Operation Android | Information on Google Android

Google CEO Talks About Getting Along with Apple and Integrating Motorola

In his second big print interview since becoming Google CEO, Larry Page talked to Forbes about his plans to integrate Motorola, gambling on Google Plus and his relationship with Apple.

When asked about the possibility of a Motorola Nexus device, Page said Google had not owned the company long enough to consider making one. Page explained Google's focus is to "get amazing products into users' hands in the most cost-effective, highest quality way possible".

"Part of the reason why we've done Nexus devices in the past is that we want to build an amazing device that kind of showcases what's possible on Android, gives a way for the programmers to get early builds, does a whole bunch of things that are important. Exactly what we do, which devices we do, what the timing is, how we release the software with them, all those things have been changing."

Page also talked about the future of advertising on mobile devices and his thoughts on Google Plus.

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Kindle Fire HD 7" Software Update Version 7.2.2 Brings Camera App and Kindle FreeTime Unlimited

Amazon has released a free software update for the Kindle Fire HD 7". Version 7.2.2 brings a new app for the front-facing camera and Swype (more info below). The update also allows parents to sign up for Amazon's new Kindle FreeTime Unlimited.

Kindle FreeTime Unlimited gives parents and children (ages 3-8) unlimited access to thousands of kid friendly books, games, educational apps, movies and TV shows. Basically, parents can pay a monthly subscription instead of taking chances on downloading unknown apps and entertainment they're not sure their children will enjoy.

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ARCHOS Announces Android 4.1 GamePad Now Shipping

ARCHOS has announced its "first true Android game console" is now shipping in the UK. The ARCHOS GamePad features Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and full access to Google Play and Google Mobile Services. It is powered by a 1.6GHz dual-core processor and Mali 400mp quad-core GPU, and sports a 1,024 x 600 resolution touchpanel, physical control buttons and analog sticks, while managing to measure in at only 0.3-inches thick.

The Google certified tablet also features 8GB of internal memory with a microSD slot for up to 64GB of additional space, a mini-HDMI port to connect the GamePad to your TV, access to 700,000 apps and games and DRM support for downloading books, magazines, music, movies and TV shows.

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Google Nexus 4 to Start Shipping This Week

Some lucky Nexus 4 buyers have received emails from Google informing them that their device will begin shipping sometime this week.

The Nexus 4 smartphone sold out in minutes after its release, and those lucky enough to have placed an order were told by Google that the handset would being shipping "within three weeks". However, some Engadget readers have reported Google has informed them they will begin to receive tracking details for their orders in a few days. This is good news for those who ordered a Nexus 4, or for those who are still waiting to place an order for the sold out device.

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Google Pulls Nexus 4 'Notify Me' Option, Track it Anyway

It was way, way back -- sometime earlier today -- when we reported on a helpful new shopping app named whohas.it, due to be released for Android users later this month. Less than 8 hours later, we're reporting on the whohas.it service once again, but this time in regards to Google's much sought after Nexus 4, which sold out in less than an hour yesterday.

Sometime post-sell out, Google pulled its previously available "Notify Me" functionality, which was supposed to notify users when the Nexus 4 was available for purchase. Unfortunately, it was widely reported today that most (if not all) users that signed up to be notified failed to receive any notice at all regarding the Nexus 4's availability, before or after the Nexus 4's rapid sell out.

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Google Nexus 4

Helpful, Must-Have Shopping App Coming Soon to Android

Personal shopping assistant whohas.it, which debuted in October on the Apple App Store, is coming soon to Android according to its developers. whohas.it is a new online service that helps weary shoppers locate out of stock, pre-release and otherwise hard to find items by monitoring the availability of those items through online retailers. When these items return to stock or become available for pre-ordering, whohas.it sends mobile, email or desktop alerts to its users.

Both the whohas.it web site and iPhone/iPad app have simple, easy to use interfaces. Simply "follow" a product (ala Facebook "Likes" or Twitter follows) if you'd like to keep tabs on it, set your alert preferences and let whohas.it do the rest.

"Stocks are already beginning to shrink or disappear for some of this year's hottest holiday gifts," said a company spokesperson. "Using whohas.it, shoppers can ease the burden of holiday shopping by freeing up all that time that would be otherwise spent driving from store to store or endlessly searching the web for the products they want."

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whohas.it

Google Rolls Out New Nexus Lineup, Nexus 4 Sells Out Quickly

Google is now accepting orders for its new lineup of Nexus devices. The 8GB Nexus 7 retails for $299 and the 16GB model is $349. However, both versions of the smartphone have already sold out and are currently unavailable. The 32GB Nexus 7 adds mobile data to the equation and retails for $299. The Nexus 10 is available in a 16GB Wi-F- model for $399, and a 32GB Wi-Fi model for $499.

The Google Nexus 7 features Google's superior Voice Search, a 4.7-inch 1,280 x 768 display, NFC (Android Beam) capabilities, wireless charging, 2GB RAM, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, and Android 4.2.

The Nexus 10 ships with a 2,560 x 1,600 display with 300 ppi, a powerful 9,000mAh lithium polymer battery for up to nine hours of continuous video playback, a dual-core, Cortex A15-based 1.7 GHz Samsung Exynos 5250 CPU, and NFC (Android Beam) radios.

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Archos Announces 80 Cobalt Tablet

Archos quietly announced the 80 Cobalt tablet on Facebook. The WiFi-only slate is powered by a 1.6 GHz dual core processor, and Android 4.1 Ice Cream Sandwich. It features an 8-inch capacitive screen with 1024 x 768 resolution, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal flash memory, a microSD slot for up to 64GB of expandable storage, and 2-megapixel and 0.3-megapixel cameras. The tablet is only 2 mm (0.48’’) thick and weighs only 470 g (16.5 oz). There's no word on pricing or availability.

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Hurricane Sandy Can't Stop Google Nexus 10 Announcement

Google may have canceled a planned New York City event due to Hurricane Sandy, but that didn't stop the search engine giant from announcing a new unlocked 32GB Nexus 7 with HSPA+ mobile data and the Nexus 10. The device features a 2,560 x 1,600 display with 300 ppi, and a powerful 9,000mAh lithium polymer battery that is capable of nine hours of continuous video playback. There is a 16GB model for $399 and 32GB model for $499. Both versions are powered by a dual-core, Cortex A15-based 1.7 GHz Samsung Exynos 5250 CPU, and sport a Mali T604 GPU, stereo speakers, 2GB of RAM, NFC, 802.11 b/g/n (MIMO + HT40) WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, with front-and rear NFC (aka Android Beam) radios.

The Nexus 10 is equipped with a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 1.9-megapixel forward-facing camera, and multi-user support for saving individual game scores and other important personal data. The Google Nexus 10 will be available November 13th on Google Play in the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan. Check out the full press release and commercial after the jump.

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Sprint First to Rollout Jelly Bean to Samsung Galaxy S III

Sprint is the first U.S. carrier to rollout an Android 4.1, Jelly Bean update for the Samsung Galaxy S III. The update delivers enhanced TouchWiz features, Google Now, expandable-actionable notifications and Android Beam. The update also brings some camera enhancements including Low Light Photo Mode and Easy Mode.

Samsung Galaxy S III users can expect to start receiving the OTA update starting as early as today. Large OTA updates are known to take some time, so it's likely not every Sprint customer will receive the update right away. The full press release and changelog is available after the jump.

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