How to access your music collection from OneDrive with Xbox Music
In case you missed it, Microsoft has started allowing Xbox Music users to store personal music collection on OneDrive. You can add your MP3s to OneDrive and play them on your PC, phone, and Xbox. It’s really simple. Upload your music files to the new “Music” folder in OneDrive and that music will magically appear in the Xbox Music apps for Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, as well as on your Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Watch our how-to video for more details.
Android Auto is finally here, official app is now available in Google Play
After nearly a year from it’s official introduction, Android Auto is finally available. Last week brought the first 3rd party head unit from Pioneer Electronics, but with no official app, it was unusable.
Today, Google released the Android Auto app which is necessary in order to bring Auto compatible apps to your dash. All developers needs to do is add the necessary code to their apps, and they can be viewed and controlled from your car’s dash. Now that the app is official, we should start seeing more apps get integrated over the new few weeks. We will also see more head units available from Kenwood and Parrot, as well as other car manufacturers like Audi and Volkswagen.
It’s important to note that Android Auto only works with Android 5.0+ devices, which at this moment in time, is less than 5% of you. However, that number will pick up once the Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9 get released early next month.
Are you jumping on the Android Auto bandwagon?
Come comment on this article: Android Auto is finally here, official app is now available in Google Play
Samsung starts pushing out Lollipop OTA in France
The South Korean multinational conglomerate company that is Samsung has just started pushing out the much-anticipated, eagerly-awaited Lollipop update to all unlocked models of the Note 4 located in France. This 1.3GB upgrade transports the latest build of the Android operating system to the handset, in addition to a handful of bug fixes, stability improvements and speed optimizations.
Hit the break for the full changelog.
- Material Design: You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device – from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets.
- Notifications UI & Priorities: In order to alert you to the most timely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved:
- notifications will appear on the lock screen and are intelligently ranked by type and who sent them.
- you double-tap to open one, swipe left or right to clear one, or clear all notifications from the bottom of the list.
- you can set the priority and privacy of notifications for each application.
- very high priority notifications will pop up briefly over other applications so that you can take action.
- when you dismiss a notification on one device it will be dismissed on your other Android devices, if they are connected to the Internet.
- you can further tailor how notifications behave with the new Downtime and Ambient Display settings (see below).
- New Interruptions & Downtime Settings: You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend.
- Recent Apps (Multi-tasking): The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks.
- Flashlight: Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it).
- Pin a view/app: Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can ‘pin’ a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone.
- Battery: The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life.
- Smarter Internet Connections: With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified Internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.
- Performance: Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space.
- Security: Encryption can now use a stronger 256-bit key to help protect your data. Note that the stronger key willonly be used after you perform a factory reset on Android Lollipop. Otherwise encryption will continue to use 128-bit key. You can turn on encryption in the Security settings menu.
To start the update, make sure you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. Then, from the home screen, press the Menu key, followed by Settings. Scroll to the bottom and tap ‘About Device’, followed by ‘Software Update and ‘Update Now’.
Thanks, Sean!
Come comment on this article: Samsung starts pushing out Lollipop OTA in France
Android Device Manager now supports Android Wear
Google has announced that it is updating its Android Device Manager with support for Android Wear smartwatches, offering additional protection in the case of lost or stolen devices.
The Android Device Manager allows users to track the location of, make ring, lock and even erase all of the data on their Android device, providing that it is switched on. Which is useful if you’re a tad forgetful and offers you some level of data protection if your technology is stolen.
The update to the system will allow for wearable devices to help locate your other Android products. For example, if you misplace your phone but still have your watch on your wrist, you can use Android Wear to help find your phone. Just say “Ok Google. Find my phone” or select ‘Find my phone’ from the start menu and your smartphone will ring at full volume.
This feature is not active on all Android Wear devices yet, but will be rolling out to all wearables within the next few weeks. Users won’t need to download an update or do anything else with their watch to receive the new features, other than sit tight.
If you would like a closer look at how to setup and use the Android Device Manager, check out our in-depth guide here.
OnePlus teases a new “game changing” device that will launch in April
OnePlus has certainly made a name for itself over the past year, whether that comes from the company’s “flagship killer“, marketing mishaps, or controversial invite system. It’s next big adventure seems to be on its way soon, thanks to a new teaser outed on the official OnePlus forums. In the forum post, the spokesperson from OnePlus explains that the company’s next product is “not a smartwatch, and not a tablet. But it is a game changer”.
Three teaser images were included in the post, the first of which is attached above. In the first image, we’re seeing some sort of sensor, but we don’t have many details beyond that. It could suggest that this new device will include a type of camera sensor, but that’s a pretty broad guess.
The next image shows the OnePlus logo drawn in a trail of two red lights. This might suggest we’ll see some type of motion tracking technology, similar to what we see on the Nintendo Wii.
The last image from the forum post (attached below) shows a pair of hands that look like they’re holding a controller. This could imply an Xbox Kinect-type system, where a motion sensor tracks your every move.
Whatever it is, we’ll need to wait until April to hear more from OnePlus. What do you think it is? Is it a set-top box that can track your movements? Or could it be a simple controller for mobile games? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
34 games and apps free today thanks to Amazon App Store birthday gifts
I love that Google’s Play Store and the Amazon App Store came about around the same time. Not literally, as the Amazon App Store was around before Google changed the name, but in terms of when they celebrate their birthdays is pretty close together. Today Amazon is celebrating the Amazon App Stores Birthday and that […]
The post 34 games and apps free today thanks to Amazon App Store birthday gifts appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Fossil and TAG Heuer team up with Google and Intel for upcoming Android Wear watches
Android Wear is a pretty special and unique was of connecting to our digital life. They give us quick glance looks at information, fun added features, fitness tracking abilities and customization by way of watch faces and straps. While they are pretty awesome, there are a limited number of them to choose from. The Motorola […]
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Android Auto releases today with Pioneer
Back in January, Pioneer announced their plans to be the first manufacturer to release stereos with Android Auto. That day has come, as starting today you can get three different Pioneer stereos that come with Android Auto: the AVIC-8100NEX, the AVIC-7100NEX, and the AVH-4100NEX.
The first model, the AVH-4100NEX costs $699, with the AVIC-7100NEX costing $1,199.99, and the AVIC-8100NEX costing $1,399.99. Each model going up will give you more features, but each has Android Auto and all that comes with that. If you want to check out more information about the Pioneer units, head here.
Doing a quick search on Pioneer’s site, it looks like you can buy these units on Pioneer’s site, Crutchfield, and a couple other sites. However, it’s likely we will see these quickly pop up in places like Best Buy.
Android Auto is only compatible with phones that run Android 5.0 or higher, considering Android Auto is running Lollipop itself. I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with someone about the process of creating Android Auto, and I can tell you they have worked very hard on making sure this system will be a great experience from the get-go, and that they have the user solely in mind. For more information on what Android Auto is like and what it does, check out my experience with Android Auto at CES.
Android Auto is the first operating system made for a car by a company that knows how to build an OS. I am very excited to get my hands on a unit to see how well it works. It’s great to know that these units should be capable of being installed on any car where it can fit. It will also be exciting to see how Android Auto will actually keep people safe on the road.
Are you excited about Android Auto, and will you be getting one?
Source: Android on Google+
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Pong’s Classic Case for the Galaxy S5
Worried about the radiation from your phone? The Pong classic case has you covered with a custom engineered antenna inside to reduce radiation exposure from your smart phone. The case is custom engineered for specific carrier antennas to provide the best protection. The thin antenna inside the case instantly pairs with your phone when you put it on. The case also provides good protection from drops with military standards. Cell phones and radiation has been a hot topic for quite some time with articles being written from scientist, doctors, and major news corporations. The jury is still out on weather the low frequency radiation emitted from a phone really creates a health risk for heavy users.
Whether or not you believe the radiation from a phone is harmful is debatable but one fact is known there is radiation produced when a phone is being used. The clear fact is now days it’s next to impossible to venture out without a cell phone. With the extinction of pay phones the need for cell phones have become necessity. Add to it the smart phone has made what was several different technologies and made them one. So you must use a phone but your worried about the radiation what do you do? Luckily there are companies out there to counteract that radiation. Pong has put countless amounts of time and research to effectively remove that radiation up to 93%.
The case is a simple hard shell black case with a very identifiable diamond patter on the back. The pattern shown the gold-plated antenna housed within. Not only will the case help with harmful radiation it also advertises a signal boost by optimizing the connection with the tower. The fit and finish is high quality with no noticeable imperfections. The protection it offers allows the user to feel confident while using the phone on the go. You get a sturdy form fit case with the added bonus of reducing radiation exposure and less drop calls.
So whats the verdict? Well for starters this is a well built case that has proven test for durability on bar with most cases. Unfortunately I could not confirm the case helped with call quality. The Galaxy S5 has very good quality and AT&T in my area is superb. I tested in several hit or miss spots around town and the phone call were sent and received with no drop in quality. Was it the case or just a good day is yet to be really told. Other test with cases and no case seem to have the same results. The standout feature is the radiation protection which again I could not really test for definitive proof. Pongs website has ample information about the proof test of their cases and several studies that prove it works to. The case is $49.99 and comes in black only and is carries specific. While being a good quality the price is in the same range as other more protective cases. If you are generally worried about all that radiation in your pocket, hand, and next to your head this is the case for you.
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JXE Streams: Into the deep, dark woods of ‘Ori and the Blind Forest’
Last week during our stream of Grand Theft Auto V, we asked our Twitch viewers what brand new game they wanted us to play on the show. Let it never be said that we don’t deliver! Today on JXE Streams, we’re going to play through two hours of Ori and the Blind Forest because you demanded it. If you’re unfamiliar, Ori is a lushly animated adventure game where you guide a whispy spirit through an arboreal maze. Think Metroid by way of Spirited Away and you’ll get the idea.
Tune into Engadget.com/gaming, Twitch.tv/Joystiq, or right here to this post at 3PM ET today to check out the Xbox One version of Ori. Hang with us in the chat as we discuss the challenges of making 2D games look great in HD, how to make non-linear adventure games and how awesome Hayao Miyazaki is.
Like the streams? Bookmark Engadget.com/gaming to get a look at our upcoming schedule!
[We’re playing a digital copy of Ori and the Blind Forest on Xbox One streamed through an Elgato Capture HD via OBS at 720p.]
AIVAnet 