Send Us Tips!

Sony Xperia Z smartphone receives minor software update

0

by Roy Alugbue on
tagged , , ,

Sony_Xperia_Z_Talk_Android_

 

A quiet software update has surfaced for you Sony Xperia Z smartphone owners out there. The firmware update keeps the Android software version at 4.1.2, but brings the device to version firmware number 10.1.1.A.1.253 and brings performance tweaks, along with the display calibration tool, new software key and navigational bar colors going from grey to black and the ability to disable the pesky notification light. For now, it’s looking like devices in the French markets are getting the update first, but devices in other markets should follow sooner than later.

source: Xperia Blog
via: Phone Arena

Google planning to launch subscription-based music service to compete with Spotify

0

by James Gray on
tagged , , , ,

google-logo-640-80

Google is planning to introduce a new subscription-based streaming music service to compete with Spotify and other similar services. The feature will be integrated into Google Play and could be introduced as early as this morning at Google I/O, Google’s annual developer-centric conference.

The service has been in development for some time now, and when launched will put Google at an advantage over competitors like Apple and Amazon, who have yet to launch an integrated streaming music service to their platform. And with the lackluster sales the Play Music Store has accrued, this could be the jump-start to help them catch up with iTunes, the largest retailer of music in the United States. » Read the rest

Google Play developers now able to reply to user reviews

0

by Aditya Thawardas on
tagged ,

google_play_developer_reply

In line with Google’s priority of strengthening communication between developers and their users, they have given developers the ability to reply to user reviews via the Google Play Developer Console. Responses by developers will appear publicly below the  original comment in the Play Store. Once a developer replies to a user’s comment, the user will receive an email and can then either reply to the developer directly by email, or update their review.

Back in November, Play Store reviews became integrated with Google+, with the goal of less anonymity leading to higher quality comments. Today’s update strengthens communication a step further. It’s a feature that’s long overdue and should help improve app development.

Source: Android Developers Blog

Android’s Sundar Pichai teases Google I/O 2013 plans

1

by Roy Alugbue on
tagged , , ,

sundar_google

 

Google I/O is just a few days away and if you were expecting to see a brand-new OS or a revolutionary device— then you will probably be a little disappointed at this tidbit of news. Android head Sundar Pichai recently expressed some hints of what we can expect to see, especially for all of you developers out there:

“It’s going to be different. It’s not a time when we have much in the way of launches of new products or a new operating system. Both on Android and Chrome, we’re going to focus this I/O on all of the kinds of things we’re doing for developers, so that they can write better things. We will show how Google services are doing amazing things on top of these two platforms”.

Yeah— it’s definitely a bummer, we know. Fortunately there is a silver lining to look forward to: the development and arrival of some pretty neat concepts and improvements to the Android and Chrome platforms. In his interview, Pichai highlights that because of the Android platform’s flexibility and design, consumers are able to see the arrival of Facebook Home, part of many ”welcome innovations“. Additionally, items like Amazon’s Kindle Fire series of tablets and its customized Android software represent the computer explosion of today, which is a benefit for consumers of all.

source: Wired

New app brings Google Now wallpapers to any compatible device

0

by James Gray on
tagged ,

Google_Now_Wallpaper

 

For those of you longing to bring the Google Now wallpapers to any homescreen, developer Bongoman has created a live wallpaper app that allows you to do just that. While it is technically a live wallpaper, the only time it changes is when switching from day to night, which means virtually no battery drain. The app allows you to flip through Google Now-esque cards and then simply tap to apply the desired wallpaper. All the locations included in Google Now are here and there’s even a separate app for those of you with an HD display. Both versions of Google Now Wallpapers are available from the Play Store free of charge. Hit the break for a slideshow and Play Store links.

» Read the rest

New Samsung video provides walk-through of SideSync features, allows for connection between PC and a Galaxy phone

1

by Harrison Kaminsky on
tagged , , ,

Samsung_SideSync

Samsung released its new SideSync software that they say “connects the PC and mobile as one.” We couldn’t agree more, as this innovative application allows for a sort of dual-screen feature from your PC to your Galaxy phone. You can drag and drop files from your computer and place them right on your phone’s home screen, copy clipboard content from one device to the other, and even use a screen sharing mode which lets users view their Galaxy phone’s screen on their PC monitor to use it as a virtual phone. From this mode users can take full advantage of all of the functions of their phone, and can also resize the phone’s screen on the PC monitor.  All of this can be done while effortlessly navigating both devices using the PC mouse.

Check out Samsung’s walk-through video of SideSync after the break.

YouTube Preview Image

 

 

Bulletproof is a 3rd Party Application That Brings A Much-Needed Lockscreen to Google Glass

0

by James Gray on
tagged ,

Bulletproof-Google-Glass-app

In what is definitely a huge oversight on Google’s part, the Glass software has no built-in lockscreen function. Obviously it can be assumed that there will be many changes before the rumored Spring 2014 release date since it’s a Beta product, but the problem remains for now.

Developer Mike DiGiovanni didn’t want to risk having his contacts and personal information easily swiped so he set about doing Google’s job for them, and Bulletproof was born. In a post on Google+ DiGiovanni explains its function saying, “Use combinations of swipes and taps on the side touchpad to unlock your device. The app knows when Google Glass is off your head and locks the device only at that point.” Pretty handy, and very useful. Click past the break to see it in action.

» Read the rest

EA Brings iOS Hit Monopoly Hotels to Google Play, Lowers Price of Need For Speed: Most Wanted to $0.99

1

by James Gray on
tagged , ,

Monopoly_Hotels_Splash_Banner

Today EA brought their freemium iOS hit Monopoly Hotels to Google Play. In the game you play a hotel mogul, building various themed rooms and catching money from the sky to build your hotel up. Upgrading your rooms brings VIP guests like Mr. Potato Head and G.I. Joe to your hotel. Achievements can be unlocked via in-app purchases, but EA has built a game that is fun no matter how you choose to play it.  » Read the rest

Android 4.3 spotted in the wild and no it’s not Key Lime Pie

2

by Jack Holt on
tagged , ,

Jelly Bean Illustration-580-75

While everybody is anxiously waiting for Google to hit us with new tech, software and the like at Google I/O this year, we’ve been hoping to hear about the next version of our favorite OS. Signs have pointed to Key Lime Pie being the next version and rumors show it to be Android 5.x.x. Even though it’s safe to expect Google to show off a new flavor of Android at the conference this year, another rumor suggests that KLP won’t be ready for prime time by then. Not to rain on everyone’s parade, but new information discovered by Artem Russakovskii of Android Police may add some weight to the latter of the two rumors.

» Read the rest

Sony Xperia Z released to AOSP

0

by Jeff Causey on
tagged , , ,

sony_xperia_z_aosp_banner

Sony announced today that they have opened the software code for their Sony Xperia Z smartphone to the Android Open Source Project. The software has been uploaded to Sony’s GitHub. Between that and information available at Sony’s Developer World site, external developers should have everything they need to get started. The project will be overseen by the same people who were over the Sony Xperia S AOSP. Sony points out that the software is not intended for everyday use and several apps and services one might expect on a standard smartphone are not present. Hit the break for a short video about the project and some shots of what is included in the code. » Read the rest

12345...1020...Last »