Weekly Roundup: Apple releases iOS 7.1, Amazon raises the price of Prime and more!
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Apple releases iOS 7.1 with CarPlay support
Apple recently unveiled its CarPlay interface at the Geneva Auto Show, and now its complimentary iOS 7.1 update is ready for action. In addition to CarPlay functionality, 7.1 brings a lengthy list of bug fixes and and a couple of clever Siri improvements. So head on over to your settings menu and get downloading.
Amazon raising Prime subscriptions by $20 to $99 a year
After Amazon acquired Lovefilm and its database of over 70,000 movie titles, we suspected that US Prime customers were subject to a price increase. Now, the announcement is official. Brand new customers have seven days left to lock in their first year of Prime for $79, after that renewals will cost $20 more.
Here’s a much clearer look at Valve’s new Steam Controller
Valve released the first prototype Steam Controller toward late last year, and now it’s given us a much better idea of what the final product will look like. When compared to the older version on the right, you’ll notice the newer model lacks the touchscreen, but adds several buttons in its place.
Report: This is what iOS 8 looks like, at least right now
What you’re looking at is reportedly a leaked screenshot of Apple’s iOS 8 mobile operating system, according to the Chinese microblog site Weibo. And if you look closely, you’ll notice the image features the expected Healthbook app, as well as three interesting new additions: TextEdit, Preview and Tips.
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Filed under: Misc
HTC Features ZOE in their New Technical Translation Video
Technical Translation has been a very humorous look into the HTC One’s features, and today, we get a look at photo gallery feature, ZOE. This was another feature that a lot people actually enjoyed seeing when it was unveiled, but I think Google’s Auto Awesome took a little spotlight away from the feature.
Like the rest of the Technical Translation videos, the two men tease the All New HTC One at the end, by bleeping out words and blurring out the device. It is another funny chapter in HTC’s new campaign, so check it out and let us know what you think.
Sense 6 Motion Gestures and Themes Shown Off in New Video
The All New HTC One has probably endured the most leaks out of any phone that has had high anticipation. I mean there is no stopping these leaks, and we still have over a week until the HTC event where they plan on unveiling the new flagship. Today we get yet another video, but this time it has more to do with Sense 6 than the actually phone.
A clever developer has ported over a Sense 6 build to his original HTC one, and decided to run through the new interface with a Screencast video to show us what we are in store for. He runs through the various wallpapers and themes, which we have already gotten a taste of. What we haven’t seen yet, is motion gestures. Seems that with Sense 6, you have the option to utilize these motion gestures to make easier for you to access certain apps or controls. For instance, if your phone is off, and you swipe to the left, you can quickly access the widgets panel. Swiping right will bring you to BlinkFeed, and swiping up will unlock your phone. Nothing too innovative, but a nice added bonus.
I guess it is safe to say that anybody who has ported this build to their phones, and have made a video about it, will suffer some legal action like that kid who leaked the 12-minute video. I understand that they want to get the views, but it is not worth it if you have to pay a hefty fine. Wait until the after March 25th’s event before doing something like that, you dinguses. Check out the video below to check all these features out in action. Let us know your thoughts about it.
Source: Android Headlines
1 million Nokia X pre-orders in China? Not so
There has recently been a rumor floating around that there has been 1 million pre-orders of the Nokia X in China. But, as it turns out the website handling Nokia’s Chinese pre-orders just has a button that says “Pre-Order” which anyone can click at any time, without any sort of commitment to buying. The stats reported would be more accurately described as, this is how many people clicked our “eh, I’m a little interested in buying one of these, and wouldn’t mind getting an email about it in the future” button. Not to mention the fact that the pre-order site was holding a drawing out the those who pre-ordered, wherein you can win a Nokia X. The funny thing is, you can “pre-order” one in each color.
Since the device is still only $100, there will be high sales, but logging contest entries as “pre-orders” as a very oddly dishonest way of reporting statistics, at the very best, one third of those pre-orders are real. If you can read the language on the button, feel free to visit the Chinese retailers website and skew the numbers a bit more!
Anyone looking forward to buying one of these? Let us know below!
The post 1 million Nokia X pre-orders in China? Not so appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Mount & Blade: Warband goes medieval on Google Play
Whether you are a fan of action packed RPGs or just think that medieval weapons look downright awesome, Mount & Blade: Warband has something for you.
TaleWorlds Entertainment has just launched the new combat-filled RPG, developed specifically for SHIELD and other Tegra 4 devices. The game touts realistic combat letting players charge into battle with online multiplayer and lets players rule their own kingdom. For those of us that prefer to joust alone, do not fear, as there is a huge single player campaign packed into this game.
Taking place in Calradia, players are armed with courage and a sword. Players will find the dangers and adventures with great rewards for their risks. Mount & Blade features free-form sand-box gameplay, which gives the player ultimate control on creating their legacy as a ruler.
The game also incorporates some unique features like the ability to upgrade your companions to vassals by granting them lands and the ability to marry a lady of the realm for either romance or political gain.
To celebrate the release of the game, Mount & Blade: Warband has launched with a 30 percent discount on the Google Play store.
The post Mount & Blade: Warband goes medieval on Google Play appeared first on AndroidGuys.
9 New Colors Added to the Moto Maker for the Moto X
Even though Motorola was sold to Lenovo in a deal no one really saw coming, the Moto X is still one of the best phones that came out last year. Even though many people, for some reason, felt like their Moto X was rendered useless after the acquisition, Motorola still plans on keep the Moto X line alive, and they have recently added more color options in the Moto Maker.
You now have 27 colors to choose from when designing your Moto X. That is way more than any other phone competitor out there, which is something we all love. Options. Android is known for its options, and Motorola still wants to give you those options. So If you haven’t quite yet pulled the trigger on a Moto X, or you felt like you shouldn’t because the company if now part of Lenovo, head over to the Moto Maker to check out all the colors. Maybe it will change your mind.
Google Wallet’s tap and pay soon to be exclusive to KitKat and up
Google will soon be cutting off support for the tap and pay feature on devices not running yet running KitKat. Pre-KitKat devices aren’t quite as secure as devices running 4.4 and up thanks to some firmware updates introduced in the latest version.
In laymen’s terms, the new firmware allows the wallet app and the processor to provide the protection, which is why it will no longer be supported on older versions of the OS.
Here’s Google’s official statement:
We wanted to let you know about an update to Google Wallet that might change the way you use the app. Right now it looks like you’re using tap and pay with a device running an Android version older than 4.4 KitKat. On the newest version of Android, tap and pay works with different technology for an improved experience. As a result, starting on April 14, 2014, tap and pay will no longer work for devices with older Android versions.
Tap and pay will be available for most devices running Android 4.4 KitKat. If you are able to upgrade to KitKat now, you can check if your device supports tap and pay. Supported devices will display a tile in your “My Wallet” screen that tells you to set up tap and pay. For devices that are not eligible for Android 4.4 KitKat or don’t support tap and pay, you can still use the Google Wallet app to store all of your loyalty cards and offers, send money to your friends, view your orders, and use the Google Wallet Card to make purchases.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for continuing to be a loyal Wallet user.
If you have any questions, please visit our Help Center. Sincerely, The Google Wallet Team
Anyone out these think this will pose a serious issue? Anyone using this feature on a device running Jellybean or below?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Google Wallet’s tap and pay soon to be exclusive to KitKat and up appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Galaxy Core Advance new accessibility accessories
Samsung’s mid-range offering the Galaxy Core Advance soon to be accompanied by some accessories to help enhance the accessibility options which are already offered by Samsung’s devices.
• The Ultrasonic Cover allows users to detect obstacles and navigate unfamiliar places by sending an alert through a
vibration or TTS feedback. By holding the Cover in front of the user, it can enhance a visually impaired user’s awareness
of their surroundings by sensing the presence of a person or object up to 2 meters away.
• The Optical Scan Stand positions the device to focus on printed materials, automatically activating the Optical Scan
application, which recognizes text from an image and reads it aloud to the user. The Optical Scan Stand is particularly
useful when a consumer is alone, automatically initiating the application to read text as soon as paper is sensed on
the stand.
• The Voice Label assists users in distinguishing objects by allowing them to make notes and tag voice labels easily
on-the-go. With NFC technology enabling a seamless connection to their smartphones, users can record, stop
and access their notes. This feature can also help a user distinguish how to use electronics by allowing them to
record a short explanation.
It’s really great to see how affordable technology can help make life better for people. The Voice Label seems like a very useful and much needed new idea, and I can see libraries and schools adopting the Optical Scan Stand for visually impaired students, very cool! Anyone know someone who could benefit from one of these accessories? Let us know below!
The post Galaxy Core Advance new accessibility accessories appeared first on AndroidGuys.
IRL: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Would you believe that as much as we obsess about speeds and feeds, many of we Engadget editors are still making do with ancient products? What if those products were three years old? And what if we told you that by “ancient,” we were referring to the original Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1? Yep — let’s just say some of us are a little stubborn when it comes to upgrading.
It wasn’t easy finding a decent tablet other than the iPad 2 back in 2011, but I was set on using Android with a bigger screen, so I persisted. I spent copious amounts of time wading through cheap devices with displays that could barely register presses. Then, the first Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 came along, and I knew I found the one.
Of course, the first GTab was nowhere near perfect (which gadget is?), but it used to work smoothly — buttery enough even for Paula Deen. However, like any other gadget, it started to lag over time, and Ice Cream Sandwich only aggravated its stuttering performance. Its battery life turned into a joke, too — even worse than what iOS 7 did to my iPhone’s runtime. To make matters worse, it also freezes and crashes regularly. Even so, my tablet continues to live a productive life. I’ve yet to replace it, because it works well enough for casual web browsing and comic/e-book reading, which is what I mostly need a tablet for anyway. The GTab’s game selection was never as large as the iPad’s, but it’s run every game I’ve downloaded thus far.
More importantly, I can’t let go of it, because I’m a penny-pinching sentimental fool. A year ago I dropped it while going down a flight of stairs and the screen popped out. When it continued to work after I stuck the display back in, I promised the God of the Tablets I’d take care of my GTab for years to come.
Despite my loyalty, I have to admit it’s almost time to put the ol’ 10.1 to rest. The iPad Air’s lightness and outstanding battery life are calling to me like a mermaid to a sailor, and I can’t wait to get a glimpse of the second Nexus 10 (assuming there is one). One thing’s for sure, though: even if I snag a new tablet, my GTab will stay. I’ll either keep it as a backup or give it to my mom, but only after I give its plastic body a good scrubbing and resuscitate it with a custom ROM.
– Mariella Moon
Leaked press images show Samsung’s ATIV SE for Verizon
Samsung’s upcoming Windows 8.1 smartphone for Verizon, the ATIV SE, passed through the FCC last month, and now we’re getting a look at the actual device. The leaked press photos above show a phone that strongly resembles the Windows Phone-powered ATIV S, with a physical home button. The alleged ATIV SE appears to share design elements with Samsung’s Galaxy handsets as well, from the rounded edges to the textured finishes on the back and front. It’s still unclear when the ATIV SE will launch on Verizon, but we know it’ll arrive some time this year following the debut of the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system. Expect a 5-inch, 1080p display and LTE capability when the SE hits store shelves.
Filed under: Mobile, Samsung, Verizon
Source: @evleaks
AIVAnet 