Screen brightness, Advanced WiFi settings [From the Forums] Posted: 03 Feb 2012 03:20 PM PST Another full week coming to a close but we'll be here for you all through out the weekend as well. In case you missed anything from this week, get yourself caught up on the blogs and in the forums. Plus, stay tuned for our weekend conent which is always great to read through: HTC Thunderbolt Forums - Screen brightness and Sense crashes HTC Rezound Forums - I screwed up.. swapped my Rezound for Nexus Galaxy Nexus Forums - Advanced WiFi settings Galaxy Note Forums - One handed keyboard update -> how do we get it? ACER Iconia A200 Forums - [ROM] ICS 4.0.3 leak for A200 If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.

AC Explains: The Verizon Galaxy Nexus is still supported by Google Posted: 03 Feb 2012 02:56 PM PST Reports across the Internet about the Verizon Galaxy Nexus being dropped from AOSP support -- or even worse, no longer being updated by Google -- apparently were a bit premature.  Dan Morrill has posted the following to the Android Contributors Google Group: Hello! This is a quick clarification about support for CDMA devices. For various technical reasons, recent CDMA Android devices implement core telephony functionality in .apk files provided in binary form by the carriers. To function correctly, these .apk files must be signed by the so-called "platform" key. However, when an individual creates a custom build from the AOSP source code, they don't use the same signing key as these CDMA flies were signed with. [...] He goes on to note that the AOSP documentation was simply updated to reflect this fact, and that they will continue to provide as much of the closed-source material as they can.   So what does that mean? Signing keys are tricky things. When we build Android from the available AOSP source, we use a specific set of keys to digitally sign all the binaries. When "official" builds are made by Google or manufacturers, they use a different set of keys. When these keys are mismatched, things can get wonky. Google doesn't want your phone (or tablet) to be wonky. The fellow who built that custom ROM you're using doesn't want things to be wonky. If these changes weren't made and brought to everyone's attention, wonkiness would have resulted, and nobody would have known why without a lot of digging around. Verizon Galaxy Nexus devices are still Nexus devices. They still have unlockable bootloaders. They still have the Android source available. They just have changed the way they redistribute binaries, because of incompatibilities with the signing keys. Android developers will just have to change the way they build for the Toro (Verizon Galaxy Nexus), the Stingray (the LTE Xoom), and the Crespo 4G (Nexus S 4G). The sky has not fallen, and they'll figure it out.    Source: Android Contributors

ZEN and TECH 32: Mobile Nations health and fitness kickoff Posted: 03 Feb 2012 02:32 PM PST Georgia and Rene are joined by CrackBerry Kevin Michaluk to kickoff Mobile Nations Fitness Month. We break down how best to get started, set attainable goals, and get results, and address some of the most common questions and misconceptions. This is ZEN and TECH! Our podcast feed: Audio | Video Download Directly: Audio | Video Subscribe via iTunes: Audio | Video And while you're at it, check out Phil's introduction to Mobile Nations Fitness Month, and swing by our Health and Fitness forum. read more

MIUI ROM is going open-source Posted: 03 Feb 2012 01:25 PM PST MIUI is not the ROM for everyone, we get that.  But for those that do enjoy using it, things just got a little better -- Xiaomi has decided to release the source code changes and is in the process of open-sourcing the project.  As of the time of this writing, you'll find the core patches to things like the framework and the make files as well as code for the file explorer, notes app, compass app, and sound recorder at MiCode's github pages.  An official sounding announcement on the MIUI Android blog says to expect code for more applications in the "very near future".  Hooray! MIUI is more than just a custom ROM.  Xiaomi builds and releases phones in China running the heavily customized version of Android, and through the hard work of their development team and independent developers, the builds have been modified to work with many phones we're familiar with here in the rest of the world.  It's a big change from the stock look and feel of Android, and some say it has a very Apple-esque vibe about it.  Have a look at a review of MIUI for the Nexus S and see what we're talking about.  This is a far cry from a developer adding in a few custom tweaks to the AOSP -- we're talking a very big rewrite much like HTC, Motorola, Samsung and LG do with their custom builds of Android.  The difference is that MIUI has now decided to share with everyone. Building MIUI isn't going to be something that most of us will do.  But your favorite ROM developers, especially those that work with MIUI for various devices already, now have a whole new toolbox at their disposal.  Look for more, and better, builds of MIUI to come from this, as well as some features and options from MIUI to make their way into more customs ROMs everywhere.  Good news all around. Source: MIUI Android

Erase your Android device before getting rid of it [Android 101] Posted: 03 Feb 2012 01:05 PM PST With the news today that Motorola accidentally shipped out 100 refurbished Xoom tablets without properly wiping the previous owners' information, it's worth a reminder of what you need to do when selling, returning or otherwise disposing of an Android device. With any electronic device -- computer, tablet, smartphone or whatever -- it's important to keep your personal data secure. That means within your control, not just floating around for anyone to see. And that means not just tossing something in the trash when you're done with it. Or selling a device in the same state as it was when you finished with it. You must remember to wipe. Android makes it pretty easy to wipe -- or hard reset -- though it can vary slightly from device to device, hiding the rest option under strange menus. The best thing to do is to go to your settings menu and look for a reset option. On the Galaxy Nexus with Ice Cream Sandwich, it's under the aptly named "Backup and Reset" option. Choose "Factory data reset," and you're done. On recent Motorola phones, look under the "Storage" option in the settings menu. That's also where it is on the new LG Spectrum. On Samsung phones, go to Settings>Privacy and choose factory reset. On Honeycomb tablets (like the Xoom), it's under >Settings> Privacy. Point is, the option to hard-reset is there, you might just have to look for it. (Note to manufacturers and carriers: Let's standardize that, shall we?) If you'd prefer, you can also wipe from the stock recovery, but that really happens when you reset from the menu. (Read our Android A to Z listing for recovery for more on that.) And this is important, too -- don't forget your microSD card. Data on it -- including pictures and videos, as well as some application data -- generally isn't erased with a factory reset. Some phones give you the option to format the SD card at the same time you erase the rest of the device. If not, you'll want to connect the device to a computer and format the card. If you're really paranoid, use one of those overwriting formatting programs. Or at the very least, just take it out of the device you're getting rid of.

Best Buy opening Samsung Galaxy Note pre-orders with free Flip Cover Case offer Posted: 03 Feb 2012 12:11 PM PST If you're looking to be the cool kid on the block by being one of the first to get a Samsung Glaxy Note from AT&T in your hands, Best Buy is where you'll want to sign up. They've opened up pre-orders for the device and to sweeten the deal a bit further, they'll be tossing in a free flip cover case. Pre-orders start Feb. 5 -- that's this Sunday -- with the device being available Feb. 19 for $300. Source: Best Buy

Mobile Nations Fitness Month: Getting my butt away from the desk Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:07 AM PST It's sounds like a gimmick, right? "Mobile Nations Fitness Month." Never mind that we picked the shortest month of the year to do it. Never mind that the last week of the month, we're going to spend upwards of 18 hours of travel sitting inside little metal sausages to get to Mobile World Congress and back. (Once we're there, however, we're going to walk our asses off through Barcelona.) Gimmick or not, for the first time in a long, long time, I'm taking exercise a little more seriously. And I'm bringing my Android smartphone phone along for the ride.  Hit the break to see what I'm doing to get my fat butt out of the office, onto the streets and, more important -- what's I'm doing to keep it consistent. read more

Secure Android phones to be rolled out to U.S. military and government officials Posted: 03 Feb 2012 10:57 AM PST   "Secure" Android smartphones capable of handling classified content are to be given to U.S. officials across various government and military departments later this year, according to reports from CNN. The network's sources indicate that the devices, which run a modified version of Android, will first be given to U.S. soldiers, and then later rolled out to other officials and government contractors. Current regulations don't allow those with access to classified information view it using a smartphone, and any device that's used to view or send such data is subject to strict security certifications. According to today's report, government developers have completed work on a version of Android that's certified to store -- but not send -- classified messages, and smartphones cleared to transmit classified data are expected "in the next few months." CNN reports that the government-approved, secured version of Android, phone users will have control of each individual data transmission to the Internet, to ensure that sensitive information isn't included. This isn't the first time we've seen Android win approval from the U.S. military. In late 2010 it emerged that General Dynamics was to build its GD300 Wearable Rugged Computer on Android software. Android's emergence as the platform of choice for secure government and military smartphones should go some way towards dispelling the myth that it's less secure than competing operating systems. Source: CNN; Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Motorola warns that some refurbished Xoom tablets might have old users' info Posted: 03 Feb 2012 10:06 AM PST Ready Cory H just dropped word that he's received an e-mail from Woot.com with some slightly troubling news, but also with a very cool resolution. Cory purchased a refurbished Motorola Xoom tablet from Woot last year. They've been sold off and on for deep discounts, and it's a pretty good deal. Only, it turns out that Motorola might not have properly refurbished them all -- mainly that user data from the previous owner might not have been erased. That's a pretty big whoopsie.  In its own press release, Motorola says that 100 tablets out of a batch of 6,200 refurbished units might not have been wiped. Woot, in its e-mail, identifies them as having been available for purchase between Sept. 29, 2011 and Dec. 4, 2011. (For some context, Motorola has said it sold 1 million Xooms in 2011.) Motorola's looking to get the unwiped Xooms back, will provide a pre-paid shipping box and rush your device back in three or four days. And they're sweetening the deal with a $100 American Express gift card, at least in Woot's version of the e-mail. And Motorola hasn't forgotten about the 100 users who might have had their information sent on to new owners. For those who purchased and returned a Xoom between March and October 2011 at Amazon.com, Best Buy, BJ’s Wholesale, eBay, Office Max, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, or Staples and a few other independent retailers, Motorola is offering a complimentary two-year membership of Experian’s ProtectMyID service. All in all, it's a good response from Motorola (and Woot, too). Even if its only 100 tablets, someone's user data should be left behind on a refurbished model. Read Motorola's full press release here, and we've got Woot's e-mail after the break. read more

MAGIX Camera MX allows you to add photo filters in real time Posted: 03 Feb 2012 09:29 AM PST   Youtube link for mobile viewing We all want to be photographers, right? While out and about we love to whip out the camera, snap some pics of where you are or what you are doing, but having the time to go back later and edit them can be a struggle. The ability to add real time effects to the pictures as you are about to take them would be amazing, and that is where MAGIX Camera MX steps up to the table in a big way. On iOS you have a plethora of applications that allow you to add these real time effects, but up until now Android has been left high and dry and MAGIX wanted to be the first to change that. The application is rather simple to use, all you have to do is launch the app, select your effect and take the picture. Camera MX offers 16 various affects that can be applied with all of your common favorites such as Lomo, Sepia, Negative and various others. The editing ability does not end here, if you want to further tweak the image you can do so after the image has been captured with some more advanced abilities. Also included is the ability to adjust saturation, white balance, contrast and other image calibrations. Once you have the image tweaked to your liking you are then able to share the photo from the application to your favorite social networks such as Twitter and Facebook or you can upload it directly to their site. Each user is given 500MB of free storage on the MAGIX website where you can store and organize your photos and even create slideshows. With all of the power that this application has to offer you are probably left waiting for the price tag and how much it is going to hurt your bank account, but you will be pleased to know it can be downloaded from the Android market for free. Be sure to hit the break for download links and get yourself ready to enter the next photo contest! read more

Win an HTC Sensation XL with Hyperbees, Android Central and HTC Posted: 03 Feb 2012 08:55 AM PST The Android Super Challenge on HyperQuiz How'd you like to win one of two HTC Sensation XL smartphones by proving your superior Android knowledge in the leading quiz game for Android? We're giving you the opportunity to do just that, as part of a new contest in partnership with game developer HyperBees and HTC. Behold the Android Super Challenge on HyperQuiz! To enter, simply download HyperQuiz and select the "Contest" game mode. From there, it's up to you to work for the highest score between now and 11pm GMT (6pm EST) this Sunday, Feb. 5, by answering questions about Android! First and second place winners will each receive a Sensation XL, and first through fiftieth placed winners will be rewarded with in-game currency (creds). We've got the Android Market link after the jump, along with the full terms and conditions for the contest. Be sure to check back next Tuesday, Feb. 7, to see if you've won! read more

Sony Ericsson Xperia NX arriving in Japan from Feb. 24 Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:59 AM PST It looks like Japanese consumers will be the first to get their hands on Sony Ericsson's 2012 smartphones. Japan's largest carrier, NTT Docomo, has announced that it'll start taking pre-orders of the Xperia NX from Feb. 10, with the first units due to go on sale on Feb. 24. Pricing information has yet to be announced. The Xperia NX is Japan's version of the Xperia S, which was announced alongside its chunkier, waterpoof sibling the Xperia Acro HD last month. Curiously, both Japanese devices are sticking with Sony Ericsson branding, while U.S. and international variants bare the Sony name. The Xperia S, Sony's international flagship smartphone, is due to go on sale in Europe a couple of weeks later, in early March. Source: NTT Docomo; via: XperiaBlog

Sony Ericsson partners with Billabong, announces Xperia Active Billabong Edition Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:44 AM PST Sony Ericsson has announced that it's entered into a global partenrship with Australian sports clothing brand Billabong, in an effort to extend the appeal of its Xperia phones to extreme sports enthusiasts. As part of the partnership, SE has revealed the Xperia Active Billabong Edition, which in addition to the fancy back cover shown above, also features a couple of unique software features. These include Billabong-branded screensavers and videos, along the Billabong LIVE app for keeping track of pro surfing news, if you're into that sort of thing. Besides the Xperia Active, Sony says that its Xperia smartphones will be featured at major Billabong events, and that Xperia Play owners will soon be able to download Billabong Suft Trip, an "exclusive surf game". If you're cooler than us, you can pick up the Xperia Active Billabong Edition from today in "selected markets". Check out our full review to find out more about the original Xperia Active. We've got today's full press release after the break. read more

Free Android Wallpaper of the Day - Music Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:31 AM PST Today's Free Android Wallpaper of the Day comes from member beej143, who uploaded this cool piece of inke-over sheet music. Download this wallpaper See all new Android wallpapers Share your own Android wallpapers

Dropbox releases new beta build, offers 5 GB of free storage to early adopters Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:30 AM PST Feeling brave? The friendly developers over at Dropbox have released a brand new experimental build, and they're willing to give you early adopters 5 GB of free storage for your troubles. For every 500 MB uploaded with version 2.0.9 you will earn an additional 500 MB of storage-- up to 5 GB total. Mind you that the freebie storage is account-related rather than app-related, which means that you'll be able to upload from your desktop to earn the space as well as from the app. The new version comes with its fair share of new features, including: Automatically uploads photos and videos in the background using Wi-Fi or data plan Brand new Camera Upload feature Upload files of any size (no more 180 MB limit!) Support for resuming file uploads when there are network issues Various performance improvements & bug fixes If beta builds don't give you the willies, you can grab the APK from the source link, where Dropbox is urging those who download to sing out as issues arise. Source: Dropbox Forums

ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day: Seidio ACTIVE Case with Multi-Purpose Cover for the Amazon Kindle Fire Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:25 AM PST The Feb. 3 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio ACTIVE Case with Multi-Purpose Cover for the Amazon Kindle Fire. Available in black, royal blue, garnet red, amethyst or glossy white, This dual-layer case for Kindle Fire features a compact and lightweight polymer with a precisely positioned hard skeleton for added protection on the corners and sides. It's also got a built-in kickstand that allows for up to 10 different viewing angles in landscape mode and portrait orientation.  The bottom of the stand features non-slip pads which prevent movement when in use. And it's available today only for just $28.95 -- that's 36 percent off! Get yours while supplies last! Follow ShopAndroid on Twitter!

Gameloft LIVE! social gaming app now available from Gameloft Posted: 03 Feb 2012 06:06 AM PST Gameloft is jumping head-on into social gaming once again with the release of their freshly released Gameloft LIVE! application.  They revamped the whole idea while adding some new features to the mix: An all-new 3D interface that enables players to create and customize their own unique avatar and develop it in an interactive, full-3D environment that’s full of surprises. New social components that will allow you to make friends and stay in contact with them, invite them to play, send them messages, and chat with them in real-time for an even livelier experience than before. More trophies and rewards to unlock through our games that will give you access to new items for your avatar and environment. Try your best and get the highest score! Direct access to Gameloft’s product catalog offering exceptional offers and exclusive info, ensuring that you’ll always be the first to know about our upcoming releases. Achievements, leaderboards, rewards and challenges are all built into the app now and currently, Gameloft has a few free games available for download just for signing up. You'll want to mind the download process though as you have to hand over your phone number plus, it's around 230MB in additional data. Still in? Hit the source link to get it downloaded. Source: Gameloft

Android Central 86: Privacy, security and malicious apps -- oh, my! Posted: 03 Feb 2012 04:52 AM PST Podcast MP3 URL:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/acpc86.mp3 Thing 1: Google privacy policy still under fire Google responds to Congress about its updated privacy policy Full-page ads attack Google's privacy policy; el Goog responds Late night poll: Have you read Google's new privacy policy? Thing 2: The best/top/favorite Android phones The best U.S. Android Phones - As of Feb. 1, 2012 The best Canadian Android Phones - As of Feb. 2, 2012 The best UK/European Android Phones - As of Feb. 2, 2012 Thing 3: Other odds and ends Symantec updates its scary (but wrong) Counterclank 'malware' claims HTC addressing Wifi security loophole in some Android handsets HTC Ville caught on video, shows new HTC Sense on Ice Cream Sandwich Samsung: No Galaxy S II successor at Mobile World Congress ClockworkMod Touch Recovery now available for $1.99 in ROM Manager, free as flashable download Late night poll: Do you make in-app purchases? February is fitness month at Mobile Nations! T-Mobile's Sensation 4G and myTouch not quite ready for EOL Thing 3.5: Updates galore Samsung Infuse 4G Gingerbread update now available over Kies Mini Sprint HTC EVO Shift 4G gets a software update Casio G'zOne Commando update brings bug fixes and push-to-talk App Updates: Chrome to Phone gets new look, bugfixes; Google Docs goes offline Mint Personal Finance app updated with Honeycomb support Sony releasing an update for Google TV, brings better browsing and 3D Blu-ray Firefox 10 lands in the Android Market, still doesn't support flash Waze 3.0 brings Yelp, Foursquare integration

Madden 12 for Android gets price cut just in time for the Super Bowl Posted: 03 Feb 2012 04:34 AM PST With Super Bowl XLVI looming large, gaming giant EA Sports is hoping you'll be up for some (American) football on your Android device this weekend. To celebrate the end of the season and Sunday's big game, the publisher has reduced the price of Madden NFL 12 to 99 cents in the U.S. Europeans aren't being left out of the action, either -- the price of the international version has been dropped too, and now costs just 59 pence in the UK. Unfortunately it seems the game isn't compatible with the Galaxy Nexus just yet, but a quick glance down the list of supported devices reveals pretty broad compatibility elsewhere. We've got European and North American Android Market links for all you football fans after the break. Thanks, bbjonez! read more

Apple expands patent claims against Samsung in Australia Posted: 03 Feb 2012 04:17 AM PST 278 claims covering 22 patents across 10 devices The latest round of legal wrangling between Apple and Samsung has seen the former significantly expand its patent claims against the latter in Australia. ​The Australian​ newspaper is reporting that Apple has broadened its suit against the Korean manufacturer to include 278 claims covering 22 patents across 10 devices. The Australian suit, which began with Apple's seeking an injunction against sales of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1, now encompasses a plethora of claims against Samsung smartphones and tabets. According to ​TheNextWeb​, some of the devices included haven't even launched in Australia yet. Samsung was reportedly given "only days" notice of this latest development, and consequently it's indicated that it won't be able to file a defense until "mid-May". This is just the latest chapter in the ongoing patent war between Apple and Samsung, which has seen both companies attempt to block each others' products from sale in various countries over the past six months. Source: TheNextWeb; The Australian

LG Optimus LTE on TELUS outed in Canada Posted: 03 Feb 2012 03:40 AM PST Following the device's launch on Bell Mobility late last year, it seems LG's flagship smartphone, the Optimus LTE, will be making its way to rival network TELUS at some point, too. LG's official Canadian website has outed TELUS as the carrier of the Optimus LTE "P935" model (for those keeping score, Bell's version was the P930). U.S. readers will recognize it as the LG Nitro HD, which came to AT&T in late 2011. TELUS has yet to issue any official confirmation, so there's no pricing or availability information on offer just yet. Bell currently sells the Optimus LTE for C$99 on contract, so we'd expect a similar price point from TELUS. The manufacturer recently celebrated the milestone of a million Optimus LTE phones sold worldwide, with particularly strong sales in Asia. Source: LG Canada; via: MobileSyrup

Late night poll: Would you use an NFC mobile payment system? Posted: 02 Feb 2012 11:01 PM PST Google Wallet and NFC is a hot topic with a lot of folks.  It seems like a whole lot of people are concerned with the availability of Google Wallet (including yours truly), and we're all curious to learn more about ISIS, but we've no idea how popular either will ultimately be.  Just how many of you guys see yourself using any sort of NFC based mobile payment method?  NFC on phones has been around for a while in many parts of the world, but it never caught on in a big way -- especially in North America.  Of course, it wasn't really very available either, so maybe it never got a fair shake. So let us know -- if and when NFC ends up on more new Android phones, will you use a mobile payment service?  Let us know in the poll.

ComScore: Android still holds the top spot in the U.S. smartphone market Posted: 02 Feb 2012 07:34 PM PST The latest ComScore numbers are out, and it looks like the predicted death of Android still hasn't happened.  During October, November, and December 2011, Android still experienced more growth than any other platform in the US.  Keeping the top spot with 47.3 percent market penetration (that's about 45 million and counting), Android grew another 2.5 percent overall.  Apple, on the success of the iPhone 4S and iPad2, also experienced growth during the period, albeit not as much as Android.  Just as interesting, but in a different way, is the fact that the rest of the players in the game lost market share.  Reasearch In Motion, Microsoft, and Symbian, who were once the big three, all lost market share and only hold about 22 percent of the market combined.  WebOS, once again, was a no-show.  The number of smartphone users in the US also grew, reaching their highest ever point.  ComScore calculates that 97.9 million people now use a smartphone of some sort or another.  We expect that number will also continue to climb, as you can now get an Android or Apple smartphone for free with a new contract.   On the manufacturer front, things also look much like the last go around.  Samsung still makes the most phones in the United States (25.3 percent of all phones), followed by LG Electronics, Motorola Mobility and Apple.  There's no data about how many smartphones each vendor sells, but we imagine more than a few of Samsung's sales were Galaxy S and Galaxy S II devices.   We're used to this by now.  Android, with the might of Google and their online services, makes a very compelling argument to choose their products.  We couldn't imagine using any other product.   Source: ComScore

AT&T Motorola ATRIX 2 update v55.13.25 now available Posted: 02 Feb 2012 06:32 PM PST Looks like Motorola's next-gen Atrix currently has an update rolling out to it. Folks in the Android Central forums happened to notice the software update notification and sure enough - v55.13.25 is now available for download. Motorola's got these official changes for the Atrix 2: Camera - Enhancements to deliver better overall picture taking experience so you never miss a moment Google Music  -Addition of Google Music application so you have greater access to the world of music. Shop millions of songs and hundreds of free tracks. Store your purchases on Google Music for free, and listen instantly on your mobile device. My Gallery, My Music, My Files - Re-naming of Motorola Gallery, Music, and Files applications for easy access in the Applications Tray Device Security - Enhancements to deliver greater device security, including addition of Android security patches from Google and Cisco Any Connect VPN enablers. Emergency Alerts - Enhancement to allow you to receive emergency alerts from authorities such as Hurricane warning notifications. Amazon Kindle - Enhancement to include link to app for quick and easy method to access your library of Amazon digital books as well as access to the entire Amazon library. AT&T Messages - Enhancement to include link to app for quick and easy method to give you access to all of your texts, calls and messages which have been stored in the cloud. Keyboard - Improvements to keyboard functionality for better email experience Mobile Hotspot - Improved stability for better overall performance Webtop - Enhancements to improve stability and better overall performance That's a whole lot of improvements to be pushing in one update. If you've not recieved the notification, go ahead and check for system updates, you should find it waiting. Once you're done, drop by the Android Central forums and let us know how things are working out. Source: Motorola; Via Android Central Forums

What is sideloading? [Android A to Z] Posted: 02 Feb 2012 05:31 PM PST What is sideloading?  It's a term you see a lot thrown around while talking about Android applications, and it's simple to explain.  It means installing applications without using the official Android Market.  What's less simple is how it's done and why you would do it.  That's where this post comes in.  Let's explain it, shall we? How to do it is easy enough, so let's start there.  In the Application settings on your Android phone, you'll find a check box to "Allow installation of non-Market applications."  When it's checked, you can sideload.  You'll also see a pop-up warning when you check this box letting you know that your phone is now more vulnerable to attacks from applications, and that you accept all the responsibility that comes with doing this.  It makes sense -- you can't hold Google responsible for applications you didn't download through their service using their security methods.   Sideloading apps is easy to do as well.  You download them to your phone, then use a file manager application to find them and "click" their entry.  You'll invoke the app installer program, and it will install your app just as if it had came from the trusted Android Market.  It won't be associated with your Android Market account, but it shows in your app drawer just like all the rest.  It didn't used to be this easy for everyone.  Under the guise of security, AT&T used to block users from sideloading by removing the Unknown sources field in the device settings.  Whenever you tried to manually install an app, it would be blocked because it wasn't allowed.  This could be circumvented by using adb from the SDK or by using a program like the Sideload Wonder Machine.  Luckily, those days are past us and AT&T has re-evaluated their position, and now allows the installation of non-Market apps. Why would you want to sideload.  There are several reasons, one being that Google has allowed carriers to block certain applications based on the model and network your device is running on.  We've seen carriers block apps that permit tethering without paying the extra associated fees, and some carriers have exclusives for certain apps and they aren't available for the others.  That's a whole other mess that we'll tackle in another post -- just know that it happens.  There are other reasons to need to sideload apps, too.  Want to use a different appstore like the one from Amazon?  You'll need to enable sideloading.  The same goes for beta testing apps for developers, or even coding your own apps and testing them on your phone.  There are a lot of legitimate reasons for sideloading.  Of course, there's always the piracy aspect.  If you want to steal from hard working developers you'll need to enable sideloading.  You also suck.  Sideload, but don't steal from developers. Previously on Android A to Z: What is recovery?; Find more in the Android Dictionary read more