LG leaked to have webOS smartwatch in the works

It seems Samsung isn't the only one who wants to strike off on its own with an alternative mobile platform. In an accidentally published and quickly pulled down developer preview webpage, LG has been revealed to be working on a smartwwatch platform that is based on the similarly troubled webOS operating system.

webOS, like Tizen, has had a colorful and tumultuous history. It started as the successor to Palm OS before parent company ACCESS was bought by HP. HP briefly continued its development, even open sourcing it, before eventually halting development on its side and selling the platform to LG. Since then, LG has been using it to power some of its smart TVs, but now it seems that LG has more ambitious plans for it.

Like Android and Tizen, webOS is a Linux-based operating system but it has more in common with Tizen in that the platform revolves more around web-centric technologies and languages, in particular Javascript. Its card-based interface, first seen on the relatively few webOS devices such as the Palm Pre and the HP Touchpad, in theory makes for a good UI idiom on a smartwatch, not unlike Google's own card system for Android Wear. Unlike Tizen, webOS has had a bit more exposure in actual commercial devices, from smartphones to tablets to TVs, though Tizen has the advantage of more or less being well-tested by now on Samsung's Gear smartwatches.

This move by LG is quite unexpected, considering that the company has given no indication that it is interested in taking webOS beyond the current smart TV implementation. Perhaps it is fueled by its rivalry with Samsung, though it should probably also be aware of Samsung's precarious relationship with Google over that matter. LG claims that it has many internal projects that never really see the light of day, but a developer portal for webOS smartwatch development still hints that the company is at least mulling over that possibility.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• HP webOS TouchPad VS Motorola XOOM, TABLET WAR


• HP going open source with WebOS


• HP sells WebOS to LG, only it won't be for smartphones


• WebOS port now renamed LuneOS, releases new version

Check Out Android L in Action on a Samsung Galaxy S5

It's been months since Google first gave us a glimpse of Android L and the Material Design manifesto. But now, the slick-looking operating system is finally getting close to primetime. At least that's how this new video from SamMobile of a Samsung Galaxy S5 running Android L makes it seem.

Read more...

Framelapse brings Hyperlapse capabilities to Android devices

If you were suffering from Hyperlapse envy from iPhone users ever since Instagram released the video app, then you don't have to wait much longer. No, they still haven't released a version for the Android platform, but there is an app that basically performs the same function. Get ready to introduce your smartphone to Framelapse, an alternative to Instagram's baby.

We're not really sure what's taking Hyperlapse developers so long to come up with an Android version, but for the meantime, we'd have to be content with this pretty basic but useful alternative. Not that Hyperlapse in itself is a very complicated app. It's been referred to as a "dead-simple" point and shoot video app, and so Framelapse is basically the same. You will be able to set a time duration for recording and it will stop after set time has elapsed. You can also control frame interval and it has basic zoom and autofocus functions.

You can take videos from both main and front-facing cameras and you also have options for the video resolution and rotation. There is no rendering time for the video and can automatically playback after recording. The output is in high quality mp4 format which can be played on any device. There is of course several sharing options, which includes Facebook, Twitter and of course, Instagram.

The PRO version costs $2.99 and comes with more features like custom frame interval of up to 24 hours, white balance lock and exposure lock. Plus some part of your payment goes to a charitable project (they did not specify though what it is). But if you're satisfied with the basic features, then the free version should be enough. You can download Framelapse from the Google Play Store.

VIA: Lifehacker

Boomerang brings location-based reminders for emails

Location, location, location. That is not just the rallying cry for new businesses anymore, but more and more develioers are realizing that it is also important to add features in their apps that take advantage of the users' location. Email client Boomerang is the latest to join the trend as they add location-based features for pushing emails to your device.

The app, which supports both Gmail and Microsoft Exchange emails has added a function that lets your device snooze emails for later reading, when you've entered a particular location. So for example, an important email regarding your meeting with a client will be pushed to the top of your inbox when you've entered the company boardroom where you'll be meeting with your colleagues regarding said client. Or a personal email from your mother will be snoozed until such time when you have entered your house or bedroom so that you can read it in private.

The update also brings you a widget that you can display on your homescreen and it will show you how many unread emails you have (which can be a good thing or a scary thing. The Inbox widget also lets you read through your unread emails without even having to open your Boomerang app.

Productivity app To-doist has also made a similar location-based reminder feature in its last update, wherein instead of a time reminder, you get a notification on your task when you enter specified locations. But having this feature on an email client is also much needed, so maybe you can give Boomerang a try. You can download the app for free from the Google Play Store.

VIA: The Next Web

Story Timeline

• Boomerang for Gmail launches for Android


• Boomerang for Android update brings notifications and more


• Gmail update attaches files directly from Google Drive

Activision brings the Skylanders Trap Team to Android tablets

The popular game on consoles, Skylanders, now has an Android version. Activision is finally giving fans of the game another way to play by bringing the Skylanders Trap Team to Android. For now, only tablets are supported. Actually, that’s only a few tablets because it’s specified on the Play Store that the game requires the Nexus 7 and Galaxy tablets like the Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Tab Pros 8.4, 10.1, 12.2, Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 , and the 8.4 and 10.5 Galaxy Tab S. The said tablets must have 3GB of minimum storage, WiFi, and at least Android 4.3.

Kids will love this game because they can play with real toys while playing the game on the tablet. Make sure you get the Tablet Starter Pack for the complete Skylanders Trap Team gameplay experience. A kit includes all digital packs of the game, two Digital Skylanders & 2 Digital Traps, a Wireless Bluetooth Traptanium Portal, Wireless Bluetooth Game Controller, one Trap Collection Tray, one character collection poster, two sticker sheets with secret codes, and two trading cards.

The game features more than 175 playable character and over 40 villains who escaped from the Cloudtracker Prison that must be captured. With the Traptanium, you can trap the villains and bring them back to Skylands.

While this is great news for the Skylander fans, only a few tablets are supported. Most of the models in the list are high-end tablets from Samsung. The low-priced Android tablets also from Samsung and other brands have been left out from having all the fun and becoming part of the Trap Team. The starter pack only relies on Bluetooth and not WiFi or NFC so how come only a few tablets are supported?

Download the Skylanders Trap Team for Android from Google Play Store

Story Timeline

• Activision plans Call of Duty: Elite tablet app


• Activision Anthology arrives on Android with 45 classics in tow


• Activision releases 'Wipeout' the game for Android

Rico smart-home security device uses old smartphone for brains

I'd wager that most of us have at least one old smartphone sitting in the house somewhere unused. A new product has turned up that is called Rico and looks a bit like Wall-E's girlfriend from the animated film. Rico is designed to be a home security device and it can use an old smartphone for its eyes and brain.

The device will work with iPhone or Android smartphones. Rico does have some capabilities without having a smartphone brain. It can detect motion, temperature, carbon monoxide, smoke, humidity, and control smart sockets.

With a smartphone inside Rico, the camera and processor can be utilized to allow you to view what is going on in your home in real-time. The smartsockets are available with the bot to allow users to control appliances and anything else plugged into the smart-sockets from the app on your smartphone.

Rico is on Kickstarter right now seeking $100,000 and has raised nearly $16,000 at the time of writing. The project has 27 days to go and a pledge of $100 or more will get you a Rico and a smartsocket. Delivery is expected to begin in November 2015.

SOURCE: Kickstarter

Logitech Arx control brings PC gaming info to Android

Logitech has been making gaming keyboards for PC gamers for years that have screens that show data from compatible games right on the keyboard. That data included things like ammo and other details of the game. The screen could also be used to show PC performance information like CPU usage and more.

Logitech has an app for Android smartphones called Logitech Arx Control that was updated this month. Arx Control lets gamers using Android phones see similar data about compatible games and PC functions on their device.

Arx Control also allows the gamer to check PC performance and system stats from their phone. PC games have to be compatible with Arx control to show stats using the app. Logitech's G series of gaming peripherals also interface with the app allowing gamers to do things like control mouse sensitivity from the app in real-time.

The app will function on Android tablets or smartphones and some Logitech keyboards have the ability to support the smartphone or tablet like a stand. The app is available to download now on Google Play.

SOURCE: Google Play Store