Android Community |
- Kobo for Android gets better tablet support
- Russian app shames parking jerks via social networks
- BlackBerry CEO cans BBM for Android
- Release dates for T-Mobile’s Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note rumored
- HTC EVO 4G LTE shipments showing up with free cases
- ViewSonic planning 22-inch Android 4.0 ICS tablet at Computex
- HTC One S just $125 for Memorial Day Weekend from Wirefly
- Google Project Glass video sample revealed
| Kobo for Android gets better tablet support Posted: 25 May 2012 06:43 PM PDT If you’re reading this and you’re an avid e-book reader, odds are overwhelming that you use either the Kindle or Nook apps to do so on your Android device. But also-ran Kobo is making a case for itself with the fourth version of its Android e-reader app, available today in the Google Play Store. Like its counterparts, you don’t need a Kobo device to use the app – it’s good to go on any Android smartphone or tablet.
And the tablet form factor is where the new app really shines. While the older app just scaled up the interface for larger screens, as most apps designed for Gingerbread or lower devices do, the new one has a dynamic bookshelf that works well on all different resolutions and densities. (It’s kind of like the Netflix app, which works across resolutions in a similar way.) Performance enhancements should make the app feel faster, and you finally get the ability to create multiple bookmarks. Of course you can’t have any sort of service these days without making it social, which is why Kobo added sharing directly to your Facebook wall. You know, in case you really, really want everyone to know you’re reading The Host. Kobo’s selection still leaves a lot to be desired, but they’re definitely moving in the right direction. [via MobileSyrup]
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| Russian app shames parking jerks via social networks Posted: 25 May 2012 05:52 PM PDT We’ve all been there: you’re trying to park downtown and some jerk takes up the last two spaces in his Beamer. Apparently the problem is even more pronounced in Russian cities like Moscow, where drivers regularly hop the curb to park on the sidewalk. Local online newspaper The Village has decided to do something about it: using a combination of photo recognition, IP address targeting and social networks, they’re exposing parking jerks all over town.
The tactfully named app “Parking Douche” works like this: you take a photo of an illegally parked car with your phone. The app records the licence plate and identifies the car by model and color. Then the service shows ads on desktop web pages, exposing the car to the limitless shame of the Internet. But here’s the brilliant bit: it only shows the ad to those who are near the car’s physical location, increasing the odds that the driver (or someone who knows them) will see the ad, and reducing annoyances for everyone else. The location is determined by GPS, and spread only to web users with IP addresses that are close by. In an even more sneaky move, web users can make the ad go away by posting the illegally parked car to Facebook, increasing the odds that the owner will be alerted by a scolding neighbor or co-worker. It’s this kind of mean-spirited, overly vicious behavior that really gives a cynic like me hope for the human race. You can download Parking Douche from Look At Media in the Google Play Store, but unfortunately it only works in Moscow at the moment. Come on guys, America needs you! [via Modaco]
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| BlackBerry CEO cans BBM for Android Posted: 25 May 2012 05:11 PM PDT Hoping to talk to your misguided BlackBerry-using friends over an official version of BlackBerry Messenger? Don’t hold your breath. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the BBM clients that Research in Motion had been testing for other platforms, including Android, have been taken off the development table. You can thank RIM CEO Thorsten Heins for the decision.
Yup, that Thorsten Heins. You know, the one who said that all Android phones look the same (seriously, the guy in charge of making BlackBerrys actually said that) and used some fuzzy math to declare that BlackBerry apps make more money than Android apps. It’s not much of a shock that this guy isn’t willing to play nice with other platforms – and it’s even less of a shock that he’s leading RIM into a laughable market position with just 6.4% smartphone share, down from 44% five years ago. Android’s currently sitting pretty with 59%. We know that RIM had been working on BBM for multiple platforms, and we’ve seen the prototype app a couple of times. According to the report, RIM had been hiding the application on their developer devices as “SMS 2.0″. Reasoning for the decision was given as a refocus on the new BlackBerry 10 operating system, set to debut next year. Meanwhile, BBM itself seems to be dropping users just as fast as BlackBerry – one user reported that her BBM contact list had dropped from over a hundred contacts to just twenty-six. [via SlashGear]
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| Release dates for T-Mobile’s Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note rumored Posted: 25 May 2012 04:35 PM PDT T-Mobile users looking for a new phone, today is a good day for your prospects. TmoNews (which tends to be pretty reliable in these matters) has just posted leaked dates for the Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy Note, and both the upcoming T-Mobile (Huawei) MyTouch phones. We’re certain that all of these phones are coming, and sooner rather than later, so it’s nice to get some validation even in rumor form.
The Galaxy S III is its “Metallic Blue” flavor will reportedly land on T-Mobile on June 20th, in both 16GB and 32GB varieties. Notably, this is the same date that’s been seen for the Canadian version on four different carriers. On July 11th the Ceramic White version of the Galaxy S III lands in 16GB (no 32GB version in sight) along with the Galaxy Note, which has only been seen in dark blue on T-Mobile. The MyTouch phones in both their slate and QWERTY versions will land on the same day. There’s at least some reason to doubt the June 20th date for the Galaxy S III, if only because there will be some unfortunate shortages of the blue version when it begins selling internationally later this month. The information that TmoNews could be slightly out of date – the shortage was only confirmed this morning. In any case, we’re excited at the prospect, and eagerly await some more verifiable information… including prices.
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| HTC EVO 4G LTE shipments showing up with free cases Posted: 25 May 2012 01:50 PM PDT In a rather surprising turn of events it appears that the hotly anticipated HTC EVO 4G LTE is finally starting to arrive at the doorsteps for those who pre-ordered it, as we reported yesterday, but with a little extra treat. The EVO is arriving for many with an apology note for the delay, and a free TPU smartphone case for their troubles.
Well played guys, well played. It looks like both the carrier and HTC have teamed up and are shipping out free cases along with the smartphones to thank their customers for being patient and not canceling to opt for another device. Bonus! Then again there isn’t too many good choices from the Now Network, but users could have went for the Galaxy Nexus. From the picture below, as well as reports by The Verge a nice and sincere letter of apology has been packed inside of the pre-order shipments, and users are getting a neat little case. Hopefully the same is happening at retail stores or those opting to buy from Best Buy, but we’ve heard no such reports. The smartphone being delayed by customs was for the most part out of their hands, but it’s still nice to see them owning up and being cool about it. That is just one more reason to like HTC. Now click here and root that shiny new EVO 4G LTE.   Device Info
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| ViewSonic planning 22-inch Android 4.0 ICS tablet at Computex Posted: 25 May 2012 01:16 PM PDT It looks like ViewSonic wants to shake things up in the “tablet” market, although I’d hardly call this specific device announcement a tablet. Apparently they want to start producing some huge 22-inch Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich tablet-like devices and will be showing them off at Computex. That isn’t all we can expect from ViewSonic this year either apparently.
Should we call this a Moniblet? Just like Samsung and others are calling the Galaxy Note a Phablet. According to Engadget it seems ViewSonic will be calling this new lineup “smart business tablet monitors,” and will be showing off a wide array of them at Computex this year in Taipei. We are also hearing they’ll have similar offerings with Windows 8 but I’m more excited about Android tablets of course. I sure hope this 22-inch Android 4.0 ICS tablet has an impressive screen resolution, a massive battery (or a power cord perhaps) as well as a stand because I won’t be holding it for more than 30 seconds at a time. The idea sounds pretty fun although we can basically do this now by using HDMI-Out on current smartphones and tablets. The difference here is the entire panel will be the touchscreen. The show kicks off on June 5th so we might be seeing this massive tablet sooner than we thought.
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| HTC One S just $125 for Memorial Day Weekend from Wirefly Posted: 25 May 2012 12:48 PM PDT Who wants to buy the best smartphone over on T-Mobile this weekend? If that’s you then most likely you’ll be buying the new HTC One S. Lucky for you it has landed on sale for this Memorial Day and the folks from Wirefly are offering it for just $125 this weekend only. Below you can find more details, the coupon code, and our review of the impressive new smartphone.
You should all know plenty about the HTC One S by now but if not here is our full review. This 4.3-inch smartphone rocks T-Mobile’s increasingly fast 4G HSPA+ speeds and a 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm S4 processor to keep things smooth, while getting great battery life. Wirefly is offering a $25 dollar off code by entering HTCONES25 at checkout to save a few dollars. Then you can pickup a case with the savings to protect that shiny new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone.
This little promotion for the HTC One S will only be available this week for Memorial Day so if you’ve been debating the purchase and the discount has put you over the edge and helped you decide you better hurry and snatch it up. It isn’t the best deal we’ve ever seen, but for a new phone of this caliber it’s worth a quick mention. Get it today from Wirefly.com Device Info
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[via Android Police]
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| Google Project Glass video sample revealed Posted: 25 May 2012 11:49 AM PDT Google’s wasting no time showing off their new glasses that are for now being called Project Glass. You’ve probably seen plenty about them already but now we have actual video footage. Yes these awesome Google Glasses can take 720p video, and are looking better and better by the day. Did I mention yet that I want a pair like right this minute? Well I do!
Earlier this week during the Google Glass Walk in San Francisco tons of pictured were snapped of the augmented reality headset and we have now received are first look (gallery below) at them not being worn. What does this reveal? A power button on the inside of the frame, a micro-USB port for charging and probably flashing new software, as well as a wide array of color options Google already has on the table. From Orange, black, grey, metallic blue, and even different color aluminum frames too. Orange might be a bit too “loud” for me, but then again you are wearing crazy awesome glasses that will get some head turns either way.    Then another Google+ post shows us not only multiple photos taken with the prototype glasses, but some 720p video capture too. Man, if they wanted to tease every nerd with tons of coverage slowly appearing, Google’s doing a fine job of it. Check out the video below and imagine the possibilities with Google Glass. [via SlashGear]
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