Sunday, November 4, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Android Overload: leaks, Galaxy S3 sales, Android 4.2 and more

Posted: 03 Nov 2012 06:11 PM PDT

Your Saturday night festivities are starting so let’s make sure you get your fix of Android news before you head out the door! Android Overload covers all the stories that didn’t make it to our main page, but are still important enough to check out. Take a look!

  • Chromium OS ported to Nexus 7 [ChromeSpot]
  • New HTC DROID DNA leaked picture [EVLeaks]
  • HTC working on official Facebook phone [Pocket-Lint]
  • HTC launches dual-SIM Desire SV [HTC]
  • Samsung Galaxy S3 sales reach 30 million devices [Sammy Hub]
  • ZTE Flash render leaked [EVLeaks]
  • Inside Android 4.2′s powerful new security system [Computer World]
  • Samsung Stratosphere 2 leaked image [EVLeaks]

Apple UK updates Samsung statement, but makes sure people don’t see it

Posted: 03 Nov 2012 03:09 PM PDT

Apple did not take its loss against Samsung lightly, in the UK. The Cupertino Giant was forced to post a statement in their UK website, stating that Samsung did not infringe on Apple’s patents. Needless to say Apple still went for homerun and decided to highlight the competition’s shortcomings and Apple’s victories across the world.

UK courts then asked Apple to correct the previously posted statement and publish a Samsung-friendly one. The link also had to be more noticeable, placed under Apple’s homepage at a font size no lower than 11 points. But of course, Apple found another way to make such statement less visible to the general public.

Apple UK went as far as re-coding the site so that people won’t be able to see the statement link without a bit of effort. Apple’s UK website resizes itself depending on screen size and resolution, making the statement harder to get to, regardless of what device you may be using. This is done mostly by resizing the image of the iPad Mini to accomodate the browser’s size.

Code

var HeroResize=AC.Class({initialize:function(b){this._height=null;this._hero=$(b);
AC.Object.synthesize(this);this.__boundResizeHero=this.resizeHero.bindAsEventListener(this);
if(typeof window.ontouchstart===”undefined”){this.resizeHero();Event.observe(window,”resize”,this.__boundResizeHero)
}},setHeight:function(b){this._height=(b<0)?0:b;return this._height},resizeHero:function(){this.setHeight(parseInt(window.innerHeight||(window.document.documentElement.clientHeight||window.document.body.clientHeight),10)-310);
this.hero().style.height=this.height()+"px"}});Event.onDOMReady(function(){var b=new HeroResize("billboard")
});

The code you see above ensures that the bottom 310 pixels of the site stay out of view unless one makes an effort to scroll down. I have tested viewing both sites from multiple monitors and can attest to the fact that the bottom part stays out of view, with the UK site’s iPad Mini picture changing sizes (while the US version stays the same).

The only way I managed to keep the statement in view was to put my 23-inch monitor on portrait orientation and blasting the site full-screen. And this was only because the iPad Mini image couldn’t get any bigger without crossing the side edges.

Apple, you just really have to have the last word, don’t you? Is it that hard to accept a defeat and leave a statement until mid-November? We could not expect any less from Apple and its unfair tactics. Now let’s see if UK authorities will notice this and force Apple to once again make changes to its official site.

[via Reddit]

Thanks, Jake!

Get that VIZIO Co-Star while it’s in stock!

Posted: 03 Nov 2012 12:44 PM PDT


If you are a fan of all things Android like us, you have been dying to get your hands on a VIZIO Co-Star but haven’t been able to catch it in stock. The $100 Google TV box has been flying off the shelves like no other Google TV unit, mostly due to its great price and equally good features.

After going in and out of stock for several months, the VIZIO Co-Star is now available for purchase again. We don’t know if it will be for very long, but it should be a good idea to purchase yours as soon as possible. It has been some time since it’s launch and the hype might be starting to slow down, but it is still a device many of us have been waiting to get.

It is a great deal for $100, especially considering it comes with a capable dual-core processor and OnLive compatibility. It would be great for streaming, Google TV apps and even cloud gaming. You really can’t get a better deal when it comes to a capable, yet affordable Google TV device.

If you want to sign up for one, you can go ahead and purchase it at VIZIO’s website right now. We already did, will you?!

[via GTV Source]

DIY Project: Custom comic book cases for your Android device

Posted: 03 Nov 2012 09:16 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

Alright, Phandroids. We’re nearing the weekend and I thought I’d turn you guys onto a fun, easy, and affordable DIY project to keep your favorite Android protected, and in style. Yes, I know. There are a million cases on the market, but if you really wanted to stand out from the crowd, you could always make your very own one-of-a-kind, custom comic book case featuring your favorite super hero.

A good friend of mine was nice enough to put together this custom Spider-Man case for me and now, I want to show you guys exactly how to do it. You ready to get your hands a little dirty? Alright — here’s exactly what you’re gonna need:

  • Plastic smartphone case (preferably with printed design)
  • Favorite comic book
  • 1 bottle of Modge Podge (either gloss or matte finish)
  • Paint brush
  • Scissors
  • 1 can of finishing spray (either gloss or matte)
  • Smidgen of creativity

All the above items can easily be found at your local arts and crafts store with the exception of the plastic hard case for your Android device. I was lucky enough to find a place online that ships from China and sells in bulk, but you guys can find individual cases on eBay for around $3 a piece (just expect long shipping times).

One more thing: while this tutorial isn’t specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S3, it was for this specific kind of case. I can’t guarantee this will work with other cases, on other devices. The reason being these cases in particular only hold onto the sides of the phone, and even after wrapping the case in a thin layer of comic book paper and glue, they still held onto the device perfectly. Other types of hard cases on other phones may vary (although I’ve seen similar designs for many other phones). When choosing a case, it’s incredibly important to find one with print already on it (cassette tape, vintage camera, etc.). This is so that if you miss a few spots when applying the comic book clippings, it wont be noticeable.

Now that we got all that out of our way, we can start crafting. And don’t worry, you’ll get your masculinity back once you see the final results.

Prep Work

Find a totally badical comic book worthy of plastering all over your device. Spider-Man, X-Men vs Avengers, manga — whatever. Just try and be mindful of the overall color of the scenes featured in the comic. If you plan on making more than one custom case down the road, it can be fun to have a variety of cases featuring specific colors (like blues, blacks, or greens).

Cutting

Handpick a few good frames featuring a badass action scene and cut out entire frames. These will be used as the “background.” Next, cut out your favorite super hero (or villain) doing something awesome. Jumping, flying, kicking someone in the face — that sorta thing. After that, cut out a few action words like, “BAMF! OOMPH! THOCK!”

Glue

Apply a thin layer of Modge Podge over the spots where you’ll be laying down your hand picked frames. Place the frames on top, almost as if they’d appear in a comic book. This is going to be your background. Continue until the entire case is covered. You may have to cut out a few very small pieces to get full coverage. Let dry.

Next, apply another thin layer of Modge Podge over the pasted frames. Apply your comic book hero cutouts, title, action words. Apply another thin layer of Modge Podge over the top and let dry.

Matte or Gloss?

Lastly, apply the finishing spray. Matte if you want a more authentic comic book look, or gloss. Whichever tickles your fancy. Hopefully, you’re pleased with the end result. POW!

So, as you can see, there really isn’t too much to it. With a little bit of time, and some creativity, you too could have your very own custom comic book case. Now you, and your Android phone will be the hit of the party (or something like that). If making these cases isn’t really your thing, you can custom order them from Etsy for $20 each.

[via Etsy]
Posted by at 7:57 AM

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