Write once, run anywhere is an idea that every developer loves, and they won’t hesitate to jump on an opportunity to learn about how they can minimize the overhead of having to port applications for specific devices or having to adapt their applications for the big screen. One developer named Al Sutton – who spoke at DroidCon UK this year – has taken time out to show folks how they can combine the phone and tablet version of the same application into a .APK file. This sounds like it’ll come in extremely handy whenever the newer Android tablets make their way onto the market and Google updates the market to highlight tablet-specific offerings. The tutorial and example in full can be had over at his blog, if you’ve been looking for such a guide. [via Android Community]
Popularity: 1% [?]
We knew it wouldn’t take long. We just reported about AT&T bringing a U-verse app out for Android, but much to a lot of U-verse customers’ dismay, it is only “officially” available for AT&T customers. Thankfully, the XDA scene is one known to work fast and they’ve already pulled out the .APK and some have confirmed that it’s carrier agnostic, at the core. (We can only confirm this for Verizon, so far, but go ahead and try it out if you’re with Sprint, T-Mobile, or any other carrier here in the states. This thread at XDA should be enough to get you started.
[Thanks, Adam!]
Popularity: 2% [?]
Going all the way back to the initial release of Skype for Verizon phones, the app was locked to use over 3G only. Up until a recent update, you couldn’t even launch the application if Wi-Fi was enabled on your device. Somewhat ironically, when Skype finally saw a public release for all Android handsets regardless of carrier the complete opposite happened — the device was locked to calls over Wi-Fi only. Now thanks to user xeudoxus over at DroidFoums, the Skype APK has been hacked to allow for use over both Wi-Fi and 3G, and you can install it now.
Download: Skype3G.zip
- Uninstall any instance of Skype currently on your handset.
- Download the zip file above and extract the .apk.
- Move the .apk to your MicroSD card.
- Install the .apk using a file manager (such as Astro).
- Make 3G calls ’til the cows come home.
[via TalkAndroid]
Popularity: 2% [?]
Those folks over at TweetDeck sure move fast. It’s only been nearly a month since the beta was announced and already it’s looking to be one of the most fleshed out Twitter clients available after more than just a few big updates. Today’s update brings widgets – three in total – though I’m not sure how they look or work since I haven’t had the chance to install TweetDeck just yet. Perhaps that’ll be my afternoon project because TweetDeck’s developments are tempting me to drop my goto Twitter client (which is Touiteur, if you must know.) Go ahead and get the updated APK now.
[via Android Police]
Popularity: 2% [?]
The guys at Tweetdeck heard you loud and clear – you love your Tweetdeck beta but you want your widgets. Rejoice for there are now three widgets in the latest release (v0.9.8) of the popular social networking app: Quick post, New Column, and Quick launch! On top of the requisite bug fixes and performance boosts, there’s also a new “Add Column interface” to customize the app! Download the latest beta release at http://www.tweetdeck.com/go/android (APK)
TweetDeck Beta v0.9.8 Arrives With a Trio of Widgets originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Popularity: 2% [?]
We’ve known about the improvements to GMail in the latest version of the GAPPS package for a while now, but it’s found its way onto the net as an installable .apk file for anyone with an Android 2.2 phone to install – no root required (it actually surfaced at the time of our reporting, but no one thought to actually look inside the flashable .zip file). You can read about the new changes in our earlier report here, but check this link out for the new download.
[XDA via Good and EVO]
Popularity: 5% [?]
TweetDeck for Android was released as a public beta last week and has already surpassed the amount of traffic than they’ve seen on the iPad since the three months it’s been out, according to them: that’s significant seeing as this app is not yet in the market. With that, TweetDeck isn’t just sleeping at the wheel, they’ve been working hard on improving the beta (which is still very much a beta) and have released a new version.
The latest brings a new column settings page that will allow you to set notification options (update frequency, LED, sound, and vibration) for individual columns. They’ve also taken advantage of Android’s built-in sharing options and have also added bit.ly support.
What can we look forward to in the future? Support for Android 1.6, a widget, better support for multiple Twitter accounts, and columns for individual services for people not a fan of the unified timelines. Finally, video uploading will be seeing the light of day. None of these features have a set window as to when we’ll see them, but just seeing that they’re in the pipeline should be enough to satisfy you. TweetDeck is really shaping up compared to just a week ago, and if development continues as rapidly as it has been, then it won’t be long before some of the other premier Twitter clients in the market have another strong competitor to worry about.
[Find the .APK file here, courtesy of TweetDeck via AndroidCentral]
Popularity: 3% [?]
These days, it’s almost standard to see a one-click root method for a phone soon follow the “down and dirty” method that must be found before creating this sort of utility. The Xperia X10 Mini and Mini Pro have already been rooted, but if you haven’t been too confident on trying it for yourself, then perhaps their one-click method will be of interest.
It’s similar to the EasyRoot method for the Motorola Droid and Droid X handsets: you install an APK, you click a button, and you’re done. Quite simple, but depending on what firmware you have installed the app may not actually root your device. Fret not, though, as there are a few different downloads to choose from that should get you going. Head over to enthusiast blog Xperia X10 to learn more.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Love your Samsung Captivate but does all of the AT&T bloatware and disabled sideloading got you feeling a bit disenfranchised? If you don’t mind thumbing your nose at the man while take a few constructive liberties with the software of your device, BriefMobile has a complete guide to removing all traces of AT&T from your Captivate (aside from the logo printed on the top of the phone, but hey I’m sure some creative solutions could rid you of that as well). After taking the plunge to root and performing a bit of housekeeping in the backend of the Captivate you’ll be saying bye-bye to bloatware and hello to third party APK files. What’s that? You’re almost feeling like a real Android user? Be careful if you do undertake this procedure, young ones, because the only thing worse than an AT&T Android is a bricked one.
[via BriefMobile]
Popularity: 4% [?]
![Not Your Kind Of People [Deluxe]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cgXeVxeGL._SL75_.jpg "Not Your Kind Of People [Deluxe]")
