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Netflix Post-Play now available for Chromecast in US,Canada

When Netflix introduced the Post-Play feature to its Android apps a few months ago, it brought watching streaming videos to another level. It also further established binge-watching as one of America’s favourite hobbies. But US and Canada viewers were unable to enjoy this on their Chromecast, until now that is, as Netflix announced it has finally arrived in North America.



Netflix subscribers with the Google Chromecast dongle can now watch one video after another with their Android devices that support Post-Play. It is a feature that automatically queues up the next episode of a TV show that you’re watching. If it’s a movie that you’re streaming, it will offer you three recommended titles based on the genre or type of film you’re watching. The credits of the current video you're watching are minimized, with the next video or options shown on your screen. If you don’t respond within 15 seconds, it will automatically play the queued video.


This is pretty good feature to have if you have a lot of time on your hands and would like to watch the entire final season of Breaking Bad. But if you promised yourself you’ll just watch one more episode of Orange Is The New Black, then it will badly tempt you to watch more unless you have the discipline to press stop (which you totally can if you really wanted to).


To start enjoying (dreading) this feature, you need to make sure your Netflix Android app is updated from the Google Play Store. Then you can cast the app through your Chromecast and binge the night (and morning) away.


SOURCE: Netflix





Android 4.4.4 rolling out to Xperia Z devices

Almost 3 months after it rolled out to Sony Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact and Z Ultra, Anrdoid KitKat 4.4.4 is finally coming to the other Xperia devices. The Japanese OEM has confirmed through their official Twitter account @SonyMobileNews that they have started updating their older devices including Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z to the latest version of the platform.



Sony Xperia Z devices have been running on 4.4.2 since May this year and they have decided to skip the 4.4.3 and go straight to 4.4.4 (there is little difference between the two anyways, so let’s just go to the latest). The latest Android update supposedly will bring better battery performance as well as enhanced performance and stability in its built-in email app. Some other default apps like the calendar, wifi, contacts, as well as MMS also received general improvements with the update. Of course it includes the usual bug fixes and stability improvements (hopefully).


As Android L is set to arrive later this year, don’t get too attached to your current KitKat update, since everything might just change as it will employ Google’s Material Design. The only question would be how long it will take to arrive to older devices, just like what happened with these Xperia devices.


The update to the Xperia Z devices will be arriving through firmware build number 10.5.1.A.0.283 and will be updated OTA. Be sure to have wifi-connectivity and back-up all your information and data as there are times when these major updates causes data to be lost.


VIA: Xperia Blog


Android users can now access Amazon Prime Instant Video

It’s taken them a while but online retail juggernaut Amazon has now given Android users access to its Prime Instant Video service through an app. The app itself actually enables the Instant Video streaming within the now updated main Amazon app and gives access to all the movies and TV shows available on their catalog, with a subscription fee of course and available for US residents only.



Amazon’s entry into this field signalled that the age of on-demand video streaming service is indeed here, with rivals Netflix, Hulu and others enjoying a resurgence over network television. But when they released the Prime Instant Video service, it wasn’t available for Android smartphones and tablets. Now you will be able to watch movies, TV shows (like HBO original series) and Amazon’s original series which they started producing this year.


The Amazon app has also received a major upgrade to version 5. You can now browse through their whole catalog including both physical and digital products, as well as the apps from Amazon’s own App Store. They’re also giving 5GB of free back-up of their photos on the Amazon Cloud Drive, but again, it’s only for US residents. To be able to access the video streaming service, update your Amazon app (if you haven’t yet) and then it will prompt you to install the Prime Instant Video within the app.


The Amazon Prime Suite membership is for $99 per year, but if you’re buying an Amazon Fire Phone, you get one year free subscription. There is also a 30-day free trial so you can check it out if you have any use for it, especially if you’re a non-US resident. Aside from Instant Video, the membership includes access to their music streaming service, free two-day shipping, and access to over 500,000 ebooks in their lending library.


VIA: Android Authority





Sony Bluetooth Speaker BSP10 and BT Headset SBH60 unveiled

Sony has rolled out a pair of new wireless music accessories that use Bluetooth to connect to smartphones and tablets. The new accessories include the Bluetooth Speaker BSP10 and the Bluetooth Headset SBH60.



The BSP10 is a smallish, round portable speaker designed to make it easy to share your music with a group. It measures 78 x 60 mm and weighs in at 300g. Integrated controls for power, volume, and answering incoming calls are located on top of the speaker.


bsp10-1 bsp10-2 sbh60-1 sbh60-2


Sony gave the speaker 10W of power and it supports NFC, Qi charging, and microUSB charging. It will work with any Bluetooth equipped device, but call functions can vary. The other audio product is the SBH60 Bluetooth headphones.


The headphones have a 9mm headband and weigh 125g. Sony integrates controls for answering calls, volume, playing or pausing music, and controlling tracks onto the headset. A 3.5mm headphone port allows the headphones to be connected to non-Bluetooth devices. The internal battery is good for up to 13 hours of streaming audio. Pricing and availability are unknown.


SOURCE: Sony


SOURCE: Sony


Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 supports 3G/4G connectivity, aims at entry level

Qualcomm has announced its latest processor that falls into its Snapdragon 200 family of chips. The latest offering is called the Snapdragon 210 and the big feature that it brings to the mix is support for integrated multimode 3G/4G LTE and LTE Dual SIM capability for entry-level smartphones.



The Snapdragon 210 will feature support for LTE Advanced Cat 4 Carrier Aggregation. The chip will also support full HD video playback with hardware HEVC. An Adreno 304 graphics chip will handle graphics. Smartphones or tablets using the chip will support cameras up to 8MP with HDR, autofocus, and other features.


Qualcomm has also rolled out its first LTE tablet reference design that is designed to allow OEMs and ODMs to build a new class of tablets that feature multimode 3G/4G LTE connectivity. The tablet reference design will use either Snapdragon 210 or 410 processors.


Qualcomm has also rolled out a new 28nm transceiver that is optimized for supporting LTE and LTE Advanced devices in the mid and entry-level range. The Snapdragon 210 processor and reference tablet design are expected to be available commercially in the first half of 2015.


SOURCE: Qualcomm


Dell Venue 8 7000 series tablet debuts with 6mm profile

Dell has unveiled a new tablet called the Dell Venue 8 7000 series that is being shown off at IDF 2014. The new tablet is very thin; in fact, Dell claims that it is the world's thinnest tablet at 6mm thick. That is very thin indeed for a tablet with an 8.4-inch screen.



Dell was able to get the tablet to be slimmer than the Galaxy Tab S with its 6.6mm profile and the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact that was unveiled at IFA 2014 earlier in the moth at 6.4mm thick. It does seem that Dell can rightfully lay claim to the "World's Thinnest" title for now. Thin profile aside, the Venue 8 7000 has an OLED screen with 2560 x 1600 resolution.


Dell integrates Intel RealSense digital photography technology designed to create a depth map of an image into the tablet. What that means for the end user is the ability to change the focal point of an image after it has been taken.


Dell is keeping quiet on some of the hardware specs for the tablet. What we do know is that it has a quad-core CPU operating at 1.33GHz to 2.33GHz depending on the model. Dell is using Android as the OS and the tablet is expected to launch in time for the holidays, so more details should be coming.


SOURCE: SlashGear


Dell Cast turns Dell Android tablets into desktop computers

There are plenty of devices on the market like the Chromecast that are designed to toss the content you watch on your smartphone or tablet to the big screen in your living room for a larger image. Dell has stepped into the market with a new product called Dell Cast that is aimed at the business user.



Dell Cast isn't meant solely for tossing cat videos from your smartphone to the big screen, it's designed to turn your tablet into a desktop computer using your HDMI equipped monitor or TV. Dell Cast supports input using a keyboard and mouse.


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To use the device, you connect it to a HDMI port on your TV or monitor and then run an app on the tablet. Content and apps are then mirrored on the larger screen. Once you are done working, you can use the Dell Cast to shoot your favorite games or video to the big screen.


Dell Cast supports full 1080p HD resolution and it has a single USB port on the bottom of the device. That means if you want a mouse and keyboard, you will want to use a wireless pair with a unified receiver. One major downside to the Dell Cast is that it will only work with Dell's Venue line of tablets. Specific models that are compatible include the Venue 7 and 8 tablets. Dell Cast sells for $79.99.


SOURCE: SlashGear





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