Thursday, 7 July 2011

Android Community

Android Community

Toshiba Thrive Tablet $429 at Newegg with Free Shipping

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 11:38 AM PDT

The Toshiba Thrive Tablet has landed over on Newegg.com and they are currently offering all three models with FREE shipping. You can see all the details you need about this tablet in this neat video. It also apparently started selling early at a few Best Buy stores from what we have heard.

To kick things off they have the 8GB model for $429, 16GB for $479 and the 32GB is showing as “sold out” but I never saw it in stock so most likely they are awaiting more shipments of said product. Toshiba has been pushing this new tablet pretty hard with a few cool videos and giveaways like posted above.

These tablets come in at a great price and offer a few things other tablets don’t. Like full-size HDMI out as well as full size USB ports, but some might not like the added thickness a few of those things may have brought to the tablet design. At least you wont need to find adapters and micro HDMI cords to stream YouTube on your TV though. So are you planning on picking up a Thrive tablet? If so feel free to comment below on what model and what you think once you get it.

[via Newegg]

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32 Inch Multitouch Display Running Android 2.3 [Video]

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 11:23 AM PDT

WHOA! Android running on a 32″ or 46″ multi-touch display — Yes please! What we have here is a signage company called SKR Technology and they have developed a sweet prototype multi-touch system running atop Android 2.3 Gingerbread on a 32″ display. Currently it runs off a regular Android terminal which is connected via USB to the touch sensors, HDMI to the display port, and it fully replicates the Android interface and can also display full HD video.

Right off the bat you can see they’ve hit a few things right. The environment and user interface looks great and runs pretty quick, and multi-touch is as smooth as butter on that huge display.

Here's what SKR had to say about their new system.

Our company makes digital signage, and people were asking us to create a large screen device which has multi-touch functionality like a smartphone. We first tried to make it using Windows 7, but it didn't meet the needs of our customers. They said they wanted crisp, fluid movement like in a smartphone but with a high resolution display. But when we asked touch panel and peripheral manufacturers they said they don't support the Android OS, so we were temporarily stalled. We want to do a lot more work with Android in the future, so we decided to develop the system ourselves.

If this has you as excited and interested as me you wont want to miss the video below. The clip shows just how well the integration is and the performance looks to be quite snappy. SKR had to develop their own device driver for Android in order to achieve this large, multi-touch display, and that is what is used in the device shown. It really shows another possible level for Android that we haven’t seen thus far.

With future plans to commercialize other display sizes including a smaller 23 inch variant, and a 46 incher, I have ideas of tossing one of these on the patio or into my coffee table in a few years from now. If this can be produced at a decent price point the commercial appeal for a system like this could possibly be explosive, and I can see SKR doing well with such a system. Hopefully we will see more soon. Check out the video below.

[via Akihabaranews]

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News360 for Phone Review : Android Community App of the Week!

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 11:16 AM PDT

What we’re looking at today is the handset version of the rather impressive News360 news feed app that’s been previously available for Honeycomb-laden Android tablets. We’ve got a review of that available for you as well, of course, because we love to grab those fabulous app reviews as soon as possible, and now here’s the BRAND NEW handset version, fresh as can be! What this handset version does is take the same beautiful aesthetics and a very similar user interface as the original tablet-based newsfeed app and applies it to the smaller-screen having handsets you use on the daily. Will it add up? We’ll see!

In the video below you’ll get a glimpse of the tablet version of this app, for a full look at it, head over to the June 15th 2011 App of the Week post. That’s right, this app is so good, it’s gotten that title twice! What this new version does is take the same excellent content they’ve got streaming to you over your internet connection and pushes it down to a single image, title, time, date, and source. That’s the most basic view. You’ll be flipping back and forth, seeing the main image and titles that interest you, searching until you find the story that strikes your interest the most. At this point you’ll just want to tap the image (or the title) and you’ll be brought into a single text-based article view.

Article View

Inside this individual story mode, you’ll be able to see a shortened version of the story you’re interested in along with several options for reading. First, you’ll be able to switch on or off highlighted keywords. When you tap a highlighted keyword, you’ll be brought to a screen that identifies the keyword, this also linking you to stories that use that keyword prevalently. Next you’ll be able to adjust text size (for people with small eyeballs.) Third, you’ll be able to share the article using several social networks and sharing programs.

News360 has a special screen with Facebook, Twitter, ReadItLater, Instapaper, and other – other leads you to your normal share screen where you’ll have the option to share with all the apps you’d normally be able to share with on your handset, including, in our case right this moment, Bluetooth, Gmail, GroupMe, and Mail. What’s currently missing? Google+ of course! Lastly you’ll be able to hit a Star which will add the article to your favorites for later access. You can also head below for a link to the full article on the source’s webpage. This source link does not lead you outside the app into a browser app, instead conveniently sticking inside the app’s own browser window for ease of continued access.

Below this is a set of “more coverage” articles that connects to the same story as written by different sources. Strange and awesome, that’s what we’re thinking here.

Top Stories

On your main screen in News360 there’s a tiny bar link at the bottom of the screen that reads “Top Stories.” It’s here that you’ll be able to get into your list of selected topics that will then keep you in the same single-story-title-and-picture mode but will have adjusted the subject matter to the keyword of your choice. Elegant and simple solution for a tiny screen!

Local Filter

One of the coolest features from the tablet version is still present here: the target button that leads you to a filtered collection of stories. One thing that us modern generation internet-based folk have trouble with (or, at least, quite a few folks my age in my area have trouble with,) is caring about local news when there’s a whole internet of world-wide news out there at our fingertips. What this single button does is redirect all of our eyes back down to our own streets – a bonus tip: should you decide to want news from a different area specifically, head to your settings and switch off GPS – you’ll be given the option to add a custom location, anywhere you want in the whole entire world! Don’t expect too many stories out of Abu-Doobie though, not many online sources in the area.

Search and Favorites

You can search articles and you can keep a list of favorite articles which you can then later read, keep forever, or delete upon not caring once you realize you didn’t want to save at all. Helpful and excellent.

Review and Hands-On Video

What’s Missing

This version of News360 isn’t quite as intricate and full as the tablet version, but that’s to be expected. If you get the chance to check out the tablet version, I recommend doing so, as the floating gallery view alone is worth the trip down to your local Android Market!

Where do I get it?

To grab this app for FREE right now, head over to the [Android Market page for News360 for Phones!] It’s one fantastic deal – free, all you could ever ask for. Now go in there and find you some Android Community posts so we can be more prevalent amongst the big gun non-Android news teams! Go get em!

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HTC EVO 3D and Sensation Overclocked to 1.7 Ghz

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 10:28 AM PDT

Did any of you guys see this coming? I did but not this soon as the EVO 3D and Sensation 4G are still locked down. No kernel source has been released and the bootloaders are still locked tight for the time being. The man behind the photo you see below is Michael Huang who is the developer behind setCPU, you can follow him on twitter at @coolbho3k. Following him on Twitter he has just teased all of you proud EVO 3D and Sensation owners showing you what is coming soon.

With setCPU happily pushing 1.7 Ghz on his EVO 3D you are all probably a little excited about now right. Don’t worry Sensation owners he said it should work for you too so stay tuned. We all know how trustworthy he is so I’m pretty sure this will be coming soon for the rest of us to try and enjoy. All you need is temp root and we have explained that in this post.

Thanks to TeamWin temp root was achieved late last week and from what I’m gathering here you will need a loadable kernel module after having temp root and a few other things and you will be able to achieve the same level of overclock on your own device. No instructions, files or details are out yet but don’t worry they are coming soon. Follow @coolbho3k for the latest information as he has been tweeting this entire time. We will update this story as we see or hear more.

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Vlingo Update Available, Shiny New UI and 7 New Languages Added

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 10:13 AM PDT

Have you ever used Vlingo before? If not you should definitely check it out. It is the most popular Voice assistant app on the market second only to Google Voice. With Vlingo you can send text messages, search and get directions, open Google Maps and other apps, and even make phone calls. It really does just about everything you can think of, and all just by using your voice.

Updated today in the Android Market you can expect to see polished and pretty new UI changes as well as a few other new things. The amount of control Vlingo gives you is huge, I only stated a few of the many above so feel free to explore all the options. For being free it sure is an awesome app and this latest update makes it even better.

Other things to notice are Vlingo can now accept voice commands in 8 different languages, including: French, Spanish, Italian, German, Mandarin, Korean (beta), Japanese (beta), and English like we have used before. With a shiny and sleek new UI and support for all those languages all for free I can really see Vlingo taking off even more after this latest update. Some might like Vlingo even more than Google Voice, either way both are getting better and better and I enjoy using both.

[via Android Market]

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Nexus S 4G Software Update GRJ90 Coming July 11th

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:58 AM PDT

So you’ve got one of those fancy Yellow Nexus S 4G units, huh? You love it so much that you take it and you blast the crap out of the benchmarking systems and leave them crying in the dust. Aka you’re Simms22, and you love to update your system. You’re in luck, there’s a new official one coming down the road, and it’s called GRJ90. Fun for everyone!

This update is supposed to be coming out on the 11th of this month, July 2011, and will contain several up-front changes that’ll make your experience all the more Nexus-tastic. You’ll be getting an NFC Secure Element (which I’m sure you’ll be using in the future,) a widget that’ll allow you to adjust your 4G settings, TTY support, NI Push Support (PRL an Device Configuration,) and MORE. What’s more? Connectivity improvements including tuned signal strength indicators, improved wi-fi connectivity, and 4G throughput and signal acquisition. AND a bonus improvement to speaker phone audio quality.

This update will be coming to you over a four day period (we’re thinking each person will get the update all at once, the four day period being the amount of time before everyone HAS the update.) This four day period will start with 5% of the Nexus S 4G population getting the update first, followed by 25%, 25% more, and 100% by four days after 7.11.11.

This update will be coming in the natural way, that being an update right in your face on your device without you asking for it – but if you’d like to check, you’ve just got to go to home – settings – about phone, and scroll to the bottom of your screen to find that your software version is GRJ90 – that means you’re up!

[via S-Feed]

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Amazon Announces Unlimited Cloud Storage for Music

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:51 AM PDT

Fresh on the heels of Google Music Beta Amazon is now changing how they plan to use the cloud. They are looking to go big and are now going to allow unlimited music on your storage account. The Amazon Cloud Player will allow unlimited music and MP3 storage as long as you have purchased one of Amazon’s cloud storage plans at $20 or more. Music and MP3′s will not use any of your space and you can upload as much as you’d like.

This basically means that all paid cloud storage plans include unlimited space for MP3 and AAC files at no additional charge, and don’t take up any of your space. Pretty amazing offer if I don’t say so myself. I’ve used the Amazon Cloud Player a lot in the past and it works very well, buffer times are basically a thing of the past and playing music over the cloud is fast and easy.

Remember you can upgrade your storage if you purchase an entire album over on Amazon MP3. So either pay for a $20-20GB plan or upgrade to the 20GB limit by purchasing a full album and you will then have free unlimited music storage like mentioned above. Not a bad deal and this just might make Google rethink their plans for Music Beta when they finally launch the service for everyone.

[via Amazon]

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Live365 Radio beta app available

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 08:19 AM PDT

If you are a music fan looking for a new music app to use Live365 is on the Android Market in beta form right now. The app is on version 1.2.011 and to use the app you need to have Android 2.1 or higher installed on your phone. The app is free to download. The Android app has presets, advanced station search, email tracking info, access to station pages, and the ability to email the DJ.

The app is free to download and the user can buy a VIP membership that gets them access to music with less commercials. All of the stations on Live365 are programmed by people so it’s more like a radio station than listening to your playlist.

The app has over 250 genres to choose from and there is access to commercial and public radio stations as well. The latest versions of the app has free registration integrated, the DJ contact indo, and all free stations on the website are free on the app. It also has been updated to work with tablets.

“We are excited to release our Android app with access to thousands of radio stations,” says Raymond Barrett, Director of Product Development. “We look forward to sharing all that Live365 has to offer on the increasingly popular Android platform.”

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Verizon Wireless officially launches Droid 3

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 06:28 AM PDT

Earlier this morning we spied the Droid 3 on the DroidDoes website and gave up the details on the smartphone along with what the device would cost. Verizon has now gone official with the press release for the Droid 3 and the announcement that the phone is available online and will be in stores on July 14. As we said earlier, the Droid 3 will cost you $199.99 with a new 2-year agreement.

The smartphone runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread for the OS and has a mirror mode that allows you to share photos and movies on a TV or other screen with HDMI output. The smartphone is global ready and has the ability to access networks in over 200 countries. The smartphone is also enterprise ready with advanced security policies, device, and SD card encryption. GoToMeeting for Android is included on the device.

The Droid 3 also has a ESP smart dock that tailors the experience for where ever the user is be it home or work, or in the car. The Droid 3 is hailed as the world’s thinnest smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard. It has a 1GHz dual-core processor, 8MP rear camera, and a front camera as well. It also has a 4-inch qHD display and 3G hotspot capability.

droid-3-2 droid-3-3 droid-3-1

[via Verizon]

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Asus Eee Pad Transformer packing 3G gets priced

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 04:02 AM PDT

We already know that the Eee Pad Transformer with 3G onboard is incoming. What we don't know is what the tablet will cost. That question has been answered, at least for Italian geeks that are interested in the tablet. Asus has added the tablet officially to its Italian website with full hardware details to peruse. We still don't have a firm launch date at this point for the US or Europe, but August is what we expect.

The Italian Asus website lists two versions of the Transformer. The 3G packing Transformer with 16GB of storage is TF101G1B034A and has a price of 499 euros with VAT attached. The 32GB version of the Transformer with 3G sells for 599 euros with VAT. That extra storage certainly adds a lot to the price. The reminding hardware is the same as the non-3G versions.

That means the tablets pack the same 10.1-inch screen with 1280 x 800 resolution and NVIDIA Tegra II processor. Both the new 3G versions get 1GB of RAM, a 5MP camera, a 1.2MP front camera, WiFi, various sensors and outputs and power via the same 3.3Ah battery. The OS is Honeycomb 3.1 and the SIM card slot is on the left side of the tablet.

[via notebookitalia]

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Nintendo will not develop games for Android

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 03:05 AM PDT

We have been able to play some of the old school Nintendo 64 games on the Android platform before when emulators like n64oid first landed. Some of those emulators are no more today. There was speculation early in the week that Nintendo might actually be making software for the Android platform and for iOS devices. Analysts and investors were so excited by that prospect that the stock in Nintendo grew 4.9%.

Sadly, the investors and analysts were disappointed when Nintendo issued a statement denying the move into Android and iOS gaming. Nintendo spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa said that Nintendo’s policy of only developing games for its console has not changed and will not change. The hope that Nintendo would branch out into mobile OS game development stems from the Pokémon Company.

The Pokémon Company announced in early July that it would be offering a game for Android and iOS this summer. Nintendo owns 32% of Pokémon Company, but noted that the Pokémon Company is an independent and is not controlled by Nintendo so it could build mobile OS games while Nintendo doesn’t. There are analysts calling for Nintendo to build mobile OS games and with the sad state of Nintendo earnings, the company should really consider a policy change.

[via Bloomberg]

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Amazon Appstore saved from Apple injunction attack

Posted: 07 Jul 2011 01:18 AM PDT

Apple’s demands to have Amazon barred from describing its Android software download store as an “app store” have been rejected, with courts throwing out an injunction request this week. While US District Judge Phyllis Hamilton didn’t necessarily agree with Amazon’s claims that the term had become generic, Reuters reports, she nonetheless felt that Apple had failed to establish the necessary “likelihood of confusion” required for an injunction to be the appropriate response.

The decision falls in line with predictions late last month, where Judge Hamilton warned Apple that their case had likely been insufficient. She had said she was “troubled” by what Apple had brought before her, however, with the Cupertino company’s approach being that Amazon’s use of “app store” could “confuse and mislead customers.”

With a quick fix no longer possible, it now looks like Apple and Amazon’s legal battle will end up going through the courts properly. A trial date of October 2012 has been set.

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HTC Sensation 4G FREE Tonight til 3AM on T-Mobile

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 10:29 PM PDT

Oh Snap! You guys better hurry because this deal wont last long. It will either sell out or you might not make it in time. T-Mobile is doing another one of those web-only deals like we mentioned earlier in the week. You can get the brand new all knowing and all powerful HTC Sensation 4G with that dual-core 1.2 Ghz processor and qHD 4.3″ display for FREE from T-Mobile.

They are also offering the myTouch 4G for free as well, it is a great phone but the Sensation is on another level so I’d aim for that personally. Both the HTC Sensation and the myTouch 4G will be free on T-Mobile via the WEB ONLY and it will end tonight at 3:00 AM PT. You must sign a new 2-year contract or open a new line to be eligible for the free phones.

We have seen these deals before so you should all understand by now how it works, but if not here are the details right from T-Mobile.com

To qualify for the instant and Web-only discounts, you must activate the product on a new line of service with an Even More™ rate plan on a two-year service agreement. Even More™ Family Plans may qualify for up to five instant discounts.

The end they mention Family plans qualify for up to five instant discounts. If anyone was thinking of getting a new family plan for the entire family and kids for summer this would be a great moment to do so. Hurry on to T-Mobile.com or click the source below to get directed instantly to the freebies.

[via T-Mobile]

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Motorola Droid 3 Now Live at Droid Does Website, Available Now?

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 10:10 PM PDT

We still have not heard anything official out of Verizon or Motorola regarding the Droid 3 but it has now appeared quietly without anyone being told right on the Droid Does website. This is basically as official as it can get but we still would like Verizon to come out and announce the device. Right on the site you can check out all of the phones on Verizon and if you initiate Droid Does and click on the Droid 3 you will get all the details you could ever possibly need.

Just like we mentioned earlier today the price will in fact be $199 with new contract like we suggested. I’d like to mention that we have heard reports that the Droid 3 is available NOW by calling Verizon support via *611 and apparently they are selling it via upgrades and what not right over the phone. If the customer support rep has a hard time finding the device just tell them the part number info is: “Droid 3 MOTXT862″

According to latest news the phone wont be available in stores until July 14th, so you can either wait or try calling support with the method mentioned above. For now check out the Droid Does website for all the specs, details and information you would like to hear. The entire site is pretty neat if you haven’t been on it before clickety clack that source button below to see all the details.

[via Droid Does]

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[Deal] Motorola Xoom only $450 at Staples!

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 03:59 PM PDT

This might be one of those deals where you’d better hurry and call a few local Staples stores or quickly drive on down to one. Apparently they are offering $50 dollars off of the Wi-Fi Motorola Xoom Android 3.1 Honeycomb Tablet and the deal runs until July 9th. In case you aren’t good at math that makes the Motorola Xoom only $450. This is the lowest I’ve seen the Xoom so if you’ve been waiting for a deal — this is it.

Motorola is offering the Xoom right now for only $499 but why go that route when Staples is offering it for $50 less. This is a pretty stellar deal on one of the best Android tablets on the market. It might not be as thin as the Galaxy Tab but they all have almost the same specs so if you don’t mind the extra thickness I’d jump all over this deal.

From the looks of things just click the full image listed below and print the coupon and then just take it with you to the nearest Staples store and you’ll be leaving with a brand new Motorola Xoom for an amazing price. You guys better hurry because they will probably run out of stock fast.

xoomcoupon2

[via Android Police]

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Motorola Droid 3 Priced at $199 On New Contract, $459 Outright

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 03:46 PM PDT

We have seen so much of the Droid 3 the past few weeks I’m just excited it will finally be launching so we can all get some time with the device already. We have seen 360 degree views of the handset, and leaked accessories hitting Verizon stores already so its no surprise it is coming soon.

With official pricing and release date still up in the air we did here it would be launching July 14th in stores and available for direct fill starting tomorrow, July 7th. This still hasn’t been officially confirmed but we should know soon enough.

Our friends at Droid-Life have now heard the phone will launch at the expected price of $199 with a new 2-year contract like most smartphones are priced, but they also state to buy it outright with no contract at full retail it will only be $459. Sounds like a lot but most phones like the Droid X2 or HTC Sensation 4G are usually $499 or more off contract. It is a pretty powerful smartphone with a 4″ high-res screen and that dual-core processor so you should all be pretty excited about now. We will report back if we hear more.

[via Droid-Life]

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AdMob Beta Released – Track Your Profits in Stylish Black and Red

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 03:42 PM PDT

So you’re cashing in on your sweet, sweet Android app and/or game series connected to the AdMob target=”_blank”network for mobile advertising and you’ve got a hankering for some exactitude. You can see the piles of money stacking up, but you can’t see where it’s all coming from. You want to see your numbers plain and simple, and you want to see them in blasting white, black, and red. You’re in luck – developer Matthew Gaunt has the app for you. It’s AdMob [Beta] and it’s ready to feed you what you need.

All you’ve got to do is attach your AdMob account to the app and BAM, you’re connected to the official AdMob API and your latest statistics and revenue numbers from your sites and ads will be adding up before your eyes. They’ve got this free app available in Beta right now and they’re working on a widget as well as we speak. They’ve also mentioned that they don’t have extremely small screen support thus far, but are also working on that now as well.

You should note if you plan on [downloading this app for free] that Beta isn’t just in the name, the app is actually in beta testing right this moment, so there WILL be bugs here and there. You’re encouraged to send feedback to apps@gauntface.co.uk the developer and also let US know how it goes so we can recommend it further should be continue to take off into outer space.

ALSO note that this is not the only app of its kind. You can check out Andlytics for tracking your apps and statistics outside of ads, see Advertising Revenue Viewer for more AdMob action specifically, or take a look at AdMobber, another AdMob specific app for tracking your cash. Each of these apps is relatively new and has fairly good reviews thus far. And BONUS: they’re all free. Test em all out!

[via JHugMan]

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Fieldrunners HD Launching on Amazon and Android Market Tomorrow

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 03:34 PM PDT

The highly popular iOS game FieldRunners by Subatomic Studios is coming to Android starting tomorrow, July 7th. It was first announced sometime last week but was quickly canceled because they were having issues with the Android Market and giving a promotional period for launch. They have cleared everything up and it will be launching globally tomorrow. If you like tower defense games FieldRunners is one of the most visually stunning games of all the tower defense games available on mobile.

From what I’m hearing for the first 24 hours, the game will be featured on Amazon's Appstore for Android as the "Free App of the Day." It will also be available in the Android Market starting at 12:00 Pacific Time and will be offered at a discounted price of just $0.99 cents. After the first 24 hours, the game will continue selling in both stores for $2.99. So, we all better hurry and get it while its fresh and cheap.

The price drop on the Android Market is to allow everyone outside the U.S. that does not have access to the Amazon Appstore to still get this amazing game at a low price, but sadly it wont be free in the Android Market. Be sure to follow @fieldfrunners on Twitter for news and updates. My only question is if Amazon will post it at 12:00 Midnight as tomorrow the 7th’s “Free App of the Day” like usual or if they are sticking to the 12:00 time listed by Fieldrunners. We will know soon enough so get ready.

[via Fieldrunners HD]

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Gameloft Giving Away 3 HD+ Games This Weeknd FREE

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 03:14 PM PDT

Popular game publishers Gameloft have been doing great in mobile gaming, we all love their releases as you can count on some top quality graphics and gameplay. It appears that this weekend they are kicking off a nice Giveaway for those that follow them on Twitter and Facebook. They are offering three Android HD+ titles for FREE this weekend. One each day on Friday, Saturday, and then Sunday.

According to our sources this promotion is by @Gameloft_UK, but I follow them as well as all the other Gameloft accounts on Twitter so hopefully we can all join in on this giveaway. Each weekend day @Gameloft_UK will announce the free game and it will only be available for 2 hours so you better act fast and be watching your feed all day. You can also follow them on Facebook.

Gameloft will make the game free for two hours ONLY and will let you know which one it is. You then download it through Gameloft's mobile store on your phone or tablet during the two hour period. Make sure you follow them on both Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss the promotional giveaway of three HD+ games. I’ll be watching and hopefully I can get some goodies.

[via Eurodroid]

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Android SDK Tools Updated to Version 12

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 03:10 PM PDT

Android’s ADT plugin for Eclipse has been update to version 12 as well, these updates now allowing developers of all shapes and sizes to use system images compiled for ARM v7 and x86 CPUs in the emulator as well as in the AVD manager. This should be rather exciting news for you hopefuls for a brand new Intel horizon. Fun fact – did you know that back in October of 2010, ARM president Tudor Brown tipped Forbes that the next generation of Android would be called Ice Cream? Totally fun!

As for the Eclipse plugin, you’ll be getting support for the new SDK tools revision, you’ll have better control over APK file packaging, you’ll get better previews, more complete and reliable error messages, resize support (for that tasty Ice Cream Sandwich on the horizon!) – LinearLayout now mapping sizes to weights instead of pixel widths. Hooray for tablets, essentially, is what they’re saying here. No longer will you be plagued with the dooming stretched screens and double pixel visual errors of old. AND of course there will be much in the area of bug fixes, both here and in SDK.

Grab all the updates via the Android Developer main homepage or go straight to the ADT Plugin for Eclipse page or the SDK Tools page right this minute. NOTE also that if you’re going to develop outside of Eclipse, you’ll now need or later. Not so rough considering that update came out December 27th 2010. Neato!

AND for those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about: these are developer tools with which the Android community can create games and other apps for you and I. An update means they’ll be able to do more, better, and more efficiently than before. Good news for all!

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