VLC’s video player officially coming to Android TV
VLC’s extremely popular video player application is officially coming to Android TV. Video enthusiasts should be pretty happy to hear this, since VLC supports just about any type of format or codec you can throw at it.
They’ve released a preview of the app, which you can find below. If you need help sideloading the application, check out our guide here.
source: GigaOM
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Skype for iPhone Adds Enhanced UI Improvements and Pre-Release Feedback Program [iOS Blog]
Microsoft today announced the release of an updated version of its Skype iOS client app bringing a few tweaks to the dial pad and chat picker alongside a new pre-release feedback program.
The first major user interface overhaul focuses on the dial pad, streamlining the process by automatically detecting matching numbers as soon as the user begins inputting a phone number. The update to the new chat picker further expedites the process of starting a chat or a call, letting users scroll through a quick list of their contacts, making them all a tap away from a video call or voice chat.
Perhaps most interesting in the 5.9 update, however, is Microsoft’s introduction of the new pre-release program for the iOS Skype app. The company states it is currently looking for “enthusiastic Skype users” who can provide feedback on the chat program’s iOS app to “shape and enhance” the program in the future.
Those willing to sign up will gain access to early versions of Skype for iOS in the future, provided they agree to update the company with “regular feedback” as each update is rolled out to them. Applicants must also be 18 years or older with a valid email address and Skype or Microsoft account.
You can help us shape your skype experience by:
-Trying out some new or upgraded features (don’t worry we’ll let you know what’s new) and tell us about your experience after doing so
-Giving us feedback and suggestions on what you would like to see in the app in the future
-Letting us know of any issues that you run into while using this previewed version
The new version 5.9 is available now, and those interested in the pre-release program, which the company promises has limited availability, can sign up on Skype’s official website. Skype for iPhone is available for free from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Google Maps Updates to Version 9.3 and Brings Sharing Directions [APK Download]
It’s Wednesday folks, and you know how Google loves to update their apps on Wednesdays. Today, Google Maps updates to version 9.3, and now the app allows you to share directions to whatever destination you want to share. Crazy to think that all this time we couldn’t do that, but now it’s here. Shareable directions […]
The post Google Maps Updates to Version 9.3 and Brings Sharing Directions [APK Download] appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Appetite ‘pacemaker’ tells you when you’re actually hungry
For some, the biggest challenge of reaching a healthy weight isn’t adjusting their diet or getting more exercise — it’s resisting pangs of hunger when they’ve already eaten enough. They might have a better time resisting that urge after today, as the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a first-of-its-kind appetite controlling device, EnteroMedics’ Maestro Rechargeable System. Think of it as a pacemaker for your stomach. The device sits just under your abdomen and sends electrical pulses that both block hunger signals and send fullness signals more often. In theory, you’ll lose weight simply because you have a better sense of when to stop.
Don’t be too quick to ask your doctor about getting one, though. For one thing, the jury’s still out on how well it works. People with a test Maestro only lost 8.5 percent more excess weight in a year than people who had dummy units, and the FDA wants EnteroMedics to conduct a five-year study to see if its claims match reality in the long run. Also, your health insurance probably won’t cover this — you’ll likely have to pay for the device and surgery. If Maestro does work as promised, though, it could be a lifesaver for anyone whose weight issues are normally out of their control.
Filed under: Wearables, Science
Via: NBC News
Source: EnteroMedics, FDA
Apple’s Siri investment and the watch and HomeKit payoffs
I use Siri all the time. It’s gotten so that I’m often too lazy to tap or type. I use it for reminders, for alarms, for searches, for reservations, and for a lot more. If I have an idea and I’m driving and don’t want to forget it, I’ll just say “Hey, Siri”, dictate a note, and touch it up later as needed. And in my experience, John Gruber is spot on. Daring Fireball:
I’ve noticed over the past year that Siri is getting faster — both at parsing spoken input and returning results. I use iOS’s voice-to-text dictation feature on a near-daily basis, and it’s especially noticeable there. I’ve been using a Moto X running Android 5.0 the past few weeks, so today I did a side-by-side comparison between Siri and Android’s Google Now, asking both the simple question, “What temperature is it outside?” Both phones were on the same Wi-Fi network. Siri was consistently as fast or faster. I made a video that shows them in pretty much a dead heat.
iOS 8’s streaming speech-to-text is especially notable. You see it rendering while you’re speaking and what’s more — you see it changing the words it’s already rendered as it gets additional context. Apple’s been investing a lot in voice, and it’s paying off. Sure, it would be great if they localized processes that didn’t require internet access, like setting an alarm, but compared to 2011, it’s already night and day. It’s gone from punchline to productive feature.
Lastly, a rather obvious but important observation: Improvements to Siri across the board — reducing latency, improving accuracy, increasing utility — are essential to the success of Apple Watch. And — given the previous note on first impressions — it’s pretty important that Siri integration on Apple Watch work well right from the start.
It’s always been interesting to me that Siri — natural language interface — has existed beside multitouch on iOS. It’s been there as an option for when touch wasn’t ideal due to circumstance, or optimal due to task. The Apple Watch will likely magnify that — there’ll be more occasions when touch isn’t ideal or optimal. For some of that, you’ll be able to Handoff to iPhone. For a lot, you’ll be able to just talk. HomeKit will be similar as well, with Siri moving from secondary to equal or even primary interface. HomeKit on the watch even more so.
Like Continuity and Extensibility and Touch ID, the investment in Siri will likely pay off beyond it’s initial implementation.
More: Daring Fireball, and don’t miss the Google+ thread.
Update to Google Maps Android app allows you to share directions [APK Download]
Google Maps was updated today to version 9.3. You won’t find too many new things, but one notable is the ability to share your directions with others. Just search for a place or address, then select the type of navigation, followed by your route selection. Then hit the three dot menu at the top right, and you will see the Share Directions option.
Tapping on Share Directions will open the normal Android Share Menu, allowing you to share the complete text and Google Maps link to apps such as Gmail, Hangouts, Facebook, or whatever shows up in your Share Menu.
The update won’t hit all devices for several days so we have the APK download link, as well as the Google Play link after the break.
Come comment on this article: Update to Google Maps Android app allows you to share directions [APK Download]
Project Ara team shares more details about Spiral 2 modular smartphone
During the second developer conference for Project Ara that is underway, we already learned that the team has dubbed the second iteration of the modular smartphone as “Spiral 2″ and plans to use Puerto Rico as a test market later this year. We now know a little bit more about what has changed in the Spiral 2 compared to previous versions of the device.
Probably the biggest change that has been made in response to developer feedback is to move the electro-permanent magnets from the modules to the chassis, or endoskeleton, of the device itself. According to the ATAP team, developers indicated the magnets were consuming as much as 40% of the useable space on their modules.
Another change that was made was to place the 3G antenna in its own module. Down the road this will make it easier for consumer to select the kind of antenna they want to include when 4G antenna modules hit production.
Some of the other hardware included in the Spiral 2 includes a 1280 x 720 resolution display, a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module, a Receiver module with light and proximity sensors, a 5 MP camera module, the 3G antenna module previously mentioned, a Band 5 antenna module, and a processor module. Currently the processor module can include either an NVIDIA Tegra K1 or a Marvell PXA1928 chip.
Looking ahead to the Sprial 3, which is the device expected to be used for market testing in Puerto Rico, Google anticipates having a 4G LTE module available, inductive connections for modules, and a Rockchip AP reference design. If sales commence, even on a test basis, Google also anticipates having a marketplace setup and available for buyers to purchase modules from.
One other bit of news that surfaced is that Google has determined they will not be able to utilize 3D printing of the modules, at least not for the next iteration or two of Project Ara devices. This will likely result in some limitations to the level of customization available for buyers. Google sounds like they are still planning to implement 3D printing at some point though.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Project Ara team shares more details about Spiral 2 modular smartphone
VLC releases preview app for Android TV
VLC, the popular video player already for a large swath of platforms, has released a preview version of its app for Android TV today. The player, which is known for supporting a crazy number of file formats, should be a boon to Android TV going forward.
Google Maps for iOS Gains Restaurant Filters, Weather Info and More [iOS Blog]
Google today updated its Google Maps app to version 4.2, adding a number of new features to enhance the user experience including filters to sort restaurant searches by cuisine and built-in weather information for various cities around the world.
It’s now possible for users to drop pins for both starting and destination points when mapping out directions, and Google Maps allows users to add transit directions to their calendars. Finally, the update also includes several bug fixes.
What’s new
– Filter searches for restaurants by cuisine type
– See current weather information for cities around the world
– Drop a pin for your starting and destination points in directions and navigation
– Add transit directions to your calendar
– Bug fixes
Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Google partners with car manufacturers to create self driving cars
Google has just announced its partnership with a handful of car manufacturers to expedite production on their self-driving car concept. Last month, Google unveiled their first working prototype of the self-driving car. Though the search giant could make a single prototype, it was manufactured in Detroit by an engineering and speciality manufacturing company called Roush, not a major car company. Now, they’re partnering with top auto makers like General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Daimler AG and Volkswagen to speed up the process.
Chris Urmson, director of Google’s self-driving car project, told Reuters in an interview that with the addition of top auto manufacturers, Google plans to have self-driving cars on the road by 2020. He also explains that Google does not see any particular regulatory hurdles that may delay the cars’ availability within 5 years.
Though many believe that self-driving cars are a gigantic safety hazard on the road, Urmson remains confident in his vision. He explains:
You’re really changing the relationship you have with transportation. You’re changing what it means to get around… You look at a car … and people forget just how much magic there is in that thing.
We can expect to see prototypes hit the road relatively soon, but Google won’t have a product for average consumers in a few years’ time.
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