In Brief is a compilation of notifications, rumors, photos, videos, infographics, and Android-related news tidbits which, for whatever reason, did not end up with a post of its own on AndroidGuys. These are things that we still feel are worth knowing, even if in a passing manner. Consider it a grab-bag of Android goodies. If you have something that you think is worth a mention on AndroidGuys, be sure to reach out to us via our contact page.
This week features Project SHEILD’s “Burn Zombie Burn!”, News Republic’s 3.0 update, Celltick’s Real Time Coupon Server, a new Magellan app, and much, much more!
Burn Zombie Burn! by Tick Tock Games will be coming onto the mobile scene for the first time this summer thanks to NVIDIA. This former PS3-only game puts the same graphics and nail biting action on NVIDIA’s Tegra 4, and will have you taking out zombies faster than the gang on Zombieland. Need a quick stress release after a long day, coming July 2013, you will be able to try this zombie-scorching game on Project SHIELD.
If you’re more in the mood for news rather than flesh eating monsters, Mobile Republic launched their News Republic 3.0 update this week as well. With 3.0, readers can easily organize their home screen to emphasize their favorite news from top rated media outlets, and headlines now update immediately on-screen. If you are looking to catch up on foreign media, News Republic is available in eight global editions and five languages.
In more media news, The New York Times also released The New York Times on Flipboard for Android and Kindle Fire. The launch is an extension of the NYT Everywhere strategy, which is designed to expand The Times’s reach to users on third-party platforms. Following authentication within Flipboard, existing Times subscribers will have full access to all content on Android and Kindle Fire. As with other New York Times news applications, the Top News section is free. On Android, non-subscribers will be able to purchase a subscription from The Times directly within the Flipboard app.
Looking to save a few extra bucks? Celltick unveiled a real time coupon server and opened access to its 140 million user global coupon network at Mobile World Congress this past week. As part of the launch, operators can now leverage Celltick’s mobile coupon engine to incorporate mobile coupons as part of the overall marketing strategy, and Celltick’s unique pricing model allows merchants to offer mobile coupons at a fraction of the cost of the competition. Better price for the merchants means better deals for the consumer. So whether you are in the U.S. or feel a trip overseas is in order, you will have a coupon app you can take with you across the globe.
Since we are on the topic of travel, coming this Spring, Magellan plans on releasing the SmartGPS App for iOS and Android mobile devices. The SmartGPS mobile App will automatically display continually updating models that graphically flip to show reviews, tips, and offers from Yelp and Foursquare for nearby restaurants, stores, and services. This means users can now navigate to chosen locations directly from the SmartGPS App without needing to open an additional application or device. If you still need the turn-by-turn navigation, a premium edition will also be available from iTunes and Google Play.
Here’s a few things to think about. Have you ever wanted to run a web server from a phone? Have some Linux software you really wish you had no matter where you go? Want to have just one device that can do everything you need? A college student has launched a kick starter project, with the goal to raise enough funds to commit enough resources to the project and produce a polished and fully functioning method for installing Linux on top of Android. If interested, click here to back the project.
And to round off the week, here is a crazy statistic to bring you back to reality. 85% of people surveyed by Apigee in February 2013 admitted they would rather go without water than their mobile apps, and 82% of those surveyed said they can’t go a day without their critical apps! Can you check your email without an application? 42% said they wouldn’t be able to do it! Check out some of the findings of Apigee’s 2013 Mobile App Behavior survey of over 760 smartphone owners across France, Germany, Spain, the U.K. and U.S. and see where you may fit in:
- 18% of the French are unable to order dinner without using an app
- 32% surveyed said they can’t wake up in the morning without an app
- Some people use more than 50 apps per day
- Many use apps to impress people
- Surprisingly high numbers admit to using apps behind the wheel
- First smartphone? Germans say no age is too young!
The post In Brief: 7 Android-related things you should know (March 1, 2013) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
