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Preload YouTube videos with Wi-Fi for better mobile playback

Update, 2:02 p.m: It looks like this feature is missing from some of the Android 4.0 tablets. Hopefully it'll be added in the next update so everyone can take advantage of this tip.

The YouTube app on Android lets you watch and discover awesome videos while you're away from the computer. However, if your connection is slow in certain areas of your city -- or wherever you wander to -- the experience may not always be a pleasant one.

If you're interested in avoiding those buffering patches while watching a video, you're in … Read more

Android 4.0 lands on Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets

Samsung has rolled out the Ice Cream Sandwich flavor of Android to a couple of its Galaxy Tab tablets.

Android 4.0 is now available to owners of the 10.1-inch and 7.0 Plus models in the U.K., and can be downloaded over the air or installed via Samsung's Kies software application. But the company is so far mum about the rest of its tablet lineup.

The company's U.K. division told TechRadar that "Samsung U.K. can confirm the roll out of the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Galaxy Tab … Read more

Android 4.0 to flavor Raspberry Pi

Those of you who like a little Ice Cream Sandwich with your Raspberry Pi seem due for just such a treat.

Raspberry Pi is a $35 credit card-sized device that functions as a tiny computer. Outfitted with an Ethernet port, an HDMI port, two USB ports, and an SD card slot, it's powered by a 700MHz ARM chip and comes with 256MB of RAM.

The Pi also currently runs Linux, but its developers are adding Android 4.0 to the mix. The latest news from the folks behind Pi indicate "great progress" in porting over Ice Cream … Read more

Sony hoping to work Android 4.1 into Xperia line

Sony has not completely ruled out an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for its 2011 Xperia line, despite what the company may have told you just days ago.

A post on the company's blog today advises that it is "actively investigating" software updates for all of its devices and that 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich deployments still are on track.

Rumors spread quickly last week that Xperia models from 2011 wouldn't see an Android 4.1 update. A member of the Sony UK team hosted a Q&A with Facebook followers where he advised … Read more

Reasons not to buy a Nexus 7

Subscribe: RSS (SD) RSS (HD) iTunes (SD) iTunes (HD) The Nexus 7 is my favorite tablet right now. Google nailed the price, the interface, and the features, and avoided the mistake of selling it exclusively through a mobile carrier. It's enough to make the Motorola Xoom feel like a distant memory.

But no gadget is perfect, and the Nexus 7 is no exception. If you honestly think a $200 tablet can be made without cutting any corners, let me know. I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

Android fans, I recommend following this one up with … Read more

Ouya game console adds OnLive, outs controller

If you've questioned the Ouya's core gaming chops, developer Boxer8's might have addressed some of your concerns about its Android-based, Kickstarter-funded game console this morning. The company says it has secured Ouya support from game streaming company OnLive, which will add its large cloud gaming library alongside the Ouya's own game store.

By bringing in OnLive, Ouya can boast AAA-quality titles like Warner Bros' Batman: Arkham City, THQ's upcoming DarkSiders II, and UbiSoft's Assassin's Creed games. Not every major game publisher offers its wares on OnLive -- Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts are notable absentees, but by adding even some console-quality titles alongside the likes of Angry Birds, the Ouya console will likely gain some respectability among core gamers.… Read more

HTC Desire HD not expected to see Android 4.0

HTC has seemingly put the brakes on an Android 4.0 update for its Desire HD smartphone, according to new reports surfacing online.

The smartphone maker announced back in February that the device would see Ice Cream Sandwich, however it has yet to clarify exactly when it will do so. … Read more

Evo Design 4G, Evo 3D will receive Android 4.0 shortly

If you own an HTC Evo 3D or Evo Design 4G, here's a bit of good news. An update to Google's modern Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system is just around the corner.

Android ICS certainly isn't Google's freshest mobile software flavor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Frankly I'd rather have the nimbler handling and trove of new abilities JB brings to the table. … Read more

How to stop Android from adding new apps to the home screen

Have you ever noticed after installing an app on your Android device, the icon for that app is already on your home screen? Sure it can come in handy, but it also can be pretty annoying. Nicole Cozma showed us how to disable this annoying feature on Honeycomb tablets a while back, and now I'm going to show you how to disable it on other Android devices.

Disabling the auto-add widgets (or shortcuts) feature is easy.

Launch the Google Play Store on your Android device. Tap on Menu and then Settings. Uncheck the box next to "auto-add widgets.&… Read more

Sprint serves up Ice Cream Sandwich for Epic 4G Touch

Sprint today announced that the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch (what a mouthful!) is ready for its Android 4.0 update.

A post on the carrier's official message board provides the build number and basic details for the Ice Cream Sandwich update, indicating that it will run from July 12 to July 20. Unlike AT&T's recent update for the Galaxy S II, users will not be required to download or install Kies Upgrade Program.

Typically, carriers wait until the last minute before going public with update announcements, so I suspect that things have already … Read more