The Samsung Galaxy S III takes pride of place as the biggest selling Android device this year, like the Galaxy S II did last year, and similarly to the manner in which we expect the Galaxy S IV to next year. With that said, it's quite an expensive gadget, and those with slightly less in the way of disposable cash will be looking for alternative products. The Galaxy S III Mini is a good option for those with expenditure constraints, but if your main attraction to the S III is its sheer size, you'll likely have overlooked the smaller alternative version. If you want a cheaper S III that doesn't compromise on the size, you'll be enthused to learn of the Samsung Galaxy Grand, which while less-powered than its flagship cousin, looks almost identical, and packs a healthy 5-inch display.
CyanogenMod 10.1 is really gaining traction, and in its quest to bring Android 4.2 to as many Android-based devices as possible, has now made nightlies available to the Galaxy S and Galaxy S III. Great news for those in ownership of either Samsung device it most certainly is, although it's important to note that the nightly builds only cover the AT&T and T-Mobile variants of the S III.
Amazon's Kindle and Kindle Fire range of devices have sold in the millions, and natural progression suggests a branded smartphone to be something of an inevitability. Tying in with various rumors in recent times, it would appear Amazon's first handset may already be in production, with reports touting a release during the midpoint of next year.
Although some say that Apple’s home-brewed Maps app was rushed out and should never have passed through testing, the Cupertino based company should be applauded for holding their hands up, admitting their mistakes and doing what is necessary to put the software right for the millions of users around the world. If the recent Wall Street Journal report is to be believed, then it looks like part of that rectification process could hinge on striking a deal with Foursquare to include the company's extensive mapping data in the Maps app.
As with Apple and the 12 Days of Christmas app, Google has launched its own festive goodie bag for those running its flagship Android mobile operating system. Today arrives the very first in a series of savings and giveaways on things like apps, games, books, TV shows, music and movies, and the surprise calendar countdown begins with a $35 credit for Hotel Tonight.
The App Store as grown at incredible rate since its inception, yet while the exponential growth is well-documented within the mobile industry, even the activity of the past twelve months is of incredible interest. There are few more entertaining ways of viewing statistics than the colorful illustration of the infographic, and Appsfire has duly provided with an easy-to-digest round-up of the year's App Store activity. Here, we assess their findings.
As is always the case with beta releases of Apple's mobile operating system, the update is only available to registered developers who are enrolled in the iOS development program. But the additional good news that goes hand-in-hand with the release is that those same developers can also enjoy a tethered jailbreak on iOS 6.1 beta 4 thanks to the always reliable Redsn0w.
Throughout most of the year, the price of most iGadgets scarcely move beyond the occasional $10 or $20 saving at most retail outlets, and even then, said offer usually requires you to grab a gift card for that store. But with the holiday season upon us, the big retailers have come out fighting with some aggressive pricing, and following the discounts offered by Walmart and Target on Apple's coveted iPhone 5, Fry's has sought one-upmanship by offering the handset for just $126.
Apple's iOS 6 may have been adopted in record numbers initially, but the release of the latest and greatest mobile software has been far from a smooth ride. Maps, which was meant to replace Google Maps at stock level, turned out to be as much use as a chocolate fire shield for many, and after a fair amount of controversy including a complaint from Australian Police suggesting its frailties potentially endanger lives, Maps has somewhat re-replaced Apple Maps following its App Store release last week. Meanwhile, iOS SVP Scott Forstall has gone the way of MobileMe, and with Apple is looking to turn a corner with its iOS software by bringing the updates at frequent intervals, iOS 6.1 Beta 4 is now available to developers.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was one of the most eagerly-anticipated releases this holiday for iOS, and with good reason. The tenth anniversary re-release of the iconic original title was teased on numerous occasion by Rockstar, and when it finally made an appearance on December 6th, I - like many Vice City fans - excitedly went over to the App Store and parted with the cash. Unfortunately, unlike the remake of GTA III last year, the launch has left many users noting of numerous bugs, and so instead of spending the past ten days celebrating the landmark launch, Rockstar has been working hard to iron out the lingering bugs. Today, version 1.1 of Vice City has been released to the App Store, and as per the changelog, most of the problems should now have been solved.
