Android Central |
- Editorial: Is the Verizon Galaxy Nexus really a Nexus? You betcha
- Google Wallet travesty, Naked or case? [From the Forums]
- Verizon says it's working on 4G LTE outage; 3G data, voice are unaffected
- Get priority access to ngmoco's DragonCraft beta courtesy ngmoco and Android Central
- KODAK Document Print App comes to Android, allows wireless printing via Google Cloud Print
- Android Game Review: Musaic Box
- Radio Shack offering free phones for the holidays, new selection each week
- Gameloft brings Brothers in Arms 2: Global Front to the Android Market
- Redesigned Facebook update hitting Android devices today
- Google Goggles reaches v1.7 - Adds continuous mode and user submitted results
- Sony Ericsson also tells how it's handling Ice Cream Sandwich
- Google+ updated with more functionality, bugfixes
- Enter to win an iBOLT Charging Dock for the HTC Rezound!
- Motorola explains what all it has to do before you get an Ice Cream Sandwich update
- Verizon's Galaxy Nexus now said to miss never-announced Dec. 9 launch date
- Sprint Epic Touch 4G OTA update rolling out now
- Samsung Holiday Buyer's Guide
- Handster Android App Market will begin submitting Android applications to BlackBerry App World on developers' behalf
- SoundTracking for Android is now available
- Blackberry Playbook root allowing Android Market access
- Deal of the Day: Body Glove Snap-On Case for HTC EVO 4G
- Day 2 of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration
- A close-up look at the Verizon Galaxy Nexus extended battery
- Logitech Revue's Honeycomb update rolling out now
- Verizon Galaxy Nexus arriving in select Radio Shack stores 'this week' with a $300 price tag
| Editorial: Is the Verizon Galaxy Nexus really a Nexus? You betcha Posted: 07 Dec 2011 03:43 PM PST Google Wallet isn't there, MyVerizon and contact backup assistant (as well as some network code to assist GPS) is there, and everyone is freaking out. Verizon has killed the Nexus. The Verizon Galaxy Nexus isn't really a Nexus. Verizon kills kittens! Let us take a minute and try to put all this in perspective. Take a deep breath and follow along, and we'll figure it all out. 
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| Google Wallet travesty, Naked or case? [From the Forums] Posted: 07 Dec 2011 02:49 PM PST While Verizon appears to be treating our emotions like a roller coaster, we're still bringing you all the best Android news out there. If you missed on any of the latest, make sure you check it all out and be sure to hop on into the Android Central forums as well:
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today. 
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| Verizon says it's working on 4G LTE outage; 3G data, voice are unaffected Posted: 07 Dec 2011 02:03 PM PST Looks like Verizon's data issues are growing. We've been getting reports from many of you today, and our data's gone kaput as well. We just got the following statement from Verizon:
That's the official line. However, like many of you, we're dead in the water on 3G as well. 
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| Get priority access to ngmoco's DragonCraft beta courtesy ngmoco and Android Central Posted: 07 Dec 2011 02:00 PM PST If you're interested in checking out ngcomo's new game DragonCraft, you're gonna love this. The good people at ngmoco hooked us up with a priority beta code so we all can get in on the beta as soon as it launches. Sweet! It's a fantasy game, where you are in charge of rebuilding your city and building a dragon army to conquer the 12 Baronies of Terra Vale. It promises fun. strategy, combat and rich interaction with NPC's and should be a hell of a game. To get in on the beta, point your browser at the DragonCraft website and use the code ANDROIDCENTRAL. We'll be sure to check it out when it launches, in the meantime you can hit the jump for a bunch of game player assets and in-game screen shots. This looks like quite the fun one! Thanks, ngmoco for the code! 
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| KODAK Document Print App comes to Android, allows wireless printing via Google Cloud Print Posted: 07 Dec 2011 01:51 PM PST Kodak announced today that they have launched their Document Printing App for Android, which allows you to print wirelessly from your device to a Kodak printer using Google Cloud Print. To get started, set up a Google Cloud Print account if you haven't done so. After you're set up, connect your Kodak printer to the service. Once this is done, you'll be printing from your Android device is no time! Supported file types include:
To get the free Kodak Document Print App, follow the Market links below. Full press release after the break. 
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| Android Game Review: Musaic Box Posted: 07 Dec 2011 01:15 PM PST
Music has always held a special place in my life. I did choir, play the tuba, and am majoring in music in college. Unfortunately, music doesn't usually make a compelling game, so when I was presented with Musaic Box, I was understandably skeptical. In short, HeroCraft proved me very, very wrong. Musaic Box is built in the point-and-click genre of games, where you're searching for clues by tapping on seemingly random objects on screen. Musaic Box does a pretty good job of guiding you towards the appropriate places to touch with a fairly noticeable sparkle, so don't worry about getting stumped. You're looking for old music manuscripts that are littered throughout the room. When you've assembled all four pieces of a piece of music, you're then tasked with reproducing the melody and harmony as they're played to you. This is all done in a very fresh, puzzle-style interface. The melody (and accompanying parts) are played for you at the beginning, then you're presented a series of differently-shaped rocks with runes carved in them. The runes are different colors (like red is always the melody), and you can tap on any rock segment to hear that piece of music be played. Once you've worked out where all the pieces go (and are correct), the game automatically rewards you for your success by playing the piece of music through once more and adding it to your record book. From there, you keep doing more of the same, until you've found all the music in a particular room. The scroll in the top-right corner of the screen lets you know how many pieces are left to find before you can advance, so it's easy to track your progress as you go. One of the coolest features to me (aside from the rough translations in some spots) is that Musaic Box uses real historical references for much of the music you come across. Parts of the environment that don't hold clues (but you can still interact with) often reveal little tidbits about a composer or an instrument, and while it doesn't further the game, it's educational, and it's music, so I like it. I would probably drop the cursive font if I could go in and change anything, but if that's the biggest gripe I can come up with, I think we're doing just fine. Musaic Box is $1.49 in the Android Market. We've got download links after the break. 
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| Radio Shack offering free phones for the holidays, new selection each week Posted: 07 Dec 2011 12:43 PM PST If you're in the market for a new smartphone on AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon, and aren't afraid to sign a new contract you might want to check out Radio Shack before you spend your cash. They're running a holiday promotion where they give away free phones (including some Android handsets) with a new agreement, and the list of devices changes every week. This week's offerings (good until Dec. 10) include the HTC Inspire 4G, the HTC Status, and the LG Phoenix for AT&T; the LG Marquee, the Kyocera Milano, the Samsung Conquer 4G, the Samsung Transform Ultra, and LG Optimus S for Sprint; and the Samsung Stratosphere and LG Enlighten for Verizon. Remember the list changes every week, so if you've had you eye on a particular model you'll have to grab it while it's on sale. Might be a great way to get a Facebook phone or a QWERTY LTE phone without any out-of-pocket cash. Hit the break for the comparison charts for this week, and for more info, visit Radio Shack Wireless. 
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| Gameloft brings Brothers in Arms 2: Global Front to the Android Market Posted: 07 Dec 2011 12:36 PM PST The Bothers In Arms franchise has done rather well for itself on the gaming from and now, Gameloft has brought Brothers in Arms 2: Global Front to the Android Market. Inspired by real-life battlefields from WWII, Brother in Arms 2 brings plenty of action to your Android device;
Gameloft has put Brothers in Arms in the Android Market as a free download but that does come with a few caveats as well. As noted in some of the reviews, there is paid upgrades built into the game so keep that in mind as you may end up spending some coin to keep the game going. Overall, it's a pretty slick game -- I'm just not sure paying for things here and there is the best choice. But, you all can be the judge of that should you grab the download from past the break. Keep in mind, it is a large game as well, approx. 250MB will need to be downloaded. 
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| Redesigned Facebook update hitting Android devices today Posted: 07 Dec 2011 12:00 PM PST Yesterday we saw that the Facebook application for Android was about to receive an update, and today the update was made official. While the update hasn't hit the market yet it does indeed bring the redesigned interface, moving messages to the top, and your menu to the side. The redesigned Facebook application is supposed to improve on the speed of the application, as well as make it look much prettier. Keep your eyes on the market for the update, and be sure to let us know when you see it! Source: Facebook 
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| Google Goggles reaches v1.7 - Adds continuous mode and user submitted results Posted: 07 Dec 2011 11:37 AM PST Google Maps gets a bugfix update Aside from the other updates Google has been making available, they've also set everyone up with a new version of Google Goggles, bringing the app up to version 1.7. In this version, they've add some new features to make the experience better:
The continuous mode should be a great addition for anyone who uses Google Goggles a lot and the text recognition is just awesome, try it out for yourself -- pretty impressive! You'll find the download link past the break. Also, Google Maps got itself a little bugfix, too. Go get 'em! 
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| Sony Ericsson also tells how it's handling Ice Cream Sandwich Posted: 07 Dec 2011 11:00 AM PST Two manufacturers explaining the upgrade path to Ice Cream Sandwich on the same day? It's gotta be a coincidence, right? Anyhoo, Sony Ericsson -- hot on the heels of Motorola's own post -- has explained in great detail on its developer blog what all goes into updating its devices to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It's a pretty interesting read (if a little long) and gives a great look at everything that has to happen while the rest of us are setting our hair on fire impatiently waiting on updates. Give it a read. Source: Sony Ericsson Developer World 
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| Google+ updated with more functionality, bugfixes Posted: 07 Dec 2011 10:27 AM PST
Looks like Android's Google+ app just got a nice little update to add some more features -- including the ability to search! -- and squash some bugs. Here's the full changelog:
It's live now on phones and in the web Market. Have at it! Thanks, @J_Godd, for the tip! 
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| Enter to win an iBOLT Charging Dock for the HTC Rezound! Posted: 07 Dec 2011 10:19 AM PST Tis the season for travel, and if you're doing it by car, you're definitely going to want to look into a car dock to keep your device charged up and easily accessible. Of course, the Android Central store has tons of awesome car mounts and kits, so make sure you check them out before you head out on the road. As a special gift for all you new HTC Rezound owners, we have 10 iBOLT Charging Docks for the Rezound to give away, courtesy of ShopAndroid.com. To enter, leave comment in the thread at the link below telling us why you want the dock or how you'll use it to make your travel or commute easier. The contest will run through Sunday and we'll pick two winners from each day, so get your entries in! Enter to win an iBOLT Charging Dock for the HTC Rezound 
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| Motorola explains what all it has to do before you get an Ice Cream Sandwich update Posted: 07 Dec 2011 09:21 AM PST Motorola Mobility, on its blog, has done a great piece explaining the steps it has to take before releasing any upgrades to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. That includes getting the source code, merging it with its existing frameworks, bug-testing, getting carrier certification, doing an initial pre-release with some of us in the real world (those are those "soak tests" we hear about) and, finally, releasing the upgrade. No small feat, to be sure. We still don't have a hard time table for when we'll start seeing Motorola's devices get their updates, though the manufacturer does remind us that the Droid RAZR, Xoom and Xoom Family Edition, and Droid Bionic will all receive updates to ICS. And that's just for starters, most likely. Source: Motorola; Thanks, Durthquake! 
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| Verizon's Galaxy Nexus now said to miss never-announced Dec. 9 launch date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 08:49 AM PST We've gotten a ton of tips from Verizon employees this morning saying that the unofficially official -- and very much not publicly announced -- Dec. 9 launch date for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus has been scrapped for an unannounced reason. We've talked with a Verizon spokesperson who reiterated that no official launch date announcement has been made. So, yeah. Anyhoo, we're in the exact same position we were yesterday. Still no official announcement. We're talking more about it here in the forums. 
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| Sprint Epic Touch 4G OTA update rolling out now Posted: 07 Dec 2011 08:47 AM PST Late last month we caught word of an upcoming OTA update for the Sprint Epic Touch 4G, and reports are now that it is rolling out. The update fixes the radio signal loss and the 4G hotspot disconnect during phone calls, which is a huge relief to many of you. If you haven't received a notification for the update yet be sure to hop into your system settings and manually check for an update. Source: Sprint; via: Android Central Forums 
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| Posted: 07 Dec 2011 08:46 AM PST When you're shopping for smartphones this holiday season, Samsung's got something for just about everyone. Whether it's something for the first-time smartphone user or a seasoned smartphone veteran, there's a wealth of sizes, prices and features from which to choose. And at the forefront of Samsung's lineup throughout 2011 and into this holiday season is the Samsung Galaxy II. 
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| Posted: 07 Dec 2011 08:41 AM PST As we all know the BlackBerry PlayBook (which just got rooted and can now access the Android market) will be receiving a large update in February 2012, which will add an Android App Player to it. Many wondered how many applications would be initially available for downloading, and it seems as though the folks at Handster will be putting forth quite some effort on this. Our good friends at CrackBerry.com received an e-mail that said the folks at Handster will be doing the work for the Android developers, converting their applications, submitting them, etc and all the developer needs to do is supply them with a properly sized App World icon. In fact, its been suggested over 7,000 Android apps have been in testing on RIM employee PlayBooks for quite some time now. While all the questions have yet to be answered about the service, this is definitely a great starting place for getting Android applications on the BlackBerry PlayBook. Source: CrackBerry 
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| SoundTracking for Android is now available Posted: 07 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST SoundTracking, an iOS user favorite that impressed our friends over at TiPb, is now available on Android. SoundTracking is reminiscent of Foursquare for music: ID a song you're listening to or that is playing in the distance and SoundTracking will tag it and share it via Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare. You can add your own photo and your current location to the tag, which will then be available for a 30-second preview to your friends. Your tags can even be played on Spotify and Rdio by anyone you share with. You can download SoundTracking for free from Android Market at the link below, or at the source link. Source: SoundTracking 
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| Blackberry Playbook root allowing Android Market access Posted: 07 Dec 2011 07:07 AM PST The Android love affair with the Blackberry Playbook continues, as the latest to come from the Dingleberry rooting exploit is full access to the Android Market. RIM have as expected, quickly issued a patch to repair the exploit used in Dingleberry (which has since been rooted again) but it is noted that the patch isn't available in the Playbook OS 2.0 beta at this time. If you picked up a Playbook in the recent sales and want to see some Android love on it, full instructions are after the break. For more on the Playbook and the Dingleberry exploit don't forget to check out our sister site, Crackberry.com via: Intomobile 
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| Deal of the Day: Body Glove Snap-On Case for HTC EVO 4G Posted: 07 Dec 2011 06:57 AM PST
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| Day 2 of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration Posted: 07 Dec 2011 05:47 AM PST We're on Day 2 of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration in which 10 apps will be sold for a dime. Google hasn't updated its promotion portal yet today, but here are the new apps we're seeing on sale for 10 cents, as relayed by reader r007:
Thanks, everbody, for helping to track these down! 
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| A close-up look at the Verizon Galaxy Nexus extended battery Posted: 07 Dec 2011 05:35 AM PST Here's a great look at the Verizon Galaxy Nexus extended battery that should be available at launch this week, courtesy of forums member reflekt2099. It's not a huge boost in available juice at 2100 mAh -- about 13 percent -- but with an LTE radio tucked inside, we'll take whatever we can get. And unsurprisingly, the battery cover appears to be just a tad thicker than the one we've got on our GSM Galaxy Nexus. (If it wasn't, they obviously wouldn't have included a new battery cover.) Accessory compatibility's a big question here, but we've got a feeling this exetended battery and cover will just squezze in. Two days to go. Source: Verizon Galaxy Nexuxs forums 
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| Logitech Revue's Honeycomb update rolling out now Posted: 07 Dec 2011 04:41 AM PST Both Logitech and Google have come out this morning with statements that the hotly anticipated Google TV update is rolling out to the Revue starting today. Revue owners have had to wait what seems like a lifetime since the Sony Google TV devices first started to receive the update. But now, the Android 3.1 update and it's all important Market and app capabilities will be yours over the coming days. According to Logitech, new customers should automatically receive the software update immediately upon activation. And still at $99 this could be a great stocking filler this holiday season. Source: Logitech; More: Google TV Blog 
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| Verizon Galaxy Nexus arriving in select Radio Shack stores 'this week' with a $300 price tag Posted: 06 Dec 2011 09:07 PM PST This just came in through the Android Central app, and it lets us know that the Verizon Thanks, Anon! 
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