Trade One X for S III, LED Notification on the S III [From the Forums]

Although it'd been a busy day elsewhere on the web, if you're looking to escape all that we have a spot where you can hang out. Have some questions? Need some help or just looking to chat Android? You know where to go, check out some of the threads below.
• HTC EVO 4G LTE - 7 days and this EVO LTE is going back!
• HTC One X Forums - Let's be honest here , who's trading in their X for s3?
• HTC Rezound Forums - Why do some Apps Demand so many Permissions?!
• Samsung Galaxy S III Forums - S3 LED notifications while screen is ON
• Galaxy Nexus Forums - Google Play Movies on Verizon Gnex
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Voddler movie service now available for Nokia Lumia phones in select markets

Nokia has finally released the much anticipated Voddler video-on-demand service (www.voddler.com) for their Lumia line of Windows Phones. The app was first revealed and demonstrated back on Mobile World Congress in February and will gives users in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Spain a method by which to stream some of the latest blockbuster hits to their mobile screens. Unfortunately, those in the US and elsewhere can't quite use the service just yet due to licensing restrictions but at least for Europe, we can see the app being made available later in the year. The app itself is nicely laid out having been co-developed with Nokia. It features the ability to stream movies and TV series directly for a fee or you can watch for free with ads--not too shabby. Perhaps most impressive though is the "Movie Night" feature where you can "set up film nights with your friends and synchronize your viewing, both online and offline." Yeah, that's pretty cool. You can pick up Voddler here in the Nokia Collection but only for select markets. via: Mi Movil Windows; Thanks, Alex.

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Amazon Appstore set to finally launch in Europe this summer?

We first got a hint of an International launch of the Amazon Appstore back in September of last year. Back then though, it turned out to be some kind of huge error on the part of Amazon, and access was soon revoked to anyone outside the US. If the latest rumors are to be believed however, Europe could finally be receiving official access as soon as this summer. 
Sources familiar with the matter have been speaking to the guys over at AllThingsD. And, while timing is a little vague at this moment in time, Amazon are apparently to announce plans next week over accepting app submissions from developers. 
The bigger question this poses -- will it be followed by a European launch of the Kindle Fire? While it is accepted that the Amazon Appstore monetizes well for developers, without the Kindle Fire following, many consumers will see little reason to use it aside from the daily free app. After all, Google Play offers up not only apps, but also books and movies too. Europe doesn't currently benefit from any of the Amazon online content services aside from the MP3 store, so we'll have to wait for the relevant deals to be done before there is any sniff of the Fire emerging. Bringing the Appstore could well be the first step though. 
Source: AllThingsD

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Generation App, helping you build a Windows Phone app in 30 days

Develop a Windows Phone app in 30 days
Do you have an idea for a great Windows Phone app but have no idea where to start? Microsoft may have just the help you need to get started in the right direction. Generation App is a Microsoft partnering program that will walk you through the process of developing a Windows Phone app. "How to develop a Windows Phone app in 30 Days" ("30toLaunch" for short) breaks everything down over four weeks and provides all the resources and support you need to build an app. In many ways, Generation App is a one stop source for all your developing needs The thirty day schedule covers design principles, creating the interface, designing a splash screen, understanding the various Silverlight aspects, adding ads to your app and every other possible factor involved in app development. Each week has a videos to help you get through things and links to the necessary tools and resources. Generation App's tag line is "Start with an idea. Code that idea. Then market it to the masses". The "30toLaunch" website wraps everything you need up in a nice, single source package. Source: Generation App

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Vodafone UK announces EuroTraveller roaming service

On account of the EU's recent decision to impose price caps on mobile roaming, European operators have been forced to change price plans to abide by the new Europe-wide rules. Vodafone UK is the latest network to announce new roaming plans, with the launch of its optional Vodafone EuroTraveller service, along with lower European roaming rates for all its customers. For £3 per day, Voda customers who opt into EuroTraveller can use their UK price plan and balance on the continent. For heavy data users who travel frequently from the UK to Europe, this is almost a no-brainer. But customers who don't opt in will also see lower rates for calls, texts and data in Europe. Calls to the UK will now cost 28.8p per minute, texts will cost 8.9p, while data will be charged at 69.6p per megabyte. The new rates kick in from July 1. Vodafone isn't the only UK network that's slowly making it less painful to use mobile data in Europe. O2 UK announced its new Euro roaming rates last month, and we can expect more operators to join the party as the July deadline imposed by the EU approaches. Unfortunately, roaming outside of Europe remains exorbitantly expensive on UK networks -- Vodafone charges £5 per megabyte in its "rest of world" zone, and other major operators offer equally eye-watering rates.
More: Vodafone EuroTraveller

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Adobe Connect 9 to be updated with BlackBerry PlayBook support

Once again it is fantastic to see that one of the largest IT corporations in the world is including the BlackBerry PlayBook in upcoming updates. Adobe Connect 9 web conferencing software is due for an upgrade in Q3 this year and as well as working on iOS and Android, us BlackBerry PlayBook users will also be able to join the gang. I can only presume that BlackBerry 10 will be supported too? I have never taken part in a webinar, however the thought of doing it on the PlayBook kind of makes me want to do one (even though not really understanding it!). For business users on both a national and global scale the update sounds like great news. Bring it on! Adobe Connect Mobile is already in BlackBerry App World for the PlayBook however I have never had the need to use it so I can't comment on its efficiency at present. Anyone want to invite me to test? Full press release below. read more CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Adobe Connect 9 to be updated with BlackBerry PlayBook support

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Editorial: Don't act surprised when new data plans sting a little

Seems that folks aren't all that excited about Verizon's new Share Everything plans. I'm shocked. Change isn't exactly welcome in these parts. That's partially because we just don't like change, and partially because the changes don't always work in our favor. 

Why are we surprised?

I look at smartphone plans like I look at casinos. I'm going to get taken. I know this. From the moment I walk in the door, I know that I'm going to be handing over more money than I like. With casinos, I pretend I'm paying for service. I'm paying to play roulette or blackjack. I sit back, relax, have a little fun. (And, on occasion, I actually win something.) But I set a limit for myself. I know I'm going to lose something, but I try to minimize my losses. Same goes for my smartphone plans.

But let's forget about Verizon for a minute. This is bigger than Big Red.

We're all getting fleeced.

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BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour Exciting Developers Of All Ages

I have been hearing reports from developers after each stop of the BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour and the reviews have been pretty solid. It seems like RIM is finally getting their messaging right to developers along with having the tools they need to develop BlackBerry 10 apps. RIM is hitting hard with HTML5 and Cascades/NDK development for BlackBerry 10. One dev in Milan told me that he was shocked to see developers embracing RIM tools when compared to RIM's previous history.
What really impressed me was the latest recap RIM posted from their World Tour stop in Santa Clara. This was their second stop in the US which is right near the tech heartbeat of California and it was packed out. They even had one group of two boys ages 10 and 14 who created a chess app with very few rules. That just gives you a taste of how easy it now is to develop for BlackBerry compared to the previous school of hard knocks.
Please share your story with us if you made it to one of the BlackBerry 10 Jam events. We will hopefully be attending the one in NYC to get a feel for how it is going.

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Free Hookt Cross Platform Messenger Updated to v1.7

We told you about Hookt late last year as yet another cross platform messenger. Now the service has improved their BlackBerry client based on demand by users. Nerdberry scored the change log which includes the following changes:

• The 'Recent Updates' page lists all your new friends and status updates
• Based on popular demand, the profile photos are larger than ever, and no longer cut off!
• A customized "contact support form" is now within the app to make it easier for our users to let us know of any problems they may have with Hookt.

Check out Hookt Messenger free in App World or at hookt.com

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BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour Registration Opens in 6 More Cities

RIM just opened up the floodgates for developers in six more cities around the world this week. BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour is now open for registration in cities from Bangalore, India to Montreal, QC. Here are the dates and cities that have just been opened for registration:
July 2 – Bangalore, India
July 4 – Delhi, India
July 6 – Beijing, China
July 9 – Singapore
July 10 – Jakarta, Indonesia
July 11 – Montreal, QC
Head on over to www.blackberryjamworldtour.com and register to get in on the ground floor of BlackBerry 10

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Sprint rumored to be launching their own NFC mobile wallet

NFC Times is reporting that Sprint is currently working on their own NFC-based mobile payment system, which would put them at odds with the rest of the US telcos and Google. Until the Samsung Galaxy Nexus appeared at Google Play, Sprint was the only carrier to ship phones with Google Wallet, though it was relatively easy to install on other devices with the proper hardware. If the news we're hearing today is true, Google may be left with no carrier phones supporting their payment services, as it's US only (for now) and the US carriers have opted for alternative systems -- which would require exclusive control of the secure element inside our phones. Sprint, having hired systems provider Sequent Software looks to be developing their "Touch" wallet system and retain complete control over partners, development, and security. The rest of the US carriers have opted to use the Isis payment system. 
This is turning into a mess. The lure of transaction fees and lucrative partnerships has become so important that everyone is forgetting that we need to use it for them to make money on it. Instead of fighting tooth-and-nail with each other over every penny, they could take one of the existing standards, garner more support from new financial partners, and have a system that works at most every point-of-sale, for most bank cards. Instead, there are a huge group of folks who want to use an NFC-based mobile wallet system, but can't. That's money not being made and not lining the pockets of investors. Everyone needs to get on the same page, pick a system, and put their support behind it so we can use it instead of bitching about it on the Internet. 
I understand the driving force behind innovation in the mobile space is the almighty dollar. I don't like it, but I get it. How about getting it all together and making some, instead of adding another "standard" to the mix?
Source: NFC Times

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Android Central international round-up - June 9, 2012

The past week in international Android Central coverage has been dominated by two highly-anticipated new devices -- Samsung's Galaxy S III and Orange's new Intel-powered San Diego. We published our exhaustive review of the former, and a complete video walkthrough of the latter. And whereas the Galaxy S III may be the latest and greatest Android flagship, it's the San Diego which could be the true representation of the Android's future. We're sure plenty of consumers will find room in their pockets for Intel-powered Androids in the months ahead, and we found the San Diego to be a reasonably-priced handset that offers exceptional performance even on a single core. Stay tuned for our full review in the near future.In other news, we received the first word that the "pebble blue" Galaxy S III has started shipping in Europe and Australia, marking the end of the delays surrounding that model. And UK networks O2 and Vodafone announced an infrastructure-sharing plan that could help both networks roll out 4G LTE coverage to more Brits, more quickly.We'd definitely recommend you check out our full review of the Galaxy S III and walkthrough of the Orange San Diego, as well as the rest of the week's highlights linked below. (And watch out for our full review of the Sony Xperia P in the next week or so). If you've got international news, be sure to tip us at the usual address.Special features:
• Samsung Galaxy S III review
• Orange San Diego video walkthrough
News:
• Sony Xperia Neo L photos leak out online
• SK Telecom leak suggests quad-core 2GB Galaxy S III may be Korea-bound
• Vodafone UK pebble blue Galaxy S III now shipping
• O2 and Vodafone announce infrastructure sharing agreement in the UK
• HTC One V coming to TELUS on June 8
• Pebble blue Galaxy S III starting to arrive on Australian shores
• Intel-powered Orange San Diego going on sale today
• Korean language support added to Dropbox for Android
• LG Optimus L7 launches on Fido in Canada
• Verizon's Galaxy S III to support international roaming, eventually
• Pebble blue Galaxy S III arriving in the Netherlands
• Revised ICS update schedule from Canadian carrier TELUS
• Galaxy S III officially UK's most popular smartphone
• ASUS partnering with BlueStacks to bring Android to millions of PCs

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Bond with your BlackBerry all over again with Valence by Pootermobile!

This may come as a shock to some of you but it's only been a short time since Pootermobile released his first OS7 compatible theme Fresco. As you've all been patiently waiting to see what new and inventive design he could think of next, lo and behold Valence popped up in BlackBerry App World. This theme is all about creating a new bond between you and your BlackBerry and remembering that feeling when you first really started to feel connected to it. We've all been missing Pootermobile on our OS7 devices and now he's released another gem. read moreCrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Bond with your BlackBerry all over again with Valence by Pootermobile!

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E3 2012 - Ascend: New Gods XBLA gameplay and Windows Phone details

For Windows Phone gamers, the most exciting moment of Microsoft’s E3 2012 press conference was the announcement of Ascend: New Gods, an upcoming XBLA and Windows Phone title from Signal Studios. Boasting impressively detailed graphics and a smattering of graphic violence, it certainly caught our eyes. Later on during the Expo we had the pleasure of speaking with lead designer Ian Scott as we played the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game. Even better, he went on to detail Ascend’s cross-platform connectivity.Head past the break for more Ascend hands-on gameplay footage and Windows Phone connectivity details!read more

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From the Editor's Desk: When your phone can't do a damn thing to help

When your fair city finds itself getting more than a foot of rain in less than a day, there's no escaping that sense of helplessness. There's not a damn thing you can do, and that's not exactly the sort of thing you can prepare for. Even the hurricanes I've been through haven't dumped that much rain. (Or if they did, the wind kept it moving enough so that the standing water didn't overtake things.)And unlike during a hurricane, my phone wasn't much of a help. See, in a hurricane, the power and cable often are the first to go, meaning you'll be relying on mobile communications for as long as they'll last. (And since the awful hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005, the carriers have been quick to tell us all about the improvements they've made to their backup systems.) But during Saturday's rain, I had power. I had Internet. And so I sat here, at my desk, keeping up on where the worst flooding was, what the radar was like, and what the next 24 hours was going to bring. (Hint: More rain.) That's not to say it's not important to have a phone around for emergencies, it's just that in this case, when we weren't exactly in imminent danger, there just wasn't much use for it. It was an odd feeling.We'll talk some more about this later this week, but I'd urge everyone to think about their phones and tablets and how they can help get you through those days when Mother Nature decides to be a real bitch. Oh, look. It's starting to pour again.read more

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Enter to win a free accessory bundle from ZAGG and iFrogz!

ZAGG has some great products for mobile devices, and this week we've teamed up with them to give 5 lucky iMore readers an incredible prize pack containing four of their most popular accessories!

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