The Cell Phone Junkie

T-Mobile this week released Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the HTC Sensation 4G. The update starts rolling out May 16^th, and will include Sense 3.6 onboard. The update will occur over the air, and can be manually initiated through the software updates section under settings.

Also of interest with the update, users must now add the WiFi Mobile Hotspot to their plan to use tethering. T-Mobile says the lack of enforcement in the past has been due to a technical limitation which has been solved.

Finally, T-Mobile announced that the HTC Amaze 4G Android 4.0 update will be rolled out starting May 21st. As with the Sensation, the new OS will be rolled out over the air.

Source: T-Mobile via The Verge

Samsung began rolling out Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Thursday to the Galaxy Note. The update finds itself first on the international model, and carrier branded phones are not included. The update is being done over the air.

Source: Android Central

Google this week unveiled a revised version of Google+ for the iPHone. The new interface features large profile phones, and cleaner fonts making it easier to scan through your feed and providing pleasing visual effects. Google says the performance of the app has also been improved, making it smoother and faster. Full feature list includes:

• Whether you post photos or articles or text, we’re making ‘em look gooood.
• We’re adding crisper fonts, larger profile pics and a friendlier homescreen.
• We’re making the stream easier to scan, and easier on the eyes with overlays, gradients and other visual elements.
• Conversations fall into view as you move forward and backward in time.
• Optical cues (like parallax) help the mind linger on individual posts.
• Important actions like +1 now float atop the stream, making it easy to endorse all your favorites.

The update is free, and will be coming to Android within the coming weeks.

Source: 9to5Mac

Google Wednesday released an update to Google Maps for Android, bringing new features include Google Offers and indoor walking directions. The indoor maps let a user navigate as they walk through a wide variety of indoor venues in the US and Japan. Also, business photos have been added, letting users check out the inside of participating businesses. The update is available for free in the Google Play store.

Source: Google

Sprint Tuesday confirmed they’ll bring the Direct Connect walking talkie service to Android devices in the form of a downloadable application. The app will work with the majority of Android devices going forward, and will be available from both Google Play and the specialized Sprint Zone. The app will allow users with Direct Connect plans to communicate with those on both the CDMA and iDEN PTT networks.

Source: Phonescoop

MasterCard Monday announced a new feature that functions with its PayPass system called PayPass Wallet. The Wallet service supports online shopping along with NFC through a one click payment system. The service is set to be released to the public in the third quarter, which will include an API to allow third party developers to integrate the PayPass Wallet into their apps.

Press Release:

MasterCard Simplifies Shopping with Launch of PayPass Wallet Services

Platform and Services Enable Merchants, Banks and Partners to Offer the Next Generation of Digital Payments

American Airlines, Barnes & Noble Among Initial Partners

NEW ORLEANS, CTIA BOOTH # 6135 – May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — MasterCard (NYSE:MA)today announced PayPass Wallet Services, a new global offering for banks, merchants and partners that will make it faster and easier for their customers to make purchases in stores or online by allowing them to securely pay with a simple click of the mouse, touch of the tablet screen or tap of the smartphone.

PayPass Wallet Services delivers three distinct components — PayPass Acceptance Network (PayPass Online and PayPass Contactless), PayPass Wallet and PayPass API. These services enable a consistent shopping experience no matter where and how consumers shop, as well as a suite of digital wallet services, and developer tools to make it easier to connect other wallets into the PayPassOnline acceptance network.

American Airlines and Barnes & Noble will be among the first merchant partners to incorporate thePayPass Online checkout button on their websites, and American will integrate PayPass Wallet into its mobile application.

“Consumers are looking to pay for goods when, how and where they choose. Merchants want flexibility to easily accept digital payments so they can convert more browsers to buyers both online and in store,” said Ed McLaughlin, chief emerging payments officer, MasterCard. “We realize that when it comes to payments, no single wallet will rule them all. PayPass Wallet Services simplifies the shopping experience while providing flexibility and choice to merchants, banks and consumers.”

PayPass Wallet Services includes:

• PayPass Acceptance Network (PayPass Online and PayPass Contactless) – Provides a globally consistent way to help merchants accept electronic payments across multiple channels whether the purchase is made in a store at the point of sale with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology or online using a computer, tablet or smartphone. PayPass Online also provides consumers with a simple check-out process by eliminating the need to enter detailed shipping and card information with every purchase.
• PayPass Wallet – A full suite of digital wallet solutions enabling banks, merchants and partners to white label their own wallets. It makes online shopping safe and easy by allowing consumers to store payment and shipping information in one, convenient and secure place. The wallet is open, which means that consumers can use American Express, Discover, Visa and other branded credit, debit and prepaid cards.
• PayPass API – Allows partners to connect their own digital wallets into the PayPassAcceptance Network, leveraging MasterCard’s check-out, fraud detection and authentication services and enabling their customers to make purchases wherever PayPass is accepted – online and in store.

MasterCard will make PayPass Wallet Services available to partners in the third quarter of 2012, initially in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia and, subsequently, will include other countries.PayPass Wallet Services will be expanded to the point of sale over time to create an end-to-end shopping experience for consumers providing additional value-added services such as: at-a-glance account information before making a purchase; spending controls and alerts received in real time; and delivery of targeted offers, coupons and enhanced loyalty programs.

“At American Airlines, we’re passionate about giving our customers more flexibility and functionality on their mobile devices,” said Richard Elieson, managing director, Interactive Marketing at American Airlines. “By integrating PayPass into our mobile app, payment transactions become fast and easy and provide the security you would expect from a brand like MasterCard.”

“Consumers are at a pivotal point now where smartphone adoption has exploded and well over 50 percent of Americans now own one,” said Marc Parrish, vice president of retention and loyalty marketing for Barnes & Noble.com. “The technology that will allow customers to make mobile payments at the point of sale has already begun to make a difference, and Barnes & Noble is proud to be leading retail in this technology shift.”

Leading merchant, financial institutions and technology partners that are working with MasterCard to support the launch of PayPass Wallet Services include:

• Financial institutions: Banesto, Bank of Montreal, Commonwealth Bank, Citibank, EURO6000, Fifth Third Bank, Grupo Banco Popular, Grupo BBVA, ICBA, Intesa Sanpaolo, Metro Bank, National Bank of Canada, PSCU, RBS Citizens Financial Group, SEB Kort AB Sweden, Sovereign Bank, Swedbank Sweden and Westpac.
• Merchants: American Airlines, Barnes & Noble, Jagex, JB Hi-Fi, MLB Advanced Media (MLB.com), Newegg, Runningshoes.com, TigerDirect.com and Wine Enthusiast Companies.
• Technology partners: Apriva, Bango, Beanstream, CardinalCommerce, C-SAM, Digital River, Intel, Kony Solutions, Inc., Local Offer Network, mFoundry, Moneris Solutions, Ogone Payment Services, Sage Pay, SIA and Vantiv.

Source: Android Central

Apple Monday released iOS 5.1.1, updating the software for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Fixes include:

• Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut.
• Addresses bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks.
• Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances.
• Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List.
• Fixes an issue where ‘Unable to purchase’ alert could be displayed after successful purchase.

The 54MB update is available through the Software Update section under General in Settings.

The makers of the note-taking app Evernote announced Monday they’d purchased hand-writing application Penultimate. Evenote says they’ll keep Penultimate as a separate app, stating:

Penultimate has come a long way since its launch as the original dedicated handwriting app for Apple’s first iPad two years ago. It now offers scores of powerful features within that same accessible and attractive design. It’s remained a top-selling app, and millions of people have showed us that they’re doing things with Penultimate we never imagined. I’ve been amazed and humbled by all of the passionate users I’ve encountered— you have offered your valuable feedback, support, and candid (!) critiques. Penultimate would not be what it is without you. I believe that this partnership makes a lot of sense, and Penultimate is only going to get better from here. Not just incrementally better, but WAY better, and quickly. I’m excited about the future of the app, and I sincerely hope that you will be too.

Press Release:

Mountain View, CA – May 7, 2012 – Evernote, the company that’s helping the world remember everything, today announced the acquisition of Penultimate, the most popular digital handwriting application for iPad, and the fourth best-selling iPad app of all time. The acquisition will allow Evernote to expand its handwriting capabilities, while also making Penultimate available on more platforms and devices.

“Digital handwriting has been around for decades, but it has never gone mainstream because the hardware and software simply weren’t aligned. Thanks to Penultimate and the iPad, that’s all changing,” said Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote. “For the first time ever, writing on a tablet is really great, which is why we chose this moment to make the acquisition. We have big plans for Penultimate that will both enhance the app and bring more capabilities into Evernote. It’s already the best handwriting app out there, and it’s only just getting started.”

The Penultimate app is designed to resemble a physical notebook. Individuals can use a finger or stylus to take notes wherever they like. The application allows users to choose from a variety of paper types, ink colors and line thicknesses. Notes taken in Penultimate can be saved directly to Evernote with a single tap.

“Technology often distances us from things that feel natural and human. With Penultimate, our goal was to use the most advanced tools to enable something that was at once powerful and familiar,” said Ben Zotto, creator of Penultimate. “I’m thrilled to join the Evernote family. Their vision and expertise will help bring exciting improvements to Penultimate, and together we’ll elevate the importance of handwriting within Evernote.”

Source: iMore

Google Wednesday announced direct carrier billing for movies, music, apps and books through the Google Play store. Carriers include:

• Germany: T-Mobile, Vodafone
• Italy: Vodafone
• Japan: KDDI, Docomo, Softbank
• Korea: KT, SKT, LGU+
• Spain: Vodafone
• UK: T-Mobile, Vodafone
• US: AT&T, T-Mobile

Sprint will support the feature soon as well.

Source: +Google Play and Androinica via Android Central

Sprint began distributing a software update for the Galaxy Nexus Wednesday. The patch fixes a bug that has caused some to lose access to the Sprint data network. The update will be rolled out over the course of the next few days.

Source: Sprint