Friday, September 28, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

Google's Field Trip app pops up location-relevant info

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 04:30 PM PDT

Android Central

Google's Niantic Labs have pushed out a new app called Field Trip, which simply pops up location-specific information cards as you wander or drive around town. It's vaguely Google Nowish in its predictions, and provides several channels of content, such as historic places and events, lifestyle, food and drink, cool and unique places, and plenty more. There's plenty of control over how many and what kind of notifications you get for this app through its various settings, so no worries about getting too annoyed with the app or having your battery drained into nothingness. Information can also be relayed over audio if you have a Bluetooth or wired headset plugged in. Content partners include big names like the Food Network, Zagat, Cool Hunting, and plenty of others. 

Unfortunately, Field Trip is currently only available in the U.S., but it still looks pretty awesome. I'd love to see something similar that uses voice instead, so you could leave your phone on the table during a conversation and have relevent Wikipedia articles pop up automatically as you talk. It's always weird spending the minute or two looking stuff up only to find the conversation has drifted somewhere else entirely. 

Anyway, it looks pretty sweet, and it's free to boot. iOS users will be able to get in on the fun shortly too. I hear they're having trouble getting around these days. 

HTC One X+ spied in O2 (UK) sales flyer

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 03:30 PM PDT

HTC One X+

The rumored HTC One X+ just got a step closer to reality, as it's has made its way into a brochure for the UK carrier O2. What we're seeing looks delightful, fir an updated 1.7GHz CPU (likely Tegra3 based), 64GB of on-device storage, HTC stellar camera, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box.

Here in the states we've see a version come through the FCC toting AT&T's LTE radio bands, but the rumored specs don't quite match up as we've been hearing that it is a 32GB model. There's a good chance AT&T has decided to cut the storage in half like they did with the original HTC One X, but we can still hope it's a case of bad info and we'll be seeing a 64GB version on this side of the pond. 

With enough evidence to call this one legit, it's about time for HTC to come forward and tell us what we want to hear and announce this one. New Windows phones are cool and all, but we want some Android!

Source: GSM Arena

MOO adding NFC option to business cards

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 03:23 PM PDT

MOO

Sure, NFC hasn't quite taken over the world yet, but that doesn't mean it can't be useful. And MOO, maker of extremely cool business cards (it's where we do business), will be adding an NFC option. You can't order them just yet, but MOO's slipping an NFC-enabled card into new orders (it says it's got 150,000 of them to give away), to whet appetites.

MOO says it'll have its own NFC-writing app as well, so you can rewrite the tags as you see fit. (We presume current NFC tag writers will also work.)

For our money, this is a perfect use of NFC. It's so much easier than typing or even scanning in a business card. Just tap and go. Huzzah.

More: MOO

From the Android Forums: Android security

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 02:17 PM PDT

Android security

Twinmomma416 asks in the Android Central forums,

My contract with AT&T is up, and we are switching providers due to limited tower availability near our home. We will be switching to Sprint which does surprisingly well where we are at.

I was a BlackBerry power user who switched to iPhone two years ago. I loved it. Ease of use, all the apps, etc. ... Disappointed in the lack of customization but happy with the security of the phone and trusting the apps.

Fast forward to now and I'm rather let down by the iPhone 5 release. I was hoping for much more - bigger screen, more iOS features/customizability. I'm a big fan of Apple computers mostly because I don't have to worry about viruses and my wife downloading stuff since she is NOT a techie at all. Played with my friend's HTC Evo 4G and fell in love.

Here's my problem. I don't like what I'm reading about the susceptibility Android's platform has for keyloggers and spyware. I deal with a lot of confidential information (I work in government HR) and I cannot risk someone putting something on my phone either through an app, an email, a text, whatever, that could compromise that. I've searched for anti-keyloggers/anti spyware but I'm not finding anything that really puts my mind at ease.

I'm not interested in rooting a device, but I am interested in making sure I don't worry about these things daily. I want to go Android, but Apple's security leaves me feeling more at ease.

Thoughts from the experts here?

I should add I'm also considering the Galaxy S3

Android and app security. The two seem to get mentioned together anytime you read a title somewhere. They are a combination of terms that brings web traffic, and it's always easy to drive fans from both side into a tizzy. Let's cut the hyperbole and talk "real" for a minute or two, after the break.

(Have a question you need answered? (Preferably about Android, but we're flexible.) Hit up our Contact Page to get in touch!)

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Official eBay for Android app brought back to v2.0 again

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 01:42 PM PDT

Android Central

The official eBay for Android app hit v2.0 with a huge UI redesign a couple weeks ago. It was exciting at the time, as the eBay app was feeling a bit stale. Unfortunately, the latest update was pulled quickly citing many bugs and constant force closes. Today, eBay is going to give it another try and has put the update back in the Google Play Store, bringing everyone back to v2.0.

Hopefully this update will stay available this time and they've fixed the force close issues. Head to the Google Play Store link above to grab the update, then let us know in the comments how the app is running on your own device.

Bad Piggies review

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:06 PM PDT

Bad Piggies launched on Android and iOS today, mashing together the physics-based, build-it-yourself gameplay of Amazing Alex with the highly recognizable green pigs from Rovio’s first smash hit, Angry Birds. Angry Birds is a hard act to follow even by its own creator. Can this pig fly and do Rovio’s heritage justice, or are we just seeing a lot of lipstick?

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Google Play 25-cent sale continues with fresh batch of cheap apps

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 11:31 AM PDT

Android Central

Who likes might-as-well-be-free Android apps? You do, that's who. Today Google Play kicked off day two of their $0.25 sale with a whole slew of new titles. They are:

And then there's the stuff that went on sale yesterday...

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ASUS Transformer Prime (TF201) Jelly Bean update is now live

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 11:31 AM PDT

Android Central

Well we heard officially last night that ASUS was going to start pushing the Jelly Bean update to Transformer Prime (TF201) users today, and it seems that the rollout is now in full effect. If you haven't been notified of the update yet, you can check in About tablet > System Firmware Update, and then wait for the download and install. Users report that the reboot can take a while -- so do your best to be patient while the update does its thing.

Having issues or want to share your experience with the update? Hit up our forums and see what everyone's talking about.

More: ASUS Transformer Prime Forum

Samsung bringing 'the next big thing' to NYC on Oct. 24

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 09:42 AM PDT

Samsung in NYC

Hmmmmm. Samsung's bringing "the next big thing" to New York City on Oct. 24. What ever could it be?

Sony launches Xperia Tipo and Xperia Tipo Dual in the U.S.

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 09:41 AM PDT

Android Central

Following on from its recent Xperia Acro S announcement, Sony Mobile USA has revealed that it's to launch the Xperia Tipo -- its current entry-level model for Europe -- alongside a new dual-SIM variant, known as the Xperia Tipo Dual. Both phones share the budget-oriented internals of their European cousin, which is to say there's nothing too fancy inside. The Tipo is powered by an 800MHz single-core Snapdragon CPU, 512MB of RAM and a 3.2-inch HVGA (480x320) display. There's also a 3MP rear camera, though as we discovered during our review, image quality is far from ideal.

It's not every day you see a dual-SIM smartphone launched in the U.S., as these are usually more popular in developing countries. Sony points out that you could run personal and works SIMs in the same device, although the specs indicate that the Tipo only supports 3G/HSPA data on AT&T and European bands.

It does come with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, though, so Tipo owners at least have a relatively recent version of the OS to play with. The Tipo is available to order from Sony's online store today for $179.99, while the Tipo Dual can be pre-ordered for $189.99.

Presser's after the break. For more on the Xpera Tipo, check out our recent mini-review.

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Skyfire launches Horizon browser extensions, but only for certain carriers

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 09:08 AM PDT

Android Central

Third-party browser developer Skyfire has launched a new plug-in framework, allowing other apps to drill deeper into your everyday mobile web experience. Readability is one of the launch partners for this Horizon framework, which includes options to quickly see your reading list, mark pages to read later, or translate web pages into a readable format right away. A less well-known service called Blue Kangaroo can offer valid coupon codes when you're shopping online through your mobile device. There are lots of big-name plug-ins available, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, IMDB, and Amazon, among others. 

There's a big catch, though. This new toolbar isn't going live in Google Play, but rather rolled out through carrier partners. AT&T is already deploying Skyfire with Horizon this month on many of their Android handsets. Though that might just seem like yet another spot for the carrier to push more bloatware, any plug-ins that are preloaded can be removed and replaced by whatever plug-ins the user wants to put in. 

Horizon is an interesting system, and certainly seems to offer a bit more functionality than the system-wide Share menu (depending on how in-depth developers go with the plug-in framework). Skyfire also works heavily on carrier-side compression, which enables faster delivery of your browsing data.

Developers and carriers interested in getting involved with Horizon can check out their landing page. Any big Skyfire fans in the house? Which third-party browsers do you use? 

Tonight, on the Greatest Android Podcast in the World

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 09:03 AM PDT

Android Central Podcast

What's all this, then? We're all back in our respective countries and are doing another podcast? Fine, then! And we've got a lot to catch up on. We'll talk up Phil's visit with LG in South Korea, the super-scary (not really) dialer-wipe exploit thing that's in all the papers this week, plus more of your e-mails and voicemails!

So join Phil and the gang -- and, of course, the chat room -- live tonight at 2 a.m. BST / 9 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. PDT for the live broadcast. You should be there. You will be there. You must be there. After all, you are what makes it the Greatest Android Podcast in the World.

Not at a computer? Pick up the free UStream Viewer from Google Play [link] and search for Android Central a little before the show (it won't appear until we go live). We'll see you there! AndroidCentral.com/live

A $99 Nexus 7 is rumored, but what might a price drop entail?

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 07:31 AM PDT

Nexus 7

ZOMG a $99 Nexus tablet! It's just all so exciting! It's going to revolutionize the way we do ... things!

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, folks. First off, this $99 Nexus tablet is another one of those Digitimes supply chain rumors that's actually part of a two-fer. Two new tablets, slimmer than the current Nexus 7. Yes. A newer, slimmer device. If we had presses, we wouldn't stop them over that bit of design iteration.

So one of the new tablets is said to be priced at $199, which also happens to be the price of the current 8GB Nexus 7. Cool. But the second tablet is said to be $99. That's, like, half as much! Everyone will want one! You'll need one for each pocket, they're so cheap!

But before we buy one for every person in our family, we've got a few questions to ponder:

  • To chop the price, what would have to go? Is the hardware gimped?
  • Would it subsidized by a service? Ad-supported like the Kindle Fire? Or is someone (Google) just eating the cost? Because that's a pretty big price break.
  • Or, perhaps this is the rumored Nexus 7 3G? You could get to the $99 price point if you're locked into a cellular contract. So the carrier would be subsidizing the cost.
  • Would a $99 tablet really revolutionize the tablet industry? Actually, let's rephrase that. Would a $99 Android tablet and the Google Play Store as it stands today revolutionize the tablet industry? 

It's that last bullet point that really stands out for us. Hardware is hardware, and we're quickly approaching the mythical innovation ceiling. Hardware is easy. It's just a matter of money. 

Content is where Google still has a lot of ground to make up. What good is a $99 tablet if you're stuck with the same movies and TV shows and music that Google Play has today, when you can spend $200, or $300 or a little more and have complete access to iTunes. Or Amazon Prime. Or, hell, even the upcoming Nook Video service. Google still has work to do on the content side. A lot of work. (And we're sure folks are hard at work on those deals.)

So before anyone has a nerdgasm over the prospect of a $99 tablet, remember that you don't see prices like that without compromise. And also remember that this is another unsourced supply-chain rumor. 

Source: Digitimes

Samsung smartphones and tablets to appear on the X Factor

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 07:06 AM PDT

Android Central

It seems that sponsoring the Olympics wasn't enough for Samsung. The South Korean company has reportedly signed a deal for their smartphones and tablets to appear on the X Factor UK starting this Saturday, Sept. 29.

The new partnership will also see online advertising on the X Factor website in the form of Samsung banners and in addition there will be a dedicated Android application for the Samsung Galaxy Note II.

Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland head of brand and communications Avikar Jolly said: “We’re excited to be working with ITV and FremantleMedia Enterprises on this partnership for The X Factor. We pride ourselves on our devices being innovative and industry-leading so the fact this is a ‘first’ fits perfectly with our own ethos and ambitions as a brand.”

ITV sales director Mark Trinder said: “We are delighted to be working with Samsung and this initiative is a key part of a wider and integrated multiplatform partnership. Editorial integrity remains at the heart of what we do, and we feel this is an excellent brand fit.”

the X Factor has a huge audience in the UK, so it'll be interesting to see how 'in your face' the product placement will be. Any crazy tie-in ideas? Shout out in the comments.

Source: mobilenewscwp

Samsung Galaxy Music leaks ahead of early October debut

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 06:56 AM PDT

Android Central

The name was revealed on Samsung's official list of Jelly Bean-upgradable devices, and today brings more news of the curious little smartphone known as the Samsung Galaxy Music. Fresh details have emerged today via Austrian site Telecom-Presse, revealing a phone with humble specs and a distinctive front face. 

The device, which seems to be an entry-level smartphone focused on -- you guessed it -- music. Featuring two stereo speakers, a tiny 3-inch QVGA (240x320) display and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It's powered by an 850MHz single-core CPU, so you won't have a whole lot of horsepower to play around with, and as such we'd expect this thing to be priced competitively. Interestingly, there'll also be a dual-SIM version of the phone, branded as Galaxy Music Duos. This suggests Samsung may look to target the developing world with this device.

The Galaxy Music will reportedly make its debut at an event in Frankfurt on Oct 11 -- invites for this gathering recently started trickling out to the German press. We've got one more image after the break. Full specs can be found at the source link.

Source: Telecom-Presse (Translated), via: SamMobile

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Deal of the Day: Mobi Products Desktop Cradle for HTC EVO 4G LTE, One S, One X

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 06:31 AM PDT

Deal of the Day The September 27 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Mobi Products Desktop Cradle for HTC EVO 4G LTE, One S, and One X. This desktop cradle let's you easily charge your device and sync it at the same time. Just connect the cradle to your computer's USB port to sync and plug the included AC adapter in to charge. It's that simple!

The Mobi Products Desktop Cradle is available for just $15.00, 50% off today only. Backed by our 60-day return policy and fast shipping.

Never miss a deal. Sign up for daily deal alerts!

Google makes turning on two-step authentication even easier

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 06:16 AM PDT

Google Authenticator

You're really starting to run out of reasons to not use Google's two-step authentication. An update today to the Google Authenticator application adds the ability to turn on two-step authentication without having to scan a QR code or re-enter your password on the device. Quickier, easier, and more important than ever, folks.

If you've yet to turn on two-step authentication, you need to do so today. (And you'll also want this app.)

BlueStacks partners with AMD to bring 500,000 Android apps to millions of Windows PCs

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 05:14 AM PDT

AMD appzone

BlueStacks, the folks who brought Android apps to Windows and Mac computers via their "Layercake" emulation magic has announced that they are partnering with AMD to offer access to Android apps on Windows computers using AMD's storefront. At current count, BlueStacks figures there will be over 500,000 Android apps available to over 100 million Windows computers.

That's a lot of apps on a lot of computers.

As part of the partnership, AMD will be launching and Android-app centric space on the AMD AppZone. Don't let the importance of this one slip away from you. What it means is that users (that's us!) can surf to the AMD AppZone, click on an icon, and a working version of the app will automatically download, configure and install on the computer. I tested it with the Pulse app, and I'm pretty impressed. Making it easy to deliver your content means more people will use your content.

Another benefit of the AMD BlueStacks partnership is the GPU and APU optimization AMD has done for their processor architecture. AMD powers many mid-range consumer computers, and owners now have an easy portal for apps. Lots of apps.We're not sure how this strategy will play out, but we expect that as Windows 8 touch screen enabled devices begin to proliferate, it's a market worth tapping into. Hit the break for a short video and the full press release.

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Rovio's Bad Piggies hits Google Play

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 03:20 AM PDT

Android Central

Right on cue, mobile game developer Rovio has released Bad Piggies, the swine-centric Angry Birds spin-off, on Google Play and other platforms. The game is available now as a free download from Google's app store, and comes in regular and HD (tablet-optimized) flavors.

Bad Piggies sees players take on the role of the mischievous green pigs from Angry Birds, building all manner of precarious vehicles in order to reach the end of the level, and steal some eggs along the way. The pig-focused gameplay has a lot in common with an earlier Rovio title, Amazing Alex. Players build contraptions, out of parts in a 2D grid, before taking them for a spin in the game world.

Our early impressions are that it's a fun little game, and with two zones consisting of 45 levels each, in addition to an unlockable sandbox  mode, there should be plenty of content to keep you entertained. We'll have a full review of Bad Piggies up before long, so stay tuned. In the meantime, you can grab the game from the Google Play link above.

Sony Xperia T arrives at Three and O2 in the UK

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 02:52 AM PDT

Android Central

Sony's Xperia T launched at independent online retailers in the UK earlier this week, and today it's available in store, as well as directly through mobile networks Three and O2. If you're after a Pay As You Go deal, Three offers the T for £399 when purchased with a PAYG top-up, while O2's price is set at £429.99 -- both prices are in line with what we've heard of the unlocked, SIM-free version.

On contract, things get a little more complex. As ever, Three offers the best plan for heavy data users, with its One Plan (£34 per month) and Ultimate Internet Plan (£30 per month). The former gives 2000 minutes, 3000 texts and unlimited data, while the latter sticks with unlimited data and 5000 texts, but lowers the minute allowance to 500. In addition, the One Plan comes with bundled tethering, while the Ultimate Internet plan does not. Both plans come with a £29 up-front charge for the phone. Other plans are available with lower limits and monthly fees, and higher up-front charges.

O2 is unique in its offer of unlimited calls and texts, though you'll pay a little more for this privilege. The O2 On and On plan comes with unlimited calls and texts, and either a 1GB allowance for £36 per month, or 2GB for £41 per month. The Xperia T is free on both On and On plans. It is possible to cut down to £31 per month with a reduced allowance of 300 minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB, with a £79 up-front payment for the phone. And if you're not fussed about having a large data allowance, other plans are available (with an up-front charge) as low as £21.50 per month. O2 also has the whole Bond Phone thing going on, if you're interested in exclusive ringtones and other 007-themed crap.

Pay your money, take your choice. If you're tempted to pick up an Xperia T this week, or you've already taken the plunge, be sure to shout out in the comments.

Source: Three, O2

ASUS Transformer TF201 and TF700 Jelly Bean updates coming tomorrow

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 10:05 PM PDT

Android Central

ASUS has been dancing around a bit on the final release date of its big updates for the Transformer TF201 (Prime) and TF700 (Infinity), but now we've got a complete changelog for the updates. Users will be happy to see their devices updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, meaning Project Butter and all of the small visual tweaks are coming. Additionally, there are a few other bugfixes and usability improvements:

  • Default enable System Bar Lock
  • Add Multiple Photo Selection feature
  • Support Connect Dock (Accessory)
  • Remove Adobe Flash support
  • Remove Wi-Fi Direct function support
  • Remove Press Reader

ASUS says that the OTAs will start rolling out tomorrow for the TF201, and Friday for the TF700. Be sure to let us know in the comments if your device has received the OTA.

Source: ASUS; Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Huawei announces Ascend P1 LTE availability

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 08:49 PM PDT

Android Central

Although Huawei has already launched the Ascend P1, and unveiled the Ascend P1 LTE at length several months ago, we're learning more now about the upcoming availability of the LTE model. The Ascend P1 LTE will be coming exclusively to the UK on the EE (formerly Everything Everywhere) network, with announcements on other carriers to follow. Given the crazy number of LTE frequencies in use around the world, we won't be surprised if it took a while for Huawei to get those deals straightened out. As far as specs go, here's a quick refresher of what the Ascend P1 LTE has under the hood:

  • 2000mAh battery
  • 1.5Ghz dual-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8MP camera
  • 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD (540x960) display
  • Corning Gorilla Glass2

You can check out the full press release after the break.

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Qualcomm to release two new budget quad-core S4 chips

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 07:58 PM PDT

Qualcomm

Qualcomm has announced that two new Snapdragon S4s are on the way, with both touting quad-core CPUs with a budget-friendly price. The MSM8225Q and MSM8625Q both build on the S4 design, complete with support for LPDDR2 memory, Wifi, Bluetooth 4.0 and FM connectivity using the Qualcomm Atheros AR6005 and WCN2243 chips.

The major difference between the two chips is that the Snapdragon S4 Play MSM8625Q features Qualcomm's integrated multimode UMTS/CDMA modem, and the MSM8225Q has an integrated UMTS modem. In layman's speak -- the MSM8625Q will work on Verizon and Sprint. The real difference, and likely where the cost cutting comes into play, is in the GPU. Snapdragon "Pro" models feature a stronger graphics processor, though the exact model in tonight's new chips hasn't been disclosed. 

If you're a hardware nerd, the long version is in the press release after the break. If you're not, just know that Qualcomm is making a slightly cheaper, yet still high-end quad-core CPU to power the next generation of mid-level handsets. It's good news all around.

More: Android hardware forums (get your nerd on!)

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LG releases official Optimus Vu: II specs, confirms VoLTE

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 07:55 PM PDT

Android Central

LG has finally spilled the beans on the official specs of their weird interesting 5-inch 4:3 smartphone, the Optimus Vu: II. This is the latest model of the Vu available in the domestic market -- which for LG is Korea -- and some of the specs are bumped up a bit from what we know as the original Optimus Vu and LG Intuition here in the states, such as the battery, RAM and processor:

  • 2150mAh removable battery, up from 2080mAh
  • 2GB RAM, up from 1GB
  • External SDcard slot added
  • Snapdragon S4 Plus 1.5Ghz dual-core processor, up from Snapdragon S3
  • 5-inch 768x1024 IPS display
  • LTE connectivity, including VoLTE
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • Rubberdium Pen 2.0

As is the case on the first Vu, LG is including a stylus dubbed "Rubberdium Pen 2.0" that offers a finer point for more precise input -- and from our translation of the Korean press release, it seems as though the pen can be stored inside the device like the Samsung Galaxy Note. LG is also touting the ability of the Optimus Vu: II to use VoLTE (Voice Over LTE). Although here in the states we're probably going to be waiting for a while for VoLTE, LG is getting it ready for their local market. VoLTE provides higher voice quality potential, and supports simultaneous voice and data.

Source: LG Newsroom Korea

Weekly photo contest: Black and white

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 06:34 PM PDT

Black and White

Announcing the triumphant return of the Android Central weekly photo contest! Everyone here in the office is home for at least a week, and as far as we know nobody is leaving to cover any events until CTIA in San Diego. That means we have time to sit back and enjoy the pictures you guys take with your Android phones and tablets.

Kicking it back off in style this week, we're going to focus on black and white pictures. They can be pictures of anything almost anything, so long as they are in black and white and taken from an Android device.

Now I'm sure someone is asking, how the heck do I get black and white pictures from my color camera?!? Easy as pie. Look in the settings of your camera app first, a lot of devices have a B&W mode built in. If there's nothing there, long press a picture in the gallery and look for an edit option. Finally, you can use any of the great free photo editing apps from Google Play -- I'm digging PicsArt's new update -- or do it on your computer.

Once you have the picture, head into the Android contest forums and share it with the world. We'll look through all the entries, and pic out the best five. Those winners will get an Android Central t-shirt, which instantly makes you the coolest person in any room. Read the forums post for any particulars, and get off the couch and take some pics!

Enter this weeks photo contest
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