Android Central

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• Fieldrunners 2 beta invites are going out
• Jelly Bean now available via 'Simple Upgrade Tool' for the Alltell Galaxy S II
• Google applies for patent to tie weather and location data to camera settings
• You'll now have to wait until at least June to not buy the HP Slate 7
• It's Easter Weekend. Save 15% on All Android Accessories!
• The Google Watch with Google Now - A wearable computer for the present
• Galaxy S4 preorders start at US Cellular on April 16
• Ingress doles out new-player invites to L6 and up
• CloudMagic: All of your accounts in one place
• Deal of the Day: SPE Leather Slider Case for Galaxy Note and Note 2
• Android Central 129: The Nexus has nubbins
• HTC European boss Florian Seiche leaving for Nokia [Updated]
• Ouya in action at GDC 2013
• Ouya consoles now shipping to Kickstarter backers
• Facebook holding Android event on April 4
• Google Play Movies now available in Mexico

Fieldrunners 2 beta invites are going out Posted: 29 Mar 2013 03:41 PM PDT Testers now being contacted via email for their chance to check out the Fieldrunners 2 beta A few days ago we told you about the Fieldrunners 2 for Android closed beta and directed you to the sign-up page. If you followed through and signed up, be sure to check your inbox to see if you got in, as the invites are now rolling out. In the email you receive, you are given full instructions on installing and running the app, as well as the proper channel to submit bugs. That last part is important -- if you did get in, be sure to contact Subatomic Studios and let them know.  Also, some advice on how to uninstall in preparation for the final release product, as you may have issues with game progress data otherwise. The beta is two of the 25 full missions that will be in the final edition, and besides testing for compatibility and bugs, you're bound to have a good time and see what the full version will offer. I've been playing Fieldrunners 2 on the PC for a while (I <3 U Steam weekend deals) and am a big fan of the original Fieldrunners game on Android. So far, I'm loving what I see here. Hopefully the testing goes smoothly, and we see a final release soon. Now if you'll excuse me, I have towers that need upgraded. Thanks everyone who sent this in!

Jelly Bean now available via 'Simple Upgrade Tool' for the Alltell Galaxy S II Posted: 29 Mar 2013 03:08 PM PDT Alltell hasn't forgotten the Samsung Galaxy S II, and Jelly Bean is available for download right now Customers on Alltell using a Galaxy S II will want to check their messaging app this evening, as Jelly Ban has been made available. Users are receiving a text telling them the update is ready to download to their computer: FREEALLTELMSG: Get the latest update for your Samsung Galaxy SII. Download OS Jelly Bean version 4.1.2 from your computer. Visit http://bit.ly/XHB4dp Upon visiting the link, you're then warned that this is only able to be done via a computer (Windows only) using the Simple Upgrade Tool from Samsung. What you'll be downloading is the official SCH-R760 4.1.2 build, and the included package will walk you through getting it installed on your phone. While we prefer OTA updates whenever possible, the jump from Gingerbread to Jelly Bean requires more than just an update to the system files. Manually flashing it from a computer is probably the best way to go here, though we wish it was a more generic process versus a Windows only executable file. If you have no access to a compatible Windows computer (Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, or XP) you should visit the closest Alltell dealer and ask for assistance. For everyone else, get to downloading! More: Alltell. Thanks, Terry!

Google applies for patent to tie weather and location data to camera settings Posted: 29 Mar 2013 02:29 PM PDT Could Google use your location data to make you a better photographer? This patent application shows someone in Mountain View thinks so. Google has filed for a patent that would adjust camera settings for optimal performance based on GPS coordinates and the current weather conditions.  Depending on where you are, and what the weather might be like if it's determined that you're outdoors, settings like white balance, ISO, exposure value and all those other camera settings most people never touch can be tweaked using the data collected. This means that the settings of the camera can be adjusted on-the-fly for the perfect shot. We have no idea if Google will ever use this one, or if it's even a worthwhile feature, but Senior VP of engineering Vic Gundotra did promise making Nexus phones with "insanely great cameras".  And while we're over patents and the never-ending war that seems to go along with them, this one was too cool to not talk about. Source: USPTO; via Engadget

You'll now have to wait until at least June to not buy the HP Slate 7 Posted: 29 Mar 2013 11:56 AM PDT Look the HP Slate 7 Android tablet didn't exactly bowl us over when it got a look at it at Mobile World Congress in February in Spain. OK, the industrial design was actually pretty good -- along the lines of a nicely done Nexus 7-type tablet -- but the internals and display should have been enough to make even a first-timer think twice. The $169 tablet was supposed to go on sale sometime in April, but HP's microsite apparently has pushed that launch to June.  The Slate 7 ain't getting any younger, folks. While there's a place for budget tablets, an extra $30 would get you a base Nexus 7. There's no contest there. And considering that we're very likely going to see an updated 7-incher (or thereabouts) at Google I/O in May, the prospect of an even older Slate 7 just isn't tempting at all. Source: HP; via Engadget More: See our hands-on with the HP Slate 7 read more

It's Easter Weekend. Save 15% on All Android Accessories! Posted: 29 Mar 2013 11:27 AM PDT Use coupon HOP13 at checkout to save 15% on ALL Android accessories Take me to ShopAndroid.com and let the savings begin!

The Google Watch with Google Now - A wearable computer for the present Posted: 29 Mar 2013 09:55 AM PDT A Google Watch would be an ideal first step into the world of wearables, and putting Google Now at its heart makes too much sense for it not to happen The future of computing is mobile, and the future of mobile is wearables. Google knows this; so does LG, Samsung and Apple. That’s why all four are rumored to be working on their own smart watches. Google’s, it’s reported, will run Android, and might be with us sooner rather than later. The Pebble smart watch has already proved the appetite for this kind of product as a smartphone companion device. The appeal is obvious -- the ability to keep tabs on email, messages, calls, music playback, etc. using a device that’s always on your person. Relief from the burden of constant phone-checking (or at least, a weaning of users onto constant watch-checking instead.) It’s no wonder Google and others want a piece of that pie. read more

Galaxy S4 preorders start at US Cellular on April 16 Posted: 29 Mar 2013 08:54 AM PDT Looks like April 16 is starting to be the day for Samsung Galaxy S4 presales. AT&T's opening up that day, and now US Cellular is throwing its hat into the ring, too.  No word yet on what the phone will cost -- we're told it'll be announced on April 16 -- nor do we know what storage options USCC will offer. More: US Cellular Also: Samsung Galaxy S4 Forums | Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy

Ingress doles out new-player invites to L6 and up Posted: 29 Mar 2013 08:23 AM PDT If you've been dying to try your hand at Ingress -- the AR game run by the Niantic Project and Google -- but haven't been able to get your hands on an invite yet, it's time to make friends. Ingress this morning announced that any current player Level 6 and up (which means Levels 7 and 8 as well) should now have a single invite to bestow on a lucky newcomer.  Ingress centers on the idea that there's this magical "XM" or "Exotic Matter," which lies in wait, hidden from casual view. But it affects everything around it. You use your phone or tablet to view the XM and the portals that harness it. Two sides -- the Enlightened and the Resistance -- are battling for control over the portals, linking them together and creating protective fields and capturing mind units in the process.  read more

CloudMagic: All of your accounts in one place Posted: 29 Mar 2013 07:10 AM PDT So many accounts in so many places, and CloudMagic can help you search through every single one of them. As much as we'd prefer to have all of our data, documents, conversations and contacts in a single service that makes it easy to find what you need, that just isn't going to happen. As new services come along, we all seem to follow a bit of a "junk drawer" mentality of just tossing accounts onto our phones that don't talk to each other. CloudMagic is hoping to remedy this issue somewhat by linking every account to one app, and making the contents of each universally searchable. Hang along with us after the break and see how it pans out. read more

Deal of the Day: SPE Leather Slider Case for Galaxy Note and Note 2 Posted: 29 Mar 2013 06:31 AM PDT The March 29 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the SPE Leather Slider Case for Samsung Galaxy Note and Note 2. This case is made of genuine leather and is designed specifically for your device to offer top-notch comfort, quality, and ease of use. Slide into this flexible leather case from the side and protect against drops while the interior features a soft padding which keeps your screen safe from scratches. Comes in black, brown and white. The SPE Leather Slider Case is available for just $12.00, 60% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last! Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts

Android Central 129: The Nexus has nubbins Posted: 29 Mar 2013 05:03 AM PDT Podcast MP3 URL:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/acpc129.mp3 Thing 1: Games and Apps The Conduit HD hauls first-person shooting from the Wii to Project SHIELD We're live from GDC in San Francisco! Thumbs-on with Moga Pro Android gaming controller Lightning Launcher: More customizations than you can shake a stick at Action Launcher gains 'Shutters' - swipe your way to widgets First Android-only 'Humble Mobile Bundle' now available Thing 2: Wrapping up the HTC One HTC One camera tips: How to take better pictures How to watch TV with the HTC One How to set up your HTC One HTC to retire 'quietly brilliant' tagline as marketing strategy becomes bolder HTC gives update on HTC One delays, availability Thing 3: Odds and Ends T-Mobile announces new Android 4G LTE devices T-Mobile LTE 'Simple Choice' no-contract rate plans are here Eric Schmidt: Chrome and Android to remain separate Hands-on with the Archos GamePad Samsung Galaxy S4 wallpapers, ringtones and 'S Voice' app leak Motorola support page indicates Droid Bionic to receive Jelly Bean in Q2 2013 'If I had Glass' winners selected by Google, invites due out in coming days

HTC European boss Florian Seiche leaving for Nokia [Updated] Posted: 29 Mar 2013 03:52 AM PDT HTC EMEA President to join Nokia as head of European sales from June, HTC UK head Phil Blair to take over Update: HTC has confirmed Seiche's exit, and says former VP of Product and Operations Phil Blair has taken over as its new EMEA head in addition to overseeing HTC's UK arm. We've got the company's official statement after the break. Original story: Bloomberg is reporting that Florian Seiche, EMEA President at HTC, will be joining Nokia as head of European sales from June 15. Seiche, a familiar sight at European HTC press conferences, has been with the company since 2005, prior to which he served as Director of Devices at Orange. According to Bloomberg, Nokia's own EMEA head Shiv Shivakumar is leaving the company, to be replaced by its VP of smart devices for the Americas, Arto Nummela. HTC and Nokia are in the midst of difficult times, as both are squeezed by fierce competition from Samsung and Apple. HTC in particular has seen dwindling sales and market share as a result to the meteoric rise of Samsung in the Android space. By comparison, Nokia recently returned to profitability, but its long-term fate is tied to that of Microsoft's Windows Phone OS. Source: Bloomberg read more

Ouya in action at GDC 2013 Posted: 29 Mar 2013 01:54 AM PDT What's a backer launch without a party? Ouya had their big backer launch bash at GDC 2013, giving everybody a shot to try out the $99 Android-powered gaming console. There has been a lot of excitement leading up to this launch, not only because it stands to be yet another Kickstarter success story, but also because it's paving the way for a whole new product category of Android devices.  read more

Ouya consoles now shipping to Kickstarter backers Posted: 28 Mar 2013 09:26 PM PDT Folks who funded the Ouya Kickstarter project need to start checking their mailboxes, as units have started shipping As we mentioned just a month ago, Ouya is shipping out consoles to Kickstarter backers as of today (March 28). Folks who pledged $95 or more to help fund the project will receive the units on a rolling schedule, and everyone should have their Ouya in hand in the next few weeks. You'll be notified via email when your unit ships. Ouya founder Julie Uhrman wants to remind everyone of a few things while you're waiting. There will be a system update out of the box, so be prepared for that. Users will also need a valid credit or debit card to download games, but they will remain free to try. Finally, while the units come with one controller, support for up to four is included and you can purchase more at their website. The Ouya project is poised to take Android gaming to another level, with the right price and decent specs. Of course, having a fully functional Android device hooked up to your television can be a lot of fun as well. We're expecting big things as units ship out, and by the time the devices launch in early June we're sure there will be an expert or two in the Ouya forums. More: Ouya

Facebook holding Android event on April 4 Posted: 28 Mar 2013 06:55 PM PDT Facebook has something in the oven, and we'll find out what it is next week Facebook is holding some sort of Android related event next Thursday in Menlo Park and has sent out a slew of press invites. Nobody is sure exactly what they have in store, but speculation runs from a better (working) Android application to the rumored HTC Myst Facebook phone. There's also rumor of a "deeply integrated" Facebook experience built into the devices people will want to buy. Zuckerberg has been pretty adamant that building a phone is the wrong way to go, so this is certainly a possibility.  We're not sure exactly what to expect, but we know Facebook does things in grand style. We'll know more next week.

Google Play Movies now available in Mexico Posted: 28 Mar 2013 05:14 PM PDT Google Play Movies llega a México Google has pushed the button and made Google Play Movies live in Mexico. Users south of the border can now rent or purchase select movies, and view them on their Android devices or on the web. Last week we saw the launch of Google Play Books in Mexico, and we're glad to see Google able to provide their content services to more and more countries.  We've no word on when further Google content will be made available in Mexico, or any other regions where it's currently unavailable. We assume there are teams at work all over the globe figuring out the licensing and regulations in order to deliver all of Google Play's content to anyone who wants it. If the Movies & TV application is not installed on your Android device, you can grab it at the Google Play link above.  Thanks, Spook!

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