A Guide To Installing APK Apps On Your Google Android Phone

Because the Android operating system is a relative newcomer to the mobile phone market, a strong and cohesive Android Internet support community appears to be lacking. Without an adequate Android support system in place, many Android users are left in the dark when it comes to many tricky tasks, like installing third party applications to their Android mobile phones. In order to install third party applications to your Android phone, you need to install APK, or Android Package, files. In this article, we will cover the two ways you can install APK files to your Android phone and show you how to take advantage of the wide variety of third party Android applications currently available.

Installing Applications Through the Android Market

The Android Market is essentially Android’s answer to Apple’s iPhone App Store. As of September 2009, the Android Market already offered well over 10,000 applications, and this number has only continued to grow. In addition to the applications the Android Market offers, you can also use it to install other downloaded third party applications.

1. Copy the APK file to your Android’s memory card and insert the card into your phone.
2. Download and install the Apps Installer application from the Android Market
3. Once installed, the Apps Installer will display the APK files on the memory card.
4. Click and install your APK files.

Installing Applications With Android SDK

It is possible to install APK files without utilizing the Android Market, although the process is more difficult and complex. To avoid the Android Market, you need to use Android SDK.

1. Download and install the Google Android SDK program and the Android USB drivers. The download links are as follows: http://code.google.com/android/intro/installing.html
2. http://dl.google.com/android/android_usb_windows.zip
3. You need to modify your Android’s settings to allow the installation of applications from other sources. Under “Settings,” select “Application Settings” and then enable “Unknown Sources.” Also under “Settings,” select “SD Card” and “Phone Storage,” and finally enable “Disable Use for USB Storage”
4. This last step is easy. Open Command Prompt and type the following: adb install <1>/<2>.apk
5. However, when you type the command, replace <1> with the path to your APK file and replace <2> with the name of the APK file.
6. You’re done! Your application is now ready for your use and enjoyment.

Best Android phones to buy in 2013

Discover what are the best Android phones to buy in 2013 and read our in-depth smartphone reviews, as rated by our team of expert reviewers. Android devices now dominate the market for smartphones, having overtaken the iPhone in sales. Google's Android operating system is remarkably flexible, and there are loads of Android phones available to buy.
Here are our top picks, from budget pay-as-you-go devices to flagship handsets with all the latest features. There's an Android phone here for every need and budget.

Samsung Galaxy S3

An incredible phone, now available at very competitive prices
Our Expert Opinion The Samsung Galaxy S3 is the best-selling Android handset out there. It's Samsung's flagship model and was designed to compete with top-end phones such as the latest iPhone. However, huge competition between retailers mean it costs much less than you might expect - free on a £26 per month contract.
Despite its reasonable price the S3 comes with a gorgeous, huge, AMOLED display, which is capable of deep blacks and vibrant colours. It's not the smallest handset admittedly, but Samsung has kept it nice and slender. The camera is good too, taking well composed shots as quickly as you can tap the shutter.
A 4G version is now also available, from EE, so you can get the fastest possible mobile data - up to 25Mbit/s. However, this version costs a chunk more than the more common 3G model.
We're not huge fans of Samsung's take on Android, but it doesn't take long to hide away all the unwanted apps and install your own favourites. It runs Android 4.1 at present, which is super-slick and has everything you need - 4.2 is better but its best features are tablet-centric.
It's been around a while but the quad-core S3 still feels fresh and fast, plus it has a great big 2,100mAh battery. It remains our number one choice for those looking for a powerful Android phone on contract.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S3 review
SPECS
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.1
PROCESSOR SPEED 1.4GHz
NUMBER OF CORES 4
RAM 2GB
MOBILE DATA GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, 4G
DISPLAY 4.8in 720x1,280 LCD
CAMERA 8-megapixel
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
MEMORY CARD SLOT microSD
DIMENSIONS 137x71x9mm, 133g
BUY IT FROM Free on a £26-per-month contract from Buymobilephones.net

Google Nexus 4

A remarkably inexpensive smartphone with the latest version of Android
Our Expert Opinion Google has somehow managed to bring out a quad-core smartphone with an AMOLED screen for just £239.
The Nexus 4 is made by LG, and while its bland exterior doesn't really scream desirability, as soon as you start using the phone you'll be smitten.
The Nexus 4 is screamingly fast - apps open in a snap, and Google Maps glides around under your finger. The screen is gorgeous, too; its 1,280x768 resolution has the highest resolution of any Android smartphone we've seen, and it's right up there with the Nokia Lumia 920. This gives a pixel density of 320ppi, which makes this screen almost as detailed as that of the iPhone 5.
The only drawback is battery life, which can't quite match the Samsung Galaxy S3. The only problem is getting hold of one, as they have proven far more popular than Google or LG had planned for.
Read our full Google Nexus 4 review
SPECS
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.2
PROCESSOR SPEED 1.5GHz
NUMBER OF CORES 4
RAM 2GB
MOBILE DATA GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, HSUPA
DISPLAY 4.7in 768x1,280 LCD
CAMERA 8-megapixel
INTERNAL STORAGE 8GB
DIMENSIONS 134x69x9.1mm, 139g
BUY IT FROM £239 directly from Google Play

Motorola RAZR i

A gorgeous slimline Intel phone
Our Expert Opinion This is the first big-brand phone to use Intel's mobile processor. It's really quick too, rivalling even the iPhone 5 and Windows Phone 8 handsets in browser-based benchmarks and leaving the vast majority of Android handsets trailing. It runs Android 4.0, but there's no update yet to the smoother and faster Android 4.1.
As with many mid-range handsets, the Razr i uses a 4.3in 960x540-pixel Super AMOLED screen - with plenty of contrast and punch. Given the size of the screen, the handset is incredibly compact, with very slender bezels down each side.
As part of the Razr line, this handset also benefits from some tough design. The rear panel is made of Kevlar, and the whole handset has a water resistant nano-coating - making it splashproof. It's a great little phone if you fancy something a little different, and is good value on contract.
Read our full Motorola RAZR i review
SPECS
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.04
PROCESSOR SPEED 2GHz
NUMBER OF CORES 1
RAM 1GB
MOBILE DATA GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA
DISPLAY 4.3in 960x540 LCD
CAMERA 8-megapixel
INTERNAL STORAGE 8GB
MEMORY CARD SLOT microSD
DIMENSIONS 123x61x8mm, 126g
BUY IT FROM Free on £21-per-month contract from T-Mobile

HTC Desire X

One of the best budget handsets
Our Expert Opinion With so many competitive contracts and subsidised handsets about, if you're serious about your smartphones then you should probably sign up. If you only plan to use it occasionally though, then a pay-as-you-go handset may prove cheaper over two to three years.
The HTC Desire X is among the better examples in this category, in that it's a decent Android handset with no major compromises for around £200, less than half what a top-end device would cost you.
It's slim and light and looks classy in white. The 4in screen has a respectable 800x480 resolution and is both bright and crisp. Android runs smoothly on the 1GHz dual-core processor, though it's only the 4.0 version. The 5-megapixel camera takes decent snaps for a budget handset.
It's a good all-round phone, though don't expect it to wow anyone.
Read our full HTC Desire X review
SPECS
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.0
PROCESSOR SPEED 1GHz
NUMBER OF CORES 2
RAM 768MB
MOBILE DATA GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA
DISPLAY 4.0in 800x480 LCD
CAMERA 5-megapixel
INTERNAL STORAGE 4096MB
MEMORY CARD SLOT microSD
DIMENSIONS 119x62x9mm, 114g
BUY IT FROM Around £200 from www.amazon.co.uk

T-Mobile finally gets the iPhone

The company announced the news at its "Uncarrier" event in New York today. It will begin selling the iPhone 5 on Friday, April 12, for a $99.99 down payment.

T-Mobile USA will offer the iPhone on its network at long last.
The company announced the news at its "Uncarrier" event in New York today. T-Mobile will begin selling the iPhone 5 on April 12 for a $99.99 down payment, and also will offer the iPhone 5 without a contract. Customers who want to finance the phone will pay $20 a month for 24 months.
CEO John Legere emphasized that with T-Mobile's new rate plans and the cost of the device, consumers will save more than $1,000 on the iPhone 5 compared to owning the same device over two years on AT&T's network. T-Mobile will offer previous iPhone models on its network, such as the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The iPhone 5 will also operate over T-Mobile's 4G LTE network.
CNET reported Monday that an iPhone announcement was expected. T-Mobile is the last of the major carriers to get the iPhone on its network. The company is hoping that adding the iPhone will improve customer retention.
For years, T-Mobile steadily has been losing customers as its much bigger rivals AT&T and Verizon Wireless have been gaining new customers.
While T-Mobile has never offered the iPhone officially in the past, millions of T-Mobile customers use unlocked iPhones on the company's network. The devices, however, do not perform as well as those using AT&T's network. The main reason: AT&T and T-Mobile use different radio frequencies for their 3G and HSPA+ networks.
To that end, T-Mobile is in the midst of a major network upgrade, aligning its frequencies for 3G and HSPA+ service with those of AT&T. What this means for T-Mobile users is that 3G and HSPA+ devices made for AT&T should be able to get top speeds in markets where the network migration is complete.

The iPhone is now in T-Mobile's hands, and plans.

T-Mobile also announced the launch of its new 4G LTE network at today's event. While AT&T uses a different frequency than T-Mobile for the bulk of its LTE network, AT&T uses some AWS spectrum for LTE. As a result, devices, such as the iPhone 5, that support LTE for AT&T's network also include radios that are compatible with AWS spectrum, which is the type of wireless spectrum that T-Mobile is using for its LTE network. This means that LTE devices -- like the iPhone 5, the BlackBerry Z10, and the recently LTE-upgraded Galaxy Note 2 -- should work at top speed on T-Mobile's LTE network.

Apple iPhone 5

The bottom line: The iPhone 5 completely rebuilds the iPhone on a framework of new features and design, addressing its major previous shortcomings. It's absolutely the best iPhone to date, and it easily secures its place in the top tier of the smartphone universe.

Priced At: $199.99 to $715.00 

 

SOURCE: news.cnet.com

Why You Should Buy A Samsung Smart Phone

New hardware advancements, build materials, and connected devices are taking smartphones in exciting directions. Here's what's happening now.

When it comes to large, clear screens, HTC's One helps lead the charge.

Here's the smartphone of your short-term future: it has a 5-inch, 1080p HD screen, an 8-core application processor, and a 13-megapixel camera that does crazy things like simultaneously record through both front and rear lenses. You can use it to change your TV channel, tap it to play songs on your car, and control it without ever touching the screen.
The smartphone of your near future takes your pulse, synchronizes to your scale, and tumbles from your hands without a scratch. Oh yeah, and did I mention that it'll last two days on a single charge?
New production materials, leap-frogging processor advancements, and promising battery research are kicking smartphone development forward. Couple that with a surge of smart devices that transmit information to your phone screen, and you have one very exciting, nearly-attainable smartphone future.

Bumped-up hardware specs

Good luck trying to find a quantity of terrific smartphones with medium-size screens. The latest batch of superphones -- including the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, and LG Optimus G Pro -- is helping push the new norm to 5 inches (or larger) of high-definition 1080p goodness.
The processor side is also on fire. We've just begun to see quad-core chipsets and are already on our way to eight processing cores that promise tremendous speed and graphical rendering prowess. Samsung's Galaxy S4 is the first announced phone to feature an octa-core chipset (Samsung's Exynos 5 Octa.)
Nvidia is also racing out the starting gate, having just announced the two new upcoming generations of its chipset for mobile devices, which the company promises will increase performance 100 times over its first Tegra chip, within the next five years.
In the meantime, we'll start seeing phones with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 chips, processors that are expected to complete tasks 75 percent faster.

Extra goodies

We've been mooning over phones with integrated IR blasters for some time, but with the HTC One and now the Samsung Galaxy S4, the TV controller-in-the-phone is myth no more. It's only a matter of time before we start seeing this infrared tool crop up in even more high-end devices, tablets included.

The Samsung Galaxy S4's IR blaster makes it possible to control your TV with this app.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Nokia has already cracked the code on including screen material sensitive enough for gloved hands to operate -- that showed up first in the Nokia Lumia 920, and marched onto the Lumias 820, 810, and 822 as well. The Lumia 720 will get it, too, as will Samsung's Galaxy S4.
I watched my colleague Roger Cheng's fingers slowly stiffen and redden in 30-degree weather while he composed an article on his mobile phone in New York outside Samsung's launch event. Trust me, there's no reason this shouldn't finally catch on.
Keep an eye out for in-car voice assistance to really take off in the coming year or two. Apple and car manufacturers like Honda have been hard at work prepping voice assistant Siri for the car.

The Nokia Lumia 920 introduced a screen sensitive enough to use with gloved fingers.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

Samsung's stab is a new standalone version of S Voice, dubbed S Voice Drive. I got a chance to look at it right after the launch event, and despite past S Voice performance disasters, this version for the car might not completely suck.

Crazy camera software

Camera hardware will continue to improve, but, as if on cue, the manufacturers are also fighting the battle of supremacy with increasingly specialized (read: gimmicky) camera apps.
Among them, the HTC One, LG Optimus G Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S4 include features that pair audio recording with still images, photo and video that includes input from both cameras, bite-size video clips, and action shots that includes separate shots of movement in the same frame.

Using dual-recording mode on phones like the LG Optimus G Pro, you can record both the gloomy day in Barcelona, and your disdain for the rain.

(Credit: Lynn La/CNET)

Sweet, sweet motion

Touch-free navigational gestures have been around for some time -- my favorite is flipping over a phone to silence it -- and both LG and Samsung have been on the forefront of creating new ways to interact without tapping the screen.
Waving your hand in front of the device to advance photos, and pause or play music is one newish gesture, as is hovering a finger over a thumbnail of something to preview what it is.
Both LG's Optimus G Pro and Samsung's Galaxy S4 highlight gestures, especially interactions that register where your eyes are and aren't looking -- so much so that the two rivals could go at it in court over using your gaze to pause and play video.

On Samsung's Galaxy S4 and others, a wave of your hand can advance your photo album, and then some.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

While I could personally take or leave most gestures, I think exploring more touch-free interactions like this is where we're headed, and the phone-makers might eventually hit on a combination that's innovative, yes, but also useful.

NFC and connected devices

The future feature trend I'm probably most excited about is the interplay among smart devices, like connected watches, cars, cameras, laptops, washing machines, thermostats, and of course, your smartphone.
NFC, or near-field communication, is a short-range wireless pairing protocol that's helping drive all sorts of close-range data-sharing, including mobile payments and wireless charging. But the real possibilities are just now unfolding.
Imagine using NFC to sync data with a tap from your smartphone to, well, just about anything. Samsung wants to use NFC to exchange info on your weight and vitals from the Galaxy S4's S Health app to a variety of accessories, including a scale.
I also envision using it to directly transfer media to any other NFC device in a jiffy, push out map coordinates to your car's in-dash navigation system, and check you into appointments, among other items on my NFC wish list.
Keep an eye on this feature, because NFC is picking up steam. Fast.

Promising new materials

A phone screen made of sapphire...say what? At Mobile World Congress this year, I scratched and pounded away at a sapphire screen with a chunk of concrete, leaving only powdery concrete residue behind.
The sapphire screen I saw was perfectly translucent, responsive, and amazingly tough.
In the same vein, Nokia has begun working with graphene, a material known for its incredible strength, lightness, and slimness. Imagine a Lumia smartphone made of the stuff, which is 300 times stronger than steel.
While phone cases protect devices from the worst wear and tear, creating beautiful phones out of incredibly durable materials will also help get you avoid bad scrapes.
On the other end of the spectrum is Corning Willow Glass, a sheet of ultrathin, ultra-bendable glass that could maybe, maybe one day be used within a flexible smartphone.
New build materials are extremely important areas of research, but battery tech is more crucial still. Some novel ways to conceptualize basic battery chemistry hint at much longer-lived tickers than ever before achieved on a smartphone.
Although we're still a good way off from handsets that last longer than a day on a single charge, small improvements are ongoing.

Bringing it all together

When you add up all the trends and longer-term advances, the smartphone of the near future is a remarkable device that's destined to become even more personal, cherished, and indispensable than handsets are today.
It's also true that I'm describing the tip-top of the high end, and that features will likely come in combination. While I hope they'll all have NFC, sensitive screens, and IR blasters (even you, iPhone 5S,) not all will have the wacky camera extras or extremely-hard bodies and screens.
Regardless, I can't wait for this next future to arrive.

(Credit: CNET)

Smartphones Unlocked is a monthly column that dives deep into the inner workings of your trusty smartphone.

Read more: http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-57575356-85/hul

Smartphones & ICT Security

Carrier IQ: How To Find It, And How To Deal With It.
By now, you’ve probably heard all about Carrier IQ, the mobile logging software that an intrepid researcher named Trevor Eckhart found lurking on a number smartphones from multiple manufacturers and carriers.
According to Eckhart’s research, Carrier IQ is capable of tracking what apps you’re running to where your phone is to what buttons are being pressed — it sounds scary, but Carrier IQ claims that collecting that information ultimately helps end-users.