Chris Burns

Author: Chris Burns

Would a free iPhone 6 kill Android?

By Chris Burns
on 5 Mar, 2013

This week the rumor of a "free" iPhone release has once again been rumbling in the technology news world, complete with talk that such a (subsidized) product revealed by Apple would take a heavy toll on Android-based device sales. As a user of both Android devices and the iPhone 5, I can't say that a device like this handset (modified for its re-release) wouldn't be a massive temptation for prospective phone buyers around the world. Especially with the notion of multiple colored-cases and an even lighter and thinner unit than ever before.

HD Widgets Colourform theme hands-on

By Chris Burns
on 1 Feb, 2013

This week HD Widgets gets rather colorful in a new set of widgets that take what the app already does extremely well and cuts it all down to a rather Pop Art friendly phase. This release comes as a separate download from the main HD Widgets (now at version 3.8, mind you), and brings you a variety of new backs, fronts, colors, and everything in-between for your fully customizable widget family. HD Widgets just went full tilt simplistic for those that are weary of the skeuomorphism designs of the past - get flat!

Android Community app revealed: hands-on with 1.0!

By Chris Burns
on 20 Jan, 2013

This week we've got a real special treat for all you out there in love with Google's mobile OS: the first official Android Community app! This app is made to connect you to the the vast archive as well as newest in new in Android Community action, top to bottom. This app is absolutely free and is able to work on most any Android device, big or small - let's have a hands-on look right this minute!

Temple Run 2 Android release set for record-breaking response

By Chris Burns
on 18 Jan, 2013

This past week we've seen just about as much interest in one game as we've seen in every single other app on the market, and it isn't even out yet: Temple Run 2. The original Temple Run was one of the most hotly anticipated games for Android back when it launched many moons after the iOS iteration, and here with the Apple-first release of Temple Run 2, history seems very much to be repeating itself - and not just figuratively.

NVIDIA Project SHIELD extended hands-on with Android and PC gaming

By Chris Burns
on 17 Jan, 2013

One of the biggest presentations shown at CES this year was, without a doubt, NVIDIA's Project SHIELD, complete with a Tegra 4 processor, streaming PC gaming, and the distinction of being the first Android-toting NVIDIA device, top to bottom. What we've got for you here is a sort of B-roll collection of videos collected at CES from several source including NVIDIA Technical Marketing Director Nick Stam and Product Line Manager for GeForce GPUs Jason Paul. Have a peek at gaming with the device, an extended look at Tegra 4, and an in-depth explanation of NVIDIA's full intentions with this new gaming ecosystem.

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Camera Review

By Chris Burns
on 19 Nov, 2012

It's time to get down to business with the Samsung Galaxy Camera as you'll be picking it up from your local AT&T retailer soon, and very soon. As it turns out, this device is essentially the same model you'll be getting if you're purchasing the device internationally - innards and all. there aren't even any AT&T logos on the device, as it were, with this machine appearing in your hands fully Samsung-friendly. What we're going to do in the review below is take a unique look at this device as it is brand new to the Android universe - less on the smartphone end of things (since it's not a smartphone, mind you), and a lot more on the photography angle.

LG Nexus 4 Review

By Chris Burns
on 2 Nov, 2012

It's time again for Google to take command of a smartphone with the Nexus 4, a device manufactured by LG with software pure vanilla Android - a collaboration creating yet another true member of the Nexus family. This device is made to bring on the next version of Android, that being 4.2 Jelly Bean (the second iteration of the software still code-named Jelly Bean) complete with the updates you see in our full update guide. The body of this device rather similar to that of the LG Optimus G, complete with the same display, camera technology, and quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5Ghz processor under the hood.

Google Nexus 10 hands-on and first impressions

By Chris Burns
on 30 Oct, 2012

It's time to get pumped up about the next generation for Google in tablet form - the Nexus 10, made by Samsung and packing Android 4.2 Jelly Bean+ (just a bit more expansive than 4.1, of course.) We've got our hands on this lovely device today and are getting our first impressions on right out of the box before it goes on sale to the general public - and spoiler alert: it's pretty great. The Google Nexus 10 has a 10.0555-inch display with 2560 × 1600 pixel resolution using PLS technology - it's bright as heck and just a tiny bit sharper than the iPad 3rd and 4th generation - beyond Retina, that is.

LG Nexus 4 hands-on and first impressions

By Chris Burns
on 30 Oct, 2012

Google is bringing on the next generation of vanilla-flavored Android with the LG Nexus 4, a combination, it seems, of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the LG Optimus G. The massive processor and the operating system on this device are the real heroes, of course, starting with the 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdradon S4 Pro SoC with Adreno 320 graphics under the hood - Qualcomm's biggest and best yet. You'll be working with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean+ (the newest version, newer than 4.1 Jelly Bean that was released earlier this year), this including a lovely new collection of features shown just this week by Google.

Beach Buggy Blitz released to TegraZone and hands-on review

By Chris Burns
on 6 Sep, 2012

The folks at Vector Unit have done it again with a racing game that's ready to roll with your NVIDIA Tegra 3 device with advanced graphics and next-level physics galore. You'll be working with water ripples and live rendered shadows, beach blasting smashes and swift kicks to your retinas as you roll through level after level of fabulous fun. You'll be able to play this game on your Nexus 7 tablet, your HTC One X smartphone, or any other device you've got that runs both Android and an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor under the hood starting immediately if not soon!