About Ryan Whitwam
Ryan is a tech/science writer, skeptic, lover of all things electronic, and Android fan. In his spare time he reads golden-age sci-fi and sleeps, but rarely at the same time. His wife tolerates him as few would. He's the author of a sci-fi novel called The Crooked City, which is available on Amazon and Google Play.
Latest Articles
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It's update Wednesday and that means new apps. Up first is Google+ with a jump to v5.0. Usually such a milestone would include some noticeable changes, but this update looks like a rather minor one, at least so far. You can still download it below.
Google I/O is a huge event for Android every year, and now we know when it's going down in 2015. Google's head of Chrome and Android, Sundar Pichai has posted the official dates on Google+. The conference will be held on May 28th and 29th in San Francisco.
[Deal Alert] ReVIVE ReStore Q10x 10,000mAh Battery On Sale For $19.99 Until Saturday (2/14)
When the battery in your phone isn't good enough, there's a plethora of external batteries available to pick up the slack. The ReVIVE ReStore Q10x is a 10,000mAh unit that usually costs about $35, but it's on sale at just $19.99 for the next few days. It's available with Amazon Prime shipping too.
Authy 2-Factor Authentication App Updated To v20 With Material Elements And New View Options
Managing 2-factor authentication is a pain, but such is the price we pay for security, right? Authy makes it much less annoying with secure backup, device sync, and offline mode for 2fa. It hasn't been the most attractive app, but the new version is looking much nicer and more material.
Did you know Safer Internet Day was a thing? Well, indeed it is, and it's today! Happy Safer Internet Day, everyone! To celebrate, Google is offering 2GB of additional Drive storage for completing a quick security checkup.
For those who like to mod their Android devices, the Xposed framework is a revelation. You don't need to flash a new ROM, but you get a ton of customization options and system UI tweaks with relatively limited risk. After months of waiting, Xposed may finally be coming to Lollipop.
[Update: OTA Download URL] OTA For CyanogenMod 11S 05Q Is Heading Out To The OnePlus One Today
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As OnePlus One owners wait (im)patiently for a Lollipop update, there's still work to be done on KitKat for this device. OnePlus has completed work on a CM11 system update, and it's pushing to devices later today. The update is release 05Q (based on Android 4.4.4) and contains a hefty list of fixes and improvements.
Motorola hasn't officially announced a 2nd generation Moto E, but the company has every reason to make one. The budget device was a big seller last year, and we got a leaked image of the new one just last month. Now the phone is on Best Buy's website, priced at $99 for Sprint prepaid service. However, you (probably) can't buy it just yet.
So, the regular Galaxy S5 is finally starting to get an update to Android 5.0, and what's this? The GS5 Active on AT&T is getting an update. Could it be? Is this the moment we've been waiting for? Oh... nope. It's just Android 4.4.4.
[Update: Winners] Humble Cartoon Network Mobile Bundle Updated With Three More Games—Plus We're Giving Away 10 Free Bundles
The Cartoon Network Humble Bundle still has a week left before it expires, and today there are three more games to tempt you. That brings the total to 14 games, making it one hell of a good deal. It gets better—we've got 10 free bundle codes to give away.
The new OTA isn't the only OnePlus One news this morning. It's getting easier to buy... kind of. OnePlus will start opening up sales every Tuesday to anyone and everyone (in supported countries) without an invite. Imagine that, buying a phone without an invite. How innovative.
The patchwork nature of wireless spectrum makes traveling or moving a device to other carriers a bit of a nightmare, but a new web tool called WillMyPhoneWork could help you figure it all out in just a few clicks. Simply select your phone model, carrier, and hit the search button to see which bands match up.
I'm sure it's been a long, hard week of drooling over the newly redesigned AP. I don't care what you say, all of you secretly like it. Why not reward yourself with some new apps and games, which you can obtain at a reduced price right below?
The 64GB Nexus 6 is still hard to get your hands on even a few months after release. Supply is evening out on the 32GB, but there's no microSD card slot. Unacceptable, right? Today you've got a chance to snag a 64GB from Motorola, but don't dilly-dally—it probably won't last long.
Verizon FiOS Mobile Updated To v3.5 With 20 New Channels For Mobile Streaming, Managing Series Recordings, And More
Let's be honest, most apps from cable and satellite providers are junk. You don't have any choice but to use them, though. It's not that the Verizon FiOS app is bad, but it's still rather lacking. At least with today's update it adds a few new features. Maybe it's time to give it another look.
The Nexus 9 is Google's new flagship Lollipop tablet, but what if you don't like the software Google put on the device? Well, you can change it. That's how Nexus devices work. Now you can finally install CyanogenMod 12 on the N9. Just head over to the CM downloads page and get ready to flash.
The Chromecast is not an expensive device, and it's even cheaper when you consider all the free stuff Google has given out to owners since it was released. In fact, the Chromecast has probably paid for itself and then some. Right now you can get a $6 Google Play credit if you have a Chromecast on your network, and you can do it multiple times if you have more than one.
The term "chivalry" has somehow become conflated with being gentlemanly over the years, but chivalry was mostly about who to stab with your sword and how to go about it. There's certainly a lot of that in Broadsword: Age of Chivalry. This game has just arrived on Android with Tegra-optimized graphics, but other Android devices can play with somewhat simplified graphics.
Sprint is rolling out the Lollipop update for the HTC One M7 right now, but in case you are disconnected from the Sprint network, don't have access to WiFi, or simply hate waiting, there's an alternative. HTC has posted a full RUU that can flash Lollipop to your phone. It's a bit of a hassle, but you can do it right now.
There were many real world ramifications from World War II, but one of the more relevant to our coverage on Android Police is that it gave developers material for no fewer than a zillion games. HandyGames saw success with its last WWII title, 1941 Frozen Front, and now the sequel known as 1942 Pacific Front is available for download. It's essentially the same thing but with less snow.