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Asus ZenFone 4 update brings KitKat 4.4

Asus ZenFone 4 owners have something to be happy about on the first day of October. A major software update has landed for the Asus smartphone bringing with it a number of notable updates. Most notable is a new version of Android.



Android 4.4 KitKat has finally come to the ZenFone 4 allowing owners to enjoy a newer OS on their device. Along with that update to KitKat also comes several other new features. One of those new features is Call Guard and filter effects for videos is added in the update.


Users now have reply via Call-in SIM card capability that allows the smartphone to automatically select the right SIM to make a call. Dual standby with two SIM cards in the phone is added for all dual SIM versions of the device.


Asus also added a do not disturb mode for the device. Asus points out that as you download and apply the update be sure to use the correct version of the firmware for your smartphone or the update will not work. Follow the steps under the Firmware tab at the source below.


SOURCE: Asus


Samsung Galaxy Note 4 gap is a feature, not a defect

As software developers are wont to say, "it's a feature, not a bug". This might as well be Samsung's exact words in its response to worries about the gap that exists between the Galaxy Note 4's edge and its screen, assuring owners and would-be buyers that this "gapgate" is a non-issue.



This gap problem is both somewhat worrying by nature and yet, at the same time, amusing, or suspicious, in its timing. It started just days after Apple's iPhone 6 Plus was hit by an even more worrying "bendgate" problem, where several smartphones, including Samsung's larger Galaxy Note 3, were proven to be less yielding than Apple's first phablet. These events have caused users to scrutinize the build quality of several popular smartphones, which is always a good thing but can also sometimes lead to witch hunting and false positives.


gapgate-galaxy-note-4


That may just be the case here, if Samsung's response is to be believed. According to the manufacturer, there is nothing to worry about that gap, as it does not affect the functionality and quality of the Galaxy Note 4.



"The reported issue does not impact the functionality or quality of the Galaxy Note 4. We assure our customers that all Galaxy Note 4 units meet our strict manufacturing and quality control standards."



In fact, the user manual for the phablet goes even further, calling it a necessary manufacturing feature.


As to what that manufacturing feature is, Samsung does not say and users will most likely clamor for a better explanation. That said, even the manual admits that there will some vibration of parts and that the gap might expand slightly over time, not exactly the reassuring statements that users will want to hear. Unfortunately as far as Samsung is concerned, there is no problem at all. Unless, of course, they count this as a PR problem.


SOURCE: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 User Manual (PDF, p. 180)

VIA: TrustedReviews





Stream your Tivo-ed shows on mobile devices with new update

You've TiVo-ed the latest episode of Game of Thrones, but when you were supposed to watch it, you fell asleep because you were so tired from work. You wanted to watch it while commuting to work the next day but you can't very well bring your Tivo machine while on the subway or bus. The new update to the TiVo app for Android will solve that problem for you as it will let you stream shows you've recorded on your Tivo.



So yes, you can now watch the kingdom of Westeros fight over the Iron Throne or any of the shows you've recorded. The app can now stream these shows onto your tablet or smartphone so you can access it anywhere you are, whether commuting or sitting in a cafe or on your break at work (just make sure you're really on a break). Just browse through the list of your recorded shows and choose the one you want to view while sipping your coffee or even standing on the train. But not all content can be streamed though as it depends on the show's copyright protection or technical limitations


Aside from this streaming function on the new update, the app also has been serving as a second screen for when you're using Tivo at home. It can look at the channel guide without interrupting the show you're currently watching or recording. You can also use it as a research device as it will bring up information about the show and the cast while you're watching on your TV screens so you won't lose sleep trying to find the name of that guest star whose name eludes you.


The Tivo app update has already started rolling out starting September 30. You'll only be able to enjoy the streaming on the go feature if your device is running Android 4.1 and above. You can download Tivo app from the Google Play Store if you don't have it yet.


SOURCE: TiVo





Spotify now available in Canada

Canadians don't need to envy most of the world now, at least when it comes to enjoying one of the biggest music streaming services currently on the market. Spotify has now finally been made available in the North American country, although we still don't know why it's taken them this long and why other countries were chosen first over the US' nearest neighbour.



But nevertheless, Canada will now be able to see what the fuss is all about. Aside from the web service, they will also be able to have the app in their smartphones and tablets, with some smartwatches also able to stream from the mobile devices (although there's no official smartwatch app yet). They will be able to access over 20 million songs in the library, create their own playlists and libraries, share songs, artists and albums that they like on their social networks and to their Spotify community.


Spotify also says they have tailor-made this for Canadian listeners. They have added a comprehensive Canadian music catalogue, including a "comprehensive Quebecois library." The audio quality available for the songs in Spotify is pretty great at up to 320kbps. This means if you have good Internet connection, you'll be able to listen seamlessly to all the music that you want.


Spotify is free, but comes of course with ads from their local partners, like in Canada that would be Diet Coke, Honda Canada, Heineken, Subway and TD. But if you want to remove those ads and enjoy other features like even better audio quality and listening offline to songs that you download, you need to shell out $10 CAD every month.


SOURCE: Spotify

VIA: SlashGear





Browse a website without data connection with Cosmos

You're visiting a remote Italian village and you suddenly forgot the name of this quaint little cafe you were looking for, but you have no data or wifi connection to go to Neive.com.it to search for the name. You're shopping for a gift for your sister-in-law but you don't know what's her favorite color and you need to look at her blog to find out what it is, but again, no data or wifi. A new browser for your mobile devices Cosmos wants to solve those dilemmas by giving you access to a website even when you're not connected all through the power of text messaging.



Sounds magical right? Here's how it works. On the browser, type in a valid URL of a site you want to go to. Your device will then send the URL to a remote server. This server will then package the website into a zip file then will send that file to you through a text message. Cosmos intercepts the message, unpacks it for you and voila, you can now view the website you need, when you need it, even if you don't have any Internet.


But of course, do not expect that the website will look the same as when you're browsing through normal circumstances. The browser will of course only show the minimal and limited version that it can bring you, given that it is working without Internet. So no flash animation, no hi-res photos, maybe even no photos at all. But when you're in a bind that only the Internet can fix, then you can turn to Cosmos for help.


The browser is also still in its beta stage so expect several bugs and crashes. But if you want to give it a try, you can get the sourcecode for free from Github. For some reason, Cosmos mysteriously disappeared from the Google Play Store though, so just fork it from that link.


VIA: Droid Life


Sony Xperia Z3 underwater unboxing

We have seen plenty of unboxing videos around these parts, we know you have too. They are all about the same; you start with a smartphone or tablet packed away in the box from the factory, slowly pull out all the accessories, manuals, the device itself, and talk about them.



Those videos are all about the same, but Carphone Warehouse has something very different. Carphone Warehouse has put together an unboxing video for the Sony Xperia Z3. Rather than sitting at a desk and doing the normal unboxing, this one is done underwater.


One of the big features of the Xperia Z3 is its water resistance. If you have wondered if the smartphone will survive water as Sony promises, you will want to see this video. Not only does the diving mask wearing host of the video unbox the smartphone under the water, he also uses it.


You can see the video and still cameras in action under water and the results look very good. This is a seriously waterproof smartphone. Watch the video below and see the underwater unboxing for yourself.







TomTom MySports GPS Watch gets Android support

TomTom launched its running watch called the MySports GPS watch several months back and for a long time it lacked Android compatibility. That lack of compatibility came down to no Android version of the required app not being available.



That has changed this month with TomTom rolling out the required app for Android users. The TomTom MySports app is on Google Play right now and works with the TomTom Runner watch as well. TomTom tested the app and confirmed support for several popular Android phones.


Those devices include the Galaxy S3, S4, S5, Nexus 5, HTC One, and HTC One M8. Additional devices will be coming to the supported list in the future. The app connects to the watch using Bluetooth.


The app is 7.6MB in size and is currently in version 1.0.6. The version of Android required for the app varies with the device it runs on. The most recent version of the app has a few bug fixes and pairing has been improved.


SOURCE: ZDNet





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