Found 759 articles

Jan

Android: A Look Back To 2012, And A Look Forward To 2013

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Editorials, News, Rumors

Last Updated: January 7th, 2013

Happy New Year! It's that time again; with the new year comes our new annual prediction post. I tackled this last year, and rather than do a bunch of crazy, pulled-from-thin-air predictions, I ended up with a link-filled research-fest for the year. It worked out pretty well, so that's what's on the docket for today. First though, I'll take a look and see just how many of last year's predictions and rumors came true, and provide some updates for the more important topics.

A Look Back To 2012

What a crazy year. 2012 brought us two versions of Jelly Bean: 4.1 and 4.2. We saw a complete transformation of Google Search with the Knowledge Graph, Google Now, voice output, and Google Goggles integration.

Dec

[New App] Sing! Karaoke From Smule, The Maker Of Audiorap And Songify, Puts Your Voice To The Test

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

Okay, get those pipes warmed up for the show. Sing! Karaoke has just dropped in Google Play and it's free to try. Don't worry if your friends and family flee from the room when you get up to sing – you can share your performance later via Facebook, Google+, Twitter, email, and SMS.

Sing! Karaoke includes all the songs the kids are into these days, but not all of them are available to sing for free. You can earn in-app currency by completing offers, or just pay for a subscription and get all the tunes. Once you choose a song, the app will scroll the lyrics and display pitch lines to help you (maybe) sound less terrible.

Dec

[Download] Full RUU For The EVO LTE JB Update (3.15.651.16)

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in EVO 4G LTE (Jewel), News

Nearly a couple weeks ago, the Jelly Bean (4.1.1) update to the Evo 4G LTE ~~XL BBQ~~ began to roll out. By now, we think it's safe to say that most or all of you have it. If you don't, however, or if you've already updated, flashed another ROM, and want to get back to stock, then maybe I can interest you in a nice RUU?

As a side note, if you're HTCDev unlocked, you'll need to relock your handset or you'll get an error while trying to run the .exe. More information on relocking the bootloader can be found here.

Dec

[Weekend Poll And News Roundup] Which New Android Phone Are You Most Looking Forward To In 2013?

Posted by David Ruddock in News, Polls

Welcome to the Android Police Weekend Poll and News Roundup. For last week's poll and roundup, see What Twitter App Are You Using?

As we near the end of 2012, the rumor mill for 2013 is already churning away. Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal published a report on a Motorola 'X Phone' project being headed up by a former Googler, and I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm dying to see a Google-Moto mashup, especially if the premise is trying new and interesting things.

But Motorola's not the only one with new stuff on the horizon in the next year.

Dec

[Deal Alert] HTC EVO LTE Now $0.01 For New Customers And Upgrades From Amazon Wireless

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Deals, EVO 4G LTE (Jewel), News, Sprint

If you've been waiting for the best possible price on the EVO LTE, it's time to go ahead and buy. Why? Because Amazon Wireless is letting this handset go for a penny, and, well, it doesn't get much more affordable than that. This deal's good for both new customers and upgrades, so it's open for basically everyone (granted you're already eligible for upgrade). And of course, let's not forget that the handset was recently updated to Android 4.1, so now it's full of Jelly Bean goodness.

Specs:

1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960
Adreno 225 GPU
1GB RAM
16GB ROM (Partitioned: 2.09GB for Apps/9.93GB for Data) with microSDHC slot
4.7-inch 1280x720 IPS LCD Display
2000 mAh Battery (Non-Removable)
8MP Rear Camera, 1.3MP Front Camera; Back Side-Illuminated Sensor
WiFi A/B/G/N
Bluetooth 3.0+
FM Radio
LTE, GPS, NFC (with Google Wallet!), and MHL
Dimensions: 5.31" (L) x 2.72" (W) x 0.35" (T)
Weight: 4.73 ounces
Android 4.1 with HTC Sense

Head below to buy.

Dec

[The Weekend Poll And News Roundup] What Twitter App Are You Using?

Posted by David Ruddock in Applications, News, Polls, Week In Review

Welcome to the Android Police Weekend Poll and News Roundup. For last week's poll and roundup, see Do You Put Your Phone In A Case, Skin, Bumper, Or Go Bare? For this week's podcast, Episode 40, head here.

If you're looking for a Twitter client on Android, you won't be pressed for a lack of choices (just look at the poll options below). But what you may be pressed for is equivalent functionality, speed, and features across those various options. Everyone has specific needs when it comes to social media, and this has led to a rather large 3rd party Twitter client ecosystem.

Dec

[The Android Police Podcast] Episode 40: From Macaulay Culkin To S Pebble

Posted by David Ruddock in News, Podcast

Welcome to the Android Police Podcast, Episode 40.

Don't forget - the Android Police Podcast's live broadcast is every Thursday at 5PM PST (www.androidpolice.com/podcast). The unedited video version of the podcast can be found here - and will likely include various verbal expletives, technical snafus, tangents, and probably a good 5-10 minutes of pre-podcast banter as we prepare. Watch at your own risk!

Subscribe to the Android Police Podcast:

The Cast

Matthew Smith, Host
Bob Severns, Editor, A/V
Cameron Summerson, Co-host
David Ruddock, Co-host
Eric Ravenscraft, Co-host

THE OUTLINE

Android at Arms

USPTO begins the process of invalidating the famous 'Steve Jobs' touch patent, should be done by the 24th and a half century.

Dec

HTC EVO 4G LTE Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Update Rolling Out Now

Posted by David Ruddock in Device Updates, EVO 4G LTE (Jewel), Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Sprint

Update: Sprint's posted the official changelog, here it is:

HTC EVO 4G LTE Software Update - 3.15.651.16

Enhancements/Fixes:

- WiFi Authentication Improvement
- Personalized ringtones
- Calendar event description hyperlinks and calendar reminder improvements
- Addition of Sprint Connections Optimizer
- Upgrade to Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean) with HTC Sense 4+
- Improved Browser performance
- Face Unlock Improvement
- Application Improvements to YouTube, Google+, Gmail, Maps, and more
- Improved Camera including Auto Portrait and Sightseeing Mode capabilities
- Improved Gallery with ability to display photos and video albums according to when or where taken
- Tap and Go function to connect the phone to select Beats Audio speakers
- HTC Get Started support to allow device set up from a computer

Important Notes:

- Software version is: 3.15.651.16
- Updates may be released in stages.

Dec

Leak: Internal Sprint Document Says The EVO 4G LTE Jelly Bean Rollout May Start Tomorrow (12/13)

Posted by David Ruddock in EVO 4G LTE (Jewel), HTC, Jelly Bean 4.1, Sprint

According to a photo taken of an internal Sprint page by an anonymous tipster, the EVO 4G LTE is finally scheduled to receive an update to Android 4.1 - starting tomorrow.

Now, we should clarify two things. First, this tipster isn't one we have particular reason to consider reliable, though there is a link to DARA in the leaked image, an internal Sprint web portal. It's certainly a real possibility that this is from inside Sprint. The wording and formatting of the page also looks legit to us. Second on the clarification list, there have been previous "leaks" from Sprint suggesting the EVO would be receiving 4.1 on X date, that have later turned out to be false.

Dec

Rockstar Games And War Drum Studios Launch Grand Theft Auto: Vice City For Android [Updated x2]

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Games, News, Videos

Update: It turns out someone jumped the gun on this one, and the game isn't actually available just yet - which is why so many users are getting the "validation error." Rockstar is aware of the issue and posted a statement on their official blog:

We’re aware that some users have attempted to download Vice City: 10th Anniversary Edition from the Google Play Store and have experienced validation errors. Just to be clear: the game is not available for Android devices just yet, and if you’re seeing it listed on the Store then this is an error, and you shouldn’t attempt to download it.