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Galaxy S5 4G+ smartphone hits Singapore Aug 23

Smartphone users in Singapore will be among the first in the world to enjoy a new and faster 4G+ wireless network rocking 300Mbps. That 4G LTE-Advanced service needs phones that are compatible with the new speed before smartphone users can enjoy the new network. Samsung has announced that it will be launching a new version of the Galaxy S5 in Singapore on August 23 that will support the new and fast SingTel 4G LTE-Advanced network.

The smartphone is called the Galaxy S5 4G+ and it will feature a Qualcomm 2.5GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, which is used in the Korean version of the Galaxy S5 LTE-A smartphone, and 2GB of RAM. The Korean version uses the same processor, but gets 3GB of RAM and a different screen.

The Galaxy S5 4G+ will use 5.1-inch Full HD resolution Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, the Korean version has a higher resolution 2560 x 1440 display and 3GB of RAM. Other than the screen and RAM differences, the smartphones are very similar.

Each of them has an IP67 rated body, fingerprint sensor, heart rate sensor, 16GB of storage, and a 2100 mAh battery inside. In Singapore the Galaxy S5 4G+ will sell for prices ranging from free on contract to SGD 688.

VIA: Sammyhub

Noke Bluetooth padlock unlocks via Android app

At some point during your life, you have probably fought with a combination lock on something and wished for an easier way to secure your stuff. Whether it's forgetting the code for your bike lock or not being able to get a locker open at school, fiddling with keys and combinations can be a pain. A new lock has surfaced called Noke that requires no keys or combinations to open.

Noke uses Bluetooth connectivity and an app on your Android or iOS device to unlock. With the app running on your Bluetooth equipped smartphone, the Noke lock will unlock automatically when you get near it. One of the cooler features of the Noke lock is that you can also unlock it remotely.

That means you can give someone access to your locker while you are on vacation or let someone share your bike without having to go and unlock it for them. When the user gets within ten feet of the lock, it will unlock automatically via Bluetooth. That feature can be turned off in the app. Users can get push notifications to tell you when the lock is being unlocked.

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The people behind Noke have also made a custom bike chain and mount so you can keep your bike safe and secure. For times when your phone is dead or lost, the Noke does have quick click access that allows you to open it by clicking the lock shackle in a specific pattern. Noke is on Kickstarter now seeking $100,000 and it has raised over $240,000 with 27 days to go. The lock will ship in February 2015, if all goes well, and a pledge of $59 can get you your own Noke.

SOURCE: Kickstarter

Cycada makes iOS apps run on Android devices

There are a lot of very popular apps out there that have versions specifically designed for Android and versions specifically for iOS. With apps for both platforms, fans can get the apps they want. However, there are times where developers will make a slick app for iOS that might not be available for Android.

A group of researchers at Columbia University has designed a new compatibility architecture called Cycada that will allow iOS apps to run natively on Android devices. Cycada was previously called Cider and it doesn't need virtual machines or compatibility layers that slow devices down to get the iOS apps running.

Cycada uses a method called compile-time code adaptation that lets them build code meant to run on other operating systems on a Linux platform without modifications. Linux, as you may know, is the base for Android. The developers use something they call diplomatic functions to replace iOS system functions. The team behind Cycada includes computer science professor Jason Nieh and five Ph.D candidate students.

While this all sounds pretty good, there are some big caveats right now. The major caveat is that Cycada hasn't been launched for the public yet. We also don’t know how Apple will feel about apps design for its iOS devices being run on Android. Presumably, Apple will take issue with this and there could be some sort of terms of service violation here.

VIA: Slashgear

Humble SEGA Mobile Bundle brings Sonic at budget price

Barely a week has passed since Humble Bundle's last Android campaign and here they are again, this time with a more thematic twist. Pay what you want or beat the average to get your hands on some of SEGA's Android pieces, which practically equates to a lot of blue hedgehogs rolling around.

With a minimum cash "donation", you will be able to download three SEGA games. Sonic 4 Episode I probably needs no introduction and is what you presume it would be: Sonic the hedgehog running around, collecting points, avoiding obstacles and fighting badies. All from your Android device of course. ChuChu Rocket's name, on the other hand, is a bit misleading. OK, there's a rocket involved, but nowhere in the name does it clue you in that it would be a literal cat and mouse, or mice, game. Virtua Tennis Challenge brings you back to the real world, somewhat, by giving you a chance to earn the title of a tennis pro without even lifting a racket. But hey, playing a game on smartphone is hard work too!

But wait, there's always more! Beat the average and you get, of course, more Sonic. Sonic 4 Episode II, as you might have guessed, lets you continue your running adventures from Episode I. Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing gives your, really Sonic's, feet a rest by jumping on cars and racing with friends. Yes, four player races right in the palm of your hands, so to speak. And the All-Stars part means you don't have to stick with Sonic if you prefer some other SEGA figure to be your champion. Crazy Taxi is as crazy as it sounds, letting you take the driver's seat in a make believe world where reckless driving gets you more points.

As always, the average to beat rises daily, so better put in your payment while it's still at a low $3.80. Beating the average also unlocks future games that may be added later, usually halfway through the bundle campaign, which ends on September 3. These games are offered DRM-free so you can actually download them, using the fresh new Humble Bundle Android app, of course, and pass them around if you wish.

SOURCE: Humble Bundle

What Android Fragmentation Looks Like (It's Growing)

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 .

Minuum rolls out v2.11 with floating keyboard,quick tips

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 Chromebox CXI has a small footprint and supports TPM 1.2

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.