Android software

Verizon details HTC Droid DNA bug fixes

Verizon will issue an update for the HTC Droid DNA in the near term that tackles some of the more frustrating user problems encountered by customers so far.

In a blog post, Big Red promises to update the HTC Droid DNA. Sorry, but this isn't the Android 4.2.2 update currently rolling out to the Nexus line; this is far less ambitious.

Once installed, the handset will benefit from better connectivity and added functionality. There is very little new in the software, but most of the features outlined are listed with "improvements."

While the phrasing is opaque, … Read more

Talkbits voice chat app is Twitter for voice messages

You walk the walk, but can you talk the Talkbits? Talkbits is a location-based real-time social voice stream -- in other words, it's like Twitter with voice messages.

Instead of pithy typed messages, the new Talkbits app lets you say something or ask a question and then make that spoken message available for people nearby to listen and respond to. And you can hear messages from other people in a public stream, chatting for free to people nearby or around the world.

These spoken messages are sorted in geotagged channels so you and other people nearby can hear and … Read more

Nike snubs Google: FuelBand sticks to iOS and Web

Bad news for Nike FuelBand owners waiting for the company to release a companion app on Google's Android platform.

The company today said that's not happening, and that the only way to ferry over data to a mobile device will continue to be Apple's iOS platform.

"To deliver the best experience for all Nike+ FuelBand users, we are focusing on the FuelBand experience across iOS and nikeplus.com, where you can sync your activity, set new goals, and connect with friends," Nike told Droid Life in a statement. "At this time, we are not … Read more

Motorola Electrify M getting Jelly Bean jolt

If you own a Motorola Electrify M on U.S. Cellular, a sweet treat is coming your way soon. The svelte device will receive access to an Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update starting February 12.

A close cousin to the Motorola Droid Razr M on Verizon, the Electrify M features the same 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus processor, 8GB of internal storage, and a 4.3-inch AMOLED (960x540 pixels) screen.

Also like the Razr M, the Electrify M offers a speedy 4G LTE data connection plus an 8-megapixel camera that captures 1080p HD video. Weighing just under … Read more

Don't let phone calls stop your game

Imagine you're surfing the Web or playing Temple Run 2 for the umpteenth time. Sometimes in life there are things that deserve full concentration without the needless distractions of phone calls and text messages or anything of that sort. Unfortunately for Android users, a disruptive phone call can mean the difference between life and death (in a game).

Small Call by Apps Falyf thinks it has the solution. The app displays incoming phone calls and texts in a small pop-up widget on your phone instead of interrupting your current activity.

Having a feature like this while using GPS, for … Read more

Quick fixes for Wi-Fi connection issues on the LG Optimus G

Are you the new owner of an LG Optimus G on AT&T? Now that you've taken your toy home, it's time to hook it up to Wi-Fi and start customizing. But wait, the Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting randomly when you enter the information for your home network. Or worse, it won't even let you save your home network to try reconnecting.

Luckily, there's an easy fix that will let you stay connected and keep information for Wi-Fi networks of your choosing. Here's how to fix it:

First you'll want to open the app … Read more

Motorola's X-Phone job req: Four clues about the phone

A new job posting discovered by Android Headlines could potentially shed light on the rumored Motorola X-Phone project details.

If you have been watching the Android space closely these past few weeks, then you've heard about the Motorola X-Phone. Expected to arrive in May at Google's I/O conference, the handset is already one of the most rumor-worthy mobile products of 2013. Why? This marks the first time we see what Google and Motorola are able to conjure up when working as one entity.

A recent job listing spotted on LinkedIn (below; click to enlarge) caught the fanboys … Read more

Top 3 photo collage apps for Android

Sometimes it takes more than a single photo to capture a moment. Collage apps on Android have become increasingly popular, because they give users much more freedom to express their photography and enables them to create unique galleries. And with the ongoing trend of increasing screen sizes, check out these apps to Insta-photobomb your friends on that big and shiny phablet display of yours.

KD Collage

KD Collage includes templates for just about as many photos as you'd like, whether it's the standard two-to-four photos, five to nine or even 20 at a time. One unique advantage in … Read more

Five great Android Wi-Fi calling apps

There are many reasons to enjoy Wi-Fi calling, from starting video chats with family far and wide, to giving your old phone a new lease on life as a Wi-Fi-only device in little Johnny's hands. However you want to use it, you still need to know which apps are best.

There are quite a few companies battling it out in the data-calling space, each of which has its own benefits and drawbacks. Some offer voice-only calling, while others allow for video calls, photo transfer, and group chat.

Select apps share the love with other services, but others prefer to … Read more

Predictions for MWC 2013

We are just one month away from the 2013 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, where the biggest names in the mobile industry will unveil new products.

We're having a difficult time containing our anticipation, especially since CES offered relatively few smartphone announcements. Year by year as the mobile industry grows, so to does the scope and importance of Mobile World Congress.

So what are our CNET editors expecting to see when they touch down in Barcelona next month? Well, I quizzed Senior editors Jessica Dolcourt and Brian Bennett on their predictions and used them as the basis of … Read more