HERE for Android beta launches on Samsung Galaxy devices

Owners of Samsung Galaxy devices are now able to get exclusive access to the beta version of HERE for Android. Samsung and the team behind HERE have an agreement in place that will get Galaxy device owners free and exclusive access to HERE on devices like the S5 and others.

HERE is a mapping app that works without an internet connecting allowing location data to be found with GPS only. That means all navigation functions and searching features work without internet connectivity on the go. Maps are also stored on the device making them faster than with apps that don’t store map data locally. Traffic data and transit schedules are available along with walking and turn-by-turn driving directions.

On Galaxy smartphones HERE also includes Glympse integration. Glympse is a way that users can share their location with other users. Location sharing can be turned off at anytime. HERE for Gear has also launched for the Samsung line of Tizen devices.

The most notable of those devices is the Gear S smartwatch. The app was specifically developed for smartwatches and offers the same online and offline maps access the other apps offer. Using the smartwatch app, people can get their location right on the watch screen, get walking directions, and public transit directions without a smartphone or data connection.

SOURCE: HERE (1), (2), and (3)

NVIDIA SHIELD update brings tablet to v1.1

NVIDIA has released a new update for the SHIELD tablet that brings the device to version 1.1. Contained in the update are enhancements and bug fixes for the operating system that makes the tablet perform better and be more stable. WiFi stability is improved in the update in certain use scenarios.

A PRISM feature toggle has been added and stability improvements for SHIELD Hub and Gamestream have been added. Performance optimizations for ShadowPlay have been added along with improvements in localization.

New audio options are available with the update along with several miscellaneous stability improvements. Users can download the latest update of the tablet by going into the Settings > About SHIELD> System updates section.

If you are unfamiliar with the SHIELD tablet, check out the article we have on the five highlights of the slick gaming device. It packs in an NVIDIA Tegra K1 Chipset with 192 CUDA cores and Kepler graphics. One of the best aspects of the tablet for gamers is the wireless controller that makes gaming more like console gaming than mobile gaming.

SOURCE: NVIDIA

Acer Liquid Jade and Liquid Leap duo launching in Europe

Maybe we will finally get to really see and feel what Acer has been putting on hold for the wearable market. Its Liquid Jade "stylephone" and Liquid Leap smartband has been annouced to launch in Europe next month, but not before they stop by IFA 2014 in Berlin for everyone to see just what the company has to offer.

These two Liquid devices aren't exactly new. First confirmed in April and then formally announced at Computex in June, the devices, or at least one of them, represents the OEM's first foray into the wearable market. Though the gap in time between then and now might look like Acer has been dilly-dallying a bit. That said, it hasn't exactly revealed everything about these devices, leaving an air of mystery around it, and the possibility of not looking like yesterday's news.

The Liquid Jade is a smartphone that is being billed as something stylish, an "artwork in your pocket". Not much technical detail is known beyond its 5-inch HD (yes, not Full HD) Gorilla Glass 3 toting screen. Instead, Acer wants people to focus on the smartphone's design, particularly its 7.5 mm thickness and 110 g weight. Acer is also trying to sell its particularly curved shape (not the screen), UV high gloss rear, and other cosmetic touches that would try to mask the phone's probably mid-range specs.

More interesting perhaps is the Liquid Leap, its first smart band accessory. It isn't exactly a smartwatch and more like Samsung's Gear Fit, but the functionality is almost all there. The 1-inch touchscreen is embedded in a 17 mm hypoallergenic band that comes in color options of Moonstone White, Mineral Black, Aquamarine Green, Fragrant Pink, and Vivid Orange. Aside from the usual fitness-related functionality, the band is also capable of controlling your smartphone's media playback, get notifications for calls and messages, and get reminders for calendar appointments.

The Acer Liquid Jade "stylephone" and Liquid Leap wearable will be available in Europe starting September 7. The company, however, will be hosting a press event on September 3 right before IFA 2014 starts for a more formal launch of these new smart devices.

SOURCE: Acer

Story Timeline

• Acer Liquid Jade and Liquid Leap wearable now official


• Acer Liquid Leap smartband and Liquid Jade smartphone detailed

Xbox One SmartGlass gets more social, game recording added

Microsoft is letting out its September Xbox One update a little early. As part of that rollout, it has also updated its SmartGlass apps, including the Android version, with a few new features, focusing on some of the more social activities you might do outside of or while gaming.

Many of the updates this time around focuses on users' Activity feeds. From the SmartGlass app on your Android phone or tablet, you will be able to post status messages or other items without having to switch away from your current Xbox One game screen. Admittedly, it might be a tad more convenient to view your Activity feed from a separate mobile device while you keep on gaming. You can now also read your messages in a new conversations view.

Of course, there are also updates more directly related to gaming itself. Primary among them is the ability to now start recording game clips from SmartGlass. You will also be able to display release and feature notes right within the app itself. Suffice it to say, SmartGlass has been improved so that you will spend less time fiddling around the Xbox One apps itself for such features and activities and more time actually gaming.

The Xbox One SmartGlass update should be rolling out now to supported regions. Xbox owners might already be well aware of this, but it bears saying that this is a completely different app from the older and now slightly less updated Xbox 360 SmartGlass version. Users in some regions, specifically Brazil, Mexico, Austria, and Ireland, might be surprised to see some new functionality in their version, as Microsoft has added these countries to those that have access to TV and OneGuide features.

Download: Xbox One SmartGlass on Google Play Store

Story Timeline

• Xbox One SmartGlass app released ahead of Xbox One November 22 launch


• Xbox One SmartGlass improves remote control, social features


• Xbox One SmartGlass beta: TV streaming, game recording

Wipeout 2 Android game now has zombies,pirates, popstars

If you’re one of those who enjoys seeing people run, jump and dive, and of course be honest, fail at several physical challenges, then you must be a fan of the reality competition series Wipeout. The hugely popular show which has been on air for the past 6 years shows contestants competing in “the world’s largest obstacle course”. Now you get to compete once again in the show without even lifting your butt from your chair with the Android game Wipeout 2.

The first iteration of the game won various mobile game awards for its almost-as-exciting-as-the-show gameplay and so naturally, the developers would want a sequel. This time around, you have 135 more levels to tackle as you do your best not to, err, wipeout, at any of them (although admit it, the fun of watching the TV show is seeing people do just that). One fun thing about the Android game is that you get to be different zany characters and this time around, there are 10 new ones, including a pirate, a popstar and the inescapable zombie.

There are also 150 new kinds of obstacles plus if you want to unlock special rewards, you need to beat the Course of the Day. You can also indulge your competitive spirit by competing against your friends as your progress is shown on a social map and leaderboard. You can upgrade and customize your chosen character to give them more power through crazy costumes that will give them abilities like teleportation, speed boost, etc.

You can download Wipeout 2 for free from the Google Play Store. There are some in-app purchases so remember to fix your settings if you’re letting your kid play the game on your device, unless you want unauthorised charges on your credit card bill.

ESPN SportsCenter update: watch and listen to live streams

With the NFL season starting next week (that’s American football, not the other kind of football to you), sports fans for sure will be enthusiastically logging on to their various sports app to keep updated with their favourite teams. The ESPN SportsCenter app for Android will not be left out in the cold as the latest update now includes the ability to listen to the radio streaming and watch the latest videos from the sports channel.

It’s been proven that sports fans love to consume digital content as much as they love to watch their favourite teams duke it out on the field or court or pitch or wherever they play. One of the foremost updates in the ESPN SportsCenter app is bringing football fans better NFL and College Football mobile coverage. And if you choose which teams to follow in whatever sports you’re interested in, they are now grouped at the top of the SC scores panel.

But probably what would interest users more is the OnAir feature which gives them one-click access to the latest radio streaming of whatever sporting event is being covered and also access to WatchESPN videos. This will become crucial if you’re stuck at work or at a party while an important game is ongoing and you have no access to a TV. The alerts will also now take you directly to the stories and videos that you are interested in.

So to prep yourself for another season-long of excitement and/or heartbreak for your football team, go and install the newly updated ESPN SportsCenter app on your smartphone. You can download it for free from the Google Play Store.

Samsung Is Ditching Google Maps for Nokia's Here

However good Google Maps might be, Samsung has decided that it can do better. Teaming up with Nokia , a beta version of Here for Android is being made available exclusively for Samsung.

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