review - 13/30 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Dec

[Updated] Review: Griffin Beacon Remote Control For Android: Don't Retire Your Existing Remote Just Yet

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Reviews

The Beacon from Griffin is an interesting little device - it effectively transforms your Android phone or tablet into a fully-functional universal remote control. It connects to your device via Bluetooth, and then transmits the signals to your TV, DVD/Blu-Ray player, digital cable box, etc. via IR, just like a traditional remote control would. It does all this through an app called Dijit, which is the meat and potatoes of the entire system.

But how well does it work?

Update: The Dijit app received an update a few days ago that addressed several of the issues I experienced while writing this review.

Dec

[Review] Hexamob Recovery Pro Could Bring Much Needed Relief After Mourning Over Deleted Files

Posted by Brandon Lancaster in App Reviews, Applications, Reviews

We all know that dreaded feeling that comes over us when we accidentally delete an important file. However, if you haven't recently made a backup (shame on you!) there's no reason to panic if this happens. Hexamob, maker of Hexamob Recovery Pro, is here to lend you a helping hand with raising files from the dead.

This app is for rooted users only.

Overview

This app is an incredibly powerful tool to have on hand. Basically, it can recover deleted files from your phone or tablet's SD card, effectively comforting you after the loss of important data. Keep in mind that this only works if the data blocks used to store the file have not been overwritten since deletion, so your best bet would be to fire up this app right after something goes missing.

Dec

[Review] Experience The Thrill Of Downhill Skiing (Minus The Broken Bones) With Ski Challenge 12

Posted by Brandon Lancaster in Game Reviews, Games

I've always wondered what it feels like to fly down a slope going mach-10 on a pair of skis, and I'd be tempted to try it if the threat of death wasn't so impending. Thankfully, we mentioned Ski Challenge 12 in our latest new-game roundup and I can finally experience the exhilarating rush of downhill skiing from the comfort of my home.

First Things First

Ski Challenge 12 is a unique racing game in which you play as a professional Alpine skier. What makes this game interesting is the fact that you can qualify for and participate in real tournaments, which is a nice approach to livening up an in-game leader board.

Dec

[Review] DroidWall Keeps Your Monthly Data Budget On Track, Prevents Midnight Megabyte Snacking

Posted by Brandon Lancaster in Applications, Reviews

Whether you're out to find a way to limit data usage or just want complete control over your device's data connection (or both!), then DroidWall is the perfect app for you. With wireless carriers doing away with unlimited data plans and others throttling, more people have to worry about hitting data caps. If you're still one of the lucky few with unlimited data and are merely looking for more control, this app could still be the answer.

This app is for rooted users only.

DroidWall is open-source - go ahead and examine its source code if you want to figure out how it works or feel paranoid.

Dec

[Review] SilverTree Media's Sleepy Jack Is A Phenomenal Game Full Of Dreamy Creativity And Imagination

Posted by Brandon Lancaster in Game Reviews, Games

About a week ago, we mentioned Sleepy Jack in a new-game roundup. I recently picked it up and haven't been able to put it back down since! If you can remember bringing your toys to life using the power of childhood imagination (or even if you can't), this game is sure to get your mind going.

First Things First

Sleepy Jack has to be one of the most creative, well-made mobile games I've played to date, and I've played quite a few. This game takes imagination to the next level. Every aspect of Sleepy Jack is well thought out, from the zany dream lands Jack flies through, to the types of toys he encounters along the way.

Dec

[Review] Polarbit's Tank Riders Has Good Gameplay But Needs Work

Posted by Brandon Lancaster in Game Reviews, Games

The other day, Polarbit released a new game called Tank Riders, and I was thoroughly excited to get my hands on my own tiny tank. I mean, who doesn't want to control a miniature tank and blow things up with miniature artillery? Nobody, that's who.

First Things First

At first glace, this game seems to have all of the action-packed fun you'd need to last a while. Polarbit boasts rich and vibrant graphics, attacking hordes of bad guys in single-player campaign mode, playing against other tiny tank riders in online multiplayer, and downloadable content that will keep the game fresh and exciting.

Dec

[Review] Vector Unit's Shine Runner Puts Hillbilly Fun In The Palm Of Your Hand

Posted by Brandon Lancaster in Game Reviews, Games

Having harbored a lifelong love of both moonshine and wreaking havoc in souped-up airboats, I was naturally excited when we came across Shine Runner. Finally, I can blaze across backcountry bayous, smuggling only the finest hillbilly necessities. This game is the latest from Vector Unit, makers of Riptide GP, and it is sure to bring out the hillbilly in you.

First Things First

The concept of this game is quite simple - you are an airboat-riding hillbilly out to smuggle several different backcountry essentials around the bayou. Your goal is to make as much money as you can in a 10-day span by buying and selling the goods at different locations.

Dec

[New Game] Inertia Escape Velocity Is A Side-Scroller That Will Infuriate And Confuse You In The Greatest Way Possible

Posted by Brad Ganley in Apps/Games, Game Reviews, Games, News, Reviews

If there's one thing we love here at Android Police more than anything, it's puppies. That usually doesn't come into play here, though, so we often deal with our very close second favorite thing: Amazingly playable, gorgeously rendered, ingeniously designed games. I just so happen to have one of those right here.

Inertia Escape Velocity is a game in which you play a futuristic scavenger collecting what I can only assume are generic, mass produced future-machine parts. Oh, yeah, you can also turn off gravity. I've been playing the game for 15 minutes now, so I'm pretty much a pro and feel like I owe it to you to show you some video of me playing the game.

Nov

ASUS Transformer Prime Initial Impressions: Four Isn't A Prime Number, But It Sure Feels Special

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News, Reviews

Around midday yesterday, I received my review kit for the Transformer Prime, complete with dock, wireless gamepad, and HDMI cable - meaning I'm well equipped to take a deep dive into the hottest new tablet to hit stores. But to be completely honest, an in-depth review on a product this brand-spanking-new requires more hands-on time than can be had in two days. The full review will be up on Friday, but in the interim, enjoy the initial impressions and gadget porn below.

First up, let's run over the specs, largely from our official announcement post:

10.1-inch SuperIPS + display with Gorilla Glass
1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 Processor with 12-core GPU
1GB RAM
32GB or 64GB internal storage with microSD card slot
microHDMI port
8MP F2.4 rear shooter with continuous flash for video recording, 1.2MP front camera (1080p camcorder!)
8.33mm thin
586g (1.29 lbs.)
12 hour battery life playing 720p video, 18 hours with keyboard dock
Metallic spun finish
Two available colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold (show below, respectively)
Android 3.2.1 - will be updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) as soon as possible after release
$499 for 32GB model, $599 for 64GB, and $149 for the dock
North American availability is expected to begin the week of 12/19 - this is straight from Asus's mouth in the Prime details that were sent to us (and again confirmed a few hours ago), contrary to the other "official" date of December 8 that we heard earlier today.

Nov

[Review] Adobe Photoshop Touch Is The (Almost) Perfect Tablet-Friendly Adaptation Of Its Desktop Counterpart

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications

Next in our series of reviews centered around Adobe's Touch Apps is Photoshop Touch, a nearly perfect paring-down of its desktop counterpart. While Photoshop Touch may be a little simplified, it still has a ton of features, and packs in almost all of the things I need for on-the-go photo editing.

At A Glance

Essentially, Photoshop Touch is a more basic version of the desktop software, with Creative Cloud connectivity and Android 3.1+ compatibility thrown in. Its simplicity is not a bad thing, however. PS Touch shares the same sleek, intuitive interface style as the other members of the Touch App family, and the Creative Cloud makes a fantastic addition.