Sunday, September 16, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

Got a new Kindle Fire HD 7? Keep a eye on the offers for $5 worth of free music

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 03:06 PM PDT

Free music

If you grabbed an Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7, or have one on it's way, keep an eye on the lockscreen offers for a chance to get $5 free credit at the Amazon mp3 store. I ran across this one last night while playing a movie or two, and just had to share the news.

I'm catching some flack for saying I think the offers (read -- ads) on the lockscreen are a good thing in this case, but this is why I'm saying it. I'm an Amazon junkie, buying everything I can through Amazon Prime. I want to see ways I can save a few bucks, and having those "pesky" ads on the lockscreen keeps me from having to dig through Amazon.com to find deals and sales. I almost wish Google would do it for Google Play content. Yeah, I just said that.

Anyhoo, in case you're wondering, I spent my fiver on Eat a Peach by the Allman Brothers Band. It's one of a hundred full albums that are on sale for five bucks at Amazon this week. I had the Fire download them to it's storage, and am in the process of uploading it all to Google Play Music for the best of both worlds. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to relive the sweet sounds of my youth and enjoy my free tunes. 

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Google develops tool to translate Java to iOS friendly Objective-C code

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 01:46 PM PDT

Java

Google has authored J2ObjC, an open-source tool that can convert all the non-UI bits of Java code into Objective-C source code for use in iOS apps. It's not the first translator of this type we've ever seen, but coming from Google makes us have a serious look at this one. 

Put away your fanboy hats for a moment, and stop caring which OS has more market share or which OEM sold the most phones last quarter. Mobile will be is the next frontier of tech -- especially the Internet. Google building a robust and fully working tool to convert code for things like data access and program logic from Java to Obj-C is a big deal. This helps developers code once and port things to another platform with an automated tool, saving time and money. 

Google has stated that several of their own products are using this (no, they don't give specifics) and that it's currently between alpha and beta quality. If you're a developer, hit the source link to see all the requirements and helpful tips to get you started. If you're not a developer, just know that things like this will make mobile applications and services better for everyone.

Via Google Open Source Blog; J2ObjC project page

Apps of the Week - Tasker App Factory, ESPN Radio, Bombshells: Hells Belles and more!

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:22 PM PDT

Android Central

We've got a jam-packed week of app picks for you guys today. Everyone around Android Central is chiming in with their favorite app. This is another diverse week where we hit all the different app genres -- games, sports, productivity, tools and more. The best part about these picks is they're all either completely free, or have a free version. That's how we like it, folks. Read on.

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Android Central international round-up - September 15, 2012

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 11:49 AM PDT

Android Central

This week may have been iPhone week (and we'll have more Apple stuff over the next seven days), but there was plenty of international Android news to go around, too. The UK got its first 4G LTE network from the newly-minted EE (formerly Everything Everywhere, formerly Orange and T-Mobile UK), and with it two leading 4G Android phones. When EE lights up all four Gees in a few weeks time, it'll bring with it the HTC One XL and Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE.

We also learned more about the pricing and carrier availability for Sony's new flagship, the Xperia T. The phone is expected to arrive around Sept. 28 in the UK, on O2, Vodafone and Three, as well as independent retailers Phones4U and Carphone Warehouse. There's a little uncertainty, however, as to whether the device will be available off-contract before the end of the year -- we certainly hope it will be.

Looking ahead, we've got big announcements from HTC, LG and Motorola lined up for next week, so stick around for full coverage of those. There's also the small matter of the iPhone 5 launch, which will undoubtedly keep the iMore team busy next Friday.

Check out some of the major international Android news linked below. If you've got news, be sure to tip us at the usual address.

Special features:

News:

Ebay pushing an 'update' to previous version of the app, v2.0 has been recalled

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 09:27 AM PDT

Android Central

The official eBay app recieved a much needed update just a few days ago, bringing a much improved visual experience and some new features depending on where you are in the world. Now though, v2.0 has been recalled, and replaced with an 'update' to the previous version of the app, which is now live in Google Play. There isn't much clue as to what the issues may have been -- unless you experienced them personally -- as eBay is being a little vague at this time. Whatever it is, must be something pretty big. Opening the application now greets you with a message as we see here, and has been accompanied by an email from eBay which dropped into our inbox this morning. 

By now, you have probably noticed that we experienced an issue with the latest version of our Android app. As a result, we have temporarily replaced the latest version with the previous one. We value our customers and regret any inconvenience. Delivering the very best shopping experiences to our customers is our goal – anywhere, anytime and on any device.

Thank you,

eBay Mobile Team

So, there's no choice in the matter, even if it worked perfectly OK for you. To carry on using eBay on your Android Device head on over to the Play Store and grab the latest -- and previous -- version. In the meantime, what issues did you guys see? Sing out in the comments below and share with us all. 

PowerSkin unveils their NFC-enabled battery case for the Samsung Galaxy S3

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 07:32 AM PDT

PowerSkin NFC-enabled battery case for the Samsung Galaxy S3

While some folks roam the world with their devices unprotected, there is countless others out there who prefer to not leave such things to chance. Personally, I don't use cases normally but every now and then something interesting comes along that brings some new added functionality to a plain jane case that makes me want to give it a go. Such is the situation with the new PowerSkin NFC-enabled battery case for the Samsung Galaxy S3. Aside from offering protection, it has a whole set of other features built right into it, most notably NFC:

  • On / off button located on the side gives users power on demand
  • 1500 mAh rechargeable battery extends talk time up to 2.83 hours (up to 97 hours standby)
  • NFC enabled for quick information sharing
  • Smart Power Management shuts off PowerSkin when phone is fully charged for zero loss of power
  • Included cable allows users to sync data while re-charging
  • LED battery lights display charging status
  • One-piece, soft-touch, silicone case slides on seamlessly and protects against shocks, drops and dust

Rather than taking your device out of the case to use NFC, it's right there for you and ready use. If you're looking to pick one up and give it a go, it'll set you back $80. However; for a limited time PowerSkin is offering a free portable speaker bonus until September 19th. You can hit the link below for more details or to purchase one directly.

More Info: PowerSkin

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SIM-free Sony Xperia T reportedly not available until 2013

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 06:06 AM PDT

Android Central

Some possible bad news this morning for anyone hoping to pick up Sony's new flagship phone, the Xperia T, on its own without a contract. The phone is expected to become available on-contract through UK mobile networks and independent retailers later this month, but buyers looking to pick up a SIM-free Xperia T may be out of luck. According to TechRadar, UK retailer Expansys isn't expecting to be able to stock the Xperia T on its own until as late as January 2013.

The site reports that "talks with Sony revealed the handset will be only available on contract first, direct from networks and from a couple of high street retailers,” with January 2013 pegged as a likely release date for the SIM-free option. That would mean anyone looking to pick up an Xperia T to use with an existing service plan could be in for a long wait. However, we should remember that this report comes from a retailer, rather than directly from the manufacturer, so it should be taken with a pinch of salt until confirmed.

We've reached out to Sony Mobile for confirmation of the Xperia T's off-contract availability, and we'll keep you updated with any info they provide.

Source: TechRadar

HP "Bender" shows up in benchmarks log, running Android 4.0.4

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 01:09 AM PDT

Android Central

Well, what do we have here then? Right after HP CEO, Meg Whitman, came out saying the company needed to provide a smartphone, we see mention of one. First though, we need to say this. The information comes from a set of benchmark logs, and we know these things can be faked. Now, that's out of the way, let's take a look at what we've got.

As Derek Kessler points out over at webOS Nation, the likelihood of a future HP smartphone running webOS would be unlikely -- "less likely than getting CrackBerry Kevin staying off of BlackBerry devices for longer than a day." Given the long standing relationship between HP and Microsoft, the first assumptions were that this could have a Windows Phone 8 connection. Well, maybe not. 

Showing up in a GLBenchmark log is a device codenamed 'Bender,' made by HP and running Android 4.0.4 and packing some interesting specs. Powering the Bender is said to be a dual-core Snapdragon S4, and the display resolution is a rather odd 1366x720. For a device with a HD display, this 17:9 aspect ration does seem strangely tall. It at least would indicate a screen size above 4 inches, so no Android powered HP Veer then. 

There's every reason to be skeptical about the existence of such a device, and there could be any number of reasons for what we're seeing. Including it all being a big fake. However, let's not forget that the HP Touchpad was supposed to run Android before the acquisition of Palm. So, it's possible for sure, especially if HP has already considered Android in the past. 

It's a big old heap of rumor at this point, and we'll have to stand by and wait to see if anything does ever come of it. In the meantime, be sure to head on over to webOS Nation for their take. 

Source: Slashgear via webOS Nation

First TV commercial for LG Optimus G surfaces

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:19 AM PDT

Despite the fact we haven't yet seen or held the LG Optimus G, the roll of promotional material for the device continues. Following teasers, and pieces focusing on the camera technology, we now get to see the first television commerical for the new LG flagship. All 16 seconds of it, and it's in Korean. But, we get another quick glimpse of the phone itself, and it also hints at 4G LTE capabilities too. There's no mention of a release date either, but at the moment that's probably to be expected.

LG is throwing a US event next week, where we're fully expecting to see the Optimus G finally get into our eager hands. Until then all we can do is watch on and wonder. 

Source: LG (YouTube)

Acer forced to halt device launch over Android compliance - here's why

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 08:43 PM PDT

OHA

Android's own Andy Rubin took to blogging this evening to respond to the reports floating around about Acer pulling out of a planned launch of an Aliyun OS powered-smartphone in China. Aliyun is an OS that uses the Android runtime  -- that's a fancy name for the bits in the OS that can run the apps.

Acer abruptly canceled the phone launch, while journalists were in the air traveling to the event itself. A statement from Alibaba, the Chinese web giant, said that "Our partner was notified by Google that if the product runs Aliyun OS, Google will terminate its Android-related cooperation and other technology licensing with our partner," according to correspondence received by CNet. This has caused quite a stir, as it doesn't sound very friendly or "open."

Rubin then wrote a post at the official Android blog that explains the OHA (Open Handset Alliance) a bit, mentioning that one of it's primary goals is to ensure compatibility between vendor versions of Android so that applications have the same APIs and instructions. In other words, Google wants the app you write for vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich to perform as it should on HTC's Sense or Samsung's TouchWiz. Working together, everyone involved can build the  platform together.

While there are still compatibility issues now and then, Google's response sets the record straight about a couple things. They don't mind anyone forking Android into something else, but if you want to be an OHA member, you'll need to follow the basic rules. According to Rubin, an inspection of the apps available for Aliyun OS show that this wouldn't be happening. Differences in the operating system meant that apps weren't compatible enough for regular Android. Therefore, while Acer was welcome to work with Aliyun OS, it would cost them their OHA membership. It's worth mentioning that Amazon is not a member of the OHA.

It's a bit of a spiderweb to follow, but essentially Google's position is that you're either with us, or you're not. They don't necessarily care that you want to use Android to create something else, but they don't want you to play with the rest of the cool kids if you do it. 

I'm not yet sure how I feel about that, and will have to think about it a bit -- look for some more thoughts over the weekend as I think them. I see both positives and negatives. For now, check out these links to get a better grasp on the situation, and I'd love to hear your feelings and feedback in the comments.

+Andy Rubin; The Official Android blog; CNet; The Verge

Calendar help and recommendations, Unrooting the Sprint Galaxy Nexus

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 07:05 PM PDT

From the Forums

Just in case you missed out on some of the Android news today, now is the time to go ahead and get yourself fully caught up. Here on the blogs and in the Android Central Forums there is plenty to talk about. Have some questions? Need some help or just looking to chat Android? You know where to go, check out some of the threads below to get started.

We've got nearly 1 million members helping members and nearly 2 million posts in our Android Forums. Are you one of them? Join today!

Contest: What should our OUYA username be?

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 06:10 PM PDT

OUYA

In case you forgot, someone got a bug up their butt a little ways back and decided to make Android Central one of the "1337" backers of the upcoming OYUA Android-based console gaming system. One of the perks of that slightly ridiculous(ly awesome) level of Kickerstarter backing is that we get to choose a username. OUYA just sent out an e-mail saying we'll need to choose around the end of the month, so it's time to get cracking.

But let's have some fun with it. Instead of us choosing some lame name like "JerryTheNeckBeard" or "AlexTheDobie," we're going to let one of you choose our OUYA username, contest-style. 

Here's how it'll work:

  • Leave your suggestion in this forum thread. We can have up to 16 characters. There are some 63,000 backers vying for the first batch of names, so longer may be better than shorter.
  • We'll go over the names and pick our favorite. We're the ones who have to live with it, after all. So if we don't like it, we won't pick it.
  • To the person whose username we choose, we'll preorder them an OUYA of their very own. And to help tide them over until next spring, when it will be released, we'll throw in a Nexus 7 tablet now.
  • We'll pick 10 other runners-up -- names we liked, but didn't win out -- to receive their very own Android Central T-shirts.
  • This one's open to everyone, everywhere.

We don't know exactly when we'll have to put in our request for a username, other than toward the end of the month, so we'll let this one ride until October 1, or when OUYA says it's time to poop or get off the pot -- whichever comes first.

Good luck, and let's see some great names!
Posted by at 5:46 AM

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