AT&T’s fake 5GE icon is available in the Android Open Source Project

AT&T is still in hot water over its 5GE logo, but that's not slowing the company down. This week, the not-really-5G icon showed up in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Meaning, whether you like it or not, 5GE could start showing up on Andro...

Broadcom introduces low-power WiFi and Bluetooth chips for the Internet of things

Broadcom introduces low-power WiFi and Bluetooth chips for the Internet of things

The Internet of things -- that nebulous term usually associated with interconnecting everyday objects in a meaningful way -- is in the news again. Yesterday, Broadcom announced that it's launching a couple cost-effective, power-efficient wireless chips geared towards appliances, home automation and wearable devices. The first SoC, BCM4390, incorporates a highly-efficient WiFi radio for embedded use in products such as weight scales, thermostats and security cameras. It fits into the company's range of Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) chips. The second SoC, BCM20732, features an ultra low-power Bluetooth transceiver and targets devices like heart rate monitors, pedometers and door locks. Broadcom's also contributing its Bluetooth software stack to the Android Open Source Project with support for both standard and Bluetooth Smart hardware. Does this mean our long-awaited smart toaster's just around the corner? We sure hope so. Follow the source links below for more info.

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Source: Broadcom (1), (2)

Android 4.1.2 goes live, gives Nexus 7 owners landscape home screen

Android 412 goes live, gives Nexus 7 owners landscape mode

We've been seeing a mysterious Android 4.1.2 update mentioned in conjunction with a few unreleased devices in the past few hours, so it's only fitting that we're seeing the official release today. Google's Android Open Source Project lead Jean-Baptiste Queru has posted word that the 4.1.2 release should be available on Tuesday for at least those relying on pure AOSP builds of the mobile OS. While we haven't seen the update reach our own devices yet, some Nexus 7 owners already report getting 4.1.2 on their tablets with a pleasant surprise in store: in addition to the expected bug fixes and performance boosts, the software lets the home screen rotate to landscape mode on the smaller Jelly Bean slate. We're keeping an eye out for when other hardware gets the patch, although it's expected that the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S and Xoom will follow quickly enough.

[Image credit: EETimes]

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Android 4.1.2 goes live, gives Nexus 7 owners landscape home screen originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony posts binaries to back Googler’s AOSP project for Xperia S

Sony posts binaries to back Googler's AOSP project for Xperia S

When Google's Android Open Source Project lead Jean-Baptiste Queru promised an AOSP build for the Sony Xperia S, we didn't know just how much help he would get: Sony has been welcoming of the effort, but the lack of any immediate assistance didn't make for an auspicious start. Much to enthusiasts' delight, Sony says it wants to be more involved with the back-to-stock strategy than just well-wishing. The company is posting vital binaries like drivers to kickstart the process. It's also planning longer-term help by dedicating senior engineer Björn Andersson to monitoring and patching the project when needed. Sony is still wary enough not to get its hopes up, or ours -- it's not convinced that Queru's strategy will lead to a truly reliable build. All the same, the contribution is an important step towards expanding AOSP's scope beyond its usually Nexus-centric past.

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Sony posts binaries to back Googler's AOSP project for Xperia S originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android Open Source Project targets Sony Xperia S, wants to get experimental

Android Open Source Project targets Sony Xperia S, wants to get experimental

The Android Open Source Project has typically (and understandably) been a very Nexus-focused affair -- until now that is. Technical Lead for the AOSP, Jean-Baptiste Queru, announced this week that for a "new challenge" he'd like to target new hardware -- and Sony's Xperia S is the lucky benefactor. The choice of hardware is said to be due to it being a powerful, current device with an unlockable bootloader, with Queru noting that Sony has always been kind to the project. There's not a lot in the git project right now, but Queru appears keen to rally support from developers to get the ball rolling. Wondering how this might differ from CyanogenMod's device targets? Where CM might have a focus on stability, Queru believes that AOSP will head in a more experimental "bleeding edge" direction. Sound like something you can get behind? Head on over to the source for more info.

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Android Open Source Project targets Sony Xperia S, wants to get experimental originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 11:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 4.1 Jelly Bean proven carrying rough but working code for multi-user support (video)

Android 41 Jelly Bean proven carrying rough but working code for multiuser support video

If there's ever been a persistent gripe among families sharing mobile devices, it's been the absence of multiple user profiles -- hand that iPad or Nexus 7 to Junior and you may have to play a spot-the-differences game when it comes back. Some long overdue testing of previously found code references in Jelly Bean shows that Google, at least, has explored ending that anxiety over who uses the family gadgets. Command-line code in AOSP-based versions of Android 4.1 will let you create a separate guest profile, complete with its own lock screen security, home screen layout and limited settings. To say that the code is unpolished would be an understatement, however. Apps and even some notifications cross over from the main account, which could prove more than a little embarrassing if the hardware is left in the wrong hands. At least it's easy to revert back, as the instructions (and video after the break) show. The real challenge will be waiting to see when -- or really, if -- Google gets to finishing multi-user code and turns that Nexus 7 into the communal tablet we want it to be.

Continue reading Android 4.1 Jelly Bean proven carrying rough but working code for multi-user support (video)

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Android 4.1 Jelly Bean proven carrying rough but working code for multi-user support (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon Galaxy Nexus welcomed back into the AOSP fold, Sprint shunned by Google

Verizon Galaxy Nexus welcomed back into the AOSP fold, Sprint shunned by Google

Slowly but surely Google is bringing CDMA devices back into the AOSP fold after giving them the boot in February over driver issues. The Nexus S 4G was welcomed back last week and now the Verizon Galaxy Nexus is joining it over at the Android open source site. Head on over to the developer portal and you'll find binaries for Android version 4.1.1. The LTE GNex isn't quite a full-fledged member of the family yet though, driver support is currently considered "experimental." So, don't be shocked if there's a bunch of bugs. Unfortunately, we have bad news for Sprint fans. Google apparently has no intention of adding the carrier's LTE Nexus to the list of supported developer devices. Jean-Baptiste Queru, lead of the AOSP, told the Android Building Google group that there were no plans to bring custom builds of the open source OS to the Toroplus.

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Verizon Galaxy Nexus welcomed back into the AOSP fold, Sprint shunned by Google originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Police, TalkAndroid  |  sourceGoogle Developers, Android Building (Google Groups)  | Email this | Comments

Nexus S 4G regains AOSP status, Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners left hanging

Nexus S Android 4.0

It wasn't just Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners who were hurt when Google dropped Android Open Source Project support for CDMA models -- officially, Nexus S 4G users had to depend on carrier-approved builds as well. At least one of those software dramas is coming to a close, as AOSP Technical Lead Jean-Baptiste Queru has just confirmed that the Nexus S 4G once again has a full AOSP build. Problems surrounding the phone have been sorted out to give it full CDMA voice and WiMAX-based 4G data while keeping true to Google's original, easily modifiable vision. The download is available right away for the Nexus S 4G faithful, but Queru has dashed any immediate hopes of this being the prelude to its Galaxy Nexus counterpart; the camera, GPS and NFC currently wouldn't work on Verizon's model, even if the cellular components checked out.

Nexus S 4G regains AOSP status, Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners left hanging originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Central  |  sourceGoogle Developers, Jean-Baptiste Queru (Google Groups)  | Email this | Comments

CyanogenMod nightlies reach Samsung Galaxy S III, Nature UX critics unite

CyanogenMod nightlies reach Samsung Galaxy S III, Nature UX critics unite

Let's say you're a fan of the quad-core processor and giant screen of the international Galaxy S III, but Samsung's Nature UX just leaves you feeling cold. Thankfully, the first CyanogenMod 9 nightly builds have arrived to warm you up. They both bring the OS closer to the official Android Open Source Project version while adding the extras that we've seen before, such as theme support, an audio equalizer and gesture shortcuts on the lock screen. Nightlies are well away from becoming polished releases, so don't be surprised if your Galaxy S III goes awry -- the team is already advising starting from a completely blank slate. But if that desire to get more control over the OS is still strong enough to throw at least a slight amount of caution to the wind, the source will provide all the downloads and details needed to give Samsung's interface the boot.

CyanogenMod nightlies reach Samsung Galaxy S III, Nature UX critics unite originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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