Horizon lets you take videos the right way (not vertical)

Have you ever had that moment when you thought you were taking a great video, for example the surprise party for your best friend, only to realise later on when you play it back, that the video was in vertical mode? Well, we’ve seen a lot of those kinds of videos on Facebook, YouTube, Vine, etc. And while it is just okay when playing on your smartphone, the black bars can be quite distracting when played on a bigger screen. Now you have Horizon to the rescue.

The job of this app is quite simple: no matter what position or direction you take your videos, it will always come out in the proper way, which is horizontal. You can take a video vertically, turn it upside down and back again, sideways or whatever, and the finished product will still be horizontal. This is not through magic but through the gyroscope of your device which puts the video on auto-levels to make sure it’s horizontal always.

It can shoot in either VGA, HD or Full HD, depending on the device. It can also give you three quality options (High, Medium, Low) to help you save space if you need it. You have three options for levelling modes as well. Flex will adjust the frame for maximum viewport, so when you tilt your device, it will automatically adjust the zooming scale. The Rotate mode helps the frame stay fixed, even if you constantly rotate from vertical to horizontal and back again. But if you want your phone to just take videos normally (maybe you’re in love with those black bars), then you can put it in Locked mode.

You can use either the front or back camera for the app, and other apps can also use it to record the video for them. There is a free version of the app, which lets you take 15 seconds of video, but there is a logo embedded in them of course. If you pay the $0.99 price, you get unlimited recording, access to future additions to the app, and yes, removing that annoying logo as well. You can download Horizon from the Google Play Store.

Logitech Harmony shows a new way to automate smart homes

You may have heard of countless "Internet of Things" appliances and gadgets from the likes of Nest, Honeywell, or Phillips and may even own a few of them. Keeping them all under rein, especially when coming from different brands, might be more work than you're prepared to do. Enter Logitech's update Harmony lineup, which promises to maker your smart home even smarter.

Logitech is introducing a new batch of Harmony remotes and home hub, which we'll get to in a while, but perhap the most interesting part of it is a new feature common to all of them, including its Android and iOS app, called Activities. Sure you can set different appliances, bulbs, and monitors to do something at a touch of a button or at a certain time, but do you really want to do all that from separate apps or remote controls? With Logitech Harmony Activities, you not only have a single app to control them, you can make them work in concert with each other. A "Movie" activity, for example, would let you dim the lights, turn on a lamp, pull down the shades, and start the DVR, all by tapping a single button. A "Morning" activity, on the other hand, can be set to pull up the shades, adjust the temperature and start the morning news on TV all at the same time.

As mentioned, you can get this functionality on mobile apps as well as the new remote controls Logitech is unveiling. The Ultimate Home model combines both analog buttons and a touchscreen interface with what looks like Android running inside. Those too overwhelmed by a touchscreen can opt for the simpler Home Control, which makes room for even more buttons. Both naturally support the new Harmony activities feature. Both also come with the Logitech Harmony Home Hub which makes all the inter-appliance communication possible. It has Bluetooth, IR, RF, and WiFi to account for almost every connection possible. And if that weren't enough, you can also get the Logitech Harmony Home Hub Extender which adds Zigbee and Z-Wave to the mix.

The Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home, which comes in black and white color options, sells for $349.99 while the Logitech Harmony Home Control goes for only $149.99, also in black and white choices. The Logitech Harmony Home Hub, which can also be purchased on its own, has a $99.99 price tag. The Extender, on the other hand, will still be coming soon. From September 21 to November 1 this year, existing Logitech Harmony owners can take their old remotes to Best Buy and upgrade to a Ultimate Home version and even get a $100 discount for it.

Download: Logitech Harmony on Google Play Store

SOURCE: Logitech

Android Wear messaging uses voice to reply to texts

The Smartwatch Battle is about to go on full throttle as Apple already introduced the Watch. Samsung, LG, and Moto may not directly rival with Apple’s first smartwatch but expect geeks to always compare Android Wear and Apple Watch.

Android Wear has been around for some time and those who have Android-powered smartwatches know how their wearables can be powerful. The wearable OS may still need a lot of improvements but every time Android developers announce new things, we’re all ears.

Earlier this September, we learned the features of Android Wear for upcoming wearables. A minor firmware update was also released recently but it's not the rumored Android Wear 2.0 yet which is due to arrive in October.

The latest feature of the wearable OS that’s making me this close to getting a smartwatch is Messaging on Android Wear. Android Developer Advocate Timothy Jordan yesterday explained how the messaging app works and how sending messages on Android Wear is made easier. Smartwatches started with only user notifications but now it can do more including actually reading the messages and replying to the sender.

The feature needs a simple hack though. Build notifications with the NotificationCompat.Builder class and see how the system will display them. Message notifications are displayed automatically on both the wearable and the handheld device. The trick will also add an “Open on phone” action to make it easier to reply on the handheld via an app.

Voice commands will come in handy with this feature. Add the RemoteInput action to the notification via WearableExtender. The device will then automatically grab the “voice input as a string from the RemoteInput included in the Intent” according to developer Timothy Jordan. (More code details HERE)

Reading a text is easier and more meaningful when a photo of the sender is used as a background. A photo background will easily inform the smartwatch user who is texting. A simple tap into the small screen with the message displayed seems to be a fun way to send message t0 your contacts.

Messaging on Android Wear also includes custom actions and layouts you can set, that is, if you know how to add codes to the WearableExtender. Also included is the TextMe features that lets users to reply to messages with a quick emoticon.

For more information on Android Wear messaging service, check out this page.

SOURCE: Android Developers

Story Timeline

• Android Wear 2.0 rumored to arrive this October 15


• Android Wear announces upcoming features for wearables


• Moto 360 and Samsung Gear Live receive minor Android Wear update

BitTorrent opens Bleep Alpha messaging service for Android

If you think that tech company BitTorrent is just known for revolutionizing the (not-so-legal) way we share large files, then they are out to prove you wrong. A few months ago, they launched the testing of a messaging app that they've created, and now, after working out the feedback they've received, they are now opening up Bleep Alpha to the public, particularly the Android users. But what will make it different from the glut of messaging apps that have flooded the market?

Bleep claims that it is one of the most secure ways of exchanging messages and information as it uses a decentralized technology, the same way that is being utilized by the torrent and the other project they're working on, a cloud-based storage system called BitTorrent Sync. In exchanging messages between two peers, the data doesn't pass through a server, but through a direct, decentralized communication line that is encrypted for privacy and security.

Once you've downloaded the app, you just sign up with either your mobile number or email address. You also have the option of going "incognito", meaning you don't need to give any Personally Identifiable Information. You invite friends to be on the service and to add you to their list through email, SMS, QR code or a public key that you can share on your social networks. At present, you are only able to send texts and make voice calls, but they are working on adding more features in the future.

They are honest to users that since it's Alpha mode for now, there are still some glitches like sent messages not syncing across all devices or not being able to move an existing account from Android to the desktop (although you can do vice versa). If you think you need to try another new messaging app and you don't mind those glitches (which they are working on correcting), you can download Bleep from BitTorrent directly or through the Google Play Store.

SOURCE: BitTorrent

Amazon outs new Fire HD models and Fire HD Kids Edition

Amazon is on a roll today, unleashing a barrage of new Kindle devices to make bibliophiles swoon. But for those who want a bit more functionality out of their device at the expense of e-ink, Amazon has a new generation of Kindle Fire HDs just for them. There is even one made especially for kids!

There are two new models in this Fire HD line. The Kindle Fire HD 7 replaces last year's model while the new 6-inch Fire HD 6 is totally new to the family. Aside from the difference in sizes, both sport the exact same specs. They both have the same 1280x800 HD resolution, which gives the Fire HD 6 a higher pixel density of 252 ppi versus 216 ppi on the Fire HD 7. An unnamed 1.5 GHz quad-core runs inside, noted to have 3x more graphics muscle than Samsung's budget Galaxy Tab 4 line, making it suitable even for some resource intensive games. RAM isn't mentioned but storage comes in 8 and 16 GB configurations. There is a 2 megapixel camera on the back, capable of shooting 1080p videos, and a front-facing VGA shooter.

Of course, that's just the hardware. Ultimately what makes Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets special are the Amazon apps and services to be enjoyed within. Among those include some that you may be already be familiar with in existing Fire HD and Fire HDX devices, like X-Ray for looking up actor or video info, Second Screen, and Prime Instant Video downloads. Others are quite new to the ears. ASAP or Advanced Streaming and Prediction is a Fire TV feature that Amazon is now making available for its tablets as well. ASAP tries to guess what movie or TV episode you will want to watch next and starts downloading them in the background so that when you hit that play button, the video is ready for you.

The new Fire HD is a very family-friendly device. Multiple user profiles lets you set up different accounts for each family member, with their own settings, app data, and bookmarks. But while you may want to keep personal data separate, you might want to share apps and media among family members. With Family Library, you can do that easily, letting you share books, videos, apps, and games between family members, either on the same device or across multiple Android devices or even Amazon's mobile apps on other platforms. To add even more fun into the equation, the new Kindle Fire HD will come in five color options of black, white, cobalt, magenta, and citron.

But if those family features aren't enough to make you hand over the Fire HD to your kid, then Amazon's new Fire HD Kids Edition might. Amazon is starting them young, both for reading and for learning, with a bit of entertainment on the side. Amazon, however, insists that this is not a toy and is a capable tablet in children's clothing. It isn't giving out the specifics, but a quad-core processor, an HD display, and rear and front-facing cameras are probably enough to convince most. Front and center, however, are the services, content, and features that make the device something kids will surely love.

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited subscription removes the worry of accumulating bills from app and content purchases by giving it all for free, a value of up to $120 according to Amazon, at least for the first year. Of course, you, not your kid, are the ones to set the rules of what they see and how long they can see it. Those rules can be tailored according to type, so that you can encourage unlimited reading but put a cap on videos and games. But the retailer knows that even well-intentioned kids can become one of the most destructive forces in the known world, so it is throwing in a two-year guaranteed to replace broken tablets, no questions asked.

The pricing details for these new Kindle Fire HD tablets are as follows:

• Kindle Fire HD 6 - 8 GB ($99), 16 GB ($119)

• Kindle Fire HD 7 - 8 GB ($139), 16 GB ($159)

• Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition - 6-inch ($149), 7-inch ($189)

All of these are now available for pre-orders, with shipping slated to start in October.

SOURCE: Amazon (1), (2)

Amazon unveils new Fire HDX 8.9, Fire OS 4 “Sangria”

Rounding up today's Amazon device frenzy is the new 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX, replacing last year's model. This new high-quality tablet boasts of a considerable internal upgrade that doesn't bump the price tag at all. Amazon is also announcing the newest version of its Android-based Fire OS, codenamed "Sangria", which brings a plethora of new features to both the Kindle Fire tablets unveiled today as well the third generation models as well.

To some extent, this new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is a mix of both old and new. The size, of course, has remained the same, as well as the 2560x1600 resolution, which isn't bad at all, especially when augmented by Dynamic Light Control which adjusts the white point of the display based on surrounding light in order to better mimic the appearance of physical paper. The 2 GB RAM and three storage options of 16, 32 and 64 GB have also remained the same. The most notable changes, however, are where it counts the most. This next gen Fire HDX boasts of the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, a quad-core chip running at 2.5 GHz. And, for the first time, Amazon is putting Dolby Audio inside to make not just reading but also watching and listening an enjoyable experience. And it's not just a plain Dolby either. Dolby Atmos makes its presence felt, which Dolby advertises to deliver the same experience as watching in a theater.

The new Fire HDX 8.9 also boasts of new services courtesy of the new Fire OS 4 "Sangria" that is making its way to the new Kindle HD 6 and 7 as well. These include ASAP or Advanced Streaming and Prediction, a feature on the Fire TV that tries to guess what you will watch next and starts streaming that video in the background so that your next playback will be instantaneous. Family Library gives the whole family access to each other's purchased content, including books, audio, apps, games and Prime Instant Video for easier sharing without having to switch accounts back and forth. Fire OS 4 also introduces the concept of profiles that practically does the reverse, making sure that each user's settings and private data remain private, turning the Kindle Fire HDX into an even better family-owned tablet.

The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is available for pre-order today and will start shipping in October. The prices have not changed at all and the 16 GB model still costs $379, while the 32 and 64 GB models still cost $429 and $479, respectively. There is also a 4G version of the tablet available with prices starting at $479. Fire OS 4 "Sangria" comes pre-installed in today's newly announced Kindle Fire tablets and will arrive on 3rd gen devices via a free OTA update.

SOURCE: Amazon (1), (2)

Growing pains? Motorola VP Punit Soni is leaving

You can tell that a company is undergoing a significant transition phase when its top brass start dropping off, which might be the case here for Motorola. The latest exec to leave its ranks is, quite sadly, Punit Soni, Motorola's Vice President for Product Management.

Beyond that formal executive title, Punit Soni is more known as the public face of Motorola's software efforts. Originally a Google employee, he was promoted to his current (now former) position in 2012 after search giant acquired Motorola Mobility. And he has been there to assure Motorola fans of the company's commitment to a pure Android experience for its flagship devices. Whether that will still hold under Lenovo's administration and without Soni to push for it still remains to be seen.

This news couldn't have come at a worse time, though is there really a good time to announce leaving a company you've helped grow (aside from trying to jump from a sinking ship)? Soni isn't the first Moto exec to leave the fold either. CEO Dennis Woodside was, in fact, the first to depart in February this year. This followed the Lenovo's acquisition of Motorola Mobility from Google and Soni's departure might spark some questions and maybe even anxiety about the company's future direction. The timing is also a bit difficult considering that new Motorola mobile devices, including its first smartwatch, just got announced. Although the new Moto X, the new Moto G, and the Moto 360 have so far garnered positive initial feedback, their actual performance still has to be validated in the wild. And that will be a period when Soni's familiar presence might be needed the most.

The Motorola exec hasn't yet revealed where he is going, if he's going anywhere. This leaves the door open for many possibilities, including perhaps going back to the Google mothership. In his Google+ post announcing his departure, Punit Soni shared his most memorable Motorola experience to date, and that was when he announced to a captivated audience in Brazil the first Moto G, a remarkable smartphone that Motorola and Soni rightly deserves to be proud of.

SOURCE: +Punit Soni

Story Timeline

• Google employee Punit Soni named Motorola VP of Product


• Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside joining Dropbox as COO


• Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside says departure "was not an easy decision"


• Motorola's Punit Soni reaffirms commitment to a pure Android experience