Comixology now offers DRM-free comic backups, but only from select publishers
When Amazon purchased Comixology, it was a herald of change: iOS users lost the ability to purchase comics in-app, Android users were gifted with a new purchasing system and, now,the digital book seller is going DRM-free. Sort of. Comixology CEO David Steinberger announced today that DRM-free backups of select comics are now available to download in PDF and CBZ format, giving readers the ability to enjoy their content outside of the Comixology ecosystem for the first time. That said, it’s somewhat limited: backup downloads are only available to book published by Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Zenoscope Entertainment, Thrillbent, Top Shelf Productions and MonkeyBrain Comics — in other words, publishers that have already dabbled with DRM-free comic distribution.
There’s no word if publishing juggernauts like DC or Marvel will make their books available for download (don’t count on it), but the option seems to be available for both big and small publishers. Even so, there’s quite a few title available (this editor’s list of downloadable backups tallied over 300 comics), all of which can be accessed under the “My Backups” tab of the user’s library. Sounds like a winner to us — though, Comixology does caution that fans of its “guided view” reading mode won’t be able to access it in their downloaded backups.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Amazon
Source: Comixology
Here’s the first look at Ridley Scott’s live-action ‘Halo’ project
Back at this year’s E3 we learned that Halo: Nightfall would tell the origin story for a new character in Halo‘s sci-fi universe, and we’re finally getting to see some of the show in motion. And, well, there are a couple of instances where it looks pretty similar to the Alien not-a-prequel, Prometheus. That almost assuredly isn’t a coincidence given the fact that Prometheus‘ director Ridley Scott is serving as executive producer for the show. It’s hard to tell exactly how the episodic series is going to turn out based on a teaser trailer (embedded after the break), but we can tell you that in its 74 seconds there’s a distinct lack of Master Chief and a whole lot of talk about an element that “selectively kills humans.” How’s that for mystery? You’ll be able to check out the exploits of Agent Locke and his crew after Halo: The Master Chief Collection releases this November.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Google Maps gains new exploration features in latest update
Google wants to make it even easier to discover the world around you so they are updating the Google Maps app. A new “Explore” feature is being integrated into the Android and iOS apps and is designed to help users explore nearby places. Rather than deliver a generic list of places within the vicinity, Explore will consider… Read more »
The post Google Maps gains new exploration features in latest update appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Accessory of the Day: Arkon Travel Tablet Stand
If you’re like us then you like to take your tablet with you from place to place. Sometimes we keep our tablet on the desk, sometimes we take it to the nightstand. Occasionally, it finds its way to the kitchen while other times it comes with us on a road trip. If you’re like us then… Read more »
The post Accessory of the Day: Arkon Travel Tablet Stand appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Possible 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Volume/Power Flex Cable and SIM Card Tray Shown in New Images
We’ve seen several different parts for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, but parts for the larger 5.5-inch version have thus far been in short supply. Apple.club.tw [Google Translation] has shared some new images of what might be the first leaked internal parts for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6, offering up pictures of power/volume flex cables and SIM trays said to be for the device.
The two flex cables that separately house the left side volume buttons/mute switch and the top power button are similar in design to an earlier set of leaked flex cables said to be for one of the iPhone 6 models. There are, however, some design differences that suggest there are two distinct sets of flex cables designed for two different devices floating around the Asian supply chain. For example, the new set of flex cables depicts less space between the volume buttons and the mute buttons and the two flex cables for the power button have different shapes.
iPhone 6 volume/mute flex cable on top, power button flex cable on bottom
Like the earlier cables, the flex cables in the new images resemble parts from other devices and have an Apple-style part number.
As it is difficult to determine size based on images, it is unclear which set of leaked flex cables might be designed for the 4.7-inch iPhone and which is destined for the 5.5-inch iPhone, but as both cables are different than existing parts for the iPhone 5s, iPad Air, and iPad mini, they point towards two separate devices if legitimate.
Apple.club.tw has also shared images of a longer flex cable with an unknown purpose and a set of SIM card trays in a cobalt blue color. Blue is not expected to be a color for the iPhone 6, as current rumors have pointed towards a release in the existing silver, gold, and space gray for both models, so the blue SIM trays are somewhat questionable.
As we move closer to the September launch date of the iPhone 6, we expect part leaks to become more frequent. We may also see more parts designed for the larger iPhone 6 as it is expected to enter mass production in August or September. The 4.7-inch iPhone is said to have entered mass production in July.
Rumors have suggested that Apple may ship the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 ahead of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 due to supply constraints with the latter, so it remains unclear if we will see the bigger phone at Apple’s prospective iPhone 6 launch event in September.
New Apple TV game brings the ‘Dance Party’ to your living room
Apple’s set-top hobby has come a long way since its major refresh in 2010, thanks largely to a variety of services bringing different content to the platform. When it comes to gaming, however, the Apple TV isn’t exactly a powerhouse, despite being able to support it through AirPlay features — something similar to what Real Racing has done in the past. Another developer that’s made use of this particular second-screen kind of experience is Rolocule Games, and it just announced a new free title (with in-app purchases) dubbed Dance Party.
The game, which clearly takes a cue from Dance Central, comes in the form of an app and uses an iOS device as a motion controller, allowing players to see their virtual, groovy moves on the bigger screen by way of Apple TV. Dance Party also lets you challenge other people who have the application, even if they’re not in the same location as you. It may not be the best way to play games on the tiny box, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be fun.
Filed under: Misc, Gaming, Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Mobile, Apple
Source: App Store
Google is reportedly buying Twitch for $1 billion
What’s the internet’s most popular game-streaming service worth? About $1 billion, if VentureBeat sources have their story straight. Earlier this year, Variety and the Wall Street Journal reported that Google was in talks to acquire Twitch, but conceded that the two companies were only just starting negotiations. Now, sources familiar with the deal say an agreement has been reached, though its unclear when the reported acquisition will be officially announced. Naturally, there are some concerns that a Google acquisition of Twitch would stifle competition for rival services, but the tried and true platform could certainly bolster Mountain View’s own streaming efforts. If nothing else, perhaps the deal will validate emerging market shared gameplay in the eyes of its doubters.
Filed under: Gaming, Internet, HD, Google
Source: VentureBeat
MIT students modify a 3D printer with a height-measuring laser
It’s happened to all of us: you queue up a print job, your old desk printer starts up and it unceremoniously jams halfway through. It’s easy enough to resume a botched print job when you’re dealing with paper, but what do you do when you’re printing in 3D? A small team of MIT students may have an answer: a depth sensing scanner cobbled together from a laser and a simple webcam.
The team modified a Soliodoodle 3D printer to scan its printing bed, assess the height and shape of the objects there and print on top of them. It sounds like a complicated task, but the hardware used to accomplish it is pretty simple. A $26 laser, attached to the Soliodoole’s print head, draws a horizontal line across the printing surface, distorting slightly as it passes over objects that raise above the flat base. A nearby $30 webcam measures the changes in the line and feeds that data to a PC, which can use it (and subsequent laser repositioning) to create a model of the objects below. The team was able to use this method to print a cube on top of an already half-printed pyramid, completing an print job that was aborted earlier.
Unfortunately, modifying the printer was little more than a class project — the team doesn’t have any immediate plans to develop the low-cost scanner any further. Still, similar features could be a boon to the next generation of 3D printers, allowing the machines to resume interrupted print jobs or even detected a botched print before wasting precious materials. Want to see it in action? The video below awaits.
Filed under: Internet
Source: 3DPrint
Google Voice moves one step closer to Hangouts integration
Call it a sign of things to come or simply another back-end move for Hangouts, but Google Voice users have a new option today. Log into the Google Voice website and you’ll find that you can now make calls via Hangouts without messing around with a Google+ account. As Alex Wiesen (Google) tells us, this… Read more »
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Get ‘The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection’ for free this month
It seems as if this week is a good one to get stuff on the cheap or even for free. First, Marvel announced a promo yesterday which gave access to its Unlimited comics service for 99 cents, and now EA has quietly revealed that it’s giving away copies of The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection. You’ll need to have Origin, EA’s software distribution platform, installed on your machine to take advantage of this deal, but it’s as easy as entering a code for old and new users alike. Just don’t expect EA to keep supporting the classic game after you install it, since the publisher brought closure to that a few days ago. The Windows download on Origin will be available until July 31st at 1:00AM ET, which means there’s plenty of time to let it all sink in and cancel whatever you had planned for the weekend.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Source: EA
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