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VidOn Box runs a custom version of Android XBMC

A new Android XBMC powered set top box is up for pre-order called the VidOn Box. One of the big features of this set top box is that it has a low price with pre-orders underway for $49 right now. The device can run Android apps along with a custom version of the XBMC called VidOn Media Center.



Owners can also run apps from the Google Play Store on the set top box. A custom home screen is designed to make it easy to navigate the menus on a TV screen. The hardware portion of the set top box is $49 as I mentioned, but the company offers a subscription service that gives users some premium features with support for Blu-ray movies and backing up data from Android or iOS devices.


One downside to the set top box is that it does appear to require a monthly subscription on top of the $49 purchase price for the hardware. The normal price for the monthly subscription is $3.99 monthly, but when it is ordered with a VidOn Box device, you can get an entire year bundled with hardware for $72.88.


Inside the set top box hides an Allwinner A31s ARM Cortex-A7 quad-core CPU, PowerVR SGX544 MP2 graphics, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage. The box has an integrated Ethernet port and WiFi along with USB 2.0, HDMI output, and S/PDIFF. An integrated IR receiver lets the box work with an included remote.


VIA: Liliputing





How it’s Made: Samsung Galaxy Alpha metal frame

One of the interesting features of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone when it was unveiled earlier this month was the metal frame of the device. If you wondered exactly how that metal frame was made, a few details on its construction process have been unveiled.



The construction of the Alpha requires some advanced techniques, as you can imagine. The build process uses a number of CNC processes with automated tools controlled by computers to build the metal frame. The first process sees the frame carved and trimmed to a rough material shape for the smartphone's design.


After that rough frame out of the shape, spaces for the battery and window parts are machined. The next step sees the outer edge shape developed more, making the curved corners of the device along with slots for buttons and the antenna.


After that process, the case is dipped into a color anodizing process to tint the metal frame to the desired color. After being colored the frame is diamond cut to create a finish difference with matte and shiny for grip and looks. The frame then gets its electronic parts and is sent to testing before shipping to consumers.


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SOURCE: Samsung Tomorrow





WeTransfer app makes it easy to share photos and videos with friends

If you share a lot of photos and video with your friends, the WeTransfer app has been updated and promises to make sharing your content easier. WeTransfer has now hit version 1.0.20 with an update this week. The app measures 5.3MB and requires Android 4.0.3 and higher to operate.



Once installed, the app aims to make it much easier to share photo and video content with your friends. Using the app, you can share content up to 10GB in size and the app gives you some cool backgrounds to look at as the transfer happens.


Your friends will receive an email with a download link to click to get the content you are sharing. The app has a number of features to make using it easy and fast such as tap to select content and tap and hold to preview photos and videos shared.


Users can also tap the first image and then double tap other images or videos to share a range of content. A double finger swipe in your content will scroll between months and a three-finger scroll goes to the bottom of the list. The Android share button also allows you to share field from anywhere in the OS. Shares can also be paused and resumed later to save data if you go off WiFi.


Download: WeTransfer





OnePlus One XNPH33R update addresses touchscreen issues

It's only been a couple weeks since the last update for the OnePlus One smartphone landed back on August 12. Despite the short time span since the last update, the new update is one that many OnePlus One users have been clamoring for because this one aims to fix issues some users have been having with the smartphone's touchscreen.



This update is XNPH33R incremental and is a maintenance release with critical updates inside. Other than packing a fix for touchscreen issues, it has some other stuff inside that users will appreciate. One of the other issues addressed in this update is poor battery life that some are experiencing.


The change list also shows a new radio image and some unspecified audio fixes. The update decreases power consumption in idle state and the update brings other unspecified audio fixes. A CVE-2014-4943 security update is also included for a serious security issue that could allow nefarious users to gain privileges with the phone.


Unfortunately, early users of the update are saying that it doesn't completely fix the issues with the touchscreen. Reports indicate that the screen is still jumpy making it hard to unlock the phone using trace patterns. A video of the multitouch issues with the phone can be viewed above.




VIA: Android Police





Archos 80 Helium 4G tablet aims at the entry level market

Archos has rolled out its latest tablet available in Great Britain called the Archos 80 Helium 4G. The tablet doesn't offer the fastest of anything under its hood, but what it does offer is one of the lowest priced tablets with 4G connectivity on the market. Archos says that it is the first 4G compatible tablet selling for under £200.



With integrated 4G connectivity, the tablet offers users download speeds of up to 150Mbps while on the go. Faster data speeds mean that while on the go users will be able to watch streaming content with less buffering and make HD resolution video calls among other things.


Under the hood, the tablet has a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8926 processor and graphics handled by Adreno 305. RAM to go along with that processor is 1GB and the tablet has 8GB of integrated storage. That isn’t a lot of storage, but like most Android tablets, a microSD card slot is available for expansion up to 64GB.


Screen size is 8-inches and the screen resolution is 1024 x 768 with IPS technology and capacitive multitouch. The operating system is Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Archos pre-installs some apps including its own video player and the Google Play Store. A 5MP rear camera is integrated along with a 2MP front camera. The tablet weighs 430g and is 9.2mm thick. It is available in Great Britain right now in retail stores for £199. Back in June, Archos stepped into the home automation market with a slew of new products.


SOURCE: Archos (PDF)





The Extra Step You Need to Take Before You Sell Your Android Device

The Extra Step You Need to Take Before You Sell Your Android Device


If you're putting your Android phone or tablet up for sale on eBay, then a factory reset might not be enough to destroy all of the data on it. On some devices, the files and photos on your phone aren't actually erased—just the references and file structure around them. With a few hacking tools, anyone can scrape some of your data off.


Read more...




Backblaze backup service now has an Android app

If you’ve been saving your digital files to the Backblaze online backup tool, you will be pleased to know that they finally have an Android app so you can access your data through your smartphone or tablet. Most data storage services, be it on an actual physical server or a cloud, needs to have this functionality as more and more users tend to be mobile most of the time and need instant access to their documents.



With the new Android app, Backblaze users will be able to search through their files in the server and view, open and download them to their Android device of choice. If users need to do so, they can also share specific files through SMS, email and social networks as well. The files backed up can also be accessed even if the computers are not turned on or if they’re offline.


Backblaze is available in around 175 countries and has been hailed as the best back up solution by several tech organisations and websites and has over 100,000,000 GB of data backed up. However, the app seems to be limited for now, as it can only view files, but not back-up the mobile device itself. Other data backup tools, particularly those that are on a cloud like Google Drive and OneDrive, can also edit files and synchronise them automatically across all devices. Maybe Backblaze will be able to add better features as they go on.


While the app is free to download from the Google Play Store, Backblaze’s service is not. It backs up your computer or laptop’s files, with unlimited data, for $5 per month. You can try it out for free at first, just to compare it to other backup services like Dropbox, Box, etc.


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