Sunday, April 15, 2012

Update - 251



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 04:51 PM PDT

LogMeIn Rescue
LogMeIn, the popular remote support client, announced today that it has entered a partnership with HTC in which the manufacturer will preinstall the software on its Android devices for remote technical support. Future HTC smartphones and tablets will ship (with the wireless carrier's consent) with LogMeIn Rescue onboard, allowing users to connect to HTC technical service representatives with one click. Once initiated, technicians will be able to run remote diagnostics, tweak settings, and access the device in the event of a problem. The service, as is current HTC technical support, will be free to use.
Today's announcement comes just days after Verizon announced that with its latest OTA update for the LG Revolution, it has begun adding similar remote diagnostic software to its devices. Like Verizon, LogMeIn's policy states that the information it collects is used strictly to diagnose malfunctions and other technical problems. It is unclear whether Verizon will include LogMeIn Rescue or its own remote diagnostic software on its line of HTC devices.
LogMeIn is currently used on over 150 million devices worldwide including PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets. The company's full announcement can be found after the break.
Source: LogMeIn
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 04:05 PM PDT
From the Forums
We've kicked off a pretty rumor filled Monday here at Android Central so that makes us wonder what the rest of the week shall bring us. If you, for whatever reason missed out on anything make sure you get yourself caught up both her on the blogs and in the Android Central Forums:
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 03:21 PM PDT
Wanted
Mondays mean more than just hangovers and piles of work in ye olde inbox around here; it means the start of another Android Central photo contest! This week we're going all out and asking you fine folks to snap a picture of the subject you know best -- yourself. Use that front facing camera, or do up a solid MySpace bathroom mirror shot, or get a friend to take your mugshot and share it with the world.
We're looking for creativity. Make us laugh, make us cry, or make us ohh and ahh over the awesome scenery behind you, but give us something a little extra. We're not about to hold a beauty contest here. Don't be shy, grab your Android phone (or tablet) and join in. Here's the rules:
  • Use an Android device to take the picture.
  • Send it to pics@androidcentral.com, along with a name we can use and the model of Android you used to take it. We like knowing this kind of stuff.
  • If you send in more than one, or send me a link instead of an attachment, your entry gets filed in the trash folder, so don't do it. I hate it when I have to do that.
  • Get me the pictures before the end of the night on Friday.
This week we're giving away an Android Central t-shirt to the top five, so the next time you take a self-portrait you'll look good rocking a little bit of Lloyd. Good luck everyone! 



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 02:13 PM PDT
HTC Sensation
HTC has made the Ice Cream Sandwich kernel sources for the Vivid, the Sensation, and the Sensation XE available for download on their HTC Developer Center website. It's been about a week since HTC began rolling out ICS for the three devices, and per the license, these were to have been published when the software was released. Developers have been getting a little antsy waiting, but now have what they need to build custom kernels and Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs for the newly-updated phones.
As usual, for normal users like you and I the source itself means little. But the magic that developers can make happen with it certainly has some appeal, and we're ready to see what folks can come up with. If you're one of those developers, or if you're just curious what a hundred MB or so of Linux kernel sources looks like, hit the link and have a peek.
Source: HTC dev



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:56 PM PDT
Winnipeg Jets
Official apps from NHL teams are being released on a staggered schedule. Last month, four more teams received apps, however, many fans were still left in the cold. The Winnipeg Jets have recently released their official app, which has to make fans up north incredibly happy. The franchise that was gone in Atlanta for so long has now returned, and the passionate fans up there can follow their team on-the-go with the The Winnipeg Jets App.
The features of the app include:
  • Jets interactive schedule and results
  • Up to date scores, stats and standings
  • News and Videos
  • Player cards, bios and stats
  • Game photos
The playoff races are heating up in the NHL, so the timing is good for the fans up in Winnipeg. Please find links to the free app after the break.

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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:32 PM PDT
Motorola Defy+
Motorola has released the Defy+ for the UAE, bringing the tough-as-nails phone to market for those who need a tough-as-nails phone. With a water resistant and dust-proof casing, and a scratch resistant Gorilla Glass screen, Motorola promises the Defy+ will be "life proof". A quote from Raed Hafez, managing director for Motorola Mobility's Middle East and Africa division, sums it up nicely:
With smartphones firmly established as essential, multi-purposing digital hubs, Middle Eastern consumers are looking for a handset that is not only capable of delivering a comprehensive range of entertainment and enterprise functionalities, but is also able to effectively withstand every-day wear and tear
The Defy+ offers a much improved experience over the original, with a newer, better version of Motorola's Blur user interface, and has better internals. Shipping with a 1GHz processor, a 3.7-inch 800x480 display, a 1700mAh battery and Android 2.3 the Defy+ should be a hit for those who want a rugged phone that looks stylish and runs well. For more information, see the source link.
Source: Motorola



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:19 PM PDT
XOOM 2
Motorola Mobility has announced the availability of its Motorola XOOM 2 tablet in Romania at the end of March. As a refresher, the XOOM 2 comes with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb), a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, and a 10.1-inch HD display. As far as partners go, it will run on Orange Romania's 3G network. No specific release date has been set, but end of March is rapidly approaching. Also, no price has been announced, but since the tablet is launching in the next two weeks, I'd expect to hear sooner rather than later.



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:03 PM PDT
Since Apple unveiled Siri, everyone has jumped on the "virtual assistant" bandwagon. Take a solid set of voice actions, give it a cutesy name and claim it has some personality, and you have the next big thing. Vlingo has been at this game a while, since way back when Siri was just a gleam in some programmer's eye. Today, they show us that they can not only make a great cross-platform application, but they have one hell of a sense of humor.
This is how you should market every app -- with Grandma's who cheat at bingo and puppets who want to get "crunk" and forget each others names. Just watch it, you'll be glad you did. The download link is after the break if you haven't tried Vlingo yet.
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 12:31 PM PDT
Dunno what's better — the fact that you can get five new games (well, new to Android) and pay whatever you want, that you can designate where you want your contribution to go to (developers, charity or to Humble Bundle), or the preview video you see above. The answer, of course, is all of the above.
New in Humble Bundle 2 are Zen Bound 2, Canabalt, Cogs and Avadon: The Black Fortress (for tablets only). Plus, if you pay more than the average amount (which currently stands at $5.89), you'll get Swords & Soldiers thrown in for good measure. 
The whole thing's going down at the link below.



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 11:21 AM PDT
Fitbit for Android
The folks at Fitbit over the weekend slipped an official Fitbit Android app into the Google Play Store. It doesn't take the place of the Fitbit tracker, but it does let you check your daily progress as well as set daily goals and record activities, all from your Android smartphone.
We've pulled back our Fitbit review to give this one a proper look, but for now we've got a slew of screenshots and download links after the break.
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 11:06 AM PDT
All About AndroidJust a quick heads up that our fearless leader Phil will be on TWIT's All About Android show tonight at midnight GMT, 8 p.m. EDT and 5 p.m. PDT. He'll be joining Jason Howell, Eileen Rivera and Ron Richards for the latest in Android news, apps and whatever else ends up breaking before the show begins. Hit the link below to watch it live!



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:48 AM PDT
Android Central Contest Winners
If you're a registered member here at Android Central then you know our forums always have a contest happening. And if you're not registered, well -- now is as good a time as any. This week's winners are as posted after the break, and if you were chosen watch your email as we'll be following up shortly. Stay tuned for more upcoming contests folks. (And Transformer Prime winners will be announced later today.) Congrats to this week's winners!
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:30 AM PDT
If there's one thing Android isn't hurting for, it's puzzle games. Knowing that, I wouldn't be putting another puzzle game in front of you if it wasn't good. Great, even. And if there's one thing Quell Reflect is, it's a great puzzle game.
First thing, let's talk about Quell Reflect's aesthetic. When you're not in a game, the environment has this very old school, rustic look to it. Levels come in groups of four, and when you're on the level select screen, you'll notice that each batch of puzzles is assigned a year in the past, long, long ago. You're in what looks like a dank, stone basement, and there's vintage propaganda posters on the walls.
I'm not sure what it is, but I love it. It's unique and it definitely gives even something as simple as selecting a level a much cooler vibe.
In Quell Reflect, you're trying to fling a bubble around a world filled with obstacles, and collect pearls along the way. You advance to the next level once you've collected all the pearls, but the caveat is that once you've flung the bubble, the bubble is in motion until an outside force acts upon it (or, in layman's terms, it runs into a wall).
Your goal is to collect all of the pearls in the least number of moves possible. The game gives you an idea of what that number is each level, in the top-left corner of the screen. If you manage to complete a level in that number of moves, you're awarded a hint token. Having never used a hint token, I can't be certain what they do, but if I had to guess, I'd say they give you a hint​ on where to fling your bubble.
I absolutely am in love with this game. The beginning levels are fairly straightforward, but new mechanics are quickly added in, like the side of the screen with no border. If there's no stones to stop the bubble, it flings off the edge of the screen and comes out on the opposite side, a la Pacman-in-the-tunnel. Soon after, spikes are introduced, and after that, stones that need to be pushed together in order to make them disappear.
From the moment you start playing, you'll be taken with how much detail has been put into this game. The soundtrack isn't a slouch, either. The music is both tranquil and ambient, almost in the vein of Osmos HD. It's beautiful, and if you've got the battery for it, I don't think anyone would ridicule you for leaving the game open just to have pretty music going in the background.
What else is there to say? This is a beautiful, polished, intriguing game. It'll have you scratching your head as you try to uncover the most efficient way to win a level and then quickly lull you back into serenity with it's pleasant interface and calming music. Truly, Quell Reflect is the real deal.
Quell Reflect is 99 cents in the Google Play Store. We've got download links after the break.
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:55 AM PDT
Fitbit
Ever wonder just how many steps you took on an average day? Most of us would probably think we walk quite a bit, and depending on your job some of you may very well walk a few miles on a daily basis. When Fitness Month began I knew I wanted to become more active, but how do you become "more" active if you have no baseline to compare how active you are currently?
Fitbit has just recently released an Android application that allows you to monitor your synced results while on the go. Unfortunately this will not display real time results, as the unit will need to sync through a computer for that, but it will allow access to your previous results easily. In addition there are a few API's available for developers to use so they can integrate their applications along with the Fitbit, and quite a few Android developers have already done so. MyFitnessPalEndomondo, Lose It and others allow your Fitbit data to sync with their applications to help ensure your activity levels are accurately accounted for across the board.
Sure, you could attempt to count your steps on a daily basis, but what are the odds that you will be able to actually do it? When looking for a way to measure and log my daily levels the one accessory that continued to stand out was the Fitbit.  The Fitbit is a small accessory that you carry along with you daily in your pocket, on your belt, or even attached to your bra if you wish. Could a simple accessory like the Fitbit really have a big impact on your day to day fitness levels? Let's hit the break and dive a little bit deeper into exactly what this little thing can do.
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:32 AM PDT
Adele 1
Adele won numerous awards at the Grammys about a month ago and with her official Android app, you can enjoy up-to-date info on the singer right from your pocket.
The app offers a lot for the huge or even casual Adele fan. When you open the app, you'll see changing pictures of Adele making up the background of the app and her name up top. The main options will be listed in green and with a simple swipe gesture, you'll be able to access the rest.
There are five options per page and I'll describe what each does:
  • News: Brings up an aggregated news feed, where you can see clips from her official website or her official Twitter feed
  • Music: Displays all of her music and allows you to preview each song
  • Videos: Allows you to view recent videos released by the singer. These consist of both music videos and live performances. For example, her recent show at Live at the Royal Albert Hall in London is included
  • Community: Allows you to interact with the Adele Fan Community, where people post comments and pictures
  • Live Shows: Displays information about future and past events. You can buy tickets to future performances or view photos and comments about past shows
  • About: Shows a short biography of the singer
  • Albums: Lists her albums to date, where you can view tracks and fan comments for specific albums
  • Photos: Displays several photos of the singer, which you can save and share if you wish
  • Favorites: Allows you to save data from the rest of the app in a simple list so it can easily be accessed
  • My Profile: If you're a huge Adele fan, you probably want to comment on albums or shows or post pictures. This is where you sign in, either with Twitter or Facebook, which allows you to leave posts
  • Top Users: Relating to the My Profile category, if you're posting a lot, you may find yourself rewarded by making the top users list. There are top users listed for all time, monthly, weekly and daily
  • Store: Brings you to her web store via the browser
  • Links: Displays links to Adele's official site, Facebook page and Twitter page
  • Mailing List: If you wish to receive mailings from Adele on future dates and music, you can sign up right from the app
  • Copyright: Self explanatory, just displays the copyright information
Overall, I'd say the official Adele app is really well done. I enjoy her music, but wouldn't call myself a big fan and I had a great experience exploring the app. The UI is something that definitely improves the experience. If you're a big Adele fan or just want to find out more information about the singer, check out the free app. Please find links and more screenshots after the break.
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:43 AM PDT
Verizon LG Revolution
Verizon over the weekend dropped word that an impending update to the LG Revolution would include a Verizon Remote Diagnostics app — a "new customer care solution to improve device issue diagnosis during customer support calls."
We've gotten some more detail on exactly what that entails, and it's not really anywhere near as scary as you might think. A Verizon spokesman tells us that it's really just a remote desktop type of thing. A VNC service, if you will. And, Verizon tells us, "no personal data like keystrokes or web history, location, etc., is logged or saved."
This sort of thing is a touchy subject because of the hot water carriers found themselves in last year over their use of Carrier IQ, a network analytics tool that was cooked into many smartphones to allow the silent uploading of network and device data. Users weren't explicitly made aware of its use, and a bit of a firestorm erupted. Warranted or not, any sort of "remote diagnostics" app added by a carrier to a smartphone is bound to raise eyebrows.
We've got a feeling some folks will be putting that to the test, but for now we have absolutely no reason not to take Verizon at its word.



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:29 AM PDT
Welcome back for a another week of Android accessory giveaway's from ShopAndroid.com! Today we'll be featuring the Mobi Crystal Case for Motorola Droid 4, Case-Mate Tough Case for Samsung Epic 4G Touch, OtterBox Defender Case for Atrix 4G, and the Mobi Hard Shell Case for Samsung Captivate.
To become eligible to win, just leave a comment below stating which item you'd like to have for your Android device.  We'll randomly select one lucky winner and announce them next Monday.  Good luck!

Mobi Crystal Case for Motorola Droid 4


The Motorola Droid 4 Mobi Products Crystal Case is the perfect solution for protection for anyone who prefers the original look of their Droid 4.  The crystal case is completely transparent, and made of a highly durable plastic shell featuring cutouts for all of the device's ports and buttons.  It's great against drops, extremely lightweight, and easy to install and remove.
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:16 AM PDT
Galaxy S II
Following last week's Ice Cream Sandwich update release for the international Samsung Galaxy S II, the kernel source code (along with other open-source odds and ends) for the new firmware has been released online. Android's Linux kernel lies at the heart of the OS, and kernel source code for Android devices must be released by manufacturers under the GNU General Public License.
While the code won't be of any use to your average Galaxy S II owner, custom firmware developers will welcome its release, as it'll assist them with the development of ICS ROMs for the device. That in turn makes for better custom ROMs, which is good news for everyone.
To grab the code for yourself, head to the source link and type "i9100" in the search box.
Source: Samsung Open Source Release Center; Thanks graffixnyc!



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 07:47 AM PDT
Motorola
The Motorola RAZR isn't exactly a small phone. Thin, yes. Small? No. It's definitely got some square footage to it. Then there's this new behemoth. That, friends, is said to be the Motorola Fighter on the left here. And that unmistakable Verizon logo sure points to a U.S. launch at some point. That's supposed to be a 4.6-inch display, and the lack of physical buttons suggests it'll have Ice Cream Sandwich. (Which it damn well better have.) We've got feeling that the angle of this pic is making the Fighter look a little bigger than it actually is, but it's certainly going to put a crimp in your one-handed style.



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 07:39 AM PDT
Rescue+Mobile
Motorola has amped up their customer service offerings in Korea.  Staring with the Motorola RAZR, customers seeking support will now be able to download LogMeIn ‘Rescue + Mobile for Motorola’ where Motorola representatives will be able to login and remotely control the devices of those needing assistance.
“These smart services will help us provide even better and more personal support to our customers in Korea,” said Chul-Jong Jung, president of Motorola Korea. “We are committed to customer satisfaction, and making sure that people can get support when they need it and where they need it is an important part of that.”
Rather trying to explain how to fix things, logging in remotely allows not only to address the issue faster but the actions are also visible to customer so that if it arise again, they'll know what to do in order to fix it themselves. Want to know more? The full press release is past the break.
Source: Motorola
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Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:52 AM PDT
Samsung
Try to contain yourselves here, folks, but the upcoming (and still unannounced) Samsung Galaxy S III apparently will use a quad-core Samsung Exynos system, a "high-ranking" Samsung exec told Korea Times. Shouldn't be much of a surprise there — Samsung's been using Samsung chips (and displays, and who knows what else) in its own phones for quite some time. The bigger story perhaps is that it looks like Exynos processors finally will be playing nice with 4G radios (remember that NVIDIA Tegra 3 chips are finally getting there, too, as seen in a Fujitsu prototype), which will allow Samsung to forgo using other manufacturers' processors.
Of course, we still have no real idea of when we'll see any of this come to market. When Samsung announced its new 32nm Exynos 5250 in November 2011, it said it was scheduled for mass production in the second quarter of 2012.
Source: Korea Times



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:23 AM PDT
HTC One roadshow
Over the past year, HTC has taken to the road to promote its products across Europe. And for its latest series of smartphones, it's taking things to the next level, launching a worldwide tour to allow fans to go hands-on with its new HTC One line-up.
In a post on its official blog, the manufacturer reveals that it plans to visit "dozens of cities" across the globe, including the major cities you see in the image above. If last year's roadshows are any indication, this year's tour should be a great opportunity for regular people (as opposed to snooty press types like ourselves) to get an early look at the One X, One S and maybe even the One V. No specific dates are mentioned, but according to today's blog post, the tour is planned for "the next several weeks."
HTC's also asking fans to suggest more destinations to add to its line-up, so if you're not anywhere near the nine cities that've already been announced, there's still time make yourself heard.
Source: HTC Blog



Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:20 AM PDT

Mobile Nations





        Posted: 19 Mar 2012 05:44 AM PDT
        HTC has offered little in the way of pricing info or launch dates for its new One series. However, pre-order listings by a number of UK retailers present some clues as to when you'll be able to get your hands on the One X and One S, and for how much. Several online stores, including Amazon, Clove and Expansys are listing HTC's new flagship phone for release on April 5, with a £490-500 price tag. Meanwhile the One S, HTC's slightly less high-end, high-end phone is placed around £440-450 by Amazon and Clove, with the same purported release date of April 5.
        The April 5 date matches what's been reported by O2 UK and others in the past week, and the price tags shouldn't surprise anyone -- that's what cutting edge phones cost in the UK. (Though we're relieved to see that the One X isn't pushing into silly money territory with prices above £500.)
        Network-subsidized deals will likely knock these SIM-free prices down to more affordable levels anyway. The One X and One S are to be carried by every major UK network, so we'd expect to see some competitive offers.
        In the U.S., the One X will launch on AT&T, while T-Mobile will get the One S. However there's still no word on exactly when these phones are due to cross the Atlantic.


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