Liam Spradlin - 19/99 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Besides being an avid Android fan and blogger, Liam is a photographer with a degree in both 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.

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Dec

Google Now Offering Up Play Books And Movies In Brazil

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Google, News

After the successful launches of Play Music in Europe, Magazines in Canada, and Movies in a handful of countries, Google has made another step in its international Play crusade, today bringing Movies and Books to Brazil.

Android users in South America's largest country will now have access to thousands of Brazilian titles from Google's collection, along with movies and TV shows. Interestingly, Google's own international availability page hasn't been updated at the time of writing to reflect the expansion to Brazil, but just the same, users can access the store and look for their favorite titles.

Of course, the addition of Brazil only brings the total number of countries with access to Play Books and Movies to around ten, but it's still nice to see Google continuing the arduous task of expanding their media services globally.

Dec

[New Game] SEGA's Spellwood: Word Game Adventure Combines Wizardry And Tile-Based Word Play

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Games, News

We know what you're thinking – a word game adventure? The combination definitely doesn't sound natural (if I were playing Game Dev Story, I wouldn't dream of trying this title), but SEGA of America has managed to make it work with Spellwood: Word Game Adventure.

The title, which just recently hit the Play Store, invites players to "become a wizard with words" through simple yet engaging gameplay that combines the concepts of adventure and magic with a tile-based word game.

Spellwood offers multiplayer using Facebook or Google+, or a solo mode in which players will confront over 90 enemies in various towers across the game's map.

Dec

[New Game] Gameloft Launches Heroes Of Order And Chaos – The First 'True' Online Battle Arena Game For Android

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Games, News

Bringing what it calls the first multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game for mobile consoles to Android, Gameloft today released Heroes of Order and Chaos to the Play Store.

The game, a spinoff of the original Order and Chaos, takes place in a "unique fantasy setting" where players will join a battle that's been raging for centuries. It pits teams of three or five players against each other in one of two maps (depending on your party size), combining non-stop arena combat with RPG elements. Players can choose from 30 unique characters, six of which will be offered for free each week.

Dec

[New Game] Yesterday Comes To Android, Point-And-Click Noir Adventure Intact

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Games, News

Offering a point-and-click adventure that asks players how far they will go to find out who John Yesterday is, Bulkypix has brought the aptly-titled Yesterday to the Play Store.

The game, which relies on "an innovative interface based on innumerable blow-ups," follows the story of three playable characters including Henry, a "young NGO volunteer," his friend Cooper, and John Yesterday himself as they try to solve a mystery surrounding a chain of murders in New York. Aimed at adult players looking for a thrilling noir gameplay experience, Yesterday has a unique art style that resembles a mix between reality and comic-book exaggeration.

Dec

Google Releases November's Platform Distribution Numbers – Gingerbread At 50.8%, Jelly Bean Up To 6.7%

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Gingerbread 2.3, Google, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

With the end of another month comes a fresh batch of Android platform distribution numbers. Like clockwork, Google has once again updated their numbers, showing Gingerbread's cold, withered hand still holding almost 51% of the pie (though it's down from 54.2% in October), with Jelly Bean making gains to 6.7%, up 4% from last month.

Predictably, Ice Cream Sandwich is still making some gains, rising about 2% to 27.5% from October, Honeycomb is holding tight at 1.6% with a mere 0.2% change for API level 13, and pre-2.3 releases are still dropping off (though Cupcake and Donut are still holding on for dear life).

Dec

[Deal Alert] Amazon Wireless Offering Verizon Galaxy SIII For $79.99 With New Account, Line Activation

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Deals, Galaxy S III, News

In case you missed the Black Friday deals on the Galaxy SIII but still want to get your hands on Samsung's flagship smartphone, Amazon's got a deal for you. The retail giant's Wireless arm is offering the Galaxy SIII (in your choice of white, blue, black, or brown) connected to Verizon for just $79.99 when you activate a new account or add a line to your existing service. This beats Amazon's previous deal on the SIII by about $20.00.

With an ample 4.8" Super AMOLED display, 2GB RAM, an 8MP camera, and a slim 7.6mm thick chassis, the Galaxy SIII is no doubt one of the best-spec'ed Android devices available.

Nov

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Camera Review – A Decent Point-And-Shoot That Doesn't Quite Live Up To Its Price Point

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Galaxy Camera, Other Reviews, Reviews

Samsung's Galaxy Camera, the manufacturer's first entry into the world of dedicated shooters powered by Android, was announced with little warning at IFA earlier this year. Besides Nikon's foray into the market, the Galaxy Camera is one of the only Android cameras we've yet seen. Frankly, of the two, Samsung's entry is the only one that seems worth looking at.

The question of how much longer point-and-shoot cameras can see success is a fair one – after all, DSLRs are becoming smaller and more affordable all the time, while smartphone cameras are reaching to fill the gap point-and-shoots would leave behind.

Nov

[New Game] Zynga Brings 'Family Friendly Weirdness' To The Play Store With Clay Jam

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Games, News

Partnered with Fat Pebble, Zynga officially launched Clay Jam for iOS and Android today, bringing to market a game made entirely of clay. Charged with the mission of saving the land of Clay Jam, players control a ball of clay called Fat Pebble as he rolls down hills collecting clay, avoiding obstacles, and maneuvering about using a "gouge control system."

Clay Jam, which has plenty of hills to roll down and unique hand-built monsters to encounter, is free to play, with optional in-app purchases to "save Clay Jam even sooner." The real story, though, is the impressive thoughtfulness and craftsmanship behind the game.

Nov

Android 4.2.1 (JOP40D) Rolling Out To Galaxy Nexus – Manual Update Available [Update: Yakju Too]

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Galaxy Nexus, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

Not to be left out, it looks like the Galaxy Nexus Takju is getting its own 4.2.1 update just after the 1.1MB package started hitting the Nexus 7 and 10.

If you've got a Takju Galaxy Nexus and don't feel like waiting around for the OTA to find its way to your device, you can – as always – install it yourself.

It should be noted that this update package is only meant for Takju – that is, the Galaxy Nexus available in the Play Store. You should also be certain that your device is running 4.2 JOP40C before installing this update.

Nov

Daily Steals Mobile Offering 16GB Unlocked Nexus 4 For $499

Posted by Liam Spradlin in News, Nexus 4

If you're like many would-be customers still searching high and low for a Nexus 4, you're likely ready to pounce on any source that's got the device at a price lower than the astronomical offerings over on eBay.

Daily Steals Mobile, looking to end your Nexus 4 woes, is selling the 16GB version, unlocked, for $499 with free shipping. That's higher than the Play Store's price for the same device, but on par with T-Mobile's off-contract price.

Before you scroll down and click through to the "Get it now!" page though, it should be noted that – besides charging more than the Play Store – Daily Steals often takes six days to ship orders, with products sometimes arriving weeks later.