facebook - 7/14 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Jul

Facebook Updated To v1.9.7, Brings Bug Fixes But Requires Froyo And Up

Posted by Nate Kimmey in Applications, News

Another update to Facebook for Android has rolled around, and even though it doesn't bring the complete overhaul so many people desire, it does bring some helpful changes. In addition to the usual bug fixes, version 1.9.7 speeds up the login process as well as navigating through the app, and front-facing camera support has been added.

Unfortunately for some, the update requires your device to be on Android 2.2 or above, meaning that the < 6% of users on Android 2.1 and below are stuck on the current version.

It is a manual update to the fact that it now requires the (unexplained) "Read phone state and identity" permission.

Jun

[Editorial] Welcome To Google+: Your Social Network Is Finally Ready, So What Are You Waiting On?

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Editorials, Google

Google I/O isn't even finished yet, and everyone's favorite search company has already shaken things up quite a bit. One of the biggest things Google announced was Google Events. Google said that this new feature would allow users to coordinate events and share them with others. What Google didn't say was that with the addition of this feature, Google+ is ready. Cooked until golden brown and ready to be served. And, guys? It's time to dig in.

By Your Powers Combined

Social networks will continue to evolve as long as people do, but today marked a subtle, yet important transition for Google: the day that the biggest majority of its key features finally became unified in a meaningful, social way.

Jun

Facebook Messenger Updated To Version 1.8 – Add Friends Of Friends To Messages, Switch Conversations With In-App Notifications, And More

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Facebook Messenger, an app the social giant says provides "a faster way to message," got a significant update today, bringing it up to version 1.8. The update, besides promising to speed up app loading, navigating (by way of some small UI tweaks), and message sending, contains several new features that are worth mentioning.

Among these new features is the ability to switch between conversations using handy (dismissible) in-app notification bars which appear any time a friend sends you a message in another conversation. Facebook has also added the option to bring friends of friends into your existing conversation, using the same interface you'd use to add any of your friends to the message.

May

Facebook For Android Updated To 1.9.4 With Performance Improvements And Bug Fixes

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Applications, News

Facebook's Android team pushed out an incremental update v1.9.4 today with "improved performance and various bug fixes." Just what those improvements and bug fixes are will remain a mystery - the only useful part of such changelogs is we know what they didn't do in this release.

So, what did those who updated think of increased performance?

Business as usual then - got it.

Facebook on my Epic Touch has never seemed particularly slow UI-wise, but pulling data takes uncomfortably long even on Wi-Fi. If the Facebook app ever got to Spotify's level of fast, I'm sure its rating would start quickly rising from the measly 3.6.

May

The Ultimate Google I/O 2012 Preview

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Rumors

Last Updated: June 27th, 2012

Google I/O is coming and it's time to get excited! It's like Christmas in June! It will be here in just a few ~~short~~ agonizing weeks - and we need to prepare. There is background information you need to know, rumors you should have in mind, and past announcements and acquisitions that need to be remembered. Google always leaves little news breadcrumbs for those that pay attention, and I pay attention. Fanatically.

This post will be part news recap, part rumor roundup, and part speculation. The last time I did this went pretty well, and now it's time for another look at what the little elves at Google HQ are working on.

May

Acer Halts Shipment Of Iconia Tab A510 Due To A Faulty Component, Confirms A700 Is On Track To Ship By June 11

Posted by Abhiroop Basu in Acer, Iconia Tab A510, News

A few hours ago, the Acer Germany page on Facebook (translated) posted an update stating that there was a fault with an important component in the A51x series of tablets. But Acer did not state which component failed to pass their quality control tests. Unfortunately, this means that there will be a delay in delivery of the Iconia Tab A510/A511 tablets, and Acer has been unable to confirm when the faulty component will be replaced.

Amazon has also stopped taking orders for the device as customers have reported that there could be something wrong with it.

Owners of the A510/A511 tablets who are concerned that they have a faulty device ought not to worry, as a recent comment by Acer on its Facebook page indicates that tablets that were already shipped passed their quality control tests.

May

[Updated x2] New App Review: CallApp Makes Your Dialer Useful Again - Say Hello To Telephony 2.0

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Going above and beyond their promise to save "time and annoyance" when screening, placing, or receiving calls, CallApp recently released their namesake app (a TechCrunch Disrupt 2012 finalist) to Google's Play Store.

CallApp – in what may be the biggest understatement of the week – bills itself as a "super caller ID," increasing call productivity with a set of handy interactive tools and quick informational displays for everyone that calls (or initiates a call with) you. The app pulls information from various services, including Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Foursquare and even your calendar or email, searching for the most relevant and timely info for each caller.

May

Facebook Starts Tweaking Mobile A Little Early, Makes Photos, Posts Bigger On Mobile Apps/Site

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

Remember when Facebook said that it was going to finish its IPO, and then work on improving its mobile experience? Well, reverse that. Ahead of the company's IPO, the social networking giant has already announced at least one minor improvement to its mobile apps and website: bigger pictures and posts!

^{Old version on the left, new version in the center and right.}

In an effort to make use of all those wonderful high-resolution displays you kids are carrying around these days, Facebook is making photos look bigger, and posts wider, to the point of reaching the edges of your display.

May

Facebook's Primary Post-IPO Goals Are To Improve Mobile And Advertising Experiences, Says Zuckerberg

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Applications, News

Fans of Facebook's mobile app and burgeoning integration with various online services should have something to look forward to in 2012 – founder Mark Zuckerberg, during the first week of a cross-country tour promoting the social networking giant's upcoming IPO, indicated that once the social giant goes public, its goal will be to focus on improving its mobile and advertising experiences.

Zuckerberg indicated that Facebook is "just getting started" with the app, and that the network plans to increase integration with other online apps while working to create a "transformative" ad experience.

Zuckerberg went on to explain that another key element in Facebook's strategy of integrating with other online apps will be to bring people together through Facebook in more ways than ever before.