Bloomberg: Twitter is reconnecting its firehose to Google
Tomorrow Twitter will release its latest quarterly earnings figures, but ahead of that Bloomberg has word that the service is bringing its firehose of data back to Google’s search results. The two have been estranged ever since 2011 when Google announced its agreement to access the Twitter firehose had expired and it would need to suspend its “realtime” search feature that included up-to-the-minute results from social media. Of course back then Google was still going all-in on Google+, Twitter had expanded relationships with Bing and Yahoo, and webOS was still kicking. Now, Google has backed off of the hard sell for its social media platform and there has been significant turnover in the executives at both companies. According to the report, at some point in the first half of this year Google will again include Tweets as soon as they’re posted, so there’s one more reason to check for typos before hitting Enter.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
Source: Bloomberg
Android 5.0.1 Lollipop landing on Sprint’s HTC One (M7) starting February 5
Tomorrow, February 5, will be a very special day for owners of the HTC One (M7) on Sprint’s network. The carrier has approved an update that will deliver the (almost) latest version of Android to the HTC flagship of 2013. HTC’s VP of Product Management, Mo Versi, announced on Twitter that Android 5.0.1 would begin rolling out to the One (M7) in an over-the-air (OTA) update.
Despite breaking its promise, we are glad to see HTC delivering Lollipop goodness to its devices.
Source: @moversi (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Android 5.0.1 Lollipop landing on Sprint’s HTC One (M7) starting February 5
Study says that excessive use of smartphones can ruin your sleep
Full disclosure: by day, I work for a company that specializes in sleep medicine, which is why this article is so close to my heart and why I think it’s important to share it. A study just published on BMJ Open has uncovered an unhealthy link between excessive use of smartphones (and technology with screens in general) and issues […]
The post Study says that excessive use of smartphones can ruin your sleep appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Deal: LG G Watch R on sale for $249.99 at Daily Red Tags
While the verdict on Android Wear vs Samsung Gear might still be up for individual interpretation, one thing is a bit more certain: the LG G Watch R is a fantastic piece of kit. Featuring a plastic OLED screen with a fully complete circular display (something Motorola came up a bit flat in attempting), and fantastic battery life, the smartwatch was a major upgrade from the original LG G Watch released last summer. Unfortunately, top tech is often price prohibitive, and at $300 the G Watch R is a bit steep for some.
Thanks to shopping site Daily Red Tags however, it’s now available for $50 off, bringing the price down to just $249.99. The model in question is the International (European) model and thus for customers living in North America or Asia, the AC Adapter will inevitably not fit in your charging socket, but there are easy ways to get around that. It’s worth mentioning that this is the largest sale we’ve seen for the product, with only Amazon selling it at $10 below retail price at $289.
For all those who missed our coverage on the round wonder, take a gander at our review and see for yourself if the LG G Watch R might be right for you.
Apple in Talks With Content Providers for Web-Based TV Service
Rumors about Apple’s television plans have died down in recent months as no new product has appeared, but the company hasn’t given up on TV. According to industry executives that spoke to Re/code, Apple is in talks with television programmers over deals that would see the company potentially offering a web TV service.
Such a service would potentially allow Apple to offer a television service that would be streamed over the web, providing access to a bundle of channels from participating programmers. The service would not include a full lineup of channels like traditional cable, but it would offer a range of content delivered by Apple with its own interface.
The theory is that Apple would put together bundles of programming — but not the entire TV lineup that pay TV providers generally offer — and sell it directly to consumers, over the Web. That means Apple wouldn’t be reinventing the way TV works today, but offering its own version of it, with its own interface and user experience.
Apple is reportedly far enough along in the development of such a service that it has been showing potential programming partners demos of the service, talks remain in the early stages — pricing and a potential release timeline are unknown.
Apple originally had very ambitious plans for revamping television, which included a desire to create a subscription television service that would replace existing cable subscription packages, but was unable to move forward with that idea due to pushback from content providers.
After a string of failed negotiations, Apple scaled back on its television plans, aiming to wedge itself between cable companies and consumers by designing a set-top box that would play live television in lieu of a traditional cable box. Rumors suggested Apple was in talks with Comcast and Time Warner over such a service, which would also include cloud-based DVR functionality, but that did not materialize.
Apple has repeatedly failed to reach deals with content providers due to a reluctance to change the status quo, but as Re/code points out, the television industry has been shifting towards web-based models in recent months, and both Sony and Dish have managed to establish deals with programmers to provide live TV and video-on-demand over the web.
Apple TV rumors point to a Sling TV, PlayStation Vue competitor
It’s been about six months since we heard significant rumors about Apple + television and as predicted, here they are again. Re/code is hearing whispers that instead of trying to work with pay-TV companies like Time Warner Cable or Comcast, Apple will have its own over-the-top streaming service in the vein of the just-launched Sling TV, or upcoming services from Verizon and Sony. The rumor suggests Apple will license content directly from programmers, although its last go-round of negotiations suggesting a split in advertising revenue was not well-received. That similar services exist now certainly gives this round of rumors a shot in the arm, but Apple has been considering its next move in the living room for years without doing much. CEO Tim Cook mentioned last week that sales of the Apple TV have crossed 25 million units, and as usual the world is wondering what the company will do with its “hobby.” As always, until something is actually announced my advice is to remain skeptical.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Apple
Source: Re/code
Google Glass’ new boss wants to redesign the headset ‘from scratch’
If you suspected that Google Glass’ change of leadership would also lead to a big change in the wearable technology itself, you made a pretty good guess. As part of a tell-all about Glass’ troubles, the New York Times is claiming that project lead (and Nest CEO) Tony Fadell plans to redesign the head-mounted computer “from scratch.” And unlike the original, you aren’t likely to see any public beta testing — in keeping with earlier pronouncements, one tipster says that Fadell won’t release this next-gen device “until it’s perfect.” Just when that might happen is still up in the air, but the Nest exec’s historical focus on shipping over experimentation hints that you won’t have to wait years to try Glass 2 for yourself.
[Image credit: AP Photo]
Filed under: Wearables, Google
Source: New York Times
Androidify update includes NBA gear and even more goodies [APK Download]
There is a lot that can designed with the Androidify app. Pretty much anything imaginable can be transformed into an Android character. The latest update furthers that statement by bringing NBA gear and additional itmes to the app that already has plenty of content.
Ready to hit the court?
Users can equip their Android characters with jerseys and gear from any of the league’s thirty-two teams. Then, they can put on matching sneakers, wristbands, and headbands to complete the look. Google included new hairdos and accessories — such as hats and outfits — to give more choice.
So, for example, I was able to build the Philadelphia 76ers’ Allen Iverson as an Android character. His name? Allen Androiverson.
Come comment on this article: Androidify update includes NBA gear and even more goodies [APK Download]
Dead Zebra showcases some new Android goodies
Today, Dead Zebra added yet another figure to its rapidly-growing line-up in the Android Mini Collectible Series 05. The latest cookie-munching model, Cookie Master, was introduced earlier this morning and will be available for purchase later this month.
In the meantime, as from tomorrow, you will be able to pick up not only a BigBot green Android head and a blue/black Hangout scarf, but also the To-Fu mother and son combination from the Devilrobots team in the Dead Zebra shop.
Hit the break for the full gallery.
Source: Dead Zebra
Come comment on this article: Dead Zebra showcases some new Android goodies
Rogers launches the Nexus 9 in Canada
Starting today, residents in Canada can purchase the 4G-enabled model of Google’s latest tablet, the Nexus 9, directly from Roger’s for $699.99. The slate is currently available in either black or white from the carrier, and will leave its warehouse within 3-days of the order being placed.
The Nexus 9, manufactured by HTC, is deemed one of the best tablets on the market, packing a 8.9-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels, a 2.3GHz Tegra K1 dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a Kepler DX1 GPU and a 6,700 mAh battery.
If you’re based in Canada, like the sound of the Nexus 9 and want to bag yourself one from Rogers — hit the source link below.
Source: Roger’s
Come comment on this article: Rogers launches the Nexus 9 in Canada
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