Liam Spradlin
Besides being an avid Android fan and blogger, Liam is a fashion photographer with a degree in Anthropology and Sociology. He can usually be found reading through blogs, taking photos, or studying ancient pottery. Liam has been known to leave on international trips at a moment's notice, and can't resist a new challenge.

22
May
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[Updated x2] New App Review: CallApp Makes Your Dialer Useful Again - Say Hello To Telephony 2.0

Posted by in Applications, News

Going above and beyond their promise to save "time and annoyance" when screening, placing, or receiving calls, CallApp recently released their namesake app (a TechCrunch Disrupt 2012 finalist) to Google's Play Store.

CallApp – in what may be the biggest understatement of the week – bills itself as a "super caller ID," increasing call productivity with a set of handy interactive tools and quick informational displays for everyone that calls (or initiates a call with) you. The app pulls information from various services, including Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Foursquare and even your calendar or email, searching for the most relevant and timely info for each caller.

22
May
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Samsung Retools Galaxy Note 10.1 To Include Slot For S-Pen (In Addition To A Quad-Core Processor)

Posted by in Galaxy Note 10.1, News

One of the most surprising things about the Galaxy Note 10.1's appearance at MWC was not that it included Samsung's magical S-Pen peripheral, but the fact that the device lacked a slot to store the advanced stylus.

Those familiar with the original Galaxy Note will remember that it features a convenient slot to house the S-Pen, ensuring that the stylus would always stick with the device, thereby encouraging users to, well, use it.

At a recent Samsung event, it was discovered that Sammy has retooled the Galaxy Note 10.1 to not only include a quad-core processor (which we already knew about) but also to include a place for the S-Pen to live.

21
May
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Amazon App Store Updated To 2.6.53, Bringing Test Drive Capability To Android Devices

Posted by in Applications, News

One of the great things about Amazon's App Store is that its online interface allows users to "test drive" apps before deciding to download them. This functionality definitely comes in handy, especially when mulling over the decision whether to buy a paid app.

In an update to the App Store app today, Amazon – besides fixing a download bug and improving stability – introduced its Test Drive feature, meaning users can preview apps right from the palm of their hand before downloading.

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If you've already grabbed the update but don't see the Test Drive button, don't fear – it seems that the functionality is being introduced in stages.

21
May
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Verizon Offering A $40 Bill Credit With The Purchase Of A New 4G Phone From Amazon Wireless Or Wirefly.com

Posted by in 4G, Deals, News, Verizon Wireless

Verizon, looking to sweeten the deal for anyone ready to grab a new 4G smartphone, has begun a promotion that offers customers a $40 bill credit when buying a new 4G LTE smartphone from either Amazon Wireless or Wirefly.com.

The promotion, which is open to new or upgrading customers, began at 12am today and will last until May 24th. Customers wishing to participate can activate up to 5 devices, each earning another $40 credit.

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If you've been waiting for just the right moment to upgrade to (or activate) a new smartphone powered by Verizon's 4G LTE network, now is a great time.

21
May
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Android Cookbook Is A Crowd-Sourced Book Of Recipes For Learning App Development (Available Both In Print And On The Web)

Posted by in Android OS, Dev, News

There are countless methods out there for learning Android development from the Android Bootcamp video series to the boatload of print publications currently in circulation to Google's own Android tutorials. Looking to create something both unique and helpful however, Android Cookbook has compiled a crowd-sourced set of recipes for "writing great Android apps," making them available for free online.

The online cookbook, which relies on user recipe submission and group moderation, was recently finalized for publication by O'Reilly, meaning it's now available both on the web and in print from various retailers. In its 22 chapters (plus an "other" category available online), the cookbook already has nearly 300 recipes for those eager to learn Android, and it continues to expand.

19
May
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Orders For T-Mobile's HTC Amaze 4G Delayed, Possibly Due to Apple Patent Dispute

Posted by in Amaze 4G (Ruby), Legal, News, T-Mobile

In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, it seems that at least one customer ordering an HTC Amaze 4G from T-Mobile.com has been alerted that shipments of the device have been delayed "due to an unforeseen issue with receiving the product from the manufacturer." It looks like T-Mobile is sending out emails to customers informing them that  they have no "estimate as to when the product will be available," and suggesting that customers explore other options in the meantime.

Of course, with the recent shipment halt of AT&T's One X and Sprint's Evo 4G LTE, one is tempted to speculate that this delay may be due to HTC's current patent spat with Apple, but no one (outside T-Mobile or HTC) knows if that's the case just yet.

18
May
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Because We May – Coalition Of Game Developers Set To Offer Deep Discounts In Celebration Of Pricing Freedom

Posted by in Android OS, Games, News

From May 24th to June 1st, a boatload of your favorite Android games will be going on sale in celebration of pricing freedom. Because We May, a coalition of game developers that is "preparing for launch," announced the sale recently, explaining that the purpose of the sale is to "celebrate online stores that give us control over pricing."

The stores involved include the iOS App Store, Mac App Store, Steam, Google Play, and a few others (including a "Direct from Developer" option).

Games in the Google Play category (so far) include favorites like World of Goo, Osmos, Smuggle (and Snuggle) Truck, Canabalt HD, and 26 other great games.

15
May
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Samsung Grabs Trademarks For A Bevy Of New Smartphones Including Galaxy Forge, Victory, And Wield

Posted by in News, Samsung

Samsung - staying true to form - went on a trademark-filing rampage recently, snatching up trademarks for six new devices, described in the documents only as "Mobile telephones; Smartphones."

The newly-trademarked device names include Lunge (SN 85621870), Galaxy Forge (SN 8561866), Galaxy Wield (SN 85621864), Galaxy Mission (SN 85621859), Galaxy Rivet (SN 85621854), and the Galaxy Victory (SN 85621853).

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Considering these are just trademark filings, there's no way of knowing when (if ever) we may see smartphones with these names, or what the devices will be like.

Of course, the question of just what Sammy is planning to do with these names would be slightly more compelling if the manufacturer's penchant for wild-hare trademark grabbing weren't so established.

14
May
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Unlocked Galaxy Note N7000 Receives First Official CyanogenMod 9 Nightly

Posted by in Galaxy Note, Mods, News

If you're the owner of an unlocked Galaxy Note who's been wondering how to make Samsung's first phablet even better, you're in luck – just a few days after receiving an official update to Ice Cream Sandwich, the unlocked Galaxy Note has been treated to its first official CyanogenMod9 nightly build. The CyanogenMod team, staying true to form, released the nightly build just earlier today to the CyanogenMod download page.

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If you want to keep your unlocked Note up to date with cutting edge, Ice Cream Sandwich-powered code, or just want to keep an eye out for the latest nightly builds, head over to the download center here.

13
May
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Facebook's Primary Post-IPO Goals Are To Improve Mobile And Advertising Experiences, Says Zuckerberg

Posted by in Android OS, Applications, News

Fans of Facebook's mobile app and burgeoning integration with various online services should have something to look forward to in 2012 – founder Mark Zuckerberg, during the first week of a cross-country tour promoting the social networking giant's upcoming IPO, indicated that once the social giant goes public, its goal will be to focus on improving its mobile and advertising experiences.

Zuckerberg indicated that Facebook is "just getting started" with the app, and that the network plans to increase integration with other online apps while working to create a "transformative" ad experience.

Zuckerberg went on to explain that another key element in Facebook's strategy of integrating with other online apps will be to bring people together through Facebook in more ways than ever before.

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