Friday, November 16, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Five additional games added to Humble Bundle 4, thanks to supporters

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:18 PM PST

Well that didn’t take long. Less than a week after release, the makers of Humble Bundle 4 have already doubled the amount of playable games that come in the latest offering. If you remember how this little bundle works, you may choose to donate whatever amount you feel to support the developers, basically letting them know how much you like the games. When it was released last week, if you chose to donate more than the average donation, it came with a sixth game. Well thanks to the resounding success of this model (and to the wonderful gamers that have donated), if you now pay more than the average donation, you’ll receive five additional games.

As a refresher, here’s how the games break down. The games below are what was offered if you paid over the average amount:

  • the future-retro audiovisual concoction Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP by Capybara Games
  • the creative physics puzzler Crayon Physics Deluxe by Kloonigames
  • the plant-based interstellar RTS Eufloria by Omni Systems
  • the cell-splitting microbial puzzler Splice by Cipher Prime
  • the side-scrolling planetary adventure Waking Mars by Tiger Style
  • the mechanical point and click adventure Machinarium by Amanita Design

 

This are the now lineup of games that you’ll get if you donate more than the average ($6.34 at the time of this writing), along with the games listed above.

 

  • the RPG fantasy saga Avadon: The Black Fortress by Spiderweb Software
  • the indie parkour platformer Canabalt by Semi Secret Software
  • the 3D mechanical puzzle game Cogs by Lazy 8 Studios
  • the side-scrolling strategy rumblefest Swords & Soldiers HD by Ronimo Games and Two Tribes
  • the groundbreaking meditative puzzler Zen Bound 2 by Secret Exit

How to unlock Google’s newest Easter egg: ‘BeanFlinger’ daydream

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:06 PM PST

If you have a Nexus 4 or a Galaxy Nexus that has been updated to Android 4.2, then now is your chance to unlock one of Google’s hidden Easter eggs within the OS. If you recall, Android 4.2 offers a new feature called “daydreams” which is essentially a screen-saver type of function. There’s five stock daydreams available, but there’s a hidden fifth one that’s unlockable if you access the Jelly Bean “Easter egg” animation where you repeatedly tap on the Android version within settings.

Once that’s done, the “BeanFlinger” daydream will be unlocked. You’ll be able to find it under Settings > Display > Daydreams. If you have an Android 4.2 device that supports Daydreams, then this should be available to you.

As always, have fun!

HTC DLX will become the HTC Deluxe globally

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:48 PM PST

A month or so ago it seemed the HTC J Butterfly was going to be a very limited device, but it’s just too good to limit this bad boy. I finally got my hands on the DROID DNA, which is essentially the same phone, and I must tell you that this might just be the finest phone ever made. We also heard that it will be known as the DLX in other Asian markets, and now it seems as though it will actually be called the Deluxe globally at least according to @evleaks. I know that many of you in Europe were wondering if it was every going to arrive, and it looks like it will. Unfortunately we don’t have a time frame, but we are hopeful it will happen by year’s end. This is just too good of a phone to not share the love everywhere.

source @evleaks

Looks like my Nexus 4 has been back ordered, and so have many others

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:29 PM PST

Why am I not even surprised? With the debacle that went down this past Tuesday on Google’s Nexus 4 launch, I kind of expected them to have trouble fulfilling the influx of orders for the device. I was just hoping I wouldn’t be one of them. Sadly, I was and the Google Play Store has sent me an e-mail regarding my Nexus 4′s order status. Apparently the device has been back ordered and my Nexus 4 won’t ship for another 3 weeks…. Quite a bummer indeed. I am definitely not the only one as plenty more people have received the same e-mail.

As a small compensation, Google will credit you back the shipping that was charged, so I suppose that helps a little? There’s also an option for you to cancel your order if you so please.

Any one else get back ordered? If so, you guys willing to wait the 3 weeks or just cancel all together and perhaps purchase it through T-Mobile?

 

Amazon to ship Kindle Fire HD 8.9 today with 4G versions to follow next week

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:15 PM PST

The larger brother of Amazon’s Kindle Fire series is now here and has reportedly starting to ship. The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 offers a 1,920 x 1,200 display at a low starting price of $299. As for a 4G LTE version, you can expect that to start shipping next week starting November the 20th. As expected, the LTE model will set you back further at $499 but is still relatively cheap compared to other tablets such as the iPad with similar storage and 4G connectivity.

Excited about this tablet? Check out the official press release after the break!

Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ Ships Today
Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ ships today-features a stunning 1920×1200 HD display with 254 ppi, exclusive Dolby audio, a powerful processor and graphics engine and dual antenna, dual-band Wi-Fi with MIMO-just $299

The top-of-the-line Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G ships next week-comes with the groundbreaking 4G LTE data package, just $49.99 for the first year

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 15, 2012– (NASDAQ:AMZN)-Amazon today announced that Kindle Fire HD 8.9″-the large-screen version of Amazon’s best-selling HD tablet-ships today, just in time for the holiday shopping season. Customers can order their Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ at www.amazon.com/kindlefirehd for $299. Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ is also available at Best Buy starting tomorrow as well as additional retailers like Staples and Radio Shack in the coming weeks. Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G will ship next week.

“Kindle Fire HD has been Amazon’s best-selling product worldwide since launch, and that was before we even started shipping the best tablet we’ve ever built,” said Dave Limp, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “With the holiday season upon us, we’re excited to make our $299 Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ available early-we think customers are going to love web browsing, email, gaming, watching TV shows, reading magazines, and more on the large, stunning HD screen, with fast Wi-Fi and exceptional audio.”

Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ is the top-of-the-line Kindle Fire. Features include:

A vibrant 8.9″, 1920×1200 resolution display at 254 ppi.
Dual antenna, dual-band Wi-Fi with MIMO technology for faster streaming and downloads.
The latest generation TI OMAP 4470 processor and Imagination SGX544 graphics engine capable of over 12 billion floating point operations per second.
Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus audio-the standard in high-end audio-available exclusively on Kindle Fire HD.
Exceptional battery life-Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ gets 10 hours of battery life.
Front-facing HD camera for taking photos or making video calls, including a custom Skype application for free video calling from around the world.
New Amazon-exclusive features like X-Ray for Movies, X-Ray for Textbooks, Immersion Reading, Whispersync for Voice and Whispersync for Games.
Kindle FreeTime, a free, personalized tablet experience just for kids and exclusively available on Kindle Fire. Parents can set daily screen limits and give access to appropriate content for each child.
World’s best content ecosystem-over 22 million movies, TV shows, songs, apps, games, books, audiobooks and magazines.
“Buy Once, Enjoy Everywhere” with Amazon apps available on the largest number of platforms so customers can use their Amazon content on any of their devices.
Amazon’s top-rated, world-class customer service.
The new Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G, with groundbreaking 4G LTE data package, starts at $499 and will begin shipping on November 20. Amazon worked closely with AT&T to offer the most affordable 4G tablet data package. The 12-session AT&T 4G data package includes 250MB a session of data, a $10 Amazon Appstore for Android credit and 20GB of Amazon CloudDrive, all for a one-time payment of only $49.99. There are no monthly fees or annual contracts. The $49.99 package is only available for the first year of service. Customers can also choose to upgrade to 3GB or 5GB data plans from AT&T directly from the device. Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ features the latest 4G LTE technology for ultra-fast mobile broadband, letting customers connect to the internet, stream, and download at speeds even faster than Wi-Fi. Unlike some 4G devices, Kindle Fire HD includes support for 10 bands, so even when a customer is in a place with no 4G LTE network they’ll fall back to the fastest available network and won’t lose coverage. All this with no compromises to battery or weight – Kindle Fire HD combines the most power-efficient LTE chipset available with a custom-designed 4G wireless modem that’s only 2.2 mm thin.

Customers can learn more and order at www.amazon.com/kindlefirehd. Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ is also available at Best Buy starting tomorrow and will also be available at additional retailers like Staples and Radio Shack in the coming weeks.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle Paperwhite is the most-advanced e-reader ever constructed with 62% more pixels and 25% increased contrast, a patented built-in front light for reading in all lighting conditions, extra-long battery life, and a thin and light design. The new latest generation Kindle, the lightest and smallest Kindle, now features new, improved fonts and faster page turns. Kindle Fire HD features a stunning custom high-definition display, exclusive Dolby audio with dual stereo speakers, high-end, laptop-grade Wi-Fi with dual-band support, dual-antennas and MIMO for faster streaming and downloads, enough storage for HD content, and the latest generation processor and graphics engine-and it is available in two display sizes-7″ and 8.9″. The large-screen Kindle Fire HD is also available with 4G wireless, and comes with a groundbreaking $49.99 introductory 4G LTE data package. The all-new Kindle Fire features a 20% faster processor, 40% faster performance, twice the memory, and longer battery life.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management’s expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com’s financial results is included in Amazon.com’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

Android taking over China’s smartphone market in latest analysis

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:25 AM PST

As Android continues to grow its market share on both smartphones and tablets throughout the world, one location where it is enjoying immense success is China. The latest report from Analysys International estimates Android now commands 90 percent of the Chinese market. Analysys’ estimate is based on data from both device sales and ownership. This is up from just over 58 percent last year.

Achieving such a dramatic milestone obviously comes at the cost of other mobile operating systems. iOS, typically seen as Android’s closest competitor, fell from 6 percent to only 4.2 percent of the Chinese market. The iPhone 5 is not yet available in China, but it would take some massive sales numbers to regain market share. Nokia’s Symbian system is down to a mere 2.4 percent while Windows Mobile, Blackberry and Linux systems all fight for negligible shares of the market.

Despite Android being on the verge of monopolizing the Chinese market, Google continues to struggle with its presence there due to a variety of service blockages.

source: TNW

Vodafone Red Hot offers new pricing twist for smartphone buyers

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:40 AM PST

Vodafone UK has come up with a new twist for potential buyers of smartphones on their network. Dubbed Vodafone Red Hot, users sign up for a pair of 12-month contracts. The first is for a typical data plan that includes unlimited voice and text and up to 2GB of data. The second contract is to “hire” the device you select. Effectively, the plan is like an auto lease as you have to turn the phone back in to Vodafone at the end of the year unless you decide to pony up and pay for the device or switch to a month to month plan with continuing “lease” payments.

The main benefit for some buyers is that the upfront cost to get a new device can be avoided. The downside is that you don’t own the device and you need to return it at the end of the term in good condition to avoid a charge for wear or damage. You would also have to make sure you had a way to export any data, like contacts, pictures, videos, and other files off the device before turning it back in. Customizing the device via ROM installs or such will also be a problem unless you plan ahead to return it to stock.

Only a few devices are available, but they are current “red hot” devices. Pricing for the devices, including the data plan, is:

Devices with additional memory are available for a small upfront fee of £29 ($46 USD) for 32GB or £49 for 64GB ($78 USD) versions.

Do you think leasing a smartphone is a good idea? Is it something you would be interested in pursuing if your preferred carrier made it available?

source: Vodafone UK

OnLive Game Streaming Now On LG Smart TV with Google TV

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:20 AM PST

OnLive

OnLive has announced it will be integrated with G2 Series LG Smart TV with Google TV TVs Televisions (wow that was a lot of TVs). The update should begin rolling out today. Those unfamiliar with the game streaming service can check out our hands on earlier this year. OnLive is currently available on VIZIO Co-Star and will also be available on the Ouya at launch.

Full press release after the break

OnLive Builds Console-quality Gaming into LG Google TVs, No Console Required

Palo Alto, Calif.- November 15, 2012 – OnLive, the leader of on-demand cloud gaming, announced that its OnLive® Game Service has just been integrated into the LG Smart TV with Google™ TV (G2 Series), making console-quality games instantly playable as part of the TV experience. The OnLive app is the first commercial deployment of instant-response cloud gaming in a TV with no console necessary. OnLive offers something that consoles can’t: the ability to continue playing your save games on the go, on nearly any PC or Mac, and many Android™ tablets.

The OnLive app was delivered over the air today to the LG G2 Series TVs that are already in homes and will be preinstalled on future LG Google TVs. With the OnLive Wireless Controller (available at onlive.com/controller), LG G2 TV owners in the United States can go to the Premium Apps menu on their TVs and play hundreds of video games on demand. The OnLive catalog includes games from more than 80 publishers, with everything from blockbuster new releases to classic franchises to family-friendly sports, racing and action-adventure games.

Uniquely, OnLive makes console-quality gaming truly portable and accessible across multiple platforms. With a single purchase, OnLive games can be played on any OnLive-compatible device-on PC, Mac, many Android tablets, TVs with the OnLive Game System, and now LG G2 TVs-anywhere there is broadband. Users can start a game on one device and continue playing on any other device, with full saved game data intact in the cloud, whenever and wherever they want. OnLive even enables cross-platform multiplayer gaming, so that an LG G2 TV owner will be able to play with (or against) friends on PCs, Macs and tablets.

Games can be demoed free and purchased or rented a la carte, or players can subscribe to the OnLive PlayPack for unlimited play of more than 200 games, with more titles added monthly. OnLive also offers free access to unique social features, such as game spectating in the OnLive Arena, recording ten-second Brag Clip™ videos of players’ best gaming moments, and sharing videos and Achievements with friends on OnLive and Facebook.

“We are proud to be working with OnLive to deliver an incredible home entertainment experience with a full range of interactive viewing and gaming possibilities on LG G2 Series TVs,” said Georg Rasinski, Director of Home Entertainment Brand Management, LG Electronics USA. “OnLive’s premium-quality gaming service offers customers a great opportunity to test the dual-core performance of our G2 Series TVs. We think customers will be very impressed.”

“Our partnership with LG has enabled us to take an important step forward in making high-end gaming accessible to everyone, across a variety of consumer electronic devices,” said Gary Lauder, OnLive Chairman. “Gamers can now enjoy hundreds of amazing console-quality games with no new hardware necessary beyond an OnLive controller and LG’s fast and intuitive Google TV.”

Combining the power of the Google TV platform with the speed of LG’s L9 dual-core chipset and a user-friendly interface, the G2 Series is LG’s first TV to make OnLive cloud gaming an integral part of the consumer experience. To find out more about OnLive or to purchase a Universal OnLive Wireless Controller, visit www.onlive.com or www.onlive.co.uk.

About OnLive
OnLive is the pioneer of on-demand cloud gaming and computing services, delivering real-time interactive experiences and rich media over the Internet. With ground-breaking video compression technology, OnLive harnesses cloud computing to provide the power and intelligence needed to instantly deliver full-featured, media-rich applications and the latest, premium game titles to tablets, smartphones, PCs, Macs and HDTVs via the OnLive Game System or connected TVs. OnLive is available in North America, the UK and Belgium and will continue expanding into Europe and Asia. OnLive’s technology is backed by hundreds of patents and patents pending worldwide. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. More information is available at www.onlive.com, www.onlive.co.uk and www.onlive.be.

Google releases Augmented Reality game called Ingress for those lucky enough to get invited

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:54 AM PST

Back in September, Google Niantic Labs brought us Field Trip and now they have a new augmented reality game called Ingress. For now it’s an invite only, but with Google behind it, it could really bring augmented reality to the next level. We don’t have a lot of information about it, but from the video you can see our freedom is at stake and the “Enlightened” needs help. Certain places attract not only people but events as well, and the mission of 13 Magnis is to monitor the effects of mind hacking.

Players will generate virtual energy that is needed to play the game by picking up units of “XM” which will be collected through their real-world surroundings. It’s kind of like a real-world version of Pac-Man. What do you do with this energy? You will go on missions around the world to “portals” which will be virtually associated with public art, libraries, and other major places. It’s a matter of picking what side you want to play, the “Resistance” or the “Enlightened”, and players can play anywhere in the world.

As I mentioned, it’s an invite only so hit the source link to sign up. We have no idea when it will open up to more people, but we do know that the game will end eventually, most likely a year to a year and half from now. Official trailer video after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

source: Ingress
via: AllThingsD 

 

XCom Global offering Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 up for rent

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:30 AM PST

XCom Global has announced, in an interesting move, that you’ll now be able to rent a Nexus 7 or Nexus 10 while traveling abroad. Yes, I said rent. This interesting business model takes into account a lot of assumptions, like say your current laptop setup isn’t ideal or is too cumbersome. Or you currently do not own a compact tablet more conducive for travel. Or maybe you just don’t want to risk traveling with your own epuipment. Well XCom Global has quelled those issues by offering up a rental option on arguably the hottest tablet lineup out there.

The price to rent is set at $2 per day for the Nexus 7 and $3 per day for the Nexus 10. However, they’re offering a special introductory rate of $1 and $2 per day respectively. I’ve got a feeling that consumers will look at this as more of a test drive for the product rather than actually using it to replace their device while traveling. What do you think about this business plan? Hit the break for the full press release.

 

 

XCom Global Now Offering Nexus Tablet Rentals Starting at $1 Per Day

– International travelers can now add on a tablet rental when gearing up for their trip abroad –

SAN DIEGO, CA. – November 15, 2012 – XCom Global, Inc., a leading provider of low cost wireless Internet access rental services for international travelers, announced today that they are now offering Nexus tablet rentals starting at an introductory rate of $1 per day. http://www.xcomglobal.com

"Google's Nexus tablets are the perfect size for international travel," said Seiji Nishimura, founder and CEO, XCom Global, Inc. "What we have found many people still find traveling with their laptops cumbersome, and yet their smartphone cannot replace the functionality and ease of use that a larger device provides. They may not want to purchase a tablet because their other devices fit their everyday needs, so our low cost rental is the perfect solution."

XCom Global has both Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 rentals available to add on to any mobile hotspot rental. The Nexus 7 rental is priced at $2 per day and the Nexus 10 at $3 per day. However, XCom Global is offering both rentals at the special introductory rates of $1 per day for the Nexus 7 and $2 for the Nexus 10. The Nexus 10 was just released by Google and features the world's highest resolution tablet display. It's extremely portable at 8.9 mm thin and weighing only 603 grams.

XCom Global's high-speed Internet access rental service provides international travelers low cost, flat rate data usage and the freedom to wirelessly roam abroad in 175 countries. To keep the process quick and easy, travelers simply provide their itinerary and XCom Global recommends the best plan to fit their needs.

Bundled with XCom Global's aXcess plan, the Mobile Hotspot rental unit enables instant access to a personal mobile hotspot, so travelers can stay connected wherever they are. Up to five WiFi-enabled devices can use the unit simultaneously allowing the Mobile Hotspot to be shared with traveling companions and saving on multiple usage charges. http://xcomglobal.com/devices/.

 

 
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