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Google’s notification bar patent could spell trouble for Apple Posted: 17 Feb 2012 01:21 PM PST Android has long been the target of many lawsuits from large patent holding companies, especially Apple. As a Google owned patent for the notification bar as we know it, filed for in 2009, nears a possible approval, the tables may finally be turned. When it comes to features, Google’s Android is ahead of, or on par with, every mobile operating system available today. But there’s one area where Android’s severely lacking: patents. Google released an operating system without owning any patents on a lot of the key technologies used to make it function. If Android would have never taken off, this probably wouldn’t be a problem. Instead, as Android has become a success, it’s become the target for what is arguably the most powerful company in the technology industry, Apple. Lawsuit after lawsuit from Apple has left Android and the manufacturers using the platform trying their best to fight back. If a patent on Android’s notification bar is approved any time soon, Apple may be the one fighting back next. In 2009, Google filed a patent for Android’s notification bar. If you’ve used iOS 5 or know anything about Apple’s “Notification Center,” you know that it’s a direct, blatant rip off of Android’s notification bar. According to the filing, Google would own the patent for “a computer-implemented user notification method includes displaying, in a status area near a perimeter of a graphical interface, a notification of a recent alert event for a mobile device, receiving a user selection in the status area, and in response to the receipt of the user selection, displaying, in a central zone of the graphical interface, detail regarding a plurality of recent messaging events for the mobile device.” Since Google doesn’t own the patent to the notification bar yet, they can’t do anything but sit back and watch Apple use it in all of their most popular devices. Even the latest version of the Mac’s operating system, OS X 10.8, uses Notification Center. If Google’s patent application for Android’s notification bar is approved, there’s little to reason to believe it wouldn’t be an easy victory for Google, should they decide to take Apple to court over it. It will be interesting to see what Google does with the patent should they manage to secure it. Will they immediately take Apple to court, or would using it as leverage in other patent negotiations make more sense? This will definitely be worth keeping an eye on.

Review: Verizon DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola Posted: 17 Feb 2012 01:05 PM PST There’s no question that the DROID RAZR MAXX is for all intents and purposes merely a DROID RAZR with a big ‘ol battery crammed into a slightly embiggened frame. So what then is the big deal and why does it warrant its own review? Everyone knows that the single biggest complaint about every 4G LTE phone that Verizon has released to date has been the battery life. The average 4G LTE phone is lucky to make it more than 14 hours on a charge if you use your phone at all – even left virtually untouched you are unlikely to be greeted by anything but a blank screen in the morning if you commit the cardinal sin of forgetting to plug your phone in at night. Would a phone that could turn all of that on its ear be something you might be interested in? If so, read on for my full review. 1. Battery Life So as my preamble suggested, the 3300 mAh battery is the big highlight feature for the DROID RAZR MAXX. So if it failed to impress, this review would have kinda blown up on the launch pad. Fortunately it manages to live up to the billing and beyond. In my time with the DROID RAZR MAXX I never once was able to burn the battery down completely in less than 18 hours and with light usage I managed to eke out over 60 hours on a single charge. Sure that light usage result is unrealistic for the power users, but then again we can’t imagine not plugging our phone in at night anyway. For more casual users, and thus users that are less likely to remember to plug their phone in, I can see 36-48 hours of battery life as a real possibility. This kind of battery life in a 4G LTE phone is quite simply astounding and gives the DROID RAZR MAXX a huge advantage over the rest of the current crop of devices out there that can often struggle to make it through a regular work day. 2. Performance The 1.2 GHz TI OMAP 4430 processor that powers the DROID RAZR MAXX does its job admirably, just as it did in the original RAZR. I never experienced any slowdowns with apps, videos or games. NVIDIA specifically and even Qualcomm may do a better job at pushing their mobile processors branding, but I haven’t really had any complaints with my TI powered handsets. I wouldn’t peg this as the phone for high powered gamers due to some of its other specs, but it’s not for a lack of processing power. 3. Call Quality Motorola continues to be my gold standard for call quality amongst the Android manufacturers and the DROID RAZR MAXX was no exception. Callers were consistently loud and free of static and really that’s about all I’m looking for from my phone. I’m not a big speakerphone user, but in my cursory testing with the DROID RAZR MAXX it worked as advertised with just a slight hit to the audio quality as compared to the earpiece. 4. Display The 4.3-inch PenTile qHD Super AMOLED display on the RAZR MAXX is also identical to that of the original RAZR. I basically fall into the same camp as Anthony did in his review of the RAZR and that is that the average user is going to be pleased with the screen. The screen reproduces colors well, is sufficiently bright and text appears sharp when viewed at a normal distance. With that said this isn’t a top of the line screen anymore so it will depend on how important that might be to you. The HD displays in the HTC Rezound, Samsung Galaxy Nexus and even the LG Spectrum are undeniably superior in my mind so if you are going to be watching a lot of video or are simply a pixel peeper you should probably look to one of those devices. 5. Build Quality The DROID RAZR MAXX shares the Kevlar backing and splash proof coating of the original RAZR. It’s just a well constructed phone and I really can’t find anything to complain about here. The thicker 8.99 mm frame actually is an improvement over the original RAZR to me as I just couldn’t find a comfortable way to hold the original. The advertising showing the RAZR slicing through everything in sight failed to mention that your hands would be it’s main target. 6. Aesthetics Alright, it’s been mostly sunshine and roses so far, but here we run into one of my first problems with the DROID RAZR MAXX. It’s going to seem like a really simple and probably minor thing to many of you, but I simply could not get over it during the entire time I had the phone. The bezel on this thing is enormous! Every single time I looked at the device it bothered me. The phone’s frame could easily have supported a 4.5-4.7-inch screen and I imagine if the development time on this phone had been more than just a few months that they would made that happen. Visions of the Droid RAZR MAXX XL HD are already dancing in my head. 7. Software This was my other big problem with the DROID RAZR MAXX, and fortunately this one can be corrected. I have never felt the downgrade in the OS so greatly when reviewing a device as I did in moving from Android 4.0 on my Galaxy Nexus to Android 2.3 on the DROID RAZR MAXX. There’s nothing specific on the update timeline from Motorola yet, but it’s shared software with the RAZR should help. I’ll also say that Blur is just a non-issue to me at this point. I’m sure it’s slowing the updates a bit which is obnoxious, but I don’t see it as really marring the users Android experience anymore. We’ll see whether that holds true in the move to Android 4.0. 8. Camera The cameras on the DROID RAZR MAXX are passable. When lighting conditions are optimal the 8 MP rear-facing camera is capable of some nice images and as always I have far fewer complaints about the quality of the video capture. I will say that I think Motorola may have a tendency to push their default settings toward accuracy rather than vibrancy and I think most users would prefer the latter. You can take a look at the samples pictures and videos below to judge for yourself whether the RAZR MAXX will meet your point and shoot needs. 9. 4G LTE We are rapidly encroaching on the point where this will be table stakes for Verizon, but for the time being I’ll still grant a +1 to the DROID RAZR MAXX for it’s LTE radio. I didn’t have any trouble pulling in a 4G signal in any of my local haunts and speeds were in line with the rest of my LTE devices. 10. NFC Alright, I’m not quite as dismissive of NFC as I once was. I’ve actually used it a couple times for payments with my Galaxy Nexus and if you have a lot of friends with Android phones the beam feature is at least entertaining even if it isn’t critical to the functioning of your phone. I wouldn’t pass on this phone just for it’s lack of NFC by any means, but I will call it an unfortunate omission. Final Thoughts DROID RAZR MAXX7.5 / 10 While the score may not be terribly impressive that doesn’t tell the whole story of the DROID RAZR MAXX. The large bezel and the lack of NFC are minor issues that probably won’t even register to some buyers and again I have to believe this phone will see an update to Android 4.0 in the first half of the year. If you want the latest software and (for the most part) hardware then absolutely go with the Galaxy Nexus, but if you are either a first time smartphone user that’s used to the battery life of a feature phone or a business user that’s dependent on your phone to get work done then I would strongly recommend that you consider the DROID RAZR MAXX. A 4G LTE smartphone that gives you the freedom to not worry about your battery life is something we had yet to see on Verizon and I’m not entirely certain when another such device will come along. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed using the DROID RAZR MAXX and I think that for a large section of the smartphone buying population that this is the single best device available today.[1] References This appears to be borne out by the sales as both Amazon Wireless and Verizon have consistently had it backordered since the launch. ↩

Samsung releases sleek, yet rugged SD and MicroSD cards Posted: 17 Feb 2012 01:03 PM PST SD and MicroSD cards are the least of our concerns when it comes to aesthetics and ruggedness. But Samsung is known for manufacturing good-looking products, and boy do these brushed metal cards look good! Samsung is also boasting their rugged build, making these memory cards able to withstand water, pressure and magnet damage. We usually don’t post about such products, but we thought these were definitely worth sharing. If you are looking for a new SD or MicroSD cards, you probably should give Samsung’s latest cards a look. The new memory cards will spend most of their time hidden inside of your devices, so the odds you care much about durability or looks is slim to none. Knowing your SD card can hold its own against most things thrown its ways always reduces a bit of stress, though, especially for those that remove it often. And at least you would know that if your device gets roughed up, that data will probably be safe and sound. Samsung’s cards are able to handle water submersion for up to 24 hours, magnetic fields as strong as medical magnets, and being run over by a 3,200 pound vehicle. But their looks and durability are not all there is to it, and these cards offer great performance as well. There are two types available; the High Speed Series and the Plus Extreme Speed Series. Looks and durability don’t come cheap, though: if you are planning on getting one of these metal beauties, they will cost you a bit more green than the competition. The High Speed Series has options ranging from 2-32 GB (class 4-10), with the most expensive one going for $89.99. While the Plus Extreme Speed Series has 2 options for each size; 8 and 16 GB, class 10. These go for $24.99 and $54.99, relatively. Cards with the same specs cost the same, regardless of whether they are SD or MicroSD. Hit the press release for a table with exact details and prices. So there ya go, guys! Rugged, good-looking memory cards with great performance. For many of us, the price might not be worth it. I have never been in a situation where my SD or microSD card is in any form of danger. But what do you guys think? Would any of you find a good use to these? Or would you get them just to feel more secure? Let us know what you think! And if you want to purchase these cards, simply head to the link below and find the right one for you. Link: Samsung Brushed Metal Cards If you want a specific card listed in the press release, simply search for the model name. Show Press Release RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, announced today that it is now shipping a new line of advanced SD and microSD cards that are ideal for digital imaging and mobile devices. The seven new models of SD and microSD cards are now available as part of either the High Speed Series or the Plus Extreme Speed Series, both of which deliver up to 24MB/sec read speeds on cards with a capacity of 4GB or higher. Styled with a brushed metal design, Samsung's beautiful new line of SD and microSD cards are built with "Best-in-Class" performance. Able to meet the growing demand for high speed and high capacity memory in modern devices, the new cards are ideal for today's digital cameras, camcorders, smartphones and tablets. With (up to) 24MB/sec OR (max) read speeds, users can transfer 1GB of images in as little as 42 seconds. In order to ensure their reliability, Samsung has designed both lines of memory products to be waterproof, shockproof, and magnet proof, allowing them to withstand some of the harshest conditions. All models are guaranteed to survive up to 24 hours in water, withstand the force of a 1.6 ton vehicle (3,200 lbs), and resist up to 10,000 gauss (slightly less than the power of a medical imaging magnet). "It is our goal at Samsung to deliver superior performance, reliability and a stylish design across all of our product lines, including our memory line," explained Reid Sullivan, Senior Vice President, Samsung Electronics America. "Utilizing our 19 years of experience in memory manufacturing, we've built both lines of SD and microSD cards for performance. With read speeds of up to 24 MB/sec and max write speeds of 13 MB/sec (High Speed Line) and 21 MB/sec (Plus Extreme Speed Line), as well as meeting our '3-proof' reliability standard, these cards represent the ultimate in digital imaging and mobile computing storage. As the #1 memory supplier in the world and manufacturer of so many high performance portable devices, we are committed to ensuring consumers realize the best possible experience with those devices." About Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

Angry Birds Space, get ready to fling birds out of this world Posted: 17 Feb 2012 12:25 PM PST Angry Birds is fun, and it’s arguably the most popular mobile game out there. But there are only so many holidays and new levels that we can play before things start getting repetitive. Today, Rovio is here to tell you that the fun is not close to being over, yet. The company is exploring new territories and has taken the next version of Angry Birds all the way to outer space. Angry Birds Space will be the next addition to the popular game collection, which will be released this coming March 22nd. We do not yet know what to expect of this game, other than the fact that it will take place out of this world. Rovio is releasing this game in collaboration with NASA and National Geographic, so who knows what that could entail. New levels, characters and 3D effects are all possibilities, but it is more enticing to think of the different experiences that such a game could provide. I am very excited to see if there will be different gravity effects. We will have to sit tight until more details show up. But for now, take a look at Rovio’s new teaser and let us know what you think. What do you guys think could make this game stand out from the other Angry Birds iterations?

T-Mobile Android buyer’s guide: February 2012 Posted: 17 Feb 2012 12:18 PM PST Welcome to a new weekly column where we break down each carrier to let you know the best devices and current promotions. T-Mobile was voted the number two carrier in our Android Bowl , so we thought we should cover them next after our Verizon Buyer’s Guide last Friday. Each week we will rotate between the big four US carriers, so that each buyer's guide gets refreshed every month. Read on for T-Mobile's best devices and deals. Current Promotions and News My First Smartphone sweepstakes: T-Mobile is giving away free smartphones on their Facebook page with the My First Smartphone sweepstakes. Unfortunately, it’s a Windows Phone (Nokia Lumia 710), but free is free. Contest ends 2/17/12. 500,000 fans promo: To celebrate 500,000 fans on their Facebook page, T-Mobile is giving away coupon for 30% off any one accessory at a T-Mobile store. Offer expires 6/30/12. President’s Day Loyalty offer: Our friends at TmoNews are reporting T-Mobile will offer a special loyalty promo this weekend only. Not all customers quality, so check with your local store. You could score a free phone with mail-in rebate. T-Mobile offers Square: At select T-Mobile stores, you can now find the Square card reader. This awesome accessory in combination with the Square app allows users to accept credit cards on their Android device. See this T-Mobile blog post for additional details. Continued commitment for WiFi Calling: T-Mobile has offered WiFi calling on most of their Android lineup for awhile, but they don’t advertise it much. Some wondered about the future of the service, but T-Mobile responded that it is here to stay. See The Verge for more info. Even more deals: If you are not quite ready to buy yet, make sure you follow @TMobile on Twitter and like T-Mobile on Facebook for the latest offers. Best Android Phone: Galaxy S II This pick was easy. The Samsung Galaxy S II is the best Android phone available on T-Mobile. We polled our staff, readers, and even some T-Mobile employees who all unanimously agreed upon the Galaxy S II as their favorite device. T-Mobile normally sells the Galaxy S II for $229 with 2-year contract, but you can find better deals if you look around online. Our favorite online store Amazon currently has it for $199 with new service or upgrades. The Galaxy S II was one of the best Android devices of 2011 and most of the team here uses one of the versions as their daily phone. Our very own Angie has this model on T-Mobile and she loves it. The main selling points of this device are the gorgeous 4.52 inch Super AMOLED Plus display, stellar 8 mepapixel camera, support for 4G HSPA+ 42 Mbps, and Samsung’s excellent build quality. We never posted a full review of the T-Mobile version, but we did review the Sprint model and I suggest you check that out. The major difference is that the Sprint model used a dual-core 1.2 GHz Exynos processor which has a faster graphics processor, and the T-Mobile model has a dual-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S3 processor. The Snapdragon processor doesn’t have as fast a GPU as the Exynos, but it has other unique benefits like GLONASS location services and support for T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 Mbps network. Currently the Galaxy S II ships with Android 2.3, but Samsung has already promised that upgrades to Android 4.0 will begin in Q1. T-Mobile’s model might not be the first with the update, but it will eventually receive it. Runner up: We absolutely love the Samsung Galaxy S II, but if you are partial towards HTC then go with the Amaze 4G. It also supports T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 Mbps network and features an equally amazing camera. The only downside to this phone is the sub-par battery life. Check out Edgar’s review of the Amaze 4G for more info. Alternative pick: T-Mobile does not sell the Galaxy Nexus, but if money is no object you can buy one online and use it on their network. The Galaxy Nexus is the best Android phone available thanks to shipping with Android 4.0. Amazon currently has the GSM Galaxy Nexus listed for $629. Check out Anthony’s review of the Galaxy Nexus for more info. Comparison of top T-Mobile phones: To see a complete comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S II, HTC Amaze 4G, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus head over to gdgt.com. Best Android Phone with Keyboard: MyTouch 4G Slide If you have a thing for QWERTY keyboards, then the myTouch 4G Slide is your device. T-Mobile currently sells this device for $199 on contract, but you might find a better deal if you shop around. Notable features of the myTouch 4G Slide include 3.7 inch Super LCD, 8 megapixel camera, front facing cameara, dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon S3 processor, and support for T-Mobile’s 4G HSPA+ network. When this phone launched last year, T-Mobile advertised it as having the most advanced smartphone camera. Highlights include improved low-light performance, zero shutter lag, SweepShot, ClearShot HDR, and burst shot. Comparisons against other high-end devices even showed it bested the iPhone 4S by a slim margin. This device still ships with Android 2.3, but it is expected to eventually receive Android 4.0. Best Android Tablet: Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus Let me repeat what I said in my Verizon buyer’s guide. Because of the current data plans, I'm not a huge fan of carrier branded Android tablets. However, if you need an Android tablet with wireless connectivity, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus should be your pick. T-Mobile currently sells the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus for $249 with 2-year contract. Monthly data plans include 2 GB for $39, 5 GB for $49, and 10 GB for $79. When it comes to 7-inch Android tablets, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is our current favorite. Just ask Clark, this is his mini tablet of choice. It features a dual-core 1.2 GHz Exynos processor that turned in some of the fastest web browsing scores we have ever seen. Another selling point is the IR port, which works with applications like Peel Smart Remote to control all the gadgets in your living room. Check out our hands-on with the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus for additional details. Best Android Phone on a Budget: Exhibit II 4G Now that online stores offer high-end devices for $99-199 with new 2-year agreement, it is becoming harder and harder to suggest a budget phone. The lower priced devices generally don't receive major software updates to newer versions of Android and are outdated as soon as you buy them. If you wait for a big T-Mobile sale, you can normally score one of their high-end phones for free. They just had their Valentine’s Day sale, and I’m sure there will be another sale next month. However, if you need a budget Android phone right now, then we would suggest the Samsung Exhibit II 4G. T-Mobile is selling the phone for only $29 on contract, which is a nice price for a mid-range 4G phone. Highlights of the Exhibit II 4G include Android 2.3, 3.7 inch display, 3 MP rear camera + VGA front camera, 1 GHz processor, 4 GB internal storage, and all the usuals like WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth 3.0. We doubt this device will ever be upgraded to Android 4.0, but that’s what you get with budget smartphones. What's Coming Next Just around the corner we have the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G, but we don’t have all the details about this phone yet. It appears similar to the Galaxy S II, but it could be targeted more towards the mid-level pricing. T-Mobile has a sign-up page to be notified when more details are available. If you are in the market for a high-end phone, keep an eye on the HTC One X and One S, formerly the Edge and Ville. Previously, the Ville was rumored to coming to T-Mobile, but it is a LTE phone. The One X (or Edge) is more likely headed for T-Mobile since it features a HSPA+ modem. Follow our coverage of Mobile World Congress 2012 later this month to see which new phones get announced. Feedback We have long wanted to maintain buyer's guides for every carrier, but it's just something we have failed to produce. As one of the most influential sources of Android information on the web, we realize that our opinions are valuable and the average consumer just wants to know what phone they should buy without having to do all the research. Our hardcore audience lives and breaths Android, so most of them already know what device they want to buy next. However, I realize that for most of the public, reading our blog is like trying to read Swahili  or some other foreign language. The purpose of these guides is to try and help the average consumer. Having said all that, consider this first guide as a rough draft that will continually be updated and improved over time. We would love to hear your feedback on what other sections or information should be added to the next version. Our lead developer Clark has some amazing site features that are coming down the pipe (like the new profiles), and we are 100% committed to this community. I ask for your help by sharing this guide with your friends on T-Mobile and leaving suggestions in the comments below.

HTC Thunderbolt, DROID Incredible 2, Rhyme and Raider will officially get updated to Android 4.0 Posted: 17 Feb 2012 11:04 AM PST HTC just released its “North American Edition” Ice Cream Sandwich update, adding new handsets to the HTC Android 4.0 update list. Owners of the HTC Thunderbolt, DROID Incredible 2 and HTC Rhyme should be pleased to hear that their phones will be getting updated to Android 4.0. The three Verizon handsets join the HTC Rezound which was on the list from the day it was announced. The entry level HTC Raider which has been released in Canada through Rogers and Bell will also be getting a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich. Unlike the last announcement, HTC’s Android 4.0 update through Facebook today does not include any details around timing. We know that the HTC Sensation family is on the calendar to get the Android 4.0 update before the end of March, so we’re going to assume that these new devices will be getting the latest Android update sometime in mid to late Q2. We have more good news related to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, and can confirm that upgrades are planned for Verizon Wireless customers with the HTC Rhyme, HTC Thunderbolt, and DROID Incredible 2 by HTC, as well as the already announced HTC Rezound. In addition, the HTC Raider is on the list to receive ICS for customers of Rogers and Bell in Canada. Stay tuned for more news on Ice Cream Sandwich releases in the coming weeks.HTC It sounds like we’ll be hearing from HTC again in a few more weeks to get another update about Android 4.0, so stay tuned. Is your HTC phone on the official HTC Android 4.0 update list?

Top 10 Android app updates for the week ending February 17 Posted: 17 Feb 2012 07:55 AM PST When I got my first Android phone a little over three years ago, one of my favorite things was to browse the Android Market and watch which apps were being pushed to the Android Market. Developers soon began to exploit the Just In section of the Android Market with fake updates to get their app to the top of the list, so Google eventually removed that feature. Now when I want to see what's new in the Android Market, I turn to AppAware. I've covered the app before and it's been around for a couple years, but they just relaunched a couple months ago with a completely overhauled version that turned the service into a social network for app discovery. AppAware Find Top Apps & Games 42matters AG MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE I've found that one of the best ways to discover useful apps is to look at what people are actually updating, and not focus on which apps have the most installs. This shows me which apps have active support from their developers and sometimes reminds me of an old app that I might have removed long ago. The following is a Top 10 list of apps which were updated in the last seven days and received the most updates during that time period on AppAware. I hope you enjoy this weekly feature and discover some apps that you might find useful. Google Maps – Version varies with device Since it comes pre-installed on most devices, I’m sure most of you already have this app. I’m still amazed at how many of my friends never update their apps though. The latest version features improved battery performance, so make sure you grab it right away. What’s new in this version: Improved battery performance for Latitude and Location History users. Bug fixes Google Maps Google Inc. MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Adobe Flash Player 11 – Version varies by device Flash Player for mobile devices is essentially dead, but Adobe is still pushing out minor bug fixes and performance tweaks. The latest version improves support for Android 4.0 devices and includes performance improvements, so grab it while you still can. What’s new in this version: This update to Adobe Flash Player 11 includes compatibility with Android 4 supported devices, performance improvements and bug fixes related to security and stability. The complete set of release notes can be found at: http://adobe.ly/s16mAX Adobe Flash Player 11 Adobe Systems MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Facebook for Android – Version varies with device Facebook is the most popular Android app and it saw a major update this week. New additions includes games, faster navigation, access to mobile timelines, and more. Consider this a must update for any Facebook fans. What’s new in this version: Navigate anywhere, fast: Get to your groups, apps, pages, and settings with a single press Search and you will discover: Look through friends, subscribers, apps, and pages See your friends tags on pictures and zoom: New photo viewing experience Faster notifications: Get alerted in real time with new push notifications Games & Apps: Play games and access your favorite apps on the go Access to mobile timeline (If you already have a timeline) Access to friend lists and subscriptions Facebook for Android Facebook MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Kindle – Version varies with device I don’t know what triggered it, but Kindle has seen an explosion in installs during the last 30 days. This recent update is just a minor bug fix, so we have nothing cool to report. If you have never checked out Kindle, they have thousands of free ebooks to read along with over a million books to purchase. What’s new in this version: Fixed a critical bug where the app would not open on certain devices. Kindle AMZN Mobile LLC MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Lookout Security & Antivirus – Version 7.4-8155d1c I consider Lookout Security a must install for Android users. Not everyone needs the antivirus scanning features, but it’s always nice to have that extra layer of security. The real reason I use it is for the phone locating feature that provides a peace of mind in case I ever lose my device. We also appreciate the Lookout blog that attempts to educate users rather than scare them like most security firms. What’s new in this version: Lookout now supports French and Japanese! Set your device’s language to French or Japanese to access this functionality. Threat details now available in German, French and Japanese for security and privacy alerts. Lookout Security & Antivirus Lookout Mobile Security MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE ES File Explorer – Version 1.6.1.1 Can you believe Android still doesn’t have an official file manager? Android 3.0 added a downloads manager which helped a little, but I still find myself needing a full featured file manager at times. ES File Manager is the one I go to most often, and other users love it too. It currently has an average rating of 4.7, which is amazing when you consider it has over 10 million installs. What’s new in this version: Batch Uninstall Disk Usage Graph Uninstall System App Customize Background Change Language ES File Explorer EStrongs Inc. MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Titanium Backup ★ root - Version 4.7.7.1 If your Android device is rooted, Titanium Backup has a special version just for you. It has too many features to even list, so check out the Market description if you are rooted. Titanium Backup was recently voted as the top app for rooted devices and maintains an average review score of 4.8 with over 4 million installs. What’s new in this version: Added support for MIPS platforms (experimental) Fixed FC when creating TB widgets (sorry!) Updated translations This is a bugfix release Titanium Backup ★ root Titanium Track MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Pulse News – Version 2.7.6 When I read my news, I prefer Google Reader for its simplicity and speed. For those that want a more visual friendly version of the news, I suggest Pulse. This update is a minor one, but the last version added a completely redesigned catalog of content and a feature called Smart Dock, that recommends sources based on what you read. If you use Pulse, make sure to browse their Android catalog and add Android and Me to your sources! What’s new in this version: blank reading view bug fixed follows global sync settings (requires new permission) Pulse News Alphonso Labs MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Firefox – Version 10.0.2 Before I switched to Chrome a couple years ago, Firefox was my browser of choice. I haven’t touched Firefox in years, but it’s still a popular alternative browser. However, it appears their mobile version is still pretty sub-par with an average review score of 3.5. This update is minor, but you might want to check it out if you haven’t used it since they moved to version 10.0. What’s new in this version: Improved Sync set-up Bug fixes Firefox Mozilla MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Layar – Version 6.1 Layar is one of those cool augmented reality apps that is fun to show off to your friends, but not something that you actually use that much. I’ve had it installed on my phone for awhile, but I rarely open it up. Over 10 million people have installed it, but it only has an average review score of 3.6. The latest version features a “friendlier design”, so check it out if you haven’t played with it in years. What’s new in this version: Directly Access Scan View via improved app navigation App opens in scan mode Tap to View: tap anywhere on the screen to initiate scan Friendlier design Layar Layar MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Honorable mentions Did you see any Android apps that received notable updates in the last week? Share your suggestions in the comments below and we will add them to our honorable mentions list. Bump 3.0: “Bump is totally new! Bump two phones together to share photos, contacts, and apps!” Bump Bump Technologies, Inc MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE Flickr: “9 New languages! German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia.” Flickr Yahoo! Inc. MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

HTC Sensation gets Android 4.0 with Sense 4.0 thanks to HTC Endeavor port Posted: 17 Feb 2012 06:52 AM PST With the official Android 4.0 “early access preview” for the HTC Sensation expected to drop any day now, we’re sure that many of you are keeping a close eye on your notification bar to see if you’ll be one of the lucky few chosen to test the new update. But if you simply can’t wait to get of taste of HTC’s latest Android 4.0 build with HTC Sense 4.0, we have some great news for you. A leaked ROM based on the HTC Endeavor (now known as the HTC One X ) has been ported over to the HTC Sensation. ROM ports are not anything new, but this is the first time we’re seeing an HTC ROM build which was created for a Tegra 3 device be ported to a phone running on a Snapdragon S3 chip. As you might expect, there are still quite a few issues with the ROM on the HTC Sensation, but TripNRaVer and other developers on RootzWiki are working around the clock to make the new ROM as functional as possible. For now, the Sense 4.0 launcher, lock screen and HTC’s keyboard have been disabled due to the resolution differences between the HTC Endeavor (720) and Sensation (qHD), but we’re confident that those working on the ROM will be able to get the graphics scaled down to size in no time. Some of the new features that we’re seeing for the first time in this ROM include a new clock application which looks similar to Google Earth and displays the time and temperature of cities across the globe, a dual-tabbed task manager which  switches between running applications and those consuming the most battery, Microsoft’s Skydrive integration, 3D carousel animation when swiping between panes in applications, and improved copy/paste functionality which does not require a long-press when you want to paste test into a field. As you can see in the video, the HTC Endeavor ROM port to the HTC Sensation is definitely buggy and slow, but we expect things to get a lot better over the next week or two. For a closer look at some of the new UI elements within HTC Sense 4.0, check out the image gallery below. We know there are many of you who despise HTC Sense and most other custom OEM skins, but I’m sure we can all agree that HTC’s latest version is a welcome improvement. Gallery What’s working: 3G WiFi GPS Calling SMS sound Display What’s not working: MMS Bluetooth Video playback YouTube Camera Elements currently disabled due to 720p resolution: Rosie launcher Lock screen HTC IME keyboard

Is this the Motorola Atrix 3 with quad-core Tegra 3? Posted: 17 Feb 2012 05:35 AM PST Almost a year ago, there were rumors that Motorola was working on a pair of smartphones powered by Tegra 3. Our friend Kellen of Droid-Life reported these were codenamed Bullet and Jet. Since then no information has leaked and we thought the projects were dead, but now details have appeared of a device claiming to be the Motorola Atrix 3. Italian site HDblog is reporting that Chinese site Tianjin shared the first picture and specs of the Atrix 3. Some are already saying this is just a concept phone, so don’t get your hopes up yet. However, the timing and purported specs are at least believable. Rumored specs of the Atrix 3 include: Android 4.0 Quad-core Tegra 3 processor 4.3 inch 1280 x 720 display 10 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash 2 GB RAM 3,300 mAh battery Motorola has recently been sourcing their application processors from Texas Instruments, but they have partnered with NVIDIA in the past. The original Motorola Atrix was powered by Tegra 2, along with the Motorola Xoom tablet. Mobile World Congress 2012 is shaping up to become the quad-core phone show, so we wouldn’t be terribly surprised if this device actually makes an appearance. We were expected to see Motorola’s first Android phone with an Intel processor, but it’s possible we could see multiple devices. With 2 GB RAM and a 3,300 mAh battery, the Atrix 3 would instantly become one of the most anticipated Android phones.

Google files for patent to combat Apple’s Slide to Unlock Posted: 17 Feb 2012 04:55 AM PST In an attempt to circumvent Apple’s hotly-debated Slide To Unlock patent, which has resulted in a few lawsuits with many more likely on the way, Google has filed a patent of their own for a lockscreen that looks fairly similar to the one found in HTC’s Sense UI. The filing, titled “Input to Locked Computing Device,” gives hints as to what may be coming next out of Mountain View. Imagine a standard homescreen, with a 5 row x 5 column grid. Google’s lockscreen features a large on-screen button which takes up the entire bottom row of the device that a user can press to simply unlock the device to get to your homescreen. The rest of the rows comprise other actions you can do right from the lockscreen, and you can simply slide one of those icons to the big button in the bottom row to immediately launch into that action. Actions range from calling a contact to launching applications, and we assume these would be user-customizable. We’re potentially getting way ahead of ourselves here, as what Google did yesterday was simply filing a patent for a potential new kind of lockscreen. This does not mean that we’ll ever see Google’s lockscreen see the light of day, and the patent office could reject it as being too similar to Apple’s previously granted patent on slide to unlock. I’m no lawyer, but I reckon the likelihood of Google being denied the patent is slim, and this may very well be the lockscreen featured in Android 5.0 (or 4.1), which may or may not debut as early as next quarter. Take a look at the conceptual drawings in the gallery below, and let us know what you think of Google’s potential new lockscreen in the comments. For further info, hit the source link to check out the USPTO filing in its entirety.