technology
Android 4.2.2 prevents Nexus 4 from using LTE
Reviewers were shocked when Google's flagship Nexus 4 was released without LTE support. How could a flagship phone come without LTE? Creative users figured out a way to "trick" the phone into switching on its unsupported but built in LTE chipset (worked only on AWS band 4 LTE). Well now we learn that Google's latest Android update (4.2.2) kills the workaround that thousands have been exploiting to enjoy faster LTE speeds. With the update installed, any attempts to choose LTE as the network tech is met with an automatic switchback to WCDMA preferred.
Videotron drops Google Nexus 4 price to $99 on contract
IT's great to see carriers competing on price for a change. Quebec centric Videotron had originally prices the Nexus 4 for $149.95 on contract and $499.95 without a contract. They have now dropped the contract price by $50 to $99.95. This makes them one of the loowest cost Nexus 4 carriers in Canada right now.
Nike Fuelband app not coming to Android
We are seeing an explosion of "self monitoring and measurement" gizmos. The Nike Fuelband was one such product that won the hearts and minds of many. Those on IOS have been enjoying the Fuelband IOS app for some time. It allows Nike Fuelband users to monitor progress, see achievements and share their performance with others. Nike has now confirmed that it will NOT be releasing an Android app anytime soon: @mkoyerp Right now, we're focused on iOS and web. We're not working on an Android App.
How to get the Android 4.2.2 on your Nexus device now
Update 4.2.2 has been slowly rolling out Over The Air to devices but many people haven't received it yet. IF you want to force your device to download it, do the following: Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Find Google Services Framework App Tap on Force Stop Select Clear Data. Go to Settings -> About Tablet -> System Update My device wasn't receiving the update until I performed this little work around.
Turn off app notifications in Android
After a while, there will certainly be app notifications you never want to see again. Google has made this change very easy. Open Settings, then find Apps. Here you will see a list of all of the apps that are installed. Click on the app you want to make the change to and uncheck the Show Notifications checkbox. The app will no longer bother you.
Use voice search on your Android
IF you own an Android with Google Now enabled then this is a neat trick for you. Start Google Now (swipe from the bottom bezel to the middle of the screen on most devices). When the Google Now screen appears say "Google" followed by your query. Google Now will give you your answer. To use a second time in a row, you will have to click on the little microphone next to the search box.
Fido to offer US roaming package for $7.99
Sometime this spring, Fido will launch a new US roaming add-on for its Canadian customers. For $7.99, you will get 50MB of US data roaming for a 24 hour window. Activation of the pack will be automatic as soon as you use data in the US. If you pass the 50MB limit, they will charge another $7.99 for each 50MB used (rounded up). @ekiledjian Coming this spring, Fido will offer customers a $7.99 pay-per-use roaming rate that gives customers access to 50MB of.
Fido changing their smartphone unlocking policy
I am happy to hear that Fido is following in its parents footsteps (Rogers) and will be allowing customers to unlock their Fido devices for $50 after 90 days of use (as long as the account is in good standing). @ekiledjian As of March 2013, customers with a minimum account tenure of 90 days will now be eligible to unlock their wireless devices. ^nk — Fido Solutions (@FidoSolutions) February 13, 2013 Related article: Rogers Finally Adopting A Logical Device Unlocking Model
Make Google Maps data available offline on Android
Unfortunately the Make Offline option isn't yet implemented in the iPhone version so this tip currently applies to Android phones. and tablets. Go to Google Maps and browse the area you would like to make available offline. 1 - Navigate to the area you would like available offline 2 - Click on the menu button (three little dots) and choose Make available offline 3 - If you choose an are that is too small or too big, you might get an error message.
Is this the HTC One (formerly M7)?
@evleaks twitted a picture it claims is the upcoming HTC (formerly called M7) HTC One, 2013 twitter.com/evleaks/status… — @evleaks (@evleaks) February 11, 2013 The HTC One will be the outfit's flagship phone ushering in a new era of properity for the once mighty manufacturer (or so the sotry goes). This image seems to merge the various rumors we have heard over the last couple fo weeks and with the Feb 19 launch, we won't have to wait long for confirmation.
How To Take A Screenshot On iPhone
In my previous article, I explained why and how to take screenshots on an android device. Now we look at how to do this on an IOS device (iphone, iPad or iPad mini). Go to the app to screen you want to save Press the Home button and power button at the same time The screen will go completely white for a fraction of a second and you'll screen a camera snapshot sound Since the iphone does not expose its file system, you simply go to your Photos app and it will be listed as the last image there.
How to take a screenshot on Android
This is a feature I use once in a while to grab screenshots for my blog or to share with friends. On any Android device, hold down the volume down and Power buttons at the same time (for about half a second) and you will see a little graphic showing you a screenshot has been taken. At first you may have some difficulty finding the right wait time but eventually this will become second nature. Screenshots [on any Nexus device] are saved in:
How to check browser history in Safari for iPhone
Let's say you just browsed a bunch of pages on Safari for iPhone (IOS 6.0+) and then wanted to jump back to a previously browsed page. Sure you could retype the URL and navigate through the site or you could simply use this trick to see all the sites you browsed and chose which one to jump back to in2 clicks. Let's say I just browsed a bunch of sites and the last one I browsed was Google.ca. To see my browsing history, just click the back button and hold it for about a second.
How to check for OS updates on a Nexus 7
We are hearing rumors that some users of Nexus branded gear have started to received the 4.2.2 Android update. Some readers have asked how to check for OS updates on their Nexus 7 but it will be the same for Nexus 4s and Nexus 10s. 1 - Open Settings 2 - Click on About Tablet 3 - Click on System Updates 4 - Click on Check Now If an update was available, you would see it listed here, with the changelog and the option to download and install the update.
Rogers finally adopting a logical device unlocking model
Unlocking a mobile phone means you can use a SIM card from any provider in it. For the longest time, most Canadian carriers refused to unlock devices until your full contract term was up and then only for $50. By the time the device was eligible, it was likely obsolete and unlocking no longer makes sense. Their logic was that by allowing customers to unlock early, they would risk losing money when customers took these devices to other networks and refused to honour their contract.
Microsoft's Surface Pro now available in Canada and the US
If you have a $1000 burning a hole in your wallet and you love the clumsy interface of Windows 8 then your in luck. You can now waltz into most electronics resellers and pick up a shiny new Microsoft designed and built Surface Pro tablet running Windows 8. In addition to the tablet, you will want to pickup the type keyboard (forget the touch one) and maybe a mouse? I'm pretty sure demand won't overwhelm supply so feel free to stroll in at your convenience.
128GB Retina iPad now available for $799
How much storage do you really need on a tablet? If your answer is 128GB, your in luck. Apple has now released its 128GB Retina iPad (do we call it the new new ipad?) for $US799. You can add GPS and LTE for $929. I know many of you are meaning right now about the incredibly high cost but it is important to remember that this is the first tablet with this much internal storage. With all of the limitations imposed by Apple, who really needs this much space?
Blackberry 10 (BB10) to run Jelly Bean apps
Everyone knows that apps make the smartphone and Blackberry decided to include Android emulation in its OS to bolster the available apps on its platform. Sure the emulated apps don't match the look and feel of the new Blackberry 10 operating system but its better than not having that option. Blackberry has promised an improved Android experience on its devices by upgrading the runtime to version 4.1 (currently is is at the 2.3 level). This means more apps will be compatible, compatibility will improve across the board and shows that Blackberry is committed to this functionality (at least for now).
FIDO offers the Google Nexus 4 for $100
Every Android fan's dream device is now available at Fido (a Canadian mobile phone provide that belongs to Rogers) at an attractively low $100 on a 2 year deal. Shipping has started already and devices are first come first served. It is wonderful to see FIDO being price competitive. Wind mobile is offering it for $249-$549 (depending on the monthly plan). Videotron is offeing it as low as $149 on some plans. The phone was available on FIDO's website yesterday and seems to have been removed today.
HTC to launch new smartphone camera revolution
HTC is set to launch its new flagship phone, the M7, in the Big Apple on February 19th. Sure it has a fast quad-core 1.7GHZ processor and a nice 1080p display but it claims the real killer feature is its new camera that will boast an "ultrapixel" sensor. Is this a revolutionary new technology or marketing speak? Only time will tell but the rumors say it is a new camera model (for smartphones at least) where 3 4.