Google plans to fix an Android networking bug... after 2.5 years Mobile

It's fair to say that some bugs take awhile to fix, and a public schedule isn't always an option; HTC knows this well. Still, Google may be pushing the limits with the solution for a longstanding Android bug that prevents resolving hostnames on some WiFi networks without using the full domain. The company has officially committed to providing a patch -- 2 years, 6 months and 23 days after the bug was first reported on April 29th, 2010. Google explains that the "next major release" after Android 4.2 should hold the remedy, and claims that a mix of "prioritization and resources" prevented the team from sorting things out between Android 2.1 and now. We'll take Google's word for it, although the vow won't be much comfort for anyone who's still holding on to that original HTC Desire and can't upgrade. At least the Mountain View team won't have to deal with any 17-year-old security flaws.

[Source: Engadget]

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 to receive Android 4.1 with Premium Suite

Samsung has already begun delivery of Android 4.1 for the Galaxy Note 10.1 in some parts of the world, but in a move that'll no doubt add to the anticipation, the company has now revealed Premium Suite as an accompaniment to the OS upgrade. Along with Jelly Bean, users can expect greater Multi Window functionality, which brings the ability to open up to 16 apps at a time, each which can be moved, resized and pinned to remain on top. Samsung's Air View is also incorporated within Premium Suite, which allows users to preview appointments, emails, video and the like by hovering the S Pen above the screen. Not to stop there, Samsung is also upping the ante with new additions such as Easy Clip, Quick Command, Photo Note, Paper Artist and an enhanced S Note app. No definitive timeline is known for Samsung's rollout of Premium Suite and Android 4.1, although it's now clear that "soon" can't come quickly enough. In the meantime, be sure to hop the break to preview all the new features that are on deck.

[Source: Engadget]

Vodafone and Visa announce mobile payments app for Android-toting Aussies

Sometime next year, Vodafone subscribers in Australia can expect to taste the sweet fruit of mobile payments, which comes thanks to the carrier's partnership with Visa. Computerworld Australia reports that Vodafone SmartPass is currently being tested on Android phones in the land down under, which relies on an NFC-enabled SIM card. It's also said that the carrier plans to introduce a Windows Phone app, although it has no intention of developing a solution for iOS, which is due to the iPhone's lack of NFC. While mobile payments still remains a mere pipe dream for many, it's said that Vodafone will eventually bundle the SmartPass app on all smartphones that support NFC. Unfortunately, the technology may remain cumbersome, as it'll require users to load currency into a prepaid account for use -- something Google has already kicked to the curb. If you'll recall, Vodafone first announced its initiative with Visa in February of this year, although at the time, it was said that only a few European counties would make the initial cut. To learn more about what Vodafone has in store for its Aussie constituency, feel free to hit up the source link.

[Source: Engadget]

Android 4.2 bug omits December from the People app, makes end-of-year birthdays even less bearable

The launch of Android 4.2 brought a welcome smattering of extra features to the mobile world, but a recently discovered bug omits something slightly important: namely, the month of December. Dive into the People app on any device using the new OS, and the last 31 days of the year will be unavailable for contacts' anniversaries and similar special occasions. Google is aware of the flaw, although it hasn't yet said when it will have a fix in place. We've reached out to get a more definitive timetable for a solution beyond just what's implied by the Gregorian calendar. In the meantime, don't lean too heavily on that smartphone to remember an imminent birthday; people born in December are stiffed out of enough presents as it is.

[Source: Engadget]

Google Play Store update on Android brings post-install suggestions, translations

Google likes to stealthily roll out Google Play Store updates for Android users on a frequent basis, whether it's to add new sections or to encourage a little more impulse shopping. We'd put a brand new revision in that last camp. The 3.10.9 tweak no longer just leaves us lingering at an app's page during an installation: start the process and the store offers suggestions based on fellow adopters' habits as well as a shortcut back to the main portal. Language mismatches in the store could also be a thing of the past with an option to translate descriptions into the device owner's native tongue. Along with a quicker way to add Google+ friends and get better app recommendations, Google's refresh is clearly built to remove those last points of hesitation before trying something new; if the app drawer is looking a little bare, hit the source link (or wait for an automatic update) to fill up.

[Source: Engadget]

Box for Android 2.0 brings file previews, offline folders and more

Cloud storage provider Box seems to be in overdrive lately, with a new Windows 8 app out and having announced improvements to its cloud platform and speedier uploads for businesses. Turning its attention now to Android users, Box has bumped up the app on Google's mobile OS to version 2.0, bringing in features like file previews for 75 different file types, offline folders that indicate when they're out of sync, and a feature-rich transfer manager. In addition, you can jump straight to the app when you tap on Box shared links, instead of having to fiddle around with the sign-in process on your mobile browser. The ability to add descriptions to files and folders should also come in handy for those with a meticulous streak. Convinced? The source link has the goods.

[Source: Engadget]

Google Play Music adds gapless playback, automatic Instant Mixes

Google is expanding its media umbrella to cover more countries, and it's marking the occasion with a new version of the Google Play Music app for Android and Google TV. While there's no explicit mention of the newly opened regional access, the update does add long-requested support for gapless audio playback: Jelly Bean users will hear smooth transitions between tracks, although it works best when all the music is offline. The tweak also turns listening into more of a hands-off process, as it now automatically generates Instant Mixes (instead of requiring input) and lets us cache free, purchased, recently added and thumbs-up songs. If you've refused to sully that DJ set or Pink Floyd album by playing it through Android's stock music player, it's time to give the app another chance.

[Source: Engadget]

Android 4.2 reaches some Galaxy Nexus phones early, grab the GSM version here

As Google Play groans under the clicks of early shoppers, Google's apparently got its software sorted too. A new Android 4.2 file for the Galaxy Nexus over at XDA-Developers matches reports we've had from users who have already been gifted the latest version of Jelly Bean over-the-air. Now, this is the 'takju' version, meaning it's meant for GSM devices ordered directly from Google, although the phone meddlers at XDA-Developers already have all the details needed to make the switch to this specific iteration. Sure you've got the right GSM Galaxy Nexus? Then, once you've read all the instructions and warnings from those aforementioned developers, you can pick up the download at the source below.

[Source: Engadget]

Light Flow updated with Nexus 4 and GMail 4.2 support

Light Flow has been a go-to app for users that want to keep their device's notification LED flashing appropriately. It gained a lot of popularity with the Galaxy Nexus given stock Android's lack of settings to control the LED, and now the app has been updated with Nexus 4 -- and GMail 4.2 -- support just a few days before the device's launch. It seems to support just about every popular app you could think of, and even more are unlocked in the paid version.

There's a "lite" version of the app that you can pick up at the Play Store link above, and if you like what the developer is doing consider dropping them $2.49 for the paid version.

[Source: Android Central] 

Android 4.1 update for original Galaxy Note may bring Air View, Multi-Window and more

If fortune smiles upon original Galaxy Note owners, there's a good chance of finding an Android 4.1update before year's end. Rather than just the usual suspects like Google Now, however, a recently leaked software build suggests that Samsung's original smartphone / tablet may receive some of the same features as the current Galaxy Note II. We've embedded a video after the break that reveals what could be in store, which includes the Nature UX, the ability to watch video previews with the S Pen (Air View) and the ability to view two apps at once (Multi-Window). Whether the features make it to the final build is anyone's guess, though we're certainly crossing our fingers. In the meantime, feel free to hop the break to see what's in store -- sorry that it's in French.

[Source: Engadget]

Amazon brings Cloud Drive Photos app to Android, keeps your shots safe

Looks like releasing its first in-house-built mobile game for Android (and other platforms) wasn't quite enough for the online retail giant. Amazon announced earlier that its Cloud Drive Photos application is now available on Android for both handset and tablets, giving users of Google's OS a cloud-based hub to use for uploading, saving, sharing and viewing pictures -- of course this also includes the retailer's kind handout of 5G of free storage, though folks could easily upgrade to 20GB for a $10 per-year fee. The Cloud Drive Photos app is up for download now, so hit that Google Play link below if you're looking foryet another place to keep all those awesome shots you snap with your device.

[Source: Engadget]