Subscribe:

Ads 468x60px

Labels

Google Voice Search now understands multiple languages

Google has finally rolled out a feature that was rumored to be in the works for a few weeks now. Starting with version 3.6 of the Google Search app, you will be able to select and speak in multiple languages and it will give you just the right answer in the right language, no sweat at all.



Sure, Google Search actually supported many languages, but this new feature supports multiple languages simultaneously. In the past, in order to have the app recognize the language you're speaking in, you'd have to switch between language in the app's settings so that if you said something in English and it will give you a result in English, even if you were saying something in Japanese. Now you can add Japanese to your list of supported languages and it'll show Japanese results when you say "konnichiwa".


search-multiple-langs-2


There are some caveats to this new feature. First is that it works only with voice searches or spoken words. Typing out foreign words will give you results as if you were searching in your default language. Only a maximum of 5 simultaneous languages are allowed, including your preferred default language. To set that default language, you will have to tap down and hold on the language instead of simply just tapping to enable it.


search-multiple-langs-3


This new feature will be very convenient not only for those who handle different languages but especially for those traveling abroad. As mentioned, this feature comes via Google Search version 3.6, which should be rolling out to users already.


SOURCE: Google





Flynx browser lets you multi-task while websites load

When your Internet connection is not as fast as you’d like it to be and you’re browsing through some links but you also need to do other things on your smartphone, then you need a browser that has the capability to multi-task with you. Some lightweight browsers like Now Browser or Javelin have the ability to do that and another one that you can add to your options is Flynx, even though it is still in Beta mode.



Simply put, Flynx is a floating browser that can work in the background while you’re doing other more important things, like playing Flappy Bird or trying to like everything on sight on Facebook, because life is too short to just stare at your screen while the site you’re waiting for loads. While your web page is loading, Flynx stays as a bubble-type chat head-like shape in the background. It also shows you the progress of loading, and when you see it’s done, you can just click on the bubble to expand it.


Other features of the browser include turning the website or blog that you’re looking at more readable by removing unnecessary elements and links in the browser. And in case you feel like sharing the link with others, you also now have the option of copying and sharing it, as well as opening a link within onto another bubble. And yes, you will be able to open as many as four multiple links at the same time, and even adjust your default bubble size.


While most still prefer using full browsers like Chrome or Firefox, if you’re a person who tries to do many things on your smartphone, lightweight ones may sometimes be better in terms of getting things done. If you like the sound of Flynx, even if it’s still in beta, then you can download it for free through the Google Play Store.


flynx2 flynx3 flynx4 flynx5 flynx6 flynx7 flynx8


PAC-MAN Friends brings classic to Android, adds tilt control

There are only so many things you can do to a classic gaming franchise like Pac-Man, before the attempts to bring them to modern times become trite and tired. Lo and behold, we have another official Pac-game release called “PAC-MAN Friends” aimed specifically at the Android platform. What will fans of the classic think about this?



The classic game of Pac-Man worked because of its simplicity, with your yellow (or 8-bit white, depending on the platform you played in) chomping dude going around the same maze being chased by ghosts that drink an ever-increasing quantity of energy drinks after every stage. People didn’t have to think so much, and the game just provided a simple proposition that was enough.




PAC-MAN Friends appeals to the classic nostalgia while adding on some very modern features to the game. You'll find stuff to chomp, ghosts, mazes and the occasional fruit here, but a lot of it is new, like using tilt controls to move Pac-Man around your puzzle stages. The new game features 95 levels and 6 worlds, with 9 new Pac-friends to help you out.


pac1 pac2 pac3 pac4


There’s the inevitable social network connection, to tell your friends how well you’re doing, and in-app purchases. The game is downloadable via the Google Play Store for USD$4.99. Check out the source link for the details and the download.


SOURCE: Google Play Store





mophie announces mobile battery case for Samsung Galaxy S5

With the demand for different solutions to prolong the battery life of smartphones and tablets, things like mobile chargers, power banks, and mobile battery cases will continue to come up with various products for all kinds of devices. mophie, which claims to be the top mobile battery manufacturer in North America at least, has announced that it now has a juice pack specifically made for the Samsung Galaxy S5.



The battery case packs 3,000mAh power capacity that can actually give your Galaxy S5 up to 100% more juice and you’ll be able to have 21 more hours of talk time (if you’re using the 3G network). If you use your smartphone for media playback, it can give you up to 67 more hours of audio or up to 13 more hours for video. It will also be able to give you up to half a day (12 hours) more if you’re using the Internet.


The battery pack uses the micro USB 3.0 port to have the pass-through charging from your phone to your case. You don’t even need to remove the battery pack from your phone to recharge it once the extra charge has run out. To make sure you don’t run out of juice, there is an embedded LED light indicator which you can check just by pushing a button. Not only does it give your Galaxy S5 a much-needed charge, it can also protect it from unexpected falls through a protective lip around the screen as well as rubberised bumpers that will absorb the shock.


It may not be the most attractive-looking phone case out there, but would you rather have a nicer-looking one but without the battery charge that your Galaxy S5 needs? If your answer is no (battery over design!), then you can purchase the mophie Galaxy S5 battery case for $99.95 (hey, 3,000 mAh doesn’t come cheap!) through their online retail store.


SOURCE: mophie


The Witcher Battle Arena starts closed beta, Android only

If you've had your fill of what is now practically known as the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena or MOBA genre for PCs, wait till they saturate Android as well. The popular RPG franchise The Witcher seems to be eying that particular market and has started accepting closed beta sign-ups for its own MOBA title called what else but The Witcher Battle Arena (henceforth called TWBA for brevity).



TWBA was revealed back in July and seemed to promise to do things a bit differently from the conventional concept of MOBAs. For one, the "Multiplayer Online" part is actually optional, as you can opt to engage in 3v3 assaults or venture off in your own offline solo campaign. Secondly, CD Projekt, creators of The Witcher series, wants to assure players that this will not be a pay-to-win game. You can play everything absolutely for free and won't have to spend an unreasonable amount of time just to unlock certain parts or features of the game. Still, if you are the impatient type, there's an option to save yourself some time for a price.


As the name would suggest, TWBA brings the cast of The Witcher series into your hands, save for protagonist Geralt. As with any MOBA, these "heroes" exhibit their own personalities and powers. The game offers two playing modes. The usual Arena pits you against other characters in the usual death match gameplay. Conquest Mode adds a bit of spice to the competition by dividing players into teams and putting multiple goal posts along the way. TWBA promises an interface and playing style that is designed specifically for mobile devices, though the exact implications of that are yet to be revealed.




Those accepted into the closed beta stage will have access to all 8 characters available from the roster and will be able to dish it out in The Arena and Korath Desert maps. They will also be able to developer their prayer profiles with stats and skills like in many RPGs. Interestingly, the closed beta is available for Android only, when the usual practice prioritizes iOS devices. The reason, according to the press statement, is because of the diversity of Android hardware out in the wild. Nonetheless, the game will launch, presumably simultaneously, on Android, iOS, and even Windows Phone sometime later this year.


SOURCE: The Witcher Batttle Arena


Sony launches expanded Xperia Care services

Sony wants to bring solid technical and customer support to their users, and has rolled out some additions to their customer care and after-purchase services. It stems from the company’s stated vision of bringing more personalized support for their Xperia devices.



The service starts from the Xperia support app which is usually pre-installed in every Xperia device. Of course, owners and users would need to register their device with Sony through the app, but after that, the app becomes the first layer of personalized support for the Xperia user. New additions to the app include the “My support” feature which includes, among others, a detailed history of the user’s interaction with Sony tech and customer support, for easy tracking of issues.


There is also a new “repair service” aimed at users being able to directly hand over their devices which are in need of repair directly to Sony. The repair service includes a step-by-step guide to determine whether the device needs repair, all within the Xperia support app. If a device is confirmed to need repair, they will be guided through the process correspondingly.


Of course, all these repairs that will be happening to your device are trackable within the “My support” feature of the app. This new expanded service was first launched by Sony in Sweden and received glowing reports. Major markets in Europe soon followed and now, the services are being rolled out globally, including the United and Asia.


SOURCE: Sony Mobile Blog





MediaFire offers automatic photo back-up, media streaming

Cloud storage apps have been stepping up their game in order to stand out from the competition, as more and more people are compelled to back up their files on the data storage offers available to them. MediaFire was one of the earliest players in the game, back when cloud was still something you saw in the sky. Their acclaimed Android app’s newest update offers even more features, like automatically backing up photos and streaming your saved content.



MediaFire now offers its users an option to automatically upload in the cloud the photos and videos that you have on your device. There are times when you need to be prompted to back these up, and more often than not, you actually forget to do so. But now, you can rest assured that they are indeed saved on the cloud, if you choose that option.


Another new feature is the ability to stream your music or videos that are saved in the cloud, from wherever you are, as long as you have the app and connection. Since they are in the cloud anyway, why not make use of this content without having to play them from the original source. And if you want to share this content, along with other documents and files stored on MediaFire, you can now do so using SMS/MMS, email or chat apps like Viber, Line, WhatsApp, etc.


MediaFire is also now offering 1TB of extra storage, on top of the free 12 gigs available immediately, for only $24.99 a year (which comes out at $2.50/month). But those who don’t want to avail of that offer can still earn up to 50GB of free space on the cloud just by doing certain tasks asked of you. You can download MediaFire for free from the Google Play Store and then upgrade within the app if you choose to do so.


SOURCE: MediaFire





Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)