Articles about Android

Rooting is a guilty pleasure. The practice may start out innocently, but can void the phone's warranty. Some manufacturers try to prevent users from running apps with elevated privileges, arguing compromised security. Not that the assertion stops enthusiasts.

Android is less restrictive than some platforms. Google actually allows apps that require root access on the Play app store. You're probably intrigued, as there are quite a few attractive choices available that only run with elevated privileges. Let's approach some of the major advantages to rooting Android, that also highlight part of its charm in modding.

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The Android community expects Motorola to change its ways and release devices with fewer software limitations, similar to the Nexus lineup that Google offers. Developers and enthusiasts demand unlocked bootloaders so that they can tinker with the device, so Motorola aims to please that audience with the Atrix HD Developer Edition.

The newly-introduced model will join the Bootloader Unlock program, which already includes smartphones such as the Droid Razr HD, Razr HD and Razr i. The company warns that the Atrix HD Developer Edition is not for the faint of heart, but prospective buyers should expect a voided warranty if the bootloader is unlocked instead of riding into the danger zone. Just like with other Developer Edition models, it will sport the same hardware specifications as the normal version.

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While security company Kaspersky Labs recently gave Microsoft high marks late last week, it seems that it has given a failing grade to Google for version 2.3 of its Android mobile operating system.

Kaspersky's recent numbers show the Gingerbread release, specifically version 2.3.6, is the most highly targeted Android OS for malware developers, and Trojan SMS leads the way. That is followed, a bit distantly, by Java, which has also been a thorn in the side of computer users recently. While this is bad news for Google, it does have a silver lining.

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In seven days the fourth-generation Nexus smartphone goes on sale at Google Play. The question: Will you buy? Early reviews are in (sorry, we don't have a device yet so you'll have to read elsewhere), and they're quite encouraging. Nexus 4 promises to be one of the best Android smartphones, perhaps the best period, available this holiday season. But better doesn't mean good enough for your budget, and you might be happy with current device or looking at Apple or Microsoft platforms instead.

LG makes the handset, which Google helped design. The search and information giant will sell two models with identical features but different storage capacities -- 8GB ($299) and 16GB ($349), unlocked and no contract commitment -- starting November 13. T-Mobile USA will sell a subsidized model the following day, requiring 2-year service agreement. Nexus 4 features a quad-core processor, doubles typical Android phone memory to 2GB and runs newest Jelly Bean. But unlike its predecessors, the smartphone has a fixed battery. Does that matter to you? It does to me.

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AT&T has already officially told us of two new Windows Phone 8 handsets coming to their service with the Nokia Lumia 820 and 920, both of which will soon launch. Now the company has unveiled two tablets as well -- one running the new Microsoft operating system and the other Android. The company seems to be staying on the Microsoft bandwagon by adopting Windows 8 tablets and perhaps they see an opportunity to hitch their wagon to a growing platform. The mobile carrier today, not only announced it will launch the new Samsung ATIV Smart PC, but also hedged its bets with an Android tablet in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1.

Samsung has been in the news a lot recently with the Apple apology and news of their sales numbers for the Galaxy Note 2. With all of the public attention Samsung has received it seems the devices could be hits for AT&T. After all, the Apple lawsuits really provided some PR for their rival and, as the saying goes, "there is no such thing as bad publicity". Then again, price is everything and AT&T isn't doing their customers any favors here. Here are some specs and the prices AT&T will be offering, as well as their release date.

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Most Android users use the Google Play store to find and install apps for their device. But what happens when you want to install one downloaded from a third-party source, like an Android forum?

Android modders are usually faced with using a file manager such as the one from CyanogenMod 10 in order to open files that are copied from the computer in order to install them. It's not the most straightforward method, which is where APK Installer comes into play. How does it work? After adjusting a few settings it's fairly easy -- just involves drag & drop to install apps directly from the computer.

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Android 4.2 Jelly Bean launches together with the new Nexus lineup starting November 13. But if you have a Samsung-made Galaxy Nexus and can't wait more than a week, then Android 4.2 Transformation Pack is the ticket.

Like the name suggests, the mod allows Galaxy Nexus users to experience a number of changes introduced in the latest version of Android. Currently at version 2.1, the transformation pack delivers the Nexus 4 lockscreen, but without widgets, the new version of Gmail with swype support, Gallery, sounds, and a Clock app with stopwatch functionality. The new camera is one of the most touted changes and it too is available in the Android 4.2 Transformation Pack.

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Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is not without its limitations. In order to perform a number of basic file operations, users have to download third-party apps from the Google Play Store. However, that's not necessary for those using CyanogenMod 10 nightly builds. The popular custom Android distribution now comes with an in-house file manager.

The team behind the project offers an alternative to popular solutions available on Google Play Store, but without any region restriction or price tag attached next to it. The interface is designed to offer sufficient functionality without confusing the user, all while offering a clean look and feel. Since CyanogenMod 10 allows the use of elevated permissions (popularly known as "root"), File Manager allows users to perform various file operations and access all items available on the internal and external storage.

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Joe Wilcox is wrong. My colleague and I both own the Samsung-made Galaxy Nexus. So in theory he should see the light --  Nexus 4 is so many times better than its predecessor. For the first time in a few years Google has the brass to release a smartphone that will no longer be left for dead in a month or two by fellow Android smartphones.

Before you go all out and say that I might be insane for dismissing 4G LTE, let me be clear -- not many need it. US-hung journalists like to boast about the capability in reviews praising the high speeds. But that does not reflect the reality around the globe, where fast data speeds are not the norm nor will they be in the next year or so. Nexus 4 is so much more than missing LTE cellular connectivity, and that's rather obvious when comparing it with its predecessor. I love the Galaxy Nexus, but even I have to admit that it's rather outdated for the end of 2012.

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It's an itch you'll want to scratch this holiday. Just give into it.

Preliminary results from our poll "Will you buy Google Nexus 10?" are in, and I'm not satisfied enough with the numbers, being well below 1,000 responses (hence, poll is reposted here). But at this juncture, 36.82 percent say they will buy as soon as the tablet is available -- and that's November 13 in some regions. Another 18.32 percent plan to buy within 3 months. So more than 55 percent plan to get the Nexus 10 before Valentine's Day. Hey, that's two holidays for you to ask for one, with Christmas obviously in-between. Ten percent of respondents are unsure, while 25.86 percent say they won't buy.

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The phablet is catching on. Two months ago Samsung announced the Galaxy Note II and in the meantime the South Korean corporation managed to sell three million units in 37 days since its release. That's right, and it barely touched US carriers.

The first iteration of the popular and controversial device sold 5 million units over a five month period. "Sales of Galaxy Note II are growing three times faster than that of the previous Galaxy Note", Samsung says in a statement. The success is rather impressive for what is basically a niche smartphone, with what may be considered limited reach due to its intimidating size. By comparison its smaller brother, the Galaxy S II, sold 20 million units in the first 100 days but, unlike the Note II the former appeals to a larger market audience.

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Almost two months ago Motorola announced the new Droid Razr HD, but there was something missing. Don't get me wrong, it's nicely spec'd but Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich doesn't exactly shout 2012, does it? Fear not, Jelly Bean is underway and for the more eager owners of the smartphone there is a leaked ROM available as well.

This is not an official build, and therefore it may still have software issues. That said, thanks to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Droid Razr HD users can take advantage of features like Google Now and Project Butter. In order to keep elevated privileges (popularly known as "root") after installing the leaked ROM, OTA RootKeeper or a similar application must be installed beforehand.

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There is no stopping Ice Cream Sandwich! Android 4.0 continues its growing streak month after month, based on the number of devices accessing Google Play during the 14 days ending November 1. But Gingerbread is still the sweet that rules them all.

Just like in the last few months, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean reports the highest growth. It reached a distribution level of 2.7 percent, which is 50 percent higher compared to the previous data released by Google. Growth is likely influenced by the popular Nexus 7 tablet and smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Note II.

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Android's ascension over iPhone reached the figurative stratosphere during third quarter, according to IDC. Seventy-five percent of smartphones shipped with the operating system -- that's up from 57.5 percent a year earlier. By comparison, iOS nudged up to 14.9 percent, from 13.8 percent. That's right, little more than 1 percent. There's a reason that in September I asserted "Android wins the smartphone wars". There's certain appropriateness to IDC releasing the data on Day of the Dead.

Out of fairness to Apple, iPhone unit volumes rose considerably more, 57.3 percent, than market share reflects -- 26.9 million units compared to 17.1 million a year earlier. Android shipments rose 91.5 percent; 136 million, compared to 71 million in Q3 2011. Still, Android volumes in the quarter exceeded that for all smartphones in 2007. My how the market has changed.

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Even though the Asus Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy Nexus share the same version of Android and similar display resolutions, some apps are not identical. On the Google-branded Nexus 7 tablet, the Calendar app displays more information, and thanks to the modding community it's now available for the Galaxy Nexus as well.

Instead of the lines in the Calendar app from Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the modded tablet variant shows a text description for each event of the day, making it a bit more useful.

Two modded versions are available at the moment, with the first based on the Calendar that ships with Android 4.1.2 and the second on the one available as a separate download from Google Play. Both can be used, but only the latter allows users to sync events dating back one full year.

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