Hasta La Gadget!

Lookie here, digital bookworms — Google has just refreshed its Google Reader app for Android, adding a couple of “your most-requested features” along the way. Things like a unread count widget and news ticker widget are coming to those with Android 2.2+, while a ‘Mark Previous As Read’ is making its way back to all users with v1.6 or higher. Oh, and if you’re into reading Russian feeds, there’s now official support for Russian translation. Head on down to the Market below to get the install going, and do your best not to be ashamed when the number in your unread count stretches three home screen panels.

Google Reader Android app gets updated with unread count widget and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh, sure — iOS had it first, but the Android flavor of MapQuest’s mobile app has OpenStreetMaps. How d’ya like those apples ? The aforesaid app has just found its way into the Android Market, and as with the iPhone version, it’s 100 percent free to download. Unlike most other alternatives, this one provides gratis voice guidance / turn-by-turn navigation, voice search, a map toolbar, walking / driving directions, live traffic flow information and a couple of “major” new adds. Those are OpenStreetMap (OSM) data — useful for allowing consumers to use the app internationally — as well as the ability to directly report errors onto the map. Check out the source link to learn more, and head on over to the Market (if you’re rocking v1.6 and up) to get your download on. Happy trails, as they say.

Continue reading MapQuest for Android brings free turn-by-turn navigation, OpenStreetMap support to Google lovers

MapQuest for Android brings free turn-by-turn navigation, OpenStreetMap support to Google lovers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everyone’s other favorite spinoff from the XBMC family tree has some major news this week, as Plex has released a Media Center app for Android that mirrors most of the functions already available for iOS devices. Available now on the Android Market for $4.99, it brings local and streaming media to the phone over WiFi, or 3G from a Mac (and now, Windows PC) running the server software, but users will have to wait a few weeks for an upgrade adding remote functions (or use any of the 3rd party apps already on the Market.) With plugins for apps like Netflix, Hulu and BBC iPlayer it’s a formidable competitor in the mediastreamer market out of the gate; throw in support for PCs plus integration into LG’s 2011 HDTVs and Blu-ray players and we’re ready to pick Plex as the platform to keep an eye on this year. Check out the details in the press release after the break, we’ll toss in a link to the Windows server once we find it / it’s posted. (Update: The link is down there but it’s still delivering a dmg instead of an exe, we’ve been told it should be up later this afternoon. Thanks, Chris!)

Continue reading Plex Media Center App comes to Android, Windows server available

Plex Media Center App comes to Android, Windows server available originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Great news, channel surfers — Samsung’s Smart Touch Android remote application is now finally available in the Android Marketplace as a free download nearly nine months after originally launching on iOS. If you dropped a hefty quantity of cheddar on a new model C Samsung Internet TV in 2010 (those with older models are out of luck) and can’t wait for your Android handset to assimilate yet another life-task, today could be momentous. We say ‘could’ simply because our CES hands-on with the software wasn’t exactly swell — but then again, a massive trade show floor isn’t exactly the best WiFi testing environment. Currently, the application has an average of four stars from 25 people, but it’s not completely free from a smattering of crash and error reports. Feel free to give it a whirl if you’ve got the necessary gear, and if that match made in couch-potato heaven feeling doesn’t come… well, don’t give up hope, because that dual-sided QWERTY remote could save the day soon.

Continue reading Samsung Smart Touch Android remote app is now available for download

Samsung Smart Touch Android remote app is now available for download originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There was plenty about yesterday’s Android event that didn’t make headlines but was worth noting. Hardware acceleration of both 2D and 3D UI elements — shown off to great effect by Google’s Hugo Barra, who managed to scroll through three lists simultaneously without inducing any lag on the Motorola Xoom — should make Honeycomb as delicious to look at as it sounds, while our personal favorite, the new tablet-specific email interface, should be part of Gmail yesterday. The email UI is built out of elements Google calls fragments, which will supposedly be easy to transition down to smartphones, so thumbs up all around. The video above also runs you through the big news of the day, namely that Android Market can now be accessed via a dedicated website and apps downloaded to your device remotely, along with the equally important (for devs) addition of in-app purchases. Finally, Cee-Lo Green pops in for a video chat session from wherever he is on the internets, and we’re all treated to an exhibition of lag-afflicted, awkward conversation. What’s not to love?

Watch Google’s Android event in full: Honeycomb on the Xoom, Android Market website, in-app purchases, and Cee-Lo Green originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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