Google Fit update adds 100 more activities for tracking

As 2014 is about to draw to a close, one inescapable fact is that this was the year when the wearables truly came into their own, particularly the smartwatches and the fitness trackers that helped mobile people try to add a bit of health consciousness in their lives. Google Fit is the tech giant's own effort to get into the market by turning your Android Wear and your Android smartphones into fitness centers.

The latest update to the app now adds over 100 more activities that you can input to be able to track your fitness activities. So aside from the usual cycling, running, walking, eating activities previously supported, you can now record skiing, skating, biathlon, volleyball, circuit training, boxing, cricket, dancing, kite surfing, etc. The only thing is that you would have to manually enter your information as it will not be automatically tracked by your wearable.

Another new thing from this update is the experimental step tracking feature which means that even if your smartwatch or fitness band gets disconnected from your paired smartphone, it will still continue to monitor your steps so that you will not lose count. The algorithm has also been fixed to better monitor all your fitness activities, including the new ones.

You can update your Google Fit app through the Google Play Store. However, as usual, Google is rolling it out slowly so you might not still be part of the ones who've already received the update. But if you already have it, congratulations and goodluck in your fitness goals this holiday season.

Story Timeline

• Google Fit lands on Play Store and the web


• RunKeeper, Runtastic fitness apps get Google Fit integration


• Nike+ Running now with Google Fit integration

Remember Everything with Calendar Events Notifier

The calendar application has and will continue to be one of the most important tools on our mobile devices. Android’s developers quickly implemented the calendar application in a very early version of the OS, and since then, the application has seen some major updates. That said, it still serves one main function: organizing your life.

In the first party Google Android calendar, you can set a reminder for upcoming events. Unfortunately, it’s rather easy to miss notifications and skip events because our mobile phones and tablets are usually hidden deep inside our bags, and it’s often easy to forget about an important event.

XDA Recognized Developer bartito identified the problem and created an application that captures your calendar app notification and repeats it until you disable the notification. The app is fully compatible with the Android Wear, which makes it an even better solution for all of you who keep forgetting appointments.

Calendar Events Notifier is normally a paid application. But before you’ll decide to close this tab, please note that developer has made it free for all XDA users. To unlock the hidden features, follow the instruction provided in the opening post of the thread.

Apps like Calendar Events Notifier can save you from missing an important call, wedding anniversary or birthday of your beloved. To get it, head over to the Calendar Events Notifier application thread to learn more.

The post Remember Everything with Calendar Events Notifier appeared first on xda-developers.

Amazon app axed from Play Store, returns as shopping-only app

If you praised the Amazon overlords for pooling almost all their retail offers, both physical and digital, into a single Android app, you might start hurling profanities at this latest development. Though you might be hurling them at the wrong people. Amazon's revamped Appstore was apparently removed from Google Play Store because Google subtly changed one of its criteria for allowing apps on Google Play Store. Now the Amazon app has returned, sans the ability to buy apps and games.

Last October, Amazon acknowledged, though it seemed only in passing, that its app on Google Play Store now also allowed users to buy apps directly within it, a functionality previously only found in a separate Android Appstore app that you will have to manually download and install from Amazon (unless you're already using a Kindle Fire or Fire Phone, in which case this probably shouldn't matter to you). But suddenly the app disappeared from Play Store listings. Some say Google kicked it out, Amazon says it pulled it out itself.

Whoever did it, the reason was a change in Google's "Developer Distribution Agreement", the contract that stipulates which apps will be allowed on Google Play Store. Previously there was a part there that said that an app's primary and sole goal should not be to distribute apps and games on Android devices outside of Market (previous name of Google Play Store). This clearly forbids any direct competitor to Google Play Store, though it doesn't specify if it should be selling or just distributing apps. Now the Agreement is more generic, covering apps that distribute apps and game even just as a sideline. Obviously, this covers the new Amazon app.

And so the new, now old, Amazon app with Appstore inside has been replaced with the old, now new, Amazon app dedicated solely for shopping. The Amazon app with apps and games, however, can still be downloaded from Google Play Store via a direct link. You just won't be able to search for it. You can also download the Amazon Appstore directly from Amazon as well.

This development is rather intriguing and perhaps a bit worrying to some extent. On one hand, it's only reasonable to expect that Google doesn't want any competition from its Play Store, which is actually also a way to enforce security (by discouraging installing apps from third party sources). On the other hand, Google is perhaps casting too wide a net just to get Amazon's new app out, potentially affecting even small apps that try not to outdo Google, but offer more convenience and even a bit of security (downloading from a single app rather than from random web links) for apps that aren't or can't be available from Google Play Store.

VIA: SlashGear

Power Bank Comparison and Options – XDA TV

There are so many Power Banks out there. However, they are not all the same. Some sacrifice weight for capacity. Others do the opposite. Some come with two ports and some come with more, while others come with less. Some are just batteries with a case around it, but others have some unique features.

In this episode of XDA TV, Producer TK reviews and discusses various options. He reviews the Lepow U-Stone 12000mAh Power Bank, the Lepow ADD Power System, the PowerAdd Apollo 2, the OLALA 10000mAh Power Bank and the RadioShack 3000mAh Slim Power Bank. Check out this video to learn your power options.

Be sure to check out other great XDA TV Videos

• Lepow U-Stone 12000mAh


• Lepow ADD Power System


• PowerAdd Apollo 2


• OLALA 10000mAh


• RadioShack 3000mAh Slim

The post Power Bank Comparison and Options – XDA TV appeared first on xda-developers.

Inferno sequel brings bigger, better and badder color explosions

When you hear the word Inferno, what first comes to mind? Does it involve exploding balls of color that meet their end from bad-ass bullets fired from your smartphone? No? Well, that's basically what Inferno is all about and the sequel is more of the same. The twin-stick action-RPG is an award-winning and popular game that is now back with "bigger, better, badder" features and customization options than its predecessor. Welcome to Inferno 2.

The game now has more than 80 levels of neon mazes for you to play through, all with three varying levels of difficulty, which you can change whenever you want. Its Game+ mode adds to the replayability of its gameplay. The touch controls for this sequel is much more responsive and customizable, and offers support for more gamepad controls, in case you're tired of just swiping and pressing with your fingers.

As with any self-respecting game sequel, Inferno 2 has more weapons, upgrades, powers, and consequently, more enemies to fight against. The explosions of your foes are even bigger and more colorful, and dare we say it, even prettier than before. You will not find any backstory here or an effort to understand why your enemies are evil. The mission is simple: shoot them down and make them explode in a ball of color. There are also supposedly "more secrets to discover" so maybe let us know when you've figured them out.

Inferno 2 can be played either in a smartphone or a tablet. Either way, you should get your money's worth. It is available for download from the Google Play Store for only $2.99.

Automate Your Scrolling with Smart Scroll Tools

Paper still has its value, but smart devices are slowly replacing traditional paper and pen, as well as classical books and traditional press. If you read a lot (and find yourself scrolling frequently), the screen of your tablet or smartphone may quickly become quite dirty and full of fingerprints, making the experience less than desirable. Luckily, there are some alternative and hopefully better methods of scrolling that will save you some time and frustration.

A few months ago, we wrote about Tilt Scroll by XDA Forum Member mrYoussef135. This application is able to scroll content in various applications using the built-in device accelerometer sensor. Not everyone likes to shake their device like a tambourine, so if you are looking for a more traditional way of scrolling, mrYoussef135 once again came up with something that might interest you. Smart Scroll Tools is an application that allows you to scroll within apps with just a few buttons. It’s a very useful solution for those who find themselves reading long documents that require a good amount of scrolling. The application runs a server, which makes it usable with almost all apps installed on your phone.

To use Smart Scroll Tools, your device must be rooted and be running Android 4.0 or newer, so keep that in mind before installing this application. It will also work on Android Lollipop.

Don’t waste your time scrolling your screen using your fingers. Smart Scrolls Tools will do that for you. You can get the application by heading over to the Smart Scroll Tools forum thread.

The post Automate Your Scrolling with Smart Scroll Tools appeared first on xda-developers.

Lume Cube lights up your Android phone photos and video

One of the biggest challenges with taking good video and photos using your Android device in a dark room or environment is lighting. Most Android devices have a flash, but the flash on many of them isn’t that great. This is where a new product called Lume Cube comes in.

Lume Cube is an external video and photography light that can be used as a flash or a light that is on as long as you want. They are sized to be used with GoPro cameras making them very compact and lightweight. That means they are easy to take with you on the go.

Each of the Lume Cube devices produces 1500 lumens of light and are controlled via an app on your mobile device. The app is able to control up to five Lume Cubes at a time and each can be controlled individually. The lights are controlled using Bluetooth.

The case the Lume cube is in is waterproof and designed to be rugged. Lume Cube is on Kickstarter now seeking $56,000 and as raised over $155,000 with 7 days to go. You can get a Lume Cube for $59 with shipping expected in February 2015.

SOURCE: Kickstarter