Saturday, June 2, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Samsung Galaxy S3 For T-Mobile Pictured – Physical Home Button Intact

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 03:22 PM PDT

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Current rumors point to June 20th for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S3 on T-Mobile but questions remain: What kind of processor will it have? Most likely a dual-core S4. RAM? We’re thinking 2GB. More importantly for some… What will the dang thing look like? Well, in typical T-Mobile fashion, it looks like they haven’t requested Samsung to perform any crazy tweaks to the design before it’s released on their network, well — other than the classy branding along its back.

Other than that, we’re looking at the same exact Galaxy S3 as the international model. Even the Euro-style physical home key makes the cut and will be a new addition for Galaxy owners in the US. I think T-Mobile may have made a smart move in not demanding any alterations for the device, looks like they may be one of the first carriers in the US to launch the device. Still no official word on pricing or availability, but we’ll keep you posted.

[TheVerge]

ICS rollout starts June 4 for Verizon Motorola XOOM

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:20 PM PDT

A quick update on the Motorola XOOM Ice Cream Sandwich update on Verizon. A blog post on Big Red’s site highlights the changes coming in the update and reveals that Android 4.0.4 will begin pushing to the XOOM on June 4th. As with most OTA rollouts, not everyone will receive the new software on the first day and it could take a number of weeks before all users see it.

[Verizon via Engadget]

MADFINGER Games announces new zombie-themed shooter Dead Trigger

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:01 PM PDT

As if there weren’t enough zombies in the news already, MADFINGER Games is announcing the followup to their popular third-person shooter SHADOWGUN and it’s filled with the flesh-eating living dead. This time the action shifts to first person in Dead Trigger, a shooter that pits humans struggling to survive against hoards of brain-hungry zombies. The game is completely optimized for mobile devices and will feature extra graphic flourishes when played on a Tegra 3 device. The pairing of NVIDIA graphics with MADFINGER’s knack for great games once again creates an experience that could easily be found on any home console.

Dead Trigger will be available towards the end of June from Google Play as well as NVIDIA’s TegraZone. A demo of the game will be shown at E3. We’ll be live at the show and this is one we can’t pass up checking out.

MADFINGER Games Announces New Title For Mobile Devices DEAD TRIGGER
Powered by Unity and optimized for NVIDIA Tegra 3 mobile devices, DEAD TRIGGER showcases stunning graphics and immersive gameplay
Brno, Czech Republic - 1st June, 2012 - MADFINGER Games, creators of the blockbuster third-person shooter SHADOWGUN, today announced the beginning of a new game, DEAD TRIGGER - an action-packed first person zombie shooter. With DEAD TRIGGER, MADFINGER Games continues producing games with outstanding next-generation graphics and user-friendly gameplay on mobile devices.
MADFINGER Games remains faithful to mobile platforms - including smartphones and tablets - and has again created an amazing handheld experience, optimized for superb performance. Just as they did with SHADOWGUN, DEAD TRIGGER is offering gamers the same quality expected from console gaming systems. Optimized for the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core mobile processor with its 4-PLUS-1 quad-core CPU architecture, MADFINGER Games was able to add ragdoll physics, volumetric fog, normal maps, specular lighting and realistic water; further enhancing the experience.
The main story of DEAD TRIGGER is set in the present - the year 2012 - but the world has collapsed and modern civilization is coming to its end. Billions of people have died from a strange infection and those who remain have turned into abominable beasts. There are just a few humans on the planet who survive, at least until they run out of ammo or figure out how to stop the beasts.
Authored with the Unity development platform, DEAD TRIGGER provides intuitive controls and stunning graphics with advanced lighting and post-process effects. The new MADFINGER Games title aspires to become one of the best looking and most entertaining zombie shooters on the market, combining graphically astonishing environments with intense first person action and a gradually revealing storyline.
DEAD TRIGGER is going to be released at the end of June 2012 on both Android and iOS and it will be featured on the NVIDIA TegraZone app - NVIDIA’s free app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor - and available on Google Play, as well as AppStore.
"We are very proud to announce our very first First-Person Shooter on mobile devices. By using new technologies to raise visual quality again, DEAD TRIGGER represents a further step in our production. We enhanced the visual experience by using motion captured animation, improved creation of characters or new shaders effects. But it‘s not only an issue of graphics, we are working very hard on gameplay mechanics as well," said Marek Rabas, CEO of MADFINGER Games.
"MADFINGER Games has been a great partner of ours with their extraordinary ability to deliver high quality, console-quality gaming experiences for mobile devices," said Ashu Rege, Vice President, Game Content & Technology at NVIDIA. "DEAD TRIGGER promises to be a visually stunning game and the graphical enhancements they are making, made possible by the Tegra 3 mobile processor, will heighten the experience for gamers on their Tegra 3 powered devices at launch."
"DEAD TRIGGER pushes the boundaries of what developers have achieved with Unity on mobile and tablet devices", said David Helgason, CEO of Unity Technologies, "What the team at Madfinger has achieved is wonderful, and demonstrates what you can create with our amazing cross-platform engine."

Ice Cream Sandwich hitting T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II on June 11

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 12:28 PM PDT

T-Mobile will host the first US version of the Samsung Galaxy S II to receive its upgrade to Android 4.0. The carrier announced today via its Twitter account that the software upgrade will be released via Samsung Kies starting June 11th. Ice Cream Sandwich has been a long time coming for one of the most popular handsets of 2011, and users in the States have had to weight longer than most. It is unclear if the Kies update will give way to an OTA rollout at a later date. T-Mobile is promising more details soon.

[via Endgadet]

Ice Cream Sandwich ready for Verizon’s Motorola XOOM 4G LTE, support docs posted

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 10:35 AM PDT

Following an invitation for members of the Motorola Feedback Network to take part in a new software soak test, Verizon has posted the changelog for the Motorola XOOM’s Android 4.0 update. The update will soon be available for users with 4G LTE-upgraded XOOM models and will bring the tablet’s software version to IMM76kK. Verizon has taken the opportunity to highlight some of the numerous changes XOOM owners can expect thanks to Ice Cream Sandwich, including homescreen folders, data usage monitoring, and a customizable launch bar.

The update will also address bugs and enhance performance, which should be music to the ears of those with the XOOM. The lengthy changelog is continued below.

[via DroidLife]

CONTEST: I’m Giving Away My Google IO Gifts

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Every year, Google IO keeps getting bigger and better. And every year, Google keeps giving bigger and better gifts to Google IO attendees. Last year, I gave away all my Google IO gifts to one lucky winner, and this year is no different.

Well… maybe a LITTLE different…

That’s right folks: this year we’re giving away 3 Google IO Prize Packs!

How can you win?

The first thing you should do (if you’re a developer) is sign up for our Developer Month Newsletter. All contests will require winners to be on the Dev Month mailing list and it’s the best way to keep in touch with the most important contests and content for our big month. We’re not announcing specific details of our Google IO Prize Pack Contests just yet, and we’ll likely give them away in a few different ways, but consider this your heads up. Earlier today we gave you a chance at scoring an IO ticket and soon we’ll be giving you the chance to walk away with the goods.

What if you’re not a developer? We’re reserving one of the prize packs for our general readership so that everyone has a chance to win. And don’t be sneaky and pretend to be a developer if you’re not… developer focused contests will require winners to verify they’re a developer by proving they have an application or game on the Google Play Store (via matching E-Mail addresses).

We hope you’re enjoying the first day of Developer Month announcements. Stay tuned… there is plenty more to come!

June is Developer Appreciation Month at Phandroid. If you have something interesting to share and would like to get involved, please contact us.

 

CONTEST: Win a Google IO 2012 Ticket!

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 10:10 AM PDT

Google IO 2012 sold out so quickly that it was depressing. Developers were practically frothing at the mouth for the chance to fork over $900 per ticket. When the flood gates opened, the vast majority were sucked down a vortex of darkness and disappointment while the lucky few pranced past the IO gatekeepers with blissful ignorance. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, sides were divided, and developers were left either feeling like the Fonz or the last kid picked in kickball.

We know that WAY too many of you weren’t able to snag tickets. We wish (as I’m sure Google does) that we could help every last developer gain entry to Google IO. But we don’t have infinite tickets. We have one ticket. And we’re giving that ticket away to one developer… it could be you!

That’s right: as our first contest of Developer Appreciation Month, we’re giving away 1 Developer Ticket to Google IO 2012, and entering couldn’t be much easier.

The Prize:
(1) Grand Prize: One developer ticket to Google IO 2012
(4) Runners up: $50 Amazon Gift Card

How to enter (follow ALL steps):

  • Sign up for our Developer Month Newsletter
  • Confirm your subscription by June 4th, 2012 at 11:59 PM
  • Use the social web or other online media to promote Phandroid’s Developer Appreciation Month and related contests, announcements, and content. Methods of promotion could include (but aren’t limited to):
    • Posts/Links on social networking sites such as Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit
    • YouTube video shouting out Dev Month
    • Making a blog post on your personal blog or guest post on someone else’s blog
    • Whatever you can dream up!
  • Return to THIS post and leave a comment explaining how you promoted Dev Month on Phandroid (include links!)
  • Three is NO limit to the number social posts entrants can make, but contestants will be judged based on the collective content of their comments below
  • All entries must be received by June 4th, 2012 at 11:59 PM
Selecting a winner:
  • Phandroid staff will select one Grand Prize winner at their sole discretion, based on elements that include but are not limited to: creativity, popularity (retweets, likes, reshares, etc), originality, and effort. Grand Prize Winner must meet rules/restrictions seen below.
  • Phandroid staff will select four Runners Up winners at random from the comments below. Runners Up Winners must meet the rules/restrictions seen below.

Rules & Restrictions:

  • You MUST have an Android application or game available on the Google Play Store (published prior to June 4th, 2012) to qualify. We’ll verify the potential winner meets this requirement, and if not, alternate winners will be selected until this requirement is met.
  • Winners must be able to attend Google IO in San Francisco and be able to prove their intentions to attend to Phandroid Staff. Phandroid staff will select another winner if, at Phandroid staff’s sole discretion, they determine the winner is unlikely to attend the event. (We want to make sure the winner actually uses the ticket for its intended purpose)
  • The winning Google IO 2012 ticket is non-transferable and cannot be sold or gifted to any 3rd party
  • Entries will be accepted until 11:59PM Eastern on June 4th, 2012.
  • Winners will be contacted on June 5th, 2012 and an announcement will be made as soon as a qualifying winner can be contacted and confirmed.
  • Winner will receive 1 Google IO 2012 Ticket subject to transferability authorization by Google.
  • Winner will be responsible for ALL expenses directly and indirectly related to attending Google IO 2012 (except ticket cost) including travel , accommodations, and any other charges incurred in conjunction with this contest.

Desperately want to attend Google IO? This is your chance! Time to muster up some awesome sauce, carve up some social network comments, let the world know about Developer Appreciation Month, and potentially gain access to the top tech event of the year.

Good luck!

Want to get involved in Developer Appreciation Month? Contact us and start your message with "Developer Appreciation Month".

Google to hold Maps event ahead of WWDC

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 09:30 AM PDT

If you aren’t in the know on the Apple side of things, Apple is getting ready to drop Google’s map solutions in favor of their own through three mapping companies they’ve acquired. The announcement is rumored to be coming at WWDC, Apple’s yearly developer conference, but Google’s not going to sit by and let Apple undercut them without a little bit of fun of their own.

Google is sending out invites for press to join them June 6th to see the “next generation of Google Maps.” It’s tough to predict what we’ll be seeing, but knowing Google it should be quite the charmer (especially considering they’re holding a separate event just to show it off).

Apple’s event will kick off just five days later so it’ll be interesting to see what these two powerhouses have in store for each other. It’ll be especially key for Apple to come with a comprehensive suite of mapping tools to take the thunder off Google Maps. They might have some difficulty doing that as Google Maps is established on both desktop computing and mobile.

In fact, we’re not even sure which side of the Google Maps spectrum will be getting some deep tissue massaging. We imagine mobile will have to be a focal point considering Apple will likely push their solutions on iOS devices, but we won’t know for sure until everything’s laid out on the table. Interesting times ahead, indeed. [via 9to5Mac]

HTC Desire C goes on sale at Three UK

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 08:31 AM PDT

The affordable HTC Desire C has officially gone up for sale at Three UK. Available for free on a 13 pounds per month tariff, the device features a WVGA resolution display, 4GB of internal storage, a 600MHz processor, a 5 megapixel camera, and other uninspiring specs. That doesn’t mean this one will be passed up often on the shelf, though, as I’m sure the value alone will attract people.

Phandroid News App Launches on Google Play

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 07:57 AM PDT

Our Phandroid App (still available on Google Play) hasn’t been updated for quite awhile, and that’s because we’ve been diligently working on a massive overhaul of the application. We’re proud to announce the new Phandroid News App. It leverages Android 4.0 design standards, performance optimizations for quick loading and battery conservation, and includes full support for commenting through DISQUS.

Take a look and download it from Google Play:

Pretty soon we’ll have three separate applications: (1) the Phandroid News app seen above, (2) a standalone Android Forums app powered by Tapatalk, and (3) a revamped Phandroid app that marries the two. But let’s dive into some of the features in the all-new Phandroid News:

Starting From Scratch

The Phandroid News app tears down virtually everything seen in our current Phandroid app and starts with a clean slate.  This allowed us to optimize the code for the quickest possible load times and lowest possible drain on battery. The feature set is chizzled down to what our core users want most: quick and beautiful access to Android News.

These “code rewrites” are incredibly time consuming, but necessary for long-term improvements. As the best developers know, tacking on new features and bandaids to an aging framework will compound problems and increase issues with each app update. Starting from scratch was a tough decision given the time investment, but ultimately we think the Android community will enjoy the result.

Android 4.0 Design Integration

With Android 4.0, Google introduced a number of new design standards. Among them were the birth of the action bar, the removal of in-app navigation (home, back, etc..), and revamped swipe gesture navigation. You can see that the Phandroid news apps follows these guidelines to provide an enjoyable and seamless  experience for the user.

You might notice that both the app and the website have a new logo. That’s just skimming the surface. Later this month we’ll launch a fully redesigned website that mirrors the style of the Phandroid News app. Tack on a few yet-to-be-announced site features, and we think you’re REALLY going to enjoy what we’ve got in store for you this month.

Basic Features, Done Better

Rather than offer a full menu of rarely used features that confuse users and add unneccessary bulk, we incorporated the most important elements and attempted to perfect them. Here is what you’ll notice when using the app:

  • App opens directly to main news list, loads quickly
  • Simple UI displaying dates, titles (read vs. unread), and number of comments
  • Ability to “Star” articles, with access to all starred articles by swiping to starred tab
  • Article view showing text, pictures, and videos with ability to open multimedia in full screen mode
  • DISQUS support showing full commenting system with ability to make comments, reply to comments, like/dislike/mark-as-spam comments, and collapse/expand comment threads.
  • Poll voting and viewing support through PollDaddy
  • Ability to share articles through social networks and other methods
  • Settings tab to authenticate Disqus, check for updates, view changelog, and clear cache.

As you can see, a pretty solid and simple feature set that should please the vast majority of users. We are including very subtle ad integration, for which we think most users will understand the need. Can you find them?

The Developer

Phandroid News was developed by Neverstill Media’s Lead Android Developer, Steve Albright. As you can read later in today’s interview with Steve Albright, he’s also the lead developer behind Carrier Coverage, Football Pickem, Football Schedule 2012, and Clutchpad. We’ll likely feature more pieces with Steve throughout the month, including some guest posts and tutorials.

What do you think?

If you love where we’re going, we would GREATLY appreciate a 5-star rating. If you’ve got bugs, concerns, suggestions, or any other feedback, we hope you’ll contact us and give us the chance to earn a 5-star rating. Please share your opinions below, including any features, options, and settings that you’d welcome with open arms.

Thanks for downloading and we hope you enjoy your regular dose of Android news with quicker and prettier delivery!

It’s Developer Appreciation Month!

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 07:36 AM PDT

June is officially Developer Appreciation Month at Phandroid and we’ve got a ton of excitement planned!

When Android was announced in 2007, it was no secret that Google would have to rally the developer troops in order to accomplish the levels of innovation they imagined with Android. Ever since the first Android Developer Challenge, where thousands of developers submitted their apps, the development community has taken Android places that few dreamed possible. We’re taking the entire month of June to celebrate Android’s developers in a multitude of ways.

What can you expect during Developer Appreciation Month?

  • Developer Contests with prizes including a Google IO Ticket, Google IO Prize Packs, NVIDIA Tegra 3 powered phones & tablets, and much more!
  • Two entirely new website sections created specifically for developers
  • Interviews with Android Developers of all sizes and success levels.
  • Exclusive content from featured developers including app announcements, app/game reviews, price drops, guest posts, and more.
  • Tutorials, Case Studies, and content geared towards indie developers
  • A brand new Phandroid News app and complete site redesign coming later this month

We’ll also be at Google IO in San Francisco with some Phandroid swag to hand out to Developer fans, not to mention covering all the announcements and info!

There will be some more big announcements today, and of course all month long, so stay glued to Phandroid.com for one of the most exciting months in Android’s history. And thanks again to all of the developers whose combined contributions make Android what it is… the world’s best mobile platform.

Want to get involved in Developer Appreciation Month? Contact us and start your message with “Developer Appreciation Month”.

Don’t miss your chance to win! Sign up for our Developer Newsletter: it’s required to win most of our contests and it’ll feature some huge announcements that you won’t want to miss.

HTC Amaze 4G for Telus gets Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 07:31 AM PDT

Telus customers with the HTC Amaze 4G will now be able to get their tongue wet with a nice helping of Ice Cream Sandwich. This’ll bring you up to the latest version of Android 4.0, but you’ll only be getting Sense 4.0 as this is not being considered a One phone. This update is a hefty one at 322MB so you’ll definitely want to be on WiFi before you get started. Also be sure that you have at least 30% of battery life to make sure things go smoothly. Once you’ve done all that, hit Menu > Settings > About Phone > System Software Updates > Check Now to get started. [via MobileSyrup]

Koodo launches HTC One V today for $175

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 06:15 AM PDT

The folks at Koodo have launched the HTC One V in Canada. The Snapdragon S3 device that houses a slim version of Sense 4.0 comes with a 3.7 inch display, 5 megapixel 720p HD camera, and more. Best of all, it only costs $175. Most carriers have been selling it around those parts for $225, so Koodo is offering the best value at the moment. Be sure to stop at your local store or get started online here. [via MobileSyrup]

Carmageddon coming to Android this summer

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 05:08 AM PDT

Ready for some controversial, pedestrian-smashing fun? Carmageddon for mobile devices has been officially announced and pegged for a summer release. The game has been banned in numerous countries due to its careless style of gameplay.

It’s a racer that features pedestrians who can often get in the way of a heated sprint down the streets of the city. It’s not as if pedestrians haven’t been in the way of harm on other games — GTA and Saints Row are notorious for this — but there’s something about its ban in certain countries that brings out the wild, curious side in someone.

It’s a PC port that won’t look much better than when it originally released save for high resolution graphics, but for a mobile game you’ll probably be fine with it — especially since it’ll be free for a short period when it first launches. Watch the trailer above.

Android Overload: Samsung Sells 50 Million Galaxy S1′s and S2′s, T-Mobile Argues Verizon’s Network is Less Efficient, and More

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 02:13 AM PDT

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Some big changes coming your way but first, kick up your feet and take a load off with the Android Overload. This is the place where you get to follow the links around the net on all the stories that didn’t make it onto our front page (but we’re sure some of you will find interesting). Take a look around and tell me what you think.

  • Samsung sells 50 million Galaxy S and S2′s. Galaxy Notes reach 7 million in sales. [Press Release]
  • Meizu begins selling refurbished MX (RE). Now available in China for ¥1999. [Meizu]
  • Verizon releases Viewdini — a TV Guide type app — for Android. [Play Store Link]
  • T-Mobile argues Verizon’s network is the least efficient. T-Mobile comes out on top. [GigaOM]
  • WiFi Alliance creates Miracast wireless display certification program. [Engadget]
  • Official videos for Sony Xperia Arco S and Xperia Go uploaded to YouTube. [PocketDroid]
  • Google bids for new domains such as .lol and .google. (Google.google?) [Google]
  • BlackBerry Playbook 2.1.0 update adds better compatibility for Android apps. [RIM]

 
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