Mailbox for Mac begins rolling out in beta to a handful of lucky testers
The transition from mobile to desktop seems like a natural evolution for Mailbox, which began as a clever time-saving email app for iOS. Four months ago, the Dropbox-owned venture excited fans by announcing that it would soon have an option on Mac as a limited beta. Today’s the day: Mailbox is ready to roll out the app to the first batch of early adopters. The service will begin rolling out to those who’ve signed up for the beta online, as well as a handful of current Mailbox users. If you’re not one of the lucky winners tomorrow, be patient — the rollout will come in batches, and the company assures us that you’ll still get your hands on it before the final version is ready. Each beta tester will be issued a betacoin (not to be confused with other forms of digital currency), and you’ll even receive additional betacoins to share with friends as soon as you download the app.
The app, which is compatible with OS X Mavericks and later (sorry, Mountain Lion users), is double-paned with a rail on the left side. The latter lists your folders, drafts and archives, while the former handles your inbox (or whatever folder you open) and the body of individual messages. It tries to maintain a minimal look, much like what you’d see on the mobile version, and it even comes with the same swipe gestures (both regular and long swipes are supported). There are plenty of hotkeys, and Mailbox makes it easy to remember which shortcut takes you to which feature: As soon as you hit the command key, each icon on the screen transforms into a letter or two that serves as a hint at what you’re supposed to press.
Mailbox has also integrated a feature that lets you hit snooze on an email on your phone and it’ll reappear when you get back to your computer (and vice versa). This makes it easy to push off a message until you have the time and ability — and faster typing with the keyboard — to take care of it efficiently.
A desktop email client also needs support for writing drafts, and Mailbox made sure to include it not only in the Mac beta, but in the mobile apps as well (on iOS right away, with Android coming “very soon”); company reps said that they wanted to keep the experience as consistent across platforms as possible. The only catch is that you’ll need to be signed into your Dropbox account to save your drafts, since it’ll use up your cloud storage space.
Mailbox reps didn’t want to nail down a specific timeline for when the final version will be ready to ship, though they felt confident that it won’t be too long. But since the beta is all about getting feedback from early users and fine-tuning the app, the company’s more focused on making sure it’s done correctly, rather than quickly.
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Mobile, Apple
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Sony’s launching a waterproof version of its mid-range Xperia M2
Sony’s mobile division still lags behind Samsung, LG and HTC in all but one area: waterproofing. That’s why it’s no surprise to see the company’s mid-range Xperia M2 getting an element-resistant remake as the M2 Aqua. The device comes with IP65/68 waterproofing — making it better than the IP58 Xperia Z2 — and will sit in depths of 1.5 meters for up to half an hour without complaint. The rest of the spec list is unchanged from the original that debuted five months ago, with a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400, LTE, a 2,300mAh battery and 8-megapixel camera. There’s no word on pricing, but we’d expect it to come in above the €220 ($300) that the vanilla M2 was marked up at, and it’ll launch in the fall, destined for Latin America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Yup, Sony still don’t got no love for North America.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony
Source: Sony Mobile
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Sharp AQUOS Crystal confirmed for Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile
Sharp’s AQUOS Crystal Android powered smartphone is certainly a stunning looking device with its ultra thin bezels.Sprint has officially announced today that they will indeed be the launch partner for this exceptionally interesting phone. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first Sharp created Android device to officially grace U.S. soil through a carrier.
The Sharp AQUOS Crystal sports a 5-inch 720p HD screen, a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB internal storage, SD car slot, 8MP rear camera and a 1.2MP front shooter. It will launch with Android 4.4.2 and carry a 2,040mAh battery to power it all. None of those specs are ‘mind blowing’ by any means, but it is a solid mid-range contender. The AQUOS offers up a few extras that make it a little more interesting. For instance, the camera software offers up a Framing Advisor that helps you in your quest for better photos by helping you with composition and framing of your shots.
There is also an interesting approach to screenshots as well with what Sharp calls Clip Now. They mention that you can take a screenshot with ‘one swipe’ which makes me thing on the Galaxy S4 and the palm swipe gesture. However, the image is saved with an embedded URL for easier sharing. We will have to play with that if we get the chance to see how it really works out.
In addition, AQUOS Crystal boasts Harman’s Clari-Fi™ technology with the ability to restore and “rebuild” music fidelity lost during audio compression. Clari-Fi yields richer, deeper and clearer sound quality for compressed digital music (like MP3 downloads or streaming services such as Spotify®). The Clari-Fi experience includes low and high frequency extension, improved realism and fidelity, and wider sound stage.
We know the Sharp AQUOS Crystal will be sold through Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile for $149.99, but availability will be announced at a later date.
Via Sharp | Droid-Life
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The post Sharp AQUOS Crystal confirmed for Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
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Supply Chain Indicates LG Display Will Be Primary iPhone 6 Display Supplier [iOS Blog]
According to supply chain sources, LG Display will be the largest supplier of display panels for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6 handset. As relayed by G 4 Games, the Korean company allegedly beat out rivals Samsung, Sharp, and Japan Display to earn the top supplier spot. A March report had claimed Apple was working with LG, Japan Display, and Sharp on the panels, but a May follow-up indicated Sharp had been dropped over quality issues as Apple turned to Taiwanese company Innolux to fill out its display supplier group.
The original Feng.com report does not provide details on the number of panels being produced by LG and the other display manufacturers, but analysts predict Apple is preparing to manufacture up to 80 million iPhone 6 units by the end of the year.
While the next-generation iPhone is expected to ship in both 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch versions, it is unclear whether the rumored sapphire crystal display will make its way into all iPhone models. A recent report from the Wall Street Journal suggested supply constraints may limit sapphire to more expensive, higher-end models.
These details and more likely will be revealed during Apple’s expected September iPhone event. Apple is rumored to be unveiling its iPhone 6, with the 4.7-inch version going on sale shortly after the announcement. The larger 5.5-inch model could launch alongside the smaller model or up to several months later.
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Apple Seeds iOS 8 Beta 6 to Carrier Testing Partners, but Not Broader Developer Community
While Apple released a sixth developer preview of OS X Yosemite yesterday, a corresponding sixth beta of iOS 8 was not provided to developers at the same time. As a result, the company’s iOS beta 5 released earlier this month may turn out to be the final build seeded to developers before the golden master release.
Though developers may not see another beta version, a new report from BGR claims Apple has released a sixth iOS 8 beta to its testing partners. The release would explain conflicting rumors as to whether there would be a sixth beta version if this version is made available only to carriers and other partners for testing rather than the broader developer community.
According to BGR, this beta 6 version of iOS 8 is being released only to testing partners and will not be seeded to developers for testing because the timing is so close to the golden master build. The build change log obtained by BGR is as follows:
OTA Software Update Paths
Carrier Builds
Not Available
User Builds
Not AvailableIssues fixed since Seed 5
Baseband & Telephony
Fixed an issue where incorrect pop up message was displayed when SIM was removed
Fixed an issue where clicking on cancel button turned LTE on
Fixed an issue where excessive registration was tried with dual IMSI SIMContinuity
Fixed an occasional mail continuity failure from OS X to iOS
Fixed an issue causing continuity to fail after opening control centerFaceTime
Fixed an occasional problem where MT call connection quality would be incorrectly treated as “poor”GameCenter
Fixed an issue where the active photo cannot be deletediCloud
Fixed a problem where document sync would sometimes consume excessive cellular dataiTunes Store
URLs for the store app are no longer broken in received mail
Fixed a problem with excessive prompts to sign in to the iTunes StoreKeyboard
Fixed an intermittent issue keyword shifting when rotating the screen
Fixed an issue where the emoji keyboard was unusable on Safari
Notes are no longer duplicated when opened through Gmail
Fixed an issue where after withdrawing a draft with attachments, browsing to another message resulted in the attachments getting lost
Fixed an issue where forwarding an email without a photo attachment still sends a photo
Fixed an issue when forwarding an email with an attached photo just brought up the original message without a photo
Fixed an issue where email could be deleted from the lock screen without prompting for a passcodeMaps
Fixed a problem where maps would sometimes consume excessive cellular dataMessages
Added support for SMS relay opt-in prompt
Fixed issue that caused devices to receive SMS via relay for unselected aliases
Fixed failures sending current location via MMS
Fixed an issue where messages partially overlap Chinese keyboards
Fixed an issue where changing a group name didn’t propagate to other devices until a message is sentPhone
Fixed an issue where an incoming call was being relayed back to originating phone
Fixed an issue where options on declining a call didn’t work with call relayPhotos
Fixed an issue where edited photos did not display properly after restoring from backup
Improved full screen photo sharing
Set default to keep all photos on device for users with 5GB iCloud space
Fixed an issue where a user could not select multiple photos and upload to Facebook via SafariPush Notifications
Improved push connection management upon account logout with multiple associated devices
Fixed a problem where Exchange push notifications would stop after responding to an invitation from the lock screen
Fixed an issue where a user does not receive a notification for incoming messages when the banner for the previous one is pulled downSpringboard
Fixed an issue unlocking an iPhone while on an active call
Fixed an issue where the keyboard would sometimes become unresponsive when the screen is lockedVisual Voicemail
Fixed an issue where Voicemail could not be played under certain error conditions
Fixed an issue where Phone App hanged when tried to check Voicemail
Testing partners with iOS beta 6 must approve the version by September 5, ahead of the final iOS 8 preview and the introduction of the iPhone 6 on September 9. A public release of iOS 8 for current devices will likely come roughly a week later, just a few days before the launch of the iPhone 6 in the first wave of markets.
According to BGR‘s sources, Apple may still have some work to do, as this build allegedly has already been rejected for an issue with YouTube playback in Safari.
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Uber’s Corner Store delivery service takes aim at Amazon in Washington, DC
Uber leveraged couriers in NYC to deliver goods a few months back, and now it’s offering drop-offs of convenience items to folks in certain areas of Washington, DC. The company’s Corner Store “experiment” uses its drivers to take over 100 items — like toothpaste, vitamins, allergy medicine and others — to folks in need who make a request through the smartphone app. Along the bottom of the UI, there’s now an appropriately-named option that allows you to set/confirm your location, and if a driver is free for a delivery, you’ll get a list of what’s available before they call to take your order. The system is already in place in cities across the US for its car service, so leveraging idle Uber drivers for a diaper run takes aim at Amazon’s (and others) same-day delivery. Right now, the service is available during the week from 9 AM to 9 PM and the outfit says the program is only slated to run for a limited time. Unless, of course, it’s super popular.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile
Via: VentureBeat
Source: Uber
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HTC’s One M8 now available with Windows Phone, but only on Verizon
In case you’ve wondered what a flagship Android phone would look like if it ran Windows Phone, it looks like you’ll get your chance to find out. This morning, HTC officially announced that the One M8 is getting a twin brother, complete with Microsoft’s OS. Make that identical twin: The Windows Phone M8 has the same smooth aluminum shell, same rounded corners, same 5-inch, 1080p display. Same Dot View Case. It even has the same camera setup, as well as the same Snapdragon 801 chip on the inside. The main difference — aside from the fact that it runs Windows Phone 8.1 — is that it’s exclusive to Verizon here in the US, where it will go on sale today at noon for $99 on-contract. (Ed. note: not bad!) On the software side, BlinkFeed is much subtler than on the Android M8 — it’s just an app here, making it much easier to ignore if you’re not into it. We’ll be back soon with a hands-on post, so sit tight. And if you’ve always wanted an M8 running Windows Phone, well, only an hour and 20 minutes until you can pull the trigger.
Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, HTC, Verizon
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Meet the HTC One M8’s Windows Phone twin brother
The above picture isn’t Photoshopped — what you’re seeing really is the HTC One M8 with Windows Phone, and it’s available today as a Verizon exclusive. Thanks to Microsoft’s latest update, it’s now possible to put the third-place smartphone OS on existing Android hardware, and HTC is the first mainstream manufacturer to take advantage of the opportunity. Spoiler alert: The hardware of the Windows Phone-equipped One M8 is completely identical to that of the Android version launched earlier this year, aside from gratuitous Verizon and Microsoft logos. What makes this new variant so special is on the software side.
Microsoft views the new One M8 as a marketing flagship; it’s collaborating with HTC and Verizon on a nationwide ad campaign, so it appears that all three companies are committed to this device’s success. Of course, this isn’t the first time Microsoft has made these kinds of promises to HTC; a very similar thing happened with the HTC Windows Phone 8X, but that effort didn’t seem to do too well. Given the company’s acquisition of Nokia’s Devices division, it makes sense that Microsoft doesn’t want to alienate many of its long-time partners. What better way to share the love with other phone makers than to bring HTC on board?
On the hardware side, this One M8 is exactly the same 5-inch 1080p aluminum tank we’ve used for the past five months. In fact, if it weren’t for the Windows Phone logo on the back (alongside HTC’s and Verizon’s logos, making it a rather noisy affair), you wouldn’t be able to tell that anything is different until you boot it up. It comes with on-screen buttons, built-in infrared, the same Snapdragon 801 quad-core chipset and duo-camera setup on the back — and yes, it uses an UltraPixel sensor with a resolution of 4MP, as well as a 5MP camera on the front. The height, thickness and weight are all exactly alike, too.
It’ll also come with 32GB internal storage and microSD slot for up to 128GB, as well as a 2,600mAh battery (also identical), though we’re assuming overall battery life will differ from one OS to another. Windows Phone has a good reputation for maintaining power efficiency, so I”m looking forward to testing it out to see what difference the OS truly makes. The device only comes in gunmetal grey, so silver or gold fans will have to stick with Android for now. (HTC wouldn’t say if it plans to add more colors down the road, though we wouldn’t hate a red-colored exclusive for Verizon employees at some point.)
It’s all about what’s on the inside that counts this time — the firmware will be the make-or-break factor here. It comes with the first update to Windows Phone 8.1, so fans of the OS won’t have any problems getting around. Cortana, folders, quick access panel… they’re all present, but they’re not alone.
That’s because HTC’s brought over several of the One M8′s defining features. BlinkFeed is included, but you can’t get to it by swiping to the right; here, it’s presented as a separate app. I found it a little funny that it actually looks like it belongs on Windows Phone, primarily because of its tile-based setup. Additionally, video highlights are included as a separate app, so you can still put together fun 30-second clips using whatever theme and music you want. Sense TV is also here, and most of the duo camera effects made the cut as well. Note that I said most; a few effects, such as seasons and stickers, aren’t available. (The options I use the most, such as foregrounder, Ufocus and Dimension Plus, are all there.)
Because the stock Windows Phone camera isn’t designed to handle HTC’s duo camera customizations, the company added its own default app. The UI is nearly identical to what you’d find on the Android version, although Zoe functionality and dual-capture mode are missing. (The brand new Zoe app won’t make it to Windows Phone, either.) You can download other lenses, however, so hopefully HTC offers these modes as downloadable options at some point. You’ll still be able to save your manual settings though, so there’s still plenty of the same functionality you’ve enjoyed on Android. It’s reassuring to see that the company’s engineers were able to recreate many of its best features for Windows Phone, so it’s an indication that the OS is able to handle most manufacturer-specific needs.
As a Verizon exclusive, it’ll come with dual-band LTE (bands 4 and 13) along with quadband HSPA+ (850/900/1900/2100), quadband GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) and dual-band CDMA. This means it’ll work internationally, though I’d prefer to see some extra LTE bands for other countries. The device will be $99 with a two-year contract ($600 at full retail) and is available starting today.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Microsoft, HTC, Verizon
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RunKeeper will now bribe you to beat your best
You tell yourself you’re gonna go running. You might even have an app that gently prods you to get your lazy keister up off the couch. But let’s be honest, the most effective motivator is the good ol’ fashioned bribe. That’s why RunKeeper is teaming up with Kiip, a company that delivers ads and rewards through games and mobile apps. The idea isn’t just to get you casually jogging though, but to actually get you to push yourself. Through the new workout rewards program, RunKeeper will deliver discounts on Propel Water, Secret Deodorant or even a Pebble smartwatch when you reach a personal best in distance or pace for instance. All the rewards are specifically chosen to appeal to RunKeeper’s athletic market niche, so you shouldn’t have to worry about being offered discounts on Transformers Blu-rays. You won’t get bombarded by offers either, they’ll only pop up sometimes — and you’ll really have to work for them. But it might be nice to get something at the end of a long marathon than a smug sense of self satisfaction.
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Engadget giveaway: win a Canon EOS Rebel T5 and more, courtesy of NeroTrigger!
Whether you want to get serious about high-speed photography or just spice up your Instagram feed, tools like NeroTrigger can help you on your way. The device can trigger a camera based on outside events like light, sound or movement (if paired with a laser sight). Lightning strikes, fireworks, wild life or popping balloons can be captured automatically in those split seconds when the magic happens. NeroTrigger has even launched a Kickstarter for its smartphone-controlled version called MIOPS, which puts even more programmable power at your fingertips. In the meantime, though, the company has provided a full high-speed kit including the current NeroTrigger, a Canon EOS Rebel T5, an external flash and a laser pointer so that one lucky Engadget reader can step up their photography game. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this high-speed photography combo!
[Image: Corbis (lightning background]
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) NeroTrigger (NEREO-MT-C), one (1) Canon EOS Rebel T5 18-55mm IS + EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens, one (1) YONGNUO YN560 III Flash Speedlight for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Camera and one (1) 532nm Tactical Green Laser Sight Hunting Rifle Dot Scope with On/off Swith Picatinny/weaver Mounts + Barrel Mount.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. NeroTrigger, Canon, Yongnuo and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until August 20th at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Filed under: Announcements, Cameras, Canon
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AIVAnet 