Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

No NFC? No Problem! Thanks to SD Cards Equipped With NFC Transmitters

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 07:48 PM PDT

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If you thought Google Wallet was a great idea but were maybe a little sad that you weren’t one of the four people that actually own an NFC equipped device like the Nexus S you may be in luck! A company by the name of Netcom is showing off micro sd cards they’ve managed to equip with tiny little NFC transmitters no doubt manufactured using tiny little hands.

So how does it work? Simply insert the micro sd cards into your non-NFC device and presto! Using an app already installed on your phone to communicate with the sd cards, you will be able to make wireless transactions in no time. The catch? Well, the NFC micro sd cards wont function properly in any kind of metallic sd slot but if you own a solid plastic device like the Evo (or any Samsung phone) you just might be in luck! Here’s a video showing off the whole painless process.

Because the transmitters are so tiny, finding the sweet spot to transmit can be a little tricky. But you know what can be a real hassle? Attempting to take my phone out from inside my skinny jean pockets. Which brings me to my next question. When can we just start installing these chips into our foreheads and/or wrists?

[Via Engadget]

Qualcomm Takes Another Jab At Nvidia – Announces New Game Pack App Store

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 07:14 PM PDT

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If you own an Android device, you should already be familiar with something that’s we’ve been seeing a lot in Android – app exclusives. With the release of the Xperia Play, we’ve seen certain apps that are supposedly optimized for and can only be found on that specific device. Nvidia may have started off the trend when they launched their Tegra Zone app store and even Amazon has jumped on the bandwagon with their own AppStore featuring game exclusives like (the incredibly fun) Hero Princess. If you thought you may have seen the last of app fragmentation taking the Android world by storm, think again.

Qualcomm has announced that they will be diving into the Android gaming market by releasing their own Snapdragon Game Pack which essentially is an app store catered to/around devices featuring Qualcomm’s mobile chipsets and their powerful new Adreno GPU’s. They already have a few big name developers on board and look to feature over 100 games from companies like Glu, Gameloft, Namco, Polarbit and many more.

It’s no secret that Qualcomm has been on the offensive when it comes to rival Nvidia and their Tegra line of dual-core processors (see Qualcomm’s Youtube channel) and this is just another way for them to stick it to Nvidia. Qualcomm has been late to the dual-core scene and it looks like they’re trying extra hard to make themselves the mobile platform of choice for publishers in the future. Whether or not this new app store will become a success remains to be seen but it appears we have a new factor involved in making our next smartphone purchase with app exclusives possibly playing a roll in that decision.

[Via Reuters]

HTC Hasn’t Forgotten About the Evo 4G – Android 2.3 Gingerbread Update Scheduled

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 06:06 PM PDT

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HTC is coming in hot (not sure what that means) with the long awaited Android 2.3 Gingerbread update for the HTC EVO 4G Ironically, even before Gingerbread updates have rolled out for non-Sense devices like the G2, HTC and Sprint are proving they’re doing this Android thing right with their speedy launch of the next iteration of sweet Android desserts.

Starting June 3rd, you can download and manually apply the update or if for some reason you forget, Sprint will be releasing an OTA (over the air) update that will begin rolling out on June 6th. The update comes with bug fixes abound and should allow users to natively video chat using the new Gtalk application only compatible with Gingerbread. Still unclear is whether or not this update will feature the newer version of Sense 2.1 found in the Thunderbolt and Inspire HTC handsets but I guess we only have to wait another week to find out!

[Via AndroidPolice]

Amazon Readies For Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Launch With It’s Own Landing Page

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 05:45 PM PDT

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Thanks to a Phantip we just received a few moments ago, Phandroid has discovered that Amazon is all set for the imminent release of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1′s by giving the device its very own landing page. The page is displaying in depth information on the Honeycomb tablet showcasing full specs, pics and features. What’s different from what we’ve seen before is a new backing to the device that’s black in color and appears to have some sort of brushed aluminum texture. A smart move in my eyes. Definitely wasn’t too fond of the white shiny plastic on the preliminary models. Still unknown is the exact pricing on the Tab 10.1 32GB but we’ll definitely post more when it finally becomes available. Thanks, Mike from Long Beach!

[Via Amazon]

Apps of the Day: Red Cross, Beat Slider & More

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 03:50 PM PDT

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Games always seem to dominate this list but today we have a healthy balance of both games and apps. Save a life, take a note, save some rain and follow along to the beat. These are just a few of the more interesting applications we’ve come across today. They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t worth taking a look at, so… yeah, take a look at them.

S.O.S by American Red Cross – Accidents happen, folks. We all know that. But those accidents are often extremely unpredictable which makes preparing for one extremely hard. If you have American Red Cross’s new app, though, you can rest easy knowing that you have the information to handle any tragedy right at your fingertips. And if the situation is far too grand for you to handle, a handy 911 feature will get you connected to some help without much of an effort. [Market]

RainDrop – Yep, RainDrop. You’re a rain drop, taking a journey from the clouds to the ground and looking to get there safely. Obstacles will be put in your path, but you’ll also come across powerups that’ll help you get rid of them. It’s like a reverse Papi Jump with soothing music and with graphics just as crisp. I still don’t understand why the rain drop has to make it to the ground safely if he’s just going to explode when he gets there. All logic aside, this one’s free so try it out now. [Market]

Events Recorder – This application isn’t the most exciting in the world, but if you’ve ever needed a voice recording application that allows you to set markers (bookmark) throughout a recording, this is for you. Students who take audio notes can peg when a topic of lecture begins and ends, and many other folks who take notes on a daily basis will be able to use it for much of the same. It’s worth a shot so go ahead and grab the freebie in the Android market. [Market]

Beat Slider – It’s like Simon, but better. And groovier. Do people still use the word “groovier” these days? Anyway, Beat Slider is a memory game with a twist – you have to slide a pattern to match the computer in two ways – the path they took and the rhythm. It’s a music-heavy game so you’ll probably get the hang of it if you follow songs in your head every day. It’s $2.05 but you can grab a lite version if you don’t want to jump in without trying it first. [Market - Lite | Full]

PhanCast 38: +1, Picking An Android, & More [LIVE @7PM Eastern]

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 03:38 PM PDT

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Just a couple hours ago Google pushed the +1 button live and added the feature to Android Market on the web. This is a huge endeavor with implications well beyond Android and we’ll take awhile to discuss it’s far-reaching potential. We’ll also chat about how to choose an Android Phone,

Tune in live at 7PM Eastern over at BlogTalkRadio or via the player below (old episodes may stream while off-air).

Charles Schwab (Ask Chuck!) Mobile Banking App Now Available

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 02:56 PM PDT

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Charles Schwab has been winning over the hearts of many investors and savers lately, and now Chuck has gotten himself a good ol’ Android application. It doesn’t look half bad, either. Take a look at this short list of features waiting for you upon downloading the app and signing in:

  • Manage your investments with the ability to view current positions and transfer money between accounts.
  • Keep an eye on market news and real time quotes.
  • Easily trade stocks, mutual funds, ETFs and more.

But Chuck tells us more is coming, including mobile deposits, locate a Charles Schwab branch, get streaming quotes, multi-task and more. Go ahead, Ask Chuck if you can download it from the Android market. (I’m sure he won’t have a problem with it.)

PSA: Now’s a Good Time to Change Your Gmail Password [Hackers]

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 02:02 PM PDT

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Well, this sucks. Google’s just notified folks that they have foiled plans from hackers believed to be from China. Google claims they foiled the group’s plans before too much damage could be done, but did say that there were a number of victims whose information may have been compromised.

Gmail passwords were retrieved through what Google believes to be a phishing attack. After getting these passwords, the violators would sign in and forward the victim’s email to another address, all without the users knowing.

It’s a good time for you guys to check up on your accounts. Change your passwords, make sure no messages have been sent from your account, and double check your email forwards and filters to make sure your email isn’t being sent to someone else’s inbox. Check Google’s blog out for more details and stay safe, folks.

Archos to Announce New Generation of Android Honeycomb Tablets June 23rd

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 01:24 PM PDT

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The folks at Archos are sending out invites to French press to join them in Paris on June 23rd. What’ll they be doing near the Eiffel Tower? Why, introducing their next generation of Android tablets, of course. We don’t know what to expect out of this event from Archos, but we have a feeling they’re just about ready to adopt Honeycomb. Well, so says that damn blue and black bee bugging Andy in the invitation, anyway.

While they were some of the first on the market with Android tablets and slates, they’ve been passed up by OEMs who are using Google’s official tablet-friendly OS. They’re ready to break out of the stone age now, though, and it should be exciting to see what they’ll be bringing to the table. [via ArchosLounge, Thanks Romain!]

Google +1 Button Now Accompanying Your Android Market (Web) Listings

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 12:57 PM PDT

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Google +1 is a concept I wasn’t really too jazzed about when I first heard about it, but many of you like it and use it daily. If you were fans of it on search than you’ll be happy to know that the +1 button is now available in the web-based Android market. You’ll be seeing it in the first row of the information sidebar in individual market listings.

When you “+1″ something, you are making a recommendation to the folks in your friends list. With Google Search, searching for a chicken pot pie recipe would bring up a specific recipe your friend +1′d, letting you see which recipe they think is the best.

Similarly, for Market, you make an app recommendation for your friends whenever you +1 it. Your friend that pointed out that chicken pot pie recipe could +1 a recipe app that they like, and you’ll see that if you go searching for recipes or recipe apps in Google Search.

Considering a lot of my friends aren’t as into Google as I am, I’m not that into this feature. But if you have a lot of friends who enjoy sharing things with each other daily, and if they have an Android phone, you’ll want to get them up to speed on +1. Click here or watch the video below to learn more about how +1 works.

Oh, and be a doll and +1 one our site on Google and our application in the Android market, will ya? Your friends will thank you for it.

Some of Your Installed Free Apps Not Showing Up in the Market? Try This

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 12:04 PM PDT

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A weird bug has been plaguing some users’ Android market for quite some time now. It’s a simple, one – several of their free applications won’t show up. And sometimes, none of the free applications they’ve installed show up. We’re not sure how widespread this problem is, but one user seems to have found the trick, though. Simply uninstall a free application and reinstall it. After that, exiting and reentering the Android market should fix the problem. Hit Menu > My Apps to check. [via AndroidForums.com]

New Android-Powered eInk Nook on Sale & Shipping Early

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 11:57 AM PDT

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It’s not June 10th, folks. That’s the day that the Android-powered, eInk-enabled Nook from Barnes & Noble was set to go on sale. Reports have flown in that preorderers are starting to see it on their doorsteps and the device is now available for purchase online. (And it ships right away, too.) We’re not mad at early availability, but is it at all possible that someone at Barnes & Noble forgot to type “0″ when putting the device’s shipping date into the system? Meh, who cares – go get it! [CrunchGear, Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Acer Iconia Smart Makes an Appearance at Computex [VIDEO]

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 11:47 AM PDT

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The Acer Iconia Smart may have been delayed on its way to launch, the phone with a rather unique form factor was on hand at Computex. It’s still very much the same device we first saw at Mobile World Congress, but spent a bit more time getting to know the device in its current state. Acer is touting the device as “100 percent smartphone, 100% tablet,” a reference the device’s 4.8-inch widescreen display. The handset isn’t a small one, but it does manage to maintain a manageable footprint.

HTC DoubleShot (MyTouch 4G Slide) Visits the FCC

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 11:45 AM PDT

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The HTC DoubleShot has had a quiet journey so far, but its next stop should be the beginning to an exciting run culminating with a release on T-Mobile as the MyTouch 4G Slide. It’s hit the FCC recently, and while it’s tough to peg a release date on that alone, it means we’re as close to a launch as we’re going to get. It’ll be any day now before T-Mobile officially outs this one, but we’ll be here to report it when they do. Check it out at the FCC for yourself. [via Wireless Goodness]

First Look at the ViewSonic ViewPad 7x [VIDEO]

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 11:23 AM PDT

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ViewSonic has given us a 7-inch Android tablet before as the ViewPad 7, but their latest update to that model brings along Android Honeycomb and a dual-core processor. The ViewSonic ViewPad 7x was on show at Computex this year and we stopped by to grab a look. The Honeycomb tablet gets a custom interface known as Shell 3D. It mostly works to pretty up the homescreen interface of Honeycomb. Oddly, it only works in portrait mode, which seems odd for a tablet. Hopefully this is merely an early build of the software and landscape could be implemented in the future. The ViewPad 7x doesn’t do much to dazzle, but it gets the job done. Quick, compact Honeycomb.
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