The BlackBerry Playbook is said to be receiving its OS 2.0 update come next month and along with some much needed new improvements (like a native email app), the update will finally give the device the long promised ability to to play Android apps and games via the BlackBerry Runtime for Android app player. Developers have until February 6th to submit their Android apps into the BlackBerry App World store if they want their apps approved in time for the new Playbook OS 2.0′s launch.

So what exactly does it take for an Android app to win approval by RIM? Well, for one — a developer must remove any and all words containing “Android” in them, as well as our beloved green mascot (I call him Andy). Makes sense. Also mandatory, a developer must remove anything that would otherwise take a user to the Android Market be it links or otherwise.

RIM says porting Android apps should be a relatively painless process and we’ll have to wait and see how many developers jump on this opportunity. As a fan of technology in general, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Playbook and it will be interesting to see if this will help garner new sales of the almost failed tablet.

[RIM Developer Blog | Via Slashgear]

Android Phone Fans

The folks at Sky have announced that their Sky Go application will soon be coming to Android! A launch is slated for February but no other details were given. The service itself will also be receiving more content options and channels, as well. Sky 1, Sky Living, Sky Arts and Sky Sports F1 HD are among the confirmed channels being added to their already solid lineup. We’re not sure if this is for both phones and tablets but we can’t imagine that they’d leave either side out of the equation. Anyone interested? [via Engadget]

Android Phone Fans

While some are wondering what’s going on with a quad-core Exynos processor of some sort, most of us know that Samsung still has yet to push the boundaries of dual-core. Their Exynos chipset series is one of the most efficient, fast and capable chipsets around and the Exynos 5250 will take things a step further.

It’s an ARM Cortex-A15 chipset that will boast a 2GHz clock speed, all the while sucking even less power than some of their earlier chipsets. The chip has begun sampling, according to Samsung, and will hit mass production sometime in Q2’12.

This gives them a good timeline to put the chip into an early device and showcase it at a recent event. Taylor Wimberly from Android & Me says that recent device could be a new Galaxy Tab and that the show could be Mobile World Congress in a new rumor.

The device they’re looking to bring out is reportedly bigger than 10 inches. Yes, I know – it’s hard to imagine anything bigger than 10 inches to be considered wieldy enough for practical use. “Well what if the device is just 10.1 inches,” I asked myself. That’d be plausible if not for the belief that it will come with a WXQGA display (2560×1600), something that the Exynos 5250 will indeed support.

Wimberly reportedly saw a prototype device of the same cloth but was unable to take photos of it. We’re not sure if his rumor stems from that device alone but we can’t say excitement will drape all over us if it did.

Prototypes and development devices are usually specced well beyond what is usually necessary for consumer use. We do hope to see a device of some sort with the Exynos 5250 at MWC, though.

I can confirm that Samsung System LSI was indeed on-hand at CES showing off top secret prototypical Exynos devices, however I was not ultimately granted permission to take a look myself.

In my meeting with them they sounded like they had a product ready to show off in the very near future. We’re hoping this rumor holds true and we’ll be at Mobile World Congress to see whatever they’re willing to show.

Android Phone Fans

Verizon has posted the changelog for a future update to the HTC Rezound, one which should not be mistaken with the Beats Audio handset’s eventual upgrade to Android 4.0. The over-the-air update brings the Rezound’s software to version 2.01.605.11 appears to be primarily a maintenance release focused on cleaning up bugs and tweaking performance, but will be appreciated by owners of the HTC smartphone nonetheless.

Changes coming soon to a Rezound near you include an updated signal strength meter, a fix for a WiFi-related screen timeout bug, and enhanced audio quality during phone calls. The update also improves Mobile Hotspot performance and cuts back on random phone resets.

With the support documentation already updated, chances are good Verizon will push this one relatively soon.

[Verizon via AndroidCentral]

Android Phone Fans

After a developer recently leaked to Business Insider that Microsoft would soon be bringing their Xbox Live titles to other mobile OS’s outside of WP7 — specifically, iOS and Android — we now have a more fuel to throw on top of that fire and it’s a doozy. When speaking with Forbes, a Microsoft spokesperson has seemingly confirmed our initial suspicions on the “other OS rumor” after saying,

"While the Xbox Live experiences and games always work best on the Windows platform, we understand that some Xbox fans may be using other types of devices. To satisfy that need, we are working to extend a few of our Xbox experiences and titles to other platforms."

As both a fan of multiple OS’s and multiple gaming systems, I welcome this news with wholeheartedly and with open arms. Hopefully we wont have to wait too much longer before we’ll be playing titles like Twin Blades on our Android phones. Think I just got goosebumps. Anyone else excited?

Via BGR

Android Phone Fans

If you thought manufactures weren’t sitting up in their highrises, thinking up new ways to market their products to your kids, you’d be wrong. Since it isn’t exactly legal to sell nicotine to minors (yet), Bandai has begun packaging some of their more popular line of toys (Thundercats, Ben 10) in an all new, augmented reality ready package. When viewed using your favorite smartphone, the toy inside jumps to life with sounds and lifelike movement. The results are nothing short of breath taking and just the thought of having something like this when I was a kid, fills me with pure elation. You can see it for yourself in the promo video below.

Yeah, suddenly, trips to the store became a whole lot more fun… or frustrating, depending on your kid, I suppose. In a press release, Bandai’s marketing director, Darrell Jones, said,

“The toy industry is always looking for new ways to excite customers so we are thrilled to be the first partner of this pioneering 3D technology creating 21st century window shopping. The fact that consumers can see their toys virtually and also watch them in action in the TV commercial anywhere in the world is a real first for the toy industry, and we look forward to extending the partnership across all our toys in 2012.”

The technology comes by way of Aurasma who instead of using boring old QR codes or a combination of geometric shapes, uses the image displayed on the product as the “QR code.” And it’s not just retail products or advertising, this technology really has no limits. Think about flipping over your favorite video game and using the app to watch the game’s trailer, or going to your local museum and using your phone to watch Mona Lisa talk about how she was painted.

Information Week actually did a pretty in depth interview with Matt Mills of Aurasma, who covers all the bases on exactly where the company feels augmented reality is headed. If you’re anything like me, you’ll geek out.

If you want to check out Aurasma’s app, it’s currently available free from the Android Market via the link below. What do you guys think of augmented reality? Fun way to look at toys? Or do you have any ideas on how to apply it to things outside of advertising?

[Market Link | Via Engadget]

Android Phone Fans

Though NVIDIA let the cat out of the bag at CES, Acer has made their Iconia Tab A510 official, pegging it for an April launch in Europe. The 10.1-inch tablet, announce at an event preceding the CeBIT show in Germany, features a Tegra 3 quad-core CPU at 1.3GHz, 1GB of RAM, and will launch with Android 4.0.3. It will be available in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models with pricing most likely starting around €500, though the final cost could be lower. Acer has also introduced the A511, featuring the same specs as the A510 with the addition of a 3G modem.

[via Notebook Italia]

Android Phone Fans

Samsung Epic 4G and 4G Touch users get ready. Sprint is getting ready to send out a new over-the-air software update for both devices set to fix a few issues plaguing both devices.

First up, we have the “OG” Samsung Epic 4G who will be receiving a few bug fixes after receiving a Gingerbread update that may have been a little burnt around the edges. Users have been reporting a screeching “audio bug” after updating to Android 2.3 back in November. This OTA should deal not only with that, but removing some of Sprint’s bloatware that came pre-installed on the device when it launched (hey, better late than never).

Next up is my current personal device — the Samsung Epic 4G Touch Galaxy S II (yes, I prefer her full name). You may remember a few days ago when the HTC EVO 3D received a software update removing that nasty Carrier IQ spyware well, you can expect the same for the Epic Touch in the near future.

While no official ETA’s could be given on the software updates, you should be expecting them to hit your device sometime by the end of the month. We’ll keep you posted.

[Via SprintFeed]

Android Phone Fans

If the low-end LG Optimus One that launched contract-free on Straight Talk a few months ago didn’t quick get your Android engine revving, perhaps the mid-end LG Optimus Black or higher-end LG Optimus 2X (aka G2X) is enough to tickle your fancy? Both devices were leaked online as coming soon to Walmart’s pre-paid cellphone service which offers 30 days of unlimited talk, text and data for only $ 45 a month (piggybacking on T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G network). Not too shabby.

Although an official release date has yet to be given, members of HowardForums reported local Walmarts already receiving shipments of the dual-core Optimus 2X with a vague “end of the month” release date from store associates.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the 1GHz LG Optimus Black appear on a contract-free service with the rebranded “Marquee” coming soon to Sprint’s pre-paid Boost Mobile service. This is, however, the first we’re hearing of a dual-core device being offered contract-free on any pre-paid service so we’ll have to wait and see how receptive the general public is on the Optimus G2X. Anyone thinking of getting either the Optimus Black or Optimus 2X?

Thanks, Richard!

[Via PhoneNews | HowardForums]

Android Phone Fans

We are officially back from our long and exhausting week at this year’s CES 2012 and it’s never felt better to get back into the normal grind of things. I’m sure by now you know the drill but along with our full days coverage of Android news comes the Android Overload. These are all the little news tidbits that didn’t get featured on our front page but still deserved a second shot. So hit up those links and if you find anything interesting, feel free to leave your thoughts below.

• Pantech said to be next victim of Microsoft patent agreement. [Electronista]
• Samsung raising investment to $ 41.1 billion in 2012. [Reuters]
• China introduces $ 1,580 Android tablet. No, it’s not worth it. [Penn-Olson]
• Samsung Galaxy S II HD coming soon to UK? [MoDaCo]
• NBC app now available in the Android Market. [Market Link]
• Japan gets Samsung Epic 4G Touch with an HD display. [SammyHub]
  
• Judge postpones Oracle vs Google trial due to damage claims. [PCWorld]
• Dell Streak 7 receives Ice Cream Sandwich port. [TabletROMs]
• Notion Ink shows off early Android 4.0 update for Adam tablet. Hints to new device. [Electronista]
  

Android Phone Fans