Baidu custom ROM for Nexus S swaps Google’s apps for Baidu’s own, gets few fans in Mountain View

Baidu custom ROM for Nexus S swaps Google's apps for Baidu's own, gets few fans in Mountain View

The Nexus S was supposed to be the definition of Google's perfect phone circa late 2010, so we can't imagine that too many at the Googleplex are enthused with the potential impact of a new custom ROM from Baidu. China's search giant has replaced many of the stock Google apps in Android 4.0 with its own examples, ranging from media players through to navigation. Google will take some consolation from knowing that the firmware can't be pushed out over the air and has to be sideloaded over USB. All the same, with plans from Baidu to expand to other Android 4.0 devices, we can't help but think Google faces a minor Kindle Fire effect where it's cut out from its own ecosystem.

Baidu custom ROM for Nexus S swaps Google's apps for Baidu's own, gets few fans in Mountain View originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web Asia  |  sourceBaidu  | Email this | Comments

GameStop to offer Android tablet and smartphone trade-ins, give you another excuse to upgrade

GameStop to offer Android slab trade-ins, give you another excuse to upgrade

If you've been looking for a reason to replace your aging device with something a tad more contemporary, your local pawnshop GameStop is happy to oblige. According to Gadget Experts, the games retailer is looking to bolster its Android offerings with Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Nexus S and Samsung Infuse 4G trade-ins at select GameStops this summer, expanding to all locations by the end of the year. Have a device that's not on this short list? Don't worry, Gadget Experts says the firm plans to fill out its touchable trade-in inventory with more devices in the future. So, what's a Galaxy Tab worth to gaming's favorite pawn star? We'll let you know when GameStop drops the official details.

GameStop to offer Android tablet and smartphone trade-ins, give you another excuse to upgrade originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Technobuffalo  |  sourceGadget Experts  | Email this | Comments

Samsung details Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades for American carriers

Samsung details Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades for American carriers

Samsung has published a list detailing which carrier variants of its phones and tablets will be blessed with Android Ice Cream Sandwich. While Sprint's Nexus S 4G is already enjoying the latest Android OS, the update will also arrive on the Now Network's Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch. From Verizon, both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 7.7 will get the upgrade, accompanied by the WiFi variants of the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and the Galaxy Tab 8.9.

On AT&T, ICS is confirmed for its Galaxy S II, the Galaxy S II Skyrocket, Galaxy Note, Captivate Glide, Nexus S and Galaxy Tab 8.9. T-Mobile customers, however, lack a similarly breathless list of upgradable hardware, instead Samsung says it will aim to upgrade "eligible devices" in the coming months and will "provide updates as we have additional details to share." Which all sounds like those updates aren't coming to Big Magenta any time soon. Samsung vows to update the list with more details as they arrive, which is available at the source below.

Samsung details Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades for American carriers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge  |  sourceSamsung  | Email this | Comments

Refresh Roundup: week of April 2nd, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of April 2nd, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of April 2nd, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of April 2nd, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 4.0.4 leaked for Nexus S 4G, lets Sprint users join ICS party

Android 4.0.4 leaked for Nexus S 4G, lets Sprint users join ICS party
Well, that didn't take long. Sprint may not have opened its own icebox just yet, but thanks to a BriefMobile source, Nexus S 4G owners can snag themselves Ice Cream Sandwich anyway. While there have been previous efforts, BriefMobile says the leak contains the full, official ICS update, which will be delivered to handsets OTA shortly. Of course, if you can't wait the site has full installation instructions. Hit the source link below to get started.

Android 4.0.4 leaked for Nexus S 4G, lets Sprint users join ICS party originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Phandroid  |  sourceBriefMobile  | Email this | Comments