Modern Combat 3

Today Gameloft finally released the highly-anticipated Modern Combat 3. For iOS devices only. The Android version is still coming soon, and Gameloft says we should stay tuned for the release date. If you need some more MC3 content to tide you over while you wait on this game, you might want to check out the new video trailer and blog post. The iOS version is selling for $6.99, so expect similar pricing in the Android Market.

P.S. I know we have around 30k iOS devices that visit this site, so let us know what you think about the game if you already installed it.

grand-theft-auto-3

We already knew that Grand Theft Auto III was coming to select Android devices, but today we learned it will support USB controllers, come in an optimized version for Tegra 3 devices and launch this year. Adam Rosenberg of Digital Trends paid a visit to Rockstar’s New York offices this week and reported on his hands-on time with the latest build of the game.

Adam says he first saw the game played on a as-of-yet-unreleased “Project Kal-El” tablet (Transformer Prime?) controlled by a wired Xbox 360 controller and hooked up to a HDTV. He notes that Rockstar boosted the graphics with newly created textures, more complex characters with higher polygon count and higher resolution assets from the game’s PC release. ”It’s immediately clear that this is a much better looking version of the game than most people played on their PS2s.”

When it comes to gameplay and content, things will mostly remain untouched with the exception of the touch controls that are still being tweaked. I was a huge fan of the original game that was released 10 years ago, so I’m excited about getting my hands on this latest version and reliving some memories.

ASUS is announcing the first Tegra 3 tablet on November 9, and Rockstar Games is gearing up to release the trailer for GTA V. Be on the lookout for a release date announcement soon.

go launcher ex

Here at Android and Me, we kind of have a thing for applications from the GO Dev Team. No matter what the app is — the ever popular GO Launcher EX, TaskManager widget, Calendar, SMS, keyboard replacement, weather app — they all share the same qualities. They serve their purpose well and look good doing it. The GO Dev Team places an extra ounce of thought into the design of their apps, and it really shows. Today, the GO Launcher EX branch of the Dev Team has released yet another great looking app that brings some added functionality to your Android device. It’s a lock screen replacement suite called GO Locker.

GO Locker is really easy to use. The only requirement for the app, other than Android 2.0 and up, is GO Launcher EX. (You have to have the home replacement installed to use lock screen replacements). You don’t have to be using GO Launcher, but it does have to be installed. Once that’s finished, you’re all set to go. From inside GO Locker, found in the theme preferences in GO Launcher, you can navigate to the GO theme store where you can choose between several different lock screen themes. For the most part, they all offer the same thing, but with a different look. You can easily swipe or drag your way to the dialer or messaging app and unlock your device — all from the lock screen in GO Locker. For now, that’s all there is too it.

The usual level of deep customization the GO Dev Team offers isn’t quite there yet in GO Locker, but rest assured it’s coming. To download GO Locker for free, and to see what it’s all about, use the download widget below. Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.

Modern Combat 3

As the resident Gameloft-obsessed-dude I felt compelled to share with you the latest hands-on preview of Modern Combat 3, which happens to be our most anticipated Android game. We previously saw the trailer for MC3 back in August and now Simon Sage of IntoMobile visited Gameloft’s San Francisco offices to spend some quality time with the latest build of the game.

This time around we get a closer look at the expanded multiplayer features that includes up to 12 players, 6 maps and 6 different modes. Like previous Gameloft first person shooters, MC3 will support cross-platform multiplayer, so you can still game with your friends on iOS devices. The developers are so confident with their work that they said MC3 includes “everything that the hardcore first person shooter gamer is looking for.”

MC3 will hit the Apple App store on October 27, with the Android release to follow sometime this fall. Gameloft has really improved their release times between iOS and Android versions (including some simultaneous launches), so I’d expect to see MC3 arrive on the Android Market next month.

RIM BlackBerry

RIM has been touting upcoming Android app compatibility on the PlayBook for quite some time now. We’ve seen demos and they’ve made announcements, but the process has – for the most part – been shrouded in confusion. Today, RIM cleared some of that confusion up by posting a video detailing just how easy it is to port Android apps to BlackBerry.

To port an Android app over to BlackBerry, all you have to do it download RIM’s BlackBerry Packager for Android, put in your developer information and upload your APK. The BlackBerry Packager then converts your APK to a BAR file if everything is compatible, and you’re good to go. The advantages of a streamlined process like this are certainly there. Developers can write an app once and have it work on multiple platforms right out of the gate. Some of the disadvantages, like an abundance of spam spilling over onto BlackBerry devices, will likely be sorted out once the service starts to take off.

The question of the hour isn’t directly related to spam or how quick the porting process is, though. It comes down to, “Who cares?” RIM is falling fast. They’re in a death spiral, losing market share left and right, and there’s no end in sight. Why should developers spend time porting apps to BlackBerry devices if they’ll barely end up getting used? So they can update and fix bugs for two platforms? I’m no developer, but RIM’s lack of success with the PlayBook might lead me to think my time could be better spent on the actual platform I’m developing for. If Android app compatibility is the best thing RIM and BlackBerry have going on, the company may be in more trouble than anyone knows.

Dead Space

When will Electronic Arts take Android seriously? The developer already has several games available on the Android Market, but most have been disappointing and received more 1-star reviews than 5-star reviews. Hopefully things get turned around this fall when the classic survival horror game Dead Space is ported to Android.

No press releases have gone out, but Samsung was showing off a near-final build of Dead Space running on a Galaxy Tab 10.1 at their booth last week in order to promote their upcoming Games Hub. I only got a few minutes of hands-on time with the game, but it was the most impressive graphics I’ve seen on any Android title to date. The game originally debuted back in 2008 on PC and consoles, but it looks like EA has updated the graphics to take full advantage of the Tegra 2 inside the Galaxy Tab.

We don’t have many details about Samsung’s Game Hub, but it was first revealed at Mobile World Congress in February alongside the Galaxy S II Unpacked event. At the time, Game Hub appeared to be a showcase app that was stocked full of Gameloft games. It will be interesting to see if Samsung turns Game Hub into an actual content market like they did with Media Hub, or if they just emulate an app like Tegra Zone that redirects purchases to the Android Market.

No release date for Dead Space was provided, but the booth monkey said Game Hub might be available this fall. Sony Ericsson recently offered Dead Space and a couple other titles on the Xperia Play, so look for more games from EA to eventually hit the Android Market.

If you never played the original Dead Space, check out the trailer of the game below. How much would you pay for a triple-A console game ported to Android?

Google Wallet

Today Google Wallet received an update that added a new experience called SingleTap. Unfortunately the service is still unavailable to the majority of Android owners. (Google only supports the Sprint Nexus S 4G). Hackers have found a way to enable Google Wallet on the AT&T and T-Mobile versions of the Nexus S, but most customers are waiting for official support.

SingleTap allows Google Wallet customers to receive exclusive offers, track loyalty rewards programs and make payments with a single tap of the device. Check out people’s reactions to the new experience in the video below. New partners include American Eagle Outfitters, The Container Store, Foot Locker, Guess, Jamba Juice, Macy’s, OfficeMax and Toys”R”Us with a slew of others coming soon.

As far as we can tell, the hold up appears to be with the carriers and their negotiations with Google over the revenue split. We have no knowledge of how the agreements are being made, but I assume that the carrier is getting a small cut of the transaction fee similar to the revenue they get from Google for other Android services.

We reached out to Google for comment on more devices receiving Google Wallet, but have yet to hear back. Hopefully they’ll provide an update at tomorrow’s big Ice Cream Sandwich event.

marvel

We’d put up good money that the intersection of Android fans and comic fans is a large one. Now you can enjoy both at the same time.

The Marvel Comics app is now available for Android devices sporting version 2.1 (Eclair) and up. (That should encompass our entire readership. If not, shame on you). With this app, you can access Marvel’s extensive Digital Comics collection from your smartphone or tablet wherever you are.

A Marvel.com account is required, and any content you may have previously purchased will be synched with the app. Also, your content will be automatically backed up; it won’t be lost if you lose or switch devices. If you don’t have a Marvel.com account, registration from inside the app is quick, simple and free. (Interestingly enough, the process makes you specify if you’re female or male).

The app itself is free and does feature some free content. Paid content is comparably priced to its printed counterparts and ranges from $1.99 – $3.99 per issue. In the first instance of opening the app, you’re prompted to watch a quick tutorial hosted by the Iron Avenger himself. Navigating through an issue is intuitive; simply tap the right of the screen to go forward and the left of the screen to go back.

I found the page animation to be pretty neat; it pans from panel to panel, similar to the path your eyes would take when reading a print comic. This setting can be tweaked to “fast” or “slow.” It can also be completely turned off. You can further customize your viewing experience to show the entire page before or after transitioning to a new page. Tap the settings button to adjust these options or to browse pages.

You can view pages in portrait or landscape mode by rotating your device. Iron Man claimed the app has an “auto rotate” option, but I couldn’t find it.

Once you’ve downloaded some issues, you can filter your content by recently downloaded, recently viewed, series or creator. Select the issue of your choice and you’re taken to a screen where you can choose to read or rate the content. You’re also given the option to share what you’re reading with your friends via the networking tool of your liking. Or, if you’re a purist, tap “Buy in Print” and enter your zip code. You’ll be given a list of comic book stores in your area where you can pick up the issue.

This app ran seamlessly on my LG Optimus T, so I’m sure the powerhouses you guys are packing won’t have any problems with it. Find this app in the Market or use the tools at the end of the post to download or learn more.

If you do download this app, head over to Marvel.com and take advantage of Free Mondays!

ics-theme

Want to trick your friends into thinking your Android phone has already received the Ice Cream Sandwich update? All it takes is a couple free apps and several minutes of your spare time. Android developer kovdev has uploaded some wallpapers from the Galaxy Nexus and an Ice Cream Sandwich theme that works with ADW.Launcher, Launcher Pro or Go Launcher EX.

Google and Samsung are prepared to reveal Ice Cream Sandwich tomorrow night, but your Android phone probably won’t be updated for another 6-12 months. So grab these free apps in the mean time to make the wait a little easier.

For those of you wishing to go the extra mile, Kellen of Droid-life posted a couple extra mods that let you emulate the Ice Cream Sandwich widgets and dock bar.

google-voice-balloon-line-freedom

One of the most heavily requested features for Google Voice has undoubtedly been MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) support. The Google Voice app for Android has been tackling voice and text with ease for quite some time now, but pictures have always been an issue for the service. Thanks to a clever workaround from the Google Voice team, that’s becoming a thing of the past.

From now on, when someone tries to send an MMS to your Google Voice number, the MMS will be forwarded to your email. In order for this to work, you just have to follow one easy step. Log into your Google Voice account online and enable text to email forwarding in the settings. That’s it.

Right now, the official Google Voice Blog is saying that MMS to email forwarding will only work with Sprint customers. However, Life Hacker is reporting that it’s working fine for Virgin Mobile and T-Mobile customers as well. In my personal experience, that is not the case. I have a Nexus S on T-Mobile, and any picture messages I tried to send myself were stuck on “sending.” The Google Voice team says they’re working on bringing MMS forwarding to more carriers, so it shouldn’t be long before all Google Voice users can utilize the feature.

If you have service with Sprint and use Google Voice, let us know how it works for you.