Friday, May 11, 2012

Google Alert - android

News10 new results for android
 
How To Use Android
Gizmodo
Android is awesome and powerful, but it has, shall we say, a learning curve. That scares some people away. After all, iOS is so intuitive that babies can use it. Literally. But you're not a baby. Android may require a little effort to learn and set up, ...
See all stories on this topic »
Android and Windows phones with gorgeous displays
Hartford Courant
The good: The Samsung Galaxy Nexus marries the power of the Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS with the speed of Verizon's LTE network. The phone's beautiful screen and internal performance are top-notch. The bad: The Galaxy Nexus lacks a slot for ...
See all stories on this topic »
Best games for iPad, Android tablets
USA TODAY
My Top 8 games will give you hours of entertainment at home and on the road: World of Goo ($5, iOS; Android). This fantastic physics puzzler has long been one of the most downloaded games because of its unique concept — building up complex structures ...
See all stories on this topic »

USA TODAY
Android Community's NVIDIA TegraZone Anniversary Tegra Pack Giveaway!
Android Community
Android Community has partnered with NVIDIA and ASUS to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of NVIDIA's Tegra Zone. Just like our previous giveaways this isn't just a free tablet. We'll be offering the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 quad-core tablet, ...
See all stories on this topic »

Android Community
Samsung Galaxy Note getting Android 4.0 update
CNET (blog)
by Don Reisinger | 11 May 2012 9:02am SGT Samsung has started to roll out Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) to Galaxy Notes in Europe, according to several reports. News of the rollout originated from Devin Balentina, a Netherlands-based Galaxy Note ...
See all stories on this topic »

CNET (blog)
Cobra iRadar iRAD-105 (for Android)
PC Magazine
The Cobra iRadar system ($129.95 list) consists of a hardware radar detector and a companion Android or iOS app. This isn't a bad idea—a smartphone offers a much nicer interface than a bunch of tiny LED lights and switches, plus the promise of ...
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CTIA 2012 sees Android Ice Cream Sandwich take root
CNET (blog)
by Jessica Dolcourt May 11, 2012 10:00 AM PDT Follow @jdolcourt Less noise from the usual top-tier handset-makers let smaller voices like Kyocera's be heard. NEW ORLEANS--We didn't come to CTIA expecting a flood of new handsets akin to year's past, ...
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Samsung Galaxy S III vs. HTC One X: Which one is better?
Washington Post
While the features like S Voice, eye-tracking, and TouchWiz tweaks stood out, all I could think of was how it compared to the HTC One X, the other Android superphone that's turning heads these days. From a short demo where a Samsung PR representative ...
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Google Drive for Android: Just About as Good as the Rest
TechNewsWorld
Google Drive for Android, an app from Google, is available for free at Google Play. When a company like Google uses a tagline that includes the words "share anything" for a Dropbox-like cloud file storage system, my immediate reaction is "with whom?
See all stories on this topic »
Samsung Galaxy Note gets Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Inquirer
By Carly Page KOREAN PHONE MAKER Samsung has begun rolling out Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) to the Samsung Galaxy Note, owners of the 'phablet' across Europe are reporting. Customers in Germany and the Netherlands are reporting that the Android ...
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Inquirer

Blogs5 new results for android
 
Android Community CTIA 2012 Wrap-Up | Android Community
By Cory Gunther
Another mobile event has finally wrapped up only this year we had the opportunity to enjoy New Orleans for CTIA 2012. Below we'll run down a quick list of some.
Android Community
The Android Toolbox project « FIX YOUR CODE
By Amokrane CHENTIR
I want to build the same thing for Android! The reason for this is that I can't think of any place where I can find a list of third party libraries targeting Android development. Of course, we have things like Android UI Patterns that list a fair amount of ...
FIX YOUR CODE
Rumor: Google prepping a "Game Center" for Android
By Adrian Diaconescu
Android devices might come with a native social gaming app similar to Apple's Game Center soon, according to rumors.
Android Authority
Linux Today - Is Android Worth the Trouble?
Datamation: The Android platform provides Google with plenty of headaches.
Linuxtoday.com
Asus Eee Pad Slider SL101 gets Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich ...
By Edwin Kee
Asus sent out a Tweet yesterday that their Asus Eee Pad Slider SL101 is now on the receiving end of an OTA (Over The Air) update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system – for owners of the Eee [...]
Ubergizmo

Web2 new results for android
 
[APP] Flipboard for Android - xda-developers
[APP] Flipboard for Android Android Apps and Games.
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1644212
Acer Iconia Tab A100 ICS update now hitting the masses | Android ...
Acer Iconia Tab A100 Although Acer laid out their Iconia Tab ICS update list not all that long ago, it seems there has been some issues in the Acer camp with ...
www.androidcentral.com/acer-iconia-tab-a100-ics-update-now...


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Android Authority

Android Authority


Motorola Razr Maxx shipping out May 18 in UK

Posted: 11 May 2012 02:36 AM PDT

UK readers, if all the hype and excitement surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S3 hasn't affected your decision to buy Motorola's beefed up Razr Maxx, you'll be glad to hear that the phone is apparently just a week away from being released in the UK.

Over a month ago, we’ve brought you the good news that the Motorola Razr Maxx was expected to hit stores in the UK in mid-May. Now there's finally a specific date at which you can expect to get the phone in your hands. UK online store Clove confirmed that they it’s ready to ship the Motorola Razr Maxx starting May 18.

The details we speculated about on our last story haven't changed – the Razr Maxx is still priced at £430 ($680). Yes, the phone still sports a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD display, 16GB internal storage, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, a Kevlar back, and a 3,300mAh battery. And yes, it will still ship with Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Even though Clove says that the first stock will be made available on May 18, there's a good chance that it's reserved for those who have pre-ordered the phone. But there's nothing wrong with trying your luck.

As for our Scandinavian friends in Norway and Sweden, Motorola Razr Maxx is expected to land this month as well. Still no price and date announcement though, but rest assured, we'll report them once we get more information.

So, blokes and gals, are you planning to get the Motorola Razr Maxx?


This article, Motorola Razr Maxx shipping out May 18 in UK , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Is your AT&T Galaxy Note hungry for ICS? A buttery-smooth leaked ROM might help

Posted: 11 May 2012 01:20 AM PDT

You've probably heard, read, and secretly wept knowing that folks in Europe that rock a Galaxy Note are now receiving the OTA update to Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich. Along with ICS, the update brings the promised Premium Suite for the Galaxy Note, which consists of several new S Pen-optimized apps.

Stateside, the owners of the Galaxy Note on AT&T don’t have anything to cheer for yet, with old Ma Bell still not ready to share any specifics about the ICS upgrade. But the impatient (and adventurous) types have probably given the unofficial ICS version that leaked last month a bash.

If you liked what you saw in last month's leaked ICS for the Galaxy Note (version UCLC5), you'll love the ROM leak for the Galaxy Note on AT&T that has just come out. The new UCLD3 version is still the same ICS 4.0.3, but some of the bugs that have plagued the earlier build seem to have been fixed, making the new build run smooth on the phablet.

Granted, this unofficial version of ICS doesn't include the Premium Suite, but you do get all the goodies one can expect from ICS, face unlock feature included.

BriefMobile

Some words to the wise: the latest ICS ROM leak is intended for AT&T's Samsung Galaxy Note only, or the SGH-I717 model. If you really can't wait to experience ICS and you understand all the risks involved, feel free to give it a test by visiting  BriefMobile, where you'll find all the necessary links and instructions. Otherwise, you can just sit patiently in the waiting lounge along with the rest of the Galaxy Note owners in the country.

Are you planning to give the unofficial ICS ROM a go? Or will you wait for the official ICS update?


This article, Is your AT&T Galaxy Note hungry for ICS? A buttery-smooth leaked ROM might help , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Digitimes: Amazon to release color e-readers later this year, 6 millions units to be shipped in 2012

Posted: 11 May 2012 01:01 AM PDT

amazon-kindle-fire-touch

While not long ago, e-book readers were rudimentary devices far off from the capabilities of tablets, the thin line between a basic e-reader and a more complex slate becomes increasingly thinner and thinner and thinner.

Amazon is the most important company “responsible” for mixing things up and the makers of the Kindle Fire are apparently planning to “confuse” us even more. Aside from preparing the release of a bunch of new tablets, set to take the Fire's popularity to new heights, Amazon is reportedly prepping the launch of at least one color e-book reader as well.

Unknown "industry sources" cited by Digitimes told the website that Amazon's new color e-book readers will be made available in the second half of 2012, with related components already set to start shipping.

Amazon's current line-up of e-book readers includes the mono-color Kindles, which are available at prices between $79 and $189. For its future e-readers, Amazon will be using multi-touch capacitive touch panels, if Digitimes' sources prove reliable, instead of the infrared touch panels used in the first four generations of the Kindle reader.

The sources also reveal the company that will supply Amazon with the touch panels needed to go through with these bold plans. TPK Holding has helped Amazon with the Kindle Fire's manufacturing last year. However, in 2011, TPK Holding was not Amazon's exclusive partner for the Fire (Wintek and JTouch also supplied touch panels), while in this particular case the collaboration might be on a larger scale.

Digitimes adds that E Ink Holdings, the company that provides the electronic ink technology for both Amazon and Barnes & Noble, is planning to unveil color electronic paper displays (EPD) in the near future. Amazon might adopt this color e-ink technology as well, which might mean that we will see two types of color e-readers launched by Jeff Bezos’ company in 2012.

Finally, according to current estimations, Amazon is expected to ship six million e-book readers in 2012. However, it is not specified if the number refers to total predicted sales of e-readers, including the old devices, or just the new color ones.

The entire report should be taken with a big grain of salt, as there is not one single piece of information confirmed from official sources. Also, we are talking about Digitimes here, and the website has a past record of starting up rumors based on "dubious" sources.

However, there might be some truth behind the story after all, so you should keep in touch with our website to find out exactly what Amazon is planning for 2012. Stay tuned!


This article, Digitimes: Amazon to release color e-readers later this year, 6 millions units to be shipped in 2012 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Solid Explorer: Fast file manager with holo theme and dual-pane interface

Posted: 11 May 2012 12:15 AM PDT

There is a growing list of file browsing apps in the Google Play Store, ranging from the simplest to the most feature-filled. Solid Explorer is yet another file manager that certainly promises a lot of features. It is considerably one of the best file browsing apps that you can find, especially when you talk about features and eye-catching appearance. Read on to learn more about Solid Explorer.

Solid Explorer is an Ice Cream Sandwich-themed root-level file browsing app for Android that allows easy file management through its user-friendly UI. The app is still in the beta stage of development but it’s still able to deliver its functions. The app’s interface is far from the usual Holo interface and it gives you a window with two independent panels where you can perform your browsing.

Features

Solid Explorer’s dual-panel interface is just one of its highlights. One interesting feature of Solid Explorer is that it keeps you updated on the status and details of your phone’s internal storage and SD card. Solid Explorer provides you a report with a graph for better understanding and analysis.

Using Solid Explorer is easy; it involves using simple drag-and-drop gestures between the two panels. Using Solid Explore while in Landscape Mode is easier since you can see the two independent panels, but Portrait Mode still works. You’ll be able to use simple swiping gestures. Finding your apps is hassle-free because the app provides you an indexed search, allowing you to search files from the Google Search widget/app.

It’s also easy to explore the components of compressed file types such as ZIP, TAR, and RAR archives. Solid Explorer also features BZIP2 or GZIP which you can use to easily compress files. Accessing data remotely is also well-supported and can be done over FTP, SFTP, and SMB protocols. File sharing, however, can be done only though FTP, but regardless, Solid Explorer is still better than other apps that don’t support any means of file sharing.

The file explorer is also synced with Dropbox and Box, providing you secure and easy-to-access cloud storage for managing all your files. And, talking about managing your files, Solid Explorer also allows you to bookmark these files, providing you the convenience of not having to search for a certain file when you need it the most. Batch selection is also supported; tapping the app’s icon will trigger batch select mode.

Aside from those features currently sported by Solid Explorer, the developer vows to add more features to the app. These includes a multi-language support, remote image preview, Holo themes and the ability to set cloud service as a default panel.

Solid Explorer is a great and easy-to-use file explorer that comes with a classy and razor sharp interface. Try Solid Explorer now and manage your apps with ease and style. Solid Explorer is free to download from the Google Play Store.

 


This article, Solid Explorer: Fast file manager with holo theme and dual-pane interface , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Best Android puzzle game apps

Posted: 10 May 2012 09:00 PM PDT

Puzzles can be fun, exciting and rewarding, and they can also exercise your brain cells in the process. Mobile puzzle games extend to a wide variety of games from block-version Tetris games to memory pairing card games. All of these games have one characteristic in common: they are so addictive that players have been reportedly spending huge amounts of time on them.

With Android leading the pack in mobile gaming, puzzle games have also evolved from simple, ordinary games to visually stunning brain-bending games that eat your time away. Here are some of the best mind and puzzle games to keep you entertained, as well as recharge your brain in those boring hours of the day.

Cut the Rope

Undoubtedly, the best puzzle game of all time has to be Cut the Rope by ZeptoLab. The charming green monster Om Nom and the candy that dangles around at every level have made the app highly successful. Though it’s a simple puzzle game, it’s also highly addictive.

The objective of Cut the Rope is simple. Simply feed the candy to Om Nom by cutting the rope attached to it while collecting bonus stars in the process.  As the levels progress, the game becomes challenging with obstacles and other contraptions being added such as spikes, a wheel that extends the rope's line, magical hats, saws, bees, and so much more. Cut the Rope has 100 levels so far with more levels being added in future releases. There is also another version of Cut the Rope which is known as Cut the Rope Experiments.

World of Goo

Slime balls everywhere and a whole lot of them are in World of Goo. If you thought goo balls were used for throwing around, in World of Goo, you can actually make structures using them. These addictive slime balls were once famous on the PC and have finally been ported to the Android platform.

In World of Goo, players have to construct and do a little balancing with the goo balls until they reach the exit tunnel to complete the level. Sounds simple? It is actually easy during the first few levels, but once you progress to later stages, the game adds a variation of goo balls to make the game more interesting and fun to play with. Not only that, elements such as wind speed, sticky balls, spikes, balloons, and fire traps are added into the gameplay, making the game challenging during later levels.

World of Goo is a clever little puzzler that aims not just to exercise your mental power but to entertain you as well.

X Construction

Like most construction games that revolve around blocks and construction materials, X Construction separates itself by letting players build train tracks and bridges while keeping an eye on your budget as construction is going on.

X Construction is all about bridges and how good you are with your physics. Players build bridges for the train to cross from one point to another. The challenge is that players are limited with a small amount of cash to build tracks.

To create tracks, players need to tap on the small white dots and drag their fingers across the screen to place metal rods for the foundation of the bridge. Design is crucial in X Construction as one false move could spell disaster. Building a stable bridge needs a clever design and in this classic physics-based puzzler, X Construction truly stands out a gem in balancing acts.

Slice It

Geometry isn't that difficult once you're having fun and at the same time learning the craft. Slice It from Com2us is another brain-bending puzzler that has reached worldwide acclaim for its simplicity, and fun and challenging atmosphere.

Slice It, from the name itself, basically lets players slice different shapes into equal parts. It may sound simple but the game has added a couple of twists by throwing in some elements that make the game even more challenging. Certain obstacles, like a restricted area, are strategically placed on the surface of the shape which prevents the player from slicing that part.

Slice It has over 60 levels for you to solve and as you progress, the game becomes increasingly challenging. The only issue with the game has to be the slicing, as the game may not accurately pin point your move. Overall, Slice It is a fun way to learn geometry while making it insanely fun to pass out time.

The Moron Test

While brain tests actually stimulate our brain into thinking, here's one puzzling game that actually fulfills its purpose in a devilish way.

The Moron Test, developed by DistinctDev Inc, is a tricky, fun, and whacky puzzler that takes away the word “serious” in puzzle games. This is the only game that makes failing a fun part of learning. The Moron Test never fails to amaze as players are put to certain tests, which “measure” whether they are a complete idiot are not.

The game takes you through a series of tests, from a simple press of a button to solving mathematical word problems. Other types of puzzles include memory-teasing questions, visual analogy, and even silly challenging questions that you would surely love and enjoy. At many times, the game also gives you subtle hints and clues to keep the game even more challenging and interesting to play with.

Burn The Rope

Satisfy your pyromaniac tendencies with Burn The Rope.  If you have played Cut The Rope before, then you already have an idea of what the game has in store for you. Burn The Rope is a unique puzzler game that is pretty straightforward.

The gameplay is simple and players are only required to burn as much rope in each level. Easy right? But, there's a catch: the fire only burns upwards leaving you to tilt your phone to guide it. To make it more interesting, certain elements have been added to affect the core gameplay. For example, the ant's color changes the flame’s hue, or the spider can shoot a web that helps players access difficult areas not normally present during the start of the game.

With over 170+ stunning levels, beautiful fire effects and unique controls, Burn The Rope is surely going to burn your time playing this addictive game.

Apparatus

For all of you wannabe inventors, here's your chance to prove your stuff with Apparatus by Bithack. Apparatus is a puzzle building contraption game with a simple objective: get the marble and place it into a blue bucket.

Apparatus is a great game for creating complex machines without spending for real building blocks. Players can take the role of a designer and create a simple or complex machine to complete their objective. Players can connect cables, motors, batteries, set up ropes, build vehicles or just let their imagination run wild and build the perfect apparatus that will meet the game's objective. Creativity is the key here if you want to succeed.

Apparatus is a great sandbox type game that slowly chips away at your time as you create machines into a working prototype. For now, the game features an early level mode that lets you go through some basic concepts as you progress and go into freebuild mode for unlimited opportunities.

Bonsai Blast

Experience gaming pleasure at its finest with this addictive puzzler shooter called Bonsai Blast by Glu Mobile. Bonsai Blast lets players take control of a catapult that shoots marbles into the air.

The gameplay is simple; players just need to shoot and match 3 of the same marble color to progress through the levels. Bonsai Blast also features certain obstacles that make the game more challenging. Players can ricochet marbles off the walls, use chutes to guide marbles on narrow paths, or even swap shooting catapults to other locations.

Bonsai Blast has over 90 themed levels that are beautifully rendered, making marble blasting a fun and addictive experience.

Sprinkle

Fire fighting couldn't be more entertaining with Sprinkle by Mediocre. Sprinkle is a water physics puzzler game that takes players on a firefighting crusade on a martian planet.

Players must extinguish flames before the fire completely burns the villagers’ houses. Players take control of a water cannon that is adjustable to any height and angle to douse out flames. Water is limited, so players have to be careful in managing their water. Time is crucial and the game pressures you to extinguish the flames as quickly as possible.

The game gets a bit more challenging as there are some places that you can't reach and you must solve some puzzles along the way. Puzzles could involve moving huge chunks of blocks, spinning wheels or activating certain switches. Sprinkle has over 72 water filled levels for you try out and solve.

Where's My Water

Here's another water-themed puzzle that will surely suck your time dry.  Where's My Water from Disney revolves around an alligator named Swampy who needs to take a bath but has found out that someone is screwing his water supply.

Players take the role of an excavator or plumber digging away dirt for the water to travel to Swampy's bath tub. This isn't your ordinary pipe game which involved connecting pipes; Where’s My Water is a different game with special environmental conditions that you have to solve. Players start out with a pool of water on each level; it could either be stagnant or it could run through a pipe or tap. The objective is simple and that is getting the water for Swampy to use. Along the way, players can meet different obstacles like mines, bombs, pipes, acid, or pit falls that make the game more challenging.

Where's My Water has seven chapters with each chapter comprising 20 levels. In a nutshell, Where's My water is a refreshing puzzler with amazing graphics and physics that packs a lot of punch in gaming.

You’ll never have an excuse to be bored again. Download one or all of these apps for you Android phone and watch your time get sucked dry as you try to conquer level after level. If your favorite puzzle game didn’t make it to the list, share it with us in the comments section.


This article, Best Android puzzle game apps , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Vote in the TegraZone Player’s Choice Awards to Win a Transformer Pad 300 Prize Pack! [Giveaway]

Posted: 10 May 2012 02:36 PM PDT

It’s been one year since NVIDIA debuted the Tegra Zone, the premier destination to get games optimized for Tegra specific hardware. The jump in performance from Tegra 2 to Tegra 3 was absolutely massive, and the number of quality titles that keep popping keep getting better as time goes by. If you’ve never seen them in action, then you’re missing out, as the titles of today optimized for Tegra 3 hardware are getting very close to console like quality. To celebrate their one year anniversary, they’re giving away some a most excellent prize pack!

What’s in the Prize Pack

  • ASUS Transformer Pad
  • ASUS Mobile dock
  • Logitech game controller
  • Jambox Speaker

ASUS is making huge waves in the world of tablets by being first to market with a premium, high performance tablet at a very reasonable  price. With a quad core Tegra 3 processor inside, the tablet has all the performance you’ll ever need to console quality games, and great functionality via its keyboard dock for some serious productivity on the move.

Running latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the ASUS Transformer Pad is a value packed tablet that with multi-color style, and productivity with expandability when connected to the mobile dock. With a 1.2MP front and 8MP rear auto-focus camera with large F/2.2 aperture and exclusive office software, staying connected and productive has never been easier.

Specs of Transformer Pad 300

  • Android 4.0.3
  • 1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3 4-plus-1 processor
  • 10.1″ 1280×800 350-nit IPS display
  • 1GB DDR3 RAM
  • 32GB Storage, miroSD card slot
  • microHDMI
  • 7.1″ x 10.4″ x 0.39″ (HxWxD), 1.39 lbs

It’s really easy to enter – all you have to do is follow the directions below, and you’ll be in the running to win one seven prize packs, courtesy of NVIDIA and ASUS.

My favorite Tegra Game

I’ve played a lot of different games in my time, so it’s quite difficult to choose. The one I’ve had the hardest time putting down though, has got to be ShadowGun. With great graphics, fast paced gameplay, and fantastic controls, it is, in my humble opinion, one of the best games out there for mobile devices today. If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend you do so.

Players Choice Awards

The contest begins today, and runs through to May 31st. Users can vote for their favorite Tegra games in three categories. Each and every user that votes in the TegraZone Player's Choice Awards will be entered to win a free ASUS Transformer Pad from NVIDIA and ASUS. So here’s what you have to do.

  • Click here to vote now in the TegraZone Player's Choice Awards! Head on over to the Tegra Zone to vote for your favorite Tegra game.
  • There are three categories for voting, including best gameplay, best graphics and overall fun. Once the votes are all counted up, the winners will be announced on June 6th at E3.
  • Once you’ve done that, you’ll be in the running to win one of seven prize packs! Easy, right?
  • This contest is open to residents of the United States, Canada, UK and Germany.

In order to be entered for the giveaway, all you have to do is follow the link below, and vote for your favorite game for the category of the week. Comment below to win and increase your chances of winning by voting on NVIDIA TegraZone!

Numerous chances to win

The great thing about this contest is that there’s tons of chances to win. By commenting below, you will be entering to win a prize pack from Android Authority, so leave a comment below! By commenting on NVIDIA’s Player’s Choice Awards, you enter for a chance to win there, too. The Player's Choice Awards will be running for several weeks, so be vigilant, as there will be more chances to win an ASUS Transformer Pad.

We’ve got lots more giveaways coming up, and will be giving away a few prize packs of our own too in the following weeks! Stay tuned!

Good luck everyone!


This article, Vote in the TegraZone Player’s Choice Awards to Win a Transformer Pad 300 Prize Pack! [Giveaway] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung touts the virtues of its hardware, takes a subtle jab at Apple [Video]

Posted: 10 May 2012 11:52 AM PDT

Samsung is not only the largest smartphone maker in the world, but also a top supplier of electronic components, from hi-resolution displays to processors and memory modules. It's no secret that Samsung provides many of the components found in Apple's wildly popular iPhone and iPad devices, including the much-touted Retina display and the A5X chip that powers the new iPad. A new online campaign highlights both Samsung technological prowess and the weird relationship it enjoys with its Cupertino-based arch-frenemy.

In The Conspirators, Samsung presents some of the problems that modern electronics users have come to know and dread – slow loading times, short battery lives, and freezes. First world problems? Yes, but don't tell anyone!

The three lighthearted clips that make up the campaign introduce us to the villains, Battery Brutus, Fiona Freeze, and Loading Ball Larry. We see Loading Ball Larry, a sleazy leisure-suit type, who interrupts all kinds of important moments with his annoying load animation. The spooky Fiona Freeze just loves to freeze devices, using a rusty tank that she drags around, like that psycho hitman in No Country for Old Men. Finally, Battery Brutus lumbers around, sucking the juice out of the devices of unsuspecting users.

Of course, Samsung has a solution to all these pesky problems – its memory modules. The tech giant promises better performance and less energy consumption, no matter the device – smartphones, cameras, tablets, laptops, or TVs. The overarching theme is you should buy devices equipped with Samsung memory, although I find this marketing strategy a little odd. I mean, how many consumers actually look up the components of a device, and more than that, who makes those components?

Anyway, to wrap it up, Samsung just couldn't help to take a jab at Apple again. The colorful ball that Loading Ball Larry keeps throwing around bears a resemblance to the "spinning beach ball of death" that Mac users know too well.

Here are the videos, judge for yourselves.


This article, Samsung touts the virtues of its hardware, takes a subtle jab at Apple [Video] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Survey: One out of two customers wants an iPad Mini. Where does this leave Android tablets?

Posted: 10 May 2012 11:45 AM PDT

Cnet

For all the rumors about the iPad Mini that we've been furiously subjected to, aren't you just a tad bit curious to know if there's an actual demand for it? The price comparison website, PriceGrabber, has taken that curiosity further and surveyed 2,063 online shoppers on the question of public demand for the miniature iPad.

The Raw Numbers

According to the survey, 52% of consumers said they'd be interested in picking up a 7-inch iPad Mini that costs $249 – $300. However, only 22% of the respondents polled own a tablet, 68% are owners of the iPad or iPad2, with another 10% being owners of the Kindle Fire. As for the reasons why they desire an iPad Mini, 64% said the lower price of the tablet as the main draw, while 54% said the smaller size is the main attraction. Buying it as a gift, business productivity, and simply because “they love Apple products” were the other stated reasons.

When asked about attractive features they'd like to see on the iPad Mini, answers were varied. Lower price expectations, 3G connectivity, and a thinner and smaller body were named by 84%, 65%, and 60% of the respondents, respectively.

The Grand Appearance

We’ve talked about the demand side of things, but how soon can we expect to see an iPad Mini on the market? Since Apple is never one to confirm rumors outright and usually likes to keep the lid off its precious offerings until the very last minute, we can only go by rumors. The latest versions seem to suggest that Apple is readying in the neighborhood of 6 million iPad Mini’s for a Q3 release. Analysts also believe the smaller iPad tablet will retail for $249 – $299.

If the rumors are accurate and Apple is really going to release the iPad Mini with its supposedly 7.85-inch screen, the question remains: how will this affect Android tablets? Apple’s iPad now holds a comfortable 68% worldwide share of the tablet market. Is there any room left in the crowded sub 10-inch slate category? From the polls, it's obvious that people do desire cheap tablets. We can say that a cheaper Apple iPad, though smaller in size, will definitely help maintain Apple's tablet dominance.

For now, the stars of the 7-inch Android tablet scene seem to be the Kindle Fire and the Nook tablet, both “coincidentally” priced at $200. Feeling the pressure, Samsung has started to understand what setting a low price point can do for a tablet's demand and has followed suit. They have begun offering more competitively-priced tablets, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 lineup.

Meanwhile, Asus is reportedly working with Google to release the first Google Nexus tablet in the coming months, for an expected price of $250. It's clear as day that the price trend, in general, is sliding down, accelerated by the popularity of the Kindle Fire. While it's hard not to argue that price is the main factor that people will take into consideration for their tablet purchase, we can't discount the importance of the platform's ecosystem and the preference that people have for a certain platform.

The introduction of a cheaper iPad Mini might not necessarily eat into Android's market share, but might increase the tablet's user base as a whole. With the expected arrival of Windows 8 tablets, iPad Mini, a 10-inch Kindle Fire, and a slew of Android tablets in all sorts of sizes and shapes, it's possible the 106.1 million tablet sales that analysts have forecasted for 2012 will be bested.


This article, Survey: One out of two customers wants an iPad Mini. Where does this leave Android tablets? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Best note-taking apps for Android

Posted: 10 May 2012 09:00 AM PDT

Technology has developed rapidly over the course of the last few years, paving a way for innovation and establishing itself on a pedestal. Gone are the days when bringing a sticky note or a pad with you helped you to keep track of your tasks and assignments. Now, you just need your device and you’ll never miss those important dates again.

Because our devices are vital to our everyday lives, the Google Play Store is absolutely brimming with note-taking apps. We’ve put together a list of the top note-taking apps for your Android device, so you’ll never have an excuse to not take notes again.

Evernote

No doubt, the first thing you will see when searching for a note app for your Android device is Evernote. It has the highest number of downloads and is voted as one of the must-have Android app by New York Times, making it the most popular note-taking application. Evernote has amazed a lot of its users with its simplicity and functionality. Practically, it’s available for every platform. You can save your file on your desktop and sync it to different devices such as your iPhone or your BlackBerry for viewing or editing.

One of Evernote’s main features is the ability to take photos so you can attach it to your notes for reference. You can also share your notes with your colleagues via email or Facebook. Tweets can also be saved in Evernote. Evernote can also record voice reminders, so you won’t forget the important dates. Evernote’s downside, however, is being unable to access your saved files without an Internet connection. For offline access, you’ll need to sign up for Evernote’s premium service at US$45 per year.

ColorNote Notepad Notes

If you are looking for the electronic version of a Post It, then this app has got to be it. Its simple UI and user-friendly menu makes it a perfect choice for people always on the go. Creating a note is as simple as one-two-three. ColorNote Notepad Notes comes with tiny, beautiful widgets which make it convenient to scribble anytime of the day while giving you the ultimate freedom to choose the color of the note. If you’re going shopping, use ColorNote Notepad Notes to make sure that you’ve got all the items you need. If you want, you could also secure your notes with a password, called a Locknote, which is very important especially if you will be storing confidential information. It surely does what it is expected of a notepad and best of all, you don’t have to spend a cent to own it.

Catch Notes Notepad

If a simple and elegant interface is what you seek in a note app, Catch Notes is definitely the answer. Catch Notes doesn’t only look visually pleasing but it also has a functional dashboard for quick access to features. It enables you to attach multiple photos and voice recordings in one note. You can also enabled Catch Notes to send you important reminders. Searching for notes had never been so easy until Catch Notes; you can filter your search results alphabetically, by stars or by tags.

The free version of Catch Notes can create up to 3 streams for sharing notes and working with other contributors. You have the option to upgrade the app to Catch Pro, allowing you to create 10 streams and attach Office/PDF files or Catch Premier for up to 50 maximum streams and 5 MB storage of new information monthly. You won’t ever worry about running out of storage space for your notes.

AK Notepad

Another excellent app from developer Catch.com is AK Notepad. Users have been raving about how astonishingly simple yet very handy and operative it is. Many have tried downloading various note apps but ended up deleting everything except this one. You have the freedom to change its theme according to your preference. You can import and export the notes, set up a password and securely back notes up on Catch.com, or have them saved on your SD card. This means you can download your notes anytime and anywhere you want. Speed and interaction is very commendable.

AK Notepad comes with wonderful widgets and you can always pin your favorite and important notes on the homescreen. You won’t have to root around to find that note that you really need. The things you can’t do, though, is resizing the widgets. AK Notepad has minimal size options and lacks the ability to place your notes in folders but otherwise, AK Notepad is perfect for typing those random notes or thoughts. Best of all, AK Notepad is free.

Note Everything

Created by developer SoftXPerience, Note Everything is great for everyday use, especially during times when you need to take notes. Note Everything does what it is told to do, from creating text and voice notes to drawing with your finger and making to-do lists. It consistently saves your files, fast, without any questions, and opens a file right away.

Although it allows you to email and text your notes, this is not an app for advanced users as it has no sync and export function. This may be something you’ll want to consider, especially if you intend to share your work and collaborate with others. Regardless, a lot of users find themselves upgrading to Note Everything’s paid subscription. It enables password protection for your notes and lets you stick your memos to the status bar. The best thing about Note Everything is you could share your notes with the Dropbox application so you have a copy of your notes anywhere you go.

InkPad Notepad – Notes – To do

You’ll completely enjoy having the InkPad NotePad app on your device. This app is user-friendly and just like on real paper, you don’t have to press anything just to save your note. Its auto-save feature makes it stand out from the rest of the pack and lets you type anything you want without worrying about saving it.

The free version of InkPad NotePad supports unlimited synchronizing and has a history feature when you use it online. Oh, and the synchronizing feature is automatic; you don’t have to do it manually every time you finish composing a note. The app also has an auto-rotate screen setting, which is uncommon for note-taking apps. InkPad NotePad’s sorting style makes it very convenient for the user because of its list system. Simply check or uncheck your notes to delete them or to move them to the bottom. This app has a relatively small file size, occupying only 19 kB, which is perfect if you’re only after a simple note-taking app.

Note Pad

Does the name sound familiar? There’s no reason for you to forget that grocery list or those very important meeting schedules as you can store all those details in the palm of your hand. That is, unless you forgot to bring your phone.

Note Pad by developer www.Freewarelovers.com perfectly mimics the concept of a real writing pad. You can tweak the app to a text size of your choice and easily sort your notes out. Note Pad also has the ability to import and export your notes from your SD card. You can send your notes via email to make sure you’ve got a back up or to share them with friends and co-workers. There are no hidden ads in Note Pad, nor does it request any bogus, questionable permissions. Note Pad is not perfect, however. It’s so simple and straightforward that it lacks some essential features. Password protection or encryption is especially important for users who like to store personal information on their mobile devices. Note Pad could also benefit greatly from a sync feature.

Mobisle Notes-Notepad

Another wonderful note-taking app is Mobisle Notes-Notepad by Mobisle Apps who have also made Mobisle Notes-Gdocs Notepad. This app also features a very simple, back to basic note pad, enabling you to write down notes, ideas, schedules and to-do lists in a blink. You can organize your notes in folders and secure passwords. Mobisle Notes-Notepad also has a global search box if you are having difficulty searching through your vast collection of notes. If you’re done with a note, you can just delete it by checking it off. You can share your notes with your friends online via a URL. You can also collaborate with them on a project. Mobisle Notes-Notepad has automatic sync features which is great for shared notes. It also has the added feature of converting numbers into clickable links for dial or save options. Mobisle Notes-Notepad’s drawback, however, is that you need to pay around US$2 to have an ad-free app. The app however is more than worth it.

Notes

From the word itself, Notes is a replica of the common notepad we have on our desktops. Made by Dev Yuli, Notes’ major features include importing notes from SMS, photo notes, and encryption. Notes has great backup support and gives you the option to export data to your memory card. It also runs very smoothly, but needs a little improvement in its interface.

Notes features easy access for opening, deleting and editing notes and a built-in reminder function. You can label your notes for easy organization and have them protected with a password. Notes is a basic app built for people who don’t want note-taking to feel like a chore. You don’t even need to read through how to’s as Notes is very simple to use. Notes’ cons are the inability to send your notes via email and sync them online. You can only keep your Notes to yourself, which might be a drawback when you need to share your notes and work on them with others.

GNotes

Wondering what the G means? You guessed it. GNotes is a note-taking/organizer app that allows easy synchronization with your Gmail account. You just need to set up your account and voila, every note you enter is stored in your Gmail account, allowing you to easily share your notes online with family and friends. GNotes lets you do a lot of things, from image drawing to painting. You can attach audio or video files. GNotes supports a lot of file types and gives the user the flexibility to choose between list view and thumbnail view. Users can also arrange their notes according to priorities. You can stick a single note on your home screen–perfect for those important appointments you should never miss. GNotes has an elegant, minimalistic interface, and lets you create folders to organize your notes. GNotes is highly recommended for users who like to stream their notes.

With so many note-taking apps on the Google Play Store to choose from, leave that bulky notebook at home and keep your notes with you, everywhere you go. If your favorite note-taking app didn’t make it to the list, share it with us in the comments below.


This article, Best note-taking apps for Android , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Google must force carriers to do better, and insist they rollout new Android versions promptly

Posted: 10 May 2012 07:36 AM PDT

Nearly every Android smartphone user has suffered the irritation of knowing that a new version of Android has been released by Google, and they haven’t received it yet. Sometimes they never do.  Updates can often  take around six months to come, if they do at all. Why does this happen, and why does Google let it happen time and time again?

The bloatware process

Briefmobile The biggest cause of update delays which increases device-software fragmentation is not caused by Google, it is the fault of mobile phone carriers who install their bloatware.

Once Google has released a lightning fast, gorgeous new version of Android like Ice Cream Sandwich last year. The smartphone manufacturers then dirty it with their own bulky add-ons, and make a few tweaks here and there to help it run on a specific device. HTC adds HTC Sense, Samsung adds Touchwiz, and so forth, in addition to that and other cumbersome applications.

After the manufacturers are done (about 1-2 months), the software is passed on to the mobile carriers, who then add all of their custom software on top of the manufacturer’s. When I first got my Desire HD it was littered with HTC and T-Mobile applications I didn’t want or need, stealing up space, processor cycles, battery life, etc. Once the carriers are done putting on their bloatware and testing it out (3-4 months sometimes) the software is finally pushed to the devices the carriers and manufacturers deem ‘compatible’. Many devices do not receive software updates, even then they are perfectly capable of running the new Android builds…

The money-making racket that follows

Reuters

One of the ways manufacturers and carriers make money off of Google announcing software releases is to hold the software back and only allow it to be released on their newest devices. This ensures that existing customers who want the ‘newest and greatest’ software will be motivated to purchase a new phone which runs it. This shouldn’t be the case — existing customers should receive a prompt over-the-air update.

This is only sleazy marketing to help start initial sales of new devices. Most devices currently running Android 2.3 Gingerbread are perfectly capable of running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the manufacturers and carriers just don’t want you to. This means that disgruntled customers like myself go and download custom ROM’s from the community which allow us to enjoy Ice Cream Sandwich, with the hassle of research and warranty busting that comes with it.

Google should put their foot down

All this bloatware and the delays of upgrades only hurts Android’s name and public perception, and the customers themselves. Google should lay down the line and give firm instructions on how software should be released to Android fans. It isn’t fair that Google make us a great new build, and the Scrooge-like manufacturers and carriers won’t release it on older phones just so they can make ever more money.

Google should start stating that if carriers and manufacturers continue to deliberately delay the release of Android, then those companies will be penalized by having to endure delays before receiving a new software build, while all their competitors already have it. That would certainly motivate carriers to distribute updates faster, since they can’t afford to fall behind.

Perhaps Google should put additions into Android to help networks out

I can see one of the viewpoints the carriers may have which causes them to hesitate releasing the newest Android builds.

When you look at sales records, networks are still having no trouble selling devices running Android 2.3 and in a lot of cases, Android 2.2. Why should they start making things more complicated for themselves by moving up to 4.0 when they’re already getting plenty of market share by selling the older stuff?

When you look at the new features in Ice Cream Sandwich, they’re all lovely additions for the user to enjoy, but offer no benefit to the network providers. It may be the case that, as well as Google being stricter with networks delaying Android releases, they should also do things to make releasing software upgrades worthwhile to the networks. After all, I can see why T-Mobile wouldn’t want to spend funds sending out a new build of Android 4.0 if it didn’t benefit them in any way.

Final Thoughts

Personally, I would be in favour of Google enacting a policy where carriers delaying releases invokes penalisation, as it would get the carriers into gear. With the popularity of Android right now, no carrier could say no and risk losing precious modification time with the next release of Android.

Do you think this is a good idea? Should Google release the newest builds of Android to companies who have shown their goodwill first? Did you want Ice Cream Sandwich as soon as it was announced, or were you happy to wait for carriers to make their additions?


This article, Google must force carriers to do better, and insist they rollout new Android versions promptly , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.