Monthly Archives: December 2011

Happy Holidroid Contest: Random Winner Giveaway!

Posted by on December 4, 2011 No comments

This image has no alt text

If you’re unsure what this whole “Holidroid Contest” thing is all about, be prepared to get excited. From November 24th through December 25th, Phandroid is giving away a Kindle Fire every single day along with other great prizes like the Galaxy Nexus Galaxy Tabs, JAMBOX, SmarTouch Gloves, Android Phones, Android T-Shirts, Seidio Vouchers and more. Read our announcement post for details.

Yesterday’s Winner

Yesterday’s contestants were asked to answer a trivia question: what were Kevin’s five favorite Android apps as detailed by him in his first ever post published on Android? The first to post the correct answer at the contest thread at AndroidForums.com was user cas1115.

Congratulations on all the awesome stuff you won! Santa or a delivery driver (we’re not exactly sure which yet) will bring you an Amazon Kindle Fire, an HTC EVO Design 4G, a $30 Siedio voucher and Isotoner Smartouch gloves! As for today’s winner? That has yet to be determined but here are all the things they’ll be getting.

Amazon Kindle Fire

The Kindle Fire could be this holiday’s hottest product: at only $199 it’s not only one of the most  affordable Android tablets, it’s also one of the best. That’s a killer combination. With a beautiful UI, great battery life, carefully curated apps/games, and an amazing array of media options thanks to Amazon’s Digital Content Ecosystem… the Kindle Fire is a sure win. Good luck winning one in our contest, but at only $199 it’s probably worth buying one just in case!

Samsung Infuse 4G

The Samsung Infuse 4G is a Galaxy S phone for AT&T that’s chock full of awesome features. If the huge 4.5 inch Super AMOLED display inside isn’t enough, it also has HSPA+ radios, a front-facing camera and a very good chipset in its 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor (single core). Simply put, anyone would want to take this one out of their stocking and put it into their pockets right away. A special shout out to Radio Shack for providing this great device for our giveaway. If you don’t take home the prize be sure to check out their great selection of smartphones online and in-store.

 

Isotoner SmarTouch Gloves

Every single holiday season these SmarTouch smartphone gloves are consistently one of my favorite gift giving items. They eloquently solve one of the most fundamental problems a tech lover faces: using your device in cold weather. Wearing gloves usually prevents your touchscreen from working: take your phone out, take your glove off, use your phone, hand gets gold, shove phone in pocket, rush to get glove on. NO MORE! Isotoner’s SmarTouch gloves, designed in my colors and sizes for both men and women, has technology that passes the electrons your body gives off, through the gloves, onto the capacitive screen and allowing it to work. VOILA! Seriously. It works. Trust me. Try it… and you’ll love them forever.

Seidio $30 Voucher

With so much smartphone use comes battery drain. Thankfully, Seidio makes some awesome extended batteries that fit many smartphones, allowing you to get longer battery life with the same device. No more toting around a charger everywhere you go: just snag a Seidio and call it a day! Seidio also makes cases, holsters, and other great accessories for your smartphones.Check them all out here.

Today’s Contest Rules/Regulations:

Today’s contest is quite simple – post a comment explaining what gets you to read Phandroid or visit Androidforums.com every single day. We’ll randomly select one comment which was posted within one hour of this post’s timestamp.

  • Within an hour of the timestamp of this post (Eastern time zone) post a comment on this post explaining why you read Phandroid or AndroidForums.com every day.
  • A winner will be selected at random from the pool of people who commented within the hour.
  • Read our Full Official Rules for information about eligibility
  • This isn’t required but if you want to be nice... Visit Amazon.com by clicking here before you do your holiday shopping because you love us!

Looking for a great gift? Don’t forget about our Holiday Gift Guide!

Tomorrow’s Contest:

This is the one all of you have been waiting for. We’ll be giving away a Kindle Fire, Smartouch Gloves, $30 Seidio Voucher, a JAMBOX system, an Android t-shirt and… *drum roll* … a Samsung Galaxy Nexus! You never know when your chance to win the first Ice Cream Sandwich phone will come so be sure to keep your finger on that refresh button throughout the day.

Apple Can’t Ban Samsung Smartphones/Tablets in the USA, Says Judge

Posted by on December 4, 2011 1 comment

Well, it appears Apple won’t be fumbling with Samsung products in its homeland, so after wrecking their Christmas sales in Germany and Australia, now Apple isn’t allowed to ban Samsung smartphones and tablets in the States. I guess that the complaint is the usual: infringing patents and being a “copycat”.

United States judge Lucy Koh rejected the Apple bid to block the Samsung Galaxy smartphones and slates from entering the US market. This means that Xmas sales could actually go smooth for Samsung in the USA, so no more preliminary injunction. Apple and Samsung have been exchanging blows in court in over 20 cases in 10 countries, with some wins being on the Cupertino giant’s side already.

Samsung has had its appeals and minor victories, but nothing is settled at the time. It all started in April, when the iPhone creator sued the Galaxy S maker for copying the iPhone and iPad. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 has been the most affected device, being banned in both Germany and Australia… The latter will also get another hearing this month and Samsung hopes to actually bring the product to shops till Christmas. At least the USA is free of bans, so the public can CHOOSE now!


Happy Holidroid Contest: Evening Trivia

Posted by on December 4, 2011 No comments

If you’re unsure what this whole “Holidroid Contest” thing is all about, be prepared to get excited. From November 24th through December 25th, Phandroid is giving away a Kindle Fire every single day along with other great prizes like the Galaxy Nexus Galaxy Tabs, JAMBOX, SmarTouch Gloves, Android Phones, Android T-Shirts, Seidio Vouchers and more. Read our announcement post for details.

Yesterday’s Winner

Yesterday we asked you to submit a 1-minute review for your favorite game or app. We’re still busy sorting through all the entries, but rest assured a winner will be announced shortly. In the mean time we have a few other prizes to sink your teeth into. You’re going to need an Android Forums account to enter today’s challenge, so it is suggested you head over and sign up for one of those right away. Here is a look at what could be stuffing your stocking this holiday:

Amazon Kindle Fire

The Kindle Fire could be this holiday’s hottest product: at only $199 it’s not only one of the most  affordable Android tablets, it’s also one of the best. That’s a killer combination. With a beautiful UI, great battery life, carefully curated apps/games, and an amazing array of media options thanks to Amazon’s Digital Content Ecosystem… the Kindle Fire is a sure win. Good luck winning one in our contest, but at only $199 it’s probably worth buying one just in case!

HTC EVO Design 4G

A stylish 4G smartphone, the HTC EVO Design 4G brings you the power of their popular line of EVO devices on Sprint’s WiMAX network. Sporting a 4-inch qHD display, a 1.2GHz processor, and HTC’s Sense UI the EVO Design is the complete package. A special shout out to Radio Shack for providing this great device for our giveaway. If you don’t take home the prize be sure to check out their great selection of smartphones online and in-store.

 

Isotoner SmarTouch Gloves

Every single holiday season these SmarTouch smartphone gloves are consistently one of my favorite gift giving items. They eloquently solve one of the most fundamental problems a tech lover faces: using your device in cold weather. Wearing gloves usually prevents your touchscreen from working: take your phone out, take your glove off, use your phone, hand gets gold, shove phone in pocket, rush to get glove on. NO MORE! Isotoner’s SmarTouch gloves, designed in my colors and sizes for both men and women, has technology that passes the electrons your body gives off, through the gloves, onto the capacitive screen and allowing it to work. VOILA! Seriously. It works. Trust me. Try it… and you’ll love them forever.

Seidio $30 Voucher

With so much smartphone use comes battery drain. Thankfully, Seidio makes some awesome extended batteries that fit many smartphones, allowing you to get longer battery life with the same device. No more toting around a charger everywhere you go: just snag a Seidio and call it a day! Seidio also makes cases, holsters, and other great accessories for your smartphones.Check them all out here.

Today’s Contest Rules/Regulations:

Can you answer the following Phandroid trivia question the fastest?

In my first post for Phandroid I detailed my then current favorite Android apps. Can you name all five?

Looking for a great gift? Don’t forget about our Holiday Gift Guide!

Tomorrow’s Contest:

We’ll be giving away a Kindle Fire, Smartouch Gloves, $30 Seidio Voucher, and a Samsung Infuse 4G! Tomorrow will be more normal, less wacky, but still require the use of your creative juices. You never know when we’ll make our contest post so check back early and often!

 

Samsung Shouldn’t Create Rectangular Devices Any More… Or Tablets With a Screen at the Center… Says Apple?!

Posted by on December 3, 2011 1 comment

Apple is doing a bit of comedy right now, else I can’t explain the reason why the court documents of the suit between them and Samsung includes advice towards the South Koreans. Apparently, the creator of the iPhone wants to teach the maker of the Galaxy S II to be more original and stop copying others…

Apple is suggesting avoiding rectangular devices, that are basically 99.99% of the tablets and smartphones on the market and also avoid displays centered on the face of the device and too small bezels. What the F, people?! Has Apple lost it completely? Since when do they own right so the form factor of all tablets and since when they forbid people to create rectangular slates?

The Cupertino giant continues its list of aberrations suggesting Samsung to look into a front surface device that isn’t black, maybe a handset/slate without rounded corners, non horizontal speaker slots and maybe no bezel at all at the front… Yeah Apple, how about you do it your way, they do it their way, you sue them and then everything is OK? Next thing you know Nokia will be giving advice…


Motorola Xyboard Tablets Show up With Verizon LTE at the FCC

Posted by on December 3, 2011 No comments

Motorola’s Droid Xyboard tablets are getting ready for its Verizon debut, but before that, they must get tested at the FCC. The picture below showed up in the authority’s official documents, showing that the devices are ready for their approval and launch. I’m talking about the 8.2 inch and 10.1 modes, of course.

These ones appeared with CDMA/EvDO connectivity and LTE radios and they’ll also come with Android 3.2 and 1.2GHz dual core processors. 5MP cameras are also included and aside from diagonal, these slates are very similar. Verizon is expected to announce prices for the products in the following days/weeks. Hopefully, the tablets will be made available before Christmas time.

Honestly, the Motorola Xoom really needs a successor and considering it sold around 100k units, that explains why Moto felt the need to get rid of the Xoom branding, that brings on bad memories. Will the new and improved “Xooms” perform better than their predecessor? Well, at least they won’t have an $800 launch price… that’s for sure.


Amazon Cancels ASUS Transformer Prime Preorders, Mentions Lack of Availability

Posted by on December 3, 2011 No comments

It’s clear now: the most delayed products of the year end are the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the ASUS Transformer Prime. Both have been moved around the calendar a lot and this problem is getting very annoying. Now Amazon gives us some more bad news: it has cancelled the quad core ASUS tablet preorders, citing lack of availability.

This may mean that either the device sold out its initial units, or it has problems and the units were withdrawn from retail channels. The device was launched in Taiwan on December 1st and it was supposed to also come to the USA this month and to Europe in January. It will be less than a week till the States receive their batch of Tegra ASUS slates and let’s hope that delays won’t appear once again…

I wonder if it’s supply problems that Amazon is facing on this front, or some last minute tweak of the tablet, required by ASUS. The tablet was supposed to come in August, then it got delayed to October and then to November. Now we’re in December and things aren’t very clear… Will we actually get to buy the ASUS Transformer Prime at Christmas time?


Android Overload: Android 4.0 Hits LG Optimus M, Galaxy Nexus To Go On Sale Early In Canada and More

Posted by on December 3, 2011 1 comment

This image has no alt text

With so much Android news filling our day, there are always some stories that manage to slip through the cracks -- or just plain don’t make the cut. The ones we deem worthy of another look we place here, for you, in the Android Overload. This is the one place you can turn to when you don’t want to miss a beat on all the developments the wonderful world of Android has to offer. So have at it and have a wonderful weekend!

  • Canadian band Sheepdogs to perform special concert hosted by Samsung to celebrate launch of Galaxy Nexus [MobileSyrup]
  • Casio’s Bluetooth 4.0 smartwatch pairs with Android handsets on Japan’s NTT DoCoMo. [SlashGear]
  • Rovio explains new permissions found in Angry Birds: Seasons update. [AndroidCentral]
  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich now being tested on LG Optimus M. [AndroidForums]
  • Apple’s Motorola bond now up to $16 billion. [Electronista]
  • Best Buy Canada releasing ASUS Transformer Prime on December 5th. [BestBuy]
  • Facebook buys location checkin/sharing service Gowalla. [RWW]
  • Galaxy Nexus going on sale early in Canada. [MobileSyrup]

New Display Technology Allows User To FEEL Virtual Textures – Coming Soon To Smartphones And Tablets

Posted by on December 3, 2011 No comments

This image has no alt text

Good gawd. Now here is a technology I wasn’t aware even existed. A company called Senseg has manufactured a new type of touchscreen that will actually allow you to feel a variety of virtual surfaces on your fingertip. This is a whole lot different from haptic feedback which uses moving parts to vibrate a device — this actually changes surface friction under your finger to correspond with the texture being displayed on screen. Damn near revolutionary.

Immediately I’m thinking of all the ways this could be implemented anywhere from braille for the blind, gaming, to more “adult” apps (you know you were thinking it). You’re looking at true innovation at its finest. The technology could start hitting smartphone and tablets as early as next year and seriously, we all know which OS dominates that market.

Seriously, Google. I’ll make this simple for you. Buy it. Patent it. Deploy it in Jelly Bean. Profit.

[Via Cnet]

Lookout Mobile Security Releases Carrier IQ Detector – You May Not Like What You Find

Posted by on December 3, 2011 No comments

This image has no alt text

Carrier IQ. We all hate it. But not every device has it. Like the clap, sometimes you just want to know if you’re infected. Well, Lookout Mobile Security has heard your cries and has released a tool to diagnose your phone and best of all, it doesn’t require root. Simply called Carrier IQ Detector, this app will let you know if every swipe you make is being watched. Carrier IQ Detector is completely free and although it doesn’t remove Carrier IQ from your device, it can either give you peace of mind or make you even more paranoid. Let’s get some comments going to see who’s infected — you know, with Carrier IQ.

[Market Link]

Paper Zombie Lets You Cut, Shoot and Blow Up Brain Eaters – Now Available In The Market

Posted by on December 3, 2011 No comments

This image has no alt text

I know we’re a little past Halloween but cuttin’ up some zombies is good anytime of the year. Paper Zombie is a new to the Android Market and boasts 300,000+ downloads on iOS. Now Android users get a chance to see what the hype is about in this cute and gruesome hack and slash. Gameplay is more or less reminiscent of something like Fruit Ninja where you swipe your screen to decapitate zombies and even have a few added weapons at your disposal like firebombs, chainsaws and shotguns.

I wouldn’t say there’s too much here in terms of depth but Paper Zombie is a great way to kill some time (and zombies) while waiting for your root canal or to keep you from dozing off in class. If you want to see the game in action a video trailer also provided for you down below. You can download Paper Zombie for free right now in the Android Market.

[Market Link]