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AllCast beta 7 app arrives with updated teaser

Koush has returned with another beta release for AllCast. This latest brings things up to beta 7 and once again, this has arrived with a short teaser video. The basics for the app, AllCast will allow the user to stream/send locally stored videos to a number of devices.


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According to details fro Koush, and as you will seen shown in the video sitting below, AllCast will stream to the Roku, Apple TV and Xbox (both the 360 and One) as well as Samsung Smart TVs and other DLNA devices. While there is some similarity between how this and the Chromecast works, there is an essential difference between the two apps.


AllCast will allow the user to stream local videos, whereas those using the Chromecast will be able to steam video from Netflix and Hulu Plus (as well as a few others that Google has allowed). Anyway, those looking to do a bit of streaming and a bit of beta testing at the same time will be able to grab the app using the via link at the bottom of this post.



One word of warning though, AllCast beta 7 will be up and running for just a short time. Koush pointed out this will will “self destruct” on December 1st. The other distinction worth pointing out is that AllCast will stream video only, so make sure to avoid clicking on any images you have sitting in the Gallery app on your smartphone or tablet.


VIA: +Koushik Dutta





Turntable.fm shutting down to make way for Turntable Live

When Turntable.fm launched a few years back, it was an interesting service that filled a unique niche. Two years in, the team behind the service are shattering it. Between scale and trying to monetize, it simply wasn’t working for the Turntable team. Also, they have a new service they want to try and promote a little more.


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Turntable Live is an online concert feature the Turntable team is now focussing on, and meant to bring live music to people everywhere. According to the blog post, Turntable is doing this for everyone: we want music, and artists need to get paid. It’s as simple as that.


Turntable Live can be viewed as a last-ditch effort to save a service, or a new day for music. As digital takes the place of physical, the payouts for artists become trying. They make see a lot of downloads, but smaller payouts don’t make sales numbers mean as much anymore. Artists rely on live performances to make the real money, but with the rising cost of tickets it’s a tough ask of fans.


With Turntable Live, anyone can tune in and watch. A recent show with Knife Party had over 20,000 tune in, which is quite honestly more than they’d see in a normal live concert situation. We get to see live music, and artists get to see some deserved revenue. It also opens the world up to lesser-known artists, and helps them to get exposure.


Again, there are two ways to look at it. We prefer to think of it as a new day for live music, and a great new way for artists to interact with fans. It’s early days, but Turntable Live is pretty exciting. We hope it doesn’t meet the same fate as Turntable.fm.


VIA: Android Police





Android Community Weekly Wrap-Up for November 23, 2013

Looking back this was a pretty exciting week for Android users, specifically, for those carrying a Moto X and hoping to get Kit Kat. Motorola is making good on an earlier promise to have Android 4.4 available and those carrying a Verizon Wireless or T-Mobile Moto X received the update earlier in the week. The update recently began arriving for AT&T users as well. Of course, along with the Moto X, Kit Kat has begun arriving for some Nexus device users.


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Outside of software updates, we also got a look at some upcoming hardware changes as well. In this case we look towards both Qualcomm and MediaTek, who each unveiled their next-generation processor this week. These both bring attention to Ultra HD with Qualcomm introducing the Snapdragon 805 and MediaTek introducing the MT6592, which they have dubbed a “true octa-core.”


As far as devices go, this week we saw the HTC Desire arrive with Virgin Mobile, a 128GB Meizu MX3 arrived in China, ZTE unveiled the nubia Z5S and Z5S mini, MetroPCS launched the Samsung Galaxy Mega and Verizon Wireless launched the HTC One max as well as the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy S III mini. Toshiba also showed the Excite 7 tablet and the EVGA Tegra Note 7 tablet arrived with US retailers.


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We also saw a limited edition 16GB OUYA console in white and the Moto G arrived in North America. Specifically, the Moto G availability was for those in Canada. The US release of the Moto G is still set for January and while this news didn’t arrive this past week, Verizon Wireless will have it available in the prepaid category.


Also, Qualcomm announced the pricing and availability for the Toq smartwatch, which will be available for $349 beginning on December 2nd. Continuing with smartwatches. The Pebble availability continued in Canada and there was some discrepancies with how many units of the Galaxy Gear were sold. Samsung initially talked about “sales” of 800,000 units and we later learned that was shipped. While that number may still sound high, Samsung did update the Gear Manager app and despite the high price tag, made that particular watch quite a bit more attractive.


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A few remaining highlights this week include the availability of the physical Google Wallet cards, additional case options coming available in the Play Store, a rather large update for the OUYA game console, the self-healing abilities of the LG F Flex put to the test (from someone not directly associated with LG) and one of our favorites, an Android engineer discussing why you do not need to keep hitting the Check for Updates button.


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There was also the bit about the Play Services suddenly becoming a battery drain, which remains a mystery. And last but certainly not least, we saw the jury award Apple $290 million. This stemmed back from an earlier court case where Judge Koh ended up reducing the amount of the $1.05 billion settlement that was initially awarded.


ZTE nubia Z5S mini benchmark results surface

Following a series of rumors and leaks, ZTE officially unveiled the nubia Z5S and Z5S mini at an event earlier in the month. ZTE offered details on the specs and pricing at the time and while we had a good idea of how the phones would perform based on the hardware, some still prefer to see the benchmarks so they can better compare to other devices. In this case, it looks like benchmarks for the nubia Z5S mini have recently surfaced.


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The benchmarks have been done using AnTuTu and come courtesy of ePrice . As you will see in the screenshots sitting below, the nubia Z5S mini scored a 21012. In the screenshot sitting on the right, there is also further confirmation on the specs. Granted, these have already been officially announced, but when dealing with screenshots, the more information the better. In this case we are seeing details of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean along with a 1.7GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and Adreno 320 graphics.


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Aside from the overall score of 21012, the nubia Z5S mini fell in between the HTC One and Galaxy Note 2. It also placed above the Xperia Z, Nexus 10 and Galaxy S III. Given the nubia Z5S mini is sporting a Snapdragon 600 processor, that is sort of where we would expect it to fall in line. And on the flip side, these AnTuTu results have the handset sitting below the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S 4 as well as the Xioami MI 2S. In comparison, the MI 2S is also sporting a Snapdragon 600 processor.


Other specs of the nubia Z5S mini include a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera with f/2.2 aperture, 5 megapixel front-facing camera, 2000 mAh battery, 7.6mm thickness and options for 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. The display on the mini will measure in at 4.7-inches and depending on the market, there will also be LTE and/or 3G connectivity.


VIA: GSM Insider





128-bit or 64-bit? Qualcomm and ARM see things differently

Barely into 64-bit architecture, a new report suggests that ARM is working on 128-bit technology for release in 2014. The folks at ARM roundly dispute that claim, noting that the 64-bit chipsets currently entering the market are more than adequate. Their competition may not agree.


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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 805 is a beast of a processor, and lays claim to the title of first mainstream, mobile 128-bit processor. While impressive, ARM feels “128 bits is 64 bits too many”. They may be right, too. In a blog post, ARM notes that their 32-bit architecture holds up fine, while 64-bit chipsets can take us to the next level and beyond.


Again, they may be right. We’re just now entering the 64-bit realm, and not yet sure just what that can bring to the table. There will, undoubtedly, be a glass ceiling all OEMs and supply chain manufacturers will hit. In getting there, it’s important that OEMs like ARM and Qualcomm make the most of what they currently have on offer. We’ve only just seen the first 64-bit devices from Apple, and while they’re good for a first generation device, they will be able to do so much more with software and app improvements.


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Therein lies the problem. We need a symbiotic relationship between hardware and software, and constantly outpacing the competition only lends itself to a worsening experience. Android Developers are already taxed with having to support a seemingly endless line of hardware iterations, and to keep pushing the envelope could only make it worse.


The Snapdragon 805 will ship early next year, just like ARM’s 64-bit offering. We can pontificate on the merits of the “spec wars” quite a bit, but the proof is coming. Will ARM be able to outclass the Snapdragon 805 with a solid 64-bit chipset, or do specs actually matter? I guess that’s for us to decide.





Samsung could be updating lineup to Android 4.4 as early as January

According to a “leaked” document, the more recent Samsung devices may see Android 4.4 early next year. The Galaxy S4 and Note 3 are set to get the upgrade in January, while the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 may wait until April. It all sounds like good news, but it asks as many questions as it answers.


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First, is this across all carriers? It notes the “expected date” for the updates, but not a carrier rollout schedule. We recently saw the Galaxy S4 update halted on AT&T, with the reasons not made clear. Then we have to wonder if this involves the same heavy version of TouchWiz. If we’re getting the same overlay, how much will KitKat matter?


We’re also keeping in mind that this was from an “insider”, and the original source was a blog we’ve never heard of. Documents like these are easily forged, too. Samsung, unlike other OEMs, has been less than clear about their update schedule to Android 4.4.


Rather than worry about Android 4.4, we’d love to see Samsung make some changes to TouchWiz. It offers a lot, but can be endlessly heavy and cumbersome. For an OS as slight as Android 4.4, we’d hate to see Samsung try and outshine it with their Battleship skin. We’ll see just how legitimate this information is come January, though.





Facebook getting ready for UI upgrade in next version

Facebook is getting a fresh look in an upcoming redesign of their Android app. The new Facebook is said to have a flatter look, and take on some Google theming in the process. Of course, this is all pre-release, so things could change.


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It’s also not widely available for testing, or viewing. Android Police note that while they’ve got a link for the app available for sideloading, you may not get the full effect. The UI is controlled server-side, meaning Facebook is carefully guarding who gets to see their new look. You may also have to uninstall your current Facebook app for the chance to check the new one out.


All thngs considered, it’s about time Facebook step their game up on Android. We’ve long been languishing behind iOS when it comes to Facebook, even though Facebook has made some over-the-top gestures in regard to Android. Their Facebook Home launcher was widely panned by users, but some features were quickly copied by the likes of Paranoid Android.


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The new look is a bit flatter, a bit more gesture based, and a lot cleaner than the previous offering. By shifting things like News Feed and Notifications to the top of the main screen, Facebook for Android becomes a bit easier to navigate, and a lot more tolerable. There is no word on when it will hit the Play Store, but it shouldn’t be too long.





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