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Dropbox buys Readmill, service to shut down July 1

After news that they were in late-stage discussions to join Dropbox, Readmill has announced they will be shutting their service down. The two founders were indeed speaking to Dropbox regarding joining forces, but it looks as though the talk of an acquihire was accurate. The service will shut down, but some of Readmill’s feature set will carry on in Dropbox.




It is currently impossible to create a new Readmill account, and the service will officially shut down on July 1 2014. Readmill is giving users time to export their books, and have even created a handy guide for doing so. The team at Readmill will be going to Dropbox, but their new roles are slightly unclear. From their blog post:



Our team will be joining Dropbox, where our expertise in reading, collaboration and syncing across devices finds a fitting home. Millions of people use Dropbox to store and share their digital lives, and we believe it’s a strong foundation on which to build the future of reading. We’re delighted to work alongside this talented team and imagine new ways to read together.



Via their FAQ’s just below the blog, they note Dropbox isn’t creating a reading app “similar to Readmill”, saying “since reading on screens of all sizes is essential to work and life for so many, we’ll be approaching similar challenges in new ways at Dropbox.” The team is joining Dropbox, but not bringing or creating a reading app.


It’s likely that Dropbox was interested in Readmill’s social take on documents. In Readmill, you could leave notes for someone in a book you shared, telling them of a special passage or funny quip. Dropbox also recently acquired Zulip, which was a chat service focussed on communicating within a group. It seems this acquisition was another step in Dropbox morphing into something a bit more than a cloud storage solution.





Acer event April 29 hints at new device, maybe a wearable

Acer has begun sending invitations to an event in New York on April 29. Just what’s being rolled out isn’t noted, but the announcement says “Please join us for a (their logo) touch more connected”. From there, it seems as though we’ll be getting a myriad of devices, perhaps even wearables.




The invitation does say Acer is rolling out new products, but doesn’t even hint at what they could be. We’d think that with the event title all will be touch capable. From their recent line of Chromebooks, down to the handhelds we saw at MWC this year, touch seems to be something Acer is comfortable with — and pretty good at.


With wearables, we’ve already noted Acer has committed to entering the sector this year, with previous reports putting their entry in the second half of 2014. An April announcement would likely serve as a precursor for a late Fall rollout, but does it fit the “touch” theme? A source previously put Acer as entering the wearable market with something alternative to a wrist wearable or headwear. A necklace was mentioned, but any or all could come with some touch capacity. It could be Acer’s foray into Android Wear.


Come late April, we’ll find out for sure. We are subtly looking for a new product here, seeing as how both the Acer logo and “touch” are in green on the invitation. Acer always has really nice products, and they often have the added benefit of being competitively priced.


Acer event





Xperia Z2 has supply chain issue, will hit UK in May

The Xperia Z2 might not be easy to get hold of this Spring. In Europe, the launch of the new flagship handset from Sony was pushed back to accommodate supply chain woes. Now it seems as though Sony may still have issues with getting the Xperia Z2 into the hands of waiting customers.




Though Sony isn’t detailing exactly where the issues are, UK’s Unlocked Mobiles says “Sony advises they had a component manufacturing issue from a third party who make a part for the phone”. To their credit, Sony says they’re working hard to “maximize stock levels”. They’ve cautioned retailers that handsets may not arrive until May 1, but offer no hard timeframe for when they’ll be able to ship devices consistently.


In a statement, A Sony spokesperson said the Xperia Z2 “will be available in the UK during April and we are expecting to deliver to all consumers who have placed a pre-order through our key partners”. As for US availability, that warranted an even more opaque response from Sony: “As with all our global product launches, rollout is phased across markets and channels and exact timing and allocations will vary by market”.


With so much packed into the device, it’s not hard to think that the Xperia Z2 would see some supply chain issues. Waterproof, 4K video capability, glass and aluminum body — it’s a recipe for disaster. Parts for the Xperia Z2 likely aren’t easy to replace, so it really comes down to Sony finding a way through this issue.





VSCO Cam 2.3 update adds Preset and Tool customization options

VSCO Cam arrived in the Play Store in December of last year. We've seen some updates since the app launched, and nicely, it looks like the latest has just arrived. VSCO Cam has been bumped to version 2.3 and while the changelog isn't super long -- it does contain a few key items.



There was mention of various UI and bug fixes. More important here though, the folks at VSCO Cam have said this update "addresses one of the most requested features." VSCO Cam users who have been waiting to customize their Presets and Tools will be happy to download the v2.3 update.


Simply put, this update means you can show and/or hide Presets and Tools. You can also re-order these options to better fit your usage patterns. To get started just launch VSCO Cam and head to Settings -> Preferences then Toolkit or Preset Order. Once there you can double tap to hide something your'e not using, or drag to change the order.


VSCO Cam is a free app, but there are some in-app purchases available. For those not as familiar with the app -- think of it as a full set of camera tools. You can capture images, edit images, share images and even participate in the VSCO community. VSCO Cam requires Android 4.0 (or later) for use, and can be found using this Google Play Store link.


SOURCE: VSCO





Philips introduces two TVs, powered by Android

Google TV may have been set aside when the Chromecast came through, but Google’s TV ambitions are far from over. Philips has announced a few new televisions, powered by Android. The TV lineup, ranging in size from 48 to 55 inches, will run a slighty dated version of Android, and show up on store shelves in Europe (possibly) and Russia in Q2 2014.




The 8109 and 8209 will run Android 4.4.2 Jelly Bean, and come with Play Services integration. We’ll get the standard Google apps on board, but also have the ability to browse the Play Store as needed. Dropbox integration is also built in, so you’ll have the option of that or Google Drive right out of the box.


There isn’t a lot of storage built in (2.7GB), but several USB ports and WiFi for cloud storage should keep your files safely secured elsewhere. The TV’s are decent in their own right, offering a 1GHz refresh rate and broadcasting in full HD. Philips also notes an “upscaling” feature to display all content (like apps, we presume) in HD.


The Android TV sets are expected for Russia, but may not make their way to the UK. Philips hasn’t offered up any solid timeline for release outside of Russia, either. With Google making a big play for living room occupation, we’d like to think more TVs like these will come, Philips or not. Though they haven’t sworn Google TV off, there is increasing evidence it will simply slip into oblivion soon.





Gartner: device shipments to hit nearly 2 billion in 2014

Gartner has released a new study today, and they’re forecasting big mobile phone and tablet shipments for 2014. They believe that at the end of 2014, OEMs around the globe will have shipped 1.895 billion devices, a 4.6% increase over 2013. According to them, lower-end and mid-range devices are the reason for the bump, as well as expanding emerging markets. Oddly enough, these are similar gains as to those they noted in 2013.




The biggest benefactor will be android, too. According to Gartner, Android will see a bump to 1.17 billion shipments in 2014, up from 879 million last year. Similar gains are seen elsewhere, with iOS jumping to 286 million from 241 million, and Windows seeing a bump to 339 million from 325 million in 2013. Interestingly, while the study takes into acount “mobile phones”, the “other” category for operating systems will see a decline, according to Gartner. It will drop nearly 200 million devices, sending out around 683 million.


Gartner


Tablets will also continue to ship massively, with Gartner noting they expect to see 270 million tablets shipped in 2014. That’s a drastic increase from the 195 million tablets sent in 2013, and puts the tablet sector nearly on par with PCs. Gartner expects PCs to drop from 296 million shipments in 2013 to 276 in 2014. The reason? You guessed it; good tablets cheap, and available in markets outside the US.


Though shipments can’t always be equated to sales, it’s a strong indicator. With devices like the Moto G being widely available, it’s no wonder shipments are expected to increase. As emerging markets like South America become more connected, OEMs will lock to make their devices available there. Come December, we hope to have a good idea of the accuracy of this study. We wouldn’t be surprised if it were conservative.





Timehop app hands-on: providing a daily trip back in time

Timehop, as a service, has been around for many years now. But given the app just recently arrived in the Play Store, it may be one that flew under the radar of many Android users. The premise here is simple, Timehop takes you back in time. The app is one that you'll only need to launch once per day, and it will show you what you were doing one, two, three and four years earlier.



We suspect people will have different reasons for wanting to use Timehop, but we can tell you that it provides a fun and easy way to look back and see what you were doing. It is kind of nice to be able to see images or thoughts from one (or two, three or four) years earlier. This is made even better because it requires little effort on your part -- Timehop pretty much does it all for you.


When you first download and install the app you will need to connect other services. The process is pretty quick and painless -- just tap the service you want to connect and then login with your credentials. Timehop connects with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Foursquare. There is also an option to connect the Photo Gallery on your device.


Because you are connecting outside services, you'll be able to begin enjoying Timehop from the very beginning. Well, that is assuming you have been using those other services. Once the initial setup has been done, you then launch Timehop once per day to get an updated look back. Timehop even sends you a notification to remind you.


timehop-main-00 timehop-main-000 timehop-settings timehop-notifications timehop-account


Anyway, a simple app/service, but one we suggest checking out if you are the type that enjoys looking back in time. As for us, we enjoy the look back as it shows what we were doing with the kids, places we may have visited, and sometimes we even get a laugh. Like today for example, Timehop offered a reminder about Draw Something.


Those interested in Timehop will be able to find it using this Google Play Store link.





Songza will soon play music based on weather changes

Songza recently updated their service to provide a very unique take on suggested music. Users can now opt to let Songza offer up music based on weather, using The Weather Channel as their back-end solution. Already good at suggesting the right music for an occasion, Songza just got a lot better.




Rather than just offer up music based on the weather as a standard, Songza will do what it always does — ask you to give it direction. Songza tells you generic info about the weather (raining, thunderstorm, bright and sunny…), then asks what you’d like to hear in that circumstance. From there, Songza knows you are only happy when it rains, or that you’re in need of a pick-me-up when it’s dreary out.


Songza is unique in that it forgoes standard algorithmic suggestions, instead opting to let you guide the tempo. In simpler terms, you are the one creating your own algorithm, and it’s personalized to you. Among streaming music providers, Songza is easily the more customizable of the flock.


The update is rolling out incrementally, so be on the lookout for it. We like Songza for its take on bringing us what we want, when we want it. It takes a bit more work than other apps, but once you get it trained to do as you like, it’s well worth it. The Play Store listing hasn’t yet been updated to reflect the change, but Songza has made it official.





Facebook Messenger updated with better group chat support

Facebook Messenger has a nice update rolling in, bringing us the ability to sort friends into groups. Groups can have custom names as well, though Facebook has gone ahead and made some suggestions to get you started. There is also the ability to forward messages as well, making it much easier to relay a point to a third party.




When it comes to sorting friends into groups, it couldn’t be simpler. Just add a new group, name it, add some friends, and you’re chatting away. Users can also take group chats and pin them in a separate tab, making it easier to find them later on. There is also functionality for muting conversations, so if you want to not participate in a lively group discussion while you watch your favorite TV show, that’s not a problem.


Message forwarding is also new for Messenger, and adds functionality found in some other chat applications. When someone sends a message you’d like to forward along, just long press on the message, and a menu will pop up. From there, just select “Forward”, and choose who you’d like to send it to. A great feature for longer form messages, or sending along an address for directions.


A dedicated group page will make creating and finding group chats much easier, and the use is simple and straightforward. Now that Messenger has a beta program, we should expect to see more incremental updates like this come along. Messenger may not be a go-to app right now, but it just might be should Facebook continue the update trajectory they’re on.





Create Your Own Flappy Bird Clone!

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What’s the most popular mobile game since the days of Angry Birds? The answer is obviously Flappy Bird. This addictive game has seen so many remixes, that you were able to flap the Doge, Pou, and almost everything in between. The game’s developer had his 15 minutes of fame, and many others have created entertaining clones as a result..


Since Flappy Birds is so successful, why not try making a clone yourself? It’s possible, and there are some great guides to help you do so, such as the one written by XDA Forum Member VOS. The tutorial shows how to make a Flappy Bird clone using Basic4Android and LibGDX.


Admittedly, the steps aren’t short, but it’s definitely a great way to learn how to create a simple game, making it a perfect starting point for beginning game developers. The guide itself is very detailed and describes every stage of game creation, along with the required code resources and graphics.


If you always wanted to crate your own game, you now have the perfect occasion to try. It’s not easy and will require a few somewhat advanced programming techniques. But with a bit of effort and patience, you will make your own, hopefully even more successful game. You can find more information in the original thread.


Android App Review: Shareboard Helps You Save Time – XDA Developer TV

shareboard

If you want to get updates about your friends or want your friends to know what you are up to, or if you simply want to share lame current affairs jokes, the best place to do this is on a social network. But sometimes, you want to share across all of them at the same times–and you want an Android app to do that. Well there is a solution out there.


XDA Senior Member anandbibek offers up an application that shares a post across all of your social networks. In this video, XDA Developer TV Producer TK reviews Shareboard. TK shows off the application and gives his thoughts, so check out this app review.




Be sure to check out other great XDA Developer TV Videos



Get Social with the Xperia Z2′s Socialife App Ported to All Xperia Devices

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Sony loves to add various social applications to their device firmwares. In 2010, they added Timescape, which integrates messages with Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. Four years later, they still believe that social networks are the best way to keep their customers connected—and they’re likely right. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many other similar services are dominating the Web.


A new version of Sony’s social application Sociallife is available on the Xperia Z2′s firmware. Having this new flagship is not a requirement though, as XDA Senior Member xperiaz2 modded the original Socialife application to work without issues on other Sony devices even with Ice Cream Sandwich installed. Your firmware version won’t stop you from keeping in close contact with your family and friends, and Socialife will inform them about your current status. The ported app should work with all Xperia phones running stock or stock-based software.


You can grab the application and discuss it in the original thread in Cross-Device Development Projects for Sony Devices forum. If you like social networks, go there and don’t forget to share this article on your wall.


Remove the Five Second App Start Delay After Pressing Home

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While reviewing Android’s code, you may find some small annoyances here and there. One of the most absurd is a delay that prevents you from starting activities after pressing the home button from anything other than the launcher app. This was perhaps useful when phones featured very little RAM, but now devices are powerful and Android is considerably better optimized.


Five seconds makes for a very long delay, which doesn’t really fit to a modern operating system. Lucky, there’s Xposed Framework and developers who make modules. Thanks to an Xposed module by XDA Forum Moderator GermainZ, you can get rid of the delay really easy.


Module installation is very easy, and requires you to activate the module in Xposed Installer and reboot. It should work flawlessly on Android 2.3 and greater. Hopefully, Google’s Android developers will notice that some things are better when they’re simple, and rectify this in an upcoming release like the rumored 4.4.3 mentioned last week.


You can find the module by vising the module thread or grabbing it directly from the Xposed Modules database.


Forums Added for the US Carrier Variants of the HTC One (2014)

XDA_Articles

Earlier today, HTC unveiled its next generation flagship, the HTC One (2014). While the specs weren’t really a surprise to anybody, the M8 is still the culmination of what many believe to be the ideal Android-powered device. After all, the M8 offers top-level flagship specifications, a gorgeous screen, a decent battery, class-leading build quality, and utterly fantastic industrial design.


While we’ve had forums in place for the international variant of the HTC One (2014) for quite some time, it’s now time to create forums for the US carrier variants as well. Are you looking forward to getting your hands on a version of the M8? Let us know your thoughts on the device in the comments below, and be sure to check out the forums for the US carrier variants while you’re at it:



XDA Xposed Tuesday: Gesture Control – XDA Developer TV

gesturecontrol

Gestures are everything. Controlling your device with simple swipes and swoops will save you time. You no longer have to search in your cluttered app drawer to find your favorite apps. Now, you can just two finger swipe left to open your Chrome browser. But how to you get these swipes programmed? Maybe an Xposed Module will help.


In this episode of XDA Xposed Tuesday, XDA Developer TV Producer TK reviews an Xposed Module that allows you to launch your favorite apps from with Gestures. XDA Senior Member FemBlack created the Gesture Navigation Xposed Module. TK shows off the module and gives his thoughts, so check out this Xposed Tuesday video.




Be sure to check out other great XDA Developer TV Videos



Give Your Eyes Some Rest With Eye Relax

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Those of you who spend lots of time staring at the screen while working or simply relaxing after a long day know how important is to keep your eyes in the good shape. The easiest way to do so while using a computer is to take short breaks every once in a while, and let your eyes rest. But how do you figure out the time required to take a break without simply forgetting about it?


The answer is quite simple: Eye Relax by XDA Recognized Developer kevdliu. Eye Relax is a simple application that automatically sets a countdown timer for 30 minutes and notifies you when your eyes need to rest. The default break time is half a minute, but you can set your own interval after supporting the developer and purchasing the inbuilt option.


The application is pretty simple, but the idea behind it is quite useful. Your eyes will thank you for keeping them in the good shape and you can forget about premature visits to your optometrist for the time being.


If you are addicted to XDA, perhaps you should take a break from reading this article and visit the application thread to download Eye Relax.


Access Your Favorite Apps Directly from Your Lock Screen

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OEMs often what you can do by default using their firmware. This often results in the loss of a certain feature, which can be annoying. Loading a custom ROM is not always an option because sometimes phones are locked and don’t allow users to flash custom firmware.


Lucky, Xposed Framework allows you to modify stock and custom ROMs with hundreds of modules available here on XDA. One such module was recently developed by XDA Recognized Developer kevdliu. Quick Access allows you to open your favorite applications directly from the lock screen. For example, you can launch your favorite music player or calendar without unlocking your phone or tablet.


A few things are required to make this module work with your devices, but everything is explained in the thread. This module really helps to save you the time, especially on ROMs without such a feature built-in. To try this module, ensure that your device is rooted, Xposed Framework installed, and that the module enabled in the Xposed installer application.


You can get the newest version of the module by visiting the original thread.


Add Enter Key to Hangouts with Smali Editing

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The Hangouts app is loved by some and hated by others, who prefer the good old fashioned Google Talk. Unfortunately, Hangouts has a few issues that are quite annoying, such as the lack of a return key when returning messages. But fear not because with a bit of patience and a willingness to learn and some new tools, you will be able to change Hangouts to be more usable.


To do this, you need APKtool and a guide written by XDA Recognized Contributor CNexus. To make the necessary modifications, you need to have the Hangouts application extracted from your device. Keep in mind that Hangouts is updated from time to time, so you would need to repeat the process after every update. After decompiling the application, you need to enter few Smali lines and compile it again. With a little dose of luck, your Hangouts application will show your onscreen keyboard’s enter key rather than the smiley key.


To learn more about the process, head over to the original guide thread.


Replicant Devs Discover Backdoor in Samsung Android Devices

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You may recall that about five months ago, we touched upon a study demonstrating how OEM modifications are the primary cause for most “Android” security issues. Unfortunately, we offer yet another example of OEM-caused security issues—but this time, it’s not because of an OEM skin or bloatware. Rather, this is a potential vulnerability at a far deeper level: proprietary modem software.


The OEM in question is none other than Samsung, the Android ecosystem’s largest and most successful device manufacturer, and the backdoor itself comes as proprietary radio software. This software is responsible for communicating with the modem hardware, and is capable of implementing RFS commands. These RFS commands are then able to perform I/O operations on the device’s storage.


No big deal, right? I’ll just load CyanogenMod and be done with it. Wrong.


Since the cause is a proprietary radio software, changing to an aftermarket ROM will not solve anything, so long as the ROM uses Samsung’s proprietary blobs. In fact, the Replicant team used Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S III devices running CM10.1 to demonstrate how this was ROM-agnostic.


Currently the list of known affected devices includes the Galaxy S, Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Tab 2, Galaxy S III, and Galaxy Note II, but it’s highly likely that many other Samsung devices are vulnerable. Furthermore, this also seems to affect the Samsung-built Google Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus, as this is a back door at the radio software level, rather than as a part of an OEM skin. Whatsmore, on certain devices, this incriminated process runs as root.


While it is entirely possible that there is a legitimate reason for this backdoor, it’s hard to envision a scenario where one would be necessary. As such, it would be great to hear Samsung’s official statement on the matter. Until then, perhaps it would be a good idea to look into fully open source projects like Replicant, or at the very least, building an aftermarket kernel capable of blocking (and logging) RFS command requests.


You can learn more by heading over to the source link below.


[Source: Replicant Project | Thanks to Ruelle for the tip!]


Blur or Dim Images with Tholotis

image

Few things tell us more than an image. Our brains decode image much faster than other forms of information such as text, sound, and so on. Even when meeting new people, first impressions are largely based on visual cues. Android is no different, and the XDA community is home to lots of themes, mods, and wallpapers to make our favorite operating system look better.


You can do countless things with image, but you require good software to apply some effects or filters. Sadly, most of this software is available only on traditional computers, and can’t be done with a phone. It’s a shame because nowadays, Android devices are capable of doing almost everything from make calls to controlling cars. If you ever wanted to play with your images directly on your device, XDA Recognized Contributor Chris95X8, made a simple application that allows you to dim, blur, and save the modified images on your phone. The app is very minimal, and can do wonders with your favorite wallpapers to make them even better.


You can find Tholotis by visiting the application thread. So if you are interested, pick your favorite image and make it even more beautiful with ease.


UXD: Three Steps To Awesome - Part 3 of 3


















This episode of User Experience Design for Developers shows you why user research is important, and how you can avoid 3 common pitfalls and create amazing mo...



Views: 2864


12 ratings

Time: 09:45 More in Science & Technology


UXD: Three Steps To Awesome - Part 2 of 3


















This episode of User Experience Design for Developers shows you why user research is important, and how you can avoid 3 common pitfalls and create amazing mo...



Views: 2866


13 ratings

Time: 12:30 More in Science & Technology


BlueStacks GamePop game console resurfaces with a new look

BlueStacks announced the GamePop Android gaming console way back in May of 2013. The GamePop was said to be a subscription based game system. Pricing was set at $99.99 with a monthly fee of $6.99. BlueStacks even offered an early bird deal which included a free console if you were willing to pre-pay for a year long subscription. It was all beginning to sound good, then we saw BlueStacks announce the GamePop Mini, and then the talk went quiet.



Well, the GamePop game console has recently turned up again. A recent review shared by TechCrunch is offering a look at the console and the controller. And well, it doesn't appear to be what was originally announced. As you'll see in the images below, the GamePop doesn't look anything like what was originally unveiled (seen above).


gamepop-3 gamepop-6


While that wouldn't be so bad by itself, the controller looks pretty basic. To that point, it was said the controller "fits ergonomically in the hand when used vertically, but that is also oddly lopsided when used horizontally – as you would for the bulk of your gaming needs." Not to mention, both the console and controller were described as being made up of a "none too impressive plastic."


This doesn't seem to be adding up to a solid experience by any stretch of the word. Then when looking at the game play -- it only seems to get worse. You'll have to read the review to get the rest of the gory details. Otherwise, it seems BlueStacks has also done a bit of shifting in terms of distribution.


There was mention of the GamePop being pushed as a gray label product -- possibly towards cable companies, and maybe even hotel chains. It does appear as if this will still be offered direct to consumers, and there was even mention of how those original pre-orders are still expected to be delivered. With that in mind, at least one member of the Android Community team did get in on the original offer and has yet to hear anything in regards to shipping at this time.





HTC One (2014) carrier leak tips “Duo Camera”

Plenty of the recent HTC One (2014) leaks have been focused on the dual-camera setup. The thing is, while there has been some speculation and guessing, we have yet to see anything solid in term of how the camera setup would work. We have to remember this latest bit is courtesy of a leak, however having said that -- a Telstra advertisement mentioned the "Duo Camera" for the HTC One (M8).



First things first though, this Telstra advertisement mentioned the 5-inch Full HD display. Also noting the display is scratch resistant. It also teased how the handset will deliver "unparalleled sound quality that is clear, balanced and powerful." Naturally, that plays to the front-facing speakers and BoomSound.


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Shifting focus to the Duo Camera and here we see teasing about how this means you will be able to "capture professional photos with more depth." Further details on the Duo Camera setup brings mention of vivid images in low light settings, the ability to choose your focus point, and also "highlight what you may love, soften backgrounds and add 3D effects." There was also mention of being able to "professionally edit memories after you've taken he shot."


While rich with some details, this Telstra advertisement didn't offer a full, or even partial set of specs. The other bit of information was in regards to Sense 6.0, which ultimately came more as a teaser than anything of solid detail. HTC Sense 6.0 is described as being able to simplify your smartphone experience with features such as double tap to wake and swiping to access favorite apps.


We do have to remember that pricing will often vary from market to market, but, the HTC One (M8) was listed as being $840. And to clarify here, this Telstra ad had the handset listed as the HTC One (M8). Bottom line here, the leaks continue and we are looking forward to the official announcement coming later this month.


SOURCE: GSM Arena


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ZTE Grand S EXT images appear in design directory

Another day, and another potential device reveal coming by way of the global design directory known as red dot 21. Earlier in the week there was an image and some specs for the still unannounced OPPO Find 7, and more recently there are some images of an unannounced ZTE handset. A ZTE handset with what appears to have somewhat of an unfortunate name.



The red dot 21 site has the handset listed as the ZTE S EXT, yes, as in the thing many are currently trying to get the younger generation to stop doing. While we hope to see a change in name before the official release, we do have to remember we have yet to hear anything from ZTE. As for the red dot 21 listing -- that is due to the design of the phone itself. It seems the ZTE S EXT will be the first smartphone to use something called NMT (Nano Molding Technology) in 2014.


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"NMT has been used for the highlight metal frame design to build visual effect. Metal and plastic has been injected together in the mould, then making a crystalline chanfer cutting at one time. It compared with the full metal processing technology, the cost is much low, and got the quality and production efficiency. All it brings more lightweight and metallic feelings for the mobile phone."



In addition to word of the phone, and the description (seen above), the design directory also touched on a smart dock with wireless charging. Keeping in mind these are only rendered images, it does appear ZTE has a nicely designed handset in the works.


We will be on the lookout for something a bit more official, at least a nod coming from ZTE. But otherwise, in regards to the name -- we do take some comfort in knowing that handset names sometimes change when they arrive with a carrier. That is based on another recent ZTE announcement and release, the ZTE Iconic Phablet, which launched as the Boost MAX.


VIA: Android Police


SOURCE: red dot 21





HTC Americas president talks leaks, market share, mid-tier, and more

HTC Americas president Jason Mackenzie recently appeared on CNBC and began with talk about how the HTC One was named the smartphone of the year for 2013. Of course, he quickly jumped in with a mention of how the best is about to get better come March 25th. Naturally, that was a reference to when HTC would be announcing the next-generation HTC One. The handset has been the subject of frequent leaks, and has been referred to by the codename of M8, as well as the One (2014) and "The All New HTC One."



The name references haven't quite reached the level the leaks have, especially in recent days. CNBC did address, or at least attempt to address those leaks, but Mackenzie gave nothing in return. Instead he mentioned how a leak is "never good" and then gave the official sounding line about how HTC doesn't comment on rumors and speculation. Interestingly though, there was some comments about leaks in general.


To that point, Mackenzie touched on how HTC is "fortunate to play in this arena" and that it is "humbling that customers are so excited." Again, Mackenzie went back to mention how the best is about to get better. Other topics here touched on market share, and about how it fell year-over-year. Mackenzie said they have to "deliver great products" and they have to "deliver innovative products that are ahead of their time."



There was mention about how "over 20% more people in the US are familiar with the HTC One franchise" and they have strong partner support in the US, and a strong plan to make the next flagship "extremely successfully with their customers." Mackenzie even mentioned how you cannot compare a Rolex to a Timex, and when asked about market share in regards that comparison, he replied with how HTC isn't focused on mass marketing, and instead wants to produce an innovative phone that attracts attention. This was concluded with how market share will then take care of itself.


Moving past the rumors of the HTC One (2014) and the current market share -- Mackenzie closed with what is becoming a familiar topic of HTC -- the refocus on the mid-tier market. This is something that was addressed during Mobile World Congress with the new Desire announcement, and here Mackenzie mentioned how they plan to bring the premium experience to other categories.


VIA: Twitter @HTCUSA





Jawbone UP 3.0 app update adds UP24 Bluetooth sync

Jawbone has released v3.0 of the UP app for Android. This latest release of the UP app is available by way of the Play Store, and ultimately, this means the UP24 lifestyle tracker is now available to Android users. The data collected by the UP24 will sync wirelessly with your Android device, using a Bluetooth connection.



The Jawbone UP app brings support for 12 languages, and when used along with the UP24 band -- it tracks everything from your daily activity, to sleep, food and drink. Users will be able to keep track of steps, distance, calories burned and the amount of time they are active as compared to inactive on the activity side, and able to track hours slept as well as deep vs. light sleep and how long it took you to fall asleep on the sleep side.


UP Android Activity Summary UP Android Home Screen UP Android Sleep Detail UP Android Sleep Summary UP Android Workout Detail


As you'll see from the screenshots included in the post, Jawbone takes all that information and presents it in an easy to read format compete with charts and graphs. The Jawbone UP app also allows the user to record food and drink, which will help you monitor how much water you are drinking and also how many calories you are taking in, versus burning during your daily activity. By way of this most recent app update, Jawbone UP24 users will be able to get feedback and notifications of progress through the day.


In terms of the band itself, Jawbone has the UP24 available in two colors, Persimmon and Onyx. The band is $149.99 and designed to be worn day and night. Users can expect up to 7 days of battery life per charge, and when needed, the UP24 will charge over USB (using the included 2.5mm USB cable adapter). Bottom line here, Jawbone now offers Android support for the UP24.





Make Password Encrypted Memos with IO Notes

Android-Passwords

Everyone has some important information that must remain private at any cost. Sometimes, this can take the form of important information such as phone numbers, addresses, or even a short note from that meeting you just left, and you must protect this data from prying eyes. Due to their size, accessibility, and reliability, Android devices make for great private notebooks.


There are many applications offering taking and storing notes. Some of them also add widgets, but not many give you the ability to password protecting your notes. One such applications is IO Notes by XDA Forum Member djonnystevensabenz. This app is a simple, minimalist tool that is able to store notes in an encrypted database that requires a password to unlock. The unlock key must be at least 8 characters long, so it won’t be very easy to crack on the device itself.


In addition to its privacy features, IO Notes has a great interface. For example if you find yourself distracted easily, you can use IO Notes in Zen Mode to dim the status bar and minimize the surrounding “noise” of notifications. The app also features two graphical styles, light and dark, so you can customize it to fit nicely with your favorite ROM. More functionality is already planned, and will be ready to use in upcoming releases.


If you care about privacy and want an tool to store your important data, head over to the application thread to learn more.


Android App Review: Navigation Layer – XDA Developer TV

NavigationLayer

Sometimes looking through the list of the different launchers available to navigate Android can be dizzying. It feels like you’ve stumbled into Bargain Bob’s Android Launcher Emporium and Warehouse! “I am currently overstocked on Android Launchers, and I am slashing prices. These prices are so low, THEY’RE CRAAAA-AAA-AAZY!!!!!!” But every once in a while, Launcher apps stand out with a great list of features.


XDA Forum Member wariat offers up a way to create shortcuts and navigate your device with different layers. In this video, XDA Developer TV Producer TK reviews Navigation Layer. TK shows off the application and gives his thoughts, so check out this app review.




Be sure to check out other great XDA Developer TV Videos



Cell Phones : [ Galaxy Note™ II Protective Cover +, PINK ] Galaxy Note™ II Protective Cover +, PINK







“Free 5 pack of TecTiles with purchase (a $14.99 value) will be added to your order automatically”





The Galaxy Note II Protective Cover Plus case is a precision designed cell phone case that protects the device without sacrificing style. Galaxy cases also feature one of the sleekest android phone case designs, allowing for both function and fashion.

Also available in: Black , White

Cell Phones : [ Galaxy Note™ II Protective Cover +, WHITE ] Galaxy Note™ II Protective Cover +, WHITE







“Free 5 pack of TecTiles with purchase (a $14.99 value) will be added to your order automatically”





The Galaxy Note II Protective Cover Plus case is a precision designed cell phone case that protects the device without sacrificing style. Galaxy cases also feature one of the sleekest android phone case designs, allowing for both function and fashion.

Also available in: Black , Pink

Get Started Developing Your First Android App

Play-Store

It is indisputable that an almost endless selection and variety of apps is a major part of the Android platform. This has gotten so impressive that other mobile operating systems and new OEMs have decided to jump on the bandwagon by adding Android app support. We’ve now seen this with Jolla Sailfish, the once dominant Blackberry, and Nokia with their freshly announced X lineup. Hence, we totally understand your uncontrollable excitement to be part of something so awesome.


Where should you get started at and what should you do if you’re an app developing rookie who wants to create the next viral app? Well, you may want to check out XDA Senior Member Rachid.Ala’s tutorial on developing your first Android app. It’s written with the beginner in mind, teaching you how to create a very simple Android app that does nothing more than display the classic, “Hello World.” What’s important to take away from this guide are the very basics of app development, which lay the foundation to more complicated and creative apps in the future.


Rachid.Ala does a great job explaining all the tools and software required for your first Android app, including JDK, Eclipse, and the ADT plugin. Plenty of screenshots are given along the way, as well as examples of code. It should also be noted that the guide is written for Windows PC users, so if you use another PC OS, you’ll have to tweak the instructions a little.


So if you can’t wait to finally get started on your very first Android app, make your way over to the original thread for more information.


Cell Phones : [ Galaxy Note™ II Protective Cover +, BLACK ] Galaxy Note™ II Protective Cover +, BLACK







“Free 5 pack of TecTiles with purchase (a $14.99 value) will be added to your order automatically”





The Galaxy Note II Protective Cover Plus case is a precision designed cell phone case that protects the device without sacrificing style. Galaxy cases also feature one of the sleekest android phone case designs, allowing for both function and fashion.

Also available in: White , Pink

Cell Phones : [ Galaxy Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount ] Galaxy Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount

**Compatible with Samsung smartphones with screen sizes between 4.0 and 6.3 in. **







The Samsung Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount lets you take the brilliance of your Samsung smartphone along for the ride! The custom fitted cradle holds the handset securely during long rides. Attach it to a windshield or dashboard and adjust the multi-angle neck for perfect viewing. GPS capabilities are optimized with navigation applications but that’s just the beginning with the endless Android® apps available. With your hands safely on the steering wheel, experience the convenience of powerful, voice-activated Android applications like S Voice. Your Samsung smartphone and Vehicle Navigation Mount duo is truly brilliance on the go. (Fits handsets with 4.0" - 6.3" screens)

Cell Phones : [ Galaxy S® III Protective Cover +, Pink ] Galaxy S® III Protective Cover +, Pink







“Free 5 pack of TecTiles with purchase (a $14.99 value) will be added to your order automatically”





The Galaxy S III Protective Cover Plus case is a precision designed cell phone case that protects the device without sacrificing style. Galaxy cases also feature one of the sleekest android phone case designs, allowing for both function and fashion.

Cell Phones : [ Galaxy S 4 Active Protective Cover +, Orange ] Galaxy S 4 Active Protective Cover +, Orange

The Galaxy S 4 Active Protective Cover Plus case is a precision designed cell phone case that protects the device without sacrificing style. Galaxy cases also feature one of the sleekest android phone case designs, allowing for both function and fashion.

Cell Phones : [ Galaxy S 4 Active Protective Cover +, Gray ] Galaxy S 4 Active Protective Cover +, Gray

The Galaxy S 4 Active Protective Cover Plus case is a precision designed cell phone case that protects the device without sacrificing style. Galaxy cases also feature one of the sleekest android phone case designs, allowing for both function and fashion.

Cell Phones : [ Galaxy Mega Protective Cover +, White ] Galaxy Mega Protective Cover +, White

The Galaxy Mega Protective Cover Plus case is a precision designed cell phone case that protects the device without sacrificing style. Galaxy cases also feature one of the sleekest android phone case designs, allowing for both function and fashion.

Also available in: Black

Cell Phones : [ Galaxy Mega Protective Cover +, Black ] Galaxy Mega Protective Cover +, Black

The Galaxy Mega Protective Cover Plus case is a precision designed cell phone case that protects the device without sacrificing style. Galaxy cases also feature one of the sleekest android phone case designs, allowing for both function and fashion.

Also available in: White

Cell Phones : [ Google Galaxy Nexus (Generic GSM) ]










  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus











  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus











  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus










Features include: Face Unlock, Android Beam and Single Motion Panoramic Camera

Cell Phones : [ Samsung Replenish® (Boost Mobile) Android Smartphone ]





Powered by Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread; customize with games, apps and tools

Blackberry updating BBM to allow for larger file sharing, bigger emoticons

Are you a BBM user? If you are, an incoming update might just make you smile. According to Blackberry, they’re making some important updates to BBM, offering larger file sharing and new features for group chats. Though still not a world-beating messaging service, these tweaks bring BBM closer to their peers when it comes to being a fully functioning messaging app.



BBM users will soon ahve the ability to share photos in a multi-person chat. This has been a function we’d long wondered about, and Blackberry says it’s one of their most requested features. The file size for sharing is also being bumped from 6MB to 16MB. That should help when you’re sending big pictures, or want to attach an Instagram-sized video.


If you like your emoticons, Blackberry promises the update will make those bigger, too. Though they didn’t detail just how much bigger emoticons would or wouldn’t be, they are bumping the size. That will make older eyes happy.


There is also no timetable for release of this update, but we anticipate it coming pretty soon. An announcement is usually a precursor to rollout shortly thereafter, but with Blackberry, you never know. They had issues releasing the app proper, pulling it from the Play Store shortly after release. While these are needed tweaks for BBM, they still don’t bring the messaging service quite up to par with the likes of Google’s Hangouts. Incoming BBM features have long been a staple of Google’s messaging platform.


Source: Blackberry

Via: Engadget





Android Community Weekly Wrap-Up for March 1, 2014

This time last week we were looking forward to seeing what would come out of Mobile World Congress. We were still trying to decipher what would end up having been rumor and speculation, and what would actually come to be. As it turned out, the announcements were plentiful, including some from HTC, Samsung, Lenovo, Sony, and Nokia.



The travel time for the Android Community team has come to an end, and we've had some time to do a bit more thinking about the announcements. Nate hit the highlights from the show earlier in the week, just as we were getting ready to board the plane and fly back stateside, so instead of rehashing those thoughts, we'll simply point you to that post (just in case you missed it the first time around).


We do want to touch briefly on Nokia though. Based on rumors we were expecting to see the Nokia X, an Android handset. Nokia surprised us with another model, the bigger X, however we aren't entirely convinced this is what everyone had been hoping and waiting for. Having spent some hands-on time with both models of the X during the show we can say this -- the hardware is nice, and we look forward to spending a bit more quality time with both of those devices.


35


The catch here, we aren't convinced these are the Nokia Android devices anyone had really been hoping to see. Taking a line from Star Wars IV: A New Hope, we are reminded of the Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi line about how "These aren't the droids you're looking for." Trying to stay positive though, while we suspect these may not be the Nokia Android handsets everyone had been waiting for, we are rather curious to see the crowd reaction once they begin to arrive in the public space.


Otherwise, on the topic of Mobile World Congress announcements -- what we saw were nice steps. Sony had some good stuff, as well Samsung. And HTC introduced the Desire 816, a mid-range flagship. The Galaxy S5 is a nice iteration from the Galaxy S4, but it may not be a device lots of people feel they simply must have immediately. Needless to say, Samsung will likely still sell many millions.


P1060772-820x420


The other was Lenovo, and while their tablet, the Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ wasn't anything different to see -- as compared to the previous model Yoga Tablet 10 - they did seem to upgrade the key components. To that point, we look back to our original Yoga Tablet review, and then look to this new model -- Lenovo hit the highlights including the display and processing power. This Lenovo tablet sure has a unique look, one that took us back initially, but it proved to be a nice user experience for many reasons. We look forward to testing the 10 HD+ in the not to distant future.


Looking outside Mobile World Congress coverage and some of the highlights included the Samsung 64-bit chipset news, talk of a Google Play Services update that will deal with malware, the Google+ image editing, the Google Now launcher, and the possibility of a Motorola smartwatch coming later in the year.


i-vFLBKBG-XL-820x420


We are also going to do a bit of teasing here. We traveled with a Kindle Fire HDX (for in-flight entertainment) and have some thoughts on that, as well, some additional thoughts on the Omate TrueSmart. We have a review upcoming for the Garmin Vivofit, and a newly announced handset from LG. We also promised, and will deliver some further thoughts on the SCOTTEVEST gear we spent a week wearing in Barcelona.





Omate TrueSmart: out running

We have to remember one thing when talking about any gadget -- just because you may hate it, that doesn't mean it isn't a perfect device for someone else. While some may criticize smartwatches, or the Omate TrueSmart in particular, I am thinking it may be a good running partner. It is a bit early to get super excited here, however I did take the TrueSmart out for its first run this morning. And at risk of offer the spoiler in the beginning, it seems to have performed rather well.



First though, something needs to be said. As we learned a while back, the TrueSmart does not ship with the Google Play Store. That brings this, my usage from earlier today was solely dependent on having already installed the Play Store on the watch. I will talk about that process in future posts, but suffice to say, the Play Store can be run (rather easily, and with success) on the TrueSmart.


Anyway, one thing you'll likely learn about me -- I am a runner. Because I often run distances that take me well away from my home, I prefer to run with a smartphone for emergencies. Also, that same smartphone provides me with entertainment through DoggCatcher and Audible, and also tracks my runs with RunKeeper. Those apps, amongst others, have all been installed on my TrueSmart.


A bit about the experience from this mornings run though. The watch has an AT&T StraightTalk SIM, and when I set out for the run the watch was fully charged. The SIM was active, in that mobile data was on. Also, Bluetooth and GPS were turned on. The watch was paired with the Jabra Sport Wireless Plus headphones, and I listened to an audiobook that had been downloaded to the watch. The GPS, obviously, was active for the purpose of using RunKeeper.


Bottom line here, the Bluetooth experience was solid and RunKeeper tracked my entire run without issue. Perhaps key here, the battery life. As mentioned, the battery began at 100 percent. The end had the battery sitting at 72 percent, and for reference, this was for a run that lasted 1 hour and 7 minutes. Again, this may not be the watch for everyone, but for the purpose of this post I am looking at the Omate TrueSmart as a replacement to some of the current devices specifically being targeted towards runners.





Nokia X rooted, now has flashed ROM and proper Google apps

What’s the saying? Oh yeah: You can lead a Developer to a smartphone, but you can’t make them use the weird OS you put on it. That goes for any device, and the newest “Android” handset, the Nokia X, has already been rooted and flashed with a custom ROM.



Who’s got these things already, you ask? Developers, of course. The Developer-only (for now) Nokia X devices have already been shipped, and giving Developers a device means they’re going to tinker. Using Framaroot, one Developer has easily made the Nokia X their own. Sounds ho-hum, save for one thing: Google Services.


The Nokia X does not ship with Google services, meaning buyers lose out on all sorts of things that make Android great like Maps or Search. The current method of providing apps to the Nokia X is for Developers to submit their Android apps to the Nokia store, which Nokia says can usually be done without any rewriting of code. Third party apps are great, but some just can’t stack up to Google’s offerings.


While the Nokia X doesn’t pack much in the way of specs, we find a different reason to raise an eyebrow here. First, we love a good root story. More importantly, if KitKat is really meant to be optimized for lower-end devices, what better example than the Nokia X? We’re hoping a root/KitKat duo will show us just how low KitKat can really go. At 512MB memory and 4GB Memory with a 1GHz Snapdragon, the bar is set really low.


Source: XDA Developers

Via: Ubergizmo





How to: load widgets with the Google Now Launcher

For those of you who have upgraded to the new Google Now Launcher, you’ll notice some things have changed quite a bit. A swipe to the left will get you right into Google Now, and you no longer have five screens by default. One thing we’ve been asked quite a bit is where the widgets are. Moved from settings, widgets are now right up front — sort of.



Widgets can be found in different places, depending on your device. The HTC One is a touch different, for instance, but finding widgets there isn’t too hard. More often than not, the widgets are housed with the apps in the app drawer. In stock Android, there is a section in the app drawer just for widgets — but the Google Now Launcher changed all that.


Getting widgets is still really easy, though. All you have to do is long press on any screen, like you would to change the wallpaper. From there, a menu will pop up, and you see the widgets option front and center (literally). Selecting that button will bring you to the widgets menu, and away you go.


This is pretty simple, but there have been several questions on where widgets are housed in the new launcher, leading us to write this. We will admit that, in loading the launcher onto a new device, Google didn't provide a solid walkthrough of where stuff was. The new launcher just rebranded our device anew, removing all the widgets and such we’d placed so carefully. If you had the same experience, but didn’t know how to get your stuff back on the screen, this should help!





New video shows Samsung Galaxy S5 settings icons are flatter, brighter

Samsung’s interface has changed with the Galaxy S5, bringing in a flatter appearance. The icons in the settings menu have been altered, and the look might be polarizing. While flat may be the new black when it comes to user interface, we’re not sure everyone is going to like Samsung’s take.



Via SlashGear, we see that Samsung’s new TouchWiz settings flair is, as we said, flatter. The icons are simple, clean, and easy to read. There colors pop, and the plain white outline of the utility it fronts is plain to see. From a point of being new, Samsung has done a good job in going a wholly new direction with their settings icons.


On the other hand, it’s all really simple. We don’t want to cheapen the experience, but some we’ve shown this to say the icons are almost child-like. They’re laid out effectively, though, falling into categories rather than a bulk list of icons. In some ways, it looks a bit too simple. In others, it could be considered subtly brilliant.


We’ve long felt TouchWiz needs an update, and we won’t say this one is necessarily bad. It will have it’s detractors, but everything does, right? We do like that Samsung took the liberty of changing the quick launch settings icons, too. We’ll see those a lot more than system settings, and we think it adds a nice little update for the Galaxy S5.









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