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Chrome for Android brings back the Doodles on new tabs

Today's update to the stable version of Chrome for Android stands on the more whimsical side. Although the latest version brings more serious improvements, including some security fixes, one highlight of the release is the return of one of Google's more entertaining art ventures: Google Doodles.



Doodles on Android aren't exactly new. The mobile version of the Chrome browser actually already had that feature a while back but was quietly removed. In May, the beta version of Chrome for Android heralded the eventual return of the Doodle. That happens to day and Chrome users on Android will now be able to see the timely pieces of customized art whenever they open a new tab, whether they want to or not.


For some more serious business, Google has also hammered out text rendering so that even pages that are not optimized for mobile browsing won't be a pain to read. And on the security side of the equation, the dev team have made sure that Chrome's Omnibox, that text area where you enter and view web addresses and search terms, won't be spoofed by innocent looking URLs that are really scams in disguise.


As with other Google app updates, the latest version of Chrome for Android will roll out shortly to users eventually. The most recent version has a build number 36.0.1985.122 so you can check later on if your Chrome is already on the latest stable release.


Download: Chrome for Android on Google Play Store

SOURCE: Google





Snapchat now has geofilters for special locations

Snapchat may be the pioneer in ephemeral apps, but since its heyday, there have been a lot of similar and copycat apps that have made its way into the market. So the developers over there are continuing to enhance their photo service, and this time around, they’ve made public the geofilters that users can apply to their photos before sending.



The geofilters available for Snapachat are dependent on where you took the pictures. For example, if you’re in Chinatown in San Francisco, your filter options are different for when you’re in Brooklyn, New York. They’ve created thematic filters based on what certain cities are famous for. To be able to use them, of course you need to turn on your phone’s location services so that the app can detect where you actually are. But Snapchat assures users that they are not storing the location data on their servers.


Now you’re ready to use the geofilters. Take a quick picture of yourself, your friends or the scenery around you, and before you send it through Snapchat, swipe right to choose which geofilters you want to apply. Each location may have several options, so keep swiping until you get the one the filter that you think best represents your photo and your location.


There are some concerns that eventually, if this catches on, Snapchat might eventually start monetizing the feature by getting brands to create their own geofilters or to place ads in certain filters. But for now, you can still enjoy ad-free fun filters, that will eventually disappear anyway after not more than 10 seconds (unless someone screencaps it).




SOURCE: Snapchat

VIA: Business Insider





iPhone 6 clone “demo” leaks, running on Android KitKat

As the world waits with bated breath (some more than others) over the actual official details and release of the rumoured iPhone 6, expect that the market will be flooded with clones even before the launch. Some “enterprising genius” in China has released a video with a demo of what is obviously not the real deal, but still entertaining enough to catch the world’s attention (most probably iPhone fans who are too impatient for actual news).



A Chinese tech blog has released the video, with background music weirdly set to The Carpenters’ Top of The World. It “shows off” what at first glance may look like an actual iPhone. But look closely and you’ll see that the cut and pasted Apple logo and a bulging camera proves that this is just one clone trying to pass itself off as the new iPhone 6. They probably based it on early schematics of the iPhone 6 that have been leaked, but even that is still not reliable at this time.


The video shows the device is called Wico i6 and that it boasts of a 4.7-inch screen with a 960x1704 resolution. Going inside, the settings says it has a quad-core processor, 32GB of memory, and a 2GB of RAM. It looks like it used a modded version of Android KitKat to make it look like an iPhone. This is the first to show a working screen video of an iPhone 6, so even if it will be far from what we expect Apple to produce, at least we get a glimpse of what it could be.


The Chinese market is notorious for producing these knock-offs before and even after the launch. So expect even more demo videos to come out, but just remember to keep a cynical eye out for them, and just wait for the official one from Apple itself.




VIA: SlashGear


Want to be an Android developer? Udacity’s got you covered

I've you've been interested in making your own Android apps but fancied yourself more as a visual learner, then fret not. Udacity, who has been expanding its courses and presence on Android, is providing a free Android development track that will get you started in making that next big blockbuster app or, if you really must, the next Flappy Bird phenomenon.



Udacity and Coursera are just some of the big names in the budding online or distance learning industry, offering courses in varying fields, ranging from computer science to humanities to sciences. Most of them are offered for free but some, like Udacity, offer perks and advantagees if you pay a fee, including personalized coaching and a verified certificate you can flaunt.


Late last month, Udacity launched its mobile app on Android and with it came the announcement of new courses that catered specifically to our little green friend. Now Google is announcing the courses from its end, particularly the Android Fundamentals package. The course videos feature Google Developer Advocates and cover a wide range of basic topics, starting with the history of the Android platform. Of course, Google would prefer you go to Android's official documents and guides for reference, but this course will definitely help in making the whole learning process look a little less daunting.




This Udacity course is available for free, complete with all the videos and course materials you will need, but, as mentioned, there is also an option to pay a subscription fee for access to more features. One caveat about the course. Although it caters to those completely new to Android or even mobile app development, it does require a bit of familiarity with programming, particularly with Java. If you don't have those creds however, worry not. Yes, Udacity has you covered there, too.


SOURCE: Google, Udacity


Google+ now allows you to use your preferred profile name

One of the constant criticisms that social network users have over Google+ (among other things) is its very strict policy on usernames. You are only allowed to use your real name when creating an account because it wanted to have credibility that it is a network with real people, unlike others where you can make fake names and accounts. Well, seems like the people over at Google have finally given in, as they announced users can now choose whatever name they want for their Google+ profiles.



While this may be news for most (probably non-Google+ users), this has been rolled out subtly and slowly for some time now. First, Page owners were allowed to choose their own names when creating the page for their brands, businesses, bands, pets, etc. Then YouTube users were also allowed to carry on their usernames when they created a Google+ profile. But now that they have officially lifted their restrictions on using real names only, it is expected that there will be a glut of new users to the network, all excited to create profiles like +FrozenIsTheBestMovieEver or +AndroidLover365.


But don’t think that you could change your profile name on a whim or almost every other day. The Google+ policy still states that there is a limited number of changes. It might take you at least 3 months before you could actually change it again, so think carefully about what name to use before you change it. The name change will also reflect on your other Google services like Gmail and YouTube. So unless you’d want your boss to receive a message from “Sherlock Is My Fake Boyfriend”, then think twice before making that your Google+ name.


Will this new change change how people feel about Google+? On one hand, the social network will be able to welcome new users who previously felt stifled by their username policy. On the other hand, you have the loyal users who will probably be put off by all these new (and probably fake) accounts that will be sprouting up like mushrooms. Only time will tell if this will signal the new Google+ or if it will remain status quo.


SOURCE: Google+





Android Wear app EchoWear identifies songs you hear

Have you ever been in a public place, heard a song over the PA system which you can’t place the title and artist, then have the song haunt you until you sleep? That was probably a scenario from a few years back, when we didn’t have Google or Shazam and the likes. But now it’s easy enough if you have an app that helps you identify the song or you remember a line or two which you then can Google to find out the title. A new Android Wear app makes it even easier for those who have smartwatches.



EchoWear Song Search makes sure that you don’t need to bring out your smartphone in order to find out what song is playing in the bus or in the restaurant. Of course you need a smartwatch running on Android Wear, say a Samsung Gear Live or LG G Watch (and soon, a Moto 360) then download the app through the Google Play Store. Simply activate the app via voice command “Start Echo Search" on your wearable and it will then record a few seconds of the song that’s playing around you, then sends it to the music database service Gracenote.


echo-song-search


In just a few seconds, it will let you know what song it was and who sang it, from what album it’s from (album art included), how long it lasts, and voila, you won’t spend the rest of the day trying to remember or identify that elusive song. You even have the option of buying the song later on your smartphone by saving the information, kind of like a wishlist or favourite list.


The app is still in the early development stage so expect several updates and bug fixes in the next few weeks. But if you can’t wait to try it out, you can download it for free on the Google Play Store.


SOURCE: XDA Developers


Project Ara lures module developers with dev boards

As detailed in their plans, Project Ara is kicking up their development process by bringing in contributions from the outside. The project is now opening up its doors to interested module developers to try their luck in getting a development board. There is a catch, however. You have to convince them that you are indeed capable of creating such a module.



The application form says that requests will be prioritized "based on technical experience", meaning that those who have had experience in embedded hardware and electronics have an advantage. It also says, however, that the "strength of the module concept" is also taken into consideration, but unless you have a really convincing grand vision that will make anyone's jaw drop, it's best to back up that idea with some industry creds.


This stage of Project Ara development is focused on populating the the ecosystem with modules. After all, a modular smartphone like it would only be half useful unless it has more than a dozen interesting swappable modules available. It is somewhat too early to expect the smartphone software to get the same treatment, which will probably come a lot later. To be clear, these are development boards and not the same beta device promised to the 100 winners of Project Ara's scout program.


Those interested in putting in their application should do so before July 17 to get included in the first review batch, but in case you don't make the cut, the second review will be open until August 17. Project Ara will be shipping first batch of dev boards, based on version 0.10 of the Module Development Kit (MDK) in late July but are also planning to ship a second generation of dev boards, this time based on MDK 0.20, sometime in Fall.


SOURCE: Project Ara (1), (2)

VIA: SlashGear





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