Thursday, December 20, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Holiday Contest: Win one of two Lenovo IdeaPad A2109 tablets courtesy of NVIDIA and TalkAndroid

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 02:46 PM PST

For those of you that think a 7-inch tablet is too small and a 10-incher is too big, the Lenovo IdeaPad A2109 might be just right for you. It sports a 9-inch display, but also packs a lot of power thanks to the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor. Speaking of NVIDIA, they were nice enough to provide us with a couple of units to give to our awesome readers. All you have to do is comment below with what gift you want most this Holiday Season. You have until Friday, January 21 at 11:59pm EST. We will pick two random winners on Saturday, January 22 and announce them here. Make sure you are using a real email address for your account because that’s how we will contact you. Good luck!!

Redbox Instant Launches App, Accepting Invite Requests For Private Beta

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 02:45 PM PST

 

The Redbox/Verizon streaming partnership is one step closer to Netflix competition. Redbox Instant is now available for download from the Google Play Store. Unfortunately, the app won’t do much on its own as it is in private beta. Fortunately, invite requests are being accepted! It will cost $8 a month for unlimited streaming plus 4 physical DVDs from the kioks. Just make sure you guys steer clear of this 7-11 when you’re out hunting for a Redbox for your DVD. No sign of the $6 unlimited streaming plan we heard about last month but we may eventually see them go to tiered pricing as Netflix has. The service will offer a free one-month trial to new subscribers when the beta is over.

Keep in mind, despite the name Verizon, you don’t have to be a Verizon Wireless subscriber to participate. You do, however, have to be running an unrooted phone. Or try this workaround anytime you feel like watching a movie on your rooted device: With SuperSU, by developer Chainfire, as your superuser app, you can deselect “Enable Superuser” in the settings.

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Play Store Download Link

HTC lets Thunderbolt owners know Ice Cream Sandwich will be here “soon”

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 01:41 PM PST

 

We’ve got some somewhat reassuring news for Thunderbolt owners from HTC. After the upgrade date came and went in August for Thunderbolt owners, many people were more than a little disappointed. One disgruntled owner reached out to HTC on Twitter and got a vague response.

@louie_397: @htcusa ok whats the deal with ics for thunderbolt
@htcuse: @louie_397 ICS will be here soon. Thanks for your continued patience!

While “soon” probably doesn’t mean Thunderbolt owners will be getting the upgrade before the end of the year, it’s better late than never, right? And even though it’s a few versions behind, at least being left on 4.0 is better than being left on 2.3 like many other devices.

source: HTC Source

Spacetime Studios In Giving Mood, Updates Arcane Legends MMORPG

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 11:20 AM PST

‘Tis the season for giving. Arcane Legends’ developer is feeling a bit generous and wants to give owners of the recently released MMORPG an update just in time for all of that holiday downtime. We aren’t talking about just slapping some Santa hats on the characters either. To begin with, players will now see a level-cap of 21. Players will also be greeted with five new dungeons to explore, a new loot chest to unlock above level 16, and new achievements along with a weapons-type shakeup for each class. There are also numerous holiday-themed goodies but we’ll leave that for you to explore and find. You may want to jump on it though as the holiday-themed goodies end – you guessed it – when the holidays wind down.

A Rumor Revisited: Will Google open its Nexus line to multiple partners? I hope not.

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 10:41 AM PST

A few months ago, before Google released its most recent Nexus phone, the LG Nexus 4, there were several substantial rumors floating around that Google was planning on opening its Nexus line to multiple manufacturing partners. It all started with a report from the very credible Wall Street Journal and the rumors went something like this: Google will offer its "Nexus" name and early access to the latest stock Android builds to any OEM who is willing to play by Google's rules and build their phones with a minimum set of specs set by Google's team. There was said to be five new Nexus phones from five different manufacturers (LG, HTC, Sony, Samsung, and Motorola) all released on November 5th (Android's 5th birthday) and they'd each be sold in Google's new Play Store. Sounds pretty plausible, right? Android had finally grown up as an operating system, and now it was time to get the pure Google experience on as many powerful flagship phones as possible, while bypassing the manufacturers ugly and unconventional skins. To be honest, when I first read this rumor I was beyond excited. I absolutely love stock Android (post Ice Cream Sandwich) and was salivating about the fact that I'd get to choose from several top of the line hardware variations for my next Nexus.

Well, the rumors didn't pan out (not yet, at least). November came and Google released not five, but one solitary Nexus phone: the LG Nexus 4. The rumors of an HTC built Nexus 5 just never materialized, and today it seems that the dream of having multiple Nexus phones to choose from is long gone. It seems that Google has chosen its strategy: pick one manufacturing partner with the most cutting edge technology and lowest price points, then work closely with them to release the one successor Nexus phone per year. Some of you are still waiting, hoping, maybe even longing for Google to change its strategy and give us some choice by opening its Nexus program to multiple manufacturers, but I am no longer one of those people.

I believe Google would fail to deliver properly coded, smooth functioning, high quality software updates in a timely manner if it had to manage five separate Nexus phones. Google is having a hard enough time managing the devices it's already got (let alone getting them launched right). This can be seen with the buggy Nexus 7 4.2 update that caused users' devices to lag, stutter and chop themselves to oblivion. It can be seen by the fact that the entrepreneurial developers over on XDA can optimize Google's code and get us better battery life than Google's high paid Android engineers can (my Nexus 7 gets twice the battery life running when a CM 10.1 nightly ROM compared to the stock Android software). If Google is having trouble getting decent code out to these three different sized devices (the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10), then how could we expect to get finished, polished, timely updates to 5, 10 or even 20 Nexus phones made by different manufacturers with different chip sets? No, I think Google has given up on that idea, and I for one am glad. The evidence that Google is overwhelmed with different devices to care for can be seen by the fact that they’ve recently cut off support for the Nexus S and Motorola Xoom. It seems that Google is struggling to keep up and do a good job. In this case, less is more.

I may be the minority among Android fanatics, but I'd rather have one Nexus device that works perfectly and gets quick updates, than have many phones to choose from that are all buggy, half-baked and slow to get updates. I am hoping that Google keeps its Nexus line "closed".

What do you guys think? Would you rather have Google offer several Nexus phones at once? Or do you think it would mess things up and slow things down? Let us know in the comments!

Samsung Galaxy Note II Developer Edition slated for Verizon

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 10:24 AM PST

Following in the footsteps of the Samsung Galaxy S III on Verizon, Samsung appears to be ready to release a Developer Edition of the Samsung Galaxy Note II. A special version is needed due to Verizon locking the bootloader, effectively blocking developers who need an unlocked device for testing and development purposes. The new version has been revealed just over a week after the Galaxy Note II’s bootloader was cracked. Samsung is listing the 16GB Developer Edition on their web site, although there is no information regarding an expected date of availability.

source: Samsung

Sprint Sums Up 2012 LTE Rollout, Lists Additional Cities Rolling Out Soon

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 08:56 AM PST

It’s been quite a busy year for Sprint, namely building out their LTE network, not to mention that little acquisition. Now that 2012 is winding down, Sprint is reporting that there are 49 total markets now with LTE service, and more than 150 on the horizon. Additionally, 70 markets have seen improved 3G service including better signal strength for both voice and data. In their latest presser, they also revealed 36 more markets that’ll see LTE light up ‘in the coming months.’ Hit the break for the full list.

 

  • Abbeville, La.
  • Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas
  • Blytheville, Ark.
  • Brainerd, Minn.
  • Bridgeport/Stamford/Norwalk, Conn.
  • Brownsville/Harlingen, Texas
  • Crowley, La.
  • Dalton, Ga.
  • Duluth, Minn.
  • Dunn, N.C.
  • Durham/Chapel Hill, N.C.
  • Eau Claire, Wisc.
  • Greenwood, S.C.
  • Jackson, Tenn.
  • La Crosse, Wisc.
  • Lafayette, La.
  • Lawton, Okla.
  • Little Rock/North Little Rock/Conway, Ark.
  • Mankato/North Mankato, Minn.
  • Muskogee, Okla.
  • New Haven/Milford, Conn.
  • New Iberia, La.
  • North Wilkesboro, N.C.
  • Oklahoma City
  • Palm Coast, Fla.
  • Pine Bluff, Ark.
  • Ponca City, Okla.
  • Raleigh/Cary, N.C.
  • Rochester, Minn.
  • Salinas, Calif.
  • San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, Calif.
  • Santa Cruz/Watsonville, Calif.
  • Springfield, Mass.
  • Searcy, Ark.
  • St. Cloud, Minn.
  • Stillwater, Okla.

source:  Sprint

Featured Android Game Review: Pretty Pet Toy Store [Casual]

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 08:07 AM PST

Animoca, the makers of the popular Pretty Pet Salon series has come out with a fun little Christmas game in the same vein called Pretty Pet Toy Store. The game is very similar in that it’s half puzzle have time management. The difference is that this time Cuby and friends need to make sure all the children are able to get their presents in time for Christmas. and that won’t necessarily be an easy task.

The main character, Cuby, is in charge of nine toy stores. At the start of the game you will be on your own, but as you make money you can level up and hire more of Cuby’s friends and upgrade the stores. As the children walk into the store, you have to drag each one to the appropriate station, provide the service, and get them checked out. Stations are toys in a sense. You will find xylophones, teddy bears, toy cars, and more. You will have to move quickly because you can’t leave any kids unattended for too long because they will get angry and walk out. That’s the time management aspect of it, but it’s also partly puzzle since you have to decide what services to conduct first and in what order to make sure everyone is satisfied. Adding to the challenge is that some children need more than one service or toy.

There are two types of currency: dollars and pet coins. You earn both by taking care of the customers, but you can earn some more by completing certain quests and you will also find daily rewards. Ultimately you may find you want more money faster and you can do that by making an in app purchase with your own real dollars from your wallet. Currency can be used to hire new employees, and each character has their own strengths and weaknesses. You can even hire Rudolph and Santa Claus. It’s great to have all the helpers in the world, but you can’t forget to upgrade the stores. The better the stores, the better the customer satisfaction.

If you’re looking for a casual and simple game to get you in the spirit of Christmas, check it out. Your kids will love it as well. It’s absolutely Free to try. Hit one of the download links to get started, and let me know what you think.

Features:

  • Hire and level up Cuby and the other Pretty Pets
  • Manage 9 unique toy shops with varying difficulties
  • Hire and level up staff for faster service
  • Purchase booths and various upgrades for your toy shop to increase productivity
  • Replaying stages to complete all missions and achievements will give you extra bonuses
  • Visits from very special surprise guests!
Pretty_Pet_Toy_Store_01 Pretty_Pet_Toy_Store_02 Pretty_Pet_Toy_Store_03 Pretty_Pet_Toy_Store_04 Pretty_Pet_Toy_Store_05 Pretty_Pet_Toy_Store_Splash_Banner

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Play Store Download Link

Samsung releases new commercial for Galaxy Camera starring James Franco

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 07:55 AM PST

Samsung has been working hard lately to release some clever commercials detailing their new products’ features, and today its Samsung’s new Galaxy Camera‘s turn to be in the limelight. The commercial was uploaded to Samsung’s Youtube page this morning and stars famous actor James Franco. In it, Mr Franco is cruising around a party and bumps into various scenarios where his Galaxy Camera’s features come in extremely handy. The use cases are actually pretty realistic and I could see why some of you photo buffs might want to pick one of these guys up. Samsung does a good job showing you the great features of the camera, while garnering a chuckle or two while you watch. Check out the video below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

LG & Google Release Product Movie Highlighting Nexus 4 Features

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 06:11 AM PST

 

I mean sure we’ve seen some unprecedented success and some minor criticism regarding the Nexus 4′s initial popularity, but we hadn’t seen an actual advertisement highlighting the device’s capabilities… until now. LG recently came out and released a product movie which demonstrates the device’s full potential. In addition to seeing the features like the quad-core processor and 2 gigs of RAM in action, LG & Google also puts the gorgeous IPS+ display, panorama camera function, navigation function, WiFi display and Android Beam on full display.

All in all– the product teaser video highlights all of the features that we’ve all come to know and enjoy, except now the rest of the mainstream world can finally see what all the fuss is about. I’m sure you’re all itching to see the video, so hit the break to see the Nexus 4 really strut its stuff.

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

YouTube Link
Posted by at 6:59 AM

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