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Feb

Developer Chris Lacy Takes Tweet Lanes Open Source

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, Development, News

Last summer, we saw the launch of Tweet Lanes – a beautiful, functional Twitter app that – due to Twitter's reformed API – ceased active development just a few months ago. Today, Chris Lacy has issued a "further update" on the status of development, writing in a post to Google+ "just because I am no longer actively developing Tweet Lanes doesn't mean that development of the app has to stop."

Yes, after "countless requests" to do so (and an offer to sell), Lacy has taken the project open source – opening up the TL client itself, its SocialNetLib library, and its associated AppEngine project.

Dec

Samsung Drops Open Source Files For Verizon Galaxy Camera, AT&T Galaxy SIII Jelly Bean, AT&T Galaxy Tab 8.9 Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Galaxy Camera, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Samsung

Samsung, continuing its habit of timely code releases, today let fly open source kernel files for a handful of devices including Verizon's newly announced Galaxy Camera (EK-GC120), AT&T's Galaxy SIII Jelly Bean update (SGH-I747), and last but not least, AT&T's Galaxy Tab 8.9 Ice Cream Sandwich release (SGH-I957).

If you've been waiting to get your hands on a fresh batch of kernel source for these devices to tweak, develop, or ogle, now's your chance. Just hit the appropriate link below to be taken to Samsung's open source download center.

Source: Samsung Open Source (VZW Galaxy Camera, AT&T Galaxy SIII, AT&T Galaxy Tab 8.9)

Nov

Mozilla Wants To Bring Flash Back To Your Phone With An Open SWF Runtime - About Ten Years Too Late

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

I know. You thought Flash was long gone. You mourned the relationship and moved on. Having made peace with the past and exploring a bright future, you were ready to start a new life with HTML5. Now, thanks to Mozilla, your ex has come calling, bringing back all those old memories. But enough with the metaphors. The organization behind Firefox announced Shumway, an open SWF runtime project, today. With this, the company hopes to bring compatibility for Flash content back to the web, particularly on mobile. A lofty goal, given that Adobe, creator of the Flash format, isn't keen on that last part.

Nov

Amazon Releases Open Source Files For The 8.9" Kindle Fire HD

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Amazon, Android OS, Development, Kindle Fire HD, News

Amazon, "in accordance with certain free and open source software licenses," released today the open source code files for their 8.9" Kindle Fire HD, one of the latest tablets to join their wildly successful e-reader lineup.

The source code release comes about five days before the HD 8.9 was scheduled for official launch (though it actually began shipping today), giving those who want to tinker, develop with, or simply ogle the fresh batch of source a fair lead time.

If you've been waiting to get your hands on the HD 8.9's source code (or even if you haven't), just hit the link below to grab the full download.

Oct

Samsung Releases Open Source Kernel Files For Note II On T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, Plus AT&T's Galaxy Rugby Pro

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, AT&T, Development, Galaxy Note II, News, Samsung, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular

Now that we've seen Samsung's Galaxy Note II go up for grabs at T-Mo, Sprint, and US Cellular, it's time we began expecting to see Samsung drop kernel source code for the carriers' respective variants. That's just what Sammy has done, recently releasing the open source kernel files for SGH-T889, SCH-R950_USC, SPH-L900_SPR, and a bonus device – AT&T's Galaxy Rugby Pro, lovingly called SGH-I547_ATT.

Oct

Amazon Appstore Headed For Japan 'Later This Year'

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Amazon, Android OS, Applications, News

Amazon, in an effort to continue expanding its services globally, announced today that its Android app distribution service, the Amazon Appstore, is heading for Japan.

The shopping and media giant is now inviting developers to submit their apps and games for distribution in Japan, giving them the chance to participate in a new market with Amazon and "expand their business." Jim Adkins, VP of the Appstore, explained:

Opening our portal to app and game developers looking to reach Japanese customers is an important milestone as we strive to serve consumers and developers globally. Many of our existing developers are anxious to localize their apps and games for Japanese consumers, and we look forward to working with new developers that have been waiting for a chance to bring their Japanese content to the Amazon platform.

Jul

Samsung's Developer Version Of The Galaxy S III Shows Up On Its Site In Pebble Blue, 32GB Flavor, "Coming Soon"

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Galaxy S III, News, Verizon Wireless

Verizon has taken some flack lately for being the only US carrier to lock the bootloader. Workarounds have been implemented, but Samsung's taken it a step further by announcing a developer version of the device. Today they...well, they haven't quite made good on that promise, but they have created a landing page for the device on their site that announces the 32GB Pebble Blue version will be "coming soon".

It doesn't look like pre-orders are available yet, although we know the device will retail for $599 when it finally launches. Previously, Verizon had tried to claim that Samsung was responsible for the locked bootloader, but since virtually every other version of the device did not have a locked bootloader, and now Samsung is going out of its way to get an unlocked version in the hands of its customers, it's a little tough to stomach that idea.

Jun

Samsung Posts ICS Open Source Files For AT&T And T-Mobile Galaxy SIII (SGH-I747M And SGH-T999V)

Posted by Liam Spradlin in AT&T, Development, Galaxy S III, News

Just over two weeks after the official Galaxy SIII announcement, and days before its target launch date, Samsung has released the ICS open source files for AT&T's own Galaxy SIII (otherwise known as SGH-I747M), as well as T-Mobiles variant - the SGH-T999V. These releases are in keeping with Samsung's recent pattern of timely source code drops, which has certainly been encouraging for developers looking to tinker with one of the hottest Android devices available.

As we count down the final days before the SIII's imminent stateside release, those interested in getting their hands on the source can grab the SGH-I747M's source here and the SGH-T999V's source here.

Mar

HTC Drops ICS Kernel Source For Sensation, Sensation XE, Vivid – Get It While It's Hot

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Development, HTC, News, Sensation / Sensation 4G (Pyramid), Sensation XE

Just under a week after starting the Sensation's Ice Cream Sandwich Rollout, HTC has dropped the ICS kernel source for the Sensation, Sensation XE, and Vivid, much to the delight of their respective development communities. This news follows hot on the heels of Samsung's Galaxy SII kernel source drop, and seems to suggest a promising pattern among the two manufacturers of maintaining punctuality in releasing source.

For the many developers who have been prodding HTC to release the source since the devices' ICS updates started rolling out, this is great news, and should give a jolt to Sensation and Vivid development.

Jan

App Inventor Goes Open Source At Its New MIT Home

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Apps/Games, Google, News

Looks like we missed it, but back in December of 2011, Google officially stopped developing App Inventor (it was a result of the company’s shutdown of Google Labs), allowing MIT to take the reins of a very similar project. Today, that project went open source, and though there’s very little in the way of documentation or guides, you can download the code now and begin modifying the Inventor.

Additionally, MIT hasn’t yet opened its servers, so you’ll have to find your own place to upload your modified version(s) of the file – but hey, if nothing else, at least MIT deems you “free to use the term ‘App Inventor’ and the puzzle-piece Android logo” in your work.