Facebook Messenger allows sign-ups with just a name and phone number on Android devices

Facebook Messenger might as well be as ubiquitous as SMS text messaging for some, but there's a catch to getting everyone to agree: despite there being over a billion Facebook users, not everyone is able (or willing) to fire up a social networking profile to get started. Some of the Android users among us won't have to go through that trouble as of today. An imminent update to the Facebook Messenger app will let anyone sign up using just their name and a phone number; any initial friends will come directly from the newcomer's own mobile contact list. The rollout is currently focusing on Australia, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Venezuela, but should spread to the rest of the world in short order. iOS users are also in line to get the update, although the timetable is less definite. Whatever the platform, Facebook is clearly eager to give those seemingly few holdouts from its service an easy way to test the waters -- and possibly save on their messaging rates in the process.

[Source: Engadget]

Gmail 4.2.1 for Android adds easier resizing, swipe features and more

That leaked Gmail APK we peeked at a month or so ago turned out to be right on the money. Google has just released version 4.2.1 of the Gmail app for Android, which does indeed add pinch-to-zoom on individual messages and swipe (left or right) to delete or archive. There are a couple of features we didn't see in the initial leak though, which are the ability to "auto-fit" a message to your phone's screen and a new thumbnail view of attached images -- you can then tap a thumbnail for a swipeable gallery. If still pictures aren't your bag, it's finally possible to attach phone-captured videos to an email as well. This version of Gmail is only available for phones with Android 4.0 or higher however, so older devices might be out of luck. If your device qualifies, you can download the new version of Gmail right now from the Google Play store.

[Source: Engadget]

Xbox SmartGlass for Android updated with official 7-inch tablet support

Microsoft brought its SmartGlass Xbox 360 second screen app to Android last month, however official support was limited to smartphones. While many found that sideloading got the app running on their other devices, an update today has officially added support for tablets of the 7-inch variety. There's also fixes for specific crashes tied to the achievements and settings screens, but not much else. If you've been waiting to bring your Nexus 7 along as GPS in Forza Horizon or control tracks in Dance Central 3, hit the source link to install the app straight from Google Play.

[Source: Engadget]

Sharp Cocorobo vacuum gets new Android app, lets you control it from afar

Perhaps in response to iRobot's recent Wireless Command Center, Sharp has introduced a new Android app that lets you remotely control the company's little Cocorobo while you're out of the house. You can map out your floor plan so that it'll know what objects to avoid, specify cleaning patterns and even receive carpet-view photos so you can admire the robot vacuum's handiwork. If you attach an optional Navi controller to its USB port, you can even use the app to control other Sharp devices like televisions, air conditioning systems and LED lights. Sharp also introduced a smaller version of the Cocorobo, the RX-V60, which measures about 4.7cm less than the original. Designed to fit in tighter spaces, the RX-V60 will be available in Japan for 75,000 yen ($900) starting December 13th. Check out the video after the break to peek at the new smartphone app and miniaturized vacuum 'bot.

[Source: Engadget]

Google plans to fix an Android networking bug... after 2.5 years Mobile

It's fair to say that some bugs take awhile to fix, and a public schedule isn't always an option; HTC knows this well. Still, Google may be pushing the limits with the solution for a longstanding Android bug that prevents resolving hostnames on some WiFi networks without using the full domain. The company has officially committed to providing a patch -- 2 years, 6 months and 23 days after the bug was first reported on April 29th, 2010. Google explains that the "next major release" after Android 4.2 should hold the remedy, and claims that a mix of "prioritization and resources" prevented the team from sorting things out between Android 2.1 and now. We'll take Google's word for it, although the vow won't be much comfort for anyone who's still holding on to that original HTC Desire and can't upgrade. At least the Mountain View team won't have to deal with any 17-year-old security flaws.

[Source: Engadget]

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 to receive Android 4.1 with Premium Suite

Samsung has already begun delivery of Android 4.1 for the Galaxy Note 10.1 in some parts of the world, but in a move that'll no doubt add to the anticipation, the company has now revealed Premium Suite as an accompaniment to the OS upgrade. Along with Jelly Bean, users can expect greater Multi Window functionality, which brings the ability to open up to 16 apps at a time, each which can be moved, resized and pinned to remain on top. Samsung's Air View is also incorporated within Premium Suite, which allows users to preview appointments, emails, video and the like by hovering the S Pen above the screen. Not to stop there, Samsung is also upping the ante with new additions such as Easy Clip, Quick Command, Photo Note, Paper Artist and an enhanced S Note app. No definitive timeline is known for Samsung's rollout of Premium Suite and Android 4.1, although it's now clear that "soon" can't come quickly enough. In the meantime, be sure to hop the break to preview all the new features that are on deck.

[Source: Engadget]

Vodafone and Visa announce mobile payments app for Android-toting Aussies

Sometime next year, Vodafone subscribers in Australia can expect to taste the sweet fruit of mobile payments, which comes thanks to the carrier's partnership with Visa. Computerworld Australia reports that Vodafone SmartPass is currently being tested on Android phones in the land down under, which relies on an NFC-enabled SIM card. It's also said that the carrier plans to introduce a Windows Phone app, although it has no intention of developing a solution for iOS, which is due to the iPhone's lack of NFC. While mobile payments still remains a mere pipe dream for many, it's said that Vodafone will eventually bundle the SmartPass app on all smartphones that support NFC. Unfortunately, the technology may remain cumbersome, as it'll require users to load currency into a prepaid account for use -- something Google has already kicked to the curb. If you'll recall, Vodafone first announced its initiative with Visa in February of this year, although at the time, it was said that only a few European counties would make the initial cut. To learn more about what Vodafone has in store for its Aussie constituency, feel free to hit up the source link.

[Source: Engadget]

Android 4.2 bug omits December from the People app, makes end-of-year birthdays even less bearable

The launch of Android 4.2 brought a welcome smattering of extra features to the mobile world, but a recently discovered bug omits something slightly important: namely, the month of December. Dive into the People app on any device using the new OS, and the last 31 days of the year will be unavailable for contacts' anniversaries and similar special occasions. Google is aware of the flaw, although it hasn't yet said when it will have a fix in place. We've reached out to get a more definitive timetable for a solution beyond just what's implied by the Gregorian calendar. In the meantime, don't lean too heavily on that smartphone to remember an imminent birthday; people born in December are stiffed out of enough presents as it is.

[Source: Engadget]

Google Play Store update on Android brings post-install suggestions, translations

Google likes to stealthily roll out Google Play Store updates for Android users on a frequent basis, whether it's to add new sections or to encourage a little more impulse shopping. We'd put a brand new revision in that last camp. The 3.10.9 tweak no longer just leaves us lingering at an app's page during an installation: start the process and the store offers suggestions based on fellow adopters' habits as well as a shortcut back to the main portal. Language mismatches in the store could also be a thing of the past with an option to translate descriptions into the device owner's native tongue. Along with a quicker way to add Google+ friends and get better app recommendations, Google's refresh is clearly built to remove those last points of hesitation before trying something new; if the app drawer is looking a little bare, hit the source link (or wait for an automatic update) to fill up.

[Source: Engadget]

Box for Android 2.0 brings file previews, offline folders and more

Cloud storage provider Box seems to be in overdrive lately, with a new Windows 8 app out and having announced improvements to its cloud platform and speedier uploads for businesses. Turning its attention now to Android users, Box has bumped up the app on Google's mobile OS to version 2.0, bringing in features like file previews for 75 different file types, offline folders that indicate when they're out of sync, and a feature-rich transfer manager. In addition, you can jump straight to the app when you tap on Box shared links, instead of having to fiddle around with the sign-in process on your mobile browser. The ability to add descriptions to files and folders should also come in handy for those with a meticulous streak. Convinced? The source link has the goods.

[Source: Engadget]

Google Play Music adds gapless playback, automatic Instant Mixes

Google is expanding its media umbrella to cover more countries, and it's marking the occasion with a new version of the Google Play Music app for Android and Google TV. While there's no explicit mention of the newly opened regional access, the update does add long-requested support for gapless audio playback: Jelly Bean users will hear smooth transitions between tracks, although it works best when all the music is offline. The tweak also turns listening into more of a hands-off process, as it now automatically generates Instant Mixes (instead of requiring input) and lets us cache free, purchased, recently added and thumbs-up songs. If you've refused to sully that DJ set or Pink Floyd album by playing it through Android's stock music player, it's time to give the app another chance.

[Source: Engadget]