Aaron Gingrich  
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Aaron is a geek who has always had a passion for technology. When not working or writing, he can be found spending time with his family, playing a game, or watching a movie. |
If you've been searching for some green 3" vinyl plastic Android figurines, look no further: Karen Deals is selling them for $6.95 plus $2.98 for shipping, or $9.93 shipped - the lowest price we've seen. The toys are officially licensed by Google and created by artist Andrew bell, and have moving arms and swivel heads. At just under $10, certainly not a bad deal for Android lovers.
[Source: Karen Deals via Fat Wallet]
The Hulu Plus app for Android has just been updated to v1.0.139 and adds support for 9 new devices:
The only other change that's listed is "Improved playback performance." A small update, but significant for the devices it adds.
Here's to hoping that they continue to add devices at a healthy clip!
What's in this version:
- Improved playback performance
- Added support for 8 additional handsets: HTC Incredible 2, HTC Evo 3D, HTC Sensation, Motorola Droid 3, Motorola Bionic, Motorola X2, LG Revolution, LG G2X
- Added support for 1 additional tablet: HTC Flyer
[Source: Android Market]
Tablets come in two flavors: either Wi-Fi only, or packing 3G/4G from a carrier. In the former, it can be purchased without a contract and usually for a lower price. The 3G/4G model typically costs more (although it may be cheaper thanks to a carrier subsidy, which is offset by the cost of the plan), and comes on contract. The benefit of that added radio and contract is fairly obvious - you have access to data nearly anywhere you go.
Here we are: the launch of the first Samsung Galaxy S II to hit a U.S. carrier, dubbed the Epic 4G Touch (E4GT) and landing on Sprint today. It certainly took long enough for the SGSII to hit U.S. shores - it was announced by Samsung in February during MWC, and launched as early as May in some markets. It was a huge success even before launch, with Samsung receiving millions of pre-orders, and for good reason - the SGSII was incredibly well rated, with reviewers universally praising it as one of (usually the) best Android device available. Consequently, for months after its international lanch, it was highly anticipated in the U.S.
A few months ago, I reviewed the Droid X2 and came away unimpressed. Performance was mediocre despite the powerful dual core Tegra 2 CPU, and more importantly, the PenTile display used by Motorola was a step up on paper and a huge step back in practice. Fast forward a few months and I've landed a Motorola Photon 4G (slightly behind schedule thanks to a few logistics issues, but better late than never!) I'm happy to report that despite seeming like it's almost the same device inside, it's quite a different beast this time around.
Once again, we're teaming up with informIT to give away yet another book. This time around, it's perhaps what you'd call a higher-level book that might be especially useful to those familiar with developing, though it's still accessible to those just starting out. The book: Android Developer's Cookbook: Building Applications with the Android SDK.
Written by James Steele and Nelson To and published in October, 2010, the book spans a whopping 400 pages. It's available in both eBook and print for $25.59 (or $24.34 on Amazon) and $31.99, respectively - or $43.19 for both.
Want to get started building applications for Android, the world’s hottest, fast-growing mobile platform?
Google's neat-o Goggles app has just been updated to 1.6, and brings intelligent photo recognition to the table. What exactly does that mean? Well, I can't put it much better than the official announcement:
Let’s say that I’m going on vacation, and I decide to use my Android-powered phone as my primary camera. Goggles would identify landmarks, paintings and other interesting objects in my photos. I can share these facts about my vacation with my friends right from my Goggles search history.
In other words, Goggles is running in the background. You snap a picture, and Goggles recognizes it. The app will notify you that it recognizes the content of the picture, and attach that info to the picture in the Goggles app.
Sprint's LG Optimus S may be a budget Android device, but apparently that isn't going to stop Sprint and LG from providing Android updates going forward. Today, Sprint announced via its Community Forums that an update to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) is rolling out to some devices beginning today, with all devices being updated within 10 days.
The official enhancements/fixes list:
LG Optimus S Software Update - Android 2.3 (LS670ZVH)
Enhancements/Fixes:
- Volume adjustment from handset when backlight is off and in a Bluetooth call
- Initiation of a 3-way call in certain markets
- Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
- Updated color scheme (includesdarker notification bar and black-based menus)
- New on-screen keyboard (supports multi-touch input and a smart auto-correction function)
- Improved cut-paste functionality
- New integrated download application for ease in accessing downloaded files
- Updated camera application
- Power management and task killer applications
Important Notes:
- The new software version is: LS670ZVH
- Released in stages with 100% of devices having received the update within 10 days
- Refer to the LG Optimus S Software Update blog for install instructions
All in all, not a bad update, and one that should help the low-end device run just a little smoother and faster.
HTC has officially announced the previously-rumored update to the Sensation, dubbed the XE. We heard about it a few weeks ago as the "Special Edition" (or SE), and it looks like the leaked details were spot-on, right down to the Beats Audio integrations.
The press release for the XE touts it provides "the ultimate audio experience." When using the included Beats earbuds (pictured), the phone will switch to a special sound profile, "delivering audio tracks tuned specifically for the headphones."
Other specs of the XE:
The phone is scheduled to launch in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Asia Pacific later this month.
The Samsung Galaxy S II (SGSII) has been one of the most highly anticipated devices in recent memory - perhaps second only to the annual new iPhone. There are two very good reasons for this: first, the original Galaxy S devices were hailed as some of the best on the market. Second - and more importantly - from its start as an on-paper proof, to its run on the trade show circuit, through its international release, the Galaxy S II been hailed as one of (if not the) best phone on the market.
Unfortunately for those of us in the States, we've had to wait quite a bit longer than our European counterparts to get our mitts on the hottest piece of Android kit ever to hit the market.
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