Android Central |
- webOS 'running' on an EVO 3D isn't really webOS 'running' on an EVO 3D
- Secret Weapon: Smart Actions, Customizing buttons [From the Forums]
- What an open-source webOS means for Android
- ASTRO File Manager updated, brings themes and cloud backup registration with it
- A closer look at the 10 billion Android app downloads
- Coby Electronics announces collection of Android 4.0 tablets
- Help Android Central on a new feature
- YouMail returns to the Android Market, shares blame with T-Mobile for its removal
- German court rules in favor of Motorola Mobility against Apple in patent suit
- HP's webOS joins Android in the land of open-source operating systems
- Not so much ...
- Google improves movie search on the go
- Celebrate the Universe with a limited-time free beta of SkySafari
- Android Market problems? You're not alone
- Sense 3.0 updates rolling out for HTC Desire HD, Incredible S
- Android Central Podcast Ep. 81: Google Currents, 10-cent apps and a Galaxy Nexus Q&A
- Zynga Poker becomes latest addition to the Google TV library
- Deal of the Day: Seidio ACTIVE Case for HTC EVO Design 4G
- The Verizon HTC Merge? It's a Christmas miracle!
- Day 4 of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration
- Verizon XYBOARD tablets available now online, in stores Monday
- Samsung wins Galaxy Tab fight in Australia
- Android Central Podcast - Live!
| webOS 'running' on an EVO 3D isn't really webOS 'running' on an EVO 3D Posted: 09 Dec 2011 03:49 PM PST We've all seen this by now -- it's webOS booted up on an EVO 3D, and it's got everyone in a tizzy. While webOS fans who have spend decades (it seems like decades anyway) having the horrible hardware of the Pre and Pixie have reason to be excited, everyone seems to be getting ahead of themselves. This has nothing to do with today's news of HP open-sourcing webOS. In fact, Ryan Hope, the fellow who did it and took these pics is more than happy to tell everyone they are three months old. To top it all off, nothing is working and it's not even close to being usable. Think of it as an early SDK port of ICS, like the ones we saw last month -- those ones where radios, cameras, even the touch interface didn't work. The EVO 3D has the same basic internals as the TouchPad, so getting webOS booting (which is a far cry from actually running) was an awesome project to start on. Now that Mr. Hope and others will be getting source code, expect this sort of thing to happen for real. In the meantime, stop bugging your favorite webOS and Android developers and let them enjoy the day -- it will come soon enough. Source: Twitter; via Pre Central, The Verge 
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| Secret Weapon: Smart Actions, Customizing buttons [From the Forums] Posted: 09 Dec 2011 03:30 PM PST We've managed to steam roll through another week of news here at Android Central and no one lost any limbs -- that's quite a feat. If you're looking for something to do this weekend you might as well get caught up on any Android news and discussion you may have missed out on.
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today. 
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| What an open-source webOS means for Android Posted: 09 Dec 2011 02:16 PM PST You might have heard -- webOS just got open-sourced today by HP, joining the world of great, free software like Ubuntu, Firefox, and Android. It's a pretty big deal for some people, including all those developers you see doing wonderful things with the software on their electronic devices. HP made the right decision here: let the fate of webOS be in the hands of those who know it best -- like the fellows at webOS Internals. I'll bet there's one hell of a party going on in Oz this evening. But what does that mean for Android is what we're interested in, because we're Android Central and that's what we do. The answer? Maybe a lot, maybe not so much. While we don't know what open-source license HP plans to release webOS under (remember things like HTC Sense and iOS started as open-source, but the license allowed them to keep code changes to themselves), as it sits now any code that is owned by HP should be made available to manufacturers and developers. Some of the proprietary bits will stay closed, and provided as something that plugs in to the running system, but those are almost always hardware- or network-specific bits, so we're not too concerned. The big and important parts will be available for everyone from the CyanogenMod team to Motorola to use and develop further. You read that right -- we're all thinking "Wow, the CM guys can port stuff from webOS into CM9!" and we're right, but more important is that so can Google and all the OEMs out there. Soon there will be a few million lines of new code for engineers to look through and cherry pick the best parts from to add to their existing projects -- and that's a damn good thing. That doesn't mean it will happen though. The cores of Android and webOS are pretty different, and things won't just drop in and work. If it were that easy, we'd already have a bastardized version of Meego, Symbian and Android running on some awesome phone from the far east (and I'd totally be using it). But having the code sitting there so people can see how it's done certainly makes it possible, and very interesting. And to be honest, simply open-sourcing webOS isn't going to save it. If someone (like Google or Samsung) steps in and nurtures it and keeps pumping money and ideas into it, it will keep getting better and better. If nobody but hobbyists cares, it will wither and disappear, even if those hobbyists are talented geniuses like the webOS Internals guys (and gals). We don't know what will happen here. Just because something can be done doesn't mean it will be done, and with everyone making money hand over fist with Android there isn't a lot of incentive for big changes. I'm sure we'll see some ideas brought over, and someone will start porting webOS to things like the Xoom or Galaxy S II, but the big picture may not change a whole lot. It's going to be an exciting time, and we're lucky that HP made this multi-billion dollar gift to the open source community. 
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| ASTRO File Manager updated, brings themes and cloud backup registration with it Posted: 09 Dec 2011 02:05 PM PST With 19 million downloads from the Android Market, it might be easy to get complacent. Not so in the case of ASTRO File Manager which today received an update to version 3.1, and brought a couple of big new features along with it. The first of these are the new themes functionality, allowing you to download various different themes to customize the app with including the "classic ASTRO" theme from version 2.0. The other big new feature is the ability to pre-register for a free ASTRO backup account. There's no further information at this stage on this part of the service, but registration is as simple as entering your email address from the splashscreen. Other notable updates include Honeycomb support, various fixes, drag and drop capabilities and tablet users are now able to set the external SD and USB directories. Check out a selection of screenshots along with the download links after the break. 
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| A closer look at the 10 billion Android app downloads Posted: 09 Dec 2011 01:54 PM PST
We recently learned that Google was celebrating their 10 billionth app download with some 10-cent sales, but what is pretty interesting is Google took the time to break these downloads down. Did you know that Sunday at 9 p.m. is the most popular download time for applications, or that South Korea is the most app-crazed country? Hit the break for some more information! Source: Google+ 
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| Coby Electronics announces collection of Android 4.0 tablets Posted: 09 Dec 2011 01:35 PM PST Looking to heat things up ahead of CES, Coby Electronics Corporation has announced a new line-up of cost effective Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich tablets to be available for Q1 2012. In total, Coby will be bring five tablets to market in a variety of styles and sizes:
All will feature a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU and offer capacitive multi-touch screens, up to 1GB of RAM, expandable memory up to 32GB, Wi-Fi and HDMI 1080p output. Sadly, missing from the announcement is any mention of whether or not they'll gain access to the Android Market but it'll be interesting to see not only how well they perform but how much they cost as well when they hit store shelves. Full press release is available past the break. Source: Press release 
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| Help Android Central on a new feature Posted: 09 Dec 2011 01:33 PM PST Greetings, distinguished Android Central Reader. (Yeah, we're giving you the benefit of the doubt.) We're working on a kick-ass new feature and want a little feedback. Interested in a sneak peek? Read on. 
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| YouMail returns to the Android Market, shares blame with T-Mobile for its removal Posted: 09 Dec 2011 11:50 AM PST With a case of bad communication now cleared up, YouMail has made its way back to the Android Market. As it turns out, T-Mobile was to blame for the pulling but it was all pretty much a misunderstanding and if nothing else -- a hard lesson for YouMail. As noted on the YouMail blog, here is what happened:
So, as you can tell -- T-Mobile did have genuine concerns wth YouMail disrupting their network but they seemingly went about handling them the most uneffective way possible. Either way, lesson learned -- one for YouMail and potentially other developers out there and now YouMail is back in the Android Market where it belongs. Source: YouMail 
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| German court rules in favor of Motorola Mobility against Apple in patent suit Posted: 09 Dec 2011 11:49 AM PST The Mannheim Regional Court ruled in favor of Motorola Mobility against Apple today in an ongoing patent suit. The same German court ruled also ruled against Apple last month, but today's decision is much more significant. The patent in question is EP1010336, which is:
The court ruled that Apple Sales International is infringing on this patent owned by Motorola Mobility. So what happens now? Motorola Mobility could make steps to enforce the injunction, which could result in banning Apple products from being sold in the German market. This is an extreme situation and is unlikely to happen. More likely is Motorola to work out a deal with Apple to license the technology. They are also seeking compensation for past infringements. Apple is likely going to request a stay, which could change the ruling entirely. These patent wars are likely to go on for a long time, and we'd expect none of them to result in the outright banning of consumer goods. Licensing deals and money to make up for infringing in the past are a lot more likely. We've got the press release from Motorola Mobility after the break. 
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| HP's webOS joins Android in the land of open-source operating systems Posted: 09 Dec 2011 10:35 AM PST Android just got a new friend in the open-source playground. HP today announced that the beloved-but-floundering mobile operating system will released to the open-source community. "HP plans to continue to be active in the development and suppport of webOS," the company said. Like the core Android OS, webOS will be made available under an open-source license. Exactly what that means in regards to webOS as a competitor to Android? We'll just have to see. Certainly it's great news for anyone who likes to tinker -- and you know how Android folks like to tinker. Will it overtake Android as the current embedded OS of choice? We will see some sort of mutant Android-webOS hybrid emerge from these murkey depths? (And how cool would that be?) We'll just have to see. There's loads more, including the official announcement, at the link below. More at PreCentral.net
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| Posted: 09 Dec 2011 10:08 AM PST This the only Verizon Galaxy Nexus post we intend on doing today, unless actual news breaks. But it was just too good to pass up. This store in Memphis, Tenn., apparently didn't get the message. Either that or it has a cruel sense of humor. Either way, it'll be here when it's here. Source: Galaxy Nexus forums 
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| Google improves movie search on the go Posted: 09 Dec 2011 09:51 AM PST Google has improved searching for movies and theaters through your mobile browser by implementing a new interractive "ribbon" at the top of search results. Now, by searching "movies" or a specific theater in your Android's broswer (it works on iOS, too), you'll see the film poster, a quick summary, ratings, and showtimes. Clicking the movie title will give you a detailed summary, cast information, and showtimes at all nearby theaters. While it may not be as good as a dedicated app, it's surely improved from the scrolling that a movie search used to entail. Check out your browser now to give the new method a spin. Source: Google Mobile Blog 
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| Celebrate the Universe with a limited-time free beta of SkySafari Posted: 09 Dec 2011 09:40 AM PST This one's for the giddy-little astronomer in all of us. Like a bunch of schoolkids, on Dec. 10 before the break of dawn, many of us will jauntily find our ways out and gazing at the open skies to watch the final total Lunar Eclipse to be seen for the next two years. But just in case 2:30 AM (EST) is too early for you to be waking up, a new app from Southern Stars is sure to be of some use to you. SkySafari, which is something like Google Earth but for the Universe (and with cool stuff like time-lapse tools and detailed info about various celestial beings), is coming to Android officially by the end of the month; but the developers wanted to celebrate the unusual event with a free beta release to interested users, and you're on that list. The app, which has already found itself fairly popular in the iOS ecosystem, allows you to not only see what the night sky looks like at the current date/time, but will also show you the transitions of that sky through any time period. If you won't be awake to see the Eclipse for yourself, use SkySafari to select the date and time of the Eclipse (December 10th at 2:30 AM EST) and watch the moon virtually as its shape is transformed through the night. It will be a sight worth seeing that you won't want to miss, and now you don't even really have to. Read the company Press Release after the break announcing how to get access to the beta app and see for yourself what all the hubbub in space is all about. 
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| Android Market problems? You're not alone Posted: 09 Dec 2011 09:02 AM PST Experiencing issues with the Android Market this morning? You are not alone as it seems a wide variety of users are experiencing the same. It either works, or it doesn't users are reporting, doesn't seem to be in the middle for anyone, either they have luck or they can't purchase. Hopefully it's just something minor that Google can get up and running quickly, but keep your eye on the source link and here for more updates! Source: Google Groups 
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| Sense 3.0 updates rolling out for HTC Desire HD, Incredible S Posted: 09 Dec 2011 08:27 AM PST And the Wildfire S gets a new lockscreenLooks like HTC is going on something of an updating spree. According to reports from multiple HTC users, the Desire HD and Incredible S have both received updates to Android 2.3.5 and HTC Sense 3.0, bringing their software in line with more recent phones like the Sensation and EVO 3D. In addition, the Wildfire S has apparently received an update of its own, and while it's still on Sense 2.1, its Android version has been bumped up to 2.3.5, and it's now sporting the fancy Sense 3.0 lockscreen that we've enjoyed on high-end HTC devices for some time. To grab the updates on your device, head to Settings > About Phone > Software Updates and tap the button (note that if you're on a carrier-branded device, you may have to wait a little longer before it's rolled out to you). If you've already upgraded, let us know how you're getting on over in the comments. Source: XDA (1, 2, 3); thanks, Dingbums! 
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| Android Central Podcast Ep. 81: Google Currents, 10-cent apps and a Galaxy Nexus Q&A Posted: 09 Dec 2011 07:34 AM PST Podcast MP3 URL: http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/acpc81.mp3
Thing 1: Google Currents
Thing 2: 10-cent app extravaganza
Thing 3: Your Samsung Galaxy Nexus questions
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| Zynga Poker becomes latest addition to the Google TV library Posted: 09 Dec 2011 07:17 AM PST Zynga become the latest developer to throw their hat into the Google TV ring, as Zynga Poker is now available for the platform. The social poker game is now playable across multiple Google platforms, via Google+, their Android app and now their Google TV application. The Google TV version features custom optimisations for the TV with custom graphics, and a control system to take full advantage of the Google TV remote. Download links after the break. via Google TV Blog 
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| Deal of the Day: Seidio ACTIVE Case for HTC EVO Design 4G Posted: 09 Dec 2011 07:12 AM PST The Dec. 9 Deal of the Day is the Seidio ACTIVE Case for the HTC EVO Design 4G. The two-layer case has a compact and lightweight rubber polymer with a hard exoskeleton for added protection, extending to the corners and sides of your phone. And it does so with minimal added thickness, keeps the camera and flash available, and the power and volume buttons at the ready. It's available today only in one of four colors for just $19.95 -- that's 33 pecent off! Plus you can save 17 percent on the Seidio ACTIVE Holster if you buy them together. Get yours while supplies last! 
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| The Verizon HTC Merge? It's a Christmas miracle! Posted: 09 Dec 2011 06:16 AM PST Tired of waiting on the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus? Could we, perhaps, interest you in another sought-after Verizon smartphone that was all rendered extinct without ever really being launched? What you see here, according to AllTechEverything, is an add from a newspaper (ask your parents) in Greensboro, N.C. And at the bottom of that pyramid there is a $49 buy-one-get-two-free offer for none other than the Verizon HTC Merge. Why's that a big deal? The Verzon HTC Merge, as you'll recall, is that mythical phone we got an exclusive look at way back in late August 2010. Rumored launch dates came and went, and the Merge was never really officially released on Verizon, put out to pasture as some sort of online/third-party only deal. Sad, really. It was a great phone. Anyhoo, if you're in or around Greensboro and are jonesing for the greatest phone that never was, maybe swing by and see what you can see. Source: AllTechEverything; thanks, Daniel! 
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| Day 4 of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration Posted: 09 Dec 2011 05:30 AM PST Welcome to Day 4 of Google's 10-day, 10-cent, 10 billion app download celebration in which 10 apps will be sold for a dime. Here are the apps we're seeing on sale so far:
That's 10! Good eyes, everyone! Also: Day 1 apps; Day 2 apps; Day 3 apps 
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| Verizon XYBOARD tablets available now online, in stores Monday Posted: 09 Dec 2011 05:21 AM PST Oddly named Xoom 2 sells for $429 to $729Update: Verizon now says you can get the Xyboard in stores starting Dec. 12.
Remember that they're launching with Android 3.2 but will be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich. Buy now: Verizon Wireless 
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| Samsung wins Galaxy Tab fight in Australia Posted: 08 Dec 2011 07:29 PM PST In the great battle of Apple v. Samsung, Apple has now lost the battle in Australia. The High Court of Australia has ruled that Apples case lacks merit, meaning Samsung is now in the clear to sell the tablet as it sees fit. Samsung has confirmed the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will go on sale in time for the holidays in Australia now that things have been straightened out legally. Apple did fight the ruling, stating the Federal Court of Australia failed to adequately take into account the scope of the previous judgement but despite that disagreement, the High Court justices ruled that the application for special leave be denied and that Apple pay Samsung's legal costs. Again, not the last we'll hear of things but no matter -- Samsung is going ahead. 
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| Android Central Podcast - Live! Posted: 08 Dec 2011 05:50 PM PST |
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