Samsung Kies

If you are working on Samsung devices, then you should install the Samsung Kies software on your Mac or Windows PC.  Kies allows you to synchronize data and files between your computer and your Samsung devices, but more importantly, it includes the USB drivers you need to use Android tools like ADB or to use USB Tethering with your Samsung smartphone.

Download Kies at http://www.samsung.com/us/kies/

Huawei HiSuite

If you are working on Huawei devices, then you should install the Huawei HiSuite software on your Windows PC.  HiSuite allows you to synchronize data and files between your computer and your Huawei devices, but more importantly, it includes the USB drivers you need to use Android tools like ADB or to use USB Tethering with your Huawei device.  Huawei also offers a client app that runs on your device.  Once the client is installed, you can create a wireless connection between your PC and your Huawei device over WiFi.

Download HiSuite at http://www.huaweidevice.com/resource/mini/201105239635/hi_suite_en/

HTC EVO View 4G Review

This is Phone Arena's review of the HTC EVO View 4G.

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Samsung Galaxy Note

Rumors persist that the Samsung Galaxy Note is coming to Sprint in 2012.  See http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-57360553-251/are-verizon-and-sprint-next-in-line-for-the-galaxy-note/

The Note comes with a 1.4 GHz dual-core Exynos processor or a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor.  The display is 1280 x 800 pixels so it's perfect for 720p HD video and app development.  The Note also has an MHL adapter for HDMI output.  However, one of the most unique features of the Note is the included stylus which unlike the HTC View, sits neatly in a silo within the Note when not in use.

Developer Device Setup

Google has pretty detailed instructions on how to configure Windows, Mac OS X and Linux to debug your Android device over USB.  There is a handy table of USB Vendor IDs along with links to most of the OEM USB drivers needed.

See http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/device.html

Factory Reset and Reprovision

Sometimes you have to do a hard reset of your Sprint device.  Here's a demonstration of how to get it done.

Android Lock Down

Android is a very flexible platform even allowing you to create a custom "app launcher" or "home screen" as it were.  This is basically what HTC does with Sense or Samsung does with TouchWiz.

However, replacing the app launcher is also a way to lock down the device.  You can prevent users from leaving your app or from launching unapproved apps if you install a launcher that simply doesn't allow it.

There are a couple reasons why you might want to do this.  Maybe you are targeting a vertical enterprise application where you want to provide all the users with hardware dedicated to a single function.  For example, maybe you want those HTC Flyers to only be used for your corporate inventory control app in the warehouse rather than for playing Angry Birds during coffee break.

Another example is children's games.  You'd like your game to lock up the device enough that a toddler can't accidentally exit the game.  If your game replaces the app launcher then there is effectively no way to quit.  For example, look at Zoodles Kid Mode app.  Media players for kids are another example. Toddler Video Player Lock will lock down the device while playing videos.

Google includes an example of an app launcher replacement as part of the standard sample apps that come with the Android SDK.  This method doesn't provide much real security, but it does prevent casual users from accidentally leaving your app.  Even purposefully trying to leave the app is hard though not impossible.