Foursquare has released a new update to its official Android and iOS apps, has refined the software’s search capabilities, and has invented a new word to

Google has pulled out and banned all self-updating Android apps from the Google Play Store in an attempt to stop automatic updates.
The Google Play Store used to update Android apps with the simple click of My Apps in the submenu and “Update all.” Users can even set automatic updates for Play Store apps individually.
While the process is relatively simple for end users, it can be time-consuming for Android app developers.
Some app creators avoided the Play Store and updated their apps …

The real Facebook Phone people talked about these past few years is not a piece of hardware. And a struggling smartphone maker managed to be the first to release it.
Contrary to popular belief (mostly leaks from unnamed sources), the Facebook Phone is actually a software called Facebook Home.
Facebook CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg himself spoiled rumors of the world’s largest social network’s releasing a mobile device during the event held at the Facebook HQ, where he unveiled …

Google has announced that Android division head Andy Rubin will leave his role as Senior Vice President of Mobile and Digital Content at Google.
Andrew E. Rubin co-founded and was the CEO of Android, Inc., a software company acquired by Google in 2005.
Rubin will no longer helm the Android division, but he will stay in the company and wait for his yet unspecified new assignment.
Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page personally wrote words of praise to Rubin in a blog post.
Andy has surpassed the …

If you’re reading this pitch, you probably have one foot out the door to start your holiday break.  Nothing compares to spending time with best friends and family, but when you can’t physically be with someone you care about, how will you stay in touch this year?

Skype works but if it’s a grandparent chatting with a grandkid, there’s kind of not much more to say after, “Wow, you got so big!  What’d Santa get you this year?”  [cue the awkward silence after]
Google Hangouts is …

Tamoggemon Software has released a new Android app that sends user location with a text message and updates automatically.
The firm’s gottaTxt app features a geographical tagging that allows users to share their location to friends. Once a GeoTag is sent, the recipient sees his or her current location together with GeoTags presented on Google Maps.
According to Tamoggemon, gottaTxt users can choose how often the app updates, how long GeoTags remain active and whether to show low location in …

Samsung Galaxy S Advance owners will receive an Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean upgrade in January, according to a post on Samsung Germany’s Facebook page. The update will be available to download through Samsung Kies and over-the-air (OTA).
“Dear fans, more devices will now receive the update to Android Jelly Bean. The Galaxy S I9070 advance will receive it in January over Kies or over-the-air,” said Samsung Germany on its Facebook page (translated from German).
Rumor circles previously …

Motorola Mobility has announced that the DROID RAZR HD and DROID RAZR MAXX HD will be the next smartphones to receive an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean upgrade.
The American smartphone maker, a firm acquired by Google this year, will roll out the software upgrade to customers in stages starting next week.
U.S. telecoms carrier Verizon Wireless, which also offers the Motorola DROID RAZR M, said the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS upgrade will push to the DROID RAZR HD and DROID RAZR MAXX HD in phases starting …

AT&T will launch its Samsung Rugby 3 smartphone offering this December 14.
According to the U.S. telecoms carrier, the rugged flip phone is the fifth-generation device from the Samsung Rugby series and support’s the firm’s enhanced PTT (ePTT) service.
The Samsung Rugby 3 comes with a 2.4-inch QVGA display, a 3MP rear-facing camera and a dedicated PTT button.
AT&T said the handset meets U.S. Mil-STD 810G grade for dust, humidity, rain and shock, and is IP67-certified …

Mozilla has released an updated Firefox Beta for Android to add phishing protection, integration with the Google Now search widget and a better update experience with improvements in “updater” code.
For users’ protection from malware-laden websites, the new Firefox Beta for Android notifies users when they run into websites used by cybercriminals for malware or phishing. It shows a warning page and allows users to leave the operation before loading a potentially malicious …