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Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Hands On – XDA TV

Perhaps one of the more peculiar announcements this year was the curved edge-screened Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. The Galaxy Note Edge has a curved ‘edge’ touchscreen. Many believe this to be an engineering exercise that was released to the public to show off how innovative Samsung is, with many viewing it in a light similar to concept cars from automobile manufacturers.

In this video, XDA TV Producer TK got some Hands On time with the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge at this year’s Big Android BBQ. With a Japanese release date on October 23, we think now is the time to examine the device. TK shows off the device, its uses, functionality and talks about his thoughts of the device. Check out this video.

Be sure to check out other great XDA TV Videos

XDA Xposed Tuesday: XHangouts Will Improve Your Hangouts

Updated Android Lollipop Preview Images – XDA TV

How to Unlock and Root a Nexus Device – XDA TV

Google’s Big Android BBQ Opening Keynote – XDA TV

Best 3 Pro Camera Apps – XDA TV

The post Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Hands On – XDA TV appeared first on xda-developers.

Google steps up 2-step security with USB Security Key

With the security situation these days, a password, especially a simple, easy to guess, and reused one, just no longer cuts it. To help users who may or may not have migrated to stronger passwords, some sites and services have implemented two-step authentication that takes advantage of the smartphone that we almost always have with us nearby. Taking that to a somewhat more convenient but more limited level, Google is introducing Security Key, which uses a USB flash drive to implement that very same security feature.

The second step in two-step authentication involves sending a random code, or sometimes even just a prompt, to a user's linked mobile device. The reasoning is that a smartphone is more secure, at least physically speaking, than a digital password that can be easily hacked or, worse, guessed. Google's new Security Key replaces that part of the process and users will instead simply plug in the USB and authorize the login when prompted.

This Security Key offers some advantages over the usual two-step smartphone method. Aside from that level of security, the USB also only works if the website is verified to be legitimately coming from Google, blocking out phishing attempts and fake sites that would attempt to make you send the verification code to them. A USB also doesn't require batteries or a mobile connection, so it can work anytime anywhere. And as it uses the open Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) protocol from the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance, in theory any website that also implements FIDO U2F can utilize that USB as well.

Google Security Key, however, is far from perfect and even Google admits it might not fit everyone. For example, if you access sites on mobile devices, you will naturally not be able to plug in the USB drive. And even though it uses the open U2F protocol, Google's implementation unsurprisingly only works, at the moment, with Google Accounts and on the Chrome browser, specifically version 38 and later only. This leaves out those using other browsers and other login systems to use the older PIN code method. And lastly, Security Key isnt completely free, at least the USB flash drive itself isn't. You will have to purchase one from U2F participating vendor, which can be found on Amazon with prices ranging from $6 to $60

SOURCE: Google

Amazon accepting pre-orders for HTC accessories for Nexus 9

If you're already dreaming of awesome accessories for your future Nexus 9 tablet, you'll have to wait a little while longer. The Keyboard Folio and Magic Cover from HTC created for the new tablet has been shown on the Google Play website but is not available for pre-order yet. But now thanks to Amazon, you'll be able to closely anticipate having these accessories as they are accepting pre-orders already, with shipping expected early next month.

The Keyboard Folio serves as a case, a two-angle stand and an external keyboard as well for the Nexus 9. It attaches to the back of the tablet through a magnet and can be used as a keyboard through Bluetooth connectivity, with reportedly up to 5 months of battery life. But if you don't feel like you don't need a physical keyboard to use with the tablet but you still want to protect a device as precious as your upcoming Nexus 9, then you can settle with the Magic Cover, also from HTC.

It is also a magnetic cover that can protect either the front or the back of the tablet, depending on how you're using it or storing it at the moment. It has a hinge cover so it can remain attached even without any fixed attachment or mechanical part. It is origami-inspired in terms of design and can be used as a stand as well with two different angles to use. Aside from the fact that it wakes the tablet up when flipped open, it can also open your camera when you open the flap covering it. It is available in four colors - Black, Lime stone, Coral Amethyst and Mint Indigo.

The Magic Cover is priced at $39.99 while the Keyboard Folio is of course, a lot more expensive at $129.99. It is the same price both in the Google Play Store and in Amazon, but there is no news yet as to when it will be available for pre-order. Ordered accessories are expected to ship out by November 3, just in time for when you can purchase your new Nexus 9.

Check Your I/O Usage with Iotop for Android

Ever needed to check the I/O usage of apps? If so, you probably tried searching for an iotop port, a Python script for Linux–only to find none and either write one in a hurry or manually check /proc/ yourself.

Luckily for you, XDA Forum Moderator and Recognized Developer laufersteppenwolf has written a shell script to replicate the original features of iotop. It will allow you to examine I/O loads/usage for every process, see the total amount of read and written bytes or even the current read/write speeds.

Before you use the script, though, you’ll have to make sure you have the following:

A rooted device.

A kernel with I/O accounting enabled. This usually isn’t the case by default, but you can always ask your kernel developer to enable the necessary configs (or enable them yourself if you’re compiling your own kernel — if not, you unfortunately can’t do anything else).

This can be particularly handy if you’re experiencing lag but CPU isn’t the issue (in which case you could fire iotop up and check if any process is causing a lot of I/O activity in the background), or if you’re trying to debug your app. If you’d like to find out more, visit the iotop for Android forum thread now to see how to install and use it.

The post Check Your I/O Usage with Iotop for Android appeared first on xda-developers.

HERE beta version now available for other Android devices

A few months after making the beta version available for Samsung Galaxy devices, offline mapping app HERE is now, well, here for other Android devices. The app can now be manually downloaded by all compatible devices and its developer Nokia (yes, that Nokia!) says that it is much improved as they based changes on feedback from those who have previously accessed the beta version through their Galaxy smartphones.

HERE maps was one of the businesses that Nokia chose to retain even after they sold off most of their mobile business to Microsoft. They retooled it into a mapping app to challenge market leaders Google Maps (widely used but still lacking in some parts) and Apple's built-in maps (which has received its fair share of criticism and ridicule. Nokia didn't want to be beholden to just one platform, so they partnered first with Samsung for its Tizen smartwatches and Galaxy devices and now they have finally released the beta version for the rest of the Android smartphones.

All Android devices running on 4.1 Jelly Bean or higher are compatible for the HERE app, but they do recommend that the smartphone have 1GB of RAM or more to be able to maximize the offline features of the app. Unlike other mapping apps, it doesn't require you to have an Internet connection to be able to look at your maps but instead uses your phone's GPS. The maps of areas you always go to or need to go to are stored on the device. Developers are working on several issues pointed out, including the fact that cache cleaner apps tend to erase navigation voices.

The app is not yet available on the Google Play Store but instead can be manually downloaded from http://ift.tt/1yV2Zwx. They're still trying to work on several bug fixes and aforementioned issues and so the beta version will still not work perfectly as of this time. And since it's still side-loaded, it doesn't automatically update if there's a newer version available and you need to manually update it as well. But if you wanna explore the HERE mapping app already, go ahead and download it from the site and follow the instructions.

SOURCE: HERE

HTC EYE update rolls out for T-Mobile One M8, Verizon tomorrow

As promised, HTC has started the push to get its new EYE features to its flagship smartphone, at least for those who purchased one under T-Mobile's patronage. This practically puts the One M8 on the same level as the surprisingly premium, except in looks, Desire EYE, with the added bonus of a premium design and duo camera setup. Meanwhile, Verizon customers need not gnash their teeth as the OEM promises the same treatment for the Verizon One M8 tomorrow, at least if all goes well.

HTC semi-surprised the mobile world when it revealed its new digital imaging thrust from multiple fronts, from an odd-looking but decent RE camera, to the high-end but plastic Desire EYE, to its new suite of camera apps and software as part of its new EYE Experience package. The latter, which came with the HTC Desire EYE by default, was promised to trickle down to many of the company's smartphones. Of course, it isn't surprising that the 2014 flagship would be the first to get it.

Mo Versi, HTC's VP for product management, yesterday tweeted about the upcoming EYE software update for the One M8 under T-Mobile's care. That update has arrived today but also brought a small little surprise with it. The firmware update bumps the Android version to 4.4.4, marking the last KitKat version before the smartphone switches over to Android 5.0 Lollipop. The 4.4.4 update itself was quite small and rushed, practically just an urgent security update. So the real focus here is, of course, on the new EYE camera features. If you need to get up to date on those, HTC has provided some tutorials on how to use them.

htc-one-m8-eye-tmo

Mo Versi and HTC aren't done yet. Taking to Twitter again, the exec noted that they have received technical approval for the same update, this time from Verizon. So Verizon customers need just wait for the update to roll out tomorrow, barring any last minute issues, to get the very same features on their HTC One M8.

SOURCE: @moversi

VIA: XDA

Arq Dock 2.0: a gadget stand and charger in one

If you were one of those who backed the charging dock Arq Dock 1.0 and were pretty happy with it but wanted to see some improvements, well, then get ready to open your wallets again. Arq Dock 2.0 is now looking for more "investors" to bring you a much improved version of the original, and this time around, it has more options for your smartphones or slim tablets. It can support both Apple and Android devices and can be used as just a dock for cased and caseless devices or can be used as a charging stand as well.

The Arq Dock 2.0 is made from aluminum and comes with a micro USB cable among other components but is now built to support other cables as well, including USB 3.0, 30 pin, mini USB and of course, both kinds of lightning cables for Apple devices. You can adjust the connector height and the back support pins so you can use it with different devices like iPhones 4S, 5S, 6 and 6 Plus, iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad 4, plus other Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Notes 2,3, and 4, plus the different Tabs (the slimmer ones though) as well.

Compared to the Arq Dock 1.0, this new product also has a similar shape and curvature, and also has the same pin support holes. Some differences between the two is that 2.0 is slightly taller and it has four cable grooves of different sizes and more cable tightening holes, since it can support more kinds of gadgets now. For those who have version 1, don't worry, they won't be useless as you can nest it with the newer Arq Dock now. It's available in three colors: Aurora Black, Apolo Silver and Titan Red

The makers are still trying to raise funding for the Arq Dock 2.0 over on Kickstarter. It's still around $3,500 short of its target of $12,000, but there are still 28 days to go for backers to sign up. If the first run is any indication, they will not have any problem reaching that goal. But the bigger question is, do you really need this stand/charger to add to your gadget accessories? (it does look pretty neat based on the the pictures on its page). If the answer is yes, you can pledge for as low as $22 (for 1 dock, US delivery, early bird backer) and for as high as $265 (10 docks, international delivery, main pledge backer).