It's a done deal. KitKat is the shit, and everyone wants in on it. Unfortunately, the Samsung Galaxy S3 won't see any of Android 4.4's features incorporated into TouchWiz for some time, as we're still on a 4.1 version. Still, we can throw a few of KitKat's features onto the device ourselves, like the home launcher and new keyboard. And now, we can even get a feel for its smarter phone app.
For now, the redesigned and fresh-faced Android 4.4 KitKat is exclusive to the new Nexus 5, though it will be rolling out to other Google (Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10) and Google Play Editions (Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One) devices in the next week or two.
When it comes to the user interface, you're pretty much limited to the stock one that comes on your Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch—a carousel of large black and white icons representing the features and applications on the watch.
While making the transition from Apple to Android may not be hard for some, there are others that miss the small features that Apple offers on the iPad and iPhone. If you just got a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or other Android device and want a familiar piece of Apple on your device, check out Hi Dev Studio's new Hi Notes application, which gives you iOS-styled notes.
Android gets a lot of love for its immeasurable amount of customization, and for the most part, you don't even have to do any heinous hacking to swag out your Samsung Galaxy S3 or other Android device.
I know what you're thinking. Why spend time talking about another flashlight application when there are literally thousands of them scattered throughout Google Play? As it turns out, there is a void in the realm of flashlight Android apps. Flashing lights, strobe lights, cop lights, warning lights—they're all available, but the one feature that's missing is adjustable brightness.
On the new Moto X smartphone, the only thing you have to do to activate the virtual assistant is say "Okay, Google Now." That's it. You don't have to press a button or tap on the display at all. It's always ready for your voice commands via its "Active Listening" feature, making it a truly hands-free experience.
If you want the latest in breaking news, a heavy dose of humor, and all things kittens, look no further than reddit. But no matter how great the content and community is, reddit has yet to fully catch up to the mobile world.
Arcades, Nintendo, Sega, and 16-bit graphics ushered in a new level of gaming that was leaps and bounds ahead of the early Pong days. I remember loading quarters into the machines and playing 2D fighting games until all my money ran out. When I wasn’t in school, you could usually find me at the arcade playing Street Fighter, The King of Fighters and Marvel vs. Capcom. At home, I had my Super Nintendo and Super Mario World keeping me glued to the television until the next boss stage.
Rooting a mobile device may not be a big deal these days, but not being able to root definitely is. Even the Library of Congress, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and White House can agree on that.
Live wallpapers are part of what make Android's features so unique and wonderful, making your homescreens come alive and much more interesting. The wallpapers are extremely customizable and interactive, many times sensitive to swipes, finger-tapping, and other multi-touch gestures—Ditalix being one of the frontrunner apps in the field. The only problem with these live wallpapers is the toll it takes on the device's battery. While not all live wallpapers kill the battery, there are many of the...
We've all been there. Your phone is on your nightstand, but you're on the couch in the living room browsing the web on your Nexus 7. Then you hear it—a faint sound for a new text message notification from the bedroom.
If you have a Samsung Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2, you might not have noticed it yet, but there's an annoying little bug that centers around your clipboard. If you tend to do a lot of copy/pasting on your device, you've probably seen it happen—your phone crashes.
As much as I love my Samsung Galaxy S3, I'm always on the lookout for cool features I can borrow from other smartphones. One of the most recent "borrowed" features I've added to my S3 is the Galaxy Note 2's smart rotation feature, which uses the front camera to detect my face-to-screen angle, which then rotates my screen accordingly. But the S3 already comes packed with some awesome features, as well as some less-than-stellar ones. One of these less-than-stellar features is the task manager, ...
One of the coolest things for readers using the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is the stock Smart Rotation feature. While most smartphones use the accelerometer to adjust the screen orientation, Smart Rotation actually uses the camera to detect your face-to-screen angle and adjusts accordingly. Now, if only there was a way that all Android users can continue reading an article or text without sporadic and unexpected 90-degree turns of their screen. Wait, there is!
Google is constantly adding new ways to do things quicker on its devices. Everything from multi-screen capabilities to lock-screen widgets has been added to the new updates of the Android OS, making its devices very powerful and efficient. Something that Android hasn't paid much attention to, though, is the ability to access applications easily from places other than the home screen. So, XDA Developers member Cyansmoker decided to take matters into his own hands creating an application that a...
Inverting colors on your mobile device not only saves battery life, but also helps prevent straining your eyes, especially during the nighttime. Bright white screens interfere not only with your eyes, but with your sleeping patterns, as well. The bright lights greatly reduce your melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain that helps you go to sleep. Thus, the onset of sleep is delayed and the possibility of deep sleep is reduced greatly.
Google Now is an extremely intelligent personal assistant that automatically updates and prepares the most pertinent information for you on your Android device. Traffic updates, alternatives routes, weather conditions, and other important data is constantly being monitored and updated for you.
So, you've finally managed to get addicted to one of those free farming games, like Farm Story or Tiny Village. You play the game nonstop now, and the only thing stopping you is that dreaded on-screen notice to come back in 23 hours to finish farming or building. Come back in 23 hours… WHAT?!? Most of these free games will start charging you at this point. Time becomes a luxury. Well, not anymore, thanks to XDA Developer StupidIdea, who made a time-tricking app called GMD Speed Time (that's t...
Xbox gaming has come a long way since its inception over a decade ago. What was once simply a bulky gaming console has transformed into legitimate entertainment hub for the home, thanks to the latest Metro-friendly update to the Xbox 360. Now there's newly-designed Music and Video apps, Internet Explorer, and best of all—Xbox SmartGlass.
With the Samsung Galaxy S III being a hot commodity, it's no surprise that your friends might try unlocking your fancy password-protected phone. While some friends have good intentions when using your phone, there are those certain friends who get into the phone to do this... The worst scenario might be that you leave the phone around a group of friends, come back and find that all of your social media accounts have been hacked. When you yell out to your friends asking who did it, no one make...
The newest firmware update for Android, Jelly Bean 4.1.1, has been out for a while now, but not every device has gotten it yet (some never will). One popular device that has recently gotten it is the Samsung Galaxy S III, only they'll be pushing the update out overseas during the next couple weeks, with the UK already seeing Jelly Bean from the cellular provider Three (if you're on Three, see how to update your device here). Unfortunately, stateside users will have to wait a bit longer. There...
This may seem like an odd subject, because what do Steampunks and iPhones even have to do with each other? Actually, more than you might think!
Everything is documented these days, thanks to the Internet and mobile devices. Most people who own a smartphone use it to take lots of pictures. If you're one of those people, an app called Scoopshot can help you turn some of those photos into extra cash. Scoopshots lets you post your pics so that news organizations can pay you to use them. Companies can also post tasks, so if someone is looking for a particular photo in your area, you can accept the task, go take the photo, and earn money f...
It can be extremely annoying when you set the ringtone volume to one level and then a notification comes in and shocks you with how loud it is. If you own a Motorola Droid Bionic Android smartphone, learn how to set both the notification volume and the ringtone volume to the same level.
Getting tired of prank phone calls from blocked numbers? Check out this video to learn how to view a blocked phone number on any phone. Visit Trap Call to learn more about the service described in this how to video.
This video will show you how you can manipulate the benchmarks captured by Quadrant on an HTC Hero. Watch this video to learn how to cheat benchmarks on your Android smartphone. Any software can be modified, which is why Quadrant doesn't always accurately rate hardware performance.
Check out this helpful video to learn how to configure the settings on your Samsung Epic so that you can enjoy Netflix streaming. The Netflix app won't work with just any Android device, unless you follow the instructions in this video.
If you are interested in installing Gingerbread on your rooted Samsung Galaxy Tab, check out this video. You'll want to download Stock GB as well as Overcome and the ROM. You'll use Odin to install Gingerbread on the Android tablet.
If you are looking for an alternative to Odin, you can try Heimdall, a third party software designed for flashing firmware to Samsung mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. Watch this video to learn how to use Heimdall to install firmware on your Samsung Android devices.
If you want to flash the Continuum v5 ROM on your Samsung Captivate, make sure to watch this video first. You'll learn how to
Give your Motorola ATRIX new life by reverting it back to its stock state. Download the correct drivers and follow the video's instructions for using RSD-Lite to flash the Android smartphone's firmware. Watch this video to learn the correct way to SBF flash.
This video will explain what you need to do to successfully download and install the Gingerblur rom for a Motorola ATRIX cell phone. Watch this video if you are interested in flashing this ROM to your Android smartphone. Using ADB is optional in this install.
This how-to video shows what you need to know in order to tether your MetroPCS android smart phone. Follow the steps and use your phone's wifi with your laptop. This is a cool new feature and you should check it out.
Make calls and send text messages and emails with voice commands on your T-Mobile G2! This clip will teach you how. Whether you're the proud owner of a a T-Mobile G2 Google Android smartphone or are merely toying with the idea of picking one up in the near future, you're sure to be well served by this official video guide from the folks at T-Mobile.
Use Google Voice to transcribe voicemails received on your T-Mobile G2! This clip will teach you how. Whether you're the proud owner of a a T-Mobile G2 Google Android smartphone or are merely toying with the idea of picking one up in the near future, you're sure to be well served by this official video guide from the folks at T-Mobile.
Use all of your web apps on your T-Mobile G2! This clip will teach you how. Whether you're the proud owner of a a T-Mobile G2 Google Android smartphone or are merely toying with the idea of picking one up in the near future, you're sure to be well served by this official video guide from the folks at T-Mobile.
Use all of your favorite Google apps on your T-Mobile G2! This clip will teach you how. Whether you're the proud owner of a a T-Mobile G2 Google Android smartphone or are merely toying with the idea of picking one up in the near future, you're sure to be well served by this official video guide from the folks at T-Mobile.
Control your myTouch 4G with your voice! This clip will teach you how to use the myTouch 4G's Genius Button. Whether you're the proud owner of a T-Mobile myTouch 4G Google Android smartphone or are merely toying with the idea of picking one up sometime in the near future, you're sure to be well served by this brief, official video tutorial from the folks at T-Mobile. For complete instructions, watch the video!
Use the myTouch 4G's Gallery app to browse between captured pictures and videos! Whether you're the proud owner of a T-Mobile myTouch 4G Google Android smartphone or are merely toying with the idea of picking one up sometime in the near future, you're sure to be well served by this brief, official video tutorial from the folks at T-Mobile. For complete instructions, watch the video!
