Partial Android 4.4.3 Changelog Released! Galaxy Note 3 Gets KitKat! – Device Updates
Let’s wash those Monday blues away with some Device Updates. A partial list from the Android 4.4.3 update that should be rolling out soon, has hit the net, and it definitely squashes the bugs that are plaguing Android 4.4.2. As soon as that update rolls out, we will let you guys know.
Device Updates
Partial Android 4.4.3 update changelog
Sprint rolls Android 4.4.2 to the HTC One Max
AT&T Galaxy Note 3 gets KitKat
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Verizon FiOS Media Server arrives as Quantum TV DVR that records up to 12 channels at once
We double checked the calendar too, but no, it’s not an April Fools joke — Verizon’s FIOS Media Server is finally available in a few areas as a part of the new Quantum TV package. The VMS1100 upgrades the standard cable boxes used by Verizon and other providers by shoving six tuners and a 1TB hard drive into a box that then feeds TV to other smaller set-top boxes in the rest of the house over existing cable wiring (MoCA). Better still, you can add more DVRs for the ability to record up to 12 channels at once, 2TB of storage and feeds for as many as ten TVs. Unlike some other multiroom systems, users can pause and rewind live TV on the extender boxes as well, or pause a program in one room, then resume it in another room.
Verizon leaked (and then pulled, the demo above is older) a quick advertisement for the service on YouTube laying out some of the specs, while DSLReports.com forum posters have seen availability in parts of New York, New Jersey, California and Pennsylvania. Early reports indicate the software still needs some polishing, but that using the VMS1100 itself is “lightning fast” and nearly as responsive on the networked boxes. The cost for the system right now is $22 per month for one of the DVR boxes, and $32 for the two DVR, 12-tuner setup, plus $10 to connect additional TVs.
While its current capabilities are impressive, what’s more exciting is the “phase 2″ Verizon has shown with transcoding that makes video available on network connected hardware like an Xbox, Roku or iPad. Combined with Verizon’s purchase of Intel’s OnCue IPTV project and the prospect of the FCC’s AllVid standard, it could take us one more step towards a future where the TV experience, including recordings, is available on every screen inside and outside the house and doesn’t need special boxes at all.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Verizon
Source: Verizon, FiOS Support Forums
Square Market now accepts Bitcoins
Square Market’s one of the latest e-retailers to realize that Bitcoins might not be too cryptic to be used as a legit payment option, after all. The e-commerce website now accepts payments made using the cryptocurrency, as Square Market Lead Ajit Varma announced in a blog post where he also explained the technical details behind the process. He said buyers will be given a QR code and the info they need to buy anything from massages to biking gear with their virtual wallets. Square, in partnership with Bitcoin processor Coinbase, will then forward the payment to merchants in US dollars — minus the website’s standard processing fee, that is.
A spokesperson told Recode that Square Market will take a 2.75 percent cut from each sale, even though Bitcoin processors typically charge 1 percent per transaction. Still, that’s not such a bad deal for sellers who get charged the same percentage for credit card payments anyway. And that’s certainly great news for folks with Bitcoins to spare… so long as they’re cool with recording every purchase for the ever watchful IRS.
Via: Recode
Source: Square
Both Samsung and HTC Unveil New Glove Wearable Technology [MUST SEE]
The smartwatch is making a bigger splash in the mobile tech world this year, but what is next when it comes to wearable technology? How about…a glove? Why not? Remember the Nintendo Power Glove? That little piece of 90′s technology was fantastic, so let’s see OEMs take it to that level. HTC has announced the HTC Gluuv, while Samsung announces the Samsung Fingers. Anyone blown away? Of course you’re not. Happy April Fools Day.
Kind of funny how both of these OEMs decided to play the same joke on everyone, yet HTC went all out with an entire landing page full of spiffy looking images. Samsung has numerous drawn pictures that show how the Samsung Fingers work, and boy does it have a lot of uses. I wouldn’t be surprised if these pieces of technology were considered once, so if you want to check and see what these gloves can do, check out the photos on the post or hit the link for the HTC Gluuv landing page. Let us know what you think.
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AnyFont Allows iOS Users to Install Custom Fonts for Use in a Variety of Apps [iOS Blog]
AnyFont, a recently released app from developer Florian Schimanke (via TUAW) allows iOS users to install custom TrueType and OpenType fonts to an iOS device for use in a multiple applications, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.
According to the developer, the fonts are installed to an iOS device via a configuration profile after being added to an app’s storage in iTunes, which is a new feature introduced with iOS 7.
[AnyFont] takes the fonts that are added to the app’s storage by the user via iTunes file sharing or the ‘Open in…’ dialog and creates a configuration profile from it so it can be installed on the device. AnyFont hands over the newly created profile to Safari which then takes the user to the installation process. When finished, the user is then taken back to AnyFont.
To use the app, .ttf or .otf font files must be installed to the AnyFont app using iTunes. Alternatively, fonts can be installed via Dropbox or Mail, by opening a file in those respective apps and choosing the “Open in…” option for AnyFont.
Once a font is added to the AnyFont app, a single tap will install it to a configuration profile on the device, which then allows the font to be used within other apps in the font selection menus.
While this is handy for creating documents on iOS devices with fonts that are typically unavailable on iOS devices, it is also useful for viewing documents or presentations created on a Mac or PC, as fonts can be preserved. The developer has created a tutorial that explains the entire font installation process, which is fairly easy using Dropbox:
AnyFont can be downloaded from the App Store for $1.99. [Direct Link]
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Daily Roundup: interview with Xbox’s Phil Spencer, Google’s Pokémon Challenge 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.
Interview with Microsoft’s new Xbox Head Phil Spencer
Today, Microsoft announced that longtime employee Phil Spencer is replacing Marc Whitten as head of the Xbox division. What does this mean for the future of Xbox’s current brand reorganization? Well, we managed to speak with Phil about just that.
Toshiba’s 8-inch Encore review
Toshiba’s 8-inch Encore may not be the fastest or prettiest Windows tablet on the market, but it gets the job done. For $285, you’ll get 32GB of memory and satisfactory battery life. The rear camera, however, leaves much to be desired — even for a low-budget device. Read on for our full review.
Google chooses you to become a Pokémon Master on April Fools’
Google has a history of elaborate April Fools’ Jokes, but this year’s may top them all. Welcome to the “Pokémon Challenge,” the “latest” build of Google Maps. Hurry and catch them all before 2pm PT on April 2nd.
Samsung looks to Google for help in its latest legal battle with Apple
Samsung and Apple just can’t seem to get along. The latest news surrounding the ongoing legal battle has Cupertino seeking $2 billion in damages from the Korean manufacturer for infringement on five patents. What’s more, Samsung plans to use Google engineers as witnesses.
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Filed under: Misc
New York Public Library now lets you use 20,000 historical maps for free
Ever wanted to see what New York City’s maps looked like before skyscrapers took over… or before Americans took over, for that matter? It’s now easy as pie. The New York Public Library has published more than 20,000 of its historical maps under a Creative Commons public domain license. You can freely download, manipulate and publish cartography created between 1660 and 1922, a large chunk of which explores New York City’s neighborhoods in detail. You’ll also see thousands of maps covering the mid-Atlantic US and the Austro-Hungarian empire (yes, really). We can’t imagine too many people wanting to remix Gangs of New York-era property charts, but it’s hard to object to getting more geographic knowledge at no charge.
Filed under: Internet
Source: New York Public Library
iPad Air and iPad mini w/LTE Cellular Launch in China [iOS Blog]
Apple has launched TD-LTE capable models of the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display in China, adding to existing iPad models that support other cellular networks in China.
Apple® today announced TD-LTE capable models of iPad Air™ and iPad mini™ with Retina® display, bringing high-speed LTE performance* to iPad® customers in China, are available starting today. The new iPad models give customers the ability to connect to today’s most advanced cellular data networks at blazingly fast speeds, so users can surf the web or download email and apps even faster.
iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display models supporting TD-LTE also accommodate the TD-SCDMA mobile standard, and join existing iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display WLAN + Cellular models in support of Personal Hotspot connectivity and other advanced cellular technology (GSM/EDGE, DC-HSDPA, HSPA+) to provide customers in China fast cellular access in whichever iPad model they choose.
China Mobile began selling the iPhone 5s and 5c on its new 4G/TD-LTE network back in January, with these iPads capable of working on the same higher speed network.
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Google+ adds page view counts to user profiles
Earlier this month, we learned that Twitter’s considering introducing view counts to individual tweets, and it looks like Google+ just flipped the switch on a similar initiative. Follower counts are now joined by the total number of page clicks, which includes the sum of your profile, post and picture views since October 2012. Some profiles have already begun showing the count by default, but you may need to check a box in your profile settings before it appears for you. Similarly, you can disable the feature by unchecking the box.
Source: Google+
Political backlash against Mozilla’s new CEO continues as OkCupid suggests browser alternatives
Last week Mozilla appointed former CTO Brendan Eich as its new CEO, but the response to that move has centered on something other than its focus on mobile. In 2008 Eich donated $1,000 to support Proposition 8, a ban on gay marriage in California, and as a result a number of employees have called for him to step down. Today that protest extended to other websites, as The Verge points out Firefox users visiting the dating site OkCupid are greeted with the page shown above, saying it would “prefer that our users not use Mozilla software to access OkCupid.” At the bottom it includes links to Google Chrome, Internet Exploder (natch), Opera and Safari as friendlier alternatives, above a link for users to bypass the page and continue browsing with Firefox.
Since Eich’s appointment, Mozilla has posted several statements about its support for diversity, inclusiveness and marriage equality for LGBT couples, including one penned by the CEO himself. Three board members have also resigned from the foundation, although it says that’s not related to the CEO choice. Mozilla says that OkCupid never reached out to it to “confirm facts” (the full statement from a spokesperson is included below) but so far is sticking to its previous responses — we’ll see if Eich’s request for “the time to “show, not tell” is granted.
Mozilla:
Mozilla supports equality for all, including marriage equality for LGBT couples. No matter who you are or who you love, everyone deserves the same rights and to be treated equally. OkCupid never reached out to us to let us know of their intentions, nor to confirm facts.
I love @mozilla but I’m disappointed this week. @mozilla stands for openness and empowerment, but is acting in the opposite way.
– Chris McAvoy (@chmcavoy) March 27, 2014
To me, @Mozilla is about openness & expression of freedom. I hope to see us have leadership that represents those values in their actions.
– emgollie (@emgollie) March 27, 2014
Have waited too long to say this. I’m an employee of @mozilla and I’m asking @brendaneich to step down as CEO. https://t.co/K3OqeImUnU
– iamjessklein (@iamjessklein) March 27, 2014
Filed under: Internet
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