Thursday, May 26, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Behold, the Power of the Android Community: HTC to Unlock Future Bootloaders

Posted: 26 May 2011 06:44 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

 

Honestly, guys… I can’t even believe what I’m seeing here. Never in all of my days have I seen a company listen to such a vocal minority with such speed and urgency.. Today, friends — HTC has agreed to unlock their bootloaders.

There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we’ve listened. Today, I’m confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience.

-Peter Chou, CEO of HTC

Wait- what’s that sound? Its the collective cheers of the Android faithful around the globe chanting, “HTC! HTC! HTC!” Wow. I’m at a loss for words here, guys. I’m actually getting a little teary eyed, not even going to lie to you.

In case you’ve missed the news that’s been going around the past few weeks, there was a growing number of users from the Android community speaking out on HTC’s newest policy of heavily locking down their bootloaders and encrypting them. This would prevent people, like myself, from not only rooting their phones, but installing custom ROMs on future HTC devices across the board. Basically giving us little to no freedom to modify our phones as we please. Android enthusiasts from around the interwebs took to HTC’s Facebook page, bombarding them with comments and messages asking them to cease this new policy and return to their old way of doing things, even warning to never buy another HTC device again.

Not only was HTC listening, but HTC was also deciding. Their decision came today, not barely a day later, by way of Facebook announcing their new policy of unlocking bootloaders on future handsets and that they, unlike rival companies (Motorola, Apple), actually listen to their customers. Bravo, HTC. Bra-freakin’-vo. Only question that remains is if this new policy will go into effect on the upcoming Sensation and Evo 3D handsets do out in only a few more weeks. As always, we’ll be keeping you updated.

[Via Facebook]

Use The Power of Android To Become a Crime Fighter!

Posted: 26 May 2011 06:02 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Here’s an interesting bit of news I came across today. It looks like Clarks County, Nevada is leading the charge against crime in their city and how are they doing it? Well, using the power of Android of course. That’s right. While most cities are still relying on the old, inefficient way of reporting crimes, “That guy just got shot! What was the number to 911 again? Too late, he got away. I’m gonna grab a slurpee.” this county in Nevada is actually allowing would be vigalanties to use an Android app to report grahfitti and other small violations. Welcome to the 21st century people.

The way the app works is simple. First you categorize the offense: graffiti, illegal dumping, green pool, dead body. Then you can use either text or audio note to accompany a photo. The app will then record the place of the offense using your phones GPS and you can send in the issue to your local authorities! What’s really neat is when you report graffiti with a photo, the police actually have a data base they use for matching up the style of “writing” with vandals. Reporters can also remain anonymous or provide information to be notified when the report has been filed.

I can tell you an app like this is should be kept far away from me. I can’t even express to you how much it grinds my gears to see graffiti in my wonderful city. I’d most likely dress up in tights (or find some nice, form fitting jeggings) and run around my city at night reporting every d-bag who blows excessive amounts of smog on the freeway, throws a cigarette butt out his window and even that shady guy, Tyrone, that’s always standing in front of the 7-11 at 2 in the morning. But all I need is a catchy name..

So what have we learned here, kids? Well, if you thought it was bad enough having Big Brother watching you, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Oh ya — and only you can prevent forest fires, littering and homicide. G.I JOE!

[Via LVRJ]

Google Music App Updated – Adds Much Needed New Feature

Posted: 26 May 2011 05:05 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Guess what, folks? Google has updated their newly launched Google Music app on the Market! Why does that have me pumped? Because with the update comes one major change. Song deletion.

Before, it was impossible to delete a cached song off your sd card once you “pinned it” for offline play. Sounds like something Google should have thought of before hand, don’t ya think? I’m still waiting for the ability to delete songs off of Google serv- I’m sorry, “the cloud” using the music app but I guess you can’t have it all.

So if you didn’t get the update notification pushed to your phone yet, feel free to jump into your Android Market and update the app or by clicking here.

Galaxy Tab 8.9 Makes Its Way Past The FCC and Into Your Heart

Posted: 26 May 2011 04:47 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Right on time for that June 8th launch date, it looks like Samsung’s more practical size 8.9 (GT-P7310) has won FCC approval today. We already reported the bigger 10.1 version passing FCC earlier this month and Google I/O attendees have been playing around with the 10.1-inch special edition for a few weeks now. Our very own Quentyn Kennemer did an awesome review for Galaxy Tab 10.1 I/O Edition so make sure to check that out.

If you were hoping for a few surprises like an sd card slot, it looks like Samsung is still adopting Apple’s business model of forcing you to fork over an extra $100 to double that 16GB of memory… but they’re awfully purty. These Honeycomb tablets are easily the slimmest on the market and with hands down the best screens I’ve seen, makes them hard to resist. I’ve been dying to get my hands on the 8.9-inch for quite some time seeing how the 10.1 was a little too big for my tastes. Wont have to wait much longer when both these devices drop in early June.

[Via FCC]

 

Apps of the Day [5/26]: GymGenie, Icarus-X, and More

Posted: 26 May 2011 03:38 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Today’s apps are all about helping you. Get that juicehead look with GymGenie, get your laces fresh with Lacing Art, and well…maybe the rest won’t help you that much after all. Never mind that, it’s Apps of the Day, the daily feature where we  take the tough work out of tracking down what’s good in the Android Market. A little light today, but still a selection of quality apps. There’s something for everyone!

GymGenie – Gym rats, listen up. GymGenie is here to whip your butt into shape as the only virtual personal trainer you will ever need. 600,000 combinations of workouts, over 200 instructional videos, and the ability to focus in on select muscle groups will have you begging for mercy by the time the Genie is through with you. Developer a personal plan for exactly the body you want through an easy to use interface. Definitely one for the fitness buffs out there. [Market]

Lacing Art – This is a strange one, for sure, but almost too odd to pass up. We’re sure somewhere out there exists a subculture that is nuts about the art of lacing up shoes, and for them and everyone else comes Lacing Art. 35 different styles of lacing are included with how-to instructions, and they aren’t all just for show. Find out the best lacing pattern bicycling, hiking, running, and getting snazzed up for an evening on the town. Download it and you might even learn something new. [Market]

IndyCar Mobile from Verizon - This app will definitely fill a niche market: IndyCar race fans with Verizon Wireless Android handsets. But nonetheless we felt it worth mentioning. Stay up to date on the summer racing season with schedules, results, and race day audio feeds. [Market]

Icarus-X – This vertical shooter with 3D graphics provides some pretty exciting and addictive gameplay. Complete with two campaigns, four challenge modes, and “epic” boss battles, the fast paced game has the potential to get the heart pumping. The graphics are pretty swell too. Controls can be a bit to master, but that’s what the slow-mo practice mode is for. [Market]

Amazon Memorial Day Sale Sees 4G Phones Steeply Discounted

Posted: 26 May 2011 02:59 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Looks like the Nexus S 4G getting priced at $49.99 was part of a much larger sale Amazon has going for the Memorial Day weekend. The retailer is knocking down the prices of close to 20 4G handsets, including quite a few that are but a few weeks old. Here is a look at some of the better deals you can take advantage of:

Like we said, quite a few good deals to be had. Check out Amazon’s 4G listings for all the offers.

[via BGR]

Netflix Update Working on More Devices than Advertised

Posted: 26 May 2011 02:31 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

The latest update for the Android Netflix app brought about support for a few new handsets, but it turns out more than those listed can take advantage of the new APK. It appears that Netflix has lifted the device check that was preventing the app from installing on nearly all handsets, and the application has been found to run on many more handsets than those listed in the Android Market description. The Droid X2 and Xperia Play are streaming video just fine, though the Motorola XOOM and non-rooted Thunderbolt aren’t having quite the same luck. Things seem pretty hit or miss, but you might just luck out with your Android handset. You’ll have to install the APK from outside the Android Market, you can grab the download over at the source below.

[via DroidLife]

No NFC, No Problem: Google to Issue NFC Sticker for Wallet Services

Posted: 26 May 2011 02:11 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Google doesn’t want a lack of NFC support in most devices to deter users from their Google Wallet payments service. At a Q&A sessions taking place after today’s announcement, it was revealed that Google will be issuing NFC-enabled stickers to users to facilitate mobile payment processing. The sticker can be placed on the back of your phone, though it doesn’t actually need to an Android handset to work. You won’t get the full-fledged Google Wallet experience, however. The sticker will be tied to a single credit card number, assigned by the user. With some finagling you could potentially have access to more accounts by tying the sticker to a Google Prepaid account (bonus: you get $10 of spending money just for signing up), which can receive deposits from various sources.

[via Android and Me]

Deal Alert: Amazon Has the Nexus S 4G at $49.99 with New Contract

Posted: 26 May 2011 01:17 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Amazon has dropped the price of Sprint’s Nexus S 4G bringing the Google Experience handset down to a wallet-friendly $49.99 when purchased on a new two-year contract. For existing customers wishing to upgrade, the handset will still only set you back a reasonable $99.99. This is a great opportunity to get your hands on the Android 2.3.4 handset if you’re in the market. Buy it at Amazon.

[thanks, Kurt!]

T-Mobile Confirms Gingerbread Coming to G2x this Summer, Will Fix Software Issues

Posted: 26 May 2011 12:41 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

The T-Mobile G2X has been a bit hard to come by as of late. The carrier gave supply and demand as the main reason they have made the handset unavailable to new buyers, but it sounds like there may still be a bit of truth to rumors that the device was pulled due to quality control issues. According to PCMag, T-Mobile has acknowledged that some users are experiencing random shutdowns and restarts, and they are working hard to provide a software fix for the issue. When might we expect that software fix? Our best bet is as part of the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update, which TMo has confirmed will be hitting G2x handsets sometime this summer. We’ve already seen a sneak peak at said update with a recently leaked ROM, but boy are we excited for the official version to land. Now only if summer wasn’t such a broad window…

[via TMoNews, BGR]

Netflix for Android Updated with Support for New Devices Including Original Droid, Blocks Access for Rooted Users? [Update: Working Fine]

Posted: 26 May 2011 12:19 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Netflix has just launched an update to their Android app coinciding with the launch of the LG Revolution for Verizon. The Revolution ships with the movie streaming service pre-installed, but it isn’t the only Verizon handset gaining support for the app. The original Motorola Droid and the Casio G’zOne Commando have been added to the list of supported devices, adding to a handful of HTC and Samsung handsets already prepped for instant access to Netflix video.

[UPDATE]: Several users have tweeted our way to confirm that Netflix streaming is not being blocked on rooted devices. We still aren’t sure what is going on in the anecdote retold below, but those users who are keen on hacking and modding their phones should be just peachy to download the new update.

While we haven’t been able to confirm, we have been receiving reports that this update might also come with a very big downside. Netflix might be jumping on board with Google Movies and Blockbuster, blocking rooted devices from accessing video streams. One user with a rooted HTC Incredible — one of the first handsets to gain Netlix support — received the following error message after launching the update:

It looks like Netflix has been deactivated on this device. It could be an issue with your account or perhaps your device was deactivated on netflix.com

After checking on his desktop, the same user verified that his Netflix account was still in working order, leaving us to believe something may, in fact, be going on. We must stress again that this is unverified information, but we felt it worth mentioning. Any other rooted users out there losing access to Netflix once updating their app? Let us know in the comments below.

[Thanks, romma, Neil, and JDog for sending this through!]

Motorola Droid X2 Review

Posted: 26 May 2011 12:08 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

The Motorola Droid X2 might be the second handset in Verizon’s Android lineup with an ‘X’ in its name, but it’s the first to feature a dual-core processor. The NVIDIA Tegra 2 chip clocked at 1GHz is definitely the key selling point for this phone, but a crisp and big qHD display rolled into a familiar and successful form factor make the X2 easily one of Verizon’s best handsets to date. The lack of 4G LTE connectivity will deter some future-looking buyers, but if the next-gen network technology isn’t on your list of must-haves, the Droid X2 is definitely worth a long, hard look.

Hardware Review

The Droid X2 really shines in the hardware department. Motorola continues the trend of bringing the latest cutting-edge technologies together with sleek looks under the Droid name. The things that will instantly stick out to anyone checking out the X2 are its blazing Tegra 2 processor and bright, beautiful, and big qHD display. Motorola chose to not fix what wasn’t broken, and instead key upgrades are what make the Droid X2 a real powerhouse.

The Droid X2 carries Verizon’s first dual-core processor, a Tegra 2 clocked at 1GHz per core, and it really cooks here. The X2 isn’t the fastest dual-core handset we have had the pleasure of getting to know, but we’ll chalk that up to Motorola’s often-bulky MotoBlur interface (we’d be real interested to see how the X2 would perform with stock Android). Launching applications is quick and smooth, navigating amongst homescreens and launching profiles feels seamless, and 3D graphics and gaming performance are top notch.

The 4.3-inch qHD display with its 540×960 resolution is a real treat as well. We can’t say it tops the Super AMOLED Plus of recent Samsung handsets, but video, web sites, and images look clear and bright, and text is as easy to read as ever. The X2 is capable of 720p video playback, and an HDMI out provides the ability to show 1080p content (courtesy of that powerful Tegra 2). The HDMI out also provides a mirror mode for 1:1 mirroring of your handsets display on a larger HD monitor.

Of course, such heavy-hitting hardware comes with one major fault: battery life. A dual-core processor and large display have been known to drain a battery pretty fast, and while the X2 gets a decent lifespan for basic messaging and calling, the minute you start playing 3D games or watching high-quality video content the battery’s power takes a significant dive. We’d hate to see what would happen if 4G LTE was on-board, and perhaps this was part of the decision to leave the network technology out. Yes, the X2 lacks 4G, and it might be the biggest drawback of a handset that otherwise dominates Verizon’s current lineup.

Software Review

The Droid X2 ships with Android 2.2.2 and the latest version of Motorola’s MotoBlur interface on top. It has never been our favorite interface — and that doesn’t change with the latest version — but some improvements have been made here that do improve the overall experience. The custom UI does at times create lag that would otherwise be unnecessary, but otherwise everything functions smoothly out of the box.

You notice immediately the new blue/grey status bar that mimics the look of Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Gingerbread, however, is not here (an update is in the works). The interface features seven home screens and three profiles, giving a grand total of 21 panes of home screen goodness. Switching between profiles is easy, as is jumping to any particular home screen using the hardware ‘home’ key.

A set of four icons along the bottom of each home screen remain static and provide quick access to the phone dialer, messaging, camera, and apps launcher. The apps launcher itself is updated with new sorting options and the ability to hop directly into the Android Market.

The standard array of social networking, messaging, and information portal widgets are here, and they function as advertised. Nothing to write home about, and sometimes clunkier than necessary. Many users will get a lot of use from these built-in services while others might simply remove them from their home screens. The X2 comes with plenty of pre-loaded software at launch, including your standard Google Mobile Suite options and Verizon V Cast offerings.

Given the excellent hardware of the handset, we can easily look past any flaws that MotoBlur brings with it. We’re excited to see where the Droid X2 goes when it receives its Gingerbread update in the near future.

Gaming, Media, and Web Browsing

Here is where you will get your money’s worth with the Droid X2. The combination of dual-core processor and updated display technology with plenty of screen real estate offer some of the best gaming, web browsing, and media viewing experiences to date on an Android phone.


The X2 breezes through full-3D offerings, rendering graphics with ease and hardly skipping a beat. And it isn’t all for nothing, as the qHD display translates said 3D graphics with brilliant clarity.

The 4.3-inch screen provides a great web browsing experience, rendering pages as they should look and giving plenty of room to read text and view images. Scrolling is flawless and responsive and page loads are snappy.

Viewing video on the X2 is, likewise, a real treat. Again, you can thank the large display and fast processor for this (are you seeing a trend?). Battery life remains an issue when using the X2 heavily for video and game consumption, but given a charge is nearby you could easily lose hours to all that the X2 has to offer.

In Conclusion

The Motorola Droid X2 is a superbly crafted handset that takes all that was good with the original and spruces it up in all the right areas. You can’t go wrong with the X2 for gaming, media, and other tasks that require some pretty powerful specs. Simply put, this is a power-user’s handset, but it could find a home with nearly anyone. It’s large size may turn a few off, and a lack of 4G LTE connectivity doesn’t provide a future-proof device, but if those factors aren’t an issue you can’t go wrong with the Droid X2.

Wall Street Journal Release Smartphone Version of their Android App

Posted: 26 May 2011 11:51 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

The Wall Street Journal is now available as an app for Android smartphones, but it isn’t the publications first rodeo on Google’s OS. You will recall the WSJ has been available in Honeycomb tablet form for a while now, though oddly a version designed for the smaller screens of smartphones hasn’t existed until today.

The new app is your standard smartphone news portal, with the ability to mark articles for reading at a later date and social network sharing for stories that really get you riled up. The Wall Street Journal has been operating under a paywall model, so you’ll need a subscription to get the most out of the content. Find the app in the Android Market now.

Android Market Link: The Wall Street Journal

Google Wallet and Google Offers Innovate the Mobile Payment Space Like We’ve Never Seen Before

Posted: 26 May 2011 10:29 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

We just got done watching the live stream of Google announcing Google Wallet and Google Offers in conjunction with Sprint, FirstData, Citi and Mastercard. It’s everything we imagined it to be and more. Using an NFC phone, you’ll soon be able to tap POS systems to quickly and securely make payments without the need to carry around any more plastic other than what may have been used to construct your phone.

It’s so much more than just payments, though. Google also announced Google Offers, a companion service which enables retailers to deliver offers to their customers handsets, and which enables customers to easily redeem them using that same handset.

All of the partners mentioned above convened in New York to show off the new technology that Google is set to launch this Summer. They detailed everything – from how the NFC chip securely stores and handles the data to how you’ll actually use the applications on your Android phones.

How it’ll work

In the demo, setting up Google Wallet looked very simple. From the start, you’re asked to enter a pin number that will be used to access Google Wallet every time you open the application. After you’re in, you’re asked to add a credit card. You do just that, entering your credit card information into a series of text fields just as you would any website online or any mobile payments form.

Upon entering your details, three things happen. First, your bank verifies that you are who you say you are as they securely receive your request and details. Once they do, they securely send that information to FirstData, who is a “trusted services manager”. They see that the bank has given them the green light as far as authentication goes.

After that, FirstData sends a token back to your device saying it’s OK for you to use your wallet on your phone. It sounds like a long process, but it happens in seconds. After that, you can start buying stuff but you can only use $100 until you activate/verify your account to use that card. (Usually done through email.)

If you don’t want to use multiple credit cards on the same phone, or if you don’t have a Citi Mastercard, you can add funds to a “GCard” that is usable just like a regular card at any supported point of sale.

Google, in conjunction with FastData, has taken security very seriously in the venture and have gone above and beyond industry standards to ensure the utmost safety for consumers and their partners with innovative hardware and software-based solutions. Do not try to open your Nexus S or any phone with NXP’s secure chip inside – your NFC chip will purposely break. And that part of the NFC chip won’t even be powered on until you enter the NFC wallet application and submit your pin number.

What you can do with it

After that, you’ll be able to walk into any enabled retailer and use your phone to make purchases just as you would with a credit card. Going further, Google Offers will enable you to take advantage of deals that your favorite retailers are offering. You can search Google for, say, a bicycle and find that a bicycle shop has a 20% off coupon. Simply click “save to wallet” and it’ll be there on your phone to redeem at the point of sale.

Things get really cool where you can send multiple coupons and cards through one tap. Google calls this SingleTap and will make it easier and quicker for you to take advantage of all of the offers you can and pay for your goods. No longer will you have to fish for that coupon, scan your rewards card, then swipe your credit card. All of that can be sent to the point of sale in one fell swoop.

It’s a two-way system, as well. A merchant can automatically detect if you’ve been shopping at their store a lot and can set you up with a rewards account and card that is stored on your phone right away at the point of sale. And you don’t have to remember that punch card or rewards card when you go to buy more coffee – just keep buying with your phone and you’ll eventually unlock that free cup of java. Gift cards will also be supported in a similar way as regular credit cards.

What the future holds

And it doesn’t stop here, apparently. Google’s looking to add many other things to the system in the future, such as giving merchants the ability to send receipts to your phone instead of having to print paper.

One use case that immediately popped into my head was McDonalds Monopoly. It comes around every year and you’re bound to lose those tiny pieces that come with your meals. McDonalds could send your game piece to your phone right when you buy the meal so that you don’t have to deal with keeping track of those little buggers.

Other use cases include storing tickets to a movie, concert or sporting event and being granted admission by tapping your phone at a node.

There are probably a lot more things that could be done with it that I can’t even think of at the moment. This type of functionality will be possible due to the vast open nature of the platform. In their press briefing, Google stressed that being open, flexible and inviting was the only way they would consider going about this movement.

When, where and with whom all of this is happening

The service is being made free so that even the smallest of shoppes can accept Google Wallet and Google Offers. It’s a great strategic move by Google that should position them well in this space up against competition ISIS (who is currently collaborating with carriers Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T on their own solution). Sprint is the only American carrier who has partnered with Google on this venture.

Google’s inviting anyone and everyone to jump on board, including carriers, merchants, credit card providers/banks and more. They’re running trials in San Francisco starting this stummer, and will eventually expand the service nationwide in the months to come. Merchant partners include Subway, American Eagle Outfitters, Macy’s, Walgreens, Toys R Us, Noah’s Bengals and a lot more to start.

You’ll be able to use it at any PayPass-enabled point of sale system, and you can only use Wallet with a Citi Mastercard at this time. Google is working on adding more credit card providers and banks in the future. In the meantime, those without Citi Mastercard can add funds from any credit card to the “GCard” detailed above. Google has stated that, starting out, over 120,000 merchant locations will be enabled with this technology in the United States and over 300,000 locations will be enabled worldwide, with more to come after launch.

Google says they don’t expect this to become as common as credit cards for quite some time. And if you don’t have a Nexus S, don’t worry – Google’s expecting 50% of all smartphones to be NFC-enabled by 2014. Head over to Google.com/wallet for more information.

What NOT to do in a Meeting Where You’re Set to Announce Job Cuts [Video]

Posted: 26 May 2011 08:55 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

I’m no executive wearing suits and making important decisions that could affect the lives of hundreds or thousands of employees, or anything. Having said that, I think I have a pretty good idea of things not to do at a meeting where I’m about to announce that a lot of people will lose their jobs. This is one of them:

It’s a Telefonica suit playing Bubble Blast on a Motorola XOOM. The footage has caused outrage in Spain from employees affected by the job cuts and those sympathizing with the employees. The guy probably figured: “It has to happen anyway. A quick game of Bubble Blast can’t hurt, can it?” Yes, sir, it can.

It shows that you don’t really care about the people you’re letting go, even if you really do. If you’re going to lay someone off, at least show sympathy and concern in a time where your hands are tied either way. Layoffs happen and we get why they need to happen sometimes, but throwing fuel onto a fire that big is sure to cause an explosion.

[PointGPhone]
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)