Tag: Android

  • Why You Should Root Your Android Phone

    Anyone who owns an Android phone already knows that Google’s operating system provides a tremendous amount of freedom right out of the box. If you want to take full advantage of your device, though, your best option is to root it.  (“Rooting” is the process of unlocking root permissions on your phone, like jailbreaking an…

  • Droid X: That “Pull” Tab Behind the Battery Cover is for Battery Removal, Don’t Tear it Out!

    After a few delays, I was finally able to get my hands on Motorola’s new 4.3″ Android smartphone, the Droid X.  This is a really impressive phone, but there is one thing you need to watch out for when you first use it: the “Pull” tab is not meant to be removed! Before you insert…

  • Android App Roundup: SystemPanel (Task Manager/System Monitor) and Ringdroid (Ringtone Creator)

    Welcome to another edition of Android App Roundup! This week I’ll be taking a look at SystemPanel, an awesome task manager/system monitor application, while Evan tells you about Ringdroid, an app that lets you easily create your own custom ringtones. As before, if you have a suggestion for an app that we should talk about…

  • Google Re-Invents Android Development with App Inventor

    The Android Marketplace may be getting a little bit more crowded soon.  This week, Google Labs revealed to the world App Inventor, a creative programming tool that allows just about anyone to figure out how to design and create Android applications… and there was much rejoicing. Thanks to the open architecture of the Android OS, App Inventor allows for tweaking…

  • Android App Roundup: ‘NewsRob’ (RSS Reader) and ‘4 teh birds’ (Game)

    Dearest Android readers:  Thanks to a fantastic suggestion, Kevin and I are starting a weekly feature about some of our favorite Android apps.  We’ll be covering apps we love, apps that improve our phones, games, and newly-released apps that are worth checking out. If you have any suggestions, hit either of us on Twitter, send…

  • Verizon Moving Away from the Droid Eris?

    Owners of the HTC Droid Eris have been seeing some dark predictions (specifically here, here, here, here, here, and here) these past few months as Verizon appears to phase it out for future phones like the Motorola Droid X and the Motorola Droid 2.  So far the phone has been removed from Verizon’s website and…

  • Amazon Releases Kindle for Android App

    In another big step towards expanding their grip on the E-Book market, Amazon recently released a version of their Kindle software for Android.  The Kindle was originally a hardware device for reading digital books, and Amazon has since made the software available on other devices like the iPhone and iPad. The Kindle software is free…

  • Unlock REAL Multitasking on Your Android Phone with QuickDesk

    Android does multitasking. Not some watered down, limited-functionality-API-while-the-application-is-suspended multitasking like other phones (cough), but real, 100% Grade A multitasking.  One big problem with Android’s multitasking, though, is that even though you can run everything simultaneously, it’s hard to jump between applications without returning to your home screen. Sure, you can access a list of your…

  • Timerrific for Android: A Great Way to Forget Your Phone’s Settings

    Let’s face it, the Locale app for Android was awesome.  Being a product of MIT graduates, Locale is a simple and easy way to manage your Android phone’s settings through profiles triggered via either a GPS location or a specific time frame.  And let me tell you, it was slick. When I was close to…

  • Gameloft Releases 10 Popular iPhone Games for Android

    Gameloft, the prolific iPhone development studio, has ported 10 of their more successful games to the Android platform. These games (including Assassin’s Creed, Dungeon Hunter, N.O.V.A., and more) saw good critical reception on the iPhone, and it’s always nice to see more development for the burgeoning Android Market. In a somewhat questionable move, all but…