Android software

The upcoming Wikipad tablet, first spotted back in January at CES, now has an official release date and price. The 10.1-inch Android handheld gaming system will be available for $499 on October 31. Starting September 7, the system will be available to preorder through game retailer GameStop, although the Wikipad is expected to be available through other retailers as well.

Wikipad is part of a growing trend of independently developed game consoles outside of the major Sony/Nintendo/Microsoft axis.… Read more

HTC may have two Android tablets for its upcoming September 19 press conference, if recent chatter is to be believed.

According to rumors making the rounds this week, HTC is working on a 7-inch Flyer/Evo View 4G successor that will be based off Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and likely feature a custom HTC experience with support for the Scribe digital pen.

Hardware specifications are said to include a 7-inch 1,280×768-pixel display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, a 3-megapixel camera on the rear, and a 1-megapixel front-facing camera.… Read more

Your face just helped Google win a patent.

The search giant yesterday was awarded a patent, called "Login to a computing device based on facial recognition," that describes a technology for identifying a person's face and delivering to that person full access to personal information on a device.

In order for the technology to work, Google's patent requires a camera that can identify a person's face. If that face matches a "predetermined identity," then the person is logged into the respective device. If multiple people want to access a computer, the next person … Read more

Run a quick search for "notepad" on Google Play, and you'll see that there are at least 1,000 apps claiming to fit the bill. The good news is, we've taken the time to show you a few notepads that are absolute must-haves, especially for students just getting back into the groove of school.

Evernote (free) These days, the all-powerful Evernote feels more like a platform than a single, independent app. It has a full menu of companion downloads like Skitch, Evernote Food, and Evernote Hello available, and tons of developers are racing to integrate its … Read more

Matching the colors on larger items you can't tote into stores or around town can sometimes be difficult -- especially when it's something like your walls or furnishings. If you love color matching and coordination, then SwatchMatic is the app for you.

All you need to get started is an Android device with a camera and a copy of the SwatchMatic app. Once installed, simply point the app at an object to start matching the color. When you see a color tab in the wheel that looks like an exact match, or at least something close, tap … Read more

Previously available only on the iPhone, Via.Me today makes its way onto the Android platform. While it may seem like just another silly social network joining an already jostling crowd, Via.Me's strongest selling point is the ease with which you can use it to post pictures, videos, and even audio clips to Facebook and Twitter, all from a single interface.

To get started, first sign into Via.Me using your Facebook or Twitter account. From there, it will connect you to your friends who are also on Via.Me. Then, just as on Facebook or Twitter, you … Read more

RetailMeNot is a deal site that enables you to find coupons and discounts at tens of thousands of nationwide stores. Whether you're looking for deals on clothes, accessories, furniture or food, its slogan is "Save when you want, where you want," and its mobile app delivers it all.

You can search by specific store, popular items, or just by category, and then the results will be sorted by online and in-store. In-store coupons can be used by showing your screen to the cashier so he or she can scan the bar code. Coupons can be … Read more

What better way to celebrate Labor Day than by eschewing all forms of labor, instead kicking back with your phone or tablet and rocking some serious run-and-gun action?

To help you accomplish that nation-honoring act of laziness, Gameloft is offering three Android games on the cheap.

Throughout the weekend, you can get Gangstar Rio: City of Saints, Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation, and N.O.V.A. 3: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance from Google Play for 99 cents apiece.

These titles normally sell for $6.99 each, meaning you're getting for three bucks what would normally cost you $21.… Read more

Scouring the Google Play Store for apps isn't always easy. When looking for an app you'll probably know the category it falls into, and you might know the name of something that works similarly to what you're looking for. Unfortunately, it's still a lot of work to sort through each entry until you find the perfect one.

You could look at app reviews online, or check star ratings in the Play Store, or you could try looking at Recommended For You.

Just open the Google Play Store and tap on Apps, then tap on the banner … Read more