Twozaic: Twitter for Windows Phone 7 breaks cover.

Windows Phone 7 is still unreleased, but that doesn’t mean we can’t already get comfortable with some big name apps that will grace the platform later this year. And what better way to celebrate a consumer focused platform than with a brand spankin’ new Twitter app? Welcome into your hearts, the unique Windows Phone 7 app “Twozaic”.

Immediately apparent is the UI — it’s way different than anything we’ve seen on any platform thus far. It plays on that same new age hipster look that Microsoft has tried to capture with their Zune UI in particular over the last few years. On one hand, I love new things and new looks. This however, is a tad messy. Final judgement should be reserved until we get some more concrete, personal one-on-one time with the app though.

With that said, what does Twozaic bring to the table? Multiple accounts, different views (Cloud, list, and histogram), geolocation, create lists, add members, search, and full friend/follower management translate into quite the eyebrow raiser on paper. We’ll have to keep following this to see if that actually translates to real world excitement in the coming weeks. In the meantime, there’s a video just after the break that gives you a more detailed rundown and lots of visual cues for your eyes to feast on. So whataya waiting for? Jump in!

Bad news for rooted Android users: Login credentials stored as plain text.

So far I haven’t been shown any logical or legitimate reason why someone shouldn’t root their Android device. Everything from custom skins and themes to overclocked speed can be had. Not only that, but rooting your device can allow users to remove bloatware from their phone that otherwise sits there and sucks up precious MB’s. Now, however, I have a reason to caution potential Android rooters — login credentials are stored as plain text. Granted, someone would have to develop and distribute an app that purposely went digging through your phone and then preceded to phone home with all of that sensitive info. Though we’ve seen a few false alarms on that front already. What’s to say someone doesn’t read this post and get some braniac idea to screw over a bunch of people?

So yeah, if you really want to play it on the uber safe side, don’t root your Android device and give apps free reign on your precious device. If we’re to be brutally honest though, common sense on the end users part has to factor into the equation. If an app looks or acts fishy, don’t turn a blind eye. Delete it! Any rooted Android users (or potential rooters) treading a bit more carefully now?

Twidroyd 4.0 features, design mock up leaked?

Rumors and salt shakers, rumors and salt shakers folks. Twidroyd, a fairly popular Twitter client for Android is set to get a big update this week — if a leaked document detailing version 4.0 is to be believed. Specifically, the new update will bring with it redesign of sorts and new features. Most notable and obvious to the end user will be the inclusion of inline images and live previews. Speaking of the latter, take a look at the new twitter.com redesign and you’ll get a feel for what it will offer on your Android device. On top of that, the app will be receiving a fresh coat of paint with a new header as well as color codes for tweets. I personally like color coded tweets. It’s an easy way to filter information. Other people, however, can find it distracting. To each his/her own. Rounding up Twidoyd 4.0′s feature list include a completely revamped menu structure and a nicer, simplified settings page.

For a major release such as 4.0, it certainly sounds promising. When I had an Android device, I greatly preferred Tweetdeck and it’s combination of slick UI, bevy of features, and easy navigation. Any current Android users looking forward to Twidroyd 4.0?

Rumor of the day: HTC Tablet and Tegra 2.

Smartphones are old news. The current craze is tablets. I’m sure you’re almost sick of hearing about tablets as it seems like daily some company is announcing another “one-tablet-to-rule-the-world” editions. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to get used to it, because tablet talk isn’t going anywhere. With that said, rumored specs for HTC’s upcoming tablet have started slipping out. And wouldn’t you know it, it’s quite a killer on paper. First, the specs: Nvidia Tegra 2, 1280×720 touchscreen, 2GB of RAM , 32GB SSD, WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS, and a claimed price of $790. $790! Yikes. Perhaps the high price is due to rumors saying that Android 3.0 will ship as standard.

Whatever the case, $800 for a tablet (yes, I know the high-end iPad is pushing close to that) is pretty expensive given the current market. The much talked about Samsung Tablet that’s been getting a fair amount of coverage isn’t that great in my opinion. An Android 2.2 tablet with the possibility of no market access is a waste. Hopefully Android 3.0 cures this problem as has been rumored. What do you guys and gals think?

Napster comes full circle: iPhone App now available.

I remember back in the day a there was a little service called Napster. It was a great service — for end users. Big name labels and many artists alike hated it. Fast forward many years and the tables are changing on this whole P2P/file sharing thing. While big name labels are still playing stupid, denying file-sharing’s importance, many smaller (and even some larger artists) are finding that it [file sharing] isn’t actually all that bad, and in many cases, can help them better connect with their fans. But this isn’t a post about failed business models.

Napster has come full circle. Once a desktop-only multimedia solution, it is now an iPhone app. Granted, Napster’s entire business model itself hardly resembles anything it once did as it has turned into more of a subscription-based music rental service. Still, in the midst of it all, those who still have a thing for Napster can once again get their fix.

IPA God promises cracked apps on non-jailbroken iDevices.

Bad news bears for Apple and the growing app piracy problem…

At first, Apple was very outspoken in regards to jailbreaking any iDevice, blaming the brunt of their disgust on app piracy. Well, it looks like even a squeaky clean iPhone with a pure heart and can be used for tools of the devil. Specifically, a new exploit called “IPA God” can actually install cracked apps on non-jailbroken iDevices under iOS 4.1 and 4.2 (beta). Suddenly it became a lot more treacherous in iOS land, didn’t it? The offending app isn’t available yet, but it’s developers state that within the coming weeks we should see something more concrete.

While we’re at it, we’ll stress that purposely having your way with thousands of apps just for the hell of it isn’t the nicest thing to do. Apple’s platform is the best around for a reason — the devs make money and enjoy doing what they do. If their stuff constantly gets pirated, they’ll move elsewhere. Also worth mentioning — Apple will no doubt send a slew of legal employees after the creator and the app. So don’t get too comfy with it. With all of that said, hop inside to see IPA God in operation doing the dirty deed…

Woah, Verizon digs deep, finds a heart. Eliminating “Multimedia phone” category and accompanying $10 data plan.

Usually when we hear of plan changes going down on a carrier, it usually spells trouble for the consumer. Raised prices or new prices altogether generally make a marginal wireless experience even more painful. Painful is one of many words I’d describe Verizon’s actions a few months back when they designated a slew of crap phones “multimedia phones” and slapping them with a $10 data plan minimum. Never mind the fact that many of these had phones that made a BlackBerry browser look like a god. It was bad. Real bad.

And yet, just as fast as Verizon dropped that bombshell on the world, they’re backing off. New reports discuss Verizon disbanding this “multimedia phone” category and lumping in said phones into the feature phone group. (Honestly, that’s how it should have been from the beginning.) The only sour grapes aspect of it all is that phones that have already been purchased as or even labeled “multimedia phones” by Verizon will stay that way, still requiring the minimum $10 data plan. Buy the same phone after the switchover date and you’re good to go.

The category killing shakedown is scheduled for Q4 of this year according to the internal memo floating around VZW right now. Speaking of which, hop inside and give it a gander…