4.1

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean could be headed to more devices

Google's latest sweet Android 4.1 update, better known as Jelly Bean, looks to be rolling out to more devices, even as many are still waiting to be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Earlier today, HTC confirmed that Android 4.1 is coming to its HTC One X, One S, and One XL.

Not confirmed but just as compelling is the report from SamMobile that Samsung has begun testing Jelly Bean for the Galaxy S3 and could push an update to its new flagship phone later this summer. A little harder to believe is the report's additional contention that testing is also under way on the Galaxy S2, and that it could also receive Android 4.1 if all goes well with its successor device.… Read more

First Android 4.1 update halted due to emergency call snafu

The world's first update to Android 4.1, also known as Jelly Bean, was pushed back by Vodafone Australia because the new iteration of the operating system wasn't up to the country's standards for emergency phone calls.

The update was supposed to give Nexus S users with the carrier the latest version of Android. The Next Web first reported on the issue.

"We've just been advised that the roll-out the of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to Vodafone Australia customers has been delayed," the carrier said in a blog post. "At this … Read more

HTC confirms Android 4.1 update for One X, One S, One XL

HTC plans to update its One X, One S, and One XL smartphones with Android 4.1, also known as Jelly Bean, the company confirmed to Engadget today.

HTC confirmed the upgrade plans, but unfortunately didn't provide any specific detail on timing to CNET.

The company also said the updates would come to versions sold by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Rogers.

Updates to the latest version of Android have been a sore spot for consumers and handset vendors. They often come frustratingly slow, held up by the carrier approval process, as well as the need to integrate the … Read more

T-Mobile G3 rumors heat up

T-Mobile could be readying a new model for its "G" series of Android smartphones, according to speculation hitting the Internet this week.

Unofficial T-Mobile blog TmoNews advises that an HTC Era 42 will arrive on the carrier's network in late September. There are no additional details to share yet, including pricing, form factor, or hardware, so at this point, it's all rumors and conjecture. But they're fairly logical rumors and conjecture.

As many longtime Android faithful know, a September 26 release would fall nearly two years to the day since the release of the G2. … Read more

HTC prepping Android 4.1 update for One XL and One S

Users of HTC's One XL and One S phones are on the Android 4.1 update list, at least in Australia.

An update page posted by Australian mobile carrier Telstra points to an Android 4.1 'Jelly Bean' update in progress for both phones. The carrier says that HTC is preparing the update but has yet to confirm a date in which it will be sent to Telstra for testing.

No further beans were spilled as to a possible release date or availability for other HTC devices or other carriers around the world. But the handset maker has revealed … Read more

How to access the camera app on your Nexus 7

Google's newest tablet, the Nexus 7, comes equipped with a front-facing camera, but no way of accessing the camera outside of apps such as Skype, Instagram, and the like. But thanks to a small app, which adds a camera launcher to your Nexus 7, you're able to access the camera and the Android 4.1 camera app like you would on any other Android 4.1 device.

The process couldn't be simpler.

Head over the to Google Play Store and download Camera Luancher for Nexus 7.

After installation, you'll see the familiar Android camera icon added … Read more

Google's Nexus 7 tablet already out of stock at key retailers

Those of you looking to buy Google's new Nexus 7 tablet may have a wait on your hands.

Unveiled late last month, the tablet has slowly trickled into the retail market. Google was naturally first in line, offering the Nexus 7 as a preorder in advance of its official mid-July launch. Other retailers, such as GameStop, Staples, and Sam's Club, soon followed suit.

But a lot of eager customers apparently scooped up those pre-sales, since the tablet is playing hard to get at most outlets.

GameStop, which is selling the 16GB edition, is showing the tablet as back-ordered. … Read more

Google Nexus 7 tablet preorders ship today

Good news, tablet-lovers. Google will ship units of its 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet to customers who preordered the device, the company announced in an online post.

The Nexus 7 tablet is equipped with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean right out of the box, and is powered by a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor.

Its clear screen and dirt-cheap $200 price tag make it primed to wrestle the Amazon Kindle Fire, but there are some downsides, like the lack of expandable memory, and no HDMI port or rear-facing camera.

Get the Jelly Bean keyboard on your Android 4.0 device

The new features of Android 4.1 are being ported to custom ROMs, but if that's not your scene, there are a few goodies that have landed in the Google Play Store. One of these is the new Jelly Bean keyboard, which boasts better prediction (among other things) -- and that's something all of our fast fingertips are craving.

Ready to check it out on your Android 4.0 devices? Here's how to make it happen:

Step 1: Install a copy of Jelly Bean Keyboard, by Beansoft, on your Android.

Step 2: Open the Settings … Read more

How to stop Android from adding new apps to the home screen

Have you ever noticed after installing an app on your Android device, the icon for that app is already on your home screen? Sure it can come in handy, but it also can be pretty annoying. Nicole Cozma showed us how to disable this annoying feature on Honeycomb tablets a while back, and now I'm going to show you how to disable it on other Android devices.

Disabling the auto-add widgets (or shortcuts) feature is easy.

Launch the Google Play Store on your Android device. Tap on Menu and then Settings. Uncheck the box next to "auto-add widgets.&… Read more