This seemingly random assortment of colorful rectangles, reminiscent of a terrible paint swatch accident, actually represents the state of Android fragmentation in 2014. OpenSignal, a website dedicated to mapping all things mobile, pulled together this data and saw 18,769 distinct devices downloading its app on Android. And we thought last year was bad .
Revolutionary virtual keyboard Minuum has released the latest version of its app. Version 2.11 now has an adjustable floating mode to make it easier for users to use the keyboards on their smartphone or tablet. They will also be releasing several quick tip tutorial videos to guide users who cannot intuitively adjust to Minuum’s style of virtual keyboards, which aims to change how we use them on mobile gadgets that are obviously smaller than our desktops.
The floating mode allows the user to adjust the size and position of the keyboard on your device’s screen. This is useful for when you’d want to type with one hand on your smartphone or when you’re typing out an especially long document on your tablet. The compact mode that is also now available on v2.11 is the same as the floating mode, but this time you can dock it to your place of choice on your screen.
Some other changes that come with the latest update is streamlining the shift menu to remove the clutter and paring it down to simpler choices. The options that have been removed can now be found on the Minuum settings section. Users also now have the option of choosing what happens to the period button when you double tap the space bar.
And because not everyone can intuitively know and appreciate all the features of Minuum, they will be rolling out several Quick Tip videos to show users how to maximize their virtual keyboard. The update is now available on both the Google Play Store and through manual installation as well.
SOURCE: Minuum
Acer has rolled out a new small form factor computer that has one of the smallest footprints available called the Chromebox CXI Series. The machine is designed to stand upright on the desk or to be mounted on the back of a computer monitor or TV using a VESA mounting adapter that is included. Acer also gives the machine a feature called Powerwash that is able to quickly delete all local data.
The machine is designed to boot up in about eight seconds and uses a 16GB SSD. The small chassis of the device is 6.51" x 5.12" x 1.3". Inside the small machine is an Intel Celeron 2957U processor that uses the Haswell micro-architecture. The machine can be had with either 2GB or 4GB of RAM right out of the box.
Graphics are handled by Intel HD graphics and an SD card reader is included supporting up to 32GB cards. Connectivity with TVs or monitors is via HDMI or DisplayPort, and having both connectivity options means the machine can support dual monitors.
In addition to including the VESA mounting bracket, the machine also ships with a Google approved mouse and keyboard. Network connectivity is via an integrated LAN port and the machine has a TPM 1.2 chip for generating and storing cryptographic keys.
The Chromebox CXI will land at retailers in the US and Canada late next month with the CXI-2GKM with 2GB of RAM selling for $179.99 US and the CXI-4GKM with 4GB of RAM selling for $219.99 US. The new Acer Chromebox is similar to the Asus Chromebox that went up for pre-order earlier this year, but Acer uses a faster processor and a smaller chassis.
We learned earlier today that Huawei is set to go official with the new Ascend Mate7 smartphone on September 4 at the IFA 2014 press event. If you are excited about that smartphone some details on the device has slipped out ahead of the official unveil next month via the TENNA agency in China. At least, the images and details are believed to be of the Ascend Mate7.
TENNA shows two devices making their way through the certification process including the MT7-CL00 and the MT7-TL00. The CL00 device supports GSM/TD-LTE/CDMA networks while the TL00 supports GSM/TD-LTE/TD-SCDMA networks. Other than the network support difference, the devices have identical hardware.
The hardware inside includes a 1.8GHz octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It's unclear exactly which processor is under the hood of these devices, but it is thought to be a Kirin 920 or higher. The smartphones have big screens measuring 6-inches with 1920 x 1080 resolution.
On the back of the smartphone is a 13MP camera with the front camera sporting 5MP resolution. Along with these specifications, TENNA also unveiled some images of the devices. One of the images shows the back of the device with what appears to be a fingerprint or heart rate sensor under the camera. We only have a few weeks before we know the official specifications of the smartphone when IFA 2014 kicks off.
SOURCE: Slashgear
While having multiple devices is the new normal for most people, it can be a pain to receive notifications on all of them. Your desktop, tablet, smartphone and smartwatch all buzzing at the same time for the same app can be tedious and alarming. Skype has found a solution to that for their chat notifications, as you can will now only receive it on the device that you’re currently using.
If you’re chatting with your friends on your tablet but you’re still logged in to the app on your other devices (as is usually the case), you’ll only be able to receive the new message notifications on your tablet since it can detect that it’s the current gadget you’re using. And because Skype has previously introduced the read messages synchronisation across all devices, you’re also assured that when you open your chat on your smartphone later on, you won’t be flooded with many unread messages.
Once you’ve stopped using Skype Chat on your current gadget, all of your logged in devices will once again receive the notifications. But once you start using a certain gadget again, it will only buzz you where you are and stop notifications on all the other ones. But don’t worry, your chat history will still synchronise across all your devices so you can just pick up your conversations wherever is more convenient for you.
The update will roll-out through various app stores and devices in the next few weeks. If you don’t have Skype yet on your Android smartphone, tablet or smartwatch, you can download it through the Google Play Store and wait for the update to arrive in your gadget.
SOURCE: Skype
LG has announced a pair of new smartphones that it will be unveiling at IFA 2014 next month along with the rumored launch of the G Watch 2. The new smartphones include the LG L Fino and the LG L Bello devices. LG says that these two smartphones are aiming to extend the company footprint to markets by offering powerful devices at lower price points.
Both of the L series smartphones will have the LG Rear Key button and will feature an 8MP rear camera. LG will also use its proprietary UX features on the smartphones. A lot of effort was put into making the cameras perform well and to make it easy to take photos with no blur. Both of the cameras will include a Touch and Shoot feature that lets them tap on the display to focus and shoot an image.
A Gesture Shot feature allows the user to open and close their hand in front of the camera to start a 3-second countdown for the shutter. A front camera light adds a white background for softer lighting in self-portrait mode. LG is also fitting the smartphones with Knock Code and a QuickCircle Case.
The Fino will use a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 4.5-inch 800 x 480 screen, 4GB of storage, and a 1900 mAh battery with Android 4.2.2 as the OS. The Bello will use a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, Android 4.2.2, 5-inch 854 x 480 display, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage. LG is offering no pricing details at this time and the smartphones will land in Latin America this month with launch in Europe, Asia, and CIS coming later.
Although Google has announced Android Auto as its official venture into the automotive industry, that isn't going to stop other car makers from breaking out on their own. Toyota, who isn't (yet) part of the Google-initiated Open Automotive Alliance, is showing off its new "Toyota Intelligent System" or TIS, an infotainment system that curiously centers around a Nexus 7 tablet.
Both Android Auto and TIS aim to bring Android to cars, but while Google is working with automobile manufacturers to embed Android into each brand's unique infotainment system, Toyota is aiming for something a bit more generic. TIS by itself is a very basic infotainment system, but it will also let owners dock a Nexus 7 into it (or rather in front of the screen) to lend it the power of Android. This means that the infotainment system isn't tied down to a specific make and model and can be easily transfered to your next new car. Provided it's from Toyota too, of course.
This is definitely an interesting take on the conventional automotive infotainment system, one that is also more economical and probably more affordable as well. That said, such systems are still at their infancy so it isn't known which approach will win in the end. Toyota is partnering with Unimax, which is owned by ASUS, which in turn manufactures the Nexus 7, to build this peculiar system. At the moment, it all revolves around Google's tablet, but that could change in the future, provided the replacement has the same dimensions as the Nexus 7.
The Toyota Intelligent System has so far been unveiled only in Taiwan so there is no assurance that it will make it to the manufacturer's international models as well. The tablet part of the equation is pretty much an add-on, but a substantial one at that. TIS will still work even without the tablet docked, but its functionality will be limited, practically for audio controls. Based on the video above, however, it seems possible to pair it with some other mobile device via NFC/Bluetooth, though the exact features of that combination haven't been detailed yet.
VIA: Android Authority