Indie Gala offers Android games for charity donation

Indie Gala has kicked off today, offering a bunch of Android games with a pay-what-you-want structure all in the name of charity. You can chose to split your payment between the indie app developers, the Indie Gala organizers, AbleGamers, a charity for vide game fans with disabilities, or the Italian Red Cross to support the recent earthquake Emilia. 

Out of the gate, participants get Ichi, The Lost Souls, and Battle Group. If you donate more than the average (currently $5.29), you also get Xelorians, Call of Cthulhu: Wasted Land, Little Stars for Little Wars 2. They'll even toss in a few PC games, like Cute Things Dying Violently, Spin Deluxe, Tiny Plumbers, the soundtrack to Little Stars for Little Wars 2, and an extra mystery gift to be unlocked next week.

Although the Indie Gala looks like a scrappier version of the Humble Bundle, it's still fully legit and has been doing fundraisers through the Steam PC gaming platform for awhile now. So far, they've sold 1665 bundles, and still have a week to go. Hit up the link below if you're interested in pitching in.

Source: Indie Gala

Google Maps updated with indoor directions, Google offers, business photos

There's an update to Google Maps available today that brings the app to version 6.7 and adds a couple new features. Google offers has been integrated, letting users see nearby deals and sales based on location, indoor directions provides walking directions (US and Japan only) for places big enough to need such a thing, and business photos offer a 360-degree panoramic view of the inside of participating businesses. 

There's a short video after the break showing off the new tools, and the download link is there to make for easy updating. 

Source: Google

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Maxthon offers customizable Android Browser

Android browser, Maxthon, is proving to be a quite a decent offering, with plenty of features and good loading times. Its customization features make it an even more solid alternative to other browsers.

Maxthon gives its users the opportunity to personalize their web browser. Specifically, users can choose the name of the app, the icon of the app, a homepage, a theme/skin (there are ten predefined skins to choose from), and a splash screen.

To jumpstart your experience, you can visit the Maxthon website and follow the easy steps. Once you're finished, you can click Create APK to get the app. Just be patient as it may take a while for the file to be compiled. After you get the APK, you can load it to your Android phone. The browser is also available at the Google Play Store.

The developers promised that more customization options will be available in the future. Who knows, Maxthon's customization prowess might extend to the possibility of us tailoring the functionality of the browser too, aside from its appearance.

Samsung offers free extended battery for new Galaxy Nexus purchases

Haven’t yet splurged on the Android 4.0 flagship Samsung Galaxy Nexus? Samsung is offering a free extended battery and back cover to customers who purchase the Galaxy Nexus through Samsung Direct. Samsung Direct offers the Verizon branded variant of the Galaxy Nexus, which will run you $299.99 with a new 2-year contract or 2-year contract extension, and a whopping $799.99 without contract. Once you’ve added the Galaxy Nexus to your cart, the free gift will also automatically be added, and your Galaxy Nexus will ship with the extended battery and back cover.

Of course, you could save yourself even more money by purchasing the device from Amazon, which has the Verizon variant of the device for $99.99 with 2-year contract, and $499.99 for the AT&T and T-Mobile unlocked version. The extended battery will run you an additional $33.95 for the Verizon variant.

Regardless of the channel, if you do pick up the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, we strongly recommend getting the extended battery to go along with it. The Galaxy Nexus suffers the same mediocre battery life that has plagued nearly all LTE smartphones to date, with the Razr MAXX being the lone exception. Be sure to check out our full review of the Galaxy Nexus to aid in your purchasing decision.

Samsung Direct’s promotion runs through May 10th, 2012, or while supplies last. Anyone out there planning on taking advantage of the Samsung Direct offer, or do you plan on holding out for newer devices such as the Galaxy S III?

Galaxy Offers for Sprint & Verizon - Best Price Online!

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This week we have a brand-new surprise for people looking to get their hands on what Phil sees as "Easily the best-in-class smartphones for Sprint and Verizon" — your choice of either the stunning Galaxy S II Epic Touch 4G in your choice of Black or White running on the Sprint Network or the equally great Galaxy Nexus running on Verizon.

This Wednesday and Thursday only, ShopAndroid.com in conjunction with Best Buy Mobile Solutions are bringing you a deal that is much too low to show as it is the very lowest price that you'll find anywhere for this amazing smartphone.

How much of a deal?  You'll need to follow the link below to find out but we can tell you that if you're looking to start a new Sprint account with a 2 year contract you'll get the  Galaxy S II Epic Touch 4G at up to $200 less than most options online and if you've been wanting to renew or upgrade your existing Sprint contract you'll still be looking at up to $70 less than other offers.  If you're looking to start a new Verizon account with a 2 year contract you'll get the Galaxy Nexus at up to $200 less than most options online and if you've been wanting to renew or upgrade your existing Verizon contract you'll still be looking at up to $100 less than other offers. 

So if you've been lusting to get your hands on the huge display and power of the Galaxy S II Epic Touch 4G or Ice Cream Sandwich of the Galaxy Nexus there probably hasn't been a better time to do so than right now via the link below.

• Galaxy Offers for Sprint & Verizon