17
Jun
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Crackle Drops Subscription Fees, Launches Brand New Free TV/Movie-Streaming Android App

Posted by in Applications, News

The multimedia situation on Android has been rapidly improving over the last few months, with the introductions of Netflix's official application and Google's own Movie service. Today, it is set to get better still: Crackle, a movie- and TV-watching service launched v2.0 of its Android app with access to a large selection of free movies and TV shows. The service, previously available at $5/month, is now free and supported by ads.

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You'll need an Android 2.2+ device with Flash installed (though neither the XOOM nor the Tab 10.1 seem to be supported at this point, so looks like it's phones only for now), but if your handset meets the requirements, you'll be able to stream as many feature-length films and TV shows as you like, provided, of course, that they're in Crackle's catalog.

04
Jun

[Weekend Poll] Google Doesn't Allow Rooted Devices To Use Android Movies - What Are Your Thoughts?

Posted by in Android OS, Applications, Development, News, Polls
Last Updated: September 3rd, 2011

This is the latest in our Weekend Poll series. For last week's, see What Manufacturer Will Your Next Device Be From?

Two weeks ago, an Android Central tipster noticed that Google had officially stated that they wouldn't allow rooted devices to use Android Movies.

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AC's Jerry Hildenbrand makes some very valid points about why that just doesn't quite seem right, if a bit (understandably) bitterly. As an Android lover and power user, I'm more than inclined to agree. But at the same time, we're effectively blaming the messenger; Google has little control over the situation. The entertainment industry as a whole is notoriously sluggish and behind the times, long resisting the move to the web and encumbering digital music and movies with unreasonable restrictions.

26
May
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[Update: Honeycomb Is Still Not Supported] Updated Netflix App Should Work On More Devices Now, Including Some "Unsupported" Ones

Posted by in Applications, News

UPDATE: Unfortunately, this update doesn't work on Honeycomb devices.

When the Netflix app first dropped, it only supported a handful of devices, which (naturally) caused a not-so-positive reaction from the bulk of the Android community. The result? A slew of hacked .apk files that allowed Netflix to operate correctly on unsupported devices.

Those days are gone now, though - Netflix has pushed an update to its official app that removes the "device check", so it should work on all most devices (Android 2.2 and above, of course). To test that theory, I gave it a go on my OG Droid running CM7, and it worked flawlessly.

22
May
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Patch Enables Netflix App On Rooted HTC Thunderbolts Running Gingerbread ROMs

Posted by in Development, Gingerbread 2.3, News, Thunderbolt (Mecha)

When we posted on the work-around for enabling the Netflix app on unsupported devices, more than a few of you weren't thrilled to hear that the fix didn't work on the Thunderbolt. We knew a fix would come eventually, and now we're happy to report that the developer community has delivered; they've found a way to get the Netflix app working on the Thunderbolt. Unfortunately, there is a bit of bad news, too: it only works on devices that are rooted and running a Gingerbread ROM.

If you fit that criteria, the instructions are pretty damn simple. As always, its highly recommended that you fun a Nandroid backup beforehand in case anything goes awry.

15
May

[Weekend Poll] I/O 2011 Aftermath & Recap: What Has You Most Excited?

Posted by in Android OS, Applications, Honeycomb 3.0/3.1/3.2, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News, Polls
Last Updated: September 3rd, 2011

This is the latest in our Weekend Poll series. For last week's, see How Important Will Customization Be In Determining Your Next Android Purchase?

Google I/O 2011 is all wrapped up, and boy was it eventful. In case you missed them the first go-round, we provided a handy-dandy list (with videos embedded) of the keynotes and Android sessions from both the first and second day. The first keynote, especially, was really quite fascinating and provided a good review of where Android is headed. But at 55 minutes, it's probably a bit much to ask people to watch something quite that long (alternatively, you can read my on-the-fly notes).

12
May
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[Updated] Netflix App Finally Officially Lands In Android Market, But Only For Certain Devices

Posted by in Applications, News

I know that a lot of people have been waiting on this day to come, but I have to admit - it's slightly melancholy. Even though the Netflix app is finally here, there are only a handful of devices that it officially runs on. If your device didn't make the cut, though, I wouldn't sweat it too hard - you know how resourceful the Android community can be.

Oh, the short list of devices? Here you go:

  • HTC DROID Incredible with Android 2.2
  • HTC Nexus One with Android 2.2/2.3
  • HTC EVO 4G with Android 2.2
  • HTC G2 with Android 2.2
  • Samsung Nexus S with Android 2.3

With that said, we are already getting reports that the app is running perfectly on devices that deviate from the exact required specs, like the EVO 4G running CM7, for example.

10
May
movies

Google Movies: Rent And Watch Movies On The Web (YouTube) Or Your Motorola XOOM Right Now

Posted by in Android OS, Apps/Games, News, XOOM

When Google announced its new Movies service today, some of the details of the service's launch were omitted in the information overload that is I/O. But now that we've had a minute to regain our composure and, you know, investigate, we've got some exciting news about Google Movies: you can start renting and watching right now (note: only the United States is currently supported):

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The catch is that you'll only be able to do it from your personal computer (via the Web Market or YouTube in the browser) or on a Motorola XOOM in the Videos app for the moment (we're assuming that means it's limited to Honeycomb Android devices for the time being).

10
May
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[I/O 2011] Google Brings Movies to the Android Marketplace, Rentals Start At $1.99

Posted by in Applications, News

Google has announced during its keynote presentation Tuesday morning that it will be bringing movie rentals to the Android Marketplace. Starting at $1.99, these titles will be featured just like apps.

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The presenter also demonstrated a "pinning" function, which allows movies to be stored for offline use. This prevents you from losing access to your movie when your network is unavailable, or wish to save your data connection from a heavy workout.

Google also emphasized a "seamless" experience, going from tablet to phone and back again. as a recent Atrix owner who's looking to get some use out of his HDMI cable, Android Movies might be the kick in the right direction.

10
May
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Happening Now & Continuously Updated: Highlights From Google I/O 2011 Keynote [Update: It's Over]

Posted by in Android OS, Apps/Games, Devices By Manufacturer, Honeycomb 3.0/3.1/3.2, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News

Artem's on the floor at Google I/O at the moment, but he's busy taking pictures and popping out highlights over Twitter. While he's busy with that, here are some highlights (via the Livestream).

  • "Momentum"
    • Activated over 100m Android devices worldwide
    • 36 OEMs
    • 215 carriers
    • 450k developers
    • 310 Android devices
    • 112 countries
    • 100k activations/day in 05/2010
    • 200k/day in 08/2010
    • 300k/day in 12/2010
    • today: 400k/day
    • over 200k apps available in Android Market - "quality of these apps is phenomenal"
  • Honeycomb being updated to 3.1 starting today
    • Android has true multitasking - now allowing more apps to run at a time with a new system that automatically halts/shuts down apps
    • Widgets improved - can now be resized
    • Whoa - they're playing (unsuccessfully) attempting to play a game on the XOOM using a 360 controller.

29
Apr
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[New App] HBO GO Lands In The Android Market, Now You Can Watch True Blood Anywhere

Posted by in Applications, News

If you're an HBO subscriber and just can't get enough TV, then I've got good news for you! HBO has just released its official watch-it-on-the-go Android App, HBO GO. Of course, you have to be an HBO customer in order to use this app, but that's the only prerequisite as far as I can tell.

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The app allows you to watch all of your favorite HBO content directly on your mobile device, including movies and HBO original content. It should work on 3G, 4G, and WiFi, but unfortunately it is limited to US customers at this time.

That's not the only downside, either.

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