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Nov

Google Forbids 'Actions That … Result In Fragmentation' In Updated SDK License – What It Means

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Development, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

Google recently updated its SDK license terms for the first time in a long while. While most changes are minor, one change has been grabbing quite a few headlines – Google's proclamation that those using the SDK are disallowed from taking "any actions that may cause or result in the fragmentation of Android". Here's the full clause in question:

3.4 You agree that you will not take any actions that may cause or result in the fragmentation of Android, including but not limited to distributing, participating in the creation of, or promoting in any way a software development kit derived from the SDK.

Jul

Dropbox Upgrades Its Pro Plans, Doubles Storage Space For No Extra Cost, Adds 500GB Tier

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in News

When Google first announced Google Drive, the company made waves, if not by being better than Dropbox, then at least by being cheaper. 100GB of storage on Google Drive was $4.99 a month to Dropbox's $19.99. Well, today Dropbox is getting closer to being competitive with Google by increasing the amount of storage for its Pro users.

From Dropbox's blog entry on the subject:

Today we’re happy to announce that our upgrades are getting a huge upgrade! Dropbox Pro now comes in flavors of 100 and 200 GB, but at the price of the original 50 and 100 GB plans.

Jun

PSA: Sprint Users Now Able To Avoid $15 Fee, Switch Phone Number Using Online Interface For Free

Posted by Liam Spradlin in News, Off-Topic, Sprint

Sprint customers now have one more self-service option when managing their account online. A couple of days earlier than its official launch, the carrier has begun allowing users to change their phone number online, thereby avoiding the $15 fee charged when switching numbers via phone or in-store.

Inside Sprint Now indicates that while this feature is being labeled a "benefit," it may actually be a cost-cutting maneuver, executed in an attempt to reduce the number of calls to customer care, thereby saving some money.

While this may be a simple cost-cutting move on Sprint's part, it's always great to see enhanced account control becoming available to consumers.If you are looking to change your number easily (and more importantly without charge), just log in to your Sprint account online and head over to the (now live) "change phone number" page here.

Apr

[Updated] DROID RAZR/MAXX Soak Test Set To Begin Tomorrow, But It's Not Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News, RAZR / RAZR MAXX, Verizon Wireless

Last Updated: April 6th, 2012

Update: Looks like Motorola cancelled the soak test due to "deployment issues." Word has it that the update could still happen sometime next week.

Thanks, DW!

DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX users excited for an Ice Cream Sandwich update by last week's Best Buy screenshot should brace themselves for some bad news – it looks like the aforementioned devices won't be getting Ice Cream Sandwich just yet after all.

According to a letter being sent out to members of Motorola's Feedback Network, the soak test slated to begin tomorrow simply brings an update to build number 6.12.181 with various enhancement and bug fixes.

Feb

AT&T To Increase Handset Upgrade Fee To $36 From $18, Citing Increased Costs For New Handsets, Starting February 12

Posted by David Ruddock in AT&T, Carriers, News

In a move that is likely to upset every single AT&T customer to some degree, the nation's number two carrier has decided that its current upgrade fee (a cost tacked on whenever a current customer renews their contract and gets a new phone) isn't covering the rising cost of subsidized smartphones. The current upgrade fee is $18, and will soon be doubled to $36, matching the current fee at Sprint.

At T-Mobile, the current cost is $18. At Verizon, there isn't one. Certainly puts things into perspective. Of course, the one thing to remember about fees is that a little sweet talking to a customer representative can often help you avoid them in the first place.

Apr

ATRIX 4G OTA Update Change Log Shows HSUPA And Call Quality Fixes, Coming Soon

Posted by David Ruddock in Atrix 4G (Olympus), Motorola, News

ATRIX 4G users rejoice - HSUPA will soon be here, and without any sort of hacky flashing requiring root access. The official Motorola update page for the ATRIX 4G's latest OTA, 4.1.83, has appeared on Motorola's website today. Here's the change log "highlights" according to Moto:

Data Speed
Increased speed at which data can travel on the network.

Data Connection
Improvements to prevent interruptions to data connection.

Screen
Improvements to prevent screen from freezing.

Email
Improved ability for users to receive email notifications so you know when you have a new message. Also, improvements were made so that you are now able to use the same email login to access both MOTOBLUR™ and YouTube.

Apr

Updated: AT&T Raising Smartphone Prices For 1-Year Contracts, Full Retail, And Early Upgrades

Posted by David Ruddock in AT&T, Carriers, News, Tips & Tutorials

Last Updated: April 4th, 2011

Update: BGR just confirmed with AT&T that the early upgrade price bump listed for iPhones applies to all smartphones - that means early upgrade pricing for 2-year agreement customers will go up by 50 bucks on all Android phones.

Well, there's not a lot of ways to spin this positively, and it's pretty clear what's going on - AT&T is disincentivizing its 1-year and no contract plans in order to goad customers into making more economical 2-year agreements. Customer retention method much?

If you want to go month to month (no contract) on AT&T, the full retail price of your smartphone of choice will shoot up by $50, for no apparent reason other than to discourage you from making that decision.

Mar

[Tutorial] How To Change The Bootscreen On Your Android Phone And Make Waiting For It To Turn On Suck Less

Posted by Brad Ganley in Android OS, Bootscreen Animation Series, Development, Tips & Tutorials

Last Updated: June 8th, 2011

Let's face it: as Android users, we like options. One of the greatest things about this platform is the insane level of customization possible, especially if you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty. With some readily available tools (all of which are extremely free) and the proper knowledge, you can make your android phone do almost anything you could possibly want and make it look however you want. What we'll be talking about today is the bootscreen.

The bootscreen is that animation that plays during your phone's (admittedly long) power-on sequence. It's really easy to switch it out and, provided you've found one you like, I can show you how to change it.

Sep

Droid Incredible Gets Super LCD Early - New DIncs With Froyo On-Board Already Up For Sale At Best Buy

Posted by Brad Ganley in Incredible, News

It appears that Verizon got a little bit too excited about the "end of September" switch-over for the Droid Incredible's screen. As an internal memo revealed to us a couple of weeks ago, the Droid Incredible was slated to make the switch from an AMOLED screen to SLCD (Super LCD) at the end of September but, as these snapshots show us, the future is now.

You may not notice the difference but the SKU has changed. This only happens in stores like Best Buy (where these pictures were nabbed from) and other third party retailers for very specific reasons, the most notable of which being a significant hardware change.