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December, 2010 Articles

DJ Hero for Android Coming, Pocket Legends Winter Update, Game Dev Story for Android Out [GAMES]

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

It’s been a great morning for the Android gaming scene: Mana Chronicles dropped in the Android market and Rocket Bunnies has taken everyone by surprise. But there’s a lot more to be had. For starters, Activision and GLU will be bringing DJ Hero to Android according to our friend Kyle. He was fortunate enough to [...]

Google Acquires NFC Startup Zetawire to Usher in Mobile Payments

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

It’s been uncovered by research firm 451 Group that Google has acquired Zetawire – a Canada-based startup who owns patents to implement NFC-based technology for mobile banking, advertising, and other uses. Their portfolio of patents gives Google a suite of tools for ushering in an era of technology that has yet to be enjoyed by [...]

GMail Creator: Android Will Kill Chrome OS

by Rob Jackson on December 14th, 2010

The creator of GMail, who is currently a Facebook employee, has tweeted a prediction that may or may not have you pretty shocked: Android will kill or swallow Chrome OS within the next year: Ever since Chrome was launched – first the browser, then the extensions, then Chrome OS – critics have wondered how the [...]

Acer, AsusTek, Toshiba, and Samsung all to use Tegra 2 for 2011 Tablet Offerings

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

DigiTimes have just dropped word that some of the world’s major consumer electronics manufacturers – Asustek, Acer, Toshiba, and Samsung – will be adopting NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 dual-core chipset for use in tablets starting next year. While none of these manufacturers have specifically targeted any launch windows, we’re going to assume that at least Samsung [...]

HTC Magic Gets Android 2.2.1 on Vodafone UK

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

A few of you have raced to your computers and made no delay in letting us know that your HTC Magic has pulled down an update and it wasn’t just for maintenance: you got Froyo! Those on Vodafone might be late to the party, but the saying goes that you’re better late than never. It [...]

Google Mobile Web Updated to Add More Languages

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

Yes, we know there’s a Gmail app, but many people still prefer using the web. Simple reasons – such as better attachment handling and more flexibility – keep users tied to the mobile web experience in this day of users screaming for native apps. If you’re the type who still takes to the browser for [...]

O2 UK’s Dell Streak Getting Froyo this Week

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

Folks on O2 in the UK with the Dell Streak will be glad to know that your upgrade to Android 2.2 should be arriving sometime this week. Lucky, you, considering you didn’t have to suffer until 2011. You also have been on Android 2.1 for quite some time. (I feel for you, AT&T users.) There’s [...]

[Update: Hoax] Motorola DROID X Gingerbread Update BLURless? Video of Leaked ROM Suggests So

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

Whoa. Looks like Motorola and Verizon have been hammering away at the Gingerbread update to bring it out for the DROID X. According to BGR, someone got their hands on build number VZW-TestKeys-280657 which carries baseband number BP_C_01.09.07P. It would appear that he’s running Android 2.3. We know, we know: easy to fake. And with [...]

Mana Chronicles Heads to Android Today

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

That old-school feeling RPG from iOS – Mana Chronicles – has been released in the Android market today. It was originally promised for December 15th, but Christmas has come just a bit early if you were anticipating this one. Cost of admission is $2.24, but that will hardly seem like a dent if you’ve been [...]

[Update] Check Out Rocket Bunnies for Android

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

When we were told there was a game on the Android market called Rocket Bunnies yesterday, I wondered what exactly the premise could be and how the gameplay could support it. After playing it for a few minutes, I’m still not exactly sure. I just know it’s nearly 12 MB of awesome and it’s worth [...]

Skype Update Allows Install to SD Card

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 14th, 2010

We’re still waiting for video calling, but Skype’s showing signs of life with a recent update to their application. Nothing major has been added in the way of functionality, but the latest build does support the oft-requested “Install to SD” feature introduced in Froyo. Go ahead and check for the update now. (Unfortunately, you Galaxy [...]

[Update] Best Buy Nexus S Launch Details

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

Looking to buy a Nexus S from Best Buy? They’ve updated everyone with everything you’ll need to know about the launch to make sure there are no surprises. Here’s a nice and concise list of everything you really need to know: Timing: Online sales of Nexus S begin at 8 a.m. Eastern time to coincide [...]

Evernote Update Brings Advanced Search, Faster Sync, and To-do Check Boxes

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

Evernote for Android has been updated to version 2.5 today and it brings with it a lot of great new features. The one they seem to be most excited for is advanced search. You’ll be able to “construct complex searches” using tags, notebooks, attributes, location, and dates. Pretty much, if you have OCD and you’ve [...]

Words With Friends for Android Coming Soon

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

WordFeud has long been Android users’ favorite Scrabble clone, but those wishing for the iOS-born Words With Friends of similar origins will be happy to know that the developers – New Toy Inc. – have added a team of Android coders who are currently working to port the title. “We’ve since hired a team to [...]

Analyst: App Market Will Explode by 2014 [OBVIOUS NUMBERS]

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

Research group IDC is predicting that application downloads will increase from the 10.9 billion we’ve seen downloaded worldwide this year (across all platforms) to 76.9 billion in 2014. It’s in line with predictions of overall smartphone market share taking over feature phones by the same period of time. They also expect revenue from these applications [...]

Gigabyte Tries Its Hand at Android with the GSmart Rola

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

Gigabyte aren’t really known for their phones, but that won’t stop them from trying their hand at the smartphone game. They’ve created the GSmart Rola, an Android 2.2 phone that doesn’t come close to blowing me away, but is sure to be a popular item with budget-conscious folks. For 175 euros, you get a 528 [...]

Take the Special K Challenge With Kellogg’s New App

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

Kellogg’s been big in the healthy eating scene as their Special K products have taken the world by storm, and now their Android app has arrived to help you stay on the right track with an app chock full of Special K-filled recipes and a plan for each part of every day. I’m no health [...]

eLocity A7 Tegra 2 Tablet Shipping from $370

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

Stream TV Networks has announced availability of their eLocity A7 tablet. Starting today, a number of retailers are offering the 7-inch Tegra 2 device (some big names such as Amazon, TigerDirect, Sears, MicroCenter, WalMart, and NewEgg are in on it) and the lowest I’ve seen it for is $369 (Amazon). Not a bad deal for [...]

Market Developer Talks About How New Layout Came About

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

The new Android market looks good to some. Bad to others. But one thing everyone has to agree on is that it looks a lot different from the old one. If you’re interested in how and why this was done with more of a technical explanation, Googler Kirill Grouchnikov – a UI engineer who recently [...]

Motorola Defy Might be Rugged, but it’s Still Susceptible to Engineering Flaws [Broken Earpieces]

by Quentyn Kennemer on December 13th, 2010

Motorola’s Defy was to be the first “life-proofed” Android handset. Having taken a spin of it for ourself to test their claims and seeing countless crazy videos displaying the toughness of this thing, we believed them. But no one ever said anything about it breaking due to problems with engineering. Loads of users – after [...]