Android Phones and Android Tablets Blog

Shall we play a game? WarGames: WOPR may be the best 99 cents you spend all week

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:45:03 +0000

Any self-respecting nerd out there has seen WarGames at least 30 times. If not, hit up Netflix and come back when you're appropriately familiar with Joshua and the WOPR and Global Thermonuclear War. (And that applies to those of you too young to have ever seen the 1983 Matthew Broderick/Ally Sheedy flick.)

WarGames: WOPR brings the characters and rough storyline of the movie to your Android (and iOS) phones and tablets. The game itself is a basic puzzle game — you make strings of three or more objects to remove them from the board. But you also have to defeat an opponent. You're the WOPR, playing against characters from the film. Launch missiles to beat them, collect cash, and basically try to destroy the planet in simulation. There are power-ups to be purchased along the way, and you'll have to snag them wisely to beat the latter levels. (And, of course, there's in-app purchasing to get more in-game cash so you can get the upgrades quicker.)

I've been surprisingly entertained by WarGames: WOPR. Maybe it's the fun of seeing the characters again. Maybe it's the sound effects, which have been pulled straight from the film. Maybe it's just the nerd in me remembering how cool it was to pretend we could use our modems to dial in (kids — have your parents explain) to some strange company and learn its secrets. Or change our grades.

Either way, this might well by the best buck you spend this week. And unlike the message of the movie, where the only winning move was not to play, you're going to have a hard time putting this one down.

We've got a slew of in-game screen shots for you after the break.

Download: WarGames: WOPR

Via: Android Central – Android Forums, News, Reviews, Help and Android Wallpapers

Galaxy owners can now transfer media, contacts, and messages from iTunes and iOS

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:30:02 +0000

Samsung have announced a partnership with Easy Phone Sync to bring exclusive licensing of the app to Samsung. The app would allow Galaxy users to transfer music, movies, photos, podcasts, contacts, and messages from iTunes and iOS.

It’s a good move by Samsung who are targeting iOS owners and they’ll need all the tools they can get to make sure users can make a seamless transition.

The app will be free for owners of most Galaxy phones and tablets, and while we’re sure this is only a timed exclusive it’s nice to know Samsung’s got your back and that you don’t have to pay for it (unless they licensing deal ever expires). Head to Easy Phone Sync’s website to learn more and read on for full press details.

SAMSUNG CUSTOMERS NOW ABLE TO TRANSFER CONTENT FROM IOS TO ANDROID FOR FREE
Exclusive licensing agreement makes Easy Phone Sync available on Samsung Galaxy devices

22nd June 2012, London, UK – Samsung Mobile UK today announced it will be making Easy Phone Sync available for free to anyone purchasing a Samsung Galaxy device. Easy Phone Sync is a simple new way for people to transfer their iPhone and iTunes media – including music, videos, podcasts, pictures, contacts and text messages – to a Samsung Galaxy device including the new Galaxy S III.

As part of an exclusive licensing agreement with Media Mushroom Applications, Samsung is making Easy Phone Sync available for free for UK customers to transfer content from their iOS device to their Samsung Galaxy device in a few simple clicks. As well as being able to access DRM free content they have purchased from iTunes music, customers can continue to use iTunes software on their PC to manage their music, videos and podcasts and keep their Android device in sync with it.

Simon Stanford, Vice President, Telecommunications and Networks, Samsung UK and Ireland said: "We’re really proud to announce the launch of this new application and can’t wait to hear what our new and existing customers think of it. We know that traditionally iPhone users have been reluctant to switch to an Android device because they couldn’t use iTunes to manage their content. Easy Phone Sync means people can now enjoy their iTunes content on a Samsung Galaxy phone. What’s more is that it’s really easy for them to do, and literally takes five minutes to set up."

Easy Phone Sync is available to download now for both PCs and Macs in conjunction with an app for Samsung Android devices.

For more detailed information, please visit www.easyphonesync.com/mobile

Via: Android Phone Fans

Walmart, TruConnect offer mobile broadband by the MB, not the month

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:15:02 +0000

Walmart and TruConnect have launched a new prepaid mobile broadband service that lets you pay for a set amount of data and then use it at any time. In other words, you don’t have to pay $ 30 this month and then $ 30 again next month whether you use all your data or not. You just pay for the data you…

Walmart, TruConnect offer mobile broadband by the MB, not the month is a post from: Liliputing

Via: Liliputing

Poweramp Gets Updated And Brings Action Bar Support To ICS Devices, While Officially Supporting The HTC One X Smartphone

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:00:03 +0000

Audio aficionados rejoice as the Poweramp music player app has just been updated to bring a mostly modern and fresh look to ICS-based devices in addition to several other noteworthy features. In addition to support for the HTC One X line of smartphones, the new update brings action bar support to both ICS and Honeycomb devices, an improved music folder selection, a full settings revamp and full support for the German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese Traditional languages among other things.

The newly updated app is available in the Play Store now, so be sure to hit the Play Store link or scan the QR code to grab yourself app today.

Play Store link

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Via: Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Google Play now lets Android developers respond to user reviews publicly

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:45:01 +0000

Android developers can finally respond to comments left by users in the Google Play store. Until today, user reviews on Google Play were just a stream of comments that couldn’t be challenged unless another user stuck up for the developer or provided clarity on a complaint. Now, there’s an official channel that lets app creators interact with the people who use their creations.

The Google Play team announced today that the Android Developer Console now includes an Application Comments section that lists Google Play reviews. Developers can then see a comment like, “Doesn’t work on Phone X” and respond saying that a new update has been made available or is coming soon. The response is then shown alongside the original comment in Google Play, and the user who wrote the review will receive a notification that the developer has responded.

The Application Comments section can be filtered by language, app version, rating, or device. It allows developers to address user concerns in an immediate way and maybe appease a customer that might have written off the app prematurely. I’ve previously urged users not to use Google Play as tech support, but the ability to provide feedback or address concerns in a public forum might be beneficial to developers.

Google is rolling out this feature today to those with a Top Developer badge. Replying to user reviews will be tested with those developers and rolled out to all Google Play apps at a not-yet-determined time. Maybe now we’ll see fewer stupid comments?

“Conversations are meant to be two-sided, and facilitating discussion between developers and users will ultimately yield better apps, to the benefit of everyone.” – Ellie Powers, Product Manager at Google Play

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Asphalt 7: Heat to hit Android on June 25, the official trailer looks sizzling hot (video)

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:30:02 +0000

Asphalt 6: Adrenaline is considered by many the best mobile racing game in history, so it wasn’t an easy task for Gameloft to meet the expectations with the next iteration of the series.

By all means and purposes, Asphalt 7: Heat looks better than its predecessor (at least on paper), so we’re unbelievably excited to let you know that there are only four days left until the game will hit Google Play.

Already released in Apple’s App Store (boo!), Asphalt 7: Heat should be up and running for Android devices starting next Monday. The pricing hasn’t been officially confirmed just yet, but we have no reason to think that we will be (furthermore) discriminated, so it’s safe to assume that we will be required to pay the same $ 0.99 as Apple users are.

Now for the juiciest part of our today’s post, let’s take a quick look at the official Asphalt 7: Heat trailer. The video clip, as far as I’m concerned, has one huge downside, and I’m not willing to overlook it or ignore it for anything in the whole wide world: it’s too darn short!

I mean, just as I pictured myself driving that red hot Lamborghini like a madman around one of the new incredibly realistic tracks, the clip ends and I’m left in the dust dreaming with my eyes open. That’s not the way to do it, Gameloft, and I’m not going to forgive and forget this!

All joking aside, Asphalt 7: Heat looks simply spectacular and it’s pretty great to think that you’ll be able to purchase this game in a matter of days with (probably) only one buck. The visuals are simply awe-some and the gameplay upgrades and improvements over Asphalt 6 should really be noticeable.

If you’ve missed our good friend’s Ankit’s preview from a week ago, you should know that there’ll be 60 usable cars in Asphalt 7, including the legendary DeLorean from the “Back to the Future” movies and select Lamborghini, Ferrari, Audi and Aston Martin racing models. There are 15 racing tracks set in real cities, six different game modes, more than 150 possible races, as well as upgraded multiplayer modes and enhanced social features.

I don’t know about you, but I’m positively tingling with excitement over Asphalt 7: Heat and I can’t wait to get my grubby hands on it on Monday! Will you be doing the same? Do you think Heat will be better than Adrenaline? And are you a bit pissed that the game hit Apple’s App Store just days before Google Play? Drop us a comment and let us know.

NEXT: Gameloft previews a new amazing game, Asphalt 7: Heat

Gameloft announces Men in Black 3 and Asphalt 7: Heat, coming soon Asphalt 7: Heat preview – the best Android racing series is speeding towards the finishing line

This article, Asphalt 7: Heat to hit Android on June 25, the official trailer looks sizzling hot (video) , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com – Your Android News Source.

Via: Android Authority

Galaxy Nexus will be the first to get Jelly Bean Android 4.1 according to Google Play Checkout

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:15:02 +0000

About an hour ago, if you tried placing an order for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ model in the Google Play Devices section, you would have seen an interesting product description in the checkout section. The one line phone description reads: “Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ - The latest smartphone from Google, soon the first phone with Android 4.1 Jell…” If you trying making the same order now, the one line description is completely removed.

Since only Google has the ability to alter product descriptions, we’re assuming that someone prematurely updated the product description to reflect the fact that the Galaxy Nexus by Samsung will soon be updated to Android 4.1, also known as Jelly Bean. Android 4.1 has long been rumored to be Jelly Bean and an incremental update to Android. This is the first major confirmation from Google that Jelly Bean and Android 4.1 are the same thing. Even more interesting is the fact that the Galaxy Nexus is being described as the first phone with Android 4.1. This implies it will be the first smartphone to run Android 4.1, but may not necessarily be the first device to run Android 4.1.

Based on this recent leak of information, we fully expect Google to unveil Android 4.1 in about a week at the Google I/O Developer Conference.

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But what about the LTE Nexus. I hope we (Verizon customers) … by Peter Pugliese

Sprint Guardian helps parents keep teens and children safe

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:00:03 +0000

If you are a parent of a teenager – someone between 12 and 17 years old – the odds are pretty good that they have a cell phone or smartphone. Ensuring safe and responsible use of those mobile devices is a challenge for any parent. Sprint hopes to help with that with the availability of the previously announced Sprint Guardian solution. According to Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint, “With Sprint Guardian, Sprint is giving families and individuals tools and information to better manage their wireless experience.” Sprint Guardian is a collection of bundles of services – a Family Safety Bundle and a Mobile Security Bundle. Sprint Guardian should now be available to customers with many Android powered devices via the Sprint Zone application on their smartphone.

The Family Safety Bundle is a set of services to manage family members’ wireless experience. The bundle includes Mobile Controls, Drive First and Family Locator. These services enable parents to oversee and control phone use, limiting texting while driving, and locate a child on an interactive map.

The Mobile Security Bundle helps manage phone security by backing up certain data so it can be restored to a new phone, locating lost phones, and even locking and wiping phones. These tools can help protect against identity theft, fraud, and the loss of other data.

The services do come at a cost though. The Family Safety Bundle runs $ 9.99 per month and the Mobile Security Bundle runs $ 4.99 per month (also available for $ 49.99 per year). For parents trying to keep their kids safe and using their mobile devices in a responsible manner, the cost may be well worth it.

More details about pricing and specific services are included in the Sprint press release. Hit the break to read it.

19 June 2012

Sprint Offers Parents a Solution to Help Keep Teens and Children Safe and Use Mobile Devices Responsibly

Sprint Guardian Now Available, Bringing Together Mobile Security and Safety Applications for Families and Individuals

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), June 19, 2012 – Among teenagers, smartphones are a lifeline. According to Pew Internet Research, 75 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds now own cell phones, up from 45 percent in 2004.¹ To help parents ensure their teens are using smartphones responsibly, Sprint (NYSE: S) announced today the availability of Sprint Guardian, a collection of mobile family safety and device security bundles that provide families tools to help keep their smartphones – and their families — safe and secure. Sprint Guardian is available on many Sprint Android™-powered devices through Sprint Zone. Customers can find Sprint Zone as an icon on their device.²

Sprint Guardian features leading mobile applications from Safely, a division of Location Labs, and Lookout. The family safety bundle from Safely enables families to protect their phone-carrying children through location checks and limits on texting while driving or at school. The device security bundle from Lookout helps customers protect their mobile devices from loss and malware.

“With Sprint Guardian, Sprint is giving families and individuals tools and information to better manage their wireless experience,” said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “For example, parents can set parameters for when and where their children can text; a Sprint phone can be programmed to stop calls and text messages while driving; and lost phones may be found more easily.”

Inside Sprint Guardian: Safely and Lookout

The family safety tools from Safely bring together three applications to help parents keep their kids safe and focused on what matters whether they are at home, at school or on-the-go. Sprint Mobile Controls, Sprint Drive First and Sprint Family Locator are available as a Family Safety bundle for $ 9.99 per month for up to five lines on the same account.

Lookout Family enables Sprint customers to manage their phone security by protecting against identity theft and fraud, find a family member’s missing device when it is lost or stolen, and back up their precious data. Lookout Family bundle is $ 4.99 per month, or $ 49.99 per year, for up to five lines on the same account.

In addition to simplicity and convenience for families, Sprint Guardian offers significant cost savings.


Sprint Guardian helps families stay safe and secure

Family Safety BundleManage and monitor your family’s wireless experienceSprint Mobile Controls Sprint Family Locator Sprint Drive First $ 9.99 per month (15 day free trial)	Mobile Security Bundle Protect your family’s phones from malware, phishing, loss and theft Lookout Mobile Security $ 4.99 per month*
Locate your child on an interactive map Oversee and control your child’s phone use to encourage responsibility Lock your child’s phone during family time Help reduce risks of driving distracted	Back up contacts, call history and photos and restore them to a new phone Find lost phones Lock and wipe phones to protect personal information *Also available for $ 49.99 per year
Choose both bundles for $ 14.98 per monthFor a family of five, that offers a 73 percent savings – more than $ 39 per month – over purchasing each application in the family safety and device security bundles separately

Sprint’s Mobile Security and Safety Leadership

Sprint is a leader in mobile security and safety, and Sprint Guardian is just the latest in a series of valuable services Sprint offers to help consumer and enterprise customers manage and protect their devices. For business customers, Sprint announced on May 3 the expansion of the Sprint Professional Mobility Servicesportfolio, a suite of managed and professional solutions designed to help businesses simplify management and security across an increasingly complex mix of devices in the workplace. On an industry-wide level, Sprint launched the Mobile Security Council in 2011 to bring together key players in the mobile ecosystem to address protection, safety and security needs important to consumers and businesses. Charter members of the council are Lookout, Cisco, IBM, Juniper Networks, Motorola Mobility along with its subsidiary 3LM, and Samsung.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 56 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers and most improved in customer satisfaction across all industries during the last four years. Newsweekranked Sprint No. 3 in its 2011 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com orwww.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

¹According to a 2010 Pew Internet Research study.

²The Sprint Zone application currently is not available on the Nexus S 4G or Samsung Moment devices.

Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Via: Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Gameloft to Release Asphalt 7: Heat on June 25th

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:45:02 +0000

As if there wasn’t enough racing games in the Play Store to keep your need for speed at bay for at least a year, Gameloft is gearing up to add yet another one to the mix. Asphalt 7: Heat will be available for download on June 25th and should provide you race fans another outlet to get your fix. This 7th installment in the Asphalt series will have 15 licensed tracks, 60 cars, and looks to have some improved graphics as well. Unfortunately, you will have to wait until next week to get in on the action but in the meantime you can check out the official trailer below to see what’s to come. Anyone interested?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Via: Android News, Rumours, and Updates

ICS update for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2 possibly delayed until June 23

AndroidPhon.es — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:30:02 +0000

Good news doesn’t seem to last long when it comes to that Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update, does it? We reported yesterday that the long awaited ICS update is finally coming to Samsung Galaxy S2 owners on AT&T, which they were supposed to get via Kies. While some users have been able to get the update with no trouble, some haven’t been as lucky. What gives?

As reported by Phandroid, one of their readers was able to get in contact with an AT&T rep, who then confirmed that the ICS update was put on hold due to technical reasons. The problem apparently lies in the Kies server, which forced AT&T to delay the ICS roll out. Fret not though, as the update will (hopefully) be back in full force this Saturday. What’s a day more when you’ve waited more or less 6 months already for ICS.

So pour some more water into that glass and stop saying that it’s half empty. Saturday is not a bad day to be installing ICS on your phone – what with all the free time you’ll have trying out the new features of the latest Android OS.

As for folks who have luckily got the ICS update on their Samsung Galaxy S2, mind sharing with the rest of the readers how you dig the new look of the phone? Please let us know as well if you see the ICS update back on Kies.

NEXT: Samsung Infuse 4G, Android 2.3.6 Update Available over Kies Mini

Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S2s in the UK receive Android 4.0 update AT&T Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update now available via Kies

This article, ICS update for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2 possibly delayed until June 23 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com – Your Android News Source.

Via: Android Authority

Android Phones and Android Tablets Blog

Shall we play a game? WarGames: WOPR may be the best 99 cents you spend all week

Galaxy owners can now transfer media, contacts, and messages from iTunes and iOS

Walmart, TruConnect offer mobile broadband by the MB, not the month

Poweramp Gets Updated And Brings Action Bar Support To ICS Devices, While Officially Supporting The HTC One X Smartphone

Google Play now lets Android developers respond to user reviews publicly

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Asphalt 7: Heat to hit Android on June 25, the official trailer looks sizzling hot (video)

Galaxy Nexus will be the first to get Jelly Bean Android 4.1 according to Google Play Checkout

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Sprint Guardian helps parents keep teens and children safe

Sprint Offers Parents a Solution to Help Keep Teens and Children Safe and Use Mobile Devices Responsibly

Gameloft to Release Asphalt 7: Heat on June 25th

ICS update for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2 possibly delayed until June 23