September, 2011 - Android Community

Verizon aknowledges DROID Bionic bugs, promises patches in November

By Michael Crider
on 30 Sep, 2011

The DROID Bionic is one heck of a flagship device, but it's not without its faults. Early adopters have been complaining about a litany of issues large and small, and Verizon has apparently been listening. They've detailed all of the bugs and glitches in a massive official list, but the carrier says that customers will have to wait until November for a patch.

Amazon Kindle Fire manufacturing cost: $209.63

By Michael Crider
on 30 Sep, 2011

Amazon is riding a wave of tech buzz after stunning pundits and consumers with its $199 Kindle Fire tablet. The manufacturing experts at iSupply estimate that the Fire's hardware costs just over $209 to make, undercutting other estimates by about $40. Amazon is hoping to offset the discrepancy with increased sales of physical and digital goods from Fire users.

Download the VLC media player pre-alpha now

By Michael Crider
on 30 Sep, 2011

We've been waiting almost a year for the Android version of the popular does-all media player VLC after it was unceremoniously booted out of iOS. It looks like that wait is slowly drawing to a close. Thrill-seeking users can download the pre-alpha (is that even a real term?) APK for their phones now.

Archos and TigerDirect build cheap, custom tablets for publishers

By Michael Crider
on 30 Sep, 2011

It was estimated in 2009 that if the New York Times sent every one of its paying subscribers a free Amazon Kindle, they would still save half the cost of physically printing and delivering the newspaper every day. It looks like Archos and TigerDirect are taking that thought experiment into the real world. They've begun a program that lets publishers customize and brand an Android tablet to their subscribers' needs, then subsidize the cost of the tablet for cheap, efficient e-reading.

AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II lock screen security flaw, and how to fix it

By Michael Crider
on 30 Sep, 2011

It seems like the shiny new AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy S II has at least one dull spot. There's an easy work-around that will let anyone access your phone if you've implemented Android's unique pattern-based or PIN lock screen. Don't worry, though, an industrious early adopter has already found a way to secure the Galaxy S II while keeping the lock screen in place.

Verizon offers Madden NFL 2012 free to customers this weekend

By Michael Crider
on 30 Sep, 2011

Do you need something to do while you watch Verizon commercials during the time outs of the Cowboys game this weekend? There's no reason to break your momentum - download the latest version of Madden for your Android phone, courtesy of Verizon. The network will allow customers to install the game free of charge from October 1-3.

Virgin Mobile won’t start throttling customers until 2012

By Michael Crider
on 30 Sep, 2011

While Virgin Mobile is technically unlimited (and aren't they proud of it) their parent company had intended to begin throttling its data-hungry users some time in October. Today the company issued a statement saying that while they still intend to slow down the connection of their most active customers, the change won't happen until an unspecified date in 2012.The information was released as Virgin Mobile confirmed that it's offering the LG Optimus Slider and HTC Wildfire.

HTC Amaze 4G caught on video testing T-Mobile speeds and more

By Cory Gunther
on 30 Sep, 2011

We've seen plenty of the HTC Amaze 4G as of late, but now we are receiving a few videos showing off everything T-Mobile and the Amaze 4G have to offer. Leaked more than a few times, and then being spotted in the wild earlier this month it was only a matter of time until we caught it on video. Today we have not one, but two videos showing some T-Mobile 4G speedtests and more all available after the break.

Google Nexus Prime concept design looks amazing, and accurate

By Cory Gunther
on 30 Sep, 2011

We have another awesome concept design by Federico Ciccarese and this time it is of the much rumored Google Nexus 3. Also known as the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus Prime, DROID Prime or whatever else you wanna call this Samsung Nexus device. This isn't the first time we've seen his stunning work, but with all the hype surrounding the next Google Experience device this was too awesome to pass up. Check out the photos of his amazing Nexus 3 concept design below.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray heads to the US, unlocked and on sale now

By Cory Gunther
on 30 Sep, 2011

Sony Ericsson today has just announced the SE Xperia Ray for the US markets. We last saw the Ray clearing the FCC with AT&T radios but now it is finally here and available for purchase unlocked and ready to rock. You can buy it now at many online retailers including Newegg.com and more for just $429 fully unlocked.