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Android Central


Android Central Editors' app picks for Oct 29, 2011

Posted: 29 Oct 2011 02:45 PM PDT

Carnival

With Halloween coming up so quickly we decided to treat you to a little bit of fun with a Halloween themed round up for this week! So, let's hit the break and take a look at some of our favorite Halloween flavored apps!

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Editorial: Fun with ‘fragmentation’ charts (or, why you shouldn’t be distracted by shiny objects)

Posted: 29 Oct 2011 11:30 AM PDT

This is not a good chart

Let’s not mince words here: This “Android and iPhone Update History” chart is not a good chart. Oh, it’s a pretty chart, to be sure artfully illustrated and researched. But this chart -- done up by Michael Degusta at The Understatement and reposted by anyone unable to think clearly, apparently -- is not a good chart. Or at the very least, it fails to recognize a fundamental difference between Android and iOS and the iPhone.

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HTC rolling out update to Android 2.3.5, Sense 3.0 for Desire S in UK

Posted: 29 Oct 2011 11:20 AM PDT

Android Central

According to reports from multiple sources, the HTC Desire S is currently receiving an update to Android 2.3.5, which also bumps the mid-range handset from HTC Sense 2.1 right up to Sense 3.0. The new version of Sense, which first shipped on the Sensation earlier in the year, features a redesigned 3D launcher and lock screen setup, amongst other enhancements.

Apparently unbranded Desire S owners in the UK, as well as owners of Vodafone T-Mobile, O2 and Orange have begun to see the update roll out to their handsets over the past few days. To see if you're in line for the update yet, head to Menu -> Settings -> About phone -> Software update. If you're not seeing anything just yet, then hold tight, it'll probably be sent out sooner rather than later.

Source: XDA; via: Eurodroid


Pure entering the UK music streaming market, Android app in tow

Posted: 29 Oct 2011 09:16 AM PDT

Android Central

The reign of Spotify as music subscription of choice in the UK market may be about to face its toughest challenge yet, as premium radio manufacturer Pure is ready to launch it's own service. Like Spotify, they're also bringing an Android application to market with them for all your music on the go needs. 

"The Lounge" service will work, like its competitors, on any web connected PC, Mac, their own range of Internet Radio's, and of course your Android devices. Costing just £5 per month though, it's half the price of a premium Spotify subscription. 7Digital have developed the backend to the service, whose biggest drawback prior to launch seems to be lack of offline caching. With UK mobile contracts being quite strict on data usage, streaming over 3G on the go may not last very long. 

As well as being able to search their massive catalogue of music, you will also be able to listen to your favourite web radio stations and podcasts on the go too, with this feature also supported in the Android application. 

Check out the Pure promo video after the jump. The service is expected to launch in December, with the Android application "coming soon."

Source: Pure Music via Gizmodo UK

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Barnes & Noble readying themselves for new Nook Color?

Posted: 28 Oct 2011 05:14 PM PDT

Android Central

The Nook Color is somewhat of an Android phenomenon, and according to the folks over at The Digital Reader the sequel is potentially just around the corner. 

Sources close to them from Barnes & Noble have previously leaked information regarding a successor to the popular e-Reader. Now though they go one better and claim that there will be a "major announcement from the company" on November 7.

One of the sources goes on to detail changes that are to be made in-store, with a "Nook boutique" to be created complete with LED TV's, and touch screen POS systems. 

There are no spec's mentioned, or for that matter, no Android mention but with the development that Barnes & Noble have put into the platform there's no reason to believe they wouldn't return again with an Android offering. We'll just have to wait it out on this one, but with the Kindle Fire due it isn't such a crazy thought that Barnes & Noble would try and beat them to market with a new Nook. 

Source: The Digital Reader


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