Samsung further teases “wall huggers” with airport outlet ads

It’s not enough that Samsung had already made fun of “wall-huggers", or those who constantly need to charge their phones (meaning iPhones) in their TV ad that was released just last month. Now they’re hitting them where they actually live, well, at least for a few minutes when they’re at an airport. They have put up ad spots for the Samsung Galaxy S5 in the power outlets at different airports across the United States.

They’ve now extended the ad campaign to out-of-home (OOH) advertising, but instead of shouting their message through massive billboards, they’re teasingly whispering it through these wall decals specifically placed in the wall power outlets. They used just one simple line to tout the Galaxy S5’s Ultra Power Saving Mode: “So you have the power to be anywhere but here.” And based on the pictures that Samsung took of their ads, it is indeed iPhone toting people who are glued to the wall outlets.

The TV spot which came out last month is called “Wall Huggers”, Samsung’s pet name for those constantly plugged in due to battery drainage problems, which iPhones are notorious for. The S5’s Ultra Power Saving Mode can last up to 7 days without charging it, as per a coast to coast road trip test. You can set the phone to use up to six applications (which includes calls, messages and web browser) and turns it into black and white mode. It also turns off several features like WiFi, Bluetooth and mobile data if your screen is off.

Expect Apple to hit back when they roll-out their advertising campaign for their new generation product, expected to come out next month. This is also the first time that they will be using in-house creatives rather than their previous ad agency, which, coincidentally (or not), Samsung also employs and in fact created their past few campaigns.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Samsung S5 ad makes fun of "wall-hugging" iPhone users


• Galaxy S5's Ultra Power Saving put to test in road trip


• Galaxy S5 ad mocks Apple's rumoured bigger iPhone screen

Enterprise-friendly Google Now tipped to come with HP tie-up

Google Now might soon have a more prominent role in the workplace if this alliance of enterprise companies manages to pull through. Google and HP, as well as other unnamed entities, are said to be in discussion about a partnership that could give Google Now an even wider vocabulary, particularly one that can speak finances and inventories.

This move is said to be in response to Apple's recently announced partnership with IBM to bring Cupertino's ecosystem closer to the enterprise, a market segment that Google is now heavily investing in for Android. HP might now be approaching Google, but the rumor is that the PC maker was initially eying Apple before the Apple-IBM deal. According to sources, it was trying to sell the concept of an "Enterprise Siri", a voice-activated search tool for enterprise customers.

That said, HP was probably playing the field since it was also talking to Google about something similar for almost a year now, according to The Information's report. Google was said to be initially uninterested in the prospect, but that could have very well changed by now. The search giant seems to be making a concerted effort to leave its stamp on the enterprise market, with the adoption of Samsung's KNOX security framework into Android as well as the opening up of its Hangouts messaging and video chat service to businesses. The Apple and IBM team up could also very well push its hands to make its own smart assistant ready for an enterprise thrust.

But what would an "Enterprise Google Now" really bring to the table? While its spoken responses are not as exhaustive as Siri's, Google's experience and expertise in all things search could very well give it an upper hand when it comes to integrating the service to companies' databases. Imagine simply uttering that magic "OK, Google" phrase and asking about the current state of inventory for a particular product and getting back an info card about it, if not a verbal reply. Google Now also has the advantage of ubiquity. Unlike Siri, Google Now isn't limited just to Android or mobile devices but even has a presence on desktops and laptop via Chrome, making it possible to use Google's technology in almost every step and aspect of an enterprise workflow. That said, there doesn't seem to be any rush yet to bring such a product to light, so it might take a bit of time before we can confirm if there is any meat to this insider scoop.

SOURCE: Business Insider, The Information

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Google introduces 'Chromebox for Meetings', a big enterprise solution in a tiny box


• Next Android version may have enterprise security in mind


• Google shares what Samsung KNOX is bringing to Android


• Hangouts for Enterprise now allows use without G+ account

iRBeacon makes controlling home devices easier and smarter

Multiple remote controls at an average house is pretty common nowadays, and so is the pain and frustration of using them and misplacing them. A new crowd-funding product called iRBeacon wants to put an end to your agony and bring a universal remote that is smarter and more adjustable as it uses infrared, Bluetooth and your smartphone to make it easier to control your electronics at home.

How it works is pretty simple. You place the tiny iRBeacon, available in four colors (aluminium grey, brilliant white, matte black, piano black), on any appliance or device at home that has an infrared receiver, be it your plasma TV set, Blu-ray DVD player, air-conditioning system, etc. Then you download the iRBeacon app to your smartphone or tablet, as long as it runs on Android 4.3 and above and has Bluetooth 4.0. Now you can start controlling those that are connected to your devices, even setting timers and editing personal preferences through the app as well.

The little iRBeacon devices you placed on your electronics communicates to your smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) so it is supposedly energy-efficient and will not drain your gadgets. But then it uses infrared to actually talk to the appliances that you connected it to. The developers also say that you can actually control your appliances from anywhere in the world as long as you have Bluetooth connection.

The project has already achieved 85% of its $20,000 goal on IndieGoGo. If you believe in the product, you have 37 days left to make up your mind to support it. Its target shipping date to backers is December this year, while they are targeting it to reach web retail stores by January 2015.

SOURCE: Indiegogo

ASUS PadFone Infinity, Fonepad Note 6 get their Android 4.4 due

Better late than never, we always say, so we welcome with open arms the very late arrival of the promised Android 4.4 update for the ASUS PadFone Infinity A80, as well as its descent on ASUS' stylus-wielding Fonepad Note 6. But while the update of last year's devices to the latest Android version is definitely a good thing, ASUS' update methods might make some wonder if they're really worth the trouble.

When the PadFone 2 got its promised KitKat update on schedule last June, it revealed a rather irksome quirk to ASUS' procedure. While most manufacturers have embraced Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) methods, this particular device requires the assistance of a PC software to update. But worse than that, it was noted that the update will wipe the device clean, forcing users to start from scratch, at least without a properly made backup.

Unfortunately, that is also the case here with the older PadFone Infinity, model number A80. Users will have to manually download the new firmware and follow ASUS' update procedures to a T. And yes, it will reset the device, so users are advised to create a backup beforehand. But even more than that, this upgrade will also remove previously pre-installed apps from the device, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on how users have grown habits around those apps. Some apps like Watch Calendar, ASUS Sync, Birthday Reminder, Device Tracker, and more are listed to be removed while some like ASUS Studio and ASUS To-Do are simply renamed.

The update for the Fonepad Note 6 is presumably less involved, though the lack of instructions or notes don't really inspire confidence. Users still have the option of downloading the new firmware, but ASUS doesn't mention whether a FOTA method is available or whether it will result in a total wipe. The update, aside from bumping the Android version from Jelly Bean to KitKat, will also introduce ASUS' new ZenUI to the device. It will also remove some apps that either no longer work on Android 4.4 or are supplanted by native Android functionality. If you own any, or both, of these devices, hit the source links below for the update announcements and links.

SOURCE: ASUS (1), (2)

Story Timeline

• ASUS Fonepad 7 and Fonepad Note 6 unveiled


• ASUS PadFone 2 and PadFone Infinity to get Android 4.4 later this year


• ASUS PadFone 2 gets promised KitKat, ZenUI update

Kindle app now has immersive mode,lockscreen audio playback

If you prefer the Amazon book ecosystem for your reading needs, the Kindle app is a pretty good reader to use for your Android devices. But you’ve probably wished at one point or another for bigger improvements to it, especially as compared to other reading apps like Google Books, Kobo, Aldiko, etc. The newest update to 4.6.0 now brings you some of the features you’ve always needed, particularly immersive mode and better controls on settings like brightness, orientation and audio playback.

When you’re reading an ebook, you sometimes get distracted by the other apps on your device clamouring for your attention. But with the new immersive mode, you now have the option to be unaware that there is someone mentioning you on your social networks and just concentrate on the murder-mystery story that you are reading. Controlling the orientation of your reader is also a pain at times, but this update to Kindle allows you to just tap on the bottom right corner to lock the screen’s orientation and not have you lose your concentration whenever you turn your phone or tablet.

When you’re playing an audiobook on Kindle while you’re doing other things, chances are your phone or tablet would go into lock screen mode. Now you can control the playback of the book even when your device is locked. Other changes in the updated Kindle app include easier controls for brightness through the reader settings, navigating the table of contents through the subchapters in your book and allowing it to pair with Bluetooth devices.

Amazon Kindle v6.0 is now ready to update on your devices. If you don’t have it yet on your smartphone or tablet, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store. The books of course are not for free (although some titles are available as free downloads) so you purchase the books through Amazon.

Story Timeline

• Kindle for Samsung launching with promise of free books


• Kindle for Android update improves Audible integration


• Amazon launches Kindle Unlimited for ebook subscriptions

LG G Pad 8.0 gets an LTE makeover

Trying to make headway in markets that tote LTE connectivity in every street and corner, LG is announcing a new LTE variant of the middle child of its new G Pad series. This G Pad 8.0 still carries the same goodness, or maybe lack thereof, of its vanilla counterpart, except now your Internet connection won't have to go away even if your WiFi does.

For all intents and purposes, this it the exact same G Pad 8.0, which means you get a 1280x800 8.0-inch IPS display, a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of internal storage. There's also a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 1.3 megapixel front shooter. The 4,200 mAh battery might be enough to get you through the day on the WiFi-only model, but the addition of LTE network support naturally translates to even more battery drain and a shorter time away from that wall socket.

That said, you also get the same software features found on LG's G Pad series, some useful and some just icing on top. You have Knock Code unlocking gestures and Smart Keyboard input. QPair is definitely an interesting way to make and take calls as well as messages on the tablet itself, without having to pick up your phone. For the more frivolous uses of the tablet's cameras, you have Gesture Shot, which lets you activate a 3-second timer just by opening and clenching your fist, and Touch & Shot, which combines tap to focus and tap to shoot in one single tap.

The LTE G Pad 8.0 will be available in black, white, luminous orange, and luminous blue flavors. The tablet will go live in key European markets next week, followed by Central and South America, Asia, and CIS territories in the coming weeks. No word on pricing yet or on availability in the US. That said, the LTE G Pad 7.0 landed on AT&T early this month and the older G Pad 8.3 also came by way of Verizon, so there is a good chance that this variant could also make its way to the country some time in the future.

SOURCE: LG

Story Timeline

• LG G Pad 7.0, 8.0, and 10.1 tablets revealed


• LG launches LG G Pad 10.1, biggest tablet in the series


• LG G Pad 7.0 available through AT&T by August 8

Google Update: G+ Chromecast support, minor tweaks

Ahead of Google’s normal update Wednesday, APKs of the updates to their first party apps have begun rolling in. Google+ has a pretty substantial update enabling Chromecast support while other Google products like YouTube, Chrome Beta and Google Search have gone through minor enhancements. They are not enough to warrant major announcements probably, but of course we still need to be aware of them.

Google+ has the most major update among the apps, with version 4.5.0.72928916 giving it the ability to cast its content to the TV through Chromecast. That means, if you’re viewing a pretty cool video from one of the people in your Indie Film circle, you can cast it to the bigger screen for better appreciation and enjoyment. You can even control the playback feed through a client app in your phone. So your photos, videos and other things on your G+ feed can now be viewed on your TV, in case you got bored with scrolling through just your smartphone.

The minor updates to the other Google products is as follows: Chrome Beta 37.0.2062.71 changes something in the menu animation as well as the completion arrows in the address bar; YouTube 5.9.0.12 resolved the issue of using the app together with several GAPPs packages; and Search 3.6.14.1337016 just underwent a few bug fixes.

The G+ update is account-based so be patient if you can’t cast your content yet. The other updates are also slowly rolling out through the Google Play Store. You can update them manually through the APKs provided below or wait until they roll out eventually in the GPS.

Google+ 4.5.0.72928916

Google Chrome Beta 37.0.2062.71

YouTube 5.9.0.12

Google Search 3.6.14.1337016.arm

VIA: XDA Developers