Android Central

Android Central


Angry Birds Rio - Airfield Chase update now available

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 05:08 PM PDT

Angry Birds Rio

The latest Angry Birds Rio update is now available in the Android Market and with the new airfield chase level episode, that means you get 15 new levels to jam away at. We're sure you'll have them beat in a matter of just a few hours. Still reading this? Why? Hit the break for the download.

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LG releases Optimus S Gingerbread source, no sign of the update just yet

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 04:27 PM PDT

LG Thunder source

LG has released the Kernel source and assorted GPL bits for the Gingerbread build on their Optimus S device.  No reports of anything showing in the LG updater tool just yet, and rumor says mid-September for an OTA.  For now, this just means that our resident Optimus warlords (yes, they have transcended developer status) have some new code to play with and see if they can improve the Gingerbread builds they have had running for the Optimus S for quite a while.  Realistically, there will be a few things here of value for all Optimus developers, who have been forced to use hacks and work arounds for some of the closed-source functionality from LG.  With this new codebase, expect your favorite Gingerbread ROM for the Optimus S to get even better. 

Source: LG; via Android Central forums


AT&T, on Twitter, confirms the Thrill 4G is coming Sept. 4

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 03:29 PM PDT

AT&T Thrill 4G

Confirming news we broke two weeks ago, AT&T has announced on Twitter that the Thrill 4G (aka the Optimus 3D) will be available on Sept. 4. We've basically reviewed this thing every way possible in its unbranded form (see our first review, and our European take as well), and we took another look at AT&T's version a couple months ago. Still no price, but word around the campfire is it'll run about $100.

Source: @att

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The Droid Prime -- Just as Uncle Jerry predicted?

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 02:38 PM PDT

Jerry is a Witch

Who needs anonymous sources when you've got a witch like Jerry Hildenbrand? Here, in his own words, from last week's Android Central Podcast, is Jerry predicting a Nexus-caliber smartphone with Droid branding. Or, maybe Jerry and those anonymous sources are all wrong.


Motorola Milestone 3 heading to Brazil Aug. 29, six other Latin American nations by October

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 02:24 PM PDT

Milestone 3

Motorola has announced that the Milestone 3 will be available for customers in Brazil starting Aug. 29.  As we've seen in the past, Motorola Milestone devices are copies of their Verizon counterparts, minus the America-centric CDMA radio and Verizon Droid branding.  Like the Motorola Droid 3, the Milestone is no slouch when it comes to specifications:

  • Dual-core OMAP4 CPU at 1GHz
  • 4-inch qHD display
  • 8MP rear camera with LED flash and 1080p capture, front camera for video conferencing
  • 16GB internal memory
  • Android 2.3

Also included are Motorola's comprehensive set of business features, like GAL lookup, remote document access, data encryption, and remote wipe.  And we can't forget the five-row QWERTY packed onto this one, one of the best Motorola has offered thus far.  The Milestone 3 should be a hit with Android fans in Brazil, and in six other Latin American nations by October.  Read the full press release after the break.

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OnStar announces RemoteLink application enhancements - Send directions from your smartphone to vehicle

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 01:36 PM PDT

OnStar RemoteLink

If you're riding around in an OnStar equipped vehicle like the Chevy Malibu we checked out not too long ago, then you'll be happy to hear the latest news from OnStar. They've just announced some forthcoming enhancements to their RemoteLink application that will help you get to where you need to go more efficiently. (This is what we saw an early preview of way back at Google IO 2010.) On Aug. 30 -- when the application update goes live -- it will include the ability to search for destinations on your device and send them to your vehicle, providing audible turn-by-turn directions to your destination.

“Our customer focus is simple connectivity and a seamless user experience,” said Steve Schwinke, OnStar director Advanced System Design. “RemoteLink’s navigation enhancement offers our customers another choice in how they get directions, whether they’re in their car, on their computer, or using their compatible smartphone.”

Users can type in a destination, select an address from their contact list or speak the destination using voice search. Up to five destinations can be stored, and reused from your device so that you'll always have the most important ones available. If you have an OnStar-equipped vehicle, and don't already have the RemoteLink app -- you'll find it past the break.

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Android Game Review: Zombieville USA

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 12:45 PM PDT

 Zombieville USA

It's something we've all thought about -- the zombie apocalypse. Hordes of undead, clawing their way out of the ground, looking for some savory brains to snack on. There's been many a game about it, and Zombieville USA looks to continue that proud lineage of "don't let zombies eat you" games on Android.

The gameplay is simple enough: avoid zombies and use either melee attacks or firearms to remove them from your path. Each kill (but how can you kill that which is already dead?) earns you a couple of bucks to use on health, guns, or melee weapons once you've cleared a level.

There's also houses to loot (yes, loot) along the way. Simply tap on a door and your character will hop into a house and you'll be either rewarded with ammunition or cash. The houses serve a dual (and awesome) purpose, though. Not only are you rewarded by going into a house, you're also off the streets, meaning zombies just walk on by. It's a great strategic tool to help you plan an ambush or get out of the line of fire eating.

There's also seven different characters for you to choose from, which gives you a little wiggle room depending on your play style. There's guys like the survivor, who is your run-of-the-mill zombie slaying guy. He planned ahead but doesn't have any special powers. There's also a SWAT team member, a ninja, and a doctor, to name a few. All of them have different strengths and weaknesses.

Zombieville USA is a pretty hilarious game with a kickin' soundtrack, to boot. It runs well, and despite the title screen being totally messed up on my EVO 3D, the game itself fills out the screen correctly once you've started playing. Zombieville USA is $1.99 in the Android Market if you're looking to put some zombies back in their place (which is in the ground, duh).

Download links and more screenshots are after the break.

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LG VS920 skates through the FCC, could it be the Revolution 2?

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 12:37 PM PDT

LG VS920

The LG VS920 has just received FCC certification, and we're pretty sure we're looking at the LG Revolution 2.  We first heard that it would be coming along to replace the Revolution in that leaked roadmap we saw early in August, and since the Revolution is the VS910, it's not that much of a leap to call the VS920 the Revolution 2.  What we didn't know, and makes us happy all at the same time, as that this appears to be a world phone with CDMA, LTE, and GSM bands just like the Droid Pro. 

The rumor said we'll be seeing this one on or around Oct. 20, and the FCC certification lines up well with that timeline.  We'll just have to wait and see.

Source: FCC


Fake 'Droid Bionic' Twitter is fake

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 11:57 AM PDT

the eye

There's more controversy surrounding the Motorola Droid Bionic, as PC Mag's Sascha Segan has confirmed that the "official" @DroidBionic Twitter account isn't so official after all.  According to Sascha, both Verizon and Motorola have come forward and stated that the account is not an official feed from either company. 

So who is it?  We have no idea.  Just a heads-up to take those "official" September 8 launch details with the proverbial grain of salt.

Source: @phonescooper, PC Mag


HTC adds more HTC Sensation models to the unlockable bootloader list

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 11:34 AM PDT

HTCdev

If you've been holding out, waiting for your HTC Sensation to be available for bootloader unlocking over at HTCDev then today may be the day you have been waiting for. HTC has added a few more HTC Sensation variations to the list including T-Mobile this time around. You can head on over to the site now to get started, though -- we suggest reading up on just how unlocked your bootloader really is when using the HTC provided tools first, then deciding if it is still something you wish to do.

Source: HTCDev; Thanks, Alexis!


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