Android is a lot about control. Most of the smartphone platforms are, to be honest. For instance, Apple is also about control, but the Cupertino company prefers to keep that control in its own hands. What the users installs on their device, how they can use their phones, what apps are even allowed to run on the said platform. Google’s Android, however, puts most of that control in the users’ hand, staying true to its open source nature. Of course, manufacturers choose to restrict certain areas, but that’s only for stability and prevention of user accidents. Overall, a user has much more control over almost all areas of the smartphone when it’s running Android, which is further enhanced by a very active developer community.
Although it doesn't appear to have been a particularly widespread issue, some Galaxy S III users have seen their handsets suddenly cease to work for no apparent reason in the past month or so. Some left it charging overnight, while others simply turned the screen off, only to later discover that the device had become bricked. Samsung has been helping Galaxy S III owners resuscitate their devices by free repairs and in most cases, replacements, but reports now suggest the Korean company is planning a firmware update to remedy the issue causing the initial problem.
Have you ever really thought about customizing your Android device to its fullest? I know I have, and I also know that a lot of casual users at least think about it millions of times, even if they don’t really do it. Whether it’s the effort behind the whole deal or the attention to details that such a process demands, a thorough revamp of how your Android-based smartphone or tablet looks is definitely not a piece of cake. Then, there’s no standard element that you’d need; customization comes out of a combination of various tools and packages all working in tandem with each other. One necessary component of any such method is a full-screen launcher setup.
If you use your Android smartphone or tablet for even half the purposes that an average geek would put it to, chances are strong that you have pretty sensitive data stored in there that you’d definitely not want to get in the wrong hands. Truth be told, today’s smartphones are no long mere communication devices; they’re photo albums with all the pictures of our loved ones, they’re our personal information managers, holding all our contact lists, appointments, schedules etc., then these devices are also our internet hubs, storing all content ready for access by anyone who can get into your device. And these examples constitute only the tip of the iceberg; the rabbit hole goes far deeper.
Instant messaging has been one of the most revolutionary developments when it comes to written communication. While SMS came into existence long before IM did, the concept caught on so well with users that today, even SMS conversations got arranged into “threads”, to give an experience closer to how you’d expect an instant messaging client to behave. Popular IM clients like Yahoo Messenger, MSN (now Windows Live) Messenger, ICQ etc, have seen their days of glory, and still have a pretty loyal user base. Then, there were mobile specific clients, like Nimbuzz, Jabber, IM+, even mig33, that became a true hit with the on-the-move community. The trend carries on even today.
Mobile devices ensure that catching up with the latest news and feeds is a doddle. Whether you're looking for a magazine, or just want an update from your favorite sources, there are more apps available than most people would care to count. Press, a Google Reader app for Android, is a prime example of such an app done properly, and not only it organizes your content in an easy-to-find interface, but is arguably the best looking application in its field.
It is being reported that the Samsung Galaxy S IV, the next generation of Samsung’s flagship smartphone, will hit the shelves in April 2013 and include features from the Samsung’s mini-tablet, the Galaxy Note, such as the infamous ‘S Pen’.
In the Android ecosystem, the first ever tablets (other than the first experimental builds like original Galaxy Tab and HTC Flyer) ran on Honeycomb, Android 3.0, which was tailor-made to suit the tablet devices’ larger screens. Unfortunately (or not), Android 3.0 didn’t really see much glory for two reasons. One, it was rather buggy in itself, and two, when Ice Cream Sandwich was released, it unified both tablet and smartphone versions of the Android ecosystem, making it redundant to have a separate OS in the first place. For the same reasons, the said Android version didn’t see much developer love, either.
Galaxy S4 Concept Features An Edge-to-Edge 1080p Display, Laser Keyboard, Android 5.0 & More [VIDEO]
The Galaxy S IV is yet to be announced officially by Samsung, but given the popularity of Android's most successful smartphone series, it's not too surprising to see the blogosphere abuzz with speculation regarding the features of the Galaxy S III's eventual successor. We've heard various talk of 1080p unbreakable displays, CES announcements, and April release dates, but as yet, we haven't much of an idea of its aesthetic form. As we await our first leak, Russian blog rozetked has thrown up a very intriguing concept design featuring a laser keyboard, super-svelte form factor, and an edge-to-edge display, all topped off with a delicious helping of Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie. Sound intriguing? We've got more juicy details - and a sumptuous demonstration video - right after the break!
Samsung’s Galaxy Camera is a truly remarkable device. To begin with, it’s the first of its kind, offering a truly powerful and capable camera running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The connectivity options on board are truly a tech-enthusiast’s dream come true. Then, you can do a lot more on the device than you’d be able to on any traditional point and shoot camera. Despite being priced rather steep, there’s a lot of love that the unorthodox Android device has received. You have root access on the Galaxy Camera whilst running Android Jelly Bean, and then there’s an unlocked boot loader, too. Is there more to wish for? Yes, you certainly can, because XDA member Adam Outler has discovered some neat Samsung internal codes that can be executed even on the Galaxy Camera to gain access to hidden menus and secret areas.
