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Jun

Blackberry Prepares To Update BB 10.2 With Support For Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Apps

Posted by Cody Toombs in Jelly Bean 4.2, News, RIM

Last Updated: June 16th, 2013

We know Blackberry isn't the most popular name around here, but it is a name that continues to pop up at some interesting times. Developers, in particular, may remember when the company - then known as RIM - launched Playbook OS 2.0 with the ability to run specially packaged apps developed for Android 2.3.3. Since that time, events and promotions have been run to encourage developers to bring their apps to the platform, but the aging requirement to target Gingerbread has become a burden. Despite rumors that the runtime would eventually be updated to support apps targeting Ice Cream Sandwich, there has been a growing belief that the Android runtime would be phased out, favoring applications written in C++, HTML 5, or Adobe AIR.

Jun

Samsung Posts Kernel Open Source Code For Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 (SM-T310)

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Development, Galaxy Tab 3, News, Samsung

Having been announced just a handful of days ago (on the third), the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0's 7.4mm chassis has just barely rolled out of the factory, but – in keeping with old habits – Samsung has already posted up the open source code for the eight-inch tab's kernel. This, by the way, comes just over two weeks after kernel source code for the Tab 3 7.0 dropped.

If you're someone who's been waiting to dig into the Tab 3 8.0's kernel source, you know what to do – just hit the link below.

Source: Samsung Open Source

Jun

Press RSS Reader Updated To Version 1.3 With Support For Feed Wrangler And Feedbin, Feedly and Fever Coming Soon

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Applications, News

In case you hadn't heard, Google Reader will be mercilessly and permanently shut down in just over two weeks. It's kind of a big deal. Not just because of the millions of readers who actively use it, but because of the services that rely on Reader as a backend for their own platforms. Press, a popular reader launched on Android with some fanfare back in December, is now preparing for the Readerpocalypse. In addition to syncing with Google Reader, Press now works with popular paid alternatives Feed Wrangler and Feedbin.

To sync your Press subscriptions, favorites, and what have you with Feed Wrangler or Feedbin, just log into the other services once the app starts up.

Jun

PSA: Google Has A New Security Dashboard And Account Sign-In History

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in News

Google has quietly rolled out two new features in account settings that give you a quick overview of everything going on with your account security. The security dashboard shows all your important security settings, and the recent activity page tracks account sign-in history. These features could potentially help users track down suspicious behavior in a snap.

The security dashboard tells you how long ago you changed your password, what your account recovery options are, how you receive notifications, 2-step verification status, and lists your connected apps. Each of these sections has a link to update or change the setting, and another to find related information.

Jun

Finding Teddy Review: One Of The Most Agonizing Games I've Ever Loved

Posted by Bertel King, Jr. in Game Reviews

Last Updated: June 17th, 2013

Finding Teddy is the kind of game that could entice me away from console gaming. I know, I know, the new visuals just revealed at E3 are mind-blowing, but I've long passed the point where graphics were the reason I turned to consoles when it came time to whip out a game. What draws me towards consoles is the level of immersion that can be found in titles with bigger budgets and more talented teams. Finding Teddy, despite being short and pixelated, still manages to draw me into its world. Even though I find every third room infuriating, this is one environment I'm delighted to explore.

Jun

Foursquare Teams Up With Samsung To Turn Your Past Check-Ins Into A Killer Experience Called Time Machine

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Applications, Apps/Games, News

Last Updated: June 16th, 2013

Foursquare is a neat way to keep your friends appraised of your location and activities, as is the custom in this day and age. With the help of Samsung, you can now see all your Foursquare check-ins through a living timeline called Time Machine. Even if you don't have a Foursquare account, check out the demo. It's really cool.

Time Machine is an aerial view of your check-ins laid out chronologically. It plays back at warp speed, laser-like streamers of color dashing from one check-in to the next. A sidebar shows you stats about your check-ins while locations flash up across the screen.

Jun

[APK Teardown] Next Up For Google Play Music: Integrated YouTube Playback

Posted by Ron Amadeo in APK Teardown, Apps/Games, News

As I was digging through the latest build of Google Play Music, I noticed something strange: lots and lots of YouTube stuff. "That's odd," I thought, "What does YouTube have to do with Play Music?"

Oh, right, music videos!

Sure enough, there's some fairly revealing text included, too:

<string name="finding_videos_for_track">Finding related videos for the track...</string>
<string name="no_videos_for_track">No videos found for the track.</string>
<string name="youtube_video_details_hd">%1$s | %2$,d views | HD</string>
<string name="youtube_video_details_nonhd">%1$s | %2$,d views</string>
<string name="youtube_video_duration_hms">%1$02d:%2$02d:%3$02d</string>
<string name="youtube_video_duration_ms">%1$02d:%2$02d</string>

While listening to music, you'll be able to tell Play Music to hunt down the YouTube video for that song. It looks like the video will play in the music app, since there's lots of "video" views and styles in the xml.

Jun

This Week's Humble Weekly Sale Features A Bunch Of Awesome Android Games On The Cheap

Posted by Bertel King, Jr. in Games, News

The Humble Bundle debuts a new bundle of games every Thursday on sale for whatever-you-want-to-pay. Most sales are multi-platform, but Android gamers don't always make the list. Today, take notice. Four of this week's games are just begging to find a home on your mobile device. Altogether, this collection is bound to please strategy gurus, platforming masters, and arcade action addicts alike.

If you're familiar with the Humble Bundle, then you know the deal. Name your price and get your hands on four of these great games. Those who beat the average will get their hands on a fifth title, which is usually more than worth throwing down a couple extra bucks.

Jun

Rumor Analysis: Is This The Next Galaxy Camera, The Galaxy NX? Probably, But I Kind Of Hope Not

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Galaxy Camera, News, Rumors, Samsung

Samsung has a thing with cameras lately, it seems, and putting Android on them. Or attaching a phone to them. Eventually, I expect we will see the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Camera, the world's first stylus tablet with a full-frame DSLR attached to the back. Until then, though, we may have to settle for the Galaxy NX - the spiritual successor to Samsung's not-exactly-lauded Galaxy Camera. Behold its [alleged] massiveness.

These photos were leaked on Vietnamese size Tienthe.vn, and they aren't without their faults. The screenshots appear to have been added a bit after-the-fact, and either may be the work of the images' publisher, or an unfinished draft of Samsung's press renders.

Jun

Google Adds Over 1,000 New Destinations To Street View, Apparently Missed Some The Last Time

Posted by Bertel King, Jr. in News

Google announced today the addition of over 1,000 new Street View locations to Google Maps, which are sure to make the upcoming revamp an even more immersive experience. The new locations include the usual tourists attractions such as historical landmarks and sports stadiums. Americans who are still a little queasy at the thought of hopping on a plane can tour the Singapore Zoo from their living room sofa. Other Singaporean attractions include the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade and the Fullerton Heritage Promenade.

Not interested in Asia? You're now free to take a virtual tour of the most visited Marian shrine in the world, Brazil's Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady Aparecida.