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Aug

Google+ App Updated To 3.1.1: Now You Can Join Hangouts On Air From Mobile, Other Less Cool Features Added Too

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, Google, News

Google has released an update to its social network app on Android today that should please Hangout enthusiasts both young and old. For starters, now you can join Hangouts on Air via your mobile device (like the one we use to broadcast our weekly podcast every Thursday at 8pm EST hint hint). This is fantastic news as Hangouts on Air are among the most useful application of the already-awesome Hangouts feature. Unfortunately, until recently, you could only join via a desktop, but no more!

Additionally, Google is now allowing teens to create and join Hangouts via mobile. Which, apparently, they could not do before.

Jul

Going Indie: The Story Of Independent Android Game Development From Concept To Completion

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Applications, Development, Games, Interviews

Last Updated: July 31st, 2012

One of the great things about Android's ecosystem is the number of indie developers who are able to enter the market successfully, providing a great product and inspiring would-be developers to join in. For many though, Android development in general is a mysterious topic. How an app or game goes from an idea to an entry in the Play Store is unknown, but (thankfully) not unknowable.

Of course, considering how major development studios bring apps to life doesn't require too much thought – major companies like EA, Disney, or Rockstar have no problem hiring designers and developers to crank out and maintain polished apps.

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

[Told You So] Google Finally Launches Events For Google+ And They're Amazing

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google, News

We knew it was coming, and now it's finally here. Google+ Events. And it's even bigger than we ever thought it could be. Google has gone beyond mere RSVP. Google wants your Events page to be central to your real-life get-togethers, before, during, and after the event. In addition to tying into Google Calendar, Events serve as a central place for all your event photos, organized chronologically that can be uploaded by all guests. It's like a mega feed for your party.

Before

The Events tab on Google+ can be used to create your event and fill out all the necessary details: who's invited, where it is, when it's happening and whatnot.

Feb

[Weekend Poll] Are You Using A Custom Launcher?

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Applications, Polls

This is the latest in our Weekend Poll series. For last week's, see Do You Use Live Wallpapers?

We've said it many times before, and I'll say it again: one of the best things about Android is how customizable the entire experience is. One of the easiest and most comprehensive ways to customize your device - aside from rooting and ROMing, that is - is to use a custom launcher such as ADWLauncher EX, GO Launcher EX, and Launcher Pro. Even stock, these apps can revamp your device's appearance and basic behavior, and coupled with the bevy of themes that can be found on the Market, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Nov

Hands-On: The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus Is An Exynos-Packing, Benchmark-Decimating Speed Demon

Posted by David Ruddock in Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, Honeycomb 3.0/3.1/3.2, News, Samsung, Tablets

Earlier today, I received my review unit Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, Samsung's latest addition to the Tab family of products. Now, you probably thought, upon hearing about this little device, "gee, this is just another scaled-down version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 - boring." But you thought wrong - very wrong.

The Tab 7.0 Plus has a little hardware secret in its diminutive package, and that secret's name is Exynos. I noticed from the moment I powered it up that the 7.0 Plus was no ordinary Honeycomb device - home screen swiping was unusually graceful, even with Samsung's TouchWiz UX overlay.

Sep

Hulu Plus App Updated, Brings Improved Performance And Support For Nine More Devices

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Applications, News

The Hulu Plus app for Android has just been updated to v1.0.139 and adds support for 9 new devices:

HTC Incredible 2
HTC EVO 3D
HTC Sensation
Motorola Droid 3
Motorola Bionic
Motorola X2
LG Revolution
LG G2x
HTC Flyer

The only other change that's listed is "Improved playback performance." A small update, but significant for the devices it adds.

Here's to hoping that they continue to add devices at a healthy clip!

What's in this version:

Improved playback performance

Added support for 8 additional handsets: HTC Incredible 2, HTC Evo 3D, HTC Sensation, Motorola Droid 3, Motorola Bionic, Motorola X2, LG Revolution, LG G2X

Added support for 1 additional tablet: HTC Flyer

[Source: Android Market]

Aug

Google+ For Android Updated - Now With Notifications That Are Less Horrible

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Applications, News

Update: Now with video from the head project manager of Google+

Google+ for Android has been updated to version 1.0.5 with a pile of usability fixes that you're going to love. Rather than list them ourselves, take a look at the changelog below:

What's in this version:

Improved notifications reliability

"_add to circle" notifications shown in bulk

Share stream posts to individual people

Clicking a +mention takes you to the person’s profile

+mentions now autofill from your Circles

Stream no longer resets to top when screen is rotated

Nearby accuracy (note: we assume this means accuracy is improved)

Start a 1:1 huddle from a person’s profile or a group huddle from a circle profile

Hide 1:1 huddles

Clickable links in huddles

Improved autocomplete when adding a person to a huddle

These are all much-needed changes - many that we've heard users complain about.

Jul

Editorial: Google+ Will (Probably) Never Overtake Facebook - But It Doesn't Matter

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Editorials

Got you on the title for a second, didn't I? With all the buzz (har har) surrounding Google+ lately, there's been near endless speculation about whether the new social network will have what it takes to "defeat" its biggest competitor: Facebook. In fact, it seems taken for granted that Google+ and Facebook are like oil and water - two things that simply cannot co-exist in harmony. As you may have guessed from my title, I think this is an absolutely silly discussion. Let's talk about just why that is.

Two Internets

Well, there's not really "two internets." But for the purpose of our discussion here, I'm going to characterize Facebook and Google as two separate "internets" (or, if you will - interwebs).