Google I/O 2015 registration opens tomorrow at 12:00PM EDT
What does Google have prepared for the for the future? There is only one event to find that out. At Google I/O, the company unveils its plans for existing and future products. You really never know what to expect there. Registration for this year’s event opens tomorrow, March 17, at 12:00PM EDT. Anyone can register because Google selects the applicants that have the option to purchase one ticket. Applicants selected by Google who purchase tickets are able to attend I/O 2015.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Google I/O 2015 registration opens tomorrow at 12:00PM EDT
Drones will soon detect unexploded bombs in Laos
Drones are more than just flying robots designed for commercial deliveries and buying Crocs. Despite some lingering suspicion from consumers, unmanned aircrafts have been deployed for social good too. They can aid rescue missions, navigate tough regions and even put out fires. Now, Austin-based ArchAerial‘s new drone mission could potentially save lives in war-torn regions that are prone to accidents and fatalities from unexploded bombs.
An aerial imaging firm, ArchAerial, already employs multi-rotor aircrafts for agricultural mapping, academic research and archeological surveys. Over the weekend at SXSW, Ryan Baker, the company’s CEO, announced that his firm plans to deploy a prototype that will map minefields and locate unexploded bombs in areas historically ravaged by war. The humanitarian drone, essentially an Octocopter, will be loaded with LIDAR, a remote sensing technology that 3D maps the surface of the Earth with immaculate precision. If the mission goes as planned, it will keep surveyors from ever having to set foot on the ground in search of minefields.
ArchAerial’s first minefield-locating mission will be in Laos, a country quite literally scarred from the Vietnam War. The US dropped about two million tons of explosives within a span of nine years, making Laos, a small Southeast Asian country the most bombed area in the world. Half a century later, an estimated 80 million baseball-sized bombs scattered across the country continue to threaten civilian lives.
[Image credit: ArchAerial]
Filed under: Robots
Source: The Stack
Keep your device running smooth and fast with Power Clean [Android App Review]
Is your device running slow? Or perhaps it’s getting clogged up and you’re running low on storage? Then look no further because Power Clean by LIONMOBI contains all the utilities you need in one app to get your device feeling brand new again.
Featuring a memory boost feature, you’re able to optimise the phone speed by clearing out lingering background tasks. In addition, you’re also able to stop any auto-start apps to speed up the boot process. Android does a great job of managing your system resources and closing down tasks, but you’ll definitely notice a considerable speed increase after using this tool.
In addition, you’ll get a ‘junk clean’ option that will free up space on your device by clearing out the caches, downloads folder, and residual files.
With the app manager and device information section, Power Clean is rounded off with the ability to batch uninstall unwanted applications, delete pre-installed APKs, and move applications from internal storage to the SD card. You can also check your CPU, available RAM, and CPU/battery temps all in a quick glance.
The best part? It’s free! Power Clean offers great utilities for keeping your device in great condition and is definitely something you want on your Android device. With a clean interface and easy to navigate sections, Power Clean is an all-round fantastic app.
The post Keep your device running smooth and fast with Power Clean [Android App Review] appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Android Lollipop soak test for Moto X (2013) begins
Original Moto X (2013) owners have been waiting for the sought after Android Lollipop update ever since Motorola announced it would be included in the list of devices receiving the updates. Furthermore, seeing the new Moto X (2014) get the update less than two weeks after Lollipop was given to companies accelerated consumers desires for the update. Patience is paying off, as this past weekend Motorola started to invite people to take part in the soak test for the Moto X (2013) Lollipop update.
On Google+, Luciano Carvalho addressed the news that broke out about the soak test this weekend, and confirmed that it was indeed going out. He confirmed that this test is for Android Lollipop version 5.0.2, and that there were no current plans for 5.1. The update for the original has been difficult to work on, considering the original Moto X had the unique X8 computing chip. Nevertheless, Luciano Carvalho has been working very hard to be communicative, despite many Google+ users complaints (Honestly people, give the man a break).
If I were a betting man, I’d say that the jump from 5.0.2 to 5.1 will be easier to implement than the jump from 4.4.4 to 5.0.2, since there won’t be as many changes (though there are certainly many changes to Android 5.1). Also, the update to Android Lollipop is supposed to bring some sweet Motorola-specific updates to the first gen Moto X, which is certainly more than just updating to Android Lollipop. However, not only do I not gamble, but I don’t work in software, so I am definitely no official source of information. All I can say is, Motorola has really proven themselves recently, and I personally have faith we will see an Android Lollipop update to our Moto X (2013) devices very soon.
Keep a lookout for an update to Motorola Update Services on your Moto X (2013), as you’ll need that in order to upgrade your device to Android Lollipop.
Source: Luciano Carvalho
The post Android Lollipop soak test for Moto X (2013) begins appeared first on AndroidGuys.
How to Pair Your Apple Watch With Your iPhone and Install Apps [iOS Blog]
In just over a month, we will finally have the long-awaited Apple Watch in our hands, or technically, on our wrists. The first thing you’ll need to do once you get a hold of the new gadget is pair it with your iPhone and prepare to install apps for it.
To make sure you are ready for the big day, we have a how-to guide for pairing your iPhone with your Apple Watch. It won’t be hard, but it will use technology to pair the two devices in a way we’ve never seen before on an Apple product.
Apple Watch will require connection to an iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, 6, or 6 Plus running iOS 8.2. With varying methods of connectivity between the devices, Apple has developed a interesting system to pair the two devices using a camera feature.
Steps for Pairing Apple Watch with iPhone
- Launch the Apple Watch App on your iPhone
- Tap “Start Pairing” on the main screen
- Hold Apple Watch up to your iPhone’s camera so the screen is in alignment with the yellow outlined box on your iPhone’s screen
- Follow the on-screen instructions provided in the Apple Watch app
Alternate Method for Pairing Apple Watch Manually
If you do not wish to use the camera feature, you can alternatively pair Apple Watch with your iPhone manually.
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Torch for Band adds a mini flashlight to your Microsoft Band
With the recent arrival of the Microsoft Band SDK, we get to see a steady rise in apps for the fitness wearable. A new one just arrived, and it is called Torch for Band. Brought to you by the same folks who have also made Pimp My Band, Torch for Band is a nifty and useful app.
The idea behind Torch for Band is simple: make the display on the Microsoft Band all white. Much like early flashlight apps on Windows Phone, this white screen gives just enough light in a pinch to make it useful.
Samsung Canada announces pre-orders for the Gold Platinum Galaxy S6, S6 Edge
Samsung Canada has just announced its plans to open up pre-orders for the Gold Platinum Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in the coming weeks. The Gold Platinum pre-order option is in addition to the previously-announced Black Sapphire and Pearl White variants, which are both up for pre-order now. Both devices will be offered through major carriers and retailers, as well as Samsung Experience Stores. Canadian carriers that have opened up pre-orders include:
- Bell
- Eastlink
- Fido
- Rogers
- SaskTel
- TELUS
- Videotron
- Virgin Mobile
- Wind
For more information about pre-ordering the Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge, head to the Samsung Canada website here.
For those who need a refresher, both the S6 and S6 Edge have 5.1-inch Super AMOLED displays with an impressive resolution of 1440 x 2560. They’re both powered by the Samsung Exynos 7420 processor, 3GB of RAM and come with either 32, 64 or 128GB of internal storage. Both devices also bring 16MP rear-facing cameras with optical image stabilization and a 5MP front-facing camera. If you’d like some more information on these devices, check out our hands-on and first impressions videos of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.
Any Canadian Android lovers out there waiting for the Gold Platinum Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge?
Apple preparing trade-in program to lure Android users
Almost every carrier and hardware manufacturer has some form of an incentive program to gain customers. Whether it is paying for fees or offering credit for old devices, consumers have it made to get value when making a decision. Apple, however, has not entered this kind of territory. The company has long had its Apple Reuse and Recycle Program but that kept trade-ins restricted to its own products. That will all change as Apple is preparing a more generalized trade-in program.
Owners of non-Apple smartphones will be able to recycle and trade-in their devices for credit from Apple, according to 9to5Mac. The company-issued gift cards that accompany the trade-in are tasked with converting consumers into buyers of an iPhone. The value of the devices being swapped is based on both looks and operative status.
Training for the new program starts by the end of this week with a launch scheduled in the coming weeks. To make the trade-in process as seamless as possible, Apple employees in retail locations will offer to port contacts to a consumer’s new iPhone. All other data must be moved manually by the device owner.
When Apple launches this trade-in program, will you be interested in jumping ship from Android? Let us know in the comments.
Source: 9to5Mac
Come comment on this article: Apple preparing trade-in program to lure Android users
Xiaomi and Li-Ning are working on a pair of ‘smart’ running shoes
Chinese mobile juggernaut Xiaomi is already in the wearables game, but it’ll soon equip runners’ training sessions. The phone and accessory maker is working on a pair of “smart” running shoes with Li-Ning — a China-based footwear company with a list endorsers that includes Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade. Each pair will have chips in its soles to track activity, beaming data to a mobile app to keep tabs on progress, analyze form and celebrate training milestones. The tech is being developed alongside Huami Technology, the wearable manufacturer that lent a hand with Xiaomi’s Mi band. There’s no word on pricing or availability just yet, but runners in China can expect “an affordable price,” according to a Li-Ning statement.
With an increasingly crowded fitness market in the US, and Xiaomi’s focus on accessories in the States, it’ll be interesting to see if the shoes make it across the pond. Li-Ning’s shoes are available to US customers, including the aforementioned Way of Wade sneakers. Of course, Apple and Nike put an iPod-friendly sensor in shoes back in 2006, and Adidas’ miCoach Speed Cell tallies speed, distance and more for a range of activities.
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile
Source: Reuters
Pixel Mower review
From the developer team Power Mob, Pixel Mower is a new Android game that fits into the “pick up and play” and “endless runner” categories, and it might just be your next smartphone game to get addicted to.
If you’ve ever played Temple Run, Sonic Dash or any other game like this, you’ll be familiar with the controls Pixel Mower offers. Tap left to go left, and tap right to go right. Meanwhile, the lawn mower you’re controlling is collecting grass for every tile you cross. Collecting grass is the main objective which adds to your total score for that round, while collecting flowers is the secondary objective, which is used for currency in the game. Of course, you’ll be dodging lines of bushes along the way. If you hit a bush, you’ll get the option to either watch an ad for about 15 seconds and continue where you left off, or go right back home. After watching the ad, you’ll resume going a little bit faster. Crash again, and you’ll have to start over.
As a free-to-play game, it uses flowers as the currency, which you collect on your lawn-mowing travels. Every ad you watch also gives you 10 flowers. You can use flowers to buy new mowers, which is actually pretty easy when considering you are gaining flowers during the game and have the option to watch an ad for 10 flowers whenever you want. Starter mowers cost 20 flowers, then progressing mowers cost 50, then 100, then 200, 500, etc… all the way up to a 2,000 flower car. Players dedicated to this game might not have much trouble getting the highest cost car in my opinion, as you could buy it by watching 100 ads… not that you would want to.
Pixel Mower does not offer anything unique when it comes to an endless runner free-to-play game, however what it does offer is fun enough for any casual gamer. I recommend you give it a try by hitting the Play Store link below and let us know in the comments what you think!
Pixel Mower – Google Play Store
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