Fool your friends (or yourself!)

With April Fools day fast approaching,  here’s a fun little app to trick your friends into believing that your phone can charge itself using the power of the sun!

The app is called Solar Charger, so you probably know where this is heading!
When you launch the app, your screen displays a fake PV panel. Along the side of the screen, there is a spoof VU meter that adjusts depending on the light level reaching your phone’s light sensor, and can be hidden to show the rest of the panel.

You can adjust what the panel looks like from a selection of 3 styles.
It even warns you when there is too little light!

The most hilarious part of this app is that when you press the Menu button on your device, you can read some Play Store reviews, some that claim that it doesn’t work, and others that claim it does!

However, on a more serious note, scientists and engineers are working on transparent solar panels that could eventually make their way to mobile devices and enable your screen to become a PV panel.

The app is available now for free on Google Play.

Let us know about any pranks you have played with this app!

The latest Indian Firmware: Gingerbread 2.3.6 DDKQ8 [Review with Screenshots & Download link]

Finally, firmware with Android 2.3.6 has been launched in India with version number DDKQ8

There are quite a lot changes introduced by Samsung in this version (some mainly because of Apple’s patent fight with Samsung on Slide to unlock lock screen and Overscroll bounce…! Damn you Apple!)

So before we move to the review of this ROM, here is how to get it on your phone:

Method 1: Update using Samsung Kies
Method 2: For flashing with Odin. here is the link to the firmware: Hotfile.com: One click file hosting: S5830DDKQ8_S5830ODDKQ7_INU.zip (Pass (if any): sampro.pl)
Then just follow the flashing with ODIN tutorial.

Note: Clear Cache Partition from recovery menu after update! Otherwise, you might have problems!

How to go to recovery menu?
Turn off your phone. Then, Power On it by holding Power+Home button at the same time. You will reach the recovery menu. Navigate with the Volume Rocker and Select using Home button.

1. Lock Screen

The Unlock method has changed. When you keep your finger on the screen, a lock like symbol will appear! You have to slide your finger over the screen to unlock!

A big advantage is that the lock screen also displays your unread text message count and you can directly access the messages by sliding on top of the red circle which has a message symbol on top! It even supports missed call count and you can access your missed calls directly! Cool, huh?

Unfortunately, you don’t have the old slide to unlock method but you can use an app like widgetlocker to go back to old slider type lockscreen.

2) Touchwiz

Not much has changed…! The call button icon and Memo icon has changed somewhat. And the home screen is loopable now. In the app drawer, you can navigate to any page by simply tapping at its screen number on the top, and it will go to that page.

[Official] CyanogenMod 7 for Samsung Galaxy Ace [Release Candiadate 1]

Not a week has passed by since the first official nightly shockingly! appeared on CM repositories for Samsung Galaxy Ace. This was indeed with compliance with earlier reports that official CM 7.2 was confirmed for Ace & will release with the global schedule.

The Cyanogenmod 7.2 Official is finally making its way to Samsung Galaxy Ace. The final stable version release will coincide with the global official release of CM 7.2 for more than 69 devices.

There might be some bugs, so inexperienced users and those who would like a finished product might want to keep away.
So without further ado.. Here we go:
Download Links:

• CyanogenMod RC1 build: Official | Mirror (Mediafire)
• GAPPS GB 20120116 – Market 3.4.4
• cm-blackhawk-kernel.zip (Overclock Kernel)

1. If you aren’t already on Gingerbread (2.3.x), do so. (Tutorial)
2. Install CWM Recovery 5. (CWM 4 might work) (Tutorial)
3. While in CWM Recovery, do the following:
   • Wipe data/factory reset
   • Wipe cache partition
   • Wipe dalvik cache
4. In CWM Recovery, choose
   Install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard > update-cm-7-20120312 NIGHTLY-cooper-signed.zip > yes. Install.
5. Reboot system!!
   Note: First boot may take 2-5 minutes.
6. Install Google Apps:
   • Choose Install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard > gapps-gb-20120116-237-signed.zip > yes. Install
   • Reboot!
7. Install Kernel with Overclock capability
   • Choose Install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard > cm-blackhawk-kernel.zip > yes. Install
   • Reboot!

And Done! Now you are up and working. Steps 6 & 7 are optional.

Note: Without step 6, you will lack basic google apps on your phone. They cannot be included in CM builds due to google objection.
Without step 7, you won’t be able to change CPU frequency.

Bugs:

• Yet to be reported (Report at code.google.com/p/cyanogenmod/issues/)

This is THE news people have been waiting for. Not only after the final version release, not only the users will have a definite version to install but the devs will also be able to use it as a base for a custom ROM.

7.2.0 CHANGELOG (notable new features or fixes)

New devices: Samsung Galaxy Ace
Common: Updated translations – (everyone)
Common: T9 predictive Phone dialer – Danesh M, Pawit Pornkitprasan
Common: Media player and recorder fixes for a number of corner cases – CAF, Danny Baumann
Common: Profile resets – Ladios Jonquil
Common: Assorted Wifi fixes
OMAP Common: Support for recent OMAP3/OMAP4 devices – omapzoom
Common: Control haptic in quiet hours – Danesh M
Common: Lockscreen updates and new styles – Andrew Sutherland, Danny Baumann, Danesh M, Sven Dawitz, Taichi Nishimura
Common: Bluetooth MAP support – Jonathan Bensen
Common: ICS telephony fix backports – Spencer Oliver
Common: Support for Bluetooth GPS dongles – Cuong Bui
Common: Better support for mouse and usb keyboards – Emilio Lopez, Tanguy Pruvot
Common: Fix timezone detection in Hawaii – Warren Togami
Common: ICS Transition effects backport – Russ Underhill
Common: ICS Rotation effects backport – Tanguy Pruvot
Common: Allow photo storage selection when possible – Greg Kochaniak
Common: Improved Calendar reminder options – Danny Baumann
Common: Fix color banding in Gallery while displaying 32bpp images – Sang Tae Park
Common: ADB over network
Common: Improved AVRCP 1.3 compatibility
Common: Improved external keyboard and mouse behaviour on some corner cases – Tanguy Pruvot
Common: Status bar battery icon configuration – Simon Davie

What do you guys think? Drop your opinions in the comments below.
[via XDA]

Download APK Of Google Play Store (The Rebranded Android Market) Now! [Video]

Just a couple of days ago, Google unveiled the Google Play Store – a rebranded version of Android Market. This move is Google’s attempt attempt in providing users with a common platform to all the apps, games, books, movies and music under one roof.

The new-look interface of the web variant of the new Google app store looks pretty impressive. However, on the smartphone app front, nothing much has changed apart from the icon and, of course, the name of the app: Google Play. Although Google has already started rolling out Google Play Store to Android devices (running Froyo and higher) over-the-air, there are quite a few users who might not have received the update yet. If you’re among such users, you can download the APK after the break.

Installing Google Play Store is quite simple, and won’t take more than a couple of minutes. Here’s what you need to do:

[Official] CyanogenMod 7 for Samsung Galaxy Ace [Nightly Apr 6]

So finally, its official! See, what did we tell you! Keeping faith & having patience finally paid up, huh!
The Cyanogenmod 7.2 Official is finally making its way to Samsung Galaxy Ace. A nightly was released on Mar 12 and a final stable version might not be much far away.
UPDATE:
Latest nightly of Apr 6 attached.

There might be some bugs, so inexperienced users and those who would like a finished product might want to keep away.
So without further ado.. Here we go:
Download Links:

• CyanogenMod Nightly build:
  6th April 2012 Build (Mediafire)
  12th March Build:  Official | Mirror (Mediafire)
• GAPPS GB 20120116 – Market 3.4.4
• cm-blackhawk-kernel.zip (Overclock Kernel)

1. If you aren’t already on Gingerbread (2.3.x), do so.
2. Install CWM Recovery 5. (CWM 4 might work)
3. While in CWM Recovery, do the following:
   • Wipe data/factory reset
   • Wipe cache partition
   • Wipe dalvik cache
4. In CWM Recovery, choose
   Install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard > update-cm-7-20120312 NIGHTLY-cooper-signed.zip > yes. Install.
5. Reboot system!!
   Note: First boot may take 2-5 minutes.
6. Install Google Apps:
   • Choose Install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard > gapps-gb-20120116-237-signed.zip > yes. Install
   • Reboot!
7. Install Kernel with Overclock capability
   • Choose Install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard > cm-blackhawk-kernel.zip > yes. Install
   • Reboot!

And Done! Now you are up and working. Steps 6 & 7 are optional.

Bugs:

• Found any?

Fix for link2sd (credit to kansar)

Try moving/deleting init.d script “05mountsd” then reconfigure link2sd, that script interferes with Link2sd’s sd-ext partition mounting script

While installing this build & testing it might leave you unsatisfied, this is definitely very good news. This is THE news people have been waiting for. Not only After the final version release, not only the users will have a definite version to install but the devs will also be able to use it as a base for a custom ROM.

What do you guys think? Drop your opinions in the comments below.
[via XDA]

[Unofficial] Cyanogenmod 9.0 Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.3 Beta 1 for Samsung Galaxy Ace [+Video]

Update: Beta 1 is now released but still is marked for developers only.

Not Working: (Beta 1)
Camera ,  Radio

Discussions Thread @XDA

Previous:
The official version of ICS may seem like a  distant dream & expecting (official) Cyanogenmod 9 for Ace is again a doubtful case. But you can’t stop individual developers from trying their best.

A group of devs under the group name TeamHackAce are working on bringing the ICS to SGA.

Here is a video for Cyanogenmod Alpha 8 (based on Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich) in action. Note that the latest version is now at Alpha 13 at the moment. The build is far from complete (that’s why it is called alpha) & not for everyday use. The features like camera & browsing don’t work for now. So we don’t recommend you guys to download and install it.

So just kick back & relax.

Not Working: (Alpha 13)
Browser problem, Problem with animation , Proximity Sensors ( not by default ) , Camera , Usb , Gps

All in all this is good news & we will keep updating you of the latest developments.

Related Articles:
Will Samsung Galaxy Ace get Official Android ICS 4.0 ?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1425865

Android App & AutoItScript Checks for CyanogenMod Nightlies every 5 Minutes!! [Download]

Well, can’t wait for the much awaited CyanogenMod 7 nightlies? Courtesy to guys at XDA, here is an Android App & an AutoIT script for windows which checks whether the nightly has been posted at CM7 site under the device name cooper or not.

So choose any of the method below so that you’re first to know about the nightly.

• Download the Android app.
• Download Compiled Executable
• Copy the code below & compile it using AutoIT.

Note: The script & the executable is only for windows users (or through Wine on Linux)

$refreshTime = 300000 ;interval to check for cooper nightly in ms

while 1
	InetGet("http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?type=nightly", @ScriptDir & "\cmnightlypage")
	$file = FileOpen(@ScriptDir & "\cmnightlypage", 0)
	$html = FileRead(@ScriptDir & "\cmnightlypage")
	FileClose($file)

	If StringInStr($html, "device=cooper&type=nightly") > 0 Then
		FileDelete( @ScriptDir & "\cmnightlypage")
		MsgBox(64, "Nightly available.", "Cooper has been added to nightlies!")
		Exit
	Else
		FileDelete( @ScriptDir & "\cmnightlypage")
	EndIf
	Sleep($refreshTime)
WEnd

[via Xda-developers]

Official CyanogenMod 7.2 Confirmed for Samsung Galaxy Ace

UPDATE: CM7.2 official is confirmed for Samsung Galaxy Ace & will roll out with the official 7.2 of all devices. More info

Why no nightlies?
Due to insufficient computing power available, the nightlies haven’t rolled out for SGA.

What about CM9?
If Samsung doesn’t rolls out ICS for Ace, it will be nearly impossible for an official CM9.

ORIGINAL:
Samsung Galaxy Ace has finally pulled it together. Expect official CyanogenMod Nightlies soon at the official website. No more betas by XDA devs. When all the bugs in nightlies will be sorted out, an RC version will follow and then a stable one.

More Information: http://review.cyanogenmod.com/#change,7133

New nightly build for download will be available  here as device name ‘Cooper’ (Within a week maybe): http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?type=nightly

So keep a little more patience. We will keep you updated.

Related Articles:
[Unofficial] Cyanogenmod 9.0 Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.9 Alpha for Samsung Galaxy Ace [Video]

Modded Stock Rom DRoidMaxxV2 -2.2.1 for Micromax A70

Another modded stock Rom has appeared on Android Forums for A70.

• Author: samrox144
• Current Version: 1.0

Features:

• Rooted (can be done using z4root. Refer How to root?)
• Deodexed (there is nothing to deodex on A70)
• APK’s Zipaligned (better RAM utilization)
• Darktremor Apps2SD v2.7.5.2 + fix. (SD card needs to be partitioned. Refer How to partition my Sd card?)
• Nano added
• Bash added
• Custom bootanimation (can be done even without rooting Refer here)
• No Ads Host file
• Zeam launcher (Android Market Launcher)
• dalvik to sd
• vm 48
• Tweaks like internet speed
• 3G turbo
• V6 supercharger Script (Tutorial)
• Removed Stock Apps (Tutorial)

Poweramp v2.0 beta In-Depth Review : Verdict

Sold? Wait, there’s more!!

These features didn’t make it to beta but will be in final 2.0 release:

• 4×1, 4×2, 2×2 home screen widgets
• couple of extra skins (external apk/jars)
• widget pack compatibility
• Better skins for tablets.
• Help update (as if the current help was anything short of awesome)
• Skin SDK : The most important feature that will open a vista of customization opportunities.
• sSettings backup to sd card/restore ( Thank God!!)