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New Bipartisan Phone Unlocking Bill: DMCA Circumvention Redefined, Permanent Exemption For Carrier Unlock
The legality of certain phone modifications in the United States, particularly those that allow phones to be used on wireless carriers for which they weren't
The legality of certain phone modifications in the United States, particularly those that allow phones to be used on wireless carriers for which they weren't originally intended, is currently on a congressional see-saw. Every three years, the Librarian of Congress has to approve or extend an exemption of the infamous Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to allow or deny consumers the right to unlock (read: carrier unlock, and in some cases rooting/jailbreaking, but not unlocking bootloaders) their phones by circumventing digital rights management. Congress let the exemption slide earlier this year - read the gory details here. Now a new bill has been entered that, if passed, would grant a permanent exemption to the DMCA for carrier unlocking, among other things. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has an exhaustive write-up of House Resolution 1892, the "Unlocking Technology Act," which they've given their initial support.
27 Best (And 2 WTF) New Android Apps And Live Wallpapers From The Last 2 Weeks (4/25/13 - 5/6/13)
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous 2 weeks or so.
AOKP's New Homepage Has More Swagger Than A Drunken Unicorn
If you haven't checked out AOKP.co for a while, we couldn't blame you. The old homepage for the Android Open Kang Project ROM and Team Kang left something
If you haven't checked out AOKP.co for a while, we couldn't blame you. The old homepage for the Android Open Kang Project ROM and Team Kang left something to be desired - namely, a new homepage. The wraps are off of the latest adjustment to the AOKP site, and wow, they've really done something with the place. In addition to a ton of new features accessible from the get-go, the entire page has been given a swag-worthy 80s makeover that might just be described as "awesome, awesome to the max."
[Bonus Round] The DRM: Death Ray Manta, Emilly In Darkness, Lemegaton Master Edition, And Wizard Ops Tactics
Welcome to the first entry in our Bonus Round series, wherein we tell you all about the new Android games of the day that we couldn't get to during our
Welcome to the first entry in our Bonus Round series, wherein we tell you all about the new Android games of the day that we couldn't get to during our regular news rounds. Consider this a quick update for the dedicated gamers who can't wait for our bi-weekly roundups, and don't want to wade through a whole day's worth of news just to get their pixelated fix. Without further ado:
Acer Announces The Iconia A1 7.9" Tablet For The US: $199 For A 1.2Ghz Quad-Core Processor And 1024x768 Screen
Everyone who's interested in a tablet that's slightly bigger than the Nexus 7, with a low-resolution screen, plastic construction, and lower specs, raise
Everyone who's interested in a tablet that's slightly bigger than the Nexus 7, with a low-resolution screen, plastic construction, and lower specs, raise your hand. It's OK, we'll wait. Anybody? Not even if it bears a striking resemblance to a certain fruit-branded tablet? Acer's hoping for a more fervent response in June, when it plans to release the Iconia A1, a 7.9-inch WiFi tablet with an unusual (for Android) 1024x768 4:3 screen and a 1.2Ghz MediaTek quad-core processor. The 16GB model will have an MSRP of $199.99, but some outlets are already reporting retail prices at $179.99.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Now Available On Canadian Carriers Rogers, Bell, TELUS, Virgin, And More
Greetings to our northern neighbors - you cam now buy Samsung's latest flagship device on a variety of Canadian carriers. The Galaxy S4 is available from
Greetings to our northern neighbors - you cam now buy Samsung's latest flagship device on a variety of Canadian carriers. The Galaxy S4 is available from the standard nationwide wireless providers, Rogers, Bell, Virgin, and TELUS, in addition to MVNOs and regional carriers like Fido, Videotron, Eastlink, and Koodo. Prices range from $199 Canadian with a three-year contract from the "big three" to just shy of $700 for an off-contract model, which is pretty standard for new premium models in Canada.
Google Is Throwing A City-Wide Ingress Event At I/O 2013, And Every Attendee Is Invited
If you're in the small portion of the Venn diagram where Google Ingress players and Google I/O attendees intersect, I'm about to make you very happy. It
If you're in the small portion of the Venn diagram where Google Ingress players and Google I/O attendees intersect, I'm about to make you very happy. It looks like the big G is paying quite a bit of attention to Niantic Labs' social geo-game, because every single registered attendee for Google I/O 2013 will be given an automatic invitation to Ingress, which is still in beta. Ingress will also be given at least some coverage in the initial I/O keynote on May 15th.
[Deal Alert] Samsung Multimedia Desktop Dock, Compatible With Most Samsung Phones Including The Galaxy S4, Is Just $16 On Amazon (68% Off)
There are still very few "universal" docks available for Android users, but if you own a Samsung smartphone, this little baby comes pretty close. The Samsung
There are still very few "universal" docks available for Android users, but if you own a Samsung smartphone, this little baby comes pretty close. The Samsung Galaxy Multimedia Desktop Charging Dock includes a spiffy flip-out stand big enough to support the biggest of Notes, plus an audio-out 3.5mm jack for easy output to a nearby speaker. One Amazon vendor is selling the dock for just sixteen dollars American, a discount of more than two thirds off the retail price.
Koushik "Koush" Dutta's Carbon Backup App Renamed To "Helium" After Cease & Desist From Carbonite Software Maker
If you're an Android power user who regularly applies mods or flashes new ROMs, you've likely run across Koushik "Koush" Dutta's work. He's the maker and
If you're an Android power user who regularly applies mods or flashes new ROMs, you've likely run across Koushik "Koush" Dutta's work. He's the maker and maintainer of the ClockworkMod recovery and ROM Manager, and a publisher of several of his own independent applications. One of those apps is the powerful Carbon backup app, which we've featured before. It looks like the name "carbon" was a bit too close for comfort for the makers of Carbonite software (a more mainstream backup solution for desktops and mobile), who sent Koush a cease-and-desist letter back in February.
Astrid To-Do App And Service Acquired By Yahoo! - Premium Accounts Are Out, May Be Shutting Down Soon
A lot of our readers have made the jump to Google Keep for their task/to-do manager of choice, but the older and more feature-filled Astrid still has a
A lot of our readers have made the jump to Google Keep for their task/to-do manager of choice, but the older and more feature-filled Astrid still has a wide and appreciative community of users. Today the cross-platform service announced that it's been purchased by Google's ancient and somewhat diminished rival, Yahoo. While details on price and timeline are scarce, the service blog notes that they're no longer accepting premium subscriptions (which added data storage and saved voice notes) and will be issuing refunds to those who have paid for subscriptions and plugins.
23 Best (And 3 WTF) New Android Games From The Last 2 Weeks (4/19/13 - 5/1/13)
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous 2 weeks or so.
MLB At Bat Service Is Free For T-Mobile Customers For The 2013 Season, Download The App Before June 30th To Activate
It's the first of May, and you all know what that means: free access to the MLB At Bat app for T-Mobile subscribers starts today! Tmo's multi-year contract
It's the first of May, and you all know what that means: free access to the MLB At Bat app for T-Mobile subscribers starts today! Tmo's multi-year contract with Major League Baseball gives its customers free access to the video and audio streaming app. Normally the app and the service are part of the expensive MLB.tv game streaming package, or a separate purchase of $3 a month or $20 a year.
Sony Xperia Z Is All But Confirmed For T-Mobile, Thanks To FCC Filing - User Manual Included As Well
Does the HTC One leave you cold, T-Mobile customer? Tired of all the plastic on Galaxies big and small? Then look at this filing in the Federal Communication
Does the HTC One leave you cold, T-Mobile customer? Tired of all the plastic on Galaxies big and small? Then look at this filing in the Federal Communication Commission's ever-expanding database of certified wireless devices. It's the Xperia Z, Sony's current flagship model, with wireless bands for T-Mobile's standard HSPA+ network and its shiny new LTE spectrum as well. That makes the stylish smartphone as close to a done deal as we're likely to get until T-Mobile starts its press campaign.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Book Cover Review: Very Nice And Too Expensive, Just Like The Tablet Inside
I picked up Samsung's official first-party cover for the Galaxy Note 8.0 shortly after getting the tablet itself, because Samsung's plastic body doesn't
I picked up Samsung's official first-party cover for the Galaxy Note 8.0 shortly after getting the tablet itself, because Samsung's plastic body doesn't inspire confidence, because all tablets scream out for an easy freestanding solution, and (not least) because it was the only option right after release. The case hits all the high points: good protection, a built-in stand, and a magnet to activate the screen's sleep feature. The only major downside, like the tablet itself, is the price.
NEC Terrain Tipped For AT&T: A QWERTY-Packing Candy Bar Coated With Confusion
If you've never heard of Japanese manufacturer NEC, don't worry, you're in good company. While the corporation has indeed been producing Android devices
If you've never heard of Japanese manufacturer NEC, don't worry, you're in good company. While the corporation has indeed been producing Android devices for years, some of which are quite unique and impressive, they haven't seen fit to expand most of their mobile hardware beyond Japan. (Note the complete lack of cellular devices on NEC's American page.) That's why it's so puzzling to see noted tipster @evleaks' latest break: the NEC Terrain for AT&T. The phone would be NEC's very first Android phone to hit America's shores.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Review: A Midsize Tablet With A Lot To Love, And A Few Things To Hate
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is a strange beast. Sitting more or less between the Note II and the Note 10.1, the Note 8.0 feels like a Frankenstein Android
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is a strange beast. Sitting more or less between the Note II and the Note 10.1, the Note 8.0 feels like a Frankenstein Android device, mixing elements of both smartphones and tablets. Of course, that's kind of the point: in territories where carriers don't have such a stranglehold on the wireless industry, the Note 8.0 is exactly the giant phone that it looks like. Here in the States, we'll have to make due with an 8-inch WiFi tablet - a mid-sized device for the category, with a premium price.
Samsung Officially Reveals The 7-Inch Galaxy Tab 3 - Budget-Grade Specs In A Giant Smartphone Body
Those of you who didn't appreciate the divisive smartphone style of the Galaxy Note 8.0 might want to avert your eyes right about now. The South Korean
Those of you who didn't appreciate the divisive smartphone style of the Galaxy Note 8.0 might want to avert your eyes right about now. The South Korean company pulled the wraps off of the first entry in the fourth generation of its Galaxy Tab series today, and there's no denying that the 7-inch tablet looks like a gigantic smartphone. The Galaxy Tab 3 will be available worldwide in May in a WiFi version with a 3G variant following in June, though specific markets were not mentioned.
HTC One US Developer Edition RUU And Full ROM ZIP Posted, ROM Addicts Breathe A Sigh Of Relief
Do you hear that? It's the sound of a thousand HTC fans modding the crap out of their shiny new HTC One Developer Edition smartphones. The Taiwanese company
Do you hear that? It's the sound of a thousand HTC fans modding the crap out of their shiny new HTC One Developer Edition smartphones. The Taiwanese company just posted the RUU (ROM Update Utility) for the American version of the One DE, giving would-be tinkerers a safe way to restore their devices if something goes boom. You can download the RUU at HTC's Developer Center. We'd post some direct links for you, but HTC is insisting you go through the Downloads page. Click the RUU for a Windows EXE file, or zip for a ZIP file of the ROM.
[New Game] The Legend Of Holy Archer Has Very Little To Do With Real Archery (But It's Still Fun)
Archery is an ancient and noble art, sitting at the intersection of physics, craft, and human skill. The Legend of Holy Archer is a somewhat ridiculous
Archery is an ancient and noble art, sitting at the intersection of physics, craft, and human skill. The Legend of Holy Archer is a somewhat ridiculous game where you control flying arrows with magic. What it lacks in authenticity it makes up for in genuine fun, thanks to solid controls and a unique game mechanic. The 3D title is a free download supported by in-app purchases (which are thankfully optional) and it's available on Android devices running Froyo or later.
[New Game] SEGA's Hell Yeah! Pocket Inferno Is The Best Runner Game Starring An Undead Gun-Toting Rabbit On A Rocket Drill You'll Play Today
SEGA has a rich history of platfoming titles to draw upon as it makes the transition to mobile gaming. Alex Kidd. Sonic the Hedgehog. Nights. But one you
SEGA has a rich history of platfoming titles to draw upon as it makes the transition to mobile gaming. Alex Kidd. Sonic the Hedgehog. Nights. But one you might not have heard of is Hell Yeah!, a downloadable title from developer Arkedo Studio. After making waves on the PC and consoles last year, this tongue-in-cheek gorefest has been adapted into what might just be the strangest endless runner on Android.