Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Verizon LG Revolution Enters Testing Phase

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 06:28 PM PDT

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It was only a few months ago during CES when Phandroid got their hands-on time with the LG Revolution With nothing more than a vague Q2 release date, it looks as if the Revolution’s immenent release is almost upon us. Android Central is reporting that the phone has now entered its testing phase and they also secured additional pics of the device in all of its psuedo Touch Whizzy glory.

I feel like this phone will be picked up by unassuming soccer mom’s and kids looking for a more budget friendly LTE device on Verizon. What do you guys think? Has this phone already been bested by the Thunderbolt? Will you wait for some pricing options or continue to hold out for Motorola’s dual-core Droid Bionic?

[Via Android Central]

Jajah Brings Facebook Calling to Android

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 05:03 PM PDT

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With all the messaging/video/calling apps flooding the Market these days, its rare when one of them truly sets themselves apart. Enter Jajah.

How the app works is it allows you to make calls to your friends and family who are logged into Facebook Chat. Sounds easy enough, right? But I know what you’re thinking, “Do the people I call have to set up an account first or some kind of 3rd party software installed?” The answer is no!

Simply open the app, make a call to someone logged into Facebook Chat and the person will be notified of your call via a handy link. The link will forward the recipient to Jajah’s website where they will immediately be connected with you.

I’ve never seen something more easy and practical to use. I personally never got into other voice/video calling apps like Tango, or LiveProfile because it required both users to have the app or open an account which I found to be more of a hassle. Jajah’s method is a little more universal (everyone is on Facebook nowadays, right?) and user friendly. It needs to be said that this app will use your plan’s minutes so keep thats something to keep in mind when making calls.

[Via TechCrunch]

Sprint to Get Wi-Fi XOOM Alongside WiMax Model?

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 03:29 PM PDT

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We’ve already heard about Sprint getting a WiMax-enabled version of the Motorola XOOM, but BGR says they’ve been able to confirm that model and another one – the Wi-Fi XOOM. We’re sure these’ll go for full retail price, but don’t be surprised to see a Sprint Overdrive + Wi-Fi XOOM bundle for an overall discounted price at the point of sale. (And if you go for that, you might as well just go for the WiMax model unless you have other devices you’d like to enable on the go.)

Google Maps Receiving Tons of 1-Star Ratings Due to Lack of Changelog in Today’s Beefy 5.3.1 Update

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 03:15 PM PDT

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Well isn’t this just about the weirdest thing we’ve seen from one of Google’s market apps? They’ve apparently issued an upgrade to Google Maps which clocks in at 5.3MB. What’s more is that no changelog is included – something that Google usually doesn’t forget – and there are no noticeable changes within the app itself. Thus, market raters are damning Google’s free navigation and maps utility to a plethora of 1-star ratings until they ‘fess up. We’ll certainly be contacting Google for a comment. [Thanks George!]

DirecTV Bringing HBO Go and MAX Go to Android Later This Year

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 03:07 PM PDT

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DirecTV is set to bring new mobile content options to their consumers as they have announced HBO Go and MAX Go, services that should bring you over 1800 titles worth of entertainment from movies to television shows. The service will first be launched for PC, but tucked away in the press release is a line confirming that the service will be going mobile sometime later this year.And – you guessed it – one of those mobile platforms will be Android. The press release mentions that users will be able to watch their favorite shows after it airs on television. The best part about it all? Totally free if you’re a subscriber. Read on for full press details.

DIRECTV to Launch HBO GO® and MAX GO®, April 12th

 

 

Latest Online Offerings from HBO® To Bring More Than 1400 Titles To DIRECTV Customers Who Subscribe to HBO, With an Additional 400 Titles to Cinemax® Subscribers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– DIRECTV, the world’s largest pay TV provider, is giving customers even more control over their viewing experience with the launch of HBO’s new authenticated online video destinations, HBO GO and MAX GO, beginning tomorrow, April 12th. The services are provided free, with unlimited access, to DIRECTV customers who subscribe to the premium channels. HBO GO and MAX GO allow subscribers to instantly watch every episode of every season of the best shows from HBO, plus hundreds of Hollywood hit movies, indies, cult favorites and more from Cinemax -- any time and from any U.S. location through a broadband connected computer.

“The addition of HBO GO and MAX GO is the next step in bringing quality video content to our customers anytime, anywhere,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV. “Giving our customers the opportunity to experience their favorite programming, no matter where they are, truly enhances their overall viewing experience and helps them get the most out of the content they subscribe to.”

With more than 1400 titles offered online, HBO GO includes instant access to the best and latest HBO shows and hit movies including highly anticipated upcoming series like Game of Thrones® (premiering April 17), current award-winning series like Boardwalk Empire® and True Blood®, HBO classics like The Sopranos®, Sex and the City® and Deadwood®, plus HBO original films, miniseries, sports, documentaries and specials, as well as a wide selection of blockbuster theatricals.

HBO’s sister service, MAX GO, adds more than 400 titles of Cinemax programming online, featuring Hollywood’s hottest hits, the best in new cinema, action-packed thrillers, comedies, classic screen gems and the Max After Dark series.

With these online services, DIRECTV customers will also have access to:

  • New titles immediately after their premiere on the networks;
  • The ability to create a “Watchlist” that keeps track of bookmarked content for later viewing;
  • Bonus content including interviews, recaps, and behind-the-scenes extras;
  • Customizable views showing titles in slideshow, grid or list format;
  • And the ability to pause, rewind and view at their convenience.

In addition, HBO GO can be personalized through a “Series Pass®” capability which automatically alerts viewers to new episodes of favorite HBO programs when they arrive on the service. MAX GO includes “Browse by Tags,” a feature that allows users to find titles via keywords.

To view online, DIRECTV’s HBO and Cinemax subscribers can go to HBOGO.com and MAXGO.com, sign in with their DIRECTV user ID and password, make their selections and view. DIRECTV customers can also go to DIRECTV.com/watchonline to learn how to gain access to HBO GO and MAX GO. DIRECTV’s HBO and Cinemax subscribers will be able to access this new service through mobile devices, including the Apple iPad and iPhone and Android products later this year.

HBO GO and MAX GO are the latest additions to HBO’s digital offerings and a perfect complement to HBO On Demand® and Cinemax On Demand® with even more viewing choices. On both services, most programming is available in high definition.

About DIRECTV:

DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is the world’s largest pay TV provider delivering the premiere video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 28 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 19.2 million customers access to more than 160 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, award winning technology like its DIRECTV® DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for ten years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 9 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit directv.com.

HBO GO® is only accessible in the US where a high speed broadband connection is available. Minimum connection of 3 Mbps required for HD viewing. Select titles not available in HD. ©2011 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved. HBO® and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

iPad® and iPhone® are trademarks of Apple Inc.

Android™ is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

 

Manually Download & Install the New DROID X Gingerbread Leak At Your Own Risk

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 02:42 PM PDT

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Earlier we heard from AndroidForums.com that an OTA upgrade for the DROID X was being trickled out to few select individuals. Later, P3Droid confirmed this and informed everyone that this was a newer Gingerbread build than was previously leaked. And now download links are swirling about for those ballsy enough to apply it.

It’s not going to mess your phone up or anything, but you must SBF to stock Android 2.2 on your DROID to apply this upgrade, and doing that means you lose root with the unfortunate possibility of not being able to get it back if you decide to bite he bullet on upgrading from there.

We’re hopeful the developers will find an exploit for the e but if you don’t plan on giving up root and custom ROMs for this one, you may want to just stay with what you’ve got now. Head on over to DROID X Forums for download links. (Simply flash the update.zip file in recovery.) [via AC]

Send Images Shot With Your P&S Straight to Android Using Eye-Fi Direct Mode

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 02:12 PM PDT

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This is pretty neat. The folks at Eye-Fi are issuing an upgrade to their wireless sharing products that’ll enable you to send new photos from your point-and-shoot to your Android device as soon as the picture is snapped. It’d be quite handy for taking a high-quality photo of a scene you don’t want to forget and sending it off right away to friends and family. Those who own the X2 Mobile cards will get an update later this week to add the functionality, while new users will simply just need to buy a new X2 card. (Which are going for as little as $80 for 8GB.) [via CrunchGear]

Rogers Getting Xperia Play, Arc April 28th?

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 02:05 PM PDT

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We’ve been hearing murmurs of a “late April” release date for these two Sony Ericsson phones for a while now and new evidence sent to MobileSyrup suggests that the Xperia Play and Xperia Arc will both be headed to Rogers April 28th. Expect the phones to cost $99.99 after a three-year contract once they do make their way to the carrier. [via MobileSyrup]

WIND Blows Nexus S To More Candian Shores

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 01:25 PM PDT

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Maple Leafed Phandroids currently have a bunch of options if they’d like to procure the Samsung Nexus S but if you’ve been waiting for WIND to carry the Nexus S are you still waiting? No more holding your breath, WIND now has all the Nexus-S-Air you’ll need now:

You’ll be set back $525 for the priviledge of a 4-inch SUPER AMOLED screen, 1GHz processor fueling Android 2.3, a 5MP camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, and NFC capabilities.

[Via WIND]

Adobe Issues Warning, Schedules Future Update For Seemingly Minor Flash Exploit

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 01:23 PM PDT

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We shouldn’t be surprised at how this stuff works after all this time – Flash is kind of buggy and kind of insecure, and Android is no exception to the list of exploitable victims through vulnerabilities. The folks at Adobe have issued a security warning for an issue they’re calling critical. It affects Flash 10.2, but likely won’t be too harmful if you’re on a modern version of Android. (And even if you aren’t, chances of the plugin crashing and a hacker taking advantage at that very moment are low.) You can find the patch in their next update. [via Android Community]

Architects, Designers & Engineers: AutoDesk Takes AutoCAD to Android

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 01:10 PM PDT

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Android may have already taken over the earth but there is still tons of room for growth and one key growth area is in professional services and institutional solutions. With the announcement of AutoCAD WS for Android, AutoDesk will allow architects, designers and engineers the ability to download, view, edit and collaborate on drawings from their Android device.

This application will interest a limited number of people, but for the professionals it DOES interest it could be immensely valuable. I can especially see this being used on a tablet experience but let’s hear from the folks out there who would use it – what do you think of AutoCAD for Android?

The app will be available for download starting April 20th. For now, check out the full press release:

Autodesk Brings AutoCAD WS Mobile App to Android

SANRAFAEL, Calif., April 12, 2011 -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced the availability of the AutoCAD WS mobile application on the Android platform. A free* web and mobile application, AutoCAD WS uses cloud computing technology to enable Autodesk software users to view, edit and share their designs through web browsers and mobile devices.

AutoCAD WS for Android enables an expanded group of users to enjoy the benefits of effortless collaboration with architects, designers and engineers from anywhere in the world and experience the freedom of taking designs with them--wherever they go.

"Architects, engineers and designers have clearly communicated that they want access to their AutoCAD projects on their Android devices and we are more than happy to meet their needs. The impressive and consistent growth of the Android ecosystem serves as an excellent platform for Autodesk to further expand its accessibility through AutoCAD WS," said Tal Weiss, AutoCAD WS software development manager, Autodesk.  "Now our customers with Android smartphones and tablets can use AutoCAD WS to collaborate with colleagues in the field, and across the globe, on a wider variety of mobile devices."

Users of AutoCAD WS for Android will enjoy features such as a simplified, intuitive set of viewing, editing, and markup tools so users can work on their designs while on the go. Users can open drawings from email attachments, sync files from the web, or upload drawings directly from AutoCAD software through the integrated online tab. Drawings can also be saved locally for use in the field when an Internet connection is unavailable.

One feature unique to Android version of AutoCAD WS is the text annotation tool supports integrated voice commands available on devices running Android 2.2 (Froyo) or above.  Now Android users can insert comments and notations on a drawing simply by speaking rather than typing them into the text edit box.

Additional feature enhancements that are available with this release include:

  • Plot to PDF (web app only): Users can publish their DWG drawing to PDF using the free AutoCAD WS web application just as they would withAutoCAD software.
  • Anywhere Storage (web and mobile apps): In addition to the AutoCAD WS cloud, customers can now connect directly to alternate storage folders from their Android, iPad and iPhone devices, as well as through the AutoCAD WS web application. This currently includes: the Autodesk Buzzsaw service, Dropbox (through DropDAV), Microsoft SharePoint, Windows Server 2008, Box.net, MobileMe, and Egnyte, and other cloud storage providers who support the WebDAV protocol.

Availability: AutoCAD WS for Android will be available for download on the Android Market beginning April 20, 2011. Register and find out as soon as the download is available.

How about if some Android Manufacturers use AutoCAD for Android on their Android Phone to design 3D models of new Android Phones? Sounds tight dawg.

Wirefly Offering the HTC Thunderbolt for $150 [Deals]

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 12:52 PM PDT

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Were you waiting for a bit cheaper of a price on that brand new 4G LTE-enabled HTC Thunderbolt Wirefly’s got your back as they often do. You can scoop the device up for $50 less than you can at Big Red’s official retail channels, which isn’t bad if considering you’re going to be signing a two-year contract for these low prices no matter where you get the device from. Free shipping is included and they also advertise the complimentary mobile hotspot feature that’ll be valid until May 15th. Check it out over there now and use the code THUNDER0418 when asked to redeem any promo codes. (As the number in the code suggests, this deal is only available through next Monday.) [Thanks to those who sent this in!]

Tablets Digging Netbook Grave, Manufacturers React

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 12:51 PM PDT

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For a very brief period in time, the Netbook seemed like the best thing since sliced bread. It seemed like the future of portable computing. But after the seemingly overnight success of Tablets, that sentiment quickly shifted to: “Ah, the netbook: the pet rock of the PC industry,” as Moconews described.

Google initially announced their Chrome OS as being for Netbooks but now even they’ve backed away from that terminology, which may one day rest with the fabled and unfortunate Palmfoleo. Google called their first official Chrome OS device the CR-48 Notebook, making us wonder if there was a place for Netbooks at all anymore?

There is definitely a place for Netbooks and that place is the cutting room floor. Acer has begun slashing production of their Netbooks in favor of the Iconia Tab – the company’s Android Tablet – most of which will be created in the 10-inch variety. For those craving a physical keyboard, why not have a hybrid device with a detachable tablet screen or a keyboard accessory like the Atrix rather than a full blown computer mini-sized into imperfection?

I won’t pretend like I know the fate of Netbooks but it certainly seems like tablets are digging their grave. I bought a Dell Netbook to use while traveling and quickly realized it was the most irritating device I’ve ever used with a keyboard JUST cramped enough that it made me want to jump into a molten lava. I bought an ultra-lightweight Toshiba and love it to death and the XOOM has proved to me tablets are here to stay while the bulk has opened my eyes to the value of 7-inch models like Samsung’s original Galaxy Tab.

What do you think… has the Netbook era ended before it even started? Are Netbooks the “Jump To Conclusions Pad” or the “Pet Rock”?

 

SD Card Functionality Finally Comes to XOOM With Custom Kernel

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 12:39 PM PDT

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Why this functionality wasn’t even enabled to begin with is beyond me, but the folks at XDA have taken matters into their own hands and have developed a custom kernel that unlocks access to any SD card shoved into that handy port on the Motorola XOOM. You’ll need to be rooted, of course, but instructions seem simple enough once you’re done with that. (And it’ll be a breeze if you’ve already done that.) Head over to this XDA thread for full details, instructions, and download links. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Bits o’ Honey Hit AOSP, But Not Exactly How You’d Want It

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 12:34 PM PDT

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It’s being reported that some bits of Android 3.0 Honeycomb have been found in the AOSP repository. A mention of “Renderscript” – a feature that didn’t find its way into Android until the tablet-specific version of the OS – was found. Commenting on the find, Googler Jean-Baptiste Queru stated that he was the culprit, confirming that the team has decided to upload “a current snapshot of master, in case incompatibilities develop over time.”

Should that ever happen, they’ll just revert back to that image. It wasn’t said how often they’d be updating the snapshot of the master branch, unfortunately. And no, this is not source Honeycomb in all its glory but it does give us hope that things may change soon enough. [via Android Guys]
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