apps

Making the change from iPhone to Android as easy as possible

Is iOS starting to feel a bit stale for your taste? It's something I'm hearing more and more as I talk to iOS users, or former iOS users. With some amazing Android phones hitting the market, it's tough not to get caught checking out the competition -- or even feeling a bit compelled to make the jump to Android.

But before you make the change, there are some kinks that need to be worked out to make the process go as smoothly as possible. You likely have contacts, a calendar, photos, and music that you'll want … Read more

Glass may be controlled by winks, pinches

CNET Update is acting totally normal:

If it isn't not odd enough to be wearing a computer on your face, how about controlling it with nods, blinks and air pinching? Some interesting phrasing of code in the MyGlass companion app seems to indicate the Google Glass headset will have gesture controls.

Also in this tech news roundup:

- What's bright, yellow and has keys all over? Nokia's next smartphone.

- The end is near for TweetDeck's desktop program and mobile apps. After May 7, the only way to use TweetDeck will be from the browser. Time … Read more

Traffic Jam Free 1.6.8 Review

With a number of puzzle games available for Android, finding one that sets itself apart may be a difficult task. Traffic Jam Free, while having an original concept and playing style, is too simple to entertain users for long periods of time.

Download and installation of Traffic Jam Free completed quickly via the Google Play store. At startup, the program immediately opens up to the game screen and lacks any instructions or tutorials. It did not appear that technical support was available either. This meant trial and error was needed to figure out the gameplay and controls. The game is … Read more

Photo Collage App Maker Effect 1.0 Review

A number of applications exist to work with photos on a mobile device. Photo Collage App Maker Effect's usability problems and programming bugs make this photo application a less desirable download.

The initial download and installation of Photo Collage App Maker Effect completed quickly. There were no user instructions and it was unclear if technical support existed. The initial menu was difficult to decipher and had four small buttons along the bottom that were hard to read. When we selected the first one for background images, the program prompted an additional 20MB download, which took 15 minutes to complete … Read more

WhatsApp Messenger is one of the best chat apps

WhatsApp Messenger (iPhone|Android) lets you chat for free with anyone else who owns the app and offers a few extra useful features to make text messaging more fun. With this chat app installed on your smartphone, you'll save a little money on text charges through your carrier and across platforms. The only catch is that you'll have to persuade your most frequent texting buddies to download the app, too, but once they see WhatsApp's advantages, they'll probably give it a try.

Like iMessage for iOS, WhatsApp Messenger shows your chats in little text bubbles, gives … Read more

WhatsApp Messenger is one of the best chat apps

Like iMessage for iOS, WhatsApp Messenger shows your chats in little text bubbles, gives … Read more

Feet-on with Zombies, Run! 2 jogging game

Out of steam? Can't bring yourself to finish that last mile? Maybe a zombie horde breathing down your neck will give you the adrenaline boost you need.

That's the idea behind Zombies, Run! 2 (Android|iOS), which bills itself as an "immersive running game and audio adventure" for your smartphone.

It works like this: Before you start your run, you load the app, choose a mission, put in your earbuds, and then hit the road. Along the way, you're treated to audio segments that gradually reveal the story of Abel Township and the zombie apocalypse … Read more

Amazon's new series is decided by you

CNET Update has the power:

Amazon has released pilot episodes for 14 shows, and is asking for feedback from viewers to decide which programs are worthy of continuing. Amazon's dive into original programming comes just as Netflix launches its third series.

Amazon's not the only one with eyes for television. Twitter partnered with BBC America, but details so far are limited to this tweet.

Also mentioned in this tech rundown:

- TomTom dives deeper into the GPS sport watch business

- Review of the updates to the LinkedIn app

- Yahoo launches Mail and Weather apps

- Google launches app One Today for donating to good causes … Read more

Yahoo launches Mail app for iPad, Android tablets

Yahoo on Thursday released a Mail app for iOS and Android tablet users and a Weather app for iPhone owners.

A Yahoo Mail app has already been in play for the iPhone and Android smartphones, but the new version takes advantage of the larger screen size of tablets. A full-screen reading mode lets you flip through your e-mail messages as if you were reading a magazine.

Flipping through messages this way feels so much more natural than having to tap on each e-mail in the inbox to read it, especially on a tablet. It's an innovative and welcome approach, … Read more

Apps Installer for Android 0.2.1 Review

Users acquiring applications from outside sources may have problems with the installation process on older Android devices. Unlike in newer versions of Android, in which the operating system automatically installs an APK file, in older versions another application is needed to start the installation process. Apps Installer for Android provides this service in a clear and comprehensive way.

Apps Installer for Android downloads instantly. The program is very light and functions well. The user interface is very basic, though. On large, high-definition screens the graphics appear pixelated and washed out. After an application has been saved on an SD card … Read more