android

Record iOS, Android app downloads tallied in last week of 2012

The last week of 2012 saw a significant surge in the number of apps downloaded by iOS and Android users, according to new data from research firm Flurry Analytics.

From December 25 through December 31, 1.76 billion applications were downloaded by iOS and Android users, up 65 percent compared with the weekly average of 1.07 billion between December 4 and December 17. On Christmas Day alone, 328 million applications were downloaded across iOS and Android.

Flurry's data was taken from analysis it performed on more than 260,000 applications available on iOS and Android. The company claims … Read more

Red and brown Samsung Galaxy Note 2 discovered in Korea

According to the Japanese mobile news site Blog of Mobile, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is sporting two new colors: red and brown.

However, the version colors officially go by the name Ruby Wine (pictured above on the left) and Amber Brown (right).

Because the new looks were discovered in a South Korean publication, it'll be a while before these models reach the United States, assuming it'll even reach our shores at all.

Currently, the 5.5-inch phone/tablet hybrid (or "phablet") is available here in Marble White and Titanium Gray.

Considering that the Samsung Galaxy S3 … Read more

Falcon Pro updates, integrates YouTube API

The folks behind the increasingly popular Falcon Pro Twitter client for Android have managed to push one last app update out the door before the new year, and it's not all about bug fixes. Version 1.4 of the slick client brings a host of new features, including double-tapping on tweets and a log-out button. See the full changelog below.

Added YouTube API integration Added option to enable double tap on tweets Added log-out button Added hide keyboard on RT Added report for spam Added mute management from settings Added hash tag autofill when searching for tweets Added slider … Read more

Samsung to sell first Tizen smartphone next year, report says

Samsung Electronics will be the first to sell a smartphone running on the Tizen operating system through Japanese carrier NTT Docomo and other partners next year, according to Japan's Daily Yomiuri.

Samsung, NTT Docomo, and their partners hope to build a platform that will rival the major operating systems from Apple and Google. Other carriers interested in Tizen include the U.K.'s Vodaphone and France Telecom, according to the report.

CNET has contacted Samsung for comment, and we'll update the story when the company responds.

Tizen is a Linux-based operating system that emerged from the death of … Read more

Android rumor roundup

Android rumor roundup is a weekly column that gathers the top rumors each week in the Android space.

The winter holidays have put the freeze on Android rumors this week, but a few trickled out regardless. Check out this week's newest Android whispers and brush up on other alleged devices and updates that could come down the pipeline.

December 22-28, 2012 T-Mobile's HTC One S getting Jelly Bean soon (December 26, 2012) Although Android 4.1 is now available for global HTC One S phones, T-Mobile's version isn't part of the rollout yet.

However, it's … Read more

A better way to select messages in Gmail for Android

The latest update to the Gmail app (4.2.1) for Android has provided some welcome new features, like pinch-to-zoom and swipe-to-delete. But another useful feature you might not be aware of is hiding check boxes.

To select multiple e-mail messages in Gmail for Android, you have to tap the tiny check boxes to the left of each message. If you miss the check box and tap the message instead, the message launches and you have to go back to the conversation list and try again. Luckily, there's a Gmail setting that will remove the check boxes entirely, and … Read more

Ouya game consoles now on their way to developers

Developers who ordered an Ouya game console should soon find one in front of their doors.

The folks at Oyua confirmed today that 1,200 developer consoles have been shipped and should reach eager buyers in the next few days.

Created this past year, Ouya is an attempt to bring gaming back to your TV. Designed to hook up to your television, the Ouya console plans to be home to a platform of Android-based games built by interested developers.

The console itself is the brainchild of Julie Uhrman, a video game industry veteran who wanted to lay the groundwork for … Read more

Skin your gadget with Windows 8 for Android

With Windows 8 mobile gadgets lagging far behind Android and Apple, it's tough to imagine why anyone would want to look at Windows 8's layout. However, if you've bought a Windows 8 computer or tablet and fallen in love with the tile interface, try Windows 8 for Android. It brings that interface to your Android gadget, but is missing many of the features that make people love custom launchers.

One of the reasons Windows 8's user interface is turning heads is "Live Tiles." The always-updating blocks aren't here, which is a glaring error … Read more

Send IMs for free with WhatsAppMessenger

Who says that instant messaging is dead? This free app lets you send unlimited text and picture messages to all of your friends in an IM-like environment. WhatsApp Messenger requires a somewhat annoying setup but has millions of members for you to chat with. Though you'll eventually have to pay a nominal fee, it could save you big if you have a limited texting plan.

When you install the app, it makes you use your real phone and verifies it through a text. The process takes anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes to complete. This may be a little … Read more