Android

Sometimes only so much explaining can be done with text on the screen. Adding a handwritten drawing or diagram can help pull together and solidify an idea. This is especially true when you're following along on a document that was given to you, like a business plan or notes for a class.

Polaris Office works with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF files. When using this app on a Galaxy Note series device, you can use the included S Pen to draw directly in your documents. Here's how:

First, open a document or presentation in Polaris … Read more

You're not the only one who missed out on dropping $1,500 for Google Glass Explorer Edition. An Australian geek, who goes by the "Evil Dead" name Ash_Williams on Australian PC hardware community forum Overclockers, doesn't have one either. So he made his own.

The hacker's version is called Flass, a combination of "fake" and "glass." It's powered by a Nokia N9 phone. The TV-out feature of the phone feeds the eye display, which is mounted on a set of real glasses using cable ties.

Ash_Williams has gone through four different versions of Flass so far.… Read more

AT&T announced on Friday that it's rolling out an Android 4.1.2 software update for the Samsung Galaxy Note.

The Jelly Bean update for the first-generation phablet will be installed through Windows and Mac computers via the Samsung Kies software application. Once complete, the Samsung Galaxy Note will register as Baseband version I717UCMD3.

Included in the Android 4.1.2 update are the standard Jelly Bean goodies: Google Now, richer notifications, and an enhanced keyboard. The handset also benefits from a premium suite of features and behaviors, like notes, videos, and browser windows that pop up … Read more

The notification panel in the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a convenient feature that allows you to quickly toggle key settings, like Bluetooth, GPS, Airplane mode, and so on. If your Galaxy Note 2 has been updated to 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, you can now customize the notification panel, except on the AT&T variant. If you have an AT&T Galaxy Note 2, we have third party app suggestions for you at the end of this post.

To customize the notification panel, go to Settings > Display > Notification panel. You'll see one check box … Read more

Those of you looking to snare the LG Optimus Pro can now preorder one through AT&T.

Normally $549.99 off contract, the phone costs $199.99 with the standard two-year agreement. That price includes an LG black folio case. AT&T promises a ship date of May 7, a few days ahead of the phone's official launch date of May 10.

As of today, buyers can pick up the phone through AT&T's preorder page.

Outfitted with a 5.5-inch, full-HD IPS screen, the phone offers a 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution and a 16:… Read more

Verizon subscribers who own the Galaxy Note 2 may find a major update waiting for them the next time they power up their phone.

Rolling out on Friday, the latest update from Verizon graces the large-screen phone with Android 4.1.2 along with several security patches from Google. The update also brings improvements to such apps and features as VZ Navigator, SMS text messaging, Verizon's Backup Assistant Plus, ISIS Mobile Wallet, Exchange Active Sync, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Galaxy Note 2 users will now be able to use the Multi Window View to juggle more apps, such as YouTube, … Read more

There isn't much we can say for certain about the next version of Android. We know that Google engineers are working on it, but that's about the extent of our definite knowledge. Rumors suggest it will be called "Key Lime Pie." It may also come out later this spring. As usual, take all those rumors with a few tasty grains of salt.

While we can't magically read the minds of Google's programmers, we do know they're likely very busy implementing some new features to make the new OS a cut above its predecessor, Jelly Bean. Let's imagine you're able to pin down a Key Lime Pie Googler and offer up a few suggestions. What features are you aching to see in the OS?… Read more

A trio of of images hitting the Internet on Thursday seemingly confirm that a Motorola X Phone is in the works for AT&T.

The three photos, which come from oft-reliable Twitter source @evleaks, show a smartphone (or smartphones) that somewhat resembles previously leaked photos. Bearing the name "Blackboxed Motorola for AT&T," it appears to be the same handset found in a batch of images that have since been removed from a Vietnamese site. Unfortunately, there's nary a specification or detail to accompany the pics.

It may be of little significance, but I noticed … Read more

Instagram today introduced a new photo-tagging feature called Photos of You. With it, you can tag people or brands (that is, any Instagram account) in your Instagrams.

Before you can use the new feature, you'll need to upgrade to version 3.5 of the app on your iPhone or Android device. Once you are running the latest version of Instagram, you will see an Add People line on Instagram's Share screen after you have cropped and filtered your photo.

Tapping on the Add People line opens a screen asking you to tap the photo to add people. When … Read more