Android Community |
- HTC DROID DNA unboxing and comparison
- Nexus 4 shipments delayed three weeks
- HTC DROID DNA international edition leaks out
- Humble Bundle for Android 4 gets five new games
- Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer calls Android “uncontrolled” and Apple “high priced”
- HTC EVO 4G LTE getting 4.1 Jelly Bean update today according to leaks
- Google’s Niantic Labs launches new mobile Augmented Reality game
- Nexus 7 HSPA+ tablet sold out on Google Play already
- Report claims Android has 90-percent smartphone market share in China
- TalkTalk offering a free Nexus 7 with purchase of select Android phones
- Amazon shipping Kindle Fire HD 8.9” today
- Toshiba announces 10-inch AT300SE tablet
- Android 4.2 hands-on with multi-user accounts and lockscreen widgets
- LG Optimus Regard available from Cricket as first 4G LTE phone
- Google Voice Android 4.2 problems fixed in latest update
- CyanogenMod domain shuts down after extortion attempt [Update]
- Google Plus now allows for one-click Android app installs
- Beat Hazard Ultra arrives on Google Play Store
- Pantech Flex Review
| HTC DROID DNA unboxing and comparison Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:31 PM PST Tuesday the folks from HTC finally unveiled and announced their brand new 5-inch 1080p flagship smartphone. The all new HTC DROID DNA complete with top tier specs across the board. The device was leaked several times, but now we have our own for a quick unboxing video for everyone to enjoy. The DNA will be available in just one week, but lets take a peek below.
Before it becomes available on November 21st for just $199, we wanted to share a video showing off the stellar hardware, brilliant and bright screen, and of course that excellent build quality. HTC’s even added some Lamborghini inspired grills on both sides that look neat. Sadly those actually aren’t the speaker grills, and all audio still comes out of the small pinholes on the back bottom. The DROID DNA is the best of everything, for the most part. You have a 5-inch 1080p HD display with a eye blistering 440 pixels per inch — the highest of any smartphone. Under the hood is a brand new quad-core 1.5 GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Sadly we only get 16GB of storage (11GB usable) with no micro-SD slot, and a 2020 mAh battery. We’ll see if that is enough to get by in our full review coming early next week. For now enjoy the quick hands-on video below: Aside from the simply gorgeous and brand new Super LCD 3 display, quad-core processor, awesome soft-touch matte back and more we also get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and an improved Sense UI. I’ve never been a huge fan of Sense, but Sense 4+ here is a bit more refined and is closer to Jelly Bean than their previous versions have been to stock Android. To the left of the 8 megapixel rear camera is actually tiny tiny pinholes that let a rear-facing notification LED illuminate and alert users of notifications. Interesting idea HTC. For those concerned about the size of a 5-inch device, don’t be alarmed, this is nothing like the Galaxy Note. It’s longer than most but not much wider. Here’s a few comparison pics with the 4.65-inch Galaxy Nexus just for an idea of the sheer size.    As mentioned in the video above, the only real hardware issue we’ve found with our limited time so far is the less than stellar placement and usage of the power button. It isn’t too hard to hit, but there is barely any feedback letting you know you’ve pushed a button. It’s also a little hard to tap because it is so flush with the device. So far we’re super impressed overall with the HTC DROID DNA but we’ll need some serious time with it to put her through the paces. Stay tuned for a full Android Community review coming soon. Enjoy the pictures folks!                Device Info
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| Nexus 4 shipments delayed three weeks Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:15 PM PST If you managed to purchase a Nexus 4 on launch day and thought you were in the clear, then we’ve got some bad news for you. It turns out that Google sold more Nexus 4s than it actually had available, as some who purchased the Nexus 4 on launch day are receiving a very disappointing email from the big G today. What does that email say? That their Nexus 4 order won’t be shipping out for another three weeks.
Of course, the Nexus 4 sold out in an astounding 24 minutes, so it isn’t very surprising that Google doesn’t have enough stock to fulfill some of the orders immediately. Indeed, Google’s email says that “overwhelming demand” is to be blamed for this delay. Check it out below:
Google then provided links for customers to both check and cancel their orders, if they so choose. Keep in mind that many of the people who managed to snag a Nexus 4 in those brief 24 minutes will still be getting theirs on time, though some will be left waiting. In other words, if you snagged a Nexus 4 on launch day, there’s a good chance that you’ll still be getting it soon, but don’t be too terribly surprised if one of these emails winds up in your inbox. November 13 was quite a big day for Google. Not only did the Nexus 4 go on sale, but so did the Nexus 10, which proved to be pretty popular in its own right. Though they didn’t sell out as quickly as the Nexus 4 did, 32GB Nexus 10 models were still gone pretty fast. Did one of these emails get sent to you today, or is it looking like you’ll get your Nexus 4 on time? Device Info
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| HTC DROID DNA international edition leaks out Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:49 PM PST Well what do we have here? The reliable folks of @evleaks have yet another leaked press shot to show us, this time putting the HTC Deluxe – otherwise known as the global edition of the HTC DROID DNA – on display for the international community to go crazy over. Unfortunately, the press shot is all we’re getting, but if this truly is the DROID DNA international edition, then we already have a pretty good idea of what’s in store.
That’s because the HTC DROID DNA isn’t likely to change all that much as it makes its way overseas. We’ll still have sexy 5-inch screen, and the US version of the DROID DNA comes equipped with a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor and 2GB of RAM to power everything. There’s 16GB of internal storage to take advantage of too, but unfortunately it’s lacking a microSD card slot, so users won’t be able to expand on the memory at all. Some of those things may change with the DROID Deluxe, but we’re not expecting many of them to. Then again, you never really know with these things, and since we don’t have any specs for the DROID Deluxe at the moment, we’re hesitant to say for sure that the components in the US DROID DNA will be present in the international version. Our friends over at SlashGear point out that the leaked press shot doesn’t give away any information on 3G or 4G compatibility, though we’re with them in thinking that HTC will likely release the Deluxe as an international phone with LTE support in at least some areas. There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Deluxe, so we’ll just have to keep an ear to the ground for additional details. Keep it tuned here to Android Community, as we’ll have those details for you once we hear more! Device Info
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| Humble Bundle for Android 4 gets five new games Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:49 AM PST We’re at the halfway point for the Humble Bundle for Android 4, and like clockwork, a batch of new games have been added to tempt those who may be on the fence. It isn’t as if the folks at Humble Bundle need much help in the sales area though, with more than 125,000 bundles sold and more than $775,000 raised. Not bad, and these additional games make the name-your-price deal even sweeter.
If you’ve been buying these Android Humble Bundles from the start, then there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with the indie gems that have been added. Avadon: The Black Fortress, Canabalt, Cogs, Swords and Soldiers HD, and Zen Bound 2 were all featured in the Humble Bundle for Android 2, and they’ve joined the other five games available in this latest Humble Bundle. If you’ve already purchased the bundle, these games have been added to your download page at no additional cost. If you haven’t, you’ll have to pay more than the average to get them. The average currently sits at $6.21, which isn’t bad at all considering that a paltry $6.22 will get you a total of 11 games. Of course, you may want to pay a little more than that, since the money raised won’t only be going to the developers, but also to charity. Child’s Play and the Electronic Frontier Foundation will both be getting a customizable portion of each purchase, so there’s incentive to hand over a little more cash in exchange for these games. Keep in mind that all of these games are DRM-free and compatible with Mac, Linux, Windows, and Android. A number of the games in this bundle are making their Android debut, which is pretty darn exciting if you ask us. There’s just over one week to go before the Humble Bundle for Android 4 comes to a close, so if you want one, be sure to pick it up while you still can.
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| Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer calls Android “uncontrolled” and Apple “high priced” Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:34 AM PST Microsoft's loud and in your face CEO Steve Ballmer obviously has his own views and opinions on competing platforms, but comments made lately sure were interesting. During a recent interview Ballmer was asked about the competition in Android and Apple and he wasted no time diving in head first. A few of his comments were quite surprising so head down past the break for more details.
Ballmer has always been quick to criticize the competition, but during the interview with LinkedIn he had some pretty harsh words to share regarding our beloved Android. When asked about the Windows Phone 8 strategy he aimed right for Android in a matter of seconds. Ballmer immediately called the rival Android platform "wild," "uncontrolled," and susceptible to malware. My first thought was, have you ever used Windows Vista? At the same time he called Apple's ecosystem "high priced" and "highly controlled" — each end of the spectrum according to Stevie. I guess what he’s trying to get crossed with those comments is Windows Phone 8 is best — and finds a perfect middle ground. According to him at least, but we all know better. Ballmer event went as far as to say Android is “not in the consumers best interest” and neither is Apple with their high prices. Pretty interesting thoughts from the man in charge over in Redmond. We wanted to post this quickie update and see what you all thought on the comments. Personally, we feel that the wild and “slightly” uncontrolled aspects of Android is what has let it flourish. Manufacturers can succeed on their own terms, and the developer community can make the project grow and evolve just as it has. This is why so many users love Android. Carry on folks! [via SlashGear]
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| HTC EVO 4G LTE getting 4.1 Jelly Bean update today according to leaks Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:12 AM PST HTC recently released some details stating when they’ll be updating their many devices to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, but today we have some additional info on their flagship HTC EVO 4G LTE. Some new reports have been flooding in lately that the EVO 4G LTE will actually be updated via OTA update to Jelly Bean this week. Now, according to some leaked documents it looks like today is the day.
Obviously we’ll need to treat this as a rumor for now, but if the leaked internal screenshot tells us anything, EVO 4G LTE owners will be in for some tasty treats today. So far we’ve not received any confirmation that it is indeed rolling out — but we expect to hear more shortly.
The image above is a leaked document from the Now Network, showing the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is set to start rolling out today, November 15th, to the HTC EVO 4G LTE. After looking over a few of the details it looks like this will be a slow rollout over the next week or so, then all devices should be updated in due time. It mentions November 27th specifically today, but most users should receive the update before then. The last bit of the document states Android 4.0 ICS instead of Jelly Bean, which obviously is wrong, so for now we’re chalking this up in the rumor mill until we actually see devices get updated today. For those that don’t want to wait, you could always grab a stable build of CyanogenMod 10 for the device, but this update is coming straight from HTC with Sense UI included. Stay tuned for more details. Device Info
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[via Pocketables]
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| Google’s Niantic Labs launches new mobile Augmented Reality game Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:47 AM PST The folks from Google have all sorts of crazy projects going on at any given time. From Project Glass, Android, and probably tons of things we’ll never know about. Google’s Niantic Labs earlier this year released their Field Trip App for Android, and now they’re back with a worldwide mobile game based on AR, and it’s called Google Ingress.
Last week we told you about an odd viral campaign called The Niantic Project, and this is the end result of that project. We guessed it would be some sort of App or Augmented Reality game, and today it has actually launched as a closed beta on the Google Play Store. So what is it exactly? It’s still hard to tell but the video below might pique your interest. “The world around you is not what it seems” Everything is still a bit cryptic, but essentially a team of Europe Scientists have unearthed a mysterious and powerful energy that is taking over the planet. Users worldwide will be able to use their Android smartphones rear camera, and the Ingress augmented reality app to tap certain landscapes and other things around the world or in their City. As you find things you can harness and discover sources of this mysterious energy. Think of it as a giant AR real-time strategy game in a way. Players are all playing in the same world like World of Warcraft, and you’ll be able to harness that energy — called “XM”. Users can tag, acquire, and collect objects around the world. Use these objects to aid you in your quest, and even capture entire territories and protect them with said objects and energy. Weird right? Is anyone confused yet? The players worldwide will be known as the “Resistance” to save earth from this mysterious energy. You can work with fellow players, track stats, plan and coordinate your next steps or territory grabs, and communicate with others using an Intelligence map. This is using mobile technology to its finest. A brand new type of open world game, but on mobile where users can interact with the world around them. It really is quite interesting, could be loads of fun, but is still a little confusing at first. Google’s Niantic Labs states the game will evolve daily, secrets and technology will be unlocked and more. For now this is only a closed beta, but you can sign up at the link below and get started soon. The original Niantic Project ended on November 30th, so we expect the beta to open to the public around the same date. Interested? Get started at Ingress.com          [via SlashGear]
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| Nexus 7 HSPA+ tablet sold out on Google Play already Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:55 AM PST Are you looking to grab a 32GB Nexus 7 with mobile data from Google Play? Well, too bad for you, because its already completely sold out on Google’s own retail site. The 16GB and 32GB Wi-Fi version of the tablet are still in stock, but it seems as if people really want to get mobile data on their mid-sized devices, and thus, are buying them up quickly. At least it lasted longer than the Nexus 4, which sold out in minutes and the 10-inch Nexus tablet.
It’s pretty easy to see why people were running out in droves to get the HSPA+ version of the tablet. After all, it is a high-end tablet with mobile data for only $299. It’s a tough deal to beat, especially when you consider that it comes with a 1280×800 HD IPS 7-inch display, an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, and 1GB of RAM. Hopefully, Google restocks the 32GB Nexus 7 HSPA+ soon. I’m sure Google is also working hard to get the 10-inch tablet and Nexus 4 back on its virtual store shelves. As always, we will keep you posted and let you know when Google manages to get these incredibly popular devices back in stock. Device Info
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| Report claims Android has 90-percent smartphone market share in China Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:01 AM PST In the smartphone game, it’s all about market share. The more people using your device, the more people you can sell apps to, and the more you can shout your dominance from the rooftops. Well, it looks like Android has the market on lockdown in China, at least according to a new report from Analysys International. The data from the report combines data from both device sales and ownership. If this report is true, it seems that no one can touch Android in China.
Apple’s iOS used to have 6-percent of the Chinese market, and it has since dropped to 4.2-percent. However, like Android, it may be underrepresented because the report does not include imports. Still, it seems that Android has found a way to penetrate the Chinese market where other devices have not found a way. The other mobile platforms are also seeing their numbers decline. It’s clear that the Chinese market has spoken, and they are in favor of the little green alien we all love so much. It’s understandable why companies like HTC are looking to bring its high-end DLX model to the Chinese markets. [via TNW]
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| TalkTalk offering a free Nexus 7 with purchase of select Android phones Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:25 AM PST The holiday shopping season is right around the corner, and English carrier TalkTalk is getting into the giving spirit by offering a free Nexus 7 with the purchase of select Android smartphones. This deal goes into effect on November 20, so if you were planning on purchasing a smartphone, you may want to hold off for a few days, as scooping up a free tablet certainly seems like something worth waiting for. Three of the phones offered are not exactly high-end, but one of the devices will certainly have people taking notice.
The Nexus 4 will be flying off the shelves, especially when it comes with a free Nexus 7 tablet. If you want one of these, you better be ready to order one right when the deal starts. After all, there aren’t many chances to pick up the latest top of the line phone with a free tablet. And not just any tablet, but a Nexus 7. TalkTalk is offering each of the phones with three different tiers of plans. They are calling them small, medium, and large. Which plan to go with depends on how you intend to use the phone. The plans start at £15 for the LG Optimus L5 on the lowest tier. The plans go as high as £45 a month for the Nexus 4 on the highest tier. Either way, this is a pretty awesome deal, and a good chance to grab a new phone and an awesome tablet.
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| Amazon shipping Kindle Fire HD 8.9” today Posted: 15 Nov 2012 06:59 AM PST Amazon has just started shipping the Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch today. If you’ve been waiting to get yours, you shall not have to wait much longer, as it should be in your hands within the next couple of days. If you haven’t ordered one, you can do so on Amazon. However, if you are waiting for the Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch with 4G, you are going to have to wait until next week.
If you’re waiting for the 4G version, you will only have to wait until November 20 to grab one. The 4G tablet will start at $499. Amazon is also offering a data package that is $49 for the first year, which is pretty insane when you compare it the cost of most data plans. Of course, that’s only for the first year, and it will go up after that. Amazon’s Kindle Fire has been making some serious waves in the tablet market, and with the launch of the 8.9-inch HD model, it should keep that going. Of course, the one drawback to Amazon’s tablets is that do not have access to Google Play, so you are limited to Amazon’s App Store. Either way, if you are looking for an ultra high-end tablet, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch might be one for you, and you can finally get your hands on one.
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| Toshiba announces 10-inch AT300SE tablet Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:54 AM PST Toshiba has announced a new tablet for the UK market. The new AT300SE comes equipped with a 10.1-inch screen featuring a 1280 x 800 resolution. Toshiba says that this tablet is positioned for the everyday tablet user, although it’s not quite clear what the so-called “everyday tablet user” is.
The tablet is light, weighing in at 625g. It is only 10.5mm thick, which makes it around as thin and light as the original AT300 tablet. It also comes with a textured material on the back which is designed to make it easier to grip. The tablet is also designed to be used for up to 10 hours on a single charge, which is some pretty solid battery life.
The AT300SE comes with 16GB of internal storage. It also features Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, and GPS for connectivity. The tablet is scheduled to launch sometime in Q4 for £299.99. [via SlashGear]
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| Android 4.2 hands-on with multi-user accounts and lockscreen widgets Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:15 PM PST Now that Google‘s made Android 4.2 completely official, pushing the update out to the Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus, as well as AOSP we figured a quick video was in order. Obviously you’ve seen plenty of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean from our LG Nexus 4 and 10 review, but today we’re taking a look at a few new features on the Nexus 7. Those being the brand new multiple user accounts, as well as lockscreen widgets to name a few.
With Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Google announced a lot of new features for such a minimal update. To learn everything about the update you’ll want to see our Android 4.2 what’s new post. The video below will give you a look at the lockscreen widgets, multiple user accounts (and mention a few issue) as well as the brand new clock app and more. We’ll be digging through all of this in detail soon, but enjoy the quick video below. Obviously this was just released so we’ll be checking out more features as the week continues, but so far we’re loving what Google’s done here. Multi-user accounts are seamless and everything we expected so far — although we’ll need more time with it. Obviously each account has their own wallpaper, settings, notification sounds, apps, games and more, but we found the implementation a little odd. An app downloaded on two accounts will take double the space (which makes sense for game saves and such) yet updating on one account will update it across all device accounts that have the app. Being able to somehow manage this without wasting so much valuable space would be nice. For the full rundown enjoy the video below. The lockscreen widgets are a bit goofy, but eventually will be an awesome feature set once developers start integrating their apps to support the service. You’re basically swiping between widgets like you do homescreens, and sort of makes things like a regular Gmail widget redundant if you’ve also got it on the lockscreen. Obviously not everyone will opt to use it on the lockscreen, so it still makes sense to have both. With phones we can instantly swipe to the side to open the camera, and I’m sure developers will be adding tons of options soon. This will soon be an awesome feature in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean as more deveopers get on board. The new clock is quite unique. They’ve changed the design, UI elements, as well as made the first numbers always be bold. I’m not a fan, but slowly getting use to it. Aach different area of the new clock is slightly different, and certainly not uniform, but is a work in progress I suppose. I do like the new time input method for setting the clock and alarm however. Then we have gesture typing, which doesn’t need any introduction. This essentially wipes out 3rd party keyboards like Swype in favor of the stock experience from Google. The prediction is excellent and once you save words to your dictionary they work with ease in the prediction engine. The hovering preview of the word being gestured is a nice touch too. Photo Sphere wasn’t quite feasible on the Nexus 7, which is an awesome new 360 panorama mode I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of, and Gmail has been slightly improved too with swipe to clear and pinch-to-zoom. While the update in numbers seems small, the improvements from Google are big. This is why we love Android! Stay tuned for more coming soon.           
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| LG Optimus Regard available from Cricket as first 4G LTE phone Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:44 PM PST The popular regional and prepaid carrier Cricket has just released a brand new Android smartphone today, although we certainly wouldn’t call it high end. The new LG Optimus Regard is available today from Cricket and is their first 4G LTE capable smartphone. It surely isn’t high-end, or cheap, but head below for more details.
Cricket is a large regional carrier that also happens to have millions of pre-paid customers too. Not offering contracts means you won’t get subsidized pricing on smartphones. For that reason alone this phone ends up being quite expensive, while not offering much compared to other carriers. For those looking to save on their monthly bill however, this could be a great choice. The LG Optimus Regard is their first 4G LTE smartphone, which is also a retooled LG Motion 4G on MetroPCS — another regional carrier. The new phone is available online and in stores today from Cricket for a price of $249, but at least you won’t be singing any contracts. The Regard comes with a 3.5-inch display with a painful 320×480 resolution, but is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, offers a 5 megapixel camera, 8GB of storage, 4G LTE, and a decent 1,700 mAh battery. It also runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich so overall is a decent phone, save for that terribly low resolution display. Obviously the price here is $249 due to you not singing a contract, and Cricket offers some cheap plans. Personally I’d suggest you save up another $50 and get the LG Nexus 4 from the Google Play Store instead. If Cricket is your only choice, the LG Optimus Regard is a decent option considering their lineup. [via UnwiredView]
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| Google Voice Android 4.2 problems fixed in latest update Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:16 PM PST There aren’t many people running Android 4.2 yet, but if you are, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve encountered some issues with Google Voice. The app hasn’t been functioning properly ever since Android 4.2 landed, but thankfully those frustrating days are over (at least until the next version of Android hits). Google pushed out an update for Google Voice today that fixes the app’s compatibility issues with Android 4.2, and it’s available on the Google Play Store now.
Specifically speaking, the Google Voice app would crash whenever users added recipients to a message. That is obviously a pretty big problem, but today’s update squashes that issue like the bug it is. Talk Android reports that this update fixes most of Google Voice’s compatibility issues with Android 4.2, so if you’ve been having problems, it should be smooth sailing after you’ve applied the update. Of course, the vast majority of Google Voice never had to deal with these issues considering that Android 4.2 is still so young. Android 4.2 is currently only running on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the LG Nexus 4, so there’s just a small subset of total Android users with the latest version of the Android OS. Still, having the Google Voice app crash every time you try to add someone to a message would be a major issue for someone who uses the app for work, so at least it’s fixed now. Since Android 4.2 hasn’t been around all that long, there’s a chance that there are still some currently unknown issues left to fix. If that’s the case and these issues are discovered, hopefully Google can get a new update out the door as quickly as it pushed this one out. You can snag the new Google Voice update right now from the Google Play Store [download link].
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| CyanogenMod domain shuts down after extortion attempt [Update] Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:12 PM PST Some sad news has appeared over the past few hours regarding the most popular and biggest community developed ROM for Android. No, our beloved CyanogenMod ROM isn’t going anywhere but their domain, official site, entire history, and email has all been shut down and compromised as of late. Sadly when things get big sometimes greed gets involved and that’s exactly the case here.
CyanogenMod was a small custom ROM for the original G1 back 3-4 years ago, but has since grown into one of the latest and most popular custom ROM’s for Android. It’s a huge team, group, and organization that the Android Community loves. Almost so big in fact that some are hoping they’ll release their own CyanogenMod Phone at some point in the future. The problem is back a few years ago when things were small, a 3rd party purchased the CyanogenMod.com domain and donated it — something that has now caused some trouble. Update: According to @Cyanogen himself everything has been resolved, and we should all just forget about this. I guess the two parties have worked things out. Good news for Android fans everywhere. While we don’t have all the information or details at this point, it seems that for some reason or another there’s been some altercations, and the owner of the CyanogenMod domain, email address, and everything else has essentially shut it down. Here’s the 3rd party’s email to the CM Team:
Again, we don’t know the entire story, which we are sure there are two sides to. Apparently after impersonating the CyanogenMod leader Steve Kondik, for his own personal gain and getting caught things have turned sour. The domain owner thus asked for $10,000 to turn the keys over to the true owners, which they won’t do, and can’t afford, and now everything’s been shut down. For more details on this sad story of anger, trust, and greed you’ll be able to find more right from the CM team. They’ve since transitioned what they had to CyanogenMod.org and posted this blog entry. Since shutting down the CM.com page they’ve lost all their records, and essentially disappeared from the internet. This is sad news that obviously should have never happened, but it did. For now the CM10 progress is still working strong and they’ll probably continue to push out custom ROM’s for all of our favorite devices, they just might be a little behind. Hopefully they can get this sorted out and get back to doing what they love — which is offering custom builds of Android for their fans worldwide. [via CyanogenMod]
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| Google Plus now allows for one-click Android app installs Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:16 PM PST If you’re the type of person who likes to recommend apps to friends, then pay attention to this next bit of news. Google has added a new feature to Google+ that allows for one-click Android app installs right there in the feed. This means that you can suggest an app to your Google+ friends and they’ll be able to download it from right from your post without ever having to go to the Google Play Store.
Pretty nifty, right? What you see above is our own experiment with the new feature, and everything seems to be working quite well. This is just the latest step in Google’s attempt to integrate all of its services with one another, forming one huge, unstoppable Google network. While that’s kind of terrifying, we happen to think that this new feature is pretty cool, so we’ll let it slide. Of course, Google is still lagging behind Facebook and Twitter in terms of user numbers, but if the big G keeps adding cool features like this, that might change. It’ll be a long time before Google+ can challenge the likes of Facebook for social networking dominance (if it ever will be able to, that is), but the addition of new features that are actually useful can’t hurt Google’s efforts. We’re thinking that now would be a good time to remind you of Android Community’s presence on Google+. Not only can you head over to our page right now and download our Android app, but you can also add us to one of your circles to get the latest Android news right there in your feed each and every day. What do you think of this new feature?
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| Beat Hazard Ultra arrives on Google Play Store Posted: 14 Nov 2012 12:36 PM PST If you’re need of a mobile game to play this afternoon, then we have to suggest that you check out Beat Hazard Ultra. The game arrived on the Google Play Store today, and boy is it one wild ride. At first, Beat Hazard seems like your typical twin stick shooter, you’ll soon realize it’s much more than just floating around a battlefield and shooting enemies.
That’s because Beat Hazard uses the music that’s playing to adjust the intensity of the game. In the mood to relax and just have fun playing? Go for a slower, more laid back type of song. Want an intense game that will have you fighting for survival every second? Play the game with a fast-paced soundtrack. It won’t be easy if you opt for fast songs with driving beats, but it sure will be fun. Beat Hazard Ultra comes with a selection of songs pre-installed, but you can also play to the music that’s stored on device – easily one of Beat Hazard‘s coolest features. Even better is that the game is free, though upgrading to the full version will let you unlock perks as you play and use Internet radio stations as your backing track. The developers of Beat Hazard are currently holding a launch sale and selling the full game for $1.99, so it might not be a bad idea to pick up the full version and experience all of what Beat Hazard has to offer.
Before you jump in, we have to warn you that this game is not easy, especially when you’re playing with a particularly loud and fast song. You’ll have plenty of power ups to take advantage of while you’re playing though, which should help even the odds a bit. Beat Hazard Ultra is now available on the Google Play Store [download link] – will you be checking it out?    
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| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 11:51 AM PST While Pantech has never been a major leader in the Android handset business, they've been a relatively good choice when it comes to budget devices. The company's newest smartphone, the Flex, is Pantech's first attempt at making a real contender while still keeping the price on the down-low. It's available now on AT&T's network for just $20 after signing a two-year contract. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chip, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and a large 4.3-inch display — all of which are crucial ingredients to a powerhouse device. However, since specs aren't everything, we have to dig deeper into the Pantech Flex to see if it can compete with the likes of HTC, Nokia, or even Samsung. Let's see how it fares.
Hardware The Flex packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 SoC (MSM8960) that combines a 1.5GHz dual-core Krait processor with Adreno 225 graphics. It's the same exact CPU/GPU combo that's in Samsung's flagship Galaxy S III, as well as Nokia's Lumia 920, both of which are some of the best devices on the market currently. The Flex also has 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage (expandable storage available via a microSD slot). There's also an 8MP camera on the back capable of shooting 1080p video, paired with a 2MP VGA front-facing shooter. Other amenities include 4G LTE and HSPA+ support, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0 — all powered by a 1,830mAh battery.
The Flex's 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD display offers great touch response and good viewing angles. However, it features a PenTile matrix, which causes text and smaller icons to appear slightly blurry, but like most Super AMOLED displays, the Flex's screen features deep blacks and great color saturation, just don't expect it to be a really sharp and crisp display. As far as the design of the phone, it's really thin — almost exactly a third of an inch thick, which is right up there with the Galaxy S III and the LG Optimus G. It's not really a sleek-looking device, though. The back has weird indentations and part of the battery cover is a lighter shade of grey than the rest, which doesn't make much sense, considering that it doesn't serve a function from what I've noticed. It covers the same area as the battery, but I'm not really sure what benefit this provides.
To make matters worse, the power button and the microUSB port are in the worst places possible. The power button is on the right side smack dab in the middle, while the microUSB port is a little bit further up. Honestly, the location of the microUSB port is actually where the power button should be, since casually holding the device will have right-handers covering up the port with their thumb. Overall, I think Pantech took a big swing and a miss with the design of the Flex. However, despite it's mostly plastic build, it feels really solid in the hand and provides enough weight that it won't feel like you're just holding a piece of plastic.        Software The Flex runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with Pantech's own unique twist to the UI. One thing that's really unique about the handset is that it has two user interface modes. The first one is obviously the traditional Android UI, and the second mode is what Pantech calls "Easy Experience." It essentially offers an extremely user-friendly interface for those who aren't too familiar with the inner workings of a smartphone operating system. The Easy Experience simply gives you one home screen that offers quick access to everything a handset user would need access to, such as the dialer, camera, contacts, web browser, and text messaging. There's one main widget that displays the time, date, and weather, all of which launch the alarm clock, calendar, and weather apps, respectively, when tapped on.
The Easy Experience home screen also has a quick contacts list, which offers access to voicemail and up to five frequent contacts, as well as a shortcut button that displays your most frequently used apps. Everything is labeled well and text appears larger than the traditional UI to make it easier on the eyes, especially for elderly folks. It's extremely simple and minimalistic, but you'll have to keep in mind that there's no customization options available in Easy Experience mode, which means you can't change around icons, add widgets, nothing. It may seem restricting, but I actually really like it. Sometimes users can get overwhelmed with the traditional UI — even experienced users — so it's nice that the phone gives you the option to go back to simpler times.
Of course, you can always use the traditional Android user experience and get all the features and customization options that you need. However, Pantech's all-out Android UI is fairly cluttered and has a slightly cheap look to it. They tried to make everything as easy and quick as possible to get to, and while that sounds great on paper, it doesn't work well on a mobile OS. However, one thing that's pretty neat is the ability to add up to 10 frequently-used apps as a shortcut to the app tray at the bottom, and then you can scroll either left or right to access them. The keyboard comes with SwiftKey built-in and enabled by default, which is a nice convenience to have, but if you prefer the stock Ice Cream Sandwich keyboard or even Swype, the Flex comes with both of those options as well, right out of the box. Overall, Pantech's Easy Experience UI feature is the biggest selling point for the software on the Flex by far. Even though it's meant for those who aren't too familiar with a smartphone and don't want to be overwhelmed, I particularly like it alot and I could easily see myself using the Easy Experience UI on a day-to-day basis — it's simple, clean, and minimalistic. Camera While the camera has a respectable 8MP sensor, the Flex proves that megapixels aren't everything. Photos aren't that great of quality, and it seems to have trouble focusing while taking macro shots. Outdoor shots are fairly clear, though, and with enough adequate lighting, you can take a pretty good picture. However, there aren't a lot of settings. You can change the exposure and white balance presets, but there are no ISO settings, and under "Effects" was really only one effect. To make matters worse, the camera app takes a little bit of time to load up, especially from the lock screen. It felt like it would hang for a little bit before I could actually start aiming and snap a photo. And after tapping the shutter button, it took a second or two for the camera to actually snap an image. This is a huge drag, especially for those that need to take a photo of fast-paced action.
Meanwhile, shooting 1080p video with the Flex's camera is smooth and fluid, but it suffers from the same weaknesses as the still image camera. However, HDR mode performs quite well, but still suffers some quality issues. In the sample photo above, I pointed the camera towards a lamp fixture, and it easily captured the light intensity of the lamp, as well as the darker background without any problems, but mysterious blotches appeared, and you can definitely see where the camera stitched the photos together, especially on the light fixture. Obviously, if you care about quality, you probably won't be relying on the Flex's camera at all, but it proves as a worthy backup in case you ever forget to bring your main shooter with you when you go out of the house. It certainly won't take photos that'll win you a Pulitzer Prize in Photography, but it takes decent snapshots in a pinch, and can prove useful when you need a camera the most.       Benchmarks & Battery The Flex's benchmarks scores were really impressive, and that's obviously due to Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 dual-core CPU under the hood that's clocked at 1.5GHz. In Quadrant, the Flex scored just over 5,000, barely beating the HTC One X but absolutely crushing the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. In AnTuTu, it scored almost a 7,000, tying with Samsung's Galaxy Note and Galaxy Nexus, but not quite making it up there with newer handsets like the Galaxy S III and the HTC One X+.
The Flex runs as smooth as a baby's bottom, and most apps open very quickly (the camera app not being one of them, however). I did notice that sliding through the different home screens was rather slow, but it wasn't for the lack of smoothness from the animations and transitions, because they were still buttery smooth — it just seems that's how the UI is built, where the time it takes to switch between screens is just a little slower than most other devices. However, it may only be a huge deal for those who need to quickly get to an app that's on another home screen, but most apps we would need quickly are usually on the main screen anyway.
The battery is one aspect of the Flex that offers mediocre results. I noticed that playing games, surfing the web, and conducting benchmarks didn't take a huge toll on the battery, but standby time is where the battery really suffers. Leaving the phone on overnight in sleep mode drained the battery by about 50%. Obviously, that's a huge chunk of wasted battery life, so most users will want to turn the phone completely off before hitting the sack if they want an ample amount of juice left during the morning hours. But other than the hour or so of really heavy usage, I mostly just took time to surf all the different menus and browse through the different settings, and despite the huge drain overnight, the battery lasted just over 24 hours with moderate usage. Wrap-Up The Pantech Flex costs only $20 on contract, and it offers the same level of performance as a lot of current- and last-gen top-tier smartphones. Plus, the two different user experience modes are definitely a two-for-one deal, so the phone will cater to experts who know their way around gadgets, as well as novices who might be too intimidated to take on the full Android experience right away.
Of course, with any budget device, the Flex includes some features that Pantech definitely took some shortcuts on in order to keep the price low. The camera isn't fantastic and the display isn't as crisp and clear as it could be. Plus, the battery life reminded me of the days of the HTC DROID Incredible and even the ThunderBolt. While my experience with the Flex's battery wasn't exactly as bad as those days, I was surprised at how quickly it would drain by just sitting there. However, getting a device like the Pantech Flex in exchange for only a crisp twenty-dollar bill isn't anything to joke about, and the phone proves that Pantech is improving on their budget devices. While they may not yet be quite where most customers would want them to be as far as offering really solid budget devices, the Flex is another step forward for the company.              Device Info
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