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PPSSPP 1.0: You guessed it, a PSP emulator on Android

We’ve been wondering why there was no legit project out there for an emulator to enable playing PSP (classic) games on Android devices, given that hardware specs for Android devices are on the up. But it seems our wondering days are over. Welcome PPSSPP 1.0, from the same emulator team that brought you Dolphin for PC, a Nintendo Wii emulator.



As of this moment, we’re happy to say that PPSSPP is a fully working Playstation Portable emulator – in other words, it will let you play PSP games on your Android device. That said, the development project for this emulator is pretty young, so we should expect there to be a few bugs that users will find here and there. But to be able to say that the emulator is ready to play certain games at full speed at this point is something to get real excited about. Did we mention that the app has a pretty slick UI for you to navigate through stuff?




In terms of features, there only a few available given the early stages of the appp’s development. It is missing a few things that we like in emulators, like mapping of hardware keys and support for PSP eboot files. But if you have PSP ISO files, those do work.


This is the interesting part – the developers have made the app such that it is able to run on most Android devices, not just high-end ones – with the only caveat that your device supports OpenGL ES 2.0 (which most do). Of course, slap it on a DROID Turbo and you will get the best performance at this point. You can download it free as an ad-supported app for Android 2.3 or higher, or get the "gold" version which removes the advertising for USD$5.99.


DOWNLOAD: Google Play Store

VIA: Reddit





Holo or Material Design?

Ultimate Material Lollipop Collection - 28

Now that we’ve had several months to play with Material Design, it’s time to decide between the two style favorites. Do you prefer the new Material Design implemented in Android, or the previous HOLO? Let us know which one you like best and why!


The post Holo or Material Design? appeared first on xda-developers.


Verizon now allows users to opt-out of Supercookies, online activity tracking

Verizon has been offering new data plan options and deals for all subscribers. The carrier has also been releasing new mobile devices and early software updates for Verizon variants. However, the company has been receiving several complaints and criticisms from privacy advocates about some of their regulations which caused Verizon to revise its mobile ad-targeting program. Apparently, the network is believed to be tracking users for ad-targeting purposes.



Verizon Wireless announced last week that users can opt-out of the tracking and marketing efforts. Before, Verizon subscribers had no way to disable the "supercookies" or those undeletable customer codes. Third parties following Verizon's tracking could be harmful to the subscribers in many ways. They could be exploited according to security researchers.


Verizon spokeswoman Debi Lewis shared in a statement:



Verizon takes customer privacy seriously and it is a central consideration as we develop new products and services. As the mobile advertising ecosystem evolves, and our advertising business grows, delivering solutions with best-in-class privacy protections remains our focus.


We listen to our customers and provide them the ability to opt out of our advertising programs. We have begun working to expand the opt-out to include the identifier referred to as the UIDH, and expect that to be available soon. As a reminder, Verizon never shares customer information with third parties as part of our advertising programs.



This is definitely good news for Verizon Wireless subscribers but really, it shouldn't have taken the company this long to figure it out and do the necessary changes. This decision came after a letter was sent to Lowell C. McAdam, CEO of Verizon, from the Democratic members of the Senate’s powerful Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Those influential lawmakers criticized Big Red's privacy and security practices.


Digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation also began a consumer petition. They're asking federal agencies to penalize digital marketing software company Turn and Verizon for not disclosing tracking practices. Verizon quickly changed some of its policies by allowing subscribers to opt-out of having their activities tracked. Verizon uses a unique customer code that can be accessed by third parties. Verizon should look into this matter and prevent posisble hijacking as early as now.


VIA: NY Times





Echo Connect Plus charges Android and iPhone devices

There are many people out there that use both Android and iOS devices for business and pleasure. Perhaps you have an Android smartphone but an Apple tablet. Maybe your personal smartphone is an Android device, but your employer hands out iPhones for business use. Whatever the case, a bunch of people out there need to keep both Android and iOS devices charged.



This is where the Echo Connect Plus comes in. This charger claims to be the first device in the world that charges both Android and iOS devices with one charge adapter. The "Y" shaped adapter has a USB connector on one end and an Apple lightning connector on one side of the "Y" and an Android USB charger on the other.


echo-2


The body of the adapter is soft and flexible plastic so it can bend to keep pressure off the connectors if needed. The overall length of the charger is 6cm long and features hard plastic around the connector ends. It has a lanyard hole to allow it to be attached to straps.


echo-3


The Echo Connect Plus is on Indiegogo seeking $10,000 and has more than double that amount with over $20,000 raised and 55 days to go. A pledge of $15 or more will get you an Echo with delivery estimated in April. The final retail price will be around $30.




SOURCE: Indiegogo


Easily (Re-)Patch ROMs via Bash Script

Cherry-pick script

If you often need to cherry-pick specific patches for an unofficial ROM you’re maintaining, you probably know how tedious it can get. To solve this problem, XDA Recognized Developer laufersteppenwolf decided to write a bash script that makes keeping track of and merging these commits easy.


The post Easily (Re-)Patch ROMs via Bash Script appeared first on xda-developers.


Research says mobile use may affect kids’ problem-solving skills

It is already an accepted fact that the best way to distract kids or to keep them from getting bored is to plop a mobile device in front of them. In fact, you probably will not be able to separate them from the smartphone or tablet when you actually need them to pay attention. Much has been said about the effect of heavy mobile device use on the young ones, but there are still no hard facts to support our theories and speculations.



But researchers at the Boston University Medical Center have come up with findings that show kids who are too immersed in their (or their parents') mobile devices may be losing out on developing their self-regulation skills. The scientists reviewed different kinds of interactive media and tried to see if they were even effective as educational tools or if they were actually detrimental to their development, particularly in the areas of problem solving and social interaction.


The early studies indicate that kids pre-school and older will benefit from the use of interactive media, such as e-books or learn-to-read apps. However, for those 2 and below, the research for them are not that many and so it is hard to see whether or not it is beneficial. But many studies have already shown that this age group learns more from hands-on and face-to-face kind of interaction. And using mobile devices as a distraction may very well affect the social-emotional skills of the child, like their problem-solving skills or empathy towards other people. These are things learned from unstructured play and interacting with their peers.


When TV was in its heyday, there were also numerous studies on whether or not it affected the development of language and social skills. We can expect more of the same as mobile devices continue to dominate our lives. One thing that the researchers advice parents to do is for parents to try out the applications or devices first before letting their children use it, and when possible, to actually use them together. The details of the study are published in the latest edition of the journal Pediatrics.


VIA: University Herald


Russian Samsung Galaxy S4 getting a taste of Lollipop

We know the Samsung Galaxy S4 is getting Android 5.0 Lollipop update but we don't know when the Russians would be able to get their hands on the sweet version. A Galaxy S4 with Lollipop build was leaked a few months ago after a related rumor came out. Of course, the Android 5.0 update was officially released for the Galaxy S4 but only made available in a few countries. Even the Google Play Edition of the smartphone got a quick update.




If you're in Russia and own a Samsung Galaxy S4, no need to wait because there have been reports that the update is now out in the country. Serkan ÖZYILMAZ shared on Twitter that the Lollipop update in Russia has indeed officially arrived for the older flagship phone after the Galaxy Note 3 received its sweetness.


At least those Galaxy S4's powered by Exynos or the GT-I9500 variant can receive the Android 5.0.1 update. You need to have a minimum of 1049MB to load the new version on your smartphone. As with most Lollipop updates, this one should bring all features of the new version. Expect to see a new interface, lockscreen notifications, enhanced performance, and some Material Design elements.


Samsung Galaxy S4 Android Lollipop Russia


Your Samsung Galaxy S4 should be receiving an OTA notification in the coming days. Just be patient. It's almost here.


SOURCE: Serkan ÖZYILMAZ





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