Viber 5.3 update: group admin, support for Android Wear devices

With the amount of conversations we have going on with other people, mostly in a group context and on various platforms, having a handle on these can sometimes be a pain. If you rely on Viber for a lot of these group conversations, then the latest update to the free messaging app should help you out a little because you now have group admin features. It also brings support for Android Wear so you can now use the app on your smartwatches.

If you feel like you're the one that's the "boss" in any of your active group chats, you can now officially make yourself the admin. You can now manage the ongoing chats, adding and removing members, changing the info, and basically just running the show. You can choose to start a new group conversation, add another person/s to co-manage the group, and even changing how the chat looks by changing the theme, group background, group name, etc.

For the Android Wear support feature, you can now receive Viber messages on your connected Android Wear device. You can even reply right on your smartwatch using Google's speech-to-text options. Even the stickers, photos and doodles can be viewed on your Android Wear, but of course it will be resized to fit the smaller screen. Location messages can also be viewed, but it will be sent in the form of a Google Maps image. Viber also said they are working on the feature that will let you answer calls made through the app as well.

For the Android Wear support to work, your OS should be 4.3 or higher, and of course, the Viber for Android has to be updated to 5.3. This should be rolling out to your device pretty soon, so just be patient if it isn't there yet.

SOURCE: Viber

Story Timeline

• Viber transmits and stores images and videos insecurely


• Viber 5.0 brings video calling to Android devices


• Viber Games to come soon to your Android smartphones

Outlook for Android update: improved contact, calendar, search

Just when you thought that the Outlook for Android email app was already great enough to replace your other email apps, they come up with even more feature and improvements to win you over. The latest update brings much welcome enhancements to the contacts and calendar section of the app as well as in the search functions for the email. Pretty soon, you might even find yourself totally dependent on this app for your communication and even for productivity purposes.

First off, the People section has been turned into a true-blue Address Book and you can now view all your contacts from all the email accounts that are synced with the app. Even the contacts stored locally on your smartphone can be added to the address book. When you choose a contact, you'll be able to see all their details of course, send them an email, call them from your device, or even map your way to where they currently (physically). You'll also be able to see your history with the contact, like past emails, files shared, meetings attended, etc.

The calendar section of the app also now has a three-day view available when in landscape mode, adding to the Agenda and Day modes. Other enhancements in the calendar section include zero-length meetings (scary stuff!), remove from calendar options in case your meeting has been canceled, and better options for the day picker for meetings. Searching through hundreds (maybe thousands) of emails is now easier as your search term is now highlighted in the results window so you'll know if you still need to refine your search.

The app has other minor tweaks like select all for bulk operations, undoing bulk operations in case you made a mistake, and then permanently deleting those in your deleted items folder (if you're sure you didn't make a mistake). The update should be rolling out to various accounts now. And if you still haven't yet discovered the beauty of Outlook for Android, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store.

SOURCE: Microsoft Office

LG G3 purchase brings free VR headset (limited, US only)

Virtual reality devices still haven't caught on like wildfire for various reasons (too bulky, too expensive) but you can bet that OEMs will continue to sweet talk consumers into trying out their respective devices and the technology itself. LG's marketing is smart enough to know that people will be willing to experience something if it's given for free (well, sort of free) and so now they're offering free VR headsets for those who will purchase their current flagship, the LG G3.

Whenever you buy their flagship smartphone at any of the participating stores nationwide, you'll receive a free VR unit. But what use is a device if you don't have any content to use it on? Yes, LG has thought of that too, and so they're also including an in-box QR code that will give you free games where the VR headset will be shown in its full glory (or so we hope). The LG G3's Quad HD Display is probably one of the perfect devices in which to experience virtual reality as it has more pixels per inch, giving you a more realistic feel when using the headset.

The device they're giving away is based on the Google Cardboard blueprint, and this one is made specifically for the LG G3. There is no assembly needed and all you have to do is insert the smartphone into the headset and you can already experience virtual reality through the games and apps that come with it or that can be downloaded on the Google Play Store.

In case you already have an LG G3 but would still like to try out VR, they also have a raffle on the LG Facebook page. Entries have to be in by April 13. Meanwhile, the free VR headsets with the purchase of the LG G3 will be given away in select US stores until supplies last.

SOURCE: LG

Story Timeline

• Virtual Volvo XC90 test drive app unveiled for Google Cardboard


• LG jumps on the VR bandwagon with Google Cardboard + G3 combo

OxygenOS Released!

OnePlus has finally released the highly anticipated OxygenOS. The new release, prepared by many developers, including Paranoid Android devs, can be flashed via TWRP or other custom recoveries. It’s not a totally bug free firmware which surely will be updated soon. Prepare for downloading a 705 MB file!

The post OxygenOS Released! appeared first on xda-developers.

Race your way to the finish line with Rush Rally for Android

If you're one of those frustrated drivers who really wanted to be competitive NASCAR racers someday, then it's a good thing that there are a lot of mobile games out there to take out your frustrations on (and not on an actual highway or something). One of the newest games on the block is called Rush Rally, and it will give you all the rush of competing in a rally, with a retro feel as well.

The game actually gives you a realistic and physics-based rally racing, but makes it more fun and more challenging as well. You get to race across all terrains and at all times, whether it's racing at night or racing through the rain and snow. There are 72 tracks with varying surfaces (snow, gravel, tarmac, sand) and level of difficulty. There is also a Rally Cross mode where you race through 36 tracks, all the while trying to beat highly competitive opponents.

One of the fun things about playing mobile racing games is that you get to customize your car with a variety of options that you can change whenever you feel like it (or whenever something gets destroyed). Anyone can play the game, from newbies to experts, from young ones to the (slightly) older ones because the game has four difficulty settings. And because it's optimized for touch devices, it's easy to learn the intuitive controls.

If you're feeling competitive (as all racing enthusiasts are), you can connect the game to your Facebook account and race against people you actually know. You can download Rush Rally for free from the Google Play Store, but it comes with in-app purchases as well.

DUAL! multiplayer game lets you shoot bullets across two screens

Multiplayer games being played over Bluetooth connectivity on two or more mobile devices are nothing new. The only challenge for people who enjoy playing such is finding a game that is really fun and enjoyable to play with another person. Developed by Seabaa, DUAL is a new local multiplayer game that involves two players to shoot bullets. No, not real bullets coming from guns but just bullets seen on two screens. You can either play a DUEL or DEFEND mode depending on your mood. Choose to be competitive in a duel or cooperative by defending your base.

What's good about this game is that it works locally over WiFi. This means even you can play the multiplayer game with another person even without having to turn on your Bluetooth connection. You see, Bluetooth is not always reliable because you have to be wary of the distance and location of your devices. Over WiFi, you are guaranteed of "lesser disconnections" as long as, well, your tablet or smartphone is connected to the Internet.

To play in the Duel mode, simply tilt your phone to dodge bullets, shoot the other camp, and charge. In the Defend mode, you need to cooperate with a friend and work together to defend the middle from the attackers. You can collect different color sets too and then unlock them simply by playing against different players.

Sebaa is proud of this game and is currently working on to add Bluetooth support because you know, it still is the easiest way to connect to a nearby phone.

Download DUAL! from the Google Play Store

Story Timeline

• Gameloft's multiplayer FPS Blitz Brigade video hits the web - looks amazing


• Google Play Services 4.1 adds turn-based multiplayer and Google Drive goodness


• Google Play Games gets improved multiplayer, virtual gifts, more

Yahoo Screen now with Chromecast support but limited only

If you're a fan of the cult favorite but dismally rated comedy show Community, then you were gratified to know that despite NBC's cancellation last year, Yahoo was kind enough to pick it up and renew it for a 6th season. And if you're watching it on your mobile device courtesy of the app Yahoo Screen, then now you will be able to appreciate it even more when you cast it on to a larger screen through Chromecast.

Yes, you can now mirror your Yahoo Screen on to your TV through the dongle. At least, that is the idea. However, apparently not everything is smooth sailing as it doesn't work with all the content yet on the app, just a handful of shows like Community and their new original drama, Sin City Saints (if you like basketball and Las Vegas, then this is the show for you). Another bug in the Chromecast support is that as soon as your mobile device sleeps, the episode you're currently watching restarts. So that means you have to "kill" the app once you start watching or else you'll be Groundhog Day-ing every episode.

But despite those bugs (Yahoo promised they are fixing it), the video quality when you cast it is pretty great. It's also fairly easy to use and includes second screen controls to help you manage what you're watching easily.

If you don't have Yahoo Screen yet, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store. Hopefully, the other content there, like Saturday Night Live archive episodes, highlights from Comedy Central shows, concerts, etc, will also be Chromecast-ready.

VIA: Engadget