Wednesday, June 5, 2013

AndroidGuys

AndroidGuys

Get this look for your Android: CA.N

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 12:22 PM PDT

dandylion

We’re huge fans of changing the home screen around a bit and creating a new user experience for our Android. So much so that we present this weekly series of Get This Look posts.

In a nutshell we show you a new look for your Android handset and tell you which apps you’ll need if you want to mimic the feel. Some of these are a little easier to create than others and many of them can be tweaked to no end. The following details are but the ingredients to which you can create your own delicious Android dish; your results will vary. Which is awesome!

If nothing else, this is a great way to discover new apps, widgets, icons, and more!

ca.n by dandylion

WHY WE LOVE THIS LOOK:

Simple. Easy. Clean.  Those are three words that come to mind when we look at how this one is put together. Using a template wallpaper image for the background, the design is nothing more than a few well-placed widgets.

Don’t care for that winter grey-scale image at the top? Replace the upper third with whatever image you fancy and watch how things pop. We tried it with a number of our own wallpapers and photos and it works very well.

Given the simple design and placement of widgets we venture to guess you’ll be swapping things and moving them around in no time. This is a wonderful template for those getting started with modifying and tweaking the home screen.

You”ll spend a few bucks to achieve this exact look but the possible tweaks and personal settings is pretty much endless. If you like to tinker and rearrange your screen, these are a great start!

Check the archives for even more inspiration!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

What else:

The post Get this look for your Android: CA.N appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Yandex.Shell goes free for global audience

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 10:32 AM PDT

yandexshell_720

Yandex.Shell, the home launcher with a 3D carousel interface, is now available for free to a global audience. Previously known as SPB Shell 3D, the developers were scooped up in late 2011. Indeed, this is the launcher that at one time cost users $15 to install.

Yandex.Shell, a home launcher and organiser for Android phones, is now available for free. Any Android smartphone user in the world can now download Yandex.Shell to transform their home screen into a 3D space. The free version of Yandex.Shell features a new dialer and address book. It is offered with a customized installation package and a default layout configuration, including a new widget panel, instant search function and exciting opportunities to manage the content on the phone's home screen just with one tap.

Also of note, the B2B edition which launched at Mobile World Congress this year will remain in play with  OEMs, phone manufacturers and mobile operators. The end user version, however, will stay free going forward!

Click to view slideshow.

Replace the home screen experience of your Android today with Yandex.Shell.

Yandex Shell (Google Play)

The post Yandex.Shell goes free for global audience appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Years later, Gingerbread still leads all versions of Android

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 09:20 AM PDT

developer_dashbpard_android_figures_june4

Some 2.5 years after its initial debut, Android 2.3 Gingerbread still accounts for 36.5 of all active Android devices. The developer dashboard figures, which update monthly, show that Android 4.0+ releases are slowly gaining traction with Jelly Bean (4.1, 4.2) holding 33 percent of the pie. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich commands 25.6 percent of the platform while the older builds (Eclair, Donut, Froyo, Honeycomb) pulling up the rear.

Google

The post Years later, Gingerbread still leads all versions of Android appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Sphero releases latest augmented reality game, The Rolling Dead

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 08:50 AM PDT

The lovable little orb, Sphero, is now your sidekick in the fight against the undead. The Sphero team announced on Tuesday that a new augmented reality game is available to play for those of you who purchased the smartphone-controlled robot. It’s called The Rolling Dead and it’s a cute and fun way to get your zombie fix anywhere and everywhere.

Using Sphero as a fireball-shooting warrior, you must battle against virtual zombies as they spawn out of the ground. Shoot them with fireballs, collect flaming power ups, and roll away to stay alive.In this exciting twist on the zombie craze, the world becomes a video game and you choose the surroundings.

FEATURES:

  • Destroy endless hordes of zombies using the power of augmented reality.
  • Look through the camera on your device, find Sphero, and see the mayhem unfold before your eyes.
  • Play anywhere and watch zombies spawn right out of the ground.
  • Gain zombie-destroying ammo simply by driving Sphero around.
  • Gain a fiery power-up that turns Sphero into a flaming ball for maximum zombie destroying potential.

To learn more about Sphero, or to order one for yourself, head to GoSphero.com. The Rolling Dead is but one of nearly two dozen titles that come free with the robot.

Those of you who own a Sphero, you can download The Rolling Dead here.

The post Sphero releases latest augmented reality game, The Rolling Dead appeared first on AndroidGuys.

After bumps in road, Wikipad finally arrives June 11

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 08:05 AM PDT

It may have taken a bit of time, some minor product changes, and a few hurdles, but the Wikipad is finally ready for its retail debut. The 7-inch gaming tablet experience will arrive on June 11 with a retail price of $249 in the United States; a global rollout is expected later this summer.

Built with mobile gaming in mind, the Wikipad features a 7-inch display, 16GB internal storage (microSD expansion), a front-facing 2-megapixel camera, and HDMI output. Powering things along is NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 processor and an NVIDIA GPU.

Click to view slideshow.

In terms of pre-loaded software, the Wikipad runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean has access to Google Play Store, TegraZone, and even Sony’s PlayStation Mobile titles.

For those who don’t want to always be playing graphic-intense first-person-shooters, the gaming controller can be detached for a more traditional 7-inch tablet experience.

First retailers will be Wal-mart.com, Bestbuy.com and TigerDirect with additional retailers and launch dates for other markets outside the US coming after E3 wraps up.

WIKIPAD GAMING TABLET TO REDEFINE THE PORTABLE GAMING EXPERIENCE – AVAILABLE JUNE 11th, 2013 IN US 

(LOS ANGELES, CA – June 4, 2013) — Wikipad, Inc. today announced its 7" Wikipad tablet will be available on June 11, 2013 at a retail price of $249 in the US, with an UK and global launch planned for this summer. Thanks to its award wining and patented interchangeable game controller, Wikipad redefines the mobile tablet experience bringing together the console quality experience with the functionality and portability of a premium tablet.

"The launch of the Wikipad 7 tablet signals a transformative turning point in the direction of the mobile gaming industry. Wikipad's tablet combines the latest range of features found in a premium Android tablet together with the unrivaled console video game experience only available with a gamepad," said Matthew Joynes, Chairman of Wikipad Inc.

"There is no other mobile device on the market that possesses Wikipad's unique functionality and versatility and all available with full warranty and customer support at an entry level price point," said Fraser Townley, President of Sales at Wikipad Inc.

The Wikipad is the only tablet to possess both the unique combination of a console quality gaming experience with the functionality and portability of a tablet thanks to its award-winning and patented detachable dual-analog controller. Wikipad offers a multi capacitive 7 inch touch screen, 16 GB memory with an additional micro SD slot to support a further 32 GB of storage, together with micro USB, GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope. The tablets ultra-light and thin chassis is powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core mobile processor that’s optimized for cloud gaming with a 12 core Nvidia GPU. With an aspect ratio of 16:10, a 2-mega-pixel front facing camera the Wikipad tablet offers true widescreen HD display and HDMI out.

Consumers will have instant access to entertainment and videogame content of over 700,000 apps from Google Play from Google Mobile Services, PlayStation®Mobile games from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., and TegraZone – NVIDIA’s free app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor. When the gamepad controller is detached, Wikipad's sleek design and full Android 4.1 Jelly Bean functionality make it a powerfully versatile tablet for surfing the web, emailing, enjoying all the latest films, books, magazines and music, conversing via Skype or experiencing the latest apps at home or on the go.

"PlayStation®Mobile is a global initiative to bring the PlayStation®-like game experiences to a wide-reaching community of tablet and smartphone gamers.  We're excited to bring PlayStation Mobile to the Wikipad tablet which provides a portable gaming experience that is fun and compelling," said Ronald Schaffner, Director Business Development, and Sony Computer Entertainment America.

 

"Wikipad’s dual-analog gamepad controller transforms our mobile games such as the multiplayer Shadowgun: DeadZone and the action FPS Dead Trigger into entertaining AAA console-like experiences,” Tomas Slapota, Vice President, MADFINGER Games

 

We are excited to be a launch partner for the innovative Wikipad gaming tablet that provides a brand new platform for our cloud-based, interactive streaming product, Big Fish Instant Games," said Jina Heverley, vice president and general manager of PC, Mac and Cloud for Big Fish. "Using the cloud-optimized Wikipad platform, casual game players will be delighted when they turn on their tablet to find more than 250 casual games from Big Fish available on their new device. The Wikipad is the perfect platform to introduce Big Fish games to a new, vibrant gaming audience."

For a full list of retailers, product specs, a comprehensive support page, technical forums, retailers and video games that take full advantage of the Wikipad's dual-analog stick controller, please visit: http://www.wikipad.com/

PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

The post After bumps in road, Wikipad finally arrives June 11 appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Xperia M joins Sony’s smartphone portfolio

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 07:38 AM PDT

xperia_m_full

Sony announced on Tuesday that the Xperia M and its dual-SIM variant, the Xperia M dual, will be available globally starting in Q3 2013. Details for the smartphone include 4-inch (854×480 pixel) display, dual-core 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage, and microSD expansion.

The entry-level smartphone runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean but, for reasons unknown, the dual-SIM model employs 4.2 Jelly Bean. Both also feature a 5-megapixel rear camera, NFC, screen sharing, Sony’s WALKMAN app, and more.

Look for the Xperia M in black, white and purple later this year; single-SIM version also gets a yellow option.

Sony

The post Xperia M joins Sony's smartphone portfolio appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Three days only: Buy a Cruzerlite case, get a free plushie!

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 07:04 AM PDT

plushie_case

Our friends at Cruzerlite are throwing another great promotion this week, this time in the form of a quasi-BOGO deal.  The gist is this: buy any Cruzerlite case through the Amazon store and you receive a free APK Plushie.  That’s nearly $20 in free Android collectible just for buying a case you should have already considered.

plushie

To take advantage of the promotion simply add the promo code APKPLUSH. Note that you will want to add both your case and the plushie to your cart to get the code to work properly.

Hurry, the promotion ends at 11:59PM EST on June 6.

The post Three days only: Buy a Cruzerlite case, get a free plushie! appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Toshiba bows refreshed Excite tablet line

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 08:09 PM PDT

Toshiba announced on Monday that a trio of new Excite tablets (Excite Pure, Excite Pro, and Excite Write) will roll out starting from June 25th. Each runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, features a 10.1-inch display and NVIDIA processor, and can be paired with a protective 2-in-1 keyboard cover.

Excite Pure pricing starts at $299.99 and includes a 10.1-inch AutoBrite display (1280 x 800), NVIDIA Tegra 3 mobile processor, 1GB DDR3 memory, 16GB internal storage, and a 3-megapixel rear camera. Additional details include stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, Micro HDMI, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

Excite Pro is priced at $499.99  and includes a 10.1-inch PixelPure display (2560 x 1600), NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, 2GB DDR3 memory, 32GB internal storage, and an 8-megapixel rear camera. Rounding things out are Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, and Micro HDMI, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

Click to view slideshow.

Excite Write runs $599.99 and boasts a 10.1-inch PixelPure digitizer display (2560 x 1600) with Corning Gorilla Glass 2, and a pressure sensitive Toshiba TruPen and TruNote application. Also powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, the tablet packs 2GB DDR3 memory, 32GB internal storage, and an 8-megapixel rear camera. Additionally, you’ll find Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, and built-in Micro HDMI, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

While we’re glad to see Toshiba continue with the Excite line of tablets we have to wonder about the price points. We’re talking about devices that run as much, if not more, than the likes of the Nexus 10 and iPad.

Do you think any of these tablets sound your next device? What’s your thoughts on the Galaxy Note-like experience in the Excite Write? Leave a comment below with your opinion!

Toshiba

The post Toshiba bows refreshed Excite tablet line appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Posted by at 5:47 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)