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Skype Qik lets you send quick video messages to loved ones

In the age of the quick, the GIF and the ephemeral, video calling apps like Skype are perfectly fine for work-related or more "formal" type of conversations. But what about for when you just want to send a quick video message to a friend or a group of friends? What if you want a GIF-like message that you can send out whenever the situation warrants it? And what if you want some video messages to not last forever? Yes, you have such apps like Snapchat or even Instagram for that, but Skype would like to be part of that video conversation as well.



Enter Skype Qik, a new app that is not an alternative to Skype but rather an accompanying video messaging app to keep the conversation going in between those long calls. You can choose to exchange video messages with just one friend or a group that you regularly talk to. Unlike Snapchat where the messages get erased after the recipient views them, here they will last for...a week (you really don't want that embarrassing or weird video to last forever right?) But you also have the ability to delete video messages you sent, whether they've seen them or not.


You can also record 5-second gif-like videos that you can use multiple times, for different occasions, like a standard good morning message or a hilarious laugh that you can send whenever a friend sends something funny (or not funny, in which case the laughing video becomes sarcastic). You can also easily switch between the main camera and the front-facing (selfie) cam when you want to show something and react to it as well. If a friend that you're sending a video too doesn't have Skype Qik yet, they'll receive a text message telling them to download the app.




With all the video chat apps out there, do we really have space for more? Well, Skype has already an established user base, but whether these people would use add a new app like this and use it, that still remains to be seen. You can download Skype Qik for free from the Google Play Store.


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SOURCE: Skype





OPPO N3 camera confirmed: 1/2.3 sensor, auto-rotation

OPPO's Find smartphone line have been notable to be more camera oriented than its Chinese rivals but its new N series seems to be catching up quite a bit. Over at its Weibo account, the manufacturer has just teased a rather remarkable feature of the OPPO N3, at least as far as cameras are concerned. It will be sporting an impressive 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch sensor on par with some of the high-end camera smartphones around. It also confirms that strange auto-rotation mechanism rumored just recently.



The size of a camera sensor is important because it is what determines how much light information can be recorded. Though the notation in fractions is a bit confusing, the smaller the denominator, the bigger the sensor size. The bigger the sensor size, of course, the better the resulting image quality. According to OPPO's CEO, the N3 has a sensor size of 1/2.3 inches. That's the same size as the Sony Xperia Z3's, except the latter has more megapixels to spare (20.7 MP on the Xperia Z3 vs. the confirmed 16 MP on the OPPO N3). In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S5 has a smaller 1/2.6-inch sensor and the iPhone 6 has an even smaller 1/3-inch. That said, the undisputed king of smartphone camera sensors still seems to be the Nokia 808 PureView and its 1/1.2-inch sensor.



oppo-n3-sensor-size



The other camera feature confirmed for the OPPO N3 is a rather strange one. Like the N1 before it, the N3 has a rotating camera, but unlike its predecessor, this one rotating mechanism is said to be automated. Why OPPO would do so or how it implements it is something that we have to yet learn. Hopefully it leaves users with the option to manually turn the camera as they desire. And hopefully it won't also break so easily as some similar mechanisms tend to.



oppo-n3-rotation



That said, just as digital photography isn't just about megapixels, it isn't just about sensor sizes either and many other factors come into play to produce that perfect shot. Or selfie, if you prefer. If previous leaks are to be believed, we shouldn't worry too much about the OPPO N3's capabilities, as it rumored to bear quite an array of components, which we will be able to confirm come October 29.


SOURCE: Weibo (1), (2), Facebook

VIA: G for Games





KoalaPhone Launcher gives you bigger, simpler icons

As apps and smartphone features get more advanced but more complicated, not everyone appreciates the complexities that come with it. Some would like to have their phone display easily the things they actually need and to show them as big as they can. Phone launchers are a dime a dozen, but only very few can cater to needs like this. KoalaPhone sounds cute and fuzzy, but in fact it is big and loud, just the way some users prefer to have it.



The smartphone launcher actually caters to those who have a slight vision problem, or rather, senior citizens whose eyesight requires icons and text messages to be slighter bigger. But even if you're not that elderly and you'd like to look at your apps and messages and notifications better, then this app is for you. The fonts are easier to read, the icons with their enlarged buttons easier to spot and your contacts have photos (so you'll remember who they are) that aren't that too thumbnail-y. Even the keyboard is larger and the phone has several other sight problem-friendly features like vibration and sound feedback, text-to-speech and an important SOS button.


The creation of the app is based on research that was conducted on around 100 senior citizens at the Czech Technical University in Prague. While there are tech-savvy older people who can appreciate most smartphones' built-in launchers and icons and all other apps, we have to admit that those with failing eyesight might just prefer larger icons so they can use their devices' basic functions like calling, texting and taking pictures.




KoalaPhone Silver is the free version of the app, with a limited demo version that you can download from the Google Play Store. You can use all the full features of the app for a week and then if you want to keep using all of them, you can upgrade to the paid KoalaPhone Gold for $3.99. Otherwise, you will stay with the Silver version with the basic but limited features.


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SOURCE: KoalaPhone


Google Glass to finally get Android notifications this week

For the hundreds (or maybe now thousands?) of owners of the Google Glass, the new update that will be unrolled this week has been a long time coming. Google announced that finally, notifications from the Android smartphone connected to the wearable will now be mirrored to your eyeballs, or rather, the Glass in front of your eyeballs.



This has been previously available but only for apps that were compatible with Google Glass, like Gmail and Hangouts, but now, it is applicable for all apps on your Android device. Through the MyGlass app, Google Glass users will now be able to see whether someone commented on their latest Facebook post or if their loved one has sent a video message through LINE. The Notification Sync on Glass is something that Android Wear users have been enjoying for some time now. And now, you don't have to take out your phone to view your very busy digital social life as it will flash before your very eyes.


Setting it up on your Google Glass is fairly easy (well, at least based on the 30-second video tutorial they posted). Just update to the latest version of the MyGlass app (which is version 3.3.0), choose Turn on in the Notification sync part, choose turn on notifications and just choose the ok button when asked to enable MyGlass on your smartphone. It will then show on your phone that you are now connected to Glass.




The update to MyGlass will be coming this Wednesday, so be patient a little bit more. Google also promised that the update to the Glass itself, version 22.0 will also be coming soon, and it will be adding alternate navigation routes among other things.


SOURCE: +Google





Add Charts to Your Application with HelloCharts

HelloCharts Charts Library

Charts give you a way to represent your data in a clear and concise manner. This becomes even more important on mobile devices, where screen sizes require you to provide your data in a straight forward manner, and users expect a simple representation instead of an overwhelming table.


There are several libraries that allow you to use charts in your applications already, but HelloCharts by XDA Forum Member lech0 is a new, easy to use library that supports several chart types. It also sets itself apart with quite a few features. As you would expect, it supports line, column and pie charts, as well as bubble charts. It also allows users to zoom, scroll and fling charts to focus on the area they’re interested in. Developers can even change the chart animations and customize them to fit their taste.


HelloCharts Preview Chart

HelloCharts Preview Chart



HelloCharts Charts Dependency

HelloCharts Charts Dependency



HelloCharts also comes with “preview charts” (shown to the right), an excellent type of charts to use on mobiles. This type allows you to show an overview of the chart as well as a separate, detailed viewport. The full chart (overview) is displayed at the bottom, and a smaller, detailed region is shown at the top. Users can then easily select a range or zoom in to a particular area in the overview chart, and only see that area on the detailed chart.


Additionally, HelloCharts offers combo and dependency charts (animation to the left). This means you combine multiple charts, optionally connecting one to the other. For example, tapping a month’s bar could then show you a weekly chart at the top of the screen.


HelloCharts is compatible with Android 2.2 and higher (API 8), so if you’re looking to.integrate charts into your application, head over to the HelloCharts forum thread now to get started!


The post Add Charts to Your Application with HelloCharts appeared first on xda-developers.


Verizon DROID Turbo full details and photos leak out

Verizon's upcoming DROID smartphone is shaping up to be quite a beast and it seems it will just continue to build up until we get the final word at the end of the month. That said, almost everything that needs to be known about the DROID Turbo seems to have already been leaked out, leaving very few stones unturned. But if that weren't enough, this latest leak completes the circle, including press photos of what is allegedly the DROID Turbo itself.



Most of the specs listed below have already been mentioned in previous leaks, but for the sake of completion, let's list them all out in a single place:


• Display: 5.2-inch 2560x1440 QHD with Gorilla Glass 3

• Processor: 2.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805

• Memory: 3 GB

• Storage: 32 GB

• Camera: 21 megapixel with dual LED flash rear / 2 megapixel front

• Battery: 3,900 mAh (48 hours)

• Network support: 4G LTE, XLTE, VoLTE


A few notes need to be made. The battery is already quite capable but that is augmented even further by Turbo Charging, which gives 8 hours worth of charge in just 15 minutes. The body of the DROID Turbo is made from Metalized Glass Fiber (MGF) and, like the DROID MAXX before it, has a layer of Kevlar protecting the back. That said, the device isn't totally rugged as it is only water repellent, not waterproof, and scratch resistant as well.



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Verizon's own Droid Does site has us believing that an October 28th date has been set to officially unveil this smartphone. Based on the leaked photos, the DROID Turbo is expected to come in two colors of Metallic Red and Metallic Black. Now all that remains to be known is the price tag, which will undoubtedly cost more than the new Moto X which it clearly and strangely outclasses.


VIA: Droid Life





Nexus 6, Android 5.0, Lollipop: tipped, teased, and leaked

If the latest rumor were true, then we might just be counting down the hours before Google's great Android reveal involving the Nexus 9 tablet and possibly the Nexus 6 smartphone and the name of the next Android version. Naturally, we are now getting a flood of hints that point out the possible answers to all those questions, including the possible name of Android L, which might be Lollipop after all. Whatever it's name is, Google has seemingly confirmed that it is indeed Android 5.0.



That confirmation comes via a teaser that plays on the sometimes insane amount of hype that has been poured over guessing the name of Android L. The plot is that there is a casting call for the next "L" mascot, which is taking place behind door number 5.0. The video comically pictures different possible names like Lemon Meringue Pie, Lemon Drop, Lava Cake, Lady Finger, and, strangely, Oreo (which we presume will someday make it to the official roster). Noticeably absent, however, is Lollipop, hinting that it is the one behind the casting door. That said, the dessert table also seemingly has a plate of Lady Fingers (plus one giant Lady Finger munching on them) and no Lollipop in sight, so there's just enough ambiguity to keep people scrambling for an answer.




That ambiguity might have been dispelled by an accidental leak, now removed of course, in a Chromium bug report. The bug itself isn't directly related to Android L, but the screenshot attached to it betrays a debug icon that is unequivocally a lollipop. Then again, Google's developers have also referred to Android L as LMP in similar bug reports, so both names are on equal footing. Plus, as the video above proves, Google is quite game with the whole hoopla around Android names, so we can't really be certain that the icon won't change by the time Android 5.0 rolls out.



android-lollipop-debug



Google has also released three ads that are hinted to be about "Android 2.0". No, that's not the next version number, since we're way past that point. It instead refers to that big "two-point-oh" milestone that is often meant as the next big step forward or innovation, probably hinting at a new marketing direction for Android. In any case, the videos do not make explicit reference to any specific product, aside from a smartwatch, though it does make hints about smartphones. One refers to all kinds of phones for all kinds of folks, probably hinting at a device that appeals to the phablet-loving crowd. The device in that clip shows a curved back that seems quite similar to the Moto X design.




The second clip is less clear, showing a smartphone whose rear camera is set at the center. Only the Galaxy Nexus has had that design, but, again, so does the Moto X.




Armed with these latest bits of knowledge, are you prepared to face the next Nexus and Android head on? Of course, until Google officially gives the word, all of these are still speculation and hearsay, but we might finally be able to put them all to rest tomorrow, if Google does make that much awaited announcement.


VIA: SlashGear, Myce





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