Thursday, May 24, 2012

Android Community

Android Community


Google adds In-App Subscriptions to the Play Store

Posted: 24 May 2012 10:45 AM PDT

Google+ isn’t the only one getting new tricks today. Google has just rolled out some new goodies for the Play Store that should help our friendly developers make even more cash money. Google Added in-app billing last year but today we now have in-app subscriptions. As of today developers can offer in-app payments for monthly or annual subscriptions to games, magazines and more.

This opens an entirely new window for both the developers, and the consumer. I could really see this being useful with multiplayer games like NOVA 3, or MMO’s but this also will come in handy with TV, Magazine subscriptions and many other instances. Just think if Gameloft offered us $4.99 a month subscription access to every single game from them on Android, I’d probably do that occasionally.

This isn’t just for magazines and games either. Developers can also use in-app subscriptions to sell access to bundled products, game levels, music and video content, value-added services, and tons of other digital content or services. Developers can get started today by checking out the In-App Billing Documentation and implement these subscriptions right now. This is a pretty large change that should bring some neat options to the Android community, so long as developers don’t go too crazy with subscription pricing. Hit the via below for more details.

[via Android Developers Blog]


Grand Theft Auto III on sale for only $0.99

Posted: 24 May 2012 10:14 AM PDT

If you’re a die hard gamer and don’t have Grand Theft Auto III for Android, you should get it. Starting the Memorial Day sale a little early this year is RockStar Games. They’ve just made their hugely popular GTA III 80% off for the next week. Available on Android for only $0.99 from today until May 28th.

Grand Theft Auto III for Android actually is quite awesome. It runs on most newer dual-core phones, supports Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and even plays nice with all the Tegra 2 and quad-core Tegra 3 tablets available. The graphics are stellar and just to confirm that check out my GTAIII hands-on.

Until today GTA III for Android has been $4.99 in the Play Store but for Memorial Day they’ve lowered it to just a dollar. You’ll want to grab this game and enjoy it all weekend long. Running from police as I’ve done in the photo above (or to them). If Grand Theft Auto isn’t your type of game it appears all the Indie developers have teamed up this week too, and have almost 60 Android games on sale. It is called the Because We May Game Sale. Get GTA III right now for Android and have some fun in Liberty City.

[via Play Store]


IDC: Android surges to 59% world market share

Posted: 24 May 2012 09:57 AM PDT

We wondered a few months ago is Android had reached a saturation point when it was running on 50% of the smartphones on the planet. We were… wrong. According to the IDC’s latest numbers, Android is now up to 59% of the worldwide smartphone market, with just under 90 million devices shipped in the first quarter of 2012. The nearest competitor is Apple, with 23% and 35.1 million iPhones.

The rest of the player are almost the definition of also-rans. Symbian and Blackberry are neck and neck at 6.8 and 6.4%, respectively. The combined share of Windows Phone 7 and the older Windows Mobile devices is just 2.2% – even unaffiliated Linux is beating them. Every smartphone software platform aside from Android and iOS is showing dramatic losses since last year.

When it comes to individual manufacturers, Samsung rules the Android roost with 45.4% of shipments. (This jives with Gartner’s similar report.) Incidentally, that gives them 26.8% of the total smartphone market, edging out Apple with 40.8 million Android smartphones shipped in the first quarter of this year.  Other Android manufacturers were not articulated in the report. Year over year Android gained 22.9% of the market, growing considerably faster than Apple in the same time period. Don’t let it go to your heads, Android fans – Google still has a long way to go in the tablet market.


Google acquires G1 designers Mike and Maaike

Posted: 24 May 2012 09:12 AM PDT

In an interesting addition to Google’s growing stable of purchases, Bloomberg reports that the company has bought the San Francisco design studio that helped to create the original Android device, the Google (HTC) G1. Mike and Maaike is a two-person industrial design team whose projects have included everything from the Microsoft Xbox 360 to wallpaper patterns, including the Blackberry-style developer device that Google created some of the pre-release versions of Android on.

So, why the buy? The purchase is certainly an “acq-hire”, the acquisition of a company primarily for its employee talent. (Google did something similar with Digg founder Kevin Rose and his team.) But what does Google need with industrial design? They’re a web and software company, and have always said so! Well, that’s being called in to question.

Beyond the obvious addition of Motorola, and in spite of Google’s assurances that the two companies will be kept at arm’s length, it’s impossible to deny that Google is getting further and further into the hardware space. Google is intimately involved with the development of each Nexus and developer device, even down to the shape of the hardware. Google is investing in next-generation form factors in Project Glass, and will need some talented hardware designers on the team to make it a reality.

The Occam’s Razor (RAZR?) conclusion is that Google wants Maaike Evers and Mike Simonian to beef up Motorola’s design department. There’s no way of verifying that, but we can certainly hope.

[via TalkAndroid]


Because We May game sale brings great indie deals

Posted: 24 May 2012 08:40 AM PDT

Game developers are an opinionated bunch, they’re thrilled that modern distribution platforms like Steam and the Google Play Store allow them to cut out the publisher middleman. To celebrate this, an impressive conglomeration of developers has banded together to create the Because We May promotion, running from today until June 1st. Almost sixty Google Play Store games have been put on sale, all of them at least half off and some of them even more.

Some of them aren’t small titles, either, at least by the standards of indie developers. You’ll find Shadowgun, Fieldrunners, Riptide GP, World of Goo and many, many more on the official Because We May Android page. At least two of these games, puzzler Coins and physics game Apsis, are completely free.

Here’s the full list – check the Becase We May Android page for links:

World of Goo
Osmos
Snuggle Truck
Smuggle Truck
Smiles
Smiles HD
The Chicken Bandit
Cogs
Holiday Bonus
Holiday Bonus HD
EDGE
EDGE Extended
Canabalt HD
Zen Bound 2
Swords and Soldiers
Avadon: The Black Fortress
Skullpogo
Pro Zombie Soccer
Bean’s Quest
Rebuild
SHADOWGUN
Anomaly Warzone Earth HD
Great Little War Game
These Robotic Hearts of Mine
Fieldrunners HD
Mobile Montessori
Pancakes!!!
Babylonian Twins Premium
Gunman Clive
Kraut Attack
Star Sloth
Riptide GP
UPSAT: You Probably Suck At This
Little Stars for Little Wars 2
Star Fighter
Spirited Heart
MegaYatzy
MegaFarkle HD
MegaYatzy HD
Bag It!
All my enemies
All my enemies Revenge
Car Tracks
Bugs Race
Whale Trail
Apsis
Spirit HD
Ground Effect Pro HD
PolarStorm HD
TileStorm Eire HD
TileStorm HD
Juggle! HD
Denki Blocks! Deluxe
Mixt HD
Aftermath XHD
Hard Lines HD
Coins

Dedicated gamers can check out the similar lists across Steam, Mac and iOS stores, or even direct downloads for PC games. Some of them are discounted by more than 75%, so if you fancy yourself an indie gamer, you’ll definitely want to check it out. All the direct downloads are DRM-free, in keeping with the Because We May theme. Just remember to get all your shopping done by June 1st.


Sony Ericsson Xperia Play ICS update in doubt

Posted: 24 May 2012 07:50 AM PDT

Sony’s made no bones about its intention to update all of its 2011 Xperia Android phones to Ice Cream Sandwich. But a recent update to their official website has given the folks at Xperia Gamer reason to doubt Sony’s commitment. The updated website shows a list of devices slated to receive the Android 4.0 update, with the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play conspicuously absent.

The source claims that this is an indication that the Xperia Play isn’t getting upgraded at all. I’m taking it with a bit of salt – after all, there’s already an official beta ROM available for the Play, so Sony’s clearly invested quite a lot of time into the updated software already. That said, there have been pretty extensive problems reported with the beta ROM, especially when it comes to game compatibility – a must-have for a gaming focused device.

We can hope that this is just some copy editor’s omission, and that Sony hasn’t abandoned the commitment it made early this year – for which it got a significant bit of good will from the more zealous portions of the Android community. At least both devices are is unlocked, so those with the skill and inclination can mod the software. There are already multiple ICS ROMs available for the Play.

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : XPERIA Play
    Manufactuer : Sony
    Carrier : Verizon
    Announced Date : February 13, 2011
    Release Date : April 01, 2011
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 4.00 Inch
  • Resolution : 480x854
  • Screen Type : TFT
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 4.69 Inch
  • Width : 2.44 Inch
  • Depth : 0.63 Inch
  • Weight : 175 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 1500 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : 425 hours
Software
    Android OS:
  • 2.3.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • MP3
    Video Playback:
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
Hardware
    CPU : Snapdragon
    CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz
    Core : 1
    Ram : 512 MB
    Internal Storage : .4 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 5 MP
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
  • MicroSDHC
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 720p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • GSM
    GSM Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 1800
  • 1900
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • Bluetooth 2.0
    Location Features:
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

[via Ubergizmo]


Google+ app gets a visual refresh and new features

Posted: 24 May 2012 06:59 AM PDT

The Google+ team seems to be finished for iOS for the moment, hand has once again turned its attention on the Android faithful. The native asocial networking app gets a major facelift on Android today, incorporating a new UI that’s very heavy on images – even allowing you to download them directly from posts, as in a web browser. Unfortunately, the long-awaited tablet app is nowhere to be seen.

The interface is certainly more attractive, if somewhat dismissive of the actual text and comments on a particular G+ post. The experience is something like Flipboard for a social network. Even without a tablet app, it’s a notably faster and more aesthetically pleasing experience than the native clients for Twitter or Facebook. The old icon-based homepage has been condensed into a collapsing sidebar, not unlike the latest version of Spotify.

Other new features include the ability to initiate a Google+ hangout directly from the main menu, a ringtone/alert option for new hangouts, suggestions for people who may be in your real life social circles, and (yes!) editing posts from the mobile client. The redesign takes some getting used to – if you’re more of a fan of textual interfaces, then the updated app probably won’t appeal. That said, the vast majority of early responses seem positive. While you’re there, why not add Android Community to your circles?


NVIDIA Icera modem certified for AT&T: quad-core LTE incoming

Posted: 24 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT

One of the more frustrating trends in the world of high-end Android phones as of late has been the somewhat slow adoption of quad-core processors like NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 on speedy LTE networks. Up to now we’ve seen major phones like the HTC One X “settle” for a dual-core design when debuting on LTE carriers, simply because the standards for the combination of SoC and radio weren’t ready yet. Today NVIDIA has announced that its Icera radio module has been certified for use with AT&T’s LTE bands.


For a quick refresher, NVIDIA acquired the small Icera company with the specific intention of creating radios for its Tegra line of chipsets. The first device to use both an NVIDIA processor and an Icera radio is the ZTE Mimosa X (below), shown off at MWC in February but still not launched. That particular device uses the older dual-core Tegra 2 and the HSPA+ wireless standard, but NVIDIA assures us that today’s announcement covers both the newer Tegra 3 and AT&T’s LTE network.

The news means that devices packing the Tegra 3 can finally be paired with LTE, so long as they’re using NVIDIA’s Icera 410 radio and baseband software. There’s a bit of a snag in the announcement, though: “The NVIDIA Icera 410 LTE modem delivers lightning-fast web browsing, video streaming and multiplayer gaming to tablets and clamshell devices.” Conventional slate smartphones are notably absent in the language, and we haven’t heard of any “clamshell” devices that use the Tegra 3 (though Sony’s Tablet P uses the Tegra 2). The Icera 410 is capable of working with LTE-GSM networks around the world, with a maximum download speed of 50mbps.

Device makers aren’t limited to NVIDIA for processors; it’s possible that they could combine an Icera radio module with another SoC, the same way that current Tegra phones and tablets use Qualcomm radios. Currently there’s no indication of when the first “tablet or clamshell” with the Icera 410 will hit AT&T, but the timing will depend upon which manufacturers are already using NVIDIA’s samples.


Toshiba tosses AT300 Android tablet into the limelight

Posted: 24 May 2012 02:40 AM PDT

Toshiba UK has officially announced the launch of the new Toshiba AT300 thin and lightweight Android 4.0 tablet. Toshiba says that while the tablet is beautifully thin and lightweight, it doesn’t compromise on power or performance. The machine uses a Nvidia Tegra 3 processor packed inside a brushed aluminum body.

The display of the tablet is a 10.1-inch LED backlit unit with a 1280 x 800 resolution. That screen supports 10-finger multitouch input, and the tablet is 8.95 mm thick with a weight of 590 g. The tablet comes in two storage capacities, including 16 GB or 32 GB, and it has 1 GB of RAM. Like all Tegra 3 processors, the little tablet rocks an additional fifth core specifically for everyday tasks to enable longer battery life. Toshiba says that battery life is up to 10 hours per charge.

The display is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass to make it scratch and break resistant. The tablet uses a simple holographic user interface and has up to five customizable home screens and full access to the Google Play store. The rear camera is a five-megapixel unit, and the front camera is two megapixels. The rear camera can record movies and the front supports video chatting and more. The tablet also has integrated stereo speakers and a micro HDMI output. Toshiba also includes a full-size SD card slot supporting up to 64 GB cards and the tablet is available with optional 3G. The tablet also has integrated Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi. Shipments are set to start in Q2 at an undisclosed price.

AT_300_Prod_Full_Feb12_02 AT_300_Prod_Full_Feb12_03 AT_300_Prod_Full_Feb12_04 AT_300_Prod_Full_Feb12_09 AT_300_Prod_Full_Feb12_12 AT_300_Prod_Full_Feb12_15


Verizon Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4 update available for download now

Posted: 23 May 2012 06:38 PM PDT

We reported a rumor on Monday that Verizon was preparing a long, long overdue Android 4.0.4 update for the Galaxy Nexus, which has been officially stuck on 4.0.2 since it’s release. Obviously the OTA update didn’t happen yesterday, but Google seems to be just as tired of the run-around as we are, because they’ve posted the relevant update file on their own servers. Stock Galaxy Nexus users, get it now, before Verizon decides that up-to-date software isn’t appropriate.

This isn’t a full ROM, just the update file for the 4.0.2 software on Verizon’s LTE flavor of the Galaxy Nexus. In order to run the IMM76K update you’ll need to be on the stock software – any other release or the various leaked versions of 4.0.4 will not work (root and custom recoveries are OK). Just reboot into recovery mode and flash the update.

Reports are coming in that the update is live on Verizon’s servers as well, so you could try the good old manual update through your system settings. Of course most carriers send out these updates in waves, so don’t be surprised if you get a null response. In either method you’ll be running the current version of Android for the first time in over six months - congratulations! Changes include a few interface tweaks (especially on the power menu), bug fixes and new radios.

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : GALAXY Nexus 4G [Verizon]
    Manufactuer : Samsung
    Carrier : Verizon
    Announced Date : December 14, 2011
    Release Date : December 15, 2011
    Also Known As : Nexus Prime
Display
  • Screen Size : 4.65 Inch
  • Resolution : 1280x720
  • Screen Type : Super AMOLED
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 5.33 Inch
  • Width : 2.67 Inch
  • Depth : 0.37 Inch
  • Weight : 150 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 1850 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : 150 hours
Software
    Android OS:
  • 4.0.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.264 / AVC
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
Hardware
    CPU : OMAP 4460
    CPU Clock Speed : 1200 Mhz
    Core : 2
    Ram : 1000 MB
    Internal Storage : 32 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 5 MP
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 1080p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • CDMA
    CDMA Band:
  • 900
  • 1900
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • Bluetooth 3.0
    Location Features:
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

[via Phandroid]


T-Mobile (Huawei) Prism on sale now for $20

Posted: 23 May 2012 05:31 PM PDT

Need an Android phone for not much dough? Live in a reliable T-Mobile 3G area? Then you might want to consider the “T-Mobile” Prism, Huawei’s latest de-branded device for the American carrier. The Prism is low-end in every sense of the word, but that doesn’t necessarily mean bad – and the low-end is moving forward nearly as fast as flagship devices are. The biggest improvement here is the 3.5-inch 480×320 touchscreen, markedly larger and sharper than the 3.2-inch screens that typify the category.

 

Other specs include a 600mhz processor, a 3.2 megapixel rear camera (no front-facing cam) and an empty MicroSD card slot. The software is Gingerbread, but refreshingly, there’s no manufacturer skin in place – Huawei doesn’t have a “branded” interface like Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG, Sony… OK, everyone. While not exactly the belle of the ball, the Prism looks decent enough for a budget phone. Keep in mind that the connection is 3G only, and the Prism doesn’t have access to T-Mobile’s “4G” HSPA+ network.

There is a bit of a hiccup when it comes to the price, however. The $19.99 price advertised on T-Mobile’s website is after a $50 mail in rebate. (I’ll pause to give you a chance to curse. You good? Continuing…) The full price of the phone is $219.99 less a $150 discount for activation – and no, you can’t qualify for the mail-in rebate without signing a new contract. Worth it? We’ll let you be the judge.


LG LS860 Cayenne leaks in blurrycam photo

Posted: 23 May 2012 04:51 PM PDT

If you’re a fan of LG smartphones it looks like another one of their upcoming handsets has leaked today along with a few specs. This phone is being called the LG Cayenne and comes with a full out 5-row QWERTY keyboard along with a 4.0-inch display. The processor or the screen size aren’t anything top-tier but hey lets check it out.

While none of the specs are what we’d call top-tier or up to par with a few of LG’s recent showing this phone should make all the keyboard fans plenty happy. The phone is essentially the LG Viper 4G LTE but with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and a keyboard. The screen is 4.0-inches and only 480 x 800 in resolution. The processor is the older Qualcomm S3 1.2 GHz dual-core with 4G LTE for the Now Network, and it will probably sport the same 5 megapixel camera.

The picture is pretty blurry and doesn’t really reveal much. One good thing here for this phone is the fact that it will be launching with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the gate, rather than waiting for an update. No other details or dimensions are available at this time but I’m sure we’ll be hearing more soon about this 4G LTE device for the Now Network. All those fans of the original Epic 4G should be happy to see this coming.

[via BriefMobile]


Diablo III Server app for Android keeps you sane

Posted: 23 May 2012 04:32 PM PDT

Do you stay up all night looking for SoJs in a game that’s not definitely going to have them? Have you been waiting more than 10 years to play a game that’s now having server difficulties? We’ve got the app for you! Diablo III has been met with as much excitement for its classic yet fresh gameplay as it has vitriol for its somewhat flaky servers.

The Diablo III Server Checker does just what it says. It’s a free app that simply checks the up or down status of your favorite Battle.net server, without you having to manually check it via the website or simply starting up your game and guessing. For dedicated players, the state of the play server could mean the difference between spending the night vanquishing hordes of evil revenants and (gasp!) going out and meeting real people. We kid, we kid.

Naturally, the app includes a home screen widget, for the demon slayer who can only spare half a second of time in the walk between the office and the car. The developer notes that the app relies on Blizzard’s reports for its status, and those aren’t always up-to-the-minute accurate. Have fun, players – and watch out for those guys who explode into snakes.

[via DroidGamers]


Samsung Galaxy Appeal slides into AT&T

Posted: 23 May 2012 04:03 PM PDT

If you’re the type of customer that likes to follow the prepaid path rather then signing your life away for 2 years the folks from AT&T have just released what they hope will be an “appealing” phone. The new QWERTY slider smartphone called the Samsung Galaxy Appeal was just announced and is headed to their prepaid lineup.

The Appeal is a rather low-end budget-friendly smartphone running on Android 2.3 Gingerbread and might be just what you’re looking for. It only comes with a 3.2-inch HVGA display, an 800 MHz single-core processor with 512MB of RAM and a decent 3 megapixel camera, but should be great for kids and plenty for those Angry Bird fans.

The phone is rather small but we wouldn’t call it sleek because it does offer a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, so it should be a big hit with the heavy text message users. The all new Samsung Galaxy Appeal prepaid offering will hit Walmart first come June 5th and then be available from other retailers and AT&T on June 15th for around $149 outright, with no contracts required.

[via AT&T]


What to do with your Verizon unlimited data plan

Posted: 23 May 2012 03:19 PM PDT

Like a few of you, I was dismayed to hear last week that Verizon would be phasing out its customers who were “grandfathered” into unlimited data plans by forcing them to adopt the new shared data plans this summer. I’ve been an unlimited customer for years, and when I lived out in the country the tethering plan saved me around a thousand dollars a year in overage fees I’d otherwise have been paying. “Blow this for a game of soldiers,” said I, “they can have my unlimited data when they take it from my cold, dead hands!”

Of course, you can keep the current terms of your contract so long as you don’t buy a subsidized phone. Which puts me in something of a conundrum: I’m the (mostly) happy owner of a Galaxy Nexus, and as previously discussed, it doesn’t look like Verizon has any intention of releasing a device that meets or beats it before the new policy goes into effect this summer.

Now as it happens, I’ve been eligible for a discounted phone since April (because I bought my Nexus from Verizon outright) and have just been waiting for a worthy and hack-friendly Verizon device to come along. Which hasn’t happened, and unless the Galaxy S III gets here before July, probably won’t. So here’s what I did:

I bought an iPhone.

“What?” you ask, “You? The man who swore up and down that the only thing that makes the iPad more worthy than its Android competitors is the data plan? The man who takes every opportunity to poke fun at Apple, its hardware and its customers? You, who by your own admission are as rabid an Android fanboy as has ever walked under the living sky?”

Yup. Here’s why: if you’re grandfathered into unlimited data, you can renew your contract right now and get and get a subsidized phone without losing unlimited, even if you’re upgrading from a 3G phone to an LTE phone. You can even score a pretty sweet $30 unlimited tethering plan. I don’t know if Verizon will come out with a worthy high-end Android phone before the new policy goes into effect, and we’d certainly tell you if we did. So I decided not to take chances and grab the discount now.

So why did I pick an iPhone? Simple: Apple products have an almost mythical ability to retain their value, and a brand new one in its original packaging can sell for nearly 90% of the retail price. It’s unfair, perhaps, but Android devices just can’t keep up. So I bought an iPhone 4S 16GB at a Verizon store, then without even opening the box, told them to re-activate the line on my Nexus. Bingo bango, I’d just spent $200 to get a device that’s worth $550 or more at street value – and my unlimited data is safe for another two years.

I put that sucker on eBay as soon as I got home, and it was claimed in a matter of hours. Now I’m $350 in pocket, with a Verizon unlimited contract that’s untouchable for another two years. Yes, I’ll have to spend extra money on the next Verizon phone I get. Between my unlimited plan and the remote location of most of my family, switching carriers really isn’t an option. But with contract-free prices of high-end devices hovering at around $650 on Verizon, the full price of that phone minus the $350 I just “made” probably won’t be any more than the upgrade price would have been anyway, at least at the time that the phone comes out.

This isn’t an ideal move for a lot of reasons. You’ve got to be 1) a grandfathered unlimited customer with 2) an expired contract or one that’s set to expire very soon and 3) have an Android phone you don’t mind hanging on to until the next big thing comes along. I’d still recommend waiting until just before the new policy goes into effect, just in case there’s a phone you really want that we haven’t heard of. But for those who, like me, are absolutely committed to keeping an unlimited Verizon 4G LTE account, I think it’s a pretty good solution.


LG Nitro HD gets an early taste of Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted: 23 May 2012 02:59 PM PDT

Leaks galore for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich the past few weeks. If you are rocking the LG Nitro HD for AT&T you’ll be happy to know that for the few owners of said device, Android 4.0 ICS has leaked in an official build and is available now. We are hearing good things although this is still an early build, but it’s worth checking out.

According to the guys from XDA the build is actually quite stable and appears to be running great on the 4.5-inch 720p rocking smartphone. It was actually the first 720p Android phone on AT&T if you remember. The leak appears to also be working for users of the Nitro on AT&T, Bell, and even Fido for those up in those parts.

Some flashers have reported problems with losing their IMEI numbers for their phones so you might want to use caution. Then again this is a leaked build so you should always use caution when flashing something of this type. Good news is battery seems to have actually been improved with the ICS leak so that might push a few into upgrading early. Hopefully this will be officially released soon but for now head to the via below to get started.

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : Nitro HD
    Manufactuer : LG
    Carrier : AT&T
    Announced Date : May 31, 2011
    Release Date : December 04, 2011
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 4.5 Inch
  • Resolution : 720x1280
  • Screen Type : LCD
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 5.27 Inch
  • Width : 2.67 Inch
  • Depth : 0.41 Inch
  • Weight : 127 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 1830 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : NA
Software
    Android OS:
  • 2.3.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
Hardware
    CPU : Scorpion
    CPU Clock Speed : 1500 Mhz
    Core : 2
    Ram : 1024 MB
    Internal Storage : 4 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 8 MP
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
  • MicroSDHC
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 1080p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • GSM
    GSM Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 1800
  • 1900
Device Connectivity
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

[via PhoneArena]


Men in Black III game for Android released

Posted: 23 May 2012 01:52 PM PDT

It’s official, the Men in Black are here on Android although they technically don’t exist. Today Gameloft has launched MIB III for Android and it’s available right this minute for free in the Play Store. If you are a fan of Android gaming or love the Men in Black series (who doesn’t) you’ll want to check this out.

You can’t play Will Smith, and you won’t be smacking any reporters either, but the game sure looks pretty awesome from my limited time playing it. Honestly the controls aren’t the best and the feel and play reminds me a lot of The Sims, but the graphics are cool and hey, it’s free. Here’s what you can expect from the all new MIB III from Gameloft for Android.

CREATE AND MANAGE YOUR OWN MIB AGENCY
• Train your agents and assign them to missions
• Access a wide range of MIB weapons and gadgets like the Neuralyzer, the Deatomizer and the infamous Noisy Cricket.
• Build dozens of different rooms to upgrade your weapons and develop your agency.

TAKE DOWN ENEMIES IN 1969 & 2012 NEW YORK
• Travel in time to fight aliens in different areas of New York including Brooklyn, Times Square, and Central Park
• Utilize your agent's futuristic weapons and equipment
• Meet dozens of aliens faithfully inspired by the Men in Black universe

ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN THE AGENCY
• Invite your friends from Gameloft LIVE! & Facebook to play
• Ask for your friends' help during fights to defeat powerful aliens
• Visit your friends' headquarters and get rewarded for lending a hand

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After the initial download the game only needs about 68 MB of additional download space for the game, so it isn’t much compared to many. The game is a freemium title so it’s free to play, but users can make in-app purchases for weapons and the further advance into the world of the Men in Black. Like most titles from Gameloft not all devices are supported but at least it’s available in the Play Store instead of their own site only.

Check out the new MIB III game today and drop us a few comments below letting us know what you think.


GameFly launching store and developing games for Android

Posted: 23 May 2012 01:06 PM PDT

If you are an avid gamer, especially on Android this could be some potentially awesome news. The hugely popular company GameFly is looking to get into Android full steam. If you’ve used their service for console gaming you’ll know they are a Netflix-style monthly payment service for unlimited gaming. They’ve now announced the GameFly Gamestore for Android and more.

GameFly has announced they’ll be opening up their own Gamestore for Android that will hopefully compete directly with the Google Play Store, NVIDIA’s Tegra Zone and more. GameFly also wants to release their own games almost like Gameloft, and have set a large amount of funds aside to start development for mobile games. Here’s a quote from their co-founder:

“GameFly is dedicated to giving consumers the best user experience possible, and to be their single destination for console, PC and mobile gaming needs,” said Sean Spector, GameFly co-founder and SVP of Business Development and Content. “We plan to be a leading player in mobile games by launching our retail GameStore for Android and helping to fund mobile developers of all sizes to publish, promote and sell their smartphone and tablet games.”

GameFly will be offering expertly curated Android games along with top sellers, most popular, and even daily deals like many other competitors in the “app store” front. They will be releasing their own games, as well as helping the struggling developer out that needs additional funding and throwing those games exclusively into their own store. They are accepting email entries from developers right this minute at Gamedev@gamefly.com and expect their first title to launch sometime this summer. More details are available from the official GameFly press release.

[via Android Police]


Google cleared of patent infringement by Jury

Posted: 23 May 2012 12:15 PM PDT

Google’s near the home stretch and the Google vs Oracle lawsuit has finally reached an end, and a verdict. Today in San Francisco the Jury has officially cleared Google in the lawsuit. Claiming they did not infringe on Oracles patents and thus the trial is over. Big win for Google and team green today folks.

We’ve covered this lawsuit pretty extensively although didn’t want to bore you all with too many details. You can find more coverage from the links below also. As of today, after a week of hard deliberation by the entire Jury they have finally found that Google has not infringed on any of the patents brought forward.

After Oracle initially won over the jury and was looking good in the first stage of the trial today everything changed. Now the jury has been dismissed and the third stage of the trail, where they were to decide on the damages payable to Oracle by Google has been canceled as a result. While the judge still has some work to do, as well as briefings with both parties this has to be a huge relief to Google. We are hearing from multiple sources an appeal will most likely be filed, but that is to be expected in cases of this magnitude. Stay tuned for more details.

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[via SlashGear]