There’s no doubt about the fact that the true power of Android operating system comes from the freedom of being able to use various custom ROMs – firmware that have been cooked directly from the AOSP portal, or that differ from the stock ones in features, or those that incorporate elements from other devices. Not only does that bring diversity to your otherwise-boring smartphone or tablet, but also unleash its full capabilities for your usage. However, not all custom ROMs might sit well with your smartphone, and from time to time, there might be a need to go back to stock software to start afresh.
China may have garnered itself the unwanted label as one of the knock-off capitals of the world, but there are an increasing number of companies - particularly in the mobile - looking to establish themselves alongside the global big boys like Samsung, LG, and Apple. One such outfit is Oppo, and if its just-announced Find 5 smartphone is a sign of things to come, the aforementioned market-leaders should be more than a little concerned. The device packs in the kind of features we're expecting of the Samsung Galaxy S IV, with 5-inch 1080p display, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC, and a whopping 2GB of RAM. To top it off, it runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean!
Samsung Galaxy S III has been one of the most successful devices that the Korean company has come up with to date, and the Android beast boasts everything that is worthy of a flagship, and then some more. The massive 4.8-inch smartphone packs quite a punch when it comes to raw power, and for that reason, it was quick to receive root, custom firmware, custom recovery and lots of developer love in general. However, it’s no hidden fact that the device is perhaps too large for some users, and while manufacturers seem to be generally headed for large screens with lightweight armor, a tad lesser real-estate would be more comfortable for some. To cater to that crowd, Samsung has released the younger, smaller sibling to Galaxy S III, the Galaxy S III Mini I8190.
Yahoo! may have been bullied from its once-prominent web position by the likes of Google, but the Sunnyvale-based company still has something to offer. Today, Yahoo! has released a glut of new mail apps targeting those on iOS, Windows 8 and Android, as well as revamping its web-based offering, and we've got all the details after the jump.
The collaborative effort of Google and manufacturer ASUS, the Nexus 7 tablet is one of the most popular Android devices on the market at the moment for a variety of reasons. It has power, style, and a price many can relate to; not to mention the fact it runs on the vastly-improved Android Jelly Bean. But the Nexus 7 hasn't only proved to be a hit with the general consumer, modders and developers have had a field day, and despite Google's decision not to include a microSD card slot, users have still had a lot of fun toying with the innards of the Nexus 7's software. Today, things have gotten even better courtesy of XDA-Developers member Tasssadar, with the introduction of a multi-boot tool for the coveted slate, and as ever, we've got the full details after the jump!
Deals from retailers are plentiful at this time of year - particularly on electricals - and Amazon has joined in with the festive fun by pushing a spectacular deal on one of its own-branded products. The Kindle Fire HD is a fine example of a tablet combining good, solid features with a respectable price tag, and for one day only, you could save a whopping $50 off the price of the 8.9-inch configuration.
It has been around 7 months since Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S III to the world, but it still remains one of the most popular and powerful Android devices on the market and has managed to do a fantastic job in succeeding Samsung's previous S II device which is still a firm favorite in the Android community. We all know by now that companies like Samsung and Apple don't rest on their laurels when it comes to manufacturing and launching their next big product, and it looks like Samsung could be set to make a Galaxy S4 announcement early next year during the CES trade show that is being held from January 8th - 11th.
Action Launcher Pro For Android Is Smooth, Fast And Minimal Home Launcher Replacement – Download Now
An exciting new custom launcher has just been released to the Google Play Store going by the name of Action Launcher. Created by the same guy behind Tweet Lanes, he has taken his motif of smoothness and simplicity to a whole new dimension. Sound exciting? We've got the low-down after the jump!
The luxury house of the X Factor's Savan Kotecha illustrated just how much of the world we now have at our fingertips. A music producer for the hit TV talent show, he's really kitted his pad out, and a large portion of his gadgets - including electric blinds, cameras and door locks - are all controlled from the comfort of his iPad. Although he spent a fair wad, these kinds of technologies are becoming more and more available to the average consumer, and as Samsung is now demonstrating with its Smart Air Conditioning systems, if it's electronic, it can be controlled by a mobile device.
Android users can boast something over all other smartphone platforms – the ultimate choice of keyboards. As the mobile operating system from Google has matured over the years, the stock input method that is a part of the AOSP has also gained more and more capabilities, becoming handsome enough to become the daily driver for many users. With Android 4.2, the Swype-like gesture typing has indeed taken things to a whole new level, putting to shame the offerings of its competitors like iOS and Windows Phone, for instance. However, nothing is ever perfect – not so much in the ever-evolving world of technology anyway – and this is precisely why the Google Play Store is riddled with alternative keyboard and voice input methods, each with its unique set of features.
