Subscribe:

Ads 468x60px

Labels

Amazon releases Wallet app in beta version

Amazon has released – in a rare simultaneous event – in its own app store and the Google Play Store the Amazon Wallet app that upon close inspections seems to let you do everything Google Wallet can do, minus the added features that Google has. In its defense, it is still in beta, so you would hope that the final app would be so much better.



The Amazon Wallet app will let you do what most other wallet apps out there are already doing, including being able to store the bar codes of your loyalty cards and gift cards, negating the need to bring them physically along. The new app will also be able to save serial numbers and PINs via imaging, but this is not anything new and is definitely not something other apps cannot do at the moment.


One would think that there will be native integration to Amazon’s online payment system, but that isn’t the case. It seems that Amazon is still keeping its highly proprietary payment system disconnected from anything else.


am_wall1 am_wall2 am_wall3 am_wall4


The app is labeled – via the Amazon site – as the Amazon Wallet “for Fire Phone”, so there is a big chance of the app being pre-loaded into that device. A cursory browsing of the app will show that yes, it is still in beta, and heavily so – there isn’t much into the app right now than the database and a few menus. Grab it at the source link (or the Google Play Store) if you are interested.


SOURCE: Amazon





Trailer of Modern Combat 5: Blackout is pure eye-candy

Gameloft – probably under pressure from the multitude of fans already salivating for the fifth offering of Gameloft’s premium mobile FPS (first person shooter) game – has just unveiled the official trailer for “Modern Combat 5: Blackout”. But the mobile game app outfit probably has just increased the amount of eagerness for the game with this trailer that is pure eye candy.



In the tradition of console and desktop FPS hits like Battlefield and Call of Duty, the trailer promises a lot of action to FPS gamers, including the expected global travel to shoot up the bad guys in the streets of Venice, Italy, and Tokyo, Japan just to name a few locations. Of course, the focus will be on the shooting action and not on the sights. But what are we doing? Let’s get on and let you see the trailer first.




Gameloft says that this will be a USD$6.99 download via Google Play Store (and the Apple App Store for iOS) on Thursday, July 24. Windows Phone people might be getting the app a little bit later, but it shouldn’t be that long a wait. Another promising feature here is the online multiplayer facet that Gameloft says will come with Modern Combat 5. Sadly, it won’t be cross platform – so no iPhone to Android shoot-em-up sessions. Honestly, that’s really not a deal breaker for us, right?


Looking from the trailer alone, the game is very near console quality already, and it might probably take a phone with quad-core processors and an up-to-par GPU to run the game. Else, you can try lowering down graphics options to get more frames out of your phone, but the higher tier 2013 and 2014 phones should handle this without any hitches. Are you excited yet?


VIA: Phone Arena





No new Android L preview images will be coming

Perhaps you are a developer eager to get the next blockbuster app or game completely ready for Android L. Or maybe you're a power user testing the waters of the next Android release. Whether or not you fall into either of these categories, if you've been waiting for an announcement for an Android L Developer Preview version 2.0, don't hold your breath. A Google developer has practically confirmed what you probably didn't want to hear: no updated images are planned for the pipeline.



To understand the context, we have to take a few steps back, actually a few days. Last week, Google published one of its Dev.Bytes videos on YouTube that focused on the Android L Preview. The four and a half minute long video, hosted by Googler Rich Hyndman, who was somewhat ironically wearing a KitKat shirt, delved into some of the things developers might want to take note of when trying out the preview image on a Nexus 5 or a Nexus 7. Later, a developer named Michael Panzer re-shared the video on Google+ and asked Hyndman whether there will be updates to the preview before final release. The gist of Hyndman's answer is that there will be extras coming but no updated preview image.




The reason, according to the Google developer, is that the Android L preview is primarily to help developers test and prepare their apps against the upcoming release. At the very least, developers will be able to test if things run well, or hopefully even better, on the new ART runtime, if theming needs to be adjusted for the new Material Design, and other such considerations. The implications seems to be that the Preview isn't meant for bug hunting, testing, and squashing. It sounds as if Google is expecting developers to just wait for the final Android L release to address those concerns.


For the casual observer or brave tester, this might be a disappointment at best. But it might be a bit disheartening, if not inconvenient, for app developers, especially those whose efforts have been foiled by Android L bugs. Some of those might have already been fixed on Google's side, but developers won't be able to enjoy those fixes and test their apps again without an updated image to try it on. That said, this is the first time Google ever provided a developer preview of an Android release and it is admittedly doing things a bit differently. One can only hope that they will reconsider and put out even just one more preview image before Android L, whatever its name will be by then, rolls out this fall.


SOURCE: +Michael Panzer

VIA: Smartdroid.de, BGR





Samsung denies overheating claims on Galaxy Tab S

You might remember that we wrote about some complaints regarding the newly launched premium tablet of Samsung, the Galaxy Tab S – where the users say that the device’s processor was overheating and was causing deformation on the tablet’s flimsy plastic back cover. Well, a Samsung spokesperson has come out and denied the claim, instead saying that the deformation was due to defective back covers.



Here is the Samsung spokesperson’s statement, as quoted by Android Central:



Contrary to certain media reports, the slight disfiguration that has formed on the rear surface of the Galaxy Tab S has been attributed to a limited number of defective back covers, which has no relation to the overheating of the application processor or the material used for the back cover. We would like to assure our customers that we have already resolved the issue. We ask affected customers to please contact their nearest Samsung Electronics customer service center.



Of course, we’d like to give Samsung the benefit of doubt here, but what would we if we didn’t look out for the little guys, eh? So the question must be, is the heat so intense that these “defective” back covers deform just a tad bit quicker than others? Is this the “defect we’re talking about? Because if it is, then that’s still some mighty hot internals to be able to melt plastic like that.


Samsung reminds all owners that if your back cover is “defective” like in the pictures, then go ahead and get a replacement cover. That replacement one will presumably not deform as quick. But we say Samsung should go one over and just put out temperature test data for the 8-inch Galaxy Tab S. That way they can prove all doubters wrong. Do you own one? How are the temperatures on your Galaxy Tab S?


SOURCE: Android Central





Archive Texts and Call Logs on Android with SMS Backup +

Archive Texts and Call Logs on Android with SMS Backup +


SMS Backup + isn't the only option for getting your texts and call data off your Android smartphone, but it's one of the simplest and most effective. It archives all of your messages to Gmail (or Google Calendar), and it covers WhatsApp communications too. The app is free to download and install, though you can leave a donation for the developer if you wish.


Read more...
















Google shares what Samsung KNOX is bringing to Android

Google and Samsung have a pretty interesting and lively relationship. Although the two seem to be at each other's throats over topics such as OEM customizations, Tizen, and Android Wear, the two have come together last Google I/O to tell the world that they are collaborating on bringing Samsung KNOX to Android. Now Google is finally divulging what that partnership really means for the future of Android.



Of course, the main focus of this endeavor is to make Android an enticing option not just for personal smartphone use but in the workplace as well. To this end, Google and Samsung will be porting over some KNOX features to Android, particularly in the upcoming Android L release. The primary feature will be the ability to separate personal and work data and apps into their own walled gardens. This frees employers to either let their workers bring their own devices (BYOD) or just issue company smartphones, without fear of work data bleeding into personal space or normally insecure personal apps getting access to sensitive work files. This dual separation is based on the KNOX Workspace implementation and utilizes Android's new multi-user capabilities.


Separating personal life and work life is one thing, but managing all those is another. The upcoming Android release will let Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) apps and services to enable employers and their IT departments to manage and control the enterprise half of an Android setup even remotely. EMM's can create managed profiles for work, enforce restrictions and policies over all managed devices, keep their own collection of approved apps, and even remotely install or remove apps on an employee's smartphone. Again, these are all based on KNOX's security enhancements and will integrate seamlessly into Android, even showing up as marked apps in launchers and recent apps lists.


knox-android-l-2


As for KNOX, Samsung will still be controlling its development and still plans on keeping its business alive. What Samsung will provided then is added value on top, or below to be more precise, whatever KNOX features will be integrated into Android L. Since Google doesn't have direct control over device hardware, it can only implement security frameworks on top of the Linux kernel and in Android itself. This is where Samsung believes it can offer something more, by providing security even on the hardware level. It will, however, provide a compatibility layer so that KNOX apps will still work on Android L, at least as far as the upper layers and features are concerned.


SOURCE: Google, Samsung





NVIDIA’s SHIELD Tablet is the next step in Android/PC gaming

What if the NVIDIA SHIELD were different? The portable gaming device turned heads on launch, and continued to do so well into its lifespan, supporting PC gaming as well as Android. The latest iteration of SHIELD takes it one step further, bringing you a tablet and controller that work together, but aren’t joined at the hip.




The SHILED Tablet and SHIELD Controller are meant to work together, but also don’t have to. The tablet itself is a robust performer, running things with the NVIDIA K1 chipset, which has 192 GPU cores. The 8-inch display is full HD with a 1920 x 1200 resolution. Front-facing speakers house NVIDA’s Pure Sound technology and a dual bass reflex port. The 16 or 32GB internal storage is upgradable to 128GB via micro SD card, And two 5MP cameras will keep you shooting pics as well as on-screen enemies.


The tablet also has a stylus — and a good one at that. NVIDIA says theirs is the first GPU accelerated stylus, which will be great for artists. Blending colors and altering light sources are the name of the game here, and don’t worry about losing track of the stylus; like any good digital pen, it has a place in the tablet.


actrine accontroller02 achero1


The controller is much like you find with the current SHIELD — responsive, stylish, and a pleasure to game with. NVIDIA is using WiFi to couple the controller with your tablet, which they say has two-times lower latency than Bluetooth. If you have a favorite controller, Bluetooth or wired, you can use that as well — it just won’t be as good as the controller NVIDIA has. Android enthusiasts will like that the controller has voice capabilities; just hold down the home button, and ask it to launch a game or perform a search!


Gaming remains the focus for NVIDIA and their SHIELD lineup, and the SHIELD Tablet is the best and brightest for this. The SHIELD Tablet is the first to offer Gamestream, which is the backbone of what NVIDIA accomplishes here. You can play PC or Android games, and stream (get it?) them to your TV. Perhaps better, you can join up to four controllers at once to play multi-player games with your SHIELD Tablet.


acbackside acbass2 acpen acpenfront acpenport acside


Of course, you’ll get access to SHIELD Hub, which is your jumping-off point for NVIDIA gaming. For those interested in sharing their gaming experience, NVIDIA is also allowing Twitch streaming. When you’re gaming on the tablet, the NVIDIA SHIELD cover lets you acheive the optimal screen angle — no matter what that is for you.


An 8-inch tablet with a blazing fast processor, WiFi or LTE, a stellar controller, groundbreaking stylus, Android and PC gaming, and the ability to both stream games to your TV and play with friends — what more could you want? How about a price-point that starts at $299, and a controller that sets you back $59? The SHIELD Tablet will be available later this year, but pre-orders are currently being accepted via the SHIELD page, Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, GameStop, Micro Center, NewEgg, Tiger Direct, Memory Express, NCIX, ThinkGeek, or Canada Computers.

















Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)