Author: Matthew Patience

Ever get depressed that you don’t play much sports these days with all this technological revolution and web 2.0 stuff? Hoccer has the best of both worlds. After downloading this app I immediately had the wife download it as well, pulled her outside, and began pretending Hoccer was some kind of game. Well it’s not so much a game as it is a way to “share your data using intuitive gestures” as ART+COM Technologies would put it.

Had you not noticed already the name of the app is a play-on-words with an ad-hoc network and the action of throwing. The app uses an ad-hoc network, a network that does not have a base station, to send and receive data with people nearby. It works through two gestures that are currently supported which are throwing/catching and sweeping. To throw selected data you physically pretend you are throwing your phone (hold on tight) and then the person at the other end holds up their phone as if to catch it. Sweeping simply requires you drag the file from one phone to another in a sweeping motion. For a complete demonstration of the app watch the video below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I was quite impressed that it supports transfer of all files, data, and media types that you have on your phone. Although I am not sure of exactly how the service works technically I found that it did not always work while inside for some reason. The moment I stepped outside me and the wife we’re “Hoccing” photos and files back and forth like we were playing baseball. This is one of those apps that you wish came pre-installed on everyone’s phone because it is so useful. I imagine the day when it is such a popular service that I’m doing a presentation and I need to distribute notes to the audience and so instead of wasting paper, time, and money I just throw it out to everyone. An extremely clever app that is bound to impress you. Go try it out now for free from the Android Market! Did I forget to mention it was a winner of ADC2?

Get it while it’s hot! That’s right,  we’re serving up fresh and hot Android Guys News and Podcasts right on your phone! We understand your need to get Android gossip, news, and reviews and we’re more than  enthusiastic to give it to you.

Now available for download on the Android Market and on SlideME.org is the Official Android Guys App. Coming in two versions we have the ad-supported version for free, and the ad-free PRO version for $0.99 as well.

Official feature list for the app is as follows:

• Read Daily News from Android Guys
• Read comments on all news articles
• Share articles with friends
• Listen to the most current and older Android Guys Podcasts
• Weekly Polls from Android Guys
• Staff Application Picks, linking you directly to the Market
• Changeable themes and backgrounds, 3 currently available.
• Homescreen Widget to view the day’s top articles (PRO version only)

Grab yours now and become part of our great community. In addition to all these fun things I do suggest you read our End User License Agreement and General Public License that the application is being released under. Please be kind and rewind rate it on the market! For sexy screenshots, see below.

Courtesy of Android Guys Projects, LLC

• Matthew Patience – Lead Developer
• Raphael Savina – Visual Design and Graphics
• Stephen Lopez – Themes

For those of you who are unaware, every week Android Guys holds a poll accessible from the Android Guys App. For this week’s poll we picked the most controversial issue currently running through the Android communities; who do you feel is in the wrong regarding Apple’s latest lawsuit against HTC? While most of us are active Android promoters I assumed that we would get some people who see this from a legal point-of-view. Nope, apparently we are all unified in saying that Apple is in the wrong and that their patents stifle progress in the mobile industry. Not one person said “HTC is Wrong“!

My favourite part about sifting through the approximate 100 responses was the people that answered “Other”, just so they could have their own personal say. Here are just 2 of the responses I got, “f@$% Apple” and “Apple and Jobs are all b*****”.  Obviously, this a strong issue for most and not something the Android community is taking lightly.

Download the Android Guys App and stay tuned for next week’s poll!

If the Samsung Galaxy Spica were the new kid in school, he/she would get made fun of for his/her out of date clothing and boring personality. While there has been much phone release news in the past few weeks, the Samsung Galaxy Spica is nothing to get excited about. As a community of highly informed Android owners we always want the latest phones with the best features, and therefore there isn’t a much of a chance that this phone will be making our wish list. On the others side of things this phone could be a great entry level phone for new comers to Android. It’s technical specifications are as follows:

• Android OS 1.5
• 3.2-inch touchscreen display
• 320 x 480 pixels
• 3.2 megapixel camera + video
• 800MHz processor
• 3.5mm headset jack
• speakerphone
• WiFi + A-GPS
• holds up to 32GB with a microSD
• 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery

The phone will ship with a 3 year agreement price of $79.99 and an outright cost of $449.99. A release date is not yet known.

Yelp for Android arrived in December and has since been updated with some of the great features iPhone users are accustomed to. For those who have never used the service Yelp is a great way to review, discuss, and check out what businesses are good… and maybe not so good in your area! Today Yelp is bringing you Bookmark Sync and Draft Support in version 1.4 of their app.

What does that mean exactly? I thought you’d never ask. This makes the application experience almost as good as the web interface experience.

Bookmark Sync allows you to bookmark things you like and want to remember so you can go back there or maybe want to check out later when you’ve got more time. Bookmarks are synced between your online account and your device. Whereas before you were not able to publish a full review of businesses, users can now create drafts on their device, have it spell-checked, proofed, and published later when you reach a computer. The Yelp app is downloadable for free from the Android Market. Check it out and let us know how it helped you.

Android is nothing new in Canada and while we don’t have a very large selection of different handsets, the average person would be able to tell you what it is. We may be quite excited about Android and it’s edgy approach to the mobile scene, but now we want more!

Most people have been content with free apps, but for those who have explored the reaches of Android will know that there is a whole other wonderful world of paid apps available to many others. Rumors have come from the Montreal Gazette and we have pulled conclusions that we could possibly see paid apps in the Canadian Android Market as soon as next week! Google Canada Spokesperson Wendy Rozeluk is quoted as saying,

“There are many factors that come into play to make sure the selling and purchasing processes run smoothly. It takes time to bring support to more countries, which is something we are working hard to do”.

The latter is quite true as mistakes could cost Android big, being it is technically the new guy on campus. Also, the Montreal Gazette goes on to say, “She said Google is working on the problem and hopes to make an announcement next week.”

This would have many good outcomes including developer profits and willingness to develop for Android. In the end we have to remember that the market is a business and business thrives with more customers! I’m excited are you?

From the carrier that brought you the highly acclaimed HTC Hero, Telus is now officially offering the Motorola Milestone. It is available for $199.99 on a 3 year term. As a bonus, Telus and Motorola have partnered to offer all customers who buy the Milestone a free car mount to help with in-car navigation. Details and features of the device have already been mentioned in earlier posts but here are some of the details available from the Telus website.

• Superior web experience on the touchscreen with the Google browser
• On-device Google Search™ to retrieve apps, contacts, songs, and more
• Sync email with Microsoft Exchange and set-up personal email
• Personalize 3 home screens with apps* and widgets
• Download free apps* from the continuously growing Android Market™

Want to win one free? Go to the Motorola Canada Facebook Fan page or click on this link to automatically be directed to the Motorola Facebook App. Enter your own personal milestone to be entered to win a free Motorola Milestone.

It seems only right that we give our loyal readers the first look into the “oh-so-close-to-being-done” Official Android Guys App. Besides some unknown random errors  you will fall head over heels for this app. It’s got a sexy appeal, solid news, and extra goodies to back it up as a top-notch Android app. At Android Guys we look at this app as a way to get Android related news to our readers quicker and easier. It will also encourage new users to become part of the community that most of you are active members of, but also to get some of our part-time readers to really jump in and get the full Android Guys experience. Some select few of you did have a chance to see an Alpha version that got the job done, but you haven’t seen anything good until you see our latest version. The latest version is now fully operational with a completely redesigned look thanks to the acquisition of Raphael Savina’s impeccable design skills. Let me tell you about the features included in the most recent version of the app:

• Read Daily News from Android Guys
• Share articles with friends
• Listen to the most current and older Android Guys Podcast
• Weekly Polls from Android Guys
• Staff Application Picks, linking you directly to the Market
• Changeable themes and backgrounds
• Homescreen Widget to view the day’s top articles

The application is available to all from the Android Guys Google Code site for download. Please check the Google Code site often for updates, each version only lasts 15 days. Install the application to your phone via any method you deem easiest. You could send it as an attachment to yourself and use APKatcher to install it, use Astro File Manager, or ADB USB install for tech savvy users. Please use the “Report A Problem” button in the application Menu, or directly email myself the developer at the email address found below or on the Google Code site for any issues you may experience.

When it comes time for the application to be released to the Android Market, it will come in two forms. The first being a free version with minimal advertisements and without the homescreen widget. A PRO version will also be available at an insignificant price for those who do not want the advertisements, and the widget will come as a bonus.

So get a move on and try the app now!

The Android Guys Developer Team

Matthew Patience – Lead Developer (androidguys.dev(at)gmail(dot)com)

Scott Webster – Planning and Back End Support

Raphael Savina – Visual Design and Graphics

Google has been working hard to put the Nexus One in the hands of anyone they feel is important enough, even if that means giving thousands of them away! Yet again, Google has given away free Nexus One devices to all attendees at the TED conference.

Not a bad idea with the types of people I’m use to seeing on the panel. TED is also an app currently available for free download from the Android Market. Check it out if you are not familiar with TED and what they do, very eye opening and thought provoking.

Source: Washington Post

Today, February 9th, 2010, Google has yet another release for us(Android Users) that extends the abilities of your Android Device and Gmail account. This free service is called Google Buzz and is essentially another social networking medium. With Google Wave not making much headway, the introduction of Google Buzz to all Google Accounts combined with the simplicity of the service, Buzz may actually prove to be quite popular.  It is accessible through your online Gmail account or from any mobile phone. Buzz specific features include just some of the following:

• Public updates and “buzz’s” that can seen by friends
• Updates can be made public to be seen by anyone
• See nearby buzz updates
• Comment on or Like friend’s updates
• See nearby buzz updates via a new layer in Google Maps for Android, iPhone, Nokia S60, and Windows Mobile
• Read buzz updates about anywhere from the Places Page
• Speak “post buzz” into Android Quick Voice Search on Android and iPhone
• Location added to buzz updates
• Pulls media/photos from links for fast and easy access

Not only will you be able to make status updates but you will also be able to share anything you want with friends such as Twitter, links, videos, pictures, and much more. For a chart of features supported on different mobile phone platforms see below:

Feature	Android	BlackBerry	iPhone	Nokia S60	Windows Mobile
buzz.google.com	Yes	Coming soon	Yes	Coming soon	Coming soon
Buzz Layer on Google Maps for mobile	Yes	Coming soon	Yes	Yes	Yes
Buzz on a Place Page	Yes		Yes
Voice shortcuts	Yes		Yes
Buzz icon shortcuts	Yes		Yes

If you have not already set up your Google Profile and combined it with Buzz, try it out now! Watch the following video for a demonstration:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Get on Buzz now! You can even check me out here.

Telus has officially announced that they will soon be acquiring the Motorola Milestone(Similar to MotoDroid) into their mobile device line-up. It is exciting news for not only that Canada will be receiving yet another Android device, but that it will be the first HDPI, high density, screen on an Android device for Canada. This means the screen is approximately 480×854 pixels a.k.a. it looks really sharp and clear.

Top features will include:

• Ultra-thin design (13.7mm)
• 3.7 inch widescreen display
• pinch zooming capabilities
• 5MP camera with flash
• MOTONAV turn-by-turn GPS navigation

There is no clear date on the release of the phone but you may sign up here for periodic updates from Motorola. Although the phone will be a little late in making it to Canada, as it was been released elsewhere some months ago, it is still much anticipated and exciting news. See you soon, Milestone.

According to various sources, including LG Canada themselves, the LG Eve will be receiving an upgrade to Android version 1.6. It is only so long before version 1.5(Cupcake) is no longer on any device which really goes to prove how quickly Android is progressing.

Unfortunately this update will not be an OTA(Over-the-air) update, but rather like HTC Dream and Magic customers had to recently do, LG Eve owners will have to acquire the update from the Rogers website. LG has given a rough estimate that it will be released sometime this Spring. Looks like most Rogers Android owners (ie Dream, Magic) now have an update to look forward to in the upcoming months.

I went into this review with the best intentions. I really did! Played it for about 20 minutes before wondering, “What’s the object of the game again?” I then realized that this wasn’t any old silly game you play for fun trying to kill time. No, I have walked into the realm of MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, say the acronym quickly enough and all of a sudden you know Cantonese!). I haven’t played an MMORPG since the days of RuneScape and remembering that I devoted my life to that game, I decided to do the same with this. I kept a journal of each day and what I did for the sake of my review. The following is the first 6 days:

Parallel Kingdom Log

Day 1 –

• PK(Parallel Kingdom) has so graciously given me a dog and allowed me to name him, without a doubt in my mind: Chev Chelios.
• I completed the tutorial; it consisted of cutting down trees and killing deer.

Day 2 –

• I took my dog for a walk and noticed everyone in the game has the same black emo haircut as my character.
• Whooops! I killed my dog… what’s that you say? He’s not actually dead, he’s just resting until Friday at 1:49AM?

Day 3 –

• I can’t buy feathers because I attacked Trolls today… What do you mean? The Trolls aren’t evil??? Allow me to retort, Wikipedia states, “A troll is a member of a race of fearsome creatures from Norse mythology.”
• I’m currently wearing approximately 15 backpacks. It doesn’t seem physically possible, but that’s OK! The guide tells me, “The more the merrier!”

Day 4 –

• It costs 200$ every time I die, who the heck is profiting from my death? That’s not right at all…
• I referred my wife to play… my wife started playing.

Day 5 –

• I burnt my wife’s house down (Her virtual game house… I knew what you were thinking).
• My wife found out I burnt her house down, I’m sleeping on the couch tonight.

Day 6 –

• My wife set fire to my house today… and my cave… and my oil well…

So after a rocky start I can now say I am really far into the game. I’ve been playing for 3 weeks and I still don’t know exactly what I’m doing but one thing is for sure, the wife isn’t going to mess with my stuff again. I’ve got a ridiculously and unnecessarily large base set up around my house with little minions to run it. I couldn’t tell you what the addictive factor is, but it’s definitely present when you get into it.

The game works as an RPG taking place in your very own city. It uses your GPS to place you on your exact position on Google Maps. You have the ability to claim territory with flags and to build an army of “Golems.”  If you are going get into the game, my first suggestion would be to get friendly with your neighbors, otherwise your territory won’t be “yours” for much longer! There is real-time multiplayer which allows you to trade, buy and sell, make alliances, make enemies, and even declare war. While I was disappointed by the absence of quests the game allows you to explore dungeons and to find certain items that will unlock new skills.

Being an online mutliplayer game  I couldn’t help but laugh at the confidence boost everyone gains from online chat. “Hey there beautiful, ASL?” maybe I shouldn’t have named my character Candy77. Another favourite was, “%@!$ ya, take that *****.”I think it’s good to be passionate about things… just not about stabbing me with a virtual sword. I also met some really nice people as well, “I can get you 100 gold, you just need to private message me your username and password and I’ll put it in your inventory.” Unfortunately, it was at this point I lost reception in the subway tunnel and could not take him up on his generous offer.

By my last comment you may have already assumed, the game only works with a good network connection, and GPS/Wireless Network Location. Not a huge drawback, but when it is no longer a game but rather an addiction, you’ll want your fix. Trust me. I feel like I’ve really immersed myself into the culture of the so-called “parallel world,” and if I’ve offended anyone or turned anyone off the game you must have misunderstood me. I play the game 24 – 7! I have even woke up in the middle of the night to get a drink and found myself on my phone for a good half an hour mining for iron, killing creatures, and fortifying my kingdom. The wife still isn’t impressed by my new habit but I think PerBlue has really done an excellent job on taking advantage of the Android platform and creating something worth while.

Feel free to hit me up on Parallel Kingdom. (Username: Mattman911)

Here’s an impractical looking design if we ever saw one.  The folks at Engadget were recently handed a screenshot of an alleged Motorola handset called the MOTOSPLIT.  And while it’s pretty obvious that the picture is a render, it leaves us wondering if the phone is there is such a handset coming from the manufacturer.  According to their source, this one is rumored for a fall release on AT&T’s network.

Looking all sorts of impractical, the MOTOSPLIT feels like one of those phones you’d see in a movie or TV show where the hitman or secret operative pulls out to message back to base. We get that there are only so many ways to make phones with touch only and QWERTY based phones fast becoming the norm, but do we need this type of departure?  Of course, we’re judging this based off of one picture, but it feels a tad gimmicky.

Those of you who have been around cell phones for more than a couple of years might recall seeing a similar design from Nokia in their 6800 series.  If you don’t remember ever seeing one of these in the real world it’s because they didn’t do very well.

Given what you know/see, what say you about the MOTOSPLIT?  Love it?  Hate it?

The first of 2 upgrades to the Canadian HTC Magic is officially underway. The two updates spoken about in an earlier post stated that the first of the 2 updates would be a 911 fix and the much appraised HTC Sense UI. The second which will be released mid-summer is the full upgrade to Android 2.1 to keep it up-to-date with the latest Android version. The update is available on the Rogers website and requires a little more than a basic knowledge of the computer to install it. Thankfully Rogers Wireless has included instructions that make the process “bearable” to say the least. The instructions specifically state that you should put 20 minutes aside for this process; although with the internet connection I’m on right now it looks like it’s going to be 20 min to just download the update! The link to the update is here. *Win7 and Mac users please see your special directions below. Choose your phone as either the HTC Dream or Magic.

While this update has some people cautious about downloading it, wondering whether it will affect their “rooted/modded” status, most will be happy to find out that they will receive a one month’s credit of data fee’s due to the inconveneience. A big point of controversy for this upgrade is that users who do not upgrade quickly enough will have their data services disconnected until the update is completed.

Enjoy your Sense UI! And working 911 calls! Woot Woot!

Win7 and Mac Users Upgrade Instructions:

Requirements: Rogers Magic Battery Level of 50% or more. Do not start upgrade if battery level less than 50% MicroSD card formatted in FAT32, please note cards formatted in FAT will not work.

Installing the Update via MicroSD Card: Part1 The first part will prepare the device for the actual update but will not upgrade the Operating System, the upgrade itself will be performed in Part2. 1) Download the HTC_Magic_Update_File1.zip and extract the file within, SAPPIMG.zip to the root of the memory card in this form, do not extract it’s contents and please do not change the file name. 2) Backup your personal data: All personal data (contacts, applications, photos, bookmarks, etc) stored on the device will be lost after the update process. There are also 3rd party applications on Android Market place to back up your applications and personal data. 3) Power off the device. 4) Remove the existing microSD card from your device (if there is one already installed), press in on the microSD Card to eject it and then remove it from the slot. Insert the microSD card with the SAPPIMG.zip on it in the microSD slot, slide it into the slot until you feel a “click”. 5) Press and hold the Volume Down Button and the Power buttons until the display turns white. 6) The update will begin installing, please follow any onscreen instructions, press the trackball when prompted to press “Action” 7. Once the update is complete, “Press Action to Complete” will be displayed on the screen, press the TrackBall for the device to reboot and complete the first part of the upgrade process. 8. Power off the device to prepare for the step 2 below.

Part 2 Upgrading the device. 1) Delete the SAPPIMG.zip from the microSD card 2) Download the HTC_Magic_Update_File2.zip and extract the file within, SAPPIMG.zip to the root of the memory card in this form, do not extract it’s contents. Please do not change the file name. 3) Follow the same instructions as in Part 1 – step 3 TO 8. 4) Delete the SAPPIMG.zip file from the card.

So after my last post, I wish to update Canadian Android’ers that the HTC Magic is experiencing the same GPS/911 problems currently affecting the HTC Dream. Rogers is letting customers know via text message that 911 emergency calls will not complete due to a bug when GPS is enabled. Rogers asks that all Magic owners (and Dream) that you disable your phone’s GPS until further notice. You can do this via the following instructions:

I write out these almost unnecessary instructions to impress upon all Canadian Dream and Magic owners that you should actually turn off your GPS for the time being because emergencies can happen instantly. So play it safe until Rogers sends out an update.

(via @IWMOPS)

@MatthewPatience

Many handset manufacturers will take Android and give it a face-lift before dropping it onto a phone. Take a look at MotoBlur or Sense UI for some of the better examples.  Now this job is being taken into the hands of developers.

While there have been many home screen replacements, I think I’ve found one that not only does it well, but brings a fresh approach.  On top of that, it shows me all of the information I would usually spend about 10 min looking for. Larva Labs Ltd. have intuitively made a home screen that displays all the usual information the average Android user actually cares about in a concise and sexy way. Using gestures such as sliding and swiping you can interact with this home screen to peruse different services as pictured above.

The available services currently from top to bottom are:

• Missed Calls
• Messages
• Emails
• Calender Events
• Weather
• Google Reader
• Stocks
• Twitter

The setup is a breeze as the only information it requires of you is a Twitter login and the city for which you would like your weather (both optional). It is suggested you read the tutorial that comes with opening the app for the first time to get acquainted with how it works because it is quite a change from what you are used to. SlidesScreen can be used as a single app or you can have it replace your home screen entirely so that every time the home key is clicked it will bring you back to it. My first thoughts on it are:

• It works much smoother than the original home screen.
• It brings all of my favourite home screen widgets together.
• I need only unlock my phone for a second to get updated with what’s going on in all facets of my life.

I have not found anything negative to say about SlideScreen but I will leave all criticism to when we give it a full review. The app is available now in the market as an ad-supported, free version.  The pro version carries a price tag of $6.99.

Last night I received a text message from Rogers regarding an issue involving 911 calls. This screw up can only be described as HUGE! Rogers is informing all of their HTC Dream customers of an issue that does not allow 911 emergency calls to complete while the GPS receiver is enabled. Rogers asks that all customers turn off the GPS receiver, until further notice, so that all emergency calls complete by doing the following: On your phone go to Settings -> Location -> Uncheck “Enable GPS Satellite”.

The full text message is below:

Rogers/Fido service message: URGENT 911 Calls: Please disable GPS location on your HTC Dream device to ensure all 911 calls complete. HTC is urgently working on a software upgrade and we will provide details shortly so you can re-enable GPS.

Instructions: Select Menu – Select Settings – Select Location – Uncheck Enable GPS Satellite

Message de Rogers/Fido : URGENT – Appels 911 : Veuillez désactiver la localisation GPS sur votre appareil HTC Dream afin de vous assurer que tous les appels 911 soient acheminés. HTC développe le plus rapidement possible une mise à jour du logiciel et nous vous fournirons les détails sous peu afin que vous puissiez réactiver la fonction GPS.

Instructions : Sélectionner Menu – Sélectionner Paramétres – Sélectionner Location – Désactiver les satellites GPS

For the time being, Rogers has stopped all sales of the HTC Dream until the probem is resolved. This raises the question of how far this defect goes. Could it also affect all other HTC Dream users in other countries and G1 users, or is it just limited to Rogers. For such a large security issue it would be best to find out sooner rather than later.

@MatthewPatience