Water level rises as you charge with the ASUS MyWater live wallpaper

How many times do you change the wallpaper on your phone or tablet? With the ASUS MyWater Live Wallpaper, I doubt if you’ll ever want to change yours again. Use a live wallpaper and see water rise as you charge your battery. You’ll never be bored.

This innovative live-wallpaper brings a new experience. Now I understand why ASUS keeps on using the term “Zen” on its products because this non-conventional wallpaper offers a relaxing experience---a zen-like experience. It’s easy on the eyes while being informative.

As battery level is reduced, water level will rise. It’s as if you’re seeing a glass of water being emptied or filled up when its battery is being charged. It’s just beautiful to watch, right? And to make things even better, you can play and have fun with the water by tilting, tapping, or swiping on the device.

The app works on all Android devices even those not running ZenUI so that other Android users can enjoy the app. Download ASUS MyWater app from the Google Play Store

Story Timeline

• ASUS PadFone 2 gets promised KitKat, ZenUI update


• Asus ZenFone 4 update brings KitKat 4.4


• ASUS ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 also get their Android 4.4

Digital Tattoo now available for NFC-enabled phones

When Motorola came out with the digital tattoo to unlock its Moto X, those of us who had other Android phones were stricken with tattoo envy. But now, all who have NFC-enabled smartphones will be able to sport these semi-permanent skin art as the maker of the digital tattoo have released the eSkin Tattoo, that isn't exclusive anymore to just the Moto X. This might just be the start of a new kind of wearable accessories that can interact with your smartphones and tablets.

VivaLnk, the creators of the original digital tattoo for the Moto X have actually been working on a reprogrammable NFC tag tattoo that can be used for other gadgets. There are several apps out there that can make use of your tattoo for purposes other than just unlocking your gadget. Some of these apps are: Trigger, which can help an NFC tag set your ringer to vibrate, dim the display or set an alarm; Passbook, which can help you redeem your passes via NFC; and NFC Tools which can write data on your tags, enable/disable features, etc.

Just like the Moto X Digital tattoo, the eSkin tattoos last around a week and is water-proof and scratch resistant. They come off easily after a week, so no need to worry that you'll be scarred or anything. You can stick it anywhere on your body, or if you don't want anything marring your skin, you can also stick it in your bag or somewhere easily accessible that you always bring with you.

Each pack comes with 10 pieces of tattoos and costs around $11.99 per pack. For now, it is just available in the US, so those who are outside the country would have to suffer from tattoo envy just a little longer. And iPhone 6 owners cannot use the technology as well, even if they have NFC, since it is only enabled for Apple Pay.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Sticker art tattoo unlocks your Moto X


• Digital Tattoo can now officially unlock your Moto X


• Digital Tattoos to have more non-Moto X functions soon

Ashton Kutcher Must Be Stopped (Before He Corrupts Our Laptops)

It's a little-known fact that celebrity Ashton Kutcher moonlights as a Lenovo engineer . At first, it was tolerable: a kickstand here , a bigger battery there. But now, the chisel-cheeked entrepreneur has twisted Lenovo's latest tablets to his own foul aims: the new Yoga Tablet 2 Pro has a built-in projector. And a subwoofer. And a 13-inch, 2560 x 1440 screen. It's a goddamn miniature movie theater, complete with a tiny Ashton to show you around the place.

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Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro is designed for multimedia

Of the new Android tablets that Lenovo is unveiling today, the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro definitely takes the cake. While the new Yoga Tablet 2 represents an incremental upgrade to Lenovo's 2013 line, this Pro version makes a huge leap forward. With a pico projector hidden in the hinge, a JBL subwoofer on the back, and a large Quad HD display, this tablet is unambiguously built for the ultimate multimedia experience. Plus, it was designed in collaboration with Lenovo product engineer Ashton Kutcher to boot.

Yes, you read that right. The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro has its own pico projector, situated at one end of the large hinge. This allows the the tablet to project a 16:9 high image, turning any surface into a 50-inch theater screen. The position that the tablet will take when using the project might be a bit odd, but, considering how thin the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro is in other parts of the body, there is no other conceivable location to stow away that projector. But even if that feature doesn't interest you much, the 13.3-inch Quad HD display, with its 2560x1440 pixel resolution, still might.

But video is only half of the multimedia experience, and Lenovo wants to also deliver on the other half. For audio, it has the same dual front-facing speaker set up, both large-chamber 1.5W stereos, boosted by Dolby Audio and Wolfson Master Hi-Fi. But wait, there's more! On the rear of the tablet, you will find a subwoofer. Yes, a subwoofer on a tablet. And not just any, but one with JBL's brand on it. That one uses 5W, giving a total of 8W for a portable surround system.

While the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro differentiates itself from its non-Pro siblings in terms of multimedia prowess, the rest of tablet's internals are largely the same. Not that they're bad, just not exactly what you'd expect to drive the tablet. The tablet is powered by an Intel Atom Z3745, a quad-core that can run up to 1.86 GHz. RAM is at 2 GB and internal storage is, thankfully, 32 GB, with an option for 64 GB more via a microSD card. The same 8 megapixel and 1.6 megapixel camera deck the back and front, respectively. Lenovo doesn't mention the exact capacity of the battery but advertises to last 15 hours on a single charge, or 3 hours of continuous playback.

The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro can be purchased from the company's online store, but it won't be available until the end of October. When it does, it will come in a Platinum Silver coating and a price tag of $499.99.

• Display: 13.3-inch, Quad HD 2560x1440

• CPU: Intel Atom Z3745, quad-core up to 1.86 GHz

• RAM: 2 GB

• Storage: 32 GB, up to 64 GB with microSD card

• Audio: Two 1.5W front-facing speakers, One 5W JBL rear subwoofer, Dolby Audio, Wolfson Master Hi-Fi

• Camera: 8 MP/1.6 MP

• Battery: 15 hours

• Projector: 40-50 Lumen, WVGA 854x480

Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 expands choices, sizes, and angles

Lenovo has a slew of product announcements today, all around its bendable Yoga line. Two (or three, depending on how you count it) of these, happily, are powered by our favorite omnipresent and multi-functional Android OS. But the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 line isn't simply just an upgrade from last year's keyboardless hinged tablet. This second iteration ventures out into new options for users, from the way they handle the tablet, to the size of the tablet itself, and even, if they want, the operating system.

The Yoga Tablet, which Lenovo unveiled almost exactly a year ago, is a bit of an oddity compared to the rest of the company's Yoga line. While almost all are laptop/tablet hybrids with keyboards that can flip into different angles, the Yoga Tablet only has a kickstand instead. That and that the hinge that keeps that tablet and kickstand together is noticeably bulkier than the rest of the otherwise thin body. The reason for this design is for an easier and firmer one-handed hold on the device. That hinge provided three advertised positions for the Yoga Tablet: hold, tilt, and stand. The Yoga Tablet 2 now adds a fourth: hang. Now users will also be able to hold or, as the mode's name says, hang the tablet, positioning the hinge at a straight 180-degree angle, without fearing the effects of gravity.

In addition to angles, the Yoga Tablet 2 also gives users choices when it comes to display sizes. Same as the previous generation, both 8-inch and 10-inch models are available. There's is, however, a new third option, in the form of a 13.3-inch Yoga Tablet 2 Pro, a distinctive new member of the family that deserves its own exposition. Both sizes have the same resolution, but that shouldn't be much of a concern now that Lenovo has boosted that to 1920x1200 pixels. And that's not only thing that Lenovo boosted. Both tablets are now powered by an Intel processor, a 1.86 GHz quad-core Atom Z3745 to be exact, instead of a MediaTek. RAM has also been doubled to 2 GB. Storage, sadly, starts at 16 GB only, though it is expandable with a microSD card up to 64 GB. Beyond the raw specs, the Yoga Tablet 2 now boasts of dual front-facing Dolby Audio Wolfson Master Hi-Fi speakers. The rear camera is now an 8 megapixel shooter with an f/2.2 aperture.

And to emphasize that expansion of choice, Lenovo is making available Windows versions of the same 8 and 10-inch Yoga Tablet 2. The Android-toting Yoga Tablet 2 in Platinum Silver will be available starting October 9 from Lenovo's website, priced at $249.99 for the 8-inch tablet and $299.99 for the 10-inch variant. Those interested in the Windows models, which will have an Ebony hue, will have to wait a bit longer, with the 10-inch tablet coming to Best Buy in late October at $399.99 and the smaller 8-inch one won't be arriving on Lenovo's website until around November with a $299.99 price tag.

• Display: 8-inch, 10.1-inch Full HD 1920x1200

• CPU: Intel Atom Z3745, quad-core up to 1.86 GHz

• RAM: 2 GB

• Storage: 32 GB, up to 64 GB with microSD card

• Audio: 2x front-facing speakers, Dolby Audio, Wolfson Master Hi-Fi

• Camera: 8 MP/1.6 MP

• Battery: 18 hours

Sony announces Z3, Z3v for T-Mobile, Verizon

Today, Sony has offically unveiled their Xperia Z3 smartphone to the world. The natural iteration in their flagship lineup, the Xperia Z3 has at least one unique thing going for it. Sony will be bringing their handset to T-Mobile, which is something they’ve been doing for some time. We’re used to that, but with the Xperia Z3, Sony has figured out carriers a bit better, and will truck a variant over to Verizon, too. That Verizon model will also have one unique feature the other won’t.

Sony’s Xperia Z3v — the Verizon model — has Qi wireless charging built in. That will make it slightly larger than the T-Mobile version, but not by much. Aside from that, the spec sheet is identical:

Display: 5.2-inch, 1080 x 1920, 442ppi

Processor: Snapdragon 801

GPU: Adreno 330

Battery: 3100 mAh

RAM: 3GB

Memory: 16 or 32GB, expandable via micro SD up to 128GB

WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Bluetooth: 4.0

NFC: It’s there

Camera: 20.7 MP, 1/2.3” sensor

Video: 1080p at 60fps, 720p at 120fps, HDR, 2160p at 30fps

The Xperia Z3 is also IP68 certified, making it water resistant to about one meter for 30 minutes. Great for a quick dip under water, but not one you’ll take on a dive.

The Xperia Z3 will launch on October 23 via both carriers, and will likely sit right around $199 with a two-year subsidy for Verizon. The T-Mobile unlocked pricing hasn’t been announced yet.

Story Timeline

• Unlocked Xperia Z3 Bootloader affects camera quality


• Sony Xperia Z3 flagship device gets a full teardown


• T-Mobile Xperia Z3 page now up, device still coming soon

Chrome 38 comes out in Android with bug fixes, improvements

As the date for Android L (what it stands for is still a guessing game but it will surely be delicious) draws near, most of Google's apps have slowly been updated design-wise with the material design that will be implemented by the major update. That is precisely one of the things that Chrome for Android has updated with version 38. And while the changes aren't that strikingly obvious, it's always a good idea to update your mobile browser to fix bugs and security updates.

Once you've updated to version 38, you won't really notice anything that different as it is more under-the-hood. And according to the change logs, it isn't anything that major. They've just added a few API's like support for battery status and screen orinetiation. It also says they were able to fix several bugs and improve performance, which are always welcome things, even though we'd appreciate it more if they actually told us what these improvements were, so we can actually notice them. A security vulnerability for content spoofing with scrollbar has also been fixed as well.

In terms of the Material Design, the previous update for version 37 already laid the groundwork for giving us an idea of what the final look will be for Android L. In this latest update, there is more visual consistency, although the changes are really minor and may not be that obvious to those whose eyes aren't trained to observe these details. But it does make us all the more excited to see what the "final product" will be like when Android L finally comes out.

If you haven't yet updated your Chrome browser, go to the Google Play Store and My Apps section to see if there is one already. If there isn't, just be patient and wait a few more hours or days, especially since as we said, the changes aren't crucial to your browsing life.

SOURCE: Google Chrome

Story Timeline

• Chrome Browser v37 now has Google's material design


• Did Google confirm that Android L will be Lollipop?


• Very early Android L on the Galaxy S5: gorgeous but raw