Welcome to the Android Police Weekend Poll and News Roundup. For last week's poll and roundup, see Do You Put Your Phone In A Case, Skin, Bumper, Or Go Bare? For this week's podcast, Episode 40, head here.
If you're looking for a Twitter client on Android, you won't be pressed for a lack of choices (just look at the poll options below). But what you may be pressed for is equivalent functionality, speed, and features across those various options. Everyone has specific needs when it comes to social media, and this has led to a rather large 3rd party Twitter client ecosystem. Many people, for example, can't live without a Twitter client that doesn't also do Facebook - like Seesmic, TweetDeck, or HootSuite. Some, though, want the simplest, fastest experience possible, a demand that clients like Falcon Pro attempt to cater to.
Me? I'm still pretty happy with the official Twitter app. No, it doesn't follow Holo guidelines. No, it doesn't support Facebook. But it's fast (I still say faster than Falcon Pro), well laid-out, and does what I need it to do.
That said, many Android users also seem to love hating the official Twitter app, and Twitter's draconian API policy certainly isn't doing anything to win it any new fans. So, what's your Twitter consumption client of choice?
Weekly News Roundup (12/9/12 - 12/16/12)
Product Reviews
App Roundups
Code Google
- The UK is probably getting Play Store gift cards pretty soon.
- Google+ received a major update, now has animated emoji mood things.
- Google's mobile ads now require a second tap to be opened. I can't see how this will hurt AdMob adoption at all!
- The Google Calendar app now does more things.
- The Google Play Sound Search Widget is now a standalone app.
- Google Currents 2.0: stronger, better, faster... currenter.
- YouTube is now better on 10" tablets.
Device Announcements
- Say hello to the Nabi XD, a $250 tablet for tweens. Right.
- The YotaPhone is a dual-mode LCD / E-Ink phone and that alone is probably enough to ensure its failure.
- Verizon now has its own Galaxy Camera. And it costs $550. Good luck with that, guys.
- The One SV: another HTC phone that is no way dilutes and confuses the One series brand.
OTA Updates
- Samsung: Galaxy S II (US Cellular), Galaxy S III (Verizon), Note 10.1 (Germany, Wi-Fi), Tab 8.9 LTE (AT&T), Note II (GT-7100 / 7105).
- Motorola: Atrix HD (AT&T).
- HTC: EVO 4G LTE.
- Lenovo: IdeaTab A2109.
Dev / ROM news
- The Verizon Note II's bootloader has been unlocked.
- In-app purchases should now give Android developers fewer headaches.
App News
- Our review of Snapseed.
- Our review of Faclon Pro.
- Cheezburger Network now has its own app, if that's something you were looking for.
- Beer Citizen: mmm, beer.
- Facebook for Android is now native, does the same things as before but faster.
- Viddy is Instagram but for videos and that's really all you need to know about it.
- The New York Times app has gone 3.0.
Game Reviews
In Other News
- Some guy built an inductive wireless charging system into his desk. It's pretty neat.
- Dropbox bought AudioGalaxy, so you should probably expect a Dropbox music streaming solution at some point in the future.
- Airpush is getting sued, a cause I feel we can all get behind.
- Redbox Instant is officially a thing, here's what it'll do.