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MENLO PARK, Calif. -- Facebook is lifting up its hood for Android users who are willing to help it test, and ultimately approve, its Android apps.

The social network launched a beta testing program at a press event on Thursday, using Google Play's new beta partnership program, a process where users sign up -- through Google+, of course -- to test for bugs and crashes.

"We're inviting this group of people to join the dog-fooding family," Mike Shaver, director of engineering for mobile, said, using the term that describes when a company requires its employees to … Read more

There's something magical about owning a Nexus phone. It's akin to belonging to an elite inner circle or cabal, one that's privy to the most up-to-date software straight from Google's top-secret labs. The benefits of running on pure Android unfettered by carrier bloatware, shady third-party apps, and manufacturer skins go beyond feeling special, though. The biggest is that accessories and apps simply run properly when not tripped up by glitzy yet proprietary add-ons.

Unless you void your warranty and root your handset, then flash it with custom Android builds, however, phones with stock Android are hard … Read more

Editors' note: For this review, I focused on how the HTC One Google Play Edition differs from the carrier-branded versions of the handset. For my complete assessment of the HTC One's design, features, and performance, please see the full review.

Though the HTC One is a stellar phone just as it is, I know that many Android purists would prefer that it shipped with Google’s stock OS while forsaking all of the fancy tricks and glitzy software that HTC layered upon it. Fortunately, with the new $599 HTC One Google Play Edition, that day is here.

Using the … Read more

Editors' note: For this review, I focused on how the Samsung Galaxy S4 Play Edition differs from the carrier-branded version of the handset. For our complete assessment of the original Galaxy S4's design, features, and performance, please see our full review.

High-end, powerful, and completely Google-fied, the unlocked variant of the popular Samsung Galaxy S4 is now available from Google Play.

Announced during Google I/O in May and shipping out to customers beginning July 9, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition remains largely the same as the original S4. It still sports a quad-core processor and a … Read more

Today, Garmin pulled the wraps off of its new Monterra -- a handheld, outdoor GPS device that can survive in conditions and environments where few smartphones dare to tread.

At first glance, the newest model in Garmin's line of outdoor GPS devices looks remarkably similar to the existing Montana models -- which is good for reasons that we'll revisit later. The Monterra differs from the current Garmin product line in running on the Android mobile operating system. The advantage here is that users will be able to download outdoor-related apps to augment the device's functionality, such as … Read more

WhatsApp's active user base could be a cause for worry among some tech companies and wireless carriers.

The messaging service announced Thursday that it has more than 250 million active users -- making it on par with Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Twitter, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Twitter's most recent numbers show more than 200 million monthly active users, while Skype's are 280 million and Facebook Messenger's aren't reported but its app is ranked sixth in free apps in Google Play, according to the Journal.

In the U.S., WhatsApp is ranked first in … Read more

It's a Prizefight punch-out! The 7-inch tablet has established itself as the sweet spot for size and price, so we're facing off the recently updated Barnes & Noble Nook HD and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD!

The Nook HD gets a major software update and brings the entire Google Play ecosystem and Chrome as its primary browser.

Amazon has built a powerhouse ecosystem for content and Amazon Prime members get even more with the Kindle Fire, but will its more closed ecosystem hurt it?

Which is your pick to be the Prizefight King of the Ring? Barnes & … Read more

Dolphin has enhanced its free mobile browser for Android users with a few neat twists.

Launched Thursday in the Google Play store, Dolphin Browser version 10 sports a cleaner and simpler interface. Swiping from the left provides access to your bookmarks or history list. Swiping from the right lets you look for add-ons, jump to full-screen view, and share your current page with people on the same wireless network.

You can easily customize the Dolphin home screen to populate it with icons, or speed dials, that link to your favorite Web sites and apps. You can change the order of … Read more

Google's music-streaming service All Access launched last month during I/O. The service, similar to that of Spotify or Slacker, allows Android users to create radio stations or stream entire albums directly on an Android device.

Streaming isn't a new feature in the Google Music app, as you have been able to stream music library stored in the cloud service for a while now. But All Access has increased the amount of streaming, and thus increased data usage.

Google on Thursday updated the Android Music app, which now allows you to choose the audio quality streamed through the … Read more