Tap2Unlock Brings Security to Tap2Wake

Android OS offers many ways of unlocking your device. Among the most popular are entering a pattern or PIN and face unlock. Although patterns and PINs can be pretty secure, there are still ways to improve upon them.

The Android kernel offers many functions that can be used even when the screen is powered off. Double-tap-to-wake is a common feature that can be found on many custom ROMs here at XDA. XDA Senior Member goutamniwas created quite an interesting method for screen unlocking using the tap2wake technology.

With Tap2Unlock, you can unlock your screen by entering a PIN code while your screen is off. This module splits the screen into four squares. Pressing the wrong pattern will light up the screen but disable touch, so the person who enters will not be able to use the phone. Entering the correct pattern will fully unlock the device.

This kernel feature can work with most currently available kernels built from source. The developer was kind enough to provide necessary patches that need to be cherry picked in order to make it work.

If you are a kernel developer, you can consider adding this to your project. If you’re just a user, you can also request the feature to be implement by your favorite kernel developer. You can learn more by visiting the Tap2unlock – a new tap2wake feature with pattern forum thread.

The post Tap2Unlock Brings Security to Tap2Wake appeared first on xda-developers.

Nokia’s HERE map app now available on Google Play Store

Nokia's HERE map app has been gaining ground as an alternative to Google Maps, but one thing that might have prevented more people from getting it for their smartphones is that you had to sidedownload it from their website. But all that is about to change as you can now download the app directly from the Google Play Store, although it is still in beta version.

Aside from this improvement to their service, they have also added 18 new countries and territories to their list of supported areas, bringing the total to 118 navigable countries. The new additions are Algeria, Angola*, Bangladesh*, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Iraq, Libya, Mauritania, Mauritius, Nepal*, Paraguay, Saint Helena, Senegal*, Sri Lanka*, Suriname*, Zambia*, Zimbabwe*. (those marked means not all roads are mapped out yet).

HERE has slowly become popular on Android devices because of its voice-guided navigation, as well as the ability to save maps offline, a handy tool for those who travel to other countries and are without data connection. Some recent updates have also updated the app to include public transit information so that the app can also be of use to those who commute rather than driving in private vehicles.

The update also brings a more stable version of the app, as well as the usual bug fixes, especially for the voice-related navigation features. If you already have the existing app, you don't need to uninstall your current app or reinstall your maps and voices. If you don't have it yet, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store. Just remember that it is still in beta version, so not all things might work as expected as of now.

SOURCE: HERE

Hangouts update: more creative interactions, suggestions

Text messaging is so early 2000s. These days, it's all about free messaging apps on your smartphones. With the popularity of such services as Viber, Whats App, LINE, Messenger and the likes, people are finding it more exciting to exchange messages with loved ones through these rather than the boring, simplistic SMS. Hangouts has been another popular messaging app, but some find it a little too staid or boring. But a new update aims to change that impression with new features that will make your interactions more exciting.

Stickers and fun emoticons are some of the ways that messaging apps have changed the way we communicate digitally. The Hangouts update adds 16 new sticker packs, including penguins, koalas, cats and other fun creatures, and they promise that more are coming soon. And if you want your video calls to be more "stylish", you can add filters like sepia, black and white, vignette, etc while you're doing the call.

It will be easier for your friends and family members (but hopefully not strangers) to find you on Hangouts as long as they have your number. And when you want to find out if your friends are actually online so you can talk to them, you can now look at the timestamp for when they were "last seen." Now when you want to hide from said friends, that is another question. Hangouts is also becoming "smarter" by giving your suggestions when you're chatting. Like when your friend is asking you where you are, it will give you options for answers based on your location.

Google says that they have a few more surprises that you can explore when you update to the latest version. The Android update started rolling out to users through Google Play Store yesterday, but the "last seen" timestamps will take a little bit longer to be incorporated in the app.

SOURCE: Google

TRANSFORMERS: Battle Tactics game to land on mobile soon

Transformers is one of the most beloved toy franchises in the world and of all time, so it isn't surprising that owner Hasbro would want to bring it to the growing mobile gaming industry as well. Teaming up with game developers ngmoco, the two will be bringing TRANSFORMERS: Battle Tactics to Android, and iOS, in 2015. But if you're thinking of an action packed game similar to Transformer titles on the PC and consoles, better think again.

As the name implies, this game is more about strategic thinking than button mashing. In fact, the game's description makes "strategy" the unequivocal theme of the game:

TRANSFORMERS: Battle Tactics is the exciting turn-based strategy game where players collect and assemble teams of iconic TRANSFORMERS characters and battle in strategic combat experiences with other fans in real-time.

As for who those iconic characters are, the game seems to mostly follow the Generation 1 (G1) roster, which includes the classic Optimus Prime and Megatron, though the list seems to extends a bit further down the timeline. For example, Arcee, the first female Transformer, is there. Superion is also depicted, which could hint that combiners are also present, though we shouldn't probably hold our breaths that we'd actually be able to combine Transformers into one, huge, badass robot.

Graphics wise, TRANSFORMERS: Battle Tactics might be a bit of a downer to hardcore fans. You aren't getting the robots in all their glory but are instead left with chibi (small) depictions. In fact, the style is reminiscent of Angry Birds Transformers even. The exact gameplay mechanics are also rather vague at this point, but fans will most likely keep an eye out for this one, even if just to see how it pans out in the end. The game will be free to play, with IAPs of course, and there are elements of online PvP.

Angry Bird Star Wars II gets new chapter with latest update

Angry Bird pop culture iterations continue to be popular and in demand, despite the appearance of many imitations and (some would say better) more difficult alternatives. And as excitement continues to build for the new Star Wars movie coming out in December of 2015 (witness the craziness over the first released teaser trailer), game developer Rovio decided it's time for another update for Angry Bird Star Wars II.

"Revenge of the Pork" is the newest chapter in the seemingly endless war between birds and pigs. The two species are still at it, and this time around, you'll get 32 new levels to try and fling birds to destroy those pesky pigs across Genosis and Mustafar. The update also brings 16 new Master Your Destiny levels so you can practice being a jedi, just in case the actual rebels in the Star Wars universe need to call on your skills. And when we mean skills, we mean bird-flinging capabilities.

If you expect any bird or pig iteration from the upcoming new movie to show up, you will be disappointed. The plot and characters from the movie are a closely guarded secret anyway, so fat chance that the folks over at Rovio will be able to take a peek. This update is really more of the same, but if you're hungry for any kind of Star Wars thing and you're still a fan of Angry Birds, then this will be more than okay for you.

The update is free for anyone who's already been enjoying the game. If you haven't yet, you can download Angry Birds Star Wars II from the Google Play Store for free, but with in-app purchases available.

Facebook Trending now on mobile, with more resources

For market researchers, social media community managers and people who are just curious what people on the Internet are talking about, Facebook's Trending feature was heaven-sent when they started it back in January. The latest update now brings this to your mobile devices and there are even more ways to read and analyze the topics you want to explore, with more resources available at the swipe of your smartphone or tablet.

There are now five sections for each trending topic that you'll click on. One stream, called "Articles" is to show you articles from media organizations and how they are bringing the story to the rest of the world. The "In the Story" section will bring you the point of view of people who are actually part of the story, like if it's about a political personality or a celebrity. If you want to look at stories from people you know, you can head to the "Friends and Groups" stream so you'll see what they're saying about the trending topic. "Near the Scene" is all about those who are posting and talking about the topic and are near in that area where it is happening. Lastly, "Live Feed" is a real-time ticker that shows you what people all over the world are saying about it.

The timeliness, engagement and other algorithims determine which post or stories will show up in the different sections. As for your own posts, they will only show up if you use the Public settings or if you are in the audience for said post (friends' or groups updates).

The Trending update will start rolling out for Android devices and web users as well. However, for now, it is just limited to the US, but hopefully, this will also roll out to other countries and regions.

SOURCE: Facebook

Verizon outs software update for Galaxy Note 4-Gear VR compatibility

So you've got your Samsung Gear VR and your Galaxy Note 4 ready to give virtual reality a try? Well, you've got to update your Note 4 first before you can enjoy the VR headset. More so if the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is from Verizon.

This isn't surprising but the bigger news is that Verizon already has the necessary software update. Okay, so maybe Verizon has changed it's a welcome surprise. If you've got your Verizon Galaxy Note 4, you need to download the software update first. It brings a few changes to the Gear VR compatibility, Galaxy Essential widget, and the ISIS wallet name now changed to Softcard.

After the Galaxy Note 4 is updated, you'll notice a new transparent Amazon Widget, new legibility for screen and font colors non-active items, Spanish support for Mobile Hotspot, email notification bugs fixed, and better WiFi performance. If you're observant enough, you will notice the Google Drive and Office viewer compatibility problem also fixed. Fingerprint scanning is also better. Thank you Verizon.

A software update before getting to enjoy the Gear VR and experiencing virtual reality is such a small thing. Do it before you turn on the Gear VR because carrier variants of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 won't work without the software update.

To finally get the update, go to Settings > System > System Updates and see if it's already available. It should be there now. Enjoy!

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 4 Developer Edition, available on Verizon


• Samsung Galaxy Note 4 wins at display color accuracy test


• Samsung rumored to update Galaxy Note 4 with Snapdragon 810