Nov 30, 2010

Google announced that app content ratings will soon be implemented into the Android Market. Starting this week (Now live in developers console: thanks Android Central) developers will be required to include a rating for all applications and games uploaded onto the Android Market. Apps and games will now be categorized under one of the four content rating levels: All, Pre-teen, Teen, & Mature. This is great news for users in my opinion and will add another way to sort and identify apps and their content. From what I understand, this announcement does not mean there will be any sort of restrictions based on content rating, but rather more of a reference guide for users.

Nov 30, 2010

Are you the doodling type? Does your world exist inside a black light vortex with neon colors? Then you may enjoy this next app. MagicMarker by Jaytronix is a touch-paint program that allows users to draw using neon colors against a black background or an existing photo. MagicMarker is an instant hit with young children who love to draw (just ask my kids) and adults who won’t admit it.

MagicMarker is a very simple and to the point kind of app that you can pick up and play with right away. Open up the app and you have your black canvas ready for a rainbow of atomic number 10.

Nov 29, 2010

I know what you’re thinking, “That’s so 2009!” but that shouldn’t stop you from checking out this free baseball hit from Gamevil. Gamevil is a premier mobile game publisher who has put out some impressive titles (Zenonia, Soccer Superstars) over multiple platforms. Baseball Superstars 2009 launched the Superstars franchise for Gamevil and has been at the top spot of baseball games in multiple markets.

Nov 29, 2010

Android powered devices are growing at an incredible rate which means there will be thousands of new Android users looking for a good photo editing tool. PicSay by Shinycore is an oldie but goodie among the vast catalog of Android apps. Since the breakout G1 device this photo editing app has stood the test of mobile app time and deserves a revisit. From “Word Balloons” to “Selective Desaturation,” PicSay Pro offers a plethora of ways to transform your photos into magical works of art or comedic works of fun.

Smartphone devices have come a long way and now sport some impressive camera hardware. It’s becoming more and more reliable and convenient to just pull out your smartphone and capture that “Kodak” moment. These devices have turned millions of average citizens into full blown freelance paparazzi and with it the demand for some good photo editing tools. PicSay Pro delivers in more ways than one and so we’re going to rundown this award winning app to see exactly what we are getting and if it’s worth the price.

Nov 23, 2010

Black Friday is closing in and with it will come troves of deals along with what I like to call the U.S. version of running with the bulls. This next week will bring daily updates and deals that will come and go with every refresh and it sometimes becomes impossible to keep up. Let’s face it, trying to keep track of what store is offering which deal and on which day isn’t the easiest task but thanks to an app by dealnews.com you can now leave your house without the fear of losing out on that $40 espresso machine (and you don’t even drink espresso).

Nov 23, 2010

Popular social gaming platform OpenFeint has its plate full with things to be thankful for this holiday season. In just a short span of 2 months on Android OpenFeint support has resulted in 8 million game downloads across 1.6 million Android devices (that’s a lot of gravy). With users in 176 countries on over 143 different devices their global success shows just how popular social gaming on Android has become. OpenFeint’s Android debut was a strong one consisting of only a few popular titles. Since then they have amassed an Android gaming catalog of over 100 games and counting.

Nov 22, 2010

Many Android users who do banking with Chase have been anxiously awaiting an app to help make banking on the go an easier experience, and now that wait is over. Chase finally released their finished product (which I’ve heard was worth the wait) and it is now available on the Android Market. I haven’t personally used the app only because of the fact that I am not a Chase customer but I’ll give you guys a look at some of the features offered:

Nov 22, 2010

Syrious Blasts! for Android comes to us from Visual Systems Corp., makers of Syrious Scramble, seriously! This Rocket Mania clone is a puzzle game in which you try to connect various shaped fuses to form paths to blast a barrage of fireworks before time runs out. Syrious Blasts! is available in the Android Market in both a Lite (Free) and Full (Paid) version so as always give the Lite version a try before purchasing. Shall we blast off a rundown?

Nov 19, 2010

*Congratulations derajdefyre!*

[Thanks to everyone who entered the Pocket Legends Android costume contest.]

About 2 weeks ago the crew over at Spacetime Studios announced sign-ups for their “Pocket Legends” closed beta. It was open to only 50 people and the rest of the mobile MMO world cried uncontrollably and threw temper tantrums until finally they decided to release an open beta for all (that’s not really how it happened but that’s how I imagined it).

Pocket Legends for those of you who haven’t heard is a pioneer in the mobile 3D MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) gaming genre. The developers have been hard at work trying to accomplish their dream of “providing players, no matter where they are, with a single deep, seamless 3D MMO gaming experience on multiple devices.” Pocket Legends for Android is one more step in accomplishing that dream and I for one can’t give them enough credit.

Nov 18, 2010

Man, it seems like just last week Google Maps got an update. Oh wait, it was only last week! Well guess what? Google Maps has been updated once more bringing its current version to 4.7. Those guys over at Google sure like to drive in the fast lane. Now what was so important that they had to go ahead and push another update out? My theory is that they are getting ready for, dare I say it, Gingerbread (gasp)! The truth? Google has been amping up their “Places” features and this update seems to continue that trend bringing some convenience along with some social sauce thrown in.

Nov 17, 2010

Have you ever been enjoying some kick ass music only to be interrupted by a knock on the door? You open it up and it’s the cops telling you your music is too loud? With “Sound Level” you won’t need to worry about that anymore because you’ll know beforehand whether or not you’re exceeding local noise ordinance laws. This app would have come in handy during college, “Excuse me officer but as you can see we are clearly within the legal decibel range.”

As you have probably already guessed, “Sound Level” is an app that uses your phone’s mic to measure noise volume in decibels(dB). I figured I might explore the realm of sound as it pertains to our ears since we have been talking a lot about music players lately. I stumbled upon this little app created by developer Android Boy and thought “cool,” let’s see just how loud my music really is. While browsing over the description I notice a “New Digital Sound Noise Level Meter” wedged between a Samsung Galaxy S and a Droid(?). You will soon realize this is the equipment he used do develop “Sound Level” and it’s evident when taking a look at the apps limitations and it’s accuracy.

Nov 17, 2010

About a week ago Halfbrick finally showed us what was to be of that mysterious black banana that taunts us with its “Coming Soon” innuendo. Of course it has already been released to the iOS masses but when is Android going to get some love? There are over 100,000 Android users anxiously awaiting some new fruit slicing challenges and even more who are rediscovering their fruit frenzied fingers via the Galaxy Tab so I ask again: “When is Android going to get some love”?