Tech Buzz replacement? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys,
Was a disappointment when i saw this morning that tech buzz will no longer be showing android news Or any news for that matter. Can some one suggest anything comparable? Would be helpful, thanks!

Yeah I was disappointed when I saw the message, now on the hunt for a replacement too. I have engadget but I want an Android news ticker as well that grabs from all the sites.

I was sad to see them to as well. I've been using the widget for over 2.5 years.
I kind of like "Android News" by Pinenuts Android Developers. Not a widget, just an app, but it has a lot of the feeds I like. Unfortunately their latest version removed one of my favorite feeds (Droid Life).

Has anyone found any good replacement?

Nothing yet. I have been using Drippler but its a far cry from Techbuzz widget. It wont update very often and sometimes I have to reboot to get it to sync with new news, and even then its on aound 1 or 2 things. I really wish TB would come back with their widget... loved that thing and never realized how much I relied on it till it was gone.

Androidandme.com has decent news items, but they are slow to update. Unfortunately I have to use Engadget more than anything else for Android updates.

Go a search on Google Play or Amazon app store for: Filtr Tech
I can't post a link to it because I'm new to the forums.

Related

Facebook, Netflix, or Words for friends apps?

Hello,
Just got my Tab on Friday. Are the subject apps available? I cannot find them in the market.
Thanks!
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
no on Netflix and the future of it on this tablet is quite grim too.
there's no native Facebook app optimized for tablets just yet (how silly is that), only the phone version which is not available for this device. people tend to like this as a substitute for now:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.locomolabs.facebook
or just use the browser.
i think Words With Friends is not tablet optimized either and thus not available.
mannequin said:
there's no native Facebook app optimized for tablets just yet (how silly is that), only the phone version which is not available for this device.
i think Words With Friends is not tablet optimized either and thus not available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There isn't even an iPad app for Facebook yet.
I use WWF on my Tab without issue
I use the Facebook app from my phone. Actually, it automatically downloaded and installed when I first logged into the tablet. It synced all my apps, even the ones that don't show up in a market search.
I read somewhwre, I believe it was the words for friends change log, that they were working on a tablet optimized version. Could be wrong though.
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1 via Tapatalk
ikon8 said:
I use the Facebook app from my phone. Actually, it automatically downloaded and installed when I first logged into the tablet. It synced all my apps, even the ones that don't show up in a market search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah it does that. not gonna work if you never installed it on the phone though.
mannequin said:
yeah it does that. not gonna work if you never installed it on the phone though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Friendcaster isn't free but it works great. FriendMe should have a new version out next week that's more usable. And Facebook iPad is coming out soon... so maybe HC next?
Friendcaster sucks IMO. Only thing it has is the feed. You're better off using the actual website. FriendMe is a little better but its still missing some of the core features.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
Would be nice to play Words with friends on this new tablet i just bought
you guys dont have words with friends???? i have it on my tablet... and i had it on my xoom too i got it from the market
did they remove it or something??
i can post the apk
xtkxhom3r said:
you guys dont have words with friends???? i have it on my tablet... and i had it on my xoom too i got it from the market
did they remove it or something??
i can post the apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they did during the last update. They said they are working on a Honeycomb version. The phone version does work, but it cuts off the bottoms of the letters in your tray. You can't tell F's from E's for example. Also when you use a blank tile the letter chooser is not displayed properly.
That said, it does work.
I would assume the new UI will be more like the Ipad's.
Andy
I have WWF on my phone, and it auto downloaded to my tab when I opened the market for the first time.
Suppose I have to wait since this is my first Android anything
You can sideload it: Download it here
Completely legit, use the quick download button. Install Astro before you download it, and use the app installer.
http://www.getjar.com/mobile/48090/...6j608cinkp1p03r4&c=l2guqa0e2bj1jx0713&lang=en
I've got WWF on my tab. Auto downloaded first time. It blows on the tab atm. The bottom bar covers like 20% of the letters. for some you have to drag them up to see what they are. They need a tab version badly.
Here is a great facebook app https://market.android.com/details?id=com.locomolabs.facebook&feature=search_result
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App
When did the phone version of facebook get changed? I was able to download it from the market when i got my tab last week.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App
Just got my to.1 yesterday, I was in love with it until I found out these three apps were not available, looks like I will be returning it in the next few days, =( pretty bummed, I guess I should have researched this prior to purchasing, but they seemed like such basic app's that it never crossed my mind that they wouldn't be available
I have been an android guy for a long time ( had a g1, and now have a g2 ) and this may be what pushes me over to the Ios darkside
just spoke to a Netflix rep. to summarize, he said that they are very aware that tons of people are looking for a Honeycomb app, and that they have offered the major manufacturers (Samsung, HTC, Motorola..) the necessary things to integrate Netflix, and that it's up to the manufacturers to decide if they would like to implement the DRM needed to run Netflix. but since some of these manufacturers, Samsung for example, are planning on a media hub.. the Netflix rep said that Samsung might see it as competition to their own offerings. so we should all contact both Samsung and Netflix to let them know how badly we want Netlifx.
Netflix customer service: 1-866-716-0414
Samsung live chat: http://www.samsung.com/us/support/contact
Samsung customer service for apps: 1-888-899-7609
Netflix app
radiohead14 said:
just spoke to a Netflix rep. to summarize, he said that they are very aware that tons of people are looking for a Honeycomb app, and that they have offered the major manufacturers (Samsung, HTC, Motorola..) the necessary things to integrate Netflix, and that it's up to the manufacturers to decide if they would like to implement the DRM needed to run Netflix. but since some of these manufacturers, Samsung for example, are planning on a media hub.. the Netflix rep said that Samsung might see it as competition to their own offerings. so we should all contact both Samsung and Netflix to let them know how badly we want Netlifx.
Netflix customer service: 1-866-716-0414
Samsung live chat:
Samsung customer service for apps: 1-888-899-7609
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I just finished chatting with Samsung and this is what they had to say....
Dave: Hi, thanks for reaching out to Samsung tech support. How can I help you today?
Andre: I recently purchased your new galaxy 10.1 and found out that there is no Netflix app compatible with it. why is that?
Dave: Please allow me to go through the inquiry.
Andre: k
Dave: Let me explain.
Dave: Netflix works on Silver lite to stream movies. The Samsung Tab doesn't support this Silver lite. However, Samsung and Microsoft are working to release a upgrade so that Tab will support Silver lite and then you can stream from Netflix.
Andre: how soon can we expect this?
Dave: I'm sorry; this information will be released only after releasing the appropriate upgrade for the Tab and I do not want to provide you with any false information.
Andre: are we talking weeks, months, years?
Andre: this is a big reason i purchased the tablet
Dave: I can understand your concern. I recommend you contact our phone support at 1-800-SAMSUNG (726-7864); they are available 24/7. I'm sure they'll assist you further in this regard.
Andre: k... thanks

[Q] Open Letter to All Developers (Ads)

Greetings,
This is an open letter to all developers, big, small, whatever. Just a trend I'm seeing with the last few apps installed. Ads in the Notification Bar/Status bar of my phone....NOT COOL!!
You want to put ads in games/aps then sure but not in my status bar. That is an auto-fail and I don't care how pretty (bottle widgets I'm looking at you!!) your app is its just spam to me and I will not support you or buy the paid version.
Anyone else want to second this (third, etc) and send a message to developers be my guest. I love to support the little guy, but not this way, its waaayyy to intrusive.
Steve (WarrGrinn/Deathstalker)
I've yet to see this happen on my phone, but I'd definitely be pissed if it did.
Sent from my Liquid Thunderbread HTC Thunderbolt
That is definitely going too far but if you like and use an app that has ads, click them it makes a dev happy.
Well I can understand your anger, but let me convince you to have some sympathy for these devs.
Writing code, most of the time, is a tedious job, you need an idea, the skills and then the long testing. And then the worst part, getting your app recognised, even by a small populace of the community, is incredibly hard, seeing as you're pitted against an overwhelming number of "rivals".
Now say no one is to buy your "$2" or only a incredible few buy, you can't even make up for the amount of time in the creation of the app, and then people like you (take no offence please, simply using your mindset as an example) do not view the ads, well that dev is in a bit of crisis now eh?
Just shedding some light and hope you now don't have much of a critical view on ads.
$1 gets you a reply
Ads in general I don't have a problem with....its the delivery method. Imagine your watching a tv show, and instead of a comercial break they suddenly run a 1/3 screen tickertape below your show for ads during the program.....your reaction? Probally not good.
Don't mind ads, even clicked on a few and downloaded apps I wouldn't have known about without them. But in my status bar??!! No thanks, at least give notice in your app where/how the ads are placed or even better a box to check on how you'd like them. I can see some people wanting statusbar ads if they block game content/make it hard to play.....
Other question, does this take up data? Are these statusbar ads eating up my capped 1gig limit/month, if so then even more ticked (or do they count as a sms message?). I can just see some apps being made solely as delivery packages for ads, and thats not cool.
Just my 2c.
They're definitely eating up your data. Check out the permissions of the app when you install it, anything that has ads will require internet. 1 gig though? Owch man. I don't see how you make that work.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums
Moving to General
1gig, lots of hooking up for usb internet passthru to use the market/update apps.
Only hit 97% use once, mostly 70+ at end of month.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
I understand where you're coming from, it is annoying, especially when you don't know where the ads came from (from which app).
But still, let's cut the dev some slack, he's trying to make a few cents from his hard work (he has some really nice apps)...
onestoploser said:
I've yet to see this happen on my phone, but I'd definitely be pissed if it did.
Sent from my Liquid Thunderbread HTC Thunderbolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, not seen any ads in my notification bar as yet but the app would be instantly uninstalled if it happened.
Ad support i have no issue with but not in the notification bar of my phone

Google Play developers please...

I've started this thread to just get other developers opinions,
I started developing Android applications about 8 months ago with a friend (both of us had no previous experience) and after a shaky start thing picked up. We had some applications that floped and some that slowly picked up.
Heres the problem, Google Play now allow users rate the app in "Helpfulness" which don't sound like such a bad idea but it don't work. Ratings that are at the top are not relevant to the app anymore, there old rating referring to problems with the old version, and whats worse is I can't see them going down. Think about it if they are at the top their getting more coverage people are likely to hit "helpful" because they THINK it's helpful, and why would you go though the comments if you like the app... you wouldn't. So that really favors bad comments. This problem is not just with happening to us it's the same on many apps, I saw one the other day dated from 2010!?! how does that help!?
Anyway I just wanted to get other dev's opinions on this, is it affecting you or am I just missing the point?

[Petition] Optimize your App! A List of Developer Petitions

Hello all!
See below for this thread on other forums.
Android Tablet Forum
====================
Click here to subscribe to this thread. I recommend it!
I'm a fellow Nexus 10 owner. I love my device, but I'm a bit tired of facing applications that are low-resolution and unoptimized for the incredible display we have on the Nexus 10. Even tablet-optimized apps are lacking. Aren't you frustrated? Hence, I thought we could do something about it as a community.
Which is the purpose of this thread!
Here's how it will work. This first post will serve as a compilation of all the petitions made to any and all developers to optimize their applications for tablets, and also the Nexus 10's display. Any subsequent posts in this thread shall be for petition requests and discussion, which I will personally put together and post up to the petition site being used for this purpose (Care2 as of this thread's posting). I will then add a direct link to that petition to this thread, sorted by category. Feel free to make any suggestions or to criticize! I will also start us off with a petition I have already created myself: to the developers of the Bloons TD series of games, Ninja Kiwi.
I'll try to keep things simple! Keep on topic, please, and try your best to sign each and every petition. Its the only way we'll be able to actually push developers to optimize their applications for tablets like ours! So, without further ado, let us begin!
Petition List
===GAMES===
-----
Bloons TD 5 - Optimize Bloons TD 5 for Android Tablets
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===APPS===
-----
Facebook - Optimize Facebook for Android Tablets
Instagram - Optimize Instagram for Android Tablets
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This is likely Google's job, not ours. In any event, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are three that immediately spring to mind. Not because they are low resolution -- not sure what you mean there -- but because the layouts are so clearly designed for smaller screens. I shouldn't have to opt for Friendcaster, Tabstagram, and Plume.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
JasW said:
This is likely Google's job, not ours. In any event, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are three that immediately spring to mind. Not because they are low resolution -- not sure what you mean there -- but because the layouts are so clearly designed for smaller screens. I shouldn't have to opt for Friendcaster, Tabstagram, and Plume.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's the app devs job. The point of this is to show them that there is a need for this to be done by enough of their user base to merit the work hours it will take them to implement it. What they don't know ends up hurting us. It is actually an excellent idea.
A dedicated Facebook app should be a priority. My mate has an iPad and I found myself looking longingly at the sickness of the dedicated app. Something needs to be done to put a stop to this sick perversion!
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
JasW said:
This is likely Google's job, not ours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would tend to agree with Brees on this one, which you could probably guess. I think Brees put it excellently!
brees75 said:
No, it's the app devs job. The point of this is to show them that there is a need for this to be done by enough of their user base to merit the work hours it will take them to implement it. What they don't know ends up hurting us. It is actually an excellent idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the job of the application developers to get out proper apps. Google has done TONS of work already. Now we need to show these guys that we, the users, actually care about proper tablet applications, and that it is worth the investment.
Thats why I created this thread - if we don't do something about it, no-one will! I'm going to try to get as many signatures as possible, and I'm going to spread this thread across multiple forums if necessary. AndroidTablets.net springs to mind.
Eztiban said:
A dedicated Facebook app should be a priority. My mate has an iPad and I found myself looking longingly at the sickness of the dedicated app. Something needs to be done to put a stop to this sick perversion!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! I'm tired of this sort of thing. This needs to be put to a stop. I'll create the petition.
Like previously said all those social apps need optimization for sure. And the xda app needs optimization. I think there's an HD version but it costs money
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)
brees75 said:
No, it's the app devs job. The point of this is to show them that there is a need for this to be done by enough of their user base to merit the work hours it will take them to implement it. What they don't know ends up hurting us. It is actually an excellent idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWalkop said:
I would tend to agree with Brees on this one, which you could probably guess. I think Brees put it excellently!Its the job of the application developers to get out proper apps. Google has done TONS of work already. Now we need to show these guys that we, the users, actually care about proper tablet applications, and that it is worth the investment.
Thats why I created this thread - if we don't do something about it, no-one will! I'm going to try to get as many signatures as possible, and I'm going to spread this thread across multiple forums if necessary. AndroidTablets.net springs to mind.
Exactly! I'm tired of this sort of thing. This needs to be put to a stop. I'll create the petition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll excuse me if I seem overly cynical about this. I used to be a BlackBerry user. Well over two years ago, some folks on Crackberry launched a campaign to bombard Reid Hastings, the president of Netflix, with email to get Netflix on the BlackBerry platform (the OS 6 devices like the Torch had then fairly recently come out). If you are familiar with Crackberry, you know that they are a rabid, fanatical horde. Nothing happened. Then came the petitions -- change.org and the like. They are still going on more than two years plus later, and despite the fact that BlackBerry now has quite decent phones and a decent OS in BB10, there is still no Netflix on the platform.
EDIT: Holy! I already have 4 signatures for Facebook on Android Tablets and I haven't even posted it anywhere yet! That shows something.
C'mon guys, I'll post it up in the main thread. Vote for it now!
JasW said:
You'll excuse me if I seem overly cynical about this. I used to be a BlackBerry user. Well over two years ago, some folks on Crackberry launched a campaign to bombard Reid Hastings, the president of Netflix, with email to get Netflix on the BlackBerry platform (the OS 6 devices like the Torch had then fairly recently come out). If you are familiar with Crackberry, you know that they are a rabid, fanatical horde. Nothing happened. Then came the petitions -- change.org and the like. They are still going on more than two years plus later, and despite the fact that BlackBerry now has quite decent phones and a decent OS in BB10, there is still no Netflix on the platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your points make sense, but they aren't a valid reason really to cause Netflix to develop for BB10. The marketshare simply isn't there.
With Android, however, the market has shown that it is a valid platform (and I hate to say that as if it was an option - c'mon. ANDROID IS AWESOME! ); it makes sense for them to update, and it only helps us out. We need to show them that we actually CARE. If they understand that, then they will update for us without question. If they have any business sense, that is.
Same with BB10 (which is, quite frankly, a very nice OS - it even has NFC Beaming support between BB and Android devices). If they had the market AND Crackberry screaming like it was/is, they would get a proper app quite quickly.
This deserved a quick update post: the petitions for Facebook and Instagram are now online. Facebook already has a few votes!
I just signed Facebook one.
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)
What's the address part for?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Mannn121 said:
What's the address part for?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that you can be stalked lol. No need to put you real address I made one up and it didn't even check if it was right
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)
Mannn121 said:
What's the address part for?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, what abdel said lol.
Its mostly to confirm that you're a real person with a real place to live, that kinda stuff.
CWalkop said:
EDIT: Holy! I already have 4 signatures for Facebook on Android Tablets and I haven't even posted it anywhere yet! That shows something.
C'mon guys, I'll post it up in the main thread. Vote for it now!
I think your points make sense, but they aren't a valid reason really to cause Netflix to develop for BB10. The marketshare simply isn't there.
With Android, however, the market has shown that it is a valid platform (and I hate to say that as if it was an option - c'mon. ANDROID IS AWESOME! ); it makes sense for them to update, and it only helps us out. We need to show them that we actually CARE. If they understand that, then they will update for us without question. If they have any business sense, that is.
Same with BB10 (which is, quite frankly, a very nice OS - it even has NFC Beaming support between BB and Android devices). If they had the market AND Crackberry screaming like it was/is, they would get a proper app quite quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BB's problem is definitely rooted in market share, something that Android in general obviously has no problem with. But the numbers dwindle considerably when you're talking about Android tablet market share, and then on top of that, you've got to consider how many Android tablet users really care that there are some apps that are just scaled up phone versions. Apple cared enough to do something about it -- remember that was one of the criticisms of the first iPad, i.e., that it seemed just like a oversized iPod. Google has not been responsive on this front (nor on others for that matter).
Anyway, I don't want to discourage anyone, so have at it.
Signed them all and subscribed to thread, will check daily to check for new petitions
JasW said:
BB's problem is definitely rooted in market share, something that Android in general obviously has no problem with. But the numbers dwindle considerably when you're talking about Android tablet market share, and then on top of that, you've got to consider how many Android tablet users really care that there are some apps that are just scaled up phone versions. Apple cared enough to do something about it -- remember that was one of the criticisms of the first iPad, i.e., that it seemed just like a oversized iPod. Google has not been responsive on this front (nor on others for that matter).
Anyway, I don't want to discourage anyone, so have at it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry, you're not discouraging (me, at least).
Android Tablet market share has been steadily on the rise - in fact, it rivals the iPad. According to many statistics, they are slated to pass (if they have not already) Apple devices in tablet market share by the 3rd quarter. I listed 3 (or 4?) links in all of the petitions.
As for Google, they have been doing a great job lately. They added dedicated tablet sections to Google Play, and have been pushing developers to adhere to the guidelines constantly. I say keep up that pressure!
lvnatic said:
Signed them all and subscribed to thread, will check daily to check for new petitions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! We need more people like you here. Keep it up!
As for everyone else, keep an eye out for new petitions; and, most importantly of all:
SIGN THEM!!!!
We have hundreds of views on this thread, yet most people don't seem to want to take 60 seconds and sign the petitions, oddly enough. And this is a Nexus 10 forum. Keep it up, anyway! We CAN do this with enough time.
Signed them all
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
One of these days I plan to actually try to learn some Android development; I'll be sure to make whatever apps I make optimized for the N10 though :good:

[Q] Just how powerful is Google Now becoming?

In the last few weeks, I've really noticed an increase in the amount that Google Now can do. It's gone from being a fairly ineffective tool, to actually offering every day useful information, let me give you an example.
Today, I searched for Stone Football Evolution. Football Evolution is the organization and I play in Stone, Staffordshire on a Monday night. Primarily I was looking for the fixtures tonight. Without asking, it has told me the traffic to get the venue that we play at. How the hell it picked up that piece of information or even knew that it was relevant is quite brilliant.
Another thing, it's now finding relevant topics about my favourite football team, and if I search for a specific player, like I did yesterday, say "Robert Huth injury" (I'm a Stoke fan) it's offering articles that have been written maybe an hour or two ago that I've not had chance to search for.
Surely Google aren't finished with this, so what's next?

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