pro - 3/4 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Jun

HTC Launches HTCDev.com, Announces OpenSense SDK With Scribe Tablet Pen And Stereoscopic 3D APIs

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Development, HTC, News

In another step toward becoming one of the most dev-friendly Android manufacturers, HTC today launched HTCdev.com, a website "dedicated to providing you with the tools, advice, and community you need to pursue the possibilities."

The vast majority of the site's content has to do with the OpenSense SDK, which should be launching... sometime in the future (though you can sign up for emails about it now). HTC doesn't go into details about what it does, stating only that it will allow developers to write applications better integrated into Sense UI. Specifically, HTC notes that devs will be able to access a "Tablet pen API" for the Flyer/View 4G as well as a "Stereoscopic 3D display API" for the EVO 3D.

May

Rumor: Dell Streak Pro 10-inch Tablet Packing Tegra 2, Keyboard Dock, Weighs As Much As a XOOM?

Posted by David Ruddock in Dell, Honeycomb 3.0/3.1/3.2

After spending some reviewing the Dell Venue last week, I have a renewed interest in the world of all things combining Dell and Android. But, let's face it, Dell hasn't exactly had a great track record with its Android hardware, particularly its first attempt at a tablet - the universally-disliked Streak 7.

The Streak name, then, does evoke a bit of a grimace for most folks familiar with Android hardware. The Streak 5 wasn't much of a winner, either - particularly because it shipped with the ancient Android 1.6, and had an OS update delay that could only be described in Samsung proportions.

May

Dell Venue Review: It Really Is Better Than You Would Expect

Posted by David Ruddock in AT&T, Dell, Phone Reviews, Reviews, Thunder, Venue

Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

After being thoroughly unimpressed with the sleek and sexy DROID Charge last week, and knowing that the Venue was next on my device-review checklist, I was prepared for yet more disappointment. Let's face it - Dell has been the butt of quality control, technical support, and advertising (Dude! you're...) jokes for years now. Whether or not it has at all been deserved is another matter entirely - after all, Dell is a hugely successful company (I happen to be writing this review on a Dell netbook, in fact).

The Venue, then, is a device I went in having some doubts about.

Apr

Top Android Apps Every Rooted User Should Know About, Part 3: Apps 17-25

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in App Reviews, Applications, Apps/Games, Best Apps For Rooted Users Series, Development, Reviews, Tips & Tutorials

Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

This is the third iteration in our 'Top Android Apps Every Rooted User Should Know About' series. Click here for part one or here for part two.

It's that time again - we've spent the last few months scouring the Android Market, and now we're ready to report back with nine more great root apps. There are a lot of good ones in this edition - read on for some of the best reasons to root your Android handset!

This article deals with a couple of advanced topics. If you’re unfamiliar with some of the terms, hit up our primers here:

MarketEnabler

One of the most frequent excuses for piracy has to be "The app isn't available in my country" or "Google doesn't allow paid apps where I live." No longer!

Mar

Sony Ericsson Promises Unlocked Bootloaders In Some Flavors Of All Upcoming Xperia Devices (Arc, Play, Neo, Pro)

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Development, News, Sony Ericsson

Today is starting out pretty well - minutes ago, we finally got the HTC Thunderbolt kernel source, and now Sony Ericsson decided to lift our spirits even further via a blog post announcing their commitment to the Android development community. And a commitment it is - Sony Ericsson may just be the first large manufacturer truly listening to us.

Sure, Motorola unlocked the bootloader of the XOOM, and Samsung did the same to the Nexus S, but Sony Ericsson is promising to release versions of ALL Xperia phones with easily unlockable bootloaders, at least ones slated for 2011. This includes the Xperia Arc, Play, Neo, and Pro, but SE is quick to clarify - by far not all devices will be this open.

Jan

ADW Launcher EX Update Released - Includes Custom Docks, Bug Fixes

Posted by David Ruddock in Applications, News

An update to the popular custom launcher ADW EX was released today, and it adds a feature many ADW users have been clamoring for: custom dock backgrounds. While it may sound trivial, some have used the lack of a custom dock option in ADW to declare Launcher Pro the superior app. ADW EX comes with 8 of its own custom docks, though you can use any image from your gallery as a dock background. The update also includes a few additional customization options (you can find the full changelog here).

To get the custom docks, hit the Menu button while on a homescreen, select More, ADWSettings, UI Settings, Main Dock, Dock Background, Custom.

Nov

What's New/Coming In Android Devices: White EVO 4G, Galaxy Tab For Sprint & Verizon, Droid 2 Global, Samsung Continuum, And Droid 2 Global Delayed

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Continuum, Droid 2 Global, Droid Pro, EVO 4G (Supersonic), Galaxy Tab, LG, News

Last Updated: November 21st, 2010

It's definitely starting to feel like holiday season is winding up - a ton of devices that we've seen in the pipeline previously are now making it to market at long last. Let's take a look:

Samsung Galaxy Tab

The Verizon and Sprint versions of the Galaxy Tab have launched already, and the device will be coming to Sprint in short order (11/14) as well. Quick recap of the specs:

7" 1024x600 screen
Both 3G and Wi-Fi
Android 2.2
1 GHz Hummingbird CPU
13.8 oz.

So far the reviews seem to be fairly mixed on the Tab. Right now, only the Verizon variant is listed at Wirefly, but we expect that to change shortly.

Nov

Verizon Begins Pre-Orders For Motorola Droid Pro ($180) And Droid 2 Global ($200)

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Droid 2 Global, Droid Pro, News, Verizon Wireless

Verizon's really steamrolling along with the Android train, aren't they? In addition to last night's official announcement of the Samsung Continuum, the Motorola Droid Pro and Droid 2 Global are now both up for pre-order. Just as we'd heard, the D2G looks to be $200 after rebates, while the DP, as announced yesterday, will clock in at $180 (both with a new contract).

Both devices are "world phones," meaning they pack both GSM and CDMA. The Droid Pro is a candybar form factor with a full QWERTY keyboard at the bottom - clearly aimed at the BlackBerry crowd. The Droid 2 Global, on the other hand, features a choice of two colors and a higher clocked processor than the regular ole' D2.

Nov

Internal Verizon Document Reveals Motorola Droid Pro Will Sell For $180, Droid 2 Global And Samsung Continuum Will Be $200

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Continuum, Droid 2 Global, Droid Pro, News, Verizon Wireless

Last Updated: November 2nd, 2011

Engadget's landed a classic Blurrycam shot of Verizon's internal system showing the prices for a handful of current and upcoming devices. Namely, the Motorola Droid Pro, and the still-unofficial Droid 2 Global and Samsung Continuum.

In simpler, blur-free text, that's:

Motorola Droid Pro - $179
Samsung Continuum - $199
Motorola Droid 2 Global - $199

Not unreasonable at all, given that they're all high-end devices. I suppose this should also erase any lingering doubt anyone may have had about the two color choices for the D2 Global - we'll definitely be presented with the standard dark blue, as well as a white model.

Nov

Motorola Droid Pro Pre-Sale Starts November 9th, Handset to Launch November 18th

Posted by Stephen Tenerowicz in Droid (Sholes), Froyo 2.2, Motorola, News, Verizon Wireless

If you were hungering for more juicy details on the Motorola Droid Pro, today is your lucky day, as documents have just surfaced revealing the pre-sale and launch date of the device. While details are slim, the documents reveal that the pre-sale kicks off November 9th and the official launch date is November 18th. If you order between November 9th and November 17th, you’ll get your Droid Pro before the launch date - never a bad thing!