Intel’s building a reference tablet for Android developers
Looking for a new, stable and regularly updated slate to develop on? Intel has your back. The company says it’s been working with Google to create the “Intel Reference Design for Android,” a developer tablet designed to help device manufactures and developers get their products to market as fast as possible. “What we’ve done with Google is defined a list of components,” Intel’s Doug Fisher explained. “And then Intel builds a complete operating environment, a complete stack on top of that device.” The partnership and pre-approved components allows Intel to promise that its reference tablets will pass Google Media Services standards, making it easy for OEMs using the device as a base to do the same.
Intel is dedicated to keeping the program’s software up to date, too — every device in the program will receive the latest ASOP updates within two weeks of release. Intel is using the platform to push its own technology forward too: reference tablets will feature the same RealSense camera technology Dell is putting into the Venue 8 7000 series. Intel didn’t say when developers will be able to get involved in its reference program, but mentioned that the RealSense technology will be available in Dell’s slate this fall. Check out our hands-on with that device right here.
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Snapchat acknowledges jilted founder, settles legal spat
We’ve seen the whole “successful startup begets jilted cofounder” thing many times before — there’s Facebook and Eduardo Saverin, Twitter and Noah Glass and (most recently) Snapchat and Reggie Brown. The legal battle that last pair has been embroiled in has finally come to an end, though: a statement released earlier today confirms that both parties have resolved their little spat. And really, what better way to quietly end a year’s worth of startup drama than to issue a press release while Apple’s going crazy?
Not quite up on the story? Well, Mr. Brown filed a lawsuit against Snapchat last year alleging that his Stanford roomies Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy (now the startup’s CEO and CTO, respectively) forced him out before the app took off. Neither party disclosed the terms of the settlement, but Spiegel noted in a statement that the team now acknowledges “Reggie’s contribution to the creation of Snapchat and appreciate his work in getting the application off the ground.” That’s a pretty dramatic shift away from the company’s earlier stance — it noted in a statement released not long after the lawsuit went public that Brown’s claims were “utterly devoid of merit.” We’re also willing to bet that Brown’s new status as a key member of Snapchat’s founding team will net him at least a little equity — that could pay off big time if the startup gets acquired (remember when Facebook tried?) or if it manages to IPO down the road. Of all the questions still surrounding the end of the argument, one stands above all the rest: who’s going to play the Snapchat founders in the inevitable movie adaptation?
Source: BusinessWire
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Square Enix service lets you rent Final Fantasy games on your phone
Want to give Final Fantasy a try on your phone without paying a high price or buying specific hardware? It’s time to book a flight to Tokyo. Square Enix has unveiled Dive In, a currently Japan-only streaming game service that lets you rent titles on your Android and iOS devices. Much like PlayStation Now, you pay depending on both the games in question and how long you want to play. If you plan to rush through Season of Mystery in three days, it’ll cost you 150 yen ($1.41); if you’re content with finishing Final Fantasy XIII over the course of a year, you’ll pay 1,800 yen ($17). You can also play 30 minutes of any game for free if you’re not sure that you’re ready to commit. Dive In will be ready for Japanese fans on October 9th. There’s no word on launches elsewhere, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see some international expansion if the service catches on.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Internet, Mobile
Via: Kotaku, 4Gamer (translated)
Source: Dive In (translated)
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Samsung Galaxy S5 vs iPhone 6 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4
With Apple having announced their latest iPhone 6 handset and Samsung revealing the Galaxy Note 4 at their recent event, we can now see the latest offerings from both sides of the platform pond and how the biggest competitors in the iOS and Android market stack up.
We’ve stacked up the Galaxy S5, iPhone 6, and Galaxy Note 4 against each other to see just how they compare.
But that’s just specs, what do you guys think? Drop us a comment in the section below.
The post Samsung Galaxy S5 vs iPhone 6 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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Battle of the Phablets: iPhone 6 Plus vs Galaxy Note 4 vs OnePlus One
Perhaps bigger is better? Apple have finally jumped on the band wagon and released a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 called the ‘Plus’, but how does it stack up against the Phablets already on the Android market?
We’ve taken the latest and greatest 5.5-inch+ Phablet devices on the market to see how they stack up against each other. Check out the chart below where we compare the specs of the iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and the OnePlus One.
But that’s just the specs, let us know what you think in the comments section below.
The post Battle of the Phablets: iPhone 6 Plus vs Galaxy Note 4 vs OnePlus One appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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Apple’s New iCloud Pricing Announced: 20GB for $0.99, 200GB for $3.99 and 1TB for $19.99 [Mac Blog]
Following today’s media event that saw Apple unveil both the Apple Watch and two new versions of the iPhone 6, the company has updated its website to provide additional information on its iCloud pricing, ahead of the launch of both iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.
Apple has a new range of iCloud Storage Plans available with prices that are highly competitive with other cloud storage companies. Customers will continue to get 5GB of storage for free, with 20GB available for $0.99 per month.
200GB of storage costs $3.99 per month, and 500GB is $9.99 per month. Apple’s top tier storage, 1TB, costs just $19.99 per month, slightly more than Dropbox’s new $9.99/month price for 1TB storage.
The launch of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite will see the official debut of iCloud Drive, Apple’s new cloud storage initiative. With iCloud Drive, users can store any type of document, including presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, images, and more, and then access them from any iOS device, Mac, or PC.
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Apple Launches Redesigned Mobile Website [iOS Blog]
Following today’s announcements of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch, Apple has launched a redesigned website with a brand-new interface for mobile devices. The new interface emphasizes a flat design aesthetic, which includes a drop-down menu bar that allows users to scroll through Apple’s product line.
Individual product pages have also been formatted to fit mobile devices, as text and images fit inside a single column. Apple displayed the full, desktop version of its site on its mobile devices prior to today’s announcements.
Apple also redesigned its Apple Store App last week, making it universal for both the iPhone and iPad and allowing users to start shopping on one device and finish it on another, including a Mac or PC.
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Hands-On First Impressions of the New Apple Watch
Following today’s media event that saw the introduction of two new iPhones and Apple’s long-rumored wearable device, members of the press were invited to go hands-on with all of Apple’s new products. Several sites have posted hands-on first impressions of the Apple Watch, which we’ve gathered up below to give an overall picture of the look, feel, and function of the device.
First of all, Jared Nelson from our sister site TouchArcade was able to get a hands-on glimpse at the Watch, and an overview from an Apple employee who walked him through several different features on the device. “We are truly living in the future,” said Nelson after trying out both the Watch and the iPhone 6.
According to The Verge, the smaller Watch model felt “very solid and surprisingly light,” and the wrist strap was “supple” and comfortable to wear. The site also thinks the device looks “better than most of the smartwatch competition out there,” and got a look at the “Digital Crown” control.
The “digital crown” that Tim Cook spent so much time enthusing about on stage did its job when an Apple representative showed it to us, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to try it for myself. That said, if the model running the demo loop is any indication, the dial offers very little resistance. It didn’t exactly spin around freely, but neither did I feel any clicking or other forceful feedback as I twisted it. Presumably the feeling that I wasn’t getting much feedback from the dial itself is mostly a function of the fact that it wasn’t doing anything on the demo unit — and so spinning it will feel quite different when it’s moving software around.
Engadget also got a chance to try out the watch, but wasn’t able to test specific features as the demo units were only displaying screenshots. The site tried both the polished steel version with a leather loop strap and the aluminum Sport version, saying that both had an “impeccable” build quality.
The bands were both comfy, though I preferred the look and feel of the leather loop. The magnets inside the leather seem to do the job of clasping well, though without the same magnetic force as those accustomed to the MagSafe connectors found on Apple laptops. As for the rubber sport band, I had some trouble fitting the metal nubbin into its appropriate hole, and I got a little pinch on the underside of my wrist when tucking it into the band. We imagine we’d get the hang of fitting it quickly and painlessly eventually, but our first time strapping it on was not all pleasant.
Gizmodo‘s first impression of the Apple Watch is that it “could live up to its promises” and that it feels “significantly more premium” than the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live. The site also praised the “digital crown,” saying that “it feels like you’re wearing a watch that just happens to be digital.”
As for the software, I wish I could tell you more. I watched my new Apple friend demonstrate Glances, which brings up Google Now-like info cards with an upward swipe, that can be rotated through with subsequent right and left swipage. I can confirm that it works, and that it was zippy, at least on this pre-release model.
SlashGear says that the Watch’s display is “bright and vivid,” and that Apple’s choice of materials makes the device feel “premium and solid.”
What helps differentiate the Apple Watch from other smartwatch attempts is the sheer range of options and customizations possible. Other platforms perhaps allow for a couple of strap changes, and maybe two or three case colors; Apple, on the other hand, has put out a full three ranges of different options.
Different straps, different clasps, different colors of straps and clasps; metal, leather, rubber, and all in different colors and finishes. That’s before you get to the variations in casing color and even material, ranging to premium 18 karat gold.
Based on the several first impressions of the device, it appears that Apple has quite a bit of work to do to perfect the software and the interface, even if the device itself appears complete hardware-wise. Apple is planning to wait until early 2015 to debut the device, which gives it plenty of time to iron out the kinks. Check out our full Apple Watch post for more details on the device.
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Post-Play being added to Netflix for Chromecast users
Netflix has pushed out an announcement today to alert us that the Post-Play feature that came about back in August of 2012, is finally making its way to your Google Chromecast experience. If you aren’t familiar with the feature, Post-Play simply moves along from the current TV episode you are watching to the next when it is over. Simplifying your marathon Sundays a little.
Post-Play isn’t just for TV shows. If you happen to be watching a movie you will get similar film recommendations. They say it will function like other devices, so you can expect to be prompted to continue watching after a period of episodes so that you don’t miss an entire season while you are sleeping. Netflix also mentions that they are working to integrate the same functionality to the PC.
I am not seeing the update happening just yet on my devices, but Netflix states that it will be hitting all Netflix customers over the next few days.
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The post Post-Play being added to Netflix for Chromecast users appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
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LG G Watch goes on sale in the Play Store for $179
The LG G Watch has dropped its price tag by $50 in the Play Store today. That brings the Android Wear powered smartwatch down to $179. That makes it $0.99 less than Best Buy has been selling it for the last few weeks. The new price tag is only going to be effective until September 23rd as part of a special fall savings.
It probably isn’t a coincidence that the price dropped the same time Apple did their iWatch announcement. You know where to go to grab this in the Play Store, or you can just go to Best Buy and not wait on shipping.
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The post LG G Watch goes on sale in the Play Store for $179 appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
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