Another day, another Android tablet. This one's got an 11-inch screen, magnetically-attaching keyboard, kickstand coming out the back...wait, that seems familiar.
Remove Bloatware from Your Android Device – XDA TV
Carriers and manufacturers sometimes have the nasty habit of installing apps at the factory. These apps are claimed to be useful and helpful. However, why do I need Verizon’s Navigation app when Google Maps is already installed? Why do I need Samsung’s Mail app to check my Gmail? Android already comes with a much nicer Gmail app.
So, you can just ignore some of the apps, but some still run in the background. Also, your app drawer could potentially be crowded with this junk making it harder to find the stuff you actually need!
XDA TV Producer RootJunky presents instructions on How to Remove Bloatware from Your Android Device using tools from the XDA Developers Forums. The process is painless and pretty easy. This video shows you use Gatesjunior’s Debloater tool. The process is the same for just about any Android device. So if you wanted to get rid of bloatware on your Android device, take a moment and check this video out.
Requirements:
- Developer Options turned on with ADB or USB debugging enabled
- Manufacturer Drivers installed
- KitKat – No Root Needed
- Lollipop, Jelly Bean and below require root access
Links to Files mentioned:
- Debloater Tool
- XDA Thread for Windows Debloater Tool
- Android Drivers for Many Different Devices
- Gatesjunior’s Profile
Check out RootJunky’s (Tom’s) YouTube Channel.
The post Remove Bloatware from Your Android Device – XDA TV appeared first on xda-developers.
Pilot a gun inside a block in Gunbrick platformer puzzle game
In a world where cars are obsolete (we don't really know what that fact has to do with this game, but the developer says so), the only thing standing between you and whatever it is you're trying to do is a few mutants, law enforcement, and other enemies is a new kind of weapon that you need to maneuver. Welcome to the world of Gunbrick.
Well, based on the name, it's kind of easy to deduce what your weapon is. Yes, it is a gun inside a brick or you can also call it "a gun on one side...a shield on the other". Gunbrick is a combination platformer and puzzle game where you (it looks like you're a duck or a guy with a big, red, nose beak) need to swipe left or right to rotate your weapon/vehicle and then tap to fire the gun at your enemies. It sounds simple enough, but as you go along, you'll find it's more complicated to do both.
The game has three different locations with different puzzles in each stage. An Epic Boss fight breaks out every once in a while to give you a more difficult tiime, including one chainsaw death match where you fight to the, well, death. There are also some unlockable achievements to give you more motivation to do well in the game and actually finish it.
Gunbrick can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for $3. However, there are no in-app purchases anymore, so the price tag may very well be worth it. Plus, you can let the kids play the game on your smartphone without any danger of racking up a credit card bill.
Crossy Road tries to help the chicken (and others) cross the road
"Why did the chicken cross the road?" is one of the greatest mysteries that humanity has been trying to answer for the past decades. And while this new Android game does not claim to be able to bring answers and closure for the chicken, it does explore all the various possibilities and consequences of this particular course of events for the chicken and its compatriots. Welcome to the world of Crossy Road.
This highly addictive game which is now available for Android devices has one purpose only: to get the chicken (and other characters you can choose later on) cross the road. But the catch is that there's actually no other side of the road because it is actually endless. You battle an endless stream of cars on the highway, a stream of rivers and other rushing, torrential water, eagles trying to look for their dinner, and other challenges as your character tries to get to the "other side" without getting killed.
Aside from the aforementioned chicken, you can also get other blocky characters to cross the road for you. There are over 50 blocky "retro-styled, pop-art inspired characters" including animals, mythical creatures, and even the bugdroid Android mascot. The "candy wonderland" type of graphics is cute and entices you to play the endless hopper even more. It starts out being really difficult but gets easier and more fun and addictive as the game goes on.
Crossy Road has actually been available since last month through the Amazon Appstore. But now it is officially on the Google Play Store and you can download it for free. But there are also in-app purchases, including some of the non-chicken blocky characters.
Digital tattoo thermometer, smart pacifier unveiled at CES 201
Who says that only adults and older kids can benefit from the continuing evolution of technology and gadgets? At CES 2015, several products were unveiled that highlight how you can use technology to check up on your babies' health. Okay, it's also the parents that will actually be helped by these new products and babies will probably not have much fun using them, but it still is pretty cool to see technology being used for something other than selfies or games (not that those are bad things okay?)
VivaLnk, the guys behind Motorola's cool digital tattoo, have come up with another product using the same technology, but this time with bears instead of cool ink designs. The eSkin Thermometer uses an NFC chip together with a temperature sensor in order to tell whether your child is running a fever or if they're cured of the flu already. And it will be able to give you a reading in just under three seconds. It comes in a cute bear sticker, so taking their temperature will not be a scary or tedious thing for your young one.
Pacif-i meanwhile does the same thing but uses a pacifier instead of a sticker, probably making it the world's first "smart" pacifier. Aside from being an actual pacifier that your baby can put in their mouth, it will send a temperature reading of the child to your paired smartphone through a special app. It even has a time-stamp to continuously monitor the readings, and it can actually show it in a graph that will show the daily progression. Not only will it tell you whether or not the baby has a fever, but the stored data can also be used later on to determine the best course of treatment in the eventuality of a recurring or unexpected condition. Oh, and in case your baby "escapes" from you or something, it emits a BLE signal so you can track him or her and it will send an alarm if the pacifier (and the baby) goes more than 20 feet beyond your smartphone.
Pacif-i will cost you $40 each and can be bought from its maker, Blue Maestro's website but on back order. Meanwhile VivaLnk plans to sell the eSkin Thermometer in packs of three from between $15-$20. Each sticker can last for 15 days and is washable. They are planning to launch sometime this spring.
SOURCE: VivaLnk, Blue Maestro
ZAGG intros new Pocket Keyboard for your phablet
Smartphones are getting bigger. We recently noted that laptop growth and tablet sales are going nowhere so more manufacturers are focusing their efforts on smartphones. Screen sizes are getting larger but admit it, typing on a touchscreen display has not always been easy. More people still prefer real keyboard especially if you need to type a longer message. Since more and more people are using phones (phablets) as their main device, we can expect smartphones to transform at a more rapid pace.
I haven't reached that point where my smartphone has replaced the laptop but I want a keyboard. With my phone's 5-inch display, I know I can "work" on it. Give me a keyboard so I can type away as quickly as possible. This ZAGG Pocket Keyboard is just perfect for my large fingers. This is a fold-up portable keyboard that connects via Bluetooth and can be used with various platforms like iOS, Android, and Windows.
This fold-and-go keyboard measures on 9 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches when folded down so you know it's really foldable but still offers an almost full-size keyboard feel. It comes with a built-in stand so your phone or tablet will stay in front of you. It's also eco-efficient because the keyboard won't turn on if it's folded or closed. This means longer battery life for the new ZAGG keyboard. Actually, the Lithium-Ion battery inside can last up to two years between charges according to ZAGG.
The $70 ZAGG Pocket Keyboard will be available this first quarter. It's not the first ZAGG keyboard we've seen though. A few years ago, we featured the ZAGG Keys SOLO Portable Keyboard for Android so this one should also be good.
VIA: SlashGear
Alcatel OneTouch to sell unlocked devices through new e-commerce site
For the first time in North America, Alcatel OneTouch is opening an e-commerce channel where users will be able to purchase unlocked smartphones, tablets and accessories from the OEM. They previously launched a similar online channel in Europe last November 2014 and now it's the turn of US residents (and later on, Canada) to be able to buy their preferred device at a more affordable price and not tied down with any carrier (if that is something they would prefer).
According to Steve Cistulli, Senior Vice President of North America for Alcatel OneTouch, they wanted to form a "more direct relationship" with consumers, hence the decision to open the online store. They also want customers to have the option and opportunity to choose the device they want at prices that are relatively cheaper than if you purchase it with a carrier. While the Europe online store only offered a full range of accessories for the French, German, Italian, Spanish, and UK markets (with more to come this year), the North American online channel will also be offering smartphones and tablets.
Among those that will initially be available in the alcatelonetouch.us will be the Idol X+, a 5-inch full HD 4G smartphone with a 13MP camera, available at $275, and the Idol 2 S, a 5-inch LTE smartphone. When it comes to tablets, both the Pop 7 and Pop 8 will be available. The bigger Pop 8, which is an 8-inch quad-core tablet will be sold for $199 while the slightly smaller Pop 7, which is a 7-inch dual-core device, will be available for $149. Device covers, NFC tags, 1800mAh powerbanks and Bluetooth headsets by Alcatel will also be sold on their digital store.
The U.S store is already open and available for shipping of your device and/or accessories of choice. Later this year but still during the first quarter, Canada residents will also get their own e-commerce channel for Alcatel OneTouch.
SOURCE: Alcatel
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