Next iteration of Android to be called Jelly Bean

The Android platform has taken us all by surprise with its features and functionalities over the past couple of years. But there is another thing that the Android platform is known for. We’re talking about the rather strange names for its OS updates.

Starting all the way back from Android 1.5 Cupcake, Google decided to name the OS updates after desserts or sweets in alphabetical order. Today we’ll discuss the Android version which is to succeed the Ice Cream Sandwich or Android 4.0 update. The Ice Cream Sandwich interestingly is still awaiting release somewhere around next month or the month after that. Well, the successor to Ice Cream Sandwich is to be called “Jelly Bean”, which doesn’t seem strange given Google’s policy with the naming of OS updates.

Well, there is no word from Google on this, but we feel Jelly Bean will be pretty much it. As for the OS version and other additional info, we will have to wait till the very last minute since Google doesn’t give out that info till the OS update is ready to roll out. But it has been reported that the Jelly Bean update will have a lot more features in its inventory than Ice Cream Sandwich which will come as bad news to the users waiting for the Ice Cream Sandwich update.

It is also being said that all the features that were promised with Ice Cream Sandwich will be moved to Jelly Bean. This could mean that the Ice Cream Sandwich update is just another update with a couple of not so surprising features. But well, since all of this is still a rumor so we recommend you to take it with a pinch of salt.

All is to be revealed with the Ice Cream Sandwich update which will break cover soon. As of now we know that Ice Cream Sandwich will be a bridge between Gingerbread and Honeycomb, meaning a unified OS bringing in the best of both worlds. Let’s hope the rumors are false and we get to see some real action with Ice Cream Sandwich.

Netflix now finally, fully supports Android

Instead of adding in support for specific Android phones every few weeks, Netflix has now opened up its app to everyone with Android 2.2 or 2.3.

That means anyone who goes out and buys a new Android phone today will be able to stream Netflixmovies and TV shows without worrying about whether or not that specific handset is supported.

The only people who still can't access Netflix are those with existing phones running a lower version of Android, which only encompasses those who have an outdated phone anyway. The major update now gives Netflix access to about 80% of allAndroid devices.

One word of caution, though, is that devices running Android 3.0, the specialized tablet version of Android, are not included in the sweeping update. They only account for around 1% of all Android devices, but products like the Xoom, Galaxy Tab, and Thrive are still on a trial basis for Netflix.

For many Android users, Netflix's slow rollout seemed frustrating. The online video giant originally released an Android app some months ago, but most users who downloaded it couldn't do anything with it. Slowly, Netflix began adding support on a phone-by-phone basis, adding random handsets without any real rhyme or reason. Some blogs suggested the company was only testing it with theAndroid phones that its employees happened to have on hand.

The same phenomenon is happening with Hulu Plus right now, with only scattered devices supported for that app. It all stems from concerns over video playback compatibility as well as the digital rights management (DRM) that needs to be incorporated.

Clearly, fragmentation continues to be a problem with Android.

Tap Tap Revenge 4 Review

Some iOS to Android ports are playable, some aren’t and then there is Tap Tap Revenge 4, the Android port edition. We find what bothers us, what we like and what needs changed before anyone spends there hard earned cash on any song packs.

Title: Tap Tap Revenge 4 | Developer: Tapulous | Genre: Arcade | Players: 1 | Version: 4.1.3 |Size: 11MB | Price: Free (More songs cost extra)

Tap Tap Revenge is a lot like DDR for your fingers. You tap colors, stars and other animations to music that’s popular now, and that you’ve heard a quarter million times on the radio. As long as you play well, you’ll earn an exponential multiplier. Instead of adding to all the colors as you advance, the multiplier functions for a certain amount of time before ending.

As you progress, gain experience and waste hours playing, you will be rewarded with more songs or coins, which can be used to redeem songs or other things for customizing your avatar. The song collection is disappointing and the free songs are even worse most of the time.

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We mentioned this, and we’ll say it again:  this is a port of an iOS game, and it smells like it in more ways than it should. While you can use the back button within the interface, this is only true sometimes, however, when this isn’t true (and even when it is), there exists a home icon that takes you back, duplicating functionality while not following Android design principles. Many developers have ported their games to Android successfully all the while retaining the quality of the game and using Android design features. This isn't true here at all.

Like many iOS ports Tap Tap Revenge 4 runs a 5.9-6.7MB service on the phone at start up, that serves as far as we can tell – no purpose. This was more commonly seen before Android had the power behind it that it goes so quickly. It uses this RAM/CPU time to get your location and advertise to you. There is no paid version of Tap Tap Revenge 4 available on the Market without the ads plastered on the menus.

To further demonstrate how poorly this game was ported, some song pack purchases open the browser, connecting to the iOS app store website where you proceed to not buying the song pack. We’re not sure if this is something that’s being worked on, or if the iOS links are there simply as placeholders because not enough content exists for the Android version of the game. However, this is pure speculation. As a result, it appears in-app purchases are not fully functional within this game, combined with a lack of developer support. There have been few to no updates for Tap Tap Revenge 4.

We know we sound like we’re ranking on this game, but it’s because it is truly that bad. Menus are impossible to use, gameplay feels standard at this point from playing DDR, and graphics are under-done, even for what looks like a guitar-hero clone. Don't download this for free, unless you like 30 second trials of songs and bad free music.

Dragon Fly Android Game review

Are you bored with playing all the android games then, try this Dragon Fly! If you are familiar with Tiny Wings one of the massive hits on iPhone/iOS then you know how addictive it is. Dragon, Fly! for Android features same game-play style where you Slide and fly over the beautiful hills. The amazing graphics will definitely amaze you every time while you playing, it will kill your time and make you addict so be aware this game. The one touch controlDragon, Fly! Android Game start as a newly hatched dragon pup you are still too young to fly. That however is not going to stop you from embarking on your very first adventure. The realms are full of curvaceous hills. Slide along them and time your touches with precision to build momentum and take off into the sky. Be quick though! Dragon mum is anxious about your whereabouts and has headed out to end your journey and bring you back to the nest. With beautiful graphics Dragon, Fly! is super smooth on Android, thanks to advanced 2D physics engine delivering 60 frames per second even on medium level devices. Before you knowtime will pass so quick. Fly! Fly! Over the Hills and over the Sky!   Dragon, Fly! game for Android was developed by Four Pixels  Package name: com.lsgvgames.slideandfly.apk File size: 2.8MB

Gameloft launches subscription service, HD Android games for 99p only

We’re quite fond of French developer Gameloft. They’ve ripped off – or paid homage to, if you prefer – various home console classics to great effect, yielding the likes of Halo-esque N.O.V.A. and Asphalt 6: Adrenaline Rush.

As detailed on their UK blog, Gameloft is launching a subscription service thingy for Android users, meaning you can score an HD game every week for 99p. Gameloft’s HD efforts usually cost £2.99, so that’s a meaty saving of 66%.

And it gets better, Gameloft fans. You get a free game of your choice when you sign up, so that’s effectively two HD Gameloft games for 99p.

Still want more? If you sign up before midnight on August 29 you’ll be entered into a draw to win an LG Optimus 3D. The winner will be announced in one month, and you must still be subscribed at that point to be in with a chance.

Interested? Simply go to gameloft.co.uk on your Android phone and click “Club Buy 99p”.