Sprint users say goodbye to NFL Live, Verizon users welcome live game video and audio streams

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When I reviewed the Sprint Hero last year, I praised Sprint TV, Navigator, and NFL Live as great bonus features that attracted me to the phone. Well, only 2 out of 3 of those features will work by the end of the month. Sprint has lost out on its deal to provide exclusive NFL content

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Sprint users say goodbye to NFL Live, Verizon users welcome live game video and audio streams

Android Apps For Web Developers

Are you a web developing Android lover? Then chances are you’ve scoured the market for some apps that can increase your productivity or provide tools for managing your websites on the go. Mashable made a quick list of 5 Free Android Apps for Web Developers that is pretty handy – thought I’d pass it along: HTMLeditor AndFTP View Web Source Magic Color Picker HTML Test I’d definitely like to try out AndFTP (screenie below) and I know there are a bunch of apps out there that alert you when your sites are down. Any web developers out there want to share their favorites?

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Android Apps For Web Developers

Speed Test: Opera Mini 5 vs. Stock Android Browser

Earlier today Opera announced the launch of Mini 5 Beta for Android that brought new features and an improved experiece to your mobile browsing. What I felt and said was the best characteristic of Opera Mini 5 was the way it handles page rendering – it compresses them on their own servers and sends that optimized version to your phone, greatly reducing load times. Engadget did a quick test comparing the typical Android browser to Opera Mini 5 when loading Engadget on the Motorola Droid. Unfortunately they didn’t allow embedding so you’ll have to watch here if you’re so inclined. Spoiler alert: Opera Mini 5 CRUSHED the native Android browser in load time. Android Browser: 42-seconds Opera Mini 5 Beta: 27-seconds Not only that but Opera Mini 5 loads the full page of content immediately, then taking additional time to fill in the cached pictures. It isn’t ONLY about speed but speed is of huge importance and Opera does that very well in the latest version of their Mini browser for Android. [Via Engadget ]

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Speed Test: Opera Mini 5 vs. Stock Android Browser

Waze Launches Traffic App In Germany and France

Our friends at Waze have come a long way since we first helped promote their alpha application back in May 2009 . The app now has more than 50,000 downloads and has been helping commuters and road warriors dodge traffic, avoid speed traps, and navigate in real-time for almost a year. The app was formerly only available in the United States but today they announced its availability in both Germany and France. Much like when it first launched in the United States, the German and French apps have some brushing up to do before they’re fully functional. Up until now Waze was using their app and user input to completely identify roads in these countries but have since merged their own findings with a complete database of roads from a 3rd party source. Users will still be able to contribute but this should greatly improve the accuracy and ability of the app for German and French users. Starting today, French and German users will find that most roads will be marked with plenty of ‘road munching’ dots – GPS points that, when driven over, set the road’s direction, helping to increase map quality and navigability, while providing them with tons of extra points. The process of validation is incredibly quick – within just a couple of weeks, these maps will be fully navigable and highly accurate. We’ll also be adding candy and cupcake ‘road goodies’ – small icons worth 3 and 5 bonus points, respectively – to the map in areas where the system needs validation. …And don’t forget the best part: waze’ll be distributing VIRTUAL TREASURE CHESTS (!) on the roads that, when driven over, have the potential to reward users with an Amazon gift card – so French and German wazers, get out there and find ‘em! The treasure chest integration is great, but I’m hoping Waze doesn’t show the same treasure chests to every user – if Waze gains mass popularity it could cause some serious accidents itself! But hey, at least you would have Waze and know to avoid those accidents. There have been some pretty cool Waze success stories that make we want to give it another whirl – do you use Waze? [Via Waze ]

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Waze Launches Traffic App In Germany and France

MySpace Out-Androids Facebook: Most Downloaded Social App

Make fun of MySpace all you want for getting up and on their way to becoming the next Friendster – they have a much different view of their direction. And that view is supported by a pretty startling statistic: “ MySpace Mobile has become the number one social application on the Android platform, and the third most popular downloaded application on Android.” I found that news to be quite outrageous, but checked each app in Android Market under the “Social” category, and sure enough MySpace is listed above Facebook. I believe those listings are based on a number of qualities – not just download count – but while both apps have “> 250,000″ downloads, MySpace has nearly 20,000 more ratings which suggests their facts are accurate. They attribute their success to their “deep integration with the Android platform” and note such unqiue features as homescreen widgets, voice-enabled status updates, setting photos as wallpaper, integration with camera and more. These are mostly features that Facebook has as well, but MySpace DOES enjoy a better rating on Android Market. So is my view about MySpace greatly lagging behind Facebook a figment of my imagination, skewed by my own use and preference? I realize the Phandroid readership isn’t exactly a cross-section of the average Android-using public (You and I are much more cool) – but just for Giggles let’s find out who has what installed: View Poll [Via MySpace Pressroom ]

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MySpace Out-Androids Facebook: Most Downloaded Social App

Opera Mini 5 Beta Available, Introduces Tabbed Browsing

Opera Mini is one of the most popular mobile web browsers out there and its making a valiant fight for supremacy, today launching Opera Mini 5 in beta form with a laundry list of new features. The most noteworthy additions are tabbed browsing, speed dial (quick access to favorites), password manager, opera link (sync with desktop), and download manager. I’m really liking the direction Opera Mini is headed, but for the most part these new features aren’t anything shocking – they are just what you would expect from any browser. The trick here is that they’re implemented effectively: “Android users should not have to compromise when it comes to surfing the Web on their phones. Opera Mini will give Android users a fast and cost-efficient access to their favorite Web sites and services,” said Dag Olav Norem, Vice President of Products, Opera Software. I think that’s the trick and something we’ve heard Google say before in regards to the purpose of the browser (related to chrome); a browser should get out of the users way so they can focus on what’s important – the web. In my mind the real innovation here is going on behind the scenes where Opera compresses data by up to 90 percent before sending content to the phone, allowing your mobile browsing experience to be much quicker and more optimized. One downfall to point out is that the browser doesn’t support multi-touch, an unfortunate flaw that could be a deal breaker. I’m still waiting to see some effective alternatives to pinch and zoom in the browser like the zoom-wheel that briefly leaked and then dissolved into oblivion. Give Opera Mini 5 a download: And then let us know how you like it. [Via Press Release ]

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Opera Mini 5 Beta Available, Introduces Tabbed Browsing

Opera Mini 5 beta now available in the Android Market

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It may not be the version of Opera (Opera Mobile) that everyone has been waiting for, however recently added to the Android Market was Opera Mini 5 beta. And it is expected to work on all Android devices, even those running OS 1.5. But more importantly are the features which include; Tabbed Browsing: Browse several Web

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Opera Mini 5 beta now available in the Android Market

Google Maps Gets Biking Directions, Mobile Version Coming Soon

Google keeps piling on the features for their “Maps” software, an already impressive service that continues to pile on features and capabilities. The latest addition is biking directions: The entire map changes when you select biking directions to highlight roads/streets without vehicles, with bike lines, and other streets recommended for cyclists. You can also select a biking layer to display ALL recommended bike routes – a GREAT feature for planning a biking trip in uncharted territory. Google has already said they’ll make Biking Directions available for mobile and I assume it will become a “Layer” within Google Maps for Android in the near future. I’d recommend going into Google Maps on your Android Phone, pressing “Menu”, then “More”, then “Labs” and seeing what new features you can “test” that are in beta. Right now Bike Directions aren’t on there… but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them soon – especially seeing how handy it would be when on the go. [Via Press Release ]

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Google Maps Gets Biking Directions, Mobile Version Coming Soon

Evernote Coming Pre-Installed On Samsung Android Phones

If you’re looking for a note-taking Android Application and ask around, chances are someone will direct you to Evernote . It does a lot more than just take notes: Evernote for Android is a free application that allows individuals to create notes, snap photos, and record audio. Users can instantly find any notes that were created on their phone, desktop computer, or the web. In addition, Evernote automatically makes snapshots containing printed or handwritten text searchable — great for business cards, whiteboards and wine labels. The company has joined forces with Samsung and many of the manufacturer’s Android handsets will now come pre-installed with the application. The Samsung Behold 2 for T-Mobile recently enjoyed a software updated and Evernote was included in the package, becoming the first to incorporate the new partnership. Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote, commented on the development: “We’re incredibly excited to be working closely with Samsung on their line of Android phones. Android represents Evernote’s fastest growing mobile platform. This partnership helps Evernote reach a huge new audience with our promise of perfect memory for everyone.” I’m all for manufacturers and carriers pre-installing apps on their phones, often times reducing the burden for smartphone/android newbies to hunt down applications they might enjoy or find useful. Evernote definitely fits in that category. Any Evernote users? Chime in with your experience – both good and bad! [Via Press Release ]

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Evernote Coming Pre-Installed On Samsung Android Phones

Skype Works On All Verizon’s Android Phones

Last month we learned that Verizon Wireless was officially partnering with Skype to bring an unprecedented feature set to mobile phone users in America. Exactly what that would entail? We weren’t told – we were just told some sort of integration would make it all worthwhile and it wasn’t hard to guess the options. Now Skype and Verizon have published an animated infomercial that, while it doesn’t provide full details, gives us a better idea: Verizon now lists which phones are compatible with their Skype mobile service – I’ve put three Android units all on top and all which work with Skype Mobile: Motorola Droid Motorola Devour HTC Droid Eris BlackBerry Curve 8530 BlackBerry Storm 9530 BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 BlackBerry Tour 9630 It looks like instead of trying to get a per/application fee from customers, Skype may have gone the exclusivity route as they’ve pulled their app from several mobile OS app stores. Verizon may have pinned them down for an exclusive deal with a substantial contract – something of which I’m not sure we’ll ever know the details. But most importantly – does that woman’s voice in the above video make anyone else want to poke their eyes out? [Via VZW ]

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Skype Works On All Verizon’s Android Phones

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