(Credit: MightyText)

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MightyText is similar to iMessage, except for Android. You can send SMS from your computer or tablet (all you need is a Web browser), and still use your own phone number. You'll also be able to screen incoming calls by seeing the caller information on the computer. This is also a great way to stay in touch with friends and family if you forget your phone at home or work and can't run off to get it right away.

Note: You will need a Google account to use this app. The account is used for syncing access from the phone to the computer.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

First you'll need to install MightyText on your Android smartphone. Then, ope... [Read more]

Flipboard.

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Flipboard is your one-stop app for many networks and news sources. In fact, Flipboard supports Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Google Reader, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tumblr, and a few others! Once you have all your networks linked to the Flipboard account, a beautiful stream of information will appear in the app.

Here's a quick guide to getting your feet wet with an app favored by many:

First you'll want to get a copy of Flipboard for Android. After it's installed, open the app and flip your finger upward on the screen to reveal the Get Started and Sign In options.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

Touch on Get Started and then pick some curated categorie... [Read more]

Instamap for Android.

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Despite having an official mobile client available for Instagram, there are still a lot of third-party apps out there for viewing photos from the service. Instamap, one of the alternative clients, offers a feature not yet present in the official app: finding photos by geotag. Think of Instamap as Instagram meets Google Maps -- a lovely pairing.

Grab a copy of Instamap for Android. After installing, open the app and choose whether or not to use your Instagram account when browsing photos around the world. If you sign in, then you can Like or comment on photos, as well as follow and browse the feeds of other users.

(Credit: Screenshot by N... [Read more]

Ever since I was a kid I've had a fascination with racing. My father took me to motorcycle GP races at the age of 4 and we went every year for most of my young life. The big-name racers of the day, the roar of the engines, and the smell of formula fuel as they sped around the track all added to the fun and excitement for the young version of me.

These days I'm not much of a spectator racing fan, but if a new racing game comes out (really on any platform), I somehow automatically become interested. A big racing game release today on iOS got me looking for more fun driving games -- and while I know they're not for everybody -- if you like to "go fast," these games are for you.

This week's collection of iOS apps is all about racing. The first lets you upgrade cars and compete on numerous tracks with a 3D top-down view. The second challenges you to compete, driving old-school go-carts around tracks and has a great overall feel. The third is a well-polished sequel that many racing game fans will probably automatically download.

In the early part of the race it can be rough as you jockey for position.

Mini Motor Racing (99 cents) is a game I've been playing since its release in December of las... [Read more]

Google's 'bot on Flipboard's red couch.

Popular news-reader app Flipboard has officially landed on Android.

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• Flipboard becomes prominent Google+ partner

In a blog post, Flipboard said the app is available for Android phones as well as for Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet and Barnes and Noble's Nook slate.

The Android version of Flipboard will come preinstalled on Samsung's Galaxy S3 phone from any of the leading carriers, Flipboard said.

The company also announced new services and editions: We're also expanding Flipboard's utility today by adding two new major services: Google+ and YouTube. Now you can connect your Google+ account to Flipboard and see all the activity in your Circles in a beautiful magazine format. You can "+1" (Google's version of "like") any post from within Flipboard, or tap the status update to share, comment and reply. The YouTube experience is similarly transformed, as video browsing becomes more like reading a magazine. Flip through your subscriptions, uploads and favorites, or enjoy popular feeds like Most Viewed, Trending ... [Read more]