Author: Jack Holt

Earlier today Steve Kondik took to Google+ to talk about think out loud in regards to an ever popular topic of conversation: mobile security. As we see malware threats come and go, it comes back to just how secure one’s device really is. As more apps try to take advantage of folks and security exploits, people are growing paranoid with their personal data. Some read app permissions carefully, while others, like myself, just blow through them. Earlier builds of CM even developed a way to allow users to pick and choose which app permissions they were comfortable with. This idea of permission picking was short lived however as it caused instabilities and took trust away from app developers. Some have taken to say that the CyanogenMod team really isn’t looking out for its users but as Mr. Kondik replies:

“Proponents of the patches say that CM isn’t looking out for the users. I think these patches are just more security theater and don’t really solve a problem. Why do you want to run malicious applications anyway?”

He raises a good point. Why would we want to install malicious apps? Some people may do so on accident and this permission picking could essentially be a safety net but it wouldn’t solve the bigger issue: mobile security as a whole. So with that, Cyanogen has taken to the community in hopes of hearing ideas of increasing security while avoiding “smoke and mirrors.” So if you think you have a good idea on how to do just that, hit the source link below to voice your idea. While one option would be to split CM and create a secure, martial-law style version of the ROM that only helps a small group. Your ideas may help avoid that while helping everyone.

source: Google+

Come comment on this article: CyanogenMod wants your help in improving security and privacy

As all four of the big US carriers board the 4G LTE train it would be only a matter of time before a comparison study involving them came to be. While Verizon has the upper hand in the LTE market with roughly 95% of its 3G network covered with LTE speeds, AT&T is quickly rolling out its LTE service. They’re doing that while maintaining their quick 4G services as well. However as carriers focus on their LTE services the use of 3G networks are still prevalent. So the handoff between 3G and 4G networks is important.

A Galaxy Note II was used to measure the LTE speeds while an iPhone 4S was used to measure 3G speeds as both those devices are offered on all four networks. Hit the break to see how everyone ranked.

As you can see from the average download speeds T-Mobile had the best 3G speeds and AT&T had the best LTE speeds. Verizon barely trumped T-Mobile in LTE data speeds, however the handoff is where these numbers actually shine. AT&T’s average drop from 13.15 mbps to 2.97 mbps came to about 77%. Verizon’s drop was a bit more significant with its 9.61 mbps down to 0.80 mbps coming to 92%.  Sprint didn’t have as big of a handoff but that’s because its network speeds were much lower than that of everyone else.

This is all well and good but what it boils down to is usage. With varying coverages and network speeds your milage may vary. If you’re wanting the full nitty gritty you can hit the source link below. Enjoy.

source: TechHive

Come comment on this article: AT&T boasts best 3G/4G speed combo while Sprint falls short

If the Nexus program is any indication, there is a group of people out there that prefer vanilla (stock, AOSP, whatever you feel like calling the pure Google Experience) Android over those skinned versions that manufacturers bloat their devices with. Some have even gone on to wish and hope that there was an ability to turn these user interfaces off and just run pure Google software. Well if current rumors ring true, we’ll see that very thing tomorrow.

The newest rumor is that Google will be showing off a Galaxy S 4 with vanilla Android. You’ve read that right. The newest flagship from Samsung could very well run a pure version of Google’s OS. It’s rumored to be released on T-Mobile’s network in June with no love for any other carrier at the moment. Either way it brings up the question of whether or not this will be a Google Play Store exclusive or be sold in stores.

I love rumors as much as the next person and sincerely hope that this one becomes a reality. This wouldn’t be the first time that Google and Samsung have debuted a product variant running pure Android. Remember the special edition Galaxy Tab 10.1 given out to folks at I/O? Although it would be the first time that such a product would make its way to the general public. We’ll know soon enough.

source: Geek

Come comment on this article: [Rumor] Galaxy S 4 “Google Edition” to be debuted tomorrow at I/O 2013

Hey do you folks remember when Notion Ink told us about their newest tablet the Adam II? Do you also remember when we saw a sneak peak of that same tablet 11 months later? Well fast forward a year and four months later and it appears that the Adam II is ready to ship. Finally right? Back when it first debuted it was to sport top of the line specs however as time progressed those specs have become a little bit outdated. They’re as follows:

• ARM Cortex A9 1.5Ghz Dual-Core Processor
• 10.1-inch 1280×800 IPS display
• 2MP Front/Rear HD Cameras
• 1GB DDR 3 Ram
• 6000 mAh rechargeable battery

The hardware will at least run the most current version of Android (at least for now). It comes with a nice set of peripheral ports like HDMI and a microSD slot expandable up to 32GB. Even with that though, the most interesting feature will be the edge display that is supposed to mimic the spine of a book. With that display one will be able to see notifications and contextual data.

Notion Ink has been known to entice with fancy features only to lose steam in the end. The edge display is interesting, but it may not be enough to hold the attention of many. Right now it’s only slated to be released in India but when it comes to when; your guess is as good as mine. We’ll let you know when we find out.

source: AndroidOS.in

Come comment on this article: Notion Ink brings okay specs and an interesting display tweak with the Adam II

Is your Google Play Store “My Apps” section filled with too many spur of the moment apps that you will never download ever again? This can make it a royal pain finding those previously downloaded apps that you actually care about. Thankfully Google made it really easy to remove those unwanted apps which will make things a lot more manageable.

The process is pretty painless, but may take some time depending on how many apps you have in the list. I was able to get rid of 429 unused apps in about 15 minutes and my list of apps looks a heck of a lot cleaner now. So without hesitation hit the break below to check out our quick guide to cleaning up your previous Play Store acquisitions.

1 – Open up the Play Store.

2 – Be it on screen or physical button hit the Menu button and go to My apps.

3 – Swipe over to the right and go from INSTALLED to ALL.

4 – Here’s the kicker: Press and hold onto an app listed. It will highlight that app and you will see a checkmark at the top left along with “1 selected” and an “X” at the top right.

5 – Start tapping the apps that you want gone and number of selected apps will go up. Note: You won’t be able to select any apps that are currently installed.

6 – Once you have selected all the apps that you want deleted, hit the X in the top right corner, and tap OK to remove all of them.

You can also remove apps one by one by tapping the “X” that is to the right of every app listed (or circle with a line through it in older versions of the Play Store), but it’s not as efficient since you have to tap OK again for each app you want to remove.

While it may not be as simple as having a purchased apps tab, it will at least gives us a chance to clean those purchased and free apps up a bit. Maybe someday we’ll get that purchased tab back, but until then this may just be the next best thing.

Come comment on this article: How to remove apps from the Google Play Store ‘My Apps’ list

Facebook Home was released only a short time ago and it hasn’t received much appreciation from users. While yes it was created for a niche market, that hasn’t stopped most people who’ve tried it from giving it a one to two star rating in the Play Store. In fact as I type this it sits at an average rating of 2.2 out of five. While it may not be a hit with the public it sure made an impression on Matias Duarte. If you’ve been living under a rock, he’s a key part of the Android design team and has been instrumental in creating the Android we see today. He praised Facebook’s software engineers by saying:

“The new Facebook Home shows an incredible amount of polish and attention to design detail, and that didn’t come from a hardware manufacturer.”

Of course that didn’t stop him from also plugging the Google design experience as well. He continued:

“With the Home experience, they did a nice job expressing the Facebook experience, but so much of the Google design experience with Ice Cream Sandwich was in there as well.”

He went on to say that he wasn’t bothered by Facebook Home replacing a lot of the vanilla Android experience and praised Android’s openness for having the ability to customize the software the way manufacturers deem necessary. Google’s great at praising quality when they see it even, if it’s from one of their competitors. While many people don’t seem impressed with Facebook’s first go at a launcher, Matias Duarte was. That may not mean much to most but it sure does say a lot about the software from a visual standpoint.

source: ABC News

Come comment on this article: Matias Duarte on Facebook Home: “Shows an incredible amount of polish”

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. The Evernote team does one heck of a job at making our lives simpler. Evernote Food, again, is no different. We initially loved it for its ability to catalog the food aspect of our lives. From recipes we would love to try to restaurants that have caught our attention, Evernote Food is a good way of keeping track of those experiences. Well good got better, and simple became simpler as version 2.0 continues to make cataloging food fun and convenient. It brings:

• Explore Recipes – Thousands of recipes from the best food sites to browse, search, and save.
• My Cookbook – Recipes you save in the app, plus ones you’ve clipped or saved in Evernote, show up here, making them easy to find from any device.
• Restaurants – A location-based list and map view of restaurants that lets you clip and save the ones you want to try and see all the spots you’ve visited.
• My Meals – A photographic journey through all of your past meals and food adventures.

If food is a big part of your life, or something that you love, this app is for you. You can check out the preview video or gallery for the app after the break. We also have the Play Store link and QR Code for you to follow to download the app. Every food aficionado should have this app. Even if you’re just a lover of all things edible, this app is a must. Enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Play Store Link

Come comment on this article: Evernote Food reaches version 2.0 and brings us some new features

If you’re on T-Mobile and really can’t wait for the Galaxy S 4 to arrive in stores then you’re in luck. T-Mobile has the 16GB version of the new Samsung flagship on sale for $149.99 down and $20 per month installment fees each month for the 2 year contract online right now. If you’re holding out and hoping to get the GS4 in stores you’ll be waiting until May 8th. That means, if you do the math, you’ll be dropping $629.99 for the phone overall. Of course that’s not including the plan itself.

If May 8th is too long to wait you can hit the source link below to choose between the white frost or black mist version. Either color will come with support with T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network in conjunction with the more wide-reaching 42Mbps DC-HSDPA network. While trailing AT&T and Sprint in launching the phone, they’re still way ahead of Verizon which may make a few of your friends who are on Big Red’s network a little jealous. So what are you waiting for? Go get your GS4!

source: T-Mobile

Come comment on this article: Galaxy S 4 For T-Mobile is Now Available Online

While everybody is anxiously waiting for Google to hit us with new tech, software and the like at Google I/O this year, we’ve been hoping to hear about the next version of our favorite OS. Signs have pointed to Key Lime Pie being the next version and rumors show it to be Android 5.x.x. Even though it’s safe to expect Google to show off a new flavor of Android at the conference this year, another rumor suggests that KLP won’t be ready for prime time by then. Not to rain on everyone’s parade, but new information discovered by Artem Russakovskii of Android Police may add some weight to the latter of the two rumors.

One of their readers tipped them off and Artem did some digging and found that Google is working on Android 4.3. Specifically they’re working on build JWR23B. As Google’s build’s first letter correlates with the version of Android it is, we can see that it’s Jelly Bean. This may disappoint a lot of you, but considering that Jelly Bean is only on roughly 25% of devices in one flavor or another, this will help give OEM’s some wiggle room with updates. If Key Lime Pie is going to be a major revision change like it’s being suggested Google may even need some more time to work out the kinks. Of course a lot of this is speculation. This also adds some weight though, to what Google said last year at I/O 2012 about slowing down the release of major revision to Android to help OEMs.

The fact is, Android 4.3 is in the works and Google doesn’t assign version numbers until a release is imminent. That being said, it’s probable that this is what we’re going to see here in a few weeks at I/O. Even so, the jump from 4.0 to 4.1 brought some nice features to Android as did the jump from 4.1 to 4.2 (although it introduced some bugs as well). It will be interesting to see what Google is cooking up and hopefully even with it being an incremental update we’ll see some new stuff, like Babel. Hint, hint.

source: Android Police

Come comment on this article: Android 4.3 spotted in the wild and no it’s not Key Lime Pie

With the influx of people receiving their Google Glass Explorer Edition glasses Google decided to release some of the specs behind their newest tech. Among the 5MP camera and “all day battery on normal use” we saw 12GB of usable memory. What was missing was information about the CPU and the RAM the device was packing. However thanks to tinkerers Jay Lee and Liam McLoughlin we have those now. They were able to use USB debugging and ADB to find the following:

• Android 4.0.4 – Ice Cream Sandwich
• OMAP 4430 CPU – Dual Core
• 1GB Ram (682mb not used by hardware)

While I’m sure the specs will be updated for the retail release of the device these specs aren’t bad. There isn’t an exact measurement on just how fast the processor is though. For those of you that are more technical you’re more than welcome to wade through the details here. Either way it’s enough to go on until we get official word from Mountain View. Hit the source link to take part in the discussion about all this information. Otherwise keep it locked here as we’ll update you when we find out more.

source: Jay Lee – Google Plus
via: Gizmodo

Come comment on this article: CPU and RAM specs discovered for Google Glass

In a not-so-veiled attempt at bringing multiple versions of the Galaxy S 4 to the world, it’s not surprising that Samsung is planning on bringing a rugged version out. That’s right folks, all of you who are prone to dropping your phone, flinging it across the room, or accidentally spilling water on it can rest easier. It’s a peace of mind knowing that you can purchase the flagship device and have it hold up against all the abuse thrown at it. According to Young Soo Kim, President of Samsung Gulf, we’re just weeks away from seeing a waterproof and dust proof version of the GS4.

As nice as that sounds, we have yet to hear about which markets will see the device or even how much it will cost. Of course we’ll know more when the device actually gets announced.  Even as such, this should entice those clumsy people, myself included, into purchasing Samsung’s latest flagship device. Even if it doesn’t,well, at least it will lead to multiple GS4 beating videos being posted to the internet. I can hear the squeals of joy now.

source: Techview.me
via: Phone Arena

Come comment on this article: Rugged Galaxy S 4 Coming Soon According to Samsung

The Nexus 10 Book Cover went on sale just a few short days ago and the moment that it did, my bank account was $30 lighter. It shipped Friday and I spammed the refresh button on the UPS tracking site constantly. Anyway, it got here yesterday afternoon and like a kid on Christmas I ripped open the package and squealed a scream of glee. So here it is: a review of the Nexus 10 Book Cover.

The package that greeted me was pretty nonchalant much like other Nexus products. Mind you, when I say nonchalant I mean not a lot of fluff with the product itself doing all the talking. You can order the cover in either Scarlet or Black. I opted for black. I debated Scarlet but I felt that the black would be more sleek and stylish. Like other Samsung cases it comes with a felt backing that blankets the screen and feels pretty solid.

The cover snaps onto the removable back plate and comes over the front like you would expect. The nicest thing about the cover is that it has smart cover capabilities. Basically, flip open the case and the screen turns on. Unlike other smart cases that I’ve used on other tablets this one doesn’t bypass the lock screen and I still have to unlock the tablet myself. On the plus side, it’s one less button I have to fumble over.

The book cover works as you would expect. It protects the screen and looks good. However the biggest feature I would like to write about is the added little details that Google and Samsung packed into the cover. Besides the felt back that protects the screen, they added a notch into the design that allows for the use of the back camera.

Seriously I can’t express how awesome it is. It has been my biggest pet peeve in every other Book Cover style case out there. It covered up the damn camera! Not only is that inconvenient, but it detracts from being useful. Google and Samsung must have figured that out because it’s no longer an issue. Not that taking photos with your tablet is a something you’re going to do, but it’s nice to know that your prized Nexus can be protected while still having the ability to take photos quickly.

To conclude, the Nexus 10 Book Cover works as expected. It protects the screen and looks cool. The smart case feature adds some convenience. The kicker is again, in the details, and the notch that was added for the camera is a godsend.  The case is well worth the $35.98 ($29.99 cost + $5.99 shipping), and if you own a Nexus 10 and are in need of some screen protection, then I would hands down recommend this cover. Hit the source links below to get the Book Cover in either Black or Scarlet.

Google Play: Scarlet -|- Dark Grey

Come comment on this article: Nexus 10 Book Cover Review

ES File Explorer has been on my phone for a long time. I love using it to manipulate and move files to and from various folders and the like. My only complaint was that the UI seemed a bit outdated and didn’t fit with the Holo style that the later versions of Android brought to the table. The devs must have read my mind though because they posted a test build of the newest version of the file manager sporting a new Holo-style theme. While it is marked for testing purposes, the app appears to be pretty solid. I have yet to see a hiccup in the short time that I’ve used it.

For those that are interested in tinkering with the app, you can download it or read up on it from the source link below. I’ve included a gallery past the break so that you can see the new UI in action. It should hit the Play Store sometime soon barring any major bugs. As far as I can tell though, it’s pretty close to a final product.

source: XDA

Come comment on this article: ES File Explorer Hits Build 3, Now Available for Testing Over at XDA

If you’re a Sprint customer and have been salivating over HTC’s newest flagship phone, the HTC One, then you’re in for some good news. The folks over at Wirefly are offering the HTC One for $150 pre-order. Heck even if you’re thinking about switching over to the Now Network this is a good deal. For $50 less than what you’d be paying at Sprint you’ll be able to choose between Stealth Black or Glacial Silver. According to Wirefly it should ship April 19th and be at your door shortly there after. If you’re holding out for a better deal, I’m not sure you’ll find one. Hit the source links below to order yours and you better hurry. There’s no telling on how long this deal will go on.

sources: HTC One Glacial Silver, HTC One Stealth Black

Come comment on this article: Wirefly Offers Sprint HTC One Pre-Order for $150

Now that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 has been announced and since released, at least in the UK, it would only be a matter of time before we saw official accessories come out. Items like cases, screen protectors and even extra S-Pens should be apart of the mix and all we would have to do is sit and wait for that fateful day to come. It looks like that fateful day is today as GearZap, part of Mobile Fun Limited, is the first to offer these official accessories. Right now they’re only available for pre-order but they should be released quite soon.  We see the standard assortment of accessories as well as a few unique ones. Besides the book covers and S-pens we see a car dock and a pouch stand. The pouch keeps your device protected when not in use, while giving you the ability to prop up the tablet for hands free use.  Hit the break to check them out.

Samsung Book Cover £37.99 ($58.27)

Samsung Pouch Stand £29.99 ($46.00)

Samsung Car Dock £44.99 ($69.00)

Samsung Screen Protector £16.99 ($26.06)

So there you have it. The S-Pen is up there as well and comes in at £19.99 ($30.66) should you break or lose your original. If you’re interested in checking out the details on these accessories then hit the source below. Now that we’re seeing these in the UK they should hopefully be in the U.S. shortly after the tablet makes its debut here in the States.  Enjoy!

source: GearZap

Come comment on this article: Official Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Accessories Now Available for Pre-Order from GearZap

It’s about time. While others have been making Twitter look good, the official Twitter app has taken its sweet time doing the same. Well today marks a new day for Twitter for Android as it brings a new version to the Play Store. In this update we see a whole lot of holo and it looks good. Besides the makeover the app comes with the following changes:

– It’s easier to connect with friends and join conversations with @username and #hashtag suggestions that appear as you search or compose a Tweet
– Discover, install and launch your favorite apps from Tweets
– Other bug fixes and improvements

For those of you that still use the official app, this should be exciting news. You can hit the break to get your download links and QR Code. You can also check out Twitter in all its glory. While it took the folks at Twitter plenty of time to get the update out, it looks like it was worth the wait. Enjoy!

Play Store Link

Come comment on this article: Twitter Goes Holo in New Update

Last week we told you that AT&T would be opening up pre-orders for the Galaxy S 4 on April 16th and would be coming with a $249.99 price tag. However AT&T wasn’t clear on whether or not that price tag would be for the 16GB or 32GB model. Well today they ended up shedding some light on the matter. The 32GB model will come with the $249.99 price tag and the 16GB will be $199.99. AT&T hasn’t given an official date for when the phone will be actually available but at least you’ll have some options when you pre-order. Paying an extra $50 for 16 more gigabytes may be worth it but you could always use that extra $50 for an SD card. Either way, it’s nice to have options. Which one are you buying?

source: AT&T

Come comment on this article: AT&T Clarifies Galaxy S 4 Pricing

There was a news story circulating the tech world today suggesting that both Verizon and AT&T were working together on an agreement that would split up Vodafone. Verizon would take back the 45% stake in US relations that Vodafone has in Big Red’s company while AT&T would take control of non-U.S. action. The deal would give AT&T a big boost in achieving a foothold in other markets. After the transaction Vodafone at $245 billion. It was confirmed by “usually reliable people” and would be complex to complete. However Verizon took to the internet to squash this rumor. They were quoted to say:

“Verizon Communications Inc. (“ Verizon ”) notes the recent press speculation regarding a potential merger with or purchase by Verizon of Vodafone. As Verizon has said many times, it would be a willing purchaser of the 45% stake that Vodafone holds in Verizon Wireless. It does not, however, currently have any intention to merge with or make an offer for Vodafone, whether alone or in conjunction with others.”

Make of it what you will, but it appears that Verizon and AT&T won’t be playing together. While it could be the standard boiler plate media response to get rid of media attention, Verizon has at least let us know where they stand on the 45% stake Vodafone has. It also looks like AT&T’s big break into other markets will have to come from somewhere else. So at this point in time it appears that nothing’s changed and that these “usually reliable people” weren’t so reliable. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes but don’t hold your breath.

source: Financial Times

Come comment on this article: Are Verizon and AT&T Working on a Vodafone Buy Out Deal? Verizon Says No

For those of you that own a Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and are running a custom ROM then I have good news for you. Google updated its Developers site with the 4.2.2 factory image. So if you botch your phone or have to return it to Big Red you can bring it back to a stock state. Those of you on Sprint and happen to own that version of the Galaxy Nexus will be happy to know that the 4.2.1 image was also uploaded. So head on over to the source link below and find your respective image. Happy flashing!

source: Google Developers

Come comment on this article: 4.2.2 Verizon Galaxy Nexus and 4.2.1 Sprint Galaxy Nexus Factory Images Posted

Back in January we told you about an automation app that looked to redesign itself with the Holo look in mind. That app, Tasker, has graduated from its beta phase and is now available with the new theme in tow. The kicker however, is that it’s only available for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich or higher. Those of you running anything below that will see the same interface as before, but you’ll at least get various bug fixes. Here’s what’s new:

v4.0
* UI updated for holo look-and-feel with selectable light and dark themes
* 200 built-in icons each in holo light and dark
* internal cleanup of deprecated APIs
* several new states, events and actions
* many incremental improvements and bugfixes
v1.6
* various incremental improvements and bugfixes
More: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/changes.html

If you’re looking for a great automation app that automates almost everything, and one that looks great in the process, then you can’t do wrong with Tasker. Hit the break below to get your QR code and download link. We also included a gallery of the app’s nice, new look. Enjoy!

Play Store Link

Come comment on this article: Tasker’s New Holo Redesign Graduates to the Play Store, Brings It to Android 4.0+