Android

Sprint-branded Xoom spotted online

It appears that Verizon Wireless won't be retaining exclusive rights to the Xoom for very long. Late yesterday an image of a Sprint-branded version of the tablet landed in an online forum.

Presumably, the device will be largely the same as the Verizon model, but it's unknown whether this edition will be ready to support Sprint's WiMax network out of the box. Sources close to site Android and Me have indicated that the Sprint model may come WiMax-equipped from the beginning.

The Verizon Xoom currently features 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity options with an option for users to … Read more

The 404 780: Where we throw the trolls a bone (podcast)

The 404 Digest for Episode 780

Scott Stein sits in for Wilson. Jeff feeds trolls in his Nintendo 3DS blog post. Check out the 3DS review in its 4,000-plus word entirety. TL;DR? The gist: 3.5/5 stars for impressive 3D experience with a weaker-than-usual launch lineup and inactivated online features. Check out this bamboo iPad 2 case by Grove! Video voice mail by Luke from Austin.

Record your own video voice mail on YouTube and send the link to the404(at)cnet(dot)com or leave an audio voice mail by calling 1-866-404-CNET (2638).

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Episode 780 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Impressions: Flash 10.2 Beta on Xoom

One of the advantages the Xoom purportedly has over the iPad is its support for Flash. Unfortunately, Flash wasn't available for the Xoom at its release, but as of today it is. We've taken the Flash 10.2 Beta for Xoom for a spin and have lived to tell the tale.

The full Web (?) Motorola states that this update brings "a full Web browsing experience" with it and for the most part that's true, but it really depends on how a full Web browsing experience is defined.

Yes, Flash on the Xoom does offer support … Read more

Amazon putting finishing touches on app store

The Android Market is about to face stiff competition in the next few weeks once the Amazon's app store goes live. In fact, the long awaited application distribution center may be the biggest competitor to the Google store, even more so than GetJar.

Earlier this week, Android users found that they could navigate their browser to amazon.com/apps where they would see a short list of apps and games. As initially discovered by AndroidNews, the Amazon store offered a few titles at prices lower than the Android Market, some as much as 40 percent less.

While most apps … Read more

The 404 779: Where St. Patrick's Day is just an excuse to wear green (podcast)

The 404 Digest for Episode 779

We reveal the viral marketing company behind the Times Square video hack. Natali Morris brings an interesting question from the New Yorker about the secret of boyhood friendships. Check out Molly Wood's listing for a white 64GB Apple iPad 2 signed by the SXSW@CNET crew--all proceeds go to the Red Cross for the Japanese tsunami relief efforts! Video Voicemails from Emily in Toronto, Daniel in Colorado, and Rich from Cleveland--thanks, guys! Kodak Deal of the Day: Vizio RazorLED 32-inch 1080p LED LCD HDTV with Wi-Fi with free shipping for $449.99.

Episode 779 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Froyo running on 61 percent of Android devices

Android 2.2 Froyo is far and away the most used version of the mobile operating system, a developer page has revealed.

According to data that Google compiled over the 14-day period ended March 15, Froyo was running on 61.3 percent of all the devices that accessed the Android Market. It was followed by Android 2.1 Eclair with 29.0 percent share. Android 1.6 Donut and Android 1.5 Cupcake accounted for 4.8 percent and 3.0 percent of the market, respectively. The recently released Android 3.0 Honeycomb nabbed just 0.2 percent market share.… Read more

Android at CES 2011: Where are they now?

As we get ready for CTIA 2011 next week, it's worth revisiting some Android devices announced two months ago at CES to see where they are today. While most of the phones and tablets have started trickling out to their respective carriers, some have yet to receive a launch date.

The most prolific Android announcement was the Motorola Xoom, which went on to win CNET's Best of CES award. Loved by critics, particularly because it offered features missing from the iPad, it would no doubt be a runaway hit, right? Not quite.

Unfortunately the sticker price was slightly higher … Read more

Hands on with Samsung's Android-based Galaxy Players

Call them what you will. Android-based ultramobile devices. Mini tablets. Jumbo iPod Touches. Or Android smartphones without the phone.

Whatever they are, Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Players, which come in 4- and 5-inch screen sizes and don't have price tags or release dates yet, are intriguing.

Samsung casually unveiled the Galaxy Players at its 2011 product preview at the Samsung Experience showroom in New York on Wednesday. They're essentially mini versions of the Galaxy Tab, running on the same 1GHz processors and featuring front and rear cameras (the 5-inch model has a flash), microSD expansion ports, Wi-Fi (802.… Read more

The 404 778: Where we've stepped in the Oatmeal (podcast)

Comics, graphics, and quizzes from The Oatmeal are all over the Web, so we're lucky to catch its creator Matt Inman during his countrywide tour to support his new book, "5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth."

The book is a collection of Matt's favorite comics and includes 25 previously unseen works plus a pull-out poster included with every copy. We also have three signed copies of the book to give away on a future show, so check back for your chance to win.

Matt tells us about his history with the Internet with stories about how he came up with the name, his former obsession with Gillian Anderson from "The X-Files," and offers tips on what to do when you meet your idol--in this case, cartoon legend Gary Larson.

After the break, Matt pulls out his laptop and shows us how he creates characters using Adobe Fireworks, software usually designed for graphics editing that Matt appropriates for The Oatmeal.

Using just this software and an Apple Magic Mouse, he quickly takes us through the processing of designing one of his recurring characters--the angry fat man!

Stop by The Oatmeal to check out more of Matt's work. His new book is available for $7.71 on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

We'll end today's show with the Kodak Deal of the Day: a Lenovo Z560 Core i5 Dual 2.66GHz 16-inch LED laptop with free shipping for $599.99.

Episode 778 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more