Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Indestructible Now Available From Glu Mobile – It’s Like Having Twisted Metal In Your Pocket

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 05:26 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Glu Mobile has just released their latest freemium title, Indestructible, into the Play Store and it’s now available for most Android devices. One glance at the banner above, and you probably already know what to expect. If memories of playing Twisted Metal locked in your parents basement will immediately come rushing into your head, I wouldn’t blame you seeing as how the gameplay is largely similar. Players pick their vehicle of mayhem and rain fiery death onto opponents in hopes of coming out as victor. Make no mistake, there’s no racing involved — this is strictly vehicle-based combat.

As usual with Glu Mobile titles, Indestructible is completely free to play, but users can buy in-game items using real money, to give them that extra competitive edge. Here’s Indestructible’s feature set:

4-PLAYER REAL-TIME MULTIPLAYER ACTION
Including three unique multiplayer game modes: Capture the Flag, Death Match and Recover The Charge

STUNNING HIGH-QUALITY GRAPHICS
Advanced visual effects designed for the latest devices!

TONS OF UNIQUE ITEMS
Customize you vehicles with rocket launchers, laser guns, auto-cannons and more!

THREE ARENAS
All set in a gritty post-apocalyptic world. Battle with your latest vehicle creations!

ADVANCED PHYSICS ENGINE
Enabling awesome stunts such as flips and power-slides!

I haven’t had an opportunity to check it out just yet, but given that it’s free, a download is only inevitable. If you guys give it a shot, let me know how you like it. Google Play link is provided below.

[Play Store]

AOKP Build 3 Is Now Available For The Download n’ Flashing

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 04:54 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

AOKP Build 2 was only released barely a week ago, and now we have the next iteration of the legendary unicorn ROM — Build 3. For Build 3, AOKP has addressed some known issues from Build 2, as well as added some goodies from CyanogenMod, like their all new souped up clock app (with stopwatch and timer functions), and souped up calculator app (with advanced calculating functions for calculating). Build 3 is live on AOKP and Goo.im for those willing and able to flash onto their device. Links supplied below.

[Google+ | AOKP | Goo.im]

Google Play Books update adds highlighting, notes, dictionary and more

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 03:48 PM PDT

If you’ve decided to go with Google’s Play Books instead of the ever-so-popular Amazon Kindle ecosystem, a new upgrade for your Android application is now available. Google will give users the ability to highlight, define, translate, and add notes to any string of text in a given book.

To access all of this functionality you simply tap and hold on the word you want to start with, then access the new options in a context menu.

Additionally, if the text you are acting on is recognized as a Place, the app will show that place to you on a  map, as well is deliver more information about the place from WikiPedia. As educational as this app already was, it’s just gotten ten times better. Get it in the Google Play Store.

Watch the DROID RAZR M being stripped down on YouTube [NAUGHTY VIDEO]

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 03:09 PM PDT

We love teardowns, and while the traditional photo-only affairs usually do the trick for us there’s nothing like getting a little instruction in video form. The folks at DirectFix.com got their hands on the Motorola DROID RAZR M, and quickly went to town trying to strip it until it was as bare as it could be.

It looks like the device is very accessible should repairs be necessary, and a minimal set of tools is required so you won’t have to fiddle around with a bunch of stuff. Take a look above to get your eyes on some of this smartphone porn. [Thanks Bob!]

Pocket Planes airline simulator for Android now available

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 02:15 PM PDT

Looking for a new game that’ll let you micro-manage your way to victory in a fun environment? Mobage, the creators of the insanely popular and addictive Tiny Towers, has released its game Pocket Planes for Android.

Originally available for iOS, Pocket Planes is an airline simulator that’ll let you manage and grow a fleet of planes that will passengers and cargo to over 250 locations. You can unlock a variety of different plane styles, customize the planes with paint jobs and unique pilot uniforms, trade plane parts, and compete on leaderboards.

And, of course, the best thing about these Mobage games is that they’re free to play. A little dough will be required if you want to buy coins to progress your game faster, but the game is still fully playable and enjoyable without having to spend a cent. I don’t know about you guys but I’m about fly over to the Google Play Store like a giddy little school girl for this one.

Apex Launcher is rebuilt based on Jelly Bean, adds tons of new features

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 01:36 PM PDT

Apex Launcher for Android has just gotten a big upgrade in the Google Play Store. The entire launcher has been rebuilt based on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and it will still work for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. You’ll get all the native Jelly Bean launcher features such as a desktop that automatically rearranges, a performance boost, and more.

New features added by the Android Does team are also plentiful. Take a look at this long list of changes you can expect to find upon button the app:

New features
* Option to switch to tablet UI
* Custom drawer grid settings
* Activity animation options
Other improvements and bugfixes
* Improved vertical drawers
* Custom widget picker (requires JB or root)
* Unlimited drawer tabs (pro)
* Fixed paid themes under JB
* Many misc. bugfixes
* Updated translations

The update also fixes a lot of bugs that users may have experienced with previous versions, but you can always find — at the very least — minor bugs in any given up. Find it in the Play Store here, and be sure to upgrade to the Pro version for extra features (and to support some hard working developers).

Pantech Vega R3 is another beast of a 5 inch smartphone, but do you care?

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 11:56 AM PDT

The Pantech Vega series hasn’t exactly been known to set the mobile world on fire but the OEM looks to be bringing some major heat soon. The Pantech Vega R3 will come to town with a 5.3 inch display, a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, a 13 megapixel HD camera with a 2MP front-facing camera, and more.

This configuration directly threatens the likes of the LG Optimus G and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but as great as it sounds on paper there is reason to be skeptical of its clout.

For starters, we’ll be lucky to see this thing launch outside of Asia. Pantech’s better phones tend to be limited to a handful of regions, with only entry level and mid-range offerings to be had elsewhere.

It’s also hard to pass up on the Samsung or LG names, or any other high profile manufacturer that comes out with comparable devices. I don’t know about you, but I have a certain level of trust for each OEM and Pantech isn’t exactly near the top.

That said, we can’t judge the device before we’ve had a chance to play with it so we’ll stop right there. The device will be available in South Korea from all major carriers. What’s the word on this one, folks? [via Unwired View]

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour teaser shown at the Tokyo Games Show [VIDEO]

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 11:35 AM PDT

Gameloft’s committing to the Modern Combat series as much as Activision has to Call of Duty, and while the former is nowhere near the latter in terms of quality it definitely is among the top of the class for mobile shooters.

A new entry for Modern Combat was teased at the Tokyo Games Show today. It’s going to be called Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, and from what we can tell from the trailer a president has been kidnapped from a political conference on Molokai, Hawaii.

A trained operative from the US Army’s Special Forces gone rogue and treasonous, is believed to be responsible for the kidnapping. It’s your job to get him back, and you’ll get a lot of firepower to do just that.

We’ve always loved the Modern Combat games and this teaser does nothing to change that fact for the fourth iteration. Find the trailer up above. [Thanks Joel!]

Is this a camera sample from the Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2?

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 09:38 AM PDT

With Nexus rumors already flying today, might as well throw one more out there. The above picture allegedly represents a camera sample for the Samsung i9260, otherwise speculated to be the followup to last year’s Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The photo and its accompanying EXIF data don’t reveal a whole lot, not even the camera’s megapixel rating. What we do learn is that the camera possesses an F/2.65 aperture and 4mm focal length, which reads on paper as marginally better than that of the Galaxy S3.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2, or potentially Galaxy Nexus Premier, could launch this holiday season alongside a selection of Nexus phones from leading manufacturers including HTC and LG. The rumors and info we have seems to indicate this will be the case, but there is still a chance the phone with model number i9260 could be something different altogether, though that seems unlikely.

[via GSMArena]

Sprint’s 4G LTE network gets a little bigger, new service available in Kansas, Illinois, and Massachusetts

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 08:43 AM PDT

With speeds just about even across the board thanks to three of the four major US carriers launching 4G LTE networks, the marketing battle now hinges on coverage. As 2012 slowly crawls its way toward the end of the calendar year, Sprint is continuing its push to expand the number of LTE markets it serves by announcing new service in Lawrence, Topeka, and Wichita, Kansas; Waukegan-Lake, Illinois; and Barnstable-Hyannis, Massachusetts.

In addition, Sprint has announced improved 3G coverage in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City thanks the carrier’s Network Vision initiative, which aims to swap out older cell sites for newer gear. Sprint LTE coverage is now live in 24 cities with 100 new locations arriving “in the coming months.”

Truly Unlimited Sprint 4G LTE Blazes into More Cities – Brings Power, Simplicity and Value

Customers in parts of Kansas, Illinois and Massachusetts to benefit from Sprint’s all-new 4G LTE network

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), September 24, 2012 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced availability of 4G LTE to customers in Lawrence, Kan.; Topeka, Kan.; Wichita, Kan.; Waukegan-Lake County, Ill.; and Barnstable-Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass. Sprint’s wireless customers in these metro areas will benefit from the speed, value and simplicity of the Sprint 4G LTE experience. Through its exceptional selection of smartphones and a Truly UnlimitedSM data plan, Sprint offers an unbeatable package for wireless users.

“In addition to the 19 cities we have already launched, we recently announced that Sprint 4G LTE will be available in more than 100 cities in the coming months,” said Bob Azzi, senior vice president-Network, Sprint. “Today’s news moves us even further toward achieving that goal. We strive to deliver a top-notch network experience combined with winning devices and unlimited nationwide data plans – all of which are designed to support the ways our customers use their mobile devices today and tomorrow.”

A strong, robust wireless network is increasingly important as wireless users want to access emails quickly, upload photos/videos to friends and family, and routinely check in with social networks – all on their smartphone. Keeping up with current wireless data usage and looking into the future, Sprint is building an all-new 3G and 4G LTE network as part of a strategy known as Network Vision. This network build-out is expected to improve all aspects of the wireless experience for customers.

Today, some customers in parts of Chicago, Los Angeles and New York are experiencing better 3G service thanks to the start of the Network Vision program in those areas. Additionally, customers in areas of Baltimore, Boston and Washington, D.C., have been enjoying enhanced 3G performance. As Network Vision continues to rollout across the country, Sprint customers will see significant improvement in their 3G network experience, including expanded coverage, improved network reliability, better voice quality, and faster 3G data speeds.

Sprint understands the value of a Truly Unlimited experience. Sprint offers a portfolio of 4G LTE-capable devices, which includes powerhouse smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy S® III, Motorola PHOTON™ Q™ 4G LTE and the new iPhone™ 5. Customers can sign up for an Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM, which includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $79.99 per month for smartphones – a savings of $20 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB Web (excludes taxes and surcharges). Customers value Truly Unlimited data, because it’s simple and straightforward – no metering, no throttling or overages, and no need to share minutes or data, all while on the Sprint network.

Additionally, the 2012 American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years.

With today’s announcement, Sprint 4G LTE is available in 24 citiesi and is expected to be in more than 100 additional cities in coming months. Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and expects to have largely completed the nationwide build-out by the end of 2013. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint’s 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.

 

LG Optimus Vu II specs leak, incremental updates expected

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 08:05 AM PDT

Not to be outdone by the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, LG will soon launch a new version of their own plus-sized Optimus Vu. The LG Otpimus Vu was introduced earlier this year and featured a 5-inch display and stylus input, and the new version doesn’t look to change a whole lot from the original.

The display stays the same size and gets a resolution of 1024×768 while the processor, but the processor gets bumped up to a dual-core Snapdragon S4 (Qualcomm MSM8960) coupled with 2GB RAM. Other specs include an 8MP camera, NFC, and LTE support. The battery gets a slight bump up from the previous generation with a rating of 2150mAh. The Vu II will ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

LG’s update to the Vu doesn’t make quite the same leap from the first edition as the Note 2 does from Samsung’s previous phablet. With a 5-inch device rumored from HTC, the market for the form factor looks to get a bit more crowded this holiday season. LG seems to be banking on software experiences such as a new universal remote app to help narrow the margin.

[via ittong.kr]

New Nexus device to be based on HTC Droid Incredible X [RUMOR]

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 07:31 AM PDT

The HTC Droid Incredible X is expected to launch this fall as the Taiwanese mobile maker’s answer to phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note. A new rumor also has it forming the basis for one of several new Nexus devices expected to launch during the holiday season. It seems likely that Google will shift their Nexus strategy from one new device per year to a selection of devices from several different manufacturers, and HTC’s offering could borrow the 5-inch display and quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro rumored for the Incredible X.

A source claiming to have insider knowledge from within HTC says the fourth-generation Nexus handset will launch with Android 4.1.2, a mild OS update featuring Project Butter improvements and lockscreen enhancements as well as other tweaks and fixes. Other rumored specs include a 12MP camera and 2,500mAh battery. The 5-inch display at 1080p resolution could earn the device the name of Nexus 5, a take on the Nexus 7 moniker.

For now, take this as a rumor flavored with a heavy dose of salt. We have little substantiate any of the above claims.

[via GSMArena]

Netflix details updated user interface for Android devices

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 06:31 AM PDT

Last week Netflix users started to notice a different user interface than they had been accustomed to when launching the app on their Android phones, and now the team behind the movie rental and streaming service is giving us a more detailed look at what, exactly, has changed. Director of product innovation Chris Jaffe gives us the rundown in the above video, showing off an improved UI that makes it easier than ever to find and discover new movies and shows. If you don’t already have Netflix for Android, grab it from Google Play now.

Google Play Link: Netflix

[via MobileSyrup]

Motorola provides update to Android upgrade timeline

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 05:37 AM PDT

After promising to do right by Droid Bionic owners miffed that the planned Ice Cream Sandwich update for the handset will miss its initial Q3 deadline, Motorola has updated their Android upgrade timeline to give a better idea of when and if users can expect a new version of the OS for their phones. The Bionic is now listed as expecting ICS in Q4, as is the Motorola XOOM Family Edition. The Motorola Atrix 2 and Atrix 4G come with a note stating “further plans coming soon,” but provide no timeframe for expected updates.

Otherwise, if a device hasn’t already received Android 4.0, it will be sticking with its current operating system version. That also means don’t expect Jelly Bean. Speaking of Jelly Bean, the timeline offers no update on when to expect Jelly Bean on any phone or tablet.

[via Motorola | Thanks, Jeff!]

Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update commences, Samsung provides full list of phones to receive Android 4.1

Posted: 24 Sep 2012 05:19 AM PDT

Samsung has begun the rollout of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for the Galaxy S3, and the first country to receive the latest version of Google’s mobile OS on Samsung’s latest flagship device is…Poland. The update commences today and introduces the Gs3 to such enhancements as Google Now and Project Butter as well as new TouchWiz elements including “pop-up play” (picture-in-picture) and something called Easy Mode. Samsung says a gradual rollout will have the update launching in other markets soon.

In the meantime, the OEM has taken the opportunity to provide an update on the list of devices that will receive Android 4.1 before all is said in done. The list includes the Galaxy S2, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S Advance, Galaxy S2 LTE, Galaxy Chat, Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy Beam, Galaxy Ace Plus, Galaxy Mini 2, Galaxy S Duos, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Galaxy Note 10.1. Exact delivery of said Jelly Bean updates will vary by carrier and region.

[via The Verge]
Posted by at 7:37 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)