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Android 4.1 Jelly Bean review: a look at what's changed in Google's mobile OS
Google's next iteration of Android wasn't quite the full-point release jump that many of you were perhaps anticipating. Rather than using Google I/O 2012 as the launching pad for Android 5.0, we're being formally introduced to v4.1 -- a mere 0.1 ahead of where Ice Cream Sandwich placed us around six months ago. Aside from grabbing a name change, the minor numerical bump also provides Jelly Bean the opportunity to usher in a few new features for Nexus owners to enjoy. If you missed yesterday's keynote, Google revealed that Android 4.1 would arrive on Nexus devices in "mid-July," but there's no clear word on when partner companies will begin pushing it to their products. Moreover, pundits are quick to point out the legions of Android products that still haven't made the leap to 4.0, leaving us to wonder if those Froyo and Gingerbread laggards will simply take the fast track to 4.1 now that it's (almost) available. Care to see if the latest and greatest will live up to your expectations once it lands in a few weeks? Head on past the break as we discuss some of the larger changes that Jelly Bean has to offer.
Foursquare adds NFC support for Android 4.0, wants to touch base
We knew the folk at Foursquare had been trying NFC out for a while, and Symbian's had it since November, but now tap check-ins are available for Android 4.0. Okay, so that means it's pretty much limited to Galaxy Nexus owners at the minute, but the chosen few can now share their Venue, Lists, Me pages, initiate friend requests and, of course, check-in at the touch of a phone. Foursquare claims it'll save vital seconds when checking in, but we're just glad there's another way to use Android Beam.The update's available now, so if you're snacking on an Ice Cream Sandwich, head on down to the source link and get your download on.
Apple patents workflow sharing using NFC, because it's never too late
Two things that are guaranteed to mess with your brain: playing the oboe and reading dense Apple patent applications. You do find the occasional gem, but often you'll read scores of pages only to discover that the so-called invention has already been put to use by others. In this instance, Apple has successfully patented the idea of using NFC to establish a master/slave relationship between two smartphones, as a prelude to making a fully-fledged WiFi connection that allows the sharing of contact details or more complicated sequences of actions. Now, this is a smart idea, especially since the patent specifically talks about retail applications (shown above), but is the end result so wildly different to Android Beam or even Bump? Even Fujitsu came up with a similar concept for using NFC to trigger location-relevant workflows. Either there's some significant overlap here, or we've spent too long playing reed instruments.
Galaxy Nexus, Ice Cream Sandwich roundup: specs, details and insight, oh my!
Couldn't stay awake for Samsung and Google's Ice Cream Sandwich event? Fear not, because we were there, documenting and analyzing every second of it on the internet. You can either re-live the magic at our Homeric liveblog, or check out the links below to get educated and up to speed. Galaxy Nexus Samsung's Galaxy Nexus gets official: Android 4.0, 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display (video) Samsung's Galaxy Nexus launches in November on NTT Docomo, Verizon, and more Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs. Droid RAZR by Motorola: the tale of the tape Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Ice Cream Sandwich hands-on (video) Google confirms Nexus S will get Ice Cream Sandwich -- for real this time (Gingerbread devices, too) Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs. Galaxy S II, Nexus One and Nexus S (macro hands-on) Samsung Galaxy Nexus camera and 1080p video samples Samsung: the LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus will be 'a little' thicker Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich now official, includes revamped design, enhancements galore Roboto font and the new design philosophy of Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich Android Ice Cream Sandwich adds Face Unlock feature Ice Cream Sandwich revamps Android camera and gallery features Google announces NFC-based Android Beam for sharing between phones (video) Google Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0): a hands-on screenshot gallery HTC: We're reviewing Ice Cream Sandwich and determining our plans Ice Cream Sandwich face unlock demo (video) Android Beam takes us to the future of close-proximity data exchange (video) Google's 'very close' to launching a digital download store with 'a little twist'
Android Beam takes us to the future of close-proximity data exchange (video)
Remember when HP showed off transferring webpages from the TouchPad tablet to the Pre 3 just by touching? Remember thinking "Wow, that'd be cool if I actually had a TouchPad and a Pre 3?" Android Beam is the answer to that problem, a version of that very same functionality that works across NFC-devices running Ice Cream Sandwich -- namely, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. We got the chance to play with a few phones that had the appropriate software builds and batteries, and found the functionality to be quick and useful -- when things weren't crashing. More after the break.
Google announces NFC-based Android Beam for sharing between phones (video)
Google's already embraced NFC for mobile payments, and it's now ready to do some sharing as well. That comes in the form of the new Android Beam feature for Ice Cream Sandwich, which the company just announced at its joint event with Samsung in Hong Kong. Much like HP's ill-fated Touch-to-share functionality, it will let you simply tap two NFC-enabled devices together to share a piece of information. That will work with a range of apps and services in Android, including YouTube videos, contact information, maps, web pages, and even links to apps in the Android Market. What's more, Google also announced that the SDK is available for download today -- get it at the source link below. Update: We've now added a video of the demo from the keynote after the break. You're welcome.
