SandroProxy: Increasing your privacy and security when Web browsing on Android

Whether we’re on a trip, at work, or even at home, Web browsing has become a part of our daily life. Mobile phones have allowed us to keep connected to the Internet wherever we go. Browsing, however, has a few perils. You could come across harmful malware or viruses that could damage your device, or worse, steal your log-in credentials. It’s only natural for us to seek something that could improve our browsing security and data protection. The more crucial our data are, the more reason we need to tighten their security. Let’s take some time to check out a new Android app for privacy and security when Web browsing.
SandroProxy, a free app developed by XDA Developers member SandroBSupp, is here to help you achieve tighter browser security. It is simple and easy to use since it’s based on the WebScarab Project, patterned from a plug-in architecture that focuses mostly on security.

Once you open SandroProxy, you will see three tabs namely Log, Data, and Apps. On top of these tabs are icons such as the Play arrow, Wrench, and Information icon. The Play arrow, as the name implies, starts the proxy service. The Wrench opens the settings, while the Information icon processes a request for user permission, which then allows you to view your network information. The Log tab is responsible for tracking all relevant actions you do and making sure that they are displayed properly on screen.
You also don’t need to worry even if your phone is not yet rooted since SandroProxy doesn’t require it. All you need to do is to hit the Play button and the app will serve as an SSL MITM proxy (Secure Socket Layer Man-In- the -Middle-proxy). Your HTTP/HTTPS requests will be redirected through a web server, making your sent and received data invisible and, thus, protected.

If your phone is rooted, on the other hand, you will be given the chance to access a transparent proxy, a network layer proxy which, in turn, redirects the traffic needed by your phone for proxy identification. The only traffic that this proxy modifies are those which are absolutely necessary for proxy identification and authorization.
Understanding the process of networking will be an advantage in using this app, but this doesn’t mean beginners can’t access SandroProxy. They might, at first, have a hard time understanding the concepts involved in the app, but they sure would not have a problem in accessing its basic services.

SandroProxy is a free app but comes with ads. Nevertheless, the app proves to be a very reliable tool for protecting your browsing data. If you’re concerned with your privacy while browsing the Internet and want to take your phone’s privacy to the next level, then SandroProxy is worth checking out.

SOURCE: View the original article here

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Patent smackdown: Apple teams up with Microsoft to bid against Google and Android OEMs for Kodak’s patents

The patent arms race is reaching a feeding-frenzy stage. Over the past months, we’ve witnessed a series of high profile legal spats between the technology companies that make our beloved gadgets. A quick recap of the most visible battles includes the Oracle vs Google trial, the Samsung vs Apple global conflagration, the Microsoft vs Motorola case that caused the ban of all Motorola devices in Germany, and the Apple vs HTC debacle, which affected the availability of the One X and the EVO 4G LTE in the USA.
Tech corporations are suing each other like madmen, but unfortunately, their actions mostly affect consumers. We get fewer products on the market, and the products that are available are made dumber. The war is likely to continue for the foreseeable future and the players are accruing weapons at a staggering rate.
A new stash of patents is about to be sold to the highest bidder. On Monday, the patent portfolio of Eastman Kodak, the legendary photography company, will be sold in an auction. Two major forces emerge as potential winners – on one side, Apple allied with Microsoft and patent troll aggregation firm Intellectual Ventures. On the other side, Google got together with the biggest Android OEMs – Samsung, HTC, and LG – along with a patent troll of its own, the RPX Corporation.
The two consortiums will try to win the battle over Eastman Kodak’s 1100 patents, most related to photographic technology. Kodak has a great deal of intellectual property that could prove essential for anyone manufacturing a product that incorporates a digital camera. According to WSJ, alliances are still made and broken, and the situation is still in flux.
As a reminder, it wouldn’t be the first time Google would square off with the Apple-Microsoft team – last year, Google lost the auction for Nortel’s patent trove, which eventually went to the Apple-Microsoft consortium for $4.5 billion. It’s unclear how valuable Kodak’s portfolio is, but experts seem to agree that it is far less valuable than Nortel’s stash.
We’ll keep you posted on any new developments next week.

SOURCE:View the original article here

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Hackers can exploit NFC, Chrome browser to take over your Android phone

Despite Google’s valiant attempt to make Android a safer playground for its users by introducing the anti-malware Bouncer service last February, which helps scan apps on Google Play Store for malware and keep them out, experts are still finding security loopholes that can wreak havoc on your Android device.
The first threat we’re going to talk about today comes from the Near Field Communication (NFC) feature on certain Android devices, which is becoming more ubiquitous these days. Though the technology was already used in older phones like the Google Nexus S, released back in 2010, newer devices like Samsung’s Galaxy S3 seem to be finding more uses for it, as NFC is being promoted beyond wireless payment – such as for transferring pictures and other files.
Charlie Miller, a consultant from security firm Accuvant, has recently demonstrated how easy it is to push through malicious code to an Android device. He did it with the help of a device as small as a postage stamp, also known as an NFC tag, by placing it within close proximity to where people would be using their NFC-equipped device the most. This enables the code to be beamed over to the handset, thus allowing hackers to gain full control of the device.
So what you can do to avoid the worst from happening? When it comes to NFC, enabling the feature in combination with Android Beam on your device does leave you with no choice but to accept any incoming transfer – malicious or not. There is currently no mechanism in place where you can select to approve or reject the transfer from other NFC devices. This is obviously something that Google and manufacturers need to address.
The second threat is a security flaw that was found in Google’s Chrome browser for Android. Demonstrating it back in February, Miller, alongside Crowdstrike’s Georg Wicherski, used a piece of software to infect the device through the loophole. The flaw has since been fixed by Google, and those who have updated the browser to its latest version should be relatively safe from such attacks.

SOURCE:View the original article here

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BBC Olympics: Bringing the Olympic games to your Android device

BBC is one of the best news channels that keeps us abreast of all the important events around the globe, from local news up to the events of international significance. With the London Olympics now in motion, BBC also prepared something for Android users–the BBC Olympics app for Android–to keep them updated on the important happenings of this long-awaited international event.
The app lets you stream videos of the Olympic games right to your Android live or on demand, along with news updates, commentaries, and interviews from BBC journalists themselves.  It’s
Get exclusive Olympics news fast and easy through the app, so you won’t need to miss out on spectacular Olympic moments and highlights free of charge. It would make things easier, particularly for die-hard fans who want to keep track of their favorite athletes.

Upon launching the app, you are instantly welcomed by a neat and clean interface, intuitive and user friendly, not to mention classy yet simple with the yellow and black color combination.
When you tap the Menu icon on the upper right of the screen, it then reveals to you all the underlying options. The Menu contains starting points for your close monitoring of the Olympics coverage from BBC, so from the Menu, you can go to the schedule of games, live broadcasts, news on all sports, medal winners, a special section for the U.K. team, BBC’s coverage of the games, and more.

Aside from providing you with news to digest, the app also includes several extra perks for you to enjoy. For instance, you may opt to read about the top stories during the Olympic games, read daily text commentaries by BBC journalists, or watch video highlights of the games.
You can watch the Olympics live with up to 24 live video streams on either 3G or Wi-Fi connection. It’s also worth mentioning that the app includes relevant Olympic contents for every Olympic event, and information on competing countries and every participating athlete.

If you find interesting stuff — news and feature stories, videos, or game results — you can easily share them via popular social networks or email. Judging from the features and the interface of this app, it does make quite an impression especially with the fact that it’s developed just for such a short, though big, Olympic event.
On the other hand, upon reviewing this app, I noticed a few flaws that could potentially sour the moods of some users. Based on Flash instead of HTML 5, the BBC Olympics app sometimes plays videos erratically, or not at all in some instances (can dampen a fan’s Olympic spirit, you know), but considering that it’s dedicated to that one event (i.e., the Olympics), it’s quite a handy app and a must-have for fans of the Olympic games.
The games have begun, but if you have not done so as yet, download BBC Olympics free from the Google Play Store, and let the Olympic games begin on your Android device.

SOURCE:  View the original article here

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Ourcast: Community-driven weather forecast app for Android

It’s always wonderful to spend time with your loved one but a mild drizzle can definitely spoil the moment. If you’ve been in situations when you’re forced to delay or cancel important appointments because of bad weather, then you might want to check out this new weather forecast app for Android. With the Ourcast app available on both Android and iOS devices, you’re already a step ahead of  unpredictable weather changes.
Never fall prey to inconvenient weather changes again. Simply download the app from the Google Play Store and check your area’s weather forecast and prepare yourself for potential rain, sun, or clouds.

One great thing about Ourcast is that it doesn’t only provide you with weekly or daily weather forecasts, it also provides 10-minute split forecasts for the next two hours, making it easier to track whether or not a drizzle could turn into a downpour. With this, you don’t need to worry about being caught in a heavy rain while on your way home or to an important event.
The app is also equipped with an interactive map, which helps you track weather conditions in certain places. For instance, if you’re on vacation but want to check how the weather is at home, all you need to do is to locate the area on the app’s interactive map. The selected region’s weather condition, complete with graphic indicators, will appear on your phone screen.

This app encourages interactivity among users through its crowdsourcing tools. It lets you post weather-based status updates anonymously or through your Facebook profile. This way, you’ll be able to help other Ourcast users who are looking for the latest weather updates in a certain place.
For you to track the weather conditions of a certain location, all you have to do is to tap the Forecast button at the top of your phone screen. If you want to check on the weather forecast for the last 10 minutes, you just need to tap the left or right arrow keys and the information you want will appear on the screen.
Aside from the app’s interactive map, Ourcast also offers another easy way of looking into the weather updates of a location. Ourcast has its built-in search utility which allows you to go directly to the location of your choice. You can also bookmark your favorite location and share weather information with your friends via Facebook, Twitter, and email.

Ourcast pulls the latest weather information from Wunderground.com. You can get by-the-minute reports on temperature, precipitation levels, and rain changes, including the relevant icon for the interpretations.
The app has an Ourcast community, which allows users to interact and share their weather experiences with other Ourcast users. With the app’s community, you can verify weather information directly from people living in the same area.
With the Ourcast app, bad weather conditions will be a worry no more.

SOURCE: View the original article here

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Simplify Wi-Fi Manager: Simplifies management of Wi-Fi and mobile network connections on Android

An easier way of connecting to the Internet is now available for Android devices. Armed with an Internet connection management interface, the Simplify Wi-Fi Manager app makes it easier for you to connect to the best network anywhere. Be it a Wi-Fi connection or cellular data connection, the app provides you ease by automatically switching to the available connections.
The app has built-in Zero Touch and Eco Surf technologies, making it not only a great connectivity companion but also an eco-friendly app. Zero Touch remembers your connection preference at a certain place, so every time you’re there, it automatically connects to the Internet without the need for extra fiddling.

Eco Surf, on the other hand, eliminates unnecessary networks and allows you to connect to the Internet on the first try. Do you want to check for Wi-Fi hotspots near your location? Simplify’s Discovery toggle will be of great help in showing such places via Google Map.
Topping it all is the app’s Drag to Connect feature which allows you to drag any available network in order to connect to the Internet. This will save you time in switching from mobile data to Wi-Fi. With this feature, everything happens in a single place.
Simplify is not the only app of its kind. In fact, several apps off the same type, like WiFi Booster Easy Connect, are available on the Google Play Store. What makes Simplify unique and interesting is the fact that it’s one of the most comprehensive apps of its type. It offers a simple interface matched with handy options for free.
With Simplify, you don’t need to worry about fiddling with options to manage your Internet connectivity. With a tap on your preferred connection, everything will be as smooth as butter.

If you want instant Wi-Fi profile sharing with your friends on Facebook, all you need to do is to tap your phone against your friend’s phone using NFC Beam and you’ll be able to securely transmit your Wi-Fi settings. This will save you time writing down or reading your passwords aloud when sharing your connection settings.
Simplify’s amazing feature, Circular Dial, provides users direct view of and access to all connectivity toggles of their device. Toggles, such as Offline, Always On, Wi-Fi- Only, Eco Surf, and Discovery, are all presented on the Simplify homescreen widget. This way, you don’t need to shift to different menus and tap on many buttons to select your connectivity choice. In fact, once you set up your connectivity preference, you will need no more than the Simplify widget to get the best connection for you.

Feeling hyped up to try this app? Visit the Google Play Store and install Simplify Smart Wi-Fi Manager app for free. Connecting to the Internet will be a breeze.

SOURCE: View the original article here

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Bolls: Android strategy game of cute, algae-eating balls

Bolls is a turn-based Android strategy game that not only involves fighting off your opponent’s own Bolls but also gathering resources for them. That isn’t a typo you’re looking at. Bolls are the eponymous creatures of this online multiplayer strategy game. These creatures are circles with faces, mouths, and occasionally, hands, fangs, wings, or gills.
The aim of the game is to pit these cute creatures against your enemy’s own army of Bolls. Don’t forget that you’ll need to make sure that your troops have sufficient nourishment. They eat Algae which can be collected in the river. Each Boll in your army can consume 1 algae a month so make sure that you can feed your troops.

Though you receive a Boll from your Queen Boll each month, these critters can also breed. To produce one baby Boll, you’ll need one light Boll, one dark Boll, and three Twigs. What makes breeding the more preferable choice of producing Bolls is that baby Bolls can inherit characteristics from each of its parents. Say you mate a light Boll with hands (or call it light hand-Boll) with a dark Boll with fur (or call it dark fur-Boll). The resulting offspring will have both fur and hands.


The Boll you receive from your Boll Queen, on the other hand, is only one of the 6 types available. Though you can choose, their attributes are pretty limited. You can choose from a fur-Boll or a hand-Boll.
There are two more types you can choose from: a Boll with gills which can swim and collect Algae and a Boll with wings which can fly to gather Twigs. Both these Boll types can also reach the island in the middle of the river to collect Shrooms.
You can also choose a Boll with fangs that may help you out in battles with its strength or a Boll with a shell whose defenses will protect it against Bolls with fangs. Each Boll is vital to your winning against your opponent.
Why are these Shrooms so vital? Shrooms are used for buying upgrades such as increasing the defense of your Queen’s den. This is especially important because if your Boll Queen dies, then you lose. Though the Queen is higher ranked than most Bolls, if she’s attacked enough, her health will be whittled away and she’ll eventually die.
To win the game, you must place your Bolls on the hill in front of your enemy’s den to directly attack their Queen. But, don’t be lax in your defenses. There are two other places where battle can take place.

The island in the middle of the river where Shrooms can be found is a battleground, because your enemies will also want to purchase their own upgrades. Your enemy will also want to attack your Queen so make sure that the hill in front of your den is well-protected.
Once you’ve put all your Bolls in their positions, from gathering resources, to mating, and to defending your den, the month will end and so will your turn. You’ll then have to wait for your enemy’s turn before the game can continue. When your Bolls face off and there are more than 2 Bolls facing off your enemy’s troops at a single spot, you’ll need to decide which ones of the Bolls will fight on the front line.
If you get bored waiting for your opponent’s turn, you can engage another opponent, either a friend or a random Bolls player, to a match. You can have several matches going on at the same time.
Bolls certainly keeps players busy and makes them consider their fighting force and the resources necessary to sustain it. The battle field is also subject to change, such as the water levels rising or dropping. If the water levels are high, only Bolls with gills can collect Algae, but if the water levels are low, even Bolls without gills can collect Algae.

If it’s all so confusing for you, you can tap on the Singleplayer Tutorial. The game will then guide you on what you need to do and will have you fight against enemy Bolls to get a feel of the controls.
Because Bolls is free, it’s also ad-supported. While normally I don’t mind ads, the ads in Bolls can sometimes show up at the bottom of the screen, right over the settings icon. Ads also appear in the middle of the screen. Bolls also frequently shows the loading screen, although, in my test, it doesn’t take long to load.
I found the music actually rather catchy, easily immersing me into the vast fields of green and it really connects to nature when you start hearing the birds tweeting. When your Bolls face off in battle, the battle music plays. I highly appreciated that it sounded tense, giving you a sense of some serious business about to go down.
You can get Bolls Free from the Google Play Store. The pro version of this Android strategy game is still on the way, promising features such as world ranking, monthly rewards, and changeable Boll color.
 
SOURCE: View the original article here

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Box partners with Qualcomm to preload app on Snapdragon devices, users to get free 50GB storage

The cloud storage competition on mobile devices is heating up, as Box goes on the offense against other established players in the market. The cloud storage company has struck a deal with Qualcomm, one of biggest SoC makers in the Android ecosystem, as well as with Microsoft for its Windows Phone devices. We figure you’ll be more interested in the former, so here are the deets.
The Qualcomm partnership means that select devices powered by Snapdragon processors will come preloaded with the Box Android app. The main perk for users is that they will get 50GB of free Box storage. The deal doesn’t necessarily mean that the Box service is mandatory, but phone manufacturers will be given the opportunity to opt in on the offer.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors are prominently featured in recent top offerings from major Android manufacturers. The North American variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the HTC One X, for example, are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 chip. Both Samsung and HTC, interestingly, have already inked deals of their own with Box’s rival Dropbox. Sony Mobile, on the other hand, has taken Box’s side — the Xperia Ion LTE comes with a free 50GB Box storage.
According to the company, the Box Android application has been downloaded 2.2 million times since it was made available back in September 2010. With Qualcomm on its side, the annual number of downloads is expected to triple.

SOURCE: View the original article here

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Logic Labyrinth: Android game app for strategic thinking and logic

Puzzle games and brain teasers are a great way to spend your breaks between classes or at work. Some people play solitaire on their computers or with real cards, others try to make as many words as they can with word boardgames.
Logic Labyrinth, developed by eetayo, looks deceptively easy. The goal of the game is to get one of the two balls you’re provided into the hole in the labyrinth.
The balls you’re given each stage are random but I highly enjoyed the balls’ 3D look against the level’s wooden background. On the HTC Sensation that I played this on, the balls in the first world have a beautiful marble texture.
To navigate the balls around the labyrinth, you’ll need to make use of the directional arrows located on the labyrinth. The balls move together, so when you tap up, both balls will move up. Tap right and to the right both these balls will go.
What makes this game challenging is that you can’t really control where the balls go. Whenever you tap on a direction, the balls will keep moving in that direction but won’t stop until they hit an obstacle, such as the wall or each other. This also means that if the hole is located near a wall but not actually next to it, the balls will roll over the hole.

When you first launch Logic Labyrinth, you’ll see a window with a number 1. This is the first world you’ll be visiting, consisting of 20 levels. There are five levels all in all, with 20 levels each, making a grand total of 100 levels to keep your mind working.
The first level looks simple enough and you only need to move your ball to the right of the screen. When you get to the second level, however, you’ll see obstacles. Rather than seeing them as hindrances, you can use these obstacles to your advantage. Remember that balls won’t stop moving until they hit something? Use the second ball you have and the obstacles to get a ball into the hole within as few moves as possible.


At the top of the screen, you’ll see the buttons for Pause, Restart, and Exit. You can also see the Movements counter. Below it is Record and a specified number. Your goal is to get the ball into the hole in the same number of moves specified. If you get the ball into the hole in the specified number of moves, you get three stars. If you go over the number of moves, you get two stars. The more unnecessary moves you make, the fewer stars you get until you get no stars at all.


Logic Labyrinth has sound effects, such as when the balls move across the labyrinth, when a ball falls into the hole, and when you open the window for a level, but the levels do not have any background music. Some players may find this disappointing but personally, I was thankful. You can focus on accomplishing the level without having to turn the sounds off.
You can listen to the sounds that matter without being bugged by background music. Accessing the menu on the main screen lets you toggle the sound and music, so if you want to play Logic Labyrinth and you don’t have headphones with you, you can just switch the sound and music off.


While doing this Android app review, I initially had some trouble installing Logic Labyrinth on our stock Galaxy S2 and rooted HTC Sensation. The game went smoothly until I played the first level. Once the ball fell into the hole, the game stopped responding and force closed. It did, however, work on a Galaxy Note, a Galaxy Y, and a stock HTC Sensation. We’re not sure what this could mean, but it may have been a snag on our end.

Logic Labyrinth is a straightforward game that will definitely challenge you. You’ll spend levels figuring out how to get the ball into the hole and once you succeed, you’ll want to play the level again and get the ball in using fewer moves. The levels are short enough that you can play a few during your breaks to stimulate your brain.
You can download Logic Labyrinth Lite for free from the Google Play Store but it only gives you access to two of the five 20-level worlds available. You can also purchase the Logic Labyrinth pro version if you want to play all 100 levels.


Source: View the original article here

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Samsung gets another hit – Galaxy Tab 10.1 injunction remains in place

While some laughed at Apple’s patent attacks against Samsung, which seemed like losing battles from the get-go, the joke is starting to be on Sammy. After some relatively insignificant wins in Europe and Australia some time ago, Tim Cook’s giant knocked it off the park in the past month or so, with a couple of US injunctions against two popular Samsung devices.
The Galaxy Nexus sales ban might have been lifted for the time being, but Sammy still has some splitting headaches with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet. The 10-incher has been banned for sale in the US last month, and, after the denial of Samsung’s first appeal on the decision, the Koreans have been hit hard again by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
The Federal Circuit denied Samsung’s motion to stay Judge Koh’s preliminary injunction for the duration of the appellate proceedings and also refused to grant a motion to expedite the appeal. That means Sammy is now officially out of tricks up its sleeve. The Koreans will have to confront Apple in court starting on July 30 regarding a design patent allegedly infringed by the Korean mammoth.

Furthermore, Samsung’s chances for a win in court are not too good, considering that the temporary lifting of the Tab 10.1 sales ban has been denied exactly because the “movant hasn’t established a strong likelihood of success on the merits or demonstrated that it has a substantial case on the merits and that the harm factors militate in its favor.” In other words, the Federal Circuit thought Sammy’s chances for a victory in court were slim, as they didn’t provide enough evidence to contradict Apple’s accusations.
For the time being, Samsung doesn’t have much to lose due to the preliminary injunction against the Tab 10.1, as the 10-incher is not very popular in the US. Then again, in a few short weeks the ban might be made definitive, which would allow Apple to ask for consistent financial compensation, but also to go against other more popular Samsung devices (including the Galaxy S3).
The future looks pretty bleak for Samsung in this exhausting patent war with Apple, but things might still change in Sammy’s favor. Stay tuned on our website to find out if that’ll happen!


Source: View the original article here

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Best Android apps for ZIP and RAR files

Thanks to compression, sending a number of files in one go is easy. If you need to send a batch of files, like pictures, documents or song files, to someone, you can kiss the tedious process of waiting goodbye. No more waiting for each item to finish attaching to your e-mail and hoping that each one of them can be successfully downloaded by your recipient. Simply compress your files into a ZIP or a RAR file and you’re good to go.
Sending ZIP and RAR files is one thing, but what about when we receive them on our Android phone or tablet? Do we have to wait until we get home to our desktops? Of course not. Thanks to newer and more powerful apps, our phones can easily unpack ZIP and RAR files to reveal their contents.
What’s even better is that these same apps can also pack several files into one neat ZIP or RAR file. Get any file, whether a music file, a video file, a picture or a document to other people in a snap. For people who need to send and receive files on the go, we’ve put together a list of the best Android apps for ZIP and RAR files.


Winzip
It’s only natural that we start this list with the official WinZip application for Android devices. The app recently landed on Android a few weeks back, but it’s steadily making its way on to users’ phones. You can receive a file and view supported image, text, and web files directly within the WinZip app. You can even open AES128- or AES256-encrypted ZIP files to view sensitive material safely while you’re on the go.
After you’ve unzipped content, you can copy it to the clipboard and paste it into an e-mail or another application. WinZip can automatically unzip and install APK files delivered as ZIP files from the Google Play Store or the Amazon Appstore. WinZip lets you view a variety of formats and lets you open popular file types such as Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and PDF files in third party apps. Unfortunately, you can only compress files into the ZIP format using WinZip.


Blackmoon File Browser
Like it says on the tin, Blackmoon File Browser is more than just a ZIP and RAR application. It also lets you browse, open, rename, manage, copy and delete files on your phone. This file browser will let you easily do a little housekeeping on your Android device. It’s also able to recognize more than 100 file extensions and has multiple file support.
You can rename your files without having to be confused. Blackmoon File Browser lets you view image thumbnails so you can easily tell your image files apart. That certainly makes it easier to decide which photos you’d like to package into a ZIP file.
If someone sent you a ZIP file, you can also use Blackmoon File Browser to extract ZIP file contents. That’s not all; Blackmoon File Browser also lets you create music playlists using the Send Marked feature and you can create jump points to any file or folder.


Zipper
Here’s another app that will let you easily select multiple files and give you an easier time to tidy up your files. Zipper, developed by Polar Soft, can also copy and move several files and folders. If you’re spring cleaning, you can open, rename, and delete files and folders.
Creating a ZIP file with Zipper is easy, as well. Drag several files into one folder and long press on the folder to bring up a menu. From here, you can choose the ZIP file’s name, whether you want it to have the same name as the files’ original folder or you want to give it a new name.
You can also create split archives using Zipper, which can make sending extremely large files easy. Break down a large file into more manageable sizes so that the recipient can unzip the split archives and enjoy the complete file without having to fear intermittent connection.
Zipper also comes with an image viewer, a text viewer and an SWF (Flash) viewer. You can also manage the files on your phone using Zipper’s FTP and HTTP server.
This app is free and is ad-supported but we think it’s a good compromise for such a powerful app.

Total Commander
With an overwhelming 4.9 rating on the Google Play Store, Total Commander is a total crowd favorite. This Android app is the mobile version of the desktop file manager of the same name.
It shows list of all your installed apps built in and a number of plugins if you want to buff it up. These plugins include an FTP client, WebDAV folder, and LAN access. Total Commander also has root support for its main functions.
Total Commander gets to the chase; if you’re deleting something, it skips the Recycle Bin phase and jumps straight to erasing your data. You can ZIP files up easily, as well as unzip or unrar them whenever you like.
Looking for something? You can use Total Commander’s Search function that works even for text files. If you don’t want to rummage through your image files, Total Commander makes it easy with thumbnails for your pictures. Once you’ve found what you were looking for, you can send files via Bluetooth (OBEX).
Perhaps the best part is that Total Commander is free to download from the Google Play Store.


AndroZip File Manager
Organizing your files on your phone is a little difficult, especially when you’ve only started learning how to navigate it. If you feel frustrated about making mistakes when you try to tidy your phone’s files, then AndroZip File Manager might just be the application for you.
AndroZip File Manager helps you copy, delete, move, search, and organize your files and folders, just like you could on your computer. We haven’t forgotten that this app list is all about apps for ZIP and RAR files. AndroZip File Manager supports ZIP, encrypted ZIP, RAR, TAR, GZIP and BZIP2 files. It also lets you send files via e-mail.
Don’t worry if you have a larger Android device because AndroZip File Manager has been optimized for both phones and tablets.
The app comes with drag and drop functionality, which means that you can easily organize your files without having to fiddle too much with the app’s tools. You can use this app to backup your applications and install application APK files to your phone. You can also manage phone memory and resources via AndroZip File Manager’s task manager.
For those of you who want to play it safe and install your apps on your SD card, AndroZip File Manager can be installed on your SD card with no problem.

ArchiDroid
ArchiDroid calls itself the easy to use archive manager and based on user reviews, it certainly lives up to its name. ArchiDroid can unpack more than just RAR and ZIP files; it can also unpack TAR, GZIP (gz), BZIP2 (bz2), tar.bz2, tar.gz, and 7ZIP (7z) file archives. You can also unpack encrypted ZIP and RAR password protected files.
Do you have a RAR file that’s been split up into several smaller and lighter archives? No problem, because ArchiDroid supports that, too. Let ArchiDroid have a go at it and it can correctly unzip multi-part archives.
You can also easily create simple and encrypted ZIP archives on your phone. The interface may not be too pretty too look at, but ArchiDroid does its job with no frills to distract users.
If you want an app that’s simple and effective, ArchiDroid might be the the app for you. You can download ArchiDroid from the Google Play Store for free.


Fx File Explorer
The downside of trying to keep your phone tidy is that the screen is too small. You might spend an hour or so squinting at your Android device’s screen as you order, rename, and delete files. Thankfully, there is an app that makes navigating and organizing our phone’s files a breeze.
FX File Explorer, developed by NextApp, Inc. has features likes multiple windows so you can quickly switch between different locations. It’s easy to manage multiple items with File Explorer’s intuitive swipe-to-gesture. Select more than one file by swiping your finger across the file icon, either left to right or right to left. You can also use this swiping gesture to deselect files. You can cut, copy, paste and delete using the clipboard. You can also use the Text File Viewer, Text Editor, Binary (Hex)
Viewer. What kind of file explorer and manager would Fx File Explorer be without a Zip, Tar, GZip, and BZip Archive Extractor and Creator. Fx File Explorer also comes with a RAR Extractor.


Explore+ File Manager
Here’s another file manager that’s no-frills and easy to navigate. Explorer+ File Manager is a practical, no-nonsense file manager for your Android device. You can browse your device’s files and folders, and if you’ve got root privileges, then you can also browse root and hidden system files available on rooted devices under su privileges.
Of course you can do the standard operations such as cut, copy and paste files to keep your files in order. You can also rename, delete, or make a new folder.
Browsing through files is easy because Explorer+ File Manager can show you the file’s thumbnail, its file name, and size.
Is the font too small for you? Instead of reaching for your glasses or a magnifying glass, you can easily set the font size and row size for file listings. If you need to send something to someone, you can easily ZIP files. Did someone send you a ZIP file? No problem. You can easily decompress, ZIP, GZIP, and RAR files.
 

ES File Explorer File Manager

Hailed as one of the best tools on the Android market and supporting 23 languages, ES File Explorer File Manager just had to make it on our list. You can multi-select several files to move them around, as well as perform the basic functions of copying, cutting, pasting, deleting, renaming, and sharing.
The app lets you view different file formats for photos, documents and videos, and supports third-party applications like Document To Go to open document files. Viewing APK images is now easier thanks to thumbnails.
Root users can enjoy the root explorer feature which gives users access to the whole file system and date directories as well as to change permissions.
ES File Explorer File Manager also lets you compress your files into a tidy ZIP file and create encrypted (AES 256-bit) ZIP files. Naturally, you can decompress ZIP archives and unpack RAR files, as well.
Get ES File Explorer File Manager free from the Google Play Store today.

ASTRO File Manager / Browser

Developed by Metago, ASTRO File Manager / Browser not only lets you easily select several files you want to combine into one ZIP but it also lets you browse and organize all your files easily. After you’ve extracted the contents of a ZIP or RAR file, you can easily put those files in the right places by dragging and dropping them.

All the functions you’ll ever need are located at the top of the screen in portrait mode or at the left side of the screen in landscape mode. Simply cycle through them to access the functions that you need. If you have a tablet and you haven’t updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, then you’ll be delighted to know that ASTRO File Manager / Browser packs Honeycomb support.
ASTRO File Manager / Browser is free to download from the Google Play Store but is ad-supported. If you like to support the developers and remove the ads, you can purchase ASTRO File Manager / Browser’s pro version.
You’ll no longer have to wait until you get to your desktop to send and receive ZIP and RAR files. You can easily extract them right on your Android device. Does someone need an album of pictures or a number of songs from your device? Simply select the files they want and package them into a ZIP or RAR file using any of the apps on this list. If your favorite ZIP and RAR app did not make it to our list, let us know what it is by leaving a comment below.

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5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phablet coming on August 15, release date not available yet

A few days ago, we told you that Samsung sent out press invites to members of the media for a special event scheduled to take place on August 15. At the time, we wondered whether the company would announce the Galaxy Note 2, its second-generation smartphone/tablet during the presser, especially since Samsung was said a few weeks ago to unveil the new phablet on August 30 in Berlin, a day ahead of the start of the German IFA 2012 tech show.
However, an even more distant report suggested that Samsung is interested in launching the Galaxy Note 2 as fast as possible, in order to beat the sixth-generation iPhone to market.
BGR now says that Galaxy Note 2 is going to be unveiled on August 15, according to a “source close to Samsung.” The same source seems to have confirmed that the device will come with a thinner and taller 5.5-inch display, which sounds familiar since it’s a spec we’ve seen in various reports so far.
However, the source did not reveal an actual release date for the device just yet. We’re also curious about Jelly Bean-friendliness for the Galaxy Note 2, not to mention the rest of its specs and features, but we’ll just have to wait and see whether the South Korean company does indeed announce its next-gen phablet in mid-August.
We have already showed you all we think we know about the Galaxy Note 2, and we used that info to offer you a preview comparison between the Note 2 and the Galaxy S3 well ahead of the actual launch of the phablet.
Are you buying a high-end Samsung smartphone this year? Is it the Galaxy S3 or the Note 2?

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Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean update brings unexpected, but fixable, GPS bug

In addition to the Google Nexus 7 tablet that runs Android 4.1 out of the box, other Nexus devices including the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S smartphones have also received their taste of Jelly Bean, at least in certain markets. But it looks like it’s not a flaw-free roll out for Google’s latest mobile operating system.
A few days ago we heard that Vodafone had to postpone the Nexus S Jelly Bean upgrade in Australia, as the ROM did not mean certain local regulations and now new reports suggest that the Galaxy Nexus Android 4.1 build comes with an unexpected GPS bug.
Apparently Galaxy Nexus users are unable to get a “precise GPS fix” after installing Jelly Bean, and this leads to the inability of the phone to track their location. Talk Android says the bug doesn’t affect all users, but that those that suffer from such GPS issues can easily fix it.
To check whether the problem affects your Galaxy Nexus device you should open an app that uses GPS to track you, preferably Google Maps, and then see whether you get a flashing icon with your “Searching for GPS…” notification. In case the icon is absent then your GPS is not functioning properly and needs to be manually fixed.
To do that, you’ll have to go to Settings > Location services and then “uncheck and re-check ‘Google’s location service.’” It should be as simple as that, but let us know in the comments section whether you have any GPS problem on your Galaxy Nexus freshly adorned with Jelly Bean.


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Exclusive: Apple, Samsung chiefs disagree on patent values: source

 Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook and top Samsung Electronic Co Ltd executives disagreed last week on the value of each other's patents at a settlement conference ahead of a high profile U.S. trial, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Apple and Samsung, the world's largest consumer electronics corporations, are waging legal war in several countries, accusing each other of patent violations as they vie for supremacy in the fast-growing market for mobile devices.
The trial is scheduled to begin July 30 in a San Jose, Calif. federal court. Cook participated in mediation with Samsung's Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung and mobile chief Shin Jong-Kyun last Monday in the San Francisco area to see if the two sides could resolve the dispute, several separate sources said.
All sources could not be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The executives from Apple and Samsung participated as part of the court directed mediation process, these sources said. While a settlement is always possible, it is unlikely to come ahead of the California trial, they said.
Apple on Monday declined to comment on the case. A Samsung spokesman declined to provide details on any discussions, saying "this is an ongoing legal matter."
The U.S. case, taking place a few miles away from Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California, is being closely-watched given the lucrative American smartphone and tablet market.
Among the major issues in dispute between Apple and Samsung is how to value so-called standard essential patents. These are patents which Samsung agreed to license to competitors on fair and reasonable terms, in exchange for having the technology be adopted as an industry standard.
Some judges are reluctant to issue injunctions over such patents.
Apple believes those patents should be valued lower due to those dynamics, one of the sources said. Additionally, Samsung believes it has a stronger patent portfolio than Apple when it comes to next-generation technology like 4G, the source said.
The mediation last week was at least the second between top executives. A previous session in May did not produce any settlements.
While both the companies are arch-rivals in the smartphone and tablet marketplace, the case is complicated by the fact that Apple is one of Samsung's largest component customers.
The trial will feature both utility and design patents. Apple utility patents in the case include those that cover how touch-screen devices discriminate between one finger on the screen, or more, and respond accordingly. Apple design patents include those that relate to the black front surface of a phone.


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Many rumors, very few confirmations. What devices will get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean?

 Almost a month has passed after the formal introduction of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The new operating system’s source code has itself been released a couple of weeks back, so it’s only natural for users to expect official Jelly Bean updates to be flowing, right?
However, as recent history has sadly shown us, the road from an OS update becoming open source to it actually hitting the most popular devices around is a very bumpy one. So it’s no wonder that we still (officially) know very little about the Jelly Bean upgrade timeframes.
The only three devices that are already running Android 4.1 are the unlocked Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus 7 tablet, and now the Nexus S. The list of gadgets officially getting JB “sometime soon” is rather flimsy itself. However, the rumors are piling up, confusing many users who might think they are entitled to get Jelly Bean just weeks after the OS’ release.
Confused? Angry? Frustrated? I’m sure that most of you feel at least one of those feelings, which is why we’ll try to throw a bit of light on the Jelly Bean update darkness below.

Devices officially confirmed to get Jelly Bean

HTC One X, One S, One XL
Motorola Xoom
Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Asus Eee Pad Slider, Asus Transformer Pad, Asus Transformer Prime, Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

If we were to take bets a month ago on what would be the first confirmed devices for Android 4.1 updates, I am absolutely certain that no one would have ever guessed this “formation”. It’s a bit crazy to see those “raggedy” Transformer, Slider and Xoom tablets next to the fresh high-end One X and XL smartphones on the list.
You don’t have to be a genius to figure out that the Transformer Pads will be updated to Jelly Bean, but Asus has taken the time to announce something on the matter (albeit not something very definitive). Acer and Samsung, on the other hand, have felt the need to go all secretive on us.
As far as HTC goes, we want to take the time and congratulate them once again for being the most straightforward with us. HTC are keeping mum on devices such as the EVO 4G LTE or the Droid Incredible 4G LTE, but they still have three officially confirmed smartphones, which is more than any other OEM around.

 

Devices that are likely to get Android 4.1

Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S2, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Tab 10.1
HTC EVO 4G LTE, Droid Incredible 4G LTE
Motorola Droid RAZR, RAZR Maxx
LG Optimus Vu, LG Optimus 4X HD
Sony Xperia S, Sony Tablet S, Sony Tablet PAcer Iconia Tab A100, A200, A500, A700Toshiba AT200 Excite 10 LE and AT300 Excite 10
Before you jump at my throat for not including your favorite device on the above list, I should tell you that I only included some of the gadgets (the most likely ones) that I personally think will get Jelly Bean by the end of the year.
There’s a strong possibility that the list will be significantly widened, but at the same time it is even more likely that only a few of those phones and tablets will be getting Android 4.1 over the next months, while others, not included on the list, will take the JB software leap.

It’s almost impossible to try to guess the manufacturers’ exact plans, as they systematically refuse to communicate with the media. But, based on rumors and speculations, as well as on how well they have done with ICS updates in the past, I trust the above list to be a fairly exact one. Also, I only included already released devices on the list, with pretty much any gadget launching in the near future with ICS out of the box being guaranteed a JB leap soon after.
We’ve heard speculations that Samsung is very close to roll out JB for the Galaxy S2 and S3, we’ve also heard something from Toshiba, while Acer’s and Sony’s plans can be guessed by how fast they have come up with Android 4.0 updates.
There’s also another very important aspect to be taken into consideration, and that is the phones and tablets’ tech specs. We’ve seen ICS rolling out to several low-end devices over the last month or so, but it’s likely that Jelly Bean has higher technical “standards”. That said, we wouldn’t get our hopes very high for any gadget that falls into the low-end or mid-range category.
Whether our speculations will prove accurate or not, it remains to be seen over the next few months, so keep in touch to find out everything about the Jelly Bean upgradeable devices. Also, don’t be afraid to come with your own speculations in the comments section below.

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Dexter the Game 2 will bring everyone’s favorite serial killer to Android this fall

Movies and television have changed a great deal in the past decade or so, making the thin line between good and evil gradually diminish, or, in some cases, disappear altogether. That’s the case of Showtimes’ hit series “Dexter”, where a serial killer/vigilante becomes the beloved hero of a crime-riddled Miami.
Dexter Morgan is a killer of killers, and one capable of fatherly and brotherly love, but we still can’t say that we anticipated his booming popularity over the past six years. However, he is one of TV’s most loved characters, which is why we are ecstatic to welcome him into the Android gaming world as well.
Dexter the Game 2 will be unleashed upon us this fall and will hit Android, iOS and PC for yet to be announced prices. Details on the game are a bit hazy at this time, but we do have an official press release and a trailer to sketch a picture of what awaits us.
The game is developed by Ecko Code in close collaboration with Showtime and it has a few ingredients that will make it irresistible to the TV show’s fans, but not only to them.

First off, the plot. Fortunately, unlike the series, the game will only concentrate on Dexter, his investigation of killers and slimy guys of all sorts, and his unorthodox ways of dealing with them and bring them to justice. In other words, it’s all about finding the bad guy, putting him to sleep, then starting all over again with a fresh new a-hole. Simple, yet so cool!
The game’s producers also promise to have unlimited gameplay at your disposal, meaning that you’ll never end up with no killers to hunt down. That sounds just a bit too good to be true, but if it is, it’s super! Finally, what personally makes me want this game really, really bad is Michael C. Hall’s (aka Dexter Morgan)’s involvement in the project. It seems that he has been a “close collaborator” of the game’s developers from the starting point, and he will also voice his own character.
However, the trailer looks horrible, at least the parts with actual gameplay. To say that the graphics look outdated would be a huge understatement. The scene where Dexter is running (0:15 in the YouTube video) is particularly grueling and offers a very dark preview into what could be a very early ‘90s-looking arcade game (in the bad, bad sense of the word).
I don’t want to end this article on a very dark note, especially given the fact that I’m a huge fan of Dexter’s and his Dark Passenger, so fingers crossed for the developers to change something in the graphics by the time of the game’s release.


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Galaxy Note 2 Might Run Fastest Exynos 4 Quad Yet

For all the rumors we’ve heard about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, there’s been very little in the way of convincing claims made about its hardware. The idea of moving to a slightly-larger 5.5-inch screen sounds plausible, but the rest of it seemed more like guesswork than anything we could really count on. As we continue to look for more info on the phone’s specs, some new benchmark data has arrived that may give us our best glimpse at the Note 2's hardware to date.

Before we get into things, GLBenchmark has apparently removed the relevant data from its site since news of this story first broke. For now, it’s unclear what’s going on, but we have to at least consider the possibility that this info was taken down due to questions regarding its legitimacy.
While it lasted, the site was showing results for an unknown Samsung model, the GT-N7100. Since the first Note is the N7000, it’s not big a leap to think this model might be the Note 2. According to the data, the phone would run an Exynos 4 Quad, like the GS3, but clocked all the way up to 1.6GHz. This info also suggests that the phone would feature a 720p resolution, rather than the 1280 x 800 employed by the first Note.

Without feeling too confident about this new data, and still lacking plenty of info on the Note 2's hardware design, we’re anxious to get a much closer look at the handset; hopefully we’ll get a chance before its rumored late-August announcement.

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HTC Talks Jelly Bean Updates, Still Leaves Us With Questions

News broke yesterday that Australian carrier Telstra is expecting HTC to prepare Jelly Bean updates for its One S and One XL models. Obviously, we’re going to start seeing Android 4.1 updates coming out for plenty of recently-released handsets, but outside of Google devices, there hasn’t been much news along those lines to date. Now that the subject of these JB updates for HTC’s phones had been raised, the company decided to release a short statement, verifying the news and mentioning that JB is on the way for another of its models, as well.
It’s hardly a shocker, but along with the One XL and One S, Jelly Bean is in the works for the quad-core international One X. What’s more interesting than HTC confirming the updates for those phones, though, is the group it chose not to address.
HTC has yet to make any mention of Jelly Bean for its other recent Androids, including the One V from its One series, as well as its latest CDMA models, the Droid Incredible 4G LTE and EVO 4G LTE. Now, for those last two at least, we can understand not wanting to publicly announce plans without clearing things with the respective carriers, first.
The One V is a more interesting case. Even with some lower-end hardware than the rest of these guys, we’ve generally been of the impression that phones running ICS should handle JB without issue, and the One V comes straight form HTC with ICS already installed. It’s also new enough that there’s no reason for HTC to drop support anytime soon, making us very curious why the manufacturer didn’t include the model in the statement it released.

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HTC Flip-Flops On Desire HD ICS Release?

This time last week, we learned that the carrier Telus had started informing its users that, despite earlier indications from HTC that it would most certainly be releasing an Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Desire HD, the manufacturer had since changed its mind on the matter, apparently dissatisfied with the operating system’s performance on the handset, and was canceling its upgrade plans.
That news sounded a bit odd, so we were happy to hear HTC respond to those claims earlier this week, indicating that everything was still on-track for the Desire HD getting ICS. We thought that was the end of this misunderstanding, but now things seem to be getting even more confusing, with HTC backing-down from its earlier statement, and releasing a new one that keeps the Desire HD’s ICS fate up-in-the-air.
In just a few days, HTC’s position has gone from that it’s “still on schedule to deliver an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade” for the Desire HD to that it’s “currently determining the ability to support Ice Cream Sandwich on the HTC Desire HD“, and it will “provide more information when we’ve completed our analysis“.
That’s a huge shift from what we once knew of the Desire HD’s update, when it was scheduled to arrive sometime in July or August. With this change in HTC’s attitude, we’re also worried for the fate of ICS on the Thunderbolt, the Desire HD’s CDMA brother, once also scheduled for a July/August release.

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Special Galaxy S3 2012 Summer Olympic Games edition available in Taiwan

We’re just a few days away from the official kick off of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, and sports enthusiasts will be happy to hear that they’ll be able to pick up certain Android devices dedicated to this major sporting event – at least in certain markets.
Such is the case with the Galaxy S3, which is available in a special Olympic Games edition to Taiwanese Android fans. While we’re looking at the same Galaxy S3 device – nothing inside the phone will change – you’ll appreciate the UK-based Galaxy S3 cases and the accessories you’ll find in the box.
Moreover, if you don’t like that much the available Galaxy S3 colors – Marble White, Pebble Blue and Garnet Red (in certain markets) – then you’ll certainly favor these special case skins designed for the Olympic games. There are two versions available, one showing the Union Jack while the other features the royal guard soldier.

As for the accessories available in the box, you’ll find a miniature royal guard soldier that can be plugged into the 3.5mm headset jack – although it has no actual purpose – and three figurines sporting the same UK flag and depicting three sports: cyclism, weightlifting and Tae Kwon Do.
In addition to all that, you’ll also get to download that British royal guard wallpaper on the device in the following days, for a complete Galaxy S3 Olympic Games experience.
Check out the gallery above to see all the perks available in this special Galaxy S3 package, and let us know whether you’d buy it too. At this time it’s not clear whether the special edition smartphone will be available in other markets too.


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