Much, much more Angry Birds Coming Soon!

With Easter several weeks away Rovio will again give all us 'Birds' addicted folks another much needed dose of game-play. According to the Rovio twitter feed, Angry Birds Seasons will soon be getting an Easter edition update. Oh, can't wait to see what's in store for some Easter slinging birds, pig killing fun! Will Rovio invite the Easter Bunny to join in the game?


Along with the Angry Birds Seasons update in April for Easter, you will also he pleased to hear that Rovio will be bringing more 'Birds' to us game lovers in May. Angry Birds Rio, and the standard Angry Birds will be getting updates then.


So, get out your Android smartphones and tablets for lots of pig whacking fun this April and May. Please remember to be extra good, or the Easter Bunny below may just appear in your dreams!

Turbo Tax Snap Tax App Allows You to File Your Taxes From Your Android Phone

Now here's one more reason to get an Android smartphone. You can install an app to quickly and easily file your taxes with your phone. You thought finding your W-2 online was easy, well this is even easier, just snap a picture of your w-2 with your Android phone's camera. This allows Snap Tax to scan and extract the appropriate information from your W-2.


WOW, I can't wait to try this one! It sounds so easy, and almost makes filing my taxes painless. You noticed I said ALMOST! 


Just one catch, while the app itself is free, there is a $14.99 charge for filing from the app. Always a catch, huh? Still, that's pretty reasonable for filing your taxes considering what tax professionals charge. Snap Tax even allows you to save a copy in PDF format. 

This app of course is also available for the iPhone, which is what you will see in the demo video below. Enjoy the video, and don't forget, file your taxes by April 15, 2011, or you may get an unwelcome visit from Uncle Sam.

Get Your Atrix 4G Defender Case from Otterbox

The Motorola Atrix 4G is one of the most impressive new Android devices available through AT&T. This phone can even be quickly turned into a netbook with its dock accessory. I'm sure you don't want any damage to come to such a great looking phone, so you're on the hunt for a protective case.


Otterbox has a rugged Defender case now available on its website, and also at AT&T store locations. The Defender offers a three-layer protection system. It has a screen protector, impact resistant polycarbonate shell, and a durable shock absorbing silicone layer.


This tough case will protect your beautiful Atrix 4G against drops, bumps, and scratches. It will also keep dust out of your smartphone, but please do not put it in water! The case costs $49.95, but that's little for piece of mind protection of such a powerhouse smartphone.


Please enjoy your Atrix 4G to the fullest. It's one great phone that can perform, and so very easy to set up and use. I know, I've spent time with an Atrix for the past week.

Install Chomp and Quickly Find the Apps You Need

Need a better search engine for the Android Market, when the default one fails to find what you want, and frustrates you? Well, 'Chomp' is here to our rescue! I've just installed it myself to my Nexus One, and it works wonderfully. It is much more versatile, and accurate than the default Market search.


Let's face it, we don't always know the name of the app we want, and would prefer to search for it by its function. When you search the Android Market by app name, it works great, but if you search by function it falls short.


Let's just look at a few comparisons of the search results achieved through the default and Chomp. OK, I want a bar-code scanner, so I type in 'bar code scanner'. With the default Market search, two of the top three results are not what I want, they are calorie counters. The second result however, is a very good bar-code scanner.

Now I type in the same thing into 'Chomp', and right away I get the top three most popular bar-code scanners.

I want a web browser next, so I type in 'web browser'. Once again two of the top three results are not what I wanted with Market search. The first is a file explorer, and the third is a music app. The second result is a web browser.

Now I type the same thing into 'Chomp', and again, the top three search results are the most popular, highly-rated web browsers.

So, there you have it. I think you get a clear idea that 'Chomp' is much more accurate, and its a very stunning app as far as appearance too. Why not install 'Chomp' right now, and stop getting all those annoying unrelated and irrelevant search results through the Market search. Chomp is free, and a pleasure to use.


Please enjoy the following video of a quick Chomp demo if you are still not convinced.

Google Removed Malware from Android Market and Infected Phones

An alarming incident has just come to light for Android users. Some kooky individual plucked 21 apps from the Android Market, added root exploits, and republished them as new apps. These apps were then downloaded tens of thousands of times over a four day period.


Thanks to redditor 'lompolo' the scheme was uncovered. It was posted on reddit, then picked up by Android Police, who did two very important things. They contacted Google, and then did some more investigation. They were able to shed light on the fact that not only were these infected apps rooting phones, and sending information back to servers in California, they were also able to download and execute new code.

What can I say? This is pure EVIL in my eyes, certainly much more than a practical joke! I guess some nutty people have nothing better to do with their time than to hurt others. What a boring life they must lead. 


Google moved quickly after being alerted to this, and pulled all 21 apps from the Android Market, and utilized its rarely used ability to remotely remove apps from infected phones of the unsuspecting users who installed them.


In the past malware has been associated with non-Market apps, and this appearance in the Android Market is an eye-opener. A good practice for all Android users to put in place would be to more thoroughly read about each app before installing them to your phone.


Be careful folks! Thanks again to 'lompolo'. We need users like this to help combat against the ones that wish to do harm. So unfortunate. 

Get The Beautiful Widgets Android App; Its Name Says it All

Have you ever gotten jealous watching someone use their HTC Android device, because it has such beautiful widgets? Well, no need for that jealousy any longer, now there's an app for that. No matter what Android device you use, you too can have those beautiful widgets. 

Beautiful Widgets is available now in the Android Market, or on AppBrain. (use QR Code supplied) It costs $1.98, which is not too much to pay for such eye candy. Judging by the reviews in the Android Market, it sure seems well worth a wee bit of your 'green'.

Features:

• 400 Free Skins to download
• More than 15 Weather Animations
• 4-day Weather Forecast for any location
• Date Widget
• Clock Widget
• Weather Widget
• Toggles Widget

I'm sure there will be much more to come with updates. Please have fun with this. Your phone will be 'the talk of the town' by everyone that lays eyes on such BEAUTIFUL WIDGETS!

Radio Shack Undercuts AT&T; Atrix 4G $149 Starting February 22nd

Radio Shack has announced on its Facebook Page it will be selling the AT&T Motorola Atrix 4G for only $149 starting February 22nd when this device goes on sale. This is Radio Shack's out-of-the-door price you'll be paying, it does not require a mail-in rebate like other retailers. This adds up to a $50 savings over the price offered by AT&T. They will also offer the laptop dock for $329.99 when bought with the phone. The phone and dock package will cost a total of $479.99, which is $20 cheaper from AT&T. My recommendation is to skip the laptop dock for now, and purchase one standard dock, and one multimedia dock. I'm not sure of Radio Shack's pricing on these.


The Atrix 4G is one of the first high-end Android smartphones available at AT&T. They will also be getting the Samsung Infuse 4G, and the HTC Inspire 4G. To read more info about the Atrix 4G, please use the above 'Facebook' or 'Atrix 4G' link above.


Who's heading over to the 'The Shack' to grab one of these on February 22nd? I might just do it myself if I could sell my current phone and get out of my contract. Geez, contracts!

Google One Pass; One Login to Subscription Digital Newsstand on Any Device You Own

I also write for Android Headlines. (androidheadlines.com) Please check out the link below to visit this site. I chose this article to blog since I'm really amazed at what a great concept this is, and how I can hardly wait to use it. I'm sure it will significantly increase the number of online newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Publishers. The easier something is to access, the more people will use it.


If you enjoy this article, please click on my name at the top of it to view the past 25 newest articles also written by me.


Google One Pass; One Login to Subscription Digital Newsstand on Any Device You Own | Androidheadlines.com

MapQuest App Just Released to Android Market

If you're a MapQuest user, you'll be happy to hear now there's an app for that in the Android Market. It's a great turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation app, which includes OpenStreetMap (OSM) features.

MapQuest Android also features voice search, a map toolbar for finding restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, and parking with one click. There's both walking and driving directions, and live traffic flow.


The OpenStreetMap feature makes MapQuest Android App much more appealing. It's what's called a 'living map', it's improved daily by MapQuest users. They are user-sourced OSM Maps that provide an extraordinary local perspective and detail, bug logging for OSM, and international maps.


MapQuest Android app is free, just use your barcode scanner app on your Android device to scan the QR Code below, and it will install.

If you like Lego, be sure to watch the YouTube video I've included. These guys must have lots more patients than I.

Effortlessly Send Links With Google 'Chrome to Phone'

I know it's happened to me. I sit down at my desktop or laptop computer, and come across a really cool app or mobile website, then think...dang...now I have to type that whole address into my phone! Well, no more of that for me now that I've become a Chrome to Phone App user.


To use Chrome to Phone search the Android Market for the app, and install on your device. On your computer you must download the 'Google Chrome to Phone' extension for the Google Chrome Browser, and install it. It takes a few seconds, and will place a new icon on your browser toolbar in the right top corner. While on the page you want to send to your phone, just click the Chrome to Phone icon, and voila, the link will instantly open on your mobile phone.


This method saves me so much time, now I go hunting just for things to send to my phone. It's become very fun, instead of very tedious. Please note, Chrome to Phone will only work if you have Android 2.2 Froyo or higher running on your device.


Go ahead, try it. I'm sure this alone will make you a huge fan of devices running Android. You'll never want any other OS on your smartphone. You will certainly become an Android addict, as you can see...I'm already there.

Eric Schmidt Former Google CEO Talks Android at MWC

Eric Schmidt has been throwing around some numbers today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and it's no surprise they represent great news for Android.


Google Android OS is rapidly increasing its market share in the mobile device community. They are slicing into that pie, and just may end up with the biggest piece if the competition can't catch up.


Schmidt wowed us with figures during his keynote, saying the numbers represent an increase of three times the amount they were just nine months ago. He stated that Android is now on over 170 compatible devices, 27 OEMs, 169 carriers, in 69 countries, and over 150,000 apps available in the Android Market. That's a whole lotta Android love!


Another remarkable figure Schmidt mentioned is 350,000, which is the number of Android devices currently being activated each and every day. It has bounced up quickly since late summer 2010 when that figure was 200,000 per day.


Are the Google guys happy? I would certainly hope so with that much growth in such a short time, with an operating system that is less than 3 years old. Apple will have to do some fancy slicing of that pie very soon, or Google will certainly eat the most.

Pre-Order AT&T Motorola Atrix 4G NOW; Don't Miss Out on March 6th

The Atrix 4G AT&T's most powerful smartphone is now available for pre-order. Head on over to AT&T's Website to order yours today. Don't wait in line on March 6th just to find it's sold out.


The Atrix 4G is priced at $199.99 with a new two-year contract. You will likely want to get a few charger docks. I would recommend one standard dock (49.99), and one HD multimedia dock  (129.99). The multimedia dock connects your phone to a HD monitor/TV for viewing content on a larger screen. It also has a USB port to connect peripherals, and comes with its own remote. If you want the laptop dock it will cost an additional $299.99, which might make buyers just live without it. Hang in there, I'm hoping to eventually see the price come down. Oh the bright side, you are getting both a new phone, and a new laptop.


Take a look at the complete hands-on video.

FINALLY...RedBox App for Android Has Arrived!

I've been waiting for this app to come to the Android Market for far too long. I never thought I would envy iPhone owners, but they've had this app for a long time now. It's just great if you love renting DVDs and Blu-Rays from RedBox. Now you can do it very quickly right in the palm of your hand.


You can do everything on the RedBox app, just the same as the web version. You can browse their catalog, find RedBox locations, browse the movie inventory available at your chosen location, then presto...reserve your movie, and it will be waiting for you when you get to the RedBox. No more arriving at the kiosk just to find out the movie you've been dying to see is sold out. The Redbox app will even supply a map to your nearest kiosk if you're not sure how to get there.


So, get on over to the Android Market to grab this app, then easily reserve all your favorite movies. Drive to your nearest RedBox and pick up your movies for only a buck a night. It's so simple, all that entertainment with a tap on your touchscreen! Way to go...FINALLY... Redbox!

 

Android Market to get BBC iPlayer App

Another new app comes to Android, this time from the BBC. They have officially announced the BBC iPlayer will come to the Android Market later this week. We know we can currently use this service on our Android phones in a web browser, but this new app makes it much better. You will be furnished with a snazzy user interface, and better touchscreen experience.


The app will let you stream live TV and radio, which is not possible with the web interface. You can also play catch-up-TV, which we all need today in our busy lifestyles. To enjoy the BBC app you will need at least Android 2.2, and Flash Player 10.1 on your device.


BBC iPlayer will be free in the UK to all TV fee payers, but here in North America and other countries BBC will launch a subscription-based version of their service. 


All this information being placed in the palm or our hand must be making us all much smarter, right?

Zip Sweet Honeycomb to your Nook Color

When it was announced several days ago that you could now put Android 3.0 Honeycomb on your Nook Color's internal memory, the methods were quite difficult. You will be happy to find out a much simpler method has come to light. The latest version of deeper-blue's Android 3.0 port can now be flashed as a zip file in ClockworkMod Recovery.


I haven't tried this myself, but based on the comments it sounds like a go. We can all thank samuelhalff for putting this zip file together for us. You can use this complete how to guide to install Honeycomb to your Nook Color's internal memory. (both old & new method) Please be aware, you will be erasing everything that is currently on your internal memory of your Nook.


Love this very inexpensive way to have a pure Honeycomb tablet, especially considering the price of $799.99 just announced for the new Honeycomb Motorola XOOM tablet. Gotta love those smart developers. Now get busy, so you can enjoy your sweet Honeycomb Nook Color tablet!

LG G-Slate Quick Video Overview

The G-Slate will be coming to T-Mobile as their first Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet. I still haven't got a definite date, but one lucky person got their hands a G-Slate in this YouTube video.


Watching the video, the G-Slate looks pretty grande, but I won't make any final judgments till I give one a try. It has some impressive features like 3D and 4G, but will the 8.9 inch screen satisfy consumers enough to make the G-Slate a big seller?

Seriously Ghoulish Xperia Play Commercial

Sony Ericsson revealed this eerie commercial in front of millions watching the Super Bowl. Most of us have already heard about Sony Ericsson's upcoming new PlayStation phone, the Xperia Play, and now they treated us to its first commercial. 


Creepy, gruesome, sinister, macabre, and weird are a few of many words that come to mind when I watch this commercial. Does that mean I like the commercial? Well...I'm really not too sure. It reminds me of watching the movie Frankenstein. Will it get folks to buy the Xperia Play? I'm sure that's what Sony Ericsson is hoping.


Take a look at the following video that was posted on a Norwegian Android fan site. Our Android bot is, well...getting a few alterations so he may enjoy the Xperia Play phone. It's pretty creepy folks, enjoy!

"Android is Ready to Play"

Android Market Comes to the Web

Google has now released a Web-based version of the Android Market available at market.android.com. This allows you to link to applications, find apps with your computer, and install them over the air to your phone.


All applications are available on the Android Web Market. This means the web version is much more extensive than what's installed on your phone, which is geared for a certain device, or certain version of Android. If you live in a country that only allows you to install free apps, you can now find paid apps. If your phone still uses Android Donut, you'll be able to find apps for Froyo. Now everyone can explore the Android Market whether or not they even use an Android device.


I haven't tried to install yet from the web, but one source reports trying to install an application from the website, but got a message "invalid request." I can only assume that Google has some additional tweaks to perform on the site, or it was simply user error.


Get on over to market.android.com to check it out. If you currently don't use an Android device, this may just entice you to do so after experiencing the exhaustive amount of entertainment, and utilities available for Android smartphones. If you do decide to pick up an Android device, be sure to try the game Angry Birds.

Canada Warm Up to 'Free Phone Fridays' at Best Buy Till the End of February

Best Buy Mobile will be celebrating 'Free Phone Fridays' till the end of February. Every Friday in February Best Buy will reduce the cost of a Smartphone to $0.00, that's right, nothing, nil, not a red cent, it's free with a 3-year contract. On the first Friday, February 4th, the following Android devices will be offered free;


*Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate through TELUS (currently $149.99 on 3-year contract)
*Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant through Bell (currently $149.99 on 3-year contract)
*Samsung Galaxy S Captivate through Rogers (currently $99.99 on 3-year contract)


So get to Best Buy this Friday if you want to save some money, and have been craving one of these Smartphones.

Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb Event February 2nd

Tomorrow will be a very sweet day for Honeycomb, as Google is holding a Press Event. Along with the unveiling of Honeycomb there may also be a few more surprises. The rumor mill is churning and it says Google will announce their online Android Market, and cloud-based music service, Google Music.

Honeycomb is very different from previous versions of Android, and specifically geared for use on tablets. It would only make sense for Google to unleash new services within Honeycomb. 

With the online version of the Android Market users will be able to search for apps via their computers, and download them directly to their phone. This sounds great, but not the most talked about service that we really can't wait to see...Google Music.

Much like the online Market, users can shop for music, and have it downloaded immediately to their phone. If you don't have enough room on your device's SD card, you don't necessarily have to download any music to your phone. You can access your home computer's music library using the Google cloud-based service.

Oh, I can't wait to hear the news to be released at the Honeycomb Event tomorrow. If all these predictions come to light, it will make owning a tablet a lot harder to wait for. I hope they soon start making some of these great Android tablets available for purchase. 

Oh, have you seen the Blue Bee Honeycomb Icon yet? It's wicked cool! Take a peek below.