15
Apr
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MyGlass App Goes Live In The Play Store, Google Launches Glass Setup Page

Posted by in Android OS, Applications, Glass, Google, News

It looks like Google is gearing up for the Glass Explorer program, launching the MyGlass companion app and a new Glass setup page, both accessible to the general public.

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The companion app relies on Google's now-signature "Card UI," and the listing's screenshots show off some of the app's functionality, though Google reminds us "if you don't have Glass, then downloading this will be a waste of time. Sorry about that." The description goes on to comfort readers, however: "But if you swipe the screenshots to the right, you'll see there's a picture of a puppy in pajamas. So not a total waste of time after all."

Of course, users can still install the app, though it (obviously) won't be able to complete Glass setup properly without an actual Glass unit.

20
Feb
dandy

Dandy Startup Crowdsources App Ideas, Funding, Development, And Publishing, In Closed Beta For Now

Posted by in News

So, you've got an idea for the best app never to hit Android, and you know it'll take the world by storm once you get it published. There's just one problem: you don't know Java from an Indonesian island. You could quit your job, shop around for investors, hire programming talent, and try to make it on your own. Or you could submit your app idea to Dandy and let the people decide.

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The beta service has a funding capability, but that's where the similarities to Kickstarter stop. Prospective app makers submit their idea, which then gets voted on by Dandy members.

17
Oct
colortiny

Color, The Multimedia Service That Could Never Figure Out What It Does, Is Closing Down According To Reports

Posted by in Applications, News

You'd be forgiven for not knowing exactly what Color is or does. The sordid history of this app, and its parent company Color Labs, is a complicated one. Headed by Bill Nguyen, famous for founding Lala, the incredible music streaming service that was purchased by Apple and promptly closed down, Color Labs received $41 million in funding for its initial app Color for Facebook. Several fundamental changes and a year and a half later, the company is reportedly going to close the books on itself. And I still don't know what it does.

According to VentureBeat, the following is part of an email that was sent to employees of Color Labs late last night:

I hope is all well with you.  As you may or may not have heard, Color is going through a number of changes.  Last week, the Board and major shareholders voted to wind down the company.

12
Oct
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Alternative Android Market BloomWorlds Dead Before Arrival - Here Are The Startup Lessons They've Learned (And You Should Too)

Posted by in News

Have you heard of BloomWorlds? Chances are you probably haven't, because even though I've been seeing intermittent updates about it on and off for the past year and a half, they never actually came out with a product, which was supposed to be a family-friendly, curated Android market. As of today, the project is shut down, and the post mortem report filled with reasons for its failure is sitting in our inboxes. And now your screens.

I've heard a lot of talk, and one of the founders even fruitlessly spent hours buying Brian and me drinks at CES trying to convince us that their market had a chance.

04
Jun
gingerbread_anatomy

[Boot Animation Roundup Part 5] Come See The Amazing Gingergut Man

Posted by in Android OS, Bootscreen Animation Series, News, Other Reviews, Reviews
Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

Welcome back to another lovely edition of our Boot Animation Roundup! We've been scouring the net for the past couple of weeks looking for the coolest boot animations that we could find, and here's what we came up with: a hungry Android, the guts of a Gingerbread man, a new take on a classic, some TRON-esque lovin', and a little somethin' somethin' for all the gamers out there.

Don’t know how to change your boot animation? Take a look at our primer on the matter.

Don’t forget to take a look at the last four editions of this roundup: Vol. 1, Vol.

19
May
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[Bootscreen Animation Roundup Part 4] Is That A Tesseract In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Posted by in Android OS, Bootscreen Animation Series, News, Other Reviews, Reviews
Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

I know, I know... it's only been a week since the last roundup, but when you just happen to stumble upon a gaggle of awesome animations all at one time, what else can you do? If you were thinking "post 'em up for everyone to enjoy," then you win! What do you win, you ask? Why, some sick new boot animations, of course! How sweet is that?

Don't know how to change your boot animation? Take a look at our primer on the matter.

Don't forget to take a look at the last three editions of this roundup here, here, and here.

13
May
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[Bootscreen Animation Roundup Part 3] Five Times The Pleasure, Five Times The Fun

Posted by in Android OS, Bootscreen Animation Series, News, Other Reviews, Reviews
Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

Welcome to the third iteration of our super-awesome bootscreen animation roundup. It's been about six weeks since our last one, so it's definitely about time for another go. I'm sure at this point no introduction is needed, so let's get right into the screens.

If you're not sure how to change your boot animation, take a look at our primer.

You can find even more boot animation goodness in the first two editions of this roundup, here and here.

Android Vs. Apple

First up on the list is an animation that really needs little description - it's Andy destroying the Apple logo by way of ingestion.

03
Apr
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[Bootscreen Animation Roundup, Part 2] 5 Excuses To Reboot More Often

Posted by in Android OS, Bootscreen Animation Series, Development, Other Reviews, Reviews
Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

It has been almost a month since our last bootscreen roundup, so we decided it was time to give you another opportunity to pimp your power up process (I don't normally use the word "pimp", but I just couldn't resist the alliteration). After spending a few hours and literally digging through hundreds of pages, here are five more most kickass boots animations that I could find.

If you have never changed your boot image before, check out our tutorial on the matter.

Android Particles

From the same creator who brought us Smooth Ring the first time around, this is a super-elegant image of Andy appearing from what can only be described as fairy dust.

12
Mar
bootanim_00060

[Bootscreen Animation Roundup, Part 1] 5 Bootscreens That Will Really Turn Your Phone On

Posted by in Android OS, Bootscreen Animation Series, Development, Other Reviews, Reviews
Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

Let's face it: It sucks waiting for your phone to turn on. It takes too long, and you're forced to watch what is essentially a commercial for your carrier and hardware manufacturer. Well, no more! Here are five bootscreen animations that will make rebooting your phone a much celebrate event! Have your friends gather round and watch at the spectacle that is your phone powering on! Gasp at the twists and turns of pretty images on your screen before your device has even turned on!

If you have no idea how to modify your bootscreen, check out our bootscreen primer.