Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
The Jan. 25 Shop Android Deal of the Day is the Case-Mate POP! Case for the HTC EVO 3D. The Pop Case features contemporary color pairings to create a modern look for your HTC EVO 3D. Rubber sides make for an easy grip. Inside, the soft material hugs your device like a glove. It's available in black, pink or white today only for just $12.95 -- that's 57 percent off! Get yours while supplies last!   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
To go along with the Google Maps, Listen and Goggles get updates -- Youtube Remote was also updated, though nothing really big was implemented into the app. As noted in the change log it just adds shuffle queue and addresses some previous bugs. What bugs? We don't know, but it's now sitting at v3.1.0 and you'll find the download link past the break. read more   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
Sega has been working hard to bring Sonic The Hedgehog games to Android and their latest release is now available in the Android Market. Sonic 4 Episode 1 picks up where the Sonic CD series left off and even includes some exclusive content: - 2 Exclusive Levels - Two exclusive levels build specifically for smartphones using the accelerometer.
- New Moves - All of Sonic's classic moves are available, including the newer Homing Attack which will add a new level of control and excitement.
- Classic Sonic Stages - Race through 4 unique zones containing 4 acts each as well as 7 special stages.
- Special Stages Return - A staple of the Genesis-era games, the special stages return allowing fans to collect the 7 Chaos Emeralds and unlock Super Sonic.
- Revamped Classic Boss Battles - Dr. Eggman returns with new and improved mechas and will go berserk when he accumulates damage.
The previous release Sonic CD, was a great port for Android users and from the looks of it - Sonic 4 Episode 1 will fit that bill as well. It's available right now in the Android Market for $4 -- download link can be found past the break for you all. Once you play through it, you can take satisfaction in knowing Episode 2 isn't that far off. read more   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
Calm down, Verizon Droid RAZR owners, this one's not for you, unfortunately. Owners of the international (GSM/HSPA) Motorola RAZR XT910, however, are in luck, as an early build of Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich appears to have leaked out for Moto's flagship international phone. The leaked build, which has surfaced over on fansite DroidRZR.com, shows firmware built just a week ago on Jan. 17, which exhibits characteristics of both Blur and stock ICS. For example, Motorola's icons are used for the dialer and people app, but other apps, like the launcher, are untouched by the manufacturer's UI layer. Naturally, since this is pre-release firmware, there's no guarantee things will stay this way when ICS eventually rolls out officially, and we'd expect the finished article to look a little more like Blur and less like stock Android. Whatever Ice Cream Sandwich on the RAZR ends up looking like, this early leak is a tantalizing chance for RAZR owners to get an early look at the latest version of Android on their handsets. And jealous Droid RAZR owners, we're sure it won't be long before this leaked ROM is hacked apart and ported across to the Verizon version. If you're feeling adventurous, you can find download links and installation instructions over at the source link. Source: DroidRZR.com   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
Google Maps, Google Listen and Google Goggles have each received updates today in the Android Market. Here's what's new: Google Maps Navigation now has a cool feature that will switch the app to "night mode" when you're going through a tunnel. Not sure how much navigating you'll need to do while you're actually in the tunnel, but it looks cool. Google Listen is getting its second update this month! So much for being shipped off to the land of forgotten apps. New today is a bug fix that "fixes an issue in which Listen while in the background would improperly take audio focus from other apps." And finally, there's Google Goggles, which is getting a few bugfixes in version 1.7.1. Fixed are the following: - Don't store inaccurate locations for queries in search history
- Show the description field for user-submitted results
- Don't crash when loading large bitmaps
- Performance enhancements in continuous mode
Worthy updates, all. Head on into the Android Market or use the links below to get your updates. Download: Google Maps; Google Listen; Google Goggles   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
Youtube link for mobile viewing
Wildly popular "tower offense" game Anomaly Warzone Earth HD is now available for a cool $4 in the Android Market. A long-time iOS staple, the title picked up quite a bit of industry buzz, including a nomination for best Mobile Strategy Game from IGN and a Platinum Award from PocketGamer, among other accolades. Unlike other tower defense games, Anomaly Warzone Earth HD takes a different approach: you are on the offense rather than the defense, and it's up to you to break down what other similar titles would have you build-- tower defense. If you're the type to balk at a $4 pricetag, the immersive Story Campaign mode along with the top-notch graphics and sound will likely be enough of a justification. You'll need to be running at least Android 2.2 to play, and you'll likely be better off with a higher-spec'd phone that can handle the game's rather intensive graphics (the title can also be found on Xbox Live and PCs, an indication for just how rich the gameplay can get). As it just hit the Android Market yesterday we'll take a few more days to see what's what and get a proper review posted. Until then, you can hit the link below to grab a copy for yourself. Source: Anomalythegame.com read more   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
Before heading out to CES, Phil hopped on the ZenAndTech podcast to discuss the method to his madness in how he properly prepares himself and his electronics before heading out the door. This discussion made me realize that I am always hunting for power, and that most of the time I am looking for an extra place to plug in a device that charges via micro-usb. With this in mind I went out looking for a simple, small, compact solution and that is when I found the Ventev Dual USB wall charger. After reading about it and realizing that it could not only charge my phones, but also tablets and even my fiance's Apple devices I knew this was what I needed. Let's hit the break to check it out. read more   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
The "official" update document for the HTC Rezound is now live on Verizon's website, which usually means an OTA update is nigh. According to the page, the Rezound should soon be seeing software Version 2.01.605.11 and baseband version 0.95.00.1118r, so unfortunately this is not the Ice Cream Sandwich ROM that was leaked a week or so ago. If anything, it looks like a maintenance release to get some bugs ironed out, which nobody should be complaining about. The changelog in handy bullet-point form: - Updated signal strength meter to 5 bar Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI).
- Screen Timeout issues while connected to Wifi have been resolved.
- Resolved issue with Mobile Hotspot data stalling while multiple users are connected.
- Improved audio quality during voice call.
- Reduced forced closures related to the People application.
- Improved device stability reduces continuous resets.
- Resolved issue with Task Manager stopping Mail background service.
All very welcome fixes indeed. The Rezound is a hell of a phone as is, and knowing that HTC and Big Red aren't going to let it wither by the wayside is great news for all of us. Security patches and bug fixes are just as important as complete OS updates, so we'll take them every time. Of course, there's no guarantee that this is coming soon, but in the past we have seen the support page for Verizon phones go live a few days before the OTA begins to push out. There's no reason not to think this will be the same situation, so if I had a Rezound and was interested in accepting a stock update, I'd be preparing for it. Jump in the Rezound forums and discuss! Source: Verizon (pdf); via Android Central forums. Thanks, iLLusive!   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
Android application developers work hard and don't get nearly enough appreciation. As you see mentioned just about everywhere, it's the application support that makes or breaks a mobile platform, so their job is pretty important. Luckily, we're in good shape with Android, a look at the huge number of apps in just the official Android Market will confirm. But there's more than sheer numbers. We all want applications and games that offer just the right features, at the right level of performance, and at the right price. Here's a chance for you to help. Android application developer go6game has a short survey in the Android Central forums, and he'd like a little feedback. The questions are simple enough to answer, but I can see how the data he collects from this would help create games and apps that are not only more popular (Android app developers deserve to make a good living people), but work better and offer the features we want. The questions he's asking are easy enough, consisting of things like how you discover and recommend apps to others. Downloading apps from the Market is something every one of us does daily. I think it's a great idea, and I know plenty of us will take the time to help out. Apps don't write themselves, and quality apps certainly take a lot of thought and hard work to bring to market. When an application developer takes the time to ask us just what we're looking for, the least we can do is tell him. Hit the link below and do your part -- better apps and games will be the result, and who doesn't want that? A bit of market research; Android Central forums   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
For those of you using two-step authentication for your Google account, a new update for the Google Authenticator app has just landed in the Android Market. Version 0.85 apparently fixes a few security bugs, and adds some UI improvements -- though we have to say, the app looks exactly the same to our untrained eyes. Anyone with CyanogenMod 7.1 installed will want to stay clear of this Authenticator update, however, as users of the popular custom firmware are reporting that this new update force-closes at startup on their devices. Our own Chris Parsons has confirmed that the latest version doesn't work with CM 7.1 on his HTC Desire HD and Motorola Atrix, while the app is equally borked on Josh Munoz's CM'd HTC EVO 3D. Because two-step authentication users need the Authenticator app to sign in on a new computer, this could cause a few headaches for anyone affected. So if you're running CM, or a custom ROM based upon it, we'd recommend holding off updating until more is known, or an official fix is available. In the meantime, if you find yourself unable to use the new version of Google Authenticator, you can always authenticate your account over the phone, or use one of your emergency sign-in codes (you remembered to write those down, right?) After you're signed in, you'll then be able to disable two-stage authentication until either Google or the CM team comes out with a fix. If you're not running a custom ROM, however, you should be just fine. You'll find the usual QR code and Android Market links after the break. read more   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
It's Wednesday and we're starting to see more and more rumors pop up about what will be happening at Mobile World Congress. Rumors are just that -- rumors. But if you happened to find CES 2012 lacking you'll want to keep up-to-date on all the MWC stuff. Make sure you check the posts from earlier today and drop by the forums for more Android discussion. If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.   
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:00
We finally get our first taste of Motorola’s version of Ice Cream Sandwich with the leak that droidrzr just released. Motorola has been under a lot of scrutiny with their UI overlays, but since they’ve gotten away from using the “Blur” name, in my opinion, their skin is the most unobtrusive of all the manufacturers. [...]
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