CAMpanion attaches GoPro cameras to most surfaces

If you own a GoPro camera, you know that they can record high quality video and still shots. Odds are the GoPro has much better video and photo taking capabilities than your Android smartphone or tablet. A new product has debuted called the CAMpanion that is designed to connect your GoPro to just about any surface.

CAMpanion can connect the GoPro to any smartphone or tablet or just about any other surface. Newer GoPro cameras work with apps for Android devices to allow you to see what you are filming. With the app running on your smartphone and the camera attached to the back of your phone. This makes it easy to film exactly what you want to film.

The mounting mechanism attached to a smartphone case and the GoPro can mount to it very quickly. CAMpanion also has an accessory mount that can be used to mount a microphone, light, or other accessories.

CAMpanion is on Kickstarter seeking $28,000. So far, it has raised a bit over $8000 with 59 days to go. A pledge of $20 or more will get you a full CAMpanion setup with delivery expected in May 2015. You can also pledge $5 and get the files needed to 3D print the holder portion at home.

SOURCE: Kickstarter

Bluewire hands-free set records calls, finds lost keys too

Taking a call while driving is dangerous enough, which is why it’s banned in at least 14 states, plus D.C. and other US territories (and that’s what Bluetooth headsets are there for). But writing while driving—that ups the danger level quite significantly. Hopefully, when the Bluewire bluetooth device finally hits the market, these dangers could be a thing of the past. It might just be that good.

The crowd-funded Bluewire project is looking to produce a hands-free Bluetooth headset capable of recording any conversation on your Android device. It’s capable of recording both sides of your chat, leaving out the guesswork on who said what and why, and can be played back through an app installed in your smartphone. It can pair with any Bluetooth headset you have (so you don’t have to change preferences), can record your conversations even if you’re far from your phone (up to 33 feet), and can even record Skype or other VOIP exchanges.

It’s actually hard not to like the Bluewire. By simply tapping it on your Android device immediately after your last conversation, it automatically transfers the recording onto your phone. On-board recording and storage is also possible via the Bluewire’s 16GB memory. It supports Qi wireless charging and can function as a two-way walkie-talkie as well. Plus, the device is made to be portable; it comes with a ring so you can latch it to your keys. But a really useful feature of the Bluewire is its motion sensor: If you can’t remember where you put your keys, simply shake your phone and the Bluewire will ring, leading you to them. Conversely, if you can’t find your phone, shake the Bluewire handset and your phone will ring. You can even use it as a burglar alarm (hang it on your apartment door; your phone rings when the device moves) and comes with a built-in flashlight.

According to Avi Gilor, Bluewire’s inventor and founder-CEO, one of the reasons he was convinced to create the device was how his locksmith flirted with danger, taking calls and writing essential information while driving. With that in mind—and if you’re also the type of person who needs to record an interview, a number, or an important address while on the go—why not head over to Indiegogo (see source link below) and contribute to the USD$40,000 goal the Bluewire needs so it can potentially save lives? It might even save yours.

SOURCE: Indiegogo

Story Timeline

• Chargetech is the Smallest Phone Charger in the World


• AppYourCar lets you view important apps (safely) while driving


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Sonos beta update: multiroom features, smoother switching

Audio streaming app Sonos has brought (and brought back) several new features to its beta version, and it looks like they're really pushing multi-room features and functionalities to attract even more audiophiles to try using their app. The update gives users the ability to switch faster and more smoothly in between their different music sources, accessing all of them just by using one app.

When Sonos was released last spring, users became pretty excited that they will finally be able to have a flexible platform in which to access and search through all of their music, since most music lovers have multiple audio sources. But there were also some complaints and requests, and so with this latest update, the developers aim to meet challenges posted by users. They have made it easier now to browse and switch in between the different rooms, just by tapping the top of the screen where you will see the drop down menu. And when you're listening to your music on your smartphone, just swipe down to browse through your other music, and then swipe left or right to show the different sources.

The tablet version has also several improvements, making use of its larger screen by having an easier way to toggle in between rooms and screens. For both smartphone and tablets, they've brought back the track progression bar so it would be easier to go back to your favorite part in a song, simply by dragging the bar. They've also introduced the Crossfade feature, if you feel like blending one song after another so that there's no gap in between songs.

Sonos is available to download for free, although it is still in its beta version. They have not yet announced when they will be releasing the full version, except to say that it will be within the next few months.

SOURCE: Sonos

Final Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop OTA Download!

XDA Senior Member provided us with a download link and short flashing guide for the latest and greatest Android version for our Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900) phones. This is not a beta leak like previous firmwares, but the final OTA officially released in Russia. Happy flashing!

The post Final Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop OTA Download! appeared first on xda-developers.

Tiny Apps allows you to multitask via floating applications

“Multitasking” was a big buzzword when the venerable Windows 98 operating system came out, as Microsoft leverage on increased RAM usage (256 to 512MB, mind you) and truly delivered on allowing desktop users to run a number of programs together, thereby increasing theoretical productivity. In the mobile device industry, multitasking is making another renaissance – especially as screen sizes increase and Android becomes better and better handling multiple tasks. But what if your phone simply doesn’t have this capability out of the box? For that, there’s Tiny Apps.

Tiny Apps is a suite of 12 floating apps that pop-up on your mobile device screen in small windows and layer themselves on top of your homescreen - just like on a desktop PC. The suite allows you the capability to run these apps together, giving you an impromptu multitasking session. But the novelty and effectiveness of this suite relies heavily on what apps are available. The suite includes Notes, Audio Recorder, Paint, Web Browser, Music Player, Applauncher, Stopwatch, Video Player, Widgets, Calculator, File Explorer, and Contacts.

The developer has had multitasking in mind way back 2013, when smaller screen sizes and limited RAM didn’t allow us that much leeway in running apps together. Every app is available from a simple menu and users are able to arrange and rearrange them as much as they want. All windows can be moved and resized, while apps can be minimized to small, space-saving icons. The simple interface features all the mini-apps sporting a uniform two-tone color scheme, and each is reduced to the bare essentials – apps do just what they’re supposed to do - nothing fancy, no transparency or gradient colors here.

But that’s not the best part. The most wonderful thing is that there's no limit to how many of these small floating windowed mini-apps you can have floating at a time. The limit is only what your device can handle. The 12 mini apps listed here are available for free, and there’s an in-app purchase system that removes ads, unlocks shortcuts and a transparency adjustment bar in every floating app. Check out the download link below.

DOWNLOAD: Google Play Store

Story Timeline

• AutoCast brings multitasking to Chromecast


• Javelin Browser brings true multitasking to the table


• New multitasking solution C-Floating Windows released for Android

FCC prohibits WiFi-blocking of hotels, says this practice illegal

We're aware that some hotels and companies are blocking the WiFi hotspots of guestS. That is a bad practice and according to the FCC, it's ILLEGAL. One of the most controversial issues which actually led to FCC issuing a special warning was that of Marriot's WiFi-blocking efforts. FCC officially released what is called an "FCC Enforcement Advisory" that says jamming other people's WiFi hotspots is not acceptable. This practice must be stopped immediately.

Hotspot-jamming is a disturbing trend according to the FCC. So whether you are a hotel, company, or an individual, you have no right to block or jam the hotspot of other people. FCC further said that it will work on "aggressively investigating and acting against" the practice. Those caught jamming the WiFi of others will face "enforcement action" because they are in violation of the Section 333 of the Communications Act.

FCC investigated Marriott International back in 2014 and found out that the hotel blocked the WiFi hotspots of the patrons. Because of this, Marriott was fined a hefty sum of $600,000 USD. After this investigation, FCC received similar complaints from individuals who said that some commercial groups are doing the same thing. FCC is already doing investigations on those cases.

The commission reiterated that "intentional blocking or disruption of personal hotspots" is prohibited. If you're a business owner, don't block people's hotspots intentionally. Be gracious enough to let them access mobile Internet on their own.

VIA: SlashGear

SOURCE: FCC

Story Timeline

• Starwood Hotels welcome Google Glass with SPG Glassware


• Google Search on Android: update adds hotel and restaurant filters


• SF hotel loaning Glass to patrons with etiquette agreement

Print your photos through Prynt mobile phone case

A lot of people have been accused of over-sharing their pictures on various social networks. But some of them just really want to share moments, food, even selfies, with their friends. What if there was a way of sharing photos with your friends without having to post it on the Internet? Oh wait, right, that's what we did decades ago when we printed pictures and gave it to our friends. A new Kickstarter project joins the growing number of instant photo printing products in the market, but this time it is an actual phone case.

Simply called Prynt, it claims to be the first mobile phone case that can actually print pictures. You simply plug it into your smartphone, choose the photo that you'd like to print or you can even take a picture right then and there, and a few seconds later, you have a printed photo that you can keep or share with your friends. It works with any smartphone and if you suddenly change your unit, you don't need to buy a new Prynt, you just need to get a dock adapter. It also doesn't use any ink cartridge because the special paper you print the photos on has embedded ink already.

Another cool feature for Prynt is it has augmented reality so you can make your photos move, so to speak. While you're taking a picture, the app will take a short video. After printing the photo, you can hold the phone over it and it will recognize the photo and it will play the video. The said app is still under development however, and will be released this summer. Aside from the augmented reality, the app will also allow you to edit the photos, add background and filters, and personalize it before printing. You can also use it to share photos you've taken with other social networks.

The Prynt Kickstarter project has already met its goal of $50,000 (it's at $205,772 as of this time). It seems like a lot of people are really going for instant photo printing nowadays. You can still support it if you like, although the early bird slots are already gone. Estimated delivery of the Prynt phone cases is August of this year.

VIA: Kickstarter