android 4.1

Browse the Web on your Android device with the Skyfire Browser app

Though Web sites are more mobile-friendly than ever, some folks still want the full computer experience on their phones and tablets. Skyfire Browser offers all of that with a customizable toolbar on the top and bottom of all of your Web pages. Sadly, it doesn't give you any extra speed over the default Android browser and the toolbars take up too much screen space.

Skyfire seems like it's better built for tablets than it is for smartphones. If you use it on a 4-inch-or-less Android gadget, the toolbars are just in the way. They take up too much … Read more

Motorola updates Android Jelly Bean plans

Good news to anyone who's hungry for Jelly Bean: Motorola recently modified a customer support page that outlines the various devices expected to receive Android updates.

The Motorola Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD are the latest to see the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update, both of which are reflected on the support page. Looking ahead, the Atrix HD will be next in line to see the update, slated for later this month.

Moving into the new year, the Electrify M and both versions of the Xoom tablet should see an update prompt in Q1. As … Read more

Sony queues entry-level Xperia E for Q1 2013

Sony today announced a new, entry-level Android handset that is expected to ship in the first quarter of the coming year.

Dubbed the Sony Xperia E, the company's latest should make for a decent first smartphone experience. Running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the device features a 1GHz processor, and comes loaded with Sony's custom software touches.

The Xperia E will be offered in a single SIM model as well as a dual-SIM edition, the Xperia E dual. Aside from this difference, both are identical in every other facet. Details include a 3.5-inch (320x480) display, a 3.… Read more

Android 4.1 reaches Samsung Galaxy S3 on AT&T

Android 4.1, aka Jelly Bean, is now spilling out for AT&T customers with Samsung Galaxy S3 phones.

As of today, AT&T subscribers can update their phones using Samsung's Kies software. This method requires users to download the new Android flavor onto their computers and then apply the update to their phones through a sync.

Users can update their phones by following the steps provided on AT&T's Jelly Bean upgrade page. AT&T will not offer the update over the air, so Kies is the only way to get Jelly Bean … Read more

Asus may be cooking up another low-cost Android tablet

A new tablet could be in the works from the folks who brought us the Google Nexus 7.

A few specs about the potential tablet recently popped up on benchmark site GLBenchmark.

The limited details revealed so far point to a Jelly Bean flavored tablet with a 1GHz processor, a Mali 400 graphics chip, and a screen resolution of 1,024x552 pixels (likely 1,024x600), as described by blog site Cult of Android.

Codenamed the Asus ME172V, the new tablet doesn't match the specs of the Nexus 7, which sports a 1,280x800-pixel resolution and a maximum processor speed … Read more

Motorola Droid Razr HD, Maxx HD get Android 4.1 next week

Motorola Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD will soon see an Android 4.1 update.

Both Motorola smartphones will see Jelly Bean take control as the new operating system version as soon as next week, according to Verizon's blog. As a refresher, Jelly Bean offers enhanced notifications, Google Now, and a more intuitive keyboard.

Verizon is also using the update to implement a few carrier-specific changes to the Motorola duo. Gone are the Verizon Video app and Color app, making room for a new Video calling portal and Accessories app. What's more, the Droid Razr HD … Read more

Samsung launches Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE model

Samsung has released the LTE edition of its Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, but the model is available only in Korea for now.

Sold through three different Korean wireless carriers, the new tablet also offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE), which allows standard voice calls to be transmitted over the LTE data network.

Hit by lackluster sales for its Tab tablet lineup, Samsung has been promoting the new Note devices. The introduction of LTE brings the Note up to the level of the 4G Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Sporting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the LTE Galaxy Note 10.1 kicks … Read more

HTC sheds light on Android 4.1 plans

HTC has launched an FAQ page that details its Android 4.1 Jelly Bean plans. Though it stops short of listing specific device upgrade dates, it page spells out some of the factors that determine which models will make the cut.

It should come as no surprise that HTC will give priority to recent models such as the One X and One S. As far as other devices, though, the company is "actively reviewing" its portfolio of handsets.

To that end, HTC already has shut the door on two models, the One V and the … Read more

T-Mobile rolls out Android 4.1 to the Galaxy S3

If you're a Samsung Galaxy S3 owner, your long, patient wait for an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update will soon end.

Starting today, T-Mobile will begin pushing Android 4.1.1 over the air and through the Samsung Kies app.

If you run into trouble, T-Mobile provides documentation to help you through the process.

Among other changes, Android Jelly Bean offer richer notifications, an improved Search app that also includes Google Now, and much more powerful Android Beam functionality.

When you get it, tell us how you like the update! Chime in below.

Apple adds Android 4.1, Galaxy Note 10.1 to Samsung lawsuit

Apple appears ready to fire its legal salvo directly at Google.

In a move that could draw Google into the fray, Apple attempted to add Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 10.1 and Google's Android 4.1, also known as Jelly Bean, to an existing complaint against Samsung in California.

Apple made the argument to U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul S. Grewal today in San Jose, Calif., Bloomberg reported.

The move followed Samsung's own action to add the iPhone 5 to its own counter-claim that Apple infringed on its patents.

The ongoing complaints show that the massively complex legal … Read more