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 […]
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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.]
How to Choose the Right Apple Watch Band Size [iOS Blog]
After spending hours looking at the wide variety of Apple Watch band options, you’ve probably narrowed it down to just a few different models. One aspect you may not have thought through entirely, however, is what size band you need.
Apple is going to allow users to try on the wrist-worn device at its retail stores starting April 10. That is, however, the same day pre-orders become available, so if you don’t want to risk your favorite model selling out before you have a chance to try one on, you can use Apple’s sizing guide [PDF]. We also have a few suggestions to help you figure out which band is right for you.
Not all Apple Watch bands are available in every size and not all bands are available with every model. For example, the Classic Buckle is the only band that goes as small as 125 mm (4.92 inches). It is also the only band that goes as large as 215 mm (8.46 inches). Some bands are also available with only some casing sizes, as the Modern Buckle is compatible only with 38 mm casings and the Leather Loop is compatible only with 42 mm models.
Below is a rundown of what bands in which sizes are available with each casing (excluding the gold Apple Watch Edition). When looking at the band sizes below, keep in mind that the average woman’s wrist is between 140 mm (5.5 inches) and 170 mm (6.7 inches) and the average man’s wrist is between 165 mm (6.5 inches) and 195 mm (7.8 inches).
Modern Buckle
Case size 38 mm
- Small fits wrist circumference 5.3–5.9 inches (135–150 mm)
- Medium fits wrist circumference 5.7–6.5 inches (145–165 mm)
- Large fits wrist circumference 6.3–7.1 inches (160–180 mm)
Case size 42 mm
- None Available
Leather Loop
Case size 38 mm
- None Available
Case size 42 mm
- Medium fits wrist circumference 5.9–7.3 inches (150–185 mm)
- Large fits wrist circumference 7.1–8.3 inches (180–210 mm)
Milanese Loop
Case Size 38 mm
- Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 5.1–7.1 inches (130–180 mm)
Case size 42 mm
- Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 5.9–7.9 inches (150–200 mm)
Link Bracelet
Case size 38 mm
- Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 5.3–7.7 inches (135–195 mm)
Case size 42 mm
- Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 5.9–8.07 inches (140–205 mm)
Classic Buckle
Case size 38 mm
- Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 4.9–7.9 inches (125–200 mm)
Case size 42 mm
- Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 5.7–8.5 inches (145–215 mm)
Sport Band
*Watch and standalone band pack each come with both S/M and M/L bands.
Case size 38 mm
- Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 5.1–7.1 inches (130–180 mm)
- Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 5.9–7.9 inches (150–200 mm)
Case Size 42 mm
- Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 5.5–7.3 inches (140–185 mm)
- Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 6.3–8.3 inches (160–210 mm)
Getting Your Band Size
The first thing you should do is measure your wrist. Using a cloth tape measure (or a string measured with a standard ruler), you’ll typically want to wrap your left wrist if you are right-handed or your right wrist if you are left-handed.
Wrist preference for watches is, however, purely a personal thing, so feel free to use whichever wrist feels more comfortable to you. The Apple Watch has settings to allow it to be used on either the left or right wrist, although positioning of the Digital Crown and side button will be reversed depending on orientation.
Most cloth tape measures are based on inches, not millimeters, so you may want to convert your measurement. One inch is equal to 25.4 mm, so if your wrist is seven inches in circumference, multiply by 25.4 to get 177.8 mm. Or, you can reference our conversion guide above.
Choosing a Band
Taking a seven-inch wrist as the model, you can see that the Modern Buckle might not be a comfortable fit. Although the large size covers wrist of up to 7.1 inches, you won’t have any room for weight changes or slight puffing at night (or while going on long walks).
If your wrist measures seven inches in circumference, you may want to avoid the 38 mm case for all models except the Link Bracelet, Classic Buckle, and Sport Band.
If your wrist measures more than eight inches in circumference, your options for the 38 mm case are even more limited, and the Sport Band would be your best option.
In the reverse, a smaller wrist, say one that measures 5.5 inches in circumference, might find some of the 42 mm models to be a bit too loose. The Sport Band would be the best options for someone with a 5.5-inch wrist looking for a 42 mm casing, although you would probably find the Classic Buckle to fit fairly well since it is only 0.16 of an inch larger. While a slightly larger band is easier to get used to than a slightly smaller band, the Apple Watch needs to be worn snugly so the sensor on the back of the device can accurately pick up the user’s heart rate.
Considering all of the different band/casing combinations and available band sizes should give you a good start on picking the right Apple Watch band ahead of the pre-order launch. With any luck, your favorite option won’t sell out.
The first round of pre-orders for the Apple Watch will be available in nine countries starting April 10, both online and in Apple retail stores. The wrist-worn device will launch across those countries on April 24. Prices start at $349 for the aluminum Apple Watch Sport model, $549 for the stainless steel Apple Watch model, and $10,000 for the gold Apple Watch Edition Model. Starting April 10, you will also be able to make a reservation or stop by an Apple retail store to try on the Apple Watch and place pre-orders.
Relax, your smartphone and smartwatch won’t — and can’t — give you cancer
Repeat after me: your smartphone is not giving you cancer, and neither is your smartwatch.
We in the Mobile Nations family tend to be tech-obsessed. We get the newest smartphones with the biggest batteries and most powerful radios, we strap on the latest in fitness bands and smartwatches, and we spend our days interacting with laptops and tablets and all other manner of technology. And rarely at the front of our minds are the potential health impacts of these devices. Sure, there are things to be said for our psychological state of mind, and our chiropractors probably have something to say about our heads-down smartphone posture. But neurologists, oncologists, engineers, and scientists universally agree: the radios in our gadgets cannot, do not, and will not cause cancer.
That doesn’t stop otherwise reputable outlets from publishing fear-mongering pieces, like this one yesterday from the New York Times titled “Could Wearable Computers Be as Harmful as Cigarettes?” (and since retitled to the much less alarmist “Health Concerns in Wearable Tech”). It’s not just embarrassing, it’s also the latest in a string of pseudo-science quackery about technology and your health.
It’s high time we cut down to the science about of radiation, biology, and technology.
Xbox 360 game disc scratching class action lawsuit revived
A class action lawsuit filed against Microsoft over a hardware flaw in the Xbox 360 was revived Wedneday. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Seattle overturned a lower court ruling that said owners of the console could not sue Mircrosoft over a defect that might cause the Xbox 360’s disc drive to scratch game discs.
Making ResearchKit open source is said to be about collaboration
ResearchKit was reportedly the topic of conversation at a recent Apple employee question and answer session hosted by SVP of Operations Jeff Williams and software engineering VP Bud Tribble.
Williams and Tribble are said to have answered many questions about Apple’s new medical research framework. Topics included how the idea for ResearchKit came about, as well as the decision to make it open source, according to 9to5Mac:
Tribble commented on the decision for making ResearchKit open source by saying, “If someone comes with a new way to measure the impact of Parkinson’s disease, they can put that module in ResearchKit and other researchers can use that as well.” He added that this strategy is “actually a very good match between Apple’s motives and how researchers are used to working, which is in a very open collaborative environment.”
Williams also highlighted how personal the ResearchKit project was for many at Apple:
Williams ended the conversation with employees by saying that “the engagement [of the developers] was just at the most personal level I have ever seen” because “so many of us have been affected by these diseases that there’s a strong personal connection.” He added that the “team working on ResearchKit seem to be really touched by that.”
ResearchKit was unveiled during Apple’s Spring Forward event on March 9. Five apps were launched alongside the announcement, including studies for heart health, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. Stanford’s MyHeart Counts cardiovascular study app saw 11,000 signups in the first 24 hours of availability.
ResearchKit will be available to developers at some point in April.
Source: 9to5Mac
HTC One (M7) owners, no Lollipop 5.1 for you!
It wasn’t too long ago that HTC had a reputation for being pretty horrid when it came to updating their Android devices, but this all changed starting with the HTC One M7. Upon release of said device, HTC promised two years of update support and they’ve kept that promise. Unfortunately, a new Tweet from Mo Versi indicates that the M7’s days of updates are over.
According to the HTC VP of Product Management, Android 5.1 is coming to the One M7 Google Play Edition, but not to the standard M7. To be fair, HTC has done a great job with updating the handset over the years, starting with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and ending with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Still, Android 5.1 seems less like a luxury update and more like an essential one, if only because it fixes much of what was broken with Android 5.0 Lollipop.
@kennymaclean Only the GPE version of M7 will receive 5.1. Our target is early April. Thanks.
— Mo Versi (@moversi) March 18, 2015
At least as far as my own Nexus 5 is concerned, Android 5.0 Lollipop was barely usable in its original form, and yet now works like a dream since updating to Android 5.1. Seems like a small slap in the face for One (M7) owners that will never see the crucial bug fixes found in 5.1. Then again, many of the issues that are found on stock Android devices might not have been a problem for HTC owners in the first place. That and with the phone turning two years old, many users are probably getting ready to upgrade to something newer anyhow.
What do you think of the news? Feel that HTC should release one more update to Android 5.1, or can’t blame them for calling it quits? For M7 owners, what do you make of this news?
AIVAnet 