Android and Me » Admin

Android Promo Contest Winners Announced

Admin — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 03:19:51 +0000

Last week we launched a simple contest to celebrate our first 100 RSS subscribers. Over the last 7 days we managed to double our subscribes to 200. Thank you to everyone who participated and left a comment. We have a lot of great readers and you guys motivate us to keep growing.

Congratulations go out to Stacey and James who were randomly selected as winners of an extended G1 battery. E-mails have been sent to the winners and their prizes will ship when we hear back from them. If a prize goes unclaimed, then we will select an alternate winner.

I know you want a bigger battery

Stay tuned to the site for more contests and free give aways. We will continue to reward our readers for doing something they already enjoy: using their Android device. As our reader base expands, we will be able to offer more freebies. If you have still not subscribed, follow us by RSS, email, or Twitter.

p.s. if you would like to sponsor a future contest please contact us.

Googler Launches AndroidSavvy

Admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:23:45 +0000

Like most Android developers, I became intrigued way back in 2005 (an eternity ago!) when it was announced that Google was buying Android Inc. for it’s mobile arsenal. Nobody was saying exactly what would come of it, in fact it was a closely held secret what exactly Android was doing. Everyone knew it was mobile related, but that was about it.

A few years later, when more details were made public, and the SDK was released, I was hooked! I loved the idea of a Java based open source software development stack for creating mobile phone applications. I downloaded it, set it up on my mac and quickly got a Hello World program running. Moving beyond that was more challenging, of course. I found a bunch of interesting websites and Google discussion groups that were very helpful. I started bookmarking and checking in on those sites to get new information, find tutorials, and learn more about the SDK. The truly generous and helpful culture of software developers has been a wonderful resource in documenting and sharing this knowledge.

Android SDK

When the first Android device, the T-Mobile G1 made it’s debut, all kinds of websites sprouted up that were about the phone, the market, and end-users instead of developers. I continued finding new sites, blogs, cool RSS feeds, and even Twitter streams on an almost daily basis! This is a great thing, but I realized that most people would get lost in the plethora of choices and might never find the really good stuff.

AndroidSavvy was my attempt to consolidate and present a unified experience and central place to get all the best Android information. I knew it would be a very dynamic site, so using a Content Management System (CMS) seemed like a good idea. I chose Joomla as it seemed easy to use and has a lot of free add ons and extensions to show content in very interesting and useful ways. Like Android, Joomla is an open source project that is very widely used in the developer community. I was able to build my initial site in about a weekend, and later found some great add on modules that show RSS feeds, Twitter streams, and website links including thumbnail images of the actual website.

Unlike static content sites, AndroidSavvy is constantly updated. Not by me, but by you, the Android community! Every time you visit the website, the carefully selected RSS feeds on the front page are taken live from the sites they point at. The Tweets page is also updated on every visit by polling Twitter and getting the most recent updates from more than a dozen hand-picked twitter streams related to Android. The Links page is also updated by hand on a regular basis so only sites that seem relevant, up to date, and useful are included.

I hope you find AndroidSavvy useful in your Android work, and fun as well! I visit it often to see what’s new and get the latest updates from all around the web.

Bob Rose is a Google engineer, but is speaking on his own and not for his employer.

aHome For Android Video Demonstration

Admin — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:48:48 +0000

(YouTube video link)

aHome has quickly become one of the most popular desktop replacements. We have been exploring each app and here is another video demonstration of aHome. If you have yet to check these apps out, watch the video to see how you can change the look and feel of your Android device.

Subscribe to AustinTech81’s channel and leave him some comments. We have many more Android videos on the way.

Torrent Droid Preview. First Android Bounty Winner Announced.

Admin — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:29:21 +0000

Several weeks ago we launched a project called Android Bounty. By offering incentives to developers, we hoped to encourage them to code new ideas. Our first run was a little bumpy, but we acheived what we set out to do. Today I would like to announce our first Bounty winner and give you a preview of his application.

Torrent Droid Home Screen

New visitors can read the original article, but our first idea we set out to create was a Torrent client for Android that could also scan barcodes. The idea sprouted as a technology demonstration to explore the potential, marketable uses of Torrent files. Even though Torrent files are sometimes associated with piracy, there are many commercial uses for distributing media. We do not condone the use of piracy.

Several developers stepped up to the challenge, but Alec Holmes was the first to produce a working application and claim the bounty. His app is named Torrent Droid and meets all the requirements we set. Following is a short video demonstration of the app in use.

Alec had this message to share:

“This version of Torrent Droid is a work in progress but the video shows the core features work. The full consumer version will be released within a month. I enjoyed making this application, and look forward to releasing it soon! To stay up to date visit Zerofate.com“

(YouTube video link)

Call me crazy for uploading this to YouTube, but I wanted to show the app in use. All DVDs seen in the video were purchased by me from Amazon. In this short video I scan a DVD barcode, locate a torrent, and send the file to my laptop. For speed purposes, I performed this demo over a local WiFi network. However, I have also tested it over the Edge network and had no problems.

Torrent Droid Settings

Stay tuned to our site and Alec’s for further developements on this app. If you have any suggestions, comments, or hate mail, please leave a comment. We are also accepting ideas for our next Android Bounty contest. Hopefully for the next contest we can atract more pledges and sponsors to offer a larger bounty prize.

Even if you do not care for this application, do you think the Android Bounty program is something to expand?

UPDATE: Torrent Droid is now featured on TorrentFreak.

Most Downloaded Tower Defense Game For Android: Video Review

Admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:34:40 +0000

shinobiwan23 has posted another video review of Retro Defense. If you enjoy this game from Larva Labs, you should check out their new release Battle for Mars. Retro Defense has long been the most purchased game, but was recently passed by Jewellust.

Overall game sales have been slow compared to the free app downloads. Most of the top free apps have over 250,000 downloads. The top paid game fails to break 5,000. I’d really like to see more 3d games. When I get a first person shooter I can play online, then I’ll be satisfied.

If you enjoy shinobiwan23’s review please leave him a comment and subscribe to his YouTube channel. He will be posting more Android reviews. If you would like to suggest any app or game, you can do so in the comments or contact us.

82 Reasons To Purchase an Android Phone. G1 for $97.99

Admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:28:07 +0000

Have you been debating on weather to purchase a G1 or wait for the next Android phone to come out? Amazon has just given you 82 reasons to reconsider as they are now offering the T-Mobile G1 for $97.99 with 2yr plan. The cheapest I have ever seen was $149.99 from Wal-Mart.

I was able to convert my brother from Cricket and his new phone is on the way. With the recent news that many Android devices were delayed to the end of 2009, this may be your best chance to own an Android phone. I challenge you to find a cheaper deal on the web.

Purchase your T-Mobile G1 for $97.99 now.

Join The Android Army

Google Android. So Easy A 1yr Old Can Do It.

Admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:09:16 +0000

Here is more proof I found on YouTube that demonstrates the ease of learning Google Android. “GJ” is only 21 months old, but already knows how to operate a T-Mobile G1. Watch as he launches apps and navigates the menus. After reading all the comments from users on the Android Market, I would say this kid is a genious. I don’t know the Guinness World Record for youngest txter, but I nominate this kid.

Android Root Users Rejoice. JF Updater Released on Market.

Admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:44:59 +0000

There are many benefits to having a rooted Android phone, but I still would not recommend it for novice users. Currently, there are still several files to download along with required button presses. This makes it difficult for some people to gain root access on their phone. If you do not read the instructions, you will run into trouble and might need help restoring your phone. However, I am happy to report that work is being done to simplify the process.

New update available

JF Updater has been under testing for several weeks but finally reached version 1.0 and was released to the Android Market this weekend. JF is short for JesusFreke, who has been releasing custom builds of the Android operating system. After you download and install the application, it will check the version of your operating system and then check to see if there are any updates. If an update is available, you are directed to a mirror where it will download the file to your SD card. Once the download completes (30-40MB) you can verify the file and apply the update.

Overall the app performs as advertised, but I have a few suggestions. I would like to easily be able to load any version of the OS including previous releases. It would also be nice to see other custom builds offered like the ones from LucidREM or Hetal. Also, it may be my fault but I keep getting an update notifcation after I have updated to the latest version. (This is no way related to updating the OS, but this app makes me want a custom theme installer.)

Currently, there is no auto backup so it is suggested you perform one before applying any update. JesusFreke is hoping to include this feature in a future release of his builds. Once this is implemented, you remove two or the larger obsticles in automating the entire rooting process. What remains to be seen, is an easy method of grabbing the downgrade and gain root access for first time users. A project for that is also in the works, and I think we will see a single solution released in the next few months.

Back up your phone

So if you have wanted to root your phone but were nervous about the process, help is on the way. Soon, you will be able to have multi touch, custom boot screens, free WiFi tethering, and more. If you are a root user, please download the app from the market and offer your feedback to the developer.

aHome Video Review For Android. Turn Your G1 Into An iPhone

Admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 06:51:19 +0000

Here is another review from Logan featuring aHome desktop replacement app for Android. aHome comes from iPhone developer mAPPn. This app is similar to dxTop, but it comes with new themes including an iPhone version. Widgets are also supported just like dxTop. I’ve been using dxTop myself, but after watching this video I want to try aHome. I guess it comes down to which dev continues to release updates and how good their widget support it.

Subscribe to our feed to get further developments on Android widgets.

From Logan:

New widgets including weather and digital clock

Thanks to mAPPn, a new home screen application has been released to the Android market for $2.99 as a limited price. And for how cheap this is, it’s an app worth buying and keeping. mAPPn has released one theme for this app and it’s of course, the iPhone theme. Because everybody wants to make their Android look like something they don’t have enough money to buy. But this theme isn’t half bad. It’s got the dock on the bottom that shows 4 main applications that stay cemented on the bottom of the screen so they don’t move when you swipe to a different screen.

aHome also has something that everyone is looking for… NEW WIDGETS! aHome brings 2 new widgets to the Android desktop. The first widget Weather, gives you a choice to pick what country your in, then enter your zip code to get the correct information for said zip code. The second is a digital clock instead of an analog, for people who don’t know how to read a clock.

I decided to do a dog fight between the two apps, dxTop and aHome. Both home alternatives. I know lots of people who love dxTop, and aHome just came out. So dxTop has a little bit of a head start. One thing that aHome towers over dxTop is that when you fill up one screen with apps, aHome provides you with a whole new screen. dxTop only has one new screen. Now granted that aHome doesn’t have a dock, but as soon as you download an application, it gets transferred right to your most recent page with an open space. aHome wins again!

New dock included with aHome

To delete an application, it’s just like the iPhone. Long press on an app (don’t move it, but you can let go) and two boxes will come up that say “Delete” and “Rename”. Just tap delete. That easy! The rename function about aHome is very nice, especially if one of your app names are too long, and you can’t read it.

And last of all, aHome wins, AGAIN, with the fact that aHome changes the look of some of the apps on your G1. These are the ones that have been changed: Pictures, Music, Camera, Alarm clock, Youtube, Settings, Market, Contacts, Browser, Messaging, Email, Calender, and the Calculator. I’d love to see more themes come to aHome, and more widgets. Everybody loves widgets. But there you go! aHome wins by a landslide!

Retro Defense: Android Game Video Review

Admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:30:48 +0000

Another video review from Logan. This time he shows us the most popular game on Android Market: Retro Defense from Larva Labs Ltd. I’m not a big fan of tower defense games, but I appear to be in the minority. Currently 3 of the top 10 selling games are tower defense based. The game does appear to be polished though with nice graphics and sound effects. There is a lite version available in the market for anyone wishing to demo the game.

Android and Me » Admin

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