Google deems Android ready for more Chromecast apps, let the floodgates open
With Google’s latest update to Play Services, it shouldn’t be long before the Chromecast section of its app store gets a little more lively. Now that the Android SDK has support for the HDMI dongle baked in, developers can add the functionality to virtually any app they want, at-will. Google opened access to the streaming stick’s inner workings earlier this month, but, as Phandroid tells it, the search giant asked devs to hold onto their releases until the public’s phones and tablets had the framework, too. Now that it’s out, swaths of cast-capable apps could start hitting the Play store relatively quickly. It may have taken longer than some expected, but Google’s plan to embed the casting tech across an array of devices has finally come to fruition — and the users stand to reap the rewards.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals, HD, Mobile, Google
Via: Phandroid
Source: Android Developers (G+)
Nintendo to add more NES remixes, GameBoy Advance titles to Wii U this Spring
Unless you still own a GameCube GameBoy Player, it’s probably been awhile since you’ve seen a GameBoy Advance title up on the big screen. Come April, that could change: Nintendo announced today that the Wii U eShop will start carrying GBA classics this Spring, starting with Metroid Fusion, Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3 (both of which were 3DS Ambassador bonuses, by the way) and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. Naturally, Japan’s getting a similar pen of classic releases, but its library of pending GBA games includes Mario Advance 2, Wario Ware, Golden Sun, F-Zero and Advance Wars — Japanese gamers were also teased with a price-point: ¥650 a pop (about $6.35).
If that’s not enough nostalgic news to tide you over, Nintendo did have /one/ more thing to announce. Remember when Nintendo cherry-picked specific moments from a ton of classic NES games and released them in a mini-game bundle a few months back? It’s at it again: NES Remix 2 is everything the original downloadable title was, but to a collection of NES classic picked from later in the original Nintendo’s life cycle. This means there will be remixed and scripted challenges from games like Punch-Out!!!, Super Mario Bros. 3 and Metroid. The new Remix also includes a “new” full-game titled Super Luigi Bros. — essentially a mirrored version of the NES classic with Mario’s younger brother in the starring role. When was the “Year of Luigi” supposed to end again?
Source: Nintendo Direct (1), (2)
Chromecast’s Fireplace Visualizer hopes to set hearts aflame on Valentine’s
Hey, loverboy/gal, Don Juan called to let you know that listening to Sinatra during a steak dinner isn’t enough to set the mood for Valentine’s. You need a roaring fire to induce some serious cuddling time, and that’s where Chromecast’s seasonal fireplace mode (that’s just been redesigned for V-day) comes in. Thanks to the media player, you don’t need to chop firewood to woo the person of your dreams: simply enable Fireplace Visualizer on the Google Play Music page and watch the faux flames flicker on your TV while music plays in the background. Sure, you can’t roast marshmallows in it, but it still might heat up your lovelife — assuming your date doesn’t find fake fireplaces as tacky as gas station greeting cards, that is.
PS: It’s not just the Chromecast team that’s going all out for V-day at Google’s HQ. Google+ is also celebrating the event by taking user images with people kissing in them and turning them into (shudder-inducing) GIFs replete with animated hearts.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google
Source: Google Play (Google+), Erik Murphy-Chutorian (Google+)
PlayStation 4 tops next-generation console sales in the US for January
As it turns out, Microsoft’s lead in US next-generation console sales was short-lived. The NPD has just released estimates which show that the PlayStation 4 outsold the Xbox One during January. Neither the NPD nor Sony is providing exact numbers, although Sony Senior VP Guy Longworth states that PS4 sales were almost twice as high as Microsoft’s. The system was certainly alluring enough to drive game sales during the quarter — the PS4 was the platform of choice for five of the top 10 games, while the Xbox One was never higher than second.
Microsoft also isn’t divulging Xbox One figures, although the NPD tells us that the system was the runner-up in hardware sales. The company can trumpet the strength of the overall Xbox brand, though. Together, the Xbox 360 and Xbox One represented 47 percent of game sales; the Xbox 360 was also the most popular system for five of the top 10 software releases. Nintendo has a silver lining on its dark cloud, too. Game sales for the 3DS and Wii U respectively increased by six and 26 percent year-over-year. That’s no mean feat when overall spending was down by a quarter. Whichever platform you prefer, we wouldn’t declare the console wars over — not when expected system sellers like Titanfall could easily shift the balance of power.
This just in: PS4 the #1 selling game console in the US in January, still #1 worldwide. Thanks, guys! pic.twitter.com/1vOFmtUukX
– PlayStation (@PlayStation) February 13, 2014
per @LuckyLongworth: PS4 was #1 in sales for next gen consoles in January, nearly doubling the nearest next gen competitor.
– Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) February 13, 2014
Filed under: Gaming, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo
Source: PlayStation (Twitter), Xbox Wire, Geoff Keighley (Twitter)
Nintendo finally starts testing free-to-play titles in eShop, will let gamers haggle for DLC
At E3 last year, Nintendo gave itself until March to launch a free-to-play title in the Nintendo eShop. That same week, Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that the gratis game would be based on Steel Diver, a 3DS launch title. Today, Nintendo delivered, releasing Steel Diver: Sub Wars on the 3DS eShop. Technically, it’s not the first free-to-play title to grace one of Nintendo’s online storefronts (that distinction goes to Namco’s Tank! Tank! Tank!), but it is the publisher’s inaugural first-party attempt at aping the mobile gaming market. It won’t be its last either. During today’s Nintendo Direct livestream, the company also announced Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball, a mini-game collection that will let players haggle over the price of DLC expansions.
In the wake of floundering Wii U sales and underwhelming financial performance, what these titles represent may be more important than the content of the game. Despite Satoru Iwata’s insistence that it “doesn’t make sense for Nintendo to do business on smartphones,” these releases show that his statement might not apply to how Nintendo runs its business — augmenting a barebones gaming experience with piecemeal purchases and expansions has far more in common with the smartphone gaming market than Nintendo’s traditional competitors. It sounds a little dicey, true, but it’s also the kind of experimentation the company needs to dabble in if it hopes to suss out its next-gen strategy. Oh, and if you just dropped by to take a peek at the new game trailers, skip on past the break; they’ll be there.
Nexus 5 First Impressions
The Nexus 5. Google’s new offspring flagship that came out, well…4 months ago, but I finally jumped the HTC ship. The ship I’ve been riding on since the Android adventure began. This seemed like the right choice to make with a new phone, because I would always inject those HTC phones with pure android. Never was a fan of Sense.
The Decision
Making the decision to walk away from the HTC One was no easy decision to make. The gorgeous piece of mobile technology that was deemed the best smartphone ever designed by many top tech sites, made me think I was making the wrong choice in going with a new phone. But I did it, and I am glad I did.
The Sexy
The appeal of the Nexus 5 for me was the fact that it was Android at its purest. Running the current version of KitKat with a 2.26 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor under its hood, I’ve never had a phone run this fast and silky smooth. Navigating through apps is without a hitch, and I think we have finally reached the level iPhones have (or had) when it comes to creamy smoothness.
The Design
The design of the Nexus 5 is something that made all of our mouths water when the first official press render hit the interwebs. I went with the Darth Vader version instead of the storm trooper, because the matte black just looks prettier in my eyes. The phone is made of plastic which is a step down from the HTC One’s metal body, but I actually considered that a good thing. When using my HTC One naked, it felt delicate, and it was, in a sense. I dropped the One off my desk one night and it landed right on my printer giving it a nice little scar in its butt. The fall wasn’t that drastic at all, yet as tough as the phone is built, you will see more battle scars than you will see on the Nexus 5. The weight of the Nexus 5 was another aspect I had to get used to, because at first, and coming off the One’s “good weight”, I feared maybe the phone would launch out of my hands when pulling out of my pocket. I got used to it right away though, and now when I hold it, it was like my hand was meant to hold it. That being said, talking on the phone felt comfortable when placed against my face.
The Display
The display is another downgrade from the One, and it is noticeable. Although the Nexus 5’s 445 ppi screen looks beautiful, the One’s 468 ppi display was noticeably sharper. The speakers of course bring another check in the win column for the HTC One, because that BoomSound is fantastic. Who needs a Bluetooth speaker when you have BoomSound? This was probably the main reason I was hesitant in breaking up with the One. At first, I did have a brain fart moment and thought, “there’s two speakers on this thing, sweet!” I immediately smacked myself in the head and knew there was only one. This is probably my biggest grievance when it comes to the Nexus 5 though, because the way I tend to hold my phone at times, I end up covering that speaker. Laying in bed with the phone standing up on my chest completely blocks the sound, so it has been quite an adjustment coming from two blaring front-facing speakers.
The Camera
Then we come to the camera, and I have heard many complaints about the 8 MP shooter. You won’t hear that from this guy, simply because a phone’s camera has never been my favorite attribute, so as long as it takes relatively quick, and sharp pictures, than I am happy Android camper. The Nexus 5 takes great pictures, as well as video when I do my random vlogs of me talking about absolute nonsense.
Conclusion
So was it a good choice to jump from the HTC One to the Nexus 5? I am going to say yes on that, because I needed to personally own a phone that wasn’t from the HTC factory. I needed to wash the stamp of HTC fanboy that had been branded on me by audience members and Android colleagues. I love the pure Android experience and it doesn’t get anymore pure than a Nexus device. Unless the HTC M8 really brings on the WOW factor, I can’t really see myself getting off this Nexus 5 magic carpet ride until we start hearing about the Nexus 6.
Daily Roundup: LG G Pro 2 announced, Comcast acquiring TWC, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Canon’s PowerShot G1 X Mark II
Meet the G1 X Mark II, Canon’s latest flagship PowerShot. This $800 camera packs a 24-120mm f/2-3.9 zoom lens, DIGIC 6 processor and a 1.5-inch sensor. Click on through and watch Engadget’s Zach Honig take the shooter for a spin.
Comcast and TWC merger
Earlier today, Comcast announced plans to acquire Time Warner Cable. The proposed deal must gain approval from the FCC and Justice Department first, but what would the $45 billion merger mean for its 30 million combined subscribers? Read on and find out.
Alternatives to Google’s Android apps
Engadget’s own Matt Brian investigates some alternatives for Google’s native mail, messaging, calendar and photo apps. Who knows, newfound productivity might only be a click away. Follow the link and learn more.
The LG G Pro 2
LG’s newly announced G Pro 2 smartphone doesn’t have a price tag or release date just yet, but we do know it packs a 5.9-inch screen, an upgraded knock-to-unlock feature and a 13-megapixel, 4K capable shooter. Click the link for additional details.
Filed under: Misc
De La Soul can’t sell their old music online yet, so they’re giving it away for one day only
While internet music services promise limitless shelves full of songs for purchase from iTunes and Amazon or streaming from Spotify, Pandora and the rest, there are a few holes in the catalog. De La Soul’s unique brand of hip-hop is among the missing tracks — even after long holdouts like Led Zeppelin and The Beatles have gone digital — owing to label and sample clearance issues, but that problem is about to be fixed. The group tells Rolling Stone that its entire catalog will be available for download tomorrow, for 25 hours starting at 11AM ET. According to group member Posdnous, “Its been too long where our fans haven’t had access to everything,” despite a “trying” journey to wrangle all the clearance details.
Serving as a celebration for the 25th anniversary of its debut album 3 Feet High and Rising (and timely promotion for the upcoming EP Preemium Soul on the Rocks and album You’re Welcome,), it should help fans fill in the hole left by long-discarded CDs and tapes. The tracks will appear on wearedelasoul.com, set the bookmark and your alarm now for a mid-Valentine’s Day present to your ears tomorrow.
Filed under: Internet
Federal Bill Would Mandate Anti-Theft ‘Kill Switch’ in All Smartphones
Following last week’s introduction of a California State bill that would require all cellular phones sold in the state to include antitheft technology, four senators have today introduced (via Re/code) The Smartphone Theft Prevention Act, a similar federal bill that would mandate the inclusion of such a “kill switch” in all smartphones sold across the country.
The bill would require smartphones to be equipped with both a kill switch to make a lost or stolen device inoperable and a system allowing consumers to remotely wipe their personal data.
“This legislation will help put consumers in control of their cell phone data through a ‘kill switch’ to immediately disable a stolen phone. Victims of cell phone theft should be able to fight back so they aren’t victimized again through data and identity theft. And thieves should know that whenever they steal a cell phone, they won’t be able to use it or sell it.”
Introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Barbara Mikulski, Richard Blumenthal, and Maize Hirono, the act is also supported by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón, who have both been highly vocal about decreasing smartphone theft through a kill switch system built into smartphones.
As with the California bill, it is likely that Apple’s Activation Lock, introduced alongside iOS 7, satisfies the listed requirements. Activation Lock effectively disables a stolen smartphone by preventing it from being wiped and reactivated without an Apple ID and password. Apple’s Find My iPhone also allows for devices to be remotely wiped and locked.
Cellular industry group CTIA has already spoken out against the newly introduced legislation, calling on lawmakers to criminalize tampering with mobile device identifiers rather than requiring cell phone manufacturers to build kill switches into their devices.
“Rather than impose technology mandates, a better approach would be to enact Senator Schumer’s legislation to criminalize tampering with mobile device identifiers. This would build on the industry’s efforts to create the stolen device databases, give law enforcement another tool to combat criminal behavior, and leave carriers, manufacturers, and software developers free to create new, innovative loss and theft prevention tools for consumers who want them.”
The CTIA has long opposed kill switches and instead supports a nationwide database of stolen phones as an alternative solution. Though a database of stolen phones was created in cooperation with the four major U.S. carriers in 2012, it is said to be largely ineffectual.
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Apple Sold More Macs and iDevices Than All Windows PCs Sold in Holiday Quarter
Apple sold more iPhones, Macs, iPads and iPod Touch devices than the total number of computers sold by the entire Windows PC industry in the holiday quarter, according to research done by analyst Benedict Evans. According to the data, it’s the first time that Apple has surpassed the PC market in hardware sales.
The company has long said that it believes the tablet market will eventually be larger than the PC market. If iPhones are considered, Apple’s iOS ecosystem alone — never mind its Mac sales — is already very close to surpassing the PC market in unit sales, and perhaps even in dollar sales as well.
Two years ago, we noted that Apple’s hardware ecosystem — the iPhone, iPad and Mac — had a combined average selling price well above that of the PC market as a whole, and that statistic remains accurate to this day. For the just-ended holiday quarter, Apple saw an average hardware selling price of $584 across the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac lines, according to MacRumors research.
For the third quarter of 2013, the most recent quarter with data available, the average Windows PC sold for just $544.30. This suggests that not only is Apple selling more devices than the entire Windows PC market, but it is making more revenue as well.
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