Nexus 7 Now in 32GB and 3G Flavors Too

Nexus 4 from LG was not the only new device that Google unveiled on Monday when making the new Android 4.2 operating system flavor official.

The company also announced that Nexus 7, the first tablet PC to have been added to the popular Nexus lineup, will become available in a new, high-end capacity version, namely 32GB.

The new device model has been long rumored to arrive on shelves before the end of this year, and it does not come as a surprise that Google finally made it official.

The interna l memory bump was the only change that Google and ASUS, the manufacturing partner for the tablet, made to the device.

“Nexus 7 brings you the best of Google–YouTube, Chrome, Gmail, Maps–and all the great content from Google Play in a slim, portable package that fits perfectly in your hand,” Google explains.

Following the launch of the 32GB variant, the 16GB Nexus 7 model dropped to $199 (€154), just as previously rumored. The new iteration of the tablet PC was announced with a $249 (€193) price tag next to it.

Additionally, a 3G-enabled variant of the 7-inch tablet PC will hit shelves in the coming weeks, with 32GB of internal memory packed inside, Google announced.

This Nexus 7 variant will pack support for HSPA+ mobile connectivity, and will offer support for the networks of over 200 GSM operators around the world.

“But we also wanted to make this highly portable tablet even more mobile. So we added HSPA+ mobile data. Nexus 7 is now also available with 32GB and HSPA+ mobile ($299), which can operate on more than 200 GSM providers worldwide, including AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S,” Google said.

The Wi-Fi-only flavor of the 7-inch tablet PC will be available for purchase beginning with November 13 in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan. Retailers such as Gamestop, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and Walmart will also pick it up.

The new Nexus 7 with 32GB and mobile data will be available for purchase starting with November 13 via the Google Play store in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada, priced at $299 (€230) and unlocked.

Via: Nexus 7 Now in 32GB and 3G Flavors Too

Chrome Remote Desktop Is Out of Beta, Adds Real Time Audio on Windows

Chrome Remote Desktop, the feature Google's been working on for quite some time now, is finally out of beta. The tool, as the name suggests, allows you to remotely connect to a computer via Chrome.

Remote desktop software is not exactly rare, but Google's approach has one big advantage, Chrome is already there on most devices.

If something happens to your dad's computer and you need to fix it, it's easier to just use the feature in Chrome rather than explain to him how to install and confi gure a remote desktop app or even use the built-in feature in Windows, Mac OS X or Linux.

"From adjusting printer settings on your mom’s computer to finding a lost file on your dad’s laptop, Chrome Remote Desktop has made you the family hero by helping you remotely access other computers -- including your own -- via Chrome," Google explained.

Along with taking the feature out of beta, which means it should be ready to use by most people in most situations, Google is adding a couple of new features as well.

"New features include the addition of a real time audio feed (on Windows). This can be handy if you want to listen to that MP3 music collection you have stored on a computer at home. Now you can also copy-and-paste between your local and remote computers," Google explained.

Chrome Remote Desktop is available in Chrome on any platform, but is especially useful on Chromebooks, as it's the only way to connec t remotely to these devices.

Still, the entire process is not as seamless as it could be, you have to grab the Chrome Remote Desktop app from the Web Store. But that's all there is to it, after that, using it is as simple as something like TeamViewer.

The big advantage is that it's entirely cross-platform, though there are a few differences in the things that work across operating systems, like the real-time audio.

Via: Chrome Remote Desktop Is Out of Beta, Adds Real Time Audio on Windows

Capcom and Sony Fix Street Fighter x Tekken for Vita DLC Problems

The development team at Capcom working on Street Fighter x Tekken and the Sony team in charge of the PlayStation Vita handheld have announced that they have found a way of solving the problems that the game has had with downloadable content.

A rather complex post on the official Capcom Unity blog details how each player can check his/her own situation and then take steps to get access to the content that has not been yet delivered.

All those who have redeemed their DLC after October 24 at 4 PM Pacific Standard Time should have access to the new characters and costumes that they have been promised, and for the rest of the player base Sony and Capcom promise full access on November 6.

Those who don’t find a solution in the Unity blog post are invited to contact Capcom directly.

Street Fighter x Tekken for Vita includes 12 new characters for players t o try out.

Via: Capcom and Sony Fix Street Fighter x Tekken for Vita DLC Problems

Google's Hurricane Sandy Crisis Map Provides Crucial Information

Hurricane Sandy hit the US eastern shore earlier and, while the worst is behind, the damage has been extensive. Already, estimates put it at the costliest natural disaster in US history. During these situations, information is the most valuable resource.

These days most people turn to the internet for information and Google's Crisis Response team put together the Hurricane Sandy map.

The map shows the current location of the hurricane, which has now been demoted to a post-tropical cyclone though this only means it no longer looks and acts like a hurricane, the winds haven't died down much.

The predicted path of the storm is also displayed. More importantly, the map also displays information like flood warnings, shelter locations and so on.

After the storm hit, power outage notifications were added as well. With many regions left without power , this is crucial information.

All of this works on mobile devices as well, which is especially useful precisely in the regions left without power.

Via: Google's Hurricane Sandy Crisis Map Provides Crucial Information

Scott Forstall Is Leaving Apple

Apple has announced some major changes within its executive ranks, including the upcoming departure of Scott Forstall, the company’s current senior vice president of iPhone Software. John Browett, Apple’s newly-appointed head of retail, is also packing his desk.

The Cupertino company has posted a press release to announce “Changes to Increase Collaboration Across Hardware, Software & Services.” However, some important tidbits are mentioned further below the headline and the subtitle.

One of those tidbits is the fact that “Scott Forstall will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim.”

Another, mentioned only at the end of the announcement, “John Browett is leaving Apple. A search for a new head of Retail is underway and in the interim, the Retail team will report directly to Tim Cook.”

Reporting directly to the CEO, Forstall leads a team that has been directly responsible for delivering the software found at the heart of Apple’s entire iDevice lineup, including iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

This includes the user interface, applications, frameworks and the operating system itself. All of these responsibilities will be shifted to Jonathan Ive, Apple said.

“Ive will provide leadership and direction for Human Interface (HI) across the company in addition to his role as the leader of Industrial Design,” according to the press release.

Forstall joined Apple in 1997. He is touted as one of the original architects of Mac OS X and its Aqua user interface. Some say he was also next in line for the CEO role. Needless to point out, Apple is losing a key figure next year.

John Browett, currently Apple's senior vice president of retail, also reports to CEO Tim Cook. He serves on the company's executive team and oversees Apple' ;s retail strategy and the continued effort to expand Apple retail over the globe.

He joined Apple in April 2012 from European technology retailer Dixons Retail.

Via: Scott Forstall Is Leaving Apple

Lil Wayne Scolded by Judge for Acting Unreasonably, Childish

After suffering at least one (but reportedly two) seizure in mid-flight and being rushed to the hospital, Lil Wayne reassured fans that he was doing ok at home. As it turns out, he’s not ok enough to appear in court in an ongoing lawsuit.

As we also informed you several times in previous articles, Lil Wayne is duking it out in court with Quincy Jones III and a documentary he shot about the rapper recording his latest album.

Though he initially agreed to allow cameras to follow him arou nd as he worked on “Tha Carter III,” the rapper is now saying the film is painting him in the wrong light, while also making unauthorized use of his music.

TMZ reports that Lil Wayne has already informed the judge that he won’t be showing up in court because of his condition.

Instead, the jury will see and hear his deposition tape, which will be played in court – the same deposition that went viral in September.

The judge was not amused by it, the e-zine says.

“Lil Wayne will not appear at his trial after suffering several seizure-like episodes, and the only Wayne the jury will see is his video deposition – a depo which the judge said shows he acted like an irresponsible little child,” TMZ writes.

His exact words were that Lil Wayne displayed “unreasonable conduct in the deposition” and “irresponsible behavior.”

“Wayne's lawyer told the judge he will play Wayne's deposition tapes for the jury, but there will be NO Wayne in person. But that's a huge problem because the tapes show Wayne acting like a child, giving glib one liners and refusing to answer questions,” TMZ further says.

Whether the rapper actually thinks he stands a chance of winning the lawsuit with the hilarious deposition is unknown, but we assume that’s the case since he gave precise instructions to his attorney in this sense.

Via: Lil Wayne Scolded by Judge for Acting Unreasonably, Childish

Samsung Delays Android 4.0 ICS Updates for Telstra Galaxy S II 4G and Galaxy Tab 8.9

Samsung Galaxy S II 4G has yet to receive the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade at Telstra. The Australian carrier announced a few weeks ago Samsung confirmed the update would be rolled out to all Galaxy S II 4G devices pretty soon.

One month after the official announcement, the Australian carrier is back with more info on the upcoming release of the long-awaited update.

Unfortunately, Galaxy S II 4G owners will be disappointed to find out Telstra has just announced the Android 4.0 ICS update has been delayed once again.

It appears that the main cause for this delay is the South Korean handset manufacturer, which is required to update some of Google’s components of the software in order to meet the search giant’s certification.

“According to Samsung (for all three devices), the current delay is due to the requirement for a mandatory update of the Google components of the software to meet Google certification requirements,” sounds Telstra’s announcement posted on the official forum.

The same goes for Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 owners who were waiting for the Ice Cream Sandwich update to arrive on their tablets. The manufacturer had to delay the rollout of the upgrade for the same reasons.

Telstra confirmed that it was working with Samsung to understand the issues that prevented the latter to deliver the updates as promised.

“We are working with S amsung to further understand the details of why there have been such extensive delays with these updates in the hope we can prevent such occurrences from happening again. In short, we agree that timeliness of these updates is simply not good enough.”

There’s nothing much for Galaxy S II 4G and Galaxy Tab 8.9 owners to do than wait until Telstra comes forward with further details on the Ice Cream Sandwich update: “when we receive the software submissions we will do as much as possible to expedite the test process in order to get the update out as soon as possible.”

Via: Samsung Delays Android 4.0 ICS Updates for Telstra Galaxy S II 4G and Galaxy Tab 8.9