Posted: 02 Feb 2012 04:19 PM PST  This is also good news for anyone considering picking up AT&T's version of the Samsung Galaxy Note in the weeks ahead. The AT&T Note supports NFC, and so barring any silly device-level limitations, Google Wallet should work just fine on that phone, too. We've got Android Market links for all you AT&T people after the break. read more 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 03:18 PM PST 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 02:51 PM PST  Device Specs and Key Features
Huawei is readying an ICS update for already existing MediaPad owners for Q1 sometime. Minor detail? Maybe, but it's something to keep in mind. The full press release, lacking price points can be found past the break. read more 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 02:39 PM PST    The latest leak comes from Sammobile, a longtime leaker of pre-release Samsung goodies. Early indications suggest that the new version, which carries the build ID XXLPB, includes new 3D scrolling effects in the launcher, along with improved battery life compared to previous Android 4.0 leaks. For what it's worth, XXLPB is still based on Android 4.0.3, the latest version of ICS we've seen officially released. If you're have an international Galaxy S II to hand and are feeling adventurous, head on over to the source link to grab the file for yourself. Alternatively, you can check out the quick hands-on video after the jump. Source: Sammobile read more
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 02:22 PM PST  Right now Expansys has the 16GB Wifi-only Flyer on sale for £234.99, which isn't at all bad for a well-built 7-inch Android tablet with a Honeycomb update ready to go. If you missed out on the Dixons group's Flyer sale a few weeks back, the device still represents great value at the £235 mark. For more info, hit the source link, or check out our full review of the HTC Flyer. Source: Expansys; via: UnwiredView 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 02:07 PM PST  Applications:
Source: Verizon; Thanks, Kris! 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 12:56 PM PST  Today Google unveiled a new tool to fight malware in the Android Market, appropriately named Bouncer. Hiroshi Lockheimer, VP of Engineering for Android made the announcement on the Google Mobile blog, and it seems to address most concerns users have with the "free and open" style of app market, all done server-side. Bouncer is a service that runs on the Market's computers, that scans each and every app for known malware, spyware, and trojans. It also looks in the code to see if the app has the potential to "misbehave", and compares it against other previously analyzed apps to spot any red flags. New developer accounts are also analyzed to make sure they're not a previous offender with a new name. Google says they actually run every application in the cloud to simulate how it acts on our Android devices. This service has been running for some time already. Despite the claims across the Internet that malicious applications are on the rise, Google says the amount of bad apps in the Market has decreased 40 percent between the first half of 2011 and the second half. According to Google, the most important measurement is whether or not malicious apps are being installed, and they know that "rate is declining significantly". This is in sharp contrast to recent claims by Symantec and others that malicious Android applications are on the rise. They also take a bit of time to explain how Android was designed from the beginning to make malware less disruptive. Learning from the way malware can cause havoc in the PC model, Google has incorporated sandboxing, a permission system that's readily available for the end-user to see, and the ability to remotely remove malicious applications. No system is perfect. Even very closed application market models have malware slip in once in a while. it's nice to see Google is doing what they can to keep us all safer. Source: Google Mobile blog 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 12:40 PM PST  Facebook's Android application just got an update that the social network says will bring better memory management, and "all kinds of bug fixes." If history repeats, we should see an update to fix this update any time now. Source: Facebook 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 12:27 PM PST  Yahoo -- you know, that other search engine -- have added a search category for Android applications. The main search results page sees a new tab labelled "Apps" giving users the opportunity to find Android applications attached to any of their search queries. We're not short of ways to search for apps across the interwebs, but seeing such a well run solution from major, mainstream a search engine is definitely a good thing. The service also covers iOS applications, but has a handy filter to ensure that we don't see those when we're searching. Search results can also be filtered for price and category. When you find an app you like, right from the search results you can head straight to the Android Market to download, send a link for the app to your phone or scan a QR code for the application. You can also quite handily view the Android Market reviews for each application you find without having to go to the Market first which is a nice touch. We also get a "trending now" box, and it too has the iPhone/Android filter choices applied. I tried it out by typing in " All in all it's a pretty well designed feature, and while Yahoo may not be the most popular search engine, it does a good job of what it set out to do. Perhaps a bigger point to mention is that it offers a more comprehensive application search solution that Google themselves. Choice is always a good thing, so try it out for yourselves by hitting the source link below. Source: Yahoo 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 12:07 PM PST Android 4.0 OTA update for Sensation coming "early this year" Update: HTC has sent out a clarificaiton that this verison of the Sensation will ship with Gingerbread by will get an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich "early this year." Original: According to a press release from HTC's Dutch wing, the manufacturer is preparing to launch an "ice white" version of its Sensation smartphone from Mar. 1, with the latest version of Android in tow. The Dutch presser indicates that the new Sensation revision will ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and that the ICS update will be rolling out over-the-air to other Sensation models "soon". Besides that, it's an HTC Sensation in a slightly different color -- same specs, and most likely a similar price point. We're not complaining though, as the Sensation was one of our favorite phones of 2011, and it's looking better than ever with its new lick of paint. What's a little baffling, however, is the timing of the release -- we're expecting to see a bunch of new HTC phones at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, just a few days before this thing's due to launch. In any case, we're sure Sensation owners will welcome the news that their long-awaited ICS update is just around the corner. Source: WhizPR (Dutch); via: Eurodroid 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 12:02 PM PST  Keen to get as many Android applications as possible on board before PlayBook OS 2.0 hits, Research In Motion has put the call out to Android developers everywhere. Get them ready for launch now! The world has known for some time now that RIM were planning to include compatibility for Android apps on the Playbook (and forthcoming BlackBerry 10 devices). The current OS 2.0 developer beta has given us a glimpse of what's to come, opening up to sideloading prepared apps onto the tablet. Key to making the whole thing work out is getting Android developers to repackage their apps and submit them to Blackberry App World. For them to be included at launch, the deadline to have apps submitted by is Monday February 6. The process of repackaging and signing Android apk files is surprisingly straight forward, so straight forward that even I've been able to repackage a couple. There are 3 different methods, one of which can be done through your internet browser. Not surprisingly RIM are asking that all references to Android and the Android Market are removed from the application and application description before you submit. While it's an Android app you'll be submitting, the process of downloading and installing onto a BlackBerry device is to be as if it were a natively developed application. To try and entice developers a little more, RIM's Alec Saunders has gone out on Twitter today promising a free Playbook to all Android developers. All you need to do is submit your Android app to BlackBerry App World before Feb.13 to take advantage of the offer. If you're an Android Developer and this sounds like an opportunity for you, hit the source links below for all the information you'll need. 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:38 AM PST  We might not get the Samsung Galaxy S III at Mobile World Congress, but that doesn't mean there might not be something new to play with Mobile rumormonger Eldar Murtazin today teased the Twitters with the image you see above and the following five words: "Barcelona. Samsung. Press Photo Leaked." We can't speak at all about the validity of the image, so we'll just talk about what we see.  So, yeah. That looks to be some sort of Ice Cream Sandwich with some sort of TouchWiz-esque mash-up. It's different than what we saw in that leaked video from the Galaxy S II in December. It wouldn't greatly surprise us to learn a new phone would have a new version of TouchWiz, nor would it surprise us to learn that the earlier leak was just that -- an early leak and is off the table.The icons in the dock look like they've been refined a little bit, which you'd expect, right? They've got the ICS app drawer icon on the middle. Glad to see it. Now the capacitive buttons at the bottom. ... They're done in the style of the on-screen ICS buttons, only they're obviously not on the screen here. The icons are different than what you find on Samsung phones today -- They're the ICS buttons. Unlike the three-buttoned LG Spectrum, which has menu-home-back, this render goes back-home-multitasking. And that's that. If you want to get really nit-picky, that calendar entry is for a date that doesn't exist. And that's the old icon for the Android Market, not what you'll see on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Could just be poor rendering, or it could be a sign. And note that this render looks like it borrows heavily from the T-Mobile UK Galaxy S II. Anyhoo. Maybe it's legit. Maybe it's not. One way to find out: Let's go to Barcelona. Source: @EldarMurtazin 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:09 AM PST  There are a lot of great Android phones available to tempt European buyers, and unlike the U.S., many phones are available on multiple carriers, giving Euros a bit more freedom when it comes to their choice of device. In any case, join us after the jump for the complete rundown, or check out the best U.S. and Canadian devices at the link below.
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 09:59 AM PST  Mobilicity also announced a Valentine's Day-themed promotion to run from February 6 through the 17th. In-lust couples are invited to submit a video of their best kiss to the carrier's "Mobile Kiss Cam Contest" via Facebook-- winners will receive a free Galaxy Nexus or Galaxy Mini, with six months of free unlimited service. Mobilicity's full presser can be found after the jump. Canadians itching to take a bite out of Ice Cream Sandwich will find Mobilicity's product page at the source link. Source: Mobilicity 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 09:38 AM PST  Google has just released the latest numbers regarding who's using what version of Android. These are devices that have accessed the Android Market over two weeks ending Feb. 1. The long and short of it is this:
Google is currently activating more than 700,000 Android devices a day. Source: Android Platform Versions 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 09:09 AM PST  If you're one of the millions of Sims fans around the world this next piece of news might interest you. EA is bringing their hit freemium version of the game, The Sims Freeplay to Android. No exact date as yet, but it will be launching in the Android Market sometime in February. In Freeplay, you can control the daily shenanigans of upto 16 different Sims, designing and directing their lives as you see fit. In a break from the norm, Freeplay runs in 24-hour cycles meaning that you will need to check in throughout the day and respond to your Sims needs in real time. The game will also employ an in-app purchase model, but everything can be unlocked free of charge if you're willing to put the time in. 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 08:22 AM PST  Good news, everyone! After a bit of a false start yesterday, the Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread update for the Samsung Infuse 4G on AT&T is now available via the Kies Mini. Now the bad news: the Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread update (software version KL2) for the Samsung Infuse 4G on AT&T is now available via the Kies Mini. (See what we did there?) Kies is notoriously one of the most tempermental update system there is, and that stigma hasn't been lessened with this latest update. A good number of you are seeing the same thing we are in the image above -- an unregistered device. That's no fun. But at least the update is finally out there, and these things have a habit of sorting themselves out. Shame it's such a mess in the meantime. More: Infuse 4G forums; Samsung 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 08:03 AM PST  Sprint today announced that the HTC EVO Shift 4G is getting a software update. Here's what's new in software version 2.77.651.3:
The "Security update" presumably removes the Carrier IQ analytics software from the device (remember that Sprint had quit using it anyway). Head into your settings menu to snag the update now, or you can wait for it to push out automatically starting Feb. 7. 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 07:45 AM PST  The Feb. 2 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio ACTIVE Case (with kickstand) for the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. This two-layer case features a compact and lightweight rubber polymer with a precisely positioned hard skeleton for added protection. The arachnid design of the skeleton extends out to protect vulnerable parts of your device, such as the corners and sides. It's available in black, garnet red, amethyst, glossy white and royal blue today only for just $17.95 -- that's 49 percent off! Get yours while supplies last. 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 07:38 AM PST  We first outed the $99 ZTE Optik Honeycomb tablet a week ago, and today Sprint has made it official. The 7-inch Android 3.2 device will be available Feb. 5. Spec-wise, the Optik is right up there with most other Android tablets. To wit:
Do we finally have an Android tablet that beats all others on price while matching many in specs? We'll have to wait until we get it in our hot little hands. But consider our intereset piqued. Source: Sprint 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 06:05 AM PST  Just like with our American list, you can't have this sort of thing without controversy. But considering that we're talking Canadian phones and Canadian readers, we also expect the discussion to be much more civil. read more 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 04:39 AM PST  On an affected device, the bug in question could allow an Android application with the innocuous-sounding "ACCESS_WIFI_STATE" permission to access Wifi passwords for any network the phone's connected to. According to security researchers Chris Hessing and Bret Jordan, who originally discovered the vulnerability, phones affected by the bug include --
As HTC says, if your device is affected, it's likely already been updated with the fix over-the-air. The manufacturer says to check back next week for more information on a manual patch for certain handsets. In any case, we're not too worried about this latest security scare, and we don't think you should be either. If you were affected, chances are you already have the fix. And after all, stealing a Wifi password is among the less menacing things a malicious app could do. Source: HTC Support; via: TheNextWeb 
| ||
Posted: 02 Feb 2012 04:27 AM PST  Early last month we told you about A.I.type and their need for beta testers for a new "floating" spilt keyboard. Fast-forward to today, and the beta product is now finished, and FloatNSplit Tablet Keyboard is now available in the Android Market. Based on the original A.I.type keyboard and it's amazing prediction engine, FloatNSplit brings a new and unique user interface for tablet users, with a split keyboard that's not only resizable, but with a movable "window" that A.I.type says will change your tablet typing experience. It's also completely customizable, to adapt to your typing style and needs. Options include dedicated numeric keys that appear and hide with a finger swipe, a resizing button, and cut/copy/paste/undo/redo functions built into the app itself. But of course the killer feature is the floating split style. You can split the tablet version into two semi-transparent halves for easy thumb typing, and they can be dragged separately and positioned anywhere you like on your screen. A virtual button switches through the three modes (full, split, and floating) to keep the keyboard small and in perfect position for thumb typing with one or both hands. FloatNSplit currently supports over 30 languages and character layouts, with context-sensitive text prediction and auto-correct available for English, Hebrew, Spanish, German, Italian, Arabic, Russian, French and Dutch. Support for Greek, Turkish, Finnish, Swedish, Korean, Tagalog is said to be coming soon. AI FloatNSplit Tablet Keyboard requires Android 2.2 or higher, and sells in the Android Market for $5.99. Six bucks is a lot to spend on an Android application, but A.I.type is so confident that it's offering its own two-day refund guarantee, so I'm definitely checking it out. We've got a video, some screenshots, and a download link after the break. read more
| ||
Posted: 01 Feb 2012 11:17 PM PST  You might have heard that Google has a new consolidated privacy policy coming in March. All the cool kids are talking about it, and even Microsoft has had a little to say to help you decide how you feel about it. On one side, you have folks who aren't concerned or say it's a good thing, and on the other you have those who say Google's new policy is horrible for us, the users. (We're ignoring the folks who claim it will hasten the zombie apocalypse or cause biblical repercussions of any form). Tonight, we just want to know how many of you guys have even bothered to read it? Let us know in the poll, and when you're done, have a read if you haven't already. 
| ||
Posted: 01 Feb 2012 07:23 PM PST  You can't have this sort of list without controversy. We get that. And discussion is good. And so we're just going to anwer the question as simply as we can here: What do we think is the best phone on any given U.S. carrier as of right now? They're all in this post. No metrics, no scores. Just our pics and a tad of explanation, with the goal of helping you find the best phone on a particular carrier at any given time. read more 
|
Friday, February 3, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment