Android Authority |
- RetroArch is an awesome (and free) multi-system emulator Android app
- Samsung’s dual-SIM GT-I8262D smartphone gets official in China
- U.S. Cellular to offer the Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE soon
- Concerned about the mobile unlocking ban? Sign the White House petition
- HTC Mini: a small Bluetooth dumb phone to better use big-ass smartphones
- Galaxy Nexus reaches end-of-life with Verizon
- T-Mobile Nexus 4 out of stock… again
- Ubuntu smartphone to launch without app store, won’t support Android apps
- 7 sizzling new Android apps of the week (January 25 issue)
- Polarbit Games’ Cracking Sands makes a splash in the Google Play Store
| RetroArch is an awesome (and free) multi-system emulator Android app Posted: 26 Jan 2013 02:35 AM PST
The gaming scene on the Android platform has gotten better with age, but do you ever get that longing feeling of wanting to go back in time to play those PSX or GBA games from the good ol’ days? Hunting down and using a dozen or so emulator apps are doable, but not very convenient and cheap. This is where RetroArch comes in and sweeps you off your feet. The RetroArch is a new emulator app that allows you to play thousands of classic games from a surprisingly large number of gaming platforms – and then some more. Here's the complete list:
The app also supports PnP detection of various USB and Bluetooth gamepads, real-time rewinding of games, advanced pixel/vertex shader, customizable touchscreen overlays, and more. One of the best things about RetroArch is that it's completely free with no nagging ads whatsoever! If you're intrigued, grab the app now from Google Play. Let us know what you think of RetroArch below. Related Posts |
| Samsung’s dual-SIM GT-I8262D smartphone gets official in China Posted: 26 Jan 2013 01:11 AM PST
Ever think what would the Android landscape be like without Samsung? While you ponder upon the question, here's another up and coming smartphone from Sammy that will only see the light of day in China, the GT-I8262D. The Samsung GT-I8262D – first appeared last month – doesn't seem to have a name yet, but you can already find the phone on Samsung's website. Wondering what it's packing inside? Let's go through the sheet of specs now. As is the case with most phones that are released in the country, the GT-I8262D comes with dual-SIM support. The phone sports a 4.3-inch display with 800 x 480 resolution and is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon processor with Adreno 203 GPU. The rest of the fairly unremarkable specs include 768MB of RAM, 4GB internal storage, microSD slot (up to 32GB), 5MP rear camera, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, dual-SIM slot (WCDMA & EDGE), 1,700mAh battery, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. If and when Samsung decides to put a name on the phone and announce pricing and launch details, we'll let you know. Related Posts |
| U.S. Cellular to offer the Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE soon Posted: 26 Jan 2013 12:11 AM PST
The Galaxy Note 10.1 is expected to arrive in LTE flavor on Verizon pretty soon, with a Sprint variant to follow not long after – though the latter hasn't been officially confirmed. Now, it looks like another wireless carrier is going to offer the tablet. Without so much as an announcement, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is already up on U.S. Cellular website, where it's currently listed for $499 – after rebate. However, you can't purchase the S Pen-equipped tablet just yet. While the Galaxy Note 10.1 that's listed there doesn't seem to come with LTE connectivity, it only makes sense that the LTE variant will make its appearance soon. As pointed out by Unwired View, it is likely that the U.S. Cellular will be selling the LTE-enabled SCH-i925U model of the Galaxy Note 10.1. We should be hearing more about in the coming weeks. For the uninitiated, the Note 10.1 comes with a 10.1-inch WXGA display with an active Wacom digitizer, a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage, microSD slot, 5MP rear camera, 1.9MP front-facing camera, 7,000mAh battery, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box. Related Posts |
| Concerned about the mobile unlocking ban? Sign the White House petition Posted: 25 Jan 2013 08:47 PM PST
I earlier wrote about what can be a potential issue among mobile users in the U.S. The Librarian of Congress has deemed it illegal to unlock mobile phones starting Saturday, January 26th, on the premise that the user does not actually own the software in the device, but is only a licensee. As such, you can no longer — legally, at least — have your phone unlocked unless you have finished your contract with your mobile carrier, or unless you have explicit permission from your service provider. We got a message from a reader about something that can potentially change the minds of the authorities. If you’re familiar with the White House’s We the People Initiatives, citizens can submit petitions, which the government will be compelled to act upon, or at least decide upon, if you reach a certain number of signatures within 30 days. That used to be 25,000, but after the “Death Star” brouhaha, where “the people” wanted the U.S. government to establish an $852 quadrillion space-based weapon, the White House has recently raised the bar to 100,000. Reader Sina Khanifar wrote us to about a We the People petition, which has already garnered 8,818 signatures as of this writing, and will require 91,182 more signatures by February 23, 2012. You can sign the petition here: Make Unlocking Cell Phones Legal. “We ask that the White House ask the Librarian of Congress to rescind this decision, and failing that, champion a bill that makes unlocking permanently legal,” says the petition. Do note that there is no guarantee the White House will act favorably — as with the Death Star petition, which it shot down due to cost constraints, and because “[t]he administration does not support blowing up planets.” But at least the ruling will be subject to review and discussion. Head on to the source link to sign. Related Posts |
| HTC Mini: a small Bluetooth dumb phone to better use big-ass smartphones Posted: 25 Jan 2013 06:05 PM PST
Since there are some pretty big smartphones out there, and since HTC has decided to go ahead and release a dumb phone to pair it with your big-ass smartphone, we'll just go ahead and paraphrase Jeff Foxworthy for this one: "In case you need a smaller phone to actually use your big-ass phone, then you might be a redneck." Not that we're judging or anything, because it looks like the HTC Mini will be shipped by default with the Butterfly in China, so some buyers will be forced to get the unwanted accessory. Yes, this is not a joke. We have no idea what HTC was thinking with this one, but the HTC Mini is a Bluetooth accessory we hope one won't have to buy. The thing looks like a good-old dumb phone and it's expected to help you make better use of your large smartphone. But if you find 5-inch, or bigger, smartphone is too much of a hassle in day-to-day phone call use, and you need an HTC Mini to talk on the thing, then you could probably go for something smaller, but equally smart. Bigger isn't always better, no matter what they tell you! In addition to Bluetooth, the HTC Mini comes with NFC support and the device also acts as a remote control when the smartphone is connected to a TV and can be used as a camera shutter trigger but also as a Butterfly finder, in case you lose it (seriously). Is this why HTC is having a tough time making serious money off of Android device sales? You know, because it's investing money in products that should have never been approved? Now, if this was a smartwatch, we’d be telling a different story… Related Posts |
| Galaxy Nexus reaches end-of-life with Verizon Posted: 25 Jan 2013 04:56 PM PST
Not only is the Nexus 4 out of stock with most retailers, Google included, but its predecessor has reached end-of-life with Verizon. So if you were planning to purchase an affordable on-contract Galaxy Nexus from Big Red to make up for the Nexus 4 scarcity, you may have a tough time following through with your plan. After being launched in very-late 2011 – much later than Android fans expected it to hit Big Red – the device quickly became the handset of choice for plenty of Android users that wanted access to Google's latest Android version. We have no idea how many Galaxy Nexus units Verizon sold to date, although we do know the number is not comparable with other Android more popular devices and that it's minuscule when pitted against iPhone sales, at least according to Samsung. If there's one reason to be annoyed with Verizon's Galaxy Nexus though, is the fact that the carrier managed to screw up the timeliness of the Android updates the Galaxy Nexus was supposed to receive. What handset will you be moving to from the Galaxy Nexus? Related Posts |
| T-Mobile Nexus 4 out of stock… again Posted: 25 Jan 2013 04:28 PM PST
Stop me if you've heard this before, but the Nexus 4 is out of stock. I'm not talking about the Google Play Store, which is one place you still can't buy the device from no matter how hard Google and LG are working to pump out more devices. I'm talking about T-Mobile, the fourth largest carrier in the U.S. and the only one that stocks Google's fourth-gen Nexus. Well, it doesn't stock it anymore as it has sold it out again, but in theory, it's the only U.S. carrier selling the handset from time to time. Just a few days ago we told you that T-Mobile stores were receiving Nexus 4 stock, but it looks like the new units ran out almost as fast as they came in. We have no idea when the handset will be back in stock with the mobile operator, but we're certainly keeping our ear to the ground for more news. Meanwhile, if you're going to Canada and/or Korea soon, you may be able to pick one up from Fido and Videotron, and SK Telecom and Korea Telecom, respectively. Related Posts |
| Ubuntu smartphone to launch without app store, won’t support Android apps Posted: 25 Jan 2013 04:11 PM PST
One of the most exciting announcements of the beginning of the year is the Ubuntu phone – not to be confused with Ubuntu for Android. Canonical is ready to make a serious play for the mobile business – at least part of it – that's dominated by Android and iOS, with Windows Phone and BlackBerry left to battle for third place. And the Ubuntu phone certainly looks like an interesting alternative. The new mobile platform will surely appeal to current PC users that choose Ubuntu as their desktop OS, but not only. As you already know, any Android device that runs Google's OS will be able to run Ubuntu, as long as you'll be willing to perform the installing part, and the Galaxy Nexus could soon get its first Ubuntu phone code. Meanwhile we learn via Engadget that the Ubuntu smartphone will not have an application store when it launches. That may sound like a deal breaker for some, but fret not, as an app store is in the works and will surely be available to users down the road. Here's what Canonical product manager Richard Collins had to say on the matter:
Furthermore, in case you hope you'll be able to install your Android apps on Ubuntu, you'll have to know that Canonical won't support that. The company is ready to assist developers in porting their apps to Ubuntu, but it won't offer a magic tool to let users immediately run Android apps, as they are, on Ubuntu:
Anyone already excited to get their hands on an Ubuntu smartphone? Related Posts |
| 7 sizzling new Android apps of the week (January 25 issue) Posted: 25 Jan 2013 02:00 PM PST
It’s party night tonight and here in Android Authority we party with the hottest new apps from the Google Play Store. This weekender special is a potpourri of apps designed to make your week fun, relaxing, and most of all, convenient. This week, we feature apps to help you keep healthy, stay social, and be creative. As they say, nothing beats a healthy man or woman than a healthy and happy Android user. But, don’t let me keep you waiting — here are these week’s picks of 7 new Android apps. Headset SMS Reader Whenever I use my Android phone as a music player, I usually leave it inside my pocket. But, when a message arrives, I have to take out my phone to read my messages. Fortunately, I won’t need to do that with azendpowa’s Headset SMS Reader app. This app automatically reads out the contact’s name and text messages. You can also set the app to read messages only when earphones are connected. With this app, I can now leave my phone inside my pocket and listen to incoming messages. You can also add a mini widget on the homescreen to quickly enable/disable the app. The ads-supported Headset SMS Reader app can be downloaded for free. Although the app has ads, ads only appear on the app’s menu and won’t bother you. Time Tracker Do you want to track the time of you spend on daily activities such as exercise, sitting in front of the computer, or working? Use the Time Tracker app by Thomas Gallinari and track your time with ease. All you need to do is list all your activities in the app. When you’re about to perform that activity, start the timer. When you’re done, just stop the timer for that activity and store your record in the app. The app also shows your activity history for the day or even for the last 30 days. This app is useful for personal use or in office settings. You can start tracking your time for free with the ad-free Time Tracker app. Image Editor I just love taking pictures and thanks to the latest smartphone technology, I can take clear photos that I can easily edit. Speaking of editing, SkySoftware’s Image Editor allows you to edit photos and images on your phone. The app also has a camera feature, allowing you to edit a recently captured photo. With Image Editor, you can add effects, shapes, and layers on your image. You can also resize the image or crop it to the desired dimensions. Image Editor also allows you to draw and use your drawings as your wallpaper. The app takes getting used to and lags a little when you’re drawing. It is also ad-supported but the ads don’t get in your way while you’re editing. Omegle Chat App Meet new friends while you’re off your PC with GreatDroidAppz’s Omegle Chat App. This chat application lets you connect anonymously with strangers who have the same interests as you do. The app features a clean and easy interface. You can start chatting with a random stranger by clicking on the Start a Chat button or add your interests to help the app look for a conversation partner with the same interests. You can also authorize the app to access your Facebook likes instead of manually typing in your interests. Not up to talking? You can post a question and watch two strangers discuss their answers. Omegle is certainly a fun way to interact and meet new people on the go. LifeKraze Staying motivated can be tough when you’re on your own, but thanks to LifeKraze developed by devs of the same name, you can feel motivated just by posting your thoughts and accomplishments. Read through what other members of the LifeKraze community are thinking of or are accomplishing and give them Highfives or reward their efforts using points. You only have 200 points to give every week, so give them to the people who deserve them. Ten points means “good job!” while fifty points means “amazing!” The more you post your accomplishments on LifeKraze, the more chances you’ll get to earn points in return and earn badges. MealMonkey Your diet can definitely make or break your fitness goals. You might not notice it, but what you’re having each meal might not exactly be healthy. On the other hand, who wants to count calories? We have our own diets anyway, why would we want to adhere to what other people describe as healthy? MealMonkey, developed by ActiveHealth Management, however, doesn’t want to shape you up by having you count calories or follow someone else’s diet. Instead, you’ll be the judge of your own meals. Is that quarter pounder burger and mound of fries healthy to you? Then indicate its level of healthiness on a slider. You can track how healthy your meals are with a chart so you can see for yourself if you’re falling below your meal healthiness goal. Light Sleep Alarm Clock A good night’s sleep doesn’t necessarily mean a full eight hours, but it’s actually waking up during a light sleep cycle. There are a number of alarm clock apps on the Google Play Store that measure how well you sleep using your phone’s accelerometer, but that means keeping your phone on your bed and risking knocking it off to the floor. Light Sleep Alarm Clock by vanangelov only needs you to put your phone on your bedstand and uses your phone’s microphone to monitor any sound changes around it. The alarm rings a little before your set time, when it detects that you’re starting to stir, and wakes you up gently. Once you wake, you can see the actual time you spent in bed and the time you spent sleeping. The app will even show you your sleep efficiency. The Light Sleep Alarm Clock is ad-supported but you only see the ads when you set the alarm and when the alarm goes off. Grab these 7 new apps now while they are still sizzling. What apps have you tried? What app do find most useful? Do you have some fresh Android apps to recommend? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment and vote for your favorite apps in the polls below. Stay tuned for next week’s serving of new apps, only here in Android Authority. (with contributions from Alvin Ybañez and Dan Evans; banner image courtesy of Shutterstock.com) Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.Related Posts |
| Polarbit Games’ Cracking Sands makes a splash in the Google Play Store Posted: 25 Jan 2013 12:37 PM PST
It has been a long road of development for Polarbit Games, the team behind the Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart series and Konami Krazy Racing. Their kart racing game, Cracking Sands, has finally made a splash on the Google Play Store after nearly a year in development. The premise of Cracking Sands is easy to understand — start driving and pray you have the bigger gun. Customization is a strong point in Cracking Sands. You can customize your very own kart using a wide array of parts. Just about anything on your kart can be switched out with something else, including your character’s outfit. Guns can even be placed on the kart to make sure you’re always in first place! Cracking Sands is much more violent than your average friendly Mario Kart race. To ensure you stay in first place, a variety of tools are available to use at your discretion. From land mines to deadly machine guns, you will be able to take out your opponent with ease and win yourself the race. It is a lot harder than it sounds though. Racing in a straight line and attacking your opponents is no easy task. Regardless, what fun would Cracking Sands be if you could not play with your friends? While Cracking Sands comes with some fun singleplayer levels, the game also features online play, which makes it worth the price. If you’re interested in picking up the game, you can get it off of the Google Play Store for $4.99. Related Posts |
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