Ice Cream Sandwich Update to Roll Out for 2011 Sony Xperia Phones

As a follow up to last week’s Xperia P Ice Cream Sandwich rollout, Sony Mobile today announced their 2011 Xperia line of phones will be getting new Android 4.0.4 firmware. Starting this week, the first phones to receive the update are the Xperia arc, Xperia arc S, Xperia neo, Xperia neo V, Xperia mini, Xperia pro, Xperia active and Xperia ray. The Ice Cream Sandwich update will bring the usual enhancements, along with bug fixes, performance tweaks and other improvements. In addition, The Xperia mini pro, Xperia neo L and Live with Walkman won’t be left out as they will be updated in the next few weeks.

The update will come in two ways. If you’re already running ICS you’ll receive an OTA update notification, otherwise if you’re running Gingerbread you’ll need to plug in and upgrade using PC companion or Bridge for Mac. For more information, visit http://www.sonymobile.com/update.

Source: Sony Mobile Blog

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q delayed and renamed

Remember the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q? This slide out physical QWERTY device was due to be out by August 15th, and while that has obviously gone and passed by, the device has been delayed and ultimately renamed by T-Mobile. Perhaps T-Mobile thought the Galaxy S Blaze Q was too ridiculous of a name? Well folks, the phone has been renamed to…. Wait for it…. The Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G. I’m sure you’re thinking what I’m thinking, it’s not any better is it? Either way, the phone has been indefinitely delayed and no word as to when it will become officially available.

Let’s keep in mind that if we do put aside the odd name, it’s still going to be the most powerful physical slide out QWERTY device yet to date. If you’ve forgotten the specs, you can expect a 1.5 GHz dual-core S4 Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, a 720p (1280 x 720) display, and Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Here’s my long shot wish; Perhaps T-Mobile and Samsung is delaying the release in hopes to have it launch with Android 4.1 TouchWiz Jelly Bean instead of ICS? I know, it’s a long shot that is probably far from the truth. But it would be nice, wouldn’t it?

Confusing name apart, any of you guys interested in this device? I know physical QWERTY’s haven’t died out just yet.

source: TMONEWS

Latest Dropbox beta reveals new features and UI improvements for Nexus 7

It’s nice when Dropbox always lets us in on what they’re up to. In this case, they’ve revealed several new updated features on their Android app:

• Thumbnails for video files
• Better video playback for both ICS and Jelly Bean
• UI improvements on the Nexus 7
• Ability to open Dropbox files directly in other apps
• Various bug fixes

While bug fixes are always nice and welcomed, the most interesting part of this updated beta build has to be the UI improvements for the Nexus 7. It’s always great to see a Google Nexus device being supported in a big way. You can get your hands on this beta in the source link!

source: Dropbox Forums

Acer Iconia Tab A110 7-inch tablet may be powered by Jelly Bean

With Google’s entry into the 7-inch tablet market via the Google Nexus 7, it seems everyone is wanting to get a piece of that market share. This is good for customers as Google is helping to drive the price down for the devices and at the same time ramp up the hardware that is provided. Case in point is the forthcoming Acer Iconia Tab A110. When we reported on its expected release, it appeared the tablet would be available with Ice Cream Sandwich. ICS is no longer good enough given the new standard set by the Nexus 7. An apparent press shot of the new Acer tablet from the Ebuyer web site shows the device running Jelly Bean.

Assuming the photo is accurate and the Iconia Tab A110 is shipped with Jelly Bean, it would seem manufacturers may be feeling the pressure to install the latest Android version even on smaller tablets in the sub-$200 market. However, having established the market, Google may find itself quickly playing catch up. As we have noted in the past, the Nexus 7 has a glaring weakness in the lack of a microSD card slot. The Acer Iconia Tab A110 does include a microSD slot. That small variance in hardware could translate into a big advantage for Acer in competing with Google. The combination of hardware, storage expansion, and now Jelly Bean could make the Acer Iconia Tab A110 just right for someone looking at this form factor, but put off by Google’s lack of storage space.

source: Engadget

Update to enable global roaming going out to HTC Rezound devices

Owner’s of an HTC Rezound smartphone on the Verizon network have been patiently waiting for an update to their devices that would enable global roaming. Based on reports that came in over the weekend, it looks like their patience may finally be paid off. Users have reported a 103MB update for the HTC Rezound started rolling out to their devices. This comes a couple weeks after Verizon pushed out the ICS update for the devices.

The update keeps the Android version at 4.0.3, but increments the software up to 4.0.3.605.1. Global roaming functionality appears to be active after the update. It is not clear what else may have changed as Verizon has not released any official information.

Let us know if you have received the update on your HTC Rezound and if you have noticed any other changes.

source: Phandroid

Samsung drops ICS source code for Note 10.1, Tab 10.1 and Tab 7 plus

It always brings a smile to my face when source drops for any Android device. While it has of no use to me or the average Joe, it will be put to good use by many independent developers. After all, source code means more stable custom ROM’s for us rooted users. Today Samsung has released the Ice Cream Sandwich source codes (GPL portions)  for the Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 7 Plus.

If you’re interested in the source codes for your personal needs then head on over to the source link!

source: Samsung Open Source Release Center

HTC updating HTC One X international version to Android 4.0.4

Owner’s of the international version of the HTC One X should expect to see a new over-the-air update rolling out to their devices. Reports indicate the update is very similar to the update that recently rolled out for the AT&T version of the One X and takes the device up to Android 4.0.4. HTC indicates in their announcement that the update includes improvements to Sense like mapping menu functions to the “recent app” key, better tab management in the browser, and some enhanced phone capabilities. Some memory and stability improvements are included as well. HTC also improved SDK support for Media Link and for the video call framework to help developers. Hit the break for the full statement from HTC.

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure customers are receiving software updates that improve their user experience, we are pleased to announce our next upgrade for the HTC One X will be released on August 10th.

The primary update will include an upgrade to Android version 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), in addition to an improved Sense experience which will: enable the ability to map menu function to the ‘recent app’ key (improving visual presentation in non ICS apps like Facebook); improve tab management in the browser with a dedicated tab switching button and enhance camera capabilities such as white balance and continuous autofocus.  Furthermore, customers can expect enhancements to memory, platform stability and the overall browsing experience. Other improvements include a Single Sign-On for Facebook allowing user access across applications and browsers and upgrades to Beats audio, which reflect our dedication to providing an authentic sound experience.

From a developer perspective, we are expanding SDK support for Media Link and providing a framework for video call applications to achieve improved performance and quality.

Toshiba Thrive Gets Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich Ahead of Schedule

The original Toshiba Thrive 10-inch tablet was expected to get an update to Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich sometime this fall, but a tasty surprise showed up today for Thrive owners. A post on Toshiba’s Thrive forums confirms that ICS is indeed now rolling out, significantly ahead of schedule. Even though Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is the flavor of the month, it’s nice to see Toshiba pushing forward quicker than expected.

Not much of a changelog was posted:

Release 4.0.4 Highlights:

• Improved video and audio performance
• Improved camera functions
• Improved signal strength and connectivity

If you own a Thrive, check for the over-the-air update on your tablet by tapping Apps, Service Station, then Check for Updates and let us know how it goes!

source: toshiba forums

Droid 4 ICS Soak Test Starting Soon?

Droid Life is reporting that a new software soak test is imminent for the Droid 4, which is assumed to be an ICS test build.

It looks like notifications will be sent out via the Motorola Feedback Network, so make sure you opt-in to be among the first to receive the update.

We’ll let you know when we find out exactly what’s in the update.

source: Droid Life

Sprint HTC EVO Design 4G Receiving Ice Cream Sandwich Update

With Sprint’s HTC EVO 3D reportedly receiving the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update, the EVO Design 4G wasn’t too far behind. Reports from users are flowing in that an OTA (over-the-air) notification is now showing up for EVO Design 4G handsets for an upgrade to ICS. Much like the EVO 3D’s update, you can expect Sense 3.6 and several updates and bug fixes:

• A refined, evolved user interface that is simple, beautiful and useful
• Face Unlock: use state-of-the-art facial recognition technology to unlock your phone with a smile
• Redesigned camera app which introduces Scenes like Panorama, and Effects such as Vignette, Depth of Field, Vintage and Posterize
• Web browser now lets you sync Google Chrome™ bookmarks, request full desktop versions of sites, see your open tabs in a new layout
• People: browse friends, family and coworkers, see their photos in high-resolution and check their latest status updates from Google+
• Improved keyboard with incredibly accurate typing, an inline spell checker and improved copy and paste support
• Redesigned Gmail™ app that now lets you swipe between conversations to catch up quickly and search for emails even without a data connection
• Google+ integration that lets you hangout and video chat with up to 10 friends using your front-facing camera

If you haven’t gotten the notification for the update, you can head on over to Settings > About phone > Software updates and hit the button to check whether your update to ICS is ready. Any Design 4G users out there receiving their update to ICS?

source: Android Central