Sunday, April 15, 2012

Update - 236



Posted: 17 Mar 2012 01:48 PM PDT
A couple weeks ago we told you guys about the Another World 20th Anniversary Edition game and that it was heading to Android. Well the day has finally arrived and you retro gamers can now get your Lester on! Released just yesterday, Another World (aka. Out Of This World) is now available for $4.99 in the Google Play store. In case you have never heard of this game before, you play as young Lester, a physics researcher who is transported into another world populated by humanoid creatures. Your goal? To get out alive!
The developer says this game “has attained cult status among critics and sophisticated gamers alike for its cinematic effects in the graphics, sound and cut scenes”. Based on the demo video and knowing this was created in the 90′s I would have to agree, the graphics are pretty cool and it looks like a fun game to play on an Android device. It is even optimized for the Xperia Play. Now before the thought of 90′s graphics scare you away you should know that they have completly reworked the game so that it’s now in HD. It’s a huge advancement from the original! Jump past the break to check out the demo video, game features, and download links.
20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION SPECIALLY THOUGHT OUT FOR ANDROID
• Switch from the original graphics to HD graphics by sliding two fingers on the screen at any time in the game
• New Touch controls specially redesigned or classic D-pad (directional arrows and original action buttons)
• 3 difficulty modes: Normal (easier than the original), Hard (similar to the original) and Hardcore (harder than the original)
• Sound and sound effects are 100% remastered
• OpenFeint with over 10 Achievements
• Compatible with Bluetooth-connected Zeemote joysticks
• 5 languages available (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish)
• Xperia PLAY optimized.
Click here to view the embedded video.
qrcode
Posted: 17 Mar 2012 11:13 AM PDT
The Galaxy S III has got to be the most anticipated phone right now. Remember the buzz for the Galaxy Nexus? Well things are heading in that direction all over again because it seems like every day brings a new rumor or leak. The latest one comes from Reddit which is a supposed press shot. This pic above is actually a brightened version of the original leak, which you can see by heading to the first source link below.
Lets first look at what this image shows us. It’s pretty thin, which is obviously what everyone is expecting anyway, but in looking at the side image (to the left), it appears that it has an elevated greyish/silver bezel to protect the screen. Speaking of the bezel, there really isn’t much of one. It appears to have a large speaker at the bottom which suggests stereo sound, and it also has a dedicated camera button. You will also notice the main front home button which suggests this would be the international version, but there could also be capacitive buttons to either side that are unlit.
We also see Weber Shandwick at the bottom right, which is a major PR firm. Here in the U.S., they don’t represent Samsung’s mobile division, but they’ve done a lot of work with Samsung overseas, and since this render is of the international version it makes sense.
If you look at the date and the information on the calendar, it would suggest that we will see the unveiling on May 22 at the Unpacked Event in London. We all know the Summer Olympics kicks off in London in July and since Samsung is a major sponsor, it’s safe to assume the Galaxy S III will be seen in a lot via commercials. How about the fact that on March 19, the Torch Relay begins? Whether this picture of the phone is real or fake, it might be safe to assume that this announcement date is.
Lets go back to February 2. Eldar Murtazin from Mobile Review  tweeted an image of a Samsung phone. He didn’t indicate if it was the Galaxy S III or not, but then we saw this leaked image a few days ago. It looks like the same exact phone, but a different color and with a different screen shot. In the first image tweeted by Eldar, it has a stock Ice Cream Sandwich launcher, but the second leaked image has a TouchWiz launcher. Both of them have the newer ICS Google Search box, but in this newer image from Reddit, the launcher is TouchWiz with no ICS Google Search box. The other interesting thing is that the official TouchWiz version of ICS (released this week for the Galaxy S II) has a different looking Google search box from the stock ICS. Either way, it’s not shown in this newer image, but for whatever reason an image of kids is shown that is actually a stock photo seen on another comlpetely unrelated site.
Shortly after this image leaked, Eldar spoke up via Twitter and said, “SGS3 is different but thats one is closest to final design” and “But in any case this pic about ‘sgs3′ just a fake which was created by someone who saw face of real one :) ” The interesting thing is he doesn’t refer to the leak he released a little over a month ago. So in a sense is he saying both are fake or least the one he originally tweeted is not the final design either.
So what do you guys think? Real or fake?
sources: reddit (1) / (2) and twitter
Posted: 17 Mar 2012 10:08 AM PDT
You’re in the market for a new phone but it’s not time for an upgrade what do you do? Well if you’re like me you head on over to Craigslist or Ebay to see if you can snag a deal on a newer phone. You eventually find one and order it. You’re excited when it gets there, that is, until you go to activate it. You’ve just discovered that you’ve been burned as that advertised “clean” ESN is locked and the phone you just paid for is unusable. Sadly this is becoming more of a common occurrence. Well thanks to Justin Case and Cunning Logic this problem should look to be a thing of the past as the PocketESN app will help you in those dealings. Right now it only works with CDMA networks and the following are supported:
As you can see from the video it’s quite easy to use. You can check the ESN by either manually entering the number or scanning the barcode. It’s $5.99 but compared to dropping a few hundred bucks on a phone-turned-paperweight it’s well worth it. You may feel that dropping 6 dollars to only use this every so often isn’t worth it but Mr. Case is also working on a $0.99-per-use version. The following permissions are needed:
Network Communication: Full internet access – Required to validate an ESN, and check the Google Play’s license server.
Phone Calls: Read phone state and identity – To get the phone’s own ESN.
So the next time you’re in the market for a new phone you can use this app to prevent being burned. Scroll down a bit further to get your Google Play Store Link and QR code. Enjoy!
 
Posted: 17 Mar 2012 08:53 AM PDT
Motorola DROID Pro owners certainly have a happy start to their weekends. MOTO has officially pushed out a new build called software version 4.7.3.XT610 and includes fixes while addressing the the following:
  • Improved security with DigiNotar security patch.
  • Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System.
  • Device will no longer lockup or reset after an Over the Air update.
  • Device will no longer automatically power on after it has been powered off.
  • Pressing the spacebar key will no longer cause the device to lockup.
  • Improvements to keyboard backlighting.
  • Smart Forwarding will no longer cause forwarded messages to remain in the Outbox
  • V CAST Apps is now updated to version 2.00.54.
  • VZ Navigator is now updated to version 7.2.0.461
Seems like MOTO is sticking by their word to ensure the best quality for its current devices, doesn’t it? The update is rolling out in stages so if you don’t get it right away, just be patient and know that it will be here sooner than later.
source: Verizon
Posted: 17 Mar 2012 12:25 AM PDT
Sprint and LightSquared had entered into an 11-year agreement last June to share network expansion costs if LightSquared could get regulatory approval for its LTE rollout plan. LightSquared was debating with the FCC about alleged GPS interference on the 1.6 GHz spectrum, and Sprint had given them a six-week deadline to sort it all out. Well, the six weeks is now up, and Sprint has decided to terminate the agreement, saying the following:
“…due to these unresolved issues, and subject to the provisions of the agreement, Sprint has elected to exercise its right to terminate the agreement announced last summer. We remain open to considering future spectrum hosting agreements with LightSquared, should they resolve these interference issues, as well as other interested spectrum holders…
…Per the terms of the agreement, Sprint has returned $65 million in prepayments LightSquared made to cover costs that were not ultimately incurred by Sprint."
Full press release after the break.

Sprint Elects to Terminate Spectrum Hosting Agreement with LightSquared
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), March 16, 2012 – Sprint (NYSE: S) today issued the following statement regarding the spectrum hosting agreement it signed with LightSquared in June 2011. Per the agreement, Sprint agreed to deploy and operate an LTE network capable of utilizing the 1.6 GHz spectrum licensed to or available to LightSquared. The agreement contained contingencies related to possible interference issues with LightSquared's spectrum, including Sprint's right to terminate the agreement if certain conditions were not met by LightSquared.
"Sprint has been and continues to be supportive of LightSquared's business plans and appreciates the company's efforts to find a resolution to the interference issues impacting its ability to offer service on the 1.6 GHz spectrum. However, due to these unresolved issues, and subject to the provisions of the agreement, Sprint has elected to exercise its right to terminate the agreement announced last summer. We remain open to considering future spectrum hosting agreements with LightSquared, should they resolve these interference issues, as well as other interested spectrum holders.
"Late last year, both companies agreed to halt deployment design and implementation of LightSquared's network to ensure that Sprint's Network Vision project remained on schedule. While unfortunate, termination of the agreement will have no impact on Sprint's current customers and is not material to Sprint's ongoing business operations. Network Vision remains on schedule and on budget, and we look forward to begin launching our 4G LTE network mid-year.
"Per the terms of the agreement, Sprint has returned $65 million in prepayments LightSquared made to cover costs that were not ultimately incurred by Sprint."
Posted: 16 Mar 2012 11:23 PM PDT
The smartphone with the most buzz at Mobile World Congress this year was probably the HTC One X. With its Tegra 3 Quad-Core (dual-core Snapdragon S4 in the U.S.), 720p HD screen, and ImageSense technology, it’s a monster of a phone. Australian carrier Optus will be carrying it, and now it looks as if Virgin Mobile has outed its intentions with a fresh new webpage for the device.
The page mentions to check back in early April for updates, and to follow @VirginMobileAus on Twitter to find out when the HTC One X will be in stock and available to order.
I’m looking forward to when this phone arrives on Sprint in the U.S., and when it does, I will have a hard time deciding between it and the Sprint Galaxy Nexus. Not a bad problem to have.
source: virginmobile
via:  ausdroid
Posted: 16 Mar 2012 10:26 PM PDT
Call of Duty ELITE is a premium service for players of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Activision launched a mobile app for ELITE members on iOS and Android, and it has been installed over 2 million times. With the success of the smartphone app, Activision is now working on a tablet version for both platforms.
According to Activision Product Director Noah Heller, they are “working on the tablet app right now, I can’t tell you much about it but what I can tell you is that it will be a truly native, customized application for the tablet, it’s not just a simple port.”
Optimized for a tablet’s larger screen, the app will most likely feature all the features of the smartphone app, and Heller didn’t deny the possibility of having live Heat Maps on the tablet while playing the game on your console or PC.  You’ll need an ELITE account and a copy of Modern Warfare 3 on your console or computer to use the app. No other information is currently available, but we’ll be sure to post any news as we hear it.
Any ELITE members with tablets looking forward to this? Leave a comment!
source: t3
via: androidcentral
Posted: 16 Mar 2012 10:08 PM PDT
Ever heard of the Android x86? It’s a team project devoted to porting Android to x86 computer architecture, which pretty much covers most PCs, like for instance Asus Eee PCs. I loaded Android x86 on my former Eee PC back when the project featured early builds of Honeycomb. Now, the project has moved on to Ice Cream Sandwich and the result looks sweet.
Realize this isn’t an official release by any means and Asus doesn’t endorse doing this, but even they think it’s pretty cool to try given you take backup precautions. Give the video a look see and if you’d like, download Android x86 from here. By the way, you can install Android x86 to a flash drive. I’ve got an Android installation on my key ring, do you?
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: Asus Campus Life
Posted: 16 Mar 2012 09:16 PM PDT
The Nvidia Tegra 3, Qualcomm S4, and now the Apple A5X…all of these beastly new quad chipsets claim to be the best. Don’t make any judgement yet. There’s another contender here to join the fray, and it just may be a winner. I’m referring to Huawei’s K3V2. Developed in house by Huawei, this quad core monster comes in 1.2 & 1.5 gigahertz configurations and features a 16 core GPU. For those of you keeping track at home, that’s 4 more than the Tegra 3. From the look of these benchmarks, it makes a difference.
This first benchmark, devised by Powerboard.com, tests megapixels per second in each device’s native resolution.
As you can see, the Ascend D eeks ahead of the Exynos powered Galaxy Note and leaves the rest in the dust, despite the Qualcomm MSM8260 being overclocked to a hearty 2GHz.
In the more familiar Nenamark 2 benchmark, which tests OpenGL ES 2.0 framerate (for those unfamiliar), the Ascend D Quad XL came out on top again, with a frame rate of 62.75. As expected, the S4 and Tegra 3 are the closest contenders.
OK, so time for an obligatory spiel on benchmarks. The truth of the matter is, they are by no means a definitive representation of the devices they benchmark. Different benchmarks emphasize different aspects which in the long run of the testing sequence can make all the difference in results. Plus, their purpose is to put the devices to their limits. In a real world application, you likely aren’t going to hit those limits often. So realistically, all of these chips should feel plenty fast, but Huawei’s offering just might be the fastest.
Posted: 16 Mar 2012 06:39 PM PDT
As Android continues to become more and more popular, coupled with the open-source nature of the software, the need for higher security is on everyone’s mind. In the past, flashing a custom ROM, such as CyanogenMod 7, would automatically enable root access to your phone, leaving your phone immediately vulnerable to potential security threats. Along with the risks came the freedom to customize your phone like no other mobile software could offer. Now with the most recent CyanogenMod 9, CM has merged 3 patches into their latest ROM that will disable automatic root access as default. Users will now have the following root options:
  • Disabled
  • Enabled for ADB only
  • Enabled for apps only
  • Enabled for both
So will this be a welcome change in the root community? In what situations would you make use of this new function? Let us know what’s on your mind in the comments.
Source: CyanogenMod

Posted by at 4:50 PM

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