Android/iOS: Paper books are awesome, but sometimes there's no beating the portability of an ebook on your phone or tablet. If you have a physical book you'd love to read on the go, BitLit may be able to get you an ebook version for free—all you need to do is take a photo.
Many people like big screen smartphones commonly called phablets. When you are using a big screen device, you want lots of screen space but people typically want those big screens with small bezels to make the device as comfortable to hold as possible. Huawei has a new device that fits into the big screen and small bezel category called the Ascent GX1.
The GX1 has a screen to body ratio of 80.5%. Other than boasting lots of screen and minimal bezels, the GX1 doesn't really have much else in the way of standout features. The 6-inch screen has a native resolution of only 720p.
Internal storage is a scant 8GB, but can be expanded with microSD cards. RAM is only 1GB and the cameras are lackluster as well. The rear snapper is an 8MP unit and the front is a 2MP unit.
The CPU inside the device is a quad-core 64-bit Snapdragon 410. Power comes from a 3500 mAh battery. One other upside is that the Ascend GX1 is priced decently at 1590 RMB, or about $255. The device is only available in China at this time.
SOURCE: SlashGear
Want a rather colorful smartphone that doesn't skimp on features but won't break your wallet like an iPhone 5c would? If so, and if you're in China, then Meizu has got you covered. Its new M1 Note, though probably a misnomer, splashes vibrant colors all over the place. But make no mistake to judge this smartphone by its case. Despite its youthful and almost frivolous appearance, this smartphone packs quite a lot of power inside, giving justice to Meizu's spiel of "Quality for (the) Young".
Right from the get go you are met with interesting features. For example, the 5.5-inch screen not only boasts of a Full HD resolution, but also of Sharp's IGZO technology and GFF lamination for reduced reflection. If you have no complaints about MediaTek, then you won't be disappointed to see its 1.7 Ghz octa-core 64-bit CPU inside. RAM is at a spacious 2 GB while storage comes in 16 and 32 GB choices. There's 4G + 2G Dual SIM Dual Standby support and comes in a rather curious tray that can hold both SIM cards, reducing the bulk of the device itself.
For the "fun" stuff, you have a 13 megapixel camera made by Samsung on the back and a selfie-friendly F/2.0 wide angle 5 megapixel camera on the front. The 3,140 mAh battery promises plenty of life to get you through the day, like 12 hours of 4G surfing or 60 hours of high-quality audio jamming. And, of course, there are the color choices, in very vibrant hues that is sure to remind people of candies and a certain fruit. Sadly, despite the "Note" name, there is no stylus hidden here.
Starting today, you can pre-order a Meizu M1 Note, with sales starting on December 30. The 16 GB model costs 999 RMB ($160) and the 32 GB version costs 1,199 RMB ($192). That's definitely cheap, at least for US prices, though there is no word yet on any international launch. This Meizu smartphone does seem to deliver both pizazz and power in one. Just don't complain if people mistake it for an iPhone.
SOURCE: Meizu
During this year’s Google I/O Keynote, Dave Burke introduced a new concept for handling lock screen security. Lollipop’s new API allows using smartwatches or different portable devices as trusted devices to determine whether lock screen security is needed or not. In practice, this works by disabling lock screen protection when your phone is within range of your smartwatch or other trusted device such as your home Wi-Fi network–simple but efficient.
Unfortunately for many users, this functionality is only available on Lollipop, so KitKat and Jelly Bean devices have been left in the cold. This doesn’t have to be the case, however, as XDA Recognized Developer hazex created an application that lest you disable lock screen protection while your phone is within range of certain Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, and so on. Options to unlock via NFC or per location will be added in upcoming releases.
Essentially, this functions just like trusted devices on Lollipop, but for older versions of Android. As such, the most important aspect of this application is its ability to work with Android 4.1+. This means that you can use enjoy smarter lock screen security, even if your OEM has decided to abandon support for your device.
While the application itself is normally a paid app, the developer has created a special XDA community version that doesn’t need to be purchased in order to have full functionality. It’s a nice gift from the developer to all of the XDA community.
Don’t waste your time entering your lock screen pattern all the time. Download SMART UNLOCK from the application thread and bypass your lock screen security when on your trusted networks.
The post Smart Unlock Bypasses Lockscreen Security on Trusted Wi-Fi appeared first on xda-developers.
Many in the world are just counting down the days, for one reason or another. But rather than just doing nothing while waiting, you can start your holiday shopping with a selection of apps and games that are already shaving off a few dollars from their price tags to beat the maddening holiday rush. Here's just the tip of the iceberg, with many more surely to come in the days ahead.
• Moon+ Reader Pro - -50% off $2.49 ($4.99)
• PlayerPro Music Player - -51% off $1.95 ($3.95)
• Sloth Launcher Premium - -50% off $0.99 ($1.99)
• SafeInCloud Password Manager - -50% off $3.99 ($7.99)
• Touch Calendar - -75% off $0.99 ($3.95)
• Jota+ PRO-KEY - -50% off $2.98 ($5.98)
• C Locker Pro - -60% off $0.99 ($2.49)
• WeatherPro HD for Tablet - -74% off $1.02 ($3.99)
• Essential Anatomy 3 - -52% off $11.99 ($24.99)
• Runtastic PRO - -40% off $2.99 ($4.99)
• AIDE Premium Key - -50% off $4.99 ($9.99)
• THE KING OF FIGHTERS '98 - -67% off $0.99 ($2.99)
• Hitman GO - -80% off $0.99 ($4.99)
• Deus Ex: The Fall - -86% off $0.99 ($6.99)
• Leo's Fortune - -80% off $0.99 ($4.99)
• Goat Simulator - -81% off $0.95 ($4.99)
• Anomaly Defenders - -87% off $0.50 ($3.99)
• Anomaly Korea - -75% off $0.99 ($3.99)
• Anomaly 2 - -80% off $0.99 ($4.99)
• Anomaly Warzone Earth HD - -75% off $0.99 ($3.99)
• Rayman Fiesta Run - -83% off $0.50 ($2.99)
• Rayman Jungle Run - -97% off $0.10 ($2.99)
• GTA: Chinatown Wars - -40% off $2.99 ($4.99)
• Game Dev Story - -60% off $0.99 ($2.50)
• Pixel Defenders Puzzle -37% off $1.25 ($1.99)
• The Shadow Sun - -80% off $0.99 ($4.99)
• Knights of Pen & Paper +1 -50% off $2.50 ($4.99)
• Magicka - -50% off $2.00 ($3.99)
• Modern Combat 5: Blackout - -43% off $3.99 ($6.99)
• The Room Two - -67% off $0.99 ($2.99)
• Angry Birds Star Wars HD - -73% off $0.99 ($3.72)
• Doodle Devil™ - -50% off $0.99 ($1.99)
• DRAGON QUEST - -67% off $0.99 ($2.99)
• CHAOS RINGS II - -56% off $6.99 ($15.99)
• DRAKERIDER - -60% off $5.89 ($14.73)
• CHAOS RINGS Ω - -56% off $3.99 ($8.99)
• CHAOS RINGS - -50% off $3.99 ($7.99)
• Crystal Defenders - -57% off $2.99 ($6.99)
• Secret of Mana - -56% off $3.99 ($9.00)
• FINAL FANTASY II - -50% off $3.99 ($7.99)
• FINAL FANTASY DIMENSIONS - -53% off $7.99 ($16.99)
• FINAL FANTASY IV: AFTER YEARS - -50% off $7.99 ($15.99)
• FINAL FANTASY V - -50% off $7.99 ($15.99)
• FINAL FANTASY III - -50% off $7.99 ($15.99)
• CHRONO TRIGGER - -50% off $4.99 ($9.99)
• DRAGON QUEST II - -40% off $2.99 ($4.99)
• DRAGON QUEST VIII - -35% off $12.99 ($19.99)
• FINAL FANTASY - -50% off $3.99 ($7.99)
• FINAL FANTASY VI - -50% off $7.99 ($15.99)
• FINAL FANTASY IV - -50% off $7.99 ($15.99)
VIA: App Sales
The TeamWin Recovery Project (or TWRP, for short) has quickly become one of the most popular custom recoveries for Android. Without this fully touch-friendly recovery, it’s really hard to imagine flashing custom ROMs, kernels, or mods. Not only does TWRP recovery allow you to flash without using tools like fastboot, but it even gives you a great, skinnable UI and plenty of gratuitous features to make the experience better. Over a month ago, XDA Senior Developer Dees_Troy announced version 2.8.2.0 for the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9. Today, TWRP was updated to 2.8.3.0, which is officially available for most currently supported devices.
This update brings loads of fixes to the MTP, AArch64, and True Type Font support. You can find an official changelog below.
Starting with TWRP 2.8.2.0, the recovery uses the new sideload method from AOSP. Updates are no longer stored on the NAND, and are streamed directly onto device using a fuse file created in RAM. To use this feature, you must update the ADB binary to the latest 1.0.32 version.
You can check if the recovery for your de vice has been updated by visiting your home forum or by visiting the official TWRP page.
The post TWRP 2.8.3.0 Available for Supported Devices appeared first on xda-developers.
There have been numerous studies saying that constantly using your mobile phone is bad for your physical, mental, and emotional health. But there are also times when using certain apps and even games can actually be a good for you. A new app called Flowy (still in the Beta stage) is a game but was actually created to help people deal with anxiety and panic attacks through puzzle games that will help you breathe deeply and normally.
It of course will not cure you of those attacks or replace medical treatments, but it will teach you (or reteach) you how to breathe properly and get you to focus on the puzzle games to distract you from whatever is triggering your panic attack. The game's story is that Aegir, the god of the seas (and apparently, the god of parties as well) has neglected his ship. Now with the help of Thor (yes, that Thor, but not the Marvel version) he needs to repair his ship in order to journey back to Asgard "to put on the party to end all parties."
The puzzles you will encounter are controlled by your breath. Well, actually, you touch the screen when you breathe in and then let go when you breathe out. You are recommended to play it for at least three minutes everyday in order to get your attacks under control. In the studies the developers conducted with the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine earlier this year, Flowy decreased the symptoms of anxiety, panic and hyperventilation with the subjects in just a four week period.
Flowy is still in the beta stage so it might not yet work perfectly as expected. But if you want to try it out, especially if you suffer from constant attacks, and give your feedback, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store.