Microsoft is announcing an ‘intersection of cloud and mobile computing’ later this month
How does Satya Nadella run a Microsoft press event? We’re about to find out: the company’s new CEO will is coming to San Francisco later this month to talk about “news focused on the intersection of cloud and mobile computing.” The topic certainly plays to his strengths. Before taking the helm as the company’s new chief executive, Nadella played a major role in launching Office 365, Microsoft’s subscription and cloud-based Office platform. While that application is already accessible from mobile devices, native Android and iOS Office apps have reportedly been on Microsoft’s roadmap for some time too, and we wouldn’t be surprised if they surfaced at this event. Microsoft won’t speak further on the specifics of the event, but we won’t have to wait long — Nadella takes the stage on March 27th.
Filed under: Microsoft
Google Play Movies and Music All Access hit more countries around the world
Sounds like Google’s been busy cutting international licensing deals, because the company’s just expanded its Play Movies and Music services to a huge bunch of countries. Between the two, the latter touts the longer list, as the Play Movies & TV Android app has been updated to work in 37 new locations across the globe. These include the Netherlands, Venezuela and Rwanda, as you can see in the roster (that Android Police spotted on Google Play’s support page) posted after the break. While residents in all these countries can watch movies they’ve bought or rented from Google, TV shows are still only limited to people living in the US, the UK, Australia and Japan.
On the other hand, folks from Sweden, Norway, Greece and Slovakia can now buy albums and tracks via Play Music. It comes with Google’s All Access music streaming in tow, as the service continues its European journey after making a detour to Mexico. Slovakians only need to pay €4.49 ($7) a month after their 30-day trial expires, but Greeks have to pay €7.99 ($11) for a subscription. Swedes and Norwegians get the worst deal, though, as they have to pony up 79 Kroner ($15) a month. But hey, at least they’re better off than our good friends in Canada, who are still waiting for All Access to arrive.
Google Play Movies is now available in these countries:
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Burkina Faso
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Finland
- Gabon
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Ivory Coast
- Luxembourg
- Mali
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Norway
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Portugal
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sweden
- Togo
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Zambia
Filed under: Misc
Via: Android Police (1), (2)
WitRigs Aluminum Bumper for Galaxy S4 Review
Bumper cases have grown in popularity over the last few years, but some users have expressed concerns that they don’t offer enough drop protection. To combat this problem, we’ve also seen a rise in metal bumpers, like the aluminum bumpers from WitRigs. For users that want the simplicity of a bumper with maximum protection, WitRigs may have struck the perfect balance. I had the chance to review the gold and black aluminum bumpers. Let’s take a look, shall we?
The Good
- These bumpers are sturdy, as expected. They offer a premium feel (especially the gold model) that is lost with plastic and TPU bumpers.
- In a nutshell, they just look awesome. Something about metal accessories makes the S4 seem much classier and sophisticated.
- Aluminum bumpers offer the security of being screwed on, so users won’t have to worry about them falling off during use.
- Button cutouts are engineered well, and offer enough room to comfortably press the power & volume buttons
The Bad
- While the screws are a pro, they’re also a con. For users that change cases frequently, it can become tiresome to get out a tiny screwdriver (one is included with each bumper) and fumble with small screws.
- With the black bumper, the sides have a more matte texture, which makes it a bit harder to hold onto than the gold bumper.
Judgment
Overall, these bumpers are crafted with high quality aluminum. They give users adequate protection in a slim profile that just looks great on the Galaxy S4. If you can get around the screws (which shouldn’t really be an issue if you’re planning to use the bumper long-term), it’s hard to think of a reason not to get a WitRig aluminum bumper. Of course, a $7.99 price tag certainly doesn’t hurt either. You can grab an aluminum bumper from WitRig in a variety of colors.
The post WitRigs Aluminum Bumper for Galaxy S4 Review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Facebook needs testers for new Messenger features on Android
Apparently Facebook’s found the silver bullet for developing its Android apps: crowdsourcing bug testers. In an effort to make Messenger more stable for everyone, Zuckerberg and Co. are asking adventurous Google fans to help work out the application’s kinks before new features are released to the general public. The process essentially mirrors what we saw with the open beta for its main app last year. Just sign up for the related Google Group, tick the “become a tester” box in the Play store, download the app, turn on automatic updates and voila you’re getting early access to new features. Should a glitch pop up, Facebook asks that you report it with the in-app dialog box. Simple enough, right? Naturally, as is often the case with beta tests, those new bells and whistles might make the app a touch less stable than you’re used to.
Filed under: Internet, Mobile, Facebook
Source: Facebook Code
Walmart’s used games for gift cards trade-in program opens March 26th (video)
After many rumors and even a brief trial program, Walmart is finally following Best Buy, Amazon and, of course, GameStop in taking trade-ins of used games. It will start accepting your old games on March 26th, in exchange for store credit usable at Walmart and Sam’s Club, whether in-store or online. Once it has the games they’ll be refurbished and then this summer, go on sale for “a great low price.” It’s all very familiar if you’ve ever traded a game in before, but Walmart says it will “pay more for used games, sell new and used games for less, and give our customers the flexibility to spend their money how they want.” Your move, GameStop.
Source: Walmart, Walmart Blog
Apple’s Manufacturing Partner Starts Preparing for iPhone 6 Production
Apple supplier Pegatron is expected to start production on the iPhone 6 in the second quarter of this year at its new Kunshan, China plant, reports the Commercial Times [Google Translate].
The new factory, along with a hiring push, is part of an effort by Pegatron to meet orders to manufacture the new phone. In early January, it was reported that Pegatron was expected to win a new contract to manufacture half of the iPhone 6′s supplies. Previously, Pegatron was responsible for assembling the iPad mini and iPhone 5c, while Apple’s main supplier, Foxconn, assembled many of the iPhone 5s units.
While the newspaper reported production would start ramping up in the second quarter, it did not report when the phone could come out, how many units Pegatron would manufacture, or how many workers the company was hiring. However, they do note that fellow Apple supplier Hon Hai would be the other primary manufacturer of the phone.
In 2013 Apple shifted iPhone 5c production to Pegatron in order to improve supply chain risk management, allowing Apple to expand its supply lines and minimize risk of potential supply chain disasters.
The iPhone 6 has been rumored to launch with two different versions of the phone, one with a 4.7-inch display and one with a 5.7-inch display.
     |
Mt. Gox gets its login page back, but only lets users check their Bitcoin balance
Wondering where your Bitcoins are? Looks like Mt. Gox is giving you an official way to check. The fallen Bitcoin exchange has updated its homepage with a sparse login screen, inviting users to sign in and check their wallet’s balance — with a caveat. “This balance confirmation service is provided on this site only for the convenience of all users,” the site warns. “Confirming the balance on this site does not constitute a filing of rehabilitation claims under the civil rehabilitation procedure… …and should also not be considered an acknowledgement by MtGox Co., Ltd. of the amount of any rehabilitation claims of users.”
That legalese is referring to Japan’s Civil Rehabilitation Law and Mt. Gox’s bankruptcy proceedings, which are counting the company’s assets to suss out a liquidation value. Mt. Gox users with Bitcoin stuck in limbo may eventually get a percentage of their wallet’s worth based on the official totals. It’s not a particularly heartening disclaimer, but at least it gives users a way to verify their online wallets without putting their accounts at risk.
Source: Mt. Gox
YouTube’s ‘Trusted Flagger’ users have an inside track to get videos removed
Ever notice that little flag icon that underlines YouTube videos? It’s part of Google’s content reporting system — clicking it notifies YouTube moderators that the attached video might violate site’s community guidelines. The feature has been in place for ages, but it caught some attention last week when the Financial Times reported that British security had been granted special permissions to police YouTube content. Naturally, the online community was concerned: why is a governmental body being allowed to censor online content? Well, it isn’t. Google has since explained that UK officials are simply part of YouTube’s Trusted Flagger program: 200 or so organizations and individuals (including “fewer than 10″ government agencies according to a Wall Street Journal source) with access to advanced flagging tools. These so-called “super flaggers” don’t have the ability to manually curate or remove videos, but they can flag up to 20 at once for internal review.
The program has actually been around since October, with more Trusted Flaggers being added periodically. According to the WSJ source, YouTube offered access to the UK’s counter-terrorism unit after the agency began flagging videos that violated the site’s community guidelines, which ban videos showing dangerous and illegal acts, threats, hate speech and more. British officials say they try to flag videos that violate the UK’s Terrorism Act, adding that the burden of judging content as appropriate or inappropriate still lies with YouTube. The program seems to be invite-only, but YouTube users with an eye for the naughty can show their interest on Google’s Trusted Flagger support page.
Source: YouTube, Wall Street Journal
Quick Review: The Soldier 7800mAh Power Bank from Digital Treasures
There’s a fair share of portable power banks out on the market these days. All of them promise you extra power for your devices so you can go longer without having to plug into the wall. The Solider, from Digital Treasures, is no different in that respect. With a 7800 mAh battery it’s well equipped to charge your cell phones a few times over.
Features
The Soldier’s 7800 mAh battery provides enough juice for a couple of recharges of your average smartphone (those with larger devices like the Note 3 may not get as much for obvious reasons). Here’s a quick spec sheet of the Solider.
- Battery Capacity – 7800 mAh
- Battery Type – Three Samsung Li-ion 18650 Cylindrical 3.7V 2600 mAh
- Input – DC 5V/1A
- Output – DC 5V/1.5A
- Charging time – 7-9 hours
- Dimensions – 4.53″ x 3.48″ x 1.14″
- microUSB to USB cable included
- One year limited warranty
- IP67 rated
As you can see by the output of the Soldier you’re likely not going to charge your tablets with this guy but you sure will get your smartphone a good boost. The reality is, this thing is a TANK. During my testing I have deliberately thrown The Soldier across the floor, dropped it on to the sidewalk, let it roll out of the car door down the driveway and even tossed it into a bucket of water. The soldier is still working and working well after all the abuse I dolled out. While it may not charge your tablets, I don’t think you’d be using your tablet where this was designed to go. It’s a rugged let’s get dirty and give me some abuse kind of device.
We tested all three claims The Soldier makes. We dropped it into a bucket of water to test it’s waterproof claims, passed with flying colors. We threw it into a pile of dirt, passed, a little messy but passed. And we dropped it on the sidewalk and driveway, passed and passed. Even the built in LED flashlight survived the torment we subjected this thing to.
Conclusion
The Soldier is a no nonsense basic smartphone power bank that is ready to take a beating to keep your smartphone running. Take this thing anywhere and never worry about being out of power or damaging it. I’d say you might break it if you dropped it from a thousand foot cliff, but I don’t climb cliffs so I can’t test that out. I give The Soldier 4 out of 5 stars, the ability to charge tablets would have been nice, but that doesn’t make this a deal breaker at all in my book. Hit the link below to pick up your Soldier.
Daily Roundup: 8GB iPhone 5c rumor, Microsoft OneNote goes free, 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.
Apple reportedly launching a cheaper 8GB iPhone 5c on March 18th
Rumor has it that Apple’s cheaper and more colorful iPhone 5c hasn’t sold quite as well as the 5s. That might soon change, though. According to leaked documents unearthed by O2 Germany, Apple’s releasing a cheaper 8GB version of the 5c overseas on March 18th.
Apple’s Jony Ive: ‘We’re surrounded by anonymous, poorly made objects’
During a rare interview, Apple’s Jonathan Ive offers some insight into his own design process and how Apple products graduate from the drawing board. Every detail is given incredible thought, and for Jony, “It’s not just about aesthetics… Our success is a victory for purity, integrity – for giving a damn.”
Microsoft’s OneNote goes completely free, launches for Macs
OneNote, Microsoft’s productivity tool and Evernote competitor, has been available to Windows users for a long while, but now it’s finally arrived for those running OS X. Starting today, Mac users can download the full desktop version from the App Store for the wonderful price of $0.
Microsoft intros an LTE version of the Surface 2, arrives tomorrow for $679
We knew a cellular version of Microsoft’s slate was coming, but now the company’s made it official. The $679 LTE Surface 2 comes in a 64GB flavor, packing the same battery life as its less-connected counterpart. You can pick one up from Microsoft and Best Buy starting tomorrow.
AIVAnet 