Droid Life

Deal: Incipio Feather Case for the Galaxy Nexus at $15.95

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:02:43 +0000

We aren't normally into pimping our store, but the deal of the day today does involve the Galaxy Nexus. Incipio's Feather case can be had for $15.95 and is one of the lighter and more form fitting cases you'll find. For those of you that can't stand the added bulk of a full wrap-around case, this is a solid option. 4 color choices are available. Buy: DL Store

Reminder: Galaxy Nexus Extended Battery is Still Half Off From Verizon, Other LTE Devices Too

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:53:17 +0000

We noticed this afternoon that Verizon is still running the Galaxy Nexus extended battery half off deal. For $25, you can up your juice to 2100mAh, giving you at least another hour or so on top of the standard battery. It's not the 3800mAh beasts we have seen from third party accessory makers, but it also won't add a tank to the back of your phone. They had sold out for a bit, so for those that missed it the first time around, be sure to jump on this. If you own other LTE devices, you may want to cruise around to see if your phone's extended battery is also on sale. I noticed that the DROID Bionic's was, but the Rezound's was not. Buy.

Lookout Publishes First Ever Lost Phone Study, Findings Won't Likely Shock You

Tim — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:30:47 +0000

Worldwide security giant Lookout, has published the first ever lost phone survey. By analyzing the data from over 15 million of their users, Lookout has realized that people spend nearly $30 billion on lost devices each year. Keep it in your pocket, folks! Along with publishing all of this data, Lookout has created the Mobile Lost & Found website, which interactively shows people where phones are being lost and helps you get a sense of just how expensive it is to lose your smartdevice. More interesting data retrieved is:

People in Manchester, England have the highest likelihood of losing their phone out of any other population in the world.
In the U.S. people lose a smartphone about once a year.
Phones are more often lost at night. Two-thirds of phone loss happens between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
During the week of Carnival (aka Mardi Gras), more phones were lost around the world than during your average parade-less, bead-less week.

The top ten cities where losing your phone is just an everyday thing: 1. Philadelphia 2. Seattle 3. Oakland 4. Long Beach 5. Newark 6. Detroit 7. Cleveland 8. Baltimore 9. New York 10. Boston Bars in Silicon Valley should definitely be in the top ten. On a personal note, I lost a phone once. It was an LG Voyager and I loved it dearly. Have you ever lost your phone and never found it? Via: Lookout

Zynga's Hanging with Friends Receives Update, Builder Lifelines Now Available

Tim — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:00:47 +0000

I am always on the lookout for a game I can play with my girlfriend and family members. In addition to Words with Friends, Hanging with Friends is another fun game from Zynga that I can play with loved ones, where it is not overly competitive and someone's feelings won't get too hurt after I crush them. The application has just received an update to help word builders create the perfect word to stump their opponents, when previously, only word solvers were allowed to have lifelines. It's a fun and cute game, so if you haven't given it a shot, then now is a good time. On a separate note, the characters look very creepy. Play Link Cheers Chris and Katy!

Current MotoActv Devices to Receive "Beta" Golf Software Update in April

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:18:55 +0000

When Motorola announced a new "Golf Edition" of the MotoActv this morning, my instant reaction was, "Well, what about current owners? Will they see a software update to include similar software?" We reached out to Moto who informed us that there will indeed be a an update to bring the golf software to existing MotoActv owners. It will carry a "beta" tag and will be available some time in early April, close to when the "Golf Edition" is released to the public. So no, you do not need to pawn your current device on Craigslist in order to get the 20,000 courses and virtual scorecard that were introduced today.

Thursday Poll: Do you use Google Voice?

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:46:28 +0000

Google Voice may be my favorite Google service or Android app of all time. With the latest update that was released today, a great product managed to get even better and I'm ecstatic. As someone that has a handful of phones from varying places at all times, Google Voice allows me to manage them all under a single number. I can't live without it. The free texting also comes in handy as well as the visual voicemail and access to them from both computer and phone, but the multiple phone number management is really the key here. I'm just curious to know if others have given their life over to Voice like I have. If you haven't, is there a particular reason? The biggest hurdle for me (and still is sometimes) was having to change my phone number with everyone. But once the initial pain of that was out of the way, it has been smooth sailing. Well, until someone tries to send you a picture message that is. But who does that in 2012 anyway? Email those, people. No one wants to see that low-quality, shrunken carrier MMS message when you can email the full version at no cost over data. [poll id="155"]

Google Voice Update Brings Android 4.0 Integration - Playback Options, Access From Dialer, and New UI

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:06:32 +0000

Since we saw Android 4.0 unveiled in Hong Kong last October, we have been waiting patiently for Google Voice integration into the dialer or contacts. That time is now. Once you update to the latest version in the Play Store, you can flag the "Voicemail display" box in GV Settings to turn your dialer into an instant voicemail center. As you can see in the photos above, your dialer will then attach to your contacts that have left you messages in Google Voice, giving you the ability to play voicemails without having to enter the GV app. From this new voicemail screen, you can slow down or speed up messages, delete them, and call or text the person. The app itself has also been skinned to match ICS styling while allowing for much swifter navigation.

This new feature only works with Android 4.0+. Play Link Cheers Adam!

Acer Iconia Tab A510 with Quad-core Tegra 3 Processor Available for Pre-order Today at $449

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:45:55 +0000

Acer's new Iconia Tab A510 was announced this morning for North America. This is their first quad-core Tegra 3 effort and will run customers $449 if interested. At that price, you get Android 4.0, a 10.1" screen, special Olympic Games branding on the back, Polaris office suite, 12 hours of battery life, 32GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, dual cameras, and again, the power of Tegra 3. The A510 can be pre-ordered today, however, Acer has not given a specific date for when it may actually arrive in your hands or stores. We fondled a similar tab at CES and came away impressed for the most part. The price isn't bad for a quad-core processor and 32GB of storage, but can it steal consumers away from the iPad or Transformer Prime?

Acer Iconia Tab A510 Tablet Available in Canada; Delivers Quad Core Performance for High-End Entertainment and Productivity
MISSISSAUGA, ON--(Marketwire - Mar 22, 2012) - Editor's Summary:

Acer's first tablet with Quad Core Tegra 3 Processor

Provides long battery life of up to 12 hours for video playback

Pre-installed productivity solution: mobile office suite Polaris™ 3.5 and wireless printing app

New tablet is first Acer Olympic Games Edition, exclusive design features Olympic rings

Pre-sale starts now at $449.99 for 32GB Iconia Tab A510 in U.S. and Canada

Acer today debuts its first quad-core tablet in North America, the Acer Iconia Tab A510 with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. It is designed to deliver outstanding performance and a visually rich experience for mobile game playing and entertainment such as enjoying video and lifestyle apps. In addition, the new 10.1-inch tablet Acer Iconia Tab A510 goes beyond what most people expect of their tablets to enable heightened productivity. The new tablet comes with the full suite of Polaris™ Office 3.5, which is compatible with Microsoft Office and allows reading and editing of various document formats for mobile access to important information. The new Acer tablet also includes Acer Print, so customers have a convenient and seamless way to print wirelessly from their tablet. The first rate tablet experience is heightened with Android™ 4.0 OS (Ice Cream Sandwich) which features a more intuitive interface and improved overall performance for faster browsing, better multitasking, as well as enhanced app and folder management. "The new Acer Iconia Tab A510 will exceed the expectations of customers who are ready to embrace using their tablets for more fun, entertainment and a first-rate mobile gaming experience," said Paul Tayar, director of product marketing for connected devices, Acer America. "Our second-generation Acer A510 builds on the success of its award-winning predecessor with notable improvements in performance, responsiveness and ease-of use, elevating it to the status of ultimate mobile companion. Plus, the tablet will really surprise people with its comprehensive suite of productivity apps that will enable them to remain productive and connected on-the-go." Ultimate Performance with NVIDIA Tegra™ 3 Quad Core Processor, Extended Battery Life The Acer Iconia Tab A510 provides blazing speed and responsiveness powered by the NVIDIA Tegra™ 3 Mobile Processor and high-performance 12-Core GeForce NVIDIA GPU. This processor provides a unique Super 4-PLUS-1™ Quad Core CPU design with a fifth Battery Saver Core that allows up to four cores to be dedicated to demanding tasks such as watching video and playing the next generation of graphics-intense mobile games. These four cores provide up to 2.6 times the performance and up to three times the graphics performance compared to previous generation processors, making the tablet incredibly responsive with life-like and crisp visuals for mobile entertainment and console-quality gaming on-the-go. The processor also provides up to four times faster web-browsing, smooth navigation, and hardware-accelerated support for Adobe Flash 11, which comes pre-installed on the tablet. When the tablet takes on everyday tasks, the fifth Battery Saver Core becomes engaged in place of the other four cores, ultimately using less power and improving battery life. The 9800mAh battery, one of the highest capacity models in the industry, further improves battery life, so customers can enjoy their tablet for up to 12 hours⁽¹⁾ of video playback. Productivity Suite, Printing, Make A510 Tablet a Mobile Workstation The Acer A510 tablet is packed with a full suite of productivity apps optimized for use on a tablet that will give any road warrior a much needed boost. The anchor of the suite is Polaris™ Office 3.5, which provides customers a premium way to read and edit various popular documents while providing enhanced integration with other tablet apps. It also features Evernote, the easy-to-use personal assistant that keeps customers organized by allowing them to capture and save web pages, photos, ideas and documents and then store them to the cloud for access from other devices. With Acer Print, customers can print wirelessly from the convenience of their Acer tablet, unlike some tablets that require confusing or costly apps that don't support a wide range of printers. Acer Print is compatible with 87 percent of brand name printers on the current market. In addition to supporting a variety of printing formats (doc, pic and browsers), Acer Print also shows the exact print layout on the screen, no matter if it's a spreadsheet for work or coupons for grocery shopping. Additionally, the Acer A510 can be taken to a meeting to deliver a presentation; it supports HDMI to VGA for quick connection to projector. Thrilling Extras for Entertainment, Connectivity The Acer Iconia Tab A510 highlights lifelike and compelling 720p visuals thanks to the gorgeous 10.1-inch WXGA (1280x800 resolution) HD display. The Acer A510's 16:10 aspect ratio and wide 85-degree viewing angle ensure an optimal viewing experience that is further improved by Dolby™ Mobile 3 audio. Plus, the display is a 10-point touch capacitive screen, so it delivers a remarkable degree of accuracy and responsiveness. In addition, customers can share video stored on Acer Iconia Tab A510 with other devices via the tablet's built-in micro HDMI port. Blu-ray™ quality 1080p video in 30fps can be streamed from the tablet to an external display. Plus, the micro USB 2.0 port enables quick content transfers to and from the tablet. Plus, the new tablet has been enhanced with the ability to conveniently charge it from its micro USB 2.0 port via another USB 2.0 device. The Acer A510 is packed with features customers want in a tablet. Its 1GB of RAM⁽²⁾ contributes to its fast mobile performance. The new tablet comes with an integrated 32GB of flash storage⁽²⁾for ample storage of photos, music and videos. The Acer A510 also has a Micro-SD card reader that supports up to 32GB Micro-SD cards⁽²⁾ that can access additional digital content. The Acer Iconia Tab A510 keeps consumers connected to Wi-Fi networks with reliable Acer 802.11a/b/g/n wireless technology. Plus, the integrated Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (enhanced data rate) allows consumers to connect the tablet to a variety of other devices, such as headsets and printers. The 1MP fixed-focused front-facing camera has an improved zoom, making it ideal for video conferencing. The 5MP rear-facing camera is auto-focusing, and provides the ability to take snapshots while recording HD video. Video clips and photos can be enhanced on the fly, stored and searched for based on various tags, and conveniently stored on Google+.™ The Acer Iconia Tab A510 is ready for hours of entertainment with popular pre-loaded apps such as Kindle™ for reading and Netflix™ for instant movie enjoyment. Google™ Music allows customers to create and enjoy their own personal playlists on their tablet. The preloaded Tegra Zone Android™ app brings customers direction to the best Android™ games that are optimized for NVIDIA Tegra powered tablets. Intuitive Experience with Android™ 4.0 and Acer Ring, clear.fi The Acer Iconia Tab A510 runs on Android™ 4.0 OS to deliver faster browsing, enhanced app and folder management options, more intuitive navigation, and a more polished design with enhanced holographic effects. Customers can easily customize their Acer tablet and will enjoy improved integration with Gmail™ email and calendar functions as well as improved multitasking and switching between tasks. The Iconia Tab A510 features the unique interactive Acer Ring interface that can be customized to launch favourite apps, programs and websites. The Acer Ring one-touch button is always at the bottom of the display, so customers are always only a single touch away from what they care about most. It also features Screenshot, which can be used in any app to capture images of a web site, high score on a game, map and even a still from a video call. Acer clear.fi is installed on the Acer Iconia Tab A510 to connect with any other DLNA-compliant device to quickly and easily share digital media. Clear.fi automatically connects all Acer devices on a network (smartphones, notebooks, desktops, HD media plays and storage devices) and gathers and organizes media files by type (video, music, photos, pre-recorded TV). Olympic Edition Highlights Sleek, Usable Design The Acer Iconia Tab A510 is a special Olympic Games Tablet Edition of the Acer Iconia Tab line. It features the Acer and Olympic logos on the chassis to celebrate the company's sponsorship of the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games. The new tablet was designed with on-the-go usability in mind. The chassis' soft-touch finish is comfortable to hold and buttons such as volume and screen lock are well-placed. It easily fits in a purse, briefcase or book bag, as it measures only 260mm(L) x 175mm(W) x 10.95mm(H) and weighs just 0.685kg. Available in U.S. and Canada Starting at $449.99 The new Acer Iconia Tab A510 is available for pre-sale starting today at national electronics retailers in the United States and Canada at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $449.99 USD and CAD. The premiere models in Canada are the Acer A510-10s32 (silver) and Acer A510-10k32 (black). Customers can purchase the sleek protective case to protect the Acer A510 tablet. The snug-fitting design prevents slipping on surfaces and props it up for improved access for game-playing and typing. It also allows convenient access to the connectors and ports. It is available through Acer at a price of $39.99 CAD. About Acer Since its founding in 1976, Acer has achieved its goal of breaking barriers between people and technology. Globally, Acer ranks No. 2 for notebook PCs.⁽³⁾ A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company's continuing growth, while its multi-brand approach integrates Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell, and eMachines brands in worldwide markets. Acer designs environmentally friendly products and has established a green supply chain through collaboration with suppliers. Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement, including supporting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and London 2012 Olympic Games. The Acer Group employs 8,000 people across the globe. Revenues for 2011 reached US$15.7 billion. Visit www.acer-group.com for more information.

Deal: Best Buy Selling Galaxy Tab 8.9 For $350, Throws In A Keyboard Dock For Free

Eric — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:10:40 +0000

Best Buy has your deal of the day going on right now. If you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 from their website it will only run you $349.99. On top of that already really good price, once you add it to your cart, Best Buy throws in a keyboard dock for free. Pretty good right? This is the 16GB WiFi version of the Tab line, but Samsung's tablets still stand as some of the best Android tablets out there. Head on over to Best Buy's site if this sounds right up your alley.

Buy.

n7player Music Player Creates a Rich Music Experience on Your Android Device

Tim — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:30:05 +0000

If anyone is looking for a great music application that is feature rich, check out n7player. This player has a really cool multi-touch feature that allows you to zoom in on all of your album covers from just the names and looks darn good while doing it. You have an in-depth equalizer and many more features. Before anyone asks, there is no Google Music support, but you won't find that in any other3rd-party player. To get a good sense of how the app truly works, check out the video down below. Does anyone here use anything besides the official Play Music application? Play Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eTWABLu54M[/youtube]

Motorola Announces the MotoActv Golf Edition - GPS Tracking, 20,000 Courses, and Virtual Caddy Included (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:50:10 +0000

Now this is a move that totally makes sense to me. You have a fitness tracker with built-in GPS, why not add some golf capabilities to it? Rather than using a battery draining golf app on your phone for 18 holes or lugging around one of those big ol' Sky Caddies, wouldn't a watch replacement fit nicely? I'd say so, and that's exactly what Motorola has announced today in the MotoActv Golf Edition. In this new MotoActv release you will have yardage on 20,000 golf courses, giving you distance to the front, back and center of greens. You can keep score right from your wrist and then take your finished rounds online to view them through the MotoActv site. With built-in GPS, your rounds show up virtually so that you can see where each shot was played from. You can also compare your game to the way pros approach particular courses, well, aside from the "muni" that you and Joe Bob play for $9 on Friday's twilight special. The Golf Edition will be available for $299 on April 1. On a related note, I've reached out to Moto to figure out the differences between this new version and the current MotoActv. Would certainly be thoughtful of Moto to offer current MotoActv owners a chance to add on this golf software, assuming the internals are all the same. Update: Good news current MotoActv owners! Motorola has informed us that a "beta version of the software enabling golf features" will be available to all MotoActv users in early April. Other details will be available as we get closer to that time frame, but this should excite those of you that already own the device.

Fruit Ninja Updated, Online Multiplayer Now Up and Running

Tim — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:10:55 +0000

What better day to launch an awesome update than on the day Rovio releases Angry Birds Space. The paid-version of Fruit Ninja has been updated in the Google Play Store to allow for multiplayer action. Once you find a foe, you go head-to-head swiping at fruit that matches your color. It's a ton of fun and as you can see from the screenie above, this guy had no idea how to play and kept swiping my fruit resulting in many penalties. If you're a ninja, then be sure to pick up this update. Play Link

DROID Pro Update to Build 4.7.3 Rolling Out, Better Keyboard Backlighting and Other Fixes

Tim — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:30:44 +0000

The Droid Pro is now receiving its official update to build 4.7.3. It may not be Ice Cream Sandwich, but at least it's something. You will notice better backlighting for your keyboard, the addition of updated VCAST apps and VZ Navigator apps, plus a handful of other helpful bug fixes. Go grab it and let us know if you notice any other mentionable fixes. The update is 19.9MB in size. More info. Cheers Brett and Chris!

Angry Birds Space is Available Now in the Google Play Store

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:41:48 +0000

Today is the day for Angry Birds Space. It popped up on the Google Play Store late last night around 1AM, ready for your love. I'd attempt to break it down all in-depth with hands-on and all that fun, but come on, it's Angry Birds. You guys know the game, this one just has zero gravity and a few other little twists. Same game, new setting. Go get it. Free or "premium" versions (which we hope means ad-free). Play Links: Free | Premium ($0.99)

Samsung GT-i9300 Photos Appear - This Isn't the Galxay S3, is It?

Kellen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:29:33 +0000

There are your first ever pictures of a Samsung device tagged with model number GT-i9300, a model number that has been rumored to be the Galaxy SIII a couple of times now. After seeing these shots though, are we all on board with the idea that the i9300 is not the SGS3? This may sound all "Android Elitist," but this phone is ugly. It looks like a first-gen Galaxy S phone - maybe even on the level of the Fascinate. Now, it does have Ice Cream Sandwich, and yes that's TouchWiz, on-screen soft keys and a front camera, but where is the "wow" factor? Is that a protective bumper that if removed, will make this phone look uber-sexeh? Eh, maybe. Shout out your thoughts. Via: PhoneArena

Zynga Officially Purchases OMGPOP and Draw Something

Kellen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:34:17 +0000

It's official. Zynga realized that OMGPOP's Draw Something was too difficult to compete with, so they bought it for $200 million. We doubt that the game will disappear or go into hiatus as it is too buzzworthy this moment. Instead, Zynga will likely look to improve up one of the craziest over-night success stories that the iOS and Android gaming worlds have ever seen. OMGPOP's CEO Dan Porter, who will remain on as a VP with Zynga, told fans that the game will only change for the better.

"The game will stay true to you and what you love, and it's my solemn vow that the magic of Draw Something will not change," he said. "With the added resources we now have, and the deep gaming experience we can draw from, we can't wait to continue to surprise our users. If you're a fan, a player of ours, I can't wait to show you what's in store - it's going to be drawsome."

To give you an idea of the success we keep referring to, the app itself has been downloaded some 35 million times in the last 6 weeks. Over the last week, 1 billion drawings have been made by its users. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjF9rM_8KiI[/youtube] Via: PCMag

Angry Birds Space "Cleared for Takeoff" on the Amazon Appstore, Starting at 1AM Tonight

Tim — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:17:46 +0000

Tonight at 1AM PST, everyone who has been patiently waiting for Angry Birds Space, can head on over to the Amazon Appstore and pick it for just $1 if you want the ad-free version (or free w/ads). This is sure to be a very interesting chapter in the evolution of the monster gaming sensation that is Angry Birds. No telling when it will make its way to the Play Store, but it shouldn't be too long, if you don't feel like loading Amazon's store on to your device for this single application. So, now that we know where and when and for how much, does that mean we can stop posting about it? Never. Via: Amazon

Newly Revamped Flud News Available in the Google Play Store

Tim — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:34:16 +0000

In the later part of last year, another new name in news feeders hit the Play Store, called Flud News. Recently, Flud has completely revamped their application and have now pushed it to the Play Store for everyone to enjoy. Flud News offers all of the feeder options you could want like personalizing your feeds, having them under separate categories, and after you're done reading your articles you can share them through any app you wish right from your device. Flud is free for users and is another good option for news junkies like us. Play Link

Apple Denied Access to Google-Motorola Acquisition Details and Android Development Data

Tim — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:57:23 +0000

Earlier in the month, news spread over Apple filing and winning request through the U.S. court system that would grant them access to information about Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility and related Android developer data. Most found the filing quite vague and rather peculiar seeing as how Motorola would not have privilege to such files. After all, it is Google that bought Motorola, not the other way around. Moto, as expected, fought the ruling hard and may have won - for now. U.S. Circuit Judge Richard A. Posner seemed to agree with their conclusion and issued a simple paragraph denying Apple's request. "The motion is vague and overbroad and Motorola’s objections are persuasive." What Apple is trying to accomplish is unknown at this time, but we can assume that for now, they are going to continue down every possible road in order to stunt Android's growth. Via: Bloomberg Cheers K!

Google to Consider Sharing Google Wallet Revenue with Carriers to Speed Up Adoption?

Kellen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:21:25 +0000

According to a report out of Bloomberg, Google is considering sharing revenue from Google Wallet with Verizon and AT&T to get them to adopt the mobile payment service. As you all know, AT&T and Big Red have essentially blocked Wallet from their NFC-equipped phones, as they ready a similar mobile payment solution named Isis. Sources who spoke with Bloomberg claim that the adoption rate has been slow enough that Google is re-evaluating the service. With carriers reportedly finding no incentive to allow Wallet on their network, especially with Isis on the way, this could be one of Google's only moves. So far, Sprint is the single major carrier in the U.S. to allow Google Wallet to be used. A Verizon spokesperson said that they are "continuing our commercial discussions with Google on this issue." On a related note, an "independent" consultant mentioned that reception to Wallet has been "lukewarm" so far. All I can say to that is, "Of course it has been. It's only available on one phone and one carrier, silly." It's pretty tough for a product to take off when it has been shutdown by America's two biggest carriers and can only be accessed by a select few customers. Before other consultants spout off such insightful comments, why don't we give it a real chance. That real chance of course, is with Verizon and AT&T on board. Via: Bloomberg Cheers bigknowz!

Contest: 10 DROID RAZR MAXX Cruzer Lite Androidified Cases Up for Grabs! (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:50:40 +0000

Our friends at Cruzer Lite felt that our DROID RAZR MAXX brethren needed Androidified love too. After handing out 12 of their most popular cases to Galaxy Nexus owners, their new line for the RAZR MAXX is up next. We have 10 cases in a variety of colors to give away, not just the black and white versions that were initially released a week or so ago. So how can you win? It's super simple. 1. "Like" or "Circle" the Cruzer Lite pages on Facebook and Google+. 2. In the comments, let us know the longest single charge you have seen on your RAZR MAXX. Update: Winners have been picked, start checking your inboxes. Tomorrow at 9AM, we will pick all 10 winners. Good luck!

Have You Reached a "Streaming Limit" in Google Music Yet? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:22:14 +0000

One of our readers, who has converted his entire musical life to Google Music, was prompted with a "streaming limit exceeded" message yesterday. This is the first we have heard of any sort of streaming limit, and in fact, Googling for it leaves us to believe that this issue is fairly uncommon. But with the support page for it leaving out all details, we have pinged Google to see if we can get some further clarification on how a user could reach such a limit. And from what we can tell, this has nothing to do with the 20,000 song limit that Google Music accounts have. This is about streaming that music, reaching some sort of data or time cap and then being told to "try again later." Again, since cases of this happening seem to be low, we can't imagine that the limit is low enough that any of you will ever see it. Update: We have been told that there is a daily streaming limit, but that it has been set so high that the majority of users will likely never hit it. Explains why we couldn't find very many cases of this happening when doing a few searches. Not sure there is a need to worry at this time. Via: Google Support Cheers David!

The Lost City - The Best Point and Click Adventure Game Available for Android

Tim — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:48:38 +0000

I enjoy giving my brain a little workout every now and then. The types of games that have a great story line along with puzzles and mysteries are my go to time wasters. Recently, a game I found that has everything I enjoy is The Lost City. From the makes of the Secret of Grisly Manor, which I also loved, is a game that makes their previous work look almost silly. The Lost City is large, challenging, and looks fantastic on any screen. The point is pretty simply - You are alone in the jungle and you must solve the mystery of the Lost City. As you explore the jungles and islands, you have to collect items and solve puzzles to travel deeper into the game. It feels pretty rewarding when you can complete of these games without using the hints. If you are a fan of this genre, I highly recommend this title. Play Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lccmpl-YG1I[/youtube]

Wednesday Poll: Droid Life Community, Where You at?

Kellen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:10:42 +0000

It has been almost 2 years to the day that we last put together one of these maps of the Droid Life community. In fact, if you had participated in the last one, you probably deserve a lifetime DL badge or something.They have little purpose other than they simply look amazing with the thousands and thousands of pins placed on them across the U.S. and parts of the globe. So for fun, we thought we would do another one to see how this community has grown and if nothing else, for something to do while we wait for Android manufacturers to produce a phone worth talking about in 2012. Here is what to do:

Click on the “Add” button.
From there, scroll on the map to find your location and click the "Click a map location" link.
Then click on your city or town. Click "submit" when finished.
Please do not put in your actual street address.

Defense Zone - $3 Tower Defense Game with Awesome Graphics

Tim — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:30:44 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHw6EuJGH5M[/youtube]

There are tower defense games a plenty in the Play Store, but if you are looking for one with exceptional looks and gameplay, then you might want to check out Defense Zone. On each level you are given different weapons to help destroy the enemy forces and the game looks and sounds great while doing it. The game runs a hefty $3, but if you love tower defense and you appreciate a developer that took a lot of time create a good looking game, then check it out and let is know what you think down below. Play Link

Samsung China President: Galaxy SIII Could Launch in April

Kellen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:52:45 +0000

Galaxy SIII! Galaxy SIII! Galaxy SIII! Hey, at least this time a real Samsung executive has attached his name to the comment. That's right, the president of Samsung in China, Kim Young-Ha, was kickin' it in front of reporters this week to talk about their accelerated growth into China. During that conversation, he brought up the idea that the follow-up to the Galaxy SII could launch as early as April. But wait, didn't Samsung already deny an April rumor? Indeed they did. So what the hell is Young-Ha talking about? Who knows. It just shows you that this device is as big of a mystery to execs of the company making it as it is to you and I. And new "official exclusive leaked press photo" in 5...4...3...2... Via: The Verge Cheers Nadeem and everyone else!

For Those Waiting by Their Mailboxes For an iPad to Arrive [Comic]

Kellen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:17:58 +0000

Sorry, couldn't help ourselves. And keep it clean and civil down there. Via: Explosm Cheers Mike!

Oh Boy, Another Supposed Galaxy SIII "Official" Press Photo Shows Up - Come Laugh at It

Kellen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:42:56 +0000

Shake your heads with me. Yes, another "leak"of the Samsung Galaxy SIII happened some time last night by Dutch site GSM Helpdesk. It's probably fake, actually, it is more likely fake than real, but it looks similar to one of the photos from this past weekend, so let's discuss it. (While laughing hysterically at it.) Will the real Galaxy SIII end up looking like this? Sure, why not. Do we believe that this is the official press photo of it? Not really. The entire image set on this render was taken from last year's Galaxy SII and then tweaked just enough in the calendar to give off the impression that it is for the SIII. I would certainly hope that Samsung would be a little more creative than that. Not a bad troll effort. Just not good enough. Via: GSM Helpdesk, The Verge Cheers Nadeem and everyone else!

Google Wallet Team: You can Add Prepaid Cards Again, We Tossed in $5 to Apologize for the Last Few Weeks

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:45:17 +0000

Moments after we reported that Google Wallet users were seeing an additional $5 in their accounts without warning from Google, everyone received the email we have attached below that explains. And yep, we were right. Google wanted to apologize for the last few painful weeks with their service and has decided to hand out another $5 for any inconvenience they may have caused.

Hello, As you may have experienced over the last few weeks, we temporarily disabled the feature to add the Google Prepaid Card back to your wallet if you previously removed the card or reset your wallet. We temporarily disabled this feature to ensure the security of our Wallet customers. We recognize this may have been an inconvenience for you, and we did not make this decision lightly. We are happy to announce that you can now add the Google Prepaid Card back to your wallet with the newest version of Google Wallet, and any funds that you previously had on the card should be restored, unless you contacted Money Network and asked for a refund of those funds. To add the Google Prepaid Card back, you will first need to update your Google Wallet application to the most recent version. To compensate you for any inconvenience this may have caused, we have credited an additional $5 (five US dollars) to your Google Prepaid Card. If you have further questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at 855-492-5538. Thank you for your continued support of Google Wallet, and we look forward to launching many new and exciting features for you to enjoy in the coming months. Sincerely, The Google Wallet Team

So get back to adding your cards, if you didn't already. Enjoy your extra $5 at 7-11 tonight. Cheers to everyone who sent this!

Google Hands Out Additional $5 to Google Wallet Users, Doesn't Mention Why (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:04:53 +0000

Users of Google Wallet are reporting that their prepaid cards are showing a balance that was $5 higher than they last left it. Google hasn't announced anything to our knowledge, so we are wondering if this is some sort of a, "Sorry for the painful last month, have some extra cash from your pals at Google," type of thing. My account sits exactly where it has been for the last month, $2.60 less thanks to one coffee purchase, so I do not appear to be one of the lucky group. What about you, seeing additional funds in your Wallet account? Update: Reader Mike sent over this screenshot of his showing that he has an additional $5 in his account. He has yet to use Wallet so he still has the original $10, but as you can see now, is up to $15.

Update 2: Well that didn't take long. Google just sent out emails to all Wallet users explaining the $5. It certainly was to apologize for any inconvenience. Oh, you can add prepaid cards again too. Cheers Michael!

Mobile Panda: Android 4.0.5 is Next for the Galaxy Nexus, Not Until April Though?

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:50:23 +0000

Our friend, the Mobile Panda aka @black_man_x tossed out a quick, but important Tweet this afternoon that has to do with your Galaxy Nexus. As someone that has a well known insider track record when it comes to Verizon and LTE devices, we usually listen when he has something to spit out. Android "4.0.5" and "April" is what he dropped today. According to Sir Panda, 4.0.5 is in testing and fixes "audio reboot issue as well as data falling asleep." That should make you smile, right? April is a bit late seeing as the device was released in December, but what can you do? For whatever reason, Google seems to have really struggled to get ICS to play nicely with their own flagship device, the G-Nex. You may remember that the day after it launched, the Android team announced that the 4.0.2 that it was running was old news and that 4.0.3 would be the starting point for OEMs going forward. Ever since, users have been stuck with an extremely buggy build and have fallen back on the developer community to help make their devices more stable. Part of me says, "Well, that's what this device is for isn't it?" while the other part can't help buy think, "Really? 4 months and no updates for any Nexus device?" April can't get here fast enough. No better way to raise spirits than a new Android build.

Study Shows Free Applications May Drain Batteries Faster Than Paid Apps Due to Advertisements

Tim — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:31:51 +0000

Thanks to research published by analysts from Purdue University and Microsoft, people are getting a good look at how much power that free app is actually costing you. With the use of special tools that recorded the drain from batteries on a 3G connection, multiple apps that have a paid for and free version were tested. For example, the ads that were displayed and power it takes to find your location in the free version of Angry Birds were a whopping 45% of the apps total power consumption on the device. The report went on to state that app developers should think twice before inserting 3rd-party advertising services, which of course, probably won't be happening anytime soon. Telling an app developer to not make money just doesn't sound very enjoyable. Via: BBC

Motorola RAZR GSM Bootloader Bypass Discovered, Could Work on LTE RAZR

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:57:38 +0000

In the never ending battle with bootloaders of Motorola devices, developer kholk thinks he may have found a way to bypass that of the GSM RAZR and maybe even the LTE DROID RAZR here in the States. He is said to be using the kexec method that was last used on the original DROID X, but so far other details have not been made public. Over the last couple of weeks, he has popped into this XDA thread to give a status report on his findings. As of Sunday, he seems convinced that his method works on the GSM and LTE RAZRs, but so far, only 1-core of the dual-core OMAP4430 is functioning. Once he can get the 2nd core fired up, he plans to make everything public. From my understanding of kexec, this method won't unlock the bootloader of the device, but it will allow you to flash a custom kernel. This would be a major happening in the land of the RAZR should kholk succeed. I wouldn't recommend holding your breath on this one as someone seems to get "close" with each new Motorola release and then eventually gives up. Feel free to cross a couple of toes though. Cheers Trevor!

Official Angry Birds Space Trailer, Game Arriving on Thursday

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:13:56 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRxSVEM-Bto[/youtube]

In two days, Angry Birds will try to return to relevance with their newest body of work, Angry Birds Space. And that's all we pretty much have to say about that.

Uppidy Saves Your Text Messages to the Cloud for Safe Keeping

Tim — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:37 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5x1wkJ6wRM[/youtube]

Folks who are not taking advantage of Google Voice's feature of saving messages to the cloud, may want to take a look at Uppidy. If you want to make sure you never lose an important text message or special picture you have received ever again, then check out the short video. The service automatically saves all of your messages to the cloud, then makes them available from any device, including your PC, from anywhere you are. It sounds perfect for the people who are constantly flashing new ROMs or getting new phones. Sign up here. Cheers Curtis!

Galaxy Nexus Portrait HDMI Dock Now In-stock and Shipping at Expansys

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:14:46 +0000

Forget the $90 portrait POGO dock for the Galaxy Nexus, the HDMI portrait dock is now in-stock at Expansys USA. The description does not mention if this will work with the LTE version of the phone, but we had the chance at CES to dock our phone (with the extended battery) into the portrait HDMI station and it worked flawlessly. Still, the slight differences in GSM and LTE versions of this phone have been a big enough pain that you never know. If you have cash to spend, may want to jump on this quickly though before they run out. Buy. ($59.99) Cheers NorCalDroid!

Doubling Down [Opinion]

Ron — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:57:38 +0000

Recently Andy Rubin said that Google is going to double down on tablets in 2012. While Rubin failed to elaborate on what he meant by double down, we can only assume that Rubin recognizes the truth: Android tablets have failed in the market. According to Google's own numbers there are 12 million Android tablets in the market to date, versus Apple selling 3 million iPads over the launch weekend of the new iPad. The reasons for Android's failure (compared to Apple) in the tablet space is twofold: operating system and applications. I've written about this before, but I'll say it again: Android is a mess on tablets. It is definitely faster on Ice Cream Sandwich compared to Honeycomb, but that doesn't change the fact that the whole homescreen UI is jumbled and fragmented. Having the app drawer, search, navigation, and notifications/quick settings in four different corners is much less accessible than it could be. Sure, a tablet offers more real estate than a phone, but that doesn't mean that the UI should be spread all over the screen. Apps are a whole different mess. For some reason Google has been unable to draw major developers over to ICS. That's an even more massive problem than a sub par UI. Part of the problem is undoubtedly that Google has not paved the way for app developers by demonstrating what Android is capable of with their own apps. It took a year for Google to release a tablet optimized version of Docs. Google Listen still isn't optimized. If Google doesn't show app developers what Android can do, they won't be as motivated to create daring, compelling apps. Apple has done this for years. They make their own applications to set the standard of what an iOS app should be like and developers follow their example. Without the apps that users want, users will be far more likely to get an iPad or settle for a Kindle Fire. Perhaps a $200 Nexus tablet will destroy the argument to get a Fire, but it won't deal with the argument to get an iPad. Let's be clear: Google doesn't need to worry about Amazon (at least not yet). Amazon is losing money on every Fire sold and trying to make up for it in services. Google could pursue the same strategy and make up for it in advertisements on their services, but there is no way Google could make a tablet that matches the Fire in price and the iPad in specs. Besides, business and power users (or people who spend money) are choosing the iPad far more often than they are choosing the Fire. Recently we asked you, our readers, why you would choose an ASUS Transformer Prime over a new iPad. I saw a few good comments (for example, some people like ASUS' hardware options more than Apple's, especially the keyboard dock), but overall the comments were either people saying that they simply don't like Apple products or that Apple's ecosystem is closed and therefore inferior. I don't mind if someone says that they don't like Apple's products; I can understand that. It does bother me, however, when someone says that Apple's ecosystem is inferior because it isn't open like Google's. Real world experience demonstrates the exact opposite: despite being closed, Apple's ecosystem is far superior to Android. iOS not only has more apps, in most cases it has superior tablet apps. Being open may mean that you potentially have more choice in terms of what you can and cannot install, but when you compare iOS and Android in terms of tablet apps, iOS dominates. People often ask me why I write for Droid Life. They read my articles that are critical of Google and assume that I must not like Android. They're right, I don't like Android on tablets. I'd love to recommend an Android tablet to someone, but right now the OS and the apps are not competitive with the iPad. I'm critical of Google and their strategy because I don't want a monopoly. I want to see competition and innovation. The only way for Google to enter a market dominated by Apple and truly compete with them is to offer a superior product. That means a better OS and better apps. Amazon's Kindle Fire may pose a threat in the lower end of the market, but that is not where true innovation happens and that's not where anyone is making money. Success for Google doesn't mean taking out the Fire, it means competing with the iPad. For better or worse, tablets are a part of the future. If Google wants to be in that future, they need to make a better product and ensure that their ecosystem has the best apps available. I don't know what Google's plans are, but if doubling down means anything other than take down the iPad, Google should change their plans.

Verizon's Family Data Usage Calculator Spotted, Plans Almost Upon Us?

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:24:22 +0000

It's no secret, Verizon is preparing to introduce Family Data plans at some point in 2012, potentially during Q2 or Q3. Company executives have mentioned it a handful of times and we have seen changes made to billing systems for months now to prepare for it. The move is definitely happening. Today's picture of a Family Data Usage Calculator is yet another sign that things are moving along quickly. The picture above matches the style and format of VZW's current Data Usage Calculator and even appears to be live somewhere on their website. We poked around for a few minutes and were unable to find it, but the top bar in the window leads us to believe that it can be found. (Do work DL community.) Not that we were expected to see them, but prices are not included in the calculator. This tool is made for one purpose, to get you to decide during the checkout process how much data you think you need since Verizon has tiered data plans now. Family data plans could be a big deal, especially for those with multiple lines that see varying amounts of data usage. The key here is obviously the pricing - something we have nothing to compare or get a feel for since Verizon will be the first to introduce plans of this kind. Via: PhoneArena

DROID Charge Update Incoming - Verizon's Remote Diagnostics Tool Included Along with an Updated UI

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:31:49 +0000

Verizon told us yesterday that other phones besides the LG Revolution would receive their new Remote Diagnostics tool. We sort of expected it to be a bit as they tested the new service on the Revolution first, but it appears now as if the DROID Charge should receive the tool in the coming weeks through a new OTA update. The update is build FP1 and includes an "updated UI" along with a ton of other bug fixes and tweaks to enhance the experience. Really though, this is about the Remote Diagnostics tool that VZW assures us will never gather data or activate without a customer's approval. I'm still trying to figure out how they can remotely activate it if it's not running at least in some capacity in the background, but will stop there before the conspiracy theorists show up in waves. Just know that once it arrives via OTA update, it cannot be removed from the device nor can you block it from being installed. It's bundled into the update. So whether you are interested in their remote help or not, this service will be stuck on your phone. We have a Q&A for this new Remote Diagnostics tool here. More info. The update is 85MB in size. Cheers everyone!

Oldies but Goodies Tips: Pictures While Shooting Video, Quick App Info Access, and Notifications From Lockscreen

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:09:49 +0000

Ice Cream Sandwich has been out for a while now with the Galaxy Nexus and we originally put some tutorial/tip videos out to help everyone get accustomed to it. But every so often we need reminders or tips that make our use of it more efficient. So today, I thought I would toss out a handful of tasks that I use consistently throughout the day that were absent from previous versions of Android.

Quick App Info Access: In ICS, you can grab an app from the app drawer and drag it towards a home screen to find quick access to App Info or Uninstall menus. As someone that removes and adds apps all of the time, this is an invaluable shortcut. Gone are the days when you had to go through Menu>Settings>Apps>Manage Applications and then sort through a massive list until you found the correct app. It's now as simple as a grab and drag. Third party launchers have done things like this for a while now, but it comes standard in Android 4.0.
Access Notifications from Lockscreen: At one point, I had switched back to a phone running Gingerbread and realized immediately that my time with it wasn't going to last long. You see, in ICS, you can access your notifications, emails and texts directly from the lockscreen without having to unlock it. Well, as long as you use the slide unlock rather than a securely locked method. This saves only a couple of seconds for the most part, but that extra swipe to unlock is enough to make you realize how nice Android 4.0 is.
Snap Pictures while Recording Video: While not as commonly used a feature as the other two, having the ability to snap still photos while recording a video is nice to have. You never know when you may need your camera during a video shoot. A simple tap on the viewfinder during recording will snap whatever is on screen at that time.

Any other Android 4.0 tips or tricks that you can't live without? I could probably go on for hours, but would love to hear yours.

Samsung Galaxy SIII to Allow for Wireless Charging Up to 2 Meters Away?

Kellen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:02:14 +0000

I know, I know, another Samsung Galaxy SIII rumor. What other device do we have to look forward to though? Motorola is prepping their 12th rendition of the RAZR (that will be locked) and HTC is only interested in giving Verizon their 2nd tier phones in the Incredible 4G. Our last hope for this first half of 2012, is the SGS3. And this latest rumor that involves it, would be awesome if it ends up being true. Would you be interested in wireless charging of your Galaxy SIII? No, we aren't just talking about the Qi or inductive charging that you are seeing in the picture above, we are talking about having a charging module of sorts on your desk and you being able to set your phone anywhere within 2 meters of it while still filling up the tank. Rumor has it that Samsung has created their own tech that will allow exactly that to happen and may have include it inside the next-gen Galaxy phone. Here is a brief demo of similar technology from a company called Fulton: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P47mJK0Wcl4[/youtube] I don't know about you, but wireless charging is something that should have been built into phones long ago. I understand that companies need to make money and that selling a separate Qi back to a phone is the way to do it, but it's 2012, meaning this should have become standard already. Days of searching your desk or kitchen or bedroom for a cord should have been out the door long ago. Via: DDaily, The Verge

Should a Google Play Branded Device Be Next for Google? [Opinion]

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:26:10 +0000

When Google chopped the Android Market off at the knees to unveil their new all-in-one media store dubbed Google Play, most people's initial reaction was not all that favorable. In fact, "confused" is probably not even close to being the appropriate word to describe the way most Android fans felt. I argued that it made sense in the big scheme of things as Google likely wanted to draw away from the idea that their music, movie and book stores were tied to Android devices and instead show the world that they were available to everyone. While the name choice is still a bit puzzling, I do think it was the right move if Google plans to not only break into the tablet market with Android, but also to be more than just the "other smartphone OS for geeks." When we talk about Apple products and iOS as a successful platform, up until this latest iPad, it wasn't ever really about specs. Instead, it has always been about the ecosystem - more amazing apps than any other platform, massive music/movie/TV stores, and an OS that was easy for anyone to grasp on a variety of devices. It's like an all-inclusive resort for mobile products. Your iPhone plays with your Apple TV which syncs with your iPad which is about to sync flawlessly with your iMac or Macbook once it sees Mountain Lion. It's a suite of products that all work together The Kindle Fire, it's essentially the same thing. Ask anyone with a Fire if they know the operating system that it runs. I'd be willing to bet that 9 out of 10 have no idea that it is Android. You see, Amazon took Android, customized the hell out of it, dropped their own Amazon-branded app store on it, and created a similar all-in-one ecosystem to Apple's that appears as their own. It's apps, music, movies and a polished tablet UI together as one. Users of devices like this do not necessarily care what OS version or processor is in them, they care about the brand, the way it is presented to them, and ease of use. With Android in general, there always seems to have been a disconnect in the ecosystem. There were once two separate operating systems for tablets and phones, some apps worked here while they wouldn't work over there, Google's other products like Chrome were at one time kept separate, and the music/movie/book stores were added on so much later that many haven't yet fully adopted them as their go-to services. And were these Android specific or do I consume them from other outlets like my PC? Are they a part of Android or do they stand on their own? So what does that have to do with Google Play? Think about it. Google Play is the new ecosystem for Google's media products. Google has realized that in order to take this sector over the top, that they need to dip into the successful strategies of Apple and Amazon. Make their products about media, ease of use, and the Google brand rather than about subtle differences in specs or versions of Android. Google has essentially admitted that they are moving in this direction. Their product manager Punit Soni spoke just last week of a unified gaming experience from Google, meaning that you won't have separate games for Google+, Chrome and Android and that they will all just be "Google Games." Sure, Android and its latest version still needs to be talked about as new features are introduced, but make it about those features and the experience they create rather than the version number, something they actually started to do with Ice Cream Sandwich. When Apple announces a new product, their commercials don't brag about iOS 5.2, they talk about the new features that come in the software of the latest hardware release from them that you can't live without. And I couldn't even tell you what OS version the Kindle Fire is running at this point, but I know that my wife can't put it down and consumes almost more media than I do away from a computer. If they create the brand that users can go to for their media needs and an ecosystem that encompasses everything mobile and beyond (to TVs and to home), but without the confusion, how can they lose? Downplay Android, bring to light the fact that it's Google? And why not release a device with this branding front and center. There has been enough talk about Google entering the hardware business that it wouldn't surprise me if you started to see Google Play branded products. "What's that phone you've got there?" - "Oh it's the Google Play phone." Something to think about.

DROID X .621 Build Root Method Released, Talk About Device Trickery

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:18:03 +0000

When Motorola and Verizon released their latest bug fixer for the DROID X as build 4.5.621, they pissed off owners of the device for the 116th time in under 2 years (actually it's probably more than that). I'm referring to the fact that all previous root methods are now blocked, leaving those that updated to the new firmware without the ability to root again and fully enjoy their "open" Android device the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Well, in classic bird-flipping fashion, a root method has been discovered. Ready for it? The steps involve flashing an SBF file that turns your phone into a Milestone X (the European variant of the DROID X), rooting that, and then taking control of your phone from there with a DROID X custom ROM. So again, you have to flash Milestone X .604 software onto your phone, root it, and then pick out a DROID X ROM that suits you best. It's not pretty and as far as I can tell is not rooted .621, but it will give those that are stuck on .621 a chance to get off of it. SMH. Via: RootzWiki Cheers Brian and Joe!

Have You Given Siine Keyboard a Chance?

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:01:17 +0000

Within the last couple of weeks, Siine Keyboard has popped up enough times from readers (or PR people acting as readers), that we felt inclined to at least discuss it. You see, we were turned onto this keyboard replacement what seems like months ago, but found it chintzy enough at that time that we simply brushed it aside. I don't know if the Siine team has improved the app immensely over the last couple of weeks or if readers are just randomly stumbling onto it after finding themselves bored with Swype and Swiftkey, but people can't seem to quit talking about it. What is Siine Keyboard? It can function like any other keyboard, but it stands out because you can customize it to say all sorts of every day phrases or greetings or slang words with the touch of a couple of buttons. You can even download special sets of words so that you sound Australian or like Sherlock Holmes or with a hip hop flare. And from what we know, everything can be tweaked to your liking. That brief description certainly does not do it justice. I'd recommend that you watch the video below to get a clearer picture of it all. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g884InccVKY[/youtube] Play Link. So tell me, are you or have you used Siine keyboard? Still using it? Should I switch to it? Sell me on it.

FitBit Android App Released, Bring Your Daily Activity Tracking with You

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:15:35 +0000

Fitness gurus, your FitBit Android app is finally available in the Google Play Store. As one of the most popular fitness trends in recent history, FitBit is an easy way for health conscious folks to keep track of their daily activity levels. The Android app appears to be a nice add-on for those that chose this fitness accessory over the Nike FuelBand or Motorola MotoActv. While it doesn't seem to sync wirelessly from anywhere, it will sync all of your data once your FitBit comes in range of a base station. So you can get it to sync while at home or work if your base is around, but not on-the-go at the mall or gym. Play Link Cheers to everyone who sent this!

Draw Something Price Slashed on Android to $0.99, Zynga Wants to Buy It All

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:38:22 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjF9rM_8KiI[/youtube]

If there is one game that has truly taken the Android and iOS worlds by storm over the last couple of months, it's Draw Something by OMGPOP. It's like Pictionary meets Words With Friends for your mobile device and recently took over the title of top app on Facebook from WwF. If you cruise around FB or even Google+, you are bound to find something looking for a game and sharing their account name. It really is as simple as drawing an object and then hoping that your partner guesses it right. Is anyone playing it? Play Link In a related note, TechCrunch is reporting that Zynga (who owns Words With Friends) is in talks to buy the game. Since it has taken over their apps as the top in the Facebook game, it only makes sense that the gaming giant would attempt to acquire it. Some have suggested that they simply make their own version and run Draw Something out of business, but that could be much more to accomplish than you would think. If they buy it, they already have a massive hit and could then put their own dollars in to making it even better. Might want to grab the pro version now on sale for $0.99 before wonky things start happening behind the scenes if Zynga does indeed decide to buy. Via: TechCrunch

Verizon's Phone Trade-In Program Changes to Electronic Gift Cards, Gives You Instant Access for Instant Purchases

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:47:37 +0000

If you have spare phones lying around and would rather remove them from your possession in favor of cash, you should know that Verizon's Trade-In program has made that process a whole lot quicker. After trading in your phones in the past, customers were asked to wait for their reward to arrive in via snail mail. As of today, the program has changed, giving you the opportunity to receive your spending money immediately via electronic gift card. This obviously happens after VZW receives your shipped device and then processes it, but hey, it's still faster. On a related note, I took a few minutes to see what Verizon is valuing devices at these days and chuckled at a few. The 64GB DROID XYBOARD will only net you $165. Yikes. Oh, and the regular DROID RAZR will get you $200, while the RAZR MAXX only came in at $180. Via: Verizon Trade-In

CyanogenMod 7.2 Hits Release Candidate Stage - Backported ICS Features, 20 New Devices Added, and More

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:11:39 +0000

No, it's not CM9, but that shouldn't those of you running previous versions of CM7 from updating. In its first release candiate, CyanogenMod 7.2 now supports an additional 20, includes a set of backported Ice Cream Sandwich features, a sweet new predictive dialer, stability on the SD card and notifications front, and more. Another exceptional release while we await the arrival of CM9. Go get some. Via: CyanogenMod [Changelog] Cheers Jigga_Z!

What is Verizon's New Remote Diagnostics Tool? We Have Answers

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:39:05 +0000

Verizon plans to debut a new "Remote Diagnostics" tool when the LG Revolution receives its next update. The tool will be used by customer services reps to remotely access your phone during support calls to quickly fix or address your problems. Verizon assures us that this tool will never be activated unless the customer has given the customer service rep permission to do so. With privacy such a hot topic these days, there are bound to be questions or concerns about this type of software being installed on our phones. We pinged Verizon to get some answers and heard back. What is Verizon's Remote Diagnostic Tool?

New customer care solution to improve device issue diagnosis during customer support calls. When a customer calls into Verizon Wireless Customer Care, this solution, with the customer’s permission, allows support personnel to remotely view the user’s device for troubleshooting and application demonstrations.

Is this service eventually going to roll out to all Verizon smartphones through updates?

"This is a new tool that we plan to bring to some phones this year as we continue to enhance the customer service experience."

How does the tool work during a support call?

"Customers with a Revolution by LG who call customer service are not required to use the tool. The tool will not run unless a customer gives explicit permission during a call with customer support. If customer support suggests using the tool as a way to diagnose a problem the customer will see a notification on their device after customer support initiates the Verizon Remote Diagnostics tool. A customer will then see a permission request directly on their device along with “terms and conditions” and an “Accept” or “Reject” button. A customer will need to select “Accept” in order for the tool to run. Customers are free to select “Reject” and the tool will not run. Customers will also be given a 4-digit PIN by customer support and that PIN must be entered in the device by the customer in order for this to work."

Does it access contacts, passwords or other personal information?

"The tool never pulls contacts, account numbers, passwords and the like. And, it’s important to remember, it will run only when a customer calls customer support and gives permission to use the Verizon Remote Diagnostics tool."

Can users opt-out of receiving the Remote Diagnostics tool? Can it be removed?

"It is a piece of the new software and cannot be removed, but it does not run in the background. It only runs when a customer calls support and gives permission to use it."

So again, if you didn't see it the third or 4th time, this Remote Diagnostics tool will not run in the background. It is however, a new piece of software that is installed in the background, but can only be activated when you give a customer service rep permission to use it. Will be interesting to see if the developer community can locate this service and remove it without breaking the phone. I can imagine that most readers of sites like DL would rather not have it installed in the background whether it runs or not.

Humble Bundle for Android 2 Available Now - 5 New Games Debut, All Can be Yours with a Simple Donation

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:01:08 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apnN-H4G1Vg[/youtube]

The previous Humble Bundle for Android was such a success, that its creators are launching version 2 this morning with 5 games, brand new to our favorite platform. For those not familiar with the service, think of it as a bidding process for DRM-free apps, only you can bid whatever you want and still receive the entire bundle. The value of all of the games in this latest bundle sits somewhere around $57, but you can bid $1 if you'd like. Just remember, that part of the deal is to support charities and developers of the apps. In this latest bundle, Android enthusiasts will find 5 games new to Android that all look impressive. The list is as follows:

Zen Bound 2: the meditative 3D puzzler
Canabalt: the indie parkour platformer
Cogs: the critically acclaimed steampunk indie puzzler
Avadon: The Black Fortress: an Android tablet special -- the epic, old-school role-playing game

If you pay more than the average price, you get a 5th game for free - that game is Swords & Soldiers. Visit HumbleBundle.com to get in on the fun.

Unnamed Samsung Executive: Galaxy SIII will Run Quad-core Exynos Processor

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:18:20 +0000

According to the Korea Times, Samsung will include one of their new quad-core Exynos processors (probably the 4412) in the follow-up to the Galaxy SII, a phone that most of us refer to as the Galaxy SIII. Not that anyone should be surprised by this since they have used variations of Exynos chips for some time now in devices, but not one of them uses a quad-core variant to date. Questions had been raised over its availability for the first half of this year, so if this unnamed "high ranking company-executive" is right, get giddy. The Exynos chips that were included with the Galaxy SII still outperform most of the competition. This new architecture should really fly though without sucking as much juice at 32nm. The GPU to our knowledge is still the same as the chipsets used in the SGS2, which is nothing to complain about. Still no date to discuss, but we do have tons of fake or semi-fake Galaxy SIII photos to talk about. Via: Korea Times Cheers pyroholtz!

LG Revolution Update Introduces Verizon's "Remote Diagnostics" Tool, Says It Needs Your Permission to Use It Though

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:20:57 +0000

Over the weekend, Verizon pushed a support document to their LG Revolution site indicating that an update was imminent. That update looked normal for the most part and included bug fixes, Verizon Video, and more. What wasn't normal though, was the section under "New Features" that read "Enhanced customer support with Verizon Remote Diagnostics." What on Earth could that be? From the document we have the following:

New customer care solution to improve device issue diagnosis during customer support calls. When a customer calls into Verizon Wireless Customer Care, this solution, with the customer’s permission, allows support personnel to remotely view the user’s device for troubleshooting and application demonstrations.

The key point to that paragraph is "with the customer's permission." It's essentially a remote login type of service for VZW service reps to use during support calls to better assist you. We have to assume that it's a piece of software that will sit in the background of your phone that can be activated once you give them the thumbs up. That scare anyone a bit? In a day when you can't visit a tech site without seeing something to do with privacy, all we can do is try to take Verizon's word for it on this one. If it indeed turns out to be some sort of tracking tool that is engaged without customer consent, you can imagine the lawsuit. Now the big question is, which phones will see it next? And if they do, can we opt out of having it on our phone? As someone that handles their phone without ever having to call customer service, this is something I do not want on any of my phones. More info.

DROID Incredible 4G Receives Benchmark, Probably a Snapdragon S4 but Only a qHD Display?

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:04:42 +0000

We have been on the hunt for the DROID Incredible 4G dating back to late 2011 when we first reported that a new device had popped up in a Verizon system dubbed the "HTC Fireball." Little was known about the phone then other than a model number of ADR6410LVW which was a pretty good indicator that this phone could be some sort of a follow-up to the Incredible 2. Pictures of a device later leaked that we assumed was the Fireball since it had similar styling to the rest of the Incredible lineup and VZW had nothing else planned from HTC that we were aware of. The specs failed to impress at that time, which had us crossing our fingers that magical hardware changes were in store. That apparently will not happen if this weekend's NenaMark benchmark for the device is to be believed. What we are seeing above matches up to the previous leak - 1.2GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.0.3, and Verizon. Two things that we need to discuss though: the processor a little more deeply and the qHD display. As far as the processor goes, NenaMark shows it with an Adreno 225 which is the same GPU seen in Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 chipsets. It's powerful, something that can be seen in this test result, but we aren't sure why it has been clocked at 1.2Ghz. Most S4's are clocked at a minimum of 1.5GHz, so we are a little confused. Is it underclocked to improve battery life that much more? Potentially. The only thing we should point out is that Qualcomm does have a dual-core S4 that can comes clocked at 1.2GHz, only it has their new Adreno 305 GPU on board. That particular SoC is not ready yet to our knowledge, and the benchmark clearly states "225" so let's just move on and assume it's an underclocked MSM8960. (Dirty details about this chipset here.) The other thing to discuss here is the display. What's up with the qHD display? With almost every other high-end phone rolling in with 720p HD displays - including the HTC Rezound from 2011 - we can't figure this one out. Cost cutting measure? The Snapdragon S4 is a bump over the S3 that is in the Rezound, but a qHD display is a bit of a downgrade. We are wondering now if Verizon is simply trying to keep the cost down on this device and then potentially make it their first official "global ready" 4G phone. The current target for release that we have seen is April 26. Via: NenMark, Ameblo

Motorola DROID Fighter Makes First Appearance, Looks Like a RAZR with an HD Display and On-screen Soft Keys

Kellen — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:45:14 +0000

We have been talking about this mysterious phone that is headed to Verizon called the DROID Fighter for about a month now. Dirty details have escaped us for the most part other than a potential release date of April 12. Some had speculated that it would end up as a Motorola device, but with the crazy number of phones they released over the last 6 months, it was tough to believe that they could possibly be back with more. In the end, it looks like they may be after all. Notorious Moto phone leaking forum Phone HK posted up a photo this weekend that they are referring to as the DROID Fighter, made by Motorola. As you can see, the phone looks almost identical to the DROID RAZR except for one major change - the bottom row of soft keys appears to be gone. Included with this picture was a spec that read "4.6-inch HD" screen, leading us to believe that this phone will have on-screen soft keys just like the Galaxy Nexus. As you may recall, the Galaxy Nexus has a 4.65" screen, but .35" of that is for the on-screen keys, so for the most part it's a 4.3" screen. Now, those keys will hide at certain times or with specific apps (like Youtube) so that you can experience more screen real estate. This Fighter phone with its 4.6" screen could easily be allocating .3" to on-screen keys. It's an amazing concept that we wish all phone manufacturers would adopt. To see Moto make the move is exciting, especially after the issues many of you had with the hefty chin and bezel that was included on the RAZR. What else can we gather? Well, "HD" screen is new for Motorola in the U.S. We went hands on with their Chinese HD RAZRs back at CES and figured they would make the move to our shores at some point. The HD screens that Moto used in these two devices is something beautiful, so this phone should be grabbing your attention. There was also a mention of it having the 3300mAh battery that the RAZR MAXX has. What I'm struggling to understand though, is why release another RAZR variant? This would be the third version in about 6 months time. Sure, the upgraded HD screen is nice, and the idea that it will also have Ice Cream Sandwich at launch is fun, but couldn't this have been the RAZR MAXX? Just like the RAZR MAXX should have been the RAZR? Oh and another random thought to ponder - if this phone is coming in April, anyone willing to bet that it is Moto's first ICS phone before any of their current lineup sees an update? I'd put money on that. Full shot below. Thoughts?

Cheers Antony!

Cut the Rope: Experiments Released on Android - 125 New Levels, Characters and Elements Packed In

Kellen — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 07:00:15 +0000

We hope that you have not forgotten about Cut the Rope, a game we actually like writing about unlike that one with flying feathered creatures. In the latest installment called "Experiments," you will have another 125 levels in 5 settings to conquer. There are newly introduced characters, guns, elements, rockets, story lines and social integration. It's a fully featured Cut the Rope game that will surely take up the rest of your Sunday. It will run you about $1 in the Play Store. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC9Z0GIzsSA[/youtube] Play Link Cheers Justin and Michael!

Or Maybe this is Actually the Samsung Galaxy SIII? [Photo]

Kellen — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 05:53:36 +0000

After yesterday's latest purported leak of the Samsung Galaxy SIII (that is more than likely fake), we have this picture. Allegedly coming from someone with a friend inside Samsung, he not only posted what you are seeing above, but he dropped a handful of specs. As with any of these leaks, take them for what they are and that's an unproven rumor from a mystery man on the internet. So what did he say?

4.7" HD display that has just enough space for a front camera, speaker grill, and so that cases would fit on. The rest really is supposedly all screen (including those on-screen buttons).
Quad-core Exynos chip with 2GB of RAM. He initially called the SoC a 4212, which is Samsung's latest dual-core chip, but then changed it to 4412 after hearing it from redditors.
8MM thick but with a 2250mAh battery.
12MP rear camera.
Back is made of ceramic just like the HTC One S.
The back is completely smooth without the famous hump from last year's model.
Sammie may be looking into giving you the option to choose either TouchWiz or stock ICS - sort of a dual-launcher approach.

What do I think? Well, the device mimics the Galaxy S2 in shape, but clearly has a larger screen. It's running stock ICS and that's about all you can tell. Could this actually be the SGS3? Sure, but we surely can't tell from this poorly taken photo. Just add this one to the rumor pile that is growing by the day. Via: reddit Cheers Doron and Keith!

Is this the Samsung Galaxy SIII?

Kellen — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:38:34 +0000

Well, what do you think? Is this the Samsung Galaxy SIII? The picture above appeared on reddit this morning and includes enough interesting tid bits to get us to at least write about it. Could it be a complete fake? Of course it could be. Are we willing to at least discuss it and then decide? Yep. How about that phone? The device design mimics that of the new Galaxy Tab 2 with its silver edges, a move that was initially made by Samsung to get Apple off of their back. The screen appears to be massive and is edge-to-edge, something we have been waiting for on a mobile device. The bottom - unfortunately - does not have on-screen keys like we have seen on the Galaxy Nexus. The single home button is featured as it was on the Galaxy SII and Galaxy Note outside of the U.S. (something we have mixed feelings about), meaning we will see menu and back buttons on its sides if this design ends up being real. There is a lock switch and dedicated camera button on the right side, along with a volume rocker on the left. A front and semi-protruding back camera are visible. The device is running some form of TouchWiz, but we expected it to. As far as the items on the screen go, we should talk about them. The calendar is set for May 22 and mentions that you can watch the Galaxy SIII Unpacked Event live (potentially in London). Samsung, in the past, has held "Unpacked" events to launch some of their newest and most important products, including the Galaxy SII, which had a similar calendar hint on its press photo. What is up with the "Weber Shandwick" logo in the bottom right? That is a legitimate PR company, so the fact that it is featured on this slide is noteworthy. Samsung uses a different PR group for most of their mobile press stuff, but Weber is in the mobile game and could have joined Sammie for some SGS3 fun. "Could" being the key word here. Real or fake? Like I said in the beginning, this is a nice hack job if it is indeed fake. It looks semi-legit and has plenty of info to create a stir this weekend. I'll leave it with you to tell us what you think. Via: reddit [2]

Contest Reminder: Two Transformer Primes and Docks Up for Grabs

Tim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:00:54 +0000

Our contest is open all weekend for your chance to win one of two Asus Transformer Primes along with matching lapdock. To win, all you need to do is tell us why you want an Android tablet instead of the new iPad. Simple enough, right? Entries will close at 8AM PST on Monday morning and we will choose our winner at 9AM PST. Good luck!

Enter Here.

FoxFi Enables WiFi Tethering Without the Cost, No Root Required

Eric — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:20:32 +0000

Another awesome application to come out of the Play Store today is the FoxFi app. It allows you to use WiFi and Bluetooth tethering on your phone without the added cost of a tethering plan on your carrier's bill. The best part is there is no root required either so you can install and be up and running in minutes. The app allows you to create networks to use with tablets, laptops or gaming consoles even and lets you create a SSID and password all to your liking. There are many phones supported but there are a few that FoxFi is still working on getting up and running. Users with the Galaxy Nexus and DROID RAZR are reporting no problems whatsoever so head on over to the Play Store and start tethering.

Play Link

Cheers Steve, Aaron, and Mike!

Tablet Optimized Call of Duty: Elite Application On The Way, Will It Make Up For Horrible Phone Launch?

Eric — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:40:20 +0000

We here at DL are big fans of our Call of Duty. The launch of the Elite application for Android a few months ago was just disappointing to say the least but to Activision's credit they worked to fix most of the problems quickly. News today has it that Activision is now working on a tablet optimized version of the application for us Android users. With the amount of information that Elite gathers in each game a tablet application could be pretty crazy. Let's just hope that it works well when it launches this time.

Via: Android Central

CyanogenMod Releases Security PSA, Explains New Security Patches That Keep Root In Check

Eric — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:00:21 +0000

The recent fiasco surrounding Google Wallet being exploited through root has forced a lot of Android users and developers to take a look at security on their phones. CyanogenMod has released a PSA of sorts explaining some of their recent patches to CM9 and tells us why root was the main focus.

... All Custom ROMs (CyanogenMod included) ship with one major security risk — root!

This is the basis of the Google Wallet scandal. When on a rooted phone, applications are at risk of having data accessed and this is why Google has taken the stance of saying Google Wallet is unsupported when on a rooted phone. Cyanogen's new patches disable root in a selective way which allows for a bit more security on your phone.

The patches change root as followed:

Disabled
Enabled for ADB only
Enabled for Apps only
Enabled for both

The CyanogenMod team didn't want to go so far as to change the root ecosystem as it is now but still offer a way to keep it in check on user's phones. The changes allow the user to decide what gets root and when, whether it be through ADB or allowing Apps to have access. CM admits "shipping root enabled by default to 1,000,000+ devices was a gaping hole" but they are trying to stem the tide with this change. One note though is that CM cannot do anything for unlocked bootloaders and recovery, those still remain issues that cannot be tackled, "there is little to nothing we can do on that front." CM says that common sense is the most basic security tool. Via: Cyanogenmod

DROID Pro Update 4.7.3 is Ready, Here is the Changelog

Kellen — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:18:42 +0000

A new Motorola DROID Pro update has been approved by Verizon as build 4.7.3. It's not Ice Cream Sandwich, and it probably never will be, but it does address a handful of bugs including better keyboard backlighting. V CAST apps and VZ Navigator will also be loaded once the update is received. When these changelogs go live, you can usually expect to see the update hit your handset within a week. The update is 19.9MB in size. More info.

HTC Rezound Ice Cream Sandwich Build Leaked, Now Available for Download

Tim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:40:46 +0000

As owners of the HTC Rezound await an update to Ice Cream Sandwich, some sneaky person has leaked the official update build onto the web for everyone's pleasure. The operation to update your device is extremely simple, but may take some time depending on your Internet connection due to the fact that the file is a humongous 640MB. If you feel like tasting some sweet ICS on your Rezound before it is released to the masses, then follow the instructions down below to ensure a proper installation. Instructions for installation:

After downloading the file, rename it to PH98IMG.zip.
Place the renamed file onto the root of the SD Card.
Power down your device.
Reboot into the bootloader by holding VOL DOWN + Power.
The flashing process should begin automatically.

Give the device some time to reboot and once it does, you will be off to enjoy your weekend with ICS. If you have any questions, shoot them down below and we will do our best to tackle them. Via: Android Police

Friday Poll: Do You Have Plans On Buying the New iPad?

Tim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:50:47 +0000

We are all consumers. Whether we choose to enjoy Google's Android or Apple's iOS is all just a single choice that each one of us make. For some, they enjoy Android phones, but prefer iOS tablets. We all have our separate preferences and we are free to choose whichever makes us happy. With that being said, did any of our readers happen to fight the crowds this morning and pick up a new iPad? What are your thoughts on it? And please, no Apple bashing. For those who still don't own a tablet, we are giving away two Transformer Primes, so don't forget to enter for your chance to win. [poll id="154"]

Rumor: Nexus Tablet Confirmed by Retailer, Could Sell For as Low as $149

Eric — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:42 +0000

"A tablet of the highest quality." Just what Google needs to finally make a dent in the iPad's dominance. The Nexus tablet rumor has been all the rage this month and now information leaks that says it's is pretty much a "done deal." The good guys over at Androidandme are reporting via an anonymous source high up on the supply chain that the Nexus tablet is closer than we think, and cheaper. The original price range was somewhere between $199.99-249.99 but now that has dropped to the $149.99-199.99 area. The only question is how can they keep the price low while still providing a decent tablet? A high quality tablet with the Google experience would certainly be a step in the right direction for Android tablets. Following in the footsteps of the Kindle Fire, this could be the start of something. Would you buy a Nexus tablet for $150? Via: Android and Me Cheers Mark!

Custom Theme Friday: Gray and Red for Android Open Kang Project Milestone 4

Tim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:10:22 +0000

Gray and red may not be two colors that one would think go together, but it surprisingly looks pretty good. If you have a Galaxy Nexus and are running the Android Open Kang Project's Milestone 4 build then you might benefit from checking this one out. Big shout out to Zathus over at RootzWiki for going with something out of the ordinary and new.

You must be on AOKP's Milestone 4 build in order to flash properly.

Instruction on installation:

Download the theme zip file.
Place on phone's storage.
Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery and create a nandroid backup.
Find theme zip and install.
Reboot and enjoy!

Be sure to let us know if you have any questions and we'll do our best to field them! Via: RootzWiki

DoomGLES Gives Us the DOOM Experience We Have Been Looking For

Tim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:25:23 +0000

If you're looking for a more intense gaming experience than what Angry Birds can give you, DOOM should handle the job quite nicely. After trying a few ports that are available, none compare to that of DoomGLES. With added 3D effects, visuals and warmer lighing, this is by far the best port available for Android. For the small price of $2, it's worth it. After speaking with the developer, he has future plans of making the game even better, so if you're a huge DOOM fan, go check it out. Play Link ($2.14) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KfZ2L5mMM[/youtube]

Angry Birds Space to be Made Available for Android March 22

Tim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:40:25 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_nGxTEUmws[/youtube]

Next week on March 22, everyone who has been waiting patiently to get their hands on the new Angry Birds Space will be able to head into the Play Store and pick it up. It may just be another Angry Birds game, but this next version definitely looks to revamp the series. We know there are plenty of haters, but is anyone here excited for the release? Via: Rovio Cheers AngryBirdsFan!

Is This the First Test Photo Taken With the Galaxy SIII?

Tim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:45:43 +0000

A photo was recently made public on Picasa, which came with some very interesting EXIF data. According to Picasa's records, this photo belongs to a device with the model number GT-I9300, which is the rumored model number for the upcomng Samsung Galaxy SIII. The resolution was a whopping 3264 × 2448 pixels (8.1MP) which does give the photo some legitimacy, since EXIF data can be forged on the site quite easily. Given the photo's contents and it being listed under the account of Andrea Samsung, it wouldn't be a far stretch to think that it is real. According to the site that found the photo, it is an HDR sample, which could give us an explanation into the blurriness we see. While we still wait for Samsung to officially announce an event where unveiling will take place, we will just have to be patient and wait to get our hands on this beast. Via: Phandroid, AllAboutSamsung

Contest: Tell Us Why You Want an Android Tablet Instead of the New iPad, Win One of Two Transformer Primes and Docks (Update: Winners Picked)

Tim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:00:01 +0000

We are teaming up with NVIDIA once again to offer you all a chance to win the top Android tablet on the market. The Transformer Prime along with its matching Lapdock station, was the first tablet in the world to sport the powerful quad-core Tegra 3 processor, capable of delivering an Android experience no other slate can. With the unparalleled gaming experience that the Prime and NVIDIA's Tegra Zone can deliver, this tablet should have been on everyone's Christmas list. But don't worry if Santa didn't bring you one, here is a another chance (for two of you) to receive one along with a docking keyboard station. Update: We have our two winners: Sirlandry - I want a real pad to learn Android development and possibly effect the community in a big way with some fresh ideas and ways of thinking! ONeal Pierce - Would be great to finally get a tablet. Using my Thunderbolt screen is ok but would like larger screen, without lugging around a laptop on the road for work. How to enter: (do as many of the following as possible, #4 for sure) ~~1. Follow both @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter.~~ ~~2. Tweet the following message:~~

Want to win an Asus Transformer Prime? Check out @droid_life and @NVIDIATegra – http://goo.gl/BgBTJ #android

~~3. Like Droid Life on Facebook.~~ ~~4. In the comments, tell us why you want an Android tablet instead of the new iPad.~~ Entry period: You will have from the time of this posting, through Monday (3/19/2012) at 8AM Pacific to enter. U.S. entries only. Prizes: Two winners will both receive 1 (one) Asus Transformer Prime Android tablet along with 1 (one) Lapdock Station. Winners: Two winners will be picked randomly on Monday (3/19/2012) at 9AM and announced shortly thereafter. The winner will be contacted through their choice of entry (Twitter, Facebook or comments). Good luck everyone!

Huge thanks again to NVIDIA for hosting the prizes! Be sure to check out the Tegra Zone for some of the best mobile games you will find anywhere.

Download: New Google Play Store Build 3.5.15

Kellen — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:41:15 +0000

The new Google Play Store (build 3.5.15) that we first reported on last night, is now available for download after the break. Not only does it include a new tabbed experience in your "My Apps" section, but reviews of apps are more informative. You can see the device of the person leaving the review and also choose to filter by your own device if you wish. A very solid update, indeed. Download: 3.5.15.apk Install right over the top of your current Google Play store just like you always do. Cheers @lilcdroid!

New Google Play Store 3.5.15 Rolling Out - Shows Up to Date Apps, Previous Installs, and More

Kellen — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:37:26 +0000

A new version of the ~~Android Market~~ Google Play Store is slowly rolling out to handsets tonight, bringing with it a handful of new features from what we have gathered. As you can see from the screenshot on the left, it will now show you apps that have been installed and if they are up to date. There is also an "All" tab of sorts, which we are hearing is a list of all apps that you have ever downloaded. We are seeing an "Unlock settings" option in the Settings menu along with the new build number of 3.5.15. We wish we had additional details, but most of our markets are not updating just yet. We'll update this post as soon as we know more. Update: You can download the new version here. Cheers Michael NM, Alan, and @mattwitscott!

PayPal Looking to Battle Square With "Here" Mobile Payment System

Eric — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:15:00 +0000

PayPal is looking to be the biggest online payment system out there but one area they were beat to the punch was mobile payments. Square was very successful with their card-reader dongle but PayPal has come back swinging with their new service which is dubbed "Here."

Instead of the square card reader that Square is known for, PayPal is offering a triangle to distinguish their new program. They are also offering a 2.7% flat rate for merchants who use this service to combat the 2.75% that Square offers. PayPal also has the name recognition and the support that comes with being around for so long. The application only is available for iOS right now but PayPal suggests getting ready because the Android version will be here before you know it. We are hearing April for a release schedule. If you are looking to make use of this service head to the sign-up page here.

Via: BusinessWire

Electronic Art's NBA JAM and FIFA 12 Now Available Through the Google Play Store

Tim — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:30:22 +0000

More games from publisher EA have made their way to the Google Play Store. You will now be able to play NBA Jam and FIFA 12whenever you please on your Android device. They both will run you $5, but EA does their best at making sure you get your money's worth. With JAM, there are three different game modes to choose from - Play Now, Campaign, and Local Multiplayer which allows you to go head to head against a friend via local WiFi or Bluetooth. FIFA 12 is exactly what one would expect - A fully licensed soccer game featuring all the teams and players you know and love. We did notice that there were some interesting device restrictions, so be sure to check if your device is compatible before dropping the $5.

NBA JAM ($4.99) | FIFA 12 ($4.99)

Video: ICS Ported Over To Asus X101 Netbook Thanks to Android-x86, Looks Surprisingly Usable

Eric — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:24 +0000

The Android-x86 project has been around for a while, trying to get our favorite operating system ported over to even more machines around the world, namely desktops and laptops. This is a product of that drive to rule everything; Ice Cream Sandwich running on an ASUS EeePC. The ASUS X101Ch has had Android 4.0.3 shoehorned into its shell and it doesn't seem to be all that bad.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DqqVP9obu0&context=C4475c95ADvjVQa1PpcFMS14_DDH-XQ757ltTBYiTmRg3NvHH5y94=[/youtube]

This is in no way endorsed by ASUS but seeing as how the company has had success with their Transformer and Transformer Prime it's not surprising to see this port happen. Like every port this early-on, it could use some spit and shine but a large amount of the ROM seems to be working and even features some tweaks to make it useable for netbooks rather than touchscreen. If you've got one of these netbooks lying around and feel like some hackery, hit the source link below.

Via: ASUS Campus Life

[Deal] Galaxy Nexus Extended Battery Just $25 Through Amazon

Tim — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:10:56 +0000

If you were not able to take advantage of Verizon's deal on extended batteries for the Galaxy Nexus, then you should know that there is a serious deal going on over at Amazon. For just $20, you can scoop up the 2100mAh extended battery for your G-Nex instead of waiting for Verizon to replenish their $50 a pop stock of them. It won't make your phone last a week, but will definitely give you a much needed battery boost on a 4G LTE device that needs all the juice it can get. Update: The price has now gone up to $25.23. Still 50% off and a great deal. Buy. Cheers GD!

Scramble with Friends Finally Hits American Google Play Store

Tim — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:30:39 +0000

If you have been waiting for the American launch of Zynga's next blockbuster, today is the day. You can now head int the Google Play Store and pick up the awesomeness that is Scramble with Friends. Scramble with Friends is much like Boggle. You are given random tiles and you must find as many word as possible in a short amount of time, then see if your opponent can beat you. It's pretty fun and actually plays a lot smoother than their Words with Friends title. Go give it a try and let us know what you think. Play Link

Google Prepping Semantic Search Results, Will Make Google Assistant That Much Smarter

Eric — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:45:34 +0000

Search, the cornerstone that Google is built on is getting ready to receive an overhaul pretty soon. Coming "over the next months" are semantic search results that can tell what you are looking for based on how and where you type it. The difference between searching for "an apple" or the the company Apple will be more apparent to the search engine and should make things much easier to find.

Aside from using the search functions on our browsers, where can we expect to see this? Google Assistant will most certainly make use of this feature whenever it rolls out. It seems inevitable that the two become closely related because the applications primary function will be to find things for you. One of the biggest complaints of Siri is that she is a "dumb search engine" that doesn't always recognize what the user is looking for. Could this give Google the leg up in the voice actions department?

Via: PhoneArena

Will Your Device Receive Some CyanogenMod 9 Love? This Flowchart Lays Out Your Options

Eric — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:50:40 +0000

Who knows when the carriers will start getting official Ice Cream Sandwich updates out to phones. A long standby for the Android community has been being able to fall back on CyanogenMod when official updates were nowhere to be found. CM9 is in the works and has already hit the Google Experience devices in way of nightlies but are you wondering if it will get to your phone anytime soon? This nifty chart will explain what goes into making CM9 for a device and if yours will get it.

It may sound a little like Soup Nazi (Seinfeld references!) but ICS is quite an upgrade in the Android line and there are just some limitations to what a phone can do. One of the biggest changes to Cyanogen is whether there will be an official release of the device. Without the drivers for the phones they can only do so much on the development front. Is your device getting CM9 or is it time to upgrade to a new phone?

Via: Phandroid

Ordering a RAZR MAXX Through Motorola's Website? Check Your Cart, it Might be Purple and 16GB

Eric — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:10:41 +0000

An interesting bug has popped up on Motorola's site recently, one that might leave your new phone different from how you wanted. The Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX is on backorder through Verizon's website, so people have been flocking to Moto's site to do the ordering. But when you add the phone to your cart and get to checkout, the only color and size option that comes up is a purple coat with 16GB of storage internally, neither of which are actually available. We just don't want people getting stuck with a regular RAZR when expecting the MAXX. We suggest you give Moto a call and speak to a rep if you want the right color and size option in your phone. The more you know!

Cheers AnnaMikk!

Thursday Poll: What are You Hoping for the Most Out of a Nexus Tablet From Google?

Tim — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:20:24 +0000

Earlier this week, we wanted to know what everyone was hoping for from Google at this year's Google I/O. The majority of people voted for a Nexus tablet, so what we want to know now is, what would you want from this device? According to rumors, ASUS and Google are teaming up to bring this dream-tablet to life. Can we expect a quad-core processor along with a super-high resolution display? Or will Google focus more on offering a decent Vanilla tablet at more of a competitive price to compete with Amazon's Kindle Fire or the new iPad? Sound off down below on what you are hoping for the most. [poll id="153"]

Ex-Google Employee Says Google+ Ruined the Company, Social is the Only Focus

Eric — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:30:32 +0000

Google+ has certainly marked a change in how Google is looking to do their business, but has the social networking attempt ruined the company? One ex-Googler says so. James Whittaker, who once worked for Microsoft before going to Google, has recently spouted off about his last few months at Google before returning to Microsoft, and it doesn't sound good:

"The Google I was passionate about was a technology company that empowered its employees to innovate. The Google I left was an advertising company with a single corporate-mandated focus.”

Whittaker went on to describe two Googles, the one before Google+ and the one "after." After the "social" battle cry went out, Google's famed "20%" went down the drain as the company was single minded in their focus. All doom and gloom for sure, but not too hard to believe. Google+ has been a huge push for Google as of late so this isn't too far out of the realm of possibility. One interesting note though, Whittaker posted his scathing comments on a Microsoft blog, rather than a personal one. We know that a lot of the community here uses G+ heavily, but how about your friends and family? Is Google+ already a sinking ship?

Via: MyFox8

Cheers GreeKNastY!

Amazon Celebrating Their Appstore's First Birthday, Offering Deals All Week On Premium Apps

Tim — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:45:43 +0000

Seeing as how Amazon's Appstore has reached its first birthday, Amazon is in full on party mode. To celebrate, they have taken some of the biggest titles they have and are offering them at reduced prices all week. Today, they have Plants vs. Zombies at just 99 cents. Tomorrow, they will offer two app deals and the following day they will have three app deals, continuing on like that for the full week. From what we can tell, most of the apps they will offer have already been covered in their Free Apps of the Day, but fingers crossed we see something that hasn't been offered yet. I personally wouldn't mind seeing Lost City for free. Go check out the deals and wish the Amazon Appstore a happy birthday!

Modder Turns Verizon's Cheap Galaxy Nexus Car Dock Into Fully Working Pogo Dock

Kellen — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:04:04 +0000

Since it appears as if we may never see a real Galaxy Nexus car dock - one with a 3-pin connector - modders of the world have taken matters into their own hands. Verizon's cheaply made, yet overpriced plastic version that lacks any sort of connector is what you will need to get started here. After that, lasers, clamps, levels, a soldering iron, and everything else in your tool shed may come in handy. Oh, a cold beer as well since the creator of this mod says that it may take a bit to get it right. What you are left with in the end is a fully working car dock that charges and opens your car app without hesitation. Full and detailed instructions can be found at this XDA thread. Cheers Jonathan!

DROID X2 Software Update is Ready as Build 1.3.418, Includes a "Google Security Patch"

Kellen — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:44:11 +0000

We first learned of a new software update for the DROID X2 back on March 12 that we expected to be nothing more than a bug fixer. Since Motorola and Verizon seem to have decided that the dual-core powered phone is not worthy of Ice Cream Sandwich, what else could it be? The changelog has now been posted and we see that a new security patch is included (goodbye, root?), new Verizon Video and VZ Navigator 3D apps preloaded, and some other mostly meaningless add-ons. The new build number after updating is 1.3.418. The update will run you 35MB. More info.

Developers Create Ice Cream Sandwich Inspired Live Wallpapers, Now Available for Download

Tim — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:40:25 +0000

You can get a sense of how much people enjoy the look of Google's Ice Cream Sandwich when developers and theme artists are actually inspired enough to create work that mimics it. A team of developers by the name of Team Gummy over at RootzWiki has gone ahead and created three individual live wallpapers that play on the ICS live wallpaper named Phase Beam. By replacing the floating spheres with icons, it's just another way for people to create a look of their very own. Install as you would any 3rd-party app, but do note that from what I experienced, you can only have one installed at a time.

Star Beam | Bio Beam | Root Beam

Note: For those who may ask, the icons I am using are called ICS Plates and they can be found here. Via: RootzWiki Cheers Gary, Kejar31, and Team Gummy!

Google+ Hangouts Now Supports Google Docs Integration, Productivity In Mind

Eric — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:00:49 +0000

Say what you want about Google+, but the Hangouts might be the biggest plus (pun fully intended) to Google's attempt at social networking. In the beginning it was just for video chatting with a few of your friends, but then you could watch Youtube videos for some added fun. Now Google decided you and your friends should get to work and added in Google Docs support. While video chatting with your co-workers or buddies you can all work on a document at the same time. Google says you can do trip planning or lecture notes, but we all know there will be lots of doodling and other fun things that will come from this.

Via: Robin Schriebman (Google+)

Google Earth Receives Update, New Layers Including Real-Time Flights and Earthquakes

Tim — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:20:55 +0000

Google Earth has received a lovely update today, which includes a nice selection of new layers and added stability. The new layers include real-time flights, real-time earthquakes and more. Users can now also share their current views with friends and family through applications such as Google+ and Facebook. If you're still using Google Earth, then you will definitely want to go see what's new. Play Link Cheers Derek and Steve!

Video: HTC Using Micro Arc Oxidation to Create New Ceramic-Like Casing for New Devices

Eric — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:40:33 +0000

At this point, we have pretty much seen everything that a company can do with the body of a phone. But HTC is looking to change that with a new chemical process called "Micro Arc Oxidation." Being used for the new One series, HTC is starting with aircraft grade aluminum, which would be enough for most manufacturers, but then they heat it up. Using 10,000 volts of energy, the material changes at the molecular level. "Almost like lightning striking the phone."

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPZ7y1EDKvk[/youtube]

It looks to be a fascinating process, and what you get is a phone that is 3 times stronger than stainless steel and a phone that doesn't need a case to protect against scratches and dings. The phone has a ceramic feel about it which is sure to raise some eyebrows and get people excited about this phone. Since this process is being used on the new One series we can only hope that it will be included in the yet-to-be-released Incredible 4G, so we too as Verizon customers can take advantage of this awesome process. You have to give it to HTC for their attention to detail in their upcoming phones.

Cheers claydos66!

New Study Suggests Consumers Want a Larger Display on Their Mobile Devices

Eric — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:00:39 +0000

There has been a lot of griping and complaining about screen sizes in Android phones getting out of hand. The Samsung Galaxy Note (unboxing and hands-on here) was the breaking point of this argument, 5.3" of screen space seemed to push people over the edge. But a new survey says that 90% of smartphone owners surveyed wanted a bigger screen. According to the report, the sweet spot for screen size is somewhere in the neighborhood of 4.0 and 4.5" or somewhere in between. The phone has to be thin and light as well in addition to the large screen. This should be no surprise to our readers though. What is your ideal screen size?

Via: BusinessWire

Beautiful Widgets Gets Update to Version 4.0, Web Skin Market and Multi-Forecast Added By Demand

Eric — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:20:32 +0000

Beautiful Widgets, one of the most successful applications on Android, just got a massive update today. BW took the plastic off a new online Web Store that allows you to browse through their whole catalog of widget skins. You can see an HD version of the skin, scroll through a few skins in that set and even tweet about how awesome this new widget is going to be. Best part though is once you log into the website with your BW account, you can save widget skins to the cloud and then transfer them to your phone through the cloud.

And they weren't done there. One of their most requested features was the option to have more than one forecast in their weather application and they have provided it in this update. You can even swipe between them smoothly like a good Ice Cream Sandwich optimized application would let you. How many users use BW? Are you going to make use of the new website?

Play Link

Via: Beautiful Widgets

Nokia CEO: Dual-Core and Quad-Core Chips Simply Drain Batteries, Aren't All That Useful

Eric — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:40:33 +0000

Nokia's CEO Stephen Elop has been quite the figurehead as the company's near collapse was saved by the Windows Phone 7 boat. Now that his company is all-in with Microsoft, his latest comments aren't that surprising. In an interview with a Chinese news outlet, Elop said that he thought that dual and quad-core processors are not all that useful. He went on to say that they were just a waste of battery for the consumer. Strong words indeed. What is interesting about this is that Windows Phone 7 as it is now only supports single-core but is gearing up for the step to dual-core. It was widely rumored that Microsoft was testing the Qualcomm MSM8960 CPU chipset, which is dual-core, for the release in a Windows Phone at some point down the road. And while single-core may be alright for WP7 and it's Metro UI, Android definitely benefits from the boost of a dual-core or quad-core processor. Yes the battery drain is a drag but it can be managed as well. Thoughts? Will you own a quad-core phone or stay away for fear of the battery drain? Via: Pocket-Lint, Unwired View

Minecraft - Pocket Edition Update In the Market, a Few New Features and a New Mob

Eric — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:00:10 +0000

There are not a lot of games out there that can claim the lives of so many people other than Minecraft. The mobile edition of the game has been fantastic since its release and has seen tons of good updates to keep us coming back. After releasing a survival mode, where you must build to survive everything in the world that's trying to kill you, another update awaits in the Play Store today that brings a few changes.

First thing changed is a new mob added to survival mode. The friendly pig will be staring at you as you are going around punching trees and digging up dirt. Another control change allows you to "split touch controls" in case you had trouble controlling your character before. Overall a pretty good update, it's good to see a game getting such attention.

Play Link

Cheers Tim!

Verizon Announces New 4G LTE Markets and Expansions, Bringing Total to Over 200

Tim — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:20:50 +0000

Verizon is sticking true to their word on plans to have 400 4G LTE markets available to customers by the end of the 2012. With addition of the markets listed below, folks will also notice some major expansions in already existing areas of coverage starting tomorrow, March 15. New Markets:

Dothan and Enterprise, Ala.
Naples, Fla
Greenville, N.C.
Altus and Durant, Okla.
Longview/Marshall, Texas.

Expansions:

Washington, D.C.
Elkhart, Ind.
Baltimore, Md.
Columbus, Miss.
Northern N.J.
Wilmington, N.C.
Duncan, Okla.
Allentown/Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton/Wilkes Barre, Pa.
Hilton Head, S.C.
Cleveland, Tenn.
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
Kenosha, Madison and Milwaukee, Wis.

VERIZON TO LAUNCH ITS 200TH 4G LTE MARKET ON MARCH 15 Company Plans to Double 4G LTE Markets by End of 2012; Offers the Widest Array of Popular 4G LTE Devices, Including Tablets and Smartphones
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless, owner of the nation’s fastest 4G network, today announced its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network will cover 203 markets on March 15 when it launches service in seven new markets and expands in 17 markets across the United States. Following the launches on March 15, including the 200th market in Dothan, Ala., customers on the nation’s largest 4G LTE network can take advantage of the speed and connectivity with more than 20 4G LTE devices, including tablets and smartphones. Verizon Wireless plans to more than double the number of its 4G LTE markets, bringing the total markets to more than 400, by the end of the year. With the additional new markets and continued expansions, the company’s 4G LTE network will cover more than 260 million people in the United States by the end of 2012. “Our plans to double our 4G LTE network coverage from the end of 2011 to the end of 2012 align with the aggressive and rapid deployment strategy we have taken with our 4G LTE network,” said David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless. “Our commitment to expanding and enhancing our 4G LTE network is enabling more customers across the country to enjoy the benefits of the most popular wireless devices. We will continue investing in our 4G LTE network and working with key partners to ensure our customers have access to the best products and services available.” On Thursday, March 15, the company will introduce its 4G LTE network in Dothan and Enterprise, Ala.; Naples, Fla.; Greenville, N.C.; Altus and Durant, Okla.; and Longview/Marshall, Texas. The company will also expand its 4G LTE network in Washington, D.C.; Elkhart, Ind.; Baltimore, Md.; Columbus, Miss.; Northern N.J.; Wilmington, N.C.; Duncan, Okla.; Allentown/Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton/Wilkes Barre, Pa.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Cleveland, Tenn.; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; and Kenosha, Madison and Milwaukee, Wis. 4G LTE Speed In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. When customers travel outside of 4G LTE coverage areas, devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their area or when they travel to areas already covered by 4G LTE. 4G LTE Markets On March 15, Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network will be available in 203 markets. Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for a full list of 4G LTE markets and additional information about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.

Won't be Near a TV Come NCAA Tourney Time? Slacker Radio Will Broadcast All 67 Games

Kellen — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:40:14 +0000

Slacker Radio announced this morning that they will broadcast all 67 NCAA basketball tournament games over the next month. So for those of you that can't part from work or find a TV during the greatest sports month of the year, you can at least tune in and listen to the play-by-play broadcast of each game from anywhere. All you need to do is download the app or update to the latest version and Madness will ensue. Oh, and be sure to join our NCAA Tourney Challenge for a chance to win a limited edition DL hoodie and $100. Play Link

Chameleon for Android, the Next Step in the Evolution of Tablet Homescreens

Tim — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:00:23 +0000

When we come across these projects that haven't yet made it to the public, we sometimes begin to hold our breath. Other UI concepts have been created that had the Android community pumped up, only to be bought out and never see the light of day. Let us hope that does not happen to this newest concept, Chameleon for Android. From the same folks who designed the BlackBerry Playbooks's UI, comes a "launcher" or interface that looks to come straight out of the future. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWZ7guxro2g[/youtube] Chameleon incorporates useful and good looking widgets to allow the user to have everything they want/need, in a well-designed layout. Features such as facial recognition for different account holders is something that will make this launcher a huge success. If your family shares a tablet at home, then each user can have a separate account and layout for how they see fit. Crossing fingers that a manufacturer picks this up and throws it on as their skin. So the question is when can we throw our money at them. Unfortunately, all we have to go on is someone n XDA saying "coming very soon." So until then, what do you think? Does it look awesome and something you would want to have on your tablet? Via: Android Pit, XDA

Asus TF101 Transformer Receiving Update, We Assume to Fix the Reboot Issues

Tim — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:20:38 +0000

Since being upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich, OG Asus Transformer owners have been plagued with bugs. Luckily for them, Asus is on the ball and has began sending out updates to all tablets that are infected. Bugs included random reboots and various freezes that would require a hard restart along with reports of the sound to completely stop working in the middle of use. Whatever the problems, hopefully they're being fixed with this new update. Go grab it and let us know if you see anything else. Cheers everyone who sent this in!

HTC Posts Ice Cream Sandwich Update List Again, Reminds Motorola that 3G Devices Need Love Too

Kellen — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:42:35 +0000

Not that this list is new, since HTC reported it via Facebook a while back, but we like reminders on important things like Ice Cream Sandwich updates. Included with this list of phones is another type of reminder though, one that should make DROID X2 and DROID 3 owners a tad frustrated. That's right, HTC is basically upgrading their entire 2011 lineup to Android 4.0, including their 3G offerings. You will see the Incredible 2 and Rhyme on this list, as well as on Verizon's list, but no where will you find a Moto 3G phone. Shrug some shoulders, roll some eyes and shake your heads. Oh and here is the list again.

DROID Incredible 2 by HTC
HTC Amaze 4G
HTC Desire S
HTC Desire HD
HTC EVO 3D
HTC EVO Design 4G
HTC Incredible S
HTC Sensation
HTC Sensation XL
HTC Sensation 4G
HTC Sensation XE
HTC Raider
HTC Rezound
HTC Rhyme
HTC Thunderbolt
HTC Vivid

Still no word on rollout to these devices other than the Sensation line. HTC wants to assure you that they are working closely with carriers to make it happen as soon as possible though. Via: HTC Blog

Reminder: Enter the NCAA Tourney Challenge for a Chance to Win a Limited Edition Hoodie and $100

Tim — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:00:17 +0000

Don't forget, we are hosting a special NCAA tournament for DL readers for a chance to win a fancy limited edition DL sweatshirt and some spending cash. For your chance to win, click the link below. Good luck! Enter the NCAA Tourney Challenge.

Rumor: Samsung's Galaxy SIII Making Its Way to the Production Line?

Tim — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:30:51 +0000

According to industry insider Eldar Murtazin, the Galaxy SIII design is complete and ready for manufacturing. Along with his notes on which specs we can expect from the upcoming Galaxy superphone, he has said that pre-orders from carriers and retailers is at an all time high. Could that be thanks to the popularity and success of the Galaxy SII? We think so. Mr. Murtazin has gone ahead and confirmed a few of the major specs for the upcoming device and they read as such: Quad-core Exynos processor, 4.8" HD display, Ice Cream Sandwich, and a ceramic casing which has been reported before. So, should we believe this new round of rumors? Until Samsung gives us an official word, let's take everything with a grain of salt so we don't end up being let down in the end. Sammy still has plans on hosting their very own event around the time of commercial availability of the device, so let's hope it is sometime soon. Via: Phone Arena

Verizon Looks to Broaden 4G LTE Reach, Plans to Unveil Nothing but 4G LTE Capable Phones the Rest of 2012

Tim — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:50:31 +0000

According to a recent statement from Verizon, Big Red is looking to reach 10 million more customers with their 4G LTE network by the end of 2012. So far, just 5% of Verizon customers use the 4G LTE service and Verizon plans on changing that by only unveiling 4G LTE capable phones the rest of this year. David Small, Verizon Wireless' chief technical officer said that Alaska would be the only state that wouldn't have 4G LTE access:

By the end of the year, our plan is to be in at least 400 markets across the country.

The number of 4G LTE markets in America is currently sitting at 200, so Verizon has their work cut out for themselves. As far as what devices we have to look forward to from Verizon, we know the Incredible 4G is making its way to the market soon and of course we still have a blue DROID RAZR on the horizon as well. Via: WSJ

Developer Provides Flashable Zips To Turn Your Galaxy Nexus Into a Miniature Tablet

Eric — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:10:24 +0000

Do your friends make fun of the size of your Galaxy Nexus? Saying that 4.65" is enough screen space for a tablet? Well you can show them and show off Android's flexibility with this new list of flashable zips. Once flashed, this will force the ROM that you are running to display in a tablet orientation instead of the condensed phone version. This means the action bar across the bottom of the phone at all times among other things.

Some of the biggest ICS ROMs out there are supported already: Gummy 0.8.2, CM9, AOKP Milestone 4 and RootzBoat 8.1. Installation is nothing more than flashing the corresponding zip for your ROM through recovery and then a few tweaks to make it readable afterwards. If you are feeling like changing things up on your phone head on over to RootzWiki for instructions.

Via: RootzWiki

Tag Hueuer Introduces Android Powered Racer, Another Overly-Expensive Phone You Don't Want

Eric — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:15 +0000

Some project designer from Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer must have gone to an F1 race with their Android phone and had an epiphany. What if you took a race car and made it into a phone; carbon fiber, metal and titanium included? What you have is the Tag Heuer Racer and one really, really high price tag. Sure it may be "avant-garde communication" but is it worth €2800 ($3670)?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrNOntZDTVk&list=UU-Qw-apJGylZ6g3BWn0GyWQ&index=2&feature=plcp[/youtube]

Tag Heuer is no stranger to high-priced Android phones. In fact, the quote we used last time was "Android OS is like hot sauce, they put that sh*t on everything!” Nevertheless, I am sure that there will be someone out there that will buy this phone. We have no word on specs for the phone, all we are told is that it will be running the latest Android software and will have "new customizable 3D user interface to fit the individual needs of each owner," whatever that means. These will only be sold in Tag Heuer shops so if your heart is racing looking at this phone, be ready sometime in July.

Via: Androidcentral

"Quicker" Places All of Your System Settings in One Convenient Application

Tim — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:50:29 +0000

If you are the type of person that wants all of your system settings in one easy to find place, then Quicker may be the app for you. Open Quicker on your device and choose through every setting your phone possibly has and control them all from this one app. And when you're not in the app, Quicker is still staying busy by offering you a 1% battery ticker up in the notification bar. The look and layout of the widgets are all movable so getting the look you want is not hard at all. There is a free version and a pro version for folks who can't stand advertisements. Check it out and let us know what you think down below.

Play Link (free) | Play Link (Pro version)

Cheers Dale!

Can't Wait For Google I/O Registration? Input/Output Will Keep You Busy, Could Get You a Trip to the Event

Eric — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:10:34 +0000

Back when Google I/O 2012 was first announced, there was mention that developers and coders would have an easier route to getting in to the event than everyone else. Input/Output seems to be what they were hinting at. They are encouraging you to "dust off your protractor , and architect a machine only you could have dreamt of. Join developers tackling our latest Chrome Experiment for a chance to have your machine featured at Google I/O."

It would be a little unfair to have your device featured and the creator not be there for the unveiling. In the meantime, Input/Output offers a fun little web-based machine builder where you have to get the ball from one side of the screen to the other without touching the sides. It's extremely addictive and fun and why not try if you can get the chance for a ticket to I/O this year?

Input/Output

Android Users Still Confused About Google Play

Kellen — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:35:27 +0000

Since Google decided to change the Android Market to the Google Play Store without warning or much of a push to try to educate users, companies like Verizon are stepping in to help. Text messages have been sent out to the majority of their Android customers over the last week, reminding them that the Android Market is gone and is now called Google Play or "Play Store" in your app drawer (can we get more confusing than that?). And while the DL community is already up to speed on this, I suggest that you inform all of your Android friends of this change. Each family member of mine with an Android phone had no idea that this had happened and was completely confused at least once in the last week when entering their app drawer. I had to tell them to look for "Play Store," but that was of course after their market updated and then refreshed. My instant reaction to this change was, "Yeah, makes sense in the long haul." After all, music, books and movies are more than just Android, so creating a more generic store term is probably the right call. The potentially wrong call here is the name, which most of us still can't understand. Why not call it the "Google Store" or "Google Market." Sure, Google Play sounds catchy and the promo team can use it to run promos for "Play of the day!" but it seems like a half-discussed move by execs. So again, spread the word. Tell your friends, family members and co-workers that the Android Market is gone for good and that all of their media consumption will happen through the Google Play Store. Cheers Chris and everyone else that sent these in!

Samsung Starting to Rollout Ice Cream Sandwich Officially, Coming to Tabs 10.1 and 8.9 "Soon"

Eric — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:55:55 +0000

With the announcement that a few European countries would have Ice Cream Sandwich rolling out to their Samsung Galaxy SIIs, Samsung also gave us a friendly reminder about a few of their other devices. Android 4.0 for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 will "follow soon" to the update that is rolling out now.

Samsung also confirmed the dreaded "value pack" firmware upgrade for phones like the Galaxy S. After saying the Galaxy S wasn't getting ICS, then backtracking and then said the phone might not get a value pack either; users were frustrated. But Samsung explains a few details of what they have up their sleeve:

The firmware upgrades for GALAXY S, for example, include Face Unlock, Snapshot, Photo Editor, and others.

So it is a little something isn't it? But is it enough to appease Galaxy S users? Let's just hope for Samsung's sake that the ICS rollout across the world doesn't take too long.

Via: Facebook

Tuesday Poll: What are You Expecting the Most from Google I/O 2012?

Tim — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:15:44 +0000

Google has officially launched the landing page for registration to their upcoming Google I/O developer event. Now that we have all the facts on when and where, people will begin to discuss what we can expect this year from Google. Last year, there was plenty of great announcements including Google Music, Movies for Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, Android@Home, and Chromebooks. So what do we think Google has in store for us this year? Well, we have our money on the unveiling of the new Jelly Bean OS, more Android@Home goodies, a possible Nexus tablet created by ASUS, and of course, more additions to the brand new Google Play Store. Let us know down below on what you are hoping for the most and if you think Google will have a trick up their sleeve for this year. Either way, it's going to be an awesome event as always. [poll id="152"]

Nokia Maps Now Offering Voice Guidance Via Android Web Browser

Tim — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:40:24 +0000

For the first time, Nokia Maps is offering audio directions with their in-browser map service. Without the use of an app, folks who are walking (only working function so far for voice) around through town can get audio directions from Point A to Point B as long as their location services are on in the browser. We may think this is nothing too special, but seeing as how it is all browser based and there is no application involved, it is quite nice. You can check it out via your device's browser right here at m.maps.nokia.com. Via: The Verge

Google I/O 2012 Registration Goes Live March 27

Tim — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:06:42 +0000

Google has launched the official 2012 Google I/O registration page, which will begin March 27 at 7AM PDT sharp. If you plan on attending, be prepared to spend $900 for a general admission ticket, almost double last year's ticket price. If you're a student however, you will need to only pay $300, up from last year's $100. Tickets sold out in record speed last year, so be prepared right at 7AM on the 27th of March if you have hopes of going. The event takes place June 27-29 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Hope to see you there. Google I/O 2012 Registration. Cheers Todd!

Fan of Motorola's New RAZR Commercials?

Kellen — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:35:04 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO8Dv8U151Q[/youtube]

We talk quite a bit about commercials here at DL, especially ones that involve the DROID brand. As you all know from the past, Motorola's first DROID campaign was one that most will never forget. We had robots, the DROID red eye, the "DROOOOIID" sound bite, shots at Apple products, pure coolness, and an in-your-face attitude. It gave Android the kickstart that it needed to become the global giant that it is today. Over the last couple of years though, those "DROOOOIIID" commercials evolved into spots with motorcycles, weapons, ninja chicks, and a bunch of stuff that forgot to focus on the product. Most people not as addicted to Android as those in this community, were usually confused by them, often wondering what the hell they were trying to promote. Starting in early February, we saw a change on the DROID campaign front. Verizon is now running promos of their own for the RAZR rather than the big epic production shoots that we grew accustomed to. Motorola is also stepping out on their own with the two spots that we have included here. You are supposed to believe that the people included are actual RAZR owners, but whether they are or are not isn't the point. So far, we love these. They are intimate, focus solely on the product and its features, and come off as much more real. And in a time when reality TV dominates every network, real is exactly the right move. While these may not work for 3 years straight, they are a welcomed change. What are your thoughts on Moto's new spots? Too fake? Just right? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy_wRKWP2pU[/youtube]

In Response to BBB Complaint, Motorola Says that the DROID X2 Will Not Receive Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:55:31 +0000

A reader of ours filed a complaint with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) over Motorola's bootloader and update practices, receiving a response back that will not excite DROID X2 owners. While the bootloader info in the response is exactly what we have heard for 2 years now ("where carriers will allow it"), the Ice Cream Sandwich update is a bit more disappointing. The DROID X2 is "not on our list" says the letter we have included below.

Dear Ivan, I am responding to the complaint you filed with Better Business Bureau regarding our Droid X2 model phone. I reviewed your recent case notes and it is noted that you received information from Motorola regarding Bootloader unlock and Ice Cream Sandwich. We are working to balance the operator requirement for security to the end user, while supporting the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM on other devices, where carrier and operators will allow it. This process is requiring a good deal of consideration and technical infrastructure and we have no announcements to make at this time for unlocking any devices. Droid X2 is not on our list of devices that are slated to get Ice Cream Sandwich, but that does not mean it is not continuing to get support. Though it will remain on Gingerbread it is eligible for software updates if it's determined that any are needed. Thank You, Dorothy Hodges Corporate Consumer Advocacy Office

After seeing Motorola's initial ICS update list, the DROID X2 was listed, but in the same manner as all other Verizon phones with a "in evaluation and planning" tag. The device, however, did not make Verizon's list which left us assuming that it would not receive the update. That appears to have been confirmed now. Cheers Ivan!

Download: Scramble with Friends for Android Version 4.5

Tim — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:15:02 +0000

Another classic from huge game publisher Zynga, is Scramble with Friends. It has been available for iOS users for quite some time, but has finally made its way to the Google Play Store, in Canada. We don't think waiting is all that great, so we have been able to scoop it up from a friendly neighbor to the North and have made it available for download until it makes its way down here for the US. The object of Scramble with Friends is pretty much like Boggle. You are given a bunch of scrambled tiles and you must find as many words as possible before the time runs out. It is a ton of fun and we can't wait for an official launch from Zynga. Until that happens, get it while it's hot! Download: zynga.scramble.apk Cheers ___!

Motorola's ICS Update List Says Q2 Rollout for Global RAZR, Just Like It Did a Month Ago

Kellen — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:12:44 +0000

For some reason, reports flew across the blog-o-sphere yesterday that ruffled everyone's feathers over the Ice Cream Sandwich update situation with Motorola. Someone noticed that the RAZR in every other country would be receiving Android 4.0 some time in Q2 of this year, and they were right. It does say that. However, it has said that for a month now dating back to the first time Motorola released this list. In fact, here is the post we ran on it that matches up exactly to what the list above says. Their update list even says "Updated: 15-February-2012" not "March 12." So yes, the RAZR will receive ICS in Q2 and the DROID RAZR here in the States is still in the "evaluation" phase. But no, this isn't new news. Try not to toss any more hatred at Motorola than you were yesterday. Feel free to be upset that your "DROID" branded phone appears to be last on the list to receive it, but there is just no reason to be more upset. Via: Motorola

Another Verizon 4G LTE Outage Happening Today? (Updated: Service Coming Back)

Kellen — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:44:20 +0000

Update 7:17AM: We received word from a source that service should be fixed and will be returning for everyone shortly if it hasn't already. If you are still without data connection, try rebooting your phone. Reports have started to roll into both our inbox and on Twitter that Verizon customers may be in the midst of yet another 4G LTE outage. Some still have service, others lost it for an hour or so and have regained it, and many are still without it. As always, be sure to let us know in the comments what your situation is.

3800mAh Extended Battery for Galaxy Nexus Selling for Just $8

Tim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:20:05 +0000

If you need the most battery bang for buck, then you might to hop on this deal. For just $8, you can acquire a 3800mAh extended battery and back plate for the Galaxy Nexus. It may not be the prettiest thing on the Market, but at least your device won't be dying anytime soon. Buy Online. As a bonus, use the code 1H7RFK for free shipping. Cheers Ben and SemiAuto!

Facebook for Android Receives Update, No Changelog Yet

Tim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:50:08 +0000

Facebook has pumped out a couple of updates recently, but have neglected to post a changelog detailing the fixes or features they are adding. It may be a tad bit annoying, but at least we know they're trying to make it better. Head to the Play store to get the latest and greatest Facebook. Play Link

Amazon Stricken With DROID Madness, DROID Branded and Other 4G Verizon Phones On Sale Today

Eric — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:10:12 +0000

Not to be outdone by Sprint's Amazon sale today, all of the Motorola DROID phones are on sale, some even going down to the low low price of $.01. For new activations, you can get the DROID RAZR MAXX for $149.99 and the original RAZR for $49.99, both packing 32GB of internal storage. If a keyboard is more your thing, the DROID 4 is also $49.99 but if you don't want the 4G the DROID 3 is only one cent.

We thought it stopped there but upon further inspection it seems that Verizon's whole 4G lineup is on a discount. The Galaxy Nexus is up for $99.99, HTC Rezound for $79.99 and the LG Spectrum is only $59.99. Better head over to Amazon quick if you are looking to add another line. These deals are pretty good.

DROID Madness | Verizon 4G Sales

Cheers Kevin!

DROID X2 Soak Test From Motorola Set to Begin Shortly

Eric — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:30:51 +0000

Motorola and their infamous soak tests, they hardly ever hold anything of significance but we still get excited each time they message us telling us about secret projects. Even though they don't stay secret for long we wait and watch for what is updated, and the next device looking to get some changes is the DROID X2. This is an "early preview of a new software release" but with nothing big (read Ice Cream Sandwich) planned for the DX2 we aren't expecting much more than bug fixes. We will keep you updated when we hear more on when or what this will include.

Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Motorola Droid X2 on Verizon to participate in an early preview of a new software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a Droid X2, please excuse and ignore this email. Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to be included. If you have not logged into the new site (forums.motorola.com) please do not wait until the soak starts to do so, as we will have little capacity then to help with any log-in issues This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public sites. Thanks -- please understand that start times are always fluid. We urge you to respond as quickly as possible but also ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. Matt Motorola Owners’ Forums Motorola Feedback Network

Cheers El Chingon, Adrian and Nate!

Readability for Android Now Available Through the Amazon Appstore

Tim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:50:06 +0000

Readability turns any web page into an easy-to-read page that can be sent to any number of devices. Have a bunch of tabs open, but don't have time to sit and read them all? Simply send them to your phone through their very own Google Chrome extension and they will be waiting for you in an easy to read format. There is also the ability to view them in their original formatting with the help of Readability's own web browser-type feature. It's free in the Amazon Appstore, so go give it a try and let us know what you think. Amazon Link

Cheers Chris!

Galaxy Nexus LTE Extended Battery Version of the Ringke Slim Case Now Available for Order

Tim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:10:37 +0000

If you love covering up your Galaxy Nexus and making sure it's nice and safe, then you may have seen our review of the Ringke Slim case. So far it's our favorite out of all of the cases we have tried for the G-Nex, but now, it just got a whole lot better. Anyone using an extended battery might have learned that the slim case was not the right fit, so they have released a design specifically for people rocking the extra battery power. Orders are available now and it will only run you a $20 bill. Not bad for the feeling of extra security for your Nexus device. Still using a case to keep your devices safe? Order here. Note: Photo above is the Slim case from our previous review, not the extended version. Via: REARTH

Monday Poll: Is Instagram for Android Still Worth the Wait?

Tim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:30:16 +0000

There are already a ton of photo filter apps available for Android such as Pixlr-o-matic. Many folks are asking the question, what makes the announcement of Instagram for Android so special? Well, for folks who have used Instagram lately, might say it's the fact that the app has evolved into its very own social network. For novice users, they may like the filters and effects that they can apply simply to their pictures for the "cool" effect. What we want to know is if you are still interested. Let us know down below. [poll id="151"]

Call Actions & Reminders: Deep Call Organization Interface With Metro Style UI

Eric — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:50:24 +0000

An interesting application to get some press early this week is called Call Actions & Reminders. While the name doesn't necessarily roll off the tongue, it packs a huge amount of features into one install and it's all for free. Once you finish a call, Windows Phone 7 inspired tiles will fill your screen and offer you whichever features you choose when you customize the application. You can save a contact to your list, export their information to other phones or email or even send the person a text in case you forgot to mention something to them.

The tiles colors and sizes are customizable as well and the list of features is very long. The main goal is to keep you organized from call to call so if you need a little help in that department, hit the link below and give it a download.

Play Link

Infographic: The Radical Growth of the Application Economy

Tim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:10:03 +0000

With the amount of people owning and buying smartphones on the rise, the need for apps to suit everyone's lifestyle is also going up. Thanks to all of these consumers, nearly 500,000 jobs have been created in the app industry. Below, you will find a well done infographic that follows the beginnings of the "App Economy" all the way from the world's first smartphone to Apple's iPhone to the Android Market and their place in society today. You will also find a few tips on apps that could be saving you money.

Via: Frugal Dad

Could the BeeRaider Keyboard's Unique Design Improve Your Texting Efficiency?

Tim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:30:27 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wnAQ1t8Ru8[/youtube]

There are more keyboards available for Android devices than we could even possibly count. So, it's not a rarity that you find one with a rather unique look once in a while. The newest one we have come across is BeeRaider Keyboard. Given it's black and yellow color scheme, we can see why they might have chosen Bee for the title, but we're still trying to figure out where Raider comes into play. With an extremely unique design (not as unique as ...), it may take some getting used to as a daily board. Check the video out and let us know what you think. Does it have potential? Play Link

Video: Isis Makes An Appearance At SXSW, Demos Application And How To Make A Purchase

Eric — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:50:16 +0000

Google Wallet competitor Isis, made a showing at SXSW recently and demoed its application for people. Isis is the mobile payment system that almost ever carrier is behind except for Sprint. The company is touting their easy-to-use interface at SXSW and showing how to add credit cards, loyalty cards and deals all from the same app.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2MOAtUhR7k&feature=plcp&context=C4456b01VDvjVQa1PpcFNrt5KxI4I5BqClDcAb3zH9f3sG5-1w8P8%3D[/youtube]

To be honest the app looks very, very similar to Google Wallet with the scrolling cards up top and a menu beneath. But, Isis has secured the deals that Wallet hasn't. Isis is partnering with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Chase, Barclays and Capitol One. The loyalty cards are something that Wallet has yet to implement as well, so it was a good showing for Isis overall. The Isis/Wallet war continues.

Via: IntoMobile

Video: Angry Birds Space Preview from SXSW

Tim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:10:56 +0000

We know everyone here has been dying to see what Angry Birds Space is going to be like. Over the weekend, Samsung and Rovio had the newest AB on display at SXSW for the press to get their hands on it. Down below, you will see them shoot through a couple levels and we get a good sense that this version of the game is going to be a bit more difficult. Does it still look awesome? Is it still the same old played out Angry Birds? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTAhXybvZis[/youtube] Via: Into Mobile

Droid Life Bracket Challenge 2012!

Kellen — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:30:53 +0000

If you have read Droid Life for any length of time, you probably know that we are massive sports fanatics. We talk about all of the big events, apps involved with them, and even bring you in-person tours of some. But while the Super Bowl and some other major events are fun to talk about, nothing gets us more excited than the NCAA basketball tournament. March Madness, baby. So with our NCAA March Madness addiction, we always create a Droid Life group on ESPN's "Tourney Challenge" and then hand out prizes to the one ~~lucky~~ person who comes out on top of it all. Last year, we had well over 1,000 entries - let's try and top that. Time to fill out those brackets! Group: Droid Life 2012 Password: droid Prize: A limited edition Droid Life sweatshirt and $100 cash. How to enter: 1. Entry is free. 2. Join the Droid Life group from above. 3. Fill out your bracket and submit before the games start Thursday (15th) morning. 4. Winner with the highest total points following the NCAA Championship is our winner. 5. Winner will be notified and prize arrangements set. Good luck everyone! And don't forget to check out the March Madness Live app, your ticket to watch games live from anywhere.

NCAA March Madness App is Live, Ready For Your Bracket and Team Smack Talk

Eric — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:56:40 +0000

It's officially here ladies and gentlemen, March Madness is upon us. During the selection show last night, CBS and the NCAA announced their app for Android was live in the Play Store now and told us all to go download it. It is a surprisingly well designed and well running application that is free to download and use, but you can also pay to upgrade. For $3.99 you get access to every single game in tournament on your mobile device and online. You don't have to upgrade but for some people this will be a must for the tournament. Inside the app you can see your bracket, an overall bracket and even go in and live chat with other people about certain match ups between teams.

The app is listed as working on every Android but there are a few catches; streaming only works on Froyo, 2.2, or Gingerbread, 2.3, at the moment. No tablet support either, which is a bummer. There have been reports in the reviews of it not working on certain devices but as you can see, the Galaxy Nexus is working great (no streaming though). If you are feeling like filling out your bracket, hit the link for the Play Store below.

Play Link Cheers duke69111 and ckeegan!

Instagram Founders: Android Version is Coming "Really Soon"

Tim — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:50:51 +0000

The wait for Instagram is coming to an end pretty soon, according to Instagram's founders. Today at SXSW, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger of Instagram told folks that the Android version of Apple's App of the Year will be available "really soon." They even added that the Android version in some ways, is better than the iPhone app. Hopefully, we won't have too much longer to wait so we can find that out for ourselves. The app is in private beta as we speak, so we should be nearing release right around the corner. Will Instagram be a welcomed addition, or has the wait been way too long to stay excited? Via: Verge Cheers Robert!

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 3/9/2012

Tim — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:30:24 +0000

With the biggest news this week being the rebranding of the Android Market to Google Play, everything else seemed a bit non-newsworthy. Folks are still getting used to the change, but we have a feeling over time, people will begin to embrace the name change a bit better. A handful of DROID devices are receiving updates and Temple Run is finally going to hit Android. It's been a pretty successful week. Here are the highlights in case you missed any:

Have a great weekend!

Google Maps Update Includes Simpler Navigation Menu, Take a Look

Kellen — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:40:41 +0000

A new Google Maps update is available for you in the Google Play store (how weird is it still to say that?). The update is minor and only includes some visual tweaks to the Navigation side of things. We have photographic evidence to prove that there was indeed a change too, as it took us a minute to figure it out. The menu button is now more than just the 3-dotted button that came with ICS. It has been built into the UI of the app, something that should stand out to users and be much more easy to press while driving. While in the menu, you will also find bigger buttons that are easier to read than the listed version that we have been stuck with for months.

Google Play Link Cheers Kendal and everyone on Twitter!

Big MotoActv Update Available Now, Get Your Jujitsu Tracking On

Kellen — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:14:48 +0000

Motorola says that the update for your MotoActv is ready, but I have been unsuccessful in updating mine thus far. According to their Facebook page, all you need to do is plug it into a computer and tell it to sync and the update should punch you in the face. Afterwards, you will be able to track all sorts of fun new activities and even wake the device by shaking it. Most importantly though, you won't have to attach it to your computer as often to add something as simple as a WiFi network. Let us know if you receive it! Here are some additional details. Via: Facebook Cheers @AndrewScottRox!

Costco Offers the DROID Bionic for $59, Throws in a Car Dock and Spare Battery Charger for Free

Kellen — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:44:36 +0000

Something about the DROID Bionic that has caught your eye over the Galaxy Nexus, DROID RAZR, and HTC Rezound? If that is the case, you may want to consider purchasing it at Costco, who has seemingly dropped the price to $59 on contract and will toss in a car dock and spare battery charger to sweeten the deal. We reviewed the Bionic back in September and gave it mostly good marks. It's screen may not be up to the quality of those three devices I mentioned at the beginning of this post, but it'll work if you only have a few 20s to spend on your next phone. Cheers ___!

Friday Poll: How Many Android Devices Have You Owned in Total?

Kellen — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:10:33 +0000

As we head into the weekend, we thought we would run a poll that is all about Android bragging rights. We know that many of the members of the amazing DL community are more addicted to Android than any other community in the world, but we wanted to know how addicted they really are. Some of you made the original DROID your first Android smartphone and stuck with it for the long haul while others couldn't help but buy the next hottest thing every couple of months whether it be a new phone or tablet. This is your chance to show how big of a fanboy you truly are. And feel free to list them out in the comments. [poll id="150"]

Quick ICS Browser - More Custom Quick Controls for All Your Surfing Needs

Tim — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:45:03 +0000

Yes that is right, another Ice Cream Sandwich web browser. With so many choices out there like Chrome for Android, ICS Browser Plus, and Dolphin, it may seem a bit overwhelming and frustrating when trying to choose one that suits you. Quick ICS Browser is just like the stock ICS browser that comes with the Galaxy Nexus, but with a ton of added features to help maximize your experience. With custom quick controls and gestures, you can easily share pages through whichever app you choose, refresh web pages, add bookmarks, and quickly browse the Internet. From just an hour surfing sites, there is no doubt that this browser shall be replacing Chrome on my device until I find something better. And yes, it supports Flash Player. Play Link Cheers Patrick!

Battery Doors for Verizon's White Galaxy Nexus Appear Online

Kellen — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:55:08 +0000

Parts manufacturers some times give us a look into the future, as they get a hold of replacement pieces to phones before they hit the market. Such is the case today with the white battery doors that showed up on eBay for the white Galaxy Nexus that is headed to Verizon in the coming weeks. While these replacement parts are rarely "official" even if the seller claims them to be, the fact that they are showing up in any form is a good indicator that the phone is coming. Parts resellers don't produce things that they can't sell. Our sources have told us that a white version of the phone would be here very soon and in a 16GB capacity only. Separate sources gave us a potential launch date of April 5 for a 16GB Nexus on Verizon which we are assuming will include both dark and white versions of the phone. So in a month, you could find some use for this white back. We should remind though that a white back might look mighty ugly on the non-white version of the Galaxy Nexus. As you may recall, the white Nexus actually has an entire white frame that matches this battery cover, so if you were to purchase this for the Nexus you have now, things might look a little odd. Via: eBay Cheers 4n1m4l!

Custom Theme Friday: Glowing Green for Android Open Kang Project

Tim — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:08:59 +0000

Custom ROMs are great for having a ton of extra features and abilities, but what about when you want to change the look of your entire handset. That's where custom themes take over. This particular one called Glowing Green, comes from developer Kevin3328 and it will make your Galaxy Nexus stand out bright green in a sea of blues. Turning all system controls and apps into a nice bright shade of green will be perfect for those people who celebrate St. Patrick's Day throughout the year. And with the greenest of all the holidays coming up, now would be a good time to flash it. Below we have installation instructions and the zip files for you to download and install.

Note: We know Milestone 4 has been released , but the theme has not yet been updated. Bookmark the forum page so you can flash the theme later once it has been updated if you wish. Thanks.

Instructions for installation:

AOKP Build 25 | AOKP Build 26 | AOKP Build 27 | Milestone 3

Download the zip file that matches which AOKP build you are running.
Place zip file on your phone's storage.
Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery.
Create nandroid backup immediately.
Locate zip file on storage and install.
Reboot and enjoy.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them below and we will do our best to help you out. Via: RootzWiki

ChainFire Releases New SuperSU Root Tool - OTA Rootkeeper and Temporary Unroot Included

Kellen — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:11:05 +0000

If you hang out in any of the root-specific forums or love all things Samsung, then you have probably heard of ChainFire. The dude has made some pretty monumental apps over the last couple of years, including a handful of root tools, a mobile Odin client, a top notch benchmarking tool, and more. His latest release brings us back to the foundation of it all though, and he is calling it Super SU. It's like the Superuser app that you all have installed on your rooted phones now, but it includes all sorts of bonus features so that you can track everything. If the deep root logging is too intense, know that it also helps you keep root through an OTA and can temporarily unroot your device should need to trick something like say, Google Wallet. Play Store Links: Free | Pro ($2.49) For support, visit this XDA thread. Cheers @strikeir13!

Verizon to Shutter Several Customer Service Centers, Affecting Roughly 3100 Jobs

Kellen — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:25:48 +0000

Verizon Wireless announced that they are closing doors on 3 customer service centers (Bellevue,WA; Southfield, MI; Houston,TX), a move that affects around 3,100 jobs. When moves like this happen, one immediately jumps to wondering how much money is involved, but a spokesperson for Big Red did not comment on that subject. What they would offer is details on the 3 options that current employees of these affected call centers have: accept jobs in neighboring locations, take $10K to relocate, or a severance package. It's not always about 4G LTE and high-end phones, is it? Update: We had a source reach out to us after reading through some of the comments that suggested Verizon was moving customer service jobs overseas. According to this source, that is not the case at all and VZW service centers remain 100% in the U.S. This was a move "about efficiencies and ridding smaller yet higher cost centers for some of the newer, larger corporate owned centers." We have reached out to Verizon PR to get confirmation on this. Via: Market Watch Cheers John!

Become the Classy Photographer You Always Knew You Were with the Help of Pixlr-o-Matic

Tim — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:00:24 +0000

People who are still waiting for an official Instagram app to hit the Play Store, may want to check out Pixlr-o-matic. From the same folks who created the popular SketchBook app, this photo application has all of the fantastic ~~artsy~~ hipster filters you could ever need when looking to create a vivid image of your four-legged friend or party atmosphere. We can't guarantee your pet will sit still, but at least he will look good. Pixlr-o-matic is free in the Google Play store which makes it that much more inviting. Go create some art. Play Link Cheers Picolas and Loki for sitting still for five seconds!

Slice Released on Android, One Hell of an Online Shopping Organizer

Kellen — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:03:36 +0000

Slice, an online shopping organizer, made its way to Android today. If you do any or all of your money spending online, this is an app you should probably download immediately. All it takes is an email address that you send most of your online receipts to and it starts going to work. And what I mean by "work" is that it scans recent purchases and then grabs all of the important information out of them including tracking numbers. So once that email arrives in your inbox, Slice begins tracking its progress including when it will arrive on your doorstep. You can add up to 5 email accounts, in case you use more than one. It will tell you how many items you have purchased online over the years and how much you have spent (Yikes!). Again, an amazing tool for those that spend their days shopping over this wonderful thing called the Internet. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tb5GB1O5CI[/youtube] Google Play Link Cheers Jeff!

Thursday Poll: Nexus Owners - Do OTA Updates Matter?

Kellen — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:35:08 +0000

For the last half hour or so, we have been poking fun at the idea that the Nexus line of phones is being left behind in the race to have the most current build of Android. Sure, we have seen a 4.0.3 update appear for all of 2 hours for the Nexus S before being pulled and a 4.0.4 build leak for the Galaxy Nexus, but "officially" the highest build on a Nexus is 4.0.2. This conversation got started because the HTC Sensation is seeing 4.0.3 with Sense in some Euro countries and Samsung just announced that the global Galaxy SII will see 4.0.3 this weekend. That would "officially" put two devices ahead of any Nexus when it comes to the most current version of Android. See anything wrong with that? But as we cracked on this ridiculous idea, some of the responses touched on the fact that OTA updates are meaningless to many Nexus owners. What they are referring to, is the openness of these devices that allow you to flash custom software and run just about anything you choose rather than staying on the official track. Tough to tell if this is the majority stance though, so that is where today's poll comes in. Do OTA updates matter to you on your Nexus? [poll id="149"]

Did the HTC Incredible 4G Cruise Through the FCC Today?

Kellen — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:15:36 +0000

An HTC smartphone snuck into the FCC today sporting Verizon's CDMA and LTE bands, leading those in the tech world to bet on it being the new DROID Incredible 4G. After all, what other HTC devices do we have to go with? That would be, none. So going forward, feel free to keep an eye out for model name "PJ53100" along with ADR6410LVW, a model number we first reported months ago. So what do we know about the Incredible 4G? It ran under the codename HTC Fireball for a couple of months, was potentially pictured a number of times running HTC Sense and Ice Cream Sandwich, and was outed as the next Incredible by us last week. The current targeted release date from Verizon is April 26, but as many of you know, these dates change all of the time. The rumored specs that came with those pictures are not all that impressive, so hopefully Big Red has a trick or two up their sleeves for when this phone finally launches. If it's anything less than the HTC One X, consider it a bust.

Via: FCC, Engadget Cheers Daniel!

Download: New Google Play Store Version 3.4.7

Kellen — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:42:08 +0000

A new version 3.4.7 of the Google Play store is starting to push out to handsets. This should fix some of the dead links that OEM skins were experiencing after updating the first time. Download: com.android.vending-1.apk Install over the top of your current Google Play store.

Google Pushes Out Updated Play Store, Fixes Broken Market Links on Motorola Devices

Tim — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:19:29 +0000

Poor folks with Motorola devices running certain types of Blur were sort of left with a link-broken mess after the Google Play update. But thanks to many folks sending in reports and Google's quick actions, they have just sent out version 3.4.7 to all devices which should fix all broken link issues. I checked on my old DROID X and everything seems to be working just fine now. To force the update on your phone, head into your application settings and wipe the Play Store's data which will initialize the newest build to download to your device. Update: You can download the new version here if it does not show up on your device. Cheers Salvatore!

Google Wallet Prepaid Card Provisioning is Back for Some

Kellen — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:20:59 +0000

Last night, a few of our readers claimed that they were able to re-add their Google Prepaid cards in Google Wallet, a part of the service that had been stopped after a handful of security concerns had surfaced. We reached out to our Twitter followers to see if others were having success, but unfortunately, most were running into the same errors that they had seen for weeks. However, within the last hour, another batch of readers is claiming to have been able to provision prepaid cards again. While I'm having zero luck, we wanted to at least pass word on so that you can check for yourselves. Also, if you do have success, feel free to share your steps. Cheers Michael and everyone else!

Apex Launcher Leaves Beta, Now Available in the Google Play Store

Tim — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:00:44 +0000

We just wrote up an article on Apex Launcher's awesomeness, and now it can be downloaded straight from Google Play. Folks who are already in love with our other favorite launcher, Nova, may find that Apex has a few features more than its competition. But when it comes down to it, which launcher you choose is all based on preference and there is no wrong choice. Market Link Cheers Matt!

DROID 2 Global Update to Build Number .629 Rolling Out Now, Let the Bug Fixing Commence

Tim — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:27:17 +0000

Owners of the DROID 2 Global can start pulling down the OTA update that was first announced here. In the update you'll find a good selection of bug fixes which include a fix for a "Memory Low" issue, camera settings not saving, and an annoying erasing of certain app's data. Once you install the update, you should notice better performance all around. To pull the OTA: Settings>About Phone>System Update Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Google Has Eyes Set on Audiobooks and Magazines for Google Play Store?

Tim — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:56:58 +0000

According to recent findings through the Google Help center, Google may have plans to introduce magazines and audio books into the Google Play Store. Would it make sense? Well, yes. With the introduction of Google Play, Google is looking to broaden its content offerings to match that, and then some, of Apple's iTunes Store. Google has registered a few URLs that match up with these findings, but so far, there is no official word from Google on their future plans. When can we expect to be able to purchase our favorite magazines in the Play Store? No idea, but it definitely sounds exciting. Would anyone else be open to the idea of Google looking to mimic the iTunes Store more and more? Via: Tech Crunch

Samsung is Unveiling Angry Birds Space Tomorrow, Not an 11.6-inch Retina Display Tablet

Kellen — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:08:08 +0000

So this silly rumor that Samsung was going to announce a Galaxy Tab 11.6 tomorrow at SXSW in Texas with a higher resolution display than the iPad gained traction this morning for who knows what reason. Why would they choose SXSW over say, Mobile World Congress? Your guess is as good as mine. As you can tell, we have been avoiding it like the plague. Anyways, Samsung pinged our inbox earlier in the week to announce that they actually do have something special planned for March 9, but it's at their blogger lounge - not exactly the spot for a major tablet announcement, is it? Well, they sent out an update moments ago to provide further details on the event. It's for Angry Birds Space. Yep, they have teamed up with Rovio to launch the game and have it playable at SXSW on the Galaxy Note. Unless another secret event is planned that we have yet to hear about, I'd say the 11.6" retina Sammie tablet is not happening. Oh, and who predicted this would be the announcement some 2 days ago? This guy did.

Video: Galactic Gameplay Preview of Angry Birds Space With the Help of a Real Astronaut

Tim — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:42:09 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxI1L1RiSJQ[/youtube]

When the word got out that the next Angry Birds was to take place in space, the first question many wondered was how Rovio intended on dealing with the lack of gravity in the aforementioned environment. Well, it looks like Rovio had to call on NASA itself and get some help. Since even astronauts get bored on the International Space Station, they had no problems obliging and decided to give everyone a quick lesson on trajectories and the weightless place they live in. Angry Birds might be getting a bit old and played out, but this is actually sort of a fresh take on the idea and I think it could be a bit of fun. It looks to be a lot more challenging than previous versions and should keep folks busy for a while. Anyone here excited for the new version? Via: Tech Crunch

NVIDIA: Yo Apple, We'd Love to Hear Exactly How You Decided that Your A5X was 4 Times Faster than the Tegra 3

Kellen — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:18:32 +0000

During yesterday's iPad event, Apple's new A5X processor was one of the big topics. With it's quad-core GPU, Apple is so confident in it that they felt the need to toss out a slide comparing it to NVIDIA's new 12-core GPU in the Tegra 3. Some how some way, they came to a conclusion that their A5X is 4 times faster than the Tegra 3. There was no footnote, detailed explanation as to how they came to that conclusion, nothing. Not that this should surprise us since Apple spouts out unsupported numbers in every press conference that they do, but it was strange enough to get people to ask some questions. The folks from NVIDIA spoke with ZDNet about the slide, and while flattered that they were mentioned, cannot wait to get a hold of the new iPad next week to run some real benchmarks and then decide. They aren't guaranteeing that it will destroy the A5X by any means, because they aren't about to head down the road of Apple's off-handed claims. Instead, a company spokesperson had this to say:

“We have to understand what the application was that was used. Was it one or a variety of applications? What drivers were used? There are so many issues to get into with benchmark.”

The new iPad will arrive next Thursday, so we should know the true tale then. 12-core GPU vs. 4-core GPU? Fun, times. Update: A reader has pointed out that Anandtech compared the Tegra 3 to the A5 in the iPad 2, and the GPU in the A5 (not the new A5X) ran circles around it. I'm not going to jump to the conclusion that the A5X will also, but wanted to throw this out there for you. Via: ZDNet

Hands-on Gallery with the Special Edition Red DROID RAZR MAXX

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:31:49 +0000

Boy does it pay to be a Droid Life reader. As you may recall from a couple of weeks back, Motorola announced that Oscar nominees would receive special edition red DROID RAZR MAXX devices and that a handful of everyday folk could win a few as well. We are proud to announce that one of those winners is a part of this amazing community. And he was also kind enough to snap a ton of pictures of the device for us to ooh and ahhh over. It's really nothing more than a red RAZR MAXX, but still pretty cool knowing that one of our friends walked away with one. Update: And the device is now sold. And on a related note, he plans to sell the device along with the Motorola Elite Silver Bluetooth headset that came with it for $575. If that bundle interests you, feel free to let him know in the comments. He'll be ~~trolling~~ patrolling them.

And not that we are keeping track, but we have had at least 3 readers win scavenger hunt DROIDs, this red MAXX, a 4x4 VZW contest Galaxy Nexus, and a red carpet trip or two. Not bad, not bad at all. Cheers Joseph! And congrats on the win!

Chrome for Android Beta Updated, Focuses Mainly on Bug Fixes

Tim — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:36:44 +0000

There is a new version of Chrome for Android available in the Google Play store, numbered 0.16.4301.233. You won't find any new features, but what you will see are a few good bug fixes. We always welcome in minor tweaks like this, however, they still have a running list of features that need to be added like the ability toggle desktop and mobile versions of sites. Everyone still loving the Chrome Beta? Google Play Link Via: Google Chrome Blog Cheers K!

Google Promising Unified Gaming Platform By 2013, Game Developers Rejoice

Tim — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:15:36 +0000

If you are a big mobile or social gamer, then the news that Google plans to combine all of their social and mobile gaming variations into a single platform may have you a bit excited. By combining the Chrome Web Store games, Google+ games, and Android games, Google intends to allow developers to have their games reach millions of additional users. Google's Punit Soni had this to say about Google's intentions:

By next year, we will not be here talking about Google+ Games, Chrome Web Store games, Games for Native Client and Android games. We will be talking about Google games. Games bring people together. They are an important part of how users interact online. Game developers push boundaries, and games are fun. We realize that gaming is at an interesting point in its evolution and we have technology and platforms to push it to the next level.

So now that we know we have lots to expect from Google in the gaming category, all we have to do now is play the waiting game. Via: Venture Beat

Over 40 Android Anti-Virus Apps Tested, Only 7 Have Malware Detection Rate of Over 90%

Tim — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:34:58 +0000

As Android is growing across the globe and reports of malware scares reportedly rise, mobile security companies are making sure that consumers are aware and that they would like them to be concerned. To make the situation seem worse, the number of Android apps and daily Android activations are growing by record numbers, so it's only natural that these reports of malware detection would increase. That's where we get a new Android security player to review on the daily. A company by the name of AV-TEST has taken this growth in Android security apps quite seriously and has published a rather large report on which of them are actually effective and worth your time. After looking at over 40, they were left with the following seven applications, who were the only ones able to catch over 90% of malware loaded onto test devices:

Lookout Mobile
Kaspersky
Avast!
Dr. Web
F-Secure
Zoner Anti-Virus
IKARUS

The graph below shows the list of all apps used in the tests and the various hit and misses for each app:

See your choice on the top of the list? If not, maybe it's time to think about switching up security services. As a friendly reminder, you should always install apps from only trusted sources and check the app's permission list before installing them. Stay safe, folks. Via: AV-TEST Cheers Li-Lun!

DROID 3 Looking at New Update from Motorola as Well

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:15:49 +0000

The DROID 3 is apparently next on Motorola's list of phones to update. After receiving word that the DROID 2 would see an update in the near future, the Moto Feedback Network is inviting D3 owners along for a similar ride. It's not going to be Ice Cream Sandwich either, something we know from Verizon's list of Android 4.0 devices that was released yesterday. Probably just a bug fixer.

Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Motorola Droid 3 on Verizon to participate in an early preview of a new software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a Droid 3, please excuse and ignore this email. Click this link to take a short enrollment survey if you wish to take part. Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to be included. The registration window is can close without notice so please respond as quickly as possible. This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public sites. Thanks -- please understand that start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. Matt Motorola Owners’ Forums Motorola Feedback Network

We will be on the lookout for a changelog. Cheers D!

LG Lucid Revealed in Pictures with Verizon and 4G LTE Branding

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:26:22 +0000

Hey, look at that! It's the LG Lucid, a Verizon 4G LTE device that we first reported on back in February as the LG Cayman. From what we know, it is a mid-range dual-core device that probably won't gain the interest of many tech diehards. It doesn't match up in specs to the LG Spectrum, so look for this to be an affordable offering, sort of like what we saw with the Samsung Stratosphere. And moving on. Via: PocketNow

Is this a Mysterious Samsung Galaxy Nexus Variant or Predecessor to the Galaxy SIII? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:41:52 +0000

Well then, where do we begin with this one. Let's start with, "these pictures showed up in our inbox with a handful of details that caught our eye and wanted to share." And that's exactly what happened. Our source says that this phone (which looks identical to the Galaxy Nexus to me and nothing more) is more like the little brother to Samsung's yet-to-be-announced Galaxy SIII than anything. As you can see from the picture, the only noticeable differences are the fact that the micro USB plug appears to be on the side of the device rather than the bottom (assuming they aren't just holding it there to ~~troll~~ confuse us) and that the speaker grill is goldish rather than black. The source mentioned that the bezel is much thinner, but again, it doesn't look any different in width than the one on my Nexus. Other rumored specs include different variations on processor along with rollout to a variety of carriers (AT&T for sure though) by "late Spring." We heard "Tegra 3" and "LTE" in the same sentence, however, LTE and the Tegra 3 aren't playing together all that nicely just yet. They should be soon though, as NVIDIA announced at MWC that they had a handful of LTE partners to deliver phones with both chips during 2012. Then our source also mentioned that this device along with the S3 have Super AMOLED Plus HD displays, and that they blow the HD Super AMOLED on the Galaxy Nexus away. There is an 8MP camera, built-in 2100mAh battery, and a brushed aluminum finish on the body, which could mean no more plastic. This phone in particular will likely run a new version of TouchWiz.

Definitely flagged as major "rumor" with the low quality of these shots. As I mentioned earlier, I can't really tell a difference between these and the current Nexus. Take it lightly.

Update: Apparently our "source" reads the comments and wanted to prove that he wasn't just holding up the USB cord to the side of the device like many of us suggested. So he sent the picture on the left below. I noticed that he took some of his pictures with both a Galaxy Nexus and EVO Design 4G thanks to EXIF data, so naturally I compared the bottom of a Design 4G to his picture and what do you know, they look identical. This appears to have been another troll with way too much time on their hands. The scary thing is that this whole story has been a 2.5 day email exchange, so when I say "troll with way too much time" I'm talking 2+ days worth of time. Think about that. Oh the internet. Feel free to move on, folks.

Cheers ___!

New Software Update Headed to DROID 2

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:47:15 +0000

It's the DROID 2 this time, not the Global version which saw a soak test and changelog go live for last week. This update could very well be almost identical to that of the D2 Global though, but we will have to wait for the release notes to know for sure. It won't be Ice Cream Sandwich if you were holding out hope, since the DROID 2 was left off of Verizon's list of devices scheduled to receive the Android 4.0. See the email going out to Motorola Feedback Network members below.

Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Motorola Droid 2 on Verizon to participate in an early preview of a new software release, and provide feedback. (Please note that this test is not for Droid R2D2.) If you are not currently using a Droid 2, please excuse and ignore this email. Click this link to take a short enrollment survey if you wish to take part. Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to be included. The registration window is short so please respond as quickly as possible. This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public sites. Thanks -- please understand that start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. Matt Motorola Owners’ Forums Motorola Feedback Network

How many of you still have a DROID 2? This is a device that seems to have disappeared from most people's radar. Nice to see it receive some love from Big Red. Cheers C!

Initial Thoughts on Apple's New iPad?

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:48:57 +0000

We just spent the last hour and a half following Apple's latest event, one that introduced the new iPad. We put ourselves through painful situations like this because even though they may not interest us on a personal level, some of what happens does affect the future of the Android platform. Whether you believe it or not, Apple does innovate from time to time, so keeping an eye on their happenings just makes sense. So what did we see? More importantly, what did you see? Initial thoughts? Name: First off, let's just get this out of the way. It's called the "iPad." It's not the iPad 3 or iPad HD or any variation or combo of any of the rumors that Apple blogs led you to believe. Just like the iPod Touch and Nano and almost every single product that Apple makes besides the iPhone, it's simply the "new" version. And this is me talking to the Apple kids of the world, "Stop freaking out about something so ridiculous." Retina Display: The biggest piece to this new iPad is clearly the retina display. Even with Asus announcing a higher resolution Transformer at 1920x1200, it doesn't quite match the 2048x1536 resolution (264 ppi) on the iPad. Certainly there are Android manufacturers out there looking to equal it or produce higher pixel density, but for now, it's time to play catch-up. Processor: Apple's new A5X is essentially the same processor that is in the iPhone 4S, but they pumped the GPU up to quad-core status. So no, this is not a quad-core processor as was rumored, it's still just a dual-core SoC. It does have a ridiculously powerful GPU on it though, which means gaming on the iPad will be unlike any other device. Currently the Tegra 3 has the only GPU that can come close, so we'll have to wait and see how benchmarks play out once this new iPad is released. LTE and Battery Life: Since we knew the processor and screen were going to get bumps, the other thing we were actually paying attention too was the 4G LTE announcement for this new iPad. And not because 4G LTE is new (like the Apple media I listened to during the event seemed to think), but because LTE is the killer of all batteries. We wanted to see if Apple had come up with some miracle way to extend the life of an LTE device. They list a 9 hour life using cellular data, which doesn't necessarily scream "this thing lasts forever!" if we look at the spec sheet. With it's 42.5-watt-hour battery, we are talking PC-grade battery here. From what I can gather, Apple didn't find a miracle LTE cure, they just found a way to put a massive battery into this new iPad. The previous iPad2 had a 25-watt-hour battery for comparison sake. Price: They managed to keep the pricing at $499 for the 16GB WiFi model with LTE variants starting at $629. Camera: They put a really nice 5MP camera in the back, something that no one on a tablet uses. And that's pretty much your new iPad. It's easy to crown this the new champ of tablets since it's from Apple and no other tablet manufacturer other than Amazon has even made a dent in the market. But what we as Android fans should take away, is that...well, I don't know. Android tablets are something we will all mostly favor, but it's going to take a monumental push from Google if they are going to try and top this one. I hate to continue to rag on the Android tablet market, but it has failed so miserably up until now that maybe Google is the only one that can save it. Let's just hope they use better marketing techniques and support than they did for the Galaxy Nexus if they do take on this market. What did you come away with?

Major MotoActv Update Happening Friday Instead, Here is What to Expect

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:05:38 +0000

We were supposed to see the biggest MotoActv update of all on this fine Wednesday morning, but instead, Moto has informed us that Friday is actually the day. It's a shame really, I was looking forward to testing out the new Fencing mode by counting the number of calories I could burn while dodging Tim Cook's empty threats and jabs at Android during the iPad event. I kid, I kid. Also in the update, you will see more of these custom activities, a shake to wake option, and the ability to setup a WiFi connection without having to attach the MotoActv to your computer. For owners of this product, you will understand how needed all of these features are. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2uR_T8xOoA[/youtube]

Own a Motorola Device? Google Play Store Update Probably Just Broke Your Market Links

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:43:04 +0000

As the Google Play store rolls out to handsets across the world, those of you with Motorola devices are noticing one thing in particular - it breaks your app drawer market link. Yep, it's annoying and it won't be fixed until Moto releases another OTA update. The Blur skin installed on your phone is looking for the old market application, but since it has been renamed, removed, or replaced (however you want to look at it), it won't ever find it. I'm sure that crafty rooted users can find a way to manipulate Blur code to look for the Play Store, but the majority of you are simply ___ out of luck. So when your market updates today - unless you did already - and you see this notification leading you to believe that your Android Market is gone for good...actually it is gone for good. Instead, try not to freak out and simply turn a couple of extra pages until you find "Play Store." Yep, that's what Google is calling the market these days. *Note - Since Moto has about 15 different versions of Blur in the wild, this may not affect all of their phones. It's definitely causing problems on the RAZR and MAXX though.

Amazon Matches Google Play Store App Deals in Their Own Store Because They Can

Kellen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:09:49 +0000

The announcement of Google Play yesterday saw some mixed reactions, at least when it came to the name. On the deals front, people couldn't be happier. Some of the top games in Android were dropped to $0.49 for a limited time, plus Google plans to offer cheap deals of the day at prices as low as $0.25. Whether or not you like the name, you have to be a fan of the marketing push to get you to like it. Not to be outdone or out-shined, Amazon has matched Google's offers across the board since they control pricing on their market. You'll find SoundHound for $0.49, along with Quell Reflect, mSecure and more. Now, Amazon doesn't have all of the same apps that the Google Play store has, nor do they have them all laid in one easy to find landing page for quick downloading, but hey, at least they are trying. So if you prefer to download your apps through Amazon, you can find most of them at the same price that Google is offering. Cheers Joe!

Nike FuelBand Android App Coming Summer 2012

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:05:58 +0000

Nike's new FuelBand is all the rage in fitness circles these days. It's similar to a Fitbit, but it employs a new metric that Nike is pushing called NikeFuel that aims to measure the amount of physical activity you perform in a day. It also counts your steps, calories burned and tells you the time while remaining ultra minimal on your wrist. It really is a pretty cool idea. Mine arrived yesterday, and so far, I can see how it can become addicting. You set NikeFuel goals for each day and then try to beat them by working your tail off in the gym, on the road, or on the court. If you beat them, the NikePlus site tells you how awesome you are and it will even keep streaks if you were to pass goals for a number of days in a row. It has a fancy online presence, giving you all sorts of information to analyze when it comes to your physical performances. There is one thing it is lacking right now though - an Android app. As has been the case for years, Nike released this new product with an iOS app instead of one for Android. The app allows you to wirelessly sync with your FuelBand so that you can keep track of your progress throughout the day without having to remove it from your wrist and plug it into a computer. Being the annoying Android writer that I am, I asked Nike what the deal was on Twitter. Thankfully they responded with, "The Android app will be available Summer 2012." So there you have it. Manual syncing for the next 4-5 months. Via: Twitter

Download: New Google Play Store Version 3.4.6

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:48:40 +0000

In case it hasn't appeared yet on your device, here you go... Download: com.android.vending-2.apk Download and install right over top of your current market.

Actually, the Google Play Store Update is Rolling Out to a Bunch of Devices - Galaxy Nexus and XOOM Included

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:31:48 +0000

We thought that Google TV users were the lucky ones, but it appears now as if a variety of Android devices including the Galaxy Nexus and Motorola XOOM are receiving the new Google Play Store. Not much changes as far as functionality goes, but the logo and look certainly have. Check it out after the break.

Google Play Store Update Already Arriving on Google TV Sets

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:08:12 +0000

When Google announced that the new Google Play Store would start to roll out in the coming days and weeks, we weren't sure which devices would see it first. I think it's safe to say that Google TV units are the lucky ones, as my Blu-Ray version updated the minute I powered it on and opened the Market. From a GTV perspective, not much has changed other than the new logo and some coloring.

Cheers Chris!

Verizon's Website Says that "Something is Coming" Which Means the Next iPad, That's It.

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:49:00 +0000

Let's go ahead and get this out of the way since we have yet to mention it and tomorrow is the day. Even if you live under a rock, you probably know that Apple is going to announce their new iPad tomorrow, rumored to be called the iPad HD because of some insane resolution. They also may introduce their first TV, meaning they will tell you that they re-invented something that has already been re-invented a dozen times and then sue the world for it because they filed a patent for it 5 years ago, but failed to actually produce the technology until now. Yeah, it'll happen. But back to the main point. Verizon's site since last night has had this big banner with a "Something Is Coming." slogan across it. It's about the new iPad. It has nothing to do with any Android phone or family share plan or self-charging LTE battery-modem-combo-work-of-art. The only other time that I have seen them place a banner like this on their front page, was for one of the iPhones - I think it was the iPhone 4S. So with that out of the way, feel free to provide your thoughts on any thing I just rambled off.

Whoa Now, Apple is Willing to License Patents to Samsung and Motorola? What Happened to "Thermonuclear War?"

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:45:51 +0000

Wait a minute Apple, we thought the term "license" was banned for life from your campus like a Gizmodo editor. What's this we are hearing about you offering potential licensing deals of patents to Samsung and Motorola? No more "thermonuclear war?" What happened to spending every last penny in the bank to destroy Android? Oh, things have changed according to sources familiar with the matter. After battling with the entire Android world for a couple of years now, Apple may have realized that ridding the world of their biggest competitor's partners is probably not going to happen. Reports have them offering licensing deals of $5 - $15 per device to Samsung and Motorola, two companies that they have both won and lost patent spats with in the last few months. These numbers come in at around 1% - 2.5% of net sales per device, which are numbers similar to what Moto was asking them for in their German win, yet Apple whined like children at how unfair of a number it was. Company spokespersons from all of the companies involved refused to comment, so this is all unconfirmed for now. It certainly tells you one thing though, that Apple's direction and focus is already changing with Tim Cook at the helm. Via: BGR, Nasdaq

Tuesday Poll: Reaction to the Google Play Rebranding of the Android Market?

Tim — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:28:25 +0000

With a big renaming campaign taking place today from Google, there have been a lot of people who have voiced their opinions over the new Google Play name. Google's move for a name change is still being dissected and analyzed for meaning, but we know that Google must have a good reason behind it. Was it a strategic move against competitors or was it to satisfy the media industries (read: music industry disappointment) that have invested a ton of money into making their content sell? Let us know what you think of the new name down below and if it was a good move by Google. [poll id="148"]

Google Play Deals Have Started, Apps for Just 50 Cents and Daily Google Play Deals

Tim — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:09:49 +0000

The deals have started in the Google Play Store. Google said they would be hosting a ton of awesome deals, but we didn't know it would be starting this quick. Games like ShadowGun, Osmos HD, and tons of others are just a $0.50 in the Play Store. From what Google said, we can expect these deals to last for seven days, but we don't know if they'll be swapping out apps each day. Might want to hurry and snatch them up quick before the deals disappear. Also, Google Play Deals which change everyday for this week are just $0.25. Enjoy!

App Play of the Day | Book Play of the Day | Movie Play of the Day | Album Play of the Day

Google Play Deals Cheers Brandon, Walt, and Mike!

Google Music and Books Receive Updates, Google Play Branding Included

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:58:08 +0000

We love coordination like this. Moments after Google's new "Play" media market went live (a rebranding of the Android Market), we are already seeing the first updates to their suite of apps with Google Play branding on them. If you jump into the market, you should see Google Books and Google Music updates, changing the names to Play Books and Play Music respectively. That is really all that is changing though is the branding, however, the Books update does mention that it is "now integrated with Google Play." Market Links: Play Music | Play Books Cheers Albert!

Verizon Releases List of Phones to Get Ice Cream Sandwich Updates

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:43:42 +0000

Verizon has been silent for the most part when it comes to Ice Cream Sandwich updates for their lineup of Android devices. Many of the OEMs that they deal with have informed us in one way or another, but we were waiting for Big Red to make some things official since they sign off on final software. Their list is now public and is as follows. For HTC devices, we will see Android 4.0 on the Thunderbolt, Incredible 2, Rhyme and Rezound. Sorry original Incredible owners. For Motorola devices we will see it on the XOOM, Bionic, RAZR, RAZR MAXX, DROID 4 and XYBOARD tablets. Sorry DROID X, DROID X2, and DROID 3 owners. For Samsung devices it looks like only the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 7.7 will see it. No DROID Charge. From LG, only the Spectrum will receive ICS. Sooo, quite a few devices missing including a couple that should have more than enough power under the hood to run Android 4.0. Update: Yes, I see that it says "4G LTE devices currently scheduled" in the press release which has led many to believe that this is simply a 4G LTE only list and that some 3G devices were specifically left out. I'm having a hard time following that logic since the Incredible 2 and Rhyme were also listed and are 3G-only phones. Also, the DROID Charge which is 4G LTE, is left off. This is an assumption of course, but I would tend to lean towards this list being pretty complete. No dates were given.

Ice Cream Sandwich Coming to Many Verizon Wireless Smartphones
03/06/2012 Verizon Wireless will deliver a tasty treat to many smartphone and tablet customers this year - Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS). It’s a frozen snack that many in the Android community have been eager to try since ICS launched in December 2011 on the Galaxy™ Nexus™ by Samsung. The redesigned user interface includes many cool enhancements, including upgraded multitasking capabilities, notifications and Web browsing. Wondering if your device will receive Ice Cream Sandwich? Here’s a list of Verizon Wireless 4G LTE devices currently scheduled to be upgraded. HTC:

HTC ThunderBolt™

DROID Incredible 2 by HTC

HTC Rhyme™

HTC Rezound™

Motorola:

Motorola XOOM

DROID BIONIC™

DROID RAZR™

DROID RAZR™ MAXX™ DROID 4 DROID XYBOARD 8.2

DROID XYBOARD 10.1

Samsung:

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 7.7

LG:

Spectrum™ by LG

We will continue to update this list as additional details become available throughout the year. Also, follow @VZWNews on Twitter for additional upgrade announcements.

Goodbye Android Market, Hello Google Play

Tim — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:34:53 +0000

Starting now, Google has begun the next step in the evolution of the Android Market and are calling it Google Play. The Android Market name is being retired, but no worries, Google Play looks exactly the same as the Market. Android 2.2+ devices will receive an updated Google Play Store within the next few days and things will go on as usual. Google is going to great length to make consumers aware of the connectivity between all of their devices through their web and cloud services. Buy a song on your laptop and its instantly available on your phone. To give Play a grand opening, Google is hosting some good deals on media this week:

To celebrate, we’ll be offering a different album, book, video rental and Android app at a special price each day for the next week in our “7 Days to Play” sale.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdZxbmEHW7M[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5SzWc8-X0M[/youtube] Google Play Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Verizon Announces HomeFusion Through 4G LTE, Home Internet With A Data Cap

Eric — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:10:15 +0000

We all love 4G LTE in our phones (except when it drains our batteries) but how about 4G providing your home internet? Verizon is looking to use the muscle behind its 4G network to start providing homes with internet through their new HomeFusion service. For $59.99 you get access to 10GB of data per month, after a $199.99 equipment fee; but they throw in installation for free!

Verizon says that customers can expect somewhere around 5 to 12Mbps down and 2 to 5Mbps up on this connection. The equipment can connect 4 devices wired and up to 10 wirelessly through the modem that connects to a Verizon 4G antenna. This service is going to launch first in Birmingham, Ala., Dallas, Tex. and Nashville, Tenn. but we can expect to see Verizon rolling this out to more LTE markets before the end of the year. This looks to be more of a competitor to DSL but the thought of data capping home internet isn't too appealing. Anyone see this as a viable replacement for their home internet?

Homefusion broadband FROM VERIZON POWERS IN-HOME INTERNET CONNECTIVITY WITH 4G LTE Verizon’s First Residential Wireless Broadband Solution Harnesses High Speed of 4G LTE Network BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless today introduced HomeFusion Broadband: a new service that provides high-speed in-home Internet access using the power and speed of the nation’s largest 4G LTE network. The solution will offer households in areas with limited broadband options a reliable alternative for data connectivity in their homes. “HomeFusion Broadband is just one of the new products and services that is made possible with our 4G LTE network,” said Tami Erwin, vice president and chief marketing officer, Verizon Wireless. “Customers want to connect more and more devices in their homes to the Internet, and HomeFusion Broadband gives them a simple, fast and effective way to bring the most advanced wireless connection from Verizon into their homes.” The 4G LTE network is efficiently delivered to an antenna which transmits the signal to a broadband router inside the home. The cylinder-shaped antenna is professionally installed at the customer’s home, and the product’s innovative design includes multiple internal antennae allowing the device to pick up Verizon’s 4G LTE signal. The broadband router can connect up to four wired and at least 20 wireless devices inside the home using Wi-Fi, including everything from computers to gaming consoles. HomeFusion Broadband will be available beginning later this month in Birmingham, Ala., Dallas and Nashville, Tenn., with additional markets to follow. Verizon Wireless is working with Asurion, a trusted leader in consumer technology protection services, for installation. Customers can choose several usage-based plans, beginning at $59.99 monthly access for 10 GB of data, specifically designed for HomeFusion Broadband. A one-time equipment fee of $199.99 applies, and installation is free. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network now covers more than 200 million people in the United States. In real-world, fully loaded network environments, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE customers, including HomeFusion Broadband customers, should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 108 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Mod: Reloaded Status Bar for CyanogenMod 9 on Galaxy Nexus

Tim — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:30:58 +0000

Users of CyanogenMod on the Galaxy Nexus now have another awesome zip that they can flash to change the look and feel of their device. It's called Reloaded Status Bar and if you enjoy having all of your system toggles and music controls right in your status bar, then you are going to love this one. As you can see in the photo above, it doesn't look like their is a single system toggle you can't have in the notification bar. Worried about room for your notifications? Thankfully, there is a separate tab for all of your notifications.

Features: - Centered clock - Modified notifications layout - Tab for quick toggles (fully configurable from CM9 settings) - Brightness control (make sure you toggle off auto brightness for this to work) - Transparent statusbar (might be removed next version if this affects performance)

Instructions for installation:

Download zip file and place on phone's storage.
Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery.
Create a nandroid backup immediately.
Locate the zip file on your device and install it.
Reboot and enjoy.

If you run in to any issues during installation, let us know down below and we will do our best to help you out. Via: XDA, Android Spin

Temple Run Will Launch on Android March 27 for Free

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:51:08 +0000

And just like that, Temple Run is official on Android. Well, it's not here yet, but it will be March 27 for free. So until that day, you can stop trolling the Android Market and stressing over whether or not the latest fake is real or not. Because it won't be, again, until March 27. All good?

Imangi Studios Brings Temple Run to the Android Marketplace March 27
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 6, 2012 – Imangi Studios today announced that Temple Run, the Top Grossing App and Top Free App in the App Store in January 2012, will be released for Android devices on March 27. Free to download, Temple Run challenges players to test their reflexes as they race down ancient temple walls and along sheer cliffs. With endless gameplay, players collect coins as they jump, slide and run to escape the evil monkeys guarding the temple while avoiding obstacles. “We are excited to finally share the Android release date with our fans who have been so enthusiastic and supportive of Temple Run,” said Keith Shepherd, co-founder of Imangi Studios. “By expanding to more mobile devices, we hope to provide the same addictive and fast-paced gameplay to an entirely new group of players.” The iOS version of Temple Run for iPhone and iPad boasts over 40 million downloads in the App Store since its debut in August 2011. About Imangi Studios Imangi Studios was founded by husband and wife team Keith Shepherd and Natalia Luckyanova in 2008. With the addition of artist Kiril Tchangov in 2009, the three-person studio has developed mega-hit Temple Run, which has been downloaded by 6% of the entire United States population since its release in August 2011. Based in Washington, D.C., the self-funded, fully independent studio previously developed Harbor Master,geoSpark, Hippo High Dive and Max Adventure for iOS.

Android Distribution Charts Updated for March, Not Much has Changed as Expected

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:31:21 +0000

We Tweeted this last night, but here are the new Android distribution numbers for March 2012. Not much has changed other than a slight bump in Android 4.0.3 thanks to some new tablets receiving the update. Here are February's numbers if you would like to compare. It's going to continue to be all about Gingerbread until OEMs can get some updates out. More info.

SwitchPro Widget Update Brings Notification Bar Toggles, No Root Required

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:16:50 +0000

If you have yet to root your Galaxy Nexus and remain jealous of the pulldown notification menus that so many custom ROMs feature, give SwitchPro Widget a shot. Through its most recent update, the app was given the ability to add notification toggles to the notification bar, only you do not need root access. Similarly to what Power Control Plus does, you can customize your pulldown with about as many toggles as you can think of while maintaing good standing with Google Wallet and Movies. Ice Cream Sandwich is a requirement though. Market Link ($0.99) Cheers Jim!

U.S. Judge Rules That Motorola Must Provide Google's Android Developer Data to Apple - If That Makes Any Sense

Kellen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:59:14 +0000

Oh yeah, you are reading that title correctly even if it makes almost no sense. A U.S. judge ruled that Motorola must hand over Android development data to Apple along with details of the pending acquisition of them by Google. Apple's attorneys claim that the acquisition is "highly relevant" to their claims and defenses. The Android development info is obviously equally if not more important since the majority of these patents all have to do with the software side of things. As expected, Motorola opposed the request saying that "Google’s employees and documents are not within the ‘possession, custody, or control’ of Motorola, and Motorola cannot force Google to produce documents or witnesses over Google’s objections." Which is exactly why this move by a U.S. judge makes absolutely no sense. Two trials are set starting in June, with 6 Apple patents and 3 Motorola patents as the subjects. Via: Bloomberg Cheers Tim!

Google Ups Android Market App File Size Limits to 4GB, Gives You Until App Fully Downloads Before Starting Refund Period

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:25:05 +0000

For a couple of years now, especially when downloading big 3D games, users have had to download an app or host file of sorts from the market and then take extra time to download the actual content of the game through that host app which can be upwards of 1-2GB. The problem from a consumer perspective, was that the 15-minute refund window for apps started once this initial app was downloaded. But by the time you finished downloading the rest of the meaningful content (that 1-2GB) that would allow you to use the app, your window might have expired. So should you decide that the app was a waste of money, you would simply be out of luck and unable to get a refund if your download didn't finish fast enough for you to test the app. As of today, that changes completely. The Android team announced that developers now have the option of uploading two "expansion" files of up to 2GB in size each (4GB total for the math majors in the building). This essentially means that developers won't have to host their apps outside of the market for you to download. This also means that your refund window will not start until these expansion files have finished downloading. Cool, right? The standard file limit size remains at 50MB. If you are a developer and need more dirty details on this, hit up the source link below. Via: Google Developers

Monday Poll: Do You Use an Extended Battery?

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:55:00 +0000

Earlier today, I poked fun at Mugen's new 4000mAh ~~double-wide trailer~~ extended battery, but in all fairness, there are people that could benefit from something with this kind of juice. We live in a time where battery life can make or break your experience with a phone. Some of us have to use something that may not make our device look any more attractive, but that will get the job done and last us an entire day without having to charge. And then there are those that like to keep their devices slim or simply can't stand the extra weight and thickness, and also have access to a charger throughout the day. So tell us, are you an extended battery user? How long do you need a phone to last on a typical day? [poll id="147"]

Verizon Launches 4G LTE in Two New Markets, Expands in Another

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:45:59 +0000

Over the last couple of days, Verizon announced two new 4G LTE markets that it had activated along with another that saw an expansion. The 2 new locations are Altus, OK and Columbus, MS - they expanded coverage in Waltham, MA. These markets have been given the green light prior to March 15, which is another of Big Red's targeted dates for LTE rollout into new areas. I'm not sure that AT&T will ever catch up to this type of growth. They are certainly trying though. Cheers CG!

Asurion Open Enrollment for 2012 has Started, This is the Time to Add Phone Insurance if You Didn't Initially

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:13:53 +0000

Each year, Asurion - the provider of phone insurance coverage through Verizon - runs an open enrollment period to give those that declined coverage of their phone at the point of sale, the opportunity to add it on. You qualify if you have coverage through Verizon and a working phone that has been activated within the last 2 years. The enrollment period runs from March 1 through April 30. You have 3 options should you choose to add on coverage during this open enrollment period:

Total Equipment Coverage: At $6.99 per moth for phones and $10.99 per month for tablets, TEC is the most comprehensive plan that protects against loss, theft, damage (including water damage), and mechanical and electrical defects after the warranty as expired. You also get access to their Mobile Recovery app that allows you to remotely lock, track and wipe your device should you lose it or have it stolen.
Wireless Phone Protection: At $5.18 per month for phones and $9 per month for tablets, this covers damage to your phone, but from what I can tell, does not give you access to their Mobile Recovery app.
Extended Warranty: At $1.99 per month, this extends the factory warranty on your device for as long as you continue to pay the $1.99 fee.

If you wish to sign up for coverage, you can visit the VZW Protection Plan site. Cheers CG!

Google's Rumored $199 Tablet to be Produced by ASUS, Quad-Core Tegra 3 Inside?

Tim — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:40:58 +0000

Further speculation has been released on Google's rumored upcoming tablet plans. According to our buddy Taylor over at Android and Me, Google was so impressed by Asus' smaller, yet powerful 7" MeMo Pad at CES that they approached the manufacturer to discuss producing a similar tablet, but with a complete Google "Vanilla" Experience and with quad-core Tegra 3 power built in. Along with that, a price tag of only $199 continues to be thrown around by many in the industry. If Google and Asus can come together and create a pure Google device, with plenty of processing power for that small amount, they are sure to make a huge splash in the market space. To back all of this info up, Eric Schmidt and Andy Rubin have both said that 2012 is the year that Google takes the tablet market by storm:

2012 is going to be the year that we double down and make sure we’re winning in that space.

It is also said that production of these tablets could be happening soon enough that they would be made available to attendees of this year's Google I/O. Wouldn't that be a nice treat? We love rumors, but of course, they are just speculations between industry folks with no hard data yet. We can cross our fingers though that this is all true. $200 7-inch quad-core pure Google tablet. Sound like a winner to all of you? Via: Android and Me

Starting Today, Google Automatically Brings Your Recent Desktop Searches to Mobile in "Recent" Tab

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:05:28 +0000

How many times have you found yourself searching for something on your desktop computer just before leaving, then pulling out your phone and having to search for it again from the road? Enough times that you would love it if Google decided to sync those same searches across platforms? You are in luck starting today. A new "Recent" tab has been added to the Google mobile page, pulling from your most recent desktop searches and offering them up for you on your phone. All you have to do is sign in on Google in both desktop browsers and on your phone and the searches should start syncing automatically. As you can see from my picture above, it gave me the following suggestion after searching for "best burrito portland" on my desktop. Via: Google Mobile

Here is Mugen's 4000mAh Galaxy Nexus Battery, Guaranteed to Ruin Your Sex Life

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:42:15 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODI9n4LTTE8[/youtube] We like to poke fun at devices that reach "Tank Status," which means that thanks to massive extended batteries with oddly shaped battery doors that sometimes double the standard weight of the device, they actually resemble a tank in both looks and heft. Mugen's new 4000mAh beast for the Galaxy Nexus on the other hand, has forced us to create a new category call "Abstinence Status." And that's because you could not make it any clearer that you no longer wish to partake in sexual activities with another person should you put this battery and battery cover on your phone. It's that horrendous to look at. And no, you cannot use its kickstand as either a sexual innuendo or pickup line. From what I can tell, this battery is not yet available to be purchased, but should be in the next few days. Cheers Anthony!

OverSkreen Floating Browser Allows You to Multi-task on Top of Other Apps

Tim — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:15:30 +0000

Multi-tasking has just become easier, thanks to OverSkreen. Allowing you to browse the web in seperate windows right on your device, you no longer have to keep switching from tab to tab to get your work done. It works for both tablet and phones, but we find it much more useful for tablet devices that have bigger displays than most smartphones. The app is $1.49 for a limited time during its launch, so if you want to get a good feel for what Android and multi-tasking are capable of, definitely go check it out. The below video was filmed by a German Android site, so you may not understand all the words the director says, but we get a good sense of how the applications operates. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-hhmxM3KU[/youtube]

Samsung: Galaxy SIII Coming First Half of Year, Closer to Commercial Availability

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:47:58 +0000

Samsung quickly shot down reports on Friday that the Galaxy SIII was coming some time in April, but we were apparently one of the only sites to notice (check the update). Word spread across the interwebs today though, which eventually included Samsung providing a statement to The Verge. According to Sammie, the "successor" to the Galaxy SII will be available some time in the first half of the year, closer to its commercial availability. This aligns with the statement they provided early in February, but at least we know to expect the device within the next 4 months. Personally, I'm glad that they didn't show the device at Mobile World Congress last week. Nothing drives me more nuts in the Android world than OEMs showing off a device, but then not telling you at that same time when it will be available. Open-ended release dates are nothing but bad news. This way, Samsung can get the device fully ready for launch, announce it at a special event, and then release shortly there after while the phone is still buzzworthy. Via: The Verge

Apex Launcher - Another Great Home Replacement for Ice Cream Sandwich Devices

Tim — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:14:19 +0000

There is no question that there are plenty of great launchers out there for Android users. But it seems that every time we post about Nova Launcher that was built specifically for Ice Cream Sandwich devices, there is someone that brings up the Apex Launcher. So we have checked it out and can now see why so many people were bringing it up. With even more customization options than Nova has at the moment, then there was no way we weren't going to recommend this launcher. There are too many features to list, so we will leave that up to the developer. Here is the features list from the post over on XDA:

Features:

Custom number of homescreens and homescreen grid size

Infinite & elastic scrolling (homescreen and drawer)

Transition effects (homescreen and drawer)

Customizable scrolling indicator (homescreen and drawer)

Homescreen gestures (pinch, swipe up/down)

Enable/Disable auto-rotation

Enable/Disable wallpaper scrolling

Show/Hide persistent search bar

Show/Hide notification bar

Show/Hide icon labels (homescreen and drawer)

Lock/Unlock desktop

All/Downloaded/Widgets tabs in drawer

Drawer apps sorting (title, install date, mostly used)

Add widgets from drawer (must install as system app) or system picker

Resize any widget

Backup/Restore settings and data

Download Here Install as you would any other 3rd-party application. Cheers Matt!

Verizon Offers $200 "Exclusive" 4G LTE Smartphone Discount to Select Customers?

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:47:21 +0000

With no major smartphone releases happening until the end of March or early April, Verizon has instead temporarily moved into the deal business. Last week it was a Leap Day sale of $100 off all 4G LTE phones. The week prior to that we saw a regional discount for free Galaxy Nexus devices. And today, some readers are receiving texts messages that mention an "exclusive" $200 discount for any 4G LTE smartphone that Verizon offers. We reached out to Big Red to see if we can get additional details on the promo, so sit tight and try not to bombard their customer service with calls. It's likely regional and the same as the free Nexus promo - only available to select VZW customers that meet a handful of criteria. Update: This again appears to be a south region promo. Verizon has made it clear that you cannot call in to receive the discount. If you qualify, they will let you know. Cheers R. Wayne!

Google Decides That "Key Lime Pie" Will Follow Jelly Bean in the Android Naming Scheme?

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:20:52 +0000

Before we start, let's get one thing straight - we don't even know that Jelly Bean is officially official yet for the version of Android to follow Ice Cream Sandwich. Google hasn't called it that nor have we seen it appear on a device with that as the name. The chances of it ending up as Jelly Bean are probably pretty high, but again, we probably won't know for sure until Google I/O in June. With that said, this weekend, a report from the folks at The Verge surfaced suggesting that "Key Lime Pie" will follow Jelly Bean in the Android naming scheme. The only thing I can think to say about this, is how silly it is that we are talking about it. And I say "silly" because Google is releasing major updates to Android on an almost yearly basis these days, with the next big one (probably Jelly Bean) likely not arriving until the end of this year. Key Lime Pie would then be its follow-up in 2013, meaning we may be 2 years away from ever seeing a hint at it. The naming convention for Android is part of the fun though, so we'll continue to talk about possibilities. Personally, I liked Kugel. Other suggestions or is Key Lime Pie your favorite? Via: The Verge Cheers Nadeem and Alex!

Motorola Ending XOOM 4G LTE Upgrades on March 31, Don't Forget to Send Yours In

Tim — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:40:40 +0000

Owners of Motorola XOOM 3G devices have until March 31 to send in their tablets for 4G LTE upgrades. The upgrade is completely free and only takes a couple of weeks from the time you send it in to when you get it back. Go get your upgrade on! Upgrade your XOOM. Cheers Chris!

Google's Siri Competitor Officially Dubbed "Assistant"?

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:10:05 +0000

Once running under the codename "Majel," Google has reportedly settled on an official name for their Siri-like competitor. That name is Assistant. Most of the dirty details surrounding this service are a mystery, however, TechCrunch believes it to be more of a "Do Engine" that would help you achieve real-life goals rather than something that will simply return search results. According to their sources, the Android team has taken this project on with search engineer Amit Singhal to attempt to gather the world's knowledge into a format that a computer can understand. They also want to make the service adhere to your personal life more, potentially using services like Google+ and +1 to help understand how people interact socially. Unlike Siri though, Google will provide developers with the opportunity to tie in their products to Assistant, a move that could make the service unlike any other. Siri will always be bound to Apple's vision, while Assistant could grow thanks to outside influences and innovators. Google big wigs are look at a Q4 2012 unveiling of the product. While that seems so far off in the distance, remember that Google I/O with an additional 3rd day is happening in June. If Assistant is indeed launching this year, you have to imagine that we will see some sort of preview during that week. Also, Q4 is when we will likely see Jelly Bean or Android 5.0. Via: TechCrunch

Boid for Android Twitter Application Released, Built With Ice Cream Sandwich Specifically In Mind

Tim — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:50:27 +0000

While the official Twitter application has become more usable through many updates from the beginning of its existence, there are still plenty of options when it comes to 3rd-party Twitter apps. Recently released to the Android Market as an alpha build, is Boid for Android. It is built and designed purely for devices running 4.0+ and it actually shows. It looks exactly how a system app would if it came stock with Ice Cream Sandwich, which I think was possibly the point. There is multiple account support, awesome navigation ability throughout the app, and even the option to choose from three different themes for the application. If you have been looking for a new Twitter app to match your ICS running device, then go check out Boid. And don't forget to follow us @droid_life. ;-) Market Link

16GB Galaxy Nexus Headed to Verizon April 5, DROID Incredible 4G on April 26

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:19:45 +0000

Back in mid-February, our sources told us to expect both a white and dark version of the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon with 16GB of storage in the coming months. We weren't given a specific date at that time, however, it appears now as if Big Red has chosen one according to a new device launch schedule. April 5 is the current target for those looking to enter the Nexus game at a lower price point than it currently sits. With the slashing of storage from 32GB to 16GB, we wouldn't be surprised if the price dropped to $199 on contract, similarly to what has happened with the DROID RAZR.

The DROID Incredible 4G is listed as well with a 4/26 potential release date. We first reported this official name on Friday along with a blue DROID RAZR and a new one from LG called the Lucid 4G which used to fall under the codename "Cayman." The new Incredible was formerly referred to as the "Fireball" and is likely the device we saw pictured a few weeks back. Cheers ___!

Google Wallet Now Showing as "Unsupported" on Rooted Devices

Kellen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:53:06 +0000

Over the weekend, your Google Wallet app probably started showing a little yellow bar at the top along with an "Unsupported device" note. If you tap on the "Learn more" link next to it, you are directed to the page we have included on the right which talks about rooted devices and how Google may be unable to support them because of security issues that they cannot control thanks to "unauthorized" software. This move shouldn't surprise anyone, especially after Wallet took a beating from the media over a "vulnerability" that was discovered if a user had rooted their phone. The easiest move for Google in this situation is simply to call those devices "unsupported" and then not have to worry about them. While we would have wished they did not go this route, the rooting and ROM communities are too vast for them to even attempt to support them, especially when it comes to something as tricky as secure mobile payments. And remember, they already took a stance like this with their movie service. What we haven't been able to figure out yet is whether or not this message has killed use of Wallet completely or if this is Google's way of saying, "We aren't supporting your device since you rooted, so if someone steals your money, it's not our fault. You can still make transactions though." I can still login to my Wallet app and see my funds showing as available on my prepaid card. Let us know your status. Have you been able to make payments using Wallet with this notice? Cheers @droseum20, Sean, Jigga_Z, Craig, Eddie and Adam!

10 Dumb Things That Men Do With Smartphones According to Men's Health

Kellen — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:36:18 +0000

(Click image to view full version)

I'd say they pretty much nailed this list. Anything else that should be added?

Release Dates for Verizon's DROID Fighter and LG Lucid 4G

Kellen — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:47:20 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, we first reported two new devices that were headed to Verizon as the LG Cayman and DROID Fighter. That report included the same dates you are seeing above of 3/29 for the Cayman and 4/12 for the Fighter, but were then only listed as "workshop" times rather than release dates. According to new information that we received, those are indeed targeted release dates. We should point out that the LG Cayman is likely the Lucid 4G that we reported on last night. The DROID Fighter is still a mystery for now. You will also see the HTC Fireball listed without a date, a device that our sources are now referring to as the Incredible 4G. A device by the name of Samsung Plato is listed as well, and is one we haven't seen mentioned since last August. Knowing that it was rumored all of the way back then, we would be surprised if this was anything other than a mid-range device. Then again, "Plato" would be a nice codename for a Galaxy type device. While Verizon was quiet during MWC (which they almost always are), they do still have plans for the next couple of months. The first part of March could be slow unless they decide to drop the Incredible 4G on is within the next couple of weeks. Cheers ___!

HTC Fireball to be Incredible 4G at Launch, LG Lucid 4G and Blue DROID RAZR Coming Too

Kellen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:24:09 +0000

How about a peak into the future as we end our week? According to sources of ours, Verizon's next few phone releases will include the DROID Incredible 4G (formerly the HTC Fireball), the LG Lucid 4G, and another version of the DROID RAZR in blue of all colors. With the Fireball switching to its retail name of "Incredible 4G," it should be safe to say that the leaked HTC device we saw pictured a few weeks back is indeed the same device. With an Incredible-esque back plate and a Verizon 4G LTE logo on the boot screen, this is probably your next phone in the Incredible line. What we have to ask now is whether or not this phone will be as underwhelming at launch as it sounded back when it leaked. Previous rumors had it with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a Super AMOLED screen instead of Super LCD, 8MP rear camera, VGA front shooter, and Ice Cream Sandwich. I know that on paper those specs don't look awful, but after seeing HTC announce the One XL for AT&T with a Snapdragon S4 clocked at 1.5GHz and a Super LCD2 display, they aren't going to impress anyone. We'll be crossing our fingers that those rumored specs were wrong and Verizon will surprise us with a similar device to the One series. Our sources also confirmed to us that a new device by LG is coming called the Lucid 4G along with a blue DROID RAZR. No word on if the RAZR is a MAXX or not. The LG phone is likely the LG Cayman that we first reported a few weeks back and could be a mid-range 4G device since the Spectrum is their big dog for the first half of this year on Verizon. Cheers ___!

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 3/2/2012

Tim — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:00:44 +0000

The Mobile World Congress has come to an end. We had some good announcements from Samsung and HTC, but would it be too far fetched to say that nothing too crazy happened? Even Eric Schmidt's speech was a look at Chrome, something we have all been using for weeks. The next big Android event we have to look forward to is Google I/O, which is sure to be fantastic. So fantastic that they even added a third day to the event. Here are this week's highlights if you missed any of them:

Have a great weekend!

Custom ROM Friday: Peter Alfonso's Bugless Beast for the Galaxy Nexus

Tim — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:15:07 +0000

We have been following Peter Alfonso's work ever since the beginning, so whenever we see him pump out new ROMs, we like to give them some spotlight. This release is Bugless Beast for the Galaxy Nexus. Downloads for the ROM have been available for a bit now, but with him constantly updating it and there even being nightlies, we figured we should point everyone to the newest and best download that's available. Pete's ROMs are known for their stability and excellent selection of customizations. It may not have as much razzle-dazzle as the AOKP, but this ROM can keep up with the best of them. There are some added live wallpapers, 180 degree rotation, and the notification bar toggles straight from AOKP. You can view the full changelog here.

You must be rooted to attempt the following installation!

Instructions on installing:

Download the Bugless Beast zip file.
Place zip on your phone's storage.
Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery.
Create a nandroid backup immediately before proceeding.
Wipe data/cache.
Locate BB zip file and then install.
Reboot and enjoy the wonders.

If you have any questions or concerns, place them down below in the comments section and we will do our best to help you out. Owners of different devices can also get in on the Bugless Beast action by checking out Pete's large library of ROMs on his site. Have fun and good luck. Cheers @Pete!

DROID RAZR MAXX Androidified Cases Available Now in White and Black

Kellen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:36:23 +0000

Your DROID RAZR MAXX is no longer left out of the Androidified case fun. The Cruzer Lite crew has released their first two cases for our favorite 3300mAh powered device at the same low $9.90 price. Only two colors are available, but with both tending to be everyone's favorite, we figured that you would live. For Galaxy Nexus owners, don't forget that we are giving 12 of these puppies away today. You have just over an hour left to enter! Buy: White | Black Via: Phandroid

Friday Poll: Is Your Current ROM an Ice Cream Sandwich Build?

Kellen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:23:15 +0000

By Monday, the Android team will likely have released the latest Android distribution charts and all of the blogs will post up percentages for Ice Cream Sandwich, some of which will call it out as fragmentation, while others will talk how these numbers will dramatically change once OEMs start releasing updates. But what about all of those folks that aren't even represented by these numbers? Yes, we are talking about those that run custom ROMs. Every week we seem to write about another Gingerbread device that has been given Android 4.0 goodness months before an OEM will thanks to a developer. From what we gather, most of you are starting to run these ROMs. So tell us, is your current ROM an ICS build? Be sure to tell us what phone and specific ROM you have as well. [poll id="146"]

Asus Calls Android 5.0 "Jelly Bean" - Says They Will Be One of the First to Release It

Kellen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:50:51 +0000

If you follow Droid Life on Twitter, then you may have joined in on our conversation over the last hour that had to do with OEMs that provide the fastest updates to the newest version of Android. Asus always comes to mind as one of the fastest, as they released Ice Cream Sandwich to a tablet long before anyone else in the business and continue to provide bug fixers on a regular basis. According to Benson Lin, Asus' Corporate Vice President, their close relationship with Google is to thank for such timely updates. That relationship may also allow them to update to Android 5.0 first, or as Lin called it, "Jelly Bean."

"Asus is very close to Google, so once they have Android 5.0 I think there will be a high possibility that we will be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update."

Their track record speaks for itself. And while some can see that Asus seems to issue bug fixes so often because they rush to be the first out of the gate, I think most of us would accept this approach over waiting 6 months for an update that still has bugs. Via: TechRadar, DroidDog

ZDNet Korea Says the Samsung Galaxy SIII is Launching April (Updated: Samsung Denies)

Kellen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:53:07 +0000

Friday rumor time! According to ZDNet Korea, the Samsung Galaxy SIII is headed for an April launch. After skipping Mobile World Congress this week, Sammie wants to show the device off at their own event to help create additional buzz and then do what they can to launch in as many markets as possible (unlike last year's ridiculously slow global rollout). The sources that spoke with ZDNet Korea chose to remain anonymous, as most do in this industry, so this has to be taken as nothing more than a rumor for now. In their report, they brought up the idea that Samsung will use the lead up to and through the 2012 Olympics in London to help promote the hell out of the device. Can't argue with that plan, especially with some of the first Olympic events starting as early as this weekend. The official games do not start until July 12, in case you were wondering. And as a reminder, we are in March now. That means April is only a few weeks away. Not to take anything away from MWC, but damn do we need Samsung to release this phone to create some buzz in the Android world. Update: Thanks to one of our readers, we can see that Samsung quickly denied this rumor that April would be the month. They do have a device planned for April, but it's not going to be the Galaxy S3. (Cheers Seth!) Via: ZDnet, BGR

Google's Newest Patent Filing, Control Your Device With Motion-Based Gestures

Tim — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:29:34 +0000

Google is looking to introduce brand new ways to control your Android device with their newest patent filing. By simply tapping on your phone's front facing camera or performing a gesture in front of the camera, you can begin many different types of actions for your device to perform. A good way to explain, is say you set the device to browse the web after you tap on the front. Once you tap on the camera, then you could use a gesture to search and browse web pages. Or, tap the camera and then use a gesture to control the music that is playing from your device. Google makes a strong point in the filing that the processors used to make this work are Intel and AMD chips and not the usual names such as Snapdragon and Tegra. Could that mean Intel is helping Google in the development? It's hard to decipher this early in the game, but it surely is exciting. Sound like something you wouldn't mind having on your device? Via: Patent Bolt

Contest: 12 Androidified Cruzer Lite Galaxy Nexus Cases Up for Grabs! (Updated: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:56:29 +0000

Back in January, the Android fanboy in all of us could not stop talking about these Cruzer Lite Androidified cases for the Galaxy Nexus. Not only did they offer protection at a reasonable price, but they fit perfectly onto the LTE Nexus (can even be squeezed over the extended battery) and let you show off your Android pride in your favorite color. They are simply put, awesome. Since we love to give stuff away to the amazing DL community, we worked with our buddy Joel who produces them, to line up just about every color in their collection for you today. Yep, we have black, grey, purple, green, white, red, yellow, orange and more that you will have a chance to win. Ready? Instructions: 1. In the comments, explain to us what "Androidified" means to you. 2. If you aren't already, feel free to follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 3. At ~~4PM Pacific today~~ 10AM Pacific on Saturday, we will choose the winners and update this post. Update: Extended the contest until tomorrow morning! Update 2: Winners have been picked! Check your inboxes and Twitter DMs throughout the day. Good luck! And be sure to check out their entire case collection and Facebook page for more.

GO Launcher HD Beta Available for Testing, Tablets Needed Love Too

Kellen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:09:25 +0000

The original GO Launcher will always land in our top 5 Android launchers of all time. As one of the most stable and polished of them all with enough add-ons (themes, widgets, etc.) to keep you busy for days, very few can measure up. So when we heard that GO Launcher HD was available as a beta for tablets, we got a little giddy. The stock Android tablet UI has always been lacking in our opinions, so a tablet version of our favorite launcher is exactly what we have been waiting for. Did the GO team produce something worth your time though? I'd say so. Download: GOLauncherHDv1.0.beta2.apk Download the file from above to your tablet, tap on it when it finishes, and install. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zr8PolnGcQ[/youtube] Via: Go For Android Cheers Joe!

Rocket Weasel Jets its Way onto the Android Market, 64 Levels to Fly Through

Tim — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:49:58 +0000

Rocket Weasel has plenty of potential and is a good cross between Angry Birds and Cut the Rope. You launch your rocket-equipped weasel into the air and solve the "puzzles" to capture the farm animals without being caught by the farmer. It's good for a, "Awe, that's cute" moment plus there are plenty of levels to keep you busy. If you enjoy these types of games then we have no problem recommending it. However, if you enjoy more complex games that test your skills, then you should probably go check out Osmos HD or ShadowGun. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5V6EFUGBZw[/youtube]

Sony Google TV Update Rolling Out, Thought to be a Security Patch for Root Method

Kellen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:09:08 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, a root exploit for the Sony Google TV units was finally discovered, giving a bit of life to a platform that even after Honeycomb, has yet to attract a wide audience. When it comes to rooting though, it's a constant battle between devs and manufacturers who think that security is of the utmost importance. And rightfully so, rooting an Android device can be a bit troublesome to those that have no idea why they are performing such a task. What I'm trying to get at, is the fact that a new update has begun to push to some units that is thought to be a security fix to patch the previously mentioned rooting method. One of our readers received it this morning, however, my Blu-Ray unit is showing that it is up-to-date. Rumor has it that the update will pop up for everyone starting Monday and will prevent you from rolling back your recovery and OS to the vulnerable version that can be rooted. So if you want root on your Sony Google TV unit, better do it now before it is patched forever. More at GTV Hacker. Cheers IgotGAME and BostonB!

Contest: Win a Limited Edition Droid Life T-Shirt! (Updated: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:49:57 +0000

We know that a few of you were unable to purchase a limited edition Droid Life t-shirt or hoodie since we only gave you a few days to jump on them, so to make up for it, we wanted to give one away this evening. There aren't many left, so these last few are almost extra limited in a sense. Printed on American Apparel cotton, these are some of the better t-shirts you'll put on your sculpted Android body. They are so soft, your nipples... never mind. Ready to win one? Update: A winner has been picked! Congrats to @daanmogot! How to enter to win: 1. Follow us on Twitter and Tweet the following message:

Damn, this is a hot Android shirt from @droid_life! - http://goo.gl/SxKqw #android

2. Tomorrow morning around 10AM, we will pick the winner and notify them via DM. Good luck!

Avira Comes to Android, Your Security Woes Have Been Answered

Tim — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:25:07 +0000

Have you lost your phone? Or even worse, has it been stolen? There's plenty of security applications out there for these awful situations, but there's a new player on the field and its name is Avira. This company is no stranger to security. Avira has been trusted in protecting business information and personal information for years now, so they aren't just another newbie looking to get their start in the Android game. The application has all the regular security fixings you might need and then some. It has a screamer in case you have lost your phone, a GPS tracking feature, ability to call the owner if the phone has the app installed, and even a battery tracker so you know how long you have until you phone dies. It could almost be the beginning of an awesome action movie. If you're into being safe on your phone, then give it a try and let us know what you think. Market Link

Contest: Win a Samsung Galaxy Note from the Exynos Team - (Updated: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:54 +0000

The Samsung Exynos team reached out to us a couple of weeks ago because they not only love the DL community, but they know how much we love the power of their processors in phones. To say that we drooled a bit over benchmarks and the performance of the Galaxy SII last year would be a massive understatement. In fact, the Exynos dual-core chip that debuted at last year's MWC inside the SGS2 set the bar so high that I'm still not sure that many of the current dual-core chips even compare. And what I mean by that is the Galaxy Note that sports a dual-core Exynos, benchmarks higher than almost any other phone on the market, right now. It's a beast of a chip, folks. So with their Exynos 4412 quad-core chip being demoed a week ago and their next-gen quad-core 5250 sampling now, you can bet that there will be a hefty Exynos mark put on 2012. There has been a lot of talk about competitors' chipsets already making their way into phones and tablets, but understand that when Samsung's next Exynos SoCs are ready, we'll likely be impressed, again. And who knows, we may just see one of them this week at Mobile World Congress.

Update: We have a winner!

Joe Case, who demands Exynos because power + power management is a must.

Contest:

To help continue the buzz that the Exynos processor created at last year's MWC, the Exynos team would like to hand out a Galaxy Note to one of our fantastic community members. All they want to know is why you demand to have Exynos chips in your phones. That's it. Is it because of power management? Their tendency to have next-gen GPUs for gaming? The massive power? What is it? Drop a comment below with a reason why you prefer their processors to others and you have a chance to win one of the hottest (and biggest) phones on the market today. Prize: Galaxy Note Instructions: In the comments, let DL and the Exynos team know why you demand Exynos in your phones and tablets. Winner: The contest will run from the time of this post until the end of Mobile World Congress, March 1, 2PM Pacific. If you want to learn all there is to know about Samsung Exynos, be sure to check out their dedicated site. This is a landing page for the geek in all of you and is surely the spot that their quad-core chips will land on very soon. It may also help inspire your entry to this contest.

Skitch on Android Updated, Includes Ability to Draw on Maps

Tim — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:41:48 +0000

Skitch is a fantastic app for people who want to be more hands-on with their devices and the media they keep on it. Take a picture, draw on it with a stylus or your fingers and make it yours. Perfect for the artist in all of us. Starting today, you can now draw on top of maps to give people personalized directions to the newest hot spots in your town. Go pick it up and have some fun! Market Link Cheers Helper!

Received Calls From Verizon Asking About 4G or Your Galaxy Nexus? A Few of Us Have

Kellen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:51:54 +0000

Within the last couple of weeks, I received a call out of the blue from a Verizon analyst of sorts that wanted to talk about my phone. He definitely did not know that I was the dude that writes for Droid Life, but was instead calling to see why I was using my Galaxy Nexus with 4G LTE turned off. You see, I had been at a Portland Trail Blazers game a few days before that and from what I gathered during our conversation, Verizon was seeing how well their network was holding up during a sporting event that housed around 20,000 people. They must have noticed that a large enough group of people who had 4G phones in the arena were only using 3G. I say that because the specific question to me was, "We noticed you were at the Blazers game the other night and had 4G turned off on your Galaxy Nexus. Did you manually turn it off or were you having connection issues?" While this caught me a little off guard, he gave off the impression that he was calling all sorts of people, which was confirmed to me by another reader today who was at that very same game and received a similar call. When I responded with, "I turn it off on purpose..." he cut me off before I could finish because he knew why. Horrible battery life, something he had heard from almost everyone he called. That was his only question and the call was over. But also this week, we heard from another reader who received a similar call, although the Verizon rep asked even more questions over a 20 minute conversation. They were curious as to whether or not he had rooted his Nexus or was using a custom ROM, if he had camera issues, how 4G to 3G handoffs were going, did he have white or black screen flashes, any random reboots, etc. Notice that many of those are issues that have filled up countless forums since this phone debuted? It's tough to tell if the our post-Blazers game calls were related to this lengthier conversation, but it made us curious. Has Verizon received enough complaints about the phone that an update is finally coming? Are they simply assessing network performance? What is it? Has anyone else received a similar call? Attended a sporting event recently that was followed by a call from a VZW rep? If so, what did they ask? Cheers brian and Will!

MLB At Bat 2012 Now Available in the Android Market

Tim — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:10:54 +0000

Baseball fans, the season openers are right around the corner. It's now time to start getting ready with the official MLB At Bat 2012 application. Stay on top of your favorite teams no matter what city they are in with the ability to watch videos, listen to games, and track all the stats of your favorite franchises. Many argue about the $15 price tag, but that is just the name of the game when it comes to these officially licensed applications. For those not looking to spend that much, last season they introduced the 'Lite' version of At Bat, which suits most people just fine. Ice Cream Sandwich is supported, so Galaxy Nexus owners should have no problems putting this app through the paces. Let's play ball!

Market Link ($14.99) | Market Link (free)

Thursday Poll: Traditional Text Message or Free Messaging Service?

Kellen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:35:53 +0000

A reader turned me onto an interesting Associated Press article that focused on the state of the free instant messaging/texting world and how much money carriers have been losing because of it. In 2011 alone, carriers saw a decrease in profits of around $14 billion dollars as consumers have moved onto Blackberry Messenger, iMessage, Google Talk and other services that can send messages using data instead. Before you feel too bad for them, know that they reportedly still took in an estimated $153 billion from text messages. A 9% decrease year-over-year is pretty massive though. Carriers are now looking to creating their own solutions on this front so that they can hopefully help save this particular ~~cash cow~~ industry before it's gone for good. So this all got us wondering - how do you interact with friends and family? Through ~~the dinosaur method~~ text messaging or with a free instant messaging/texting service? *Note - We would include Google Voice in the "instant messaging" category since it's free and is an alternative to standard text messaging. [poll id="145"] Cheers @kaufkin!

Zombie Virus Live Wallpaper Has Come to Infect Your Device

Tim — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:00:03 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq0LllPolJU[/youtube]

Our buddies over at Phandroid saw this excellent new live wallpaper and we couldn't resist sharing it with our readers as well. It's called Zombie Virus and it comes from Central Core Studios. Basically, the paid version covers three main stages of a zombie virus taking over a human body. It's very well done and there's even a free version for those who don't feel like dropping $1.49 for three live wallpapers.

Market Link (free) | Market Link ($1.49)

GSM Galaxy Nexus in White Available for $529 [from AL]

Kellen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:29:21 +0000

We are still expecting a white Galaxy Nexus to arrive on Verizon at some point within the next couple of months, but if you can't wait, DailySteals has the white GSM version for just $529. It's 16GB and runs the same build of Android that the non-white version runs. From what we know, it's identical, but with a white exterior.

HTC Releases Beats Audio and Lockscreen APIs for Developers

Kellen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:21:37 +0000

When HTC released their first set of Beats Audio-enabled devices last year, the fact that the "enhancements" were limited to the native music app were a bit of a disappointment. We wanted Beats in Google Music, PowerAMP, and every other major music application for Android. Unfortunately that just wasn't the case. As of today though, HTC has given developers access to their Beats API, which means that going forward, this new audio experience can be built into all sorts of apps. Who knows if Google will jump on it as the #1 music app, but one can hope. Along with the Beats API, HTC released their Lockscreen API, giving devs the opportunity to work their apps into another area of Sense. HTC's lockscreen tweaks are one of the bright spots of Sense UI, so you have to be excited about this move, as more and more of your favorite apps will be worked in. They also gave developers access to their mobile device management API and have plans to bring access to their MediaLink HD API. Dev friendly. Via: HTC

XDA Member Ports Beats Audio To Any Gingerbread ROM Via Flashable Zip File

Eric — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:00:36 +0000

Since HTC went and bought out Beats By Dre to use exclusively in their handsets, the rest of the Android world was a little jealous. Put the awesome Android developer community behind that jealousy and you have the news that we have today. XDA user fuss132 has found a way to port Beats Audio to any ROM based on Gingerbread. One questions we have had since this audio software came out is "does it really help?" Fuss132 has evidence to back up Beats' claims, and we have the shots below. (Audio test on Samsung Galaxy Slc without Beats Audio) (Audio test after installing Beats Audio, more red is better)

The two pictures are proof that Beats Audio actually does have a measurable difference on the sound that your device will output after installing it. The fact that any Gingerbread ROM can have this installed now makes it very exciting. Hit the source link below for the flashable zip. Anyone going to install this?

Via: XDA

VLC Media Player For Android Hits Beta, Still A Work In Progress But Ready For Download

Eric — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:20:05 +0000

If you have a computer, you should have VLC installed. The popular media player will literally play almost any file format that you drop into it and is a must have for anyone that uses lots of video files. VLC for Android has been in the works for a while but has now reached the beta stage where it can be released to the masses. As of now the release is slated for only a few chipsets; ARMv6/ARM11, ARMv7a/Cortex-A8/NEON and ARMv7a/Cortex-A9. It's ok, I was confused too, but VLC for Android developer adridu59 explains it like this:

Snapdragon S1 → ARM11
Snapdragon S2/S3 → Cortex-A8/NEON
Snapdragon S4 → Cortex-A9
Tegra 2 → Cortex-A9
Hummingbird → Cortex-A9 (Current gen. only)
OMAP3 → Cortex-A8/NEON
OMAP4 → Cortex-A9

The only other caveat is that this is made for Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich. There are three different files to flash depending on your chipset, hit the break to see which file to install for your phone. The OMAP4 is what most of our readers will be installing. That includes the Galaxy Nexus, DROID RAZR, Bionic, DROID 4 and DROID 3. The OMAP3 is your file if you still have the Droid X and the OG Droid (keep in mind this is only ready for Gingerbread). The Tegra 2 was featured in the Droid X2 and ASUS Transformer (only install if you are on ICS). The Snapdragon S2 was the power behind the HTC Incredible and HTC Thunderbolt as well as the Xperia Play. The upgraded Snapdragon S3 powers the Galaxy SII (T-Mobile, AT&T) and the HTC Rezound. The Hummingbird line powered the original Galaxy S line, the Galaxy Tab, the Nexus S and the DROID Charge. Did you get all that? I tried to track down all the phones that would be relevant to our readers. To find the files and the instructions hit the source link below. Be warned this is still a work-in-progress and that you should always make a backup before flashing anything. Via: XDA

Battery Jealous DROID RAZR Owners, the RAZR MAXX Battery and Cover Will Fit Your Device - Time to Get Modding

Kellen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:50:10 +0000

The DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX really are identical devices in almost every way imaginable. Well, aside from the battery and slightly thicker body, the software is the same - something we detailed here - as well as the internals such as the processor, RAM, radio placements, camera, etc. This revelation pissed off a ton of original RAZR early adopters as they forked out $299 to get it early, all while being kept in the dark about a possible battery behemoth coming just 2 months later. Thankfully this Android community continues to have your back. An XDA member by the name wardo5757 has realized that the 3300mAh battery in the RAZR MAXX will indeed fit inside the regular RAZR and work! It has the exact same height and width, but of course, is slightly thicker. What I'm saying is, that all you need to do to is purchase a replacement MAXX battery and cover (from a parts dealer), follow iFixit's guide to figure out how to remove the back piece of your RAZR, and swap them. There are really only two downsides here. You could screw up and break something important in your device or you won't like to deal with the slight gap in between the SIM card door and the new RAZR MAXX back (pictured below). So if you are handy with the steel and want double the battery life, you may want to start replacement part shopping.

Via: XDA Cheers Mike and everyone else!

HTC: Our Sense UI Got Too Bloated, Time to Bring Simple Back

Kellen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:10:34 +0000

HTC's chief product officer Kouji Kodera sat down with Pocket-Lint this week to admit that their Sense UI had gotten far too complicated and cluttered in the last couple of releases. From the time Sense originated, HTC had always wanted to keep things simple and easy to understand, but as their skin grew with features, so did the bloat. Going forward with Sense 4.0 and their new One Series, they will attempt to slim things back down:

"There where too many things in there," Kodera continues. "Even on the home screen we had four or five icons before consumers got a chance to add things themselves. For the HTC One range we have taken it down to Sense 2 again."

And in case you were wondering, they are attempting to keep Ice Cream Sandwich as untouched as possible. While I find that sort of an overstatement after seeing a couple of Sense 4.0 videos and screenshots, we should at least expect to see less in your face 3D transitions, spinning wheels, and other performance decreasing UI tweaks:

"What we've done right now is a good mixture of keeping Sense and Google's Ice Cream Sandwich element in a good balance. We haven't tried to change everything here. We have kept a lot of the ICS element but still added the Sense flavour on top of it."

As someone that was once a fan of Sense, but found it less appealing in the 3.0+ phases, I'm actually pleased to hear this news. HTC needs to go back to their clean and easy-to-understand UI. Looking forward to the One Series or whatever it is they plan to release on Verizon to try to compete with it. Via: Pocket-Lint

Final Case Contest: Win 1 of 2 Spigen Crumena Leather Pouches for the Galaxy Nexus (Update: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:02:51 +0000

With two contests down for the day, we have one more that will empty our stash from Spigen SGP. We already handed out 5 Neo Hybrids and 5 Ultra Capsules for the Galaxy Nexus, so let's change things up a bit and give away the 2 leather Crumena pouches that are left. These are genuine leather pouches of the highest quality. They will hug your device to keep it safe from dirt, scratches and the elements, but will still allow you to access your phone should a phone call or text come in. It's a different take on a "case," that's for sure. Ready to win one? Update: We have our two winners. Thanks to everyone that entered! ddevito - "My favorite is is the tasmanian devil, loved Looney Tunes as a kid!" SuperChunk - "My favorite would have to be the Kangaroo because I've eaten one before." Instructions: ~~1. In the comments name as many animals as you can that have a pouch. Then pick a favorite.~~ ~~2. Tomorrow morning at 9AM Pacific, we will pick the two winners and contact them.~~ Don't forget to check out the Spigen store for more Nexus products.

Prototype Phone Left Behind at Restaurant, Something From HTC Perhaps?

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:33:10 +0000

No, it's not the iPhone 5. But it was left in a San Francisco restaurant (you know the story), is marked up with all sorts of serial numbers (that we have blurred for the most part), is semi-see through on the back, and looks a hell of a lot like the Incredible 2 from the front. It has a micro-USB charging port in the same spot as that device, volume rocker and camera too, only it lacks all logos, which makes sense since it's not a retail device. It appears to have been remotely wiped, hence the "No System Software" screen and the fact that it is locked to the emergency dialer. Update: One thing we definitely missed at first is the fact that it doesn't have a removable battery. We know that the HTC One series has jumped on the non-removable battery bandwagon, but the Inc 2 definitely had one that could be pulled. I also thought that the volume rocker was in the same spot as the Inc 2, but it appears to be on the other side and another toggle or connector of sorts is on the charging side. Full pics after the break.

It certainly looks like an HTC device, right? What we are confused by, is the fact that someone is carrying around a prototype of what appears to be the Incredible 2. That device is now a year old. It definitely doesn't appear to be on the same level as the new HTC One series of phones, that's for sure. Oh, and anyone else notice the Pokemon sprite? Notice anything that we missed? Cheers Alex!

App Developers Take Note - Official Ice Cream Sandwich Stencils are Available Thanks to the Design Team

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:06:23 +0000

When Ice Cream Sandwich arrived, not only did it introduce a bunch of new and exciting features, but the Android team also brought us a new UI. And with that UI came a new style, which means new stencils for app developers to update their apps with. Since updating apps to be ICS-compatible is the topic at hand for a number of devs these days, the release of the ICS stencils should make you incredibly happy. Now, get to updating! Via: Android Developers Blog [Downloads]

Seidio Offering 3800mAh Extended Battery for Galaxy Nexus, Now with NFC Capabilities

Tim — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:37:31 +0000

Did you happen to purchase one of Seidio's humongous 3800mAh extended batteries for your Galaxy Nexus? If you did, then you may have noticed that your Near Field Communication (NFC) abilities had been cut short. But now, Seidio has re-released the same battery, only with NFC power inside. For just $20, previous buyers of the first version of the tank battery can have the new version with NFC. Unfortunately, if you didn't buy the old one, this new one is going to run you a steep $75.

Thank you for your interest in our newest release: Innocell 3800mAh Extended Life Battery with NFC. If you have purchased our battery without NFC (near field communication) prior to February 29, 2012, you are eligible to purchase a new battery at a discounted rate. 1) For only $20 plus shipping and handling, we will send out another battery that has NFC built-into it. (This battery dimension has not changed and you can continue using your current battery door). Feel free to keep your current battery and use it as a spare. You will not need to return your original battery to us!

So, is $75 worth a few days of your phone not dying? Via: Seidio Cheers BaldyPal!

Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Ultra Capsule Galaxy Nexus Cases (Update: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:04:53 +0000

Earlier today we gave away the 5 Neo Hybrid cases (check your Twitter DMs) that we had from Spigen SGP, but we are not done. We have 5 more cases to hand out, only this time it's their Ultra Capsule case for the Galaxy Nexus. These are the 1-piece all plastic coverings that fit incredibly well on the LTE Nexus. In fact, these are easily one of our favorite plastic cases currently available for this phone.We wrote up a quick review about them here. The colors we have to give away are yellow, black, pink, light blue and white. The white one I reviewed, but trust me, it's still in great condition. Ready to win one? Update: Winners have been picked and emailed. Thanks to everyone who has entered! Instructions: 1. ~~In the comments, tell us why you can't live without protection on your phone.~~ ~~2. At 4PM Pacific, we will pick all winners and update this post.~~ Good luck! Oh, and we have two more cases to give away this evening. Leather pouches anyone? And be sure to head over to the Spigen website to check out all of their Nexus products.

Video: Hands-on with TSF Shell Pro, An Amazing 3D Launcher for Android with a Massive Price Tag

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:14:27 +0000

TSF Shell Pro is out and damn is it expensive. If you are looking for a completely new take on an Android UI, it may be worth it though. I've been using it for most of the day now and have to admit that I'm impressed. The abilities it has that allow you to customize, move, copy, and interact are like no other launcher or home replacement you have ever seen. And after seeing some of the widgets that have been included now, you get the feeling that this is only the beginning of something incredibly powerful. Themes are coming, extra features are already being worked on, and we can't wait to see them all. Again, the price hurts, but as long as the TSF team continues to provide updates and new widgets, you may want to consider it. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXvST9yGiQM[/youtube]

Letter From Verizon to FCC Details Their Stance on Bootloaders

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:30:23 +0000

Android and bootloaders, a topic we can't seem to get away from. Starting back with the locking of the original Motorola Milestone and then kicking into overdrive with the DROID X, the battle of consumers vs. OEMs and carriers has been an ugly one. As many of you know, a locked bootloader denies an end user the ability to take full advantage of their device. For those that choose to hack on their phones, install custom ROMs, etc., this is the piece of the puzzle that can ruin it all. Companies like HTC, Samsung, and even LG have been pretty open for the most part when it comes to bootloaders, however, there is one that remains hell bent on keeping them as secure as possible: Motorola. In fact, we have the history of their stance on locked bootloaders documented here. But is it all Moto's fault? Initially, they were the target, but after publicly placing blame on carriers for their bootloader locking, it's clear that there are numerous parties involved. So Moto's number one carrier partner here in the U.S. is Verizon with their "DROID" brand, making them another major target of complaints for developers and hackers of smartphones. Big Red has mostly remained silent on the bootloader situation, that is until now. In a letter from a Verizon executive analyst to the FCC that was obtained by us, we get a pretty clear and unsurprising idea as to why they may request that OEMs lock the bootloaders on phones that will run on their network. And for reference, this letter was in reply to a reader of ours that issued a formal complaint to Verizon and the FCC, stating that they are not allowed to lock the bootloaders of phones.

You will notice a reference to violating the "Block C license" which was a part of Verizon's purchase of the 700 MHz LTE band. It has all sorts of legal jargon in it that essentially states what Verizon is allowed and not allowed to do with its new network. A few months back, a point was raised that it includes a reference to not being allowed to "lock" a phone which some took to mean bootloaders, hence the reasoning for the initial letter to Verizon and FCC by our reader. I argued that "locking" in this situation has absolutely nothing to do with bootloaders and instead network access. But I digress. So what is Verizon's policy? According to this letter, they choose to have OEMs lock bootloaders because they want to continue to reach a "standard of excellence in customer service" that they have set. They feel that if they allow their phones to be unlocked, that they could potentially lessen the experience for users who choose to unlock as well as others on their network that do not. Since they take approved software seriously (and some times too damn slowly), they don't want to see "unapproved" software running on a large number of handsets on their network. Never once to do they mention security, something we thought for sure would be mentioned. They did, however, mention that they try to provide the best solution "for as many customers as possible," which could mean a couple of things. My immediate thought is that they feel that the ROM and unlocking community is so small that choosing this route will not affect the majority perception of them and that they can live with the bit of backlash. Again, it's not a surprising stance, but this is one of the only times that we have ever actually seen them mention "bootloader" in anything official. One thing is clear, that the developer community has made a significant enough splash to at least garner an official response from Verizon to the FCC. That never hurts, right? Cheers Coderedpl!

Google Wallet and Google Plus Both Receive Updates in Android Market

Tim — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:05:45 +0000

It's always a good time when our Google overlords decide to release updates for their apps. Today, you can head on into the Android Market and pick up the latest versions of Google Wallet and Google Plus. The Google Plus update is quite minimal and is just a few stability fixes, while the Google Wallet update is quite major for some users.

The Google Wallet update includes:

Ability to handle PO Boxes for Prepaid Card top up.

Increased allowable address length for Prepaid Card top up.

Fixes to rewards card syncing.

Improvements for supporting more handsets.

Core Wallet system fixes.

If you are unable to download G-Wallet to your Verizon device, you can try this little hack we wrote up a bit ago. Be warned, Google may have patched it. Doesn't hurt to try, though.

Google Wallet | Google Plus

Cheers Shannon!

Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Neo Hybrid Galaxy Nexus Cases (Updated: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:00:12 +0000

So we're a day late on the contest, but you will live, right? Since we are handing out 5 (five) of Spigen's Neo Hybrid Galaxy Nexus cases in the next two hours, I figured you'd forgive us. The Neo Hybrid is the two part case (1 part silicone, 1 part polycarbonate) from Spigen that gives you the ultimate fit with a touch of protection on your Nexus without adding a ton of bulk. The two-tone color snazzes it up a bit too, in case you were looking for some added flair. You can read our full review of the case here. We have all 5 of the colorways to give away: white, red, yellow, black and silver. The silver one is the case I reviewed, but I promise it is still in excellent condition and may be the hottest of them all. Ready? Update: Winners picked on Twitter: @SusanShambaugh @xyrth @k_freeman23 @C_flembot @lapcon Check your message inbox. Thanks to everyone who entered. How to enter: ~~1. Follow us on Twitter and tweet the following message:~~

Win cases for your Galaxy Nexus from @droid_life - only 2 hours to enter - http://goo.gl/N4IVF #android #contest

~~2. At 12PM Pacific, we will choose our 5 winners and DM them on Twitter.~~ ~~3. The first winner gets to choose a color first, the 2nd winner gets to pick from what's left and so on.~~ Good luck! And stay tuned, we have 5 more cases to give away later this afternoon. And be sure to head over to the Spigen website to check out all of their Nexus products.

Team BAMF Releases Their First Galaxy Nexus ROM, History Tells Us This Will Likely Be Good

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:30:02 +0000

If you owned an HTC Thunderbolt at any point during the last year, rooted it, and tossed on a custom ROM, there is a good chance that it was one of Team BAMF's. They basically took over that whole scene from the get-go and never let up. So now that they have finally released their first ROM for the Galaxy Nexus, you should probably think about giving it a look even if you have become attached to one of the other 2-dozen available. In this ROM titled "Paradigm," you will find an AOSP 4.0.3 base with some of 4.0.4 thrown in. They tossed out all of the "useless" tweaks and mods, but left you with enough to add to the stock experience. You will still find customizable quick controls, an LTE widget, custom clock, customizable lock screen apps, and many of the rest of the "must haves" in Nexus ROMS. Again, this should be a good one. Download: ROM | Google Apps Instructions: Download the ROM and Google apps files to your phone. Reboot into recovery. Make a backup. Wipe data and cache. Flash the ROM. Flash Google apps. Enjoy. Full support and additional details at this Team BAMF thread.

TSF Shell Pro Released on Android, Say Hello to the Coolest Launcher Ever for $17

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:53:16 +0000

TSF Shell Pro was teased back in mid-December, dropping jaws of Android fanboys across the globe. The launcher looked extremely similar to a UI from TAT that we saw way back in the day, but with a ton of added functionality. It has a lasso tool for multi-selecting, incredibly polished and animated widgets, a 3D card switcher, and so much more. Well folks, it's now available on the market for a whoppin' $16.80. The price may be steep, but I've had a chance to play with it for all of 5 minutes now and am enjoying the hell out of it so far. There is one catch though, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus is showing up as not compatible. I was able to load in on my GSM Nexus without issue, so I'm not exactly sure why they have blocked that device. Then again, you could always try our Google Wallet trick. Update: The widgets are all in the market now - links added below. ~~Also, they have yet to release the widgets to the market, so for now, you just get to play with apps and lassos and cards~~. The previous preview video they released is below. I'll hopefully have some time today to get you guys another video of it running on my Nexus. Market Link | Widgets [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYzYQ6YtepU[/youtube] Cheers Graham!

Today Only: Google Hosting Leap Day Music Sale, Pick from 29 Albums for $2.99

Tim — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:23:15 +0000

Music fans may be able to find some good tunes today for super cheap thanks to Google's latest Leap Day deal. For today only, you can take your pick from 29 albums for only $2.99. There's Big Sean, Dr. Dre, Maroon 5, and a ton of other top artists. Go get it. Google Music Sale.

Reminder: Verizon Leap Day Sale Happening Now, Save $100 on the RAZR MAXX and Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:54:37 +0000

You probably all received the email reminder, but in case you didn't, we wanted to make sure you saw it. Verizon's Leap Day sale is live and can save you $100 off of any 4G LTE smartphone. The $299 Galaxy Nexus and RAZR MAXX can be had for as little as $199. You will find the Bionic for free and the DROID 4 and regular RAZR for $99. Not a bad day for a smartphone purchase. Buy.

Tuesday Poll: Who Do You Want to Make the Next Nexus?

Kellen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:22:10 +0000

A lot of the talk this week coming out of Barcelona has been over who the next Nexus manufacturer will be. LG was the first to come out and make their public bid, but HTC wasn't far behind, reminding the industry that Google has yet to make a decision. Samsung and Motorola have been quiet, but with Sammie receiving the nod the last two years, it would surprise us to see them get a 3rd consecutive shot. Motorola on the other hand is owned by Google now, so seeing them receive the first one post-merger would surprise us, however, you just never know with the way they have been talking. Whoever does make this phone though, will be get Android 5.0 early and possibly create the next greatest phone ever. With the tech that was on display at MWC from LG and HTC this week, you have to be excited about the 2012 Nexus. [poll id="144"]

HTC: All Manufacturers are Crossing Their Fingers in Hopes of Producing the Next Nexus (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:34:49 +0000

Fresh on the heels of yesterday's report that LG was deep in talks with Google to be the next Nexus manufacturer, HTC has come forth to mention that they are also fighting for Jelly Bean glory. The company's global online communications manager, Jeff Gordon, spoke with TechRadar within the last couple of days to make sure everyone knew that Google is no where near a decision on who will make the next Nexus. HTC, as well as every other major smartphone company, is crossing their fingers still.

"Google hasn't chosen its Nexus partner for (Android) Jellybean as yet. So right now all the manufacturers are crossing their fingers."

Update: Jeff reached out to us to explain a little more of the story. He said that there was no mention in his conversation with TechRadar about HTC having talks with Google and that all he referred to was that all manufacturers are crossing their fingers. I've also updated the title to better reflect his statements. Gordon had other things to say, but TechRadar's report has now been pulled for unknown reasons and cannot be accessed as a cached page. Maybe it was one of those "off the record" conversations? One thing is clear, being the next name on the back of this year's Nexus is a big deal. We wouldn't doubt it if Moto and Samsung came out next to say how interested they are. OK, maybe not Moto so that the industry doesn't whine like children with cries of "favoritism," but you see the importance of leading the charge for the next version of Android. One that we now know is Android 5.0. I'm guessing that you would be fine with HTC as the this year's Nexus manufacturer? Via: TechRadar, Android and Me

Infographic: Android Owner Happiness Compared to that of iOS Users Based on Application Ratings

Tim — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:42:40 +0000

If you have been curious as to whether iOS users or Android users are more happy than the other about their app market experiences, then there's a graph for that. Besides tools, weather, and navigation (thanks, Google Maps), iOS and Android compare quite nicely to each other and you won't see too many differences between the two. Still, it's a fun little graph to get a good sense of people's feelings on applications from the two markets.

Via: uTest

Reminder: Win a Samsung Galaxy Note from the Exynos Team – Simply Tell Us Why You “Demand Exynos” Processors in Your Phones

Tim — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:00:49 +0000

Don't forget, you still have until March 1 to enter our contest for your chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Note straight from the Exynos team. All you have to do is tell us why you "demand Exynos" processors in your devices.

Enter here.

If you want to learn all there is to know about Samsung Exynos, be sure to check out their dedicated site. This is a landing page for the geek in all of you and is surely the spot that their quad-core chips will land on very soon. It may also help inspire your entry to this contest.

ErnCon Open Beta Released to Android Market, Space Shooter at its Purest Definition

Tim — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:35:40 +0000

There are plenty of space shooters available in the Market, but finding one that is done well is another story. ErnCon, is one of the games done right. Flying around while shooting asteroids for minerals, all while being shot at and destroying enemies is why we play these games. You can upgrade your ships and upgrade your weapons and then repeat. Simple game to pick up and play with awesome music, and better yet, the beta is free. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYNwfnSuAdY[/youtube]

DROID X Build .621 SBF File Released, Should Fix Fears of Bricking Phone

Tim — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:00:58 +0000

DROID X owners should download and keep this file in a safe place immediately. As previously reported, we have heard from multiple sources that attempting to apply an SBF to older build versions from the newest update of firmware .621, could potentially spell disaster for your device. Thankfully, an SBF file for this newest version has been released. You may not be able to go to previous builds, but at least you can revive a potentially dead device and have it running the newest build available. Via: XDA Cheers Ken!

DROID 2 Global Receiving New Update to 4.5.629 - Fixes Bugs, Not Much Else

Kellen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:20:23 +0000

A new update has been approved for the DROID 2 Global, bringing with it a series of bug fixes for a number of issues. Once this 4.5.629 build goes live and you have installed it, your camera settings will save, less out of memory errors will appear, and certain app resets will have gone away. Stability is the topic at hand here. The update is 19.4MB in size. More info. Cheers Heath and Paul!

First Glimpse at Isis Mobile Payment System Interface for Android

Tim — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:52:55 +0000

Above is the first shot at what we can expect Isis to look like on our Android devices. Looking past the Froyo notification bar, we see a simple layout of your synced credit cards, an "Isis Feed" which is most likely a payment history page, a shopping directory, and a settings button. So far, we are fans of dark and minimal approach with the purple accents. What are you thoughts on the first look at Isis? Via: Isis

Verizon: Shared Data Plans Coming "Mid-Year" - 5% of Customers are Using 4G LTE

Kellen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:19:44 +0000

Verizon Communications CFO Fran Shammo spoke at the Deutsche Bank Media and Telecommunications Conference on Monday and provided a few extra details that we had not yet heard on the shared or family data front. Having long been rumored to go live some time this year, Shammo was a bit more specific during his time, saying that we will see "something launched mid-year this year, from us." He then talked about how this won't initially go live for everyone the day they announce it, but that it will be a "4G play" which we are assuming means that LTE customers will have the option to go with shared data first. Clearly this makes sense, as Verizon has already decided to limit the number of non-4G phones that enter their stores going forward. With an expecting 4G LTE nationwide completion rollout of "end of year 2013," Big Red should try to incentivize LTE and smartphones, to try and rid the world of 3G and feature phones. He did not going into pricing or specifics and I wish someone would already. This is one of those areas that no other company has moved into, so we really have no idea what to expect. Is it going to be 10GB for $100 with as many lines as you can add? Or is it going to be something completely different and more affordable? It's anyone's guess at this point. On a semi-related note, Shammo also threw out some network numbers, claiming that only 5% of their customers are using their 4G LTE network, a network that covers over 200 million people. Verizon activated around 5.4 million LTE devices in 2011. Via: FierceWireless Cheers pyroholtz!

Verizon Leap Day Sale: $100 Off Their Best Devices, Including the Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:40:03 +0000

Since tomorrow is Leap Day, Verizon has decided to run a 1 day sale that is worth waiting for if you are on the verge of purchasing a new phone. Their landing page for the special includes all of their top devices such as the Galaxy Nexus, Rezound and DROID RAZR which will be available with a $100 discount. So instead of the $299 you would normally pay for the Nexus, you can snag it for $199. And it's tough to tell from this page, but the RAZR is currently listed at $199 and the Rezound at $99, so there is a chance we could see them at $99 and FREE respectively. I guess well know on that tomorrow. Shop (for tomorrow). Cheers Jim!

Google Releases Official Mobile World Congress Application to the Android Market

Tim — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:04:36 +0000

If you happen to be lucky enough to be in Barcelona or are still just watching the mobile festivities from home, you can get in on the action at MWC thanks to Google's latest release to the Android Market. The app contains booth information, maps, notes, and even an android pin checklist to use to make sure you have them all. Go have some fun! Market Link Cheers Gordon!

Andy Rubin: I Don't Know Anything About Motorola's Products, Google Built a Firewall Between Moto and Android Teams

Kellen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:51:36 +0000

If you thought that Motorola was going to have the inside track on all things Android immediately following their merger, you thought wrong. At least that's what Andy Rubin would have us believe. In a brief session in front of the press at Mobile World Congress, Rubin made it clear that while he "sponsored" the merger, his team has been kept completely separate from what Motorola is doing. He mentioned that Motorola will continue to build Moto branded phones and that Google has "literally built a firewall" between his team and theirs. He even went as far as to say that he hasn't seen anything that they are doing and is not familiar with their products. And if you had fingers crossed that Motorola would be guaranteed to manufacture the next Nexus, I would stop crossing now. We all know that things can change over time, but for now, Google is doing their best to keep these two companies completely separate. Well, aside from hiring a Google VP to run them. Also during the interview, Rubin touched on the state of Android tablets. Even with 12 million Android tablets sold he isn't satisfied saying that the numbers are "not insignificant, but less than I'd expect it to be if you really want to win." For 2012, they plan to "double down" to make sure they win that space. Their plan is to help educate developers and consumers on the Android ecosystem. Via: The Verge [2]

Camera Finally Working in Bionic, RAZR and DROID 3 Ice Cream Sandwich ROMS

Tim — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:06:29 +0000

Owners of Motorola devices who might want to flash some vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich with no Blur attached now have additional options when looking to do so. There have been ICS ROMs available already, but there was a bug involved that hindered the camera from working properly in some of them. And for some, a non-working camera is a complete no-go. Below we have a few ROMs that have working cameras and little to no bugs beyond that. If you want to flash any of these, know that you must be rooted and we hope you have a basic understanding of how flashing custom ROMs to your device works.

DROID Bionic | DROID RAZR | DROID 3

Via: Hash of Codes, Droid Modder X Cheers David and Jeff!

Verizon Confirms March 1 for the Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE, Also the $499 2-Year Contract Price

Kellen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:22:44 +0000

Verizon confirmed our report from yesterday that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE would be arriving officially on March 1 (this Thursday). If interested, you can pick one up for $499 on a new 2-year contract or buy it outright at $699. I don't think I need to mention how out of their minds they are for overpricing yet another LTE tablet, so I'll instead focus on the positives. This tablet is ultra-thin (thinnest in the world for LTE tabs), has a Super AMOLED Plus display, dual cameras, a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, and may just be the perfect size at 7.7 inches. It will run Honeycomb (Android 3.2) out of the box and there is no mention yet as to Verizon or Samsung's plans to update it to Ice Cream Sandwich. We would hope that it is in the plans though. Be sure to check out our hands-on with the device from CES.

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 7.7 Available Exclusively On The Verizon Wireless Network

World’s Thinnest 4G LTE Tablet on America’s Fastest 4G Network
BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Announced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 7.7 will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online atwww.verizonwireless.com starting March 1. Movies, pictures and games come to life in high-definition with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7’s Super AMOLED™ Plus touchscreen display. Customers can quickly access the Web, stream music and more at blazingly fast speeds using the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network combined with a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor and HTML 5 Web browser. The Tab 7.7 is a multimedia expert allowing customers to use their tablet as the center of their home entertainment system. The Peel Smart Remote feature eliminates the need for multiple remote controls for televisions, audio players and other home entertainment systems. Customers can make their Tab 7.7 the master controller to find and watch their favorite TV shows, create a favorites list, set program reminders and more. Customers also have the ability to stream media to their compatible TV using the HDMI Multimedia Dock with a built-in HDMI port or the HDTV Adapter (sold separately). The Samsung Media Hub offers a large selection of media to rent or purchase and watch while traveling or plug into a TV to share at a party. Additional features:

7.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display (1280x800)

Android™ 3.2 Honeycomb – supports Google™ Mobile Services, including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk™ with video chat, Google Search™, Google Maps™, as well as access to Google Books™, movie rentals and more than 400,000 apps on Android Market™

3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash, full 720p recording and 1080p playback (1080p playback through HDMI dock or adapter)

Front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chat

16 GB on-board storage (actual formatted capacity is less)

Support for up to 32 GB microSD™ card

Business solutions Business professionals can feel secure when working on their Tab 7.7 knowing that it is Samsung Approved for Enterprise (SAFE™). The SAFE certification signifies that the Tab 7.7 is equipped with an exclusive suite of security features that deliver enterprise-friendly capabilities to help safeguard sensitive data and communications, including Mobile Device Management (MDM), on-device Encryption, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and push synchronization of corporate email, calendar and contacts. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 provides the ideal balance of portability and productivity so business professionals can get the job done. Pair the Tab 7.7 with a keyboard dock and maximize productivity with the QuickOffice® Pro HD application. Customers won’t even notice they left their laptops behind with the ability to create and edit Microsoft® Office documents. Even traveling business teams can stay connected and productive in remote meeting locations, such as airports, with the 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot capability. The Tab 7.7 lets customers share their 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously, enabling leaders to become the team’s Wi-Fi hotspot to rapidly download large presentations and blueprints to review before boarding a flight. Pricing and availability:

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 will be available March 1 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online atwww.verizonwireless.com for $499.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

Customers that purchase a Tab 7.7 will need to subscribe to a 4G LTE mobile broadband data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Follow @VZWnews on Twitter for the latest news on Verizon Wireless. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 108 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visitwww.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library atwww.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. About Samsung Telecommunications America Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visitwww.samsungwireless.com.

Google Exec: Android 5.0 Could Be Here This Fall, That Would Make Sense

Kellen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:54:14 +0000

At MWC this week, Hiroshi Lockheimer who is Google's VP of engineering for mobile, mentioned to ComputerWorld that the next iteration of Android will indeed be 5.0. Previous rumors (and anyone with a brain) had guessed that 5.0 would be up next, but to hear a Google exec mention it just about seals the deal:

"After Android 4 comes 5, and we haven't announced the timing yet, which we're still sorting out," Lockheimer said. "There's a lot of engineering work behind it still, and there's also just the question of how to time it."

He then went on to discuss timing further, reminding everyone that they try to release the next major version of Android once per year, and then a bunch of decent sized updates throughout:

Lockheimer added: "In general, the Android release cadence is one major release a year with some maintenance releases that are substantial still."

If we go off of past release schedules for both Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich, that would mean we will likely see 5.0 in the Fall. A name, however, was not brought up. Jelly Bean is the leading candidate amongst bloggers and media with opinions, but we all know that could change over the next few months. After all, Android 4.0 is still hot out of the oven. Via: ComputerWorld Cheers barski and jbart!

NVIDIA Announces New Games Optimized For Tegra 3 Devices, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2 Included

Tim — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:30:33 +0000

The quality of mobile games is constantly on the up-and-up. Today, NVIDIA has announced a slew of games that will be launched optimized for Tegra 3 devices. Included in the titles are Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2, Bucket, Golden Arrow THD, Dark Kingdom THD, and a couple others that look fantastic. Down below we have the trailers for a few of them. Looks like it's going to be a fantastic year for gamers on Android. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oVe1ZlyrrQ[/youtube] Dark Kingdom: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjPidpjC9do[/youtube] Eden to Greeeen: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-fNIoCVwqU[/youtube] Hamilton's Great Adventure: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5_dPJN1wOI[/youtube]

Case Review: Spigen SGP Neo Hybrid and Ultra Capsule for the Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:30:45 +0000

The fine folks at Spigen SGP sent over their series of Galaxy Nexus cases to review and we came away fairly impressed with all of them for the most part. They included three different types, but our focus was on the Neo Hybrid and Ultra Capsule cases. These both fit nicely onto the LTE Nexus even though Spigen designed them initially for the GSM version. And actually, I prefer the fit of these cases on the LTE Nexus over the GSM variant. Jump below to see our hands-on time with both.

Neo Hybrid

The Neo Hybrid will give your phone a 2-tone look and a bit of added protection while keeping your device slim. It is a 2-part case - one half is a rubberized cover, the other is a plastic outer sealer of sorts. The rubberized backing is not as sticky as you would imagine, but the device still manages to have enough grip that it shouldn't slip easily out of your hand. I was able to get this to fit over the extended battery and still work, however, it was not built for anything but the standard battery. I would not recommend this for extended battery users. For $24.99, this is a solid option. There are 5 different color combinations.

Ultra Capsule

The Ultra Capsule is your standard plastic/rubber case, only it fits incredibly well on the LTE Nexus. It matches up almost perfectly to the edges of the device rather than overlapping like many of your other popular cases. It's glossy, yet plain, and will definitely not slip out of your hand. This case did fit nicely over the extended battery. For $16.99, this is a great option. There are 6 different color variations.

Video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf8kZYzjB0M[/youtube]

Contest:

We have a total of 10 cases to give away to the amazing Droid Life community. Look for a contest post to go live some time tomorrow morning. Oh, and following us on Twitter is also a great way to keep up to date. Spigen SGP store.

Asus Transformer Pad 300 Outed At MWC, New Affordable Yet Powerful Tablet

Tim — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:00:01 +0000

The Asus Transformer 300 tablet that we have been hearing rumors for has been officially shown at MWC. The folks over at Engadget have had a good hands-on with the tablet whose purpose many folks have been questioning. Is it the next Prime? Does it have top-of-the-line specs? Well, no actually. The Transformer 300 will be Asus' more affordable, slightly less super-tablet for folks who don't need to spend $600+ on an Android slate. The 300 still has the fantastic quad-core Tegra 3 which is the essence of the Prime, but with an IPS display instead of Super IPS+, you won't have the best display on the market. Only a 16GB version will be made available versus having a 32GB or 64GB alongside, so basically, it's just going to be an affordable Prime. How affordable? Well, no official word has been spoken, but we can't expect more than $300, can we?

Via: Engadget

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 Launching on Verizon March 1

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:30:17 +0000

Verizon and Samsung announced their newest 4G LTE tablet dubbed the Galaxy Tab 7.7 at CES back in January. A release date did not accompany that announcement, but we have it for you today. March 1 is their target - that would be this Thursday - with a price of $499 on contract or $699 off. While that price will likely turn everyone off, we were impressed by the device itself when we fondled it for a couple of minutes at the beginning of the year. It's powerful, ultra slim, has a beautiful screen, and will power through any task you throw at it while remaining portable. You can check out that video after the break. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_VenMGR9ks[/youtube] Cheers ___!

Verizon Giving Away Two DROID XYBOARD 8.2 Tablets Every Day Until March 11

Tim — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:45:20 +0000

Don't feel like paying the high price tag, but still want to get your hands on a Motorola DROID XYBOARD 8.2 tablet? Well, Big Red is giving away two tabs every single day until March 11. Supposing when you've sold about 8 in total, they have to figure out something to trim the inventory. All you have to do is fill out the entry form and you can enter as many times as you like. It's definitely a great way of getting a brand new tablet into your life for the best price...free. Good luck! Be sure to check out our DROID XYBOARD review as well. Via: Verizon Cheers Drewrx!

Google Voice Calling Appears to be Down (Updated: It's Back)

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:46:36 +0000

No word out of Google, but Google Voice calling appears to be down. A number of readers reached out to inform us that they were unable to make calls using the service and we can confirm that. I attempted to call a couple of 1-800 numbers along with some close contacts and all calls were ended. We'll be on the lookout for some sort of official response. Update 1:54PM: Google is aware that there is an issue affecting the "majority" of Google Voice users - both incoming and outgoing calls. Update 2:48PM: Readers reporting that Voice calling services are back up and running. Update 3:11PM: Google agrees with our readers - service is back up. Cheers forgiventhief, walt, and Jason!

Isis NFC Payment System Receives Official Name, Secures First Banks, and Briefly Discusses Plans for 2012 Rollout

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:34:49 +0000

Isis - the NFC mobile payment system that was started by Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T - received its first banking partners today, along with a product name and some details on how they plan to roll out. The product will officially be called Isis Mobile Wallet and will welcome in Capital One, Chase and Barclaycard as their first card partners. Since they already secured Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, it's now up to the rest of the banking industry to give their cards the thumbs up. Not familiar with Isis? Again, this NFC-based mobile payment system was created by Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T with hopes of making NFC and mobile payments a common practice. They fell under scrutiny a couple of months ago when it was discovered that Google Wallet (a direct competitor) was not accessible on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Most pointed fingers directly at their Isis product as the reason why Wallet was not allowed on the phone. Verizon denied that they were blocking it and that it had anything to do with Isis. So far though, we have not heard any of Isis' plans to actually produce a product that we can use. According to their press release today, we should see the first markets go live some time in mid-2012. The first two cities to get access are Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX with a nationwide rollout happening soon after. No matter what, this is amazing news for the NFC industry. With these 3 carriers behind it, all of the major credit card companies, and a first batch of banks, mobile payments will soon be in your lives. NFC chips are becoming more common in newer phones and by the end of the year or early 2013, you may be ditching your wallet after all. Via: Isis

Best Buy to Take Pre-orders for the HTC One X Starting Today [from AL]

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:12:04 +0000

Best Buy is ready to take pre-orders on the HTC One X that is headed to AT&T here in the States. Remember that this is the non-Tegra 3 version since that chip has yet to play nicely with LTE. Since AT&T is looking to push their new LTE network all year, they had to go with the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core chip instead. It's no slouch, so that shouldn't discourage you from thinking about it. More at Android Life.

Previously Thought to be Released Sometime This Month, Temple Run is Not Ready for Android Yet

Tim — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:45:24 +0000

Another update from the Temple Run team on Facebook has some people raging a bit more this Monday. Unfortunately, back in January, Temple Run was said to be ready for launch this month, but over the weekend, hopes have been crushed. The Temple Run team states that they want to make sure the experience users receive is flawless, so we can understand why they're taking their time. According to their statement on Facebook, they are actually in beta testing right now, so we shouldn't have too much longer to wait. In the mean time, prepare your torches and pitchforks until we have an official release date. Via: Facebook

Verizon's Free Galaxy Nexus Promo is Regional, Calling Customer Service Won't Get You Anywhere

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:00:45 +0000

Over the weekend, one of our readers received the email of his dreams from Verizon. It included details on how he could get himself into a Galaxy Nexus for...free! The post caused quite the stir in the comments and across the web as VZW customers called every customer service number on the planet to try and find a way to get a similar deal. Most came up empty and we now know why. According to Verizon, the deal is only available to the select regions of the country. Customers are also selected according to a number of criteria, so calling in to see if you qualify is not going to get you anywhere. If a mailer shows up on your doorstep or an email in your inbox, then you know you are in the proper region and meet their checklist. Basically what I'm saying is, stop calling Big Red.

Installing Custom Recoveries and Applying PermRoot to HTC Rezound Made "Noob-Proof" Thanks to Developer

Tim — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:46:21 +0000

We can think of a few reasons why owners of Android devices wouldn't want to flash ROMs and kernels to their phones. Mainly, the big one is that they simply don't want to screw anything up. We can't blame them - it may seem straightforward as just reading a few directions, but for others, it might as well be a different language. Thanks to developer Hasoon2000 over XDA, HTC Rezound owners no longer have to fear adb lingo, kernel talk, or installing custom recoveries. After installing some software on your PC, you can easily access all of the options you see in the above image. If you are a Rezound owner and feel like looking into this option, then head on over to the XDA thread where you can find downloads and instructions. Via: Android Soul, XDA

Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus Pogo Dock

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:59:51 +0000

On Thursday, one of our readers noticed that the Galaxy Nexus Pogo Dock was available to be ordered, so naturally, we jumped on it. Ours arrived this morning and we have already had enough time to play with it a bit and put together this video to give you guys a sense of its worth. As one of the more expensive docks we have ever seen, it must do something extraordinarily special, right? Not so much. The build quality is of the highest, the device fits snuggly, and it does indeed charge through the 3-pins on the side of the device. The clock app launches automatically when docked and you can plug in headphones or a 3.5mm cable to play music externally. You can hook it directly up to a PC, but it doesn't initiate the file transfer protocol and you can't use adb. The extended battery does fit. Cases, probably not so much. So is it worth buying? At $90, this sucker is not cheap. With its lack of HDMI-out like the portrait dock that may some day arrive, it would be tough for me to tell anyone to jump all over this. In the back of my mind, something keeps telling me that the price has to drop when it hits Amazon or Verizon or some other outlet. While I can see myself using this by the bed or on my desk every single day, $90 is a bit much.

Gallery:

Video overview:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-rNeUkvthQ[/youtube]

Asus Introduces the Padfone, is it Tab-ception, or Phon-ception?

Tim — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:31:47 +0000

One of the popular topics to discuss stemming from today's announcements at the Mobile World Congress, is the launch of the Asus Padfone. A slickly designed device that fits snugly right into a tablet docking station, giving the tab 3G capability and plenty of processing power to browse the web and stream media. The phone itself has a 4.3"Super AMOLED display, runs Ice Cream Sandwich along with the tablet, and sports a speedy 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor.

If a phone that goes inside your tablet which can connect to a keyboard wasn't enough, the Padfone also features a stylus that doubles as a microphone and speaker. No more fumbling your devices when receiving that important business call. The whole package will become available in April according to Asus, but there is no say on a price. Just for fun, take a wild guess at how much the Padfone will run here in the US. $500? $800? $1000? The better question should be, whatever the price is, would you pay it? Via: Pocket Lint

Android Booth Tour MWC 2012, Does This Bowl of Jelly Beans Mean Anything?

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:40:40 +0000

The Android booth at Mobile World Congress 2012 is now open to attendees. If you are in Barcelona this week, this is your new playground. With its smoothie bar, lounge, demo setups, device carousel, crane machine, looping slide, pin collections, Jelly Bean bowl (we'll get to that later) and device bedazzler, it's safe to say that the Android team has officially outdone itself. Do attendees even need to stop anywhere else? Check out the gallery of the entire booth after the break, all thanks to Hugo Barra.

Here is the entrace along with a view from afar of the booth. We told you there were a ton of demo setups for attendees to play with.

A look at the slide, smoothie bar, and that bedazzler we mentioned earlier.

Android crane machine? Can I have one for my office? And what's with the bowl of Jelly Beans sitting alone on this table in what appears to be a back room? As you all know, the next major version of Android is rumored to have been dubbed "Jelly Bean," so being the Android conspiracy theorists that we are, we have to assume this means something. Or it's just Google messing with us. Yeah, that is probably it.

More photos at the link below. Via: Google+

Rumor: Samsung Galaxy SIII Will Have 4.8-Inch Full HD Display, Quad-core Exynos Processor, and Simultaneous Global Launch

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:06:40 +0000

With all of the big MWC announcements now out of the way (none of which are headed to Verizon), it's time to put our focus back on Samsung's yet-to-be-announced Galaxy SIII. A couple of rumors surfaced over the last few days from the folks at BGR and may shed some light on what we can expect to see in the next few months (assuming these are accurate). How does a 4.8" Full HD display sound (potentially a HD Super AMOLED Plus)? When we hear "full HD" we immediately think 1080p display. Does anyone actually want a 1080p smartphone? Eh, that's a good question that I'm not sure any of us have an answer to. We are just now settling into 720p displays, but hey, we're willing to give 1080p a shot even if we can't read any of the text or make out any of the icons without zooming in. The phone will also reportedly rock a 1.5GHz Samsung Exynos quad-core processor (potentially the 4412 that was demoed last week), 2MP front camera, 8MP rear camera, Android 4.0+, LTE, and a ceramic casing. The ceramic casing is an interesting idea, and is one that we saw from HTC yesterday with the One S. This new ceramic material that is being used on smartphones is said to be 4 times harder than anodized aluminum and should hold up a lot longer over time. Sammie moving away from plastics? That would be a welcomed change. The other and most importnat piece to this rumor has to do with release. Samsung will try and launch the phone simultaneously in over 50 markets. You may remember last year's Galaxy SII launch debacle that forced U.S. owners to wait until the fall before being able to purchase it. Most of the rest of the world had the device for months before we touched it, but things may be different in 2012. Feeling these specs? Too big? Too awesome? Can't wait? Via: BGR [2]

LG Wants to Make the Next Nexus, in Talks with Google Now

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:43:18 +0000

As far as we know, Google turns the search for the next Nexus device into a contest of sorts each year. The biggest OEMs on the planet submit a device that they feel is worthy of carrying the "Nexus" tag and then the Google team takes it from there. But not only are phone manufacturers involved, but so are chipset manufacturers. For example, Google went with Samsung again last year for the Galaxy Nexus body, yet it paired their phone build with a TI OMAP chipset, something that had previously not happened to our knowledge. Now that we are in 2012, it's time to start the conversations around who the next Nexus builder will be. LG is making the first public play this week in Barcelona at MWC. According to Ramchan Woo - the head of LG's smartphone division - they are already in talks with Google to try and become their partner for this year's Nexus. Don't look at this as a commitment though, as Woo made it clear that nothing is finalized and that they are "working on it." So far in this Android game, LG hasn't received all that much praise from the community. Sure, their latest series of phones including the Optimus 4X HD is a serious player, but knowing that most of you will only choose a Nexus as your next device, does this scare you or excite you? Curious as to your thoughts on LG potentially making the next Nexus. Via: CNET

Google: 850,000 Android Devices Activated Each Day, More than 300 Million Total - 450,000 Apps Available Too

Kellen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:29:58 +0000

Andy Rubin took to the Google Mobile blog this morning to announce the next milestone in Android's growth. As of today, 850,000 Android devices are activated each day, bringing the total in the wild to over 300 million. Back in December, you will remember that this number stood at 700,000, so you can clearly see that the platform is still in full-on growth mode. The year-on-year growth sits somewhere around 250%. In related numbers, Rubin also dropped app growth on us. In one year, the number of apps available in the Android Market more than tripled to 450,000. At last year's MWC, Google announced that there were 150,000 available. Impressive, to say the least. Via: Google Mobile

Samsung Introduces the Galaxy Beam - It's a Phone with a Built in Projector, That's Actually Pretty Cool

Kellen — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:15:59 +0000

The other announcement from Samsung so far at MWC - aside from the ~~disappointment~~ Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) - is an interesting phone, to say the least. It's called the Galaxy Beam and includes everything that you have come to expect from a smartphone now a days, but Sammie then packed a projector inside. That's not a type-o. This phone actually has a real projector inside that can project video, pictures, or other media onto just about any wall or flat surface. Think about that for a second. Wherever you are with this phone, you can essentially beam a 50" representation of your screen onto a wall. It's tough to tell how locked up the feature is, but I'm just imagining what devs could potentially do with this. Other than the projector, the Beam sports a dual-core processor, 6GB of RAM (that's what the spec list says and has to be an error), 5MP camera, front camera, 4" WVGA display, 2000mAh battery, and Gingerbread. It's no HTC One X, but it's not bad. Is anyone even slightly interested? Projector, baby?

Share the Fun with Samsung GALAXY Beam
February 26, 2012 Samsung’s projector smartphone offers unforgettable shared experience for playing multimedia content anytime, anywhere Barcelona – February 26, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today introduced Samsung GALAXY Beam, the projector smartphone that allows users to display and share multimedia content anywhere on a large luminous projector screen. GALAXY Beam lets users spontaneously share photos, videos or other digital media with family or friends by beaming content stored on the device directly onto walls, ceilings or improvised flat surfaces, so that everyone can share the fun without the need to huddle around smartphone or pad-sized screens. GALAXY Beam’s ultra-bright 15 lumens projector allows users to freely share life’s memorable moments instantly and in crisp clarity, even in outdoor environments. “GALAXY Beam provides mobile freedom, enabling a unique shared experience around digital content for everyone—anywhere and instantly—from a smartphone as slim and portable as any on the market,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “GALAXY Beam is a device borne out of Samsung’s insight and innovation, demonstrating Samsung’s commitment to providing extraordinary experiences for consumers with products that let them express and fulfill themselves.” Video clips, maps, business information, games - a whole range of multimedia content can be beamed instantly by GALAXY Beam on a crisp, high-definition projection up to 50’’ wide. The device features a projector-dedicated application which makes it easy to select content and activate projection in a few simple steps. Add a dose of ambience or entertainment to a friends’ gathering by transforming any household room or outdoor deck into an instant mini home-theater, projecting full-screen video clips on a ceiling or wall for common sharing, at the touch of a button. Or capture your favorite holiday moments using the GALAXY Beam’s 5MP camera, then display a full photo slideshow to family members on a dining room wall while playing accompanying music straight from the device, so that everyone shares the experience. For young users who depend on constant, immediate socializing of digital content and entertainment, GALAXY Beam introduces a new way of sharing. It becomes much more than a phone—a handy digital tool, deployable anywhere, which can add visual entertainment to a simple street gathering, set the mood for a small party, or simply turn life’s moments into something personally and immediately sharable. With GALAXY Beam, a birthday or anniversary party can be enlivened in seconds by sharing YouTube or Hulu music videos straight onto a ceiling or door. Likewise, students can collectively share videos or study-work in any dormitory room or student lounge, turning group study into a whole new interactive experience right from a desk table or from the palm of their hands. GALAXY Beam is also ideal for action-packed interactive gaming: Users can upload their own games or choose from over 1,000 games available via Game Hub, Samsung’s dedicated virtual gaming store, then project games to co-players or observers to turn gaming into an unbeatably interactive, shared experience. Additionally, GALAXY Beam is convenient tool for mid-sized business workers. An estate agent can beam images of candidate properties to customers as they tour them; or an architect can display draft concepts or designs to co-workers on the spot at a building site or public location. Despite featuring a full built-in projector, the GALAXY Beam does not compromise on style or portability, measuring just 12.5mm thick and featuring an elegant, ergonomic design. It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread which is powered by an impressive 1.0GHz dual-core processor, ensuring great versatility and a highly responsive user interface. An impressive 8GB of internal memory allows ample multimedia storage without compromises, and a powerful 2000 mAh battery ensures greater display power and content freedom. The GALAXY Beam is exhibited at Samsung stand (Hall 8), Mobile World Congress 2012. For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visitwww.samsungmobilepress.com.

Samsung Announces the Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) Which is Just an Original Tab 10.1 with Ice Cream Sandwich and Slightly Tweaked Design

Kellen — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:53:40 +0000

Since Samsung wasn't ready to announce the Galaxy SIII at MWC this year, they had to at least come up with something. That "something" is the Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) and a projector phone called the Galaxy Beam, which we'll talk about in a bit. For now, let's focus on this new Tab 2 that should be an epic release after the success and awesomeness that was the original 10.1, right? Eh, not really. The Galaxy Tab 2 is identical to the original 10.1 except that it runs Ice Cream Sandwich and has a slight redesign with speakers in the front. Otherwise, it packs a dual-core processor, 7,000mAh battery, 3MP shooter in the back, VGA shooter in the front, and TouchWiz. We wish there was something else to say about it, but it really is an identical tablet. Not to say that we don't still love the original 10.1, but come on Sammie, give us something new and brilliant.

Update: As reader @tomgillotti points out, there is also a Galaxy Note 10.1 on the horizon that is yet to be announced. It was rumored to be on the way, but with Samsung not confirming it during their Beam and Tab 2 announcement, we weren't sure if it was real or not. Apparently it is. The difference between that and this tablet is beyond us.

Video: First Look at the HTC One X, One S, and One V

Kellen — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:26:23 +0000

Feel like ditching Verizon when HTC's line of 2012 One series phones comes to the U.S.? Maybe? Whether you do or do not, check out the "first look" videos of them all after the break to get a better feel for their beauty and power. No one does preview videos like HTC. If there is one company that understands elegance and style, it's them. HTC One X [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFdInvU1w4Y[/youtube] HTC One S [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZZzn4EPN9Q[/youtube] HTC One V [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yDMTPPA78U[/youtube]

Android Team Releases Commercial to Show Off the Diversity of the Platform and Their Nifty Pins

Kellen — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:12:15 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4adnfPF3vlo[/youtube]

Remember that must-have set of Android pins that were unveiled last week just before MWC? The Android team made a commercial to go along with them, that includes kids who were asked what they would want to be when they grow up. Good stuff.

HTC Announces the One X, One S, and One V - Sets the Bar for 2012 Android Devices

Kellen — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:47:10 +0000

We knew they were all coming, but HTC officially stole the show today at Mobile World Congress 2012 with the unveiling of their HTC One series. Even with specs leaking and pictures popping up across the globe, we should all still be impressed with what HTC has produced for the first half of this year. The One X is their flagship phone and the most impressive on paper, but the One S isn't far behind it as a next-gen phone. The One V is their lowest level of the three, yet still manages to include Beats audio and an extremely slim body while maintaing the unique look of the once iconic HTC Legend. Overall, this is one hell of a lineup of phones. They announced more than just phones though, but we'll start there and continue on throughout the afternoon. We have pictures, specs and more after the break.

HTC One X

Starting with the big dog simply makes sense, so let's dive into the HTC One X first. What was rumored has now been officially confirmed on the spec front. The device will rock a 1.5GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor (in most of the world), 1GB of RAM, Android 4.0 with HTC Sense 4.0, a 4.7" Super LCD 2 HD screen with Gorilla Glass, NFC chip, 32GB of storage, 1800mAh non-removable battery, Beats audio, 8MP camera with F2.0 aperture and 28mm lens, and is ridiculously thin at 8.9mm. It will begin to ship globally in April. AT&T has this one locked up in the U.S. though.

HTC One S

The One X may be the phone that everyone is talking about, but the One S should not be overlooked. Rockin' Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 dual-core chipset, this phone is as powerful as any other phone we have seen come to life thus far. It also has a 4.3" qHD display with Gorilla Glass, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, Android 4.0 with Sense 4.0, Beats audio, the same amazing 8MP camera as the One X, 1650mAh battery, and an unbelievably thin 7.8mm body. HTC went with a ultra-matte black Ceramic Metal surface that is harder than aluminum and will keep better over time. It's a crazy good phone. The One S will ship with the rest of the One series in April. This puppy is headed to T-Mobile here in the U.S.

HTC One V

The One V is HTC's budget phone for early 2012. It has a single-core processor and 512MB of RAM, yet still runs Android 4.0 and a similarly amazing camera to the One S and One X. As you can see, it looks almost identical to the HTC Legend and HTC knows that. It will also ship in April. Stay with us though, there is more on the way. HTC also announced some very exciting new camera technology along with more Beats integration. Like we said earlier, it's not all phones out of MWC today.

HTC ONE SERIES UNVEILED

HTC One™ Highlighted by an Amazing Camera and Authentic Sound Experience

Unprecedented momentum for HTC One series – available beginning in April with broad global availability through more than 140 mobile operators and distributors
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Mobile World Congress – February 26, 2012 – HTC, a global designer of smartphones, today unveiled its new HTC One series of smartphones that represent its most premium mobile experience with a new level of iconic design and amazing camera and authentic sound experience. “The best moments in life are captured with a photo or remembered by a song, so it was key for the HTC One series to improve these emotional experiences with an amazing camera and authentic sound experience,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “We are very focused on creating a camera and audio experience customers will love and use often and we believe the HTC One series delivers this in a way never seen on a phone before.” With HTC’s most premium experience, the HTC One series integrates Android 4.0 (ICS) with HTC Sense™ 4, the new version of HTC’s branded user experience that is introducing HTC ImageSense™, a new suite of camera and imaging features that set HTC One apart from other phones. HTC Sense 4 also includes broad enhancements to audio quality and simplifies how people listen to music on their phone. Amazing Camera With ImageSense HTC One rivals traditional digital cameras with improvements to every part of the camera, including the lens, the sensor, the software, and even integrating a new custom HTC ImageChip. These enhancements combine to deliver our fastest image capture, best image quality under adverse conditions and easiest interface that enables quick access to capturing stills and videos with side-by-side photo and video capture buttons.

Superfast Capture - HTC One dramatically reduces the time it takes to capture those key moments. In just 0.7 seconds you’re able to take a shot, and with a new superfast 0.2-seconds autofocus, continue to take nearly unlimited continuous shots simply by holding the shutter button.

Good photos in adverse conditions - HTC One delivers dramatic enhancements in image capture quality even in adverse conditions such as low light, no light or with bright backlighting. The f/2.0 lens on the HTC One X and HTC One S offers best-in-class performance, capturing 40 percent more light than the f/2.4 lenses available on other high-end phones. HTC One also includes HDR, a market-leading technology, for taking great photos even when there are varying levels of brightness.

Video Pic (Concurrent Video/Still Capture) – With Video Pic you capture a photo and shoot video at the same time. Now, while you’re shooting HD video, all you have to do is tap the shutter button and it snaps a high-resolution still photo while the video continues to shoot. You are also able to capture a photo frame from a previously recorded video.

Dropbox integrated with HTC Sense - HTC One gives you an easy way to save and share your photos and videos. HTC has integrated Dropbox into HTC Sense 4 enabling HTC One customers to get 25 gigabytes of free Dropbox space for two years. That’s enough to keep more than 10,000 high-quality photos. Dropbox is also integrated throughout HTC Sense 4, so it’s easy to edit, save and share your documents and other kinds of files.

Sharing your photos and more - HTC One gives you a new way to share your photos and videos. When you plug in HTC’s wireless Media Link HD* accessory into your TV’s HDMI port, you can easily share your photos, videos, or anything else on your phone with your friends, family or colleagues regardless of the television’s brand as long as it has HDMI.

Authentic Sound With HTC One, Beats By Dr. Dre Audio™ integration is enabled for the first time across the entire experience for richer, more authentic sound whether you’re listening to your favorite music, watching a YouTube™ video or playing a game. HTC One also makes it easy to get and listen to your music on your phone with the built-in HTC Sync Manager software that automatically installs to your computer when connected. Once connected, it is easy to transfer songs, artists and playlists from your music library. Of course, people today no longer just listen to the songs stored on their phones; they use streaming services and tune into Internet radio. So HTC One lets you customize the new Music Hub with your favorite services and music applications, like the latest Soundhound technology, giving you one place to go for all of your music. HTC One lets you take all of your music anywhere, including the car. With HTC One, you get an easy way to bring your mobile music to your car’s sound system with the HTC Car Stereo Clip*. It also lets you connect to your music through more than 50 thousand online radio stations worldwide or play music from any service or app on your phone through your car speakers. All this makes HTC One the one place to enjoy all your music, wherever you are, with the power of Beats By Dr. Dre Audio and HTC Car. HTC One X The HTC One X features a beautifully crafted polycarbonate unibody that has the ruggedness of metal but is super lightweight. With seamless construction, the unibody combines a unique high gloss 'piano' finish and a matte back. HTC One is blazing fast with the new NVIDIA® Tegra 3 Mobile Processor for clear graphics, faster applications and longer battery life. It includes a 1.5GHz Super 4-PLUS-1™ quad-core with an integrated fifth Battery Saver Core and a high-performance 12-Core NVIDIA® GPU. The HTC One also has an amazing 4.7-inch, 720p HD screen crafted from contoured Corning™ Gorilla Glass. HTC One X will also be available in select 4G LTE markets with a LTE-enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon S4™ processor with up to 1.5GHz dual-core CPU’s. HTC One S The HTC One S is for people who want a high-end smartphone in a more compact size. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor with up to 1.5GHz dual-core CPU’s. It also includes a 4.3-inch screen crafted from contoured Corning™ Gorilla Glass. HTC One S brings HTC’s innovative metal unibody styling to a new thin 7.9-mm design, making it HTC’s thinnest phone yet. The HTC One S sports two new finishes that break new ground in mobile phone innovation. The first is an ultra-matte black Ceramic Metal surface that is the result of a microarc oxidation (MAO) process originally developed for use in satellites. It transforms the surface of the aluminum unibody into a ceramic, super-dense crystalline structure that is four times harder than anodized aluminum, enabling the HTC One S to look great over time. The second finish for the One S takes anodizing to a new level with a new patented process that creates a light-to-dark gradient fade that looks gorgeous and sophisticated. HTC One V Utilizing the classic, award-winning design of the HTC Legend, the HTC One V brings top-end design to a smartphone with broad appeal and a premium experience that delivers an amazing camera and authentic sound. It features a simple, iconic aluminum unibody design that exudes craftsmanship and quality. Global Availability With unprecedented excitement, the HTC One series will begin shipping in April with broad global availability available beginning in April through more than 140 mobile operators and distributors globally. For more information and to pre-register for HTC One visit www.htc.com. HTC One Series Europe, Middle East and Africa - A1 Austria, BH Telecom Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bite Lithuania, Bouygues Telecom France, Cellcom Israel, Cosmote Greece, Cosmote Romania & Global Bulgaria, Cyta Cyprus, E-Plus Germany, Elisa Estonia, Elisa Finland, EMT Estonia, Euroset Russia, Everything Everywhere UK, H3G Austria, H3G Denmark, H3G Ireland, H3G Sweden, H3G UK, KPN Netherlands, Turkcell Turkey, LMT Latvia, M-Tel Bulgaria, Meteor Ireland, Mirs Israel, Mobilezone Switzerland, Avea Turkey, MTN Cyprus, Netcom Norway, O2 Germany, O2 Ireland, O2 UK, Omnitel Lithuania, Orange Austria, Orange France, Orange Israel, Orange Poland, Orange Romania, Orange Slovakia, Orange Switzerland, Pelephone Israel, Play Poland, MTS Russia, SFR France, SiMobil Slovenia, Sunrise Switzerland, Svyaznoy Russia, Swisscom Switzerland, T-Mobile Austria, T-Mobile Croatia, T-Mobile Czech Republic, T-Mobile Germany, T-Mobile Hungary, T-Mobile Macedonia, T-Mobile Netherlands, T-Mobile Slovakia, TDC Denmark, Tele2 Estonia, Tele2 Latvia, Tele2 Lithuania, Telefonica Czech Republic, Telekom Slovenia, Telenor Denmark, Telenor Hungary, Telenor Montenegro, Telenor Norway, Telenor Serbia, Telenor Sweden, Telia Denmark, Telia Sweden, TIM Italy, Tusmobil Slovenia, Vipnet Croatia, VIP Mobile Serbia, VIP Operator Macedonia, Virgin UK, Vodafone Czech Republic, Vodafone Germany, Vodafone Greece, Vodafone Hungary, Vodafone Ireland, Vodafone Italy, Vodafone Netherlands, Vodafone Romania, Vodafone Turkey, Vodafone UK, Wind Greece North America: AT&T, Bell Mobility, Best Buy, C-Spire, Cellcom, Fido, Metro PCS, Bluegrass, OpenMobile, RadioShack, Rogers Communications, T-Mobile USA, Target, TELUS, U.S. Cellular, Virgin Mobile, Virgin Mobile Canada Latin America: Cellcom, Claro Argentina (América Móvil), Claro Perú (América Móvil), Claro Puerto Rico (América Móvil), Entel Chile, Iusacell México, Movistar Chile (Telefónica), nTelos, Telcel México (América Móvil), Telecom Personal Argentina, Telefónica Brazil, Asia-Pacific: AIS, Bharti Airtel, China Mobile (TD-SCDMA), ChungHwa Telecom, 3HK, CSL, DiGi, DTAC, Fareastone, Globe Telecom, Indosat, M1, Mobifone, Maxis, Optus, SingTel, Smart, Smartone, StarHub, Taiwan Mobile, Telkomsel, Telstra, Viettel, Vinaphone, Vivo, Vodafone Australia, Vodafone New Zealand, XL Axiata, TRUE About HTC Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC’s portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense™, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.

Full HTC One X Official Specs Leak Out - 4.7-Inch Super LCD Screen with Gorilla Glass, NFC with Google Wallet, 1800mAh Battery

Kellen — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:50:03 +0000

HTC's MWC event tomorrow afternoon won't have many surprises after the folks at FullGSM managed to find the official spec pages for the One X floating around HTC's site. It looks as if the device will come in both white and black (or charcoal) and will live up to all of the hype. It indeed does sport a 1.5GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 4.7" Super LCD HD display with Gorilla Glass, has 32GB of storage, new dual-shutter camera tech, 28mm wide angle lens, an NFC chip with Google Wallet support, and so much more. The only real downside that we are seeing is the 1800mAh battery. We would have liked to have seen something with a little more juice to power that massive display, but since the phone is not LTE, it could be fine. Jump past the break to see it all.

As expected, it won't be anywhere near Verizon's network. Will HTC and Big Red push a device with similar specs at some point though? We certainly hope so, especially knowing how HTC likes to handle bootloaders. Via: FullGSM Cheers to everyone who sent this!

Verizon Offering Significant Discounts to "Loyal" Customers, How Does a Galaxy Nexus for Free Sound? (Updated)

Kellen — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:24:24 +0000

If you have been a long-time Verizon Wireless subscriber and have an upgrade available in the near future, checking your inbox would be recommended. Big Red is sending out emails under their loyalty program that are significant. We are talking significant as in free. As you can see from the part we cropped out of the email, VZW is willing to hand you a $299 Galaxy Nexus for nothing, as long as you sign a new 2-year contract. For most current customers, a $50 discount is the max. ~~Tough to tell who qualifies, but it may be worth a call to Verizon's sales team to see if you do.~~ Update: It's a regional promo. If you qualify, you will receive a mailer. Stop calling customer service. Cheers Scotty!

Chrome Extension Lets You Download Android App Apks Directly From the Market to Your Desktop

Kellen — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:02:18 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL6793saxXg[/youtube]

When developer redphx sent over his latest creation last night - a Chrome extension that would allow you to download .apk files directly from the Android Market to your desktop - we had two immediate thoughts. The first, "Wow, this is actually really cool and could be useful down the road." The second was, "While it's cool and all, how frowned upon by Google and developers is this going to be?" And the reason I asked myself that second question is because pulling an installed .apk file from your phone isn't normally the simplest procedure (and probably for a few good reasons). In most cases, a user needs to be rooted and have the understanding of where to look on their phone in order to accomplish the task. We would assume that this is made difficult to help stop piracy, protect users' security, and to not let applications float freely around without control. This Chrome extension changes all of that. All you need to do is install the extension, give it a bit of device info and a legit Market login and you can start ripping .apks. Paid applications cannot be downloaded unless the Market login you gave had already purchased the app. So this isn't a way to get paid apps for free, it's just a way to get the .apk file without any fuss. It's not all bad though. How many times have we posted up a new app that was only available to select devices? Most of the time these apps can run on other phones, but the developer has only optimized them for a select few. This extension would give you to the opportunity to try out those apps even if the Market, your carrier, or developer has decided that you shouldn't. Take Google Wallet for example. No need to use our browser trick if you have this extension installed. So if this interests you, keep in mind that it asks for some bits of info that not everyone will be comfortable dishing out - like your device ID and Gmail login info. This is all apparently stored on a cookie that is only on your PC, but still, proceed with caution. You also have to tweak some Chrome security settings. And yes, it works. More Info: Apk Downloader Page

This Week In The Life of DROID: 2/24/2012

Tim — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:35:15 +0000

We are only days away from the Mobile World Congress. Starting next week, it is going to be a fantastic time to be a fan of Android. Go have a fun weekend and we will see you soon for an Android news overload. Here's the highlights from this week in case you missed anything:

Have a great weekend!

Friday Poll: What is the Most You Would Pay for an App?

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:46:09 +0000

A report surfaced today suggesting that Android apps are 2.5 times more expensive than iOS apps on average. The research group apparently took the top 100 paid apps from each platform and then averaged the price. While that may be one of the worst ways to come up with a comparison, in the end it created a nice headline to spark some conversation. Android users have always been referred to as "cheap" from competitors and even developers at times. We aren't exactly sure if that reputation is fair or not, so we thought we would ask you straight up. How high are you willing to go on an app purchase? Is there a ceiling or do you top out at $1 or $2? [poll id="143"]

Interview: Roman Birg, Lead Developer of the Android Open Kang Project

Tim — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:30:59 +0000

Owners of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus have surely heard the name Android Open Kang Project (AOKP). It is undoubtedly one of the most, if not thee most commonly used custom ROM available for select devices. I have had the opportunity to have a quick session with lead developer Roman Birg of AOKP and ask him some questions to get inside the mind of one of today's top developers. DL: So, Roman. What started your work on the AOKP? Roman: One day on twitter, b16 said he had a few extra Galaxy Nexus devices he was selling for a lot cheaper than stock, so I jumped on it. I've been doing ROMs for a little over a year now and I was eager to play with AOSP again, so I jumped on the offer, quick. A couple days after I got it, I released AOKP build 1, and I sort of add features around what I want personally, and AOSP just didn't do it, so I just started adding things as I saw fit and it just sort of went from there... DL: What's your background in development in general? Do you have proper schooling in that or are you all self-taught? It seems like a lot of the Android devs out there these days pumping out ROMs have all just picked up their skills from fellow developers. Roman: I'm a Computer Science major at college (and they teach Java), but I don't think any college courses helped me with Android, maybe with a little bit of Java coding, but Android is just so much more than that. DL: So what got you into Android development in the first place? Roman: After I got a Samsung Vibrant, I was just flashing everything I could for a couple months. After a while, I wasn't satisfied with something a ROM developer had done and I wanted to change it to how it was before. it just snow balled from there - I started doing a little theming. Then I started smali hacking and adding new features. DL: So your first Android device was the Vibrant? Roman: Yes and no, I found a G1 for like $90 on eBay a few months prior to getting my Vibrant. I'm pretty sure I didn't even have the G1 24 hours before rooting and putting CyanogenMod on it. DL: Nice - So do you also work full time alongside development on Android or have you made Android your full time? It seems you put so much work into AOKP that you wouldn't have time for anything else. Roman: Actually, I'm a full time student at college, and I was working 20 hours a week until about a week ago. DL: What were you doing for work? Anything exciting? Roman: I was working for a network research lab at school. It's not as exciting as Android. DL: What do you see in the future for your work on Android? Any goals you have set for yourself? Roman: Ideally, I'd love to make ROMs as a job, but unfortunately, that doesn't pay nearly enough to sustain anyone. However! Very soon, I'll be starting to develop Android Apps. I could definitely see myself doing that in the future. Hopefully I have some success doing that. DL: So, what types of apps are looking to make? Roman: I've actually started working on my first app just yesterday. I'm working closely with the guys at RootzWiki to bring something (hopefully) awesome for all ROM fiends. It's tentatively named RootzBox. DL: Hmm, RootzBox? Can you give us a little hint as to what the app's purpose is? Roman: It's still early in it's planning and development, but the idea is to make everything related to ROMs easier on the user. We've got some nice features planned that will make the app unique and Rootz-worthy . DL: Nice, be sure to keep us posted on that. So what do you think it is that has made AOKP so tremendously popular among users? Did you plan on creating a ROM that would make people even put CyanogenMod in the backseat for a bit? Roman: Honestly, I had no idea it would get as big as it has. I do this all for fun, so I was just doing whatever -- adding a feature here and there, whatever I felt like doing at the time. Ever since I started playing with ROMs, I've always been about options and user-choice. So after a while, I had a toggle for this and I had a toggle for that. People are able customize their phone and make it feel different than others. Furthermore, the community involvement has just been amazing, which is more than any ROM dev could want. People submit code to add a feature, or maybe improve on a feature that's already been added. AOKP would be nothing without those who've contributed (Zaphod-Beeble, Whitehawkx, sethyx, Khas-Mek, and ProTekk just to name a few). And on the subject of CyanogenMod - I just want to point out that I'm not in any way trying to compete with them. While AOKP is made from pure AOSP, we wouldn't be able to get AOKP on any phone that's not supported by AOSP without CyanogenMod and all of the people who contribute to it. DL: So right off the top of your head, what types of features are you hoping to bring to future versions of AOKP? Anything you want to do but don't have the ability, or means to quite yet? Anything like that on your mind lately? Roman: I would love to be able to add a theme manager (like the T-Mobile one that CM7 had), but I don't know nearly enough to accomplish something like that. More realistically, I think we'd be able to add a way for the user to change the color scheme of the whole ROM. Right now you can change the color of your clock, signal text, and a few other things, but I'd love to let the user be able to pick a color, and their whole phone be in that color. DL: That's something everyone has been hoping for. Okay, so I have to ask - What's the deal with the pink unicorns? Roman: Whitehawkx and I have a T-Mo SGS2 ROM and it has ROM Control kind of like AOKP, but it's much more limited since we're smali-hacking all the features in. Anyways, one day we were just joking around and thought it'd be really awesome to make pink unicorn our 'logo.' Before we know it, one of our friends, kwes, makes us a unicorn logo and Rascarlo makes us that boot animation. And it just stuck. DL: Just last night I went to apply my favorite live wallpaper Phase Beam and noticed it had been replaced by cute pink unicorn heads dancing on my screen. Fabulous! Roman: That was actually a user-contribution! We all loved it when we saw it, there's no way I couldn't not include it. It's definitely fabulous. DL: Awesome. Well to wrap it up, is there anything else you want to say to the community, users, fellow devs or anything? Roman: We're all here to learn and make our devices better. Users: don't be afraid to ask questions and be as nice as you can to other users (I remember when I was deathly afraid of posting in fear of being scowled for asking something that was answered 10,000 pages back). Developers: open source is what drives this community, keep it that way. DL: Excellent, thanks for talking with us! Roman: May the kang be with you. If you want to learn more about the AOKP or give it a go on your device, you can find downloads and all the info you will ever need over the AOKP site. Interested in reading other developer interviews we have held? Then you can search through here and find them all.

HTC Fireball Receives Bluetooth Certification, Still No Word on Arrival

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:59:57 +0000

The HTC Fireball has continued to be somewhat of a mystery even after we first reported its existence back in December. We saw it receive WiFi certification last week, so this Bluetooth approval is not surprising at all. Could it be the Incredible-ish device running Ice Cream Sandwich that we saw a few weeks back? With no other Verizon HTC devices floating around, betting on that as being the Fireball is probably a pretty good idea. What we are wondering now is if it can match up to any of the new devices that HTC plans to show at MWC. It looks fairly thin, but the 1.2GHz dual-core processor in it better be a Snapdragon S4 or we'll be disappointed. Throwing Android 4.0 onto a device with similar specs to the Rezound, but with a white back is not going to cut it in 2012. We need next gen stuff - crossing fingers that HTC does us right.

And in case you are confused as to how we know this Bluetooth cert. is the Fireball, know that the model number for the device is ADR6410LVW. We outed this a few months back. Via: Bluetooth, Ameblo

Dropbox With Instant Camera Uploads Lands on Market With Other Improvements

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:26:23 +0000

In early February, the Dropbox team released a new beta that included the ability to upload camera photos instantly after being taken. With its mass beta adoption and troubleshooting from users like you, this new feature along with other performance improvements is now available in the Android Market. So for those still running that beta, you will want to get back on the update track and install the market version once again. After all, this is still your favorite cloud service by a long shot according to our most recent poll. Market Link

Asus Transformer Prime Receives Yet Another Update, This Time To Build Number 9.4.2.15

Tim — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:30:07 +0000

Owners of the Transformer Prime can start downloading the third firmware update this month for their tablets. With no changelog provided by Asus, it is hard to officially say what these updates are fixing or adding. We do know that it must be super minor given the fact that the update took about 2 minutes in total from download to installation and there's only a minor bump in the build number from .14 to .15. If you happen to notice anything different, let us know down below. Cheers JayKay!

HTC One X and One S Pose for the Camera - Same Old HTC Design, But Ultra-Thin

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:00:47 +0000

Most of the devices expected to make a splash at next week's Mobile World Congress have now been outed. Yesterday we saw LG's entire lineup of phones receive hands-on time and today we have the first shots of the HTC One X and One S in the wild. The One S is expected to be a mid-range device, so we'll get right into the picture we have up top which is of the One X. As you know from the constant coverage of it over the last couple of weeks, the One X is HTC's new flagship device. Rockin' a Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 4.7" Super LCD HD screen, NFC, 8MP rear camera, and Sense 4.0 over Ice Cream Sandwich, it's something to be taken seriously. As far as styling goes, it looks like all of HTC's devices from the last couple of years only it appears to be incredibly thin. In fact, if this was sitting next to a Sensation, you might not be able to tell the difference other than the ICS-ready 3-navigation keys that HTC has chosen instead of the previously standard 4. I'm not calling it ugly, just saying that it looks like every other HTC device from the front. The HTC One S is expected to be a little more budget-friendly and is pictured after the break. Rumored specs have it with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor (possibly the Snapdragon S4), 4.3" qHD screen, and Ice Cream Sandwich.

Thoughts on HTC's new devices? They rarely ever send anything to Verizon first, so you can almost expect that most of us will never even think about purchasing one. However, the specs, thickness of the devices, and continued use of Super LCD screens has to get you at least a little excited. Should a variation of one of these come to Big Red, would you be all over it? Bootloader unlocking tool, remember? Via: ITProPortal [2]

Sneaky Deal: Motorola LapDock 500 at Verizon Only $149, Compatible with the DROID 4 and RAZRs

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:34:12 +0000

Most people can't justify spending $300+ for Motorola's LapDock 500. It's a device and feature that has potential, but until Motorola adds some polish, that price may not be worth it. But what if you could score one for $149? Would that be worth it? If you game Verizon's accessory system a tad, you can have it for that price today. The instructions below will walk you how to purchase the accessory by choosing the DROID 4, but according to Motorola, the RAZR and RAZR MAXX are also compatible with it. Instructions: 1. Go to Verizon's site. 2. Click the big "Shop" button up top. 3. When the page loads, scroll down and click "View All" next to Accessories. 4. Click on the "DROID 4." 5. LapDock 500 should be the first option, simply click "Add to Cart" from that page. 6. Go straight into your cart and you should see it for $149.99 rather than the $249.99. 7. Checkout and enjoy.

Cheers Kickin Wayne!

Chrome Beta on Android Updated - No Changelog, But Whatever They Did Made It Incredibly Fast

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:43:47 +0000

There is an update available for Chrome Beta on Android that I highly suggest you all download immediately. A changelog is not included, but whatever the Chrome team did, we 100% approve of. We haven't noticed any new Labs features like quick controls, however, the browser itself is insanely fast now. Jumping into your tabs view, loading pages, or flipping between screens never felt so good. At first I thought it could have been my loading of CM9 coupled with the update, but our Twitter feed indicates that the speed improvements are noticeable to everyone with the newest version of the browser. We'll be on the lookout for an official list, but for now, get to browsing. *Note - For those that are not running phones with official ICS support (Incredible, Sensation, etc.) aka ROMs, this may break Chrome for you. Update with caution. Market Link Cheers Michael!

Google's Newest Invention Is A Gesture-Based Search Feature, To Be Used On New Devices

Tim — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:25:18 +0000

Another upcoming patent application submitted by Google has been broken down in detail by Patently Apple. The newest submission is a gesture-based search feature that is reported to launch on upcoming devices. Basically, you draw a letter which equals a command, then circle the content which you want the command to base its process on in a single motion. So draw a "G" then circle a word or picture and it will show the Google results for that content. You can draw different gestures/letters to mean different things. For example, in the picture below, you can draw a "W" which would represent searching something on Wikipedia. You can do this for many different types of commands and we're thinking that the gestures won't be limited to just letters, but any gesture you may want to use.

Sound like something you would be using on the daily? Of course, this is just an initial filing so we probably have a long ways to go before we see this on our Jelly Bean devices. Via: Patently Apple

Motorola German Patent Win Forces Apple to Turn Off Push Notifications in MobileMe and iCloud

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:48:32 +0000

In chapter 352 of the Apple vs. the world patent saga, a tale of push notifications violating a Motorola patent is the topic. Moto is apparently asking a German court to force Apple to stop said notifications in their MobileMe and iCloud products effective immediately. It appears as if Apple has no choice in the matter and has already issued a message through their support forums to German customers, informing them that push notifications for those two services are no longer available. To give you a bit of a background, just understand that push notifications are those that appear from services like email or Twitter the second you receive something new. Without a push notification enabled in a service, you would either have to manually refresh your app to see what you have that is new or set up your app to automatically refresh every so often. Push notifications are not essential, but they do make life a hell of a lot easier. Apple has already appealed this ruling. Via: AP, Apple, FOSS Patents Cheers Dan!

Here are Your 2012 MWC Android Pins, And Yes You Will Want Them

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:19:01 +0000

Last year, the Android team created a set of 86 different Android pins that were then spread around various booths at MWC. Attendees noticed them and then actually tried to collect them all (who wouldn't, right?). Seeing that they were such a hit, a new set of pins has been introduced for next week's big mobile event and are something I think that all of us would love to have to add to our Android collections. If you are not attending, it may be tough, but we'll do our best to try and get a hold of some. Check out the full sheet of pins below.

Via: Twitter, Google+ Cheers Mark!

Report: Google Still Has Plans To Launch 7" Tablet Later This Year?

Tim — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:06:04 +0000

According to an analyst over at DisplaySearch, Google still has plans to produce and launch their very own 7" tablet this year. Back in December, Eric Schmidt talked about Google's thoughts on bringing a very "high quality" tablet to the market, which were then followed by rumors of a tablet that was to launch in direct competition with the Kindle Fire. The new report states that this Google-branded tablet would have a 1280x800 resolution and of course, ship with Ice Cream Sandwich. What is still unknown is if Google does have intentions on marketing the tab as a direct competitor to Amazon's extremely popular and affordable Kindle Fire. The report states that production of this Google slate will begin in April and roughly two million units will be produced. Fingers crossed that once we get closer to proposed production time we can get some leaks on processor specs and other little goodies. Via: CNET

First CM9 Nightly Available for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and XOOM

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:59:39 +0000

Last night, magic happened. The first CyanogenMod 9 nightlies began to go live starting with all of the Nexus devices including the Galaxy Nexus and XOOM on Verizon. If you haven't been following any of the kangs that have been floating around for a few weeks, then you are in for a treat. This is "official" when it comes to CM9, so feel free to take this Friday and enjoy yourselves. And don't forget, that you need both the ROM and Google apps files since CM builds never include them. Download: update-cm9-nightly-toro-signed.zip | Google Apps Instructions (for Galaxy Nexus): 1. Download both the CM9 nightly and Google Apps packages from above to your phone. 2. Reboot into recovery (using ROM Manager is the easiest way). 3. Create a backup of your current phone setup. (backup and restore>backup) 4. Now, wipe data and cache. 5. Choose "install zip from sd card" and then "choose zip." 6. Find the toro-signed.zip file that you downloaded from above and install it. 7. When that finishes, choose the Google apps package that you downloaded and install. 8. When that finishes, reboot and enjoy CM9! More builds including the first nightly for the XOOM here. Cheers tpags, Jigga_Z and Justin!

Original Asus Transformer Receiving Ice Cream Sandwich Update Now

Kellen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:43:14 +0000

Asus said it would be today and they weren't messing around. The Ice Cream Sandwich update for the "OG" Transformer is available now to all users. From your tablet, cruise into Settings>About and then check for system updates. It should be there. Welcome to Android 4.0. Cheers Mike61969, Adam, Colton,

Google+ Invades Google Voice on Desktops, Full Integration is Happening

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:00:39 +0000

Google+ and its intertwining into other Google services has almost come full circle. (See what I did there?) It has already invaded our Gmail inboxes with the ability to sort things by Circles, controversially entered our search results, and has now as of today joined into the Google Voice party. If you are a user of the "greatest voice service on the planet" - a quote I use quite often - then you will have the option in your Google Voice account to start setting up specific voicemail greetings per Circle. As Google mentioned in their announcement for this new feature, you can send calls from your "Creepers" Circle straight to voicemail and let your old college crew here your karaoke version of "This is How We Do It." Fun.

Circle management is not yet in the Android app, but you have to imagine at some point that Google will figure out a way to work it in. Google+ is the future of Google services and this is simply another sign of that. Via: Google Voice Blog

Google Music Not Living Up To Expectations, Hoping Implementation Of Hardware Strategy Can Boost Numbers

Tim — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:30:16 +0000

A recent report filed by CNET, shows that Google has had better expectations for their music service than the numbers they are seeing so far. The Google Music service has been available for only a short time, so no one close to the project is scrambling quite yet. But the music industry is looking into it and making sure Google has plans of making them money. Managers at Google have told record executives that they hope a new 'hardware integration' strategy can put a boost in sales and downloads. As we have been following, Google does have intentions on releasing a home entertainment system based around the Android OS which will sync with your phones and tablets. When we can expect to see Google put all its weight behind the music service is still in question, but be assured that Google has plans on making it a serious contender for music buyers. Via: CNET

Plizy Released For Android Tablets, Videos From All Over The Web In One Convenient Location

Tim — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:00:56 +0000

A new app called Plizy has launched on the Android Market. It reminds us of Pandora, if Pandora handled videos. You create channels of videos taken from around the web and they just play in random order. Create a channel for comedy and you will have College Humor, Ray William Johnson, Freddy W, and a ton of other fantastic streams to choose from. There are many channel types ranging from News, Business and Sports. There's something for everyone who enjoys searching the web for great videos. The app is free and has a marvelous interface. Real smooth and crisp. Be sure to check this one as soon as you get the chance. Market Link Cheers Billy Bob!

Galaxy Nexus Landscape Pogo Dock Now In Stock and Shipping From Samsung

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:04:51 +0000

The Galaxy Nexus landscape pogo dock that Tim found the other day through Samsung's site is now in stock and apparently shipping. One of our readers even called in to verify that the product was available and was told that it is. It's still $90, but you do get 3-day free ground shipping since the order is over $50. Can you believe it? The day has come that we can brag to our friends about having official Nexus accessories. Assuming that is something to brag about, of course. Buy. Cheers Seth!

LG's Entire MWC Android Phone Lineup Gets Fondled on Video, Including the Quad-core Optimus 4X HD

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:27:36 +0000

There are absolutely zero surprises coming from LG at next week's Mobile World Congress now thanks to some lengthy hands-on videos that Italian site Telefonino posted today. LG had already announced each of their major products to unveil - Optimus 4X HD, Optimus Vu, and Optimus 3D Max - but we had yet to really see them in the wild or in any sort of lengthy overview. The first video we have below is for the Optimus 4X HD, which is one of the world's first Tegra 3 quad-core devices. It also sports a 4.7" HD IPS display, 1GB of RAM and runs Ice Cream Sandwich. After cruising through this video briefly, we get one of the first looks at an OEM skin over the top of Android 4.0. While I've never been a fan of LG, the fact that this phone is so buttery smooth thanks to the Tegra 3 chip has me almost getting over the fact that it looks nothing like ICS. OK, that's a flat out lie. The LG skin on here is not pretty, BUT, how freakin' fast is this phone? If you have spent any time whatsoever with an LG device in the past (including the Spectrum), you will not find a better example of how an OEM skin can completely bog down a phone. That is clearly not the case here with that Tegra 3 chip inside which should excite you all. And did anyone else notice the new lock screen? Kind of cool actually. Try suing LG for that, Apple. Optimus 4X HD [youtube]![/youtube] The Optimus 3D Max is next and is exactly what you would expect, another 3D phone. It's fast enough in this demo with its OMAP4430 processor, has some fancy 3D carousel stuff going on, looks sharp, and runs Gingerbread. The skin that LG has gone with is an odd take on their previous skins, but for the most part looks to include all of the annoyances that we have seen in previous handsets. It's definitely not the new skin that has been slapped onto the 4X HD. Optimus 3D Max [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBA_gAh-pg4[/youtube] The Optimus Vu is the last video below and is one that has left us speechless. I have no idea who they are trying to market this too (5-inch 4:3 display?), but I would love to sit down with the marketing research crew that decided to give it the thumbs up. What a silly phone. But hey, we all love choices, right? Just sit back and enjoy this one from afar. Optimus Vu [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP7Nr-Rfuic[/youtube] Via: Android and Me, Telefonino

DROID X Update To .621 Firmware Rolling Out Now, The Mother Of All Bug Fixes

Tim — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:05:19 +0000

Owners of the DROID X are reporting success when manually pulling the .621 OTA update from Motorola and Verizon. This update is the major Gingerbread bug fixer that folks have been waiting too long for. Less device crashes, general improved stability, and even a fix for that annoying bug where the phone reboots while playing music. But remember, early reports are showing that after flashing the newest update, SBF abilities have been revoked and you could end up with a bricked device if you try to go back to earlier firmware. Good luck. To pull update: Settings>About Phone>System Update Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Thursday Poll: Your Cloud Storage Service of Choice is?

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:47:04 +0000

The cloud storage space is on the verge of becoming a cluttered one. With each of the major players doing their best to grab your attention by tossing out free space, you may have trouble deciding. Or do you even have to? Box, Dropbox and Minus are the three that most Android enthusiasts use as they have the best apps and also hand out the most storage space. Is there one in particular that you use more often than the next? If so, why? [poll id="142"]

Perfect Keyboard Goes For Half-Off In Android Market, Down To Just $1.50

Tim — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:55:25 +0000

You can never have too many options and choices when it comes to Android. For keyboard fanatics, there's another name to be made aware of and it's Perfect Keyboard. It's a multi-touch keyboard that allows for a bunch of different themes, customizations, and has wonderful auto-correction which is a huge plus for most people. The keyboard is usually priced at $2.99, but for a limited time can be swooped up for 50% off. Not too bad if you enjoy the pecking instead of swiping from key to key. Has anyone used Perfect Keyboard before? Thoughts? Likes and dislikes? Market Link ($1.50) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeqm2UzYKZ8[/youtube]

Box for Android Receives Update - Hands Everyone 50GB of Space Just For Signing Up

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:20:03 +0000

Box - one of the top cloud storage options in the business - has been running free 50GB promos for a while now, only you had to have select devices in order to take part. Well, there was that one sneaky app that gave the promo upgrade to everyone, but let's not talk about that. Because as of today and through March 23, everyone with an Android phone can sign up for Box's service and receive a lifetime 50GB storage limit for free. And if you are already signed up, feel free to sign up with second and third email accounts to make sure your storage limit never ends. Along with this storage upgrade, the app itself received a hefty update that includes the ability to view and add comments to files, invite collaborators, better uploading, and a new UI to match up with ICS styling. I have to admit that Box has become my go-to cloud storage service over the last few weeks. Definitely a fan. Market Link

Bloomberg: Sanjay Jha is Out at Motorola, Google Will Appoint Dennis Woodside as New CEO

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:47:05 +0000

Oh, boy. According a report from Bloomberg, current Motorola Mobility CEO Sanjay Jha will be replaced by Dennis Woodside, who is a senior VP at Google and has been leading the transition of the two companies and reporting directly to CEO Larry Page. Now that the merger has essentially been signed off on, we sort of expected there to be some shuffling up at the top. But dropping Sanjay? Did anyone see that coming? OK, be real, many of you were certainly hoping this would happen after 2 years of questionable moves by Motorola's smartphone division and what seems to be declining sales quarter after quarter. Neither Motorola nor Google would confirm the move, but Bloomberg seems to be satisfied with their 3 sources who of course, will remain nameless. If you are wondering how Sanjay will survive going forward, rumor has it that he will make somewhere around $66 million extra thanks to pushing this merger into the lap of Google. I'd say he should be able to put dinner on the table for a couple of years. And yeah, I'm dying to hear your thoughts on this one. Via: Bloomberg

Motorola DROID XYBOARD Review - Verizon

Eric — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:35:44 +0000

Motorola did the DROID XYBOARD no favors with its unfortunate name, and with the device coming out in a timeframe just before the advent of quad-core processors, this tablet ended up out in the cold. Throw in a high price tag on-contract and an unenthusiastic launch and you have one interesting tablet left. But this is the first tablet to bear the legendary DROID name. Does it stand up to it? Let's have a look.

The Good:

(XYBOARD on top, XOOM on bottom)

Weight and Feel: Coming from a guy who didn't have a problem with the XOOM's thickness and weight, handling the XYBOARD was an eye-opener. The tablet is almost half as thick as its predecessor and nearly half the weight as well. The whole tablet just feels much more pleasing in the hand than the original XOOM. The back edges of the device is covered in a black hard rubber which has a dual purpose. It makes the tablet easier to hold, but also cuts down on scratches and rough points when you set it down. Overall Moto really took the form factor as the major point to improve on with this device.
4G LTE: Any tablet owner is missing out if they do not have 4G LTE packed inside. Coming from a WiFi-only XOOM it was refreshing not having to search for a network close to me. The XYBOARD offered fast download speeds wherever I was, whether walking down the street or in my place, most of the time having faster speeds than if I was connected to WiFi anyway. Definitely a big plus for this tablet.
Performance (kind of): The 1.2GHz dual-core processor they have in this baby is no slouch. At times the tablet flies through apps and homescreens without any kind of lag. For the most part the tablet is snappy and responsive to what you want to do with it.
Stylus Implementation: One fact that fell under everyone's radar, even my own until it arrived, was that the 10.1" XYBOARD came with a stylus. I was wondering what I would use the stylus for but Moto had me covered. In the action bar, right next to the settings button is a pen and paper emblem that will bring up a sticky note that you can write on whenever you want. Or if Evernote is your thing you can launch directly into that and take your notes there. The tablet comes packed with apps (more on that later) that let you use the stylus in fun ways, including Sketchbook Express which is a fairly advanced artistic app that makes perfect use of the stylus. Unfortunately the stylus doesn't read how hard you are pressing like Samsung's new S-Pen but it worked well anyway.

Camera: The XYBOARD's camera is pretty decent as far as tablet cameras go. I was unable to get a day with sun but even still colors were decent and the shutter was fast in snapping what I needed. You won't be using it often but when you do it will get the job done.

Screen: Moto definitely took some time to upgrade the screen from the original XOOM, which was notorious for ghosting with images coming across the screen. The XYBOARD's screen is bright and vibrant. Just looking at the home screen is gorgeous and watching Netflix or any videos is a joy. There is still some ghosting when switching through large images across the screen but it has been cut down hugely since its predecessor.

The Not-so-Good:

Performance (Honeycomb): The fact that this tablet launched with Android 3.2 Honeycomb was a bit of a head scratcher. The fact we learned that Motorola doesn't plan on updating this for another 4 or 5 months to Ice Cream Sandwich is downright insane. After seeing how well Ice Cream Sandwich runs on other tablets, the XYBOARD will gobble it up once it is updated. For now though, Honeycomb is buggy, laggy and otherwise a let down. The tablet wants to show off it's muscles but 3.2 isn't suited for it.
Battery life: We have come to expect bad battery life from anything that has an LTE radio in it but with a tablet sized battery I was expecting way more than what I got. One day with heavy use and lots of Netflix over 4G I drained the battery in almost 3 and a half hours. Days with switching between 4G and WiFi with less use yielded near 10 or more hours, although that was with lots of downtime as well.
Bloatware: This tablet ties with the Droid 4 for amount of apps that are pre-loaded onto the device with 25. Not all of these are terrible though, like The Daily and Madden 12, which I could see myself using. However, most of them are apps that you are most likely never going to use and cannot be uninstalled or disabled. Motorola even threw in the "MotoPack" which lets you choose a group and installs apps based on that group. "Home Office" for instance installs apps like Out of Milk, Adobe Reader and Citrix Receiver. If Motorola and Verizon opted for one app that allowed you to install bloatware if you wanted it, I would be psyched. Let's hope they think about this going forward.

Not Quad-Core: You can't really fault the tablet itself for this one but the Transformer Prime was right around the corner, signaling the advent of quad-core devices. It seems odd that the sequel to the first ever Honeycomb tablet wouldn't be something that Moto put time into and made a leader of the pack.
Price: No surprise here, you are looking at $429.99 on-contract for the smaller version of this tablet. If you want the 10.1" version you're staring at a $529.99 price tag with a contract for your 4G service. It's just a little bit rough around the edges when you consider the WiFi-only version will only run you $399.

Gallery:

The Verdict:

After spending almost two weeks with the XYBOARD I have to feel bad for the device. The form factor is the most pleasing that I have seen in any tablet to date. Motorola really went out of their way, on the outside at least, to improve on everything that the XOOM did poorly. The tablet is light, easy to hold and thin. 4G speeds built in and some major processing power waiting to be harnessed sets this tablet up to be something special. But it's not. Like I have said before, the XYBOARD was doomed to a bad release date and poor marketing. The idea of signing up an on-contract tablet for 2 years is still a shaky idea with most people as well. Most people were hoping for the sequel to the XOOM to be the next great tablet but unfortunately this isn't it. I find it hard to choose this tablet over my XOOM which is already running Ice Cream Sandwich very well and overall just runs better than the XOOM 2. If you have to have a tablet on-contract with Verizon should you get this? Yes you should. Should you get the XYBOARD if you are just looking to get an Android tablet? Absolutely not. I can't deny though, it was fun to see that massive red eye of Sauron boot up and have a tablet under the DROID brand. It's unfortunate that this didn't wow me like the OG Droid did.

Nova Launcher Leaves Beta, Now Available on the Android Market

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:07:51 +0000

One of our current favorites in the launcher game, Nova Launcher, finally left beta this morning and found its way into the Android Market as both paid and free versions. It's all of the fun you have been experiencing, but now you have the option to upgrade to the "Prime" edition which includes the ability to hide apps in your drawer, activate swipe actions on apps and docks, and more. It's $4.00 to go premium, so if none of the options I just listed are of use to you, stick with the free version. Market Links: Free | Prime ($4.00) Via: Phandroid

Verizon Will Officially Light Up New 4G LTE Markets on March 15 - Dothan and Enterprise, AL are Two of Them

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:54:38 +0000

Last night we received word for a handful of readers in New Jersey who were noticing 4G LTE in their notification bar for the first time. Those areas are still not official, however, it looks as if Verizon is going to announce their next batch at any moment. On March 15 we will see LTE light up in Dothan and Enterprise, AL, but we get the feeling that more are coming. Stay with us. Via: Verizon Cheers Travis and CG!

HTC Continues Countdown to MWC - 4 Days to Go Before We Hear Something "Authentic"

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:17:13 +0000

HTC continued its countdown to Mobile World Congress today by posting a picture of a phone with the number 4 inside it. Yesterday it was a 5, as in 5 days to go until they announce their 2012 plans. Today's 4 is accompanied by the words "This Sunday you’ll hear something authentic." Authentic could mean almost anything, but the definition says "Of undisputed origin." Dig deep into that if you need to. We are just assuming it has to do with the One X. Via: Facebook

Asus Twitter: Transformer ICS Update Starts Rolling Out Tomorrow in the U.S.

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:39:45 +0000

According to the "official" Asus Twitter account, Ice Cream Sandwich should arrive on your Transformer starting tomorrow. Only hours after the update was announced for Taiwan with a "soon after" timeline for the rest of the world, this is fantastic news. Via: Twitter Cheers @bstag!

Asus Announces Original Transformer Ice Cream Sandwich Update...For Taiwan

Kellen — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:05:07 +0000

Update: It looks like it could happen as early as tomorrow for U.S. customers. Taiwan isn't exactly what you wanted to hear, but at least it's a start, right? Asus has indicated through Facebook that Ice Cream Sandwich for the original Transformer will rollout to other countries "soon after" though, so hopefully that means weeks rather than months. After Prime owners were given the update basically at launch, the OG crowd has been itching for it themselves. Shouldn't be that much longer. Via: Facebook Cheers Colton!

LG Announces the Optimus 4X HD Ahead of MWC - Tegra 3, 4.7-inch HD Display, and Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:57:17 +0000

So much for one last surprise from LG at next week's Mobile World Congress. After announcing both the Optimus Vu and Optimus 3D Max, they went ahead and officially outed the Optimus 4X HD as well. The phone is everything that has been rumored so far, so let's recap quickly and then get to your thoughts. The LG Optimus 4X HD will rock a 4.7" IPS HD display, 1.5GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, 16GB internal storage, 2150mAh battery, and will run Ice Cream Sandwich. Not bad, right? And with the Tegra 3, don't automatically assume that this device will suffer from battery life issues either. As we have written a number of times now, the quad-core architecture that NVIDIA uses, includes a 5th companion core that they are calling "4-PLUS-1." This companion core allows the phone to idle and save battery during activities that do not need heavy processing. This device should exceed your battery life expectations. The device will ship to Europe first some time in the 2nd quarter. U.S. rollout has not been announced, but if we go off of last year's similar device from LG, the Optimus 2X, T-Mobile was able to grab it and rename it the LG G2X. LG G4X HD this time around, anyone? Sooooo, your thoughts? Being an LG device, does this interest you? Full press release.

Middleton and Central, New Jersey Seeing 4G LTE - Anyone Else?

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:03:33 +0000

The last we heard, Verizon had lit up its 196th 4G LTE market. At the rate they are moving, they may cover the entire country before the end of 2013 which is currently their goal. According to a handful of readers, some areas in New Jersey that were previously 3G-only are now seeing LTE signals and speeds. Congrats! At this point, we almost wouldn't expect VZW to announce each of these new markets as they go live. Most of the bigger cities have already been given the green light, so many of these new ones are smaller markets. Obviously they would want to mention them in bulk at some point and we may get just that towards the middle of each month. Have you started seeing 4G LTE in your previously untouched neighborhood? Cheers Mike and John!

Toshiba Thrive To Receive Ice Cream Sandwich By End Of Spring, Acer Iconia Begins Receiving Update Now

Tim — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:45:45 +0000

It may be hard to believe, but there are devices still out there that have not received the update to Ice Cream Sandwich yet. I know, it's unbelievable. The Toshiba Thrive and the Acer Iconia tablets are just two of the devices on that list. Well, you can now mark off the Iconia tablet, as Acer has begun to push out ICS to the A200 tablet starting last Friday. Congrats, Iconia owners. As for the Thrive, owners have until the end of Spring to receive it on their devices, so the wait could be a couple more months. Word from Toshiba's PR Manager is that both the 10.1" and 7" variations of the device will receive the Ice Cream love around that time frame. Could be worse - you could own a Thunderbolt. Via: Computer World, PC Mag

Quick Review and Contest: Andru Android Charger Takes the Charging Cake, Win 1 of 4 Now! (Updated: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:19:56 +0000

The Andru charger was introduced a couple of weeks back and has since taken the Android collectible world by storm. As the coolest charger you will ever find, Andru lights up while plugged in, has bendable arms, movable antennas, and is your ultimate desk companion. If your first thought runs along the lines of "Oh, another cheap plastic accessory," then think again. This charger is actually much higher in quality than I had imagined it would be. It is sturdy plastic and rubber, the green and white matching cord feel of the highest quality, and none of the moving parts feel as if they are on the verge of falling off. It's a great little charger for the Android enthusiast in the building. At $25 a pop, you may have a hard time justifying it especially with the half dozen other chargers you have lying around your house. Trust me though, as an Android fanboy, this is definitely worth it. Jump past the break for photos and contest details. Yep, we're giving 4 away.

Contest:

Since we love to give stuff away and the Power by Gen team (makers of Andru) are awesome, we thought we would hand out 4 to the DL community in the simplest of contests. It wouldn't be fair if a number of you didn't have a chance to experience Andru and all of his eye-glowing glory for free. Ready? Instructions:

Follow Andru on Twitter.
In the comments, tell us how many ugly OEM chargers you have lying around your house and where you plan to use Andru (office, bedroom, bathroom, etc.).
We will pick a winner from the comments tomorrow afternoon at 3:00PM Pacific.

Good luck everyone! Update - Winners: Our 4 winners taken from the comments are...

Logan Lopez - Hopes that this charger does it in style. It does, my friend. RadicalPie - Who has a flush outlet to charge with Bugdroid standing upright. Jealous. David Larsen - Just broke a charger and could use such a stylish one. geedee82 - Another office Andru on the way!

Congrats guys!

*If you would like to buy Andru right away, hit up the Power by Gen site.

Android Team Reminds Us That Last Year's MWC Android Booth Was Awesome, Invites You Back For More

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:01:30 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH0YuP2H_hI[/youtube]

The Android booth at last year's Mobile World Congress was everything you would hope that an Android booth would be. There was a slide, Android collectibles, devices, a conveyor belt, a lounge, and more. To remind you of its awesomeness, the Android team has posted up a recap of the fun while reminding us all that they will be back at MWC doing it all over again. Can't wait to see what they have in store. Via: Android at MWC 2012

Wednesday Poll: Galaxy Nexus Owners, Have You Used Google Wallet Yet?

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:43:52 +0000

After all of the drama that Google Wallet has gone through over the last couple of weeks (security issues and freezing of prepaid cards), we have yet to discuss usage of the app itself. With prepaid cards back for the most part and enough ways to get the app on your device even though Verizon is doing their best to prevent it, we want to know if anyone has actually used it. Since carriers have asked Google to not include it on certain devices and with only MasterCard currently along for the ride, I'm personally having trouble finding places to use it at. Even at CES in Vegas, I had made it a goal of mine to use Wallet every single time I took a cab ride. Unfortunately, the only cab with PayPass functionality was the very last cab we took to the airport and the transaction failed enough times that we tossed cash out in frustration. My first time happened to be last week as I stopped through a Peet's Coffee here in Portland and noticed the PayPass pad. I fumbled through the transaction, expecting it to be more difficult. It wasn't. I'm now hooked and am looking for ways and places to use it more often. NFC payments are simply put, brilliant. Have you had the chance to use it? [poll id="141"]

T-Mobile Moves To Block Verizon's Acquisition Of Additional Spectrum From Cable Companies [from AL]

Tim — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:42 +0000

Verizon has been in talks with companies such as Comcast and Time Warner to acquire additional spectrum to beef up their network. The spectrum in question just so happens to be the same frequencies that T-Mobile's HSPA+ runs on, so naturally, T-Mobile is not good on this deal. T-Mobile argues that the nation's largest mobile carrier does not need this additional network and that T-Mo could actually do a better job at deploying and making use of it. We can't blame T-Mobile for trying their hardest to get some more slices of the pie. It's now in the hands of the FCC and as many have stated, we sometimes wish there was better regulations when it came to issues of spectrum purchases. More coverage at Android Life.

Want the Tablet Ice Cream Sandwich Experience on Your Galaxy Nexus? Try This ROM

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:40:24 +0000

As you know, Ice Cream Sandwich is supposed to be the Android release that merges the tablet and phone experiences. The OS was built to be able to scale no matter what the screen size and hopefully help end the ridiculous "fragmentation" argument that competitors cannot seem to let go of. In fact, if you go into the Android SDK and start messing with resolutions, you can view both the tablet and phone versions of ICS to see what I'm talking about. One ROM developer by the name patrick decided to work with that multi-screensize idea of Android 4.0 and see kind of magic he could create. His goal was to create a tablet version for the Galaxy Nexus. Guess what? He did it. And no, this isn't just a build.prop edit as some have tried in the past. The actual phone.apk is struggling to work (you can't make calls), but everything else apparently works just fine. With help from the community, I'm sure they will get the voice issues sorted out at some point. For now though, feel free to take it for a spin and see what your phone would look like as tablet. Make a backup! Download: ROM | Gapps

Can someone create this for the Galaxy Note already? Via: RootzWiki Cheers Mark!

Asus Teases the Padfone Before MWC - "Divided We Stand, Together We Rock"

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:16:35 +0000

Not that there was any question over whether or not Asus would unveil the almost forgotten Padfone at Mobile World Congress next week after press releases went out, but this new teaser helps to confirm it further. With a not-so-sneaky slogan of "Divided we stand, together we rock," it's painfully obvious that they are talking about the joining of a tablet and a smartphone. To catch those of you up that haven't followed the saga of the Padfone - which is an awful name by the way - we'll run through its history briefly. Originally introduced around last May, the Padfone would be a 4.3" phone with the ability to dock inside and power a 10.1" tablet. In theory, it really is the best of both worlds. You would have a phone for you day-to-day tasks and a tablet for those bigger multimedia times. However, after having been introduced, the product seemed to have disappeared for a bit until finally resurfacing in November with word that it would appear MWC. It makes sense that the product would be delayed until Ice Cream Sandwich was released though. How else would Asus have been able to load Gingerbread and Honeycomb all onto one device? Now with Android 4.0, they no longer need to have a device that can dual-boot. So here we stand just days away. Are you ready for it? Suggestions for a new name? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz9tHiQS2uk[/youtube] Cheers Jacob!

Google's Android Glasses With Built In Screen To Become Reality By This Year's End?

Tim — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:40:14 +0000

Recent reports from various sources are stating that Google has plans to release specially designed glasses for consumers by the end of this year. Shown above is a pair of Oakley Thumps with the Google logo crudely shopped onto them. Minus the logo, sources close to the project have stated the glasses could look like Thumps but of course, will have a small screen built into the lenses for viewing by the wearer. The glasses would be based on Android and even have 3G/4G data connections, plus GPS capabilities. If that isn't enough, there are also indications that the glasses will come with a low resolution camera, for real-time layering of information on locations and other various things such as navigation. The most impressive part so far is what the price may be for technology like this. Sources state that they should cost no more than a regular smartphone. So we may be looking at about $300-$600 for a pair of these Terminator-like pieces of hardware. Is this the next big thing, or is this just in gimmick phase? Would you be seen wearing these things and walking down the street? So far, I can only picture Eric Schmidt wearing these around town and thinking he looks awesome. Via: NY Times

Google Docs for Android Receives Update - Real-time Updating With Multiple Users Included

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:54:59 +0000

Can you think of a cooler release than Google Docs getting the ability update in real-time from multiple users on multiple devices in a document? Maybe if it also poured beer, but for now, this will have to do. In the latest Google Docs update for Android, you and your crew can edit documents from anywhere with a tablet, phone, or computer and see it all happen in real-time. While editing with multiple users, you can see exactly who is in the document and what and where they are typing. It works seamlessly too. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwmG43D0vD4[/youtube] The Google Dos update also includes:

A new Android editor
Rich text formatting
Layout tools
Cursor presence (which has to do with real-time updating)

Market Link | More Info Cheers Adam and @Eistenberger!

Oscar Nominees Receive Special Edition Red Carpet DROID RAZR MAXX, You Can Win One Too

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:40:12 +0000

Motorola - as they did last year with the XOOM - will hand out special edition DROID RAZR MAXX (our review) devices to select Oscar nominees this weekend. The limited version will come in red (get it, red carpet?) and pack all of the 3300mAh juice that the normal RAZR MAXX has. The female recipients will take home this special RAZR in a gold and "glamorous" sequined pouch while the boys will receive a shaving kit (how clever). If you want to take one home for yourself though, Motorola will kick off a Twitter contest this Thursday (February 23). Five (5) of you will walk away as the proud owner of a red RAZR MAXX. Follow them on Twitter for details.

Want the Galaxy Note on Verizon? There is a Petition for That.

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:29:00 +0000

Even with the Samsung Galaxy Note receiving a lukewarm reception from early adopters (or at least reviewers), there are still those that want nothing more than to see it land on Verizon. Once rumored to "certainly" be headed to Big Red as the Galaxy Journal, it's completely unclear if it will actually ever arrive. Thankfully for those looking to get some 5.3" action, a petition has been started. Wait, how would a petition help a phone get released...on...a...carrier? Yeah, I'm as confused as you are. But if this is the phone for you, Verizon is the only carrier that you want to belong to, and you think that signing a petition will help the cause, then sign away! Petition here. Curious, how many of you - after reading reviews across the interwebs - are still interested in this phone?

ClockworkMod Recovery Released for the Transformer Prime

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:42:35 +0000

Within an hour or so after Asus released their bootloader unlocking tool for the Transformer Prime, devs had already released a custom ClockworkMod Recovery for it. It's available now and will require a set of adb or fastboot commands in order to get it up and running. A flashable .zip version will be available shortly for those not comfortable doing it the manual way. Time for ROMs! Instructions at the source links. Via: AndroidRoot, XDA Cheers @kejar31!

HTC Teases MWC Announcements on Facebook

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:37:40 +0000

Oh HTC, so clever on your little Facebook page. What does "5" mean? Well, Mobile World Congress starts in exactly 5 days. The world is fully expecting HTC to announce at least 3 (maybe even 4) devices at the conference including the One X, One S and One V. The One X as you know used to fall under the codename Endeavor and is their first Tegra 3 quad-core device. The One V (formerly the Ville) could very well end up as the world's first Snapdragon S4 phone, something that even as a dual-core chipset, will hold its own for a long time. After a disastrous 2011, HTC is looking to make a huge splash at MWC and set the the stage for 2012. They have some work to do if they are going to rise back up in the Android ranks, but with the rumors and buzz flying about as we approach this weekend, they certainly have a chance. The quote "This Sunday you’ll discover something fast." was included with the photo. Via: Facebook

LG Announces the Optimus 3D Max, Another 3D Phone That No One Will Buy

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:16:27 +0000

I know that sounds harsh, but why is LG still trying to sell 3D phones to the world? The HTC EVO 3D was by all means a flop, the original LG 3D phone dubbed the Thrill failed to impress anyone, and hell, even 3D TVs are looked at as being a joke for the most part yet here they are again in 2012 with another attempt. The LG Optimus 3D Max has been announced and will be available in Korea by March with rollout to the rest of the world happening some time thereafter. The phone sports a 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP4430 processor (same as the RAZR), 4.3" WVGA 3D display, 1GB of RAM, 8 GB internal storage, 5MP dual lens camera on the back, NFC, and a 1520mAh battery. It's HSPA+, so Verizon kiddies, you won't ever have to deal with this one. On the 3D side of things, this phone boasts a brighter screen than its predecessor. It can also convert content to 3D (like Google Earth), is 9.6mm thick, and weighs very little. Nothing to blow your mind there. Can you see yourself getting excited about 3D tech in a phone this year? I know that last year almost none of you were interested. Have your thoughts changed? Full press release.

DROID X Update To .621 Breaks Ability To SBF Back To Earlier Firmware

Tim — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:37:24 +0000

If you are a DROID X owner and enjoy rooting and flashing ROMs, then you should be immediately made aware of this new development by Motorola. If you have updated to the newest .621 firmware, flashing older versions of firmware via SBF could result in a perma-bricked device. Many folks who have tried the process since the update have been reporting on multiple forums and online sites that after flashing an SBF, the phone becomes a paperweight. Until we learn more about what is going on, we recommend not trying to SBF your DROID X if it is on firmware version .621. Has anyone here ran into that problem or have you been able to successfully SBF after taking the update? Let us know down below. Via: RootzWiki, Android Forums Cheers Jacob!

Two New Devices: DROID Fighter and LG Cayman Headed to Verizon Wireless

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:02:44 +0000

Verizon has been quiet since CES with their plans to release new devices, but we may now know a couple of them that have been kept under wraps. According to sources of ours, a device called the DROID Fighter and LG Cayman are on the way and could be here within the next two months. There is no way to tell if this "DROID Fighter" is Motorola, Samsung or HTC by this screenshot. It could be the new Incredible-esque device from HTC that leaked a week or two ago and that we assumed was the HTC Fireball. Or it could be another release from Motorola, although we have yet to hear of anything in the works that would be out by April. A follow-up to the DROID Charge? Eh, not sure. The LG Cayman could be on the low-end since they just released the Spectrum, but shouldn't be written off just yet. Every other device on this list is by no means on the "low-end," so we'll have to hold off from speculating too much until we have more details. We should point out that this is not a release date list, so you shouldn't necessarily target 3/29 for the Cayman and 4/12 for the Fighter. They are Thursdays though, and you and I know that Big Red loves to release phones on Thursdays. Digging for more... Cheers ___!

Asus Releases Bootloader Unlock Tool for the Transformer Prime

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:25:50 +0000

Keeping to their word, Asus has released the bootloader unlock tool for the Transformer Prime before the end of February. After catching more than a little flack for launching the product it locked, the social media and consumer outrage was enough to get them to turn to the good side of the Force. It took two months, but that's actually not that bad if you consider that Motorola is almost at 2 years. There aren't instructions per se, but you should be able to simple download the .apk file below and run it to unlock. Download: Unlock_Device_App_V6.apk More info: Asus Support Cheers Bill, Tony, FAL_fan, tjhrulz and everyone else!

Nationwide Verizon 4G LTE Outage Happens Again (Updated: Restored)

Kellen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:09:45 +0000

According to the massive chunk of emails in our inbox with "Verizon LTE outage again!" it's safe to assume that Big Red's network dropped somewhere around 5:00AM Pacific. I apparently have 4G here in Portland, OR, but that's not to say that the rest of you do. As always when these things happen, feel free to drop your location in the comments so we can see how things are crankin' across the country. We are seeing Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Vegas, Cincinnati, Raleigh and more. Update: According to Verizon spokesperson Tom Pica and @VZWNews, 4G LTE service has been fully restored. Are you back up? Cheers everyone!

Video: Ubuntu For Android Full Demo

Tim — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:48:54 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUXUjjg9qQ0[/youtube]

From reading the comments in our last post, it looks like there is a ton of excitement for the Ubuntu for Android announcement that will take place at this year's MWC. This full video demo should give everyone a great look into how it will work and what to expect. Enjoy! Cheers Tom!

Thanks To Kindle Fire, Amazon Appstore Becoming More Lucrative For Android Developers

Tim — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:00:35 +0000

A new report is showing that the Amazon Appstore is starting to fill the wallets of developers much more frequently since the release of the Kindle Fire. According to a mobile analytics firm called Distimo, the top 100 applications in the Appstore saw a fourteen-fold jump in downloads during the holiday season while Kindle Fires were being distributed to consumers. With the Kindle Fire gobbling up tablet market share, this should come as no surprise. Excerpt taken from Distimo's report:

Of all the applications that are available in both stores, 110 applications generated at least $200 each day in one of the stores during the last week of January. 42 of these applications generated more revenue in the Amazon Appstore than in Google Android Market. Of the total income these 110 applications generated in both stores, 28% was generated in the Amazon Appstore.

With so many ways to make money, it's a good time to be an Android developer. Does anyone still use the Amazon Appstore on a regular basis unless it's for the Free App of the Day? Via: PC Mag, Distimo

Tuesday Poll: First 5 Apps That You Would Tell a New Android Phone Owner to Install?

Kellen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:25:51 +0000

If your mom or best friend or random street walker came out of a Verizon store with their first ever Android device and asked for the first apps that come to mind that they should download, what would you tell them? And this is a question you should be ready to answer, seeing as some 700,000 Android devices are being activated each day - many of them for users who have come from other platforms. These people, need to know what's up. For me, I think I would recommend a file manager of some sort since stock Android devices do not come with one and skinned devices tend to have limited features in theirs. I would then go with Google Voice just because of the free texting and the ability to add multiple phones under one number. This may be a pain to some since they will essentially need to get a new phone number, but it's worth the hassle. I would then recommend Chrome Beta since it already blows almost all other browsers out of the water. Depending on who the person is, I would have to toss out ESPN's Scorecenter for all things sports. Seems odd I know, but I use this app at least a couple dozen times throughout the day. And last, would be Google Music. The Google Music player has become my go-to app now that almost all of my music is in the cloud. What would you recommend? A new browser? A game? Evernote? Please don't say Angry Birds.

Comcast Launching Movie and TV Streaming Service Called Streampix, Headed to Android Devices Later This Year

Kellen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:34:14 +0000

Comcast announced today a new video streaming service that will launch this Thursday, called Streampix. It's essentially like Netflix or any other streaming movie and TV show service with a fee, only it can be bundled with your existing Comcast service (if you have Triple Play) or added on for an additional $4.99 fee to those that are unbundled. For now, Streampix appears to only be available from within a browser or on TV, but they have plans to launch separate Xbox360 and Android apps within the year. Via: Comcast

Galaxy Nexus LTE Landscape Dock with 3-Pin Connector Appears at Samsung Site?

Tim — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:12:26 +0000

After looking around the Samsung accessory site, we have stumbled upon a 3-pin landscape dock for the i515 (US version) Galaxy Nexus. Previously, we had not known whether or not the US would be lucky enough to see a horizontal 3-pin dock like this, but it looks like we're getting closer to being in luck. The unit goes for about $90 and is listed as "Out of Stock." We will get a hold of Samsung to find out what the deal is. Also, you can "backorder" it now which will at least set you up to receive notification when it becomes available. Who here has been waiting too long for this dock or any Nexus dock for that matter?

Via: Samsung Accessories

Ubuntu For Android To Be Announced At This Year's Mobile World Congress

Tim — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:24:05 +0000

I will not act like I know too much about Ubuntu and I have basically zero experience with it. But I am hoping that will change soon as Canonical, the company responsible for bringing Ubuntu to the public, is to be launching Ubuntu for Android at this year's Mobile World Congress. Let it be known, that this will not be just an Ubuntu app running on the Android OS though. This will be Ubuntu and Android, running alongside one another, on the same kernel. Unified. While not attached to a dock, the Android device will function like any other Android smartphone. But when connected to a dock/monitor/peripheral device, users will be greeted by the Ubuntu desktop UI which many fans are familiar with. The reasoning behind this idea, is that people can consolidate all of their data. They can have all of the info they need in just one single device instead of having files and contacts scattered among multiple smartphones, tablets and laptops. To have a single device, for a single person with all of the functionality they need to get their work done.

We can rest assured that this will be an excellent and well documented announcement at MWC. If you happen to get excited by Android and Ubuntu, then get ready for a fantastic 2012. Via: Ubuntu, Techcrunch Cheers Alex, Dominick!

Probably Shouldn't Buy a Limited Edition RAZR Off of eBay, Verizon Plans to Lock Them to Employee Accounts Only

Kellen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:56:45 +0000

Last night, a reader noticed that a limited edition RAZR MAXX was up for sale on eBay. With an opening bid price of $750 and a "Buy it now" price of $2250, no one would actually bite on this, would they? Unfortunately someone did. The auction is now closed and with it, a RAZR MAXX that will likely be useless assuming the winning bidder isn't a Verizon employee. According to a couple of sources, VZW is planning to lock the ESNs (electronic serial number) for these devices to employee accounts only. So if you try to buy one off of eBay or an employee looking to strike it rich, you likely will never be able to activate it. This isn't uncommon for Big Red to limit devices by ESN whether it's to employees or the public. So as a warning, if you see these start to pop up on Craigslist or eBay, you may want to look the other way. Cheers ___ and ___!

AOKP ROM Developer Hits 1 Million Pageviews Goal, Releases New Galaxy Nexus Build

Kellen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:25:53 +0000

Android Open Kang Project has become this massive beast of a Galaxy Nexus ROM. I'm not sure how many users it has now, but it is certainly racking up numbers on the conversation front. Last night, the developer behind it (@romanbb) told his followers that if his AOKP ROM thread hit 1 million pageviews, that he would release build 25. He was around 20K shy when he announced this bounty, and it only took a short time before the goal was reached. Build 25 is now live thanks to many of you. Just felt like sharing the success story that is AOKP, since I know that many of you run it. Download Build 25 here. Cheers Mike!

Blackberry Playbook 2.0 Update is Available Now, the Time for Android Apps has Come

Kellen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:58:17 +0000

I have to be completely honest about this - the Blackberry Playbook may still be my favorite tablet. While the lack of apps and features at initial release killed it before it even got its start, the UI that RIM has put together on a tablet makes more sense than most. So when the 2.0 update for the device went live today, I actually got a little giddy. If you are not familiar, the 2.0 update for the Playbook introduces native email, Twitter and Facebook integration, new home screen UI, a new keyboard, enhanced browser and more. Most importantly though, it allows users to run Android apps that have been ported over to Blackberry's App World. So yeah, this tablet essentially just turned into an Android tablet, but with a better UI (in my opinion anyway). I'm downloading 2.0 now and will hopefully have some hands-on time with it this afternoon. At $199 for the 16GB version, this may finally be worth your money if Android developers care to take the time to bring their work over.

1.5GHz Dual-core Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 Runs the Full Benchmark Gamut, Impressive Even Without Their Next-gen GPU

Kellen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:34:38 +0000

The crew over at Anandtech got a hold of a developer unit from Qualcomm that runs their Snapdragon S4 processor, aka the Krait, and put it through a series of benchmarks. This is the MSM8960 chipset that is dual-core and clocked at 1.5GHz. So no, this isn't the quad-core Krait that we will potentially see later this year, but none the less, you will likely be impressed since they have been designed for 28nm process. That essentially means that they will perform at incredibly high levels while consuming very little power when compared to other chipsets (current Tegra 3 is still 40nm). This is the future of processors even if this particular chipset is only dual-core. Don't let the lack of "quad" attached fool you. One of the first benchmarks they ran was the a Linpack multi-threaded benchmark which may put your jaw to the floor. Yeah, it's that impressive. The next closest device is the Qualcomm developer unit from last year that ran a Snapdragon S3. The Galaxy SII and DROID 4 (which is surprising) are the closest retail devices. And again remember, this is only a dual-core processor, yet it doubles the performance of every other dual-core device on the list.

The only area that the Snapdragon S4 did not blow minds was in GPU tests. Since it includes an Adreno 225 GPU rather than Qualcomm's next-gen Adreno 300+, it's not all that surprising that it didn't blow away the iPhone 4S. The difference between the 225 and the 220 that you have seen in a number of Snapdragon S3 devices, is really just a speed bump. It still performs better than any other phone currently available, but it's the next Krait releases that we will really see the GPU performance jump off the charts.

We are supposed to see phones with the Snapdragon S4s ship within the quarter. Rumors have it that the HTC Ville could be the first, a device that we are fully expecting to see at MWC in a week. Don't think that because HTC has tossed a Tegra 3 into the Endeavor that they will abandon their lenghty partnership with Qualcomm. And don't even think about snoozing on the Ville because it says "dual-core" if indeed it does have the S4 inside. Via: Anandtech

Video: Sneak Peek at the New CM9 Boot Animation

Kellen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:13:34 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-5Av_EVpyI[/youtube]

Your new CM9 boot animation. Love it? Via: Google+, Phandroid

Verizon 4G LTE Sale: HTC Rezound and LG Spectrum Just $99 on Contract

Kellen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:03:57 +0000

If a new smartphone is in your near future, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a screaming good deal on one. Not only does Amazon drop prices the minute new phones are released, but even Verizon is doing their best to get in on the low-pricing scheme. Two examples are included in their latest "online" only 4G LTE sale. The LG Spectrum and HTC Rezound can be had for as little as $99.99 as long as you extend or add on a new 2-year contract. One phone has been out for a couple of months now, while the other is barely a month old. Both run 1.5GHz dual-core processors and have two of the most beautiful HD displays we have ever seen on a smartphone. If the RAZRs or Galaxy Nexus were never your cup of tea, these two might be worth a look. Buy. Cheers Kris!

Verizon Employee Tries to Sell His Limited Edition RAZR MAXX on eBay Before He Even Has It, Bidding Starts at $750

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:30:09 +0000

Update: Some crazy person actually paid $2250 for this. The auction is closed. It is no longer a secret that Verizon is going to offer employees their very own special edition DROID RAZR or RAZR MAXX. Word leaked out last week that VZW workers would have the opportunity to purchase a red-backed and individually engraved version of the device at discounted prices. In not surprising fashion, one of those workers is using it to his advantage to make a couple of bucks via eBay. His listing claims that the device will be in his hands around March 2 or 3 and has opened up the bidding at $750. Yep, that's $100 more than you can buy the device for straight up off contract in traditional grey and black. Interested? Via: eBay Cheers Kevin!

ZTE's Mimosa X To Be First Smartphone Powered Solely By NVIDIA Processors, New Icera 450 Modem Included

Tim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:30:00 +0000

Today, NVIDIA is making waves by creating the first smartphone powered purely by their processors. The ZTE Mimosa X runs on a Tegra 2 application processor that will work together with their new Icera 450 modem. The first device of its kind. It shall run Ice Cream Sandwich and feature a 4.3" qHD display, 5MP back camera, front camera for video chatting, and 4GB of internal storage. The device is set for a Q2 2012 launch and only capable of connecting to HSPA+ networks, so no luck for Verizon customers. But if it did, would you think about spending your money on a pure NVIDIA device? As new modem tech, it'll be something to watch out for during the next year. NVIDIA is claiming that their Icera modems consume power at ultra-low levels, something many of us complain about with current chipsets, especially those that connect to LTE networks. While none of their Icera chips appear to be compatible with CDMA, they do have a 410 model that can connect to LTE and HSPA+. We will likely see a push by NVIDIA to get companies to use nothing but their modems and application processors going forward. If they can lead the charge in modem tech as they have done with app processors, this should be something to watch closely. More on Icera modems.

First Tegra-powered Smartphone Announced with NVIDIA’s Icera Modem Technology

New ZTE Mimosa X Brings the NVIDIA Mobile Experience to the Mainstream Market
SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Feb. 20, 2012—NVIDIA and ZTE today announced the ZTE Mimosa X, the first smartphone to be powered both by the NVIDIA ®Tegra ® application processor and its Icera® modem, which came to NVIDIA through its Icera acquisition in mid-2011. “The ZTE Mimosa X is exciting for a few reasons,” said Michael Rayfield, General Manager of the Mobile business at NVIDIA. “The Mimosa X marks the first time NVIDIA technology powers all the major processors in a single smartphone, and also the first time a premium mobile computing experience is coming to the mainstream smartphone market.” The Mimosa X is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 2 mobile processor, featuring a dual-core CPU and GeForce® GPU, and the NVIDIA Icera 450 HSPA+ modem, comprising baseband and RF processors, featuring excellent throughput and low power. It will run Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), feature a 4.3-inch qHD (960 x 540) screen, rear 5 MP and front cameras, and 4 GB of storage expandable to 32 GB. The ZTE Mimosa X will deliver super multimedia capabilities, including advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP), Dolby sound, digital living network alliance (DLNA) compatibility for easy sharing of content, HD video record and play, dual microphones, and built-in gyroscope. The Mimosa X will be launched around Q2 2012. Positioned squarely for the mainstream market, it brings new levels of performance and connectivity to this large segment of users. Consumers will now be able to use a mainstream smartphone to experience the same speedy web browsing, smooth multitasking, and HD video, as well as console-quality gaming with TegraZone, that was previously available only in high-end phones. TegraZone™ is NVIDIA’s free Android Market app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor. The NVIDIA Icera 450 supports up to 21Mbps category 14 HSPA+ with fast downloads in fading channels, IceClear™ interference cancellation technology for even faster throughput at the cell edge and advanced Release 7 features for an ultra-low latency network response.

Moneto NFC Enabling microSD Cards Now Available for $30, Android App Too

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:45:25 +0000

Since there aren't enough phones with built-in NFC chips, companies are looking for ways to make them NFC-enabled after the fact. One of those companies in Moneto who has figured out a way to embed a secure NFC element into a microSD card. That card pairs with their Android app which then allows you to make payments through MasterCard PayPass payment systems. It should work in a similar fashion to Google Wallet, however, you don't need a phone approved for Wallet. Their currently compatible lineup list only includes Galaxy S phones, so if you own a Moto or HTC device, you will be waiting a bit. They claim to be adding new models all of the time though. The package for Android is $29.95, but that includes the 1GB microSD card, an NFC signal boosting sticker, a prepaid debit card, and $10 to spend as you please using their Android app. If you are locked into a RAZR or Rezound for 2 years without NFC, this is something you may want to keep an eye on. More info: Moneto | Market Link Cheers Nelson!

Critter Rollers Update, 100 Different Levels Now Available

Tim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:26:42 +0000

The cute dial just got cranked to eleven. The game is called Critter Rollers, and it just received a nice update in the Android Market. Twenty levels have been added to the already large game, bringing total levels up to one hundred. The object is to simply roll some cute little critters past obstacles and shoot them out of canons to make it to the end of level. It's easy and fun. Go get your Critter on. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYi3jvjaHgk[/youtube]

CM9 Pre-Alpha for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi Released

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:10:20 +0000

Steve Kondik took to G+ this weekend to announce that a CM9 pre-alpha is available for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi. To load it and see what CM9 has to offer, all you have to do is flash a recovery.img in fastboot and then the CM9.zip through there. Again, this is "pre-alpha" and not the final product. It will still be a bit before we see full CM9 on many devices as the team is working to make the overall experience highly tweakable but with a more polished out-of-the-box experience. Cannot wait to see what they have in store when this is all finished. Via: Google+ (Files)

Cloud Music Sniper Grabs Your "Offline" Google Music Collection and Makes It Available to Other Music Apps

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:05:08 +0000

One of the biggest irritations when it comes to Google Music has been the fact that the service has not been opened up so that other music players can take advantage of it. Whether you are streaming content or holding it offline for connection-less consumption, you are forced to use the Google Music player. It's probably a DRM or security thing, but we really wish there could be a way to at least stream your music through another music app. With that said, an app called Cloud Music Sniper is bit of a step in that direction. Cloud Music Sniper allows you to grab all of your offline cached Google Music and convert it over so that other music apps can access it. From what we understand though, this will essentially create two identical music folders (one cached folder and one sniped folder), so you will want to remove your offline cached copy through Google Music once you have sniped to free up space. So it doesn't address streaming into other apps, but it does give you somewhat of an option if you are on the go and need to have your music collection available. Market Link ($1.99) Via: RootzWiki Cheers Jason!

ChargeBar Brings a Visual Battery Meter to the Top or Bottom of Home Screens

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:14:47 +0000

Visual tweaks that add even a touch of functionality to our phones will always get props from us. The latest to catch our eye is an app called ChargeBar that brings you a running battery meter to the top or bottom of your phone. Inspired by MIUI, this app has enough customizable options to make it fit any of your themes or home screens. It's free in the market and should work on phones running 2.1 and above. No root required. Market Link

DROID X Soak Test Rolling Out Now, Make Sure to Use RootKeeper if You Want Root Afterwards

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:18:13 +0000

The DROID X 4.5.621 update is available now to Motorola Feedback Network members who signed up to participate in soak tests. As you know from the changelog we posted on Friday, this is a hefty bug fixer that should help stabilize your phone across the board. Head into Settings>About phone>System updates to pull it. You will lose root after updating just like you will with almost any OTA update. We are hearing that OTA RootKeeper will work though. There is a good chance that the DROID 4 root method will work as well. Cheers D and B!

Chrome for Android Will Improve "By Leaps and Bounds" - Full-screen and Desktop Version Viewing Coming Soon

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:29:54 +0000

Speaking with CNET, Chrome's Senior VP Sundar Pichai had his first chance to openly talk about their newest release, Chrome for Android. As expected, he seems to be thrilled with its early success and the piles of positive feedback that it has received. He also mentioned that they have had two features in particular that users have requested and that they are working on them both: full-screen viewing (like in the ICS browser) and the option to tell Chrome to show you desktop version of sites by default. Pichai said that his team is going to take "leaps and bounds" with this product over the next year. We aren't exactly sure that means on a features level or on an availability level. He probably means both, but the rollout to other versions of Android will hopefully be addressed first. Still using Chrome? I know I haven't looked back after switching to it. Via: CNET

Borderlands 2 And Demolition Inc. Shown Off On Tegra 3, Coming To A Tablet Near You

Eric — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:50:59 +0000

You guys know my stance on seeing console games coming to mobile devices, but this information today has me at least a little excited. Borderlands, one of my favorite games ever, had its sequel announced as coming to Tegra 3 devices recently. The makers of the game, Gearbox and NVIDIA invited many people to PDXLAN 19 and many were expecting to see a next-gen GPU and most came away disappointed when all they were shown was two games. I'm obviously not one of those that was disappointed.

Borderlands 2 Teaser Trailer

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNaNK1Pp1g4[/youtube]

To say that I am excited for Borderlands 2 would be an understatement, although I do not want to play it on my tablet. The game is an open-world RPG based on 4 characters who have their unique set of gun-toting skills. Another game that was shown off was Demolition Inc. A fun looking top-down puzzle game that more or less functions as a demo for how the Tegra 3 will handle physics.

Demolition Inc. Trailer

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAp0EEY-K3Y[/youtube]

Now this is more my style of games that I will want to play on my tablet. It looks like it will handle tablet interface while still being fun to play. Who can turn down exploding cows? Gaming on mobile devices is becoming more realized as we get better specs. Any games you would want to play on your tablets?

Via: Android and Me

Google Submits Patent Application For Siri-Like Interface On Google TV

Tim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:15:02 +0000

Google is reportedly working on a big new feature for Google TV. According to a report and leaked images from Patently Apple, the search giant is looking to command the living room. The software, when released, will allow users to speak queries into a specially designed application that will then relay commands to your TV. As seen in the picture above, you can simply ask when your favorite shows are on and receive a full layout of expected airing times of the questioned programs. Another key feature for Google's new software, is the ability to control your TV even when you are not home. Here is an explanation of the feature taken straight from the filing:

The provision of the query to the television may occur when the user is within a set distance of his home also (e.g., by determining with GPS functionality on the smartphone that he is within 1/4 mile of the home), and the television may be turned on automatically as he approaches the home, with the television tuned to a channel that is determined to be most relevant to the query...

So the question for some may be, "When can I have it?" Well, don't start throwing your money at the monitor yet, because so far, there are no reports on when we could see this implemented into Google TV. But, is this something we could see as useful? Would you use it? There are plenty of iPhone users who completely turn Siri off, so would we do the same with this or is this different? Sound off down below. Via: BGR, Patently Apple

Deal: Samsung 32GB Class 10 microSD Card for $33.77 (Update: Sold Out)

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:56:40 +0000

Update: And just like that, they are sold out. Having ultra-fast removable storage in your Android device is a must (if you can). Aside from our beloved Galaxy Nexus who lacks the ability to use such a thing, I always upgraded my SD cards in other devices to at least class 8 cards. Transferring data, video, pictures, or music at these speeds is needed when your phone is your number 1 media source. Today's deals over at JustDeals includes a Samsung 32GB class 10 microSD card with both card and USB adapters for under $40. Not a bad deal at all. Via: JustDeals Cheers Shane!

Sony Google TV has Finally Been Rooted.

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:55:59 +0000

Owners of a Sony Google TV unit, you have root! It has been quite the wait, but with 4 USB sticks and a bit of GTV know-how, you can prepare your device for custom kernels within minutes. Actually, it's not that simple, but it is also not the most difficult root solution ever created. It does involve flashing your system back to a vulnerable software release which then hijacks the upgrade back to a current version to give you a new kernel and root access. That was a mouthful. Here is the list of goodies you will have after completing:

Modified flash plugin with random per box flash string for Content Provider Bypass.
Crippled update feature to prevent box from receiving automatic updates.
Completely RW system, cache, and rootfs partitions
Full ADB Root
Removed signature checks on kernel / init scripts / init binary
A few other surprises.
BETA: Enable NTFS Support for Sony Google TV devices

Worth it? Hit up the source for full instructions. Via: GTV Hacker Cheers BostonB and Jigga_Z!

Final Day to Get Your Limited Edition Droid Life Hoodies or Tees!

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:35:49 +0000

It's the final day! You have 3.5 hours left (12:00 Pacific) to pick up the latest limited edition DL hoodie or t-shirt before it disappears forever. The hoodies are $24 - the tees are $17. These will be great additions to your growing Android shirt collection.

Buy.

Google Sneaks Check-in Point System and Leaderboard Into Latitude

Kellen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:29:22 +0000

Google Maps received an update last week that was supposed to improve battery life while using Latitude, only that's not all that came with it. If you use the location and check-in service in Maps, you will notice that after a check-in, you are awarded points and a fancy animated leaderboard appears. From there, you can tap to see a full leaderboard that shows an all-time list, current week, and even last week. This new social check-in addition pulls from your Google+ Circles to let you compete with your friends or the world for that matter, similarly to what Foursquare offers. Google has yet to officially mention that the service exists and has simply posted a brief 1 sentence section in their Maps support section. I'm sure we'll see more before long. My question is, does anyone actually use Latitude? I have always been intrigued by the idea of it, however, it's difficult to find anyone that even knows what it is or how to use it. Via: Engadget, Google Support

Leaked DROID RAZR Ice Cream Sandwich Build Shows What We Can Expect in the Next Version of Blur

Kellen — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:28:54 +0000

And here is your DROID RAZR bomb for the week before it even really gets started. A DroidRzr forum poster by the name dragon974 posted a massive screenshot session of his RAZR running what appears to be an almost complete Ice Cream Sandwich build from Verizon and Motorola. We say "almost complete" because this thing includes all of VZW's bloatware, the special sorting options in the app drawer that were included in previous Blur builds, and skinning in some specific places like the lock screen. The Android version is 4.0.3 and the Blur build is 6.7.407. What has us confused though, is the fact that Motorola left off all of their Verizon devices from their ICS timeline that was released last week, yet this thing looks close to completion. Is that because both companies are working tirelessly to push an update well before Q2 or Q3 to phones like the RAZR? Wouldn't that be a treat. It's definitely odd that all of those devices didn't make the initial cut, so maybe there is something to them releasing updates to select phones even sooner. This build in particular looks to be coming along quite nicely. Jump past the break to see it all. Home screen with VZW bloatware and an updated app drawer with new options:

New Ice Cream Sandwich gallery editor and the Blur camera app:

New Blur dialer, in-call screen, and incoming call screen:

ICS folders and the Blur'd settings menu:

I can't say that I'm the biggest fan of the mix of ICS theming and Blur theming as the colors don't mesh all that well (the icons for example). But the new dialer, lock screen and incoming call screen tweaks all look solid. I also love that they have kept it ICS enough for you to know that it is definitely ICS. This could all change of course, and it could be more Blurred than ever as it gets closer to a release. The actual ROM has not been released, but RAZR devs are doing everything in their power to try and get a hold of it. And, your thoughts? Via: DroidRzr Cheers @Ravenloves69s!

Is the Nexus Program Bad for Android? [Opinion]

Ron — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:00:30 +0000

Last week Motorola went on the record to blame Google's Nexus program for the delay in software updates on its devices. A device manufacturer trying to explain why software updates are delayed is nothing new, but a device manufacturer that was recently purchased by the its software supplier blaming it's new owner caught my eye. It's possible that Motorola was trying to give the impression that things really won't change much once the purchase is complete or that Motorola wants public pressure to support their devices getting preferential treatment from Google; we'll never know for sure. Regardless, I think it raised some questions about Google's Nexus strategy and whether or not it has been good for Android as a whole. Many of us are somewhat familiar with the development process for creating a ROM for a device. When a new version of Android is released, developers get to work porting the latest version over to different devices. One of the obstacles in making a bug-free, stable ROM is using hardware drivers to run well in the new version. Motorola claims that it's software updates are delayed because the source code released for Android is built only for the Nexus hardware, so Android manufacturers have to develop new drivers for their hardware that work with the new operating system. The process is similar to when PC manufacturers release new drivers for a computer when a new version of Windows is released. The difference is, when Microsoft releases a new version of Windows, they work with manufacturers before the release to ensure that systems that ran the previous version will be upgradable. Google only partners with the manufacturer who won the Nexus bid to develop drivers, meaning the source code is designed explicitly for that device. The question is, should Google be working with all of its hardware partners to ensure that when a new version of Android drops they all have device drivers? Motorola also listed carrier approval for new software and developing their custom software that runs on top of Android as obstacles in releasing new software, but the former is out of their control (though Apple seems to be able to get approval rather easily) and the latter is apparently essential to being competitive in the market. If Google worked with device manufacturers to ensure that updates were more easily rolled out it would help manufacturers keep their customers happy and help Google fight OS fragmentation and achieve their goal of getting everyone on the latest build of Android. If Google began to work with it's OEMs to get drivers on all devices prior to the latest release of Android, several things would have to change. First, manufacturers would probably have to either limit the number of devices they release in a year or only work with Google on a select number of devices. It would also require a massive amount of coordination between Google and the OEMs, but it's not like Google has a shortage of cash. Perhaps Google could charge the OEMs to be a part of the Nexus program, which would enable them to have access to the source code along with the chosen Nexus partner. If they allowed other OEMs to access the source code early for a fee it would certainly deal with the fear that Google needs to start charging for their operating system to compete with Apple. Some might argue that Google can't give non-Nexus partners access to the source code earlier because it would defeat the purpose of the Nexus program. I think that line of reasoning is wrong for three reasons. First, very few vanilla Android devices are released every year. Android OEMs believe that the software experiences that they offer are superior to vanilla Android. If they thought otherwise then we wouldn't have Sense, MotoBlur, or TouchWiz. Second, the Nexus device would still be the first device to receive OS and Google App updates due to the lack of an additional software layer. Third, Nexus devices have not sold well historically. They've always been about showcasing what Google thinks Android should look like and how it should work, not sales numbers. If Google is serious about getting everyone on ICS I think this is the sort of thing they'll have to pursue. I don't know how else they would pursue that goal. If the company that Google just purchased is complaining about a lack of support from Google in developing device drivers for Android, then it's a problem for all OEMs. This sort of approach would help Google deal with the lousy update schedule for most Android devices while avoiding pursuing Microsoft's approach of restricting what hardware OEMs can use. I don't think the Nexus program has been bad for Android, but I think it would do a lot more good if all OEMs were given access to the source code as Google partners with one manufacturer to make the Nexus device.

LG Spectrum has been Rooted.

Kellen — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:05:54 +0000

If you need are looking to see if a new device has been rooted, you will want to follow @djrbliss aka Dan Rosenberg. You may have heard his name recently in conjunction with Motorola root methods that apply to the RAZR, Bionic, XYBOARD and almost any other Moto device running Gingerbread or Honeycomb. He's puttin' in work as we like to say around these parts. His newest target is non-Moto. The LG Spectrum has fallen to his methods and is now rooted. LG has in the past left their devices wide open to hackers and Dan's comments on rooting it seem to reflect just that. His Windows and Linux tools to get this job done can be found at the source link below. Via: Vulnfactory Cheers Mike23 and Eric!

DROID RAZR 6.12.173 Fastboot Files Released

Kellen — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:43:00 +0000

Fastboot files for the latest DROID Bionic build were released on Friday from daywalker04 which had us hoping that he would drop the new DROID RAZR 6.12.173 as well. He did just that. So for those of you interesting in rooting your RAZR, flashing ROMs, or hacking on it in general, you will want to grab this file before it is gone. This is your ticket back to safety should you soft-brick your device at some point. Download Link Via: XDA

LG Announces the Optimus Vu - 5-inch IPS Display, LTE, Dual-core Processor, and Just 8.5mm Thick

Kellen — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:26:04 +0000

LG has announced the Optimus Vu today ahead of Mobile World Congress. The device - as was rumored - will sport a 5" IPS display with 4:3 aspect ratio, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, LTE, 2080mAh battery, Gingerbread and is just 8.5mm thick. It's one odd device, to say the least. If you thought the Galaxy Note and its 5.3" screen was pushing the limits, a phone with a 4:3 ratio is even crazier. While the device is incredibly thin, I'm not sure that many will jump for a phone that is built like a square. That is certainly a ton of screen real estate - we'll see how the public reacts when it goes public at MWC later this month. Via: LG

Reminder: Limited Edition Droid Life Hoodies and Tees Available Now

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:56:58 +0000

Just a quick reminder as we head into the weekend that the newest limited edition Droid Life hoodies and t-shirts are still on sale. You only have through Monday to pick yours up before they are gone forever. The hoodie is 80% cotton, super comfy and comes in grey for $24. The t-shirt is printed on American Apparel cotton, comes in silver, and will help round out your Andy collection for $17.

Buy.

This Week In The Life Of DROID: 2/17/2012

Tim — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:15:41 +0000

It was a busy week here at DL. We spent a full week with the Motorola DROID 4 and have posted our full review, made limited edition clothing available for sale, and the DROID X is receiving an update. It was a good week. Here's the recap if you missed any of it:

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Custom Theme Friday: Frost And Lucid For The Galaxy Nexus

Tim — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:30:51 +0000

If you are running the newest build of the Android Open Kang Project on your Galaxy Nexus and have been looking for some dark and exciting themes to deck your phone out in, then look no further. Themer SonnySekhon has delivered some minimal and classy themes for everyone's pleasure. There are six colors to choose from, but we have decided to showcase just two in this week's Custom Theme Friday. Look for the other colors in next week's edition. Shown above is Frost on the left and Lucid on the right. Give a look over the directions we have posted down below and if you feel like having your device look like the ones shown above, then follow them closely.

Warning: You must be running a stock (non-themed) AOKP Build #23 in order to flash these zip files.

Installation Instructions:

1. Download the zip file you have decided to flash. Frost | Lucid 2. Place the zip on your phone's storage. 3. Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery. 4. Create nandroid backup immediately. 5. Locate chosen zip file and install. 6. Reboot and enjoy. If you have any questions or concerns, let us know down below and we'll do our best to help you out. Via: RootzWiki

DROID X Update is Build 4.5.621 - Fixes a Whole Bunch of Bugs

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:46:32 +0000

And would you look at that. Moments after we received word that a new DROID X update was on the horizon, we have an official changelog. As expected, it fixes a number of issues that were included in the device's Gingerbread update. The browser experience is improved, music player stability is addressed, there will be less message errors, and whole bunch of other tweaks. It took a while, but the DX experience should be improved once again. The update is 15.2MB in size. More info.

DROID X Lives! Update Will Arrive Soon, to Motorola Feedback Members Sooner

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:14:30 +0000

The DROID X is by all means one of Motorola's most significant Android smartphones ever. Its release was accompanied by a massive marketing campaign that we were fortunate enough to be a part of, but it also marked the beginning of locked bootloaders. After almost 2 years though, it is still apparently on Moto's radar for updates. According to emails being sent to MFN members, something new is on the horizon.

Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Motorola Droid X on Verizon to participate in an early preview of a new software release, and provide feedback. Click this link to take a short enrollment survey if you wish to take part. Please note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to be included. The registration window is short so please respond as quickly as possible. This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public sites. Thanks -- please understand that start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. Matt & Mark Forum managers Motorola Owners’ Forums

We highly doubt that this is Ice Cream Sandwich, especially since there are still a number of bugs that were introduced with its Gingerbread update that need to be addressed. Update: We have the official changelog here. Oh and look, Moto now has two forums managers. Neat. Another person to answer bootloader questions. Speaking of the DX and its marketing campaign, we couldn't help but post this teaser again. Was such a great campaign: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP2afcZjUhs[/youtube] Cheers XXX and J_Z!

Google Files Patent Application For New Lockscreen Interface, Thumbs Nose At Apple

Tim — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:45:33 +0000

Coming off a decision in German courts that Motorola is in fact infringing on Apple's device unlocking patents, it looks like the only way to get them off their backs is to create something completely new. That should work, right? That is the exact route Google is making, as they have sent in a patent application to the USPTO which could change the way users open their smartphones, tablets, and even computers. The application is titled, "Input to Locked Computing Device." It is sort of hard to decipher all of the legal jargon, but what we can tell is that there will be multiple options or interchangeable options you can have on your lockscreen and you will drag an option into a certain action at the bottom of the screen to unlock the device. This is the first initial step in a long line of steps that would allow this feature to become a reality and a permanent fixture on devices. We will need to be patient and await the USPTO's decision on Google's application. Does it sound interesting though? It definitely looks neat. Via: Engadget, USPTO

ASUS Transformer TF300T Info Leaked Ahead of MWC, 16GB of Storage and Less Battery?

Tim — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:45:23 +0000

Specs have leaked before Asus' official announcement at this year's MWC for the next Transformer tablet. Just a week back, a couple shots of the rumored tablet made their way onto the Internet with the model number "TF300T" accompanying the pictures. We thought they could have been misleading, due to the fact that there was no flash on the backside of the tablet, but according to this new list of leaked specs, that may have in fact been the next Eee Pad. According to the leaked sheet down below, there doesn't seem to be too much different between the new Transformer and the Transformer Prime that was just released a couple months ago. We can see that the display's resolution won't be changed, NVIDIA's Tegra 3 processor will still power the tablet, but instead of there being a 32GB and 16GB option, there will only be the one 16GB option for consumers.

Along with the minor changes in specs, the TF300T is getting a minor downgrade in battery size as well. It has the Prime listed as being able to do deliver roughly 9.5 hours of use, while the newest slate will only deliver about 8.5 hours of life. Could this be a cheaper, more affordable Transformer tablet that ASUS hinted at previously? The Transformer Prime is the pinnacle of the Android tablets in terms of specifications. If ASUS is choosing to push out this seemingly lackluster slate, does anyone feel that they will remain at the top of everyone's tablet wish list? Toss out your opinions down below. Via: BGR

Motorola DROID 4 Review - Verizon

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:00:14 +0000

The DROID 4 has had an interesting early life. We handed out the first ever pictures of the device all the way back in October of last year followed by a weekend of D4 info overload that gave you every single detail that you could ever want to know about it. We fully expected this phone to launch in December, but for an unknown reason, it was pushed back and finally released this month. You can grab it now for $199 on 2-year contract in hopes that it can last you the life of a contract. Can it? We are pretty sure that it is up to the task, but let's talk details for a few minutes. Then you can decide.

The Good:

Keyboard: If you are only interested in phones with physical keyboards, the Motorola DROID 4 should be on your list. Moto has created a beautiful edge-lit 5-row QWERTY that feels great to the touch, is responsive, and also large enough that even big fingered folk should have no trouble tossing out love letters via text. The position of the SHIFT key is still bugging me a bit, but overall, the layout works. Device manufacturers that have plans for future slideout phones (if there are any), take note.

4G LTE: Verizon's LTE network is awesome. We all know that. The DROID 4 latches onto it with ease, holds onto it unlike some other phones thanks to always stellar Moto radios, and makes this phone feel "so 2012." We still aren't sure why they didn't toss LTE into the DROID 3 and can this phone altogether, but that's how Moto planned it. So far we are all good on the QWERTY and LTE fronts - time to move into hardware.
Hardware: On the inside, the DROID 4 is exactly like the RAZR and RAZR MAXX. It has 1GB of RAM, a 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP4430 processor, 8MP camera, front shooter for video chatting, and LTE. The only real differences are obviously the keyboard and then the screen (which we will talk about later). For the most part though, this phone is up there with some of the big boys and should have enough power to last you through a contract.
Size, Feel and Build: As someone that has had a 4.3" phone in my pocket for years now (seems weird to say "years"), it's always an adjustment to go back down to something like the D4's 4" screen. And then also as someone that hasn't had a slideout phone since the D2, I'm used to ultra-thin devices that constantly battle for "thinnest in the world" titles. The D4 actually feels pretty good though. It's not heavy or overly thick for having a keyboard attached, and one could still make the argument that a 4" screen is optimal. It feels great in hand with the keyboard slid out or closed and held up to your ear during a call. It's a classic Motorola build job, which is a good thing.
Camera: Motorola went through a period some time last year where they were putting quite possibly the worst cameras available in smartphones. Either that or someone finally showed them how to build software that works properly. As with the RAZR, the DROID 4 has a better than average 8MP smartphone camera. I left all settings as they came out of the box and took the shots you are seeing below. Not bad, not bad at all. The camera is quick to focus, quick to snap shots, and has enough settings and fliters that you can do some pretty fun things if you are into that sort of photography game.

Price: Once expected to be $249, Verizon must have realized just before launch that this phone wouldn't move unless it was under $200. Boy are we glad they did. This phone (along with the LG Spectrum), may indicate that Big Red will start to offer affordable LTE devices in 2012. We still expect to see top tier $299 phones going forward, but under $200 options are always welcomed.
Battery: While it may not pack the 3300mAh battery of the RAZR MAXX, the 1785mAh battery inside the D4 produced enough life to at least get us through most days. With the current crop of LTE radios, we are never going to see long life on a standard battery, but the DROID 4 was able to outperform many other phones. One thing to keep in mind is that the battery is non-removable, so if you purchase this phone, you won't be able to toss in an extended. It's unfortunate, but this looks to be Motorola's standard going forward.

MotoCast: We all hate bloatware, but I'm actually a huge fan of Motorola's MotoCast. This would be their "access your PC from anywhere" software. It works great too. After installing some simple software on your computer and then attaching it to your phone through MotoCast apps, you can play music, watch videos, view pictures, and fondle documents while on the go. The integration is pretty seamless and through a few MotoCast-ready phones now, I have yet to run into any major hiccups.
Smart Actions: When I first reviewed the RAZR, I wasn't all that big on Smart Actions. The idea seemed ahead of its time, but for me personally, I rarely found any that were useful. For whatever reason with the DROID 4, Smart Actions were recommending things all over the place and I actually used most of them. As a software that attempts to offer suggestions to make your smartphone experience more intuitive, they do a decent job. Your phone can turn certain things off when your battery is low or instantly pop up your workout playlist when headphones are inserted. This is one of those MotoBlur add-ons that we want to see grow.
Accessories: The DROID 4 - just like all other Moto phones - has its share of accessories. There are Lapdocks, docking stations, cases, and more. Motorola is one of the few OEMs that produces decent accessories for many of their top tier phones and has them available at launch. (Yes, that was a cheap shot at Samsung.)

The Not-so-Good:

Screen: And the winner for worst smartphone screen in history goes to...the DROID 4! I trashed this thing in my brief overview of the device and want to continue that here. I still cannot figure out what the hell Motorola was thinking. After putting in a Super AMOLED Advanced screen into the RAZR which came out months ago, why would they choose to drastically downgrade this phone so much? The ghosting between home screens or really anything for that matter, is so noticeable that it is embarrassing. The screen tech is incapable of producing perfectly straight lines, the pixelation can be seen with the naked eye, and the colors are just so unnatural that you at times don't know what you are looking at. I honestly cannot imagine a more horrific display experience than what Moto has produced with this phone. It's PenTile Matrix, and boy is it PenTile Matrix.

(Click to enlarge)

Gingerbread and MotoBlur: I like Gingerbread for the most part. I can even admit that I like pieces of MotoBlur. But after coming from a Galaxy Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich, these two pieces of software together feel so old. It's not that the OS or the phone is slow, it's just that this phone was released this month which just so happens to be 3 months after Ice Cream Sandwich became available. And with Motorola tossing out this ICS update timeline that doesn't include any sort of specifics for the D4 other than that they are still evaluating it, it may be a while before you get off the 2010 Gingerbread train.
Bootloader: Yeah, Moto did it again. This phone is locked up tight and will likely never be unlockable. If you are looking for a developer-friendly device, this is not it. Sure, there will be a small community dedicated to it, but the experience will always be shaky and you will have constant fears of potentially soft-bricking your phone without a way of restoring it.
Bloatware: One of our favorite tasks while doing reviews over the last few years has become the bloatware count. As this Android world grows, so do the number of spam apps that carriers and manufacturers preload on devices. The official count drops it at around 25 apps. Yes, you are reading that correctly. Verizon and Motorola together have managed to load 20+ apps onto your phone that you will likely never use. Some of them are removable, but most are here to stay.

Non-removable Battery: For some people, this is a killer. The battery life we saw was above average for an LTE phone, but that doesn't mean that it won't be acceptable for many. Without the ability to add on an extended battery, some that were waiting for a real LTE slider may end up passing on it.
Design: I'm a big fan of the styling of the DROID RAZR. I am not a big fan of the look of the D4. The keyboard is pure hotness, but the overall design is sort of...well, alienish in an ugly alienish kind of way. The metallic accents aren't a bad touch, but we would have liked to see straighter lines instead of the wavy corners and oddly shaped profile.

Unboxing and hands-on:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwBdJBtNlOo[/youtube]

Gallery:

The Verdict:

The DROID 4 is a solid phone. In fact, it's the best 4G LTE slider ever made (for now). To those that follow Android, that's not the most difficult title to obtain, knowing that there is only 1 other LTE slider available. But let's not allow titles to get in the way here. With mostly high-end specs, a great edge-lit keyboard, and a 4G LTE radio, this is the phone for those that can't live without a keyboard. For those that would go either way on a new smartphone purchase, this phone isn't at the level of the Rezound, Galaxy Nexus or DROID RAZR. It's a nice phone, but with one of the worst screens we have seen to date, it's tough for us to hide the fact that we would go elsewhere. Unless of course you have to have a keyboard.

DROID 4 Specs | Other DROID 4 Coverage

Additional Specs Leaked For HTC Endeavor, Onscreen Buttons and 4.7" Super LCD Display Outed [from AL]

Tim — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:01:42 +0000

There has been an additional leak of details regarding HTC's up and coming 2012 flagship device, named the Endeavor. The handset is starting to shape up to be one of the most powerful devices in existence with sources confirming a Tegra 3 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 4.7" Super LCD display, Beats Audio, and Sense 4.0 on top of Ice Cream Sandwich. And given HTC's latest record of unlocking the bootloaders, this could be up for device of the year. The Endeavor is sporting AT&T's HSPA+ bands, so it would be highly unlikely to see it make its way to Verizon. More coverage at Android Life.

Asus Transformer Prime Receiving Minor Firmware Update to Build 9.4.2.14

Tim — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:38:58 +0000

The Transformer Prime is receiving an update to build number IML74K.US_epad-9.4.2.14-20120214 as of right now. This is literally a very small jump in builds so we can only assume this update is extremely minor. There is no changelog available, but if one comes out we'll update the post. Go ahead and update and drop some feedback down below if you notice anything good. Cheers David!

HTC: Thunderbolt, Incredible 2 and Rhyme Will All Receive Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:43:12 +0000

Oh you thought HTC was going to leave you out Thunderbolt owners? OK truthfully, we did too. But that has all changed! According to their official Facebook page, not only will the Thunderbolt see Ice Cream Sandwich, but so will the Rhyme and Incredible 2. Yessir, HTC doin' big thangs. No timeframe for release was given, but they have confirmed that upgrades "are planned."

Via: Facebook Cheers Ryan!

All New Angry Birds Coming In March, But This Time, They're In Space!

Tim — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:32:07 +0000

So you may have thought that Angry Birds was completely played out. Well, Rovio is here to prove you otherwise. A teaser has just been launched on Yahoo! that lets everyone in on a little secret. The Angry Birds, are no longer of this planet. That's right, folks - Angry Birds: Space. Now that we know the setting for the next installment, could we see anything else game changing? 3-D effects? New characters? Guess we will have to wait and see until March. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ8MXExuMXk[/youtube] Via: Yahoo, Angry Birds

Samsung Continuum Set to Receive Massive Froyo Update...Wait What?

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:24 +0000

I almost can't even type this post with a straight face. And yes, this is actually happening. The Samsung Continuum is set to receive Android 2.2 some time in the very near future. As in, Froyo. No, not Gingerbread. Froyo. Does anyone remember when Samsung actually held a special press conference to introduce this phone back in 2010? The kind of event that is usually reserved for big devices like the RAZR or Galaxy SII. The invites had a stock market ticker on them in reference to its "ticker" second screen. It was going to change the world of notifications as we knew it. Dual-screens, go! And then the phone came out with the exact same specs as the Fascinate and completely disappeared from anyone's radar. We won't go as far as calling this the flop of the last couple of years, but damn is it up there. So to see it receive Froyo after almost a year and a half, we can't help but giggle and point fingers. More info. Cheers Trailblazer101!

Samsung Stratosphere Owners Receiving Text Messages from VZWNMN? Here is How to Stop Them

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:33:59 +0000

Samsung Stratosphere owners are the latest target for Verizon's new Backup Assistant Plus service. Many of them are receiving text messages from VZWNMN, something that we understand to be annoying, to say the least. We actually wrote about this exact same tip in June for the Incredible 2, but for whatever reason, it's Big Red's other 4G LTE slider that is being attacked today. Like I said, the messages have to do with Backup Assistant Plus which is VZW's new subscription service that allows you to store more than just contacts. You can manage multiple webmail accounts, store media (pictures and video), and access them all from anywhere. It may sound neat, but your Android phone already does all of the contact backup automatically to Google's cloud. And if you want to backup media, there are plenty of options like Dropbox or Box that will do just fine. There is really no reason to sign up for this service other than to make your life hell when setting up your next Android phone. So here is what you can do to get rid of the service and those pesky texts: 1. Login to your Verizon account. 2. Click on “Account” at the top and then “Change Features” from the bottom right. 3. Select the device you would like to remove the service from. 4. Then scroll down until you find “Contact Management” and click “Remove.”

*Note - If you aren’t able to remove the feature from within your MyVerizon account, you’ll need to call *611 and have a customer service rep do it from their end. Have them search for "Backup Assistant Plus" and remind them that it’ll be listed as free feature and that you need to them to take it off of your account.

Is This Motorola's First Tegra 3 Quad-Core Phone with 2GB of RAM or Just a Render?

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:09:58 +0000

Real or render? That's the question on everyone's mind this morning when referencing the picture above. The photo and spec list was apparently posted to Concept Phones at some point and then possibly spread across the globe quicker than Kate Upton on the Cover of SI's swimsuit issue. The post from that site clearly calls this a render, but since it looks like an actual photo, people are running with it today as being legit. Can't say that I'm ready to buy into it being real, but let's still walk about what we are seeing. Called the "Atrix 3," this device (in theory) would have an HD screen, 10MP shooter, 3300mAh battery, quad-core Tegra 3 processor and 2GB of RAM. As long as the bootloader is unlockable, this would be a dream phone, right? Except for a couple of things. Moto is using 13MP cameras in its high end devices now (that would be their HD phones in China), plus we are still not sure if they would be willing to jump back in with NVIDIA. As you all know, their experience with Tegra 2 last year had all sorts of drama. But, with NVIDIA producing the only working quad-core chip at this point, you have to at least consider that they could partner up one more time. So you guys decide if this thing is legit or just a dream. We first reported back in April of last year that Moto had two Tegra 3 concepts going, maybe this is one of them? Via: HDBlog, Tianjin Daily

HTC Fireball Receives WiFi Certification, Tough to Tell When It Will Arrive

Kellen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:45:46 +0000

Back in December, we first reported on a device called the HTC Fireball that was headed to Verizon as one of their next 4G LTE devices. Details were scarce and we have yet to see much pertaining to it leak out since then. There were pictures of a device that looked a lot like a slightly beefed up Incredible 2 with a Big Red LTE logo that could very well be it, but no confirmations yet. One thing we do have no though, that will add to the story is a WiFi certification for the device. As you can see from the screenshot, the model number ADR6410LVW is included, which is the same number we first posted a few months back. That "VW" on the end of the name also likely stands for Verizon Wireless in case you were wondering. So the device is still in the works, but with it now starting to receive certifications, you have to imagine that HTC and Verizon are making last minute pushes to get it a release. Via: Ameblo, Wi-Fi.org

Nova Launcher Updated - Scrollable Folders, Improved Responsiveness

Tim — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:00:58 +0000

Our favorite 3rd party launcher based on Ice Cream Sandwich called Nova Launcher, has just received another useful update. In addition to a few minor bug fixes and folder fixes, you can now have more than 16 apps in any given folder with the ability to scroll through them. Wicked. If you already have the app, go in to Nova settings and hit "Check for updates." If you have a device running ICS and want to give Nova Launcher a try, then head to the forum post where you can download it, here. Cheers Justin!

DROID Bionic 5.9.902 Fasboot Files Released

Kellen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:15:18 +0000

Fastboot files for the latest DROID Bionic update are now available to those of you looking for a bit of a safety blanket when flashing Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs or any other hack that may jeopardize the integrity of your phone. A well known community member by the name daywalker04 has come through again, this time with the 5.9.902 file. This is the latest OTA update, so if you need a file that will recover you to there, this is it. Download Link Via: XDA Cheers Kyle!

Teaser Released For Dark Legends, Release Set For First Quarter Of 2012

Tim — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:50:26 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yds5GdVxuuw[/youtube]

That was a short teaser released from the publishers of Dark Legends. The game is an MMORPG, where you will become a part of secret vampire societies and battle hordes of the undead, werewolves, demons, and humans. Existence of vampires has just been made public and humans are out for your blood. Work together with fellow players online to overcome obstacles and kill all who oppose your clan. Reminds us of True Blood, minus Sooki. We'll keep you posted when the game will be released. Cheers Brian!

BackDrop Root Not Only Backs Up Apps and Settings, But It Auto-Restores App Data After a Re-Install

Kellen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:28:31 +0000

Titanium Backup has been a standard root-friendly app since day 1, but what if you no longer want all of that information stored on your device? What if you would rather have it in the cloud for safe keeping? That's exactly what BackDrop brings to the table along with a couple of other incredibly handy features. In its basic form, BackDrop allows you back up all of your apps along with their application data to DropBox. Once you have it stored, you can restore it to your phone at any time assuming you have a data connection of some sort. Not only can it do apps, but it will also do Bluetooh pairings, bookmarks, contacts and call logs, text messages, and WiFi settings. It's a fairly fully featured backup app. Aside from that functionality, it also has two features that our ultimate ROM flashes will enjoy. The first is the ability for BackDrop to turn itself into an update.zip file that can be flashed immediately after you flash a new ROM. So on that first bootup, you will already have BackDrop installed so that you can then pull in all of your backed up apps along with their data. Nice, right? The other nifty trick up its sleeve is an "auto-restore" option that pulls in application data that you have backed up whenever an associated app is installed. From my understanding, this should grab data for apps even if you install them from the market. It somehow syncs with new apps if it recognizes them and then ties them to your data. Impressive. So the app is free in the market with a $1.99 unlock key to get you the auto-restore and update.zip options. Give it a shot. Market Link

Thursday Poll: What would it take to get you to ditch your Galaxy Nexus?

Kellen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:37:45 +0000

It's no secret, Droid Life readers bought the Galaxy Nexus when it was released in impressive fashion. Within a week of it being available, thousands and thousands ditched their "OG" DROIDs and other devices to scoop up the first Nexus on Verizon. This phone really has sort of been the first "must have" since the first Moto DROID landed more than 2 years ago. When it hit stores, it was the first time in years that we saw a massive group of Android enthusiasts flock to a product. And rightfully so, the device is by all means an amazing one. In fact, still to this day (almost 2 months later), I enjoy using the phone and can't think of a phone that I would replace it with (for now). But what is it going to take to get you to drop your beloved Nexus? In a smartphone world that is evolving quicker than most of us can keep up with, there is always something major around the corner that attempts to woo you away from the product that sits in your pocket now. HTC and LG have quad-core phones coming soon, Motorola has to have something up its sleeves, and Samsung as you know, has the next flagship Galaxy phone in the works. Can any of the products from these OEMs entice you into dropping the G-Nex? Or are you spoiled and will only purchase another phone if it's a Nexus? [poll id="140"]

Skype For Android Updated - Brings Updated Calling Interface and Other Improvements

Tim — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:21:47 +0000

Users of Skype can head on in to the Android Market and pick up the newest version of the application. You will notice a newer calling interface, better performance throughout the app and other minor bug fixes. Anyone still rocking Skype on their device? Market Link Cheers Philly_Cheesesteak!

Limited Edition Droid Life Ice Cream Sandwich T-Shirts and Hoodies Now On Sale - 5 Days Only!

Kellen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:33:17 +0000

It has been a while since we last introduced a special edition Droid Life t-shirt or hoodie of any kind, so today we are releasing a new one. Our friends that have produced some of the more popular Android-inspired shirts of the last couple of years including "Exploded Andy" and "Andy vs." created the new design, and we couldn't be happier. What better way to celebrate DL and Android in 2012 than with a tasty Ice Cream Sandwich treat? "Raise up your latest mobile OS that all enthusiasts should be proud of!" We haven't given it an official name or anything just yet, so we'll look for those ideas from you guys in the comments. ("Icy Andy" or "A Bugdroid Sandwich"? Maybe? No.) Since many of you requested hoodies the last time that we sold just t-shirts or t-shirts the last time we did hoodies only, we decided to give you the option for either this time around. For the first time, we have this special edition DL design available on American Apparel cotton tees or in ultra-comfy grey hoodies. Choices folks, choices. As always, the design is available for a limited time, as in you have until Monday (2/20) at noon Pacific to get your orders in before the design is gone forever. Orders will then ship on Tuesday (2/21). Prices: $17 for the t-shirt - $24 for the hoodie.

Buy.

To the Handful of DROID XYBOARD Owners, Your New Tablet has been Rooted

Kellen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:32:28 +0000

If you own a DROID XYBOARD - that would be the locked down, non-quad-core Honeycomb tablet with Blur splashed over top of it - you will soon be able to root thanks to @djrbliss. I'm assuming the root method is similar to what he released for the rest of Motorola's products last week, but the actual 1-click file won't be available until tomorrow. You can find the root method at MDW. I'm curious, did anyone buy a XYBOARD?

Clik Released on Android, Wants to Take Any Screen or Smart TV and Connect It Instantly to Your Smartphone

Kellen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:25:00 +0000

We see more apps come across our inboxes than we know what to do with. Most are variations of puzzle games for whatever reason, but every once in a while we see one that introduces an idea that we can get behind. Enter Clik. From the makers of Kik Messenger, Clik allows you to turn any screen with a browser (computer, Smart TV, Google TV, etc.) into your own personal video service. What I mean is that by using this app and their website Clikthis.com, you can search through Youtube to find your favorite videos on your phone and then have them played on the big screen in front of you. The picture up top is the best example I can give. I found the latest "Lin-sanity" video through the Clik app, tapped on it and it then played through my computer in real time. You can pause, adjust volume, and even fast forward. Pretty cool concept. The overall idea for Clik is probably the most important part though. This app is left pretty basic because the concept of sharing anything you have on your smartphone instantly with a TV is what the Clik teams wants to highlight. They want developers to push this forward into gaming, pictures, movies, TV shows, etc.

Market Link | Clikthis.com

Swype Updated - Ice Cream Sandwich Support Finally Arrives

Tim — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:41:54 +0000

Swype has officially launched support for Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus. We have been waiting for quite a while as they worked the kinks out of what was reported to be a resolution issue, even though we have been seeing hacked versions for quite some time. To download the app, just head on over to the Swype Beta site and sign up, then just download the installer and take it from there. Via: Swype Beta Cheers Josh!

German Court: Motorola's Implementation Of Slide-to-Unlock Found To Infringe On Existing Apple Patents

Tim — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:12:07 +0000

Today, Apple has won an important injunction in the German court system against Motorola, that in the future, could prohibit the large manufacturer from selling devices that incorporate the slide-to-unlock feature. Apple's patent EP1964022 was in question during the hearing against Motorola - "unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image." It is being reported that Motorola will immediately file an appeal. If Motorola cannot show that they are in fact, not infringing on any of Apple's patents, they may be forced to change their lockscreen's interface in the country of Germany. Via: FOSS Patents Cheers Jeff!

DROID Eris Bootloader Unlocked Thanks To HTCDev Site

Tim — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:01:32 +0000

If anyone needs their DROID Eris unlocked after all these years, you can now do so at the HTCDev.com site. Whether you are into HTC phones or not, the fact that they are going back this far to allow a phone to be unlockable is impressive, to say the least. Motorola and their "developer edition" failure of a phone cannot compare to the stellar work that this company continues to do for the developer communities. Via: HTCDEV Cheers Daniel!

Mod: Gesture Soft Keys For Galaxy Nexus

Tim — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:22:54 +0000

This morning, our friend MrPicolas sent us a new mod he found for the Galaxy Nexus. If you have been thinking that those soft keys on the bottom of your screen are just taking up space, then you will want to start paying attention. With the assistance of Button Saviour from the Market, this mod will hide the bottom soft keys and allow your device's display size to become even larger. You need to be rooted in order to flash the zip, but it is available for almost all of the major custom ROMs that we cover here. AOKP, GummyNex, and Codename are all compatible. Follow the via to find all the downloads and instructions on flashing. And don't forget to download Button Saviour or the LMT Launcher listing at the source post so you can continue to control your device properly. Via: Rootzwiki Cheers Picolas!

Will Android 5.0 aka Jelly Bean Be Released in Q2, Allowing Dual-OS Booting and Unicorn Feeding? The Latest Rumor Says So

Kellen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:24:36 +0000

This one is a doozy. According to famed rumor starter DigiTimes, we could see the launch of Android 5.0 (Jelly Bean) by Q2 of this year. Oh, and this latest version of Android will also allow dual-booting of operating systems so that vendors can toss on Chrome or Windows 8 or some other OS that you can dream up. It will also be optimized for tablets, as if Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich were not. And lastly, Google's downstream partners were not all that thrilled with the performance from ICS, so they are now skeptical about Jelly Bean. Good lord, where do we even begin? Dual-booting capabilities with Chrome integration? Someone find me a manufacturer that is willing to build a tablet that can dual-boot Windows 8 and Android. The idea that bits and pieces of Chrome OS could find their way into Android just seems like a no-brainer, but I highly doubt that Samsung is going to line up to create the ultimate dual-OS tablet. Maybe that's just me though. Second, how can partners of Google's even know how Ice Cream Sandwich is going to play out? Talking about a lackluster performance for a version of Android that is on all of 5 or 6 devices? We aren't even shipping phones with ICS yet, but reports claim that people aren't happy with it? Come on now. And third, we don't even know that the next version of Android is going to be Jelly Bean or Android 5.0, and we highly doubt that Google is going to release it in Q2 after barely getting ICS out of the gate. By that time, companies like Motorola and HTC will just be getting their line of handsets updated to it, while releasing their first few that have it pre-loaded. Android 5.0 in Q2, pfft. I will say this, we may see signs of it at Google I/O which just so happens to be in Q2. All better? I am, just had to get that out. Via: DigiTimes

Hey Another Facebook Update on Android!

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:12:27 +0000

An old changelog accompanies it, so who knows what we have to enjoy now. Go grab it though. Market Link Cheers Brian and sonnydroid!

Win 1 of 5 LG Spectrums From Verizon Using the New Darth Maul Me App

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:34:38 +0000

Verizon and Lucas Arts released a new app today called Darth Maul Me that allows to snap pictures of yourself and turn then into of all things, Darth Maul. The idea is silly, but they have paired it with a contest that gives contestants a chance to win 1 of 5 LG Spectrums. All you have to do is download the app, turn yourself in Mr. Maul, and then Tweet the photo to @VerizonWireless. They will choose 1 winner per day for the next 5 days. Not familiar with the Spectrum? Check out our hands-on with the device here. Market Link | Contest Details And feel free to share your creepy Darth Maul pictures in the comments as well.

Asus Facebook: Original Transformer to Receive Ice Cream Sandwich In February or March

Tim — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:35:35 +0000

A statement regarding the eventual update of the original Eee Pad Transformer to Ice Cream Sandwich has been issued to concerned customers via the Asus Facebook page. The Transformer Prime has been enjoying ICS for a bit now, so we can understand the impatience some Transformer owners may be experiencing. Asus' statement:

Dear fellow Asus members, we would like to say that we appreciate all the support we see in our Asus Facebook page every day. It makes our contributions worthwhile and fulfilling. We are informed that the ICS upgrade for TF101 will be ready within theFeb/March 2012 period. You will be able to receive the upgrade notification via FOTA once we have a confirmation date. We thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.

So, February/March time frame? That's not bad. Seeing as how we are already half way through the month, March is right around the corner. Just a little bit longer, folks. Via: Android Police

NVIDIA Expects to Ship Tegra 3 "Superphones" This Quarter

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:55:08 +0000

During NVIDIA's Q4 earnings call this afternoon, CEO Jen-Hsun Huang mentioned that they fully expect to announce Tegra 3 powered devices at Mobile World Congress this month and then ship them during the same quarter. This news comes as a bit of a surprise since the Android world has functioned much differently when it comes to releasing products in the past. When something new is announced at these major mobile conferences, it almost always takes months before we ever see them on store shelves. A number of Tegra 3 quad-core devices have been rumored leading up to MWC such as the LG X3 and HTC One X, but there is a better than average chance that we will see even more. Phone manufacturers are always looking to make a big splash during Q1 and unveiling a quad-core phone at MWC is the way to do it. Via: The Verge

What's Going on with 32GB Galaxy Nexus Devices?

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:52:21 +0000

According to both Negri Electronics and Expansys, the 32GB GSM Galaxy Nexus has been discontinued by Samsung and will never be made available. For anyone not on Verizon and that wants this device but was holding out for more storage, this is awful news. The currently unlocked (non-carrier) GSM Nexus only comes with 16GB of storage, which was reason enough for many of you to pass on it. Samsung would not comment as to why they discontinued the 32GB model, but according to Negri, the Nexus has been their most popular device to date. It certainly doesn't seem like demand is an issue. We bring this up because we received word from one of our sources that there will be a white Galaxy Nexus headed to Verizon in the near future, only it will have 16GB of storage rather than 32GB. They also shared with us that a 16GB dark (same color currently available) version will be made available around the same time. Is there something wrong with the way this device handles that much storage? Seems odd and has never been an issue on any other phone in the past. Then again, there was a ton of worrying by Sprint customers as they waited for official word on whether or not their version of the device would have 32GB or 16GB of storage. It was reportedly confirmed to have 32GB by Sprint. And I probably don't need to remind you of this, but there was some flip-flopping of the storage capacity before this device was released onto Verizon. It's an odd situation. With no option to expand the storage since the device lacks a microSD card slot, something doesn't feel right. Let's hope this has all been one big misunderstanding.

Wednesday Poll: Spend More Time Streaming Media or Playing Games?

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:20:01 +0000

Our Android phones and tablets are becoming go-to entertainment devices whether we are on the move, lying in bed, or lost a battle with the wife for TV remote supremacy. With Netflix, Hulu, and a number of popular games finding their way to the platform along with HD screens, why wouldn't you want to use your phone more? The games are console-quality now, select handsets are receiving HD feeds from movie services, and competing music stores keep one-upping each other. It's a good time to be obsessed with your smartphone. What takes up more of your time though? Are you a constant gamer or do you pass the time streaming video or music? Favorite game or media service? [poll id="139"]

Sims FreePlay Lands On Android Market, Classic Sims Right On Your Mobile Device

Tim — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:54:05 +0000

All you Sim fanatics can head into the Android Market today and pick up EA's latest creation for free. Sims FreePlay brings the classic alternate-life game straight to your handset. Design your dream house, meet the Sim-girl/boy of your dreams, have a great career and all the other things Sims like to do. Once you download the app, there is a whopping 600+MB download, but hey, this is Sims we're talking about. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq6sZIBbHN0[/youtube]

Adobe Flash, Google Maps, and Evernote Receive Updates in Android Market

Tim — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:57:59 +0000

Three of our favorite and most used apps all received updates today. Adobe's Flash Player 11 has been updated with a few security enhancments. Sorry, no Chrome Beta still. The Google Maps application has been updated for improved battery performance on Latitude and Location History. And finally, Evernote is receiving lots of bug fixes, an improved interface for Explore Evernote and a fix for the copy/paste issue in the note editor.

Adobe Flash | Google Maps | Evernote

Cheers Chris!

Onskreen's Cornerstone Software To Be Integrated Into CyanogenMod 9?

Tim — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:20:05 +0000

A post from the official CyanogenMod Google+ page shows that the team may be baking Onskreen's Cornerstone right into the operating system. Cornerstone brings a true multi-tasking feel to the Android OS and looks fantastic while doing its job. With the software you can have multiple applications running at the same time alongside each other on one screen. It's exactly what we as Android users need. The team states that this is early work and will take some time before they feel 100% confident on releasing it to the public. If you want to learn more about Cornerstone, you can do so right here on their site. Here is a video of Cornerstone running on Ice Cream Sandwich: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX8w3UZIjkc[/youtube] Via: Google+

HTC's Two New Devices Dubbed the One-X and One-S?

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:41:33 +0000

The HTC Ville and Endeavor have been talked about ad nauseam. The Endeavor will be their first quad-core Tegra 3 device and what you should consider a "flagship," while the Ville is one of their first incredibly thin looking dual-core handsets. They will more than likely be officially unveiled at MWC in hopes of recovering from a disastrous 2011. As we approach their release, two names have appeared that could accompany both handsets. The HTC Endeavor may end up as the HTC One-X with the Ville looking like its little brother as the HTC One-S. This would naming scheme matches up in a way the way the Sensation line was handled last year. Not flashy, but should you buy one, you could at least walk around saying that you "purchased the One!" A little Matrix-y? Via: SlashGear, PocketNow

HTC to Launch Music Streaming Service at Mobile World Congress?

Tim — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:11 +0000

Sources of Gigaom are reporting that HTC may be looking to launch a music streaming service to go hand in hand with their newly acquired Beats Audio wares. Reports say that the service may launch as early as this month at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Along with the possible music service, HTC is also rumored to be showing off their newest tablet and smartphone devices at MWC which could be running this new service. According to the reports, HTC is still working on price plans and other aspects of the service. What is everyone's feelings toward the direction the HTC and the Beats deal that happened a few months ago is heading? Still liking the idea? Via: Gigaom

DROID Bionic Now Available Sans 16GB microSD Card, Drops to $99 on Contract

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:15:00 +0000

Verizon has apparently decided that removing microSD cards to lower prices on their phones is the move of the year. You won't find me arguing, as the last thing I need is another 16GB, slower than molasses class 2 or 4 card that will only see life inside a drawer in my office. The DROID Bionic is the latest example of this, as Big Red has dropped the price of the phone to $99 while removing the formerly included SD card. You can still plug in your own to expand the phone's capacity to beyond anything you will ever use, but when you buy the phone it will come with 16GB of on-board storage only. This concept has also been implemented with the DROID RAZR. Our sources reached out yesterday to inform us that 16GB versions of the Galaxy Nexus in white and metallic silver will be available in the coming months as well, however, there is no expandable storage on these devices. Buy.

LG X3 Specs All But Confirmed Again - Semi-Stock Ice Cream Sandwich and a Massive Benchmark as Well

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:44:31 +0000

The LG X3 is their latest flagship Android attempt, one that may actually be worth a second look. With its Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 4.7" HD display, 2000mAh battery, 8MP camera and what appears to be semi-stock Ice Cream Sandwich, how can you not be at least a little interested in it? And thanks to the crew at Modaco, we have benchmarks and proof of an ICS version that looks only lightly touched (Gesture, Lock screen, and Power Saver sections are not stock). And yes, that benchmark says 4412 (taken from the newest Quadrant that supports ICS and multi-core processors). Jaws on the floor? Still not ready to buy into what LG has to offer? 4.7" screen a turn-off or turn-on? Via: Modaco

Verizon Expands 4G LTE Network in 4 Markets February 16, Turns on a New One

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:16:06 +0000

On February 16 (tomorrow), Verizon will expand their 4G LTE network in 4 new markets while also lighting up a brand new one. The beneficiaries of this expansion are the fine folks that live in Little Rock, AR.; Rapid City, SD; Clarksville, TN; and San Antonio, TX. Those in Cookeville, TN will see the wonderful speeds and battery draining prowess for the first time. As of the 16th, Verizon will have expanded their 4G LTE network reach to 196 markets. +1

Verizon Expands Its 4G LTE Network In Four Markets And Brings Service To One New Market On Feb. 16
02/15/2012 BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless, owner of the nation’s fastest 4G network, is expanding its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) in four markets and launching the service in one new market on Feb. 16. Following the launches on Feb. 16, more than 200 million people in 196 markets across the United States can take advantage of the blazingly fast speeds offered by Verizon’s 4G LTE network with a wide variety of 4G LTE devices, including the DROID 4 by Motorola and the DROID RAZR™ MAXX™ by Motorola. On Thursday, Feb. 16, the company will expand its 4G LTE network in Little Rock, Ark.; Rapid City, S.D.; Clarksville, Tenn.; and San Antonio, plus turn on its 4G LTE network in Cookeville, Tenn. “As the nation’s largest 4G LTE network, our focus remains on continuing to expand the network while providing our customers with an unmatched 4G experience,” said David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless. “We remain committed to offering the strongest service available with the same gold standards our customers have come to expect from our reliable 3G network.” 4G LTE Speed and Coverage In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. When customers travel outside of 4G LTE coverage areas, devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their area or when they travel to areas already covered by 4G LTE. 4G LTE Markets On Feb. 16, Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network will be available in 196 markets. Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for a full list of 4G LTE markets, and additional information about Verizon’s 4G LTE network. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 108.7 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visitwww.verizonwireless.com.

Google Wallet Prepaid Cards are Back, Re-Provisioning of Cards has been Fixed

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:27:26 +0000

After temporarily disabling prepaid cards in Google Wallet, Google has now restored access to them after fixing an issue that allowed them to be re-provisioned. As many of you know, Wallet has taken a beating from the press over the last week, so the least we can do is tip our hats to the team for releasing such a quick fix. Here is the note that they issued last night:

Update [February 14, 2012 / 8:30 pm PST]: Yesterday afternoon, we restored the ability to issue new prepaid cards to the Wallet. In addition, we issued a fix that prevents an existing prepaid card from being re-provisioned to another user. While we’re not aware of any abuse of prepaid cards or the Wallet PIN resulting from these recent reports, we took this step as a precaution to ensure the security of our Wallet customers. If you are unable to access your previous prepaid card balance for any reason, please contact our toll-free support for assistance.

Now, head to your local American Eagle and fill up your wardrobe with eagle decal t-shirts. No? Maybe just a cup of coffee somewhere that accepts PayPass then? Via: Google Commerce Cheers Jigga_Z!

Motorola Releases Initial Ice Cream Sandwich Update Timeline - DROID RAZR, RAZR MAXX, Bionic, and DROID 4 Still Being Evaluated

Kellen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:42:18 +0000

Motorola updated their timeline for device updates this morning, finally revealing their plans to push Ice Cream Sandwich. So far, the list is not going to excite any of you. As far as U.S. devices go, none of them on Verizon have specific details and are currently "in evaluation." You will see that the Atrix, Atrix 2 and Photon 4G will all receive Android 4.0 in Q3, but the RAZR, RAZR MAXX, Bionic, DROID 4 and almost any other device tied to Big Red has not been given an expected rollout date. In fact, those non-VZW phones are all in development while the ones you all care about are still in the "planning" phase. Why is that? Tough to tell. We were all hoping that the RAZRs and the Bionic would see this major update first since they were released just before Ice Cream Sandwich went live. Q3 though for many of these? Seems so far away. Then again, Moto did provide an outlook into how they update phones which we calculated to be about 6 months. I guess that would put us right around the end of Q2 or early Q3. Someone figure out why the Atrix series and the Photon would be up first ahead of the DROID brand. Carrier, maybe? Hoping to know more very soon.

Via: Motorola

Tuesday Poll: Have you switched over to using Google Music as your primary music source?

Kellen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:30:43 +0000

Google finally made their new Google Music store official back in mid-November. As a service accessed through the Android Market, it essentially completed the media experience for Google. You can buy apps, books, movies and now music right from your mobile devices or via the web. While it lacks one of the major music labels, it has at least 3 of the big 4 and offers plenty of deals and discounts to make it a legitimate option for music buyers. What we want to know though, is if this has become your go-to source. As in, have you ditched iTunes or Amazon for nothing but Google? Are still sticking with something else? Or are you a bargain shopper that finds the best deal amongst the three? [poll id="138"]

Motorola is Handing Out 20 DROID 4s for Valentine's Day

Kellen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:10:53 +0000

For Valentine's Day, Motorola wants to hand out 20 (twenty) DROID 4s to die-hard Android fans. All they are asking that you do is submit a picture of yourself with the Android cupid picture below at their Facebook page. That is it. Any interested in the first dual-core 4G LTE device on Verizon with a slide-out keyboard? Check out our unboxing of the device here.

Via: Motorola

White Galaxy Nexus Headed to Verizon With 16GB of Storage

Kellen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:46:48 +0000

We received word from "friends" of ours in the industry that have confirmed that there will be a white Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Verizon in the very near future. For whatever reason though, Big Red is making it a 16GB model rather than the 32GB that we have seen for the metallic silver version. This likely means that the price will come in at around $199 as we have seen with the DROID RAZR. The current LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus on VZW is priced at $299 on 2-year contract. Accompanying the white 16GB Nexus will be a 16GB metallic silver version though. Options, folks. Cheers ___!

Deal of the Day: 3500mAh Mobile Power Block For $13

Tim — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:52:03 +0000

Today only, Yugster has a sweet deal on a mobile power brick that should be able to charge your devices with no problem while you're out doing your thing in the world. The 3500mAh brick will only run you $13 plus a few for shipping. It's a pretty good deal if you find yourself running out of juice near the middle of the day. Via: Yugster

Video: Utter! Not Just Another Siri For Android

Tim — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:10:37 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUI5MIMCTSI[/youtube]

We have put spotlights on a couple apps that try to replicate the usefulness that iPhone users receive with Siri. None of them have really been able to fully grasp the everyday handiness exactly like Siri, but then again, that's what makes it Siri. Enter a new player called Utter! The app doesn't just message people and make calendar events, but can control many aspects of your smartphone that we once thought would be not possible. What if you could ask your phone how much battery it had left? What if you told your device to reboot into the bootloader or even tell it what to have your processor clocked at? Utter! is in an early beta stage and is not available for download yet, but let's hope we see it make a great debut sometime soon. Watch the full video and see what all the hype on Utter! is. Via: Reddit, Android Police

Limited Edition DROID RAZRs Offered to Verizon Employees?

Tim — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:30:49 +0000

According to some leaked shots, Verizon may be launching a special edition of the DROID RAZR just for employees. According to an insider at Big Red, the devices will be offered at a discounted price of $99 for a 16GB RAZR and $199 for the RAZR MAXX 32GB model. Along with the red and black look, each device will come with an engraved unique number on the rear side of the device, a free docking station, and an engraved "Limited Edition" logo on the front of the phone. Launch is rumored to take place in April, so that means we have a couple months time to find an employee who is willing to find us one. Anyone else down with the red and black? This wouldn't just be good for Verizon employees, but Portland Blazer fans could also find these quite desirable. Via: Android and Me

Hot Off the Press, Droid Loot Launches Assortment of Android Shirt Designs

Tim — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:50:35 +0000

If little Android Collectibles are not your style and you would rather sport your Android love with a shirt, Droid Loot has an awesome collection of designs that meet the needs of any Google enthusiast. The shirts go for about $17, so if you have been in the need of a good Andy shirt, go check out their excellent assortment down below. Via: Droid Loot

Open Edition Of Android Minis Land In Large Retailers, Go Get Yours Today

Tim — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:00:06 +0000

If you happen to stop by an Urban Outfitters, or have future plans of shopping in a Barnes & Noble or F.Y.E. anytime soon, you may have a chance to scoop up some adorable Android mini figurines. An open (non-limited) edition of the Android miniatures have been produced exclusively for some big retailers in the United States and possibly Europe. You can find a taxi cab android, yeti android, or even the cute little business man android. Urban Outfitters has them for $10 a pop, so head in now before they're all stolen by Google fanboys. As you can see below, business man Andy has already found himself a good home. Although, he is not a good dog toy.

Via: Dyzplastic

Amazon MP3 for Android Updated - ICS Lock Screen Controls and New Color Scheme Included

Kellen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:25:02 +0000

Amazon MP3 is back in the picture, this time with a color scheme that matches the Kindle Fire and lockscreen controls for Ice Cream Sandwich devices. As one of the top MP3 stores on the planet, you still can't beat most of Amazon's prices when it comes to full albums. Google Music has attempted to step on its turf by offering up Valentine's Day specials and other promos, but even I'll admit that Amazon's rock bottom pricing is tough to pull away from. This update is a welcomed addition to the experience. What about you - using Google Music, Amazon or some other service? Market Link

Ice Cream Sandwich ROM for DROID Bionic Now has Working 4G LTE Thanks to Latest OTA Update

Tim — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:50 +0000

Previous versions of a custom ROM built for the DROID Bionic have been unsuccessful due to a problem with 4G LTE data. Thanks to a recent update to the device from Moto, the underground team has been able to put the pieces together to get the Ice Cream Sandwich build up and running for the masses. If you're savvy with bootstrapping your device and flashing custom ROMs on a Bionic, then this build is right up your alley. The first thing you will notice is that this is based on pure vanilla ICS and there is no Blur to be seen. 4G LTE data is working perfectly and only the Camera application is non-working so far, but they're working on that. You will be able to use all your favorite root-required apps and if you want to give this build a try, then go ahead and follow the via link for instructions and downloads. Happy flashing. Via: DroidModderX

Interested in a Custom Laser Etched Galaxy Nexus Back Cover? Check Out This Kickstarter

Kellen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:20:22 +0000

Update 5/2/12: Something has apparently gone wrong with this deal and the IndieGogo page for it has been removed. We apologize if you donated or shelled out money for one of these doors and have not received it, but we are not affiliated at all with this project. We'll reach out to him to see if we can help the situation. You may have seen a couple of custom Galaxy Nexus battery covers floating around various forums, thanks to our friend @0mie. He created a Indiegogo page to help get everyone their own custom back should they be interested. He is buying the OEM backs in bulk and then allowing you to add custom logos or designs depending on how much you donate to the project. And when we say "OEM" we mean real and official battery covers, not the 3rd party junk that you see all over eBay and Amazon that claim they will fit your phone. Both extended and standard battery covers are available - GSM or LTE Nexus too. If you are interested, head on over to the Indiegogo page and contribute.

Discussion: Is the Galaxy Note Too Big? Does Anyone Really Want to Use a Stylus?

Kellen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:52:45 +0000

As we inch closer to Galaxy Note release day here in the U.S., we are starting to see some negative feedback over the size of it and its stylus accessory. CNET walked around New York City asking for quick responses from random people and most were not all that excited or interested. But first off, let me just say that none of these people had even heard of the device from what we can tell. So clearly, the Super Bowl ad that Samsung paid millions for, did almost nothing to help spread the word about their next-gen device. Most of the respondees were not keen on the idea that the device could replace both their phone and tablet. They also tried to pocket the 5.3" beast and came away torn - some were down as long as it fit, some were not excited about the added "bulge." There aren't any public plans for Verizon customers to get this phone other than one random report that if we do, it will be called the Galaxy Journal, but that doesn't mean bigger phones won't come from other OEMs. We are already starting to see massive phones like the Spectrum with its 4.5" screen and the HTC Endeavor with its 4.7" screen. The Galaxy Note does not appear to be the only device that will have a larger than life personality. But when is big, too big? Is the Note pushing the limits? Some of you are thrilled with the idea of having this much screen real estate while others would rather companies hang around the 4.3" range. And on a related note, what's with the stylus? Is it because the phone has a big screen that Samsung feels the need to re-introduce the stylus into our world? I have an HTC Flyer and bought the Stylus, only I'm struggling to find any real use for it. I can type faster using the on-screen keyboard that I can physically write out some chicken scratch. Is it an artist thing? Or am I missing the point here? So tell us: has Samsung completely missed the mark with the Galaxy Note and its stylus?

Scalado "Remove" App to be Shown at MWC, Removing Unwanted Objects From Pictures Made Easy

Kellen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:05:34 +0000

The folks from Scalado reached out to inform us of a new product that they have in the works called "Remove." It's a camera app (yes, another one) that allows you to take a picture in a busy environment and then remove objects from it later that you may not have wanted to include. Think of a time when you wished that people would stop walking behind your kid as you attempt to snap a photo of them hugging a moose. Wouldn't it be nice if you could quickly cut them from the shot? The demo video looks promising, however, the app is not available at this time. Their plan is to show it off at MWC in hopes of "wowing" attendees (probably OEMs too). TouchRetouch does something similar if you are needing an app that performs similar duties, now. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flNomXIIWr4[/youtube]

Two New DROID 3 Updates Available, Flash With Caution

Kellen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:23:53 +0000

Two new updates for the DROID 3 have been discovered and are flashable in the stock recovery. Before you jump all over these though, understand that once you update to them, there is no going back to the prior and official Blur build. And we have done some digging and so far cannot tell if either of these will end up being official or not. These are for the tinkerers in the building, not necessarily the novice non-rooted folks. Users who have taken the plunge are reporting better connectivity thanks to the new radio, a more stable camera, and faster Blur. Both can be rooted using the latest DROID 4 method that seems to be able to root almost any Moto device. Downloads: 5.7.902 | 5.7.905 More info at this XDA thread. Cheers Sam!

Rumor: HTC Devices To Get Playstation Certification This Year, As Early As Mobile World Congress

Eric — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:49:30 +0000

The hotly anticipated PS Vita will be on sale tomorrow but rumor has it if you have an HTC device you might just get the next best thing. Apparently, HTC is set to be the first company besides Sony themselves to get their phones Playstation-certified. This certification means that the chose devices will get access to the Playstation store and some PSOne games that you could then turn around and play on your phone. Crash Bandicoot anyone?

Playstation admits that companies have been slow to jump on, but maybe that's because they saw how ~~well~~ the Xperia Play did. When can we expect the certification on our devices? Well the rumor has it sometime in the second half of this year, but Mobile World Congress is at the end of this month and if HTC is looking to make a splash do not put it past them. Which PSOne game do you most want to play on your phone?

Via: Pocket-lint

Monday Poll: Do you own an Android tablet? Are you still looking to buy one?

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:02:34 +0000

We are approaching the 1-year mark for Android tablets, that is if you don't count that silly 7" thing that Samsung released in December 2010. As far as official tablet operating system tablets go though, the XOOM was the first and it dropped towards the end of last February. That puts us right around a full year for Android tablets. So over the last 12 months, we have seen almost every tech manufacturer on the planet pump out some sort of tablet. Most of them have dual-core processors, the screens seem to be getting better, cameras are improving, and so on and so forth. Over the next year, we will see quad-core chips, full HD screens, cameras at the level of our smartphones, and prices dropping into far reasonable zones. It could be an exciting year for tablets, even with most looking at 2011 as somewhat of a flop if you weren't an iPad. As the curious crew that we are, we want to know two things for this poll. Do you already own a tablet? If you do or don't, are you still considering one (maybe a new one) going into 2012? [poll id="136"] [poll id="137"]

Motorola to Unveil First Intel-powered Handset at Mobile World Congress?

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:23:43 +0000

At CES in January, Intel and Motorola announced a multi-year partnership that would allow the almost fully-acquired smartphone maker to produce phones using their Medfield processors. The first set of phones was expected to ship some time towards the end of 2012. You may be looking at one of the first devices in the picture above. From what we can tell, it's definitely running Ice Cream Sandwich and also some for of Moto's Blur. The icon set is definitely not stock Android, but the notification bar and app drawer button are. It is also buttonless on the front side, meaning we'll have on-screen soft keys, something that only the Galaxy Nexus can lay claim to at this point. It then has physical volume, power and camera buttons on the right side. And speaking of the camera, Intel's Medfield chipsets can take up to 15 pictures in a single second - this device is said to include that feature. We spent some time with a Medfield phone at CES, you can view those pictures and details here. This particular Motorola phone could make its debut at MWC at the end of the month. Thoughts on the first Intel-powered Motorola device? Like the style? Interested in Intel chips? Via: PocketNow

U.S. Department of Justice Approves Motorola Acquisition by Google, Nortel Patents Purchase by Rockstar Bidco Too

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:01:56 +0000

Hours after we learned that the European Commission had approved Google's acquisition of Motorola, the U.S. Department of Justice has done the same. We are inching closer to this deal becoming finalized (pending China) and a world rid of bootloaders. OK, I just made that last bit up, but one can have high hopes, can't he? The DoJ claimed that after their investigation into the merger, that it is "unlikely to substantially lessen competition" even though Google clearly purchased Motorola for their patent portfolio. However, if they are to get out of line with licensing deals, the hammer would be dropped - in some shape or form. In related news, the DoJ also cleared the bid by Rockstar Bidco for the Nortel patent bundle. Not familiar with Rockstar Bidco? It's a group of tech companies that put together a massive bid for a batch of patents owned by bankrupt Canadian company, Nortel. The group is made up of Apple, Microsoft and RIM to name a few. That's right, Google is not involved and many of these patents are telecommunications-based and should be of concern. Via: DoJ, CNET Cheers CG!

HTC Endeavor RUU Leaked Over the Weekend - Tegra 3, 4.7-inch 720p Display, NFC and Ice Cream Sandwich All But Confirmed [From AL]

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:45:10 +0000

One of the world's first Tegra 3 quad-core phones may end up belonging to HTC. A RUU for the HTC Endeavor (formerly the Edge) was leaked over the weekend, giving us a look at its official specs which may blow your mind. The most important is obviously the Tegra chip inside, but the phone will also sport a 4.7" 720p HD display, NFC, and Sense 4.0 over top of Ice Cream Sandwich. It's also expected to be ultra thin for an HTC device and will give us a first look at the 2012 for one of Android's most struggling companies. The phone contains AT&T HSPA+ radios so don't expect it on Verizon. We'll probably get stuck with that Incredible 2 knock-off that was pictured last week. Non-VZW customers, enjoy! More coverage at Android Life.

Original DROID Incredible Receives Ice Cream Sandwich Through AOKP Build 22

Tim — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:10:56 +0000

The well loved Android Open Kang Project has been brought to the original DROID Incredible. Built from the latest Google offering, Android 4.0.3, AOKP brings the greatest in customization options that the rooting world has to offer. We have covered AOKP in some of our previous Custom ROM Friday posts which you can see here. For rooted and unlocked Incredibles, flashing is as easy as one, two, three.

Installation Instructions:

Download AOKP zip file and place on phone's storage.
Download Google Apps and place on phone's storage.
Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery and create a Nandroid backup.
Wipe data/cache.
Install AOKP ROM.
Install Google Apps.
Reboot and enjoy.

If you have questions or run into problems, let us know down below and we will do our best to help you out. Via: XDA Cheers Joe!

TypeSmart Wants to Compete With the Big Boy Android Keyboards

Tim — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:29:05 +0000

TypeSmart Keyboard may not be new, but it received an update over the last week and has popped back onto our radar. With a few built-in features they claim you won't find anywhere else, TypeSmart might be worth a look if you have grown tired of the old standards like Swype and Swiftkey. The board comes with different themes (take note Swype team!) for any look you might want, a smart word predicting engine, a dictionary that learns the way you speak over time, and something as simple as a number row that can be displayed with a simple swipe. Give the video below a view for an idea of what TypeSmart truly offers over other keyboards on the Market. Thinking about giving it a shot? Market Link ($3.95) | Market Link (Free) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQh8RtBwEI8[/youtube]

Since the DROID 4 Battery Cover Can Be Removed, It has Wireless Charging Capabilities

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:25 +0000

If you love Motorola phones and were looking for reasons to buy the DROID 4 over the RAZR, consider wireless charging one of them. Since the DROID 4's back cover can be removed in order to give you access to SIM card and microSD slots, Moto has gone ahead and created an "inductive" or wireless charging cover for it. Just remember that in order to charge wirelessly, you will need to fork out $40 for the cover and then anywhere from $50 to $100 for the pad to charge it on. I know it's not much of a bonus, but there are a handful of companies looking to make wireless charging the way of the future. Think about having the ability to charge your phone while it sits down on a bar next to your Manhattan. We could see it, some day. Buy. Cheers Digital Dan Hook!

Series 3 Android Mini Collectibles Leaked?

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:36:01 +0000

As Android fanatics, we can't seem to get enough mini collectibles. From series 1 to the series 2 mystery box to special edition super hero/villain releases, we try our hardest to collect them all. Well, what we have below may be a leaked "sneak peak" of series 3 that was sent to retailers. From the screenshot, you will see that there are still a lot of question marks, so either not all of the designs are finalized or the goal is to make even more a mystery this time around. So far, these designs are looking incredibly promising. Getting excited over toys feels so wrong, yet so damn good.

Via: AndroidGuys, Twitter

DROID Bionic and RAZR OTA Updates Can Be Rooted Using Latest DROID 4 Method

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:00:30 +0000

Accepted the latest OTA updates for the DROID Bionic and RAZR and have been frustrated with the lack of root access? According to a couple of readers who were willing to take the dive, you should be able to use the method that was released for the DROID 4 over the weekend by @djrbliss. This is for those of you that have yet to get accustomed to using OTA RootKeeper before accepting these updates, of course. Download the Windows root tool here. If you want to donate to charity in the name of this root exploit, you can do that here. Cheers Mark!

Poweramp Music Player Updated To 2.0, Ice Cream Sandwich Locksceen Controls and Pulldown Buttons

Tim — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:20:48 +0000

The well-known music player alternative, Poweramp, has received its big update to version 2.0. Included in the update are a few goodies for Ice Cream Sandwich users such as lockscreen controls and even pulldown notification bar controls. Poweramp has always provided a more in-depth music experience for Android users allowing you to pick through each of your phone's files to find all your downloaded music without an issue. With fabulous built-in equalizers fit for any musical ear, give it a go and let us know what you think. And for those that might ask, no, it does not support Google Music. Market Link

European Commission Gives Google-Motorola Acquisition the Thumbs Up

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:53:31 +0000

Cross Europe off the list of jurisdictions needing to give the acquisition of Motorola by Google the thumbs up. According to Google's official blog, the European Commission has cleared the deal and is now just waiting for a "few other" jurisdictions to press "Go." The Wall Street Journal reported last week that we could see the acquisition clear the U.S. as early as this week. Via: Google

iFixit DROID 4 Teardown Reveals HSPA+ Radio, Motorola Conveniently Removes it From MotoDev Site

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:25:24 +0000

The iFixit team performed their standard teardown of the DROID 4 today, revealing the guts of Verizon's latest 4G LTE phone. You will find an 8MP camera, the 4" display, and a non-removable battery - again, the usual. But one thing that stood out was the Qualcomm MDM6600 radio which supports HSPA+. Confused? As you know, the DROID 4 is a CDMA/LTE device that runs on Verizon's network only. Now, we were told at CES that this phone would eventually be given global capabilities, but we found it odd that Motorola removed any mention of a GSM/HSPA radio on their MotoDev site last week. That's not say that this info won't be added back later when Big Red gives it the thumbs up to cruise the globe. Again, just thought it was odd. Don't forget to check out our hands-on with the DROID 4. Via: iFixit Cheers Tony!

Over the Weekend: Apple Attacked the Galaxy Nexus in Latest Patent Spat, Seeks U.S. Ban

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:19:00 +0000

On Saturday, news spread quickly that Apple had targeted the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for its next patent battle, seeking a ban on the product here in the U.S. This would be the first time that Android as an operating system would essentially be targeted since the device runs stock Android rather than a manufacturer skin. Could this spell disaster should Apple win? Eh, probably not. While I'm not a patent expert, the four patents that were included in the suit are what many of us would consider core functionality or features that are used on regular basis. That still does not mean this would be the end of the road for Android, but rather an annoying disturbance. Here are the four patents:

U.S. Patent No. 5,946,647: a data tapping patent for which the U.S. ITC ordered an import ban against HTC;
U.S. Patent No. 8,086,604: a unified search patent that relates to Siri, which could affect Google’s mobile search service;
U.S. Patent No. 8,046,721: a slide-to-unlock patent that allows devices to do exactly that;
U.S. Patent No. 8,074,172: a word completion patent that completes words based for touch-screen text entry;

Data tapping could see a work-around should Apple win that battle. HTC has already come forth to say that they will adjust their products in the coming months to no longer violate this same patent. The unified search patent that relates to Siri just seems like complete garbage to me. We have been voice-searching for almost 2 years now, but hey, maybe Apple has had a voice-search patent for that long and is just now deciding to use it. Slide-to-unlock is also garbage - we covered our opinions on the idea that Android 4.0 in particular does not use slide-to-unlock functionality. Word completion on the other hand is not a killer, but it's a feature that I'm sure all of you enjoy. Should that need to be removed, it would be more of an annoyance than a killer to Android. Another week, another patent battle in the smartphone world. We will obviously need to keep a closer eye on this one than others as the latest version of Android is under attack. Via: ZDNet, FOSS Patents Cheers Jeff, Tim, Elliot, Poya and everyone else!

Google TV's Big Announcement is Another Youtube Overhaul?

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:40:26 +0000

Over the weekend, the Google TV team mentioned via Facebook (of all places) that there were "big" announcements coming today. And then last night, they posted to their blog that a decent-sized Youtube update was in the works, which we are all assuming is the "big" announcement. And not that we are disappointed by this because the screenshots of it look fantastic, but "big" just seemed like it would be more. Anyways, jump past the break to see what you will soon enjoy. What do you get with the new YouTube?

Overall, works faster with smoother navigation
New feature called "Discover" was added. Allows you to browse by categories.
New channel pages
See related videos in channels and more videos by the same user

Via: Google TV Blog

Saturday Night Live Spoofs Verizon 4G LTE Ad, "It's an old persons' nightmare."

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:21:44 +0000

It might be a skit, but how true does this Verizon 4G LTE skit that Saturday Night Live ran over the weekend ring true? So many terms, far too many phones, and a bunch of fast talkin' jibberish that most non-techies do not understand whatsoever. Enjoy. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yamqFxAXegk[/youtube] And if that poorly filmed Youtube video is removed, you can view the full ad at NBC's site. Cheers Stemen, Bobby, Steve, Ryan and everyone else!

Video: White Galaxy Nexus Gets Brief Unboxing

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:41:33 +0000

The white Samsung Galaxy Nexus starts shipping today overseas and with that, we get one of the first semi-unboxings to drool over. It's brief, but damn does it look pretty in its pale skin. I'm almost positive that the G-Nex could look good in almost any color, including puce. Oh, and if you need to have this phone here in the States, you can jump on a variety of resellers like Negri Electronics and order yours today for around $650 unlocked and off contract. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdb-QTx_jjI[/youtube] Via: XDA Cheers Curtis!

Samsung Announces the Galaxy Tab 2 Running Ice Cream Sandwich, We're Wondering What the Point is?

Kellen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:28:19 +0000

You are looking at Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 2 that was announced for the UK in March and the rest of the globe some time after. It runs on a dual-core processor, has a 7" WVGA display (1024x600), supports HSPA+ and WiFi, has dual cameras (3MP and VGA), and runs Ice Cream Sandwich. It's ultra-portable just as the original Tab was only we're still trying to figure out why anyone would purchase this over the 7.7 that has been released in most countries. Will it be extremely cheap? It's Euro price seems to suggest that, however, we won't know for sure until it launches here in the states. This is one tablet that I just do not understand. Pics and official specs below. Update: Video of Samsung's Tab 2 unveiling also below (Cheers Premysl!).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IVwzPw-mt4[/youtube]

Samsung’s new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers optimal multimedia experiences in life

Samsung expands the GALAXY Tab range with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) powered by the AndroidTM 4.0 and a 1GHz dual core processor
Prague, February 13, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today introduced its first line-up of tablets for 2012 with the launch of the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0), expanding the choice of tablets to customers. Light and portable, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) is the ideal personal on-the-go device, available in 3G and WiFi versions. Starting from UK, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will be launched in global market from March. “Two years ago, Samsung GALAXY Tab began to offer customers more possibilities on the go. Since then, Samsung has actively enhanced our tablet line-up with several tablets in different sizes,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “The new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will provide people with delighted multimedia experience and allow efficient communication.” Samsung’s first Android 4.0 Tablet Samsung’s first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)-powered tablet offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. An upgraded Android Market enables access to more than 400,000 applications which can be enjoyed across phones or tablets. Furthermore, a more intuitive user interface includes the ability to swipe-control applications as well as a wholly redesigned app gallery for easier sharing of content. The new OS’s vastly faster performance and response times across multiple applications is further enhanced by HSPA＋ 21Mbps or WiFi connectivity. Additionally, Android 4.0 includes a selection of embedded Google applications that enables users to quickly launch sites and applications that they use frequently; meanwhile, the innovative Face Unlock feature unlocks the tablet through unique facial recognition software. A complete experience with enriched multimedia content The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers users easy multimedia access, playback and sharing experiences with Samsung Hub services. Samsung’s Music Hub provides a full music store solution with access to over 17 million tracks. Additionally, the Readers Hub provides the user with access to over 2.3 million e-books, 3,500 magazines and over 2,000 newspapers in 51 languages, while the Game Hub instantly connects users to the latest game titles. Samsung is also introducing the Video Hub, which offers over 1,000 film titles for purchase or rent, and provides reviews, trailers and recommendations for easier content selection using the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0). Complementing the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s multimedia offering is Samsung’s upgraded Touchwiz user interface that features Hub widgets for one-step access to users’ content in Hubs; the device also presents S Suggest, a new service offering recommendations of apps suited to users’ tastes directly on a home screen. The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s superb multimedia experience is further boosted by Samsung’s AllShare Play, a new content-sharing service available for the first time on any Samsung mobile device. AllShare Play allows users to play or live-stream their multimedia content on their GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) from PCs, other Samsung smart devices as well as third-party web storages. Users can also easily transfer content to other devices or directly to web services. Better Communication Capabilities Connecting socially has never been easier with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s built-in powerful communication capabilities.With the voice call capability, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) can be used just as easily as a phone, affording users the handy convenience of a second device in case they misplace their primary phone. It also lets users to spontaneously arrange multi-party video calls via Google＋ hangouts, as well as engage in group chats or micro-communities to collectively chat or share content. In addition, ChatON, Samsung’s cross-platform communication service, connects all phone users of any platform into a single community. ChatON uses phone numbers instead of ID and passwords, and provides easy instant messaging and group chatting in various formats—images, video, voice, contacts—to make messaging simple and intuitive. Galaxy Tab 2 specs About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 222,000 people in 205 offices across 71 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LCD. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world’s most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. Android, Google, Android Market, Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail, Google Talk, and Google Search are trademarks of Google Inc.

Big Google TV Announcements Coming Tomorrow

Kellen — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:11:18 +0000

Facebook, such a great outlet for making Google announcements...errr. Anyways, the Google TV Facebook page has come forth to announce that there will be big Google TV announcements tomorrow. No other details were given and to tell you the truth, we haven't a clue as to what we might see or hear. A new update? Something that has to do with this rumored Google home entertainment device? A new partner? Via: Facebook, The Verge

Google Disables Google Wallet Pre-paid Cards Temporarily, Reminds You That the Service is Still Safe Though

Kellen — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:05:18 +0000

Poor Google Wallet and the beating it has taken over the last week. First it was a "vulnerability" if your phone was rooted which was then followed by a non-rooted issue that allowed someone who stole your phone to access prepaid funds. To be fair to Wallet, none of these are actually issues unless you lose your phone and fail to protect it up front at the lock screen. But since attacking a product that is trying to push boundaries makes great headlines, this is where stand. Google has temporarily disabled prepaid cards in Wallet until they can provide a fix that won't allow a user to simply "clear data" on the app and then re-access your funds. Again, Google Wallet is still safe for making payments with credit cards, you just can't use prepaid cards for the time being. Via: Google Commerce Cheers Jim!

DROID 4 Has Been Rooted.

Kellen — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:44:16 +0000

Holding off from purchasing the DROID 4 because you were under the impression that it could not be rooted? Fear not, the work has been done. If you own a Windows computer, you can simply plug in your phone, download the file from below, unzip and then run it to gain root acces. Don't forget to tick on USB Debugging though. Download: motofail_windows.zip Enjoy! Via: Dan Rosenberg Cheers FAL_fan, Shurikenv and everyone else!

Minecraft Pocket Edition Updated, Survival Mode Now Available

Tim — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:42:59 +0000

The update all Minecraft fans have been waiting for is finally available. Developers have added the much needed, "Survival Mode" for users to play with. There's now zombies, and sheep that PC users have grown custom to. More mobs are to follow. Along with the entirely new mode, Creative mode users can now fly around the map for easy masterpiece building. Happy building! Market Link Cheers Orange!

This Week In The Life of DROID: 2/10/2012

Tim — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:30:47 +0000

This week was a whole lot of fun for Android fans. Google launched the Chrome beta for Android and Verizon launched the much anticipated DROID 4. We wrote up a couple of special themes and even gave you a new ROM to play with over the weekend. Here are the highlights in case you missed anything:

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Video: Use Your Galaxy Nexus As A Desktop Computer

Tim — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:27:10 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_--zcmqIyRI[/youtube]

These are the types of tips and tricks we love to see. In this video, a gentleman has taken his Galaxy Nexus and turned it into a fully functional desktop computer. By using a few items that any consumer could purchase or likely already has, this guy just gave all Android nerds an idea to gobble up their entire weekend. Using a Magic Trackpad and keyboard (both Bluetooth), he was able to easily emulate a computer experience through his phone. Gestures on the trackpad work, shortcuts on the keyboard work, and since it's Android you can multi-task. This is seriously one of the cooler 8 minute videos around. Via: Clove UK

First Impressions of the DROID 4 - Great Keyboard, Poor Display and Surprisingly Decent Battery Life

Kellen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:03:15 +0000

The DROID 4 has been in my possession for almost 2 days now (unboxing and hands-on), which means I definitely have some thoughts on it that I'd like to share. Since our full review won't be out until next week, I wanted to at least toss out some initial impressions for those that are considering picking this device up this weekend. Worth the $199 price? How about they keyboard - best yet? Let's find out. Keyboard The selling point with the DROID 4 is obviously the keyboard. Is it any good though? As someone that ditched physical keyboards over a year ago and never looked back, I can say that I'm actually impressed by this one. I wish their was a SHIFT key on the right side of it, but something like that can be worked through. The edge-lit keys are beautiful to look at when the lights are low, they are soft and easy to press, and the dedicated number row makes typing passwords a breeze. I'm still working up to being a decent typer on a physical keyboard again after taking such a long break from them, but I'll get there. Nice work on this, Motorola.

Screen Ummm, yuck. Moto chose not to use the Super AMOLED Advanced screen that was included in the DROID RAZR and instead reverted back to the poor LCD that was used in the DROID 3 and Bionic. It's not pretty, folks. If you flip between screens (especially the app drawer) you will see ghosting everywhere. If this isn't one of the worst screens to come out on a smartphone in the last year, I'd love for someone to show me what is. In a time when other phone manufacturers are pushing nothing but HD resolutions and high pixel density, we aren't sure what the hell Moto was thinking with this one. Click on the image above and you will understand what I'm talking about. Performance With its 1.2GHz dual-core processor (same one that's in the RAZR) and 1GB of RAM, I haven't noticed any performances issues. The phone doesn't zoom around quite like the RAZR does and I'm not sure why since it's almost identical in specs, but that doesn't mean it still isn't fast. And who knows, the lack of ultra-smoothness could just be an optical illusion thanks to its crappy display.

Battery Life Unplugged the DROID 4 with a full charge yesterday around 5PM and woke up this morning with around 20% left. That's not bad for a first charge and a decent amount of use. Smart Actions were already kicking in to help extend life at night, so I can't help but give it high marks here. Will put it through some real heavy use this weekend though just to see how it holds up going forward. Overall Not a bad phone by any means. It's not the RAZR, Galaxy Nexus or Rezound, but if you need a keyboard, this phone appears at first to be the option to consider. A great keyboard mixed with LTE and better than average specs should help this phone get you through a contract. Assuming you can deal with the screen technology, that is.

Amazon Preparing For Mid-2012 Launch Of 8.9-Inch Kindle Fire Tablet?

Tim — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:13:04 +0000

According to a note to clients from a Pacific Crest analyst regarding Amazon's forecast for Kindle sales in 2012, the number has been greatly raised from $12.7 million to $14.9 million due to the future sale of a 9-inch model Kindle that will launch in mid-2012. Last year, there were reports circulating that Amazon did plan on launching two separate tablets at different times, so this shouldn't be coming as too much of a surprise. The previous "Hollywood" tablet was rumored to be a full 10 inches, but with the huge success that smaller tablets have been receiving, it could be possible that Amazon has decided to take a smaller approach or have decided to just push its launch back. Anyone feel that as long as Amazon can keep the price down like they have been doing, they should find more market success? Let us know. Via: BGR

Galaxy Defenders Released Onto Android Market, Get Your Spaceship Nostalgia On

Tim — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:07:09 +0000

Galaxy Defenders has just been pushed onto the Android Market and it is a ton of fun. It reminds us of a few games from back in the day where you're just flying in space having to destroy everything that gets in your way. Epic destruction. There are some old school graphics and sounds so give it a go and let us know what you think. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEagBWGCpWc[/youtube]

Nova Launcher Updated, System Installation No Longer Required

Tim — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:24:52 +0000

Our new favorite Ice Cream Sandwich based launcher, Nova Launcher, has received a pleasant update. Previously, you needed to install the launcher via zip file to have the widget menu accessible from the application drawer, but gone are those days thanks to this recent update. Just install the apk as you would any other launcher, grant root access and you're good to go. Along with that, there have been a few bug fixes and general tidying of the app. Via: Nova Launcher Thread Cheers Justin!

GSM Unlocked Motorola XOOM 32GB, $450 On Ebay's One Day Deals

Tim — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:50:43 +0000

For one day only folks can grab an unlocked GSM Motorola XOOM 32GB for $449.99. It won't be able to work on Verizon's network, at all, but you could throw in an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM and have a good time that way. It may be GSM, but it's still a completely unlocked bootloader Android tablet that will be able to run the newest software at least until OS requirements render it useless. Sound like a good deal? Via: Ebay Cheers Jerry!

Friday Poll: Interested in Family Data Plans at Verizon?

Kellen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:05:11 +0000

Family data plans at Verizon may be right around the corner. Not only has their CEO mentioned that 2012 could be the year that we finally see them introduced, but over the last 6 or 7 months we have seen numerous changes to the way that accounts are handled. "Account level data plans" is how Big Red is referring to them for now, which basically means that all of our accounts are being prepped for the possibility of a pool of shared data. We aren't sure if we are weeks or months away, but after talking to a couple of sources, it certainly seems like enough changes are happening that it could be sooner rather than later. With that said, we want some feedback from the DL community to see if anyone is even interested in the idea of having an account level or shared data plan. If you aren't sure what that means, think of it as a bucket of data that your entire family could pull from. Say you purchase a 5GB shared plan - the 3 or 4 lines on your account can all access that. Maybe you use 2GB, your daughter uses 1GB and someone else in your family pulls another couple of GBs in a month. Now, we have no idea what pricing or data packages would look like. They could be 5GB and 10GB plans at astronomical prices for all we know. The idea behind shared data seems like (in theory) that it would be an option that targets consumers who are looking to spend less money on data. However, we all know Verizon's track record and probably can't find a person in the room that would consider them to offer "cheap" or "bottom line" prices on anything. Until something is announced or leaked into the wild, it's tough to even guess how Big Red plans to approach this. As far as we know, this idea is new and has never been done before. Interested? [poll id="135"]

Custom ROM Friday: LiquidSmooth Beta 3 For Galaxy Nexus

Tim — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:33:44 +0000

The Liquid series of ROMs are available for a wide assortment of devices. Thanks to a hardworking developer by the name of Liquid0624, many folks have been enjoying them for quite some time and there doesn't seem to be any slowing down in development. The newest release in the the saga of Liquid is the LiquidSmooth ROM for the Galaxy Nexus. This ROM stands out for a few reasons: it's being hyped as one of the fastest ROMs available, is extremely light, super snappy and runs LeanKernel. The zip itself is just 92MB, which is tiny compared to some other ROMs. Google Apps are already baked right into the ROM, so that makes installation a breeze. Look below for our installation guide.

Installation Instructions:

Download zip file and place on device's storage.
Reboot into ClockworkMod and create nandroid backup.
Wipe data/cache. (Required)
Navigate to LiquidSmooth zip file and hit "Install."
Reboot and enjoy.

If you need any help, feel free to leave questions down below and we'll do our best to help people out. Via: RootzWiki

LG is Planning to Get Revolutionary at MWC, Three Phones We May See

Kellen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:25:17 +0000

The press invites for Mobile World Congress (MWC) are starting to roll out in waves. The latest is from LG, who plans to show off "Revolutionary Smartphones" at the event, 3 of which we may already know about. While LG doesn't have the greatest of reputations when it comes to Android phones, they are certainly making a big play in 2012. Here are some of the LG leaks that have a better than average chance at making an MWC appearance.

LG X3: Rumored to be LG's first NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core device, it sports a 4.7" HD screen, runs Ice Cream Sandwich, and has an 8MP camera. Not many other details are available, but with that screen size and the fact that it has a Tegra 3, we are willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. More info.
Optimus 3D 2: For whatever reason, LG has decided to create another 3D smartphone even after the sub-par performance of the LG Thrill. This 2nd edition will feature a NOVA display, dual-core processor, and a thinner body. Not much else is expected from it. If you like 3D on phones, this should be right up your alley. More info.
Optimus Vu: The wildcard and potentially most interesting of the 3 phones is the Optimus Vu. Rumored to sport a 5" screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, NFC, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, dual cameras and Gingerbread, you have to at least want to fondle this thing once, don't you? Its square-like body brings such an odd shape to the smartphone realm that LG at least has our attention on this one. More info.

Three offerings that LG expects to revolutionize the game. I'm not so sure any of these can do that, but all 3 phones offer something so completely different that we'll give LG props for at least trying. Interested in any of these devices?

DROID Bionic 5.9.902 Update Rolling Out to All Users

Kellen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:45:43 +0000

DROID Bionic owners, the latest 5.9.902 update for your device is available to be pulled. Cruise into Settings>About phone>System updates and the 57.6MB file should pop up asking to be downloaded. Once completed, your Bionic will be much more stable, have better data connectivity, and longer battery life. You can read the full changelog here. Cheers Shane, Marty, Drew and Jim!

DROID 4 Available Now from Verizon, BOGO RAZR Deals and Double Data Too

Kellen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:14:38 +0000

Today is a great day to think about picking up a new 4G LTE smartphone from Verizon. Not only do you have the new DROID 4 (our hands-on) to consider, but you can buy a DROID RAZR and receive a 2nd one for free through a BOGO deal that just went live. We were told that the RAZR MAXX would also be a part of this BOGO promo, but VZW's site doesn't necessarily reflect that up front. Oh, and if you are a new customer, Big Red will double your 4G LTE data plan from 2GB to 4GB or 5GB to 10GB at regular pricing.

Links: Valentine's Deals | DROID 4 Cheers Marquis!

New HTC Device With Incredible 2 Styling Leaks With 4G LTE and Running Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:45:28 +0000

A new HTC device sporting a Verizon 4G LTE logo, Ice Cream Sandwich and an Incredible-inspired backside has been outed. An official name is unknown, but with this looking all but confirmed for Big Red, should we assume that it is the HTC Fireball that we first wrote about back in December? What do we have for specs? This particular phone has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, VGA front camera, and what is being reported as an AMOLED screen rather than a Super LCD that HTC loves to use. On the software side of things, we can see from the screenshots that this is new HTC Sense running on top of Android 4.0. The unfortunate part about that is the fact that it really looks nothing like Android 4.0 and is instead Sense, Sense and more Sense. No word on a release, however, with Verizon's month of February now wide open after the launch of the DROID 4 today, you have to consider the idea that this might be there next.

Interested in this phone? It's not quad-core and comes off like an HTC Rezound, only with the Incredible 2 back. Via: PhoneArena

Thursday Poll: First OEM to Push a Skinned Ice Cream Sandwich Update to a Phone?

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:40:09 +0000

HTC announced this morning via Facebook that they plan to push their first Ice Cream Sandwich update to the Sensation towards the end of March with the Rezound following some time thereafter. Motorola has guaranteed that it will come to the RAZR and Bionic sometime soon. LG talked about it for the Spectrum during CES. And Samsung already has builds in the works for the Galaxy SII. But who will get it out first? Over the last couple of years each of these manufacturers has heard the criticism from Android enthusiasts when it comes to the timeliness of their updates, so we would love to see where your mind sits now. Can Moto beat others to the punch or will someone like LG scoop everyone? [poll id="134"]

Gameloft Releases Real Football 2012 For Android, Soccer Fans Rejoice

Tim — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:15:33 +0000

For all you real football (Americans call it soccer) fans, go check out Gameloft's newest creation, Real Football 2012. It's free on the Android Market, and is the best thing you'll be able to find if you love the FIFA line of games. It's entirely licensed so you'll be able to play as your favorite teams, favorite players, and make it all the way to the World Cup. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Zv5mxy5Cs[/youtube]

Google Home Entertainment Center Making Its Way To Market This Year?

Tim — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:40:30 +0000

More reports from the WSJ today, show that Google could in fact be launching a Google-branded home entertainment system for consumer's homes as early as this year. With the new entertainment systems, users could stream music to Google-made speakers or an assortment of other devices. And of course, will have huge pairing capabilities with Android smartphones and tablets. The good folks over at The Verge also make a great point that this could be a different or more built of version of Project Tungsten that we saw at Google I/O back in May. Any folks that would be in line for the first Google home entertainment system? Skip to 46:45 in the video below to see Google's demonstration of Project Tungsten: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxzucwjFEEs[/youtube] Via: The Verge

History of App Stores and Their Milestones [Infographic]

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:07:36 +0000

The Android and iOS app stores have hit their share of milestones over the last couple of years. Their number of apps available, downloaded and paid for are increasing with every blink of the eye. But have you ever wondered what a timeline of those milestones looked like? When both markets officially kicked things off or when they hit their first billionth download? Thanks to the folks at ShoutEm, we get just that through an inforgraphic.

(Click to enlarge)

Via: ShoutEm

Ultimate Video Guide to the DROID 4 by Motorola

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:30:41 +0000

The DROID 4 will be in stores tomorrow for $199 and we know that many of you are interested in picking one up. 4G LTE and QWERTY have been done in the past, but most of our keyboard lovers were holding out for something as powerful as this. So for those of you with edge-lit slideouts in your sights, jump past the break to see more tutorial videos than you will know what to do with. MotoCast, cameras, design, docks, and simultaneous voice and data are all covered. Oh, and be sure to check out our first impressions of the device here. Meet the DROID 4: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-0SGDmeAcE[/youtube] Device design: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnv2fmkA9_Q[/youtube] Smart Actions overview: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ektwoOrjJcQ[/youtube] Cameras and video: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQTqwLDdsXM[/youtube] Using MotoCast: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRTVdWq55Zs[/youtube] Music player: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tdoNVW8ngk[/youtube] Simultaneous voice and data: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUIToscaaVg[/youtube] DROID 4 in the Lapdock 500: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SihOiQRcxgc[/youtube] Navigation dock: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egvmNQEX6Ng[/youtube] Another handful of videos can be found at Motorola's Youtube channel.

Google to Launch Cloud Storage Service "Drive" in Coming Weeks or Months?

Tim — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:21 +0000

Reports from the Wall Street Journal have hatched many stories across the Internet regarding Google's up and coming launch of a cloud storage based system that would compete with and most likely try to dominate the competition. The service from Google is called, "Drive" and those close to the project say that it will be free for everyone unless if you want bigger online storage. Drive is "expected" to launch in the coming weeks or months according to WSJ. Many have been comparing the new service to Dropbox or Box, but there are no official details as to whether or not this is exactly true. Some reports state Drive is a way for users to upload media/documents to the cloud, then share it across any other platform they see fit. Others have it pegged along the lines of tying in more with Google+ and Search, plus Your World. If reports from WSJ are correct, then maybe we will find out fairly soon. Via: WSJ

WSJ: Google Acquisition of Motorola to Clear as Early as Next Week

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:32:48 +0000

According to "people familiar with the matter," Google's acquisition of Motorola could clear through the U.S. Justice Department as early as next week. Proposed back in August to the tune of $12.5 billion, we can't wait this deal to be completed. As fans of Motorola's hardware and haters of their bootloader policies, one can hope that Google will step int to help preserve the integrity of Android. They have said time and time again that Moto will act as its own entity, but that doesn't mean policies can't change to better match those of Google's. And aside from the software side of Android, this obviously allows Google to use Motorola's patent portfolio at will going forward. Tech patent battles are not going to end any time soon. Will your impressions of Motorola change once this deal finalized? Or will you need to see immediate action from Google in order to accept Moto back into your life? Via: WSJ

Google Comments on Google Wallet Root Vulnerability, Another Supposed Non-Root Security Issue Arises

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:44:20 +0000

If you missed the story from yesterday about a security vulnerability in Google Wallet for rooted users, please check it out here. For those that are up to speed, we wanted to make sure you saw Google's statement to The Next Web which acknowledges that this issue exists on rooted phones, only. Not to downplay yesterday's report, but again, this really only applies to those that root their phone, leave it unprotected up front at the lock screen, and then lose it or have it stolen. The chances of all three of those things happening are pretty slim, let alone expecting the person that steals it to know about zVelo's secret PIN-collecting app. Just sayin'. Here is the full statement:

The zvelo study was conducted on their own phone on which they disabled the security mechanisms that protect Google Wallet by rooting the device. To date, there is no known vulnerability that enables someone to take a consumer phone and gain root access while preserving any Wallet information such as the PIN. We strongly encourage people to not install Google Wallet on rooted devices and to always set up a screen lock as an additional layer of security for their phone.

Issue addressed. Although, we aren't seeing any mention of a fix as was suggested by zVelo yesterday. In related news, another story has popped up today which suggests that Google Wallet is vulnerable even if you aren't rooted. In a way, this report is correct. If you have Wallet installed, you can open its application settings page and "Clear data" on it. The next time you open it, you will be asked to set up the app again including a new PIN. If they then select a Google Prepaid card, it will add the card that was previously associated with the Gmail account selected and the device's ID. So in theory, someone could steal your phone, clear data on the app, re-launch it and access the funds you have added to a Google Prepaid Card. Sounds bad, right? For the third time, this only affects those that have had their phone stolen or lost and have then chosen to leave their phone without protection up front. But, we should also point out that clearing data on the app won't allow the thief to access any of your credit cards that have been previously added. If data is cleared on the app, all credit cards need to be set back up as you did from the beginning. So the only thing vulnerable here is Google Prepaid funds that are attached to your Google account. And remember, that each time you set up Wallet and add a prepaid card, an email is sent to your Gmail account. So if you lose your phone and see a new Wallet email, you would want to call and have the service shut down on your phone so that your funds are preserved. Most of you would probably do this anyway if your phone was jacked. I know it sounds like I am downplaying both issues, but they really aren't all that scary and are issues that would arise if any phone was stolen, let alone one that has access to Google Wallet. They make great headlines though. Cheers Nyko!

Netflix Updated - Facebook Sharing For Non-US Users, Software Volume Controls Added For Tablet Users

Tim — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:03:52 +0000

The ever-so-popular Netflix for Android application has been updated, bringing a few neat new features for everyone's enjoyment. We had been hoping it was the "HD for everyone" update, but alas, we must still be patient for that. Non-US users (sorry, folks) can now share shows and movies with their Facebook friends. For tablet users, they now have the ability to control the app's volume with software controls instead of using the hardware buttons and there is also improved audio/video syncing across the board for all devices. Solid update for a solid application. Full Changelog:

Added Facebook sharing for Android phones and tablets in Latin America, Canada, the UK and Ireland
Added software volume controls for tablet users
Improved audio/video syncing for tablets and phones
Resolved split picture and flickering issues on select tablets

Market Link

Video: Motorola Demos Their New Multi-Device HD Docks for the DROID 4

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:51:57 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQeH26xxLWg[/youtube]

At least we think these HD docks are new. For so long, when Motorola introduces a new phone, they also introduce a new line of docks that are only compatible with that device. It's unfortunate for users who buy multiple Moto devices or have upgraded from an old one. They end up having to re-buy all of their accessories again. Those days may be coming to an end though. In a series of videos recently released for the DROID 4 (our unboxing), we get a look at two new HD docks that will work with multiple Moto tablets and smartphones (aside from the RAZR and RAZR MAXX). As long as your Moto tablet has a bottom port and your phone has a side port, you can use these new docks. They are adjustable depending on the phone and also work with cases. All I can say is, "It's about damn time."

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agTCTRGuTZ8[/youtube]

More: HD Dock | HD Station Cheers Timothy!

Motorola DROID 4 Unboxing and Quick Hands-on

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:06:58 +0000

The Motorola DROID 4 will launch in Verizon stores tomorrow, February 10, for $199 on new 2-year contract. For keyboard lovers, this is the first phone to sport both 4G LTE and a dual-core processor, making this your best option. With its 1GB of RAM, 4" screen, 8MP HD camera, edge-lit keyboard, and future global readiness, it's definitely the most powerful and complete phone with a keyboard we have ever seen from Verizon. However, there are some concerns about the quality of the screen and whether or not its 1785mAh non-removable battery are enough to make you pass up the RAZR MAXX, Galaxy Nexus or Rezound. After a quick few minutes with the device, the display appears to be the same as what we saw on the DROID X2, DROID 3 and Bionic - three screens you know we are not fans of. And then there is the battery, which isn't small by any means, but will get you no where near the single-charge use that the MAXX will. Is a DROID 4 MAXX on the horizon? I hope not, as that would be another tank to add to a list that we thought was no longer growing. Gallery and unboxing below.

Gallery:

Unboxing:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwBdJBtNlOo[/youtube]

DROID RAZR Root Tool Released, Helps You Do Whatever You Want With Your RAZR

Eric — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:26:31 +0000

Root tools are all the rage these days. It lets the Android devs put together a package to help people root and modify their phone who otherwise may not be able to go through and do all the adb commands or coding. The latest that we have come across is a utility tool for the DROID RAZR. Released on XDA and only working on Windows for now, this tool allows you to do almost anything you can think of with your RAZR.

Restoring a stock system image, installing the rootkepper app, and even rooting can all be done through this nifty little script. Head on over to XDA and download it if you are interested. This only works on Windows so far so be warned, and please make a backup before you do anything to your precious phone.

Via: XDA

HTC Details Ice Cream Sandwich Upgrade Schedule, Rezound Not in the First Batch

Tim — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:54:34 +0000

HTC has taken to Facebook to let consumers know which devices in their lineup will be first to receive the Ice Cream Sandwich updates. According to HTC, we can expect to see the updates begin to roll out by the end of March for the original Sensation, Sensation 4G, Sensation XE, followed shortly there after by the Sensation XL. The following batch of devices will include the Rezound and Incredible S, but there is no time frame listed for that device other than, "later this year." We can be thankful that HTC is keeping us in the loop at least, but we know that Rezound owners would rather have ICS sooner, rather than later. The Thunderbolt was not mentioned. Via: Facebook Cheers George!

Motorola: Google's Nexus Hardware Choice to Blame for Slow Android Updates

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:12:38 +0000

Ever wondered why it takes so long for smartphone manufacturers to push the latest version of Android to your phone? According to Motorola, it's because of hardware. And more specifically, it's because of the hardware and chipsets that Google chooses to develop their newest versions of Android on. As many of you know, Google invites all Android players to produce a phone and submit it for consideration at becoming the next "Nexus." It's a battle we don't know all the specifics on, but with Samsung winning the last two Nexus titles, you should have an idea as to what Google expects. But with Google choosing a particular manufacturer to build the phone, they also pick a processor and other hardware components that they feel will really help push development of the platform. You may not see the normal pairings for chipsets and phones when it comes to a Nexus. For example, the Galaxy Nexus is produced by Samsung and runs a TI OMAP4460. Samsung has almost always used their own processors in phones and from time to time will slip in something from Qualcomm, but TI is new ground for them. So Motorola is basically saying that Google is optimizing Android for that specific phone and chipset, which then makes it difficult for other manufacturers who use other chipsets to get Android to play nicely, hence the long drawn out update periods. And Google does in fact optimize the newest version of Android for whatever chipset and phone that has been chosen, which is why Nexus devices are almost always more fluid, responsive, and stable at the OS level than other non-Nexus phones. (Notice I said "OS level" and not "radio level" - damn Samsung.) Hard to argue with the idea that it could slow them down some, but it's also not the only reason these things take so long. You also can't forget that Moto and other OEMs like to slap on their custom skins and that carriers want their grubby hands all over the updates once they are finished to make sure they will work well enough on their network. There are a number of factors here. Hardware compatibility is one, just not the only one. Via: PCMag

NVIDIA Preparing to Unveil At Least a Few Quad-Core Phones at MWC

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:39:28 +0000

CES 2012 was a bust for the most part. There were a couple of highlights, but we walked out of there shrugging our shoulders at the lack of big announcements. Mobile World Congress on the other hand, even without the Galaxy SIII, is not going to be a bust. NVIDIA's press invite should tell you all you need to know about the tech world's next big conference: Tegra 3 quad-core phones. While it may not specifically say "phones," the picture is clear. The guy at the front of the rollercoaster wearing NVIDIA green is holding a smartphone. And since we have seen quad-core tablets already, the smartphone world is ready to have their party. "Great" battery life and PC-like performance is about to be in your pocket on a daily basis. LG, HTC, and Fujitsu are all expected to be in attendance. Are you all ready for it?

Casio G'z0ne Commando Receives Push-to-Talk in Update

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:03:06 +0000

Talk about a day of Verizon updates, right? First we received word from a number of readers that both RAZRs and the XOOM LTE were seeing new builds. Then we noticed that the XYBOARD tablets were also scheduled to receive their first updates within the next couple of days. And now another reader awoke to a nice Casio G'z0ne Commando update that gives him push-to-talk abilities. He said that the update only bumped him to Android 2.3.3, but you can tell that Verizon slipped in enough bug fixes to make this pretty significant. And the fact that they added push-to-talk after the phone has been on the market for so long is actually very cool. Who knew you could add such a service so far down the road. Why they didn't release the phone with push-to-talk from the beginning is beyond me - seems like it would have been another selling point. The update is 35.9MB in size. More info. Cheers Wade!

XYBOARD 10.1 and 8.2 Have Updates Available as Well, Both Become Global Roaming Devices (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:54:10 +0000

More updates for Verizon Android devices! The DROID XYBOARD tablets are up next and will receive build 1.6.0M_279. That's right, both will see almost the same exact update. The only difference we were able to spot, were the additional "Stylus enhancements" that are included in the 10.1's new build. Other than that both will receive better browser performance, improved touch response, will hold data connection while toggling between WiFi, and most notably, are now "Global Roaming" devices. If you are keeping track, these would be Big Red's first 4G LTE global devices, something we hope points towards them unlocking the ability in phones. Update: Verizon reached out to explain exactly how this global update will work. First, XYBOARDs will receive the update that is detailed in this post. Within 2 weeks, a second update will arrive that updates the SIM card, making it ready for global travels. Once users have received both they will have coverage in 205 countries, and more than 150 of those with 3G speeds. The updates are 83.8MB in size.

More info: XYBOARD 10.1 | XYBOARD 8.2

DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX Updates Actually Rolling Out Today, XOOM LTE Too

Kellen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:34:15 +0000

A few reports would have led you to believe that the 6.12.73 updates for the RAZR and RAZR MAXX were rolling out a couple of days ago, but that wasn't the mass push to all users. That was for soak test members and a few lucky devices that happened to gain access to it early. The update for all RAZR and RAZR MAXX owners actually started rolling out last night and this morning. So if you haven't pulled it yet, head into Settings>About phone>System updates and it should be available. Here is the full changelog from Verizon. In related news, the XOOM LTE on Verizon is expecting a minor update at any moment. In fact, a couple of our readers have already received it as Android 3.2.6 build HLK75H. It's minor and has to do with international travel and data connectivity. It is not Ice Cream Sandwich. *Note - You will lose root by updating. However, if you use Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper, you should be able to re-establish it just after updating. And here is the XOOM changelog (more info):

Screenshot after the update:

Cheers Scott, Brian, Daniel and jason!

Report: Google Wallet PINs May Be Vulnerable on Rooted Devices

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:29:56 +0000

According to malware analytics group zVelo, Google Wallet PINs may be vulnerable if your phone is rooted. From their research and the video demo below, you will see that a simple .apk can be installed onto a rooted phone that can access PIN information, opening up your Wallet app to intruders should your phone fall into the wrong hands. The chances of that happening are obviously incredibly low, but we thought that you should all be aware of the situation. zVelo was kind enough to contact Google ahead of this report and confirmed that this vulnerability does indeed exist. They worked to figure out a fix which turned out to be moving PIN verification into the SE (secure element) of the NFC chip in your phone. While this is apparently not that big of a deal on the fixing front, it could move the responsibility of PIN protection onto banks rather than Google, something that zVelo is not a fan of. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P655GXnE_ic[/youtube] That was obviously the briefest of summaries. If you would like to read the long version with technical secure details, hit up the source link below. In the mean time, we'll toss out some ways that you can protect yourself. First, don't root your phone (like that's going to happen). Second, don't lose your phone. Third, if you do plan on losing your phone, use something other than slide-to-unlock to protect your phone. Fourth (and for the 100th time), don't download shady apps from shady 3rd party markets who ask for random internet permissions. Via: zVelo

Wednesday Poll: Does it matter to you that mobile Flash is dead?

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:50:28 +0000

Adobe announced a couple of months ago that its mobile version of Flash would no longer be developed for and that it was essentially dead. At one time, mobile Flash was one of the #1 selling points for Android phone manufacturers. Once Froyo hit, you couldn't turn around without seeing Moto or HTC or Verizon bragging about the "full web" thanks to Adobe Flash. Now that those days are all but over and major apps like Chrome will not have mobile Flash, we are wondering if it matters to anyone. The web is moving more and more towards HTML5 and according to our poll yesterday, folks have decided that apps without Flash might be more valuable compared to those that have it. So let us know, will you miss Flash? [poll id="133"]

Could Super Meat Boy Possibly Be Headed To Android?

Tim — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:04:06 +0000

According to a recent response to questions posted by fans on Formspring, Team Meat could be looking to bring the classic Meat Boy to Android sometime in the future. Tommy Refenes, one of game's designers said, "Yes. If it comes out, it'll come out for everything at the same time. I like Android more than I like iOS." Well, that's all we needed to hear. Meat Boy has a cult-like following and is based on a red cubed character that is out to save his girlfriend. It might sound like Mario, but trust us, it's way more ridiculous. If we hear more, we'll keep you posted. Via: Pocket Gamer

Google+ for Android Updated: What's Hot, Who +1'ed, and Other Performance Tweaks Included

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:23:20 +0000

The Google+ team rolled out a significant update to their Android app today. Two features that were talked about back in January are now included: the What's Hot list and the ability to see who +1'ed a post. They also tossed in an infinite photos feed, the stream no longer jumps to the top for auto-refreshes, and stream posts have been shortened. Thanks, Google. Full changelog:

Massive performance improvements across the app
What's Hot!
View who +1'd a post or comment
Stream posts shortened to fit more per scroll
Infinite photos feed in 'From your circles'
Stream no longer jumps to the top for an automatic refresh

Market Link Still curious, is anyone using Google+ yet? We are on there more than ever now, but it still seems like it isn't pulling folks away from that other social networking service.

Foursquare Update Includes NFC Beam Support, Piggybacking Your Friends' Check-ins Became Awesome

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:10:20 +0000

Forget the new Google+ update that just went live, today is all about the fact that Foursquare included Android Beam support in their latest update. Now, when you are out with your crew and one of them checks into the ~~strip~~ chess club before you, a simple butt-to-butt rubbing between your Galaxy Nexii will get you checked in right behind him. No need to put your ~~dollars~~ Rook down for any two-thumbed typing. Bump Nexus, tap to Beam the venue, and check-in. This is all with me assuming that you know another person that owns an NFC device. Love me some Beam. Market Link

Instagram Creator Holds Up Android Phone in Best Buy Super Bowl Ad, Maybe It Really is Coming Soon?

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:26:40 +0000

Yesterday, news spread throughout the Android world that Instagram - the ultra-popular iOS hipster filter photo app - was finally headed to Android because of a notification on a Galaxy Tab that read "Featured App: Instagram." Most assume that Samsung is going to try and highlight the app either through their own personal app store or maybe in a new update. Well, to help add to the idea that the app is almost ready for Android, a reader noticed that during Best Buy's Super Bowl commercial of smartphone innovators, that one of Instagram's co-creators (Kevin Systrom) holds up an Android phone to show off his creation. We captured screenies to show that he indeed does have in his hand an HTC device (or is that a Motorola Photon?), most likely a Sensation XL hence the red soft keys. Now, we see snafus like this in commercials or ads all of the time and also understand that maybe Best Buy didn't want to deal with licensing an Apple product for this particular one, so this isn't a definitive sign that Instagram is just around the corner. But again, why would the creator of one of the most popular iOS apps of all time show off his work on Android to millions of people instead? A closer look:

And the video: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6CuhvvWWks[/youtube] Cheers Shannon!

Microsoft Releases OneNote For Android, Take Fancy Notes Wherever You Are

Tim — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:04:23 +0000

Microsoft has launched the classic OneNote application onto the Android platform. What is OneNote? It's a classy note taking app that allows for users to place pretty pictures, bullet points and text notes from their mobile device for later usage. You can then open up your notes from your mobile or your PC whenever you need them. All you need is a Windows Live ID and you're able to use the app to its full extent. Market Link

³ Music Player Updated - High Res Album Art and Icon Included

Tim — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:05:17 +0000

People still rave about the music application called, "Cubed." It's a standard player, but brings a more aesthetically pleasing feel to your device by placing album covers around a cube that you can swipe and spin however you see fit. It's a new twist on the idea of shuffling. Cubed has just received an update that brings a few tweaks here and there and an overall more stable and great looking app with added high resolution cover art. I think it's time for a music player poll... Market Link Cheers Jason!

Tip: If Your DROID RAZR MAXX Freezes Up, This Trick Will Save You

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:37:02 +0000

We actually wrote this tip up when the original RAZR was released, but we would hate for RAZR MAXX owners to find themselves without a trick to get out of a similar bind. Since neither phone has a removable battery, you are unable to do what we call a "battery pull" to reboot your phone if it were to lock up. On normal Android phones, popping your battery in and out can be a life saver, but for the RAZRs, we have to go with what's available to reboot. That would be the physical buttons that are attached to the outside. So if you are ever in a situation where your phone is unresponsive and you cannot get it to turn off, this is what you should do:

Press and hold Volume Down + Power for 10-15 seconds until your powers itself off.

Once your phone is off, power it back on using the Power switch and get back to enjoying Android. *H/T to my Mom who had a RAZR freeze up this morning and found our original tip.

Samsung: No Press Conference At This Year's Mobile World Congress

Tim — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:50:55 +0000

Besides a possible few product introductions, it seems as though Samsung won't have much of a strong presence at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC). This morning, they have confirmed via email to PC Mag that they will not be hosting a press conference, but instead will be holding off on their big announcements until later this year. Samsung won't be showing up at MWC empty handed by any means though and analysts are anticipating the unveil of their newest line of tablet that sports the new Exynos 5250 processor. So we may not be seeing the new Galaxy SIII, but we are sure the wait will be worth it when this new Galaxy device is introduced. Via: PC Mag

Silly Chrome Trick: Flick Upwards in the Tab View to Get a Surprise

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:32:54 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qexgxc37gM[/youtube]

Google loves to hide "Easter Eggs" inside many of their products. For instance, if you jump into the About screen on your phone and tap numerous times on the Android version, you will find a surprise. It changes with each new major Android build and is something will always check for the minute one is released. So this little trick in Chrome Beta for Android is just another example of the fun things that Google does to their products behind the scenes. Cheers Johnathan and Dave!

LG Optimus Vu Makes First Appearance with 5" Screen, Dual-Core Processor, NFC and More

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:45 +0000

I'm going to be brutally honest here, this is not the way to re-invent the smartphone. With its 5" screen, strange 4:3 aspect ratio, and the fact that it's made by LG, this phone just looks silly. It's officially called the Optimus Vu - at least in Korea - and packs a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, NFC chip, 8GB of internal storage, 8MP camera and runs Android 2.3. It may or may not have a stylus and who knows if it will ever make its way to the U.S. Could we see it at the end of this month in MWC? I certainly hope so, because I'm dying to hear the sales pitch. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pinvuidqgDw[/youtube] Ready to carry around a square phablet/phonablet/weird thing? Via: Engadget

Asus Transformer Prime Receives Minor Update to Build 9.4.2.13

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:48 +0000

Transformer Prime owners, jump into About tablet>System Firmware Update and grab yourself the latest from Asus. The update itself appears to be very minor and small in size, but the WiFi version is updated slightly along with Bluetooth. The new build is 9.4.2.13-20120203 if you are keeping track. Cheers Androidformetoo!

Chrome to Mobile Lets You Share Web Pages From Your PC to Your Phone - Yeah It's Exactly Like Chrome to Phone

Kellen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:05:12 +0000

If you checked out our first impressions of Chrome for Android yesterday, then you probably noticed in the top screenshot a toggle for "Chrome to Mobile." At first, we assumed this was just a tie-in to the already present Chrome to Phone extension in the market and on the PC version of Chrome that allows you to send current web pages directly to your phone. Well, that's exactly what it does, only it's a completely separate extension that needs to be installed in your PC Chrome browser instead of Chrome to Phone. Why on Earth they would not try to merge the services is beyond me, but so you know, "Chrome to Mobile" is separate from "Chrome to Phone" only it works in basically the same way. How to set it up: 1. The first thing you will need to do is open your PC Chrome browser and grab the extension. 2. Once you have that installed, you should see a little phone icon appear in your address bar:

3. You will want to click that and then follow the instructions on the screen to get it set up. 4. Then open your Chrome for Android app and head into settings to make sure the service is turned on.

5. Once turned on, head back to your browser, find a page you want to send, and click the little phone icon. 6. It may ask you to choose a device depending on how many you have with Chrome for Android. 7. Once the site is sent, your Chrome will pop up automatically. Enjoy! *Note - As many have pointed out in the comments, Chrome to Phone is actually much more feature-rich than Chrome to Mobile, we just felt the need to point out that these services should have been combined from the beginning. Both products are run by Google, why not merge them together? Hopefully they will in later releases.

baconreader Receives Sizable Update for Ice Cream Sandwich Devices - Scrollable Widget, Beam Support, Hardware Acceleration and More

Kellen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:10:29 +0000

If you are into reddit and Android, you have likely heard of baconreader. It's made by OneLouder Apps, the same crew that produced 1Weather, SportCaster, and TweetCaster to name a few. Their reddit app though, is the go-to for the service. It received a mention-worthy update this afternoon that brought with it a scrollable and resizable widget, NFC Beam support, hardware acceleration, subreddit widgets that refresh depending on frequency, and more. It's mostly Ice Cream Sandwich related, but you won't complain, will you? Here is the full list:

Widget points to selected subreddit, and refreshes at selected frequency
Widget supports scrolling and resizing on Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich devices
Supports Beam on NFC-enabled Ice Cream Sandwich devices
Supports Hardware Acceleration
Posts, widgets, external images and gifs, and comments load more quickly due to component rewrites
Widget points to the appropriate story in the application
If you like what you see, please consider changing your rating in the Android Market!

Market Links: Free | Premium ($1.99) Cheers @Esteinberger!

Tuesday Poll: Thoughts on Chrome Beta for Android? Your New Browser?

Kellen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:02:34 +0000

Chrome Beta for Android was completely unexpected and sort of took the tech world by storm this afternoon. We gave our first impressions on it, talk about a couple of issues that may or may not be addressed, praised it in a number of ways, and are more than likely going to make it our daily browser. After all, there is a good chance that this will become the official Android browser before long. It doesn't have Flash support though, and according to Adobe, it may never. Is that a killer for you? Will you stick with another browser option or have you already made Chrome your default? [poll id="132"]

First Impressions: Chrome Beta for Android

Kellen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:20:22 +0000

Now that I have had some time to toss around this new Chrome Beta for Android, I thought I would share some of my initial thoughts and reactions to it. As a reminder though, this is definitely in a first edition beta which means there are some bugs and nuances that Google needs to work out for it to have the polish of the official Android browser. For the most part, it's pretty damn awesome. Let's get to it.

Syncing Other than some fancy UI tweaks, the coolest part of Chrome Beta for Android is easily its syncing abilities. The Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich browsers have had the ability to sync for the most part, but not on this live "real time" level. If you have your PC's Chrome browser synced, you can view all of your tabs on your phone, access those same pages, etc. Firefox has been doing this for a bit now, but the sluggishness of that browser overall even after dozens of updates has made it not much of an option. For many of you, this is the first time you will have experienced real time syncing. With that said, Chrome for Android so far has been finicky when it comes to syncing, but once it does, it works better than you would expect. Since it's a beta, we will try not to be too harsh over the fact that it took almost an hour to get our device to sync. Now that it has, I'm impressed with it. Also, it does a great job of syncing bookmarks, separating them into folders from Chrome on your PC and then allowing you to manage them.

Two Tips: Transitions and Text Preview Two things that I initially had been using for the last couple of hours yet managed to leave out of this review were pointed out in the comments as pretty major features, so I'm adding this quick section to make sure everyone is aware of them. The first is the ability to flip between your tabs by simply sliding your finger from the edge of your phone across either left or right. Again, you have to start your finger almost off of your screen and then onto it to activate the slide. The second thing is to activate Chrome's new zooming feature for small text areas. As you can see in the screenie on the right, I tapped in our "Recent Posts" widget which had 5 links in it. Since Chrome was unable to recognize or possibly didn't want to guess which link I was trying to tap, it zoomed out on that area, giving me a close up look at the links. I was then able to choose the exact link. Cool, right?

UI and Polish The look of Chrome for Android is an odd mix that we both like and dislike at the same time. It utilizes swiping gestures very well and includes beautiful transitions, but none of it reflects Ice Cream Sandwich whatsoever. Obviously Chrome is its own brand that is separate from Android, however, you get the feeling that this browser was made to eventually replace the stock Android browser. Now, there is time for them to work out all of the kinks in it and theme it to make it official or even steal some of the new features and bring them to Android, but for now, it feels like what it is, a separate product. Overall though, it looks as good as any other Android browser out there. Plus, the tilt scrolling is simply too awesome to not play with for a few minutes.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bzdcw6WSr8[/youtube]

No Flash Many of you noticed immediately that Chrome for Android lacked Flash support. It's unfortunate, but with Adobe announcing the end of mobile Flash support a few months back, this is not surprising. They also released a statement this afternoon confirming that this product will likely never support Flash, as they have moved their focus on to HTML5. Lack of Quick Controls The lack of "Quick Controls" that are in the stock ICS and Honeycomb Android browsers is killing me already. We understand that this is an Android "Labs" feature, but how difficult would it be for one of these two teams to port it to Chrome. It could happen at some point, but that could be dependent on whether or not Chrome becomes the official Android browser. Wrap-up This browser is my new phone browser. It's that simple. The fact that I can essentially manage my internet world from either PC or phone is something that I have longed for. As a first release, Chrome for Android has bugs and will annoy you at times, but the benefits of using it as a daily driver are outweighing those shortcomings. This is as fully-featured (aside from a lack of Flash support) a browser as you will find. What are your initial impressions? Can't survive without Flash? Or is fully-featured enough to get beyond that?

MOTOACTV Receiving Special Update in March - Will Include 40 New Activities to Track, Other Requested Features

Tim — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:45:20 +0000

The folks at Motorola have announced that starting March 7, another update for MOTOACTV will begin rolling out. Included in the update will be the ability to set up WiFi directly to the device, turn on the display with a flick of the wrist, and the opportunity to host your own competitions with other ACTV users on their website. Additionally, Motorola is also adding 40 new activities for you to monitor and track online including yoga, Pilates, and even martial arts. Stay healthy, Moto. Via: Motorola

Seesmic for Android Updated - Bug Fixes and Drops Google Buzz Support

Tim — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:17 +0000

Seesmic for Android has just received its first in update in what seems like forever. The update brings a few bug fixes, support for t.co links, and actually drops support for Google Buzz. You can use Seesmic as an easy way to lump all of your social networks including Facebook and Twitter together for easy management while on the go. Seesmic hasn't seen any updates in a while - anyone still using it for their social needs? Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qqY43_l0go[/youtube]

CyanogenMod Team Releases Update On Progress Of CM9

Tim — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:15:46 +0000

If you feel like you are the only person to notice that there hasn't been a huge amount of CyanogenMod 9 builds for the vast amount of Android devices released, don't worry, you aren't alone. With previous versions of Android, you could see CM ported to practically any device you could imagine. From the newest blog update on the releases of CM9, we get the feeling that the CyanogenMod team definitely has their work cut out for themselves this time with Ice Cream Sandwich:

Since Android 4.0 is such a major change from 2.3, we started with a fresh codebase from Google and have been forward-porting features from CM7 with an eye on design and better integration. This is a somewhat time-consuming process, but it allows us to rethink everything. We’ve eliminated the CMParts app, instead choosing to add our custom features directly into the main settings. We are also taking a “just works” approach when it comes to configuration- CM7 had too many options that just weren’t widely used. We hope to achieve a good balance between tweakability and a great out-of-the-box experience. I want your phone or tablet to feel like it should have come with CM9.

So far, many owners of anything besides a Nexus handset or purely Vanilla device such as the Motorola XOOM, have not received CyanogenMod 9. I wouldn't say there will ever be riots of people demanding its release, but you can most certainly sense the yearn for the custom OS in the development threads of various forums. The CM team has always said that as soon as they know, the users will know. We'll keep you posted. Via: CyanogenMod

Adobe: Chrome for Android Does Not Support Flash

Tim — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:25:53 +0000

Many people realized after downloading Chrome for Android beta that it did not support Adobe's Flash. Should we be surprised by this? Well, Adobe doesn't think so. Last November they did announce that they would no longer be developing Flash for mobile browsers. So any new browsers that come to the Market, we can expect there to be no Flash support:

Today Google introduced Chrome for Android Beta. As we announced last November, Adobe is no longer developing Flash Player for mobile browsers, and thus Chrome for Android Beta does not support Flash content. Flash Player continues to be supported within the current Android browser.

No shock here, folks. But could the lack of Flash support turn you off from the new Chrome beta? At least for now until something better comes along? Via: Adobe

Google Voice Update Brings New ICS User Interface, Click-to-Call Feature to Tablets

Kellen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:23:40 +0000

Now that we have figured out how to install the mysterious Google Voice update that appeared in the market within the last couple of hours, it's time to dive into some of the new stuff we are seeing. The most noticeable change comes on the UI front. Google has introduced a new icon for the app that matches the color scheme for Ice Cream Sandwich as well as the overall look. All menu and action bars are now themed to fit the theme of other prominent Android 4.0 apps. The other cool thing one of our readers noticed was on his tablet - there is now an option for "Click-to-Call." If you click this button and then give it a number to call, it will send a call to your phone that will then connect to the number you requested. There has been a Chrome extension that worked in a similar way for a while now, but as far as we know, this is new to tablets. *Note - The market lists stuff about prefetching and sending to multiple recipients, but that was included in the update back in November. The official full changelog is not out yet. More pics below.

Market Link

Custom Theme Tuesday: Bgill55's Un-Blacked Out Theme For Galaxy Nexus

Tim — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:15:15 +0000

For folks who have been flashing ROMs and themes on their phones over the last few years, the name Brian "Bgill55" should ring a few bells. Brian has some of the best known themes available under his belt such as Invertnito, Synergy, and Incognito. Now with the release of the unlocked Galaxy Nexus, it looks like he is back to bring us another great theme. As far as we know, it still doesn't have an official name, other than "un-blacked out." Classy though, right? The theme is still in alpha phase, so you can expect a few things to not look right. If waiting for this sexy white theme is something you can't do, then go ahead and try it out right now.

Most important is that you must be on a naked version of AOKP M3 in order to flash. Download here. If you're already running a theme, you will need to re-flash the ROM so there are no themed assets. If you are already on an un-themed Build M3, then go ahead and follow the directions down below.

Instructions:

Download Un-Blacked Out Alpha zip file and place on phone's internal storage.
Boot into ClockworkMod Recovery and create nandroid backup.
Navigate to zip file's location.
Hit "Install".
Reboot and enjoy.

If you have any issues flashing or need any other help, let us know down below and we'll try to help you out. Happy flashing!

Video: Tilt Scrolling in Chrome for Android is Awesome

Kellen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:44:32 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bzdcw6WSr8[/youtube]

We love to tinker with apps, so whenever something new is released by Google, we almost always dive into the settings to look for developer options or new Labs features. Sure enough, Chrome for Android has just that in a feature called "Tilt Scrolling." It's not the most practical of all features, but the cool factor is too high to not show off. When you are in your "stack view" of open tabs, Chrome can use your accelerometer to spread your tabs apart or close them together. Again, the day-to-day usefulness of this can be questioned, but I think the point is to show you what this browser and a mobile device are capable of. We're officially impressed. To enable this option, head into Settings>developer tools and check the box to "Enable Tilt Scrolling." Other tips that you would like to share?