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NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet to get Android 5.0 Lollipop

If you've been keeping score of the device manufacturers that have been rallying behind the newly minted Android 5.0 Lollipop, you may have noticed that, along with some Korean brands, NVIDIA wasn't on the early bird list. Worry not if you're a fan, as the graphics chip maker was apparently just a bit late to the party. So yes, NVIDIA is promising that the latest Android version "and more" will be coming to the multi-talented SHIELD Tablet. As for its other mobile devices, however, we can only speculate.



NVIDIA has been a very good Android citizen, giving users something close to a Nexus experience in terms of not heavily modifying the user interface to pushing out updates in a timely manner. NVIDIA has been very faithful in doling out regular updates, including Android ones, ever since the first SHIELD, now called SHIELD Portable, to the non-SHIELD Tegra Note 7, to the amalgamation of the two lines in the SHIELD Tablet. So it isn't exactly surprising that the latter would also get Android 5.0, but an official confirmation doesn't hurt to calm our worries. Plus, the fact that it teases something "more" to come is also enough to keep fans on their toes.


Curiously, NVIDIA makes no mention of the original SHIELD Portable, which seems to be causing a bit of worry to some. Experience would tell us that older models, especially first generation ones, are likely to bite dust sooner or later. The situation might not be too bleak if you consider NVIDIA's past behavior plus the fact that both the Portable and the Tablet live on the same Tegra K1 platform. Still, this one definitely merits an official acknowledgment.


But perhaps more worrying is the fate of the NVIDIA Tegra Note 7. Unlike the SHIELDs, which NVIDIA sells by itself, the Tegra Note is more of a reference platform that others like EVGA and Advent Vega take and sell as their own, which a checkpoint in rolling out updates. And though NVIDIA itself is still the one that takes care of those updates, these devices have been noted to receive them slower than compared to the SHIELDs. Those are enough reasons for early adopters of these tablets to be anxious, and hopefully NVIDIA will come out with some reassurance, if not bad news, really soon just to give them some closure.


SOURCE: @NVIDIA





Cell Phones : [ Galaxy Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount ] Galaxy Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount

**Compatible with Samsung smartphones with screen sizes between 4.0 and 6.3 in. **







The Samsung Universal Vehicle Navigation Mount lets you take the brilliance of your Samsung smartphone along for the ride! The custom fitted cradle holds the handset securely during long rides. Attach it to a windshield or dashboard and adjust the multi-angle neck for perfect viewing. GPS capabilities are optimized with navigation applications but that’s just the beginning with the endless Android® apps available. With your hands safely on the steering wheel, experience the convenience of powerful, voice-activated Android applications like S Voice. Your Samsung smartphone and Vehicle Navigation Mount duo is truly brilliance on the go. (Fits handsets with 4.0" - 6.3" screens)

Caverns of the Snow Witch is a new Fighting Fantasy adventure

This is definitely not the Snow Queen in that animated film with the ubiquitous song. The newest adaptation of the Fighting Fantasy game is Caverns of the Snow Witch and your goal is to take over the mission from a trapper who dies in your arms and that is to defeat the wicked witch. It's a straight-up RPG gamebook but this time in mobile format, from the same developers that brought you Appointment with F.E.A.R, another Fighting Fantasy adaptation.



The game is based on a single-player roleplaying gamebook by Ian Livingstone, a legend in the gaming (desktop and video) world. They based most of the visuals on this as well, even retaining the retro 80s feel in some parts. Even the famous (well, famous for that community) cover by Les Edwards from the gamebook is also adapted into the game. Your mission is basically to stop the evil Snow Witch from bringing the earth to another ice age. You need to go through the Crystal Caves of Icefinger Mountains (we're betting it's cold there) to confront the coldest woman of them all.


The digital gamebook features beautiful visuals whose pages can be turned, just like you would a real book, with the option of reading it vertically or horizontally. When it comes to the dice-rolling, it uses a physics-based system. You also get an Automated Adventure sheet so you can track your progress easily. And unlike when you play the gamebook non-digitally (well, unless you have your music player turned on), with the app you get beautiful background music while playing. And because the artwork is gorgeous, you can access them through a gallery and maybe use one as your screensaver or wallpaper.


The developers said they will also be bringing other Fighting Fantasy gamebooks to the digital world, so if you're into that sort of thing, this is something to look forward to, given their track record with past adaptations. But for now,try out Caverns of the Snow Witch, available for download from the Google Play Store for only $5.99. It might seem pretty steep compared to other games (and the others shoot guns and blast spaceships), but RPG gamebook fans would probably say it's worth it.


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VIA: Pocket Gamer


Russian Galaxy Note Edge launch coming soon

A Russian source has reportedly leaked the launch date of the slick Galaxy Note Edge smartphone in Russia. The coolest feature of the Note Edge is the curved screen that wraps around one side of the device making icons readable without having to be right over the smartphone.



According to the source, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge will go on sale in Russia in November or December. That isn’t an exact launch date, but fans in Russia at least know the smartphone is coming this year. The leak also claims that the price of the Galaxy Note Edge in Russia will be 49990 rubles.


We already know the features of the device but I will run them down again for those who might have missed earlier coverage. The smartphone will have a Snapdragon 805 processor running at 2.7GHz or an Exynos 5433 octa core processor running at 1.9GHz, depending on the version purchased.


Both versions of the device will have 3GB of RAM, up to 64GB of storage, and support for 64GB memory cards. Both versions also feature WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, GLONASS, NFC, and more. It's not clear which version of the smartphone will land in Russia. The first place to get the Galaxy Note Edge will be Japan where it is set for launch October 23.


SOURCE: Hi-tech.mail.ru





Blocks modular smartwatch lets users decide the features

Phoneblocks is a company that makes an interesting modular smartphone that users can customize by attaching the modules with the features they want and leaving the features they don’t want out. Phoneblocks is now applying that same modular approach to smartwatches with a new platform that lets users decide what features they want on their wearable called Blocks modular smartwatch.



The big benefit of a modular smartwatch is that as components become outdated, the user can simply swap in a new module with an updated component for better performance. Since smartwatches also have to look good, the modules themselves are modular.


What that means is each module of the smartwatch has removable covers that allow wearers to customize the look of the device. With the modular approach, you can choose your screen shape, the color of your watch, and lots more.


Phoneblocks says that it is in talks with several companies to build modules for the smartwatch for things like fitness, contactless payments, and a SIM card block. There is no word on when or if the modular smartwatch might come to market.




SOURCE: Phoneblocks


Omate brings Lutetia, 1st smartwatch exclusively for women

Did you ever dream of having a jewel-encrusted, shiiny smartwatch that will make you feel like a million bucks? No? Well, someone probably did think of having something like that since we are getting something like it after all. Omate is introducing to the wearable market the Lutetia, the first smartwatch that is exclusively for women. This comes on the heel of the Omate X, which was being marketed to men who want their smartwatch with them all the time.



But Lutetia actually doesn't look like a smartwatch but instead a beautifully-crafted timepiece. Well, it is that, but of course functions also as a smartwatch so you can see your notifications from your paired Android smartphone. Just like other wearables, you'll be able to see if you have text messages, incoming calls, emails, social networks, etc, all without "sacrificing your style," as Omate says. The stylish smartwatch comes in silver, gold and rose gold color finishing and matching "premium" wristband.


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The Lutetia pairs with your smartphone through Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 and also has the same specs as the Omate X, which includes the smallest wearable system chip, the MediaTek Aster MT2502. It runs on LinkIt, which is MediaTek's wearable platform. It can last up to 5 days when in standby mode and uses OTA updates for its apps, algorithms and drivers. The watch's transflective LCD is in "always on" mode and the touch panel has a sapphire coating layer for protection.


You can pre-order the Omate Lutetia until November 30 at the Omate website. It will cost you $169 to have a device that can be both a gadget and an accessory. They will also be releasing the first batch of a limited edition which will beengraved from N° 0001 to 1000 for each of the three colors available.


SOURCE: Omate





Facebook launches Safety Check feature in times of disasters

Every time we tell ourselves that we're getting sick and tired of Facebook and all the frivolous things about it and social media, they go and do things that make us think there still might be hope for them (and us!). One new feature that they announced today is crucial during times of natural calamities and other disasters. Safety Check is a way to let your loved ones know you're safe and also to check on your family and friends who are in affected areas.



Safety Check is an off-shoot of the Disaster Message Board that was created by Facebook's Japanese engineers in the aftermath of the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011, when people relied on social media to get news about the status of their loved ones. They believe there is a great need to have an easy-to-use and easy to understand tool that will assure us and the people concerned and we are concerned about to keep in touch when other means of contact is not possible immediately.


When a natural disaster occurs and you're in the area affected, you'll receive a Facebook notification asking if you're okay. Your location is determined by the one you list in your profile, your last location if you're using the Nearby Friends option or the city where they determine you're using the Internet. You can choose the "I'm Safe" option or if Facebook got your location wrong, there is an option there that says you're not in the affected area. The notification that you're safe will show up in your timeline and in your friends' News Feed. You will also receive notifications when you have friends in affected areas who marked themselves as safe. There is a Safety Check bookmark that will show the list of your friends' updates as well.


This is a really helpful tool, especially in areas or countries that are always hit with typhoons or earthquakes. It can sometimes be annoying and nerve-wracking to go through all the usual noise on Facebook when all you want to know is that a loved one is safe. Safety Check will be available on your Facebook in Android, iOS, desktops and even feature phones.


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SOURCE: Facebook


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