feature-rich, 'open' platform for providing enhanced mobile experiences to consumers, and a complete mobile ecosystem through a developer support program that both the developers and consumers will benefit from. Based on Samsung's accumulated expertise in developing advanced mobile phones, the company is enabling its users to enjoy ultimate mobile experience through superb features.

The Company further strengthened its smartphone portfolio with the launch of its first bada 2.0 device Wave III.

Samsung is working actively with over 800 application developers in India for enriching the bada platform. Samsung will continue to innovate and build this platform with rich localized applications made for Indian consumers this year & ahead.
Spearheading in the latest technology, we offer a diverse range of innovative products which caters to all the needs of the consumers. As we have already reiterated, Samsung Mobile would continue to leverage multiple operating systems to launch a plethora of innovative mobile devices in the coming years.

Can we expect Samsung to come up with Dual-SIM Smartphones on Android, Bada and Windows Phone platforms?
Dual SIM category has changed the dynamics of mobile telephony in a nation with a subscriber base at over 800 million. Samsung offers Dual SIM mobiles with a balanced feature set and 'relevant innovations' at affordable price points.

Dual SIM devices allow customers to switch between two SIMs and enjoy the best of both worlds - the real plus is convenience that is drawing customers to opt for Dual SIM devices, across various price points. Keeping the various and growing requirements of our consumers, Samsung offers a range of 12 dual SIM devices across various price points.

Samsung has been a strong market player in the Dual SIM category and plans to expand its product portfolio further through 2012.

Samsung lists devices which will receive Android 4.0 update

Yes! Finally Samsung has officially announced the list of devices that'll be the few lucky ones to get the most awaited Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS upgrade.
Other manfacturers including Sony and HTC have already announced their plans for ICS and we were wondering where Samsung is going about with the new update.

Well the devices are:

• Galaxy S II
• Galaxy S II LTE
• Galaxy Note
• Galaxy R
• Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus
• Galaxy Tab 7.7
• Galaxy 8.9
• Galaxy 10.1

And that's it. The list ends here. As of now only these limited devices will get the Android 4.0 upgrade. Saddening for sure if your device is not included in the list but there is also little hope of new devices to be added.

As for now, Samsung Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note will be the first to taste some Ice Cream Sandwich love in early Q1 of 2012, so mark the months of January and February. Also other Galaxy devices will get the update a little later on and that can mean March 2012.