Android Atlas

Android Atlas Weekly 16: Android under attack! (podcast)

Competing app stores, the Samsung Galaxy Tab release date nears, and Google is sued again! Plus we talk about the Audible app, and cover a tip that harkens back to the Windows PC. This week's special guest: Senior Editor of cell phone reviews Kent German!

Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (640x360) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS (640x360) EPISODE 16

Report: Apple, RIM losing market share to Android http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20016647-94.html

V CAST App Store to compete with official Android Market? http://androidandme.com/2010/09/carriers/v-cast-app-store-to-compete-with-official-android-market/

Avaya Unveils … Read more

Geocaching.com gets official app for Android

Geocaching, my favorite non-sport, now has an official app for Android with the release of Groundspeak's Geocaching app for Android phones. With this app, users can tap directly into Geocaching.com's database of GPS-tagged hiding spots and containers, called geocaches, and use their GPS-equipped Android phone participate in the world's largest on-going treasure hunt. The geocaches usually contain a log of some sort and, occassionally, small trinkets. Once found, users log their find, take a trinket, leave a trinket, and the game goes on.

Groundspeak's app isn't the first geocaching app for Android users (we'… Read more

HTC not content with simply making phones

For a company with a "quietly brilliant" tagline, HTC makes a lot of noise in the wireless industry. Indeed, the guys behind some of the most notable Android handsets including the Nexus One, Evo 4G, and upcoming G2 are busy stretching out into other spaces.

Today's announcement of the Desire HD and Desire Z signals to me that the handset maker has its sights set on a bigger future, beyond just making powerful Android phones. As any wise company would, HTC understands that it is becoming a recognizable and trusted brand and it's expanded to providing … Read more

Slacker Premium Radio to offer on-demand music

Slacker Radio first launched in 2007 as an intuitive online music player that let you stream a variety of preprogrammed and custom-made radio stations based on your favorite artists and songs. Since then, the service has added a continuous array of new features, from its own short-lived devices to apps for your Blackberry and iPhone to Twitter feed functionality. Tonight at an event in New York, Slacker, Inc. will show off its latest offering: Premium Radio.

Slacker Premium Radio will offer all the features of Radio Plus--no ads, no skip limits, mobile station caching--with the added benefit of on-demand functionality. … Read more

Angry Birds nets new attack eagle, revenue stream

LONDON--The creator of the popular Angry Birds game for mobile devices is adding a new character--and new profit-making potential along with it.

Rovio Mobile currently offers a limited free version of the game and a constant series of new levels to those who pay for Angry Birds. The new character, an all-powerful bird called the Mighty Eagle, can be bought within the application when players want to blast their way through a level they can't pass with the conventional arsenal, said Rovio CEO Mikael Hed, speaking here at the Nokia World conference.

That means even those who've paid … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 15: One Bing to rule them all (podcast)

Android continues to surge, Bing replaces Google search on some Verizon phones, and using your phone to jailbreak your PS3. Plus we cover the CNET News app and dig into the world of Widgets and shortcuts. This week's special guest: Senior Associate Editor, Nicole Lee!

Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (640x360) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS (640x360) EPISODE 15 Android market share to surge over next four years Why Android Is Stealing Share from iOS Bing to be on some, not all Verizon Android phones Android Now at 80,000 Market Apps Samsung considering Android-based TVs Samsung Galaxy Tab: An Android contender Take that, Samsung: Apple could sell 28M iPads in 2011 Confirmed: HTC Droid Eris will not get Froyo Verizon's dual-mode HTC slider leaked by FCC T-Mobile G2 gets official, preorders starting soon Use Your Android Phone to "Jailbreak"Your PlayStation 3 … Read more

Updated Google Voice offers pair of widgets

An updated version of Google Voice hit the Android Market today with the primary change being the addition of two desktop widgets. Available for all phones running Android version 1.6 and higher, users now can access messages from their in-box much quicker than before.

The Voice Inbox widget makes it possible to scroll through transcribed voice mails and text messages just tapping an arrow key. Clicking on a message will open it within the Google Voice application where users are presented with the normal options such as calling, texting, or deleting.

The second "Settings" widget allows for … Read more

Google adds walking directions to Android

Urban dwellers and tourists exploring a new city now can get improved walking directions thanks to Google Maps for Android. Available on the application's 4.5 update, Walking Navigation offers many of the standard Google Navigation features, but tailors them to pedestrians.

Walking Navigation will use more than city streets to guide you on your way; it also will take into account pedestrian pathways and malls that can't accommodate cars. What's more, since pedestrians stick to sidewalks, it will send you on the most direct route regardless of one-way streets. And if you're interested in stopping … Read more

Google Instant search a mobile boon?

Like most of you, the first thing I did when hearing about Google Instant search was snap open a browser tab and begin testing the speedy new search results myself. My second action was to test the streaming search suggestions in my browser's search engine field. Nothing on Firefox or Chrome. My third attempt sent me to an Android phone, where Google.com patiently awaits your entire query before kicking off a search.

Since Google's newly revealed paradigm for real-time searches was explicitly announced just for Google.com on the desktop, I wouldn't fault you for wondering … Read more