Android World: AndroidGuys

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

AndroidGuys

A quick look at the first two CyanogenMod v9 themes available in the Google Play Store
Early impressions: Kyocera Hydro, Rise
TrueCaller the global social phonebook now available on Android
3LM announces Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich compatibility for it’s Mobile Device and Application Management System
No Contract 4G with Virgin Mobile USA, starting at $35 a month

A quick look at the first two CyanogenMod v9 themes available in the Google Play Store

Posted: 08 May 2012 03:37 PM PDT

As many of you may be aware, the Theme Engine has made it's way back into the CM9. The theme engine is one of the best features of CyanogenMod in my opinion, as it allows for quick and easy theme changes. With over 300+ themes available for CM7, we're all looking forward to this latest addition. Which brings me to the topic of this article, added earlier today by a famous theme developer Sonny Sekhon are two (so far) of his more popular themes.

LUCID - available HERE for $1

VIVID - Available HERE for $1

It's exciting to see the beginning of whats to come in the near future! Theme Devs GO!

A quick look at the first two CyanogenMod v9 themes available in the Google Play Store originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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Early impressions: Kyocera Hydro, Rise

Posted: 08 May 2012 01:06 PM PDT

As some of you may already be aware, Kyocera this week announced a pair of new Android smartphones. One one hand we have waterproof Hydro and on the other, the sliding QWERTY Rise. Although the company has yet to announce any carrier or pricing details, they are letting CTIA attendees play with the devices and get a sense of things to come. I spent a few minutes toying with each and found them remarkably average, but in the best sense possible.

It will be average consumer types that push Android forward and beyond the fifty percent market share. It is average users that buy the $50-$100 smartphones and replace their feature phones with something a little smarter. Kyocera aims to place both of their new Android phones in this space.

I like the idea of a waterproof phone that runs the latest version of Android, but isn't also a rugged model. Plenty of people will drop their phones in water or get them wet, not many will need the protection against sand and tornado winds. The Hydro is a decent looking phone for its class but falls short of impressing. The specs are middle of the road at best and the handset is hardly a looker. That said, it's the kind of phone that you end up seeing everywhere because it was the right price. It's not thin, but it certainly ain't a fatty.

The Rise is even more of a middle of the pack than the Hydro, what with its generic design cues and coloring. The four row QWERTY keyboard is not the worst I've seen but I feel like there might have been room for a fifth row. Nevertheless, the Android 4.0 OS and minimal set of pre loaded apps ensures these two are not immediately irrelevant.

Priced at $50 or so, both of these should do well. Much higher and people will gravitate to bigger brands and more trusted names. All things considered, these two are average at best, but way better than the dual screen stuff from them a little over a year ago.

Early impressions: Kyocera Hydro, Rise originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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TrueCaller the global social phonebook now available on Android

Posted: 08 May 2012 10:48 AM PDT

What TrueCaller is

TrueCaller offers a worldwide name and number lookup functionality for your Android for free! It enables you to match phone numbers to names, addresses, social networks, and even pictures!

This looks pretty cool, a worldwide caller id/social networking/phonebook for your Android device. You can find people worldwide or use the call blocker to get rid of those annoying solicitor calls. It ties directly in with Facebook and LinkedIn to display the most relevant information about the person calling you. Automatic address book updates if your friend changes their information and a good looking interface make this a viable solution for Android users. With over 3million users worldwide the service looks to expand further with the addition of the Android platform.

If you use it, let us know how it works in the comment section below.

Check out the press release below for more information.

TrueCaller Brings More Available, Relevant and Accurate Caller ID to Android

STOCKHOLM (8 May 2012) TrueCaller, the new global social phone book, announced today that TrueCaller for smartphones is now available on mobile devices with the Android operating system.

Owners of Android devices can now benefit from the TrueCaller caller ID application that connects phone number directories from all over the world into one easy-to-use app, for free. TrueCaller protects users from spam calls and enables them to search half a billion phone numbers worldwide.

Recently TrueCaller reached three million users, becoming one of the most popular caller ID smartphone applications.

The main features of TrueCaller for Android are:

Global Number Lookup service enables users to search and find people from around the world.

Caller ID functionality instantly shows the identity of unknown callers from abroad, anywhere in the world a call is received.

Call Filter protects and warns users of fraud, spam and unwanted calls. If a call is received from any of the fraud, spam or unwanted numbers that TrueCaller has listed, a notification will appear to warn of the potentially unwanted call. Users can then choose to answer or block the call.

About TrueCaller

TrueCaller aims to provide relevant information about the people users are communicating with by connecting them to the sources they trust. Three million users have discovered the easy way to see who the caller is. TrueCaller is the most used Caller ID application on the market with social media integrations and intelligent call blocking functionality against spam calls.

True Software Scandinavia AB was founded in July 2009 and launched the service TrueCaller shortly thereafter. TrueCaller has grown rapidly and today serves users in countries from all around the world. With millions of submissions received and ever expanding, the TrueCaller Crowd-Sourced Addressbook offers the most complete coverage of phone numbers available today.

True Software Scandinavia AB is a privately held company located in Stockholm, Sweden. For further information please visit: http://www.truecaller.com.

TrueCaller the global social phonebook now available on Android originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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3LM announces Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich compatibility for it’s Mobile Device and Application Management System

Posted: 08 May 2012 10:12 AM PDT

3LM or "Three Laws of Mobility" makes Android enterprise-friendly by providing a host of features to protect data on the device and while in transit to the enterprise. Kicking off CTIA2012, 3LM announces is latest and greatest Mobile Device and Application Management (MDAM) which now supports any Android device running Ice Cream Sandwich (Android v4.0). That goes for cell phones or tablets and adds in several new security and management features.

3LM introduced significant new features to its MDAM platform that enable companies to remotely manage and secure corporate data on Android- and iOS-based mobile handsets and tablets

3LM's enterprise-grade management and security is giving enterprise IT greater peace of mind when adopting the Android or iOS platform throughout their organization.

3LM announces Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich compatibility for it’s Mobile Device and Application Management System originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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No Contract 4G with Virgin Mobile USA, starting at $35 a month

Posted: 08 May 2012 09:57 AM PDT

I love it when Richard Branson gets a bug under his skin and sets out to prove everyone else he's right and they're wrong! Kinda "sticking it to the man" (aka the 4 major carriers in the country) he is claiming consumers don't care about minutes like they used to, but that it's more so about messaging and unlimited data. He believes this can be done all without signing your life away in a 2 year contract as well. Oh and the kicker, all for $35 a month!

To kick off CTIA2012 Virgin is also touting a few new devices, the HTC EVO V 4G, the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G mobile hotspot by Sierra Wireless and the U600 3G/4G USB Stick by Franklin Wireless. If you wish to know more about the latest news from Virgin Mobile USA, check out the press release below.

Thanks for reading!

WARREN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Virgin Mobile USA continues to demonstrate how it's answering to A Higher Calling with the speed of 4G, by offering customers who prefer a no-contract option the fully loaded HTC EVO^™ V 4G on Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly plans. The data-centric offers start at $35 per month for unlimited data and messaging. HTC EVO V 4G will be available for $299.99 beginning May 31.

As Sir Richard Branson states in his video manifesto for A Higher Calling, "Why pay for minutes when it's unlimited data you really want?" Now customers will be able to enjoy unlimited 4G data where available and messaging on an iconic Android^™-powered device, all for just $35/month.¹ Virgin Mobile USA was recently "Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance among Non-Contract Wireless Providers" by J.D. Power and Associates.²

"'Higher Calling' means we continue to look for ways to give our customers the best products possible at a great price, and we know our hyper-connected Beyond Talk customers will appreciate the real affordability paired with the innovative technology of the HTC EVO," said Jeff Auman, vice president for Virgin Mobile USA. "You just can't beat the value of EVO V 4G with plans starting at just $35 per month."

On the mobile broadband side, Virgin Mobile's Broadband2Go continues to offer no-contract plans ideal for people who need internet access when they're out and about. The versatile Overdrive Pro™ 3G/4G mobile hotspot by Sierra Wireless ($149.99) and the powerful U600 3G/4G USB Stick by Franklin Wireless ($99.99) provide customers two ways to stay connected at 4G speeds. "The launch of these two devices demonstrates our commitment to bring 4G speeds and innovation to our Broadband2Go customers who chose to forgo a contract as well," said Auman.

All three devices will operate on Sprint's 3G and 4G (WiMAX) network and be available beginning on May 31 at VirginMobileUSA.com. They will then be available in June at major retailers and at select independent dealers nationwide³.

Going Beyond Talk

The HTC EVO V 4G strengthens Virgin Mobile USA's Android-powered smartphone lineup by adding such features as Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich and HTC Sense 3.6 user interface.

Proving that customers don't have to sacrifice technology to choose a prepaid smartphone that keeps them connected, HTC EVO V 4G specifications also include:

Mobile hotspot capability – Connect up to five Wi-Fi devices

5MP camera with video and 3D HD imaging, and 1.3MP front-facing camera

4.3-inch qHD touchscreen

1730mAh battery (up to six hours of talk time)

1GB RAM/4GB ROM

External micro SD memory card slot up to 32GB (8GB card included)

HDMI and Bluetooth-capable

HTC EVO V 4G customers will enjoy Virgin Mobile USA Beyond Talk plans starting at just $35 a month for 300 minutes of voice with unlimited messaging and data.⁴ And the mobile hotspot on the HTC EVO V 4G can be added for this device on any Beyond Talk plan for an additional $15 per month.

Pairing Broadband2Go with 4G

Virgin Mobile's new monthly 3G/4G Broadband2Go plans, combined with these new devices, allow customers to hook up their tablets, laptops, and other wireless devices. Starting at just $35/month, customers can enjoy access to unlimited 4G data. Where 4G coverage is not available, the $35 plan keeps you connected with 2GB of 3G data. For $55/month, customers benefit from unlimited 4G data and a whopping 5GB of 3G data.

The Overdrive Pro 3G/4G mobile hotspot connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, making it ideal for families on-the-go and independent professionals. The compact device has top battery strength and a 1.7-inch LCD screen that makes setting up a cinch. It also offers a microSD slot for up to 32GB of shared network storage.

The U600 3G/4G USB Stick supports Mac OS and Windows, and a rotating connector makes it easy to fit in most laptop configurations.

Setting up your Broadband2Go account is extremely simple, and there are no activation fees. Top-Up can be handled online with a Virgin Mobile Top-Up card, debit or credit card.

Sprint 4G (WiMAX) is currently available to 120 million people in 71 markets across the country with average upload speeds of between 3-6 Mbps, with bursts of more than 10 Mbps.

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk™ No-Contract plans with unlimited data for mobile phone service, including Android-powered smartphones and prepaidBroadband2Go high-speed Web access on the Sprint Nationwide Network. Virgin Mobile-branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy and RadioShack. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide and can be used for Broadband2Go services. Experience Virgin Mobile on the Web at Facebook, Twitter,You Tube and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products atwww.virginmobileusa.com.