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Google makes Android easier to use for visually-impaired users with TalkBack and BrailleBack.

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by Aditya Thawardas on
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brailleGoogle has made some great enhancements to the Android platform with the goal of making their devices more user friendly to people with blindness or low-visibility. Google engineers have simplified the process for developers to augment their code to let Android use its accessibility features for these users. These accessibility features utilize either TalkBack (a spoken feedback system), or enable connected devices which give a blind person a legible description of the display to read using BrailleBack (a Braille emulator). TalkBack is already implemented in Android, while BrailleBack is available in the Play Store.

These features were put on display at an “Enabling Blind and Low-Vision Accessibility on Android” presentation at Google I/O. Developers were explained how to optimize their applications to take advantage of Android’s accessibility tools. » Read the rest

TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 17, 2013

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by Robert Nazarian on
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With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!

Guides

Best Android music playing applications [May 2013]

Accessories

Samsung TecTiles 2 Now available to purchase

Apps

Fitbit adds Bluetooth 4.0 sync support for Samsung Galaxy S 4 in new update

Classic Sonic the Hedgehog by Sega launched to Google Play for $2.99

» Read the rest

Samsung grabs 95% of global Android smartphone profits in Q1 2013

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by James Gray on
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As we reported before, over 900 million Android-powered smartphones have been activated since the platform’s debut in 2007. While its no surprise that Samsung leads the herd over HTC, LG and Sony (among other competitors), it may come as a shock just how much they dominate by. According to a report by Strategy Analytics, Samsung captured 95% of Android’s profit in the first quarter of 2013.  » Read the rest

Best Android music playing applications [May 2013]

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by Jared Peters on
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Web

Music is a big part of a smartphone’s feature set. We’ve already talked about the best available music streaming services, but sometimes music streaming isn’t an option, whether that’s because you’re dealing with a pesky data cap, you’re somewhere without a reliably fast internet connection, or you would just rather keep your music on your device. Whatever the reason, we’re going to go over the top music playing apps for your Android device so hit the break to find out more.

» Read the rest

Classic Sonic the Hedgehog by Sega launched to Google Play for $2.99

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by Harrison Kaminsky on
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We have some good news for retro game-lovers today, as Sega launched the classic version of Sonic the Hedgehog to Google Play. On the game’s official page on the Google Play store, Sega states that this is the full original version, and includes some pretty neat exclusive features, such as the ability to play as Knuckles and Tails. The game is available for download at only $2.99. Enjoy, gamers! Let us know how you like it. The Google Play link is available after the break, as well as a preview video. » Read the rest

Fitbit adds Bluetooth 4.0 sync support for Samsung Galaxy S 4 in new update

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by Harrison Kaminsky on
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While we await the imminent release of Android 4.3 and its inclusion of Bluetooth Smart support, some app developers have taken it upon themselves to start adding Bluetooth 4.0 syncing to their apps, including Fitbit, a healthy lifestyle tracking application.

As they added support for the Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II back in February, today they announced that the app will now support the Galaxy S 4, with all of the efficiency improvements that it brings. Obviously since the new Bluetooth support is not yet standard in Android devices, Fitbit says that custom development work is needed for individual smartphones. Obviously Samsung’s new flagship device was an early priority.

You can grab the updated Fitbit app from the Google Play Store after the break. » Read the rest

Archos officially announces 80 Xenon tablet, set for June launch at $199 asking price

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by Harrison Kaminsky on
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Archos introduced another tablet to their Elements series, called the 80 Xenon. The 8-inch device will come with both 3G and WiFi capabilities, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a quad-core Snapdragon S4 1.2GHz processor, and a 1024 by 768 resolution IPS display.

This is shaping up to be a very affordable, mid-range tablet running Jelly Bean and with complete Google Play Store access.

The device will also come with 1GB of RAM and only 4GB of internal storage. The memory will be expandable, however, with a microSD card. The cameras are a little disappointing, as the 80 Xenon’s rear is only 2MP, and comes with a front facing “webcam.” The tablet will launch sometime in June for $199.99.

Source: Archos 

Congress wants to know a little more about Google Glass privacy guidelines, sends a friendly letter to Larry Page in the process

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by Roy Alugbue on
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Considering Google has had a history of well… questionable privacy guidelines for its products and services, Congress is taking some preliminary measures to ensure the Glass headset will adhere to some privacy safeguards we’ve all come to love. As reported by the Wall Street Journal,  8 members of Congress wrote a letter directly to Larry Page insisting on a discussion of the privacy implications of not just the Glass headset, but the technology that comes along with it. The biggest concern? The letter specifically highlights “privacy implications”, while highlighting the “facial recognition technology” that could potentially provide the personal information of any one single individual the Glass camera is pointed at.

As it stands, Google has declined any comments on the letter as of now— but we suspect it won’t be long before it provides a formal response indicating the Glass headset will more than certainly be compliant with our strict privacy standards. You can check out the letter for yourself at the source link below.

source: Wall Street Journal Blog

Google Glass successfully unlocked, boots up with Ubuntu at I/O

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by Harrison Kaminsky on
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Ubuntu

Google I/O 2013 featured a session titled, “Voiding Your Warranty: Hacking Glass,” which was pretty much exactly what you would expect it to be. During the session, Google Glass was successfully unlocked, given root access, and then loaded up with Ubuntu.

Of course most manufacturers wouldn’t encourage people to hack into their devices, but because Google Glass is a developer device, they’re looking for all kinds of experimentation.

In order to install Ubuntu, a few steps (simplified) had to be taken:

  • Load Glass with Launcher, Settings, and Notepad APKs
  • Pair Glass to a keyboard and trackpad
  • Jump into the terminal, unlock and gain root access
  • Follow the normal process of installing Ubuntu
  • (Load up a terminal emulator, complete Linux installer)

The definition of “hack” that Google would probably use can be found on Urban Dictionary. Check it out after the break. » Read the rest

AT&T blocking Google Hangout video chats on mobile networks

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by Jared Peters on
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Simply put, Google Hangouts is awesome. It’s seamless, it’s cross-platform, and it works really well. At least, it works well so long as you’re not on AT&T’s mobile network. Unfortunately, if you try to video chat when you’re using AT&T’s network, it won’t work. According to AT&T officially, video chatting will work on their network with any app that isn’t preloaded, but it’s up to manufacturers to make sure their apps work on AT&T’s network. That’s kind of a loophole exception, because Google Talk is a preloaded app but Hangouts has to be downloaded from the Play Store… Overall, not exactly a consumer-friendly move. Regardless, don’t try video chatting over AT&T’s network in the near future. We’ll be sure to keep you updated if they change their stance on the matter.

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