Microsoft is at it again — no, it’s not another new patent lawsuit — instead, they’re bringing OneNote to Android devices in their all new application launching on the Market today. Microsoft OneNote is one of many note taking apps for Android, the key benefit here is Microsoft is looking at users who are already using the desktop software, allowing them to sync and take their notes with them on-the-go using SkyDrive.

Standard note taking features can be found like typing out text, pictures, bullet points and check boxes. But there’s a catch — users are only allowed to store and edit up to 500 notes at which point you’ll have to pony up the cash in an in-app purchase for unlimited use.

Seems Microsoft is banking on the fact that maybe not everyone in the world has heard of more robust and full featured note taking apps like EverNote, Springboard or Catch. Still, if you want to give it a test run, you can find the app for free right now in the Android Market.

[Market Link]

Android Phone Fans

The moment you’ve all been waiting for is finally here. We’ve been longing for a Google Chrome browser on Android for quite some time, and while the default browser has been outstanding we are excited for all of the potential benefits of having a fully-fledged Chrome browser on our phones.

Bookmark sync is back from the stock Android 4.0 browser but we’ve now got the ability to sync history, improved search suggestions and the ability to bring all of your tabs over to mobile in case you need to leave your desktop computer and take your browsing sessions with you. You can even open an unlimited amount of tabs, something that users are usually limited on.

It’s based directly on the Chromium project that Chrome is built from so you’re getting the same rendering engine (always have, really) and the same base code for your phone and tablets that you have on your desktop.

Unfortunately this one’s only for Android 4.0 or higher devices but if you fit the bill, check out the beta here. Remember to submit any feedback you have to make sure the public release goes as smooth as possible. Take a look at the video from Google above.

Android Phone Fans

It’s Monday once again. I hope you all had a great Super Bowl weekend but it’s back to the daily grind. The brightside? We have a healthy dose of the Android Overload for you tonight. These are the stories that made it past our desks throughout the day and before we toss them in the bin, we figured you let you guys give them a final once over. The one I particularly enjoyed taking a look at was the Cowon Z2 Plenue — not because of its specs — but because of its robust EQ settings. Wonder if someone could extract and port that to other Android devices? Here’s to hoping! Night, everyone.

• Facebook may be planning to include in-line ads to their mobile app. [PCWorld]
• GameCIH will give you cheats in just about any game (root required). [DroidGamers]
• Sprint creates site to show iDEN tower eliminations. [Electronista]
• Samsung is not affiliate with this Israeli ad showing off their tablet. Iran isn’t too happy [AllThingsD]
• Cowon Z2 Plenue now available. [EverythingUSB]
• AT&T throttling grandfathered unlimited data accounts after 2.1GB of usage. [iLounge]

Android Phone Fans

Rdio 2.0 for Android has been released today. It brings an all new user interface – one that looks a ton better than the initial release – and has gotten full support for Android 4.0. They’ve also added a ton of new features including profiles, top charts, new releases, recommendations and improved search. The user interface is as pleasing to the eye as any application is and the added functionality is sure to make users happy after using a gimped experience compared to iOS for so long. Grab it here in the Android market and read on for  full press details.

Rdio Launches Australia’s First Truly Social Music Streaming Service

 

Over 12 Million Songs Available on Virtually Every Major Platform

 

SYDNEY, 19 January, 2012 – Rdio (www.rdio.com), the digital music service started by the creators of Skype, today announced its launch in Australia, bringing instant access to over 12 million songs from both international and Australian artists. Rdio is available on every major platform, giving users access to their digital music collections from anywhere, whether online or offline.

 

Rdio is Australia’s first truly social streaming music service, letting users discover music through friends and other influencers as well as search for and instantly play any song, artist, album or playlist from its growing catalogue. Because Rdio is available in other countries (including the US, Canada, Brazil and Germany), discovering new music is even more exciting with international users also sharing their own finds.

 

Rdio is working with every major music company (EMI Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Univeral Music Group, and Warner Music Group) as well as key local independent labels and distributors (such as Inertia, Liberation Music, Modular, Shock and more) to ensure Australians have the largest available library of music possible.

 

"Australia has a unique, thriving music culture that boasts a wealth of music artists across all genres," said Drew Larner, Rdio CEO. "We believe Australians will be extremely excited about discovering new local and international music and accessing their digital music collections through any platform they want."

 

Rdio is offering Australian users a free seven-day trial. At any time, they can choose to upgrade to one of Rdio’s flexible subscription plans for unlimited music access and Rdio’s mobile apps. Plan options include:

•                    Rdio Web, $ 8.90 per month: unlimited access to millions of songs from a browser or through it’s Windows and Mac desktop apps;

•                    Rdio Unlimited,  $ 12.90 per month: unlimited web and mobile streaming, including offline access, on iPhone and iPod Touch, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7, iPad, and Sonos (coming soon to Kobo Vox).

•                    Free 7-day trial for new users.

 

Key Features:

•                    Play any song, any time, as much as you like. Over 12 million songs from major labels (EMI Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group) as well as thousands of international and domestic independent labels.

•                    Discover new music and re-discover old favourites. Follow friends, people with similar taste in music, and influencers (such as recording artists and music bloggers) to discover new music.

•                    Manage and access your music – no matter where you are. Discover new songs, update playlists, and listen to your entire collection from any device.

•                    Listen offline. Sync music from your collection to your mobile device and listen even when you aren’t connected.

•                    Hear all the latest music the moment it comes out. Browse and listen to new albums and songs instantly the day they are released, including global and local independent music.

•                    Create and listen to collaborative playlists. Create and collaborate with others on playlists. Also, search for and subscribe to playlists created by other users.

•                    Let Rdio help you decide what to play next. Listen to artist radio stations to discover music by an artist or others like them. Play customized radio stations of other users’ most listened to albums and discover new music through recommendations based on the artists you like.

•                    Share music with friends. Rdio is integrated with Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm. Connect your profiles and easily share music with friends.

•                    New users can sign up for the free seven-day trial immediately at www.rdio.com and through Rdio’s mobile apps.

 

Useful Links

•                    Rdio Images and Press page: http://www.rdio.com/au/press/

•                    Rdio Blog: http://blog.rdio.com/au/

•                    Rdio Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/rdio

•                    Rdio Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/rdio

 

For more information on Rdio, please contact:

 

Australian Media

Steve Stammers, Weber Shandwick, (T) +61 2 999 44416, (M) +61 424 690 504

rdio@webershandwick.com

 

US Media

Jeff Koo, Sparkpr, 415.806.1093, rdio@sparkpr.com

 

 

Note to Editors:

 

About Rdio

Rdio is the ground-breaking digital music service that is reinventing the way people discover, listen to, and share music. With on-demand access to over 12 million songs, Rdio connects people with music and makes it easy to search for and instantly play any song, album, artist or playlist without ever hearing a single ad. Discover what friends, people with similar tastes, recording artists and more are listening to in real-time and share across Twitter and Facebook. Build a digital music collection that’s available everywhere – on the web, in-home or in-car, on an iPad or smartphone, and even offline.

 

Launched in August 2010, Rdio is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded by Janus Friis, one of the creators of Skype. Currently available in the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, Rdio is funded by Atomico, Janus Friis through his investment entities, Skype and Mangrove Capital Partners. For more information and to sign up, visit  http://www.rdio.com/.

Android Phone Fans

The folks at DropBox have just announced a big beta release for their Android file sharing application. We’ve got some very interesting features here, the biggest of which is automatic uploading. Much like the feature on Google+, DropBox can automatically upload your photos and video to the service to ensure that your memories are backed up as soon as you capture them.

They want to give users incentive to test this feature so they’re offering up to 5GB of storage for using the feature in your everyday life. Simply enable automatic uploading and you’ll get an additional 500MB of storage for the first photo uploaded.

After that, you can get 500MB more storage after 500MB of photos or video are automatically uploaded, up to 5GB. People are always looking for new ways to get free storage so if you aren’t concerned about privacy give it a shot.

To go along with all of that, they’ve raised the upload limit! Instead of being limited to 180MB at a time, you now have no limits whatsoever. Thanks to that it should be even easier to get that extra 5GB they’re offering. We’ve also got the ability to resume uploads and  bug fixes and performance improvements. The beta is free for everyone to download. Check it out here. [DropBox]

Android Phone Fans

Hot off the Android Market is a wacky new title from developer Mojo Bones Ltd called Tongue Tied! Staring Mick and Ralph, a pair of adorably quirky dogs with undeniable charm who — for reasons unexplained — are somehow joined at the tongue. Don’t ask, just roll with it. Using a cross between physics based gameplay and platforming/runner style action, Tongue Tied! isn’t quite like anything you’ve ever played before… or maybe it’s a little bit of everything you have.

Featuring over 60 levels and 33 unique challenges with unlockable items, Tongue Tied! is sure to keep your thumbs busy for weeks. You can find the app right now in the Android Market for $ 2. Full gameplay trailer can be found below.

[Market Link | Via DroidGamers]

Android Phone Fans

Originally released for iOS back in July of ’09, Cartoon Wars is finally hitting the Android Market today, courtesy of Gamevil who is offering the game free of charge. Mixing a healthy dose of tower defense and a sidescrolling RTS, Cartoon Wars gives players control of a small army where the player must carefully choose the units he/she will use when going into battle against the opposing force.

If you like a little story with your RTS’ing, it goes a little something like this:

Two tribes existed in the Cartoon World; the vicious Color Tribe and their slaves, the Black and White Cartoon Tribe.
For generations the Black and White Cartoon Tribe were treated as property, and forced into slavery.
Fortunately… some with bigger ideas existed amongst them.
They gathered and began a revolt to free themselves, taking the battle to the Color Tribe.

The inevitable war has begun… become the hero of the Black and White Cartoons and set your people free.

Already receiving rave reviews in both the Market (and App Store), Cartoon Wars treats players with all out, balls out, action packed battles, while still offering a surprising amount of depth. You find the app for free right now in the Android Market. Once you give a try, let me what you guys think.

[Market Link |Via DroidGamers]

Android Phone Fans

Do you like eBay but hate the fact that you have to use real money to purchase that luchador mask you’ve had your eye on for months now? Enter Listia, an app fresh off the Android Market that allows Android users to list anything, and everything — even bid on items — all for absolutely free.

It’s pretty easy to get up and running. Listia gives users coins in place of currency to use for bidding. Everything from jewelry, to wedding cake toppers, and even that creepy pig mask from Saw. The way to accumulate more points is by, first, downloading the app to pocket 400 coints, then begin listing your own items with no actual money ever coming into play throughout the whole transaction. Think of Listia as a huge marketplace where you can recycle used items you’re no longer using.

If you want to keep it local (like Craigslist), the Listia app features a geo location feature for locating nearby users if shipping out items aren’t really your cup of tea. With over 3,000,000 items exchanged, it’s safe to say you’ll find something to pick up on Listia. You can download the app for free right now in the Android Market.

[Market Link]

Android Phone Fans

Formspring is relatively new to the social network realm and it’s quite unlike the more popular services out there. Formspring prides itself on anonymous user interaction as it’s a service driven by the Q&A model. Simply ask someone a question – anonymously or otherwise – and if someone wants to answer it they can. It’s as simple as that. It can be a fun time waster if nothing else.

The story is that they now have an official Android application making it easier to ask and answer questions on the go. You can also smile at questions/answers and see who smiled at yours, follow and unfollow people and respond to questions with photos. It’s a free download so give it a shot in the Android market here. [via Android Central]

Android Phone Fans

Time to gird your loins, ladies. The Leftover expansion for Shadowgun is now finally available for your Android device. The expansions is a thank you gift from Madfinger Games featuring giving players the chance to battle it out in 4 all new levels while expanding upon the original story.

Best of all — it’s all free. All you have to do is jump into your Android Market and update the app. If you’re looking for the Tegra 3 optimized version for your Transformer Prime, you’re going to have to sit the bench. That version will be coming sometime in the near future.

[Market Link]

Android Phone Fans