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Nova Launcher 3.0 arrives with OK Google hotword in tow

Just after the release of its first beta for the next major version update, Nova Launcher has today rolled out version 3.0 of the popular Android homesceen replacement. This new version brings all the new features mentioned in the beta, plus one more that seems to be gaining popularity among third-party launchers: the "OK, Google" hotword.



This new Nova Launcher feature works the same with the Google Search app and the Google Experience Launcher. Anywhere you are in the homescreen or app drawer, uttering the now iconic phrase will launch the Google Search app in voice recognition mode. There are, however, a few requirements to Nova Launcher's implementation. First, it only works on Android devices running Android Jelly Bean or greater. Second, it also only works if you're using a language or locale that is supported by the same Google Search feature. In other words, if "OK, Google" in Google Search doesn't work with your device's settings, it won't work with Nova Launcher's feature either. The feature is disabled by default so you will have to go into Nova Settings to activate it once Nova Launcher is updated or installed.


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Other than that, most of the Nova Launcher 3.0's features have already been covered in our beta test run. This includes subgrid positioning, which lets you somewhat arbitrarily position widgets on the screen, support for 4x1 widgets on the dock itself, more color options for various parts of the user interface, and support for dynamic Calendar icons, which will change the icon's number to reflect the current date.


Nova Launcher 3.0 is now up on Google Play Store and is free to use. Users new to this homescreen alternative should however note that many other useful, but not exactly critical, features are hidden behind the Prime version, which will cost you $4.00 to purchase.


Download: Nova Launcher 3.0 on Google Play Store





Moto X goes on yet another 2-day price cut

Yes, you heard it right. Motorola is doing another discount for its Moto X flagship. This time, it's the 32 GB model's turn to get a price cut, which will be sold with a considerable $100 discount starting Wednesday.



This isn't the first time the Moto X went on sale. Usually Motorola would time such promos during holidays or special occasions, though the company has shown that it needs neither rhyme nor reason to do so. This time, the excuse is that you need to save money during summer time. Our instincts tell us it won't be the last Moto X sale. At least, not until it goes into a permanent price cut to make way for the next Motorola flagship, a.k.a. the Moto X+1. Usually, price cuts and sales have become indicators of a new device line up, but given how many times Motorola has done something like this, that's not a reliable sign anymore in this case.


In any case, Motorola is putting the 32 GB and only the 32 GB Moto X up for grabs for only $349.99. Whereas you would usually get the Moto X at $449 from various carriers, this model will come completely unlocked, Definitely not a bad deal if you've so far been holding off on getting one for yourself. Throw in $25 from what you've saved and you get to have a wood back cover as well. The sale will start June 4 at 12:00 A.M. ET and will last all the way up to June 5 only.


Usually we mention that sales like this might be a good chance to grab a device you've been pining for, and this might even be truer for the Moto X. Change is afoot, now that the former Google subsidiary is owned by Lenovo. Just recently, Google formally acknowledge that it will be shutting down the Texas factory that was the American pride of Motorola's Moto X spiel. Although the powers that be promise that nothing will change as far as Moto Maker is concerned, that may not remain true in the future and we may very well be seeing the last vestiges of a custom made Moto X smartphone for the US.





Samsung Galaxy W is a 7-inch smartphone for Korea

That "W" in its name doesn't stand for an expletive, but it might very well be your first reaction. The Samsung Galaxy W, not to be confused with a much older smartphone, might look like a somewhat decent 7-inch tablet, but it is actually a fully functional smartphone as well.



Just a bit of history. This isn't the first time Samsung launched a 7-inch phone. It's very first tablet, the Galaxy Tab SGT-P1000, was actually both a phone and a tablet. Back then it was the first, if not one of the first, Android tablets in the market, at a time when Google actually refused to officially sanction Android tablets. Back then, Samsung probably didn't know any better. It's latter tablets that did sport SIM card slots only used those for 3G, or LTE, and barred making or taking voice calls. For some unknown reason, the manufacturer seems to be making a throwback to that bygone era.


The new Galaxy W is a phablet, if you can still call it as such, that sports mid-range specs but strangely not a mid-range price tag. The 7-inch screen sports a resolution of 720p and the tablet is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, with 1.5 GB of RAM to keep things running smoothly. Storage is at 16 GB and rear and front cameras at 8 and 2 megapixels respectively. There is LTE-Advanced support, perfect for its target market, as well as the staples of Samsung's tablet line, like MultiWindow. In keeping with its more recent high-end devices, the Galaxy W sports a faux leather rear cover similar to the latest generation of Note and Tab devices.


If you have an aversion to this giant of a phone, you might want to take a sigh of relief. The Samsung Galaxy W seems to be destined only for Korea, where there seems to be a penchant for ever-growing smartphone sizes, via SK Telecom. The price isn't exactly cheap, marked at 499,400 won, or roughly $488 when converted.


SOURCE: Samsung


HTC One (E8) officially official

After being leaked last week on HTC’s Chinese website, the One (E8) is now official. Bringing in new materials, HTC hopes to build on the styling form the One (M8) flagship, released earlier this year. At a lower price point, the One (E8) keeps many of the same features from big brother, but has a few disappointing omissions.




The One (E8) brings in plastic, eschewing the aluminum of the One (M8). The aim was to keep the price point lower, as well as offer the device in a wider array of colors. Packing a 5-inch screen and powerful processor, the One (E8) is no joke, though. Here are the full, official specs from HTC:



  • 5-inch, Full 1080p

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 801

  • 16GB Memory, expandable via microUSB

  • 2GB RAM

  • 2600mAh battery

  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Proximity, Ambient light, Gyro, Baromoter

  • Bluetooth 4.0

  • NFC

  • WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n , 2.4 & 5 GHz

  • HTC Boomsound

  • Android 4.4

  • HTC Sense 6.0

  • 13MP rear camera, 5MP front

  • 2G/2.5G - GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (SIM1 & SIM2)

  • 
3G - WCDMA - 850/900/1900/2100 MHz with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps (SIM1)

  • 
4G - LTE - CHINA: FDD 1800/2100 (FDD-B1/B3), TDD- 2600 (TDD-B41) (SIM1) / RUSSIA: FDD 1800/2600 (FDD-B3/B7), (SIM1)


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As you can see, the One (E8) loses the dual camera arrangement we find on the One (M8), so those editing features we like so much aren’t available here. The device is set for realease in Asia and the EMEA region, so we’re not sure if/when it will reach the US or other countries. The HTC One (E8) is available starting this month in China and other “select territories”, but we’ve got no solid word on pricing just yet.


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Google Play TV shows land in Canada, Chromebooks come to 9 more countries

In slight contrast to the rush of new devices coming out of Computex, Google is making its already existing devices and services available to more territories worldwide. In this episode of Google conquers the world, the tech giant is bringing its digital TV collection to Canada and its Chromebook ultraportable devices to nine more countries.



Google's TV offering is actually part of its larger Google Play Movies service, but the two types of content are not available equally even in supported territories. Last week's addition of four countries brings the total roster to 69, but the ability to buy or rent TV shows has so far been available only to an exclusive club of four. That changes today with Canada now joining Australia, Japan, the UK, and the US in having access to Google's entire video repository.


Like its services, Google's devices also have a limited reach. A few days ago, Google also expanded the availability of Chromecast from 13 to 18. Today it is doing the same for its Chrome OS-toting notebooks and is adding 9 countries to the roster. This will happen in two stages. The first will bring Chromebooks to Chile, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, and the Philippines, In the coming weeks, Google promises to also add Belgium, Italy, and Spain to the list.


Google isn't exactly saying which models will be made available in these 9 countries, though it implies that users will be able to pick from a wide variety of choices. The exact date of availability, as well as localized prices, are also still unknown and it could take some time before Google's pages are updated to reflect this new arrangement.


SOURCE: Google (1), (2)





Automatic 1.0 for Android takes driver safety to a new level

It was just last April that Automatic, the "Smart Driving Assistant", ventured into Android and now the company is ready to up the ante. With version 1.0 of its app for Android, Automatic takes even greater care to secure the safety of drivers and, in a worst case scenario, ensure that help will be on the way.



Automatic Link, a handy little device that connects your smartphone to your car via the on-board diagnostics data port, brings a bit of intelligence to your driving experience at the faction of the cost of more dedicated in-car smart systems or smart cars. Previously exclusive to iOS only, Automatic released its first Android app almost two months ago. As it is, the app already contains features both useful, like remembering where you parked your car, and fun, like tracking your trips and scoring your driving style. But Automatic promised to add more features that focus on the more serious aspect of driver safety, and today they are delivering on that promise.


Crash Alert uses the Automatic Link's accelerometer to determine if an accident has taken place. If so, it will immediately send a notification to local emergency services with your location attached. But Automatic is also going the extra mile and will also inform your loved ones about the incident. But to make sure that a crash doesn't happen in the first place, at least not of your own doing, Automatic now features a Do Not Disturb mode, similar to most night-time features found in Android smartphones today, except for cars. This feature will automatically silence your device and even turn off vibration alerts so that you won't be disturbed either by ringing or by buzzing. It will also automatically reply to calls with a text message informing the other party that you are currently driving. Automatic, however, won't force your hand on the matter and leaves the driver free to answer phone or messages at his or her own risk.


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Automatic lauds the Android platform's openness and extensibility that allowed them to implement such features which are exclusive to Android. Automatic 1.0 is now available from the download link below, though users should note that the Crash Alert feature is still marked as beta. While the app might be free, the device will cost buyers $99.95, which comes with the offer of free shipping.


Download: Automatic on Google Play Store

SOURCE: Automatic


Google Glass XE17.3 update detailed ahead of release

If you are a Glass user looking at XE17.2 you are currently up to date in terms of the software. But while that is the case at this very moment -- it seems Google may not be all that far from rolling out XE17.3. Yes, another in the quick series of updates that Glass users have seen after moving on from XE12.



Google Glass users will know many of these recent updates have been reactionary to make fixes and improvements. XE17.3 may bring some of that, however it looks like it may also be introducing a new (and still experimental) feature. The new addition is called Notification Glance and it will be accessible from the Settings menu.


This could be a nice addition for those who aren't fans of tilting your head up toward the sky in response to the new message chime. Basically, Notification Glance would allow users to activate the display by turning their eyes toward the screen (in response to the new message chime).


The XE17.3 update doesn't seem to be rolling out just yet, however it can be installed. The folks at Android Police have a copy of the update, along with some detailed instructions on how to do the sideloading. And for those wondering, they also mentioned how the Notification Glance feature has been "incredibly accurate" in the short time they have been testing it.


SOURCE: Android Police





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