ORA-1 is a potential Google Glass killer, runs on Android

As wearable technologies continue to find their time more and more in the spotlight, outfits like Optinvent find more and more reasons to be bullish about their products. This specific thingamabob is the ORA-1 wearable “smart glass” gadget, done in the tradition of what Google started with Google Glass – only, this one is more scalable as it runs mostly on Android OS.

Think of an Android tablet that you wear as eyeglasses – that’s how Optinvent wants us to think about the ORA-1 smart glass product. The ORA-1 is optimized for AR (that is, “augmented reality”) applications – allowing users a clear view while displaying a virtual image on the glass itself. In terms of physical specs, the gadget has its own dual-core processor that runs processes for the included the camera, microphone, inertial sensors, ambient light sensor, photochromic lenses, and a high capacity rechargeable battery. Not bad right?

As can be expected, the ORA-1 is fully configured for connectivity with WiFi, Blootooth, and GPS. The gadget runs Android 4.2.2 at the moment, but their Kickstarter page says that they are currently upgrading to Android 4.4 KitKat. Optinvent says that Android apps can run locally on the device – but in truth, it only makes sense to run AR-oriented applications on the gadget. That said, AR app developers can now have more freedom by scaling from Android than from any other proprietary platform.

While still far from their Kickstarter target funding, we can see the ORA-1 as being a very capable device for Android augmented reality apps. Optinvent claims that the device is the most robust smart glass platform available today. To their defense, we haven’t really seen anything to compete with Google Glass at this point, so they may have a point to prove. We’ll have to see how the platform matures and develops, but at this point in time, we can totally see the AR industry ready to boom.

SOURCE: Optinvent ORA-1 Kickstarter

Story Timeline

• Google Glass XE19.1 improves connectivity and interface


• Lenovo announces Google Glass rival, push for collaboration


• Google Glass firmware updated, new design patented

Samsung Galaxy Tab S goes to the street, compared with iPad Air

Samsung released a video yesterday that took its premier tablet – the Samsung Galaxy Tab S – to the streets of New York and asked seemingly random people to compare it with Apple’s current gen iPad Air. We say “seemingly” because, all things aside, it’s still a Samsung-produced video. Then again, we’ll give them half the benefit of doubt.

When the Samsung Galaxy Tab S launched, the South Korean gadget giant hyped a lot on the tablet’s fab looks – it’s sexy thin to ridiculous proportions. And it has a vibrant display, which it claimed was better than what most high-end tablets out in the market had. Now it was a matter of taking the Galaxy Tab S and have the people of New York compare it with Apple’s premium tablet.

It’s a marketing video, for all it worth. And of course, they showed the people who gave their tablet glowing reviews. But a couple of things are factual, though – the Galaxy Tab S is visible thinner than the iPad Air. More than that, it is comparably lighter, and this is a real-world variable that people consider from using tablet devices. Lastly, out in the New York sunshine, the Galaxy Tab S showed a better display – most likely by virtue of its higher pixel count.

Overheating rumors aside, we can grant that most people would probably choose the Galaxy Tab S if on looks and display alone. When seen beside the iPad Air, the Galaxy Tab S looks undeniably fab – razor thin and that much lighter. Actual usage would take into consideration apps, processor performance, operating system and all that – that is when you can really say which the better tablet is. But for now, let’s allow Samsung this – they made a good looking tablet, that’s for sure.

SOURCE: Samsung

Story Timeline

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and 10.5: thin, light, and vivid


• Galaxy Tab S first look video released by Samsung


• Samsung denies overheating claims on Galaxy Tab S

Alone Android game lets you run riot in space

If it’s your dream to travel through space and fly endlessly across the different galaxies, you are one step closer to checking that off your bucket list. Well, virtually at least if you have an Android gadget that is. The developer of that simple but difficult game PUK has come up with another doozy with ALONE..., where you get to pilot a space capsule at light speed in another endless runner game, but this time with a galactic twist.

Instead of controlling your spaceship by tapping, you slide your finger in the direction that you want it to go, whether it’s up or down, as you evade asteroids, space rocks, debris, etc. It will take some getting used to, especially as the game is very touch sensitive, and you might find yourself screaming because you didn’t actually want the ship to go that way. And did we mention that this game is played at lightning speed and that your space ship is super duper fast?

The graphics are not that complicated and all you need to know is that you have to avoid all those debris flying through space from destroying your ship, all while trying to manoeuvre one of the twitchiest game controls ever. Good thing is that there are only three unlockable difficulty levels and two bonus modes that will be unlocked when you reach certain milestones. And while you’re playing the game, you have a great soundtrack to back you up.

You can download ALONE... from the Google Play Store for only $2.47. The single player game does not have any in-app purchase and should work with mid-level and above Android smartphones and tablets.

IDC stats show smartphone shipments are increasing in 2014

IDC is always looking at the smartphone and other markets around the world to determine if the market is growing or shrinking. IDC has released the latest data for the smartphone market around the world in 2014. According to IDC, the market is growing and demand for smartphones remains strong despite slowing growth in mature markets.

IDC predicts that over 1.25 billon smartphones will be shipped around the world this year. That number is an increase of 23.8% compared to the previous year when 1.10 billion units shipped. IDC is predicting continued growth in the smartphone world with 1.8 billion units shipped in 2018.

While growth is slowing in mature markets, emerging markets have begun to account for over 50% of annual smartphone shipments. Mature markets have delivered double-digit growth year over year until 2014 when the growth rate in those markets is predicted to slow to 4.9%.

Emerging market smartphone volume is expected to reach 920.8 million units in 2014 making up 73.5% of all volume shipped. Android devices continue to account for the most volume in the smartphone market with 88.4% of shipments in 2014 expected to be Android units.

SOURCE: IDC

Galaxy Note 4 rendering leaks confirming previous leaks

Many smartphone users out there are looking forward to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 landing so they can get their hands on the latest Sammy phablet. Earlier this month we talked about some leaked images of the Galaxy Note 4 that showed a metal frame, rounded corners, and thin design. A new rendering of the smartphone has leaked this week.

This new rendering seems to confirm the leaked images from earlier this month. Exactly where the rendering came from is unknown and there is no way to confirm that this is a legitimate rendering of the device. Samsung is expected to unveil the Note 4 at IFA 2014 next month.

Along with the leaked rendering of the smartphone comes a leaked video of a disguised Galaxy Note 4 in use. The video shows the screen, believed to be 5.7-inches with 1440 x 2560 resolution packing 515ppi. Since we can't see the phone design, we certainly can't confirm that this is a Note 4 and not some hoax.

The video really shows nothing but a user repeatedly tapping the screen of a phone claimed to be the Note 4. You get to see nothing but a splash screen with what appears to be some sort writing on the screen.

SOURCE: Android Authority and PhoneArena

Moto G 4G CyanogenMod 11 nightly builds now available

If you are looking for a budget smartphone, the Moto G 4G is one of the devices you may want to put on your shortlist of options. If you like the hardware but prefer to use something other than the standard operating system, the other good thing about the Moto G is that it is typically unlocked and easy to mod.

With that in mind, Moto G 4G users can now get CyanogenMod 11 nightly builds for the smartphone. A CM installer is available for the smartphone making it easy to install. The ROM can be downloaded at this link, and is only for the Moto G with LTE.

A version of CyanogenMod 11 for the Moto G without LTE is available here. If you are unfamiliar with the Moto G handset, we have a full review on the non-LTE version of the Moto G for you to check out.

The smartphone has a 4.5-inch screen with 720p resolution, a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, and 1GB of RAM. The rear camera has 5MP resolution and power comes from a 2070 mAh battery.

SOURCE: Android Police

Five Nights at Freddy’s: fun, scary game with a freaky bear

If you’ve always had a childhood trauma regarding bears and animatronic toys, you better not download this newest indie horror game. The Android version of the PC game Five Nights at Freddys is something that just might keep you up at night and possibly ruin your childhood memories of fun, stuffed toys (if you had any).

The basic premise of the game is that it’s your first week at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza joint and your main job as the main security guard is to make sure that the titular bear and his other animatronic robot friends don’t go out and wreak havoc when the place is closed at night. Sounds simple and fun and exciting right? But of course it’s not, unless you enjoy viewing “footage” in the dark while robots scare you to death, literally (well, at least digitally).

You have no ability to fight back against these robotic monsters. Instead you have to watch over them by switching through several cameras and then closing doors to make sure that they don’t escape. To make it more difficult, the lights are limited because they conserve power between 12MN and 6AM. And there is even one room where there is no video, just audio, which is even more terrifying. Each night just lasts around ten minutes which may seem short but by the 2nd or 3rd one, you’ll probably wish it was shorter.

This point-and-click survival horror game shows that you don’t need elaborate story lines or gameplay to create a terrifying game, just clever imagery and character design. Five Nights at Freddy’s is available at the Google Play Store for only $2.99, with no in-app purchases at all.