It was only days ago when we were telling you that Verizon may be to blame for the Android 4.0.4 update rollout delay, with the LTE version of the device seemingly last in line after the GSM and Nexus S handsets are already enjoying the latest version.

However, it’s now become apparent that Verizon are pushing out the Android 4.0.4, identified as build number IMM76K. It is a 39.8MB download and evidence of the update can be seen in the image below as seen over at Engadget. If you do a search over on Twitter for Android 4.0.4, you’ll see that a lot of people are seeing the same notifications message. However, just like most other software updates – not everyone is seeing the new version yet.

There’s talk that Verizon are only pushing this out to corporate users, but we’re guessing that the update will still reach everyone by the end of this week. However, we’ve spotted an excellent guide over at Android Forums which shows you how to update to Android 4.0.4 manually if you just can’t wait. There’s detailed update information for those who are rooted, unrooted and unlocked, although there’s help for those with a stock device who are looking to unlock their device as well.

We’re glad to see some good news for Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners at last – it’s been a long time coming hasn’t it? If you are in possession of an LTE Galaxy Nexus, let us know if you received the notification to update to Android 4.0.4 or not. Please state your area if you leave a comment.

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At the end of March, we told you how Google had revealed that devices such as the GSM Galaxy Nexus and even the Nexus S would be getting an official software update to Android 4.0.4 – the latest version. However, as you are now well aware Verizon’s LTE version was inexplicably ignored and one month later owners are still wondering what is going on.

Now skip forward to today, as interesting reports surfacing over the weekend tell the story of one Android engineer who hints that it could be solely down to Verizon and Verizon alone as to why the Android 4.0.4 update is still not available for the LTE Galaxy Nexus. Some of you had thought that it may be Google’s fault for not bringing Android 4.0.4 to the LTE Galaxy Nexus, but according to Jean-Baptiste Queru, it’s because of certain ‘delays introduced by operator approvals’.

While he doesn’t specifically name Verizon, it doesn’t take a genius to work out it’s more than likely to be Verizon that he’s talking about. The good news, is that Google has now started to sell handsets again directly, as Jean-Baptiste points out, essentially cutting out the need for those buying handsets off contract to have to wait for carrier-approved updates.

What are your thoughts on the ongoing hold-up regarding new software updates for the Galaxy Nexus? We’re guessing that most of you were under the assumption that updates would be coming more frequently for your prized asset? If this is the case, tell us if you are slowly starting to consider switching to another carrier, or if you are prepared to wait.

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Many Galaxy Nexus users on Verizon will agree that their purchase was made under the assumption that the device was Google’s new pride and joy and that they will be receiving official software updates before any other handset, like the Nexus S before it.

However, that doesn’t appear to be the case here. A recent statement on Google+ reveals that Android 4.0.4 is now ready to be installed for GSM / HSPA+ users of the Galaxy Nexus and also the GSM variant of the Nexus S only, identified as model number I9020.

We’re not sure about you, but seeing the Nexus S get an official software update before the LTE Galaxy Nexus is a mighty low blow from where we’re standing, and Verizon customers really have a right to be a little frustrated about this. At the moment, there’s no indication from Google on when 4.0.4 or indeed 4.0.5 will be arriving exactly, but they have told LTE users to expect an update ‘in the coming weeks’.

Those of you who are eligible for the update should enjoy a much smoother performance, improvements to the camera and also phone recognition enhancements as well. As we told you earlier on this week, there’s still no word on a revised date for the Galaxy Note ICS update, which has now been delayed for the time being unfortunately.

Our visions of software updates becoming mandatory for all smartphones simultaneously seems a long way off just yet. If you’re a Galaxy Nexus user on Verizon, let us know your thoughts on the victory for GSM users.

More About: Android, Galaxy Nexus, Verizon

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The Bionic may be deemed an old Android device now with the likes of the Droid RAZR, RAZR MAXX and the Droid 4 carrying the flag for Motorola, but try telling that to loyal Bionic owners who are more than happy with the functionality offered in their device.

The one feature that most Bionic owners crave for though is Ice Cream Sandwich and considering that it has been almost six months of waiting, it doesn’t look like Motorola are prepared to release their official update any day soon. This has prompted a lot of you to try your hand at a few custom ROMS via a rooted handset and earlier this week, we heard that a brand new version is available to try out.

Older Ice Cream Sandwich builds for the Droid Bionic lacked the support for 4G LTE data, but you’ll be happy to hear that the latest update rectifies this. According to a report from Droid-Life, this is actually due to Motorola’s recent official firmware update for the Bionic, and of course the clever people at DroidModderX for fiddling with that update and emerging with an all new Ice Cream Sandwich build.

It looks like this is the most stable version yet, with the only notable feature not working so far being the camera application. Everything else works fine though, so you should head over to this link for the download and installation notes if you want to try this out. One word of caution though, you’ll need to be running the latest Droid Bionic firmware which is 5.9.902 otherwise this won’t work. If you want to study this build in finer detail, there’s also a full changelog up at the link above to read through as well.

If you have a Bionic and are willing to give this a try, let us know how you get on. Who needs the latest smartphone when great custom updates like this become available? Having said that, it would still be nice for Motorola to show some love to those who insist on waiting for the official update.

More About: Droid Bionic, Motorola, Verizon

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The last we heard of the Incredible line of smartphones was when the second iteration was receiving a red paintjob during the holiday sales of last year. Now though, it looks like the Incredible brand will live on into 2012, and pictures as well as hardware information appear to suggest that this will be yet another smartphone that is headed to Verizon Wireless.

The guys over at PhoneArea are the ones to thank for the scoop, as they have obtained a gallery of pictures from their anonymous tipster which they have wasted no time in generously sharing with us. The back of the device is included in the picture gallery and is clear evidence that there will be some sort of new HTC Incredible device landing, although obviously there’s no name attached to the device so it could be an upgraded model from the 2, or indeed an early glance at the Incredible 3.

As mentioned above, this will be an Ice Cream Sandwich device, as pictures show the handset running Android 4.0.1 on top of HTC’s infamous Sense UI. We also have evidence of a 4G LTE start-up logo, as well as an initial idea of what type of hardware specs it will possess. Unfortunately, this won’t be a quad-core device. What it will carry though is a dual-core 1.2Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM, a 4.xx AMOLED display screen, an 8 megapixel rear camera and sadly, a VGA-quality camera up front.

The hardware specs are nothing amazing we agree, so that could also suggest that it isn’t the Droid Incredible 3 since you would presume that HTC would want to ‘wow’ potential customers with next-gen hardware specs, rather than specs which are no better than the specs we currently see on the market today. On a side note, there are also whispers that this could end up being the HTC ‘Fireball’, which is another Verizon-bound device from HTC, but until we see an official announcement, the mystery will continue.

Is this a handset set for a debriefing at HTC’s MWC 2012 keynote? View the pictures over at Phone Arena and let us know your thoughts on it. Good enough for the Incredible 3 moniker or not?

More About: HTC, HTC Droid Incredible 3, Verizon

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According to a report over at Phandroid the Motorola Droid 4 is going to be released on Friday February 10th, and as reported before will be available for $199.99 with a new 24 month contract. The carrier has some other nice deals on offer though as it brings back its famous buy-one-get-one free deals, which will offer some great handsets.

The recently released Droid RAZR and the impressive Droid RAZR MAXX with its supercharged battery life are part of the BOGOF deal. That is not all as Big Red has also brought back their double data deal, which will offer consumers purchasing a new smartphone up to 4GB of 4G LTE data for only $30.

If you or anyone you know who still uses an aging feature phone, Verizon is offering a $30 gift cards in the Verizon stores in exchange for it. The company is really after you cash as they are also offering $100 off any of the carriers 4G tablets on offer when purchased with any smartphone with a 24 month contract.

Will you be taking any of these deals from Verizon?

More About: Motorola Droid 4, Motorola Droid RAZR, Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX, Verizon

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There have already been numerous false starts for the handset but according to an article over at Droid Life the handset is almost here. Sources are claiming the device will become available on Verizon in just over a week on February 9th. It is also believed the price will be at the $199 level that was reported previously.

Of course none of these reports have been confirmed officially by Verizon yet but may have some truth in them. As Gotta Be Mobile are suggesting the Droid 3 is currently on offer on Verizon with the deal finishing on February 6th, and there is a chance this was set to end close to the Droid 4 release date.

Verizon will be looking to sell as many of these as possible before the new model is launched, so the 9th is looking a good bet. Many will love the full size QWERTY slide out keyboard, and in some people’s eyes is the best ever made.

Motorola have been busy in recent weeks with the release of the Droid RAZR MAXX with its supercharged battery life, which has been found to be the longest power time of its kind. Have you been waiting for the Droid 4?

More About: Motorola Droid 4, Verizon

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The upgraded device with the massive 3300mAh power unit inside promises to provide users with more battery life even with continued 4G LTE use, and should outstrip rival 4G handsets. Consumers in the US saw the device launched this week on the Verizon network for $299 with a 24 month contract, but has led some to wonder if it is worth the $100 premium.

The guys over at Laptop Mag decided to take some tests of the RAZR MAXX to see if the device lived up to all the hype regarding battery life, and the tests certainly found it destroyed other handsets in the sector with regards to battery life. It was found that the device achieved 8.25 hours of continuous web-surfing with the device set at forty percent brightness.

This is almost twice as long as the original Droid RAZR that managed only 4.45 hours under the same testing conditions. The only difference between the two handsets is the 1780mAh battery on the original RAZR, which is shown in the tests.

Testing other handsets found that the nearest to the DROID RAZR MAXX was the Samsung Droid Charge, which managed 6.42 hours. The recently released Samsung Galaxy Nexus managed a poor 3.40 hours with the same tests, and the HTC Rezound achieved 5.02 hours. Below we have an unboxing and first impressions video for you to look at.

Does battery life concern you with 4G handsets?

More About: Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX, Verizon

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Verizon and Motorola made their first 4G LTE slider official at CES 2012, but the device is still not available to buy at the moment. However, intel picked up by Droid-Life reveals that the device may be launching at the surprise price of $199 on a two-year contract with the carrier.

This will be news met with both delight and perhaps slight shock, since Verizon usually debut all new 4G LTE handsets at $299. It’s worth pointing out though that the recently released LG Spectrum also came in at $199 so perhaps this is a indication that Verizon are now prepared to drop their initial stance on $299 for all new 4G LTE phones as we’ve seen in the past.

This is still fairly surprising to us though, as we would have predicted that most consumers would have bought the Droid 4 at $299 anyway. Having the phone enter at $199 now makes the handset an extremely attractive alternative to the Galaxy Nexus, as a slide-out QWERTY keyboard still remains a crucial feature for a lot of business minded users.

Just out of interest, the document also reveals that three colors of the Droid RAZR will also be getting a price cut as well. If you are interested in picking up one of Motorola’s thinnest smartphones, then you may want to head to your nearest Verizon dealer and enquire about the purple, black and white models.

What are your thoughts on this surprise price cut – does it make your purchase decision even easier? For those of you that bought the Galaxy Nexus – do you regret your decision seeing the Droid 4 at $199?

More About: Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Droid 4, Verizon

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Motorola first announced the handset officially at the recent CES show in Las Vegas, and revealed the fact that the device has a much more powerful battery. Instead of the standard RAZR that has a 1780mAh unit, the RAZR MAXX comes equipped with a mammoth 3300mAh power plant. This only adds about 2mm in thickness to the handset, and still comes in under 9mm.

Now according to an article on Pocket Now Verizon may have let the cat out of the bag regarding the release date of the device. Previously we reported that Motorola may have let slip the release date for the RAZR MAXX as January 26th. Now it seems this date may be accurate as Verizon seemingly backs this up following a product page for the device.

It states that the smartphone “will launch to all channels” on the same date that was previously leaked on the Motorola website. So it seems those of you that are waiting to get your hands on the RAZR MAXX, should only have a few more days to wait. With any luck as we enter the new week something official will become available from all those involved. Update: Verizon has confirmed the release date and it will cost you $299.99.

Do you plan to get the Droid RAZR MAXX?

More About: Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX, Verizon

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