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I used to use Bump, the mobile app that wirelessly transfers data between two smartphones, but over time, I uninstalled it. Now it’s not only back on my phones, but has a coveted home screen spot thanks to the latest share-to-desktop feature. Read More »

Google's minimalist booth at Interop.

“Operators treat partners like vendors.” That quote comes form Google director of global android partnerships John Lagerling, who said it at a Dublin conference where it was captured by Light Reading. It’s a telling statement — one that sums up a big problem facing the wireless … Read More »

 
 

Yahoo launched its new Axis mobile browser for iOS devices and it’s surprisingly good. In fact, Yahoo’s peers could learn a thing or two from this fresh take on user interfaces: Axis is swipe-friendly and a fast way to get at search or other web information. Read More »

My do-it-yourself smarthome system may be getting an upgrade with an Internet connected front door lock. Lockitron just caught my eye for a few reasons, but the two main ones are support for near-field communications or NFC and no wiring needed for installation. Read More »

Folks that like valet parking may like it even more thanks to Flash Valet, a mobile app and platform that speeds both a car’s return as well as the valet payment. The app lets customers request their car or pay their fee and tip by phone. Read More »

In this week’s audio podcast, Matt shares a customer service horror story between AT&T and Amazon Wireless while Kevin loves the latest Kickstarter project: A smart home screen for Android tablets. Also: here’s what we know so far about the HTC EVO 4G LTE delivery delays. Read More »

A new intelligent home screen app for Android tablets appears on Kickstarter and for $5, it looks well worth it. Google is finally taking more control by planning several Nexus device partners and more direct sales, plus Samsung’s Galaxy S III is already in great demand. Read More »

Apple iPad owners have the $10 AirDisplay app to use their tablet as a second monitor for their Mac, but Android owners aren’t left out in the cold. Mobile app developer Shape offers a similar program for $5 that works with both Macs and Windows PCs. … Read More »

A new homescreen app for Android tablets called Chameleon is like widgets on steroids, offering multiple home screens based on time and location. Chameleon is raising funds on Kickstarter, and got my backing right away. After you see the software in action, you’ll understand why. Read More »

Planning a trip to Wales anytime soon? If so, put the town of Monmouth on your itinerary and be sure to bring your phone. On May 19, Monmouth officially becomes the world’s first Wikipedia Town and you’ll need your handset with you for the full tour. Read More »

With a reported 11 teens killed while texting and driving per day, parents are turning towards apps to limit their kids phone use behind the wheel. SecruaFone offers one for iPhone and Android handsets that diables some features when in motion, but it doesn’t stop there. Read More »

Over the past year as more consumers have adopted smartphones the number of installed applications is up from 32 to 41. Yet the amount of time spent using those applications hasn’t changed much, indicating that developers might be challenged when it comes to increasing application engagement. Read More »

More Must Reads

Is your Facebook mobile app slow to update or showing old data on Android or iOS? If so, you’re not alone. I’ve noticed a degradation in the mobile application’s performance for months but I never knew exactly why it was. Until now. Read More »

The Samsung- and Intel backed Tizen mobile operating system could give both companies an out from using Google Android. But without apps, how successful can Tizen be? Perhaps the platform should look to Android again, but only for the apps, which run on OpenMobile’s solution. Read More »

Google’s Chrome browser is will appear on Apple’s iOS devices this quarter suggests Macquarie (USA) Equities Research, reducing the payments that Google makes to Apple for search results in Safari. That sounds great but Apple’s third-party browser limitations will surely minimize any benefits for Google. Read More »

Facebook users on Android, iOS and mobile browsers aren’t stuck with postage-sized pictures and posts any more. Facebook announced on Monday that it now supports full-sized pictures on all three platforms as well as posts that will automatically scale from edge-to-edge of a handheld device. Read More »

Looking for a basic Android battery optimizer, trash cleaner and a very informative security function that monitors third-party application permissions? Check out Cosmos, a free app that officially launches next week but is available now in a stable beta for Android 2.2 and up. Read More »

There’s quite a ruckus going on over ARM-powered Windows 8 tablets: Mozilla and Google are crying foul over third-party browser restrictions Microsoft has put in place in Windows 8. Here’s why this isn’t really a new problem and why it’s likely to get worse over time. Read More »

Google updated Maps for Android in a way that adds value to brick-and-mortar shoppers. Maps now includes indoor walking directions for stores, malls and such, plus users can find nearby Google Offers and 360-degree panoramic views of buildings and shops as well. Read More »

Flipboard has long been a showcase app for iOS. When Samsung introduced its new Galaxy S III, however, it said that Flipboard would debut on the handset as an Android exclusive. It didn’t take long for the installation file to appear on the web. Read More »

One of the new software features on Samsung’s Galaxy S III smartphone is called Pop Up Play; it allows you to watch a video while multitasking on the phone. For a $1.49 in the Google Play store, your Android phone or tablet can do the same. Read More »

News and talk radio app Stitcher, is gearing up for the presidential elections with a dedicated election service for users to follow their favorite candidate and get elections news from select sources. The app can even transcribe reports so users can jump to particular topic areas. Read More »

The Pebble smartwatch, which has become the biggest Kickstarter project ever, is getting its first app partner and it’s a well known name among fitness fans: RunKeeper. RunKeeper users will be able to conduct their activity from the Pebble watch with their smartphone tucked away. Read More »

Facebook may not have a phone of its own (yet), but it continues to improve its mobile clients: On Tuesday, the company outlined updates coming soon for the Windows Phone version of Facebook. The refreshed software will add threaded messaging, tagging and other features. Read More »

Matt describes all the differences between the AT&T Galaxy Note and the international addition, while Kevin convinces Matt consider buying a MotoActv. Hands on with the HTC One S and X international editions and thoughts on Nokia’s response to the Lumia 900 connectivity issues. Read More »

Placeme for iOS and Android may be both the scariest and amazingly futuristic app I’ve seen yet. The free software uses every sensor in your handset to track your activities, location and environment. Scary, yes, but it could power the smartphone personal assistant of the future. Read More »

For the local small business or artist building up a Facebook fan page, creating a mobile optimized web app can be another hurdle or headache. But why not combine the two efforts? That’s the premise behind a new product called Fan Page Mobilizer. Read More »

Research In Motion clarified earlier statements about removing the ability to manually install Android applications on the BlackBerry PlayBook. The company previously said it was closing the loophole in the next PlayBook software update. Now it says the option will still be available for developers. Read More »

Eight Symbian handsets gained Microsoft Office support on Tuesday. There’s no question that Microsoft’s software — both Windows Phone and Office — are helping Nokia manage a transition to the modern smartphone age. But is Symbian’s death greatly exaggerated or is it a Plan B? Read More »

Amazon is turning on a key money-making tool for developers in its Appstore for Android, letting app makers offer in-app purchase through Amazon. The service allows developers to easily sell in-game currency, upgrades, content and magazine issues with one-click checkouts. Read More »

Facebook’s stunning $1 billion acquisition of Instagram appears to be the largest deal ever for a company built entirely around a single mobile app experience, either proving that the mobile app business has truly arrived or that there’s a new bubble in town. Read More »

“[P]iracy is a huge problem for Android devs, and we don’t want to duplicate the chaotic cesspool of Android market.” Research In Motion is planning to drop the ability to sideload Android applications on its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, citing that 53 percent of surveyed Android developers … Read More »

After 16 months of iPhone exclusivity, Instagram is on Android, although some iPhone owners aren’t impressed. A Galaxy Note review unit arrived and the large size is already becoming a benefit to me. Plus, Sprint has two LTE phones ready before the 4G network arrives. Read More »

The Google Nexus tablet rumor is closer to reality with reports that Google will sell hardware from Asus and Samsung directly to consumers. The stylus isn’t holding back Samsung’s Galaxy Note; it passed 5 million sales. And Opera Mini can save on your data plan usage. Read More »

It’s obvious by now that iOS and Android are the top dogs in mobile, so the battle is on for the third platform player. Windows Phone is looking better to be No. 3 to my eyes, but mobile analytics firm Flurry suggests a different player: Amazon. Read More »

The Hulu Plus mobile app is now available for Android tablets, complete with an updated user interface. The software has a visual redesign offering easier navigation on large touchscreen devices. But not every Android tablet owner can use the software; only seven devices are supported. Read More »

Kindle Fire owners wanting to include locations in their tweets can do so with the updated version of TweetCaster. Nearby tweets are available too, even though Amazon’s tablet doesn’t include a GPS radio. Instead the slate uses a Wi-Fi location solution from Boston-based Skyhook Wireless. Read More »

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a crystal ball to predict the potential success for a mobile app? Unfortunately, there isn’t, but the next best thing might be here: A look at the success rate over 6 months from more than 100,000 Android apps. Read More »

Over this past weekend, “The Hunger Games” set the highest opening weekend for a non-sequel, raking in an estimated $155 million at the box office. Fandango, one of the first movie ticket sales sites, says “The Hunger Games” pushed its mobile platform to new heights. Read More »

Windows Phone handset owners have good reason to hit their app store today: Wunderlist, a free task management app, landed on the platform. The software, found in the Windows Marketplace, offers cloud-based task synching and the ability to email tasks directly to the app. Read More »

Five months after debuting an app for iOS, the team at Fitbit launched a version for Android smartphones and tablets. The free software works in conjunction with the Fitbit Wireless Tracker, a $99 sensor that tracks steps, flights of stairs walked, and hours of sleep. Read More »

Could a smartphone run solely on web code instead of native software? Mozilla thinks so and recently demonstrated such a device on video, replacing the Google Android operating system on a Samsung Galaxy S II phone with its Boot 2 Gecko (B2G) technology. Read More »

“Our designers and animators are working day and night to optimize our apps (for the new iPad)… We’ve made this our highest priority.” Nicolas Calloway of Calloway Digital Arts made the comment to USA Today, and he wasn’t the only developer to make note of the … Read More »

With each passing March Madness tournament, we’re a more mobile society. So what apps can we best leverage to enjoy all 67 NCAA games? Here are my “final four,” with links for each supported platform so you’re ready for tip-off; most are free or relatively inexpensive. Read More »

This week on the podcast, Matt and Kevin chat about the new iPad and share which versions they bought, along with their reasons. Microsoft Windows 8 on an old netbook runs nicely, but even better if you know the correct driver tweak, shared on the show. … Read More »

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