Monday, August 12, 2013

The OFF Pocket: Hiding Your Phone in Plain Sight

Note from Artem: Mark Murphy, also known as CommonsWare and CommonsGuy, is one of the top 10 contributors to StackOverflow (he's currently #8). He's the Chuck Norris of Android development, with over 300,000 StackOverflow reputation points. I am honored by his decision to accept my offer to join the AndroidPolice team of contributors.

The User Defense series of posts will highlight relatively easy ways in which users can improve the privacy and security of their use of Android devices.

People sometimes worry about so-called "tracking cookies" that allow marketers to effectively spy on their Web surfing. Your smartphone is more or less a tracking cookie for the physical world, with everything from shopping malls to recycling bins tracking your movements.

Needless to say, some find this to be unnerving. Switching to airplane mode, or turning off your phone, in theory will stop this tracking. However, turning a phone off and on is rather slow, andthere are concerns over whether everything truly shuts off in either case.

The OFF Pocket tries to address this.

Just as RFID-blocking wallets are designed to help secure your credit cards and such, accessories like the OFF Pocket aim to do the same for your smartphone. Simply sliding the phone into the OFF Pocket's sleeve is supposed to block all signals: WiFi, cellular, and GPS.

The OFF Pocket, like many new accessories, is coming from a Kickstarter campaign, led by designers with past experience in anti-surveillance products, such as the anti-drone hoodie.

(Yes, there's an anti-drone hoodie.)

The OFF Pocket campaign has already met its funding goal of $35,000, with two weeks to go.

The makers of the OFF Pocket claim 100dB drop in signal strength (translation: it blocks signals really well), and it is certainly more convenient than carrying around a cocktail shaker or refrigerator for shielding your phone. On the other hand, it would be nice if there were a bit more independent testing of these claims, as at $85 for new Kickstarter backers, it is not inexpensive. With the right apps, it would be possible for a buyer to make some basic confirmations about signal strength as seen by the pocketed device, but, of course, that would be after the OFF Pocket was purchased.

The OFF Pocket will come in two sizes, with the larger size being suitable for a wide range of Android phones, though it's unclear if it will be large enough for phablets like the Samsung Galaxy Note series.

The OFF Pocket is not the first product of its kind, as Disklabs Faraday Bags, among others, has had similar products for a while, making similar claims. However, the OFF Pocket happens to be arriving on the scene at an interesting time.

Ideally, these sorts of accessories would not be needed. That being said, the OFF Pocket and similar products should offer device owners greater control over when their device is visible to the world and, therefore, subject to tracking.

Source: Kickstarter, OFF Pocket

Google Maps places ads in search results: annoying or justified?

Google has recently integrated ads right into their free service, Google Maps. Even apps belonging to the huge conglomerate are not immune to cancellation, as we recently experienced with Google Reader. Though I don't think this would happen in a million years, this could be a way for the loved service to reduce their chances of joining the cemetery of scrapped projects, like Google Health and Google Talk. Is this simply a way of monetizing Maps to keep it afloat or just a major pain in the derriere because the ads, which are presented first in the results list, might not be the cheapest or closest ones to your present location.

The ads will be clearly labeled and function exactly like anything else Maps searches bring up. This means you pull it up to see the company details which include phone number, website and directions. These ads will appear when you input a query for any sort of general business. Google's argument is that they will only post these when it seems like it is relevant to the user's current location or search entry. That being said, the ad result could potentially not be your best possible option for the nearest service to you. This new campaign is in addition to the highlighted businesses that Google places on its maps once that company has paid them to do so.

Is this really helpful for the user though? In a funny joke I read today, they described the relationship between Google and you, stating that since you aren't actually paying for the service, you're not actually its customer and in fact, you're the product. Google uses your search entries and location to try and sell you stuff, which we've been aware of for a long time. Now they’re just doing it a little more overtly.

Do these new ads make you cringe or is it just the next logical step in mobile monetization?

Zebra Paint Coloring App - easy for kids!

★★★★☆

Rating

Good👍

✓easy to use
✓quick to learn
✓child-friendly

Bad👎

✕not enough images after a while of using this app

Zebra Paint Coloring App» to app at AndroidPIT

TESTED ON	ANDROID VERSION	ROOT	MODIFICATIONS	TESTED VERSION	LATEST VERSION
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1	4.2.2	Yes	CyanogenMod	1.7	1.7

Smartphones and tablets are magical to children. For those times when you are playing with your kids, there exist a lot of child-friendly apps. From experience, kids just love to paint on tablets. TheZebra Paint Coloring App is basically very similar to painting by numbers. We tested it out for you today!

Features & Use

When I'm out, there are three devices that I always have: my phone, my tablet and my Playstation Vita. Games are installed on all three devices and unfortunately, not all are suitable for children. Either the games are much too brutal or require a lot of practice (like R-Type). Children get really happy when they paint on a tablet, at least from my experience so far. Icon apps are a dime a dozen, but what I was looking for was a kind painting by numbers and finally I came across theZebra Paint Coloring App.

ZPPalette — The color palette is a bit difficult at first for kids. © AndroidPIT

The functionality of the app is very simple: there are ready-made blank images. You basically ''fill" them in. You choose a suitable color, tap on the blank space and it is fills automatically. Certainly not the pinnacle of creativity, but works great for kids. With my young co-testers, I added a lower age limit of about 4-5 years, although of course this is optional. The app is very simple and after a briefly explaining it to the younger test assistants, they were ready to get to work all by themselves.

ZPBilder — There are 40 different images to choose from: not a lot but enough for a few fun hours. © AndroidPIT

In the left sidebar, you'll see the five most recently used colors. Below you can access the color palette icon which provides different colors and patterns. There is a pencil icon for new templates, while the disk icon saves the "masterpiece" in the gallery of the device. The functionality of the app is intentionally not overloaded so that children can actually operate it smoothly without help. Only the colors in the color palette are not always self-explanatory at first glance.

ZPObst — There are definitely a lot of great painter apps, however our small testers really loved this one. / © AndroidPIT

Screen & Controls

The layout of the app is described above in the last category. In terms of controls, the icons in theZebra Paint Coloring App are kept nice and big on the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and thus very suitable for children's fingers, making easier for them to choose. The controls are very simple and even small children can quickly cope with the app.

Speed & Stability

The Zebra Paint Coloring App app ran very smoothly on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Scrolling through the picture templates works smoothly and the loading times only lasted a few seconds. I also didn't run into any stability problems.

Price/Performance Ratio

The Zebra Paint Coloring App has 40 images available for free in the Google Play and contains no ads or in-app purchases that could accidentally be activated by children. With the Zebra Paint Pro Painters app, there's 100 frames for just over a dollar. Though this is a fair price, the free, ad-free version is also great!

Final Verdict

Children are able to play the Zebra Paint Coloring App for a few solid hours, but the creativity aspect is a bit too restricted. The simple filling of the image areas is quickly learned and mastered and entertains children who will have a great time. The simple controls make the app 100% suited for children. Parents will small children should definitely think about getting this app, which would spark some creativity.

Comparable Apps

No comparable apps are currently known to us. If you happen to know one, it would be great if you could get in touch with us.

Android 4.2.2 for HTC One X+ starts rolling out

While HTC has been on the hot plate in regards to Android updates, most notably with their lack of support for the HTC One S, there is a silver lining for those who have the HTC One predecessor in their repertoire. The update to 4.2.2 is being rolled out in Taiwan for the HTC One X+. For those who cannot wait for an official update to arrive to their devices, there is a system image and custom ROM also available.

onexplus f5 1 — © HTC/XDA Developers/AndroidPIT

The update to Android 4.2.2 brings some noticeable changes, including the Sense 5 UI and flashing feed tray. In addition, users may expect some small software changes within the device, much along the lines of the HTC One. Here’s a complete list from Android Police in regards to the changes:

HTC One X + Software Wireless Updates | 2.17.709.2

HTC Sense version: 5
Android version: 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Software Number: 2.17.709.2
Updated: August 8, 2013 This update includes the following new features and performance improvements:

System improvements

HTC Sense 5 and Android 4.2.2 upgrade
New HTC BlinkFeed Home
New lock screen style: electronic gadgets

Power improvements

Added display the battery meter in the status bar options
New sleep mode switch

Notifications panel improvements

Quick Settings panel: use two-finger gestures with 12 sliding open the Notifications panel fast setting

Photo Gallery / Camera improvements

AE / AF lock: Long tap the screen shot on the screen to start the exposure / focus lock function
Video Highlights living micro film: With 12 kinds of styles of music theme, automatically edited into a stunning 30 seconds video

Music improvements

Music Channel: You can view the lyrics and music visualization screen * (* support content based on actual lyrics database shall prevail)

HTC Sense Input

Support more Chinese words

A small note: The OTA Update is only compatible with devices that have the name HTC_621., so not the AT&T models.

htc system dump android 422 — the One X+ with the Insert Coin ROM and Sense 5. / © XDA Developers

For those who can’t wait, the system image for a custom ROM (Insert Coin) can be downloaded over at the XDA Developers forums (please note, that the system image is only compatible with the international version of the HTC One X+, again AT&T, you’re left in the dark here).

Google to launch Motorola Nexus by year end?

A new Nexus device is on the horizon. As in the past, the end of the year is the usual time for Google to announce either Android updates or a Nexus device launch and we’re fast approaching the limit. Speculation has been abuzz about who will release the device and whether it will fall into the laps of LG, ASUS, or someone else. However, some insider information has revealed that Motorola may be the next contender for the Nexus name tag.

Taylor Wimberly, someone who has already provided some pretty accurate information in regards to the Moto X, has released a post on his Google+ page that Motorola will be the next contender for the Nexus line. What more, the new device will not be based on the Moto X but will be something new all together.

Taulor wimbely — © Taylor Wimberly Google+

While this is only one source and we’ve already erred on the side of caution when it comes to this kind of stuff, it does seem plausible that Motorola would be a contender for a Nexus device. While being under the reigns of Google, wouldn’t it be awesome to see something come from the two of them that would have the same kind of cutting edge technology we’ve expected from previous Nexus reveals?

As more information arises, we’ll stay on it. For now, let’s just safely realize that Motorola may or may not be a contender. However, I’d be pleased as punch if they did end up getting to do it.

Expect over a million malicious Android apps by 2014

Anyone who has been following the steady growth of Android should be a little impressed by the constantly rising statistics. However, the rapid spread and popularization of the Android operating system has its share of downfalls: most notably the number of malicious apps and exploits that are out there. In fact, by the end of the year, there’s expected to be over a million malicious apps.

SIM Hacker — You don't have to take out your SIM and turn off your phone to be completely protected from malware. © AndroidPIT

With a larger and larger percentage of the mobile operating system market share, Android isstarting to become more and more attractive to programmers and hackers alike. With almost 80% of the global smartphone market share and the Google Play Store providing more apps that Apple’s App Store since the beginning of the year, it’s no wonder it’s getting more attention.

However, a malware problem has followed along with this rapid growth and we see reports of it time and time again as the days go on. A report down by cyber analysts Trend Micro, has made the call out that we should expect over a million malicious Android apps the be out there by the end of the year. Most of these apps mimic the design of popular apps, but their goal is to prominently push expensive additional services (44 percent of malicious apps out there) or steal private data (24 percent).

A major problem with the rapid increase of the malicious apps, combined with the relatively high openness of the Android system, is the lack of security consciousness by many Android users (…or really, security ignorance). The installation of anti-virus software is an important step towards the safety of your mobile device, but one that isn’t heeded as often as it should. To add to the problem, the number of malware apps that are disguised as anti-virus software has increase exponentially over that last little while as well!

cyberhacker keyboard — © Gerd Altman/pixelio.de, nh/AndroidPIT

So, what can you do? In fact, the installation of an anti-virus program is not always necessary. In most cases, common sense and a good deal of caution and skepticism is enough. You should always check all the permissions you are giving apps before installing them and if you find something a little wonky, don’t install it. Google Play also provides a good gatekeeper for this kind of thing.

Safety is paramount with your mobile device and this should be true for many things in life, not just on Android. Always be aware of what you’re installing on your device and how it may access your information.

Motorola Nexus, Google Glass, Blackberry, and more

Attention all rumors, here we go again! Will Motorola release a new Nexus phone this year? Will Google Glass be as cheap as we hope it will be? What’s Blackberry up to recently? All this and more in the latest installment of our rumor round-up.

Motorola to build the next Nexus 4 device?

This rumor originally started over on a Google+ page by Taylor Wimberly. Taylor has provided some pretty accurate information in regards to the Moto X in the past, so he’s pretty reliable source.

Our thoughts: Well, Wimberly has been right in the past, but he is the only source right now for this rumor so caution is definitely warranted. However, it does make sense for Google to use their Motorola, their own in-house company, to produce their latest installment of the Nexus 4. If they have the potential to do so, why would they continue to outsource the production? However, for now we cannot give a clear picture of whether this is true or not.

Google Glass to debut at $300?

Right now, the $1500 price tag associated with the Google Glass Explorer edition is quite a steep price to pay to be a pioneer in wearable computing. For awhile, there has been speculation as to what the final price would be for consumers when Google Glass would be available to the masses.The China Post assumes that Google will come out with an affordable price for the market and has named $300 as the price point they’ll be aiming for. How do they come to this assumption and this price? We don’t even know.

google glass aufgeschraubt — Does everything inside Google Glass merit a price tag over $1000? / © Catwig.com

Our thoughts: It is possible that the current high price is a combination of a psychological maneuver (as well as off-setting a low production run) by Google. So far, only about 5000 copies of Google Glass have been sold and the main goal has been to test out the product in the wild as well as promote hype behind it. Google definitely needs to overcome major hurdles to bring this product to the mainstream market and pricing is definitely going to be a huge factor. However, whatever price they choose to sell it for is still yet to be determined and here’s to hoping it’s within the grasp of most people who would want to try it out.

Amazon working on its own Android games console

Android consoles are currently springing up left, right, and center. With the Ouya and other similar devices on the market, it seems to be a market that’s pretty open and hasn’t had much in terms of heavy hitters entering in. Supposedly the retail giant Amazon wants to jump into the ring and bring a device to the market by the end of the year which would also use their own App market.

Our thoughts: This rumor comes from at least two sources, Game Informer and GamesBeat. However, both of them rely on an “insider source” and provide no other information. All that aside, it seems that it would be believable that Amazon is working on something like this, especially if they plan on pushing their own App marketplace. Like Kindle devices before, Amazon isn’t afraid of jumping into new concepts that seem to be taking off. We’d give this rumor a little bit more benefit of a doubt and wouldn’t be surprised to see something from Amazon shortly.

Blackberry: major changes coming to the company

The rumor about Blackberry comes from Reuters, a pretty reputable source. Apparently the Canadian smartphone is seeking to privatize itself to escape the pressures of Wall Street and its shareholders which would enable them to do a radical restructuring without anyone to answer to. Whether this would allow the company to return back to being as profitable as it was in the past, that is still to be determined.

BlackBerry Tablet — Does Blackberry have a time limit on the existence of their company? If so, would privatizing help extend it? / © AndroidPIT

Our thoughts: Reuters is a pretty seriously and credible source. The problems behind Blackberry are no secret and we’ve reported several times on their downward spiral. If there is not hints at a possible merger or even new products on the horizon for Blackberry, than a return to a private entity might be the next logical step for the once great smartphone company. If anything, we’ll know about this in the near future.

Nexus 10: ASUS all the way?

Geek.com has reported that ASUS will be behind the next Nexus 10 device, taking the helm away from Samsung. A new Nexus 10 is definitely on the horizon and we expect some kind of information about a release within the next little while.

Our thoughts: It is clear that Google and ASUS currently have a good working relationship. The Nexus tablets have been a success and ASUS has proved to be a worth and capable partner when it comes to them. It would be easy for Google to extend the partnership to a new Nexus 10, but this does not necessarily make it so. This would make sense, but we’ll keep our eyes and ears peeled for information as it arises.

Top 5 News of the Week

Batteries, batteries, batteries. This week, they've been everywhere: from leaked device batteries, to the new stepped-design battery in the brand-spanking-new LG G2 flagship device. There's been a lot of interest in exploding batteries and the debate between replaceable or permanently installed has flared up again. We also checked out the waterproofness of the S4 and noticed some possible issues in the battery compartment seal. WhatsApp stopped working, then got an update with Voice Messaging, we compared a bunch of devices, tested Samsung camera modes, and saw more 4.2.2 and 4.3 rollouts announced. The HTC One Max made a sneak appearance and we saw more Nexus 7 news including a reported Nexus 7 sporting Android 5.0 over at Google.

top5 news2 — What do you think were the top 5 news items of the week? / © AndroidPIT

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update Confirmed

Samsung has been busy pumping out 4.2.2 updates all week for various devices, but the item that caught your attention the most this week was the confirmation that the Galaxy Note 2 will receive Android 4.3. With the Note 3 getting ready to launch next month running the latest version of the world's most popular mobile operating system, it's nice to know that Samsung haven't forgotten about everyone who might want to hold onto their existing device for a bit longer.

note 222 — The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will indeed be receiving Android 4.3 Jelly Bean! / © Samsung

Galaxy S3: Stability update rolled out

Now, you might have thought this was a good thing - Samsung releasing a stability update for the insanely popular S3 device which will keep it on Android 4.1.2, but your comments kind of proved otherwise. The stability update seems to be causing more problems than it's solving. If you're keen to install the update make sure you have a read of this news item first!

samsung galaxy s3 — The stability update for the Galaxy S3 has been creating quite a few ripples with owners. © AndroidPIT

Tips to Stop your Battery from Exploding

With all the recent news of batteries exploding, cables melting and injuries occurring, we thought it was about time we explained why Lithium-Ion batteries have a tendency toward self-immolation, and what you can do to protect yourself and your device from the possibility of it happening to you.

s4 esploso — Samsung has been getting some bad press lately with battery and charger accidents. / © Sammy Hub

Android Device Manager Homes In On Phone Location

We're quite interested in protecting our smartphones, and it seems our readers are too. That's why the news of Android Device Manager's launch caught so much attention this week. The online service lets you locate a lost or stolen device, activate full-volume ringing in case you've just misplaced it at home, and even lets you remotely wipe it if some sneaky type makes off with it permanently. Considering that a third of all robberies across the US are related to smartphones this service is great news.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Battery Spotted

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a highly anticipated release, set to launch on September 4. But this doesn't mean we won't see all kinds of leaks capturing our attention before it is actually revealed. One leaked photo, showing what looks to be an enormous battery in the new device, caught quite a few views over the last week. What do you think it's capacity will be?

This older leak photo shows the Galaxy Note 2 (right) and the Galaxy Note 3 (left). / © MyDrivers

Top Apps and Gadgets for Pet Lovers

Whenever I meet pet lovers or people who have basically adopted their furry (or scaly) little friend as their own baby, I know that they spend much of their day grooming, petting, dressing, playing with, talking to these little or even big life companions. This passion for furry, feathered and slimy creatures is then evidently transferred to smartphone and tablet usage, and even the purchase of pet-orientated gadgets. If your relationship with your animal is a special one, downloading apps for pets is the next logical step. Here are some great free apps that you might love, and even a few house pet gadgets that you might find helpful.

Fido Pet Adoptions

One of the saddest things on earth is the abandonment and abuse of pets of all walks. Thankfully the SPCA and other similar organizations will pick up these dogs and make them available for adoptions into new homes. If someone just isn’t able to take care of their pet anymore, they can be sure it will find a new, hopefully kind master as well. Fido Pet Adoptions will help you easily find a possible new best friend from the comfort of your smartphone. The app is operated very simply: by simply entering your Zip or Canadian postal code, as well as optionally selecting the animal type, size, gender and age, you can easily find a pet that will fit well into your daily life. I stuck in my old childhood Canadian postal code from a little city in Alberta and right away got a ton of local pets waiting for a home. The app is funded by ads at the bottom of the display, however these didn't hinder my animal search in the least.

Rate my pets

OK, so you're convinced your pet is the cutest little thing around? Thanks to Rate My Pets, you can see if over 50,000 other users will think so too. After registering once you've installed the app, you'll need to enter your animal's name, age and gender, as well as add your pets ''story'' and upload the cutest pictures you've taken of it doing ridiculously adorable things. By choosing to have email notifications, you can see what fellow animal lovers have said about your little pooch, feline or tweetie bird. When signed in, you can also chat live with the others who take part in this app. Your pet candidate could also be a winner or even a runner up against other cute creatures who are all rated with a star system. Browse through the various pets under the categories ''active'', ''cutest'' or ''uncertified''.

Petometer

With so many apps like Runtastic that help you train, what about your pets? Petometer will help your dog keep off the chub. After creating a profile, you can take them on tracked walks which are logged in a clearly structured history. The app also provides quite a few nice exercises for your canine friend.

52 Dog Tricks

Want to teach Lassie a cool new trick? Try out 52 Dog Tricks and challenge your dog, as well as your master skills with this huge array of canine stunts. The app provides the tricks in a clear list and when clicking one, it will spell out how you can get your dog to obey with a few simple steps. Free from registration and permissions and very light-weight, this app proved to be hassle-free. The only downside is having to install Adobe AIR if you don't already have it. The tricks range in level of difficulty, from teaching the classic ''sit'' to ''fetch a drink'' to falling dead with ''Bang''.

Animal health apps

Depending which pet you have, there is a huge array of first aid apps available in the Google Play store, some of which are available only for specific locations. That being said, many of them cost money and the free ones are slim-pickings. A good one I found that looked as if it had a lot of valid and helpful information was the Dog Care and Training Guide. From my research, it seemed as though iOS actually offers a lot more pet health apps and even in general much more worthy pet apps which would be nice to have for Android.

Gadgets for the pet lover

To find out whether your dog is getting the right amount of vet-recommended exercise per day or to find your lost pet when it has gotten lost, you can buy the water-resistant Pet GPS tracker by Tagg from Best Buy, Amazonpets or Verizon. How it works is your pet wears a collar which contains GPS tracking powered by Qualcomm. Tagg will notify the owner if the animal is not where it should be via an SMS or email on your smartphone, tablet or PC. You set it up by registering and inputing where you would like your pet to remain. The alarm goes off if they happen to leave that area. It also has an activity timeline, so you can monitor if your pet is staying in shape. The tracker has an extensive battery life of up to 30 days, which will then notify you again via SMS or email when it should be recharged. The tag comes with a free Android app, so you can keep track on the go. The whole thing comes at a price of $99.95.

tagg tracker — Fido can stay fit and won't get lost. © pettracker

Another cool gadget is the EYENIMAL pet video camera or the cat cam, which is to be worn by the animal. It displays an image with a resolution of 640x480, an auto-focus sensor with light adjustment, is powered by a 500 mAh Li-Ion battery which will give you video for up to 2 hours. The video is then transferred onto your PC using a USB cable provided. Though this gadget won't necessarily help you control what your pet does, if you are an avid enough pooch, cat or animal fan of any kind, you'll be able to experience ''a day in the life'' of your house pet for 100 bucks.

Link to the vieo

Do you use any particular pet apps or gadgets yourself?

Top 5 Forum Threads of the Week

It's been a technical kind of week in the forums, based on our top forum threads of the last week. This shows us our readers are just as keen for specific information to help them handle their devices better as they are for the social and fun aspect of the Cafe AndroidPIT forums. So we'll keep posting technical information to better assist you with the most common requests and problems on your smartphones, and if you have a specific issue you're experiencing just start your own thread! The more input we get from readers the more we know what you want to see from us, and the more you can help each other the better our community becomes!

What retro features would you like to see on new smartphones?

Samsung announced the new Galaxy Folder device recently, which is a dual-touchscreen flip phone. While the design may be a bit retro the specs certainly are not. Nevertheless, this announcement got us a little nostalgic over here and we asked you what features you'd like to see in smartphones again? But don't just have a read, add to the conversation!

galaxy folder side — The Galaxy Folder - bringin it back, old-skool. / © Samsung/clien.net

Factory Reset your Samsung Galaxy S3

The majority of our readers own a Samsung Galaxy S3, and despite it being a fantastic device, sometimes there's a few bugs there's no other way to remove than to do a Factory Reset. So we thought we'd share some simple methods to do this, and you guys loved it. If you have any problems with your S3 that you can't figure out by surfing our forums, just post your own and we'll do our best to help you out.

S3 Teaser Update — Got some problems with your S3 and think you need to Factory reset? We've got you covered. / © AndroidPIT

Factory Reset your Samsung Galaxy S4

The current favorite device of many AndroidPITters, the S4 isn't immune to freezes, stutters, malware or other weird things going on to interrupt your enjoyment of your flagship device. We showed you how to Factory reset your S4 through a couple of simple steps, and if this walkthrough isn't enough to solve the problem, we've got posts on Hard Resets too.

galaxyS4 LTEA3 — Even shiny new devices like the S4 can use a Factory Reset every now and then./ © Samsung Mobile

How do I follow AndroidPIT?

We're a pretty sociable bunch over here at AndroidPIT, managing not only the website but a whole stream of social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube. We also have the AndroidPIT app for your smartphone, and you can check out the various language website's videos even if you don't know the language. This video on the S4 Active, for example is an instant classic!

New and improved look for the Android app test reviews!

We made some changes to the way our app test reviews look and feel, with better results at a glance and a simpler rating system. So if you're checking out app reviews on the fly and don't have the time to read through our reviewer's in-depth analysis, you can still get the essential information in the blink of an eye.

Considering the popularity of the Factory Reset posts this week and the update tutorials last week, we wanted to know what are the main problems you're having with your smartphone and what forum topics would you like us to create to answer them!

iPhone 5 Explodes, Injures Owner’s Eye

We have heard of the Samsung Galaxy S4 exploding in Hong Kong, burning down the owner’s apartment along the way, in addition to the iPhone allegedly electrocuting a 23-year old air stewardess to death as she answered a call while the handset was still being charged. Well, the latest mishap that involves a phone and a human that has nothing to do with a vehicular accident would be an iPhone 5 which exploded, injuring the owner’s eye in the process.

Apple is right now trying to inform customers in China on why they should avoid using third party chargers, but it has not stopped another iPhone 5 from spontaneously combusting like an exploding Death Star, although this one has nothing to do with a charger.

A woman whose family name is Li, arrived at work with her iPhone 5 in tow, and she was chatting with her friend over the course of 40 minutes or so. After feeling that the iPhone 5’s display was getting too hot for comfort, she decided to end the call, but the touchscreen failed to respond before it exploded.

Li claims that she is unable to open one of her eyes after the explosion, with debris from the exploded iPhone 5 being the most probable culprit in such a situation. The doctor who took a look at her claimed that there was a mark on her eye, which is most probably left by some material that scratched her. Not only that, her eye was red as well as inflamed. Li said that her iPhone 5 was purchased in September last year, and it did hit the floor once, leaving a tiny dent in the top right corner of the screen - the exact area where it exploded.

Apple's after-sales service department, when approached by Da Lian Evening News, claimed that they will look into the incident, but stressed that such an explosion is normally not covered under the iPhone 5's warranty. Hey, you might want to locate your handset right now and check for any potential defects, no? [Translated Page]