The Jelly Belly Candy Co. launched an official Jelly Belly live wallpaper onto Google Play to celebrate the release of Android 4.1, Jelly Bean. Wow, that's a lot of Jelly. Anyways, once downloaded for free, you can choose from a large assortment of flavors to have displayed on your device. Along with the different flavors, there are also different
Four weeks after the Google Play launch of Final
When HTC made the official announcement that the Desire HD would not be updated to Android 4.0, their statement claimed that the current Android build "provides customers with the best experience on the HTC Desire HD." Our interpretation of that comment was that there were performance issue which HTC has identified with their Ice Cream Sandwich build which could not be overcome. It turns out that we were wrong.
HTC has posted another statement on the topic, explaining that the update was scrapped because it would force a hard reset in order to
If you have been wondering (like myself) why other devices were getting CyanogenMod 10 previews before Google's latest flagship phone, the Galaxy Nexus, you are not alone. Brint Kriebel, the CM manager for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, took to Google+ today to release a preview build that is available for flashing now.
While Kriebel says that this has been the daily driver on his phone for a few weeks now, he does stress that it's a preview build and not a release: meaning bugs are expected. All the major parts of the phone are working though, data, camera, NFC and all that so if you are feeling like getting your CyanogenMod on hit the source link below. Remember, since it's a pure AOSP build there are no Google Apps included in this build. Have fun, but please, make a back-up first!
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Jelly Bean factory images are now available from Google for a good portion of the Nexus lineup of devices. If you happen to own a Nexus 7, Nexus S (sojua or soju versions), or the Galaxy Nexus (yakju and takju versions), then we suggest downloading these files and keeping them in a safe place in case of future software troubles. Down the road, these could save you from a horrible custom ROM flashing fiasco and bring your device back from the dead. No love yet of course for the Verizon toro version, but hopefully we'll be shown some love too in the future.
After a two week period of Google trying to catch up on 16GB Nexus 7 orders, the device is now showing as being back "in stock." Between the 8GB and 16GB versions, the bigger storage option is either the hotter selling of the two or Google was expecting the 8GB to be much more popular and simply manufactured more of it instead.
In our review of the Nexus 7, we tossed out the idea that you may want to go for the 16GB instead, if you plan on downloading a bunch of content to your device. With the 8GB option, you have to remember that 2.5GB or so are taken up by the operating system and that HD movies can land at around another 2.5GB, leaving you with very little space for major gaming titles, music, or other videos.
If the 16GB was the Nexus 7 that you had been holding out for, jump into the Play Store now.
Play Link
Cheers JBow!
Oh, what a fun week it has been! When news came across the wire that Google was unveiling Google Fiber over in Kansas City, it was hard to get very excited. Now, I think it's time to pack the bags and move the family over to middle America and get in on those crazy speeds. With Google now offering their very own Internet and TV services, I think we're in for a major change to the ISP landscape.
If you missed any of the other goodies that went down this week, including Jelly Bean rolling out to XOOM WiFi owners, here are all of the highlights for you:
Have a great weekend, everybody!
In case you were wondering, Google Wallet is blocked from Verizon's Galaxy S3 just like it was on the Galaxy Nexus. Big Red has their own mobile NFC payment system on the way, called Isis, and would rather you wait to turn your life over to one. Oh wait, they aren't blocking Google Wallet, it's just that it's "different" than other mobile commerce apps. Mmhmm. In other words, they are blocking it for now, until they can work out a licensing deal with Google.
If you were wanting to get in some NFC payment action ahead of time, there is a new hack that will get you up and running and spending at your local NFC-equipped spots. A .zip is available to be flashed by rooted users. From what we can tell, it involves the changing of your current build.prop file, followed by a push of a tweaked Wallet app. The video above is proof that it indeed works.
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Right now, most AT&T customers are opting for the Samsung Galaxy S III over the HTC One X, but that could soon change. According to reports from AT&T sales reps and an image from an internal AT&T email, the price of the HTC One X will be reduced by $100 on July 29th. The new $99.99 price point will put the HTC One X in direct price competition with the Motorola Atrix HD, Sony XPERIA Ion, Samsung Galaxy S II, and even the iPhone 4, which launched more than two years ago.
HTC and AT&T have not disclosed why the price of the HTC one X is being cut in half only a few months after its retail debut, but we do know that Samsung's Galaxy S III has had unprecedented success and we're sure HTC is feeling the pressure.
Let's start off with a poll: how many of you use that trick of cupping your hand behind your phone to slightly increase the volume? I find myself doing it just about every time I watch a YouTube video or try to listen to something without headphones. There are some things our phones simply cannot do. Like play loud sounds. Enter the Jawbone JAMBOX
The JAMBOX is a small speaker capable of making big noises. It can hook to your device via Bluetooth or a standard 3.5mm audio cable, runs about 12 hours on its rechargeable battery, and produces the loudest and cleanest sound I've yet to find in a portable speaker.
In my month or so of testing, we've used this speaker at the pool, on a camping trip, while working out, on the patio- almost anywhere we need some background music, this guy can do the trick.
Big sound in a tiny (and awesome) package: The JAMBOX produces amazingly big sound from a form factor smaller than a can of soda. Inside, there is a pair of proprietary acoustic drivers and a bass radiator, making for nice highs and solid lows. Aside from its trim size, the styling on these things is absolutely unbeatable. They'll look just as comfortable on your desk as it would in a futuristic sci-fi movie.
Build quality: One of the first things you'll notice when handling the JAMBOX is its weight. The second is the texture and quality of materials. The entire package is amazingly well built, including the giant plus and minus buttons on top that make controlling volume a breeze.
It gets better: Connect the JAMBOX to MyTalk, a service provided by Jawbone, to find all the latest updates and personalizations at the touch of a button. You can change the startup and shutdown noises, install new voice-activated apps, and most importantly, make sure your JAMBOX is up to date. How many speakers do you know that are capable of a firmware upgrade that actually add features after purchase?
Color and style options: This may seem like a small one, but time has taught us that color options can play a big role when it comes to purchasing decisions. Jawbone offers the JAMBOX in a variety of color and mesh finishes, as well as a steady stream of limited edition releases (for you ultra-exclusive collectors out there).
Bluetooth leaves something to be desired: While the Bluetooth performs fairly well, I most often find myself playing music over the 3.5mm audio jack. While it usually works just fine, Bluetooth pairing can sometimes take a few extra seconds or can drop off for no reason, but that's more of a knock on Bluetooth in general than the JAMBOX itself.
In a perfect world, it'd be louder: Despite producing amazing sound for its size, I wouldn't mind a few more decibels. Don't get me wrong, it sounds great and I know a speaker of this size can only get so loud, but I sometimes found myself wanting to turn the volume to 11. It's fine for a party with close friends, but it might be a tad underpowered for a full-blown house party. For that, I'd recommend taking a look at the BIG JAMBOX 
Price: The MSRP is $199, and while you can find it online for around $175
If you're in the market for a speaker that's as loud as it is stylish and portable, the JAMBOX is for you. If portability and style aren't at the top of your list, you might find more bang with something like a Sonos system. Either way, if you've got the budget, you really can't go wrong when buying a speaker that's worth almost as much as your device itself- they're all going to be loud and nasty.
The JAMBOX really excels in the details. From the box, to the boot-up noise, to the buttons- it's pure class all the way.
The Jawbone JAMBOX is available on Amazon
Growing up in South Texas, I became used to hot summers and high electricity bills. A winter electricity statement might only run $50, but it could easily climb to $200-300 in the summer months. Studies show that your thermostat controls half your energy bill on average, so it could be a wise investment to purchase a smart thermostat that learns your schedule and provides energy saving tips.
This month I finally decided to purchase the Nest learning thermostat. Last year I got one for my parents and then I read a ton of positive reviews, so I felt I should give it a try as we entered the warmest months in Dallas. Normally I would wait a couple of moths before reviewing a product such as this, but I was so impressed with Nest that I decided it was time to share my thoughts.
Fast installation: I installed my Nest thermostat in less than 30 minutes, and I could probably do it in under 10 the next time I move. The package includes a universal mounting brace, screwdriver and screws, and optional wall plates. Videos are provided to help you check compatibility before you purchase and show you how to complete the install if you run in problems. For those that want a professional to install the device, Nest offers a concierge service for $115.
Ease of use: Before I purchased the Nest for our place, we gave one to my parents last Christmas. They had no problems using it and told me they love it. I have found that basic operation is no different than most thermostats. Anyone can operate the Nest.
Build quality: Nest is sleek and stylish. It looks and feels like a high end product. The rotating dial is so smooth and the clicking action feels solid.
Estimated savings with Nest.
Saves money: The Nest thermostat has multiple ways to save you energy and cut down on your monthly energy bill. Auto-away allows Nest to turn itself down when you're out so you don't wast energy cooling an empty home. With the help of Airwave, your AC can run up to 30% less. When your home's humidity is low, Nest can turn off your compressor and keep cooling your house by running the fan and blowing air over your cold evaporator coil.
Convenience: Does your wife or significant other always complain about the temperature? With Nest, you will no longer have to climb out of bed in the middle of the night to adjust the thermostat. Just reach for your phone and you can easily turn the temperature up or down. It's also really convenient to turn on your AC a couple of minutes before you get home after being away. Nest learns your schedule within within a week, so no programming is necessary.
Monthly energy reports: I haven't completed my first month yet, but the sample reports look pretty cool. Envery reports include
Earlier today, we took a look at the XGEAR
The folks over at XGEAR sent us samples of their new Spectre and Fantom tempered glass screen protectors for both the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Nexus to test. Since tempered glass is all the rage in the screen protecting game these days, we know that many of you have been dying to get your hands on them. While XGEAR is signing off on final samples, with hopes of shipping to customers during the first week or so of August, they wanted us to show you all what the product is all about ahead of time.
Are you having trouble achieving your fitness goals? I've found that smartphone apps can help me improve my diet and exercise routines, but I'm always looking for that extra boost to keep me motivated and maximize my training time. Over the last couple of years I have tested a dozen different apps to track my running, but recently I decided to try out a Bluetooth heart rate monitor.
After scanning the web and reading a ton of reviews, I went ahead and purchased the Zephyr HxM. Over the last couple of weeks I logged 60 miles with the Zephyr and now I'm ready to share my thoughts.
Compatible with many Android apps: The Zephyr HxM works with many Android fitness apps including Runtastic, Endomondo, SportsTracker, My Tracks, Sporty Pal, and more. Track
Yesterday, we jokingly shared that you could purchase Qualcomm's newest developer tablet that features the new Snapdragon S4 Pro chip and Adreno 320 GPU for a whopping $1300. Well, the chip is most definitely coming to tablets sooner or later (and maybe some high-end smartphones), but it still has some tweaks to work out. Here are some of the
Today, Google pushed out updated versions of the Nexus Q, YouTube, and Play Movies & TV applications. For the Q app, it now supports Android devices running 2.3.3+ which should make Gingerbread owners a bit happier once they receive their Nexus Q in the mail. As for the YouTube app, it has now spread Nexus Q support for Android 4.0 devices and earlier, as well as as allowing earlier versions of Android to use the app as a remote to play videos on other devices. Lastly, the Play Movies & TV app has been beefed up with faster downloads and a playback fix which plagued a few LG devices.
Go grab the updates in Google Play and enjoy your content to the fullest extent.
Nexus Q | YouTube | Movies & TV
Cheers Bob!
When the Nexus 7 first went on sale, early adopters had the opportunity to tack on an official $19.99 case to their order. According to eBay listings that a reader just sent us, you would have been wise to have done just that. Since the case has been backordered for weeks, Nexus 7 owners have been forced into buying cheap knock-offs from Amazon and then modifying them a bit so that they work with the Jelly Bean running beast. If you want official though, you better be ready to pay up to 5 times as much as the case is worth. If you cruise around eBay for a minute, you'll find the N7 case anywhere from $60 to over $100.
Is it really that nice of a case?
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We have reported on Demolition Inc. a few times before, but the application has now dropped to $1.99 in the Play Store and we wanted to make sure everyone got in on the fun. You are placed in the alien spaceship of a blue-collar destruction worker named Mike and sign several contracts to level blocks of cities using whatever tools you can find. Each level provides you with different modes of destruction: oil slicks that cause cars to spin out, sticky glue that causes them to make sudden turns, and even exploding cows that look quite innocent until you run into them.
With close to 70,000 backers and over $10 million raised, the Pebble smartwatch is one of the most anticipated projects in Kickstarter's history. The founders originally planned to send out orders for the device in September, but the demand was so overwhelming that they have now announced they won't be able to start shipping on time.
Before they launched on Kickstarter, Pebble only planned to
If you want to see what kind of power future Android devices will be packing, check out these latest benchmark scores from Qualcomm's upcoming quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro. Qualcomm invited us to check out their new tablet mobile development platform featuring the upcoming APQ8064 chip, but we were unable to make it. Thankfully Anand Shimpi and Brian Klug of Anandtech were on hand to run the device through its paces.
The Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) is very similar to the Snapdragon S4 found in the US versions of the HTC One series and Samsung Galaxy S III, but it features four Krait CPU cores instead of two and it includes the newer Adreno 320 GPU.
After testing the new Snapdragon S4 Pro Anand wrote, "Overall Adreno 320 looks to be a good step forward in performance, although still a bit slower than the latest and greatest from Imagination Technologies [found in the new iPad]. Compared to what everyone else is shipping in Android based tablets/smartphones however, Adreno 320 is easily the new king of the hill."
Considering these are early benchmarks on development hardware, the results are looking pretty good for Qualcomm. Graphics performance appears to have doubled from the Adreno 225 found in the current Snapdragon S4, and in GLBenchmark it was found to be "72% faster than NVIDIA's fastest Tegra 3."
Qualcomm and Bsquare also announced that the new
It's been a few months since Taylor posted a rumor about the Tegra 3 powered
This week Google started selling their Nexus Q, the "first social streaming media player", for $299 and they expects orders to start shipping in 2-3 weeks. Google's Nexus 7 tablet has been a massive hit and retailers have had trouble keeping it in stock, but don't expect that problem with the Nexus Q.
I was provided with a review unit of the Nexus Q when I attended Google IO and it's one of the most confusing Android products I have ever tested. It is not confusing to operate, but I am baffled trying to understand who is going to purchase this product.
The Nexus Q streams media from Google Play and YouTube, and that's about it. The same tasks can be accomplished with a $99 Google TV box, which also includes a ton of additional features like Google's Chrome browser with Adobe Flash Player, on-demand gaming with OnLive, streaming movies from Amazon and Netflix, and thousands of apps from the Google Play store.
I forced myself to use the Nexus Q for a couple of days and I was extremely disappointed with the experience. Streaming a movie was nearly unwatchable because it kept skipping and buffering, and it was annoying to have to switch inputs on my entertainment system. It didn't take long for me to return to my Google TV, and then I boxed up the Nexus Q to give it to my brother Clark.
Surely someone will purchase the Nexus Q and eventually tell me they love it, but I see no reason to recommend the device in its current state to any of my friends.
Roughly 24 hours after Telstra revealed that Android 4.1 updates for the HTC one XL and HTC One S are already in the works, HTC has released an official statement announcing that the HTC One X, HTC One XL and HTC One S will all be updated to Android 4.1.
We know HTC fans are excited to get their hands on Google’s latest version of Android. At this point in time, we can confirm that we have plans to upgrade our HTC One X, HTC One XL and HTC One S to Jelly Bean. Please stay tuned for more updates regarding device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Jelly Bean.HTC
While we would have liked to get a little more detail as to when the updates for these handsets are expected to be released, we know that release estimates can easily be pushed out due to long testing cycles by carrier partners. Since Google announced that handset partners have had their hands on Jelly Bean for some time now, we are expecting to see updates roll out a lot quicker than it took HTC and other OEMs to push out Android 4.0 to their existing handset lineup.
Working out can be hard when you don't have any real goals you want to
Last night, Google pushed an update to the Google+ Android application. We decided to wait until they threw up an updated changelog with it, but since they have still yet to do so, let's just go ahead and update anyways. Once they have an updated log on the landing page, we'll update the post.
Play Link
Cheers T, and E!
Another week has come to a close in the Android universe, but if there is anything to take away from it, it's that the 16GB Nexus 7 was in high demand from day 1. After some interesting mix-ups in shipping, Google has finally shipped almost all of the initial orders. AT&T announced their new shared data plans, which T-Mobile publicly hated on. There is a Galaxy S3 update coming to Verizon customers that helps to kill off innovation as we know it. The LG Vu, aka the worst device of the last 5 years, was pictured with Verizon branding. Lastly, we dove into whether or not the Galaxy Nexus on Big Red will receive Jelly Bean. No spoiler alert needed.
Here are the week's highlights if you missed them:
Have a great weekend!
This summer, fans of the late SEGA Dreamcast will be able to re-live the good 'ol days. In a recent release from SEGA, they have announced that they will be bringing back Jet Set Radio
We aren't sure if this is the case for every Verizon customer, but so far this week, we have heard from a handful who used an upgrade over the past few days and were still allowed to keep unlimited data. From what we were told when Share Everything plans went live, unlimited data was only going to be kept if you purchased phones at full retail. We aren't sure if Verizon is being extra kind this month, if they are temporarily allowing upgrades as they did pre-Share Everything, or if this is some sort of an error in their system. AT&T announced their shared data plans this week and even announced that customers will be able to keep their existing unlimited plans with upgrades for the foreseeable future. Maybe Verizon wants to align themselves with that?
Though you might not know it from looking at me now, I've always struggled with weight. In the summer between high school and college, I topped out at 225 pounds, which with a 6'0″ frame put me square in the "Morbidly Obese" category. I justified my increasing weight and waistline by my athletic physique; after all, I played a multitude of sports in high school, but I was more of a David Ortiz than a Jose Bautista (a chubby guy who could hit home runs instead of a lean, mean, fighting machine).
My transition started that fall. I had chosen a college close to home, mostly due to the fact that my mother was seriously ill and I wanted to be close to her in case she needed extra care. She ended up passing away over the summer, leaving me at a school I didn't really want to attend, with classes so easy I had significant amounts of free time. Sure, I partied a lot–San Diego State is a party school, after all–but I also hit the gym. 6 days per week. 2 hours per day. Over about 12 months and with no small amount of sweat, blood, and pain, I had dropped to a lean 165, and fell in love with my body.
Of course, the working world has a way of letting the pounds add up. In the fall of 2011, I was back up at 195-200, a full 30-35 pounds heavier than at my ideal weight. Problems were adding up; asthma made a reappearance, allergy issues I hadn't faced in years reared their ugly heads once more, and I felt like a lug. I knew
Football and basketball season are over, but baseball is starting to heat up as we enter the second half of the year. Now is the time to head to the ball park, but make sure you check out StubHub before you purchase your next ticket. The service offers an online marketplace for tickets and their Android app allows you to purchase tickets at a moments notice.
Last year I was working in San Francisco across the street from AT&T Park and I quickly became a Giants fan. They had just won the World Series so most of their series sold out, but I still caught a lot of games by getting tickets on StubHub. AT&T Park is a beautiful stadium and it was nice to be able to enjoy the games from the seat I chose. The infield and upper deck provided amazing views, but I had the most fun sitting in the center field
Though only a .1 release, Jelly Bean feels like a major upgrade to the Android platform. Project Butter makes the operating system feel smooth and fluid, addressing one of the bigger criticism of Androids past. When the 4.1 OS was unveiled at Google's I/O developer conference, Google told us that the Nexus devices would receive the update in mid-July.
Good news for those of you who own a GSM Nexus S (either I9020T or I9023)
Just over a year ago, Verizon did not have a single phone that was able to utilize a data connection while on a call with a 3G signal. We call this simultaneous voice/data, something that the HTC Thunderbolt was the first to take advantage of. As of today, we know that the Rezound is capable of this as well, and would assume the new Incredible 4G can too, but what about the Galaxy S3? Can the hottest Android phone on the planet browse the web while you sit through an hour long conference call in the middle of no where? It appears as if it can.
This morning, using our 4G LTE off trick, I placed a call over 3G and was able to jump right onto the Droid Life site without a hiccup. Since the phone uses a Qualcomm chipset, which we would assume includes one of their modems, this shouldn't come as a complete surprise. Qualcomm also produced the modems in those HTC devices that we named previously.
While Verizon's 4G LTE blanket over this country grows by the day, at least you know that in 3G-only areas, you will have a trick up your sleeve.
Cheers Michael!
As we all patiently await the delivery of our Nexus 7 tablets from Google and ASUS, what better way to kill the time than by watching a Nexus 7 unboxing montage. The following video is making its way around the internets at the moment, and it's frankly hilarious to watch. We're having a good old time watching folks struggle to get the Nexus 7 out of a tightly-packaged box, and we thought you might enjoy it as well.
Anyone out there gotten their hands on the Nexus 7 yet? Let us know how you're enjoying it by leaving a comment below.
Is this the best damn video you'll watch today? Probably.
Good news, everyone. Those of you who preordered the Nexus 7 tablet from the Google Play Store should be receiving shipping notices over the next few days. Google runs an automated message on their Play Store customer service line, and today the message changed over to announce that the tablets will be shipped out to customers today,
XBMC is a widely popular media center that is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows users. The good news for Android device owners is that it will soon be made
We just heard back from Verizon, and they said that there will
The Samsung Galaxy S III released on all major U.S. networks to much fanfare. It's not uncommon to hear the Galaxy S III referred to as the pinnacle of Android smartphones, and with good reason. With the latest internal components, amazing external aesthetics and a killer screen, the Galaxy S III has everything the Android user needs and longs for in a smartphone. But will it be the de facto Android smartphone for 2012? Read on to find out.
We'll note before starting this review that we occasionally do joint-reviews of devices here at Android and Me, and Sean Riley contributed to this review.
If you're looking for a phone that breaks the Galaxy S mold, you aren't going to find it here. While Samsung finally stood up to carriers and ensured that customers received the same physical device regardless of carrier, the Galaxy S III still feels like a big slab of plastic with a screen. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and the device is super light as a result, yet still feels well-built and solid in the hand.
The Galaxy S III features a power button on the right side of the device, microUSB port on the bottom, volume rocker on the left side, and a 3.5 mm headset jack on the top. On the back of the device you'll find the camera, with an LED flash and speaker grill on the left and right sides of the camera, respectively. The Galaxy S III comes in two finishes, Marble White (reviewed) and Pebble Blue. The Marble White is a nice finish on the phone, and presents a refreshing change to the customary black slabs in the wild. The Pebble Blue looked equally good in the brief moments I had with that variant of the device, a good choice for those of you who prefer darker phones.
After having my hands on the AT&T HTC One X and the Sprint EVO 4G LTE, I can honestly say that I prefer the form factor of the Galaxy S III, and I think many of you will as well.
When it comes to the software on the Galaxy S III, Samsung has included Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich complete with their customary TouchWiz UI. This isn't your familiar old TouchWiz; Samsung has pulled an HTC and toned down the UI a bit in order to give the Galaxy S III a slick look and feel. As with Sense 4.0, Touchwiz for Android 4.0 is a pleasant to use UI, the skinned applications actually work well and are in some ways better than the stock version in Android 4.0.
One of the better additions to Touchwiz 5 is the revamped lock screen that brings the same ability to launch four customary applications directly from the lock screen found in HTC's Sense UI. Most people primarily use only a handful of applications very often; for example, I use Phone, Tweakdeck, Facebook, and the Camera, and set those to the lock screen for quick access.
Samsung differentiates its UI by some of the included applications, one example is S Memo, which allows you to draw on pieces of paper or over screenshots you take from your device, helpful when you want to send something to someone with commentary. Perhaps the most notable added feature on the Galaxy S III though is the Siri-competitor S Voice, which allows you command your phone to perform certain tasks or search for things using only your voice. In our testing, both the S Memo and S Voice performed very well, though I must admit that the latter isn't quite up to Siri par here. We're hoping that Samsung and Google could work together to leverage Google Now and S Voice to come up with an unparalleled personal assistant.
In all, Samsung's Touchwiz UI remains slightly more polished and user-friendly than HTC Sense, and in my humble opinion at least retains its position as the preferred custom UI on Android smartphones.
One of the biggest gripes users have with smartphones is the long-term usability, or longevity, of the device. Many people voice concerns that their device won't get the latest and greatest operating system when it's released to other, newer devices, and that manufacturers are slow to resolve bugs and hiccups that come with the device.
Samsung has made the Galaxy S III at least partially future-proof. The Galaxy S III includes 2GB of RAM, which makes for an insanely fluid user experience and ensures that the device will get upgrades for at least the next few years, or the life of your cellular contract. Additionally, forcing carriers to adopt the same device with only a bit of bloatware added will likely result in quicker upgrades, meaning it shouldn't be 6 or more months after an Android version is released for the S III to get the update.
Regardless, the Galaxy S III is a powerful device with top of the line components that will leave customers pleased with their devices for the two years they'll likely own it. That's still pretty much a rarity in Android smartphones these days, as most devices are much less pleasant to use after a year or so.
Many were disappointed to hear that the U.S. Galaxy S III would not be getting the quad-core processor that is offered internationally, but I assure you that the dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor running at 1.5 GHz will change your mind almost immediately. I've never seen Android 4.0 run as smoothly as it does on the Galaxy S III. Transitions never seemed to stutter and apps launched instantly. Gaming was no different, I couldn't find a title in my library that the Galaxy S III wasn't able to keep up with. Now as noted in the previous section the 2GB of RAM no doubt has its hands in some of this performance, but regardless of how it is being achieved the point is that the hardware in the Galaxy S III will not disappoint.
It's worth noting that the Galaxy S III also features NFC, which Samsung is leveraging for their S Beam functionality that allows you to quickly and easily share content between devices.
Call quality is almost an afterthought for most people at this point; we simply expect that our devices will perform well as phones, which is and will continue to be their primary functionality. I'm happy to report that the call quality on the Galaxy S III was up to par. Both the in-ear and speakerphone produced clear phone calls, and parties on the other end of the phone reported being able to hear me just fine as well.
The display was another somewhat contentious point for the Galaxy S III as the wailing and gnashing of teeth over the PenTile
