Daily News Courier

Press update adds DashClock Widget support

Google Reader client Press has just added support for the popular new widget DashClock just a few days after its release.  DashClock Widget provides a platform to make "extensions" that plug into the widget from other apps to put pertinent notifications and information on your screen. Users on Android 4.2 with DashClock installed now have the ability to see their Press unread count and last sync time on the widget. This should play nicely with the recent update to Press that added background syncing support.

So far we've got Falcon Pro and Press that have updated to support the widget's extensions, along with the built-in items like weather and Gmail, and we're sure to see more as DashClock Widget becomes even more popular.

HTC Droid DNA update now live, start mashing that button

We just got word that the Droid DNA update we talked about a few days ago is now rolling out over the air, ready to sneak into your phone and fix some bugs. The 104MB update brings the DNA to software version 2.04.605.2 710RD, and has quite the change log:

• User can load videos on HuluPlus
• Improvements to Hotspot connectivity have been made
• Improvements to Audio Quality for wired headsets and earpieces have been made
• Bluetooth connectivity and volume level for specific models have been improved
• Enhanced reliability and stability of the Contacts List have been made
• Wi-Fi Connectivity has been improved
• Improvements to default browser for zooming capability have been made
• Incoming messages display with the correct timestamp
• Enhanced Recent Apps functionality has been improved

It's worth mentioning that rooted users will want to hold off and suss it all out before they click the OK button. If you've received the update, holler in the comments to let everyone know how it's working out for you.

Via: XDA; Thanks Tamara!

The Valentine’s Day contest is getting huge, lets make it even bigger

A few days back we started up a great contest where you and your Valentine could win a Nexus 4 and a Nexus 7. We're loving the response and all the pictures of the happy couples. It's awesome to see the people who make Android Central what it is, and just how normal we all are. Looking through the contest thread and seeing folks from all walks of life, of every shape and color, united because we all use the same smartphone operating system makes us feel good inside. Really good.

So we're going to turn it up to 11.

Right now we're at 38 pages full of entries. If (and when!) we hit 50 pages, we're going to double the prize. That means two entries will have a chance to win a Nexus 4 and a Nexus 7. In fact, if it can grow to 75 pages, we'll triple things, and give away three Nexus 4s and three Nexus 7s! A reminder of how this one works:

• To enter this contest, you will need to post in this forum thread. <——— Use that link right there. Don't use the comments in this post. (Those of you who do shall be mocked mercilessly.)
• This is our first couples contest. It's going to require a picture of you and your significant other. Guy, gal, four-legged friend. Doesn't matter to us. We wanna see you with someone you care about. Or at least someone you bribed for a picture. (Or if all else fails, show us a pic of you and your beloved phone.)
• Those who post pictures (again, do it in that forum thread) of you and your significant other get entered to win some great grand prizes: A 32GB Wifi Nexus 7 and a 16GB Nexus 4. Plus we'll throw in a couple of sweet LloydGear T-shirts for each set of winners.
• Five runners-up will receive Lloyd T-shirts.

The contest ends February 15 at 8 am Eastern time. Be sure to get entered, and let's push this thing as far as we can.

The week in international Android news – Jan. 26, 2013

Mobile World Congress is just a month away, and already we’re steeped in news of devices reportedly due to be shown off in Barcelona. Alongside all the crazy rumors and leaks, we’ve also had a steady trickle of device announcements and updates to contend with.

Needless to say, it’s been a busy few days in international Android news. Join us after the break for a rundown of some of the biggest stories of the week.

read more

International Galaxy S2 gets Jelly Bean update and new Nature UX

As rumored, the official Jelly Bean update for the international Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-i9100) has started to roll out, starting with unlocked handsets in Spain. The update is based on Android 4.1.2, and features all the benefits you'd expect from that version of the OS, including "Project Butter" performance enhancements and the new Google Search with Google Now.

What's also new is the "TouchWiz Nature UX" from Samsung's 2012 line-up, which has been back-ported to the Galaxy S2 along with Jelly Bean. This means S2 owners will be in for some pretty sweeping visual changes when they apply this latest firmware update. (The ICS update for 2011 Samsung phones was of course based upon the older TouchWiz 4 UI.) Galaxy S2 owners are also set to inherit a bunch of Galaxy S3 features in their Jelly Bean update, including Direct Call, Smart Stay and Pop-up Play (picture-in-picture video).

Right now the update is only available for Spanish Galaxy S2 phones, so other territories may have to wait a few days or weeks for localized firmware to be released. In particular, we wouldn't hold our breath for an immediate release on any of the U.S. Galaxy S2 models. Regardless, it's great to see the latest updates rolling out for an almost two-year-old handset.

Source: SamMobile, via XDA

LG announces the Optimus G Pro for Japan, launches in April

A few days ago, we reported about the potential for LG to introduce an improved version of the Optimus G in the form of the Optimus G Pro.  As it turns out, the rumor is indeed true since NTT DoCoMo will be the lucky beneficiary to launch the high-end smartphone in Japan.  There is no confirmation on whether the Pro model will make it to other markets, so we will have to stay tuned from LG on that end.

In terms of hardware features and specs, the Optimus G Pro offers a 5 inch display with 1080p resolution, 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor, NFC, 3000 mAh battery, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of on board memory.  On the software side, the Optimus G Pro will run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box.

As the title mentions, the LG Optimus G Pro will be available for purchase in Japan starting in April 2013.  Pricing at this point in time is undisclosed.  It will definitely be interesting to see LG juggle production for the Nexus 4, Optimus G, Optimus G Pro, and any other devices currently in production.  Hopefully, the manufacturer can rectify any inefficiencies and produce each device at a high capacity.

[SlashGear]

Related Stories

• LG Optimus G: One million units sold, heads to Europe and China in Q1
• LG Optimus G Pro leaks in media slide, offers 5 inch display 1080p resolution
• T-Mobile expects to sell Nexus 4 once again online on Jan. 23

HTC device passes through FCC with Sprint frequencies, could it be the One SV?

The HTC One SV (read our review) was released on Cricket only a few days ago, but a nearly identical model of the device has just passed through the FCC sporting Sprint radio frequencies. Although there are no images of the device to completely verify, the model number of this device – PL80110 — is eerily close to Cricket's PL80120. The specs that are decipherable from the filing lead to a little bit of confusion, however, as the physical dimensions seem slightly different from the current SV. There's also a few documents that list the device as a "Windows Phone," while the rest simply list "Smartphone." Bit of a head scratcher there, but typos do happen.

The radio frequencies being tested on this unnamed device seem to line up with what Sprint uses for its network, and no other carriers, so we can be pretty sure that whatever this device is it's heading to Sprint. We of course won't know for sure until we hear something official from HTC or Sprint. 

Source: PhoneScoop

4.2 update for the Sprint Galaxy Nexus is live on Google’s servers, ripe for the picking

The Android 4.2 update (JOP40D) for the Sprint flavored Galaxy Nexus is now live and hosted by Google. We've not yet seen any reports of an OTA, but adventurous types can manually download the update and install it with one of the various methods you'll find in the Galaxy Nexus forums. To get the roughly 100 MB update package, just click this link and save it somewhere on your computer. As mentioned, this package is direct from Google and won't contain any funny business. Then visit the forums if you need help getting it installed.

We have no idea when the OTA will start to roll out, but we've been watching for it for a few days since a leaked version was discovered at SXTP Developers. Since it's there for anyone to grab, we have to think that the OTA is close. If you see it, be sure to holler. 

Your move, Verizon.

Via: XDA-Developers. Thanks, Charlie!

Smart Camera 2.0 brings together remote shooting and sharing

A few days before CES 2013 started in earnest, Samsung launched a new app called Smart Camera 2.0. It brings together features from companion apps for their various Wi-Fi-enabled cameras, including remote viewfinder and photo transfer to a mobile device (either automatically or manually).

Only smart cameras made from 2013 onwards will be able to take advantage of the new app, which can be found now in Google Play. Any Samsung smart camera owners out there? How have you found the current handset and tablet companion apps? Are they reliable and useful? If you end up using apps like this a lot, is there any reason to not just get the Samsung Galaxy Camera?

End culture of rape in 2013

On December 16, a young medical student in one of India’s major cities was gang-raped, her body destroyed by the bodies of the men who allegedly assaulted her and also by the rusting metal bar doctors say they used to penetrate her. The bar removed part of her intestines. The rest were removed in a hospital far from home where she struggled for her life for just a few days.