AndroidGuys

---

• Get this look for your Android smartphone: Bicycle
• Cricket Wireless announces $129 Groove for November 21
• Gree to shutter OpenFeint in December as developers consider alternatives
• New Play Store APK teardown reveals app reviews require G+ account, pre-order support, and more
• Sony Odin, Yuga specs suggest 5-inch displays in compact form factor
• HTC and Apple start playing nice, Peter Chou negates media estimates
• Samsung Galaxy S4 rumored to have 5-inch 1080p HD display
• Samsung to announce Galaxy S II Plus in 2013?
• Sony announces Xperia Lounge, brings unique Sony experience to all users

Get this look for your Android smartphone: Bicycle Posted: 20 Nov 2012 11:20 AM PST One of our absolute favorite things about Android is the fact that you can bend and tweak the platform to your needs.  Sure, there’s rooting and modding for deep level personalization, but that stuff does not always concern the everyman user. Some of just like to change the home screen around a bit and create a new user experience. To that end, we’ve created a series of posts on AndroidGuys where we will highlight an occasional design and its accompanying apps.  In a nutshell we will show you a new look for your Android handset and tell you which apps you’ll need if you want to mimic the feel. Please note that the following details are but the ingredients to which you can create your own delicious Android dish – results will vary.  But that’s awesome. Continue reading: Get this look for your Android smartphone: Bicycle Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Cricket Wireless announces $129 Groove for November 21 Posted: 20 Nov 2012 10:40 AM PST Cricket Wireless is set to add another Android device to their portfolio tomorrow as the carrier pulls the curtain back on its new Groove handset. Built by ZTE, the smartphone runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread (yikes!) and features a 3.2-megapixel camera, 1GB internal storage, microSD expansion, and 3.5-inch display. Not a lot of phone, however the $129.99 price tag isn’t all that bad. Considering the target audience, it’s a decent offering from Cricket. With that said, we still have to ask why ZTE would bother with Gingerbread. Press release Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Gree to shutter OpenFeint in December as developers consider alternatives Posted: 20 Nov 2012 09:02 AM PST It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we were talking about all the major games being released with OpenFeint integration. As one of the bigger and better options for Android developers, users enjoyed its features such as leaderboards, achievements, friend lists, and cross-platform compatibility. Think XBOX Live for mobile games and you’re on the right track. Well, all that wonderful stuff comes to an end end next month as Gree will be closing down OpenFeint on December 14 Continue reading: Gree to shutter OpenFeint in December as developers consider alternatives Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

New Play Store APK teardown reveals app reviews require G+ account, pre-order support, and more Posted: 20 Nov 2012 08:55 AM PST The guys over at Android Police have torn down the new Play Store APK, and they’ve found some pretty cool stuff lurking on the inside. According to AP: …App reviews in the Play Store will soon require a Google+ account, and future reviews will be posted showing your full Google+ name and picture. …Preorders are going to be a thing in the Play Store now. I’m not sure if this is already active and nothing has pre-orders enabled, or if it will be enabled in the future. It might also be part of the upcoming devices section. There’s also some talk about a new look for the Play Store, which would be pretty great as well. Be sure to check out the source link for the full story, and let us know your thoughts. via androidpolice Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Sony Odin, Yuga specs suggest 5-inch displays in compact form factor Posted: 20 Nov 2012 08:38 AM PST New details for the upcoming Sony Yuga and Sony Odin smartphones have surfaced, giving us an idea as to the dimensions for each device. Speaking of which, it’s now being reported that both models are largely the same design. The Yuga will be an Asian edition of the device and the Odin will be a global take on the 5-inch smartphone Continue reading: Sony Odin, Yuga specs suggest 5-inch displays in compact form factor Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

HTC and Apple start playing nice, Peter Chou negates media estimates Posted: 20 Nov 2012 08:32 AM PST If you haven’t heard, HTC and Apple reached a sudden 10-year licensing agreement in their ongoing patent lawsuits. It made a little noise, and gave us hope that OEMs will stop pointless patent wars and get back to innovating. No details on the deal were released, but media reports estimated that HTC will be paying $5 to $8 for every Android phone sold as part of the deal.  Peter Chou, the CEO of HTC, was quick to shoot down this number: “I think that these estimates are baseless and very, very wrong. It is a outrageous number, but I’m not going to comment anything on a specific number. I believe we have a very, very happy settlement and a good ending.” While Chou was adamant in saying that these numbers are wrong, he declined to provide any actual details. This is troubling to some, although at this point many of us in the Android community are glad that the HTC-Apple war is over (at least on the patent front). Of course, there’s always the Samsung patent suits if you’re looking for some corporate drama. We’d like to hear your thoughts on this one. Do you think HTC and Apple should release the details, or is a public “we’re friends now” good enough? Drop a comment below! Source Reuters Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Samsung Galaxy S4 rumored to have 5-inch 1080p HD display Posted: 20 Nov 2012 07:59 AM PST Here’s one of those rumors that make you say, “Yeah, that sounds about right.” For those who follow Android closely, it’s possible that the next bit of news has them saying, “No duh”. Samsung next big flagship, the Galaxy S 4, will come in 2013 and will feature a 5-inch 1080p HD display. Well, more specifically, it’s 4.99-inches, but whatever. The screen is said to be a Super AMOLED display with a 19020×1080 resolution, giving it a 441 pixel per inch PPI image.� Continue reading: Samsung Galaxy S4 rumored to have 5-inch 1080p HD display Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Samsung to announce Galaxy S II Plus in 2013? Posted: 20 Nov 2012 07:45 AM PST Samsung is not quite ready to leave the Galaxy S II series of smartphones behind, according to rumors still gathering steam. While we might look for the Galaxy S4 to reign over the top echelon of smartphones, Samsung may strengthen their grip on the mid-range with a Galaxy S II Plus. We’ve heard whispers of the Galaxy S II Plus for quite a while now, expecting it to arrive as lower-priced alternative to their high-end offerings. With rumors dating all the way back to February of this year, it’s been one of those models that seems to pop up every so often. According to SamMobile, Samsung is ready to loose a Chic White version on the masses come week three of next year, followed shortly thereafter by a Dark Blue model. It sounds as if Samsung is aping Apple with the strategy of giving consumers yesterday’s technology at a lower price. Seeing as how it seems to work for the Cupertino gang, Samsung may find a little success of their own with the same plan. Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Sony announces Xperia Lounge, brings unique Sony experience to all users Posted: 19 Nov 2012 06:20 PM PST Sony today has given us some information on their Xperia Lounge. The ecosystem is a place for you to get Sony-approved media to munch on to your heart’s content. According to Sony Mobile’s blog, we can look forward to: Music Exclusives from Coldplay – limited edition artwork, the video for their latest single; Hurts Like Heaven and a chance to win one five exclusive framed stills from the video. Film Celebrating the DVD release of The Amazing Spider-Man –  win an all expenses paid trip to New York. A must for all Spidey fans; we're throwing in a a superhero tour of New York and a day at some of the Big Apple's (biggest and best) climbing walls. Gaming Adrenaline junkies will know Mega Ramp is one of extreme sports' most exciting events, and now you can take the drop on your smartphone! This is a free thrill exclusive to Xperia and only available to download for through Xperia Lounge until November 30th 2012 – so hurry and get your skates on! Sports In December 2012 Japan will play host to the best club football teams in the world. It will be the 9th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup; a FIFA organised tournament between the champion clubs from each continental confederation. For your chance to win one of four pairs of tickets to the Semi finals, all you need to do is answer a simple multiple choice question! Apparently, the Xperia lounge will be available for “both Xperia and non-Xperia devices”, and can be downloaded form the Play Store using this link. via sonymobile Be sure to follow AndroidGuys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

You are subscribed to email updates from AndroidGuys To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610