Plants vs. Zombies in the Android Market

Plants vs. Zombies is arguably one of the best apps to help your kids prepare for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. Unlike zombie apps for grown-ups which teach defensive techniques using various weapons, Plants vs. Zombies teaches about barriers and strategy for avoiding direct confrontations with the undead.

Unfortunately, Plants vs. Zombies hasn't been available through the Android Market, only through the Amazon Appstore (which has a significantly smaller reach).

According to a post on their blog, Popcap had the following to say:

"... we agree with you: It’s about time already! Sheesh! The games aren't there quite yet, but will be later this week. We promise! We’re not trolling or rickrolling you!"

UPDATE:
Plants vs. Zombies costs US$2.99 and is available now in the Android Market.

Source: Popcap

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[Download] Android Market 3.4.4 Rolling Out, Users Reporting Great Speed Enhancements

It seems Google’s got a new version of the Android Market rolling out for everyone. Its version number is 3.4.4 and the most noticeable change (aside from a slight difference in verbiage for the auto-add shortcut option) is just how fast the application performs.

As the application is as image rich as it’s ever been we understand why some older devices struggle to handle it smoothly. But users are reporting that the application provides significant speed improvements and folks on devices as old as the HTC Hero are no longer gnashing their teeth trying to work their way around the market without it stuttering.
The silent update may not have been pushed to your phone yet but fret not as the APK has already been uploaded for public downloading. No root required. [Download via Android Police]
From what I can see they’ve also put trailers in the photo carousel on app listings so you won’t have to scroll down to press play anymore. Neat and simple, yet convenient.

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Microsoft Lync 2010 Now Available for Android

Microsoft has released Microsoft Lync 2010 for Android. The free application enables users to communicate with their job’s Lync server on the go, giving users access to instant messaging, remote secure conference calling and more that their IT department enables them to do. And for those of you guys in the IT department, remote device management tools are at your service. Be sure to contact your IT department to apply the necessary updates to Lync and to enable mobile device support if you’re having trouble with the application. Download the free app here. [Thanks Kevin!]

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T-Mobile’s White Samsung Galaxy S II Now Available Online for $230

Following news that the T-Mobile Galaxy S II would be getting a software upgrade to add WiFi calling, the white version of that very phone is now available online (or through telesales and customer care). It’s a 4.5 inch Super AMOLED Plus gem with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and HSPA+ radios. It can be yours for $230. [T-Mobile]

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NPD: Android passes 50% market share in the US

Android has been making a beeline to the top of the smartphone world for the last two years, and it looks like the little green OS that could has passed one of its biggest milestones yet. Research firm NPD says that Android runs on 53% of the smartphones being used in the US. No other OS comes close, with iOS in a distant second at 29%. If mobile operating systems were horses, Android would lead by about two and a half lengths.

But the really interesting numbers come in at the third place and lower contenders. RIM’s BlackBerry continues its downward slide with just 8 percent of the market, and Microsoft’s Window Phone 7 presence is sitting at just 2%. Compare that to a 50% market share for Windows Mobile four years ago. Android and iOS, the only mobile operating systems making concrete gains, combine for a whopping 82% of the market. Worldwide Android activations are creeping up on 200 million, beating iOS in just about every market. In some places like the UK and China, Android reached the halfway point even faster.

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Verizon’s white DROID RAZR on sale tomorrow, mum’s the word on the Galaxy Nexus

If you’ve been holding on to your three hundred bones, waiting on the prospect of chillier version of the Motorola DROID RAZR to land in time for Christmas, you needn’t wait much longer. Verizon announced availability for the white variant via press release, just one day shy of its December 15th debut. Speed freaks and fashionistas can pick one up tomorrow at the regular $299 on-contract price.

There’s also the deal for a select group of consumers who want both a Verizon 4G LTE smartphone and tablet: buy a new DROID RAZR and you can take an extra hundred dollars off the price of a DROID XYBOARD tablet. Since the cheapest 8.2-inch XYBOARD is $429.99, that makes for an attractive offer – but only if you really want two multi-year contracts. 

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10 Billion Apps promo, day 9: EzPDF, Guns’n'Glory and Zenonia for 10¢

The penultimate day of Google’s 10 Billion Apps promotion is upon us, and thankfully there’s a fresh batch of apps and games to pick up on the cheap. Google is celebrating more than 10 billion (with a b) app downloads with apps discounted to just ten cents / pence, a discount of more than 90% in most cases. Today’s batch of new apps includes EzPDF, Guns’n'Glory and Zenonia.

Here’s the list of new apps so far: Collapse!, Deer Hunter 3D, EzPDF, Guns’n'Glory, MX Moto, Sleepy Jack, Tank Riders, Toddler Tapping Zoo, and Zenonia. If you didn’t pick up SwiftKey X already, you’ve got another chance today. Google’s focus on games remains, but it’s nice to see them throw in another utility, in the form of the very solid ExPDF. If you often find yourself viewing Adobe documents on your phone or tablet, it’s well worth the dime.

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Samsung Galaxy S II test ROM leaks with Ice Cream Sandwich [UPDATE]

What’s this? An official Samsung ROM with the most desirable bit of software this holiday season? Someone out there has been a very god little Android modder this year, and if you own the international version of the Galaxy S II, you can take advantage of his or her good fortune. Sammobile got their ans on a leaked version of Ice Cream Sandwich for the SGSII, and the adventurous can flash it at their leisure.

The ROM is a customized version of Ice Cream Sandwich that’s a long way from ready for an OTA release, but it’s surprisingly complete for a test build. All the basics are covered, including calls, SMS, Internet access, etc. Sammobile claims that some of the apps are unstable, and random reboots are an unfortunate reality at this stage. By all accounts, it isn’t ready for use as a daily driver.

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Clever Sense nabbed by Google to provide local recommendations

Whether or not you like Apple or the iPhone; the Siri search assistant in the latest versions of the iPhone is a very cool feature. Google is gearing up to fight Siri and some of the cool local recommendation and other features that the AI assistant touts on the iPhone 4S. To help beef up the Google arsenal in local recommendations Google has plunked down the cash needed to buy up Clever Sense.

Clever Sense is a recommendation service that will undoubtedly find its way into Majel, the rumored Siri competitor for Android. Clever Sense is the firm behind the Alfred apps for Android and iOS devices that are able to keep track of restaurants close to the user and then make recommendations based on what the app determines are the tastes of the user.
The team of geeks at Clever Sense will become part of the Google local search team. Cleaver sense had plans to make its app more than just a food recommendation service. It was planning to make the app suggest entertainment options and deals in a system sort of like Groupon. I can see all of those things making nice additions to Majel.
[via SlashGear]

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