Android Mobile Device

Verizon doesn’t like the idea of “open internet.” At least not the idea of it potentially cutting into their profits. Today, Verizon filed an appeal in federal court claiming the rules of “Net Neutrality” are unnecessary and will create confusion for investors.  Verizon released this statement on their website:

Verizon is fully committed to an open Internet. We are deeply concerned by the FCC’s assertion of broad authority to impose potentially sweeping and unneeded regulations on broadband networks and services and on the Internet itself. We believe this assertion of authority is inconsistent with the statute and will create uncertainty for the communications industry, innovators, investors and consumers.

The Net Neutrality ruling just became official last week and if you haven’t been keeping up to date with your tech news, says that carriers can’t block legit law-abiding sites (or apps) that directly compete with their service. For instance, it would be like AT&T blocking you from visiting competing carrier Sprint’s website. Not cool, right? Here’s what the FCC had to say about the new Net Neutrality regulation that goes into effect November 20th.

First, transparency: fixed and mobile broadband providers must disclose the network management practices, performance characteristics, and commercial terms of their broadband services. Second, no blocking: fixed broadband providers may not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices; mobile broadband providers may not block lawful websites, or block applications that compete with their voice or video telephony services. Third, no unreasonable discrimination: fixed broadband providers may not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic.

The internet should be free and open (we like that word around here). Anyone that disagrees well, probably has the title of CEO somewhere in their name.

[Phonescoop via Gizmodo]

Gameloft is throwing a “fall weekend sale” for a few of the biggest and baddest in Android gaming. HD titles like, the first-person shooter N.O.V.A., family fun UNO, action-platformer Assassin’s Creed and the action-racing Asphalt 6, are all being offered up for only 99 cents this weekend only.

Even if you hate gaming, there’s no denying it’s a great deal. Just hit up the source link and get to downloading.

[Via Gameloft]

We reported a short time ago on a “security issue” facing AT&T’s Samsung Galaxy S II units. Apparently, when you unlock the phone and it goes to the lockscreen, merely letting the phone fall back asleep or “timeout” will allow you to quickly awake the device and bypass the lockscreen altogether. Well, in an effort to help calm the situation, AT&T has already provided a quick fix. No, this isn’t some long drawn out OTA update that will get pushed to the device once it launches but some simple ingenuity. An AT&T spokesman had this to say,

Samsung and AT&T are aware of the user interface issue on the Galaxy S II with AT&T. Currently, when using a security screen lock on the device, the default setting is for a screen timeout. If a user presses the power button on the device after the timeout period it will always require a password. If a user presses the power button on the phone before the timeout period, the device requests a password – but the password is not actually necessary to unlock it.

Samsung and AT&T are investigating a permanent solution. In the meantime, owners of the Galaxy S II can remedy the situation by re-setting their time-out screen to the "immediately" setting. This is done by going to the Settings->Location and Security->Screen unlock settings->Timeout->Immediately.

Crisis averted. While this is by no means a permanent solution, it should get the job done. You may now go about drooling over the Galaxy S II and counting down the days until it’s October 2nd release date.

Thanks, Steve!

As Android users, we’ve known for quite sometime what happens when Google teams up with a smartphone manufacturer: pure Nexus bliss. Well, it looks like Google has paired up with another world famous manufacturer of sorts, Dogfish Head brewery. If it’s one thing Dogfish knows, it’s beer. They have been “manufacturing” some of the world’s most interesting beers since 1995. Google’s part in all of this was taking suggestions from all their users around the world on what would make the world’s best tasting beer and supplying that info for Dog Fish to cook up.

So what exactly did Google and Dogfish Head come up with? The Nexus URKontinent. Okay, maybe not the Nexus part. The URKontinent combines a plethora of ingredients that’s “never been used in a beer since brewing started.” According to Dogfish the specs are:

Pilsner, Munich and Chocolate Malts and Belgian Dark Candi syrup. Then we add unique ingredients from around the world. Wattleseed from Australia imparts a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut taste to the beer. Toasted Amaranth from South America gives it an earthy, grainy flavor and a little additional roast flavor. Green Rooibos from Africa contributes a floral aroma and slight astringency. Myrica Gale from Europe supplements the bitterness from minimal hopping. Hive Plex Honey from California adds a subtle sweetness while maintaining the dry finish.

If you’re in Delaware area, you can grab your very own URKontinent beer that’s been on tap since September 27th and will be available “until it is gone!” As far as grabbing your own bottle, there might be sometime before we start seeing it sold by the case. For a nice little mini-documentary of the entire project check out the video below. Damn, I’m thirsty.

Thanks, JC!

[Dogfish via Gizmodo]

It’s already been a few weeks since the Foursquare team updated their app for iOS users and now, Android users are getting the same treatment. The Foursquare app has been updated in the Android Market and includes a bevvy of new enhancements. First off, they’ve moved some things around like points for check-ins providing for an all around cleaner interface.

Oh, and Foursquare for Android finally has their new “lists” feature for keeping track of where you’ve been and where you’re going. You can also sort friends now by “nearby” or “worldwide” which comes in handy if you’ve got a bunch of Android friends from around the world. If you want to give it a try, Foursquare is now available for free in the Android Market.

[Market Link]