Eric Ravenscraft - 19/103 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Eric Ravenscraft

Eric is a snarky technophile with a taste for the unusual. When he's not obsessing about Android, you can usually find him obsessing about movies, psychology, or the perfect energy drink. Eric weaves his own special blend of snark, satire, and comedy into all his articles.

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Feb

NARR8 Motion Comic Reader Comes To Android, Offers A Unique Take On Indie Art

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

I like comics. They're wonderful. While the modern world makes it difficult for local shops to maintain the footprint they once did, online distribution has made it insanely easy (and cheap!) for major and minor artists to gain a following and make money doing it. However, is digitally reproducing static artwork on a powerful, portable computer really the best we can do? Narr8 doesn't think so.

The app functions similarly to most digital comic stores now: you can download individual "episodes" and keep track of all entries in a series. However, the capabilities of each story go far beyond regular graphic novels.

Feb

HTC One Will Arrive In The UK On March 15th On Vodafone, Pre-Order On Clove Now For £425

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in HTC, News, One

HTC may not be too terribly specific about when it intends to release its newest flagship, aside from a vague March-ish timeline, but Vodafone and Clove are more than happy to fill in the blank space: March 15th is the date. At least if you're in the UK, looking to get this piece of hardware on Vodafone, or order from Clove.

Not only does Clove's ordering site indicate this as the date the first shipments should come in, but Vodafone confirmed the date in a statement to AP. Pre-orders for the carrier's version will begin two weeks prior to release. To wit:

Just a quick note to confirm that Vodafone will be offering the HTC One for sale from 15^th March 2013, with pre-order opening two weeks before.

Feb

Awesome Land Is A Parallel Universe Where Mario Joined A Street Gang And Heads To The Acid Trip Kingdom

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Games, News

If you subscribe to the vastly-oversimplified concept of a multiverse, then you must believe that, given an infinite set of potential universes, all possible things can and must occur in at least one world parallel to our own. Which means that somewhere, on some alternate version of Earth, Super Mario Bros. stars a textured-yet-pixelated biker named Manley who is trying to track down his kidnapped motorcycle. Kidnapped, that is, by aliens.

To the game's credit, it's completely up front about what it is: "This retro platform game pays tribute to, and parodies, classics such as Super Mario Bros., CastleVania and Mega Man, in style!" It doesn't try to hide behind feigned originality.

Feb

HTC Activates Sign-Up Page For HTC One Trade-In Program: $100 Or The Value Of Your Phone

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in HTC, News, One

Did you hear that HTC just announced its new One phone? It looks pretty cool. Naturally, at least some people will be clamoring to get their hands all over this. Those people can kindly be directed here, where the Taiwanese manufacturer is accepting email sign ups for people who want to trade in their old handsets.

The language is actually mildly antagonistic towards competitors ("Upgrade to HTC", "Everything your phone isn't"...maybe the company is ready to get more aggressive with its marketing?), but the message is clear: if you have an old phone, you get at least $100 towards the purchase of a new One.

Feb

Ouya Create Contest Winners Announced: Laser-Breathing Dinosaurs, 8-Bit Zombies, And Sharing Controllers

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Games, News, Roundups

Last Updated: May 13th, 2013

Last week, we took a look at the nominees for Ouya's 10-day developer competition, Create. Today, we have the winners! These game devs will receive some undisclosed amount of money (out of a pot of $45,000) and almost certainly end up on the launch version of the Ouya console. So, what are they? Well, let's break them down by category.

"Pop Your Eyes Out" Award: Pipnis

We covered this one in our roundup last week, though we're at a loss to explain how it didn't win the "Best Couch with Friends" Award. This is the game that requires two players to share a single controller.

Feb

[New App] Quickly Uses Jelly Bean's Expandable Notifications To Put An App Launcher In Your Shade

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

Notifications have been one of the areas that Android has excelled in since day one. In Jelly Bean, that feature got a boost with the ability to expand a one-line entry, turning it into what is essentially a widget. Quickly happens to be one of the neatest uses we've seen of this new feature. This app creates a persistent notification in your shade that can be expanded to reveal an app launcher.

This app is a first release and the developer notes in the description:

The app was originally meant as a proof of concept, but there was demand, so here!

Feb

[The Android Police Podcast] Episode 49: Potato Batteries and Glowing Pickles

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in News, Podcast

Welcome to the Android Police Podcast, Episode 49.

Don't forget - the Android Police Podcast's live broadcast is every Thursday at 5PM PST (www.androidpolice.com/podcast). The unedited video version of the podcast can be found here - and will likely include various verbal expletives, technical snafus, tangents, and probably a good 5-10 minutes of pre-podcast banter as we prepare. Watch at your own risk!

Feb

Facebook For Android Update (v2.2) Allows Users To Change Cover Photos From Their Timelines [Updated]

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

No one ever accused Facebook of being swift or thorough with its app updates, but they're at least usually very welcome when they arrive. Back in 2011, the social network introduced 'Timeline', the now-mandatory profile layout that gives you one giant photo at the top, with a secondary profile picture in the bottom-left corner. Up until recently, you couldn't change your cover photo on mobile. Now, in version 2.2, you can.

If there are any other changes to this version, Facebook isn't letting on about it. Here's the entire changelog:

Change your cover photo right from your timeline.

Cool update, Facebook.

Feb

Motorola Believes Love Is Passive Aggressive, Manipulative, And Transactional In RAZR MAXX HD Valentine's Day Ad

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Motorola, News

"Hi, honey. Sorry I'm late I-...Yes, I know I didn't call. I-...Well, my battery died. Nothing I can do about that, bab-...*sigh* Yes, you're right. I should've listened to you when you told me to get the RAZR MAXX HD. As usual, you were right and I was wrong and next time I'll be sure to do exactly as you say without-... I am not taking a tone with you! ...Well, what do you want me to say? ...Fine. Whatever. Love you."

Ah, romance is in the air! And, as Motorola highlights, it's time to celebrate the bonds we share with the people closest to us with some good, old-fashioned cryptic threats:

Okay, sure, it seems like Motorola is being a little cynical in regards to how love works.

Feb

Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. Arrives On The Play Store, Floods Your Phone With Weird Japanese Nostalgia

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Games, News

Love is fun everywhere. This is the audacious claim that Bandai is peddling with its new app "Tamagotchi L.i.f.e." And yes, that is what the acronym actually stands for. If you're of the opinion that love might only be fun in certain places, then I challenge you to download this virtual pet to your phone. This thorough recreation of the pocketable pals of the late 90s will teach you how to love again as you lovingly scoop its loving poop and let it win games, lest it gets lovingly mad at you. Love.