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Mobile Miscellany: week of August 20th, 2012

Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week was a bit slow, but we've managed to dig up a couple interesting MeeGo tidbits, along with an excellent utility for Nexus 7 / OS X users -- something to help you in the pursuit of slack. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of August 20th, 2012.

Kindle Cloud Reader app comes to MeeGo

The ability to read Amazon e-books from MeeGo devices has existed ever since the birth of the Kindle Cloud Reader, but for those who'd prefer an alternative to the web browser, well... there's now an app for that. Enter Firestarter for the Nokia N9 and N950, which was recently submitted for approval to the Ovi Store. The interface leaves a bit to be desired, as gesture-based scrolling isn't part of the mix, but the app also includes a nice workaround -- the ability to scroll and turn pages with the volume keys. Just check out the video to see what's in store. [My Nokia Blog]

Jolla's MeeGo handsets to include Android app compatibility

Mobile Miscellany week of August 20th, 2012

While the MeeGo platform may have a newfound Kindle app, the overall ecosystem still leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, that'll be less of an issue for owners of MeeGo handsets from Jolla, as the company has announced the inclusion of the Android Compatibility Layer (ACL) from OpenMobile, and like the name suggests, it brings the ability to run Android apps. If you've yet to see ACL in action, there's no time like the present to take a peek. [SlashGear]

PSA: AT&T's shared data plans now available

Mobile Miscellany week of August 20th, 2012

Perhaps you've already seen the billboards in front of AT&T stores, but if not, the carrier's Mobile Share data plans may now be added to subscriber accounts. For a detailed breakdown of the latest pricing scheme -- and to determine if you'll save any money -- be sure to check out our comparison of AT&T and Verizon's data share plans. [CrackBerry, AT&T]

Acer Liquid Gallant Duo now available for pre-order from Expansys UK

Mobile Miscellany week of August 20th, 2012

You might've missed it, but Acer launched its dual-SIM Liquid Gallant Duo this week. While we were treated to a full list of specs for the Android 4.0 smartphone, its price remained a bit of a mystery. Thanks to Expansys, however, you can start litera... figuratively camping at the storefront, as the Liquid Gallant Duo is now available for pre-order in the UK. The white variant can be had for £148 ($234), whereas the black version will set you back an extra quid. Keep in mind, however, that companies such as Expansys often charge a premium for the chance to be first in line, and you're likely to see the price drop in the future. [Unwired View, Expansys]

Nexus 7 Toolkit for OS X: all the essentials for rooting and unlocking at your disposal

Mobile Miscellany week of August 20th, 2012

Have a Nexus 7 tablet and a Mac? How about a burning urge to attain root access or install custom ROMs? If so, you'll most certainly want to check out the Nexus 7 Toolkit, a collection of scripts for OS X that'll provide root access, unlock / lock the bootloader, and install ClockworkMod Recovery. While each of the feats are rather simple to accomplish, the Nexus 7 Toolkit also includes a handy script to return your tablet to the factory software image -- think of it as cheap insurance. [Droid Life]