Hasta La Gadget!

We were intrigued to see a bootloader unlock emerge for Verizon’s Galaxy S III variant just this week. Unless you’re the kind for whom a beta is just too… safe, though, the method on offer to date has been a tad cryptic. Dingus on the RootzWiki forums has taken all the danger out of it through EZ-Unlock, an app that reduces most of the process to a single tap. While it does require existing root access, everything else is sorted out; its most recent forms can also re-lock the bootloader if there’s any anxiety about venturing out of bounds. The app is even available through Google Play, which makes unrestricted (if warranty-challenging) firmware just a short hop past the source link.

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung Galaxy S III on Verizon gets one-click bootloader unlock, freedom is just a Google Play away originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 21:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If the images and link settings Android Police has dug up from the most recent (v3.8.15) Google Play APK that’s rolling out are correct, we could see a coupe more features coming to the Android app and media store soon. First up are very fleshed out menus for the redemption of Play Store gift cards, perfect for users that aren’t enthused about putting their credit card info out there and would rather purchase a few bucks prepaid and then spend them as they will. Also contained within the APK but not activated or accessible by default is some sort of wish list functionality. Hit the source link for all the images and screens that have been found so far, well have to wait and see when these pop up in a future updated or get activated later on.

[Thanks, Cullen]

Updated Google Play app reveals gift card support, wish list coming soon? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adobe has been broadcasting as much as possible that Flash on Android is going away, although it’s been offering a grace period for those addicted to the plugin. It’s now time to wean yourself off. As Adobe warned earlier in the year, new installations from Google Play won’t be an option from August 15th onwards. Any downloads after that point will be limited to updates for existing installations or to those willing to raid Adobe’s archives — assuming would-be users aren’t already running Android 4.1, that is. While we’d still expect Flash to preserve some of its relevance in mobile as long as phones ship with it preinstalled, and alternatives like Skyfire persist, we’d strongly suggest getting comfortable with HTML5 and native apps from now on.

Filed under: Cellphones

PSA: Adobe halts new installs of Flash on Android as of tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If staring at the incoming callers’ visage just wasn’t enough, Current’s Caller ID might worth a try. The utility app adds a raft of extra detail to your smartphone when it rings, from recent tweets and status updates through to weather conditions and even location data. After loading up the app, you can connect to your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, which Current Caller ID combines with your existing contact list. Based on your use history, the app will even offer up a time to return missed calls. There’s the nice addition of some metrics between you and your phonebook, visualizing that precarious balance between text messages and calls with your significant other — or a timegraph of when you call Mom. These stats are possibly more useful than the caller ID features, and while the design does jar a little with the typical Android aesthetic, it’s hard to complain when the app’s free. If you’re willing to forgive those minor visual flaws, the download awaits at the source below.

Continue reading Current Caller ID app adds social info, weather details, suggests a good time to ring back

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Current Caller ID app adds social info, weather details, suggests a good time to ring back originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google has tweaked the developer policy for the Play Store with an eye on reducing intrusive advertising, spoof apps and clarifying subscription cancellations. Apps that pass themselves off as others, or are “confusingly similar” will now be pulled, so say goodbye to those thousand instances of Angry Byrdz. Adverts that pop up in your notifications window, like Airpush and KDDI’s au one now make their way onto the verboten list. It’s also clarifying that when users cancel their subscriptions, they won’t be refunded for the current billing period, but will continue to receive what they’d paid for until the term expires. Developers now have 30 days to comply with the changes, after which point apps that are found to be in violation will be pulled by Mountain View’s overlords.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Google revamps Play Store developer rules, looks to banish intrusive advertising originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 06:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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