Android

How to restore Android factory settings

You've rooted your Android device, flashed a custom ROM, and reaped the benefits of better power management, extra features, and the radiant glow that comes from treating that phone like you own it. Because you do own it, right? Now it's time to get a new phone. How can you make your old Android-powered hardware resalable?

We've got a way for you to restore the stock version of Android, thanks to the rescue guides at DroidForums.net. The procedure requires caution, because just like when you rooted your phone and installed a custom ROM, there's a … Read more

The 404 803: Where we're picking up some Funyuns, man (podcast)

Wilson mysteriously disappears on this beautiful Wednesday, but Natali's pulling a twofer this week and filling in to help us with today's rundown. To her delight, a new augmented reality app is bringing future tech from the Harry Potter series alive, a PhillieBot will chuck the first patch at tonight's game, and a new iPhone case protects more than just the device inside.

The 404 Digest for Episode 803

Robot to throw first pitch at today's Phillies game How did that RFID chip end up in my suitcase? On a related note, Natali brings this delightful Jamaican tale to our attention. The JustinCase prototype fights for safe sex.

Thanks to Attariq for drawing this picture of The 404!

Episode 803 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Amazon selling T-Mobile's 3D-enabled G-Slate

T-Mobile's new LG G-Slate tablet, the first enabled with 3D, went on sale at Amazon today for $799.

The Amazon price covers the new 4G tablet off-contract, so buyers aren't locked into any long-term data plan. In contrast, T-Mobile is selling the G-Slate for $549 after a $100 rebate, but that price includes a two-year contract. Either way, the data plan will tack on an additional monthly charge of $29 for 200 MB, $49 for 5 GB, or $84 for 10 GB.

Following in the footsteps of the Motorola Xoom, the G-Slate becomes the second Android tablet to … Read more

Apple still the hero in smartphone wars...for now

Thanks to new data from ComScore, I must now revise the tale I planned to tell my daughter when she's older about the early days of the smartphone wars.

Until yesterday, it was shaping up to be quite an epic--with Apple turning from David to Goliath, only to be slain by a populist little green robot...and in the process the battle completely trampling a nearby BlackBerry bramble while the fair maiden Symbian remains trapped in a European tower far, far away.

But now it turns out that the little robot may not make such short work of its foe as was previously expected. … Read more

Moto delaying Droid Bionic until summer

Three months after its unveiling, the Motorola Droid Bionic is still without a launch date or price. And now it appears that the handset won't land at Verizon Wireless until the third quarter of this year.

In a conversation with The Wall Street Journal today, a Motorola spokeswoman said Moto is delaying the Droid Bionic's release until this summer so it can incorporate several enhancements that will make "an even better consumer experience." The spokeswoman didn't offer specifics, but the original second-quarter launch window is now seen as unlikely.

Neither Motorola nor Verizon have said … Read more

Philips GoGear Connect, hands-on

Attention Android fans who wouldn't be caught dead with an iPod Touch. Philips is breathing some new life into its GoGear line of MP3 and portable media players by introducing the Connect, a new Android 2.3 device.

Due out in September with pricing starting at $179 (8GB), the GoGear Connect is chasing after the same Android-loving customer as the Samsung Galaxy Player. Most importantly, the device will come with Google's suite of mobile apps, including a fully stocked Android Market.

Fickle listeners will also appreciate the inclusion of Philips' own sound-isolating earphones, and FullSound audio enhancement. The … Read more

How to install a custom Android ROM

Congratulations, you've successfully gained root access to your Android device, maybe even using CNET's how to root your Android video as a guide. Now comes the hard part: installing a customized version of Android. We've got that covered in a video, but be careful: this one's for advanced users only.

Before we begin, let's review some of the reasons you might want to install and run a custom Android ROM. It's highly likely that there are Android features your phone company or hardware manufacturer has decided won't get pushed to your device, and … Read more

The 404 802: Where we're breaking bread with the Gut Man (podcast)

The Audiophiliac Steve Guttenberg makes an unusual midweek appearance on today's 404 episode and as usual, the discussion topics cover Steve's audiocentric stream of consciousness with a touch of disillusionment, like a Web site that takes the creativity out of naming your band, a mask that enhances audio, the unnatural origins of 3D, and the degrading quality of CD-Rs over time.

The 404 Digest for Episode 802

Korn and Hoobastank should've used Band Name Maker. Tape Op magazine offers free subscriptions to print edition. Add Steve Guttenberg on Twitter. Check out Steve's blog on all things audio, The Audiophiliac.

Episode 802 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Report: Tablet sales to hit $49 billion by 2015

The tablet industry could see sales of $49 billion in just another four years, says a new report from Strategy Analytics.

If the forecast comes true, that would mean a jump in revenues from essentially zero in 2009 and could open the door for tablet sales to surpass those of every other consumer category except TVs and PCs by 2015, according to the research firm.

The surge in demand for tablets is also expected to translate across the world, according to Strategy Analytics.

"We predict 80 percent of the value of the tablet market in 2015 will reside in … Read more