Android Central |
- Ready for your next shot at winning a free tablet in our Nexus 7 A Week Giveaway?
- Portions of MOTODEV Studio for Android open sourced and moved to Android repository
- Nikon Coolpix S800c hardware
- Top Gear Stunt School Revolution now available in the Amazon Appstore
- Jelly Bean update leaks for Sprint Galaxy S3
- This week's sidebar poll: Are Android smartphone cameras good enough?
- App.net announces pricing changes
- Marvel: War of Heroes coming to Android on Oct. 11
- Sony SmartWatch review
- End of an era: Google is now more valuable than Microsoft
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1" specs
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1" gallery
- Yes, that's Open webOS on the Transformer Prime
- Sony Xperia T now available from Vodafone UK
- Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro specs
- X-Plane 9 goes free on Google Play
- Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro gallery
- Samsung Galaxy Express specs
- Samsung Galaxy Express gallery
- AT&T announces Fusion 2 with new prepaid data plan
- Contest Winners: Lloyd mugs, Big Android BBQ tickets, and a Nexus 7 10Terra Eco Friendly bamboo case!
- Deal of the Day: Incipio feather Ultralight Hard Case for HTC EVO 4G LTE
- Sony's Xperia TL finally official on AT&T
- Rogers launches LTE in 18 new markets across Canada
- ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700) Jelly Bean update now available
| Ready for your next shot at winning a free tablet in our Nexus 7 A Week Giveaway? Posted: 01 Oct 2012 04:49 PM PDT
So we started up a little thing we like to call the Nexus 7 A Week Giveaway, and though we hit a little road bump and didn't post a new contest for it last week, we're true to our word and giving away one per week. So below you can find the first two winners, as well as the criteria for how to enter this week. 
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| Portions of MOTODEV Studio for Android open sourced and moved to Android repository Posted: 01 Oct 2012 04:31 PM PDT
Motorola has broken off part of their core build system, known as MOTODEV Studio for Android, and merged it into the Android Open Source Project. Previously, the closed-source Motorola tools were an alternative to a standard Eclipse IDE setup, which allowed key features like easy localization, drag and drop of shared code snippets, and browsing and manipulation of SQL databases through Motorola's tool. With the new merging of the core plugins to the AOSP, developers can now build and use the tools through Eclipse, which is by far the most popular IDE for Android development. Motorola has full instructions for getting the code via GIT, building it, and integrating the plugins into an Eclipse workspace. See the source links below. Confused yet? That's OK, this is pretty nerdy stuff. Here's the layman's version. Motorola used to make a stand alone set of tools that developers could use to make apps. A couple people I've talked to said they were pretty nice tools, but the majority of folks felt it wasn't worth losing the integration of Eclipse -- which is the program most folks use to write and build Android apps. Today we learn that Motorola has open sourced a good number of these tools, and merged them in with the rest of the open source tools and code of the AOSP. Now developers can use Eclipse, but still download and build the Motorola tools as plugins for Eclipse itself. More and better tools mean more and better apps. We all like more and better apps. Source: Motorola 
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| Posted: 01 Oct 2012 03:41 PM PDT
We're going to do up this Nikon Coolpix S800c -- aka Nikon's Android-based camera -- a little different. Mainly, I'm going to walk through the hardware, Android software, and the camera software separately. That's for a couple reasons, but mainly so that I won't let the wonk overshadow what's good about this little point-and-shoot. First, though, a quick reminder on specs. What we've got is a pretty standard-feeling point-and-shoot. It weighs about 6.5 ounces with the battery and an SD card installed. It's got a lens that ranges from 4.5 to 45 mm, f/3.2 to f/5.8. It's a small little guy. It's also got a 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen on the back and a 480x854 resolution. There's about 1.6GB of on-board memory, but you'll be sharing that with the operating system, so you'll want to consider an SD card. The For all intents and purposes, this thing feels like a point-and-shoot camera. 
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| Top Gear Stunt School Revolution now available in the Amazon Appstore Posted: 01 Oct 2012 03:05 PM PDT Top Gear, an iconic UK born motoring TV show that is beloved by so many. In 2012, Top Gear is more of a brand than a mere TV show, and has been exported around the world, including the U.S. A huge part of its appeal is the often chaotic sequence of events that goes into each episode. We're big fans of Top Gear here at Android Central, so imagine our delight today when we learned that an official Top Gear game landed in the Amazon Appstore. Yes, that is correct, the Amazon Appstore. An odd choice for the UK born BBC -- especially considering we're three weeks away from the Kindle Fire in Britain -- but a choice nevertheless. Check out our hands-on video above. 
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| Jelly Bean update leaks for Sprint Galaxy S3 Posted: 01 Oct 2012 02:34 PM PDT
It's been a little while since we saw the international Samsung Galaxy SIII (S3) receiving an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update in Poland, and now it seems that the Galaxy S3 on the Now Network is poised to get its own update. A 4.1.1 build for the device has leaked out and packaged up for users to test their luck flashing over at the XDA forums, bearing the build number JRO03L.L710VPBLIF. Both Odexed and DeOdexed versions of the ROM are available, and as is usually the case with leaks like this, users are reporting mixed results using it as a daily driver. If you're interested in doing some tinkering and want to try Jelly Bean on your Sprint Galaxy S3, hit the source link below. As always, flash at your own risk and do your self a favor by backing up first! Source: XDA Forums; Thanks everyone who sent this in! 
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| This week's sidebar poll: Are Android smartphone cameras good enough? Posted: 01 Oct 2012 02:27 PM PDT
A few weeks back we asked everyone about dedicated cameras that run Android, like the Samsung Galaxy Camera or the Nikon CoolPix S800c. This time, we're going back to basics and talking about the camera included on the phone we carry every day. When you're out and about, with your Android phone in your pocket, and see something you want to capture forever you pull out the phone and take a quick picture. We all do it, and I don't think any of us expect the same quality of picture we would get from a thousand dollar DSLR or even a $400 point and shoot. The pictures you do get, are they good enough? Manufacturers have been scrambling to put better optics in our phones, and some of the phones released this year do capture some very nice pictures. Is this something they should be focusing on? Hit the poll in the sidebar or after the break and let us know how your current Android phone is doing in the camera department. Before we go, let's have a look at last weeks poll: What's your browser of choice?
We can take two things away from this. The first is that over half of the people who voted are running Android 4 or higher, as they're using the Chrome Browser. The second is that as usual, is great that we're offered choices, as every major player is well represented. 
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| App.net announces pricing changes Posted: 01 Oct 2012 01:52 PM PDT
App.net has a short history of trying to be a viable alternative to Google+, Facebook and mostly directly Twitter. If you haven't heard much about it, the idea of App.net is to be a social network without advertisements -- which means developers and users both pay to enter. That's important to know, because today App.net is announcing a new pricing structure for users of the service. There are two big parts to this announcement. First, App.net now has a monthly service signup (or "Member plan") for $5 per month, whereas previously there were only $50 yearly signups. Second, for those who choose the yearly Member plan, the cost has dropped quite a bit from $50 to $36. The monthly plan is very important for those who want to give App.net a try but don't want to drop a year's worth of subscription costs on it, but it's clear with the pricing structure that App.net would prefer if everyone moved towards signing up for a year at a time. With these pricing changes, current yearly members will be dropped down to the new prices, and additional months of service will be added to their plan. Have you tried out App.net yet? There are currently three apps in the Google Play Store made for the service that are worth a look. Source: App.net Company Blog 
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| Marvel: War of Heroes coming to Android on Oct. 11 Posted: 01 Oct 2012 01:30 PM PDT
Comic fans, rejoice! Marvel: War of Heroes is coming to Android (and iOS) for free on October 11th, and those who pre-register for the game will receive an extra treat on launch day. Registering for the game prior to October 10th will secure a special limited-edition card featuring Black Widow. In what Marvel is calling an "action-packed card-battle game", this latest title is an all new original story line in which the player takes on the role of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, teaming up with all of your favorite Marvel characters -- like Spider-Man, the Hulk and Iron Man -- to fight evildoers. Marvel also notes that new character cards and events will be added to the game on a regular basis, ensuring a fresh gameplay experience over time. So, are you excited for another Marvel game? Hit up the source link below, and chime in in the comments on whether you're ready to pre-register. Source: Marvel 
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| Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:55 PM PDT The Sony SmartWatch is a small clip-on device that connects to your phone over Bluetooth and provides quick access to a variety of notifications, including incoming calls, Facebook messages, upcoming calendar items, and lots more. Some of the more interactive apps include a music handler, a remote phone ringer, and a Google Maps app . Once you’ve installed the Smart Connect app on your device, other Smartwatch compatible apps can be installed and pushed out to the accessory. The selection of quality SmartWatch apps are slim, but there aren’t a lot of alternatives for wearable smartphone accessories out there. 
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| End of an era: Google is now more valuable than Microsoft Posted: 01 Oct 2012 11:45 AM PDT
Google’s market cap has surpassed that of Microsoft. Market gyrations continue, so for all we know it's possible for Microsoft to inch back ahead of Google tomorrow. But the milestone for Google is meaningful nonetheless. Google’s entire business is based around helping searchers find content, while helping publishers monetize their content. Android is an extension of this, as is YouTube, despite most of the revenue coming from advertising in the form of Adwords (and Adsense). It’s hard to consider Microsoft much of a growth business anymore. The PC is a mature product segment. Windows OS is well established and represents more of a stable business than one with exciting growth. Same goes for the enterprise components of Microsoft’s business. 
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| Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1" specs Posted: 01 Oct 2012 11:31 AM PDT
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| Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1" gallery Posted: 01 Oct 2012 11:12 AM PDT | ||
| Yes, that's Open webOS on the Transformer Prime Posted: 01 Oct 2012 10:23 AM PDT
You're going to start seeing a lot more of this, we think, now that Open webOS has been released. Some fun hackery is ahead. Source: @stroughtonsmith; via webOS Nation 
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| Sony Xperia T now available from Vodafone UK Posted: 01 Oct 2012 10:19 AM PDT
Following recent announcements from fellow UK carriers, Three and O2, Vodafone has made their own announcement regarding the Sony Xperia T. The latest high-end offering from Sony is now available from the carrier for free, on their Red price plans starting at £37 per month. For that, you'll get unlimited minutes and messaging, 1GB of data and 2GB of BTOpenZone WiFi access. At this price, Vodafone is slightly more expensive than competing networks, in particular Three. In any case, if you've been waiting for an Xperia T to hit Vodafone, now's your chance. Let us know in the comments below if you're thinking of picking one up. The full presser can be found after the break. 
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| Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro specs Posted: 01 Oct 2012 09:27 AM PDT
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| X-Plane 9 goes free on Google Play Posted: 01 Oct 2012 09:21 AM PDT
If you're into flight simulators and you haven't tried X-Plane 9 now is the time to do so. The popular app is now free in Google Play instead of it's normal $2.99. I've been a fan of the app since day one, and it gives us pretty much the best flight sim experience possible on Android. You initially get to choose from 10 different types of aircraft to fly but there are in-app purchases available with 43 more planes up for grabs. Whether it's a passenger jet, a small aircraft or a state of the art fighter jet there is a load of fun to be had with X-Plane 9. With a selection of different viewing options you really can tailor the app to suit your needs. Take my word for it - you need X-Plane 9 on your Android phone or tablet. Features of the app include:
If you fancy reading our quick review on X-Plane 9 before downloading you can do so here. Source: MoDaCo 
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| Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro gallery Posted: 01 Oct 2012 09:18 AM PDT
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| Posted: 01 Oct 2012 09:05 AM PDT
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| Samsung Galaxy Express gallery Posted: 01 Oct 2012 08:55 AM PDT | ||
| AT&T announces Fusion 2 with new prepaid data plan Posted: 01 Oct 2012 08:03 AM PDT
Shortly after unlashing the Sony Xperia TL today, AT&T announced the Huawei Fusion 2 and a new prepaid data plan. You can now get 1 GB of data for $65/month, which includes unlimited texting across over 100 countries. According to the press release, that's $10 cheaper than previous 1 GB plan, but their current prepaid plans listing shows that you can get unlimited data, calling and texting for $50/month. Maybe it has tighter phone eligibility than this new plan, but at least the old $50 and $25 plans are sticking around. In any case, here's a run-down of the entry-level Huawei-made Fusion 2.
Anyone interested in picking up the Fusion 2 GoPhone can find it in the AT&T online store for $99.99. How many of you guys are prepaid customers on AT&T? Any thoughts on the new data plan? Source: PRNewswire 
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| Posted: 01 Oct 2012 08:03 AM PDT
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 during the week. Stay tuned for more upcoming contests folks. Congrats to the winners! 
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| Deal of the Day: Incipio feather Ultralight Hard Case for HTC EVO 4G LTE Posted: 01 Oct 2012 07:21 AM PDT
The Incipio feather Ultralight Hard Case is available for just $15.00, 40% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last! Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts! 
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| Sony's Xperia TL finally official on AT&T Posted: 01 Oct 2012 06:49 AM PDT
You'll have to excuse us for not acting more surprised to see the Sony Xperia T announced today for AT&T in the United States, as we've seen it wearing the carrier's colors for the better part of a month. But, here it is, reborn as the Xperia TL. You'll recall our hands-on with the Xperia T back at the IFA conference in Berlin last month. Here's a recap on the specs:
Things we don't yet know: Pricing and an availability date. Stick around. Source: AT&T 
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| Rogers launches LTE in 18 new markets across Canada Posted: 01 Oct 2012 06:39 AM PDT  Rogers has just kicked off LTE service in a bunch of new regions, as expected. With this, they've nearly reached their goal of covering 60% of the Canadian population by the end of the year. That's pretty solid progress overall, considering LTE only launched in Canada in the July of last year. The new LTE markets include:
Over the summer, Rogers had promised to bring LTE to a total of 28 cities, so we can expect at least a few more expansions before the new year. Any Rogers customers in these new markets that are happy to get LTE service? By comparison, how's Bell and TELUS coverage in your area? Source: Rogers RedBoard 
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| ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700) Jelly Bean update now available Posted: 01 Oct 2012 06:31 AM PDT
Good morning to you, great people of Earth and owners of the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity, aka the TF700. (Read our complete TF700 review, won'tcha?) Word from our forums and in our inbox is that the slightly delayed Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the top-shelf tablet is now available. So get your update on, then get into the forums to update us on how awesome the update went! More: ASUS Tranformer Pad Infinity forums; thanks, Jay! 
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