News - 508/946 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Jan

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ASUS Transformer Prime OTA Update Rolling Out, Supposedly Fixes GPS Woes

Posted by Abhiroop Basu in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News

Since launch, the ASUS Transformer Prime's GPS issues have hampered an otherwise stellar tablet. To make matters worse, ASUS confirmed that the problem was due to the Prime's all-aluminium construction, indicating that a software fix was unlikely. Indeed ASUS was forced to release a new version of the Prime (TF700T), with an updated back panel to improve the GPS functionality. However, ASUS has not given up all hope on the original Prime as a new OTA update (V9.4.2.7) is rolling out, which could fix the GPS drivers.

The OTA update has not gone live for everyone and in some cases it fails during installation.

Jan

[New App] TurboCollage Creates Fun Picture Pile Collages In Moments

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Adding an entry to the long list of novelty photo apps in the Android Market, SilkenMermaid has introduced TurboCollage - an aptly named app that allows users to make "picture pile" collages in just a few moments, with a surprising amount of control options.

Once you selects images to be included in the collage, the photos can be rotated, resized, scaled, and layered, to create a collage that perfectly matches your vision. If you're looking for a more dynamic, random aesthetic, TurboCollage also has a "shuffle" option, which will randomly reorder your photos for a totally new layout.

When you're done creating your collage, you can add customizable text, choose a border, and save the collage, either for later editing, or for instantly sharing with your friends on Facebook.

Jan

[New Game] Doptrix Puts An Awesome "Twist" On Classic Tetris Gameplay

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Games, News

Stanislav Merezhko recently introduced a game called Doptrix to the Android Market. I have to say that at first glance, I wasn't expecting anything brilliant. I was mistaken.

Doptrix turns Tetris-like gameplay on its head, literally. The game uses a familiar four-block shape pushing premise, but allows the player to turn, rotate, and flip the game board as they choose. The player can also choose when (and from what position) a shape launches toward the board.

Taking this unique gameplay to another level, Doptrix includes three modes of play: Classic, Alternative, and Puzzle. Classic mode uses familiar Tetris shapes, and allows the player to move them left or right before swiping them up to the game board.

Jan

[New App] Photo Calendar – Browse Photos According To Date, Save A Ton Of Time

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Looking to provide users with an alternative to Android's stock Gallery app, CultStory recently introduced Photo Calendar, an app which organizes all the photos on your device according to date (with custom album options).

Utilizing Photo Calendar's no-nonsense interface, users can browse their photos using album, month, and calendar views. The calendar view is particularly handy, displaying photos for each day of the month, and even detailing what time each image was captured.

Photo Calendar also includes intuitive, easy to use "share" functionality, allowing users to share photos via messaging, Picasa, or a variety of social media services, just like Android's Gallery app.

Jan

[New App] Snapkeys World Record Uses Innovative Keyboard Layout To Help Users Compete For Typing Speed, Guinness Book Title

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Snapkeys World Record is an app that introduces users to another alternative to the standard QWERTY keyboard layout (dubbed 2i), but adds a twist to mobile typing. The app is not a keyboard replacement, but actually a typing game, challenging users' speed typing abilities using the app's unique keyboard system. Snapkeys World Record allows users to challenge each other (and the world record) for fastest typing on a mobile platform.

http://youtu.be/LvTs6CnaYwI

Snapkeys' keyboard system is based on the idea that keyboards should not take up space on your phone or tablet's screen. In executing this idea, Snapkeys implements a keyboard comprised of four squares, each based on basic letter shapes:

With Snapkeys World Record comes the introduction of Snapkeys invisible interface, which further minimizes the keyboard by only displaying the basic shapes shown above, in addition to the backspace and space keys.

Jan

AT&T Announces New Data Packages, Gives You More Bang For Your Buck

Posted by Cameron Summerson in AT&T, News

Looks like AT&T has been tweaking its data packages again, trying to find a way to better compete with the likes of the Sprint, T-Mobile, and VZW no doubt. The revised data plans will go into affect on January 22, and they look a little something like this:

Data Plus 300MB: $20 for 300MB
Data Pro 3GB: $30 for 3GB
Data Pro 5GB: $50 for 5GB, with mobile hotspot / tethering

So, how does that compare to Ma Bell's current data rates? Have a looksee:

Data Plus 200MB: $15 for 200MB
Data Pro 2GB: $25 for 2GB
Data Pro 4GB: $45 for 4GB

Tablet plans have also undergone a similar change:

DataConnect 3GB for $30 (Current rate: 3GB for $35)
DataConnect 5GB: $50 (Current rate: 5GB for $60)

So, all-in-all, it is a better deal, especially for those on a 3GB or 5GB plan - more geebees for you.

Jan

Wikimedia Releases Official Wikipedia App For Android, Continues To Work In The Dark

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Applications, News

Not sure how we missed this one as it has been available for four days, but here we are. On Blackout Day. Telling you about the Wikipedia app. Ironic, no?

This is an app that many users have been waiting on for, well, a long time. Now you can quickly search Wikipedia's 20 million articles without ever having to open the browser. The app features the ability to save searched articles so you can read them later, searching articles based on nearby locations, and the option to share your findings.

The Wikipedia app is completely free, so hit the widget below and install it.

Jan

Samsung Galaxy Note Making Its Way To Canada In Mid-February

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Galaxy Note (GT-N7000), News, TELUS

The powerhouse Samsung Galaxy Note is certainly making the rounds as of late - first in Europe, then it was announced for AT&T's LTE network in the U.S., and, soon enough, our neighbors to the north will be able to enjoy the 5.3-inch beast as well.

According to Samsung Canada's website, the Note is expected to be available sometime in mid-February with an assumed launch on Telus' LTE network and announcements coming from Rogers and Bell soon after.

To keep up with the latest info on the Note, make sure to check out Samsung's Note landing page and sign up for updates.

Jan

[Updated x2] Ice Cream Sandwich Update (Android 4.0.3 IML77) For Wi-Fi Motorola XOOMs Now Live In The U.S.

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Motorola, News, XOOM

A few days ago, Motorola pushed out a special soak test of the ICS update to a number of Wi-Fi XOOM owners in the U.S. Apparently, no serious issues were found by the company's engineers, as the very same Android 4.0.3 update (IML77) is now rolling out to everyone. Well, everyone in the U.S. with a Wi-Fi XOOM that is. This makes the XOOM the 2nd mainstream tablet device to officially receive ICS, losing out only to the Transformer Prime that beat it to the punch by only a couple of days.

Head over to Settings > About > System Updates to see if the 81.9MB update is available on your XOOM, let it do its thing, and enjoy the greatest version of Android Google has ever created.

Jan

Verizon Announces Five New LTE Markets, Expansion In Three Others For January 19th

Posted by Cameron Summerson in 4G, News, Verizon Wireless

In its continuous journey to bring blazing fast LTE to the entire country, Verizon Wireless will be hitting the "on" switch in five new markets tomorrow, January 19th. The markets in question:

Glens Falls and Utica, NY
Lawton, OK
Brownsville and McAllen, TX

Big Red is also expanding 4G LTE coverage in three existing markets:

Atlanta, GA
Houston, TX
Spokane, WA

Congratulations to all who live in the above mentioned areas - you're going to love the enhanced connection speed. I recently spent a week in an LTE area and it ruined me - going back to 3G is just painful once you've experienced hyperfast.