Archos G9 update rolling out – fixes HDMI and WiFi issues on ICS

Archos recently released Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich for the G9 series of their Android tablets. It has only been available for a short time but it looks like they are on top of things and have already started fixing some minor bugs. If you own an Archos G9 and recently updated to Android 4.0 ICS this latest firmware update today should solve some of those WiFi issues some have been reporting. More details and change-log after the break.

Their naming scheme is a bit confusing but the Archos G9′s are currently running on Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich, but the build from Archos rolling out today is 4.0.5 — not Ice Cream Sandwich, but that is the version of Archos’ own firmware. Apparently with ICS they’ve had a few issues with WiFi going extremely slow after being on for more than a few minutes. Some users have also reported no audio or audio issues with HDMI-out and streaming video or games. Archos has quickly fixed the problems and the update is available now for those interested.

As always the update should arrive over the air for the devices, but you can manually go to Archos.com and download the update yourself should you chose to take that route. For more information and the full change log head here to get started. We wish all manufacturers issued updates this fast, because Ice Cream Sandwich for the Archos tablets has only been available for a few weeks. If you’ve been having any of the above mentioned problems get the latest firmware and let us know in the comment section below how things go.

Gameloft plans bigger 2012, going for in-app purchases and social features for all 2012 games

Gameloft is one of few companies that qualifies as a top-tier game publisher in the Android realm, and it looks like they’ve got big plans for all of their upcoming games. Plans of a very specific nature: PocketGamer reports that Gameloft will be placing in-app purchases in every game it releases for the remainder of the year, on every platform, for both smartphones and tablets. The company made the announcement during its financial report, adding that all its upcoming games will also have social elements.

In-app purchases are basically the downloadable content (DLC) of the mobile world, and they’re a polarizing subject to be sure. Essentially operating on a “freemium” model, most games with in-app purchases are free, but require small payments to add new levels or get otherwise unobtainable items. Many games allow you to advance at an accelerated pace with purchases, such as exchanging small amounts of real money for in-game currency. Some of the most popular games on Android, iOS and Facebook operate in this manner and are extremely profitable. A good example from Gameloft’s stable is The Oregon Trail: Settler, now #36 in the list of the most popular free games on the Google Play Store.

Social additions are a mixed bag as well. Many games will connect to users’ Twitter or Facebook account to send out automatic updates on the players; progress and achievements are delivered to friends and followers (often with maddening frequency). Search Twitter for “achievement” and you’ll find millions of nearly identical auto-tweets from whatever games are trending at the moment.

For better or worse, Gameloft seems to be adopting the driving strategy of one of its biggest rivals, Zynga. Plenty of players and pundits don’t appreciate this move towards microtransactions, but there’s no arguing with the money it’s bringing in. Just a few of Gameloft’s upcoming titles are The Dark Knight Rises, Ice Age, The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man, My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop and Men in Black III. 

Sony Xperia S heading to Canada [unlocked]

Sony’s Xperia S made a splash a CES in January, but as with most high-profile phones, it took a while for Canadian carriers to get on the trolley. That trends may or may not continue, but it looks like either way Canadians will get a crack at the company’s new flagship. Earlier today MobileSyrup reported that Sony’s official Facebook page posted the new that the Xperia S was headed to Canadian carrier Rogers. Hours later the Facebook update had vanished, and Rogers contacted the blog to deny the news.

It looks like Sony will instead be selling the phone unlocked, as it does with most of its smartphones. “I can confirm that while this device will work on the Rogers network, we will not be selling it directly,” A Rogers representative told MobileSyrup. Sounds like an unlocked phone to me. That’s a shame for Canadians who want the high-end phone with a subsidy, since the unlocked version will surely be in the $500-600 range. On the plus side, it’ll mean that Canadians (and maybe even Americans!) will have easy access to a carrier-agnostic version of the Xperia S. There was no mention of a price or date on Sony’s Facebook page.

The S is the largest and most advanced phone that Sony’s produced to date, with a 4.3-inch 720p screen (an impressive 341 PPI) a dual-core 1.5Ghz processor, NFC capability with an included set of tags, and a jaw-dropping 12.1 megapixel camera. Unfortunately it’s running Android 2.3, but Sony has (say it with me, kids) promised an Ice Cream Sandwich update some time in the future. The phone has already made its way to the UK and greater Europe, and will be making it here to the US at AT&T’s Xperia Ion, minus the swanky transparent menu buttons. For a review of the British version, check out SlashGear for more info.

Google Play Store gets another update: more tabs and better review sorting

Google’s shift from the Android Market to the Play Store wasn’t merely a brand change; they have been making a lot of changes under the hood as well. On the back end it looks like the Play Store is gearing up for a significant expansion into media distribution, but even the Android app has seen several updates.

The latest on was leaked last night, and you impatient types can download it from the source link. It brings two sets of new features; when looking at the “My Apps” page you now get a tabbed experience, much like you have in other parts of the market. By swiping left or right you can switch between a My Apps page that breaks apps up into Update and Installed, or the new “All” page, which seems to show not only purchased apps, but also free apps that you installed at one time (or on a previous phone) but may not have installed presently.

This is a surprisingly helpful feature, if you’re anything like us and have hundreds of apps that you have used and/or tested. Trying to remember that one calendar widget you tried out last year that would look great on your new phablet? No problem, it’s listed in the All page.

The new Play Store app also improves the way you can sort reviews. It lets you sort reviews by either the most helpful or the most recent. It also lets you apply a filter so you see only the reviews for the latest version of an app, or only the reviews done by people with the same phone (or tablet) as you are using. Given that apps can behave quite differently between updates, or across the different hardware and software combinations used in the Android ecosystem, we find this to be a welcome set of improvements to the app discovery process.

Dude Perfect game!!! is it The Angry Birds playing Basketball

Remember the Youtube group called Dude Perfect that made all those awesome videos shooting some of the worlds most impossible basketball shots? We’ll they’ve scored again only this time for Android. Instead of watching their videos on the go, how about play the game. Just recently released is Dude Perfect, an Android game based on the real-life dudes and you can get in on the Basketball action for only $0.99 today.

 

This is essentially a fun and challenging game where users are set up against some near impossible basketball shots with hoops in weird spots, covered by boxes, clouds and planes in the way, and anything else you can think of. It reminds me of a mix between Angry Birds and Paper Toss only you are playing Basketball, and it’s loads of fun. Make your own trick shots today and check out the video preview.

 

 

 

What better way to get into the March Madness spirit than with a fun, challenging, and addicting basketball game for Android. With a physics based puzzle style, sports action, and awesome graphics this game looks very promising and is only $0.99 in the Google Play Store. Users can also choose an in-app purchase and get the level editor to create their own trick shots once they’ve managed to master all of them from the game. Sadly we already pay for the game, and shouldn’t have to pay for the editor too but why not support these guys — the game is sweet.

Good luck making some of the hardest trick shots on a mobile device with Dude Perfect. Hit the download link below and give it a try today. The game is compatible with almost every decently powered device including every tablet I’ve ever owned, so enjoy it and let us know what you think once you give it a try.

Dude Perfect Google Play Link

                               

Huawei unveils the Ascend D Quad, claiming it’s the world’s fastest smartphone

As Mobile World Congress prepares to open its doors in Barcelona tomorrow, Chinese manufacturer Huawei has unveiled what it claims is the world’s fastest smartphone – the Ascend D Quad.

With a K3V2 quad-core 1.2GHz/1.5GHz processor, this Android Ice Cream Sandwich-touting handset will certainly be no slouch.

In a 64mm x 8.9mm casing, it sports a 4.5-inch 720P HD display, Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound and Audience earSmart voice technology. Camera-wise, we’re looking at a pretty standard (for high-end Android devices) 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, plus 1080p full HD video-capture and playback.

Huawei claims that the 1800mAh battery will last “for one to two days with normal usage.” Experience of brochure battery life claims leads us to believe that when we see it, although the company claims that proprietary power management technology boosts battery life by up to 30%. The Ascend D Quad will be available in black and white models.

 

Huawei has also announced the Ascend D quad XL, with a 2500mAh battery for a supposed “two to three days of normal usage,” and the Ascend D1, with a 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU and 1670mAh battery.

The Ascend D quad series is set to launch in China, Australia, Europe, Asia-Pacific, North and South America, and the Middle East in Q2 2012. The Ascend D1 is set to launch in these markets in April 2012.

Meanwhile, The Verge has pictures of Huawei’s MediaPad 10 HD, an Android Ice Cream Sandwich tablet with a 1080p display and an 8-megapixel camera in a super-thin 8.8mm thick casing.

Keep up with all The Next Web’s Mobile World Congress coverage here.

Huawei Ascend D Quad