Amy Eichelberg

Android 4.3 is now up for grabs in the form of a ROM for the Nexus 4, which allows users to take advantage of a few tweaks but nothing really significant outside of that. You can however get the latest version of Google Play. This is version 4.2.3, up and we pulled it from the ROM and have links to it below. Version 4.2.3 doesn’t show any major differences from version 4.1.10, which was released in May, but we always like to have the latest version. Download Link [Mirror] To download, install the .apk from above to your device, and tap to install it […]

Most smartphone users we know always complain of the same ailment: an unsatisfactory battery life. So, it comes as no surprise that having a removable battery would be an ideal feature for the average consumer. Think about it. If your smartphone had the option to swap out batteries throughout the day you wouldn’t have to worry about being chained to the charger, or worse having a dead useless smartphone. That concept looks to be part of the upcoming LG G2, as a new leaked image has the device showing off a removable battery 2,540mAh in size. Nice LG! while the LG G2 has

US Cellular customers have been able to lock down a subsidized phone after completing a two-year contract without having to commit to another 24 month contract. This option was probably one of the greatest perks of staying with US Cellular. After all, most consumers aren’t too fond of having to sign their life away for another 2 long years. Sadly, that’s all about to change as the carrier plans to revert to its old habits. The changes are expected to go into effect starting July 27th or sometime during the end of this month. Here’s the official statement from US

The enhanced and redesigned Google Maps hit Google Play last week and now iOS users can try their hand at the app. Google Maps 2.0 is slowly rolling out worldwide for Apple’s platform, and it’s bringing the Android version’s discovery and exploration features in addition to some new components for iOS. iOS users will be pleased to learn that iPad support is now available, indor maps, live traffic updates and incident reports. Google Maps 2.0 is now up for grabs in the US App Store as of midnight ET. Interested users can grab the install at the link below. If you’re looking for offline maps, those are available with an Easter

Good day to be an Outlook user as Microsoft has just revampedthe Outlook Web App as a pair of native iOS releases. Both OWA for iPad and OWA for iPhone deliver email, calendar and contacts to Office 365 subscribers with access to Exchange Online. The development team does want you to know that this is not a recreation of the Windows Phone environment, and to expect to see features from Outlook’s web version. Regardless OWA looks worthy of at the very least a test drive.  The native iOS software takes voice commands, sends notifications, and supports both passcodes as well as remote wipes. Between the new apps and Office

The MediaPad 7 Youth tablet just cruised through the FCC which was a strong indication that Huawei was gearing up to make the device official. Today the company did just that by releasing an official press stratement welcoming the 7-inch slab to the  MediaPad portfolio. Huawei describes it as a tablet intended “for the connected generation”. Spec highlights include an unknown 1.6GHz, dual-core CPU, an unspecified GPU, WiFi / HSPA+ connectivity, a decent 4,100mAh battery and Jelly Bean (Android 4.1). Interested consumers can look for the MediaPad 7 Youth to hit retail shelves sometime in Q3 of this year. As for availbility, we

The world reknown tech event, IFA , which takes place in Berlin is only about a month away and we’re already seeing the leaks and rumors spill in. This time the buzz is about an imaging centric flagship smartphone from Sony called “Honami”. Accpording to a leak from the Taiwanese site ePrice, the unreleased device has a 20.7-megapixel ExmorRS sensor that’s the same size as the one in the Galaxy Camera. The camera is also rocking a “Sony G-Lens”. Additional spec highlights should include a 5-inch 1080p display with the same Triluminos technology that’s in the Xperia Z Ultra, Qualcomm’s latest and greatest

According to Droid Life, Verizon will introduce a new upgrade promotion on August 25 called “VZ Edge” that will allow customers to upgrade their phones much more frequently to “stay on the leading edge of technology.” A leaked training slide (shown above) illustrates that Verizon is offering up VZ Edge as a way for customers to avoid signing contracts and upgrade fees, while remaining on the “best network” and with the latest devices. Specific details are still unknown at this time but the slide does point out that if customers are on a monthly payment plan, they can upgrade to

Rovio Entertainment doesn’t want you to forget their Angry Birds series any time soon and is hard at work on the creation of Angry Birds Star Wars 2. Yes, you guessed correctly, just like the name suggests ABSW2 is the sequel to the first Star Wars-themed Angry Birds entry, which launched for mobile devices back in November. ABSW2 is expected to launch on September 19th, and will provide loyal die hards with “over 30 playable characters.” Rovio has yet to confirm mobile platforms for this launch but we’re willing to bet that iOS and Android will be a guarantee and maybe even Windows 8. So what makes

The look and feel of iOS7′s Control Center is sleek and useful in design. The fundamental concept of having system toggles and controls have been innate to the Android OS for awhile now, but Apple implemented it in a unique way that has a lot of smartphone users from both sides of the fence buzzing.  It was all that buzz that motivated an Android developer to bring the Control Center to Android and it actually works quite beautifully. The app doesn’t require root and after it is installed users can control their WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, display brightness and even set shortcuts to applications on

If you have the Amazon App Store installed on your Android device and you’re looking for another way to kill your productivity at work, then now would be a great time to do some downloading. For a limited time only, Amazon is offering one of Rovio’s finest in the form of an ad-free Angry Birds Star Wars game. The game would normally set you back  a staggering $1 (gasp) but hey, free is free right? Interested users will need to have the Appstore app installed and you can download that through Amazon’s site. Follow the via link down below to

Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, is spending some quality time in Sun Valley this week at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference rubbing elbows with some of the best tech head honchos in the biz. On a normal day we wouldn’t write up a story covering the weekend shenanigans of the rich and famous, but Schmidt changed everything when he was spotted toting around none other than a white Moto X.  No new details to offer about this sexy device, but we do have some paparazzi style photos of Schmidt and his friends. For those of you who have

If you are a loyal user of Vine, despite Instagram’s attempt to give the video sharing app an early death, you will be happy to learn that the app has received a sizeable update for its Android users. The new version of Vine includes channels (15 of them to be precise), “revining” of favorite posts, a fast capture widget, new capture tools (focus, grid, and ghost), and more. So, what are you waiting for? Go download it now at the Google Play Link below. Full changelog: This update to Vine is our biggest yet! CHANNELS Browse or submit your posts

LG announced that they have produced the “world’s slimmest full HD LCD” for smartphones. It weighs in at 5.2-inches, is only 2.2mm thick with a 2.3mm bezel, and is a “true” full HD (1080×1920) display with its RGB sub-pixels. The new display should provide enhanced outdoor readability thanks to “superiority in displaying resolution, brightness, and contrast ratio.” It will also provide an enhanced touch experience, better “grip-ability,” and a larger visible display space. We’re guessing that this beast of a display will most likely make its first home on the LG G2, which should be launched in NYC on August 7th. The

Today in NYC, T-Mobile held a press event that unveiled their “boldest moves yet” and we’ve got all the highlights just for you. In case you missed the live coverage you can grab the important information below and live vicariously through our extensive live blog. Highlights: JUMP Program: A system that lets customers upgrade their handsets up to twice a year. $10 (per phone, plus applicable taxes and other fees) a month deal is a total protection plan that helps out with malfunctions, damage, thefts and loss of handsets. Those interested are able to enroll as soon as six months