‘Floatifications’ Updates with New Ticker Notifications
Floatifications, formerly known as Floating Notifications, gets a nice little update today. If you guys are not familiar with this notification app, it essentially brings Paranoid Android’s HALO notifications to any device not running the Paranoid software. I have actually reviewed this app a couple times, and now that it has gotten this update, I might start using it again.
- Added new ticker notification type
- Added fullscreen only mode
- Added option to customize the gap between stacked icons
- Added option to unlink FN and status bar notifications (4.3+)
- Fixed app crashing on some devices when loading app list
- Fixed compatibility with many apps (PushBullet, Titanium Backup, Google Keep & more)
- Fixed app continuously asking to enable the service
- Fixed pinned icon not showing on certain devices
- Fixed broken backup & restore
- Minor bug fixes
So if you feel like giving it a whirl, or you haven’t updated this app on your device yet, head over to the Play Store and get it. Let us know if you like it.
Google Play Edition Moto G Hits the Play Store
The Google Play Editions continue on, and Google just added the Moto G to the list. The Google Play Edition Moto G has just landed in the Play Store, and you can grab yourself one for the price tag of $180 for the 8 gb version, and $200 for the 16 gb version.
It is funny that they did this for the Moto G, because the Moto G was already running almost pure stock. I guess having the title”Google Play Edition” just makes it sound more appealing for us Android Enthusiasts, so if you feel like grabbing yourself one, head over to the Play Store by clicking the link provided below. Let us know if you got yourself one.
T-Mobile now selling Xperia Z1S
T-Mobile’s latest Android smartphone, the Sony Xperia Z1S, is now available for purchase. Announced at CES last week, the waterproof handset features a 20.7-megapixel camera with BIONZ mobile image processing engine and G Lens. The 5-inch screen, which is definitely a looker, is a full 1080p HD TRILUMINOS Display with X-Reality.
Pricing is listed at $0 down with 24 equal payments of $22 when paired with a Simple Choice Plan, for a total of $528. For a limited time, customers can earn a $100 Visa gift card if they purchase the Xperia Z1S and a PlayStation 4.
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Samsung debuts its own Winter Olympics app
Samsung is constantly trying to keep users solely in its own ecosystem. First, the Galaxy Gear. Did you really think it would end there? Now, they created a beautiful Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 app, and its only available on Samsung devices.
The app is very well-done. The menu is accessible by pulling from the left side of the screen, just like many other apps we’ve seen. Sports, medals, and countries all have their own page, and you can even keep tabs on your favorite athletes by setting them as your favorites. It’s pretty much exactly what you would want from an Olympics app.
Word is yet to be released on whether you can download the app on non-Samsung devices in the future. With the Olympics officially starting in a few weeks, keep an eye out to see if its possible. But that really isn’t the Samsung thing to do.
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Halo Galaxy S 4 Power Case review
Looking to extend the time period between charges of your Samsung Galaxy S4 but don’t want to bulk up? Consider the new Halo S4 case from Lenmar. Thanks to its internal 2600mAh battery, you’ll essentially double the time you stay away from a charger.
Not simply just a battery, it’s also a clean (white) and stylish case that protects the phones edges and back. Indeed, there are cut-outs for headphones, microUSB, microphone, and camera. You won’t have to worry about anything proprietary or awkward for charging, it’s the same port. In fact, you get an extra microUSB cord in the box.
One of the features we liked best about the Lenmar solution is that it’s NFC-capable. We’ve seen extended life batteries from other companies that leave this option out. Depending on what your usage is like, the lack of NFC could be a dealbreaker.
The Halo S4 case is actually comprised of multiple parts: a battery housing and the shell case (NFC found here). You’ll remove the back from your handset and use the Lenmar case for protection. The battery is placed inside a separate battery unit and the combined unit goes back into the phone. Slap the back on and you’re good to go!
We did find the case to be a bit more slippery than we would have liked. What’s more, it liked to grab smudges and oil, which could make things even worse. Putting the case on was relatively easy though we did have to snap some seams together on a second pass around the case. Our recommendation here is for a textured back and possibly a second color choice.
Overall we were impressed with the case as it didn’t add too much weight or thickness. We were concerned it might have wonky weight distribution but that never proved to be the case. A few quibbles aside, it’s certainly something we’d suggest for those who spend their days on the go.
The Lenmar Halo Galaxy S4 case retails with a suggested price of $59.99 and includes a 1 year warranty. We did a quick check and found a number of retailers offering the unit, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Fry’s.
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You can order a gold LG G2 in Taiwan, but just… don’t.
It’s de rigeur now for flagship phones to get a gold version, a debatable trend that’s at least working out for snarky tech editors. After all, there’s something awkward about gilting a geeky handset like LG’s G2, especially in a shade reminiscent of gaudy late ’80s home decor. It’s now available in Taiwan (and possibly elsewhere later) for $530 — if you’re in the target market, those back buttons are less likely to tangle with manicured nails.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
Via: Engadget Chinese (translated)
Source: Yahoo Shopping (translated)
Tesla formally recalls more than 29,000 Model S wall charging adapters
Tesla may argue that it’s being proactive by replacing Model S wall charging adapters, but that still constitutes a recall by most anyone’s definition. Accordingly, the company has sent a letter (PDF) to the NHTSA announcing a voluntary recall of the 29,222 first-generation adapters that theoretically pose a fire hazard. As before, Tesla stresses that the adapter replacement program is a “precautionary measure” — an earlier software update addressed the underlying problem by accounting for unexpected changes in power input. The formal notice doesn’t change much (if anything) for Model S drivers, but it at least means that the right authorities are aware of what’s happening.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: New York Times
Source: NHTSA (PDF)
Apple Begins Hiring for Arizona Sapphire Plant with Focus on iPhone and iPod
Apple yesterday posted a trio of job listings (via 9to5Mac) for positions located in Mesa, Arizona where the company is building a sapphire manufacturing plant. The facility is to be owned by Apple and run by sapphire producer GT Advanced Technologies, although the new job listings confirm that Apple will have some of its own staff on hand as well.
Furnaces for sapphire production
Sapphire is currently used to protect the cameras on several recent iPhone models, as well as the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5s, with the material’s high durability and resistance to scratching making it a key component for those applications. Apple’s commitment to the new sapphire production facility has led to speculation that Apple is preparing to significantly expand its use of sapphire glass, perhaps for the company’s rumored iWatch or to protect iOS device displays.
Among the three Apple job listings for Mesa, one is for a facilities manager to oversee operation of the facility, while the other two positions relate to design and quality engineering with iPhone and iPod products specifically mentioned in the listings.
The iPod/iPhone Manufacturing Design Engineer is accountable for driving the development of key mechanical manufacturing processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base. In this highly visible hands-on role as the expert technical member of the Manufacturing Design Team you will have direct frequent communication and collaboration with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Design partners and worldwide suppliers.
Apple’s mention of the positions relating to iPhone and iPod manufacturing of course does not indicate whether or not the company may have broader plans for sapphire such as an in iWatch.
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10 Android icon packs you need to download now (Volume 6)
One of the easiest ways to change the look and feel of your Android device is to install a new launcher. And, once you do that, it’s a breeze to swap icons packs in and out to refresh the aesthetics. Prefer a minimal look with white icons? Sweet! Dig that flat and square stuff that feels like Google Now? Get it! Prefer for a nice, rounded icon design? Whatever, dude… it’s your device.
We’ve gathered up yet another 10 of our favorite icon packs to go along with our previous collections. For those counting, this is the sixth post of its kind; see others at bottom of post.
Note that there are a number of launchers for Android and that not all of these may play nice. Our advice is to read the Google Play details and check out the user comments if you aren’t quite sure.
- Flatty – A Flat Hex Icon Pack – Actually considered a beta app, there are more than 1,000 hexagaon-shaped flat icons available in resolutions up to 144×144. Also includes 10 solid wallpaper colors. $1.99
- Simplicity Plus Icon Pack – Roughly 300 icons and growing, it’s a combination of circular shapes and flat designs; all the rage lately. Easy to install for just about any launcher you’ll find. $1.21
- Naxos Flat Icon Pack ADW Nova – More than 600 icons with 300×300 pixel resolution and 11 wallpapers give this bundle a real Google Now-like feel. Bonus points for easy installation tool $2.00
- Axis – GO Apex Nova Theme – More than 1,000 flat icons with a hint of 60′s travel brochure retro, there’s nearly a dozen wallpapers and an installation dashboard too. Bang for the buck to be sure! $1.99
- Rusticons – Nearly 500 icons at 144×144 resolution, these have a nice touch of grunge and grit; lots of detail packed into these images. Note these won’t work with Go Launcher FREE
- Crysta – While there are less than 200 icons in the bundle, the app will mask your existing icons to match. Creates a great 3D depth that looks different than anything else on this list $1.30
- Pixelicious – Give your Android an old school flavor with these 8-bit icons. More than 1,000 icons available; look like truly stripped down versions of the standard icons. $1.29
- Circlons – Packed with 1,500 icons, 32 wallpapers, icon masking, and two dozen icon packs, you’ll be hardpressed to get more for your money. Flat, soft, and easy on the eyes $1.49
- Octa UI – 565 icons and getting bigger, these 144px icons employ the same eight colors across the entire palette and bring a nice uniform look to the table. Updated regularly and comes with 6 HD wallpapers $.99
- Half Shade – Flat for the most part, these also have a 3D-like appearance with a beveled edge and shade falling diagonally across the face. Includes 400+ icons, masking, and 21 wallpapers $1.50
Be sure to see our other highlighted icon packs
- 25 fantastic icon packs
- 10 more awesome icon packs
- 10 kick ass icon packs
- 10 favorite icon packs, volume 4
- 10 Android icon packs you need to download now
The post 10 Android icon packs you need to download now (Volume 6) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Sony adds Xperia E, Xperia T2 Ultra to Android portfolio
The 4-inch and 6-inch smartphones are introduced less than one week after CES
Sony on Tuesday added two new smartphones to its Android stable, introducing the Xperia E and Xperia T2 Ultra. Both run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and offered with dual-SIM variants, the duo are bound for international markets.
The Xperia E1 features a 4-inch (480×800) display, a 3-megapixel rear camera, 4GB internal storage, and HSPA+ connectivity. In terms of power, the handset is equipped with a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor and 512MB RAM. Standout details include a loud 100db speaker and Sony’s WALKMAN controls.
Certainly not the sort of stuff that replaces your existing Android, no, but it’s the kind of device that makes for a good first smartphone. The Xperia E1, and its dual-SIM brother, will be offered in black, white, and purple; pricing and exact availability are unclear.
The Xperia T2 Ultra is considerably bigger at 6-inches (720p) and provides users with a 13-megapixel rear camera, 1.1-megapixel front-facing camera, and 8GB internal storage. Powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, there’s 1GB RAM, microSD expansion, 4G LTE connectivity, and a 3000mAh battery. Headed for China, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, it’s akin to Samsung’s Galaxy Mega.
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