Subscribe:

Ads 468x60px

Labels

Pushbullet SMS reply now works with any messaging app

Pushbullet has just announced an update that is sure to delight fans of the file pushing, notification mirroring, and, as of last week, universal copy/pasting utility. The developers have expanded their "reply to SMS from the desktop" feature they announced last June to support Android messaging apps other than EvolveSMS.



Pushbullet started out as a way to easily push files from an Android device to a computer and vice versa. Over time, it has evolved into a more generic "pushing" framework, letting you push files to your contacts, "push" notifications from your phone to your PC or laptop. Then last June, the developers revealed one of the most interesting new features of the app: letting you reply to SMS right from the PC notification itself so you won't have to reach out for your smartphone just for a quick reply.


Unfortunately, at that time you can only have that feature if you were using EvolveSMS as your default messaging app. They added support for other apps as well, but always in piecemeal. Well, not anymore. With the latest version of Pushbullet, any messaging app that is set as the Android default will support this quick reply feature. So whether you are using stock, your OEM's app, or Hangouts, you will be able to take advantage of that as well. Here's the video announcement from June in case you forgot how well it works.




One caveat though is that on the PC side, it seems that the functionality still only works with the Chrome browser extension. So those using Firefox as their browser of choice will, for the meantime, be left out of the fun. That's true, and even worse, for the standalone Windows app that is still in an experimental stage, as it doesn't even have some core functionality, like notification mirroring.


Download: Pushbullet on Google Play Store, Chrome Web Store

SOURCE: Pushbullet





Humble SEGA Mobile Bundle gives more Sonic and some monkeys

As expected, Humble Bundle has expanded its latest bundle half way through the two-week campaign. While it may not be an exciting giveaway, one of them isn't even a game, it's still a deal considering how much you would be paying for the games individually otherwise. That is, of course, if you're a huge fan of the speedy blue hedgehog.



It may have SEGA in its name, but this bundle is undoubtedly all, or at least mostly, about the iconic Sonic. In this new batch, you get Sonic CD, an Android port of the original game of the same name that was first launched on SEGA's relatively unknown Mega-CD console and later made available for numerous other platforms. Amusingly, Humble Bundle is also throwing in Happy Sonic!, a live wallpaper for those times when you just can't get enough Sonic even outside the games.


That said, there is also a non-Sonic addition to the bundle. Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition is the latest incarnation of a hilarious arcade game that puts you in control of one of four comical monkeys inside translucent balls, maneuvering them across tracks to acquire, what else but bananas. And in case you get tired of the main game, there are mini games in there too, including monkey ball bowling, monkey ball golf, and, exclusively for tablets, monkey ball base.




These three additions are, of course, available only if you beat the average, which hasn't risen considerably since the start of the campaign. It now sits somewhat steadily at $3.88. There are still 6 days to go to make up your mind, in case you want to pick up this Sonic-themed deal. If you do, you will be able to download these DRM-free games using Humble Bundle's new, not-anymore-beta app, which also lets you download accompanying soundtracks, if there are any, as well as books and comics you have also purchased from other bundles.


SOURCE: Humble Bundle





Watch Out Moto 360, There's Another Gorgeous Android Wear Watch

Watch Out Moto 360, There's Another Gorgeous Android Wear Watch


Motorola's 360 was the first beautiful round Android Wear, but it's certainly not the last. LG is bringing one to the table as well, the LG G Watch R. Not to be outdone, LG's second Android Wear outing has a few fancy special features of its own: No "flat tire" on its screen and a ring of ticks etched around the outside.


Read more...
















Samsung Gear S unveiled: a Tizen watch that can stand solo

Finally giving rumors a rest, Samsung has unveiled the Gear S smartwatch ahead of IFA 2014. And this is one smartwatch that is sure to take Samsung's and Google's frenemy relationship to a new level, as it has two things that Google would not want to see on a smartwatch: Tizen and independent 3G connectivity.



Ever since the Galaxy Gear, Samsung has been rumored to be working on a smartwatch that can make and take calls on its own. That has finally taken form in the Gear S, where S most likely stands for the "Solo" name rumored in the past. With its own 3G connectivity, the smartwatch doesn't have to rely on a smartphone for both essential and sometimes superfluous tasks. On the Gear S, you can receive and send messages, which of course implies it has a QWERTY keyboard, and take and make calls. But should you choose to do so, you can opt to switch back to the conventional Bluetooth pairing with a smartphone and Samsung promises that data will be seamlessly synced between the two.


Curiously, the hardware for the Gear S hasn't changed at all. Here you have a 1.0 GHz dual-core processor, 512 MB of RAM, and 4 GB of internal storage. But aside from processor speeds, the most worrying part is the battery, which remains at the same 300 mAh. With the added 3G connectivity and potentially more things you can do with the smartwatch, you'd think it would require at the very least a battery that can last longer in an always connected state. Oversight or conscious design decision? We may never know.


Samsung Gear S_Blue Black_3 Samsung Gear S_Blue Black_4 Samsung Gear S_Pure White_1 Samsung Gear S_Pure White_2 Samsung Gear S_Pure White_4


One thing that has indeed change and improved is the display, which is now larger and curved. The 2.0-inch Super AMOLED screen now has a rectangular resolution of 360x480. But the most notable change is, of course, the curved contours. Unlike LG, who just announced the round-faced G Watch R, Samsung has stuck to a conventional smartwatch shape, opting instead to go for comfort. At least according to its official PR statement. This is one of those times when you really have to wear one to experience that change. The straps are still interchangeable, so you can mix and match to your aesthetic tastes.


The Gear S, unfortunately, doesn't run Android Wear, which will most likely irk Google even further. Samsung is sticking to Tizen, which it claims has more than 1,000 apps available, at least for smartwatches. It will be hard to prove or disprove that claim, but at least early adopters are assured that their basic app needs will be met. The Samsung Gear S is scheduled to launch in October, though pricing details have been left out for now. A new Bluetooth headset called Samsung Circle will also be debuting alongside the smartwatch. Expect both to be present at IFA 2014 next week.


Samsung_Circle_Black _4 Samsung_Circle_Black _5 Samsung_Circle_Blue_Black _6 Samsung_Circle_White_2 Samsung_Circle_White_3


SOURCE: Samsung





LG G Watch R revealed head of IFA: R is for “round”

Beating Motorola to the circular punch, LG has decided to unveil its teased smartwatch even before IFA 2014 formally starts. The G Watch R is pretty much what you have heard it to be, a round-faced Android Wear smartwatch that is designed to be as stylish as it is functional.



In terms of specs, the G Watch R is mostly the same as the first G Watch unveiled at Google I/O 2014. Both run on a 1.2 GHz (dual-core) Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, have 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage. There are two key differences in terms of internal components. First is that the battery of the G Watch R is slightly higher at 410 mAh. More interesting, however, is the addition of a photoplethysmography sensor, used for monitoring heartrate, a feature that only the Samsung Gear Live had when it launched.



LG_G_WATCH_R_06



Of course the real star of the show here is the redesigned watch face, from square (or rectangle if you prefer) to round. The 1.3-inch 320x320 display is noted to use Plastic OLED (P-OLED) technology to make viewable in bright sunlight or from any angle. Android Wear fans shouldn't worry too much about this new display shape since the Moto 360 has proven that the wearable OS is capable of handling that form factor too. One critical thing that makes LG's version special is that the display utilizes the whole area of the watch face, unlike the occluded portion in Motorola's smartwatch.



LG_G_WATCH_R_04



With a more conventional looking form, the LG G Watch R is clearly design to look premium and stylish. That said, if you prefer something else that fits your own fashion sense, you can swap out the 22 mm leather strap with something more to your taste. For those of more rugged proclivities, the smartwatch boasts of IP67 rating, making it dust proof and water proof, for up to 30 minutes in a meter of water.



LG_G_WATCH_R_05



The LG G Watch R will be available in the last quarter of the year, no exact date or price given yet. Of course, it will first turn up in LG's space at IFA 2014 in Berlin next week, where it will face off with other new smartwatches, and in particular the Moto 360 that is clearly its chosen rival.



LG_G_WATCH_R_02



SOURCE: LG





ASUS offers glimpse of ZenWatch in new teaser video

The folks over at ASUS really do love a striptease as the past few days, we’ve seen some teaser ads on their Facebook page about the new smartwatch that they’ll be announcing at the IFA in Berlin next week. And now the wearable has a name! It’s called ZenWatch and a new short video has been released, offering us a glimpse of the gadget but only in silhouette, further wetting our appetites for this smartwatch.



What we see in the 30 second video is the rumoured Android Wear smartwatch, but only showing its parts in shadow. It offers us a glimpse of the corner, clasp and then finally a side view of the device, but all bathed in cloudy grey light, making it impossible to actually see any detail (as they intended of course). Just a few days ago, ASUS tweeted out it will be launching in Berlin and then released on its Facebook page some futuristic-looking teaser ads with the quote, “Time has been transformed and we have changed,” a quote from Khalil Gibran, which also finds its way in the teaser video.


But apart from those glimpses, not much has been leaked about the purported fourth smartwatch using the Android Wear platform. ASUS CEO Jerry Shen did claim that it will be better-looking than the other ones in the market, and that price-wise, it will be cheaper than its competitors. Rumors are saying it will cost somewhere between $99 and $149, which is way cheaper than the current price tag on the LG G Watch ($230) and the Samsung Gear Live ($200). The upcoming Moto 360 still has no pricing details as of yet.


Since no specs are available yet for the ZenWatch, many are hoping that the cheaper price doesn’t mean that the hardware and features are also less than those of the current Android Wear smartwatches. All will be revealed during the September 3 launch at the IFA 2014 in Berlin, as indicated in the teaser video.







T-Mobile adds 6 more services to Music Freedom package

When T-Mobile launched its Music Freedom feature two months ago, it made its music-loving subscribers very happy since they could now listen to several music streaming services without it affecting their data quota. Now they’ll be even happier as the uncarrier added six more music streaming services to the package, with one more important one to go and soon to be added due to increasing public demand.



T-Mobile’s Simple Plan subscribers have been enjoying having iHeart Radio, iTunes Radio, Pandora, Rhapsody, Samsung Milk, Slacker, and Spotify not affect their plan’s data output, since these music services are known to use up heavy data bandwidth. Music Freedom has now added six more to their list with AccuRadio, Black Planet, Grooveshark, Radio Paradise, Rdio, and Songza.


Notably missing is Google Play Music. When T-Mobile did a survey on which music service they should add next, this topped the survey which was answered by almost 750,000 people. They assured subscribers that they are working on adding the service to the Music Freedom later this year. President and CEO John Legere said that the goal of this program is still to “set all your music free” since being a "music freak” himself, he knows how important removing the burden of data consumption for the streaming services is.


Since they started Music Freedom two months ago, T-Mobile says there have already been 7,000 terabytes of music streamed through their network. As compared to before when these services were still part of the data plan, there are now 5 million more tracks played each day. If you know of any other music streaming provider that should be part of the program, you can submit it through their open submission process.


SOURCE: T-Mobile


VIA: SlashGear





Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)