Chromecast gets support for Twitch, Disney Channel, and more

Chromecast owners have some new content they can start watching on their TVs. Google has announced that Chromecast has gained some new family friendly and music options for streaming. Kids will be happy to hear that WATCH Disney, WATCH Disney Junior, and WATCH Disney XD apps are now available.

The apps will let fans of Disney content watch Girl Meets World, Doc McStuffins, and Star Wars Rebels along with other shows on demand via Android and iOS apps. Chromecast owners will need an account with a participating TV provider to watch.

Music fans also have some new streaming options with iHeartRadio support letting you listen to over 1500 live radio stations from around the US. Gamers can watch Twitch video via Chromecast and connect with over 60 million gamers.

The final new addition to the Chromecast family is for fans of drama with DramaFever support landing. DramaFever brings access to 15,000 TV episodes.

SOURCE: Google

Story Timeline

• Chromecast root access achieved via Teensy boards


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


• Chromecast Wallpaper adds beauty to your Android smartphone

OneNote now available for Android Wear

The recently concluded IFA 2014 in Berlin has reinforced what many are saying that we are entering the ear of the wearable, as smartwatches took center stage. A lot of developers have also been coming up with wearable-friendly apps or making exisitng apps relevant to health bands, smartwatches and the like. Microsoft is now getting on the Android Wear "revolution", by making its note-taking app One Note available for smartwatches that are running on the platform.

The way it works is pretty simple. For example you're doing your daily run around the park, and suddenly you remember that you have to make an important call later on. You don't even need to break your stride, just lift up your smartwatch, say "OK Google, take a note" and then dictate what you need to do, like, "Call boss to ask for a raise," or something. It will then transcribe what you dictated and save it as a note in the QuickNotes section of the app. You can edit it later on if you want to add things, but the important thing is, the note has been saved.

First you have to install OneNote on your Android smartphone that runs on 4.3 or higher (if you don't have it yet). Of course, it goes without saying that you need a smartwatch. If you already have all those, just install OneNote for Android Wear and then you can start dictating to your wrist whenever you want or feel like it or actually need it.

You can download OneNote for Android and OneNote for Android Wear for free from the Google Play Store. Early reviews suggest it is pretty useful and simple enough to use, but let's see later on how it stacks up to other note-taking apps for wearables.

SOURCE: Microsoft

Google Play Services updates Fit preview, Play Store redesign leaked

Google has just announced the rollout of version 6.1 of its Google Play Services collection. While the release is mainly targeted at developers as always, it does give us hints at what users can expect to come when developers start using them in their apps.

Perhaps one of the most notable news in this update is a refresh of the Google Fit developer preview. Fit is Google's consolidated health and fitness system for Android as well as Android Wear, easing the workload of developers when trying to create fitness apps that will integrate with devices, especially smartwatches. Last August, Google released the first Preview SDK for Google Fit, which came with updated Android L developer preview images and it will most likely be the same this time.

Both Analytics and Google Drive have been updated with enhanced API. In particular, Google Drive's new Completion Events feature will let developers get a better handle when events take place on the server, allowing them to more easily and more quickly take care of conflicts, in case of multiple simultaneous actions done on the same file, for example. What end users are most likely to see, however, is the redesigned File Picker, Recents, and Starred views, now all basking in Material Design goodness.

Related to Material Design but not yet official, Google Play Store 5.0 might soon get yet another facelift. The changes, however, will be somewhat minor and is mostly concentrated on the application of a new color scheme and layout that matches Material Design more closely. There are also clues that new Google Play app icons are coming soon, with a flatter look that is, again, more in line with the next Android L aesthetic. No definite word yet on when this new version of Google Play Store will land.

SOURCE: Google

VIA: Android Police

The Force is strong in LEGO Star Wars Yoda Chronicles game

The new Star Wars movie may still be a couple of years away, but as early as now, they have been drumming up attention for the much beloved franchise, especially for this new generation. Disney has been airing several TV specials featuring Jedi Master Yoda and even Phineas and Ferb have gotten in on the action. And now LEGO has released a new Star Wars game for Android devices with The New Yoda Chronicles.

Just like Anakin Skywalker in the prequel movies, you are given the chance to either help Yoda and fight for the Light Side or join Darth Vader on the Dark Side of the Force. All throughout the game, it will show you what percentage of both sides you are on. The game has 24 iconic Star Wars MiniFigures as well as 12 vehicles you can use at different stages. There are 8 MiniFig levels and 4 Space Battles, but they will be adding on 4 more levels and 2 more battles a little later on.

The game also incorporates prominent places in the Star Wars universe, including those from the TV specials. You will be able to “run, shoot, jump and fly” through all of these different places, and depending on which side are you, you can either collect Holocrons or destroy the rebellion of the Light Side. If you play other LEGO games as well, you can sign in with your ID to be able to keep track of this one.

While Star Wars fans would of course want to get this game for their Android devices, there have been a few complaints that the graphics are glitchy. But with a few more bug fixes and updates, they should be able to fix those problems. LEGO Star Wars The New Yoda Chronicles is free to download from the Google Play Store, with surprisingly no in-app purchases available.

Story Timeline

• The Angry Birds Team in Lego Form


• Google's BugDroid LEGO set could become a reality, needs supporters


• Lego Fusion mixing physical bricks with a virtual world

Horizon, the App That Prevents Vertical Videos, Is Now On Android

Remember Horizon, the brilliant little iOS app that let you shoot horizontally-oriented videos no matter what angle you were holding your smartphone? It's finally available on Android, ensuring your Moto X isn't going to pollute YouTube with horrible portrait-oriented videos. Do the world a favor and download it, after all, it's free. [Google Play Store - Horizon via The Next Web]

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HTC One M8 has a special UEFA Champions League edition

Football (soccer) fans are all aflutter as Champions League football for this season officially started just a few hours ago. HTC celebrates Europe’s biggest club competition by announcing their special Champions League edition of their current flagship, the HTC One M8. No, it doesn’t mean that you’ll become as good a football player as Messi or Ronaldo when you have this phone, but it will definitely show other people you’re a true blue football (soccer) fan.

What makes the phone so special is that its back cover is engraved with the UEFA Champions League logo and the iconic image of the trophy itself. Now it might make you an unwitting walking advertisement for UEFA, but hey, if you like having football-related merchandise, we’re not judging. It seems like a pretty cool “memorabilia” to have, especially if your team is highly favoured to win the trophy this year.

Aside from that engraving though, everything remains as is with the usual HTC One M8. So that means it has a 5-inch 1080 display and runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor. It has 2GB RAM and either a 16 or 32GB internal storage. Maybe it should also come with pre-installed football related apps, like HTC’s Football Feed, which should keep you updated with all the latest goings-on in the tournament. Maybe they should throw in a pre-installed FIFA 15, and if this phone was available for sale, probably a lot of football fans would want to get their hands on that.

Unfortunately, the special Champions League edition of the HTC One M8 will not be coming to a retail store near you. They have not released exact details yet, but they will be announcing how you can win this so keep a close eye on all of HTC’s social media channels.

VIA: Pocket Lint

Cell Phones : [ Galaxy Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount ] Galaxy Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount

**Compatible with Samsung smartphones with screen sizes between 4.0 and 6.3 in. **







The Samsung Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount lets you take the brilliance of your Samsung smartphone along for the ride! The custom fitted cradle holds the handset securely during long rides. Attach it to a windshield or dashboard and adjust the multi-angle neck for perfect viewing. GPS capabilities are optimized with navigation applications but that’s just the beginning with the endless Android® apps available. With your hands safely on the steering wheel, experience the convenience of powerful, voice-activated Android applications like S Voice. Your Samsung smartphone and Vehicle Navigation Mount duo is truly brilliance on the go. (Fits handsets with 4.0" - 6.3" screens)