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Sprint doing away with early upgrade program starting June 1st?

A memo leaking out of Sprint and into the hands of TechnoBuffalo has the carrier doing away with their early upgrade policy for existing customers. The move comes at a time when Sprint continues to hack away at customer-oriented policies. The carrier is citing “high costs” as the reason why customers will no longer be able to upgrade to a new phone at a discounted price 10-14 days prior early.

The cost cutting maneuver was likely brought about due to the expense of rolling out an LTE network to compete with AT&T and Verizon and the high price Sprint paid to carry the iPhone. With Dan Hesse and crew feeling the crunch, it may be just the first of several cost-cutting moves. The end of early upgrades shouldn’t turn away too many existing customers, but what’s next? The end of unlimited data? Let’s hope Sprint doesn’t get that far.

[via TechnoBuffalo]

Droid 4 sees first Ice Cream Sandwich build leak

Another Motorola device has seen an early leak of Ice Cream Sandwich, though it is far from the build that should eventually reach handsets. The Android 4.0.4 leak for the Droid 4 comes direct from Moto and is available for installation, but only the more adventurous users need apply. The test build likely needs some more work before it is ready for deployment. Those installing now may fall victim to the tendency for leaks to not so easily revert to manufacturer approved software when flashed with available fastboot files, often resulting in a bricked phone.

Still, if you are all too antsy to get a taste of ICS on the Droid 4, you can give the new leak a spin by following the source link below.

[via DroidLife]

Google Music device authorization limit could cause headaches for ROM lovers

Google Music’s current allowance of 10 authorized devices to be attached to any one account sounds like plenty for the average user. After a laptop, desktop computer, smartphone, and tablet there are is still plenty of room to work with for the likes of Google TV or additional mobile devices. And should you reach your limit of 10 authorized devices and need to add another, it should be as simple as de-authorizing one you aren’t currently using and simply adding the new one, right? Wrong.

It is unclear how long the limit has been in place, but Google Music will only allow a user to de-authorize four devices per year after they have been added to an account. For the average user this will never be a problem. As we mentioned earlier you could connect a whole fleet of personal devices to your Google Music account and still have room to spare. But for folks that enjoy flashing new ROMs onto their Android devices this could be a problem.

With ROMs, it is often hit or miss as to whether or not new software will cause Google Music to detect your phone as the one currently registered with Google Music or a new one altogether. It is possible, then, that a rooted user flashing new software builds onto their phone could quickly chew through their 10 available device slots without even knowing it. Once the max has been reached the limit of four de-authorizations becomes a problem.

While Google’s intention were likely never to meant to punish those that enjoy modding their Android devices, there probably isn’t much that can be done. The authorization limit is in place to protect the rights of music labels and the artists they serve. If you could simply add new devices at will there is nothing stopping you from sharing your entire music library with all of your friends or even complete strangers via a shared account. The best users can do is take some time to research how a custom ROM may alter your devices profile as it would appear to Google Music and keep an eye on the number of authorizations currently on your account.

[via DroidLife]

LG touts “unobtrusive and simple” Optimus UI 3.0 for Ice Cream Sandwich devices

If there is one major area where LG’s offerings have fallen flat in the past it has been the custom user interface deployed on their Android devices. The Korean smartphone maker hasn’t quite stuck a balance between Android functionality and value-added features. They hope to make some strides in that department with the release of the Optimus UI 3.0, which will feature on the company’s Android 4.0 devices. The UI is being touted as “unobtrusive and simple,” with enhancements that include Quick Memo — a method for quickly jotting down notes — and new lock screen features.

The highlight reel of features includes

• the ability to unlock the phone by dragging anywhere on the screen;
• a new Pattern Lock that allows users to preset the most frequently used function, such as the camera, which automatically opens once the phone is unlocked;
• a simpler version of Optimus UI 3.0 for new smartphone users which organizes the main applications so that they are the easiest to access;
• a new Voice Shutter that allows users to capture photos using only voice commands;
• a special camera feature that enables users to pick up the best shot among multiple images including the moment just before the shutter button is depressed;
• an Icon Customizer that provides an additional level of personalization by allowing users to set their own photos as icons and shortcut images;
• the addition of a Download category to the menu for easier organization.

The Optimus UI 3.0 will debut on the LG Optimus LTE II, which launches this week in Korea. It will then make its way to the LG Optimus 4X HD in June. Back at Mobile World Congress when we first got a look at some of LG’s latest hardware we proclaimed that the manufacturer would need to up its software game if it wanted to stay a relevant Android contender. Here’s hoping the new UI enhancements are a step in the right direction.

LG’S NEW OPTIMUS UI 3.0 ADDS NEW FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS WHILE BEING UNOBTRUSIVE AND SIMPLE

New User Interface Makes the LG Smartphone Experience Faster, Simpler, More Convenient

SEOUL, May 16, 2012 - LG Electronics (LG) is introducing a new User Interface (UI) for its newest Android Ice Cream Sandwich devices, aptly named Optimus UI 3.0. Optimus UI 3.0 brings with it an array of enhanced key features, including Quick Memo™ and unique unlock functions, among other new features and functions aimed at improving LG smartphone experience.

"With smartphone hardware becoming more and more similar, it’s important for manufacturers to differentiate their products from the competition through the user interface," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Both carriers and customers tell us that they want LG phones to look and feel unique and the UI plays a big part in that. LG is really going to push the boundaries of what is possible in user interfaces starting with Optimus UI 3.0."

Optimus UI 3.0 is designed with convenience and speed in mind. A powerful memo function called Quick Memo™ enables users to jot notes on the screen using a finger. Quick Memo™ in Optimus UI 3.0 allows users to share their thoughts through social networks, text messages and e-mails more conveniently than ever before.

Other new features include:

– the ability to unlock the phone by dragging anywhere on the screen;
– a new Pattern Lock that allows users to preset the most frequently used function, such as the camera, which automatically opens once the phone is unlocked;
– a simpler version of Optimus UI 3.0 for new smartphone users which organizes the main applications so that they are the easiest to access;
– a new Voice Shutter that allows users to capture photos using only voice commands;
– a special camera feature that enables users to pick up the best shot among multiple images including the moment just before the shutter button is depressed;
– an Icon Customizer that provides an additional level of personalization by allowing users to set their own photos as icons and shortcut images;
– the addition of a Download category to the menu for easier organization.

Optimus UI 3.0 will debut on the LG Optimus LTE II launching this week in Korea, followed by LG Optimus 4X HD in June.