Eric Ravenscraft  
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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. |
Welcome to the Android Police Podcast, Episode 42. This week is a special, best-of show featuring highlights from the past year of podcasts. Our very first year, at that!
Don't forget - the Android Police Podcast's live broadcast is every Thursday at 5PM PST (www.androidpolice.com/podcast). No unedited version today. Sorry, folks! We'll be back next week.
As we close out 2012 and move into the new year, all of the tech world is eagerly awaiting the arrival of one, unique product with bated breath and eager curiosity: Google Glass. But for those of us who don't have $1500 to shell out on prototypes of that thing (and a time machine to travel back to I/O '12 to order them), we're distracting ourselves with Ouya, the Android-based gaming console. As of right now, the company behind the platform has finished shipping 1,200 developer units out.
As a teaser for the rest of us, the company has also released the above unboxing video.
You know us, here at Android Police. We have simple tastes. We like old school games, we like getting things on the cheap, and we like things that go boom. Which means that this sale on Metal Slug 3 is right up our alley. While this title is normally around $7, it's available for $2 right now on the Play Store.
This game originally came out for the Neo Geo and its nostalgic graphics have been lovingly recreated for Android. You can also link two handsets together via Bluetooth to play cooperatively with friends. Not bad. Get in on the explode-y action via the widget below.
First off, a little briefing for those who are unfamiliar with Touch of Modern: the site requires an invite to gain access, so if you're not already a member and you're thinking of buying this, or any other deal really, you should sign up for an invite immediately. I got mine in a day or two after requesting, but your mileage may vary.
With that out of the way, the Braven 600, 650, and 625s are all on sale for 20% off right now via the site. They're currently running for $120 for the 600 (normally $149), $144 for the 625s (normally $179), and $152 for the 650 (normally $189).
While the boom in the tablet market has certainly seen a gold rush from manufacturers eager to capitalize on the new craze (whether it be with Android or Windows RT), there's an equally-eager market that's attempting to cash in: accessories. Some of them are great, some are bafflingly weird. The PadPivot probably sits somewhere in between. This little thing is designed to fold up and easily slip into a pocket or purse. When you need it, you can unfold it, set it up, and prop your tablet on a makeshift stand that fits comfortably on your knee.
So, it's as normal and useful as a thing can be that's designed primarily to be used by your lower thigh.
If you use Google Voice, or simply make the occasional outgoing call via Gmail, Google's got some great news for you. The service is going to continue to be free throughout 2013 for users in the U.S. and Canada! International callers will still have the same rates applied. In short, nothing is really changing, and that's a good thing.
When Google first introduced the ability to make phone calls in Gmail, it said the service would be free through at least the end of 2010. At which point, that promise was extended to the end of 2011. Then 2012. And as of today, free Google Voice calling lives to die another day.
Don Bluth... What happened? You had such a good run. You made film history by actually giving Disney a run for it's money with Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, and The Land Before Time. They were classics! But then Rock-A-Doodle happened. Then Thumbelina. Then...lord forgive me for speaking it's name...A Troll in Central Park. The decline was quick and painful. Before the movies started getting weird, though, Dragon's Lair came out and revolutionized the laser disc gaming industry (no seriously). While that title actually saw some initial success due to the unique tech (and notably high price point at $0.50 per play), the follow-up game, Space Ace, did not do nearly as well.
It may not be all that often that a phone over a year old will still be getting many updates, but lo and behold, it's a Festivus miracle. Users are reporting that the original Droid RAZR/RAZR MAXX is currently seeing an update roll out to Jelly Bean (4.1.2) right now. And to think, this phone launched with Gingerbread.
The update is 331.7MB, so you'll want to get on WiFi before you start the download. Once it's installed your system version will be bumped to 98.72.8, and Jelly Bean will be all yours, and everything that entails, including Google Now, Project Butter, and all the fancy new voice search options.
You guys remember Google TV, right? LG does. While the platform hasn't exactly seen stellar adoption rates, the company is still pushing forward with it by integrating it into its new line of television sets. Previously, only two sized models including the software: 47" and 55". Next year, 42", 50", and 60" options will be added to the mix. The hardware will also feature a ridiculously thin bezel, just in case the RAZR M didn't satisfy your dreams of a world without borders.
In addition, while there aren't an details yet, LG is also touting "Google TV 3.0" for these new sets.
Man, Google. You just can't stop screwing with Christmas, can you? First you cancel December, and now this? In a very real and totally serious bug report over on Google Code, one user is reporting a serious flaw in Android: If you use the Emoji keyboard to enter a Santa face, he looks decidedly unhappy. Emotionless at best. But, as everyone knows, "Santa should be jolly."
Okay, yes, so Google did fix that Calendar problem, and even went out of its way to build a special Santa Tracker, after Norad hired that other search engine.
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