How would you change Sony’s Xperia ZL?
At first blush, you’d be forgiven for asking what Sony’s Xperia ZL was for, given that it was the less fancy version of the Z. The dowdy sibling turned out to be a lot better than expected, however, with nicer ergonomics, even at the expense of the waterproofing. Unfortunately, by the time the ZL was announced, the HTC One (M7) and Galaxy S4 had arrived onto the scene. So, let’s pick apart the ZL and ask: was it a case of bad timing, or did Sony simply not do enough to warrant equal billing with its rivals? Head on over to our forum and share your thoughts.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony
Source: Engadget Product Forums
Microsoft hints that Windows Phone will soon let you put apps in folders
Windows Phone already lets you store apps in Start screen folders, but it’s a bit of a hack — you have to use Nokia App Folder to get the feature in the first place, and you’re really just opening one app to launch another. Microsoft might be near fixing that discrepancy, though. The company has posted instructions (since pulled) hinting that a future revision of Windows Phone 8.1 will include native folder support. Much like iOS and some flavors of Android, you’ll only have to drag tiles on top of each other to make folders and tidy up your home page.
The document suggests that you’ll need “Windows Phone 8.1 Update” to see this new trick, although it’s not clear whether this is a reference to the finished 8.1 release (expected to arrive this summer) or a patch that would appear sometime later. We’ve asked Microsoft whether or not it can shed more light on the subject, but it’s already safe to say that the company hasn’t shown all its upgrade cards just yet.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Via: The Verge
Source: Windows Phone (cached)
Apple Debuts New iPhone 5s TV Ad ‘Parenthood’
Apple today debuted a new iPhone 5s TV ad called “Parenthood“, focusing on various iOS apps and products for parents.
The song features “Life of Dreams” by singer-songwriter Julie Doiron and showcases apps such as My Teeth, Draw Animal, Pet Manager Pro, and Kinsa. Devices shown off in the ad include the Withings Withbaby baby monitor, Kinsa’s smart thermometer, and the Parrot Flower Power.
The ad ends with the "You’re more powerful than you think" tagline, which was initially featured in Apple’s first "Powerful" ad in April and in its "Strength" ad earlier this month.
Apple’s iPhone Trade-In Program Expands to Italy [iOS Blog]
After it expanded to Germany in April, Apple has launched its iPhone trade-in program in Italy, reports 9to5Mac.
The program gives customers the opportunity to trade in an older iPhone model and receive an Apple Store Gift Card worth up to €220, which can be used towards the purchase of a newer iPhone. On its end, Apple says that it will responsibly recycle devices that are traded in, making it a more environmentally conscious option than throwing a phone away.
First launched in the U.S. before the release of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c last year, Apple’s iPhone recycling trade-in program has expanded to a number of countries including the UK, France, and Canada. Alternatively, the company also offers a mail-in recycling program that allows customers to send in an iPhone to receive store credit.
Whatcha Playing? Out There by Mi-Clos Studio
One of the greatest things about video games is that it does not have to be fancy. I know I have said this before about Minecraft and here I am saying it again for the game called Out There. This is a game that is easy to play but very difficult to master unless you put […]
Moto 360 will launch alongside Moto X+1 and will be a part of Moto Maker, report says
Google announced lots of stuff on this year’s Google I/O. Android Wear was one of the most interesting for sure, considering this is Google’s shot at wearables, only smartwatches for now though. As a part of the I/O, Google briefly announced 3 smartwatches, LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live and Motorola’s Moto 360. First 2 are already up for sale while the last one will be sometime this summer.
Different people like different things, but I’m gonna go ahead and say Moto 360 is definitely the best designed out of the bunch. That smartwatch looks just beautiful with its circular design. Well, PhoneArena’s source claims that Moto 360 will launch alongside Moto X+1, which is also one of the most expected devices this year. That would mean we’ll see Moto X+1 smartphone launch this summer as well. Oh yeah, the same source says that Moto 360 will be included in Motorola’s Moto Maker, in other words you’ll be able to customize that thing before you buy it. We don’t know how will that work, what exactly would you be able to customize, other than choosing the color of the watch and the bands included in the deal. Either way we spin it, those are some great news.
Are you going to buy one of the already available Android Wear smartwatches or are you going to wait for the Moto 360? If you’re not buying anything feel free to tell us your opinion in general of course.
Source: PhoneArena
The post Moto 360 will launch alongside Moto X+1 and will be a part of Moto Maker, report says appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Facebook explains why it briefly toyed with users’ emotions
Ever since word got out that Facebook had briefly manipulated some users’ News Feeds to see how their feelings changed, a number of questions have popped up: just why did the company feel compelled to experiment in the first place? How noticeable was it? And was it worth the effort? As of today, we have some answers to those riddles. Study co-author Adam Kramer explains that Facebook was worried people would stop visiting the social network if they saw too many emotional updates — a lot of negative posts could scare some people off, while a surge of positive vibes would leave others feeling left out. That’s not what happened, however, and Kramer stresses that the company “never [meant] to upset anyone.”
He also suggests that Facebook won’t repeat history any time soon. The results of the circa-2012 field test may not have justified the “anxiety” that followed two years later, he says. Also, Facebook has been refining its “internal review practices” ever since, and it’s taking the public’s current response into account. Kramer doesn’t say whether or not similar experiments will take place again, but it’s clear that the company will be treading more carefully if it does. As it stands, there was only just enough of a change to suggest that the altered News Feeds had an effect.
While those are reassuring tidbits, they aren’t going to satisfy everyone. There are calls for Facebook to meet scientific ethics standards when conducting research like this; critics argue that it should at least tell users they were part of an experiment, and ideally offer a chance to opt out ahead of time. Facebook assumed that it had permission because of a basic “research” clause in its Data Use Policy, but that’s supposed to be used for product improvement, not academic papers. While the project did little if any harm, there’s a worry that this lack of explicit consent could cause some real psychological damage should future tests get any more aggressive.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]
Filed under: Science, Internet, Facebook
Source: Adam Kramer (Facebook)
Google to Remove ‘Quickoffice’ from App Store Soon [iOS Blog]
Google today announced that it will be removing its Quickoffice app from Apple’s App Store in the coming weeks. The move comes as Google looks to integrate Quickoffice into its Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps. Current users of Quickoffice will be able to continue using the app, however new users will not be able to download the app once it is removed.
Quickoffice for iOS was originally introduced in 2013 and was designed to allow users to view and edit Microsoft Office files, with its launch coming after the announcement of Apple’s iWork suite for iOS. Quickoffice also featured integration with Google Drive storage, along with the ability to create .ZIP folders and view charts.
For users looking to continue using Google’s web-based office suite on iOS, the company’s Google Docs [Direct Link], and Google Sheets [Direct Link] app can be downloaded from the App Store at not cost. Google Slides for iOS will be released in the near future.
Giving Samsung tablets another chance with the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4
Samsung’s tablets haven’t done much for me in the past; outside of the slick Galaxy Tab 7.7, they’ve rarely had exciting designs or brisk performance. However, the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 caught my eye. It has an iconic (if very Galaxy Note 3-like) look, solid specs and the sharpest display on a tablet that size. With that in mind, I tried this smallest of Tab Pros for a few weeks this past spring to see if it could lure me away from the land of iPads.
You won’t hear me gripe much about the hardware. That 8.4-inch display is just big enough for the media and websites I like, and it’s so high-res that the images occasionally have a painted-on look. Also, it’s a pleasure to hold. Faux leather and metal notwithstanding, it’s both comfortable and light. The iPad Air is undoubtedly svelte, but it feels a tad ungainly next to the (admittedly smaller) Tab Pro — and that’s before seeing the Galaxy Tab S, which is even thinner and lighter.
To me, the real clincher is Samsung’s Multi Window support. While its absence isn’t a dealbreaker, I’d love if every tablet had some variant of this going forward. There’s an undeniable appeal to chatting with someone on Hangouts while a YouTube video plays. It’s not as elegantly implemented as in Windows, since you can’t easily restore a Multi Window setup if you lose it, but it does make good use of the Tab Pro’s real estate.
If only Android apps took similar advantage of that display. Titles that aren’t tablet-native generally scale well enough on this smaller screen, but it still feels like there’s a lot of wasted space compared to the iPad apps I’m used to. Also, some of them don’t cope well with the 2,560 x 1,600 resolution; buttons and other interface elements are occasionally a little too tiny for my liking. Still, these will hopefully get better as developers get comfortable, and they’re not going to sour the overall experience.
Would I toss out my iPad and get a Galaxy Tab Pro or Tab S? Probably not. The iOS ecosystem is still stronger in some places (most notably games), and the Air I already own has enough screen resolution and speed for my tastes. However, I wouldn’t balk if someone made me switch, and I’d have little hesitation recommending Samsung’s newer slates to anyone who wants a lot of performance in a small shell.
Weekends with Engadget: Google I/O 2014, Aereo loses and more!
This week, we went hands-on with Google’s Android L developer preview and Android wear, watched the US Supreme Court rule against Aereo, learned how to escape the clutches of the internet and more! Read on for Engadget’s news highlights from the last seven days. Oh, and be sure to subscribe to our Flipboard magazine!
We just played with Android’s L Developer Preview
Android L is just a developer preview for now, but it’s a forthright indicator of the OS’ uber-connected future. With over 5,000 APIs, a new set of guidelines called Material Design and 64-bit support, Google’s provided a great education of its next mobile OS update.
US Supreme Court rules Aereo’s streaming service is illegal under copyright law
Aereo’s been fighting an uphill battle for a while, but it looks like the final judgement has passed. This week, the US Supreme Court ruled that this live TV-streaming internet service was indeed illegal under copyright law.
What you need to know about Uber, Lyft and other app-based car services
Most of us are probably familiar with Lyft and its furry pink mustaches, but there’s much more to app-based car services than meets the eye. Read on as Steve Dent investigates the legal frustrations surrounding taxi-hailing apps and what they mean for you.
Second Life’s second act will be a social network for virtual reality
Linden Labs, the studio behind Second Life, is preparing a sequel, and it’s going to be a social network for virtual reality. Read on as Sean Buckley sits down with CEO Ebbe Altberg to discuss the game’s evolution and collaboration with Oculus VR.
How to Disappear (almost) Completely: the illusion of privacy
You could toss your laptop, tablet and your phone, but is that enough to escape the clutches of the internet? Read on as Dan Cooper investigates the illusion of privacy in part one of How To Disappear.
What you need to know about 3D printing
3D printers: they’re invading our workplaces, schools and homes, but what exactly are these DIY factories capable of? Read on as Jennifer Williams-Alvarez explores the world of 3D printing and what it means to you.
The three faces of Android Wear, compared
Android Wear is making waves this summer in the form of three new smartwatches: the LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live and Motorola Moto 360. Read on for our breakdown of each wrist-worn device and its implementation of Google’s wearable platform.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S review: slim design, long battery life, stunning screen
Say hello to Samsung’s latest slate, the Galaxy Tab S. Besides having a beautiful, crisp display and great battery life, this incredibly thin tablet matches the iPad Air nearly spec for spec. Available in 8- and 10-inch versions, the Tab S is up for pre-order at $400 and $500 respectively.
Android Wear brings Google to life
Besides the smartwatch form-factor itself, what makes an Android Wear-powered device so important to Google’s ecosystem? According to David Singleton, director of engineering, Wear is key to unlocking Android’s full potential.
Google gives us a simulated ride with Android Auto
This week at Google I/O, the Open Automotive Alliance announce Android Auto: a completely voice-enabled, contextually based system that projects your phone’s OS and apps onto your vehicle’s screen. What’s more, its APIs are shared by Google’s Android Wear platform.
Filed under: Misc
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