android

Xbox SmartGlass Android app now supports 7-inch tablets

Owners of the Google Nexus 7 and other 7-inch Android tablets can now remotely control their Xbox 360 consoles via a free app.

Updated yesterday, the Xbox SmartGlass for Android app acts as a second screen for your Xbox console. You can use the app on your phone or tablet to navigate your Xbox dashboard, control videos and music playing on your console, search Microsoft's Xbox catalog, and surf the Internet.

Until yesterday, the app worked only on certain Android devices. The release notes for the update don't list which 7-inch tablets the app now supports. But logging … Read more

Bluetooth-enabled stickers help find lost keys and cats

You may be prone to losing things like your keys, your remote controls, or your escape-artist dog. StickNFind is raising funds to help you stick Bluetooth on all your things so you can find them without turning your house upside-down and cursing a blue streak.

StickNFind stickers are equipped with Bluetooth low-energy technology. The stickers are about the size of a quarter and weigh well under an ounce. Slap a sticker on anything (or anyone) and then use the accompanying app to figure out where you put them last. Each little tag also has sound and light that can be triggered separately.… Read more

iOS app revenues four times higher than Google Play

Apple's iOS platform generates four times as much revenue as Google's app store, Google Play, according to a new study.

In its first research report (PDF), App Annie Intelligence, an app analytics company, reported that Apple is pulling in four times as much revenue from iOS sales as Google does from sales of apps for the Android platform.

However, the study, reported on by The Next Web, also suggested that Apple's App Store is a far more mature business than Google Play -- and has less upside over time. According to the App Annie report, Google Play … Read more

Pause Android music by putting your hand over your phone

Android smartphones make great personal media players, but because of the lock screen, pausing your music can take a few seconds. EasyMute is an Android app that allows you to quickly pause your music by simply putting your hand over the proximity sensor, even when your phone is locked.

Optionally, you can configure easyMute to lower the volume to a preset level. After installing easyMute, just tap the Enable easyMute button to turn it on.

EasyMute works with most Android music players, such as Google Music and even Pandora.

That's it. Keep in mind that, in order for easyMute … Read more

AT&T's rugged Samsung Rugby III lands December 14 with PTT

AT&T's rough 'n' tumble "Rugby" team gets another player in the Samsung Rugby III, a durable flip phone that will feature AT&T's enhanced push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities.

Starting December 14, the Rugby III costs $99.99 with a two-year contract, but free for organizations with an AT&T business account. Preorders begin November 30.

Intended to be a simple, sturdy handset, the Rugby III keeps features simple. It sports a 2.4-inch QVGA display, a 3-megapixel camera, and a PTT convenience button for easy access, walkie-talkie style. The phone also includes access … Read more

Apple tops on mobile ad network, but Samsung catching up

Apple has long reigned as the top device maker based on traffic to Millennial Media's mobile network. But its reign could be challenged by its archrival.

Apple scooped up 31 percent of all ad impressions during the third quarter, according to the ad network's latest Mobile Mix report. That level was virtually unchanged from the second quarter.

In comparison, Samsung captured almost 25 percent of all impressions for the third quarter. That number was up from just under 22 pecent the previous quarter.

Among the top 20 mobile phones, the iPhone was the leader with 16 percent of … Read more

Delete downloaded app history from Google Play

Downloading apps, especially free apps, can be quite addictive. You see a random free app featured on a blog, linked to in a tweet or mentioned by a friend and you promptly download it. You soon realize the app adds no real value to your life, so you delete it from your device. Somewhere down the road you want to re-download an app from your Google Play Store history. You browse on over to your download history only to find a never-ending list of apps.

In the past you'd be stuck with this long list of apps; unable to … Read more

Samsung Galaxy Axiom sneaks into U.S. Cellular lineup

U.S. Cellular this week quietly introduced another Android smartphone this week with the budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Axiom.

Appearing on the carrier's Web site without even a press release, the Axiom runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and delivers a 4-inch 480x800-pixel WVGA display, a 5-megapixel rear camera, and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera. Additional details include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 2,100mAh battery, NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Astute readers will recognize that the Galaxy Axiom closely resembles the recently announced Galaxy S3 Mini. Save for its slightly faster processor and longer-lasting battery, it'… Read more

Verizon grabs Galaxy Note 2

Samsung's Galaxy Note 2 will continue making the carrier rounds tomorrow by landing in Verizon Wireless stores. The ginormous Android smartphone has been available for pre-order on the carrier's Web site.

Announced in late August at the annual IFA show in Berlin, the Galaxy Note 2 is the successor device to the original Galaxy Note. It has a 5.5-inch display, a quad-core processor, and Android Jelly Bean, and its camera performed well in CNET's review.

Verizon is selling the Galaxy Note 2 for $299 with a two-year contract. AT&T and Sprint also offer the … Read more

Preorder e-books from Google Play

Popular Web sites that sell e-books like Amazon and Barnes & Noble allow you to preorder titles with your credit card. Google Play Books now offers the ability to do the same, from the Web or your Android device.

To allow preordering of titles, you'll need to make sure you have a payment option available in Google Play, like Google Wallet or carrier billing.

Step 1: Open Google Play Books in your Web browser or on your Android device. When using an Android device, just open the Google Play Store and tap on Books.

Step 2: Search for the … Read more