Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean AOSP ROM now available for the Nexus S

Nexus S owners can now enjoy Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean AOSP courtesy of XDA member legolas93. All you have to do is download  the files from the below links. After that, make a full wipe of data/system and flash in this order: the ROM, Superuser (Chains DD), and Gapps. As always, for more information, hit up the source link.
Download JB release file
Download JB Gapps

 Source: TalkAndroid

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US Launch Of Sony Xperia NXT Series Feels Dated With Gingerbread On Board

We reported last week about Sony’s Xperia NXT series (S, P, and Sola models) coming to the US. Sony announced today that, along with the Xperia S and Xperia P, the Xperia U is now finally available, unlocked and SIM-free, in the States. By “SIM-free”, they actually mean it will only work on AT&T 3G and 4G, so be warned.
Now the issue here is that all three of these phones have been available in Europe for a few months, so they’re not exactly brand new. In fact, they are all still running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. That’s two versions behind Jelly Bean (remember, Honeycomb was a tablet only version). Sure, Sony says that all three phones will be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich, but come on, at the retail prices they’re quoting, we would expect the phones to already be upgraded to at least ICS.
The top of the line in this series is the Xperia S, which comes with a 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3, 1GB RAM, 720p Reality Display, 12MP camera, and 32GB of storage. Decent specs deserving a newer OS than Gingerbread. The S comes with a suggested retail price of $559.99 in black or white.
The Xperia P fills out the mid-range with dual-core 1GHz U8500 chip, qHD screen, and 8MP camera. It also features an aluminum body in silver, red, or black for a suggested retail price of $479.99.
Finally, on the budget side there’s the Xperia U with a dual-core 1 GHz U8500 chip, WVGA display, 5MP camera, and interchangeable, multi-colored bottom caps. The U retails for $299.99 and is available in black or white.
Sorry, Sony, but it’s hard to get excited when phones like the HTC One X or Samsung Galaxy S III are available at much lower carrier-subsidized prices in the US, not to mention the $350 off-contract price of the Galaxy Nexus, which runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
Hit the break for Sony’s full press release.

Sony Mobile Communications Expands Smartphone Portfolio Bringing Xperia™ NXT Series to the US
Xperia™ NXT series launching as next generation smartphones from Sony Mobile includes Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia U.
Xperia S offers an all-around HD experience
Xperia P delivers outstanding screen brightness using Sony WhiteMagic(TM) display technology
Xperia U packs powerful Sony entertainment in a stylish and compact design

What: To continue offering customers the best connected entertainment experiences, Sony Mobile Communications (USA), Inc.  brings the next generation smartphones from Sony – Xperia NXT series – comprised of the Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia U.
Incorporating the best of Sony technology and premium entertainment, the Xperia NXT series provide easy connectivity. These smartphones also have an instantly recognizable design with the “transparent element,” a band that encircles the base of the phone and also integrates invisible antenna components. The transparent element illuminates when receiving calls, texts and notifications.
Xperia S combines an amazing HD experience with an impressive viewing experience through the high resolution 4.3 inch display with Mobile BRAVIA® engine, a 12 MP camera that takes pictures in just 1.5 seconds from standby.
With a full aluminum unibody design, Xperia P debuts WhiteMagic™ display technology from Sony for the first time on a smartphone. WhiteMagic technology delivers the brightest viewing experience; whether at the beach or on the ski slopes. Smart power efficiency automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen to the surroundings to conserve battery life.
Xperia U combines powerful Sony entertainment with a stylish and compact design that consumers can personalize inside and out. In Xperia U, the transparent element illuminates to match the color of photos viewed in the gallery or the album art of music tracks currently playing. Xperia U can also be personalized with exchangeable color caps and themes. With xLoud and Sony 3D surround sound audio technology integrated into the music player, consumers will enjoy a crisp and loud sound experience. They can also stream music from their Xperia U to wireless speaks using DLNA.
Pricing & availability:
The Xperia NXT series is now available in the US at Sony stores nationwide and sony.com/NXT, Newegg.com and other online retailers. Please check with each retailer for additional pricing and availability.
Xperia S – MSRP $559.99, unlocked, in black or white
Xperia P – MSRP $479.99, unlocked, in silver, red or black
Xperia U – SRP $299.99, unlocked, in black or white

Network compatibility:
The Xperia™ NXT series are compatible with the network bands below.
Xperia S
UMTS HSPA 850, 900, 1900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
Xperia P
UMTS HSPA 850/900/1900/2100
GSM GPRS EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
Xperia U
UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100
GSM GPRS EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

Source: TalkAndroid

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Verizon closer to releasing LG Optimus Vu

A couple months ago we managed to get our hands on an LG Optimus Vu device at CTIA. The Optimus Vu is one of those devices falling in between a phone and a tablet. With a 5” screen, the Optimus Vu seems destined to be Verizon’s answer to the Samsung Galaxy Note. Follow the source links after the break for images of the Optimus Vu sporting Verizon 4g LTE branding.

The specs for the device do not seem to be too bad on the surface:

5 inch (1024 x 768) IPS LCD display, 4:3 aspect ratio

1.5GHz dual-core processor

32GB internal memory

2,080 mAh battery

8 MP rear camera

8.5mm thick

stylus

Unfortunately, the translation to a useable device is a challenge. The shape, with the 4:3 aspect  ratio, does not lend itself well to a device that will fit in a pocket or be easy to use with two hands. One bright spot is that the Optimus Vu will ship with Ice Cream Sandwich making it unique amongst LG devices in any market outside of Korea.

Does Verizon even stand a chance with the LG Optimus Vu?

Source: TalkAndroid

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Eric Schmidt On Google: ““We Always Wanted To Be In The Hardware Business”

Google head honcho Eric Schmidt recently stopped by the Allen & Company conference in Sun Valley, Idaho to share with the fine folks in the audience Google’s new Nexus 7 and Nexus Q. While offering a show-and-tell of both products, Schmidt took some time to also share Google’s vision for the future and what it has intended to do all along when it comes to the hardware business. Schmidt highlights:

“We always wanted to be in the hardware business. Larry and Sergey have always wanted to do hardware in one form or another. This was a way to get into it quickly.”

While there’s no indication Google is trying to be a hardware company (after all— the company’s foundation is on both its search engine and advertising), Google obviously is looking above and beyond. After all, it has special projects in the making such as the famed Project Glass and lest we forget— it did acquire a certain handset maker last year which Schmidt himself promises will bring “a new batch of products” soon-to-be ready for prime time. Now that we know Eric, Sergey and Larry are clearly working on some goodies behind the scenes, one has to wonder what else the world can be treated to.

Source: TalkAndroid

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Featured Play Store Newbie: Task Radar [Productivity]

There are a slew of apps in the Google Play Store for managing your tasks or to do’s, and for those of you looking for something different, you might want to try Task Radar. It’s only been in the Play Store for a few days and is already getting solid user reviews. Task Radar was developed by SockMonkeySolutions, the same folks who gave us Gift Wizard. It’s touted as the first AI to do list. With a simple shake of your phone, Task Radar will automatically re-order your tasks based on priorities and dates. Another feature that I’ve never seen before is the ability to look at all your incoming deadlines through a radar-like screen.
Task Radar’s UI is gorgeous as it’s developed with ICS guidelines and there are plenty of options when creating a task or to do. Each task gets a deadline date and an impact as is none, low, medium, or high, and each impact is represented by a different color. You can also type in more details about the task and categorize it as work or home. You can view your work or home tasks separately or together. As far as alerts go, you can set each individual task as off or set it to alert you at 8 and 1 hours ahead of the scheduled finish time or 24, 8, and 1 hours ahead.

For a better look of how Task Radar works, check out the video below:

Task Radar is free, but they do have a paid version for $5.01 that removes ads. Just hit one of the links below to get started.

Play Store Download Link - Free

Play Store Download Link – Paid

Source: TalkAndroid

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