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Ice Cream Sandwich port for Nexus S available for download

Dustin Earley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:46:59 +0000

As soon as Ice Cream Sandwich is ready to roll out, the Nexus S will undoubtedly be the first device to be updated. (The Galaxy Nexus will be coming out within the next couple weeks, so Android 4.0 should be hitting the Nexus S right around then as well). While two to three weeks doesn’t seem like long to wait, not everyone has that kind of patience. Especially not the Android hacking community.

Available now over in the XDA Developers forums, an Ice Cream Sandwich port has been successfully conjured up for the Samsung Nexus S. There’s no face unlock, some of the icons are missing and there have been some reported issues with data connectivity. But otherwise, things work well. After going through several pages of comments, it doesn’t seem like this port is much of a daily driver. More than anything, it just gives Nexus S owners a look at what’s in store.

For those of you adventurous enough to try this, keep in mind that rooting your device will void your warranty and, though highly unlikely if you follow directions carefully, could brick your device. We take no responsibility for damage to your device caused by the rooting process. To take a look at all the instructions and to download the port, head on over to XDA now.

What do you think? Are you going to wait until ICS is official? Or will you be trying some of the unofficial ports as they come out?

Easily make your Android phone look like Ice Cream Sandwich with these free apps

Taylor Wimberly — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:48:32 +0000

Want to trick your friends into thinking your Android phone has already received the Ice Cream Sandwich update? All it takes is a couple free apps and several minutes of your spare time. Android developer kovdev has uploaded some wallpapers from the Galaxy Nexus and an Ice Cream Sandwich theme that works with ADW.Launcher, Launcher Pro or Go Launcher EX.

Google and Samsung are prepared to reveal Ice Cream Sandwich tomorrow night, but your Android phone probably won’t be updated for another 6-12 months. So grab these free apps in the mean time to make the wait a little easier.

Ice Cream Sandwich (theme) kovdev MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Galaxy Nexus Wallpapers kovdev MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

For those of you wishing to go the extra mile, Kellen of Droid-life posted a couple extra mods that let you emulate the Ice Cream Sandwich widgets and dock bar.

Facebook launches Facebook Messenger to simplify mobile messaging

Anthony Domanico — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:56:38 +0000

Facebook has just announced the release of Facebook Messenger, a new application for Android devices that aims to simplify and quicken the exchange of messages between you and Facebook friends or individuals in your phone’s contact list.

Facebook Messenger is essentially an alternative SMS application that attempts to differentiate itself by adding integration with the largest social network on the planet. If you happen to be messaging a Facebook friend, all your interactions with that person on Facebook such as texts, chats, email and messages will be featured in the conversation history. Moreover, when you send messages to your Facebook friends, it will both send a notification and text message to the other user to ensure they receive the message as quickly as possible.

Top features include:

Message friends, groups of friends or anyone in your mobile contacts
Map your location, find your friends and make plans on the go
Get mobile notifications so you never miss a message
Include photos so friends can see what you’re doing

Facebook is highlighting how easily their new application allows you to send group messages, a feature that has been available in Android’s stock messaging since I’ve been using Android at least–probably dating back to the G1. One cool addition to the group messaging functionality is the ability to share your location with the group, so it’s easier to track everyone down. It’s especially helpful when having group events.

All in all, it’s hard for me to see the real differentiating factor here. Unless I’m missing something, most (if not all) these features can be achieved with a combination of the Facebook for Android application (which already notifies you when you have a new incoming message), and the stock messaging application.

But I’m certainly no expert when it comes to Facebook, so I turn to you, the reader. Are you planning to install the Facebook Messaging application when it launches later today? Either as a replacement for or supplement to the stock messaging application? Are you happy to stick to Facebook for Android and the stock messaging app for all your SMS needs? Or have you given up on Facebook altogether and migrated to Google+? Sound off in the comments below.

Regardless of how you feel about this new application, I’m sure many of you will head over to the market and check it out. We’ll update this post once we notice it’s gone live, which should be a bit later on today.

UPDATE: The app is now live on the Market. You can go ahead and download it right here. Marques Brownlee of Droiddog also uploaded a hands-on video.

Facebook Messenger Facebook MARKET QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

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Don’t feel like waiting for the new version of Android Market? Here’s how to install it right now

Alberto Vildosola — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:59:47 +0000

Well, that was fast. A few hours ago Google announced the release of a brand-new Android Market app. The company is currently rolling out the update to all 2.2+ Android phones, and most people can expect the new version to arrive on their phones over the coming weeks. But we’re not very patient folks. It was just a matter of time before somebody took the Market .apk and uploaded it to the Interwebz for everybody to enjoy.

And that’s exactly what just happened. The guys over at Phandroid have been kind enough to share the app with the Android community. If you’re interested in downloading the .apk, I’ve uploaded the file here for our readers’ enjoyment. If you’re reading this on your phone, just click on this link and download the .apk. After that, it’s just as easy as opening the file and installing the app.

I’ve already tried it with my Optimus T, and it works beautifully. However, there’s a slight chance it won’t work on your phone. If it doesn’t, let us know in the comments and somebody will probably have a solution for you. If it does work on your phone, we’d love to hear your opinions about it. Do you like it? Is it better than the previous version? Do you like the new UI? Or is it too Metro-y for you?

Meet Droid Week, a new app gallery from Android and Me

Clark Wimberly — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:39:21 +0000

Today we are happy to announce Droid Week, the newest addition to the And Me Network. Droid Week is an app, game & widget gallery showcasing the best that Google Android has to offer. Each week (Monday AM) we post a new featured download. Each entry will contain four screens, a short description, download links, a QR code, reviews from the market, a poll to vote the app up or down, and twitter banter.

Droid Week is going to power our (sometimes neglected) weekly download feature here on Android and Me. Each week in the left sidebar you’ll find a short blurb and QR code ready for scanning. Once a month, we’ll name an app, game or widget as our featured download of the month (based on the voting over at Droid Week).

Droid Week is also sporting a fully featured mobile version. Visit any of the pages on your Android device for all the great Droid Week content on the run.

Droid Week will depend on the Android and Me community to nominate apps and drive the discussion surrounding the selected apps (through Twitter and our forums). Each week, the user that nominates the selected app will be given credit on the Droid Week homepage (along with a userpic and link). Users that consistently contribute will be rewarded with custom titles and privileges.

Droid Week is launching as part of the And Me Network, our new over-brand that is going to support all our future Android developments. We’ve got a handful of new Android sites in the pipeline and utilizing the And Me Network will allow rapid community growth and exposure (that previously would’ve taken months of slow building). Also launching today as part of the network is the Android and Me Store (more information to follow).

We hope you enjoy Droid Week and eventually it becomes an integral part of separating the wheat from the chaff in the Android market. If you’d like to get in touch to suggest an app or ask a question, you can message @droidweek on Twitter or come join us in the Android and Me Forums.