Samsung Brings iTunes and iOS Syncing to Galaxy Devices

Brandon Orndorff
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1
Samsung Brings iTunes and iOS Syncing to Galaxy Devices

Easy Phone Sync from iTunes to Android EasilySamsung has partnered with developer Mushroom Media to announce an application called Easy Phone Sync to those that own Galaxy tablets and smartphones. Easy Phone Sync is an application to allow phones to transfer content from their PC’s via USB as well as importing music and media from iTunes as well as messages and contacts from iOS. The Easy Phone Sync app is free and available on the Google Play Android Market for Galaxy devices.

Get the Easy Phone Sync App Free on Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.galaxysync.android.app

Samsung’s goal with Easy Phone Sync it to create an atmosphere for current iPhone users switching to their Android devices an easy transition. Samsung is easily the largest thorn in the side of their “equal competitor” Apple and make it known every chance they get. With the introduction of Easy Phone Sync Samsung hopes to get converts upgrading from their current iPhones to their Galaxy S III.

Easy Phone Sync Official Press Release:

SAMSUNG CUSTOMERS NOW ABLE TO TRANSFER CONTENT FROM IOS TO ANDROID FOR FREE
Exclusive licensing agreement makes Easy Phone Sync available on Samsung Galaxy devices

22nd June 2012, London, UK – Samsung Mobile UK today announced it will be making Easy Phone Sync available for free to anyone purchasing a Samsung Galaxy device. Easy Phone Sync is a simple new way for people to transfer their iPhone and iTunes media – including music, videos, podcasts, pictures, contacts and text messages – to a Samsung Galaxy device including the new Galaxy S III.

As part of an exclusive licensing agreement with Media Mushroom Applications, Samsung is making Easy Phone Sync available for free for UK customers to transfer content from their iOS device to their Samsung Galaxy device in a few simple clicks. As well as being able to access DRM free content they have purchased from iTunes music, customers can continue to use iTunes software on their PC to manage their music, videos and podcasts and keep their Android device in sync with it.

Simon Stanford, Vice President, Telecommunications and Networks, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “We’re really proud to announce the launch of this new application and can’t wait to hear what our new and existing customers think of it. We know that traditionally iPhone users have been reluctant to switch to an Android device because they couldn’t use iTunes to manage their content. Easy Phone Sync means people can now enjoy their iTunes content on a Samsung Galaxy phone. What’s more is that it’s really easy for them to do, and literally takes five minutes to set up.”

AT&T and T-mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 Source Codes Available

Brandon Orndorff
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0
AT&T and T-mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 Source Codes Available

Samsung Galaxy S III Source Files Available

A couple days ago Samsung posted the source code for AT&T and T-Mobiles version of the Galaxy S3. Samsung’s posting of the source code is for the SGH-I747 for AT&T and SGH-T999V for T-Mobile so that developers can go crazy on the device with mods, apps, roots and whatever they want really. While your average Android user will not know what to do with the source file it is a piece of gold for those that do. The most useful aspect of the source codes release is that the average Android user will get most of their ROM’s and root access from this file.

Download the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S3 Source File Here
Download the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 Source File Here

Install Android 4.0.4 ICS on the Droid Bionic

Brandon Orndorff
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2
Install Android 4.0.4 ICS on the Droid Bionic

There has been a new leak found for Verizon’s Motorola Droid Bionic to install Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich on the Droid Bionic bringing it to 6.7.2233. This leak unlike many in the past requires no special setup besides having a stock Droid Bionic that is updated to the current official ROM. Be sure before starting the process below that your Droid Bionic is running the stock Android OS version .905.

Droid Bionic Running Android 4.0.4 ICS updateHow to Install Android 4.0.4 ICS on the Droid Bionic:

  1. Download the leaked ROM (Download Link)
  2. Reboot Bionic into stock recovery (vol up + vol down + power)
  3. Tap Vol Down until you see Recovery and Volume up to select it
  4. You should now see the Exclamation point
  5. Press both volume buttons at the same time
  6. Now choose update from SDcard
  7. Be patient for the process to complete
  8. Congrats your Droid Bionic is running Android 4.0.4 ICS

Again I have to stress the fact that your Droid Bionic should not be modified in any way for the process to be clean. If your running anything besides the stock ROM and stock recovery then you will need to flash your Bionic back to stock before completing the instructions above. We are as always not responsible for the use of this leak or any damage to your device for attempting it. Please feel free to ask any questions or just tell us how you like the new ROM via a comment below.

Siri Alternative Robin does Navigation, Twitter and More

Brandon Orndorff
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0
Siri Alternative Robin does Navigation, Twitter and More

While Siri is the most popular personal assistant around right now there others out there and just because they aren’t the most popular doesn’t mean they can’t be better. One of the best Android Siri alternatives available today is Robin.

Robin is an Android app that is designed around Android users that do alot of driving. It allows voice communication with Android devices without taking your eyes off the road. While this isn’t a full on competitor to Siri it is easily more usefull when driving.

Robin for Android (Siri Alternative)Robin for Android Features:

  • Navigation
  • Real-time traffic
  • Parking information
  • Gas Prices
  • Weather
  • Twitter Feed Reading
  • Yelp Reviews
  • Tells Jokes
  • And much more…

Want to see first hand how it works check out the video below brought to you by the makers of Robin.

One of the best features of Robin is that all of its features are hands free and everything is read to you by Robin. Even though Robin is still in its beta stages it has no issues that we can find. You can get it now free from the Google Play store

CyanogenMod 9 (CM9) Available for the Samsung Galaxy SIII

Brandon Orndorff
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0
CyanogenMod 9 (CM9) Available for the Samsung Galaxy SIII

CyanogenMod 9 Available for the Samsung Galaxy SIII

Those of you that have already got your hands on the Samsung Galaxy SIII will be happy to see that CyanogenMod has released CM9 nightly build for the Android device. Most of you with the device are over seas although soon we should see the same love for the US version once we get them. While the CM9 nighties are the latest and greatest they still come with a few bugs on the Galaxy SIII.

Still Not Working on CM9 for the Samsung Galaxy SIII:

  • FM Radio not supported (Download Spirit FM from Google Play)
  • Camera Flash causes issues (leave it off for now)
  • LED not lit when charging (generally not an important feature)

The only issue that we currently see that may be a show stopper for some users that take a lot of pictures on their Android devices is the fact that the flash is bugging out. This being said we imagine this will be fixed very shortly with the number of developers supporting the Galaxy SIII.

For all of the infuriation on Installing CM9 on the Samsung Galaxy SIII head on over to XpLoDWilD’s XDA Thread.

New Android Malware Zeus Masquerades as Security App

Brandon Orndorff
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0
New Android Malware Zeus Masquerades as Security App

Zeus Android Malware DetectedYesterday Kaspersky Lab reported a new Android Trojan called Zeus that disquises itself as an Android security app called “Android Security Suite Premium”. This new Android malware first appeared in early June but has had updates since making it that much harder to avoid.

What the new Zeus malware does is steal incoming text messages and send them to a command-and-control server owned and operated by the attackers. With this they can access sensitive data such as password reset links and account information based on other apps you have installed on your device.

“It is also important to mention that these malicious apps are able to receive commands for uninstalling themselves, stealing system information and enabling/disabling the malicious applications,” Denis Maslennikov, a Kaspersky security researcher said in a blog post.

You can see that the malware is installed on your Android device by its blue shield icon that will show a fake activation code when accessed.

You can dramatically decrease your chances of getting malware like Zeus by installing an app like Lookout Mobile Security and not running or installing apps that you aren’t sure of or don’t remember downloading.

SanDisk Extreme Pro the Fastest Mobile Memory Cards

Brandon Orndorff
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0
SanDisk Extreme Pro the Fastest Mobile Memory Cards

SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSDHC Mobile Memory CardsIf your read/write speed of your Android device’s microSD card is less than acceptable you can speed it up by replacing it with the “worlds fastest mobile memory card” the Sandisk Extreme Pro. SanDisk just announced their Extreme Pro microSDHC cards that claim to be the fastest in the world. The new SanDisk microSDHC cards support read speeds up to 95MB/s and write speeds up to 90MB/s and are available in 8GB and 16GB cards currently. The price is a bit hefty right now with the 8GB card priced at $59.99 and the 16GB card at $99.99 which we are likely to see come down after the cards have been available a few months.

If your Android device is slow at transferring between the device and microSD card this may be the solution to your problem. Before you go and spend the small fortune on the new speed demons make sure that you go to SanDisk’s website and check for compatibility with your device.

SanDisk’s Official Press Release on the Extreme Pro:

SANDISK INTRODUCES WORLD’S FASTEST MEMORY CARD
FOR SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS

Loads apps faster, transfers files quicker and improves overall system responsiveness with up to 95MB/sec read and up to 90MB/sec write speeds1

Ideal for users running multiple apps such as mobile games, email, photo capture and Full-HD2 video recording

Mobile phones will capture 525 billion images in 2012 and nearly one third of all video footage in 2014, according to IDC

MILPITAS, Calif., June 19, 2012-SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today announced the world’s fastest mobile memory card. The SanDisk Extreme Pro® microSDHC™ UHS-I card is ideal for smartphone and tablet users who want to boost their device’s storage capacity while enjoying the fastest mobile experience.

Maximum Performance for Next-Generation Mobile Devices
The SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDHC UHS-I card enables smartphone and tablet users to fully enjoy their mobile device’s advanced applications.
·Full HD Video Capture: Mobile phones will capture approximately one third of all video footage by 2014, according to IDC3. With a UHS Speed Class 1 rating (Class 10 equivalent), the new card allows consumers to record superior Full HD videos, even in 3D

·High-Quality Photo Capture: Mobile phones will capture 525 billion photos in 2012, roughly half of all photos captured this year, according to IDC4. The card is ideal for mobile imaging applications, offering up to 90MB/sec write speed for capturing multiple photos using burst mode with a UHS-I enabled mobile device

·Faster File Transfers: With up to 95 megabyte per second (MB/sec) read speed, the card moves files quickly between host devices

·Seamless Multitasking; Fast Downloads: The card allows consumers to smoothly run multiple applications at the same time and download files quickly using 4G LTE phones

“SanDisk offers the broadest mobile memory card lineup in the industry,” said Chris Loh, director, product marketing, SanDisk. “Our portfolio includes microSD cards with the fastest speeds, highest storage capacities and reliability that consumers demand.”

Availability and Pricing
The SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDHC UHS-I card is available on www.sandisk.com in 8 gigabyte (GB)5 and 16GB capacities carrying MSRPs of $59.99 and $99.99. The card is compatible with any microSDHC-slotted device and is ideal for UHS-enabled smartphones and tablets.

ASUS Transformer AiO Dual-Boots Windows 8 and Android OS

Brandon Orndorff
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0
ASUS Transformer AiO Dual-Boots Windows 8 and Android OS

ASUS Transformer AiO 18 inch Windows 8 Android 4.0 Desktop TabletASUS just announced they will be merging Windows 8 and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on their dual-booting computer called the ASUS Transformer AiO. While we have seen tablets dual boot with the Android OS this is the first like this, a computer with Windows 8 and Android on an 18-inch screen.

ASUS unveiled their Transformer AiO about a week ago at Computex showing off the prototype. The Transformer AiO when docked is a Windows 8 desktop that can be disconnected to be used as an 18 inch tablet running Android 4.0. You can however with a button on the back of the dock switch between Windows 8 and Android 4.0 when docked. ASUS has also partnered with Bluestacks to allow Android apps to be ran within the Windows 8 environment as well through the Bluestacks Android player.


Video courtesy of Engadget

We currently have no pricing or availability yet for the ASUS Transformer AiO although the concept alone should spike an interest in the new Desktop/Tablet. As we find more information we will be sure to release it to those that are interested.

How to Increase the HTC One X Battery Life

Brandon Orndorff
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0

If you have an HTC One X you already know that the battery cannot be removed and with this its one of the few HTC devices that can’t have an extended battery. Also this means that its 1800mAh battery is all you have to work with and is known for its less than good battery life. Battery life can be increased on the HTC One X by simply following a few rules and staying on top of some of the features that aren’t needed.

One of the most useful things to remember is closing the camera and video resources when not in use. This means not leaving YouTube running in the background and leaving your camera on when not taking pictures. Besides this though there are a few things you can do to be sure you get the most out of your HTC One X battery.

How to Increase Battery Life on the HTC One X:

  • Control What Apps Are Syncing – One of the worst battery drains on not only the HTC One X but all Android devices is having many apps running in the background and constantly syncing. Be sure to regularly check apps running on the background for ones that aren’t being used and close them. You can disable certain apps through the network settings.
  • Use Power Adapter and Not USB Charging – Any time you have a outlet available be sure to use the wall charger to charge your phone. The HTC One X seems to have almost 15% better charge when using a wall charger as opposed to the USB charger. This is mostly due to the fact that the USB provides a very slow trickle charge to the device instead of a strong constant heavy charge.
  • Turn Off Display When Not In Use – The default setting on the HTC One X is to leave the screen on when not in use for one minute. If you set the HTC One X display timeout for 30 seconds or less it can significantly save battery life. You will notice if you look at battery usage in your settings that usually the display drains over half of the battery you use throughout a day. You can change the display timeout on the HTC One X under the display and gestures settings.
  • Turn Off Bluetooth and Wifi When Not Used – Bluetooth and Wifi when on but not in use are constantly searching for connections and will cause heavy drain on your HTC One X’s battery. The easiest way to control these are with Wifi and Bluetooth widgets to easily turn it them off with a tap of the home screen. If you would rather not have the widgets you can turn both on and off from the settings.
  • Switch to GSM When not Using Data – If your just using the phone on your HTC One X and aren’t going to need data for a while put your phone in GSM Only mode. By going to Settings -> Mobile Network -> Network Mode and selecting GSM Only mode you can save a great deal of battery, just remember to turn it back when you need it again.

Some of these may seem simple and you don’t think it could make that big of a difference but trust me simple things make a huge difference on Android devices. You of course can always check out what apps are using battery life the most when your phones battery is low and remove any apps that may not be needed that are sucking your HTC One X battery life dry.

Turn your TV into a Smart TV with Android 4.0

Brandon Orndorff
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0
Turn your TV into a Smart TV with Android 4.0

Smart Pocket TV running Android 4.0

Smart TV units and integrated smart TV’s are the newest great thing for your living room and have become more and more popular over the last few months. If you have a normal TV though how can you make it smart without adding another large box to your list of devices? The answer comes from a kickstarter project that has already easily passed their $100,000 goal.

Pocket TV is a small Android operated computer packaged in a large thumb drive style that plugs into an HDMI port on any TV. Pocket TV supports 1080p output and comes with a microSD slot and 4GB of storage with wifi capabilities. As far as speed its more than enough with a 1GHz Cortex A9 processor and 512MB of RAM. If the 4GB of storage is not enough for you it does also have a USB port for external storage or IO device.

Since the Pocket TV is running the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS it’s function is that of a large Android tablet. While your TV won’t be touchscreen you can use either an IR remote, phone remote app or the wifi remote that they offer with the Pocket TV dongle.

Pricing looks to be around $135 if you get in now or if you wait until their expected October launch you can get it for around $190. The device will come with the Pocket TV dongle and their Air Remote.

Source: Kickstarter

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