Hasta La Gadget!

Adobe was last seen burying mobile Flash and moving on with its life. Like the stars of George Romero movies, however, Flash is back to walk amongst the living — if just temporarily. The developer tells the BBC that Flash for Android is back in the UK’s Google Play Store for a short while after “strategic partners” pushed it into action, including the British broadcaster. While the link isn’t explicitly confirmed, it’s strongly implied that the BBC and others want a little more time to wean Android apps like iPlayer off of their Flash dependency and toward web technologies like HTML5. Adobe is quashing any hopes of a permanent revival with a disclaimer that there’s no support for the download; any bugs will remain there forever. Those attached to their dearly departed plugin may still appreciate one last look before the code is once more put six feet under.

[Thanks, Kevin]

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software

Flash for Android briefly returns to Google Play Store in UK, zombie-style originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 02:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google would really like you to grab more content from Google Play. Really. Just to drive its point home, the company has subtly introduced a Recommended for You section across the app and media portals of the Google Play Store on Android devices. The recommendations build on what we’ve seen through the web and go by similarities to other users, regional tastes and (naturally) +1 clicks. Don’t worry that you’ll be stuck with endless lists of Sudoku games after you download one on a lark: you can hide individual suggestions to thin the ranks. Recommendation systems aren’t anything new for mobile stores, but Google’s implementation is no doubt a useful tool for both Android fans moving beyond the basics as well as developers that would like to accelerate an already brisk app download rate.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile

Google Play starts recommending content on Android devices, keeps the downloads flowing originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Give your HTC EVO 4G LTE a quick update scan if you haven’t lately. Sprint has started pushing out an upgrade that brings its flagship phone both to Android 4.0.4 and to Sense 4.1, putting the EVO’s software on a par with the just-unveiled Desire X. Patching up doesn’t bring a revolution in features — you’ll mostly notice the known option to change the multitasking button’s functionality and hide the on-screen menu key. However, there’s a lot of Sprint-specific fixes that make the update worthwhile, such as an LTE “scanning improvement” that some owners suggest is improving their overall cellular data quality. If you already have the update, let fellow readers know how well it’s working for you in the comments.

[Thanks, Jason]

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

HTC EVO 4G LTE update brings Android 4.0.4 and Sense 4.1, dash of improved data for good measure originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third-party navigation apps still tend to fall apart when the keys are out of the ignition — try to cut back on car use and you’re often kicked over to another app with its own set of rules. Both Garmin’s StreetPilot Onboard app and its Navigon equivalent are getting a much more holistic experience through respective upgrades due this fall. Android and iOS users alike can soon buy an Urban Guidance pack that factors buses, subways and other forms of public transportation into their on-foot routes. The playing field is leveling off for drivers willing to stretch their legs, too: iPhone owners with Navigon’s app get the same last-mile walking directions and parking finder as their Android counterparts. StreetPilot iPhone app users are left out of this last addition, but they’ll see compensation in the form of an optional Panorama View 3D mode and the Google Street View they’re about to lose from Maps in iOS 6. The updated titles will still cost $30 for Navigon-only regional packs, $50 for editions with US-wide maps and $60 for all of North America, although you’ll need to spend $5 more ($3 during the first two weeks) for Urban Guidance and $10 for the Panorama View 3D pack.

Continue reading Garmin, Navigon GPS apps now consider mass transit, remember where we parked

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Software, Mobile

Garmin, Navigon GPS apps now consider mass transit, remember where we parked originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flipboard supports video, but it’s always been focused on modernizing the reading experience. Until today, that is. The app is taking advantage of YouTube channels to give readers — sorry, viewers — a steady stream of video pattered along common themes. Basic feeds for concepts like cooking, music and news sit side-by-side with more esoteric sections for ‘influencers,’ fashion and (our favorite) science. Is it the end of reading? We don’t think so, but it does mean we won’t have to hop to another app to get our moving picture fix, which we’re sure is as much Flipboard’s dream come true as it is ours.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software

Flipboard adds dedicated video channels, decides reading isn’t everything originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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