GameStop plans to sell Nexus 7, starts taking Android tablet trade-ins

Google's Andy Rubin suggested the Nexus 7 would reach third-party US stores eventually -- we just didn't think it would be this quickly. GameStop says it's taking pre-orders for the 16GB version of the Android 4.1 tablet starting today. At $249, it will cost exactly what it does in its currently exclusive Google Play home; in other words, one of the parties involved could be taking a voluntary hit on the already razor-thin profit margins. The 7-inch slate should be arriving roughly at the same mid-July timeframe as it is for those ordering straight from the Google source.

It wouldn't be GameStop if there weren't trade-ins involved, and sure enough, the game retailer is using the Nexus 7 as the lure. Confirming an earlier leak, the chain is now accepting Android tablet trade-ins worth up to $200 in cash (or $250 in store credit) depending on how pristine the hardware is coming into the store. Play your cards right, and you're very nearly getting the Google-blessed tablet for free. As an extra incentive, any gear whose exchange goes directly towards buying the Nexus 7 will get a 30 percent boost in value. Knowing the buzz surrounding the price-to-performance ratio of the ASUS-made Nexus, we won't be surprised if GameStop suddenly faces a glut of older Android tablets in its backrooms.

Android PC gets wrapped in maple, hits that premium sweet spot

If you feel that a typical barebones Android PC really won't do alongside your chaise longue and stack of hardback first editions, you may be interested in Jeffrey Stephenson's latest case mod. Underneath the birds eye maple, acrylic panelling and mesh, the Acero houses VIA's humble $49 Neo-ITX-based system card, running an iteration of Android 2.3 ready for mouse and keyboard add-ons. Up to 720p graphics is possible, which can be output through its VGA or HDMI ports and although that 800MHz processor may not be up to delivering the greatest gaming thrills, we've already got our joystick picked out.

Analyst: Relax Apple, The Nexus 7 is Just Another Android Tablet

Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White says Apple’s iPad is in little danger of losing its spot atop the tablet market to Google’s new Nexus 7. He says it’s “just another Android-based tablet.”

AppleInsider:

As expected, Google unveiled its $199 Nexus 7 tablet, the result of a partnership with Asus, on Wednesday at its Google I/O developer conference. The device, which features a quad-core CPU by Nvidia and a 1,280-by-800-pixel display, will go on sale in July.

Lamborghini joins the luxury Android market with its new smartphones, made of gold and crocodile skin

Those that can afford it find ways to stand out from the crowd. Many of us can purchase the best smartphones in the market, but can we pocket out $2,750 for a phone made of gold and crocodile skin? Lamborghini is sure that some of you can and has decided to manufacture luxurious Android smartphones and tablets running at that price-point.

These devices are the Lamborghini TL700 (smartphone) and the Lamborghini L2800 (tablet). And just like its competition (Tag Heuer being the most popular), the specs of the device are not even close to being considered high-end.

Korean LG Optimus LTE now getting Android 4.0, is the LG Nitro HD next?

Like most manufacturers, LG is being especially careful about updating its devices to Android 4.0. Ice Cream Sandwich is a significant update, and we sure want our devices to work properly. And like most devices out there, the majority of LG’s devices are still stuck on Gingerbread or Froyo. Well, the ice creamy update has just started rolling out for the LG Optimus LTE… in Korea.

NTT DoCoMo launches free Concier mail translation app for Android devices

By Jason Hidalgo posted Jun 3rd 2012 1:34AM

Not content to simply dabble in double-sided transparent touchscreens, Japanese mobile provider NTT DoCoMo continues its efforts to break the language barrier -- this time with a new Android app. "Mail Honyaku Concier" (honyaku means "translation" in Nihongo, while that last word is a play on "concierge") is a free app that lets users translate text into different languages. The software is compatible with smartphones and tablets sporting Android 2.2 or higher and accepts both keyboard and voice input for text. As part of its translation, the app sends a copy of the source material in its original language -- you know, just in case the thing does a Sheldon Cooper and coughs up "Oxen are in my bed." In addition to working with NTT DoCoMo's "sp Mode Mail" service, the software also plays nice with other apps. Languages supported so far are Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. No word on whether "Engrish" will be added to that list as well.

ICS continues its glacial rise up the Android Distribution chart

Let’s kick off the weekend with a wee bit of good news, shall we? Google has updated the Android distribution chart, and ICS is now on 7.1% of all devices (up from 4.9% previously). Gingerbread continues its dominance at over 65%.

Force Android 4.0.4 OTA on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus – No more waiting or hacking necessary

The Android 4.0.4 update for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus has taken too long to get here. I don’t know about you, guys, but I am too tired of waiting. And if you feel like me and haven’t gotten your OTA update yet, you will want to try this little technique.

Google: Ice Cream Sandwich now accounts for 7.1 percent of Android user base

Well, it's about time that Ice Cream Sandwich made some headway -- even if the process is much slower than consumers deserve. According to the Android developer hub, Android 4.0 now accounts for 7.1 percent of all Android smartphone and tablet installations, which is a sharp and welcome increase over the 2.9 percent figure that we reported just two months ago. Naturally, Gingerbread users still account for the lion's share of the Android ecosystem with 65 percent, but it's worth pointing out that this segment also grew during the last month -- no doubt at the expense of Froyo and Eclair. Don't know about you, but we like our desserts fresh, thank you very much. Go ahead and hop the break to see the full breakdown.