The Androider

Angry Birds Lite Beta Now in the Market

It’s Friday, and just as promised, Angry Birds Lite has made its way into the Android market in beta form. As I sit here typing this, I can’t actually download and play the game as my phone’s charging port is a bit borked. Once I get back from Best Buy with a brand new EVO, however, I’ll be sure to take the long-awaited and much-anticipated game for a spin (and I may even throw it on video, for your pleasure). In the meantime, go try it out for yourself by searching for “Angry Birds” in the market!

[Update]: It appears some of you on Froyo-based ROMs might not be able to see the app in the market. As I’ve been able to confirm from three different sources (including my friend Andrew at Androinica), it’s not showing up for anyone running CyanogenMod6 (EVO, Sprint Hero, and the Nexus One). It is, however, showing up for 2.1 devices and for Nexus Ones running the official Android 2.2 build. Hopefully it’s just a small roadbump that’ll be resolved shortly.

If you can’t find it, be sure to leave a comment with your device, whether or not you have a custom ROM installed on it, and – if so – which ROM that is so we can pinpoint the issue.

[Thanks, Mike!]

Read more @ Android Phone Fans

New GMail Now in .APK Form for Anyone (on Froyo) to Install

We’ve known about the improvements to GMail in the latest version of the GAPPS package for a while now, but it’s found its way onto the net as an installable .apk file for anyone with an Android 2.2 phone to install – no root required (it actually surfaced at the time of our reporting, but no one thought to actually look inside the flashable .zip file). You can read about the new changes in our earlier report here, but check this link out for the new download.

[XDA via Good and EVO]

Read more @ Android Phone Fans

Samsung Fascinate to Cost $199.99, Part of Upcoming Buy One Get One?

Verizon’s going to be pricing the Samsung Fascinate to sell as new leaks show the device will be $199.99. It’s not much different from the pricing on other Galaxy S phones (unless you count Sprint’s extra $50 for the Epic 4G), but the text right next to the pricing lists “BOGA”: which we’ll just assume means it’ll be a part of the buy-one-get-any smartphone deals Verizon likes to run from time to time. All of this information is listed beneath a headline that states it’ll be launching September 9th. I feel like I’ve heard that date somewhere before.

Read more @ Android Phone Fans

Another Section Unlocked on R2-Droid 2’s Landing Site, Reveals Docking Station

Many were reluctant to take part in the contest Verizon’s holding through their @DroidLanding Twitter account for the R2D2 special edition of the Motorola Droid 2. They’re doing it differently from the Droid X’s contest, though, as there are no scavenger hunts or GPS coordinates to mess around with. Instead, they tweet out codes and clues that you have to use to unlock certain areas of the R2D2’s website. Whoever is responsible for exposing the section they expose wins a free R2-Droid 2.

Thus far, two sections have been unlocked: the Apps and Widgets section netted Droid-Life’s reader Andrew Tarr a new phone, and someone else (yet to be named) has unlocked a gallery of images showing off the device and what appears to be an accompanying docking station (pictured above). For the rest of the gallery, be sure to head on over to the landing site now (and try to unlock more sections!)

Read more @ Android Phone Fans

Angry Birds Available In The Marketplace

So we knew it was coming, but now it is official. Tap on over to the Marketplace on your Android equipped phone and search for Angry Birds. You will be busy all night playing this addictive game if you are a fan.

We do have to say, we installed it on our Nexus One and it ran and looked just as expected. The graphics were very crisp and clear and the game play was right on par. Keep the good games coming for Android.

Download Link

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Read more @ Android Community

Verizon Fascinate September 9th $199

So just as expected it looks like the Fascinate will be available on the 9th of September. With the leaked screenshot it looks like you will have to come up with $200 dollars, and a signature on the dotted line to commit yourself into 2 years. Still not confirmed, what the pricing will be full retail if you decide you might want to get this as a pre-paid phone.

There is also talk about there being a by-one-get-one offer also when released. So we still think this is a tough choice for many. Get a Droid device or the new Samsung? It all comes down to personal opinion of course. Hey, if there is a BOGO you could always get both.

[via Android Central]

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Read more @ Android Community

Samsung Galaxy Tab Take 2 [Video]

So you had to know that once wasn’t enough when the hit of the IFA-2010 event, the Galaxy Tab is in the building. After spending some more quality time with the Galaxy Tab, we still have the same positive outlook that we had on our first hands on impressions. So for your viewing pleasure we have, went back and gotten more pictures and videos, enjoy.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab still fits very well in hand and surprisingly will fit in a jacket pocket without ripping the seams. You can also see that the screen real-estate is drastically bigger when put up against the 4 inch Galaxy S phone, and was not disappointing when compared to the Super AMOLED display in the phone. The larger screen has allowed for some better functionality with the email app and calendar app. The email app in landscape gives you a sizable two column view that supports POP, IMAP and Exchange, that will allow you to quickly switch between different accounts.

Current apps that you get in the Marketplace are not designed to run at a resolution of 1024 x 600, so Samsung has built in some app-resizing that stretches the current software. It is quite surprising at how good the apps do actually look. Running the HDMI dock you will be able to output full 1080p video to your HDTV along with 5.1 channel surround sound, which is another very welcomed addition.

We did hear some pricing rumors yesterday and Samsung is still keeping the lid tight on that because they are (just like we thought) working with the carriers on pricing and subsidy options. However Samsung is preparing the tablet to be available to multiple carriers just like they have done with their Galaxy S phones.

The Galaxy Tab will actually launch in Italy first, later in September, shortly followed by the UK before the end of the month (we’ve heard Vodafone are the likely carrier, though obviously Samsung wouldn’t confirm that). Samsung told us that this is the first of many tablets that they have in store for us, and plans for expanding the line in 2011 are imminent. We do highly expect to see bigger screened tablets available especially when they mentioned Android 3.0 and 3.5 yesterday.

Samsung has also said that they are working closely with Google to share code, so that will allow them to stay on top of the updates and allow minimal work to get Android running on the larger displays. Overall we are excited about the Galaxy Tab and think it is really cool. Hopefully, it will be available through several carriers, we are hearing the rumors it is coming to Sprint just this morning. In the mean time keep your browser home page set to Android Community to see how it unfolds.

[via SlashGear]

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Read more @ Android Community

ViewSonic Announces Dual-Booting ViewPad 100

ViewSonic announced the “world’s first” dual-boot Android/ Windows 7 tablet earlier today at IFA 2010. The Android side of things is 1.6 which might turn away tech savvy early adopters, but the rest of the tablet sounds good on paper. The Viewpad 100 comes with a 10″ capacitive LED touchscreen (1024×600), an Intel Atom N455 1.66GHz processor, 16GB SSD, and 1GB DDR3 RAM. There are also two USB ports, Bluetooth, WiFi, A-GPS, an accelerometer, and a 1.3MP front-facing camera. Like us, you’re probably wondering why two operating systems for the tablet. Here’s the ViewSonic rationale.

“We want to supply users with a tablet computer that incorporates both Android and Windows as we believe in providing an open approach to mobile technology to users who may not wish to be tied to a specific operating system. The ViewPad 100 is aimed at those who want the speed and portability of Android without losing the advantages of having a Windows-based system. We recognise many users may be transitioning from a netbook but will possibly struggle with the learning curve of a new OS, even for simple tasks as uploading photos or using a VPN. Eventually they may choose to favour one over the other, but they will always have the choice.”

Look for the ViewPad 100 to arrive in October via authorized resellers in October at a MSRP of £549 ($845 US).

ViewSonic Announces Dual-Booting ViewPad 100 originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

Read more @ AndroidGuys