Daily News Courier

Google UK boss offers ‘unreserved apology’ for delayed Nexus 4 orders

Dan Cobley says pre-Christmas deliveries on track for this week, offers shipping refund for late orders

As we've reported in great detail over the past month, customers hoping to pick up the Nexus 4 directly from the Google Play Store haven't had the easiest time ordering the device. Even after dealing with a tumultuous ordering process, some in the UK have found that their orders had missed the shipping window they'd been given by Google Play.

As a result, some disgruntled customers decided to go straight to the top to get answers, reaching out to Google UK Managing Director Dan Cobley on his Google+ page. Today Cobley has responded with an update on the situation, an apology to those affected, and a shipping refund for those whose orders had missed the quoted 3-5 day window.

In the Google+ message, Cobley also addresses the subject of stock levels, saying supplies from Nexus 4 manufacturer LG have been "scarce and erratic." The first wave of Nexus 4 stock sold out in under an hour, and the second wave was back-ordered by over one month in under a day.

Here's Dan Cobley's message in full –

Dear all

I know that what you are going through is unacceptable and we are all working through the nights and weekends to resolve this issue. Supplies from the manufacturer are scarce and erratic, and our communication has been flawed. I can offer an unreserved apology for our service and communication failures in this process.

For those that originally received a 3-5 days shipping estimate, your orders are now in process for fulfillment. You can expect an email notification early this week which will include tracking information. Although you will be initially charged in full, you will receive a credit for the shipping charge soon after.
For others that received pre-Christmas shipping estimates, we anticipate processing your orders for fulfillment this week.

I realise that the people who ordered the Nexus 4 so early are among our most committed and loyal users and we are doing all we can to put things right.

Sorry again.

Dan?

So there's good news for anyone with a Nexus 4 order due before Christmas, and customers experiencing delays might be reassured that Dan Cobley is taking charge of the situation personally.

If you placed a Nexus 4 during the second wave of stock, let us know how you're getting on down in the comments.

Source: Google+; via XDA, Eurodroid

Samsung will launch Android 4.1 on Galaxy S III starting in October

At the Everything Everywhere 4G launch event, Samsung went on the record to state that Android 4.1 will roll out for the Samsung Galaxy S III starting in October.

Google Nexus 7 tablet pre-orders begin shipping today from Play Store

We finally have some good news regarding Nexus 7 pre-orders.

Google Nexus 7 tablet pre-orders begin shipping today from Play Store

We finally have some good news regarding Nexus 7 pre-orders.

Sprint Nexus S 4G finally tastes Ice Cream Sandwich

There are millions of users still waiting on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update, but owners of one device are slowly being removed from the ranks. The Sprint Nexus S 4G is finally being updated to Ice Cream Sandwich according to a post from Sprint.

The Nexus S 4G had to wait much longer to receive the an update, despite the appeal of the “Nexus” brand of devices being unofficially promised to receive updates sooner than other phones, so long as hardware permits running the firmware smoothly. A previous attempt at pushing Android 4.0 was halted after many users in the first wave found that the ROM was anything but smooth. Google and Sprint appear to have ironed out those problems in order to make another attempt.

Nexus S 4G owners can trigger the update now by taking the following steps:

1. Ensure that their phone is at least 80% charged
2. Go to Menu > Settings > About phone > System updates
3. Select “Update firmware”
4. Allow the phone to download the update and do not remove the battery or interrupt the process
5. When the phone restarts, dive face-first into that ICS goodness.

Here are the new features mentioned by Sprint.

Enhancements/Fixes:

- Upgrades device operating system to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

- Customizable favorites tray visible on all 5 home screens just above the hard keys

- Contacts application replaced with a People application that provides improved integration with Gmail, Email, Google+ and other apps

- Multitasking allows users easy access to switch between recently used applications by tapping and holding the Home key

- Create folders on the home screen by dragging and dropping one app onto another to create a folder

- New lock screen actions allow users to jump into the camera or pull down

Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro improves dual-core chip with better graphics, shipping in H2 2012

Qualcomm surrendered much of the processor hype in 2011 to NVIDIA, which powerered the first wave of dual core devices last year. But the company has since made strides in delivering strong experiences to dual-core phones and tablets with the Snapdragon S4, and that experience will get even better with a retooled version.

At Mobile World Congress, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon S4 “Pro” processor, an improved processor that will power many of the phones that interest consumers in 2012. The S4 Pro makes strides in the graphics department by including the Adreno 320 GPU that is four times better than the graphics performance seen in the previous S4. That means game developers can develop more creative graphics that will display faster and more detailed on mobile devices. Adreno 320 has better capabilities for 3D graphics and can support game engines like Unity and Epic.

Aside from just providing better graphics, the S4 Pro should enable improved image capture quality for better smartphone cameras, and more efficient computing. People are bound to scoff at devices being “only dual-core” later this year, but the number of cores won’t be as important as the number of hours a phone can last and the rating you’d give the photos you snap. If the S4 Pro can excel in those key areas, a lot of device buyers will be happy.

Qualcomm says that the S4 Pro is in development on more than 120 devices, meaning you’ll see it pop-up on a number of phones and tablets (not all Android, though since this can also support Windows 8). S4 Pro-powered devices will start shipping in the second half of 2012.

 

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Apple Busy Readying Apps for iPad 3 Launch

The Next Web has fresh information today from sources in the know about the iPad 3 launch, saying that Apple is currently in ?crunch mode,? and working furiously to have iPad 3 apps ready in time to be demoed onstage during the forthcoming launch, and also to feature in adverts for the new iPad. According to the report, Apple likes to hand-pick the best apps to show off its new device during presentations and advertisements, for example Garage Band, iMovie and Photo Booth, which were all showcased at the iPad 2?s launch event, and who can forget the Epic Unreal engine demo that turned into smash hit iOS game Infinity Blade? So, with the launch of the next iPad mere weeks away, Apple is now very busy chasing up app developers for the best apps, and getting said apps ready for live demonstrations. The Next Web say that according to their sources, Apple is currently trying to finalise its line-up of iPad 3 apps for the launch, with an increased emphasis on ?graphics-oriented? apps with ?high-definition assets? that will show off the new high-res display to its best advantage. TNW adds that it has also learned that Apple has already forwarded some of its chosen apps to its advertising partner, TWBA/Chiat/Day for consideration for inclusion in the first wave of iPad 3 commercials.

Source: Apple Rushes to Finalize App Demos for iPad 3
Via MacRumors

Android Central Podcast Ep. 78

Thing 1: Motorola Droid RAZR

• Motorola Droid RAZR review
• Verizon confirms Droid RAZR goes on sale at 11:11 a.m. 11-11-2011, brings new data plans
• Test drive the Droid RAZR wallpapers and ringtones
• Key meets Kevlar on Droid RAZR
• Costco selling Droid RAZR with free bonus pack — HD Dock, HDMI cable, and chargers
• Motorola Droid RAZR Car Dock
• Motorola Droid RAZR HD Dock

Thing 2: Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet

• Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet officially announced
• Nook Tablet hands-on
• Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet Specs
• hhgregg to carry the Nook Tablet, Nook Color, Nook Simple Touch
• Nook for Android update adds Nook Newsstand
• Amazon confirms Netflix, Facebook, Pandora and more on Kindle Fire

Thing 3: Flash is dead, long live Flash

• Adobe makes it official: Adobe AIR now its focus for mobile, HTML5 takes over the web

Odds and ends

• Preview: ASUS Transformer Prime ushers in the Tegra 3 era starting at $499 in December
• Nvidia announces the Tegra 3 — Kal-El brings PC class performance to Android
• How to manually update your Sprint Epic 4G to Gingerbread
• HTC announces first wave of devices destined for Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades
• Sprint announces Ice Cream Sandwich update for HTC devices

HTC promises Ice Cream Sandwich for short list of phones in 2012

HTC has finally given some cold-hard assurances about which of its current crop of phones can expect to receive the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update. In a post to its Facebook page in the wee hours of the morning, HTC confirmed that it plans to deliver Ice Cream Sandwich to the following phones:

• HTC Amaze
• HTC EVO 3D, EVO Design 4G
• HTC Sensation, Sensation XE, and Sensation XL
• HTC Rezound

These phones are part of the “first wave of devices,” signaling that more phones could snack on Ice Cream Sandwich once more testing is done and the company has time to see if they will be able to fit Android 4.0 on previous generation devices. In the meantime, these phones can count on receiving the update so long as there aren’t any last minute complications like the Gingerbread debacle.

We expected that only the flagship devices released in 2011 could have realistic hopes of ICS, but perhaps others can have a slim, measured, tempered, tiny bit of hope that HTC will extend the upgrade to other phones in early 2012. Here’s HTC’s statement in full.

HTC Facebook via Engadget

HTC knows how excited our fans are to get their hands on Google’s latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, so we’re thrilled today to announce the first wave of HTC phones that will receive upgrades: We can confirm the brand new HTC Vivid, on sale beginning today, is upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich. In addition, Ice Cream Sandwich is coming in early 2012 to a variety of devices including the HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL and HTC Sensation XE, as well as the HTC Rezound, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G and HTC Amaze 4G through close integration with our carrier partners. We’re continuing to assess our product portfolio, so stay tuned for more updates on device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Ice Cream Sandwich.

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HTC announces first wave of devices destined for Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades

Back when Ice Cream Sandwich was officially announced we all took some joy in predicting what devices would and would not have upgrades heading their way and at the time — there was alot of love given to the HTC Sensation and EVO line of devices as well as the Amaze 4G. As it turns out, HTC agreed and have now put up a list of 'First wave' devices that will be upgraded:

HTC knows how excited our fans are to get their hands on Google's latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, so we're thrilled today to announce the first wave of HTC phones that will receive upgrades: We can confirm the brand new HTC Vivid, on sale beginning today, is upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich.

Ice Cream Sandwich is coming in early 2012 to a variety of devices including the HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL and HTC Sensation XE, as well as the HTC Rezound*, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G* and HTC Amaze 4G* through close integration with our carrier partners.

We're continuing to assess our product portfolio, so stay tuned for more updates on device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Ice Cream Sandwich.

*US handsets

So is that the be all, end all? Not really. As we've seen in the past HTC likes to go back and forth and do some testing on their devices before laying down any commitments, so if your device isn't on the list — don't get all huffy about it just yet. At least wait until they definitively say no.

Source: HTC UK, HTC via: Engadget