HTC One X+ KitKat update unofficial, Android updates are over

According to the UK office of HTC, the more powerful of the two USA-based HTC One X devices will no longer be receiving Android updates of any kind. This is the HTC One X+, a device which works with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, one available from AT&T, one which will not be seeing KitKat. This comes after a short rumor period in which it was affirmed that HTC’s One X+ would be getting this update - now HTC confirms that this is not true.

According to HTC UK, the HTC One X+ “will not receive further Android updates”, and furthermore, it “will remain on the current version of Android” for the foreseeable future. This means that if you do plan on updating to a new version of Android in the future on this device, you’re going to need to hack.

While this wasn’t the most popular phone in its category - by a long shot - the HTC One X+ does still have a dedicated set of developers working in the wild that’ll help you make with the change-up at your leisure. Of course that sort of modification of your smartphone will result in a break in your warrantee.

The HTC One X+ update cut was also confirmed by the HTC office in the Netherlands, all the way back on the 8th of January. We had a review of this device back in December of 2012 where, regardless of the original having been released in April of that year, we still found the X+ to be an impressive handset to behold. Will this device remain a worthy competitor with the rest of the mid-tier now that its software has been halted? If its price remains shockingly low, yes.

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Acer Iconia B1-720 7-inch Android tablet is slimmed down and faster

Joining the newly announced A1-830 tablet is the new Acer Iconia B1-720, a smaller 7-inch tablet that is otherwise fairly similar to its larger A1 sibling. As with the A1, the Iconia B1-720 offers Jelly Bean and the promise of both high performance and battery life. Rather than the aluminum design, however, the B1 makes things a bit more classy with a textured and silky finish.

The Acer B1 tablet features a dual-core 1.3GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, and whilst internal storage space comes in at 16GB, there's a micro SD expansion slot with support for up to 32GB. The software is Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean, the same loaded on the new Iconia A1, and as always, performance is promised to be solid and smooth for activity ranging from Web browsing to mobile gaming.

Acer is aiming this particular model at families, those new to the world of tablets, or as an offering for those who don't want to give their kids access to a more expensive slate. This is the third-generation of the B1, clocking in as slimmer than the previous model with a boost in performance and a promise for better sound. There's a single speaker, as well as a microphone and front-facing camera, the resolution of which wasn't detailed.

Connectivity is basic with WiFi, and a tablet is being sold separately for this latest B1 model. The front portion of the tablet will be available in red and grey, while the cover will be available in multiple unspecified colors that doubles as a stand. The tablet will be available from retailers later this month for $129.99 USD and CAD.

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'Galaxy S3' software update now re-distributing Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

After a bit of a delay earlier this year, the folks responsible for bringing on software updates to the Samsung Galaxy smartphone universe have re-started the push for Android 4.3 Jelly Bean to the Galaxy S III. This release will bring a number of feature updates and improvements to the hardware and – for some – completely skips over the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update. The difference is small, but the oddity is great.

Under the hood this update brings updates that’ll have the Galaxy S III (or Galaxy S3 if you prefer) up to a whole new level. This includes support for the Samsung Galaxy Gear, first of all. That’s the smartwatch you’ve been seeing as connected to the Samsung Galaxy Note III in commercials every 10 minutes on television, if you watch that sort of thing.

You’ll also find new screen modes as adapted and fit from the Galaxy S 4: Adapt Display and Professional Photo modes included. You’ll get a new Samsung Keyboard, new lockscreen abilities, and a whole new camera mode: Sound and Shot. Sound and Shot was born with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and creates a still image with a sound background – quite unique.

This update will be bringing on a new Driving Mode, a Settings interface that replicates the Samsung Galaxy S4 exactly, and full-screen Samsung apps as well. The Samsung S-Voice update from the Samsung Galaxy S4 is also included in this update which will be rolling out this week.

If you work with a Samsung Galaxy S III, all you’ve got to do is sit back and wait. This update will be appearing OTA (Over the Air) inside this week – fingers crossed!



VIA: Sammobile

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HTC One, DROID DNA Android 4.3 update planned for next month

Google announced and rolled out Android 4.3 Jelly Bean last month, and carriers and manufacturers alike are working hard to bring the new version to their latest devices. HTC is one company trying to get the update on their new handsets as quick as they can, and are trying to get Android 4.3 on the HTC One and DROID DNA by next month.

The announcement comes from HTC President Jason MacKenzie on Twitter, where he says that (in text message language) the company is “working hard” to deliver Android 4.3 Jelly Bean to the One and DNA by the end of September. This also marks the first time we’ve been provided an announcement on Android 4.3 availability other than Google’s own devices.

Of course, that still brings up the issue of carrier testing. MacKenzie doesn’t mention if that timeline includes carrier testing, but if it doesn’t, users may be waiting a lot longer than September to get Android 4.3 on their brand new One devices and the older DNA.

The HTC One is HTC’s latest flagship, and while the handset is still relatively new, it’s already seen the release of a smaller brother known as the HTC One mini, which sports a slightly smaller shell and a bit of a downgrade with the internals in order to make it more price-friendly for consumers.

The HTC One has two versions; one version includes HTC’s signature Sense UI and the other is rocking a completely stock version of Jelly Bean for those who like Google’s take on the mobile OS. We’re not sure if there will be a date difference with the 4.3 update with either version, but we’re guessing that it’ll be up to the carriers.

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