Android Central |
- Team Hydro Bootmanager coming soon, puts an end to bootloops forever [hacking]
- GB vs. ICS, Wallpaper scrolling [From the Forums]
- Update for the Droid Bionic imminent, rolling out "soon"
- T-Mobile G2X Gingerbread update available again - maybe the third time's the charm
- YouMail yanked from Android Market, points finger at T-Mobile
- Android Central on Google Currents
- Google announces Currents, its finger-friendly, Flipboard-esque news reader
- Barnes & Noble celebrates Angry Birds birthday with 'Birds & Noble' scavenger hunt at on Dec 11
- Instagram for Android finally (and still) in development
- OnLive gaming launched for Android, free game included
- Twitter for Android updated, brings new design along with it
- HTC Sensation 4G 'performance and stability' update rolling out
- Pope lights up 'world's biggest Christmas tree' with Sony Tablet S
- View Google Image results in a new carousel
- A Look at BitDefender Mobile Security
- Beautiful Widgets becomes first paid app to hit 1 million downloads
- Deal of the Day: Motorola 2760mAh Extended Battery w/ Door for Droid Bionic
- Samsung Galaxy Nexus now available in Canada
- Android 101: Using multiple Android devices
- Day 3 of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration
- T-Mobile positioned to ring bells going into the holiday
- Google shows off Ice Cream Sandwich features -- including on tablets -- at LeWeb
- Facebook refresh live in the Market
- T-Mobile confirms Galaxy S II arriving in white Dec. 14
| Team Hydro Bootmanager coming soon, puts an end to bootloops forever [hacking] Posted: 08 Dec 2011 04:28 PM PST Ever do something you shouldn't have whilst hacking away at your phone, and end up stuck in a bootloop? Of course you have, because we all have. That will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to the Team Hydro Bootmanager. Usually getting to your Android device's bootloader menu or recovery menu involves mashing and holding buttons, pulling batteries, or in the case of some phone (looking at you LG Optimus Black) a bit of luck because there are no button combinations that work. This jewel resides in the boot image on your phone, pauses the boot-up, and lets you choose how you want to proceed. According to lead developer Drew Walton, it works great, it's stable, will run on just about any phone, and will be ready for public consumption very soon. *Spoiler alert* Drew is also pretty sure he will be able to expand this, using custom recovery builds (like ClockWorkMod recovery) and create a bootmanager with more options. This would of course be more device specific and less portable, but offer a new way to manage your device. You normal, well adjusted users out there may not be as excited as we hacker types are, but all you crack flashers know just how cool this one will be. I can't wait! More: Android Central forums 
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| GB vs. ICS, Wallpaper scrolling [From the Forums] Posted: 08 Dec 2011 03:54 PM PST With some new software to play with and updates rolling out, it's been a busy week thus far here on Android Central. If you missed out on anything from today, make sure you get caught up on all the happenings. If you're seeking some Android help or just want to chat -- hit up the forums for more.
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today. 
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| Update for the Droid Bionic imminent, rolling out "soon" Posted: 08 Dec 2011 03:07 PM PST
The Motorola Droid Bionic is set to receive a fairly substantial update, said to fix connectivity issues and a number of various bugs. Software version 5.5.893, which totals 54.5 MB, improves data stability, increases the Mobile Hotspot capacity to eight devices, and fixes media playback via Bluetooth, just to name a few tweaks. The full list of improvements is available at the source link (there’s more than the image above leads you to believe), as are detailed instructions for both the manual and OTA update process. As always, we suggest you sit tight if you’re not seeing it just yet, as this sort of thing is often slow to roll out. Source: Verizon Wireless; via Android Central Forums. 
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| T-Mobile G2X Gingerbread update available again - maybe the third time's the charm Posted: 08 Dec 2011 02:14 PM PST T-Mobile and LG have announced that the Gingerbread update for the T-Mobile G2X is once again rolling out, after a couple of failed attempts. At first you had to use the LG desktop software to install it, then we saw a limited OTA which was halted, and now we see another OTA. Hopefully, all the issues are ironed out and all of us who bought one of these can enjoy a more current OS. If you're impatient and don;t want to wait for the OTA, you can manually apply the update via the LG updater tool -- hit the links below for more info. As one of the best built Android phones ever, with the great Tegra 2 game heavy chipset, we're happy to see it with almost current software. Now bring on the Ice Cream Sandwich! Source: T-Mobile 
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| YouMail yanked from Android Market, points finger at T-Mobile Posted: 08 Dec 2011 01:12 PM PST The beloved visual voicemail app YouMail has been pulled from the Android Market, which eplains the big "URL was not found" that sits in the place where the app formerly occupied. Rather than rolling over and accepting defeat, YouMail developers shot back, claiming that Google pulled the app without warning due to a complaint filed by T-Mobile. It appears that T-Mobile cried foul, saying that YouMail was causing network disruption, a claim that the YouMail team adamantly denies on its blog. You can read YouMail's passionate response at the source link below, but until all three parties make nice, you'll have to download YouMail straight from the horse's mouth, or at the Amazon Appstore. Source: YouMail 
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| Android Central on Google Currents Posted: 08 Dec 2011 12:05 PM PST Download Android Central on Google Currents now! Now that Google's announced its Currents project, it's time to let you in on a little secret. It's pretty darn awesome. We've been experimenting with Currents (neé Propeller) for some weeks now on its road to launch. At its heart, it's very much a Flipboard competitor, if you've ever seen or used the excellent iPad application. The consumer-facing side of Currents is a magazine-like look and feel, as powerful offline as it is when connected to the Internet. From the back end, it's basically just pulling in RSS feeds and displaying them in a custom UI, and you can have it up an running in just minutes through the web-based (natch) Google Studio. This isn't just some cookie-cutter operation, though. There are plenty of apps like that in the Android Market, and, frankly, many of them suck. Currents's strength comes from its simplicity. It's easy to set up and maintain, and the app has a simple and attractive user interface. Toss in that it's pretty customizable, and you've got the makings of a strong platform, and one that's ready to go out of the box at launch. So why call it a Flipboard competitor, when Flipboard's only available on iOS? Because when you create an edition in Currents, you're simultaneously creating for Android smartphones. And tablets. And the iPhone. And the iPad. And you can preview each platform on the fly, as you work. Bad news for most of the world, though -- Currents is U.S.-only for now. We've got our Android Central walkthrough of Google Currents after the break, and be sure to add our Google Currents Edition. Check it out. 
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| Google announces Currents, its finger-friendly, Flipboard-esque news reader Posted: 08 Dec 2011 12:04 PM PST Download Android Central on Google Currents now!Google today has finally unwrapped its long-rumored news magazine competitor to Flipboard on iOS. Called Currents and available on Android smartphones and tablets, along with the iPhone and iPad, it's a finger-friendly way to sort through the latest news on a wide variety of subjects, much easier on the eye and the brain than sifting through pure RSS feeds. The best part is that as easy as it is to read in Currents, it's just as easy to set up -- all you need are RSS feeds. Bad news for most of the world, though -- Currents is U.S.-only for now. Check out Google's demo video and get the download link for Currents after the break. Source: Google Mobile Blog 
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| Barnes & Noble celebrates Angry Birds birthday with 'Birds & Noble' scavenger hunt at on Dec 11 Posted: 08 Dec 2011 12:00 PM PST Barnes & Noble have teamed up with Rovio to celebrate Angry Birds’ second birthday. Starting Dec. 11, the first-ever Birds & Noble Scavenger Hunt and various other activities will take place at over 700 Barnes & Noble locations Nationwide. Everyone is invited to come partake in the activities that include coloring or high score contests, design your own Angry Birds character, Angry Birds Parades and guessing games with some great prizes to be had as well including special hidden Mighty Eagle tokens, the grand prize -- an Angry Birds t-shirt. “We are thrilled that Rovio has chosen Barnes & Noble as an official U.S. Angry Birds partner, and are excited to celebrate the Angry Birds’ second birthday on December 11 with a range of exclusive in-store activities,” said Jamie Iannone, President of Digital Products, Barnes & Noble. “Angry Birds is one of our bestselling NOOK Apps, and we are proud to offer customers the full collection of Angry Birds games optimized for NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color.” -- You all can find more info past the break, 
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| Instagram for Android finally (and still) in development Posted: 08 Dec 2011 11:34 AM PST iPhone photo sharing application Instragram has become a massive success, and the source of envy for many of the Android faithful. For the first time though, their Chief Executive Kevin Systrom no less, has confirmed what many of us have been waiting for. Instagram for Android is currently in development. At the LeWeb conference in Paris, Systrom said, "we have two people working on Android now," Sadly though he didn't offer any timeframe as to when the work may be complete. Source: CNET 
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| OnLive gaming launched for Android, free game included Posted: 08 Dec 2011 10:46 AM PST Popular cloud gaming service OnLive today launched its Android offering for smartphones and tablets, bringing a free game along with it in the form of Lego Batman. For anyone not familiar, this is no mobile offering -- the cloud service offers up full console games to play in the cloud. Currently the Android app is available in the UK and US. There are around 25 games at present that can be played using a touchscreen, with another 200 that can be played using the OnLive wireless controller, which goes on sale Dec. 9 for around £40/$50. With a tablet and a controller, you effectively get a mobile games console. The service offers cross platform compatability, meaning your progress will be available on all your devices, and it also gives you the chance to engage in multiplayer activity against your iOS and desktop playing friends. There is an official device compatibility list, but it's important to note that it'll most likely work without a hitch on other devices. For example, the Galaxy Nexus is absent, but it works just fine, as does the Nexus S.
We'll have a full review coming up soon, but in the meantime check out the video and a whole host of screenshots and download links after the break. 
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| Twitter for Android updated, brings new design along with it Posted: 08 Dec 2011 10:04 AM PST Twitter for Android just received an update in the market that brings a new UI design along with it in addition to some new features. In addition to the UI changes, the update brings some other additional features as well, such as:
Be sure to jump past the break for download links to grab the update! 
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| HTC Sensation 4G 'performance and stability' update rolling out Posted: 08 Dec 2011 10:01 AM PST T-Mobile is pushing out a new software update for its HTC Sensation 4G, bringing the device up to version 1.50.531.31. The new version, which is still based on Android 2.3.4 and Sense 3.0, brings a host of welcome improvements and fixes to Sensation 4G owners. T-Mo's describing it as a "performance and stability" update --
The new software will start rolling out between now and Jan. 15 -- to grab it, head to Menu > Settings > About Phone > HTC software updates and tap "Check". Source: T-Mobile, Thanks, mdemars! 
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| Pope lights up 'world's biggest Christmas tree' with Sony Tablet S Posted: 08 Dec 2011 09:42 AM PST Sony's Tablet S has yet to see widepsread success, but it seems one early adopter is none other than Pope Benedict XVI, who today used the device to wirelessly turn on festive lighting in Gubbio, Italy. From his home in Vatican City, the Pope used the tablet's Wifi connection to send the signal over the Internet and illuminate the 2,460-foot-tall display, which is described as the "world's biggest Christmas tree". Curiously, MSNBC reports that the Vatican originally intended to use an iPad instead of the Android-powered Sony device. Whatever was behind the chance in plans, it seems the Tablet S was more than up to the task. 
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| View Google Image results in a new carousel Posted: 08 Dec 2011 08:25 AM PST Ever search for images on your Android tablet only to be annoyed that you have to click on the image to see it full screen, then click back to view the results to check out the next image? No longer do you have to do this, as now you can swipe between the full resolution images in a carousel fashion. After clicking on an image to see if full screen you simply swipe left or right to see the next or previous image. Want to learn more about the image? Simply click on the lower left corner and you will be taken to the site with the information. Another subtle yet helpful revamp from Google! Source: Google Mobile Blog 
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| A Look at BitDefender Mobile Security Posted: 08 Dec 2011 08:17 AM PST There's a new player in the Android security software game, and it's one many of us are already familiar with -- BitDefender. They have released a mobile security suite that's full of functions like malware scanning, application auditing for privacy compromising features, and even some remote administration should you happen to lose your phone somehow. With a pre-paid SIM card in hand, a new Google account, BitDefender installed and a laundry list of sites full of content I shouldn't be visiting from my phone to test this one out, I gave this one a good once-over and feel pretty good about recommending it . Hit the break to see the features, a download link, and a slew of pictures. 
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| Beautiful Widgets becomes first paid app to hit 1 million downloads Posted: 08 Dec 2011 07:03 AM PST We love Beautiful Widgets. Not only do they provide essential shortcuts on our homescreens, but they look good doing so. It's because of this that we're happy that LevelUp Studio announced that the app is the first paid to reach 1 million downloads. To celebrate, they put together an infographic (see it after the break) detailing some of their stats. They have had 121 updates in the Android Market, they have a total number of 1109 skins for their products while there are 1.3 million downloads of those skins every month. A few days ago, Google announced 10 billion downloads in the Android Market, which they are celebrating by discounting select apps to 10 cents. Beautiful Widgets was featured on Day 2, so hopefully many of you who haven't tried the app were able to grab it for cheap. For those of you who still don't have the app, you can find links after the break. 
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| Deal of the Day: Motorola 2760mAh Extended Battery w/ Door for Droid Bionic Posted: 08 Dec 2011 07:02 AM PST The Dec. 8 Deal of the Day is the Motorola 2760 mAh extended battery (with door) for the Droid Bionic. This extended battery fives you nearly 60 percent more juice over the stock 1750 mAh battery that comes with the Droid Bionic. It is a little bigger, so you'll need to use the extended battery door that comes with, but that's all the hassle there is. No more worrying about running out of juice while you're chewing on the Gs. And the battery's manufactured by Motorola, which as always a plus. Best of all, it's available today only for $39.95 -- that's 20 percent off. Get yours while supplies last. 
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| Samsung Galaxy Nexus now available in Canada Posted: 08 Dec 2011 06:36 AM PST We received word back in November that some Canadian carriers would begin selling the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on December 8th and that proved to be correct. The Galaxy Nexus is now available for purchase in Canada. It can be bought from either Virgin Mobile or Bell for $159 on a 3-year contract. Rogers also announced back in November that they would take reservations, but the phone doesn't appear to be available from them just yet. We'll keep you up-to-date with everything we hear. Nevertheless, this is great news for those of you in Canada, who can now show off your new toy while those of us in the United States are still pining for a release date from certain carriers. If you've purchased a brand new Nexus or are thinking of doing so, hit up our Galaxy Nexus Forum for everything you need. Source: Bell; Virgin Mobile Canada 
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| Android 101: Using multiple Android devices Posted: 08 Dec 2011 06:21 AM PST 'Tis the season for getting cool electronic gifts, and there's a good chance that some of us will be getting another Android device for a holiday present. While for many it will be a new smartphone to replace their existing Android phone, for others it might just be a new Android tablet or Google TV, and will be used in addition to your beloved Android phone. Some of us are old pros at handling multiple devices, but for the first timer it can be a bit confusing, not knowing how things like Google applications and other apps with an account will work while on more than one device. That's where we come in. There's two ways to handle it all, and we're going to cover them both after the break. Big thanks to Android Central member whitenack for the idea! 
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| Day 3 of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration Posted: 08 Dec 2011 04:39 AM PST We're onto the third day of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration in which 10 apps will be sold for a dime. No official word yet on exactly what's on sale today, but here's what we've found thus far:
And, Also: Day 1 apps; Day 2 apps 
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| T-Mobile positioned to ring bells going into the holiday Posted: 08 Dec 2011 04:38 AM PST T-Mobile was the first carrier with an Android smartphone in the United States, starting with the venerable HTC G1 in the fall of 2008. Three years later, the carrier's still going strong with a competitive stable of Android smartphones, a loyal following of some of the most infulential hackers. Who needs the iPhone anyway? 
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| Google shows off Ice Cream Sandwich features -- including on tablets -- at LeWeb Posted: 07 Dec 2011 09:44 PM PST
Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt took an hour this week at LeWeb 11 in Paris. And leading off his keynote was none other than Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. There's not a lot there we haven't seen already -- though Hugo Berra did show off Ice Cream Sandwich on a Motorola Xoom -- but it's another great preview of what Europe's experiencing now on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and what those of us in the States will get to experience ... eventually. Android is just a small sliver of the talk, and you should really watch the entire thing. Other highlights:
It's another fascinating talk by Schmidt. Check it out. More: LeWeb.net 
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| Facebook refresh live in the Market Posted: 07 Dec 2011 09:44 PM PST We know some of you have been on pins and needles about the new Facebook update, and we can safely say it's officially live in the Market. The update kicks the design up a few notches, but the basic works remain the same. It's certainly faster, and while the phone version has come a long way, but the tablet version is still atrocious. Everything is unbelieveably stretched out and looks pretty bad. (See above.) You get some nice new features, like pull to refresh, but otherwise it's the same Facebook app you've come to know If you're a big fan of the Facebook app (or are just curious what the new design looks like), we've got a massive boatload of pictures and a download link after the break. 
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| T-Mobile confirms Galaxy S II arriving in white Dec. 14 Posted: 07 Dec 2011 05:57 PM PST The last we heard about the white Samsung Galaxy S II on T-Mobile was when they confirmed it would indeed be arriving in time for the holidays. At the time, they weren't exactly willing to elaborate on it any further but T-Mobile has now set a date officially. December 14th is when you can get you Samsung Galaxy S II in white on T-Mobile for as low as $230 with a new 2-year agreement -- just in time for the holidays. Source: @TMobile; More info: T-Mobile 
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