Swappa expands to wearables, get your gently used futuristic watches now
Swappa, a marketplace of gently used smartphone and tablets, recently started expanding its offerings to smartwatches, which are becoming a norm in the world of technology.
If you head over to the site now, you can pick up either a Samsung Galaxy Gear or Sony Smartwatch 2, while there are also placeholders for the Motorola MotoActv, Omate TrueSmart and the original Pebble and Pebble Steel.
Swappa even has been taking to Google+ to ask its supporters what devices it would like to see on the site, so you may see more soon.
One person asked if used Google Glass would be available through the site, which there was no reply, but in a previous dealing them them, I was able to find out that since selling it is against Google’s terms of service with the original purchaser, it will not allow people to buy and sell Explorer Editions on the site, but that could change once it’s commercially available.
“Unless otherwise authorized by Google, you may only purchase one Device, and you may not resell, rent, or lease your Device to any other person. If you resell, rent, or lease your Device to any other person without Google’s authorization, Google reserves the right to deactivate the Device, and neither you nor the unauthorized person using the Device will be entitled to any refund, product support, or product warranty.”
Hopefully the public release of Google Glass will be coming soon and we will start to see other smartglasses come to market as well.
If you’ve been in the market for a wearable, but didn’t want to pay full-price for a new device and wanted one in top condition, be sure to check Swappa out.
Just a quick note, here at AndroidGuys, while one of our writers, Tony McAfee, is the director of customer service at Swappa and many of us here are supporters of the marketplace since it is usually a better option than buying on Ebay and easier than selling in other markets that may take a higher percentage of the sale, we are here to cover the news either way.
Swappa Smart Watch via Google+
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Facebook Messenger beta lets Android users test new features
Following Facebook‘s introduction of the Beta program for their Android application last year, the company have just announced the Facebook Messenger for Android Beta program which will give users who opt-in the latest versions of the messenger app before general release.
As with the main Facebook application, our goals with this program are to expand our pool of testers and gain feedback across a more diverse set of devices. Simply by using the app and reporting issues, beta testers will be able to help us improve performance and the overall experience on a wide variety of Android devices at scale.
Anyone is able to join the Beta program for Facebook Messenger, but be aware that since the purpose of the app is for testing, Facebook will be closely monitoring user activity. The monitoring will be looking for bugs and how people use the app and the new features, but to do so it means providing increased awareness of your activity within the app, which for something as social and personal as Facebook Messenger may not be entirely desirable.
The beta program will provide us with an early warning system that will help make everyone’s experience with the app better, once we push it more broadly. Also, since Messenger is all about private sharing and small groups communication, the beta program will give us another channel to understand what kinds of sharing tools resonate with people using Messenger.
If you’re not yet put off by Facebook watching your every move, then it’s simple to sign up for the Beta program.
1) Join the Facebook Messenger for Android Beta Testers Google group:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/messenger-for-android-beta-testers
2) Allow beta downloads by clicking “Become a Tester” in the Play Store (you need to join the Google Group before becoming a tester)
3) Download Facebook Messenger from the Play Store to update your app
4) Turn on automatic updates, as the beta version of Facebook Messenger for Android will be updated multiple times per week
As ever, remember it’s Beta software so is bound to be riddled with bugs and unexpected occurrences, but with the latest Facebook Messenger features at our fingertips who cares, right?
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Paranoid Android introduces Peek, its own version of active notifications
One of the most useful and innovative features of the Moto X, besides its voice control, is its Active Display and today Paranoid Android announced its own implementation codenamed Peek.
Peek is PA’s effort to overhaul the Android notification system with smartwatch convenience.
The way it works is when you receive a notification, Peek will start listening for movement, such as being taken out of a pocket or lifted off a table, and if movement is detected within 10 seconds of receiving a notification, the UI displays your active notifications. There is also no need to press any buttons or unlock any screens, just click or slide to select a notification and the app is launched. This is very similar to what Motorola did with Active Display on its current flagship device.
If you’re running the latest PA beta, activate Peek by:
Settings > Display > Peek notifications checkbox (right under notifications title)
Peek is just the next step in Paranoid Android’s innovation in the platform and if you haven’t been following its development, PA’s reworked PIE controls were just integrated in recent betas, plus it seems like it’s somewhat of an inspiration for an update to menus that Google is working on.
via Google+
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Features of Search engine optimization
If you have decided to try and create an income online, be it with a website and product of your own, an affiliate scheme or through YouTube, eBay et al, once you have decided what you are going to actually sell, the biggest challenge faced is getting people to see the product, offer or service being sold. The web is a big place, and without some strategy here no matter how good the thing you are selling is, no one will ever find out, and search engine optimization (SEO) is the place where most people start.
SEO is a way to improve the placing of the website or page within the search engine results for a given word or phrase. The higher up the list (nearer the first place in the search) a website is, the more likely it is the person searching will visit that site, so competition for the highest positions is fierce.
How does that happen?
The key behind SEO is understanding how the search engines themselves work. Search engines use a couple of tools to gather information about web pages, the first one is the spider or web crawler, this downloads a webpage or site onto the search engines own servers, where the second tool, the indexer, examines the page, what words it contains, where the words are and what other sites the page links to. The search engines then use this data incomplex computer algorithms to decide which websites are most relevant and useful in relation to the word or phrase being searched, and it is those algorithms that SEO takes advantage of.
The exact way each search is prioritized changes regularly, and as such anyone looking to promote their site or offer this way should always look to keep up to date on any changes or new strategies that are taking place, VisitMetrix.com is a site that has regular posts of new information and tips on a regular basis.
Although the algorithms do change, the basis of the search engine prioritization is how relevant a given web page is to the phrase being used, so how many times it, or any other associated words, appear on page, it also looks at how many links, both into and out of the site, there are, and what types of websites link to them.
There are other factors, and the algorithms vary what they are looking for – too many appearances of keyword phrases can be detrimental because of repetitive language being treated as a poor website to read for instance- but the basic premise is to best match the algorithms requirements by adjusting the on page language and linking to suit.
How to take advantage of SEO
There are, basically, two options for anyone looking to use SEO to improve their website’s position on a given search. They can optimize the page themselves or hire in specialists to evaluate the entire website and alter the layout and wording accordingly. Whilst the former is naturally more cost effective than the latter, in either case it is always best to be informed, and as such regular visits to sites like VisitMetrix.com where there are regular updates and tips for the current viable marketing strategies is always recommended.
Data Recovery Software – Why it is important
In the last few decades, technology has evolved quite dramatically – people and companies have become very dependent on computers. New methods of data storage have been developed in the meantime as is the niche for data recovery as well. Data recovery software plays an important role and is quite indispensable to customers. Individuals and companies can take a few steps to ensure that they don’t lose critical information.
Tips to avoid Data Loss:
Users should pay attention to the following guidelines to avoid losing data permanently:
- If the hard drive is making noises like clicking, whirring or grinding, it is prudent to shut down the computer right away. This could be due to the read/write head scraping against some element.
- Unplug the computer from the power source before attempting to remove hard drive. Handle it carefully to make sure static electricity is not present and with jolting or dropping.
- Many companies choose to use the best data recovery software or companies to retrieve information from damaged drives. Even if the recovery is a simple method, if it is not done right, it could result in non-recovery.
- The first attempt is usually the best one – there are no do-overs and information should be gotten right away.
What to do in case of a disaster:
When one is faced with disk failure, data should be backed up if possible. It is best not to use utility software if the hard drive is making unusual sounds. It is also best not to power up a computer or laptop if there is obvious damage. It is usually a good idea to shut down the computer to avoid damage to the drive and by extension the data. In cases of serious damage, it is best to let data recovery firms use methods available to them including the best data recovery software to retrieve information. These firms have the expertise and tools to recover data safely.
Strategies to protect information:
It is vital for individuals and companies to adopt a technique or strategy to ensure that critical data and information is safe and available in the eventuality of loss due to corruption. Some practices to adopt are:
- Never do system upgrades without having a verified backup source
- It is important to get the latest hardware and software, even utilities to ensure that data is secure. Make sure that firewalls and virus software is current.
- All incoming data and files should be scanned to ensure there are no viruses, even including software packages.
- Computers of all kinds should have good ventilation so that servers and hard drives don’t overheat.
- Make sure that systems are connected to a good power source and protected against power surges etc.
- When one is in the process of moving computers and reorganizing, they have to be powered down and hooked back together.
- Static discharge should be avoided as much as possible especially in very dry environments to ensure that media and drives are not damaged.
Amazon’s Apple TV Competitor to Launch in April as Chromecast-Like Dongle [Mac Blog]
Despite an earlier report suggesting a March launch, a new report from the Wall Street Journal now claims Amazon will start selling its video-streaming device in April through its own website and retailers like Best Buy.
The device will run a version of Android akin to the company’s Kindle Fire readers and will support common media streaming services like Netflix.
The Amazon device will carry a variety of apps available on Roku Inc. and Apple set-top boxes and run on a version of Google’s Android software, like Amazon’s tablet computers, these people said. Roku’s most popular apps include video services Netflix and Hulu Plus and music service Pandora, as well as Amazon’s own video-streaming service.
An earlier report from TechCrunch claims the Amazon device will have a stick form factor similar to Google’s Chromecast and will plug into the HDMI port of any HDTV. These same sources believe the device will support online gaming, streaming top-tier titles to the device at 30 frames per second from Amazon’s servers in a manner similar to remote gaming service OnLive.
Pricing for the Amazon device is not yet known, but it is expected to be consistent with competing devices which are priced under $100. Google’s Chromecast is the cheapest option at $35, while Roku’s new Streaming Stick is priced at $49. Sources claim Amazon Prime customers will receive extra incentives for purchasing the device.
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E-Commerce mobile solutions for Magento store
E-commerce mobile solutions have emerged with a lot of excitement in the past few years. With the amplifying growth and demand of online stores, there has been a great competition in the world of retail business. It is vital for a business owner to get their online portal crafted in a user-friendly manner. There are a variety of platforms that help developers to develop amazing e-commerce web designs. Magento development took a great plunge into the mobile industry, providing an excellent e-commerce solution. It is available under license version 3.0 asan open source platform and gives flexibility to online merchants to maintain and control the functionality of their e-commerce store. Magento mobile application development helps in managing payments, catalogue, order management, shopping and other facilities. Magento extensions are basically divided into four categories – SEO, Customer, Sales and Enterprise level. Mobile Magento order tracking extension gives you the privilege to track the payment and shipment status throughout the delivery with ease through mobile devices.
With the help of e-commerce mobile solutions, business owners are provided with online stores with a variety of components such as mobile Magento shopping cart extension, mobile Magento order status tracking and Magento template integration to achieve the desired goal. Magento salesis one of the important extensions it helps organize the orders, carts, shopping list, currency, currency switching and so on.
Latest e-commerce mobile solutions
Mobile commerce is the current trend that emerged as a help for mobile users. It made the life of professionals convenient and comfortable. Today, more and more businesses are getting involved with e-commerce solutions that are optimized for mobile devices. Magento has an extensive capability of developing online stores that are compatible with almost all kinds of mobile platforms. It is also a highly scalable tool that can change its shape as per the needs and requirements of the user. In addition to this, shopping carts by Magento delivers the best performance and faultless user-experience. The websites that are running on Magento holds are kin won to earn a high rank on almost all the reputed search engine results. High ranking is a boon to business owners, as their websites grabs the attention of more viewers and drives huge traffic.
Drive more traffic by using Magento themes
One of the important things that you should consider before developing an online store is ‘theme’, which is the appearance of the website. A good looking website will attract as much as visitors. The main purpose of a website is to grab the attention of a large number of people. TheMagento mobile theme has the advantage of a clear design that is suitable for different products. Some of the popular Magento themes include –My House, Mobile Store, Furniture theme, etc. These themes are very easy to install, edit and use.There is a great scope of customizing mobile applications using Magento mobile. Nowadays, Smartphone is considered as one of the best ways of staying in touch with the customers.Magento mobile solutions are cost effective and deliver the best mobile experience to the users.
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.
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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
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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.
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