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May

Google I/O 2013 App Gets Last Minute Update To V1.1 – Includes DashClock Support, Higher-Res Photos, Session Feedback, And More

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

Even if you're not physically attending Google I/O, the official convention app might serve you well. It allows attendees to scan badges, view schedules, and just guide themselves around with vector-based maps. If you're not going to be in Moscone Center tomorrow, you can stream sessions with the app. Waiting just about as long as possible, Google has pushed an update to the I/O app, and it adds some cool stuff.

Here's the full changelog:

Added session feedback form.
Improved maps functionality.
Higher resolution speaker photos.
Added DashClock widget support.
Various fixes for stability and performance.
Added localizations.

May

[New App] Saurik's Cydia Substrate Allows Any App To Be Modded, Frees Rooted Users From Flashing ROMs

Posted by Bertel King, Jr. in Apps/Games, News

Cydia by developer Saurik has been around the block a few times, beginning in 2008 as a means of installing and modifying software on jailbroken iDevices. A diverse ecosystem has sprung up around the platform, expanding what iOS fans can do on their usually restricted devices. Saurik's Cydia Substrate, a platform for modifying devices without flashing new ROMs, has now made its way over to Android.

Cydia Substrate does not do anything interesting on its own, but developers can use the platform to distribute extensions that modify software without requiring access to source code. Rooted users are free to load these extensions to pimp out their phones without having to go through all the hassle of installing custom ROMs.

May

[Tuesday App/Game Sales] Shiny The Firefly, Tapatalk, SoundHound Infinity, Contre Jour, Beautiful Widgets Pro, And The Sandbox

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

Google I/O is almost here, so surely you've got Google on the brain. Why not take your mind off things with some neat new apps and games? Oh, but the cost! At least there are some cool sales going on to reduce the impact on your wallet. The selection is solid today, ranging from classic utilities to polished games. These deals aren't just in Google Play – Amazon's Appstore is makes a few appearances this time, as well. Let's check it out.

Shiny The Firefly – $0.99 (66% off)

Tapatalk – Free (100% off on Amazon, and probably permanent)

SoundHound Infinity – $1.99 (66% off on Amazon)

Contre Jour – $0.99 (50% off on Amazon)

Beautiful Widgets Pro – $1.99 (33% off)

The Sandbox – Free (in-app purchases discounted).

May

34 Best (And 1 WTF) New Android Games From The Last 2 Weeks (5/2/13 - 5/14/13)

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Best Apps/Games/LWPs Of The Week, Games, News, Roundups

Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous 2 weeks or so.

This edition focuses only on new games. The app roundup is coming up soon.

Please wait for this page to load in full in order to see the AppBrain widgets, which include ratings and pricing info.

Looking for the previous roundup editions? Find them here.

Featured App

Strategy & Tactics: WW II

Today's roundup is presented by Strategy & Tactics: WW II from HeroCraft. You could be forgiven for thinking that this turn-based strategy game looks a lot like Risk, but instead of Napoleonic struggles, the digital adaptation takes the battlefield to WWII-era Europe.

May

Time Warner Cable TV App Updated With On-Demand Content And Mobile Streaming (But Only On Verizon)

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Applications, News

It seems like every cable and satellite operator is in a hurry to provide a second screen app for tablets and phones. And they all seem to have something in common: either they don't offer live streaming, or they do, and the service is rather arbitrarily restricted to use on a home Internet connection. Time Warner Cable's TWC TV app for Android was just updated to get around this restriction... at least in some cases. Unfortunately, mobile access via the TV app is only available to Verizon Wireless customers - everyone else will just have to live with paying TWC alone.

May

[Update: Winners!] Win One Of Six V-Moda Metallo Galaxy SIII Cases ($101 Each)

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Contests / Giveaways, Galaxy S III

Last Updated: May 26th, 2013

A few weeks ago, we highlighted the sexy new V-Moda Metallo Galaxy S III case that takes an incredibly stylish approach to protection. The all-metal frame changes the shape of the GSIII to something a bit more Nokia-ish, as the case sports much sharper edges in comparison to the phone's stock form factor, and the overall look is much more radical than a traditional case.

This contest is now over.

The final results are listed below. If you've won, you will be contacted in the near future. Congratulations!

Everyone else - keep participating and stay tuned to Android Police so that you don't miss our upcoming giveaway announcements.

May

Modaco Toolkit Enables Easy Multi-User Support For Rooted Phones Running Android 4.2

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Android OS, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

Multi-user support is one of the most interesting additions in Jelly Bean 4.2, but you can only get it if you're using a tablet. It makes sense - phones are rarely shared between more than one person, while tablets are naturally shareable. Even so, it would be nice if Google gave users the option. But thanks to modder extraordinaire Paul "Modaco" O'Brien, there's a relatively easy way to enable multi-user mode on smartphones. It's detailed on the Modaco blog, but all you need to get started is a phone running Android 4.2 and root permissions.

First, download and install the Xposed Framework, a Swiss army knife for modders and the basis of this modification. Next, download the Modaco Toolkit, a module for the Xposed app.

May

Rovio Gives Up, Creates 'Rovio Stars' Publishing Initiative To See If You Guys Have Any Good Games It Can Milk

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Games, News

For years, Rovio lived on Angry Birds and nothing else. Then it tried to get you to love Alex. Then it gave the piggies a shot. Finally, Rovio went back to doing what it does best: throwing birds and cashing out. The demand for new games hasn't stopped, though. So what's a mega-giant corporation that's stuck in a creative rut to do? Crowd source, of course. Introducing Rovio Stars.

Rovio Stars is more than a little like the Fox Searchlight for games (but not quite like Steam Greenlight). The company is promising would-be gaming legends "world-class marketing and PR" for developers with great properties, and "expert game teams" to "[turn] your game into a blockbuster."

To get on Rovio's radar, you can apply by sending in screenshots or a gameplay video of your title and a description of what makes it so great.

May

[Deal Alert] Unlocked International Galaxy S4 (i9500) On eBay Daily Deals For $640

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Deals, Galaxy S4, News

Move fast boys and gals – the unlocked international variant of the GS4 (I9500, Exynos chip) is available for $640 on eBay Daily Deals again today. These deals usually sell out pretty quickly, so if you want to get your hands on The Next Big Thing without a contract (or paying full retail price) you better jump on this now.

May

BLU Announces The Studio 5.0, Studio 5.0 S, and Studio 5.3 S: Jelly Bean, Big Screens, And Small Prices

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in BLU Products, News

BLU isn't yet a household name in the realm of smartphones, but the company has been quietly releasing hardware for the last few years, letting the remarkably low pricing do the talking. Today they've pulled the cover off of three new models, all aimed at the new "phablet" craze, or at least the lower end of it. The new Studio GSM smartphones start at 5 inches and just $149, and all three feature Android 4.1, the Google Play Store, and dual SIM slots. Specs are low, but these phones look like ideal budget devices or travel companions.