Google Maps, Drive and Earth updated with bugfixes

Google has just pushed out some bugfix updates in Google Play for both Maps and Earth, along with a couple of feature improvements for Drive. Those improvements for Drive are the ability to stream video files from the app on devices running Android 3.0 and above, as well as the ability to now use pinch-to-zoom in the presentation viewer. Maps and Earth aren't getting anything notable, but we're never going to turn down a good set of bugfixes that will improve the overall experience of using these apps.

Source: androidcentral.com

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Android All Around (Android 360 Degree) - Explore the world of Android; All Things about Android: Android Updates, News, Devices, Apps, Reviews, Tips, and Tutorials.

Sony may release Jelly Bean 4.2 for the Xperia Z next month

Sony's flagship device, the Xperia Z, will come out with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on board, but as rumored before, the company might upgrade their brand new flagship device to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean just weeks after its initial launch.

A screenshot sent by an anonymous tipster to Xperia blog shows the Sony Xperia Z C6603 being powered by the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, with a firmware version of the latest Android build as 11.1.A.1.450. Of course, this would be the beta version, but should it prove to be the real deal, we can expect the firmware version to be in the same form after its release.

The Android 4.2 update for Xperia Z will feature an updated 3.6 kernel, compared to the 3.4 kernel found on stock Android 4.1.2 firmware. The Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update is further rumored to be officially released in Europe by the end of March, but take that with a pinch of salt, since the information is not from an official source.

Source: gsmarena.com

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Android All Around (Android 360 Degree) - Explore the world of Android; All Things about Android: Android Updates, News, Devices, Apps, Reviews, Tips, and Tutorials.

ROM Manager adds delta updates, TWRP recovery support

ROM Manager, a staple app used by practically anyone who roots and switches ROMs often, has just added support for both delta (incremental) updates and TWRP recovery. Delta updates (downloads, really) will let users who are downloading and flashing new ROMs -- like those of you on nightlies -- just download and apply the new portions of the ROM, rather than the entire thing. If you have a previous zip file of your ROM on the device, ROM Manager will send you an incremental zip (of about 20MB) to apply and get the changes. This will save a lot of time, battery and data when flashing updates to the same ROM over and over again.

The latest ROM Manager also supports TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), so if users prefer that over ClockworkMod Recovery, they can flash it directly through the app rather than separately.

Source: androidcentral.com

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Android All Around (Android 360 Degree) - Explore the world of Android; All Things about Android: Android Updates, News, Devices, Apps, Reviews, Tips, and Tutorials.

What's new in Android 4.2.2

Android 4.2.2 isn't quite official yet, but it's slow roll out has been bolstered by manual download links and folks are finding a few new things in the latest firmware. Most of it is behind the scenes and will be covered by words like "stability enhancements" and bug fixes, and those are what's really important. A specific that folks are reporting is a fix to the Bluetooth stack to fix audio stuttering, and that's something folks have been waiting for. Equally important is that plenty of people are saying their Nexus devices are no longer randomly rebooting, so if you have an issue there hopefully Android 4.2.2 fixes it.

There are some other user-facing changes that probably won't apply to anyone without a Nexus device. Once a manufacturer gets their hands into the code, they tend to change these types of "features" to something that fits in with their version of Android a it better. Often times their version works better than stock Android, so we're not going to complain that they get changed. Here's what folks using stock are seeing:

When connecting via adb to a computer for the first time, you're prompted to allow the connection. This small security enhancement will help keep your bootloader locked device safe if you lose it.

App download notification have been changed. Now you'll see a progress bar that tells you the time remaining in addition to a percentage downloaded.

Quick settings have been enhanced. Users can now long press on the Wifi and Bluetooth icons to toggle the setting.

New sounds for wireless charging initiation and low battery alert. Users will now hear a notification sound when the device is placed on a wireless charger. In addition the low battery sound has been changed.

Removed option to show all calls in the phone app's call list.

New Gallery app animation allows faster loading.

Really, nothing there anyone would miss if Samsung, HTC or any other manufacturer decided not to implement it. In short, 4.2.2 sounds like the bug fix update everyone has been waiting for. These kinds of updates are the ones we like seeing!

Source: androidcentral.com

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Android All Around (Android 360 Degree) - Explore the world of Android; All Things about Android: Android Updates, News, Devices, Apps, Reviews, Tips, and Tutorials.

Chrome Beta for Android updated, actually pretty speedy now

Google has once again updated the Chrome beta channel for Android, bringing the pre-release browser up to version 25.0.1364.74. The new update fixed compatibility issues with the Samsung Galaxy S2, while addressing the long-standing beta bug that caused the tap disambiguation popup to appear more often than it should. That's in addition to fixes for some other bugs.

Source: androidcentral.com

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Android All Around (Android 360 Degree) - Explore the world of Android; All Things about Android: Android Updates, News, Devices, Apps, Reviews, Tips, and Tutorials.

Sony confirms Xperia V, T, TX Jelly Bean update, details changes

Ttoday Sony has officially confirmed the arrival of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for the Xperia V, Xperia T and Xperia TX. A post over on the official Sony Mobile blog details exactly what's new in this firmware update -- and there's quite a bit, besides the usual Jelly Bean stuff like Google Now and "project butter."

The update includes new, redesigned Sony media apps such as Walkman for music, Album for pictures and Movies for, well, movies. There're also new personalization options in the home screen launcher, including support for up to seven screens, and auto-resizing of widgets, like the stock Jelly Bean launcher. Changes to the app drawer make creating folders easier, and the drawer itself now features a search box.

Sony also promises camera improvements, including a new "auto" scene setting, and a button for switching between the front and rear camera.

Source: androidcentral.com

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Android All Around (Android 360 Degree) - Explore the world of Android; All Things about Android: Android Updates, News, Devices, Apps, Reviews, Tips, and Tutorials.

Motorola RAZR i receiving Jelly Bean OTA in the UK

The RAZR i, Motorola's tweak of the RAZR M with an Intel chip inside, is receiving its Jelly Bean update in the U.K. starting today. Although its cousin the RAZR M started to receive its Jelly Bean update back in November, there are certainly some extra tweaks required to getting the update ready for devices with Intel processors still. The RAZR i Jelly Bean rollout started in France just a few short days ago, so the U.K. isn't far behind here.

The update will bring all of the notable improvements of Jelly Bean, including Project Butter, Google Now and improved notifications. Motorola says the update will begin rolling today and will head out in phases (of course). If you've got your hands on a RAZR i, keep on the lookout for a system update notification.

Source: androidcentral.com

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Android All Around (Android 360 Degree) - Explore the world of Android; All Things about Android: Android Updates, News, Devices, Apps, Reviews, Tips, and Tutorials.

Sony Xperia T gets the Android Jelly Bean update

Sony has started rolling out the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update for the Xperia T smartphone. The update is being made available just a day after it appeared on the PTCRB website and was certified and a week after an alpha version was released.

The update version number is 9.1.A.0.489 and brings the usual Jelly Bean features, including Google Now, Project Butter, improved notifications, etc., along with Sony's own changes. The update is currently rolling out in Netherlands but should be out elsewhere shortly. Check to see if the update is available for your Xperia T in your region.

Source: gsmarena.com

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Samsung Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note to get 4.1.2 in March

Samsung Ukraine has announced that it will start rolling out the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update to some of its devices from March. The first ones to get this update is the Galaxy S II as well as the Galaxy Note. The Galaxy S II, as you may know, has already started getting the update elsewhere in the world.

Along with these two device, Samsung will also be updating the Galaxy Ace 2 to Jelly Bean, but that will happen in April. And last but not the least, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 will also be joining the Jelly Bean party around the same time.

Source: gsmarena.com

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Android All Around (Android 360 Degree) - Explore the world of Android; All Things about Android: Android Updates, News, Devices, Apps, Reviews, Tips, and Tutorials.