Beautiful Widgets debuts new clock widget in latest update [App of the Day]
The gang over at LevelUp Studio has released a new version of its wildly popular Beautiful Widgets app for Android. Available in the Google Play Store in both free and pro clients, the v5.6 sees the introduction of a new Color Widget (4×1 and 4×2).
We’ve long been a fan of the stuff that comes from LevelUp Studio, specifically Beautiful Widgets. Okay, maybe Plume, too. Oh, and PETI. Anyways, this app is one of the easiest ways to breathe new new life into your home screen and the widgets just get better with each update.
While there’s a host of preset options and settings included in the app, it’s the community of designers and users who help create some of the best designs. It’s quite easy to go tripping through the rabbit hole of creations, playing with icons, layouts, and colors.
If you’re in the mood to spice up the way your Android looks, Beautiful Widgets should be one of the first names on your list. It looks just as good on tablets as on smartphones and has an ever-expanding library of choices. For those who like interactive, live wallpapers you’ll dig the one that comes with this app. That is, of course, if you don’t live in an always-rainy climate.
The post Beautiful Widgets debuts new clock widget in latest update [App of the Day] appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Play Services 4.3 deploys with new dev tools, features
Google on Monday announced that a 4.3 version of Google Play Services 4.3 has begun deploying to Android devices around the globe. The new release sees the introduction of APIs and tools for developers which will better serve the end user. Details include Analytics API, Google Tag Manager, Address API, Google Drive API, and support for the recent changes to Google Play Games.
Google Drive API features include:
- Pinning – You can now pin files that should be kept up to date locally, ensuring that it is available when the user is offline. This is great for users that need to use your app with limited or no connectivity
- App Folders – An app often needs to create files which are not visible to the user, for example to store temporary files in a photo editor. This can now be done using App Folders, a feature is analogous to Application Data Folders in the Google Drive API
- Change Notifications – You can now register a callback to receive notifications when a file or folder is changed. This mean you no longer need to query Drive continuously to check if the data has changed, just put a change notification on it
The post Google Play Services 4.3 deploys with new dev tools, features appeared first on AndroidGuys.
WitRigs Flexible PC/TPU Hybrid Bumper for Galaxy S4 Review
WitRigs has managed to create a bumper for the Galaxy S4 that’s protective, flexible, and light, all wrapped in a package that’s offered in a nearly endless selection of colors. I got the opportunity to review one of the colored/transparent bumpers, as well as one of the multicolored bumpers, and I was very impressed with each. That being said, I did find a few cons with them.
The Good
- The bumpers are made of a hybrid of polycarbonate and soft TPU materials, making them sturdy and flexible. This makes it fairly easy to slip on and off, while still having a tight fit around the phone
- They offer a simple, yet sleek look
- The wide range of color choices are a plus
- Price is hard to beat
- All the button covers are made of the soft TPU material, which makes them very easy and natural to press
- The charging, microphone, and audio jacks are big enough for most chargers, USB cords, and headphones.
The Bad
- The top right corner of every bumper is left exposed for some reason. I suspect this is to improve the flexibility and to make the bumper easier to slip on and off of the device, but it leaves users with an uneasy feeling
- The polycarbonate material on the transparent models is easily scuffed, which makes them look worn after only a few days of use
Judgment
In the end, these bumpers provide a great mix of flexibility and protection. WitRigs has done a good job of creating a hybrid bumper, and they’re offering it at a killer price. While the exposed corner does concern me, it doesn’t outweigh the wide array of color combinations and the sheer usefulness of the bumper. And at only $5.69, it’s a great deal for any S4 owner. If you’d like to give one of these bumpers a run for its money, you can grab the transparent ones from here and the standard mutlicolored bumpers from here.
The post WitRigs Flexible PC/TPU Hybrid Bumper for Galaxy S4 Review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung Galaxy S5 will cost £69 in the UK on Three
It’s a big day for Three as it becomes the first UK network to reveal how much it’ll charge for the Galaxy S5 when it lands on April 11th. The handset will set you back £69 up front on a variety of two-year deals, the cheapest priced at £38 a month for 2GB data, while £44 a month gives you all-you-can-eat texts, minutes and data with an additional 2GB for tethering. No other UK network has tipped its hat thus-far, but we’ll keep harassing them until they break down and tell us everything.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Google settles its seven-year YouTube copyright battle with Viacom
Viacom sued Google and YouTube way back in 2007 for allegedly ignoring copyright infringement, and losing the lawsuit in 2010 was no deterrent — the media giant won an appeal two years later. However, that longstanding animosity is now water under the bridge: the two companies have just reached a settlement. The companies haven’t revealed the terms of their deal, although they say that it reflects a “growing collaborative dialogue” between the two sides. YouTube’s gradual shift toward officially sanctioned content no doubt helped, as did a ruling that the site was protected by safe harbor rules so long as it didn’t actively contribute to piracy. Whatever the exact motives, Recode hears from a source that no cash traded hands. If true, the tip suggests that Viacom didn’t believe compensation would be worthwhile after so many years.
Source: BusinessWire
A look at Optinvent’s updated Ora smartglasses (hands-on)
On the last occasion we got to enjoy some face time with Optinvent’s Ora smart glasses, things were a little more… “prototype.” Today, at the Wearable Technology Show in London, we got a chance to see how things have moved along since then. While we were still looking at far-from-final hardware, things have definitely moved on. As you’ll see from the gallery, the latest prototype is still lacking the polished, seamless finish that the retail version will have, and a lot of the touches (rubber seals adjustable nose bridge etc) are not present here. What we do see, however, is a much better sense of how the glasses will look when joe public gets to put its face in them in the next month or so. Oh, and we had a quick spin on them too.
The first thing we noticed is that they’re not as slight and delicate as other smart glasses we’ve seen. The general fit is comfortable, and we appreciate that things will improve with the retail units, but the section containing the camera, touchpad, and we assume main innards, that sits over your right ear might take some getting used to. The trackpad interface (which we didn’t see last time) was responsive, and tactile enough that it’s easy to find — especially given that it’s surrounded by bezel. The same arm is where the screen mount attaches, and is adjustable, meaning you can tilt it up and down to place to display in different locations of your field of view. Definitely a bonus for personal preference, as well as specific app functionality (notifications, versus augmented reality for example).
The main news here today, is that this prototype was fully working with the functioning (Android 4.2) operating system, custom user interface, touch control and the much needed WiFi connectivity. We weren’t able to test any apps and features out, but we did get a good feel for how it will work. Unsurprisingly, it’s very similar to Google’s offering, but also that’s no bad thing. There are a host of other hardware features, too, that include GPS, proximity detection, 9 axis accelerometer, an ambient light sensor and that rechargeable battery. One that, incidentally, will last longer (up to 3 hours intensive use, or 8 hours “typical” use) due to recent optimization, and will be replaceable (so you can stock up on spares). If you’re wondering if all those sensors come at a price, you’d be right. A pair can be ordered from the Optinvent website now for $949/699€ and are expected to ship in May.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: Optinvent
Microsoft to take Xbox One to 26 new countries in September
On sale in 13 countries, Microsoft’s Xbox One is already pulling in the sales. Now that A+ titles like Titanfall and Twitch game streaming are finally with us, the company is ready to take the next-generation console to new markets: 26 of them in fact. Gamers on all continents will be served, but you’ll have to wait until September to get your hands on Redmond’s new black box. In the meantime, check out if you reside in one of the confirmed markets in the list after the break, and then wait a few short weeks until Microsoft shares more information on its local launches.
The full list: Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and UAE.
Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft
Source: Xbox News
Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes: The Joystiq Review
It’s a pleasure being lost in the universe of Metal Gear. With every game, and with every return of director Hideo Kojima, the fascinating stealth series redraws the boundaries of its dense military fiction, pushing them back to include more and more characters and conspiracies. We feel like time-travelers in Metal Gear’s byzantine blend of fact and fiction, leaping back and forth between the future and past of a legendary soldier named Snake. Now we enter 1975 in Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes, and bless its prequel heart – there’s a spot in the statistics screen reserved for time paradoxes.
Kojima’s fiction may be impenetrable to the newcomer, but one man’s convoluted is another man’s complex, and it’s your job to infiltrate the latter. Ground Zeroes effectively acts as the cold open for the upcoming and separately released Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, sending Snake through a massive rain-drenched encampment in Cuba. It’s not quite the glorified demo your cynical self might suggest, but this tantalizing playground does show how Metal Gear Solid will change its crouching silhouette yet again.
The mission to rescue Chico and the duplicitous Paz, two important figures from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, is just the first step in a new, freely explorable environment. It feels daunting at first, but clear goals keep you pointed in the right direction. Ground Zeroes is a confident game for the confident player – the one who sees the playground hiding beneath Metal Gear’s tankers and army bases. This one’s just a whole lot bigger.
Click here for more
Filed under: Gaming, Software, Sony, Microsoft
Source: Joystiq
HTC’s new One smartphone to go on sale ‘just minutes after it is officially announced’
At this point, we have a pretty clear idea of what HTC’s upcoming flagship smartphone will look like. Everything from its unique duo rear camera, to its refreshed version of Sense to its familiar One-like aluminum body has been leaked in the lead up to the company’s March 25th event. And now, thanks to the UK retailer Carphone Warehouse jumping the gun, we know the handset, dubbed the “new HTC One (M8),” will be available to purchase “just minutes after it is officially announced” at six locations in London. How’s that for spoiling the surprise? It’s clear from this release that HTC intends to waste no time directing attention from its headline-dominating launch into direct retail sales. Whether or not that gamble pays off is another matter. But we’ll know soon enough if that market opportunism can successfully channel fanboy enthusiasm into dollars and pounds. You can check out the full release after the break.
[Image credit: TD Beta]
All new HTC One available from Carphone Warehouse from 25th March announcement day
London, 18.03.14: In a retail first, Carphone Warehouse has revealed that the new HTC One (M8) handset will be available from selected stores from around 4pm on Tuesday 25th March – just minutes after it is officially announced.
The new HTC flagship device will be officially unveiled by the manufacturer at special events in London and New York earlier that afternoon. Shortly after, the new HTC One (M8) handsets will be transported directly from the venue of the launch announcement to six Carphone Warehouse stores in London. Westfield Stratford, Westfield White City, Oxford Circus, Centrepoint and Tottenham Court Road stores will all be hosting special events celebrating the HTC launch with entertainment and giveaways as well as the first chance for customers to get their hands on the new device. Carphone Warehouse at Selfridges will also be stocking the handset from the same time.
Full information including videos of the new handset will be shared on www.carphonewarehouse.com and customers will be able to order the HTC One (M8) over the phone from the same afternoon, before it is available from all 770 Carphone Warehouse stores and to order online shortly afterwards.
A Carphone Warehouse spokesperson comments, “The HTC One is an award winning handset that set the bar for design during 2013 and made many sit up and take notice – the new HTC One M8 is likely to continue that trend and will cement HTC’s future as a heavy-hitting smartphone manufacturer. We know how keen customers are to get hold of the latest tech as soon as possible and that is why we are so excited to be able to offer the new HTC One so quickly after it is unveiled.”
Customers can pre-register their interest in the new HTC One (M8) now at http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/help-support/advice-and-news/news/launchpad-rumours/htc-rumours
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, HTC
Apple Announces iPad 4 Relaunch, Confirms 8 GB iPhone 5c Limited to Select Countries
After the fourth-generation iPad reappeared on Apple’s online storefront earlier today, the company has issued a press release confirming the return of the device to the company’s product lineup. The iPad with Retina Display will replace the iPad 2 as the company’s affordable full-sized tablet option.
“Now for $399 customers can get iPad with a stunning 9.7-inch Retina display, fast A6X chip, and 5MP iSight camera, offering a dramatic upgrade in power, performance and value compared to the iPad 2 it replaces,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The iPad line sets the gold-standard in mobile computing and all iPads have access to the largest and best ecosystem of more than 500,000 iPad optimized apps from the App Store.”
The 16 GB WiFi-only iPad 4 is available for $399, while the WiFi + Cellular model starts at $529 in the U.S., with both black and white color options available. The iPad with Retina Display will be sold through the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Authorized Apple Resellers. Customers looking for additional storage capacity beyond 16 GB must purchase the iPad Air, which is available in 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB options.
In line with earlier rumors, Apple today also started selling a new 8 GB iPhone 5c in select countries. The new 8 GB model with five color options is available in Apple’s UK online store for £429 unlocked, making it £40 cheaper than the comparable 16 GB model.
Distribution of the new lower-capacity model is, however, rather limited, with Apple confirming to Fortune‘s Philip Elmer-DeWitt that the 8 GB model will only be available in the UK, France, Germany, Australia, and China.
     |
AIVAnet 