Saturday, July 14, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

From the Android Forums: Appreciation for The BOSS

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 04:52 PM PDT

The BOSS

What do you do to show love and appreciation for the hard-working individual running the ship at the best damn Android forums anywhere? That's a tough nut to crack. Sure, the higher-ups could shower him with gifts, or cut a check, but as one of the folks who work with him, I agree that we needed a way to tell him that we think he's a hell of a guy. I'm talking about Cory Streater of course, our forums admin, podcast star, and all-around awesome guy. 

Anyways, we dreamed up a great idea, and decided to have a t-shirt made to express just how we think and feel, then ship it around so all the moderators and developers could sign it. It took several months to get done, and the shirt traveled almost 8,000 miles before landing at Cory's doorstep. Without the logistic skills of AC Super Moderator Cyber Warrior (NATO should totally hire this guy) it would have never happened. With over 850,000 members, almost 2,000,000 posts, and new registrations flowing in all the time, our forums are just too big and need too many folks working in them to pull this off without some serious dedication, and CW stepped up -- this is where I thank him again!

So anyhoo, I want to take a chance to thank Cory again for all his hard work -- you're a friend as well as a co-worker -- as well as thank everyone involved in the project.  I'm blogging it so you folks have a chance to tell Cory thanks for all his hard work as well. He's spent many a night awake and working on the forums long after he should have been in bed, and it shows. It takes more than awesome members to have the best damn Android forums on the Internet, and we're lucky to have Cory at the helm. Feel free to fill the comments with thanks and appreciation, but be sure to visit the forums here to tell him personally!

Top 5 games for your new Nexus 7

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 03:26 PM PDT

Riptide GP

You might have heard that a lot of folks have been able to get their hands on the Nexus 7 today. Of course, not everyone who ordered and is waiting was able, and that's caused a bit of a ruckus, but we're certain that everyone will be getting their greasy fingerprints on the N7 in short order. After you marvel at the Googly-goodness, and sign into it, it's time to fill the less-than-ample storage with apps. If you've not used a Tegra 3 device before, I'm going to tell you that games need to be part of that. If you have used a T3-powered phone or tablet, you know where I'm coming from. This thing was built to play awesome games on. Trust me.

But since we can't just load every cool game and their hundreds and hundreds of megabytes worth of files, you need to be a bit choosy. I'm here to help. I spend more time playing games on my Android tablet than a grown man should, but rather than feel guilty about it I am going to put my slacker-powers to good use and give you my top five games to install right now on your Nexus 7. Hit the break and have a look.

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Apple demands retailers remove Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Tab 10.1 from shelves

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:31 PM PDT

Android Central

Apple has sent letters to U.S. retailers selling Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet and Galaxy Nexus phone, warning them not to sell the devices. Following a patent dispute earlier in the month Apple obtained preliminary injunctions preventing the Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Nexus from imported into, or sold within the United States. In the case of the Nexus, however, sales are set to continue after the ban was delayed on appeal, and that device looks set to continue shipping from the Google Play Store soon.

In its letter, quoted on FOSS Patents, Apple demands that retailers refrain from "importing, offering to sell, or selling [the devices] within the United States," saying the injunctions apply "not only to the named Samsung entities, but also to anyone 'acting in concert' with them." It goes on -- "Apple thus believes that the order extends to you."

Whether Apple is legally in the right remains to be seen, (and that's a debate for folks smarter than us). But the attempted strong-arming of retailers shows just how badly the iPhone maker wants to prevent consumers from being able to buy these competing (and, they would argue, infringing) products. People close to the matter at Best Buy and Wal-Mart tell us that they've been complying with the order regardless of Apple's aggression. One such source told us, "We had planned to remove the Galaxy Tab 10.1 from the shelves the evening the news [of the injunction] broke, and we received word from our district manager to go forward with the plan immediately." Despite this, some U.S. retailers are​ still offering the devices for sale, and that's what seems to have provoked this response from Cupertino.

A statement released by Samsung condemned Apple's actions, saying "Apple’s menacing letters greatly overreach, incorrectly claiming that third-party retailers are subject to the prohibitions of the preliminary injunction, which they clearly are not."

Source: FOSS Patents; via: The Verge

World Series Poker deals a hand to Android

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:29 PM PDT

World Series Poker deals a hand to Android

Poker fans will be happy to hear that EA has launched World Series Poker on Android today. Texas hold'em, Omaha,  and lots of stats and social features are available.

  • Enjoy multiple game modes including two different styles of poker with Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker.
  • Play with friends and people around the world at any time via Facebook with anonymous login options coming soon.
  • Participate in tournaments to collect virtual WSOP rings and bracelets just like the pros.
  • Become a VIP player to track and analyze over 25 statistics including the frequency of raises and the percentage of folds pre-flop.
  • Chat in real time with other players and send virtual gifts like energy drinks, sunglasses or even pets like pandas and cobras to friends in-game.
  • Earn Pro status to play in exclusive high-stakes tables with other gamers that play like the pros.
  • Purchase additional chip stacks and gold in game in addition to winning at tables and through tournaments.

Any poker players in the house interested in giving this a shot? It's free, so all you've got to lose are your chips. 

Download: World Series Poker

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My Tracks for Android updated with Google Earth playback, performance stats

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:07 PM PDT

My Tracks

Google's My Tracks app has been updated today to version 2.0 with a few new features to help those wanting to document their journeys.

  • The ability to play back your tour directly on Google Earth for Android
  • Aggregation of statistics over time to show trends in your performance
  • Simpler, faster user interface
  • Improved charts and stats tables that are easier to read

With summer upon us and plenty of hiking and biking trips to be had, My Tracks seems like it could be a great way to chronicle your journeys, and with the right tools, it could be a great fitness companion. If only it had more photography functions, My Tracks could be a fine way to view geotagged pictures. 

The download link is below for anyone interested. Anyone have particularly useful experiences with My Tracks?

Source: Google Lat Long
Download: My Tracks

Acer Iconia Tab A700 review

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:52 PM PDT

Acer Iconia Tab A700

With the recent introduction of Google’s Nexus 7, Android tablets have reached a bit of a crossroads. To the right lies the current trend of beefed up specs and raw computing power; on the left lies the newly-blazed trail of “content as king.” Ask Google and it will say that its latest project is the face of how Android tablets should proceed, though unfortunately for tablet makers, that news hasn’t quite made it down the pike yet.

Take for example Acer, a company that has focused solely on specs for its Android tablets, and thus hasn’t been able to garner the attention that its competitors enjoy. Any maybe the reason for this is its lack of innovation: sure, you can put the latest and greatest processor and display on a tablet, but does that really make it unique enough to catch a consumer’s eye? Acer’s latest attempt at attracting people’s attention is the Iconia Tab A700, the 10-inch successor to its first venture, the Iconia A500. But has Acer done any innovating here?  Unfortunately, the A700 is the same Android tablet you’ve seen time and time again from nearly every Android manufacturer under the sun. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’re a hardcore Android fan, but it’s far from being a good thing for those who have yet to jump onto the Android tablet bandwagon.

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Springpad for Android helps you make social lists for everything

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:12 PM PDT

Springpad for Android helps you make social lists for everything

Springpad lets you m​ake all sorts of lists on all sorts of content with all sorts of people

Springpad has been offering a social note service to Android owners for a long time now, with particular emphasis on a smooth, polished app design and a solid web counterpart. The Android app was recently featured on the Google Play store, so we decided to take it for a spin. 

Springpad users create notebooks that are either public or private, and revolve around particular subjects. There are different types of notebook items based on activity (tasks, events, check lists) or subject matter (books, movies, music, places, and boatloads more).  The kind of content added to these notebooks extends far beyond simple text - photos, audio, and locations can all be used. All of that being said, it's easy to see Springpad as the spiritual love child of Evernote and Pinterest. Maybe Path was a foster parent for awhile. 

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Georgie, a smartphone app for the visually impaired, now available

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 11:44 AM PDT

Android Central

Addressing the smartphone market for the visually impaired is an ongoing task. Over the years, there have been plenty of advancements in this area with the introduction of numerous applications, voice technology and on screen accessibility features but now a new entrant into the market is seeking to help folks as well. Screenreader, a not-for-profit company, has now introduced the Android based Georgie app in the U.K where there 1 in every 30 people suffer from some sort of visual impairment.

Using existing Samsung phones like the Samsung XCover and Galaxy Ace 2, picked specifically to be easy to use for blind users, Georgie offers a whole new experience by allowing for such things as managing contacts, using speech input to send text messages and tag previous routes or hazards (like potholes or low hanging branches) using navigation apps.

Georgie is available for purchase on the Google Play Store in a number of different packages. The base package with all features is available for £299 with additional feature sets available for £149. You can look at the full press release below or check out the source link for video on how Georgie works on devices.

Source: ScreenReader

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WordPress for Android updated to include support for Nexus 7, Danish language

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 11:32 AM PDT

In what is likely one of the first of a lot of forthcoming app updates, the fine folks from Automattic have gone ahead an updated WordPress for Android for the Nexus 7. The update isn't really of vital importance to a lot of folks right yet, but if you're awaiting a Nexus 7 which is now shipping you can take satisfaction in knowing WordPress will be supported. In addition to the Nexus 7 support, you'll also find that the app now has Danish language support included.

Download: Wordpress for Android

Google now shipping first wave of Nexus 7 pre-orders

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 10:36 AM PDT

Nexus 7

If you were one of the many that jumped right into the Google Play Store to place your pre-order for the Nexus 7 upon announcement, you will be happy to know that the devices have finally started shipping. The first wave is expected to be fully shipped within the next business day or two, and then more to follow after that. We have seen some folks getting theirs in store already, but no need to worry to those who placed their pre-orders direct from Google, they are on the way and you should have them soon!

While you wait, be sure to check out our full Nexus 7 review, and hop into the forums and check out what is happening in there.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Google My Tracks updated to version 2.0, play back your tours on Google Earth

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Android Central

My Tracks, the 'adventure' tracking application from Google, has received an update today to version 2.0. The app itself has been around single 2009, so an update was well due. It uses the GPS on your device to "visualize your location" over time, and allow you to share the data on Google Maps and Google Earth. With version 2.0, we get a new feature that could make all this location data look oh so much better. 

With the update, comes the ability to view your tracked routes right within the Google Earth for Android application. That'll be the same Google Earth application that just benefitted from a sweet 3D update then. Relive those trips down the Vegas strip in glorious 3D. 

Additionally, the whole UI has been given a pretty big spruce up and is now faster and simpler, and beautifully within the Android 4.x design guidelines -- but then this is Google, so we'd expect at least that. There's also the aggregation of statistics over time to show trends in your performance, and improved charts and stats tables that are easier to read. My Tracks 2.0 is live this very second in the Google Play Store, so head on over there to grab it for yourselves. 

Source: Google Lat-Long; Download: My Tracks

Samsung Galaxy S III unlocked GSM model may be coming to Best Buy

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Best Buy

From the "stranger things have happened" files, there's a couple pictures of a supposed Best Buy computer screen showing order details for the Samsung Galaxy S III -- with the same model designation as the unlocked international version. According to the screens, Best Buy is making shelf space for the Pebble Blu i9300, which is the same model number as the version sold internationally, and the screen notes it is an unlocked GSM version. Of course, the quantity is at zero with none on order, so we're not 100-percent sure what it is we're looking at. We've put some feelers out and have come to find that Best Buy has sold GSM unlocked Samsung Galaxy S II phones in major markets and online, with the same i9100 tag as the ones sold elsewhere in the world. As we find out more, we'll forward it along. In the meantime, hit the Galaxy S III forums to see the original post and join in the discussion.

Thanks, razortaz18!

Major Mayhem explodes into Google Play

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 08:50 AM PDT

Major Mayhem explodes into Google Play

Adult Swim has kicked off a new run-and-gun game for Android that's ripe with action. Major Mayhem puts you into the weathered boots of a military superman, who's on a mission to save the world and his girlfriend.  The only sensible solution to this problem is guns, and boy-howdy does Major Mayhem have a few of those. Here's a quick run-down of the features.

  • 45 levels of non-stop action
  • 4 game modes
  • 100 achievements
  • 150 mini mission objectives
  • 5 power ups
  • Battle your way past hordes of enemies in three picturesque environments: Tropics, Metropolis and Desert
  • 20 unique weapons in your arsenal to deal out MAJOR MAYHEM, like:
    • Automatic Shotgun
    • Minigun
    • Quadzooka (like a Bazooka only more massive-er!)
    • And more!
  • 42 costumes and hats to make your Major's fashion conscience which dealing massive devastation!
  • Save the world, and your girlfriend

Adult Swim has been focusing more and more on mobile games, though their focus tends to be on iOS first (Major Mayhem has been available for iPhone and iPad for awhile now). It would be great to see a lot of other iOS titles make the leap to Android, like Velocirapture, Extinction Squad, and Amateur Surgeon, but I'm sure they're all coming in good time. So far, Google Play hosts the classic Robot Unicorn Attack, Monsters Ate My Condo, and their video app. 

Major Mayhem is totally free, though the wealth of unlockables can be acquired through in-app purchases. I've only played a little bit, but so far the graphics are great, and the action is a ton of fun. Get shootin' at the download link below. 

Download: Major Mayhem

Nexus 7 tablet hitting a few lucky hands already

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 08:29 AM PDT

Nexus 7

The launch of the Nexus 7 Android tablet has been, at best, a little muddy. The listing on Google Play still has it shipping in 1 to 2 weeks. Some retailers apparently have been told to sit on their stock. Gamestop apparently isn't one of them. We've gotten numerous tips that folks are being told to head in and pick up their preorders, and one such lucky person is Captain Crossbones on Twitter. (Great name, btw.)

So, yep. There's the Nexus 7 tablet. The cool kids are getting them. Those who ordered directly from Google are still waiting. And, yes, that's a bit bassackwards.

But you all can have one thing in common: Read our full Nexus 7 review and head over to our Nexus 7 forums pronto, to see what all the fuss is about.

Source: @captcrossbones

HTC One X now available on TELUS

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 07:34 AM PDT

After a short teaser period, TELUS has put the HTC One X on sale. Canadians can now pick up the device for $129.99 on a three-year contract and a $50 plan, or $629.99 with no strings attached. Here's a quick reminder of the specs:

  • 1.5 GHz dual processor with 1 GB of DDR2 RAM
  • 4.7-inch 720 x 1280 display
  • 8 MP camera with 1080p video recording and LED flash
  • 16 GB internal storage (no microSD memory card slot)
  • Beats Audio
  • 1800 mAh battery (non-removable)

Rogers had a few months of exclusivity with the device in Canada, so maybe we'll see a version pop up on Bell too. The little regional guys, WIND and Mobilicity, haven't had much from HTC in awhile - the HTC Amaze 4G is the latest HTC Android phone either one is offering. 

The HTC One X can be ordered from TELUS here, but be sure to check out our review before taking the dive. Any Canadians particularly eager to snag one of these that hasn't already? Any preferences between Rogers or TELUS?

Android 4.0.4 now available for the Samsung Galaxy Note on TELUS, Bell and Rogers

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 07:23 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Note

The wait for Android 4.0 on Canadian Galaxy Note's (Android 4.0.4 to be precise) is now over for the most part. Samsung issued a press release yesterday, letting folks know rollout would start today and low and behold, they were right. TELUS and Bell customers are now getting the update pushed to their devices via OTA and if OTA isn't really your thing, the update is also available for download via Kies. On Rogers? Shout out in the comments if you see it pop up on a Rogers device, because we've not heard word of it landing on those as of yet.

Q2 Nielsen numbers show Samsung, HTC jockeying for Android dominance

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 07:14 AM PDT

Nielsen Q2

Nielsen released its mobile subscriber data for Q2 2012 today, and it shows a tight race between Samsung and HTC for the title of top Android manufacturer. Among total Android users, 17 percent own a Samsung device, while 14 percent have an HTC device. Motorola claims 11 percent of the Android market share, coming in a close third.

Among all U.S. mobile subscribers, 54.9 percent now own a smartphone, with 51.8 percent of those subscribers owning an Android device, compared to iOS's 34.3 percent market share. Two out of three new mobile subscribers in Q2 opted for a smartphone, with 54.6 percent of those choosing an Android device, topping the 36.3 percent that chose an iPhone.

Source:  Nielsen

 

Verizon gets a subscription gaming hub in GameTanium

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 06:21 AM PDT

GameTanium

Verizon today announced its GameTanium service -- $5.99 a month for all-you-can-eat gaming on Android smartphones and tablets. It's a pretty simple premise -- you pay, and get access to more than 100 games through the GameTanium hub. The advantage is that you pay once, play a lot. The subscription model, which we're a fan of, is what makes this not just another download hub, a la NVIDIA's Tegra Zone. 

We've got video and the full presser after the break.

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Seidio ACTIVE Case (with kickstand) for Samsung Galaxy Note

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 06:17 AM PDT

Deal of the DayThe July 13 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio ACTIVE Case (with kickstand) for Samsung Galaxy Note. This two-layer case features a compact and lightweight rubber polymer with a precisely positioned hard skeleton for added protection. The back of the case features a retractable kickstand for convenient viewing. Comes in black, blue, red, amethyst, and white.

The Seidio ACTIVE Case (with kickstand) is available for just $18.95, 46% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last!

Pink and blue Sony Xperia S may include faster CPU, sell as Xperia SL

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 04:38 AM PDT

Android Central

Rumors have been circulating for a while concerning the Sony LT26ii, said to be an Xperia S (LT26i) with slightly updated internals. And today we might have our first glimpse of the device, as the render above made its way out on notorious Sony-leaking Chinese site IT168. On the face of it, the chassis is identical to the older Xperia S, only the device now comes in a couple of new colors. The internal changes are what's really new -- there's allegedly a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 powering the SL, up from 1.5GHz in the Xperia S. On the software side, we'd certainly hope that this thing would ship with at Android 4.0 or later, rather than the Gingerbread-based firmware that was on Xperias S, P and U out of the box.

If these reports are accurate, this turn of events would perfectly mirror last year's late Q3 bump from the Xperia Arc to the Arc S. Announced at IFA 2012, the Arc S gave Sony's 2011 flagship gain a couple of new colors and a slightly faster CPU. This time around, though, Sony faces tougher competition than ever, so we're sure it'll want to push out new high-end hardware wherever it can, following a somewhat lackluster early 2012 line-up. Our money's on an announcement at the IFA show in Berlin next month.

Source: IT168; via: XperiaBlog

Android Central Podcast 102: Jelly Beans and Galaxy S3 all over the damn place

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 04:25 AM PDT

Podcast MP3 URL: 
http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/acpc102.mp3

Thing 1: Jelly Beans all over the damn place

Thing 2: Galaxy S3 all over the damn place

Thing 3: Other odds and ends

Early video shows CyanogenMod 10 progress on Optimus 4X HD

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 03:39 AM PDT

With the Android 4.1 source code having recently dropped on AOSP, custom ROM makers are quickly making progress in getting the new version ported to a variety of devices. One of those is the much-anticipated CyanogenMod 10, and this morning one of CM's leading devs has posted a short teaser video showing the Jelly Bean-powered CM10 in action.

Ricardo Cerquiera released the above video on YouTube and Google+, demonstrating a surprisingly functional ROM on the LG Optimus 4X HD. Zipping around the UI, we see that the camera, multitasking and phone calls are all working, though this early build seems to have a couple of issues with the new Google Search app. In any case, it's an impressive amount of progress considering how short a time the Jelly Bean source has been available.

As always, the first rule of CyanogenMod applies here, and the team isn't giving any ETAs for CM10 nightly builds.  We'll be waiting to try this on our devices just as soon as it's ready.

Source: +Ricardo Cerquiera

BBC launches official Olympics Games app for Android

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 03:03 AM PDT

BBC Olympics app BBC Olympics app

As you might have guessed by the continuing news coverage, the London Olympic Games are almost upon us.  And now the BBC is launching its official Olympic app for Android (and iOS), allowing you mobile to access the Beeb's Olympic coverage in all its forms. You'll find the same written and video content found on the BBC mobile sites, as well as live streams of the games once things kick off on July 27. There's also a guide to all the leading athletes, and an Olympic schedule to help users see what's next. Once the medals start being doled out, you'll find a dedicated guide page for keeping track of those, too.

The app is available now at the Google Play Store for devices running Android 2.2 and above.  To view the BBC's Olympic live streams,  you'll need the soon to be deprecated Adobe Flash Player.  Unfortunately that means anyone on the latest version of the OS, 4.1 Jelly Bean, is out of luck. You’ll also need to be in the UK to stream content from the BBC, though if you’re in the US, you can always use NBC’s streaming app instead.

Download: BBC Olympics app on Google Play

New Samsung Galaxy S III commercial invites you to get ready for the Olympics

Posted: 12 Jul 2012 08:01 PM PDT

A brand new commercial from Samsung for the Galaxy S III encourages you to get excited for the Olympics, which are set to begin in just a couple of weeks.

The ad is directed by award winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki and stars international soccer (football) superstar David Beckham.

It's quite a good ad that shows a variety of places getting ready for the games to start, set off by Beckham hitting a gong with a soccer ball.  Enough describing the ad, just watch it yourself and try not to get pumped for the games to start!

This particular ad will run in over 20 countries including France, the UK and China starting July 16th.

Samsung is a big sponsor of the 2012 Olympic Games, so expect to see more commercials and even more ads around London the closer we get to the opening ceremonies.

 

Facebook update requires Froyo, promises a faster app

Posted: 12 Jul 2012 06:19 PM PDT

Facebook for Android

We'll believe it when we see it, but Facebook's latest Android app update promises to actually speed up login and navigation within the app. We know, we know. It's Facebook, whose mobile app has been pretty crappy considering that, well, it's friggin' Facebook. Also of note in version 1.9.7 is that if you're not running Android 2.2 Froyo or higher, you're SOL on running this bad boy. (Though we imagine the previous version of the app should work fine, and only a mere 6.1 percent of active devices are running an OS older than Froyo.)

Other bullet points in the changelog include front-facing camera support (that wasn't there before?), a new messaging feature that lets you hop between conversations and share photos, plus other bug fixes and a security improvement.

Of course, this is Facebook we're talking about, so we'll have to wait and see what just got broken, too. Download link is below.

Download: Facebook for Android
Posted by at 5:49 AM

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