If you enjoy instant messaging people over the internet, I’m sure you have a large amount of messaging accounts, for multiple messaging services. Wouldn’t it be easier to have one place to message all of your contacts from, with all of your accounts merged into one? Well, imo has your back.
One of the major issues with the YouTube app on Android is that it only plays back HD videos if your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Over 3G, the app only provides the option to playback videos in “HQ” mode.
With Android devices now packing full HD and higher resolution screens, watching videos on HQ mode is quite an eyesore. At the very least, Google should provide an option to view videos in HD mode even when streaming videos over mobile network.
Thankfully, a developer over at XDA forums has released a modded version of the YouTube app that allows for 720p/1080p video playback over 3G or Wi-Fi. The app will be especially handy for DROID DNA, HTC One, Galaxy S4 and other 1080p Android handset users, where videos in HQ mode don’t do justice to the screen of these phones.
It took less than 60 minutes for HTC One “Google edition” rumors to begin circulating after Google announced the Galaxy S4 with stock Android at Google I/O last Wednesday. HTC was quick to dismiss those rumors and state that it had no plans for such a device, but according to one source, that’s false.
They claim an HTC One with stock Android is in the works, and that it’ll launch this summer.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has dethroned the LG Optimus G to become Consumer Reports’ new top-rated smartphone.
It “delivered top-notch performance in the most critical areas of our tests, including the camera,” the report reads, before praising the handset’s display, and its “gesture- and sensor-based tools.”
Still trying to find a mobile browser you can really rely on? Maybe Opera’s new browser for Android will do the trick. Announced back in February, this is the first Opera browser powered by the WebKit rendering engine. It’s been in beta testing since March, but it officially launches today with additional features.
AccuWeather is one of my favorite weather apps on Android (alongside WeatherPro). Not only does it look good, but I’ve also found it to be incredibly accurate, and it has some great features. There’s a free version if you don’t mind looking at nasty ads, but for a limited time, you can get the ad-free AccuWeather Platinum for just 99¢.
Samsung Wallet, the new Passbook-like virtual wallet service that was unveiled at Mobile World Congress back in February, has begun appearing on select Samsung devices in Korea and the United States. It’s currently compatible with the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Note 10.1, and the Galaxy S II HD LTE.
Google announced the end of Google Checkout today, slated to go the way of Google Reader and the dinosaurs as of November 20, 2013.
Today, we’re letting web merchants know that in six months, Google Checkout will be retired as we transition to Google Wallet — a platform that enables merchants to meet the demands of a multi-screen world where consumers shop in-stores, at their desks and on their mobile devices.
It seems as this will mostly affect merchants who use Google’s Checkout system, as consumers will really only see a change in the name of the service. With Google Wallet API enhancements announced last week, like the Instant Buy API and the Wallet Objects API, the transition should be smooth for consumers who use Android to purchase goods and services.
It will mean something different to Google Checkout merchants and Android developers, however.
Alongside a redesign of its website, today Yahoo released a new version of Flickr on Android. The update is available now in Google Play, and it features a photo-centric design that matches the new web layout and iOS app.
“With smartphones in our pockets at all times, we’re all photographers on a daily basis,” said Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. “That’s why we’re also excited to launch new version of the Flickr app for Android phones and tablets. Similar to the iPhone app we launched in December, the new Flickr for Android maintains your photos’ original quality, so every image you take, edit, share, or view on your phone or tablet looks spectacular.”
You can view, upload, and share images directly within the app. Check it out now in Google Play.
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean did not bring any new major feature, but it did bring some usability enhancements like a gesture typing keyboard and lock screen widgets. The current implementation of lock screen widgets in Android 4.2 is pretty poor, though, with the restriction of only one widget and no permanent maximised mode.
However, the ability to keep multiple lock screens with a widget should be a decent workaround for the majority of people out there.
Lock screen widgets will provide access to all your important updates or notifications from your favorite apps or services in just a single glance, without requiring you to unlock your phone every single time. They are especially handy if you use a pattern or numeric lock on your smartphone, since you can view all your important notifications without the need to unlock your phone.
Here are our favorite lock screen widgets for Android.
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