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Android Central Editors' app picks for Dec 3, 2011

Posted: 03 Dec 2011 03:04 PM PST

Android Central

Don't worry loyal Android Central readers, we are back with only our favorite applications again this week. So, join us past the break and let's take a look at some of our favorites!

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Apple's attempt to block sales of popular Samsung devices in the US is denied by the courts

Posted: 03 Dec 2011 12:46 PM PST

Legal

U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh has denied Apple's request for a preliminary injunction against Samsung late Friday afternoon, one that would have halted sales of three Galaxy phones and the Galaxy Tab 10.1.  Judge Koh found that any action halting the sales of these devices in the United States would not be necessary to keep Apple from being irreparably harmed, and denied the sales ban.  This doesn't mean things are over between Samsung and Apple, who currently are involved in more than 20 legal battles in 10 different countries, as the case is still to be heard.  This ruling was concerning the halting of sales only.

Of course both sides involved had little of value to say -- this is a legal drama and tight lips are a wise choice.  Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet referred to previous statements about the case, saying that Samsung's "blatant copying is wrong" and Samsung spokesman Jason Kim said "This ruling confirms our long-held view that Apple's arguments lack merit".  Whether the arguments truly lack merit is something the courts will have to decide later, but for now the products in question will remain on the shelves for the Holiday buying season.

Source: Reuters.  Thanks everyone who sent this in!

Motorola Droid Bionic gets an alpha Ice Cream Sandwich ROM

Posted: 03 Dec 2011 10:59 AM PST

Bionic Ice Cream Sandwich

Fear not Motorola Droid Bionic owners, you are no longer left behind and can join the cool kid party with a taste of some Ice Cream Sandwich. Developer dhacker29 of the TH3ORY ROM team has released a mostly functional ICS build for Bionic users to play around with, and while not everything is working reports are pretty positive so far. While still working on getting data & wifi working along with getting the SD card to mount the developer feels they are getting closer to getting this functional. Looking for something new to play around with this weekend on your Bionic? Be sure to hit the source for full details.

Source: Rootzwiki

Android Game Review: Apparatus

Posted: 03 Dec 2011 07:53 AM PST

YouTube link for mobile viewing

Sometimes I come across a game that makes me feel really dumb really challenges the ol' noggin of mine, and I know I just have to share it with you all, the Android faithful (because Android users are inherintly smart). Apparatus is one such game, and by the time you're done with it, you'll deserve either a pat on the back or a tasty cold one (or both).

If the name didn't completely give it away, Apparatus is about just that: building apparatuses. To do what, you may ask? To make sure a dark blue ball makes it's way safely into a sky blue box. That's it.

Now if you're wondering what makes Apparatus so difficult, it's because the game uses physics and all, so if any of your parts aren't stable and attached to something, they'll fall away into the nothingness pit that makes up the bottom of the screen.

Fortunately there's no penalty for completely botching the job (sometimes it's the only way to learn what's going on), and a simple tap of the pause button will get all of your objects reset on the screen.

For the first couple of levels there are hints that'll show you the ropes on apparatus-building (like how batteries work, how to tell which way your plank of wood will spin, and how to attach pieces of material together), so you're not totally out in the cold, but once you've been taught the basics, it's up to your own ingenuity to get the job done.

Perhaps even more amazing than the levels the game has you work through are the community-designed levels and the sandbox. From within the sandbox, you can build either an apparatus or a building challenge. When you're done designing your masterpiece, you can upload it to the community levels to people can try and beat it or just watch it unfold.

It's absolutely amazing to see someone construct a rudimentary gun using only these simple tools, or an impressive fireworks show with the only trigger being a wheel rolling over them, and more than makes this app worth its price.

Apparatus feel like one of those "must have" games on Android. It's cheap, forces you to be creative, and is filled with levels. Even if you never touch the main game, the sandbox and community sections can easily take hours out of your otherwise productive day, as you build and see what others have built. In a word, it's stellar.

Apparatus is $2.45 in the Android Market. We've got download links after the break.

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