play store

Nexus 4 comes back in stock for ordering today

Google has been a cruel mistress to Android fans looking to get their hands on a new Nexus 4 lately. After the latest Google-designed phone sold out in what felt like nanoseconds -- perhaps better described from now on as 'nexi-seconds' -- it's been two weeks of living in "out of stock" limbo.

Until today. At noon ET (9 a.m. PT), Google says, the Nexus 4 will be back on sale via the Google Play store.

The Nexus 4 is available unlocked and contract-free for $299, a price that led to a run on the phones … Read more

Disable lock screen widgets, camera access on Android 4.2

At first glance, the lock screen widgets in Android 4.2 may seem like a convenient feature. But you may soon realize having all of your personal information plastered on what was once a secure screen, isn't ideal. Removing the widgets is simple, but you're still left with the box outlines every time you wake your device, which can get annoying. And there's no way to disable widgets, or camera access for that matter, on the lock screen built into Android 4.2.

Thankfully, an Android developer has released a free app titled Lockscreen Policy, enabling you … Read more

Check out Google Play recommended apps

Scouring the Google Play Store for apps isn't always easy. When looking for an app you'll probably know the category it falls into, and you might know the name of something that works similarly to what you're looking for. Unfortunately, it's still a lot of work to sort through each entry until you find the perfect one.

You could look at app reviews online, or check star ratings in the Play Store, or you could try looking at Recommended For You.

Just open the Google Play Store and tap on Apps, then tap on the banner … Read more

Android comes under fire from game developers on piracy

Madfinger Games recently lowered the price of its Dead Trigger game from $0.99 to free on the Google Play Store. The reason, it announced, was because of the "unbelievably high" amount of illegal downloads on Google's Android devices despite the game's inexpensive price, according to the Guardian.

Here's what Madfinger Games said on its Dead Trigger Facebook page:

Regarding price drop. HERE is our statement. The main reason: piracy rate on Android devices, that was unbelievably high. At first we intend to make this game available for as many people as possible - that'… Read more

How to stop Android from adding new apps to the home screen

Have you ever noticed after installing an app on your Android device, the icon for that app is already on your home screen? Sure it can come in handy, but it also can be pretty annoying. Nicole Cozma showed us how to disable this annoying feature on Honeycomb tablets a while back, and now I'm going to show you how to disable it on other Android devices.

Disabling the auto-add widgets (or shortcuts) feature is easy.

Launch the Google Play Store on your Android device. Tap on Menu and then Settings. Uncheck the box next to "auto-add widgets.&… Read more

Google begins selling unlocked Galaxy Nexus

Google today announced that it is now offering unlocked Galaxy Nexus handsets directly to consumers.

On the company's mobile blog, Android chief Andy Rubin wrote that the company has added a new Devices section to its Google Play store. Initially available only to U.S. consumers, the GSM Galaxy Nexus carries an attractive $399 price tag.

"We've worked with developers and content partners to launch Google Play, offering more than 500,000 apps, millions of songs and books, and thousands of movies. And we've implemented new customer support services to improve the purchasing experience on Google Play," Rubin wrote. "We've taken all of this into consideration in designing Devices on Google Play." … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly Ep. 90: Awkward segues (Podcast)

Sprint and HTC are gearing up for a big announcement. Linux and Android's not-so-secret affair goes public, and the Galaxy S II plus one equals Galaxy S III. We will check out the latest rumors surrounding what could be the next big phone on this week's episode of Android Atlas Weekly.

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NEWS:

-Samsung Galaxy S III image could be the real thing

-Samsung-Galaxy-SIII-to-allow-for-wireless-charging-up-to-2-meters-away/

-Sprint and HTC hosting big event April 4

-Linux and Android together at last… Read more