android 4.2

A relatively minor update for the Nexus line of devices, Android 4.2.2, was released last week by Google. The update, which included various performance improvements, also included a change to the behavior of the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi tiles in Quick Settings.

To access Quick Settings, you simply swipe down from the top of your screen with two fingers. You'll see various tiles, all allowing you to quickly access their respective settings screen. New in the 4.2.2 update is the ability to long-press on the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth icons, toggling the state of the service.

It'… Read more

With lock screen widgets having been introduced in Android 4.2, developers have been looking for ways to take advantage of the new feature in creative ways. Earlier this week a developer e-mailed me with an introduction to his app, Shipoopi, which allows Android users to add a shortcut to any app to the lock screen of a device.

Admittedly, the name of his app, Shipoopi, has nothing to do with what the app actual does, according to Jonathan Dharmaraj, the developer. The simple app, with a name inspired by a "Family Guy" episode (where Peter sings the … Read more

As Android tablet shipments surge, probably the best thing that can be said about Microsoft is that it's not going away.

Android tablet shipments totaled about 30 million in the fourth quarter, IDC reported today. And that number (total market) jumps to 50 million if you throw in Apple's iPad.

"There is no question that Microsoft is in this tablet race to compete for the long haul," an IDC analyst said today in a statement, trying to put Microsoft's tablet debut into perspective.

In fact, that's probably about as positive a statement that can … Read more

The Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus has begun receiving the Android 4.2 software update, according to various reports surfacing this week.

The 98MB file can be manually downloaded and installed, but the carrier has yet to make any formal announcements.

CNET has contacted Sprint for comment and will update the article with any response.

Sprint may have been months behind Verizon releasing the Galaxy Nexus, but the smaller carrier has been much more active in offering updates. The Verizon model, for its part, is still running Jelly Bean 4.1.1.

While this isn't the worst … Read more

There's plenty of reasons you might want to take a screenshot on your Nexus 4, be it showing off your home screen, troubleshooting an app, or demonstrating to a friend of family member how to complete a task on the device. Google has made it easy to not only take a screenshot on the Nexus 4, but to also share the most recent screenshot directly from your notification tray.

To take a screenshot on the Nexus 4, press and hold down the power and volume down buttons at the exact same time. After a few seconds you'll feel … Read more

T-Mobile USA's retail stores are set to carry the hard-to-find Nexus 4, according to TmoNews.

The Nexus 4, initially sold unlocked as well as with T-Mobile, had been hit with supply issues as consumers gravitated toward this latest marquee smartphone from Google.

The smartphone, made by LG, runs the latest version of Jelly Bean, or Android 4.2. It has proven to be popular with consumers, something LG badly needed to get itself back in the smartphone game. Its own flagship smartphone, the Optimus G, hasn't resonated as well despite carrier support from AT&T and Sprint … Read more

Android 4.2 is full of new features, some are fairly minor, such as the Settings shortcut in the notification bar. Other features, such an improved photo editing process, are bound to have a bigger impact on the overall user experience.

Here are five new features you can find in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, with the sixth item being a workaround should you decide against lock-screen widgets.

Developer Options Developer Options is an important settings menu for developers and those who like to fiddle with their Android device. For whatever reason in Android 4.2, Google hid the Developer … Read more

The Nexus 4 release has been anything but smooth. Google saw the launch day stock ordered up in just a few minutes. Then last week Google released some more inventory in the Play Store here in the U.S. and was met with more issues. The 8GB Nexus 4 started out at a 4-to-5-week ship time and eventually maxed out at 8-9 weeks before going back out of stock. The 16GB model is still available, although you'll be waiting 5-6 weeks for it to ship.

Google has been sporadically releasing more stock in other countries, such as the U.K. and Germany. … Read more

If you who own the LG Nexus 4 and Google Nexus 10 tablet, be on the lookout for a new Android 4.2.1 software update.

Multiple sources report that the minor 1.1MB update has begun rolling out to the two new "pure" Google devices.

So far, the JOP40D build's most major fix seems to address the December "event" bug. As some readers found, the previous 4.2 update prevented users from selecting any December dates for birthdays or anniversaries in the People application.

It's unclear whether the Nexus 7 or Galaxy Nexus … Read more