Motorola updating long list of apps
Motorola is in the process of updating a long list of apps for their devices. Most of the updated apps have not yet surfaced on Google Play, but APK files are available for download and install. Early feedback suggests users are having the most success installing the updates on Motorola Moto X 2014 devices, though some of them will install on other Motorola smartphones. Details are still sparse regarding the changes to the apps, but it looks like Motorola is prepping them for Android Lollipop including a dose of Material Design. Reports indicate some of these updated apps are included in some Lollipop soak tests that are underway.
The apps that have been updated thus far include:
- Moto Voice (7.0.13.1)
- Moto (2.2.8)
- Motorola Gallery (304100)
- Motorola Camera (5.0.7.1)
- Motorola Help (1.4.32)
- Motorola Update Services (7.0.1)
- Motorola Contextual Services (5.18.063)
- Motorola Migrate (1.6.0.30)
- Assist (2.6.1)
If you have a Motorola smartphone, you can hit the source link to access the APK files. As indicated, compatibility with Motorola devices seems to vary, so do not be surprised if you install one and cannot get it to work.
source: APKMirror
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Xiaomi growth is impressive, but not expected to hit U.S. or Europe for a few years
When Hugo Barra left Google to join Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, many people saw that as a sign that the company might be the next big thing to sweep the globe in the smartphone industry. To some extent, that has proven to be true. Xiaomi has quickly risen to become the third largest smartphone manufacturer. That achievement has been accomplished on the back of their sales success in China and India. With some impressive devices, many are hoping Xiaomi will expand to other markets sooner rather than later, but in a recent interview with the BBC, Barra says not so fast.
Barra did confirm that Xiaomi has some ambitious, or as he puts it “insane,” plans to expand their global footprint. However, despite rumors flying during CES 2015, Barra says it will still be a few years until the company expands to European markets or the U.S. According to Barra, the market saturation and demands from consumers in those markets present some challenges for Xiaomi compared to some of the markets they are working on like India, Brazil, Russia, Turkey and Mexico.
Do you think Xiaomi will eventually succeed in European and North American markets if they take their time or will they miss a window of opportunity? Would you consider buying a Xiaomi smartphone if they were generally available in the U.S.?
source: BBC
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Magzter unveils all-you-can-read magazine subscription service
If you’re tired of shelling out a ton of money each month on your favorite magazines, Magzter may have the solution for you. The company just launched its “Magzter Gold” subscription service, which offers up a Netflix-esque all-you-can-read approach to digital magazines via its Android app. Similarly, the company also unveiled a lite version of Magzter Gold that allows you to peruse your choice of 5 titles for a slightly cheaper $5 per month.
Microsoft debating Android app support for Windows Phones
Windows 10 will unify Microsoft’s PC and mobile platforms with a single operating system and app store. However, with Windows accounting for roughly only 2.7 percent of the smartphone market, Microsoft needs a plan to win back consumer support in a big way.
According to a former Microsoft employee, the biggest priority for Microsoft this time around is to “stop the leakage” and prevent Android and iOS users from completely abandoning Microsoft’s operating system. Apparently, this has led Microsoft to discuss whether or not Android apps should be allowed to run on Windows Phones.
The benefit for Microsoft is clear, customers will be free to pick up a Windows powered phone while retaining access to their favourite Android apps. Not to mention that Microsoft’s mobile ecosystem would be instantly fleshed out with a huge range of popular applications. Uber didn’t release its app for Windows Phone until July last year and Snapchat still doesn’t run on Windows Phone, for example. However, such a move may disincentivize developers from designing Windows apps in the future, as they would not be backwards compatible with other operating systems. This would weaken Window’s position as an operating system further down the line.
Microsoft’s recent move to open up its Office Mobile software and unifying the code base across other operating systems is being seen by some as a sign that the company is prepared to relinquish its reliance on its OS in favour of providing competitive services with the likes of Google. Microsoft is also under threat from Apple’s and Google’s moves into the enterprise space, so there’s a clear need to begin competing more aggressively against the big mobile players in software as well as the OS space.
Software looks to be a key part of Microsoft’s Windows 10 strategy , with enhanced security options, data syncing and office features all expected to make an appearance. Windows 10 will be an important release for Microsoft’s mobile plans, but it remains to be seen whether or not the company will go so far as to open up its platform to its major competitors.
Humble Mobile Bundle 10 released with LYNE, Sorcery! 2 and many more
We’re big fans of Humble Bundle here at Android Authority, and it looks like the newest Bundle has just been announced. Humble Mobile Bundle 10 brings popular titles to your Android device for a cheap price tag, and there are a few really great games being offered this time around. There are only six games so far in this Bundle, though we’re sure that more will be added in the coming days once more users donate. Here are the games you can get for the pay-what-you-want pricing structure:
- Buddy & Me
- LYNE
- Doodle Kingdom
If you pay more than the average price (currently $3.71), you can get a hold of these games:
- Sorcery! 2
- King of Dragon Pass
- OTTTD
Before you donate to Humble Bundle, remember: you can choose whether your money goes straight to the developers or to two different charities (World Land Trust and Extra Life). This is a great way to get some awesome games at rock-bottom prices while giving your money to a good cause. Head to the Humble Bundle link below to take advantage of the deal!
Remember to check back to see what new titles are added in the coming days. Do you see anything you’d like to download?
Google said to be investing major dollars in SpaceX project
According to a report from The Information, Google is considering a large investment in SpaceX. For those that don’t know, it’s a privately funded company led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk that’s set on making advancements in space travel. However instead of investing in the space travel portion of the SpaceX project, Google is apparently looking at helping to “support the development of SpaceX satellites that could beam low-cost Internet around the globel to billions who don’t have it.” As the report says:
Google is close to investing in rocket maker SpaceX, according to several people familiar with the talks, creating a formidable alliance in Silicon Valley’s accelerating Internet space race… The price and terms Google and SpaceX are discussing couldn’t be learned although one person familiar with them said Google has agreed to value SpaceX north of $10 billion and that the size of the total round, which includes other investors, is very large.
Musk hosted a SpaceX event in Seattle earlier in the week to announce the company’s goal to launch communication satellites into space to help increase Internet speed, creating access to over three billion people who don’t have reliable high-speed Internet access. This will be done by launching satellites much lower than traditional communication satellites. Apparently, according to Musk, the “speed of light is 40 percent faster in the vacuum of space than it is for fiber.”
The project would work two-fold as the Internet service could possibly serve as a global communications network for when the company eventually enables the colonization of Mars. It’s also possible that this new Internet network could be the eventual next step of Project Loon.
source: The Information
via: 9to5 Google
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It’s not just you: Xbox Live is currently experiencing issues
If you’re having a little trouble with Xbox Live this evening, then you’re not alone. According to the Xbox Live status page, it began experiencing problems a short time ago with a couple of different services.
More details about Galaxy S6 edge’s special features surface
We’ve heard more than one report suggesting that Samsung is preparing a version of the Galaxy S6 that will feature an edge display. More recently, there’s even been talk about how this model will have two edges, instead of the single edge found on the Galaxy Note Edge. We have to wonder, what makes two edges better than one? If both edges are shaped right, it could certainly make gripability a little better than the Note Edge, but surely there’s more to the story than that. Thanks to SamMobile, we might have at least a few minor details about how the Galaxy S6 “edge” variant’s special software features.
As you’d expect, all the Note Edge features on the edge panel will return, including a sports and news panel, briefing panel, pedometer panel and more. You’ll also now have the option to activate the main edge panel from the left or right curve. Moving beyond that, reportedly the Galaxy S6’s edge model will also have a new featured called Glance Lighting. In short, Glance Lighting lets up the edges when you receive a call or notification. You’ll also be able to assign contacts and assign specific colors to them, having easy access to these callers on both edges when in the dialer.
While we’d like to list even more, that’s all SamMobile has for us at this time and there’s really no other rumors floating around just yet that bring any more clarity to how exactly Samsung will utilize the dual edges to their fullest. With that in mind, we’d love to ask our readers what special features they’d like to see from a dual-edge GS6. Can you think of any unique ways that Samsung might utilize two curved edges?
Humble Bundle Mobile 10 is now live
Today is a good day for mobile gamers as the tenth Humble Bundle Mobile is now live. This one includes Buddy & Me, Lyne, and Doodle Kingdom. You can pay whatever you want and get all these games or if you pay more than the average of $3.82 (at the time of this post), you will get three bonus games. They are Sorcery! 2, King of Dragon Pass, and OTTTD. And don’t forget that they will add a couple of more games at a later date that you will get too.
Per past practice you can choose where your money goes. That can be one or any combination of Humble Bundle, the developers, the Extra Life / Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, or the World Land Trust.
source: Humble Bundle
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2nd gen Moto E and Moto G LTE revealed by UK e-retailer
Last week, we got a little idea about the 2nd generation Moto E through a FCC filing, but today a UK e-retailer has provided more clues.
Argos mistakenly posted the information, but thankfully it was spotted before they pulled it. The new Moto E will have a 4.3-inch qHD display. Don’t mistake that with a QHD display. A qHD display is a paltry resolution of 960 x 540. It will be powered by a quad-core CPU, likely a Snapdragon 210 or 410, 8 GB of internal storage, microSD slot for expanded storage, LTE, and a 5 MP rear camera. It will measure 129.9×66.8 and will be 12.3mm thick. Pricing is GBP 110 or $167.
The 2nd gen Moto G with LTE was already introduced, but it hasn’t hit the UK just yet. Argos did post the pricing a little to quickly and it’s GBP 160 or $243.
sources: Argos Cached (1) (2)
via: androidos.in
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