Thursday, 30 June 2011

Android Community

Android Community

Motorola Droid 3 Accessory List, Extended Battery and Inductive Charging Included

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 12:15 PM PDT

The Motorola Droid 3 is no secret and we’ve known it was coming for a while. With leaked photos and even shown on Verizon roadmaps. Now we are seeing an entire accessory list for the upcoming successor to the original DROID series.

Even looking at the top of the leaked image and not the accessory list it looks as if the Droid 3 will come with a 32GB MicroSD card included just like a few other Verizon phones of late so that is nice. On to that accessory list we see all sorts of goodies, from an extended battery over 1900 mAh to inductive charging and more, although you might want to get the HDMI cable somewhere else for cheap.

Motorola has been good in the past to release accessories like car docks and multimedia docks quickly along with their phones and the Droid 3 looks to be the same as I see a few of those listed as well. I wish all carriers did the same because I’d love a nice dock for a few of my Android phones sitting around. We should be hearing something official about the Droid 3 any time now and I’ve heard rumors of a July 14th release date so stay tuned for more.

[via Droid-Life]

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Cut The Rope Now in Android Market [Ad-Free] for $0.99

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:57 AM PDT

The extremely popular and top selling iOS game by Zepto Labs Cut the Rope has been available for Android the last week or so over at GetJar as they got the exclusive on it, sadly it comes with ads but then it is also free. If you haven’t downloaded the amazingly simple yet fun game I suggest you do because it’s as addicting as Angry Birds.

If you are like me and would rather play games without all the ads you can now buy Cut The Rope in the Android Market for only $0.99 and boy is it fun. I played it for at least an hour straight last night but it starts to get quite difficult and takes more than a few times to get all three stars.

The photos posted below might look a little goofy but they did want a cute game for all ages to appeal to the masses. The video above shows just how fun and engaging it can be so I highly suggest you all check it out. Click the source link below to head over to the Android Market and get to cutting those ropes.
cut the rope Cut the rope 1 rope 2

[via Cut The Rope]

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Motorola Droid Kernels v0.3 Released by Peter Alfonso

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:36 AM PDT

The OG Droid as some call it is in fact the original Motorola Droid that was hugely popular over on Verizon. I still see the Droid more than almost any other Android I think. If you have rooted or toyed with your Droid most likely you know the name Peter Alfonso, he is the man that has been keeping the Droid chugging along for a while. With stock rooted Android 2.3 builds as well as all the different kernels you could ever imagine.

Just released over at PeterAlfonso.com is his newest list of Droid Kernels. It has been over 2 months since he has released a kernel for the OG Droid so I’m sure there are a few users that have been patiently waiting. He explains everything and what they all mean very neatly for everyone to understand.

You can push the limits and overclock like crazy or run a stock speed undervolted kernel to get great battery life, he covers them all. You can look through all of his work and find what you need but as always be careful and know what you are doing. Flashing kernels, roms or doing any heavy overclocking can lead to a dead phone if not done right so use caution, but you knew that already right?

[via Peter Alfonso]

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Google+ Widget Included with Google+ App, Pretty Sweet

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:33 AM PDT

It’s becoming quite clear that the folks who designed the user interface for Google+ are quite brilliant. One of those people was Andy Hertzfeld, one of the original designers of the first Mac, so I’d hope so. One of the lesser-realized elements in the mobile app portion of the Google+ is the widget, a rather simple and super lovely looking 1×4 widget that sits on your desktop and gives you direct access to a share screen, your camera, your gallery for sharing already taken photos, or straight up entry into the Google+ application.

On the very left of this widget, which no matter what size you make it, remains one spot tall and four spots long, is the same G+ icon you’ve gotten used to by now if you’ve been using the Google+ mobile app which we’ve extensively reviewed and had a hands-on with here. This icon leads you directly into your Google+ app the same way your average Google+ shortcut does. Next is the Share bar – looking like a text entry location like you’d normally see in, say, a Google search widget (like you’ll also see in the screenshot above,) tapping this area leads you into the share window in your Google+ app.

Next is the camera button that’ll lead you right into your camera app – it’s important to note here that this isn’t your normal camera app, even though it does appear to be whatever camera application you’ve got set as default. This camera immediately moves into Google+ share window upon taking a photo and pressing “Save.” Finally you’ve got a Gallery button. This button leads you into your Google+ photo gallery, allowing you to interact with your photos and further share them to your heart’s delight!

SC20110630-131659 SC20110630-131708 SC20110630-131705 SC20110630-131623 SC20110630-131653 )


Motorola Xoom Back as eBay Daily Deal, 32GB Wi-Fi for $499

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:14 AM PDT

The Motorola Xoom is back as the daily deal over at eBay but it wont last long so you better hurry. If you missed it the Galaxy Tab 10.1 32GB was up yesterday for only a few dollars more. This price at eBay of $499 sure is nice considering the 32GB Xoom is still rocking a $599 price tag at most places.

It may not be as thin as the Galaxy Tab or look as sleek but the Xoom was and is the original Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablet. The first of its kind and will probably continue at least for a little while to be the first tablet to get updates from Google regarding the OS just as the Nexus One did. The Honeycomb tablet market is heating up quick and soon we will have many many choices to choose from but for now the Xoom is still an excellent choice.

We don’t know how long the deal will be up and it looks like they have already sold over 20 so if you’re wanting to get in on this I suggest you hurry. Head on over to eBay to get your own.

[via Droid-Life]

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TeamWin Finds EVO 3D Exploit, Root May Be Coming Soon

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:55 AM PDT

You may not know who TeamWin is but they are the guys that brought things like WIMAX and HDMI Mirror to CM7 for the EVO. They are hard at work but they have families and jobs just like the rest of us and this will take time. According to a few tweets along with an already huge thread over at XDA they have found an exploit in the kernel used on the HTC EVO 3D and are looking good for root access in the coming days.

you can follow @agrabren on Twitter or just keep your eyes on the xda thread. From what I am reading they are working blind and mainly punching holes throughout the kernel and hoping for the best but the exploit is a good one and it will just take some time. He is also pretty confident that the same exploit will also be available on the HTC Sensation 4G with some tweaking.

This is good news while we wait for HTC to update and unlock bootloaders like they promised. While sifting through the XDA thread I can also confirm that the recent OTA update going out for the EVO 3D does NOT ruin your chances from root because HTC does not know about the exploit at the moment. If you are worried just don’t accept OTA’s for now but a few have already confirmed the latest is ok to accept. Stay tuned as this all unfolds over the next few days.

[via XDA Forums]

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Get Your Google+ Invite from AndroidCommunity!

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Google just launched their new social networking plan and they are calling it Google+. With the million of Android owners and Gmail users and the rest of the population using some sort of product of Google, they seem to be in a good spot right about now. Google has already developed a great mobile application for Android and an iOS version is on the way, then the rest is done all via the web. Get your Google+ invite and start sharing thoughts or pictures with all your friends and family just like on any other platform. For now Invitations are closed and the program is in Beta, but once they start allowing invites again we’ll take care of you.

In case you guys missed it yesterday the program was still considered in closed beta until someone realized there was a Invite button on the lower right side of the screen while viewing your stream from the web. We all thought they opened the flood gates and everyone started inviting all their friends and family and it quickly became over capacity, but there was no birds holding up a whale over here at Google+. Instead it was quickly shut down and Vic Gundotra posted a little comment crushing everyone’s dreams of joining Google+ last night.

While the buzz is still strong we’re assuming Google will be opening the doors again any time now, and we will be ready for them. So for all of our faithful readers that would like to join we will be ready to invite you or at least get you on the growing list of invites for Google to approve. If you would like to leave your Gmail email below in the comments we will be sure to try our hardest to get you invited once the light hits green again.

Check out the other stories we have up regarding Google+ while you’re waiting.

AndroidCommunity Google+ 101
Google+ Mobile App Review

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Soc.io Mall Offers Android-based Multimedia Store – Win or Fake?

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:31 AM PDT

This is quite the interesting turn – Giga Market Ltc and Seavus Group have whipped up a new “mall” for Android that, if appearances are true, will take the rest of the app stores out there and throw them directly in the trash. This is Soc.io mall, an Android-based application and multimedia portal where you can purchase and download not only the apps that you love, but e-books, audio books, music, and video. Thus far they’ve only got apps, but they’ve got such impressive entries as Plants vs Zombies, Vignette, Angry Birds Seasons, and Falldown – but wait, something looks sort of suspicious…

If you’ll take a look in some sections of this new mall, you’ll see some rather suspicious looking half-breeds like 1Ninja Jump Free and 1Ant Smasher free – look like malware to you? Beyond that though, things look rather impressive. Whoever designed this mall either has some amazing graphic design and web design skill and is starting up something fantastic here, or the same is true and it’s a really intricate way to deliver viruses to your Android device.

Either way, we suggest cation when thinking about working with Soc.io at the moment. The concept is there, but if the majority of the apps we’re seeing aren’t legit (and this does seem to be the case,) we’re out.

That said, it’s interesting that new app stores are still popping up, especially ones with more to offer than just apps. Think of a mall for media delivered straight to your Android device – sound like something sweet to you? Sort of like what Google’s been whipping up for years now – perhaps this is a foretelling of the future!

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Hits the FCC with AT&T Radios

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:01 AM PDT

We have seen the Galaxy Tab’s smaller sibling the Galaxy Tab 8.9 in the FCC before, but the latest FCC filing recently uncovered shows the 8.9″ variety running with what might be AT&T radios. They might also be for Canadian carriers but we can hope for AT&T right?

Earlier in the month we heard of possible production delays because of some LCD screen issues and Samsung was having a hard time keeping up the supply for this smaller 8.9 Tab. Hopefully that has all been sorted out and we can get this sweet little Android 3.1 Honeycomb device in our hands.

I am starting to wonder when Samsung will be launching the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and when they do if they will launch both the W-Fi and 3G models at the same time. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is already on store shelves and you can read our review here, or pre-order the Verizon Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G detailed here. Samsung is making a decent push with these tablets and with good reason as they are thin, fast, and pretty sleek. We hope to get that Tab 8.9 in our hands soon.

[via Droid Matters]

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PowerSkin offers HTC Sensation and ThunderBolt Battery Boosters in Slick Octopus Lining

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 09:43 AM PDT

Ever since we first saw and experienced the massiveness of the battery extension for the HTC ThunderBolt, it’s been a bit of an issue for the Android public to rectify the extending of said battery in the ThunderBolt and in every other Android whose connection speed and/or abilities to provide excellent day to day Android awesomeness have left their users in low battery water. Therefor it’s nice to see that PowerSkin has stepped up to the plate with a couple of “skins” that’ll boost the power AND leave room for the uniqueness of two of our favorite devices in the Android world: the ThunderBolt and the Sensation!

These new skins are made with an extra smooth finish provided by shock-absorbing silicone thus adding to the cool HTC soft-plastic legacy. Will it make our hands say “ahhh” in the same way? We shall see. For the HTC Sensation we’ll be getting an extra 360 minutes of talk time in a 1500 mAh expansion of the pack in, like I said, a sweet octopus-laden casing. Blue lights show off the power capacity, all of your favorite parts are still exposed for maximum Android usage.

The ThunderBolt casing will add the same 1500 mAh of power, this time expanding talk time by 340 minutes. This particular skin will also make way for the Thunderbolt’s unique kickstand, acting as a sort of boat for the already high-floating ThunderBolt in all its glory. Your ports will remain uncovered as well, so no worries in all cases. Both cases also feature an “optically engineered” camera lens window that’ll make sure there’s no interference with the camera at the same time as eliminating any flash glare from the skin’s surface.

Charging the skin consists of the same plugging in via USB that you’re used to, your device being charged here first followed by the skin. Both skins will be available in mid-July for $59.99 on Power-Skin.com, OR if you pre-order you can get a $10 discount. These skins will also be appearing in T-Mobile stores (the Sensation skin, that is,) nationwide starting today.

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Samsung Galaxy Z gets official: Slimmed-down GSII

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:48 AM PDT

Samsung’s latest Android smartphone has been outed, and it’s clear the company has been looking inward for its inspiration. The Samsung Galaxy Z is a more compact version of the Galaxy S II, with a 4.2-inch WVGA Super Clear LCD display and 1GHz dual-core processor.

There’s also WiFi, Bluetooth and a 5-megapixel main camera with an LED flash and HD video recording. GPS, an FM radio and 8GB of internal storage round out the key specs, along with a microSD card slot. OS is Android 2.3 Gingerbread, with the usual TouchWiz modifications.

Currently the phone us up for preorder in Sweden, priced at 3995 SEK ($635); there’s no word on whether the Galaxy Z will launch elsewhere, though we would be very surprised if Samsung didn’t push out versions across Europe. It seems something of a halfway house between the original Galaxy S and the SII, and considering the popularity of both devices that’s probably not a bad idea.

[via Samsung Hub]

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Android growth stalls as iPhone picks up according to report

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 07:43 AM PDT

Nielsen tracks just about every market there is to track in the tech world. The company tracks the smartphone and mobile market to see what OS is the most popular and show what devices are selling the best. The company has published a new report on the smartphone market and the report has Android sales slowing.

According to the report, the sales of Android smartphones have stalled this year. At the same time, the report claims that iPhone sales are growing significantly. Apple’s share of the smartphone market has grown from 10% of all new smartphone purchases to 17% of smartphone purchases this year. The company also notes that smartphones as a whole are doing very well this year.

Smartphone sales so far in 2011 have been greater than the sales of feature phones. I would imagine much of that is thanks to the lower prices of some smartphones on the market. Apple is selling the older version of the iPhone via AT&T for $49 making it a big contender in the cheap phone market. There are also several bargain Android offerings too.

[via BusinessInsider]

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Microsoft signs up Onkyo Corp for Android-based tablet patent agreement

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 07:03 AM PDT

I don't think that anyone is supposed that once Microsoft made its intentions to enforce patents for tech that is used inside many Android-based tablets that the Android world would start having to pony up licensing fees. The patent deals come from the licensing arrangement between Microsoft and General Dynamic Itronix. HTC had previously agreed to license the patent from Microsoft for an estimated $5 per device sold. Not long ago Velocity Micro also stepped up and licensed the patents from Microsoft as well.

Microsoft is on a roll with the announcement today that Onkyo has stepped up and licensed the patent tech as well. Velocity Micro has previously built and sold the TA117 tablet that landed in Japan last year. The patent agreement between Microsoft and Onkyo covers a broad range of patents for certain Onkyo tablets running Android.

It appears the floodgates are now open and companies are pouring in to license the patents to keep the Microsoft legal team from beating down their doors. Reports already claim Microsoft is making more from licensing these Android related patents than from Windows Phone. Talk about a case of if you can't beat them, license them.

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Sony S1/S2 tablets get PlayStation demo and video fondle

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:55 AM PDT

The last video teaser we saw of the Sony S1 and S2 tablets, the company was strapping them to a Rube Goldberg-style machine and hardly telling us anything at all. Happily a brief demo of the Android Honeycomb prototypes in Munich this week has been more elucidating; while Sony still isn’t saying much about final specs or software, at least Golem got to briefly play with the slates.

The S1′s 9.7-inch display, folded-magazine style tapered form factor and light, 600g weight met with approval, the wedge shape make for something easy to hold. Sony apparently had Crash Bandicoot running on the tablet, with the on-screen PlayStation controls straightforward to use. The company is still generally quiet, but has apparently confirmed PlayStation Suite compatibility.

As for the S2, that’s a lot more compact than we initially expected – the clamshell form-factor hiding its dual 5.5-inch touchscreens well – and does a decent job of minimizing the gap between the two panels. Sony hasn’t confirmed pricing or availability, but previous leaks have suggested a September launch in Europe which could well mean an IFA 2011 official reveal.

[via SlashGear]

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Netflix will work on new Evo 3D with a little work

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:24 AM PDT

I know that there were a bunch of Android fans out there that were waiting impatiently for Netflix to finally launch its app for Android users. Once the app hit it was welcomed, but as some found out the app only supported a limited number of handsets leaving a bunch of Android users without streaming TV and videos. If you picked up the new HTC Evo 3D, you were one of the users without official support.

The good news is that some people have figured out that the Netflix app will in fact run without issue on the Evo 3D. The app is hidden from Evo 3D owners by default. The first step to streaming glory is to set your phone to install apps from unknown sources. That requires a trip to Settings, then applications, and then tick the Unknown checkbox. After that, you can install the app.

GoodandEvo reports the easiest way is to email yourself the install file as a Gmail attachment and install from the email. The app can also be placed on a SD card for install. Once done you can stream all you want. Users repot that it works perfectly and the streaming looks good.

[via GoodandEvo]

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Skype for Android gets video chat capability

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:28 AM PDT

Skype has announced that it has updated its Android app and the new update brings something that Skype fans have wanted on the Android platform for a long time. With the new update, Skype for Android now gets video calling. Video calls with the new app can be made between android devices and between Android users and iPhone users. Users of the Android app can also make video calls to PC users, Mac users, and TVs that support Skype.

The app still supports the ability to make voice calls to landlines and mobile numbers around the world too. It will also allow the Android user to sends SMS messages to friends and family around the world as well. The new app also brings with it a complete redesign of the Android user interface with a new main menu for easier navigating through contacts. The app also has a new mood box at the top that lets the user show how they are feeling.

The only caveats to the new app and the video calling feature is that you must be running an Android device with Android 2.3 or higher and obviously you need a smartphone with a front facing camera. Available handsets supporting video calling right now include the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S. Skype does say that it will roll out support for more handsets soon.

[via Skype]

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HTC Desire Gingerbread update hits quality testing

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 01:08 AM PDT

HTC has announced that its Android 2.3 Gingerbread build for the HTC Desire is now going into quality assurance testing, one step closer to being released for owners of the former flagship smartphone. According to the company’s Facebook page, the Desire Gingerbread ROM will be put through its paces from this week, though there’s still no firm date for its release to users.

“Hi all- We’re excited to share that we are testing our build of Gingerbread for HTC Desire and will start doing quality assurance for it this week. When we have an update on availability we’ll post another announcement. Thanks for your support!” HTC

The news follows the will-they-won’t-they announcements over the past few months regarding an official update for the Desire. Having initially promised Android would be released for the handset, HTC then shocked owners by confessing that they would be unable to do so, citing an inability to preserve the full Sense experience.

After massive outcry, HTC changed its stance overnight and confirmed that it would indeed be pushing out a Gingerbread build. It was later revealed that the ROM would have a pared-down suite of apps, in order to satisfy the limitations of the Desire’s memory. There’s currently no telling which apps won’t make the grade.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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enTourage Pocket eDGe Dualbook eReader and Android Tablet for $119 at Woot!

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 04:55 PM PDT

You may or may not have heard of or even seen the enTourage Pocket eDGe Dualbook before but what you have is a 6″ eRader and a 7″ Android tablet in one. It may not be the prettiest or the fastest but I could see a few uses for the device. For more information you can read about its official debut.

Back in may it hit the Woot! bargain bin for the low price of $149 and that was a pretty good deal considering it launched back in 2010 for $399. It seems that they keep showing up, or just have way to much stock left because the enTourage Pocket eDGe has just hit the bargain bin even harder and is now only $119.

It does feature a resistive touch display and a 1.2 Ghz processor of some sort called a Marvell ARMADA PXA168, comes with a 3GB storage and it is large enough to surf on if you’d like to give it a try, but watch out because it does weight like 1.5 lbs according to spec so you might sink. You never know what an Android user has in mind so I just thought I’d bring the deal to attention just in case. That and I like reading the descriptions on woot.com because they say things like this

We don't know much about personal computing devices, but the Pocket eDGe makes a terrible shaving razor.

Head on over to the source to find out all the details on this fun device for only $119 with $5 shipping.

[via Woot!]

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T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide gets handled for the camera

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 04:26 PM PDT

The T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide was just announced and looks to be a pretty amazing phone. T-Mobile is claiming the most advanced camera on any smartphone, that is what you see bulging from the back of the myTouch 4G Slide.

The device has been pictured officially as well as leaked a few times and until we get a review unit in to play with ourselves (that will be soon) I figured I’d share a few photos that CNET was able to take of the device recently.

Pretty decent phone for those that might not know. It packs a 3.7″ screen and that new 1.2 Ghz dual-core Snapdragon processor that is also in the EVO 3D and the Sensation 4G so it has plenty of power. Between the dual-core and their beefy new camera and hardware keyboard this device should make a few users plenty happy. The keyboard looks pretty similar to that found on the G2 and it looks promising. Feel free to check out all the photo’s over at the source and stay tuned to Android Community as we will be receiving a review unit shortly.

[via Cnet]

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Running Ubuntu Linux

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 03:02 PM PDT

We have seen our fair share of Android devices running Ubuntu already, like the Nexus S or the NOOKcolor but to see it running on that large beautiful 10″ display on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and pushed by that dual-core CPU makes this a little more interesting.

Having Linux run on an Android tablet with a 1280×800 resolution makes for a much better and clearer viewing experience from what users booting to Linux have seen in the past. It is not natively installed and will be running over Android but the overall speed and responsiveness seems pretty great from the video posted. You’ll need a bluetooth keyboard and mouse if you want to dive in and run Ubuntu on your own Galaxy Tab.

Good news for those that want to try this themselves, Android users have the method for booting to Linux down pretty well so the instructions shouldn’t be that bad for most looking to give this a whirl. Obviously you will need to be rooted and know that you need to still be careful when doing these types of mods to your device. For all the details, instructions and downloads head down to the source to get started. Here’s a video of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 running Linux while you’re here.

[via GalaxyTabHacks]

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