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.

Follow @LiamSpradlin

May

[Updated x2] Titanium Backup Adds Google Drive Backup Option

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

After the long-awaited launch of Google Drive, it was only a matter of time before users began seeing integration with Android apps. While there's no official Android API for Google Drive just yet, many devs suspected that Drive's Java API would work just fine, despite a confusing statement on Google's developer site:

Warning: Apps will not have any API access to files unless the app has been installed in Chrome Web Store. To test an app during development, you must first create a listing and install it.

Putting that idea to the test, popular (and extremely versatile) backup solution Titanium Backup has made use of the cloud service's Java API to bring Drive backup options to users in a recently released update.

May

AT&T's One X Left Out Of Bootloader Unlock Program – HTC Cites "Restrictions" As Reason For Cold Shoulder

Posted by Liam Spradlin in AT&T, HTC, News, One X (Endeavor)

After MoDaCo's recent report that HTC's Bootloader Unlock tool didn't work for AT&T's One X variant, The Verge reached out to the Taiwanese manufacturer, and received a reply which suggested that the device has "restrictions" which prevent its bootloader from being unlockable:

HTC is committed to listening to users and delivering customer satisfaction. Since announcing our commitment to unlockable bootloaders, HTC has worked to enable our customers to unlock the bootloader on more than 45 devices over the past six months. In some cases, however, restrictions prevent certain devices from participating in our bootloader unlocking program. Rest assured, HTC is committed to assisting developers in unlocking bootloaders for HTC devices and we'll continue to unlock additional devices in the future."

Evidently, HTC has no current plans to unlock the bootloader of AT&T's One X, despite their persistent claims in the past that all future bootloaders would be unlockable.

May

Facebook App Updated To Version 1.9.2 – Say Goodbye To Messenger And Camera Shortcuts

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

You may remember the recent Facebook update that added two rather controversial app shortcuts on users' devices, with icons that had to be revised because they looked a little too similar to a couple of Android's stock icons.

If you found the added shortcuts to be redundant, confusing, or just plain useless, you're in luck - with the app's latest update, the shortcuts have been totally removed.

It's not exactly clear why Facebook so quickly yanked the shortcuts from the app, but rumblings from the user community about the – in many cases – unwanted installation of extra apps may have something to do with the decision.

Apr

HTC One X Gets Updated To 1.29.401.7 – Here's What We (Don't) Know

Posted by Liam Spradlin in News, One X (Endeavor)

It looks like HTC's One X is receiving another OTA update, this time weighing in at ~35MB and bringing the device's software build up to 1.29.401.7. The OTA appears to have begun rolling out today, but unfortunately no one is totally certain what the update accomplishes, as HTC has (as yet) neglected to release an official change log.

Screenshot courtesy of XDA user stathis95194

Though HTC is remaining quiet about the update, some XDA users have speculated that it fixes color temperature/RGB accuracy, and perhaps fixes some other minor issues. In other bad news, the Update.zip file – while it is available for download – is not flashable.

Apr

Sprint's Galaxy Nexus Gets Treated To CM9 Nightlies, ClockworkMod Recovery

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Galaxy Nexus / Nexus Prime, Mods, News, Sprint

Despite recent reports of data connectivity issues, it looks like owners of Sprint's Galaxy Nexus have a couple of things to be excited about as we head into the new week.

First off, the CyanogenMod team has begun cooking up CM9 Nightlies for the device, offering users a nightly dose of cutting-edge, ICS-powered code.

Additionally, the Sprint-connected Nexus is now privvy to its own builds of ClockworkMod's recovery solution – both touch and otherwise.

With official CyanogenMod nightly builds and access to what is widely considered one of the most popular recovery options available, it looks like Sprint's Galaxy Nexus is already off to a great start in the modding community.

Apr

T-Mobile Galaxy SII, Sensation, Amaze Planned ICS Update Dates Leaked Along With A Few New Devices, Launch Dates

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Leaks, News, T-Mobile

Giving T-Mo customers a few things to look forward to in the coming months, a roadmap of planned release/update dates leaked earlier today, revealing the proposed dates for several new device launches, as well as dates on which users can expect updates to Ice Cream Sandwich.

Before we take a look at the leaked screenshot, though, it's worth noting that these dates are of course subject to change, especially considering this chart wasn't meant for public viewing.

As you can see, T-Mo's Galaxy SII is looking to catch up to its global counterpart with an update to Ice Cream Sandwich on May 14th, while HTC's Amaze and Sensation 4G will be waiting till June 16th.

Apr

Acer's Iconia Tab A500 Getting A Taste Of Ice Cream Sandwich Two Days Ahead Of Schedule

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Iconia Tab A500, News

It looks like owners of Acer's Iconia Tab A500 have something to be excited about today – according to various reports, an official update to Ice Cream Sandwich has begun rolling out. Users began reporting the update just this afternoon, indicating that Acer is pushing ICS to A500 owners a full two days ahead of the official start date.

Photo courtesy of XDA user indukwe

You may remember that the A100 also saw an early update to ICS, with rollout beginning three days ahead of schedule. Users from around the world are reporting success with today's rollout, though there is some debate as to whether the "Gen2" variant of the Iconia Tab A500 is yet able to grab the update.

Apr

Official Samsung Mobile Unpacked 2012 App Hits The Play Store – Track (And Watch) Sammy's "Next Galaxy" Event From Your Device

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News, Samsung

Samsung Mobile, as part of what has certainly been an epic lead-up to a new flagship so far, released an official Unpacked 2012 companion app to Google's Play Store today, bringing some awesome functionality both to those lucky enough to attend the event and everyone else.

One of the most impressive features of the app is that it allows users to watch the event in real time. This means users can watch the unveiling of the "Next Galaxy" live no matter where they are. The app will also show the new product's details, an official press release, and give helpful venue and transportation maps, as well as a map of London.

Apr

Ice Cream Sandwich Update (2.14.531.1) For T-Mobile's HTC Amaze 4G Leaked

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Amaze 4G (Ruby), Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Leaks, News, T-Mobile

Remember way back in December when T-Mo hinted an Ice Cream Sandwich update for the HTC Amaze? Almost five months later, the page has not been updated and an official software update has not been released. Thanks to veteran XDA user Football, however, Amaze owners can download a leaked version of the official ICS update. Considering that the Amaze recently got S-Off capability, it's looking like users have a lot to be excited about this week.

For those interested, this update contains software version 2.14.531.1. Though the download was only posted earlier today, several reports of success are rolling in already.

Apr

Pixel Qi Reveals Next-Generation Display With Retina-Like Resolution, "Massive Power Savings"

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, News

You may remember Pixel Qi, an ambitious display maker looking to provide users with brilliant displays that not only save energy, but which are actually readable in sunlight. Since we covered their 7" and 10.1" displays way back in May, the company has continued working, announcing in a blog post yesterday a new display which "matches the resolution of the iPad3 screen, and its full image quality including matching or exceeding contrast, color saturation, the viewing angle, and so forth with massive power savings." In the post, Mary Lou Jepsen, founder of Pixel Qi, goes on to explain the display's special low power mode which "runs at a full 100x power reduction from the peak power consumed by the iPad3 screen."