FIX: Force Close on Google Music and Hulu Plus
I have not actually come across this issue because I only use Google Music. However, I do note that many people will get this issue, so I thought I'd share with you some information I found.
If at any point you receive a Force Close error on either Google Music or Hulu Plus, there is a simple solution that will solve your issue.
All you need to do is Download AdFree Android and select "Revert". This will repair your hosts file to the correct state. After that, reboot/restart your phone and your issue will no longer occur.
Why does this happen?
Google Music and Hulu Plus use the same channels that ads use and that are blocked when you change your hosts file - this prevents the applications from successfully streaming the content and thus the application force closes.
To download AdFree Android, here are the links to do so.
AdFree Android - Android Market
HTC Thunderbolt ‘Official’ Gingerbread RUU Leak
If you haven't already heard, there has been a leak for the 'Official' HTC Thunderbolt that was leaked recently, that updates the phone to Gingerbread.
I've been using the update for close to a day now.
So far no random reboots, battery life has been vastly improved. Had a few issues with getting a data signal at the start, but after restarting a couple of times, it all seems to work fine - both 3G and 4G LTE.
Speed of this RUU is amazing. Everything loads much faster than it used to, Skype and Gtalk have video calling - both with the ability to use the front facing camera. It still has the Verizon apps and MyVerizon works as well on this build which is a plus.
Here are some of the issues I'm facing:
Market is not updating to the latest version - though I can just install it from here.
I had a hard time accessing TheMikMik.com to download the RUU - but there's a mirror site now:
http://www.multiupload.com/KXDK90T8KO
Ensure that the MD5 of the file is: e4c90364613e1a520d4313114604e4e8
After installing it, it might have some issues while booting up, remove the battery and restart the phone. Took me a couple of times before it started to work properly.
I assumed that with Gingerbread, there would be a whole new UI... I was wrong 
It's 90% the same as Froyo, with some slight changes in the features...
But performance wise, it is much, MUCH better!
Hope you enjoy the update as much as I am 
WD 2GO App – Must Have for Wester Digital Users!
If you own a WD My Book Live and an Android 2.1+ device or iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad with OS 4.x or later, this app is a must-have.
For those of you who Western Digital users who don't like filling your phone up with too much data, like your music, photos and videos - look no further! WD 2GO App has heard your cries and released an app for users on their My Book Live line of service. With this app, you will be able to access all your external HDD's files and folders via network-attached storage (NAS). Stream a variety of media file formats, including MP3, MOV, MP4, and M4V without any limits.
In order to use this app, the following criteria's have to be met:
- WD My Book Live device has to have access to the internet
- Device access code granted by My Book Live v2.0 or higher
- Android device needs to be running on 2.1 or higher
- iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad with OS 4.x or later
Greatest thing about this app - It is FREE. Yep, you don't have to pay a single cent in order to use it. So what are you waiting for?
New Data Management App – My Data Manager
Some of you may have read my old article about managing your data management here. Well since then, there have been many new developments, not only in the market but on your networks.
Some networks have decided to throttle users to lower speeds, even though they are on an unlimited plan, once they hit a certain usage cap. Both Verizon and AT&T are currently two networks who do this but try to leap around the bush by saying it's only for their "top 5% users" who consume too much bandwidth. I could care less to be honest since I'm not streaming movies on my phone - yet. With that said, there are some of you who do and what you need to do is get a data manager app.
In my previous article I had mentioned an app called Stats. This app is great and quite basic, however it's not really eye candy to say the least. There is now a new app called "My Data Manager" and it looks quite fresh and has a pretty nice looking widget to go with it. Though it may lack in some features, it does the basic job for you:
- Sets the date your plan starts over each month
- Sets a notification when you reach or are reaching a certain usage limit
- Differentiates between Mobile, Wifi and Roaming usage
- Widget to display usage on screen
- Charts to help you visualize your usage
Now unlike Stats, it does not monitor your phone usage or SMS messages. It is purely a data manager to help you keep track of any online activity.
We then have Stats for Android phones. With Stats you keep track of various usage informations about your Android phone, separated into calls, text messages and data (Network and Wifi). As soon as you download and install this application, it instantly begins collecting data from the first moment you open the application. The main screen displays the following items including the date that it started monitoring:
Calls:
- Incoming minutes
- Outgoing minutes
Text Messages:
- Incoming messages
- Outgoing messages
Data:
- 2G/3G/4G Network Data
- Wi-FI Data
By clicking on any of the above options in the home menu, you are directed to another screen which gives you the option to: Set Limit, Reset Counters and Set automatic reset.
In the preferences section, you are given the choice to change the following options:
- Update Interval (A lower value means higher accuracy)
- Usage Thresholds (Sets the notification level of Medium, High and Critical usage)
- Call Rounding Policy
- Import/Export stats from or to your SD-Card
This application will definitely come in handy for those of you who are not on an unlimited data plan and would like to be in control of your usage. This app is free right now with ads, however if you make a donation, the ads will be removed.
So you can choose between either of them, however if you are just looking for something to monitor your data usage and look nice while you're at it - My Data Manager is your go-to-app.
Stats - Android Market
Stats - APK Download
My Data Manager - Android Market
My Data Manager - APK Download
Google Music Beta – Beta Invites
If you have not noticed by now, Google has allowed users that are currently using the Music Beta by Google to send out two invites!
The only problem is that users still have to be from the United States.
Google Music: Beta Invites
If you are unsure as to where you can send invites from, it is located on the top left of your Music Beta page, above My Library.
Once you click on that, it will give you a pop up box where you can type in the email address of the user you wish to send an invite to.
Google Music: Invites
As of yet, you can only send out a maximum of two invites. This basically means that Google will now be moving towards releasing the full version just like Google Plus. At least I think.
If you are not familiar with Music Beta by Google, you can read about it here.
Android App – Dolphin Browser HD
I'm sure most people have been on the lookout for a new browser since the one that comes with Android isn't really the greatest. Well look no further because I have found it!
The Android app is called Dolphin Browser HD.
There are many features on this browser that sets it apart from your default browser - here are some of them:
Add-on - Do customize your own browser, and make your browser look and function the way you want. Beef up your Dolphin by installing your favorite Add-ons.
Gestures - Simplify the way you navigate the mobile web. Open any of your favorite websites with just the touch of your fingertip in lightning speed.
Webzine - Bring out the beauty of the web and with Dolphin Webzine users can experience the web like never before.
Multi-touch Pinch Zoom - Find it hard to read webpages in desktop view? Dolphin Multi-Touch Zoom solves that problem. Pinch your fingers on the screen and make the text bigger or smaller.
Tabbed browsing - Real tabbed browsing. Feel like you are on a desktop. Add tabs within Dolphin just like you would on a desktop.
Sidebar - With Dolphin, you can swipe to the right side to use Tool Bar to quickly launch additional features, like full screen or your favorite Add-ons. Swipe to the left side to browse your bookmark list andfolders.
SpeedDial - Put favorite sites on Speed Dial. Stop looking around in your bookmarks. Forget about typing out long URL. Just put your favorite sites on Speed Dial.
Smart Address Bar - Smart and effortless browsing by auto-completing URL and context menus When you type the first few characters of a URL, Dolphin auto-complete the URL by displaying all results from both bookmarked items and your browsing history.
Bookmark Folder - Dolphin Bookmark Folder now live on your mobile phone Bookmark folder is not just a luxury you can get on your desktop. It’s now available on your mobile phone too. Organize yourbookmarks into folders on your mobile phone.
User Agent - Switch between desktop view and mobile view according to your needs Need to view the full site of facebook sometimes on mobile? Dolphin helps you do that.
Colorful theme pack - Decorate your own browser with the color you want.
Your Languages supported - 16 languages supported, eliminate the strangeness on other languages.
Browser Speed Test
The one key feature that I like about it would be Gestures. Gestures allow you to draw a symbol on your screen and it will run a command that was preset for that specific gesture. It makes browsing much easier and faster without the hassle of having to look for certain keys or retying.
Unlike the default browser, you are able to change the look and feel of this browser to suit your style as well. The application also comes with a vast list of add-ons you are able to install to make the browser more unique to your preferences.
Dolphin Browser HD also displays your feeds such as Facebook and Twitter status in a much more appealing way. Everything about the application is designed perfectly and not only is it eye candy, but its performance exceeds the default browser as well. Although it is not as fast as the Fennec Alpha, it does have some features that make your browsing experience far more enjoyable.
If you would like to download the application, click on one of the following link(s):
SmartWidget – Android App
Not sure which apps you want to use for your main screen? Why not let SmartWidget do the thinking for you.
SmartWidget is a new app developed by XDADeveloper's user RM9.
After adding the widget onto your home screen, SmartWidget will begin monitoring your usage on all apps that you use. Once it has determined that, it will add shortcuts to those 4 apps onto your home screen, so you can easily access them. A unique feature SmartWidget has is the ability to show shortcuts only for applications you don't have on your home screen already.
SmartWidget: Before and After Analyzing Applications
If you would like to download the app, links are available below. Also, let us know what you think about the app in the comments below!
Music Beta by Google
Well now that I'm living in the States, I seem to have the ability to sign up for all sorts of Beta programs such as Music Beta by Google.
Upload your personal music collection to listen anywhere, keep everything in sync, and forget the hassle of cables and files.
The thing about Music Beta by Google is that it is currently in an 'invite only' stage. I only had to wait for about a week before I received my invite to join the program. So far, I've got nothing but good things to say about the application as it fits my needs perfectly!
I am currently using a HTC Thunderbolt with a 32GB memory on it, though I have over 5000 songs on my desktop and rather not clog up my phone with thousands of tracks. So what do I do? I upload them all onto the 'cloud' and stream my music online via Music Beta's Android application. The great thing about this application is that caching is used on Android so that recently played music becomes available offline as well.
Another great feature about Music Beta is that it has an option called "Make instant mix." What you do is, you select a song first, then you click on "Make instant mix" and Google will then analyze all the songs on your library and create a playlist with 25 songs that are similar to the one you are currently listening to. So far I've been quite impressed with the selections it makes for me regardless if it is for RnB, House, Electro or even Rock.
Limitations:
- You are not able to select which songs specifically you want to upload manually
- You are only able to upload up to 20,000 songs
- You can't edit song info via Android App (though we're still in Beta so that might change)
- Syncs with a maximum of 8 devices
- Only available in the United States
- You can only upload songs via Music Manager software
Considering those limitations, it is still better than using iTunes where you would have to connect your device to your PC to sync with the application. With this, you can sync it anytime you have access to the internet - which is most smartphone cases is all the time.
The setup phase of this program was quite simple - Look at the installation steps below.
Skype with Video for HTC Thunderbolt and other devices
Well it looks like the guys down in DroidLife have released a copy of Skype with Video for phones that did not get it with the recent Skype update.
Skype with Video
So far the list of phones that do work with this version of Skype are:
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- HTC Thunderbolt on 2.3
- HTC Evo 3D
- HTC Sensation
- Nexus S
- HTC Flyer
- HTC EVO 4G
According to DroidLife, their devices are running on Android 2.3 and seems to be working fine.
In order to install this software, you need to uninstall all previous versions of Skype first, then run the installation.
I came across a hiccup when I tried to install it and got an error:
There is a problem parsing the package.
I resolved the issue by uninstalling all previous versions, uploading the file manually to my phone, then running the installation through Astro File Manager.
My HTC Thunderbolt runs on Android 2.2 ver. 1.16.00.0402w_1 - Unfortunately this version of Skype was not working with my phone, so I reverted back to the old Skype with Video version. This new version of Skype might work for those of you Thunderbolt users who have recently updated your phones and have since not been able to use the old leak - let us know if it does work in the comments below.
If you would like to download the new Skype with Video for your Android phone, links are posted below. Please leave a comment letting us know if this version worked on your phone or not! Thanks 
Must get App – Viber!
Well, I never thought I'd see the day when I would find an application that could beat WhatsApp, but here I am.
Introducing Viber.
Viber App
Viber is an application for iPhone® and Android™ phones that lets you make free phone calls and send text messages to anyone who also has the application installed.
So far I've been using the app to communicate with friends down in Malaysia and New Zealand and the quality is amazing. Not only can you make calls, but you can send SMS messages to them for free too.
With that said, I have yet to uninstall my WhatsApp messenger. Why? Simply because WhatsApp still provides a little more features in the free SMS/MMS section. Unlike WhatsApp, Viber's messenger service does not allow you to attach files to the messages, though I'm sure that will be added in no time.
Another thing is that Viber is not available on BlackBerry and Nokia yet, but is currently under development. It looks like they will be providing a version for not only BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows phones; but also a desktop version which is great.
I do hope that they consider integrating video calling as that is one item that most users on phones like HTC Thunderbolt are frequently crying out for, as Skype Video calling is not available on that yet.
If you would like to download the application, click on one of the following links:
- How To: Watch Normal Videos on HP TouchPad: #TouchPad #HP #Android
http://t.co/2odG3NB2011/09/12 20:36 - Save YouTube Videos: #YouTube #Download
http://t.co/TuKPmQe2011/08/21 01:51 - #Facebook Contact Number - How to hide it!: #Privacy
http://t.co/6DF83s42011/08/10 03:33 - Facebook – Block Events and App Invites from Specific People #Facebook #Events
http://t.co/Qy5qrQA2011/08/09 04:52 - Invite users to Google Plus using Link! #GooglePlus #Facebook
http://t.co/EmpyLGt2011/08/07 00:48
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