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.

03
Jan
2013-01-03_17h21_40

Gingerbread Finally On Less Than Half Of All Android Handsets At 47.4%, ICS Shoots Up To 29.1%, JB On 10%

Posted by in Google, News

The long, hard road towards the future of Android slogs on. While Gingerbread still remains the largest major version of the platform, its dominance is decreasing steadily. As of January 3rd, Gingerbread only represented 47.4% (down from 50.6% in December)of all Android devices. The second runner-up was Ice Cream Sandwich with 29.1% (up from 27.5% in December). The two versions of Jelly Bean totaled up to 10.2%, though if you subdivide by the Summer and Winter releases, they get much farther apart: 4.1 accounts for 9%, while 4.2 is on a measly 1.2% of devices.

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The decrease in Gingerbread and increase in Ice Cream Sandwich is good enough news, especially since 4.0 saw the advent of the much more modern UI that has remained fairly consistent throughout subsequent platform releases.

03
Jan
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ARCHOS Announces TV Connect: An Android-Powered Device That Turns Your TV Into A Giant Tablet

Posted by in ARCHOS, News

You're crazy for this one, ARCHOS! Today, the company most known for releasing the best cheap Android tablets before the Nexus 7 swooped in and drove a wedge between the concepts of "cheap" and "inexpensive" announced the TV Connect. This thing is designed to plug into your set and essentially turn it into a giant Android tablet. With a remote control. No, it's not Google TV. What.

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The TV Connect will come with a 1.5GHz "Multi Core" processor of indeterminate origin, 1GB RAM, 8GB of storage, and Android 4.1. It also comes with a built-in HD camera for video chat purposes (think Logitech/Skype's living room solutions).

03
Jan
2013-01-03_15h10_46

[Update: It's Live, Hands-On] Facebook Preparing To Roll Out 'Push-To-Talk' Voice Messaging, Is Testing Free VoIP Calling In Canada

Posted by in Applications, News

Alright, Google. It's time to stop leaving your VoIP service to languish on the vine. Facebook has released a double-whammy of big news bits. For starters, today the social network is rolling out an update to its Messenger app that will allow users to send each other short, recorded audio clips. It's voicemail for the 21st century, if such a thing can even exist without being horrible. And, really, this sounds like it's not.

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Perhaps more interestingly, though, is that Facebook is also testing free VoIP calling in Canada right now. This is a huge deal, as it competes directly with Google Talk.

03
Jan
vodafonetiny

Vodafone UK To Begin Offering 'Nearly New' Smartphones To Pay-As-You-Go Customers

Posted by in News, Vodafone

It's easy for the tech world to forget that not everyone is looking to buy a new $200 phone on contract every six months. Vodafone UK hasn't forgotten, though. The British carrier is launching a new service to help put top-tier smartphones in the hands of pay-as-you-go customers by selling them lightly used hardware. More specifically, phones exchanged within the carrier's 7-day return window.

If you're buying a phone without a contract, the up-front cost would be slightly cheaper, as one would expect from a used device. For those concerned, stores do check to ensure the mobiles still work, wipe any data or settings, and package them up with any requisite accessories.

03
Jan
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T-Mobile Stores To Carry Nexus 4 In All Retail Locations Starting Some Time In January

Posted by in News, Nexus 4

It certainly seems like Google and LG have been ramping up production of the Nexus 4 after the initial launch left countless customers without a phone. While it's still unclear if they've made enough to meet worldwide demand, there will at least be one group that will finally have complete representation: T-Mobile stores! Back in November, the company picked up Google's latest flagship handset online and in 'select stores.' As of some undisclosed time this month, however, all retail locations will carry the Nexus 4.

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It doesn't look like anything related to device subsidies or contract requirements are going to change, despite a brief scare in December when the on-contract price shot up to $400.

02
Jan
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Nexus 10 Back In Stock On The U.S. Play Store (For Now) In Both 16GB And 32GB Flavors

Posted by in News, Nexus 10

Like riding a roller coaster, it seems like ordering Nexus devices from the Play Store is full of its ups and downs. Today, it's up! At least, for the 16GB and 32GB Nexus 10 for U.S. customers. The two tablets have just gone back in stock via Google's storefront. There is even an encouraging "Ships in less than one week" disclaimer. Ordering seems to be working flawlessly at the moment, though, there isn't a huge rush right now. Still, if you're looking to get one, this would be a good time.

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As you probably already know, the 16GB costs $399 and 32GB costs $499.

02
Jan
2013-01-02_13h21_21

Canonical Announces Ubuntu For Smartphones, A New Version Of Its OS Just For Your Pocket 'Superphone'

Posted by in News

While Ubuntu (and Linux as a whole) may not be hugely popular among the consumer desktop computing crowd, it'd be folly to discount the OS as a whole. Especially among the Android developer crowd. Well, if you happen to be among the tech-literate faithful who use open source desktop operating systems to write code for your open source phone operating systems, Canonical would like to make your life a little weirder: introducing Ubuntu for smartphones!

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Not to be confused with Ubuntu for Android, which allowed a docked Android phone to run a more-or-less full version of Ubuntu a la Webtop, this new product is a full-blown smartphone OS, distinct from Android entirely and meant to run all on its own.

01
Jan
zombiesrun5ktiny

Zombies, Run! 5K Training Prepares You To Go The Distance With Extra Missions And More Undead

Posted by in Applications, News

We've had our fun with Zombies, Run! before. The fitness program/zombie horde simulator is one of the more innovative ways we've seen to get in shape. However, it's not all casual fun. Sometimes you have to get serious. If you're looking for an app to push  you a bit harder, you may want to check out Zombies, Run! 5K Training. Currently on sale for $0.99 in the Play Store (75% off), this one gives you more in-depth structure to get you through a full 5K in 8-weeks.

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The app should work much like the regular version, with audio stories to augment your running experience.

31
Dec
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[Editorial] Play Store Wishlist: How We'd Like To See Google Improve Its Content Storefront In 2013

Posted by in Editorials, Google

Hey guys, have you heard that 2012 is almost over? Yep! The new millennium is about to be a teenager. It's exciting. (No, the year 2000 is not included, you mathematically remedial cur.) The past twelve months have been fantastic and we'll be hearing more about that later, but one of the things we felt the need to talk a bit more in-depth about is the Play Store. You know the one.

The last year has been hugely transformative for the Play Store. Most notably, it's now called the Play Store! Play Store Play Store Play Store. Let it sink in real deep, because you're gonna be stuck with it for a while, much to David's dismay.

31
Dec
2012-12-31_11h17_43

Ouya Dev Kit Gets The Full Walkthrough Treatment, Shows Off Touchpad, Battery Slots, Interface And More

Posted by in Games, News

It was only a matter of time after the dev units shipped out that we could expect to see a thorough walkthrough on the part of a new owner, and here it is. Some of what we're seeing in this trio of videos, we've already seen in the official Ouya unboxing. However, a few new details have been highlighted. For starters, in the top center of the controllers, there are touchpads that can be used for cursor control. Also, as we learned before, they will require two AA batteries. Well, that's a bummer.

Of course, what we all really want to see is the interface.

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