Crunchyroll Adds Google TV Support – Watch Your Favorite Anime Or Dramas On The Big Screen

When it comes to Google TV, one could say it’s more of a niche market than anything. So what happens when you combine one niche with another like Japanese anime? Pure magic. Well, if samurais and robot maids are your thing. Crunchyroll has finally added Google TV support to their popular anime viewing app, giving free and premium users the ability to watch all their favorite anime from the comfort of their living rooms.

There’s a myriad of content offering everything from G-rated material, to more mature themes (stay away from anything that mentions “tentacle” in the description — don’t say I didn’t warn you) and even non-anime like Korean/Japenese dramas (read: soap operas). Crunchyroll also mentioned they plan to introduce 720p HD videos sometime early next year so be on the lookout for that.

You can download Crunchyroll for free right now from Android Market on your Google TV or Android powered smartphone.

[Via GTVSource]

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Pro Tip: Take Photos During Video Recording with the Galaxy Nexus

With Android 4.0′s updated camera software, the Galaxy Nexus has quite a few tricks up its sleeve for blossoming photographers. Time lapse video and sweeping panoramic views are just the tip of the ice berg. Here’s one feature that you will hopefully be as pleasantly surprised to discover as I was.
While using the camera in video mode, tapping the screen will take a snapshot of the scene without interrupting video recording (a red box around the viewfinder means you’re doing it right). Results aren’t as instant as when using the camera in photo mode and you lack the ability to refine the shot’s focus and adjust other parameters, but the functionality insures the best of both worlds, allowing you to capture life’s precious moments without missing a beat. Opinions may vary on the image quality of the Galaxy Nexus’ 5MP camera, but you can’t argue with the rich set of capabilities Google has built into the Ice Cream Sandwich software.
[via Reddit]

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Budget-priced Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet Ready for Pre-oreder in the US

Ainovo’s low-priced Novo 7, one of the first tablets to sport Ice Cream Sandwich, may finally be making its way to the United States. The slate was announced earlier this month for a release in China, at the time priced at an extremely reasonable $100. Throw on the $60 shipping fee that some sites were charging to import the tablet and the deal became a little less sweet. The 7-inch Novo 7 with 1GHz CPU has gone on pre-order through several US retailers at a slightly marked up priced of $120, a bit pricier but still better than having the device shipped in from China. Get it here or here.
[via AndroidCommunity]

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LG Announces Ice Cream Sandwich Updates to Begin Q2 2012

LG has provided an update on their Android 4.0 upgrade timeline via their Facebook page. For a selection of their 2011 smartphone lineup, an Ice Cream Sandwich treat will arrive starting in Q2 of next year. The first phones to receive the new version of Android will be the LG Optimus LTE, LG Prada 3.0, LG Optimus 2X, LG Optimus Sol, LG myTouch Q, and the LG Eclipse. In Q3, updates will start rolling out to the LG Optimus 3D, LG Optimus Black, LG Optimus Big, LG Optimus Q2, and LG Optimus EX. As can be discerned from the selection of handsets, the rollout will be global, though exact dates will vary by region and carrier. It also isn’t clear if re-branded variants such as the T-Mobile G2X (Optimus 2X), LG Thrill (Optimus 3D) and LG Nitro HD (Optimus LTE) are in line for the same upgrade schedule.
LG is “taking all possible measure to offer a smooth OS upgrade in a timely manner” and will be providing further updates, such as specific release dates, as they become available.
[via Facebook]

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Custom ROM Makes ICS Face Unlock Available to Nexus S Users

What’s better than unlocking your phone with your finger? Unlocking your phone with your FACE. And now even the Nexus S will drop its lockscreen at the sight of your beautiful face. A custom ROM is necessary (of course), but the best Galaxy Nexus party trick is available for both the GSM Nexus S and the Nexus S 4G. The available ROMs are based off of the Android 4.0.3 AOSP release and the installation journey begins at the source link below. Don’t call it a gimmick, it’s the future!
[via AndroidCentral]

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After 6.2.1 Update, Amazon’s Kindle Fire Re-Rooted

After the latest update broke the root method established for the Amazon Kindle Fire, it was back to square one. For some this meant having to decide between the officially updated software or the older (but more open) rooted version. If the decision was causing fits for some, they can put their minds at ease. The 6.2.1 update has been cracked and root is once again attainable on the latest version of the Amazon Kindle Fire firmware. Head on over to the source link below to get all the info and an easy one-click method to get the job done.
[via Rootzwiki]

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Android clear winner of 2011 Smartphones race

The year 2011 has been a great year for Android based smartphone manufacturers. Handset makers like Samsung, HTC, Sony & Motorola lead the Android handset market. Special mention goes to Samsung's Galaxy series of Android phones. The series boasts various range of Android smartphones for everyone ranging from 5000 INR to 30,000 INR.

According to Business Standard, Samsung Galaxy S II, priced at 30,100 INR has broken all the records. It not only became a hot-favourite of reviewers across the globe but also managed to hold ground against Apple’s smartphones. It seems to be one of the most powerful and user-friendly Android phones. Its 8MP camera is a very good replacement for a pocket camcorder.

Other Android phones which lead the list of Smartphones along with Galaxy SII & Apple 4S are HTC Sensation XL, Motorola Razr & Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc S.

• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Apple 4S
• HTC Sensation XL
• Motoroal Razr
• Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc S

Let us know which one do you think is the best and why?

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MOTOACTV rooted, full Android interface possible

Let’s be honest: the Motorola MOTOACTV doesn’t have a whole lot of applications outside of the sports and fitness world. At least, it didn’t until now: one ambitious Android modder has managed to root the tiny touchscreen watch and install third-party apps, making full access to Android possible. The dream of a Dick Tracy watch is within our grasp!

After reading through Linux junkie Chris Wade’s guided tour and teardown of Motorola’s wearable device, it’s kind of surprising that no one’s managed this before. The root process should be fairly ordinary to Android modders: start the watch in bootloader mode, flash a new boot image, then run the popular SuperOneClick root method. Apparently the MOTOACTV’s software is similar enough to other phones to be compatible.
Check out the results in action below:




Wade managed to flash CyanogenMod’s Google apps and a custom launcher via ADB, making the watch behave very much like a tiny Android smartphone. A 600Mhz processor and 256Mb of RAM is more than enough to run Gingerbread, if not especially fast. He used the look-alike Honeycomb launcher and a few other obligatory apps like Angry Birds to test out the system, apparently with some really cool results. The device’s 1.6inch screen, Bluetooth-only connectivity and $249.99 price tag still make it a little inconvenient as a secondary Android gadget, but there’s no denying that the results are cool.

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Dell Streak 7 now on sale at Currys for just £100

Are you living in UK and want an ultra-cheap Honeycomb tablet? Dell Streak 7 is practically going for a steal at £99.97 right now at Currys. This seven inch tablet comes with FroYo on-board but Honeycomb update has already been released two months ago, so as soon as you will open the tablet, you will have Honeycomb waiting for you.
Apart from the poor display resolution (800 x 480), there is no actual problem with the tablet. It features 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, 7 inch LCD, 512MB RAM, 16GB internal storage, 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, and the usual Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS.
It is now available for home delivery, so you will have to reserve a unit online and then you can collect it from your nearest Currys store.

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